A Gathering of Service: The Ontario Council Convenes
Entry No. 34
Dear Faithful Companion,
Today I return to these pages with a heart both full and fortified, having just come home from the annual St. John Council for Ontario Conference—held once again within the familiar walls of the Sheraton Parkway in Richmond Hill. It is a weekend that stirs the spirit each year, yet never in the same way twice.
The conference gathered together a broad assembly of leadership—community, provincial, and national—anchored by the presence of the outgoing and incoming Provincial Commissioners for Community Services, the Deputy Chancellor of the Priory of Canada, and a host of distinguished figures whose stewardship sustains the very character of our Order. Among them were friends from across the province, steadfast volunteers from my own Regional Board, and those I’m privileged to serve beside as Chair of Honours and Awards for Halton, Hamilton & Haldimand, and as a member of the Provincial Ceremony and Protocol Committee.
This year’s theme, with its emphasis on transformational leadership, was aptly chosen. Through lectures, workshops, and roundtable dialogue, we explored how our noble institution may continue to evolve without abandoning the traditions that give it meaning. Ontario Council, ever forward-looking yet deeply rooted, continues to offer a program that is both enriching and unflinchingly mission-driven.
What left the deepest mark on me, as always, was the presence of our volunteers. Ordinary in title perhaps, but exceptional in deed. Their passion radiates in conversation, in questions asked during sessions, in the quiet pride with which they wear the insignia of St. John. These are individuals who carry the ethos of our Order into hospitals, community centres, public events, and training halls every day. Spending time among them—sharing stories, exchanging ideas, laughing over coffee or during passing hallway chats—breathes fresh purpose into my own service. It reminds me that St. John is not merely an institution of protocol, but a fellowship of conviction.
I found particular fulfilment in the Honours and Awards segment of the weekend. Recognition, while never the motive, is the mirror through which service sees itself. Bearing witness to the celebration of long-standing service and deeply impactful contributions reminded me how important it is to pause—to acknowledge that steadfastness, humility, and quiet devotion to others are virtues worth lifting up. As Dr. Christopher McCreery once remarked, "The strength of the Order lies not in ceremony alone, but in the quiet, persistent acts of service carried out by its members—each one a thread in the fabric of a centuries-old mission." These threads were on full display throughout the weekend, and it was an honour to celebrate those who continue to strengthen the weave.
The Saturday evening gala remains a cherished tradition—an elegant reprieve where the tools of duty are momentarily set aside, and camaraderie takes centre stage. Dressed in our best, we gathered in good company for a meal that was more than just a dinner—it was a celebration. Of accomplishments, of long-earned awards, of regional success stories. The room came alive with warmth, laughter, and the soft clinking of glasses raised in sincere regard.
We were particularly honoured this year to welcome our guest of honour, Dr. Christopher McCreery—Deputy Chancellor of the Priory of Canada and a man of formidable distinction. I have had the privilege of calling Dr. McCreery a friend for many years, and it is with no small sense of pride that I see him now at the helm of national leadership within our venerable Order. His address at the gala dinner was thoughtful and measured, as expected from a mind well-versed in the language of honour and history. His presence reminded us all of the national unity that underpins our provincial efforts.
And yet, amidst all the refinement and reverence, a quiet challenge presented itself: how do we preserve the sanctity of tradition while adapting our Order to meet the needs of a changing world? As we continue to evolve, the question that quietly lingers is how we might preserve the dignity of heritage while inviting the modern volunteer to see themselves in our mission. It is a delicate balance—but one I believe Ontario Council is beginning to strike with deliberate grace. The strength of any Order is found not merely in its history, but in its ability to remain relevant without surrendering its soul.
I would be remiss not to extend my sincere appreciation to Brian Cole and his planning team. Their tireless efforts each year make this conference the touchstone that so many of us look forward to. It is no small feat to create a space that is at once professional, reflective, and deeply affirming.
Equally, I owe a personal word of gratitude to Jesse—for supporting my passion for this work, even when it occasionally pulls me away from the comforts of home. He understands what this Order means to me, and I am fortunate for the quiet understanding with which he stands beside me.
Verbum Ultimum
Since its formal establishment in Canada in 1877, the Most Venerable Order of St. John has held firm to its charge: “Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum”—For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity. This weekend, amidst ceremony and spirited exchange, I felt that founding spirit echo still. We are stewards of a living tradition—rooted in medieval chivalry, yes, but borne forward by compassion, discipline, and unity.
To borrow once more from the words of Dr. McCreery, it is indeed the quiet, persistent acts of service—not titles, not fanfare—that form the true fabric of this mission. And in that fabric, I hope to continue weaving my own modest thread.
Until next we meet, with ink as my witness and virtue as my guide.
JCB
