The Tar Heel Knight

Brothers, as we enter the final quarter of this fraternal year, our instinct is to declare it a "great year." By every measurable standard of the North Carolina State Council, that is an understatement. We have seen our seminarians move toward ordination, witnessed an increase in the number of candidates in the Diaconate program, and provided unwavering support to our clergy.
Our metrics remain among the best in the Order. We are on track to achieve our Supreme membership quota and are preparing to welcome several new councils into our jurisdiction. Financially, we are disciplined, focused, and positioned to close the 2025–2026 year in a state of renewed growth.
However, I want to shift the focus from our collective balance sheet to you, the individual Knight. How has your year truly been? Has it been a season of growth in your faith and fraternal work? How is your health, and the health of your family?
We are a fraternal organization that survives on "Faith in Action," but "Action" requires a healthy, supported brotherhood. In my humble opinion, we cannot lose sight of the individual man in our pursuit of organizational excellence. We often use phrases like "I’ve got your back" or "You are my brother."  In the coming fraternal year, I want us to turn those words into reality and practice Faith, Health, and Reinvestment.
Once confirmed at the State Convention, I will ask every council to prioritize Wellness Checks on their brothers. We need to communicate with our members consistently, not just to ask for help with an event, but to ask if they need anything. A simple phone call can identify a brother in crisis before it escalates.
Our strength as an Order comes from our unity. North Carolina consistently rises to the top among all jurisdictions because we work in solidarity with our priests and bishops. But to stay there, we must make sure that every knight is well, every family is protected, and every brother is counted.
Let us finish this year with the same intensity we started with, keeping our eyes on the mission and our hearts focused on one another.

Vivat Jesus!
Paul McGrath