Brother Knights,
As the New Year draws closer we are all reminded what is important……..FAMILY. No example is better than that of the Holy Family on the birth of Jesus. Today we celebrate The Feast of the Holy Family, the Sunday between Christmas, and New Year’s. It is ironic that today is New Year’s Eve and we are starting off the new year celebrating the greatest gift any man can be given, a FAMILY.
At this time of year, reflecting on the happenings of our Knights of Columbus Family is important. Our accomplishments and future goals are of utmost importance.
Once again, this year has had many challenges, but our recovery plan has made a huge impact on our order. The dedication, commitment and focused vision of every Knight in Saskatchewan has been greatly appreciated. We all have gotten enthusiastic about our councils, parishes, and communities. Our focus is on our Parish Priests to engage our future men to become Knights has been rewarding and well-accepted.
The involvement of the councils and the opportunities to attract new men by setting examples of parish and community life is the key to our success. The very fact of offering a Catholic man the opportunity to give us a hand at our event might trigger his inner faith to join the order. Listening to his ideas and welcoming men to join us turns out to be very rewarding not only for the gentleman but for the council as well. The Saskatchewan Knights Amazing Race Season Two is a great way to get out and get active. I applaud those councils that have taken advantage of this program to light fires in their councils, not only is it lots of fun but it gets everyone involved. The Coats For Kids program is enough said just in the title. We have had a very successful campaign giving coats to our needy and keeping everyone warm in our bitter cold. Every Knight should be proud of these accomplishments. The delivery of 7500 coats to our needy is a huge accomplishment. The trip to Fond Du Lac to present coats to three schools was very rewarding, humbling, and faith-building. To see the sparkle in a child’s eye, the warm touch of a handshake, and the hope in the eyes of the recipients is a gift I will treasure forever. We do not do things for recognition, we do it for our main principle……CHARITY. The 7500 coats ordered are a sure sign of commitment, charity and caring for those in and around our communities. Well done, Brothers.
The Charitable Foundation is busy compiling a Cash Calendar to be out for the Spring Convention, more details to follow as they are printed. Please remember the Foundation in your giving, memorials, and bequests. Our Foundation belongs to every Knight in this province, we must look after it and be proud to be part of its success.
Our realization that the Columbian Year is half over at the New Year we all must get active. Active in our parishes, and communities and active in membership. Ask a man, mentor him, involve him, encourage him, and help him grow in the faith. I challenge every one of you to just work a bit harder on offering this gift of Knighthood to just one man. We must all work harder to ensure the Knights’s future for years to come. I know we can all do this as individual Knight, let’s sign up a member.
On behalf of Patrick Kelly our Supreme Knight, on behalf of the State Officers of Saskatchewan and my wife Judi, I bid you a very Happy Prosperous New Year and all the blessings, hopes, dreams and continued success in the Days to come.
May God Bless You
ONLY TOGETHER AS A GROUP OF CATHOLIC MEN WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND PARISHES.
Larry Packet, State Deputy, Saskatchewan
