Each year, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki celebrates Mass for Springfield diocesan knights and ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Joining the bishop as special guests Aug. 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception were Sir Max and Lady Mary Anne Brown of River Forest. Sir Max is lieutenant of the North Central Lieutenancy which comprises Illinois and five other Midwestern states.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is the only lay institution of the Vatican State charged with the task of providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and for all the activities and initiatives which are necessary to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The contributions made by its members throughout the world are therefore the Patriarchate's institutions' main source of funding.