Author: Chris Kremer
"Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands" I have come to understand that the mission of the Knights of Columbus from Blessed Fr. McGiveny is to protect Catholic families. My primary job as State Warden is to set up meetings and collect forms; I sometimes struggle with how these two advance this mission. Upon further reflection, I realize that throughout history, surveyors, journalists, and historians have collected documents to record the bad, the good, and the greatest. Over the years, we have seen how great the NC Knights of Columbus's combined efforts are. I have the opportunity to ensure that all of that is captured and provided for historians to review our time. Therefore, if you have not finished turning in your 185 (Officers), 365 (Directors), or 1295A(Audit part), please turn them in. We are down to around 25 Councils missing one or all of these. If you have these turned in, please don't forget to start your 1728 (Survey of Fraternal Activity) and begin gathering information for 1295B (Audit part 2). Also, please submit a 10784 for every activity you conduct. If you don't know how to fill it out, email me. If you have not submitted a 10784 for Special Olympics, please submit one, even if it is blank, before the end of the year. This month is Fraternity. Remember that as I move through the holiday periods, there are brother knights who do not have families they are getting together with. Calling a brother knight or two and having conversations could mean the world to them. Gathering for Christmas get-togethers or even one-on-one is a great way to expand our fraternal nature. Membership would not let me live it down that every opportunity with a Catholic Brother or Friend is a great time to recruit them into order and invite them to protect their Catholic families. I even challenge you to show your fraternal nature and Christmas cheer by reaching out to someone you may not get along with to see if they are just another human and try to bring joy and peace to that relationship. St. Juan Diego, whose feast day is celebrated on December 9, is the first indigenous saint of the Americas. Born in 1474 near modern-day Mexico City, he was a humble Chichimeca farmer and weaver who converted to Christianity after encountering Franciscan missionaries. In 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him on Tepeyac Hill, asking him to convey her request to build a church there to the local bishop. Despite initial skepticism, Juan Diego proved the apparition's authenticity with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe imprinted on his tilma (cloak), which remains a powerful symbol of faith and unity. He is the patron saint of indigenous peoples and those who advocate for social justice. Reflecting his humility, Juan Diego once said, "I am a nobody; I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf." His life and the Guadalupe event remind us of God's love for the lowly and the transformative power of faith. This month's prayer is simple: the rosary. Beyond carrying it with us always and praying it often, have you ever truly considered each prayer and complemented the words in each? Since this is December, we should focus on the Mary and the Hail Mary. What do you see, what do you feel, and what do you think the words mean to you? Then, read a Catholic scholar's interpretation. I suggest doing this in front of the Blessed Sacrament at Adoration or just in church in front of the Tabernacle. Also, I have been traveling the state and reading the forms submitted. I just want to say thank you for all of the hard work each of you and your Councils are doing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Emily and me. We hope you have a blessed holiday.