The Tar Heel Knight

The cold has arrived and hopefully by the time you read this it is warming up and Old Man Winter is slipping away. Along with the cold and winter weather, everyone has stepped up and provided the much-needed support to those in our communities to keep them warm, fed, and clothed. Last year your Council was just one of those that participated in over 1796 programs that were submitted on the Form #10784. Of those 1796 programs submitted, 583 were under Faith, 394 were under Family (this did not include Family of the Month), 518 were under Community, and 301 were under Life. I want to thank each and every one of you who participated in these events. We are truly fulling our state’s goal, “Bring Jesus to the people and places that need Him most.”
I encourage all of you to continue to submit your form 10784’s and then fill in your form 1728 as you complete an event. This will save you some time preparing for the upcoming Convention.
As the States General Program Director there is something that I feel is tremendously important that has seemed to be missed by a great number of Councils within the State. This will definitely date me, but several years ago whenever our Council held any event, they received a “Certificate of Participation” for showing up and participating in that event. (This included soccer, the Free Throw contest, the Essay contest, Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest, Altar Server picnics, etc.) For many, that participation certificate was highly prized and showed them just how much of a “winner” they were, even if they were not the overall winner. Please consider awarding everyone who participates in an event sponsored by your Council or District a “Certificate of Participation” upon completion of the event. District Deputies and Regional District Deputies, this also pertains to you when you judge an event. You can download these certificates off of the Supreme Web page free.
Looking at some upcoming events these are just a few of the topics that you need to be aware of:
Community: Each District Deputy had the opportunity to participate in a Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SIP) event at their District Deputy’s Mid-Year Meeting. There are ten (10) local Chapters that can assist any Council in doing this very worthy program. Not only does contributing to a Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build directly improve the lives of children in need, but it builds bonds between all volunteers working towards this common goal. Knights of Columbus members will collaborate with people of all ages and backgrounds, including other church groups, companies, students, and caring individuals. Friendships emerge while sawing wood, sharing a meal during break time and the joy of delivering completed beds to appreciative families. Many bed builders report the uplifting teamwork and mutual support leave them feeling energized to continue serving their community. Participating side by side on a SIP project forges new connections and community spirit that will extend far beyond the workshop. Please contact your community Director or your District Deputy for information on how to participate in this very important program. There is an ongoing need for this program and can be performed at any time during the year. There is much more information on this program on the State’s web page under Community.
Your Council’s Free Throw Contest should be completed already and hopefully your District Deputy has held his District Contest. For the winners the State Free Throw Contest is scheduled for March 16^th and is to be held in Burlington NC at the Fairchild Community Center located at 827 S. Graham Hopedale Rd. Please make sure that your District Deputy, or you if you are bringing your child, has their score sheet from the Council and District’s event when they register for this fun event.
Faith: Ash Wednesday is fast approaching, and the beginning of Lent is upon us. This is a time of preparation for Easter Triduum and is a time of reflection and preparation. The Pilgram Icon is traveling across the State. If your Council has not had the opportunity to host this event, please contact your District Deputy to schedule your event. There are many opportunities to host, or attend, a Holy Hour event during Lent. Please take advantage of this opportunity. If possible, host a Retreat during this time. We all need to spend time alone with our Lord and request that he continue to bless each and everyone of us and our Families. Consider for your Council to host a “Soup and Water” event after your Church’s Stations of the Cross each Friday. This is such a great time to spend with other members of the parish and to invite those who are not Knights to join our Order.
Family: Family is the very backbone of this organization and there are many programs that your Council can participate in during this Lenton season. Family Fully Alive, Family Prayer Night, and Food for Families are all “Featured Programs”. Each of these programs fit into this season and can be accomplished in a family setting or together as a group. Consider having a member of your Council host such an event. The Food for Families program can be done at a parish where for instance it has been advertised that on the Third Sunday of Lent our “Family” will be collecting food for the local food bank. (Or if your parish has a food give away program it will go to your food bank.) Have all the children collect the food and put it in a carrier of some sort. What a great family event.
Start preparing for your Council’s Good Friday’s Family Promotion event. Despite Good Friday’s central role in the heart of Christianity, attendance at services remains low. In an effort to change this, councils should encourage participation in a Good Friday service through a promotional campaign. 
Life: You should have already reported your Councils participation in any of the multiple Right to Life marches ( a Featured Program) throughout the State. This is one program that as Knights we must continue to make sure that we support.
The ASAP program is also a very important part of our needed support. As a Featured program it our responsibility to support these women who chose life for their babies rather than abortion.
In 2024, the Silver Rose will be in North Carolina from April 28th until May 25th.  The Silver Rose State Chairman will work with the DD’s and RDD’s to assist in deciding timing and councils involved. If your Council wishes to host the Silver Rose, please contact your District Deputy.
The Special Olympic program is another Featured Program. The NC Special Olympic (SONC) organization has athlete events for each season of the year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  The SONC planning calendar is typically about 2-3 months ahead for your planning.  It has been created with volunteer opportunities available for councils and individual Knights to help.  It can be accessed at  https://sonc.net/special-olympics-north-carolina-sports-calendar/
These are just a few programs that are available for your Council’s participation. Remember to include any new members that you have added to your council for these programs. That is the only way to keep them active within your Council is to invite them.
In closing I would like to congratulate all of you on submitting your events from last year. Our directors are hard at work trying to pick the winners from each program.
Cal Wick had a short prayer from jesuitresource.org prayer titled.
In the Midst of Winter
Lord:
In the midst of Winter, when the days are cold and wind can pierce, remind us of the warmth of your love.
In the midst of Winter, when days are short, dawn comes late, and dusk arrives early, remind us that in the darkness your light still shines.
In the midst of Winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the Trees, and the world can seem bleak, remind us that Easter is but a short time away.
And when in our lives we feel as if we are experiencing a season of winter, reach out to us with the power of your resurrection so that we may feel the warmth of your love and see your light that alone can take away the darkness of our soul.
Vivat Jesus