Brother Knights,
The Christmas season is so very close. Rebecca and I would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year! Earlier this month, the District Deputies, along with the State Officers and many State Directors, met for our annual midyear meeting. We had great discussions, shared many success stories from Councils throughout the State, and ad[1]dressed many questions. This information will be discussed at your upcoming District Meetings and reinforced at the Grand Knight midyear meeting on February 3, 2024, in Columbia. Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune joined us and was very pleased to hear the great works that Councils were doing throughout the Diocese. He also once again shared a very positive outlook concerning future Seminarians.
Order-wide, the month of December proves to be a big month for growth. This is because so many Knights are visible during large Council programs supporting the Parish and Community. One such program is the serving of Christmas Dinner to Soldiers and their families of various National Guard Armories in the Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Lancaster areas. District 15 and District 10 united together for a common cause under the vision and leadership of District Deputy Jim Carswell. Funds were donated from Councils and Assemblies across the upstate as well as from other local Veteran fraternal organizations to cover the cost of the dinners. Local Councils solicited additional donations of bikes and other toys that were raffled off during the event. In Fort Mill, parents could enter a room and select extra items to be used as gifts for their children. Hundreds of Soldiers and family members were served by this effort. As a result, the units have asked what they can do to help the Knights of Columbus throughout the year in appreciation.
This effort is an example of a highly engaging, impactful program that clearly showcases our principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. I could not have been more proud walking into each site and witnessing all the Councils of District 10 and 15 represented during this event! Congratulations to all involved on an outstanding and successful program!
Over the next couple of weeks, you will receive some very important correspondence concerning our upcoming State Convention and many other items related to that event. I ask Grand Knights to review very carefully and plan to address the Convention in your January Officers meeting. We will discuss further at the Grand Knight meeting on February 3, however, due to the early date of the Convention, you will want to make plans prior to your February business meetings. As we conclude the first half of the fraternal year, I pray for continued success in all your programs, activities, and efforts. Please reach out to your District Deputy for any assistance. Remember this weekend, to spend an extra five minutes in prayer, and to ask a man to become a Knight. If done in the right order, there is no stopping us!
Jeffrey Crouch
State Deputy
Semper Fidelis!
