Bishop Edward Malesic and the Diocese of Cleveland hosted the North Central Lieutenancy, which includes knights and dames from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. 

Because of extensive renovations underway at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, the vigil service and promotions took place Sept. 26 at the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood. The investiture and liturgy of the memorial Mass were celebrated Sept. 27 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in South Euclid. Cardinal Fernando Filoni, grand master of the order, who is based in Rome, presided at both.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, Illinois, is the grand prior of the lieutenancy and Bishop Malesic is the coadjutor prior. 

The weekend featured meetings, speakers, opportunities for confession, adoration and Mass as well as social events. On Sept. 25, members and guests attended a reception at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, where they heard a presentation from Catholic sculptor Timothy Schmalz. Several of his large, bronze sculptures based on Matthew 25 are located in the diocese, including “Homeless Jesus.” 

“We are not a philanthropic society or a state entity. And although we are an equestrian order, we have no horses,” Cardinal Filoni quipped as he began his keynote address on Sept. 26. “We are an order for the sake of the Church in the Holy Land.” He talked about the difficulties existing in the Middle East, noting there is only one parish open in Gaza.  

Pope Leo created a new Friends of the Order group for those who want to participate in the mission but are not able to be fully invested. 

During the Sept. 26 vigil service, the nearly 100 new investees were presented to the cardinal. Each came forward to sign the official documents of the order. Their capes and insignia were blessed and they recited the order’s promise. 

Hundreds of knights, dames and clergy solemnly processed into the church before the Sept. 27 investiture liturgy, celebrated by Cardinal Filoni. Concelebrants included Cardinal Cupich, Bishop Malesic, Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost; Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenberger; Cincinnati Archbishop Robert Casey, a new investee; Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bishop David Walkowiak, a native of the diocese; Columbus Bishop Earl Fernandes; Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Robert Fisher; and Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, which will host the event in 2027. 

The 16 newly invested from the Cleveland Diocese are: 

• Maria Babula, Mary Queen of the Apostles Parish, Brook Park 

• Felicitas Juguilon, St. Albert the Great Parish, North Royalton 

• Linda Lagunzad, St. Columbkille Parish, Parma 

• Shelley Peet-Martinko, Church of the Resurrection, Solon 

• Deborah Scopacsa, Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Euclid 

• Tom Kurtz, St. Michael Parish, Independence 

• Joe LaMantia, St. Bernadette Parish, Westlake 

• Rob Martinko, Church of the Resurrection, Solon 

• George Metz, St. Clare Parish, Lyndhurst 

• Andy Rebholz, St. John Neumann Parish, Strongsville 

• Jim Ruddock, St. Noel Parish, Willoughby Hills 

• Andy Schuler, Church of the Gesu, University Heights 

• Daniel Banke 

• Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocation director 

• Father Mark Latcovich, pastor, St. Ladislas Parish, Westlake

• Father James Mayer, O de M, St. Rocco Parish, Cleveland

After Mass, Sir Richard Coyne of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Chagrin Falls was promoted to knight commander. Sir Daniel Mowery of Immaculate Conception Parish, Willoughby and Sir Robert Hostoffer each received the Pius IX Award for exemplary service. Mowery and his wife, Dame Tara Mowrey, lead the Cleveland order and Daniel Mowery serves as archivist for the lieutenancy. Hostoffer was recognized for his service as 2026 investiture host.

Among local knights and dames organizing the investiture weekend activities were the Mowerys and Robert and Karen Hostoffer.