November 2019

Worthy brother Knights,

October came to an end as the leaves turned from green to the colors of Fall.  Watching the baseball season come to a close reminds me of voices that we may never hear again.  Thinking of Marty Brennaman (Cincinnati Reds Announcer 1974-2019) whom I can only remember calling Reds baseball.  Yes, Marty I grew up a “Big Red Machine Fan” with all the memories of Brennaman.  I also remember another voice.    A voice my grandfather loved to listen to even though they moved from Brooklyn to L.A.  Vince Scully calling Dodgers games brings a tear to my eye thinking of those wonderful moments in life.  How many of you know that I call Mr. Scully my Brother just like you?  Brother Scully has been an instrument of his Faith for years.  Recording a Rosary, Join/Us Commercial, “Mighty McGivney at Bat”, and other items for the Knights of Columbus.  Voices of the past will always remind us of our past and of wonderful people.  One voice that we should always listen for is the voices of the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and The Holy Spirit) to lead us through this wonderful life we have here on Earth.  That way we will hear all those voices that we have missed, but will hear again in heaven.  As our Brother Vin Scully once said about his devotion to the Virgin Mary, "Her prayers are more powerful than those of the rest of heaven combined. No one was closer or more devoted to Christ on earth, so it only makes sense to see the same thing in heaven. Now, the Blessed Virgin seeks to help her spiritual children get home to spend eternity with her Son.”  

Although October is over and Rosaries to honor Mary have concluded.  The wonderful opportunities for Families to come together and share their Faith have not concluded.  Continue meditating on the Rosary!  Meditate on each Mystery from the Rosary and discuss with your family what they hear or feel when they meditate on the words.  Pay special attention to what others might be hearing or seeing.  Everyone has something to learn and teach each other as we prepare for Advent and the coming of the Christ Child.  Our Holy Fathers Saint Pope John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have showed us how important praying the Rosary is not only to each of us, but to the whole world.

Have you been talking to your Parish Priest/Council Chaplain about your “Keep Christ-in-Christmas” activities?  Hopefully you have ordered your Poster kits so they will be ready for distribution when the time is right.  Contact your District Deputy so he knows that you are conducting a Poster Contest.  If more than one council in the District holds the contest, only a District winner for each age group will advance to the State Judging.

Remember to Complete your Safe Environment Training As Soon As Possible.

Remember that we are to be the light for our family.  Show them how much you love your Catholic Faith.   Talk with your Brother Knights about conducting a Family Rosary Night. As we approach the holiday seasons, conduct a Helping Hands Project, help out in a soup kitchen, or pass out food that you have collected to families in need at a food pantry.  NCYC is approaching and will be in Indianapolis again this year on November 20-23.  Indiana councils have a wonderful opportunity to help out with a Food For Families project that weekend involving NCYC.

• The money must go to buy food
• $500 and 100 man-hours from the Knights is required to get the 2 credits.  The man-hours can include planning, fundraising, and facilitation work at NCYC.
• Each council will need to submit their own Food for Families Refund and Plaque Application (#10057) and Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784)
• NCYC will need to send us one letter acknowledging the K of C contribution. Each council can include a copy of the letter with their application.
• If a council gives less than $500 or 100 man-hours, the activity will count for 1 credit.

Remember that Mary was the first person to say Yes to God and her Son Jesus.  Without Mary, God’s New Covenant never would have happened.  But as we get closer to Christmas, we should also remember Joseph.  Joseph’s dream to not divorce Mary before the marriage was part of the whole plan God had set before us. Is now not the time for us to recommit ourselves to the Holy Family?  This is part of our Faith, and a part of our own families.  Mary believed in the Word of God, then why would we not believe NOW?  Consecration to the Holy Family is now and ever shall be a part of our Faith Life.

November and December are months that seem to be more devoted to our families.  Thanksgiving is spent looking back at the Blessings we have received over the past year.  Christmas is enhanced by giving gifts to the ones we love to show them just how much they truly mean to us.  Also, remember to give thanks to God for what he has done for your family and the ultimate Christmas gift that he gave to you and your family so long ago. Make this time of the year a time for Family Events.  Decorating your Parish, setting up the Nativity Scene, Lighting of a Council Tree, but always remember to “Keep CHRIST-in-CHRISTmas”.

“Faith In Action”, make your Council and Family React to Our Catholic Faith by giving them some great Daily Bread in programs that will have an impact for a lifetime.

• Consecration to the Holy Family (Required for Star Council)
• Food for Families (Featured & 2 Credits toward Star Council)
• Family of the month/year
• Keep Christ in Christmas
• Family Fully alive
• Family week
• Family Prayer 
• Good Friday Family Promotion

Remember these items that need to be done throughout the year.  Again The Family of the Month Program by your Councils Family Director & Committee should pick a Family each Month by filling out Supreme form (1993A) and turn it into the State Family Director (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Supreme.  Never Forget Deceased Brothers and Family Members should be reported (using form IN-DB1) to the State Family Director as well to your DD, so that they can be remembered during State Masses - especially at the State Convention.  Help them to be Remembered with the Perpetual Memorial Society which provides us a way to remember and pray for Family, Friends, and Loved Ones.  Anyone is welcome to enroll by filling out State form (IN-PMS1).  If a single donation is equal to or more than $200.00 a Knight’s of Columbus Commemorative Cross will be shipped to the donor's address.  Donations are put into the Christopher Fund and then the earnings from the account presented to the Indiana Bishops on an Annual Basis.

Strengthen Our Families and Revitalize Our Parishes.

Ryan Borden

State Family Director

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