The Tar Heel Knight

Greetings from the mountains of western North Carolina.
 
Back when I was a theatre major, all of the actors would be given an exercise.  No matter how big or small our parts were, we had to write a short autobiography of our characters, telling the life story leading up to where we meet that character in that story.  This practice has been seemingly exhausted in modern entertainment, as there are all these universes – the Marvel Universe, the Star Wars Universe, et al, and we get to explore the worlds of characters before and after they turn up in that billion dollar blockbuster.
 
I was reflecting on this while attending a funeral recently.  People come in and out of our lives constantly, and their role in our lives may be big or small, but each has his or her own universe.  We get to see a small preview of this universe when family members or close friends share stories of their loved one at the funeral.  So, we are all part of the greatest of all the universes – I’ll call it the Universe Universe, and Jesus has a front row seat at the ultimate universal multiplex.  He gets to watch all of our stories.  He sees the full movie of every single participant in the Universe Universe.  There is a difference, though.  When we watch a movie, we can get emotionally involved and maybe even try to offer these characters on the screen guidance, but there is nothing we can do in their fictional stories…these characters are not going to turn to us…but in the Universe Universe, we can all turn to that holiest of patrons in the front row.  He can assist us in our journey.  Our ending can change if we listen to Him and follow His Word.
 
And, just as characters with small roles often have a big impact on the lead characters, we can have a big impact on others with our words and actions.  As members of the charity that evangelizes, not only can we bring Jesus to the people and places that need Him most, but we can bring the world to Jesus.  We are uniquely tasked as Catholic gentlemen and disciples to fill those pews.  How do we do that?  Through our programs, and through faithful adherence to our principles of charity, unity, and fraternity.  Bickering and infighting turns people away from Jesus and His Church; following our principles as authentic witnesses as we go out beyond the church walls will turn people toward Jesus.  What do we want our movie to say about us?
 
As fate would have it, we are going to get a peek into several of these universes – the universes of your councils – as we get together to celebrate your accomplishments and how you exhibited this faithful witness when we gather together in Hickory for our State Convention May 16-18.  We will have the opportunity to be inspired by each other’s stories, and by the words of Bishop Michael Martin of the Diocese of Charlotte and our own State Chaplain Father Bill Lesak, who is celebrating the 50 year anniversary of his priestly ordination. 
 
Take time that weekend to share a story from your universe with someone you don’t know and inspire him…but, before you can do that…there are several steps to take as you plan for this joyous celebration.  The one I wish to call your attention to is that, if you haven’t done so already, your council must vote for its delegates to send to the convention at your March meeting and get them submitted online.  Registration for the convention and registering as a delegate are two different things.  Please make sure your delegates do both!  This is going to be a fantastic convention – and we want to see you there!  Did you know that you can attend even if you’re not a delegate?  Well, you can!  Non-delegates don’t get to vote, but you can participate in all of the inspiration and celebration that this weekend has to offer.  While you’re at it, celebrate your council and the State of North Carolina by taking out an ad in our program.  You can get early bird rates all the way up until March 21!  Also, in March, while voting for your delegates, don’t forget to vote for your donations to the Bishops’ Fund and Culture of Life – and remember to bring the Penny-a-Day disaster relief donations you’ve been collecting from your brothers all year.  As many of my brothers in western North Carolina can tell you, those Penny-a-Day donations went a long way this year in the wake of Helene.
 
I look forward to our universes crossing paths in May!
 
“Welcome one another then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7
 
Vivat Jesus!