Author: Paul Spire
Greetings from your General Program Director.
Well, the new year has kicked off and congratulations to all newly elected officers. To some, this may be a very scary thing and then to others it is a continuation of your journey through your councils’ officer progression. Either way, be assured that there are a lot of people that are available to assist you in your duties. We had a very successful last year in many areas. It was a great year for membership growth in the state. New and exciting programs were undertaken. They all took Jesus to the people and places that needed him the most. As we start this new fraternal year, we need to make sure that we continue to do the work that Father McGivney set up for us. I encourage you to involve everyone within your council’s programs. Make sure that you involve the newest members as soon as possible. If you have not already asked them what they like to do, please do so and then consider asking them to be a co-chairman of that next type of event. As the old saying goes, many hands make light work. And listen, they may have many good ideas on how to make things better. Here are just a few good ideas that will help get things going.
Community:
There will be a new, and better, way to order this year’s Coats for Kids program giveaway. By participating in this, your council will get a BOGO. (Buy one-get one free) If you order your coats through the State, Supreme will match that order. There will be an order form on the State’s web page under Community where you will fill out your order and send that along with your check to the address listed on the order form. ALL ORDERS THAT ARE SENT IN TO THE STATE BEFORE THE END AUGUST WILL RECEIVE THIS OFFER. Your council can still order the coast off of Knights Gear at a later date, but you will not be able to receive the BOGO offer. This is a great way to double the effect of this very much needed and appreciated program. If you participate in this program, Supreme will ship all the orders to one of three places within the State. Your council will be responsible for picking them up from one of these three places. In the eastern side of the state, Council 3303, New Bern, will be the drop place. In the center of the state, Council 11101 in Greensboro will be that area’s drop place. And in the western part of the state, Council 15265, Candler will be the drop place. Please consider participating in this great program and receiving this fantastic program offer. Your District Deputy can assist you in this if you need further assistance.
Faith:
Summertime is a time of rest and relaxation for many people. It is also a stressful time for others. As we enter into this part of year and your Council is in a transition stage, please do not forget to make a point of not only meeting with your pastor but making sure that he is included in all of your Council’s Summer programs.
Knights of Columbus is a premier sponsor of the National Eucharistic Congress being held from July 17 – 21, in Indianapolis, Indiana. If any of your members plan on attending, please register as space is filling up for this event. Also, you might ask your Chaplain if he could speak about the Eucharist and/or National Eucharistic Congress at your next Council Meeting. Ask your Pastor if your council can assist with the planning and schedule for some upcoming Holy Hours. Also please put on your Council’s calendar that the Diocese of Charlotte is holding their Eucharistic Congress August 30-31.
There are many new movies this summer that are coming out that have a faith-based theme. Think about sponsoring a “Date Nite” for your Council to attend one of these movies.
Family:
This year’s Keep Christ in Christmas program will have a different look. Those who wish to order the English cards will be able to do so electronically from the state’s web page. The site will automatically balance your order and add shipping costs so that you will know exactly how much your order will cost. Your council will then write a check to pay for the order directly to the vendor. This will allow the council to not have to be billed at a much later date by the state. Shipping will take place once the check reaches the vendor to whomever the order states as the delivery address. There are several advantages of ordering these items early as you will qualify to receive their special pricing and “free” items. The absolute cutoff date for these specials is September 26, 2024. So please look over this offer as this is one fund raiser that “sells itself.” What other program do you do that the people come to you and your council doubles its money with every sale?
Summertime is also a time when there are many families that need some extra support with food. The kids are out of school and do not have the ability to have their lunches provided for them as when they are in school. Please consider pushing for an increase in your parish and council’s “Food for Families” program so that you can help support the needs of the community. Everyone that goes to the grocery store knows the increasing cost of feeding a family, especially a family with several growing children.
Life:
Every qualified citizen has the opportunity to vote in elections. This year there is a great need to vote a Catholic conscience. To say the morality of our country has had a sharp decline in the past several years is an understatement. There are many issues that are at the forefront in this year’s election that will not be discussed due to a fear of being criticized for our beliefs. We need to not only vote our Catholic conscience but pray that the Holy Spirit will guide those who are on the fence on how to vote and to look at these issues and ask ourselves “what would Jesus do.” Voter registration at your local parish is something that your council could sponsor. Assisting those who do not have a valid picture identification is also something that your council can do. The main thing is to be proactive in this year’s election. Spread the love of God throughout your community so that these life issues are not swept under the rug. For life is precious, from the moment of conception till a natural death.
I will leave you with this prayer by an unknown author:
Heavenly Father, life’s challenges often feel like a relentless storm, but I know that with Your grace, I can weather any tempest. In times of doubt and difficulty, please grant me the hope and encouragement I so desperately need. Help me to remember that, through You, all things are possible, and no challenge is unsurmountable. I am profoundly grateful for Your constant presence in my life, Lord. You are my anchor, my guide, and my unwavering source of Hope. Amen
Vivat Jesus
Paul Spire