The Tar Heel Knight

I am writing this article following an exciting and inspiring kickoff to our new fraternal year. One year ago, I answered God's call to serve as your State Secretary. Today, I am deeply humbled and honored to continue that journey as your State Deputy. Thank you for your confidence, your support, and your brotherly love.
We have already accomplished a great deal together through our District Organizational Meeting and our three Council Leadership Training sessions. As we begin this new year, I want every Brother to know one thing above all else:
We are here to help you succeed.
But how do we measure success?
For me, success is simple. It begins by answering God's call in your own life and allowing the love in your heart to inspire practical Catholic men to join our Order. Success also means protecting the dignity of every human person, beginning with our children and youth.
This year, we have been especially blessed to focus on the vision of our founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, as we strengthen and protect Catholic families. We call this vision "One Body, Two Lungs." The Knights of Columbus is one body, breathing through two essential lungs. One lung is our Insurance and Investment Program, providing financial security and peace of mind for our families. The other is our Fraternal Mission, serving our parishes, communities, and those most in need. Together, they fulfill the vision Blessed Michael McGivney established more than 140 years ago—a mission that remains as relevant today as ever.
Protecting our families also means protecting our children. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly has challenged every jurisdiction to achieve 100% Youth Protection compliance, and I wholeheartedly pass that challenge on to every council in North Carolina.
My request is simple: if you are a council leader required to complete Safe Environment training, please do so by the end of the first quarter, September 30, 2026. The training takes approximately 32 minutes, and those few minutes help ensure that every young person entrusted to our care is protected in a safe, welcoming environment.
Thank you for making this an immediate priority.
Finally, our theme for the year is "Hope Does Not Disappoint." Hope is far more than wishing for a better tomorrow. Christian hope is the confident assurance that Christ walks beside us and that every labor undertaken in His name bears lasting fruit.
Every family you strengthen, every parish you support, every charitable act you perform, and every man you invite into our Order becomes a living witness to that hope.
It is a tremendous privilege to serve as your State Deputy. I look forward to witnessing all that we will accomplish together as we continue building stronger councils, stronger parishes, stronger families, and a stronger Church.
May God continue to bless you, your families, and the great work of the Knights of Columbus in North Carolina.
Vivat Jesus!