RECEIVING A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) honored Bishop Barnes (center) with the Gold Palm Award on Apr. 24. Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, local Grand Pryor, presented him with the award at a private ceremony in San Marcos.
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ), a prestigious international Catholic organization focused on works of charity and revitalization in the Holy Land, honored Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes in several ways this past year.
At a private ceremony in San Marino on Apr. 24, Bishop Barnes received the Gold Palm Award, given to “persons of flawless moral conduct, especially meritorious on behalf of the Order.” Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, who is the local Grand Pryor of the EOHSJ, presented Bishop Barnes with the medal.
Perhaps more significantly, the reception area of a new Nursing School Building at Bethlehem University has been named in Bishop Barnes’ honor. This came about when Greg and Densy Chandra, who are parishioners of The Holy Name of Jesus in Redlands and a Knight and Dame of EOHSJ, respectively, sought to give Bishop Barnes an award in his retirement for his lifetime of support to EOHSJ.
Bishop Barnes was invested as a Knight of the Order in 1993, and now carries the title of Chaplain. He commends the EOHSJ for the work that they carry out in the Holy Land maintaining pilgrim sites and funding schools, hospitals and orphanages that benefit both Christians and Muslims.
“It’s a great work that that the organization has done, because it brings together not only the holy sites where Jesus walked and lived and died and rose, but it ties it into the living reality of the people because Jesus is still there in the lives of these people,” said Bishop Barnes.
“I saw the good work that [the EOHSJ] does, and so I’ve encouraged it. I’ve helped as much as I can to promote it here in the Diocese,” said Bishop Barnes.
Densy Chandra said that Bishop Barnes has been “very supportive to the causes of the Order.”
“We wanted to show our appreciation and to honor him for the many years of dedication and giving of himself to the local and universal Church in the form of a project which will also benefit the people in the Holy Land,” said Chandra. “As members of the Order that is what we are missioned to do.”
The Chandras asked Bishop Barnes if there was a particular Holy Land charity that could be supported in his name as part of the award, and he chose Bethlehem University.
“I chose Bethlehem University because I think if we educate our people, Christian and Muslim, we’re going to have that peace and that respect,” said Bishop Barnes.
“Bishop Barnes has always seen that education gives hope for peace in the future,” Chandra said. “The vision of Bishop Barnes and this opportunity came as a perfect match.”
Dame Sue Beidle, another local EOHSJ member, led the efforts to raise the $30,000 donation to Bethlehem University. Over the two-year-long fundraising campaign, Beidle focused on both large and small donations. “Her vision was to involve as many members [as possible] to participate in the project as a show of collective solidarity to honor Bishop Barnes,” said Chandra.
Cardinal Foley Hall, the new nursing building, was dedicated this September. The EOHSJ Western USA Lieutenancy/San Bernardino Council is hosting a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October 2022, where there will be a special ceremony to dedicate the Bishop Gerald Barnes Reception Area.
The EOHSJ is the only lay institution of the Vatican charged with the task of providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land.