The Tar Heel Knight

January continues to be the “National March for Life” month, although throughout North Carolina and the US many marches have moved out of the January “Roe v. Wade” month.  Snow did not hamper the National March for life in Washington, DC on January 19th.  Among the notable Speakers was US House Speaker Michael Johnson, who thanked his parents for giving him life, back when they were teenagers faced with an unexpected pregnancy.  We understand that the US abortion scene has become more polarized this a\past year with states becoming more anti-abortion, like North Carolina, or more pro-abortion, like California, and even Ohio, my home state. 
“The good news is, despite what feels like a fraught and polarized environment, there is still a consistent pro-life consensus among Americans. A new Knights of Columbus/Marist poll (https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/articles/marist-poll-consistent-consensus-supports-legal-limits-abortion.html) released this week shows that 66% of individuals support placing legal limits on abortion, while 83% of Americans support pregnancy resource centers.” (KofC email, 1/19/2024).

 
 
And we, in North Carolina, held our annual March for Life in Charlotte on Friday, January 12th, with nearly 200 people showing support for the unborn (pictures attached).  Other North Carolina Marches for Life are planned as follows: Wilmington, Saturday, February 17th; Jacksonville, Saturday, January 27th; and Raleigh, Saturday, May 18th.  Please consider attending one of these Marches to publicly express your support for all human life.  Your Knights are very involved in coordinating these marches. 
 
As a follow-up to the USCCB Novena for Life in January, we are advocating for a private USCCB St. Joseph Novena for Life beginning on Monday, March 11th and ending on Tuesday,  March 19th.  More on this will be sent out in a few weeks.  The content for the Novena is centered around “Adoption”, as St. Joseph was the “adopted father” of Jesus. With our COR focus on St. Joseph, this Novena fits well with our prayer life.  Link:  https://www.usccb.org/committees/pro-life-activities/novena-st-joseph-those-path-adoption-0.
Please consider this Novena, especially if your council was unable to participate in the USCCB Novena for a Life in January.
 
Did you know that February 14th is not only Valentine’s Day but also Organ Donor Day, part of our Life Giving Care for Life program.   (Organ Donor month is April).  This year February 14th falls on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, perhaps limiting chocolate buying for your sweetheart!  Order your flowers soon…at least a card!  Consider a weekend this Spring to sponsor a signup at your parish for Organ Donors.   For more information kindly contact Bill Drummey at 480-460-2721 or lifesharing@kofcnc.org.  Brother Bill is coordinating a Donor Signup weekend at his parish, Holy Infant in Durham, sponsored by the Knights in March or April.   Last year he was able to have 20 parishioners take forms to sign up online or through the mail.  For more information about the organ donations in NC or to signup yourself, go to https://www.donatelifenc.org/.  Please keep Brothers Greg Kent and Joseph Ozoniak, NC Knights in need of a kidney transplant, in your thoughts and prayers on this day.
 
Thursday, March 21st is Downs Syndrome Day in the US.  Consider sponsoring a Mass (maybe a weekday Mass) for people with Special Needs by contacting Catholic nursing facilities or Special Needs facilities in your area, and advertising through the Parish bulletin or Facebook page for those at home.  Invite all, whether they are Catholics or not.  Information can be found at: https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/faith-in-action-programs/life/mass-for-people-with-special-needs.html
and
https://www.kofcnc.org/Programs/Life.  Select “Mass for People with Special Needs.”
 
The objective of this Mass is to provide a welcome spiritual Mass experience for those who may be feeling “left out” of the congregation, perhaps self-conscious about their infirmity.  Please coordinate this with your pastor.  This well could be a major step in bringing a soul to Jesus!
 
 
God Bless you for your support for Life!
 
Vivat Jesus,
Jim Venglarik
Life Director
NC Knights of Columbus
Life@kofcnc.org
516-924-4384