Author: Francis Reck
Supreme Convention and Program Matrix Changes
Last month I had the great honor of representing the state at the Supreme Convention in Denver. It was a very moving and rewarding experience. The opening address by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly was very inspiring and I encourage everyone to listen to it 144th Supreme Convention | Opening Address. I was also part of the Eucharistic Honor Guard for three Masses. They were all beautiful, but I especially recommend you listen to Bishop Hebda’s Homily on the Sacred Heart. My wife Diane and I had a wonderful time getting there and back and met many new friends and reconnected with a few old ones from New Jersey.
As you likely know the Programs matrix has changed for the new Columbian Year. There are basically three requirements that a council must meet to achieve the Columbian Award for programs.
First: donate $500 to one of four programs, ASAP (cash or item value), Food for Families (cash or 1,000 pounds of food), RSVP, or Coats for Kids.
Second: complete four Faith in Action programs, one in each of the Faith, Family, Community and Life categories that are similar to those described in the Faith in Action Program Guidebook.
Third: complete three programs or activities: one to bring men closer to Christ, one to build fraternity (strengthen the bonds of friendship between the men of your council and/or parish) and one to support your parish or community. These programs / activities can be unique to the council and do not need to be Faith in Action programs. Completing COR will satisfy all three requirements.
Note that programs submitted for the first requirement cannot be claimed for the second requirement and programs submitted for the first two requirements cannot be submitted for the third. Due to these changes the SP7 Form has been revised and a sample is available here; it will not go live until the new year. The 10784 Form is also in the process of revision to reflect these changes, and the new version should be posted shortly. In the meantime, please continue to use the existing form. The Program Chairmen and I review the 10784s as they are submitted. These are also used for the various State awards that are presented at the State Convention each May. Remember that the State awards are based on calendar year activities while the Supreme awards are based on the Columbian Year. So please continue to submit these for all activities. We are in the process of revising the Programs section of State Website to reflect these changes.
Coats For Kids got off to a great start; we reached our BOGO allowance within the first five days. The Keep Christ in Christmas order forms are also now live; we received our first order of the year from none other than Past State Deputy, Colin Jorsch. Thank you Colin! Fall is also the time to run the Keep Christ in Christmas and Catholic Citizenship Essay Contests as well as the Soccer Challenge.
Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Bushel Basket!