CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Region for the Federal Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta announces that member Knight Joseph Tronco of Charlotte has been awarded the Cross Pro Merito Melitensi by the Sovereign Council in Rome.
The Cross Pro Merito Melitensi is awarded to those who have brought honor to the Order of Malta, promoting Christian values in serving the poor, sick and disadvantaged.
The Order of Malta was founded in 1050, and remains true to its inspiring principles, summarized in the motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum,” nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith and serving the poor and the sick representing the Lord, which become reality through the voluntary work carried out by Dames and Knights in humanitarian assistance and medical and social activities. Today the order carries out these activities in more than 120 countries.
Tronco has been a member of the Order of Malta since 2001 and has served on its board of directors in Washington, D.C., as well as many other boards and organizations in the Charlotte and
Charleston areas. He and his wife Kathy are parishioners of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.
— Billy Schiffiano
CHARLOTTE — For the fifth consecutive year, thanks to the generosity of volunteers and parishioners from St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, including members of their Knights of Columbus Council, many children in the community received new bikes this Christmas.
Operation Bikes is part of Operation Santa’s Helpers, which was begun 30 years ago by long time Special Olympics volunteer “Santa” Bob Bowler as a Christmas special needs program.
A committee headed by longtime St. John Neumann members John CasaSanta and Mike Horeth received donations to purchase 163 bikes from the Wal-Mart at the Galleria on North Sardis Road during the store’s Black Friday special.
They were distributed to children from Our Lady of Consolation and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes as well as several local schools by “Santa’s Helpers” Brian and Matt Allio, Bill Edelen, Cindy Satink, John Streitman, Don Zaron, Dave Adams, Mike Munao and Robert Gregory.
— Photo provided by Al Tinson and Marty Schneider