The Tar Heel Knight

"Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." – Romans 5:5
My Brother Knights,
As I prepare to begin my service as your State Deputy, I do so with profound gratitude, humility, and confidence in God's plan for the North Carolina State Council.
We stand at an important moment in our history. Our communities continue to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Our parishes face new challenges in evangelization. Families are searching for hope in an increasingly uncertain world. Yet through every challenge, Christ reminds us that "Hope Does Not Disappoint."
Hope is not simply a feeling. Hope is the confident trust that God is faithful to His promises. As Knights of Columbus, that hope calls us to action. It calls us to be visible witnesses of Christ's love in every parish, every community, and every family across North Carolina.
This year our theme is Hope Without Borders—a reminder that Christ's love knows no boundaries, and neither should our service.
Our Three Areas of Focus
Serving Our Parishes
Our councils exist to serve the Church.
Every pastor should know that his Knights are ready to answer the call whenever help is needed. We are not simply an organization that meets once a month—we are an essential ministry within our parish family.
To strengthen that mission, we will:

• Expand the presence of the Knights into every parish where we are needed.
• Use parish and membership data to identify opportunities to establish or strengthen councils throughout North Carolina.
• Encourage every council to prayerfully examine how it can better support its pastor and parish community.

Success is not measured by the number of meetings we hold, but by the difference we make in the life of our parish.
 
Protecting and Strengthening Our Families
Blessed Father Michael McGivney founded our Order to protect Catholic families.
Today, that mission is more important than ever.
Our commitment includes caring for families affected by natural disasters, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities through the LAMB Foundation, strengthening youth programs, promoting vocations, and ensuring every child entrusted to our care is protected through complete Safe Environment compliance.
I ask every council to make 100% Safe Environment compliance a priority this fraternal year. Protecting children and vulnerable adults is not simply a requirement—it is a sacred responsibility.
When one family suffers, all Knights respond.
Hope Without Borders
Too often, the greatest barriers we face are the ones we create ourselves.
Old habits.
Poor communication.
Working in isolation.
Thinking, "We've always done it this way."
This year we will break down those barriers.
We will improve communication across every district and council.
We will embrace technology that helps us spend less time on administration and more time serving our pastors and communities.
Whether we gather in the mountains, the Piedmont, the coast, in person, or virtually, we are one brotherhood with one mission.
Every Brother Knight deserves to be treated with charity, dignity, respect, and fraternity.
Together, we are stronger than any individual council.
 
Our Commitment
As your State Deputy, I am committed to leading with faith, humility, transparency, and accountability.
I will ask each of you not simply to do more, but to serve with greater purpose. Every dollar entrusted to our State Council will be managed responsibly. Every decision will be guided by our mission to support our councils, strengthen our parishes, and build up the Church.
Together we will continue the vision of Blessed Father McGivney by growing our Order, serving those most in need, and bringing more men and their families closer to Christ.
Hope does not disappoint because our hope is not placed in ourselves.
Our hope is in Jesus Christ.
When we serve our parishes...
When we strengthen our families...
When we welcome every man to join our Brotherhood...
...we become instruments of God's hope for the people of North Carolina.
My Brothers, let us move forward together with courage, unity, and faith.
Let us cross every border that divides us.
Let us bring the light of Christ to every parish, every family, and every community.
Because Hope Does Not Disappoint.
Vivat Jesus!