Annual Meeting 2026
“We Have Come to the Seashore.”
October 1-5, 2026
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
A message from The Most Reverend Michael Pham
2026 Annual Meeting
California’s Cradle of Catholicism
On July 16, 1769, St. Junípero Serra raised a cross on Presidio Hill above San Diego Bay and founded Mission San Diego de Alcalá — the first of California’s twenty-one missions and the birthplace of the Catholic Church in the American West. The mission’s beginnings were hard won. On the morning of November 5, 1775, hundreds of native warriors set fire to the mission buildings and killed Fr. Luis Jayme as he went out to meet them with his customary greeting: “Love God, my children.” Fr. Jayme became California’s first Christian martyr, and his remains are buried in the sanctuary of the church at Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Serra returned to rebuild, and from that restored adobe church the faith spread north along El Camino Real, mission by mission, the length of California.
The Diocese of San Diego was formally established on July 11, 1936, formed from the former Los Angeles–San Diego Diocese. It gave canonical structure to a Catholic presence that had already endured nearly two centuries of hardship, secularization, and renewal. Today the diocese spans San Diego and Imperial counties and ministers to close to 1.4 million Catholics through nearly 100 parishes and dozens of schools.
Currently at its head presides the Most Reverend Michael Pham, the seventh bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego and the first Vietnamese American to lead a diocese in the United States. Bishop Pham was born in Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, and fled the country as a thirteen-year-old refugee in 1980, eventually settling in San Diego in 1985. His journey from a refugee camp to the cathedral steps of St. Joseph speaks to the diocese’s own story — one shaped by missionaries and the enduring conviction that the all people should know of Jesus Christ.
We are honored to gather in this city, in this diocese, on these shores.
Garczynski, DGCHS
Annual Meeting Co-Chair
Welcome to San Diego
It is with great joy that I invite you to “Come to the Seashore” to join us for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Western Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in beautiful San Diego at the Torrey Pines Hilton. The following is a brief overview of our weekend.
Thursday evening, we will give a tour of Mission San Diego de Alcala, including a presentation on the Mission’s history by our Ecclesiastical Master of Ceremonies, Msgr. Dennis Mikulanis, a native San Diegan. There will be a Vesper service followed by a buffet dinner.
To help you enjoy our wonderful city, we have kept Friday morning and afternoon free so you can choose from the many experiences available in this beautiful city we call home. Please feel free to reach out to any of us with questions about the numerous activities available in San Diego.
On Friday evening, retreats will be held at Mary Star of the Sea for the promotees and at All Hallow for the investees. There will also be a retreat at the hotel for all other members. Congratulations to our 70 members who are being promoted this year. We are grateful to have 90 new members inducted into the order this year, a record number! Thank you to everyone who nominated these soon-to-be Knights and Dames. We welcome them into the Order. Our Promotion and Induction Liturgies will take place at Our Mother of Confidence Church in the University City area.
The theme of our Saturday night event will be “Top Gun” – fitting since San Diego is the birthplace of the original Top Gun pilots! It’s going to be a great evening with fun activities and prizes. We invite everyone to dress in character, come up with a call sign, and get ready to party!
The culmination of these events will be our Grand Ball on Sunday evening. This Annual Meeting will offer experiences for everyone that shouldn’t be missed. We look forward to having you join us.
Blessings,
Patty Garczynski
San Diego Area Councillor
What can you expect?
Preparing for the Annual Meeting
Plan your stay
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
10950 N Torrey Pines Rd,
La Jolla, CA 92037
Photo credit hilton.com
What to do
Schedule of events
Download the complete schedule of activities, ceremonies, speakers and dinners.
Answer the call
Volunteer Information
To be a volunteer is a special honor and is a great way to connect with other members of the Western Lieutenancy. We hope to welcome back all our volunteers from last year and welcome new members this year.
Gankbank789, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
More to do
Activities & Attractions
Find ideas about local points of interest, historical attractions and events in the San Diego area.
Sunday TAlk
Seven Signposts
Archbishop George Leo Thomas will further explore the seven distinctive signposts from his 2024 publication, discussing how they can enrich our spiritual journey as members of the Order.
Additional Info
Dinner Information, Dress Guidelines
Click below for information on Tuxedo Rentals, Annual Meeting Dress Guidelines, Request to be Excused from the Annual Meeting.
Annual Meeting 2026
Register Now
In order to help us reserves enough lodging, transportation and seats for attendees, please consider submitting your registration and hotel booking as early as possible.