Sovereign Military Order of Malta - Ohio Area

12/19/2025

Cleveland Area members Greg Zenczak, KM; Mary Zenczak, DM; Brian McDonough, KM; and Liz McDonough took part in the Order of Malta American Association’s 9th Annual Baby Steps Camino, a three-day beach pilgrimage from Jacksonville Beach to the Our Lady of La Leche National Shrine at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine. The Baby Camino consisted of three days of walking ten miles per day, with Mass, Confession, Holy Hours, and pilgrim socials each day. Pilgrims received stamps in their official credential passport after each day, and the 30 miles completed counted toward the Camino de Santiago Compostela in Spain. The event provided opportunities for prayer, reflection, sacrifice, worship, and fellowship. The pilgrimage concluded with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine.

12/10/2025

On Friday, December 5th, the Cleveland Area gathered for a heartwarming Advent Celebration that beautifully blended faith, fellowship, and service. Hosted by Area Hospitaller Karen Hostoffer and her husband Bob, the evening began with a spirit of generosity as members and guests came together to fill more than 50 Malta Bags — each one destined to bring comfort and dignity to the homeless across greater Cleveland. The celebration then turned to the altar, where Chaplain Fr. John Valencheck led the community in Holy Mass, grounding the evening in prayer and reflection. A highlight of the night was the chance to meet Prayer Partners from NET Ministry, the dynamic Catholic youth missionary organization. Their presence infused the gathering with youthful energy and reminded all in attendance of the power of intergenerational faith connections.

11/18/2025

The American Association of the Order of Malta held its annual Investiture in New York, NY on Friday, November 14, 2025. The Cleveland Area was thrilled to welcome four new Knights of Malta and one new Dame. Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Principal Chaplain, accepted the vows of 110 new members at the Solemn Mass of Investiture, held at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The ceremony was followed by a White Tie dinner at which Sr. Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State was the featured speaker.

11/07/2025

Feast of All Souls: Cleveland Area Gathers in Prayer and Celebration

Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Philip Bernier, OFM Cap, at St. Peter's Historic Church in Cleveland

10/20/2025

Members of the Cleveland Area were delighted to be invited by Bishop Edward Malesic to participate in the White Mass on October 17th, at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe, Ohio. After Mass, attendees enjoyed dinner and a profoundly moving speaker, Dr Kathleen Lutter, titled, "Surviving the Secular Culture as a Catholic OB/Gyn."

10/03/2025

The Ohio – Cleveland Area held its Annual Day of Recollection on Saturday, September 27th at St. Sebastian’s Church in Akron, OH. After time for prayer, contemplation and Reconciliation, members enjoyed assembling bags for the Malta Walks ministry. The day concluded with Holy Mass, celebrated by John Valencheck, ChM.

After time for prayer, contemplation and Reconciliation, members enjoyed assembling bags for the Malta Walks ministry.

09/26/2025

Dr. Nicolle McGowan, Chair of the Order of Malta, Cleveland Area, will address the First Friday Club of Cleveland luncheon on October 2, 2025, on the history behind the Knights Hospitaller:

08/20/2025

Members from the Cleveland Area attended the Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Champion this past week. Attendees included (L-R) Dr. Jim and Wendy Ohliger, and Dr. Robert and Karen Hostoffer. Jim and Wendy will be invested into the Order this November. They commented that this Pilgrimage really cemented their decision to join the Order of Malta, as everyone they met was warm, welcoming and nice. The spirituality that was ever present, especially during the Masses, but also in the various talks from our Chaplains, was a gift to all. The pilgrims left on Sunday morning feeling renewed and ready to serve!

07/21/2025

The Cleveland Area of the Order of Malta was delighted to participate in the second of three Jubilee Pilgrimages being held in Cleveland this summer. Lead by Rev. Fr. Damian Ference, Members attended Mass, and then prayed the Rosary as they processed from St. John Bosco Church to the Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine. Pilgrims were then invited to enjoy food trucks, ice cream, and live music at the Incarnate Word Academy. In attendance were (L-R): Niki McGowan, DM; Karen Hostoffer, DM; Wendy Ohliger, DM; Fr. Damian Ference; Jim Ohliger, KM; Brian McDonough, KM; Basil Damukaitis, KM

07/03/2025

The Order of Malta, Cleveland area, celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi by participating in the 9 AM Mass and Eucharistic Procession at St. Sebastian's Catholic Church in Akron, OH. The celebrant, Rev. Fr. John Valenchek, is the chaplain of our Cleveland area of Malta. We hope you enjoy this beautiful video that the team at St. Sebastian's put together.

He’s really here.This video captures one of the most beautiful Masses I’ve ever experienced Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.It’s h...

06/25/2025

The Chaplain of the Cleveland Area, Rev. Fr. John Valencheck, cordially invited members to participate in the Corpus Christi Procession at St Sebastian’s Parish in Akron, Ohio on Sunday, June 22nd. In attendance were Robert Hostoffer, KM; Michael Kelley, KM; Fr John Valencheck, ChM; Thom McGowan, KM; Greg Zenczack, KM; Karen Hostoffer, DM; Niki McGowan, DM; Mary Zenczack, DM; Brian McDonough, YOF; and Michael Bontempo, Aux.