Author: Paul Spire
Brother All,
It is now November, and we are fast approaching the end of the calendar year. While our fraternal year starts on July 1, there are many events within our organization that run during the calendar year. One of these is choosing the best program of the past year. Every Council runs many great programs. And as you know, each time a program is completed it needs to be reported on form 10784. The best program of the year in each category is chosen from all the10784 forms that were submitted between January 1st and December 31st. It is a common practice to submit your report right after the program is completed. A good write-up will include as many facts as possible and be fresh in your mind. The more information that you provide about the event, the better chance of your program being considered for recognition. A copy of your form 10784 must be sent to Supreme, to forms@kofcnc.org, your District Deputy, and your RDD. To be eligible for consideration for the top program of the year, the10784 must be submitted by January 15th. The State Program Directors will select the top 5 programs for their category in each of the four Division. Emphasis will be given to those programs that are innovative, original, and promote the Order’s principles. The State Officers will then review and select the top winners in each of the program areas. The individual winners in each Division will be recognized at the State Convention. The top program in each category will be chosen as the North Carolina State Program of the Year. The State will then submit the winning program in Faith, Family, Community, and Life to Supreme to be considered for the Supreme International Service Program Award. (Don't forget to include your Operation LAMB programs in either the Community or Life program areas.)
It is also not too early to start discussing among the Officers of the Council submission of the following: Priest of the Year, Deacon of the Year, Knight of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Golden Knight of the Year, and the Family of the Year. These awards are a great way to honor those Knights that have gone above and beyond in service to the council, the parish, and the community. If you need more information on how to complete the submission, you can contact your District Deputy or myself for more information.
Another form that your council can start compiling is the Council’s Form 1728. These hours of service are of great importance to the State Officers and Supreme as there are multiple awards where these numbers come into consideration.
For information on what is happening in each of the different programs, please take time to read the each of the Director’s reports in this month’s Tar Heel Knight.
I will leave you with this thought and prayers for those who are still affected by the natural disasters that have occurred within our state, the floods on the east coast, and those affected in the west by hurricane Helene.
God of hope and mercy, we lift up to you all victims of natural disasters and those responding with assistance and aid. Protect all who are in any form of danger; provide practical help to those in need; strengthen the weary, console the grieving, heal the suffering; and bless those engaged in disaster relief efforts with safety and courage. Help all people of good will respond with compassion and generous hearts. Amen.
Petitions
Confident in God’s loving care, let us now lift up together the following needs, saying: “Lord Hear our Prayers” For the consolation of all who have lost loved ones, livelihoods, homes, or property, we pray: “Lord Hear our Prayer” For the blessing of hope upon those devastated by shock, overwhelmed with grief, or paralyzed with fear, we pray: “Lord Hear our Prayers” For the relief of the poor, elderly, sick, and vulnerable, who typically suffer most in disasters, we pray: “Lord Hear our Prayers” For the encouragement, protection, and perseverance of all aid workers, we pray: “Lord Hear our Prayers” For an increase of generosity and solidarity with victims by all people of goodwill, we pray: “Lord Hear our Prayers”
Vivat Jesus
Paul Spire, General Program Director