Diocesan residents promoted, invested in Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre

Two diocesan residents were promoted in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem during a ceremony recently and 12 others were invested as knights and dames during a second ceremony.

Sir Robert William Hostoffer, a parishioner at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, was promoted to the rank of commander by Archbishop Jerome Listecki, archbishop of Milwaukee and coadjutor lieutenancy prior.

Dame Tara Alan Mowery of Immaculate Conception Parish in Willoughby, was promoted to the rank of dame commander with star. Archbishop Listecki also presided at her promotion.

Both promotions took place on Oct. 5 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Following the promotion ceremony, Archbishop Listecki celebrated a votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The 12 new knights and dames were invested by Archbishop Listecki during a solemn ceremony on Oct. 6 in the St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, also in LaCrosse.

The new knights and dames and their home parishes are:

• Sir Richrd Clare Beckwith, St. Noel Parish, Willoughby Hills
• Dame Deborah Brindza, St. Rita Parish, Solon
• Sir Deacon Dennis Conrad, St. Patrick Parish (Bridge Avenue), Cleveland
• Dame Paula Jean Conrad, St. Patrick Parish (Bridge Avenue), Cleveland
• Dame Angela Marie Coyne, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Chagrin Falls
• Father Kevin Edward Estabrook, pastor, St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Cleveland
• Sir Toribio Carrillo Flores, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Gates Mills
• Dame Susan Gumabao Flores, St. Francos of Assisi Parish, Gates Mills
• Sir David Peter Kofol, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland
• Sir Matthew Charles O’Hearn III, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Chagrin Falls
• Sir Stanley Steven Stepak Jr., Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, Cleveland
• Dame Robin Marie Stepak, Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, Cleveland

A memorial Mass followed the investiture ceremony to remember and pray for members of the order who died during the previous year. The newly invested knights and dames are the newest members of the Cleveland Section of the order.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a pontifical order of chivalry under the protection of the Holy See, with origins that can be traced back to the First Crusade. Members make a lifetime commitment to live a life of the order’s spirituality and make a commitment to the order’s mission of service and support for the Christians in the Holy Land. Today the order has more than 30,000 members worldwide. The North Central Lieutenancy, one of nine lieutenancies in the United States, covers the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Click here to learn more about the order.