KOFC – Council 11091 Newsletter

From the Grand Knight’s Desk:

Brother Knights!

Happy New Year!

Each year we take the time to greet the New Year with new hope. Perhaps we make a few Resolutions (which seldom survive until Easter – or maybe St Patrick’s Day)!

Personally, I take the time for a deep breath, and a long, slow exhale. What a crazy, busy time of year! As Americans, we began months ago – before Thanksgiving, and planning, shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking. Then there are parties, travel, gift giving, celebrating with our families and extended families, friends and neighbors. As Knights, well, double that.

We began the season with planning and preparing for Adopt-A-Sailor, which has become even more rewarding as we’ve invited more of the parish to get involved. Then the Tree Lot was supported by so many of our Knights and families (thank you) for setup, selling the trees, wreaths, and Nativity sets, and dismantling the lot. This year we purchased over 300 trees, in part due to the compressed season (Thanksgiving coming late). Due to the good luck of great weather, and loyal customers, we sold all of our trees early this year – raising thousands of dollars for our charities. Meanwhile, we set up all of the Nativity sets around town. We decorated the Friary and Church with lights and trees. We invited parishioners to become a Knight Before Christmas and welcomed two new Knights. Just a few days later we set up and enjoyed our Knights family Christmas party, followed just a few hours later by our Breakfast with Santa for the parish.

We held a Blood Drive, and we had a number of Knights work to Feed My Starving Children.

And now it’s time to take down the Nativity sets around town, collect them, clean them and put them away for next year. We need help Saturday morning, Jan 4 at 8:30.

And looking into the new year, although the pace slackens a bit, we have a Free Throw Competition, Anniversary Dinner, a Major Degree, maybe a Pasta Dinner in the next few months, more Blood Drives. and the Shamrock Shave and Lenten Fish Fry’s are not too far over the horizon. What am I forgetting? Oh, yeah. “’Round yon Virgin, mother and child / Holy infant so tender and
mild / Sleep in Heavenly peace…” Wise men had to travel afar. We should keep that silent night, that Holy night with us the whole year, by praying the Rosary daily as we were implored to do when we became Knights.

I’ll put in a plug for That Man Is You – if you can take the time early Saturday mornings at 6:00 AM. Like a morning prayer, it’s a good way to examine what we need to do to become Catholic leaders for our families and our community. And sharing the time with brother Knights and other parish men reinforces the spirit. Maybe that’s my New Year’s Resolution? Good thing I didn’t make that resolution about donuts…

Take time to take care of yourselves. The Holy Spirit and the baby Jesus will help you.

Adeste Fideles!

Vivat Jesus!

Chris Burns