Author: Tim Kelley
Greetings from the mountains of western North Carolina.
“…and a little child shall lead them” – Isaiah 11:6
Well, maybe eighth grade isn’t so little, but that is exactly who is going to lead me today. North Carolina is proud to be the home of the international eighth grade winner of our Essay Contest, Lucy Dvorak of Huntersville. Congratulations, Lucy, and thanks for the inspiration!
This year’s essay theme was the two most important virtues for an elected leader. Lucy chose charity and prudence. Those are a couple of good ones, aren’t they? Charity, of course, is the foremost principle of our order, and one of the three theological virtues, and prudence is one of the four cardinal virtues. In her essay, Lucy states that “charity is the practice of putting our faith and hope into action.” Faith in Action. That sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Faith in action is the way we exhibit our love of God and neighbor as Jesus instructed in the Great Commandment. Merriam-Webster defines prudence as “the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason,” or as Lucy states, “the ability to make good choices and act upon them.”
So, this means a good elected leader will put his faith into action, love God and neighbor, and make good choices. Why am I talking about this now? Because there are elections coming up! Your councils will all be holding their elections between May 1 and June 15. Who are those men in your council that meet that description? There’s your next leader, gentlemen. These men of charity and prudence will lead your councils and set an example that will make other men want to join, and will enhance the lives of your parishes and communities. Through putting their faith into action, they will help to build the city of God throughout North Carolina. These men will understand the importance of keeping our children safe and will emphasize the importance of Safe Environment training in your councils (you didn’t think I was going to pass up an opportunity to talk about Safe Environment, did you?)
Our elections may not be as important as the one being held in Rome, but they are very important to all whose lives we touch in North Carolina and beyond. Please use careful discernment when choosing who those charitable, prudent men are who will lead their councils for the next year. And then, once they’re elected, please submit your Form 185 (you’re welcome, Worthy State Warden).
As your State Advocate, I oversee the programs that are conducted throughout the state. Fortunately, I have had an outstanding General Program Director to take on that yoke for me. It was a very prudent decision to appoint Paul Spire to that position. Thank you, Paul, for all you’ve done. There is one big program coming up at the end of this month. From May 30-June 1, the state games of the Special Olympics will be conducted in Raleigh. For any councils within traveling distance, please consider volunteering to assist that weekend. It is time well spent and one of the most rewarding things you’ll do all year.
I look forward to seeing you all in the middle of the month in Hickory for what is going to be our greatest State Convention ever!
“How marvelous it would be if, at the end of the day, each of us could say: today I have performed an act of charity towards others!” – Pope Francis 1936-2025
Vivat Jesus!