Saturday Night Dinner Party - "Midnight in the Oasis" - The 2023 Annual Meeting will take place in the Coachella Valley, also known as the low desert in the Diocese of San Bernardino. The Coachella Valley is a desert oasis in Southern California. It is famous for its music festivals and many other activities to enjoy all year round.

The Saturday theme dinner “Midnight in the Oasis” will transport us from a hot and dry desert to a fertile, fruitful, productive, and rich oasis environment.  Although the literal meaning of oasis is a "green spot in the desert”, it can also be used to describe a peaceful area in our everyday lives.

What is your oasis? Like one who is crossing the hot sands of a desert, suddenly comes upon an oasis, and rests in the refreshing shade, our spiritual oasis is one where learn of Christian spirit and find the way to peace and eternal happiness, in Arabic "Al-wa hat".

The evening will showcase the hospitality, welcoming, and cultural traditions of the Palestinian and Jordanian cultures. Our Palestinian and Jordanian descent members will prepare the evening for us to experience an oasis for our Order.

Come prepared to learn how to dance with the group to the most hip Arabian music and songs. Dames can dress in long Arabian attire called Abaya (Arabian dresses for women), and Knights can wear Shemagh, or Keffiyet, or Hattah, Arabian men headwear. Please see examples below which can be found online by searching for Jordanian or Palestinian Abaya. 

Perhaps some will remember how fun it was to experience Arabian dance while on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. Now we can experience Arabian dance again in our own backyard!  

Casual resort attire is also acceptable.