State Deputy’s Message Regarding Charity Appeal

Congratulations Estevan Council 3165 on the terrific weekend hosting Charity Appeal.

Job well done

 It is with great honour I bring you greetings from our Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly on the event of the Charity Appeal weekend. I am sorry I cannot be among you this evening. I am in Denver Colorado attending the State Deputy Midterm Meeting. I want to thank Estevan Council 3165 for hosting this event and for organizing the many aspects of making this a success. This Council has been the leading ticket sales in this event for years so it is about time you hosted this event! 

It is hard to put into words the feelings I have for this event. Charity Appeal…..for me, it’s the best example of Brother Knights coming together to show our communities province-wide the main component of our order, Charity. The vision and goal of all Knights is to assist and serve others less fortunate and ensure the well-being of every citizen.  

This Charity Appeal draw has been an annual success in our communities. It has helped the homeless, foodbanks, bought wheelchairs, enhanced our volunteer firemen, supported children’s sports, and summer camps, and has enhanced our Coats for Kids program. This very appeal has kept our communities alive thanks to those who have purchased tickets, Knights who sprang into action to make a difference and the local organizations for helping in the sales of tickets. This act of Charity and giving is the main principle of our order and tonight is the best example of Knights in Action helping others.  

Becoming a Knight is the best decision a Catholic man can make in his life. Membership is key to our success and future. It is in fact that new members are what keeps our events alive. Fresh faces bringing new spirit, new ideas, different outlooks, breath of fresh air into our councils is what we strive for to ensure our future as Knights. Joining the 10 thousand men Statewide in this beautiful province is a task we must all take ownership of. We must ask all men, to change their lives. 

We have come a long in the last year and a few months. We are goal-orientated and are striving to meet these goals to achieve a future for the Saskatchewan Knights. Right now, the Coats for Kids program, what can I say, a group of men handing out almost 5800 coats to needy children to stay warm, Knights in Action, get er done attitude, looking after our communities one gesture at a time. Yes, I am proud of the order, yes, I stand firm in my faith, and yes I am proud of you for caring and giving your time and expertise for the good of the order. 

In closing, I want to thank you for hosting this event and being leaders in your community. As Knights, we often think we are making that big of a difference or that we do have not much effect on our small towns. I encourage you to keep up the good work and stay focussed on your council and personal goals. Remember to include your parish Priest in all your decisions and act on his needs. Be open to new ideas, recruit new members, engage all current members, and most of all stay focussed on CHARITY…..it is the main principle of our order. 

Once again I want to say congratulations on being the top seller in ticket sales for this event for the year. We applaud you. And CONGRATULATIONS on your 75^th Anniversary. 

VIVAT JESUS 

Larry Packet State Deputy Saskatchewan