My Worthy Bother Knights,

It’s hard to believe we are already at March.  It has been a busy and so far a successful year.  I am so proud of the efforts of our State in inviting new members.  Let’s have a great March and productive Parish drives.  I am happy to be visiting Councils to deliver first and second quarter incentives.  Thank you for all you are doing to make Indiana one of the best Jurisdictions in the Order. 

We have some very important events coming up quickly I hope to see you and other Catholic gentlemen at these events.

Statewide Retreat

On March 18^th we have planned the first State Wide Retreat at Our Lady of The Greenwood parish.  Please sign up quickly as we need to confirm that you will be there so that we have enough chairs, table and food and drink for everyone.  We need a minimum of 50 and we have lots of room so get registered soon.  Bring a good catholic gentleman that isn’t a Knight so that they can share your faith and mission.

State Convention

On May 5, 6 and 7 we will have our next State Convention at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis.  We are planning some great events with this year’s program.  We will again have a service project.  We are also having breakout sessions on Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon.  We will be starting early on Friday with registration open at 12:30 and programs starting at 1 pm.  Donations towards the food packing event will again be requested.  This year the local meals with go to a local food pantry on the near west side of Indianapolis, Anna’s House.  This is a great organization that is operated by a catholic family.

We are also hosting a Vocation’s Dinner on Friday Night.  Invite your priest or potential future religious to attend and learn how we as Knights support the Religious and seminarians.  We are asking Councils to sponsor their priests and future seminarians for this event.  Those who support the vocations dinner will be recognized during the Convention.

We realize that this year’s event is a bit more expensive than in the past.  Unfortunately, downtown Indianapolis is a priceyer venue and inflation is hurting the entire nation.  This is the State Council meeting, and all local Councils comprise the State Council.  Please plan to attend so that we can make this a great event and share our experiences across the State.  I promise to make the event worth the costs.

COR / Faith Formation

Last month I asked who is doing the new initiative.  Hopefully everyone has responded.  IF you Council is interested in this new initiative, please reach out so that I can get you in contact with our coordinators for the State.  This is a revitalization of Fr. McGivney’s vision for the Knights.  Let’s all be a part of it.

Women’s Care Center Endowment

The Endowment for the Women’s Care Center has been created and payments continue to be made. Our goal is $10,000,000 in 10 years.  I hope your Council is taking part in this program.  I am also hopeful that Councils are taking part in the ASAP program from Supreme to increase the impact of the dollars you donate.

License Plates

Hooray!!! We met the goal of 500 plates by January1, 2022.  The Knights license plate is on the road.  Our next goal is to be to 1000 plates next January.  To do that we need to renew the existing plates and to encourage others to purchase the Knight license plate.  Be proud to be a member of the Knights of Columbus and show it with a license plate on your car as you drive around the State.

Free Throw

I am looking forward to seeing many of you and the Diocesan winners at the State Free Throw finals at Guerin High School this month.  Please support your diocesan winners and come out to cheer them on.

Quarterly Meeting

The Next Quarterly meeting will be on April 1, NO FOOLING.  Where will we be at in membership; What will we have achieved in programs. We will again showcase some more Councils that are doing well and answer any questions that you may have.  It will be a quick two-hour event that will provide a great forum for discussion.

Closing Thoughts

Congratulations gentlemen on making Indiana grow in membership and programming.  We are looking good to meet our goals this year.  I am looking forward to meeting with Councils and Districts to present the incentive awards and to discuss future plans.  Please encourage your members to invite a friend to become a new member. We need to bring in over 100 new members a month to meet our goal from Supreme.  This is an easy goal in that it is only half a member per Council per month.  That said, wouldn’t it be great to have all Councils bring in at least one member a month and for us to meet our goals early.  Please reach out to the membership team if you need assistance.

Lastly let’s remember that one of my goals for Indiana is for the State to approach things from a state-wide view.  We will have a State -wide retreat. Our State-wide convention is coming up and we are planning a State-wide family event at Holiday World in June.  Another goal is to include the family in what we do.  Bring your wives and children to your events.  We cannot be strong family leaders if we don’t show our families what we do.

I wish you all a great Lenten season.  Let us all pray that God will show us what our roles are in his great plan so that we can take an active role. More to come over the next few months. Keep dreaming big and be ready to Evangelize Through Our Works.

Vivat Jesus