Brother Knights,
As the Thanksgiving Holiday is upon us, we should reflect on all we have to be thankful for. I am thankful for the fraternal Leaders who have been called to lead the Knights of Columbus Councils in South Carolina. I am thankful for the many hours spent in the name of Charity so that we can make an impact, no matter the size, in areas that need our charity most. I am thankful for the freedom of our nation, preserved by the service of all our Veterans, especially those we call Brother Knight. And most importantly, I am thankful for Jesus Christ, who sacrificed all, and through whom, we have and do everything!
At the State Deputy Midyear meeting, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly affirmed that Blessed McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus to “carry out the mission of Jesus himself – to help men love God and serve their neighbors.” He went on to say that our mission is a mission of hope, perfectly suited for these challenging times while referencing the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Holy Land. Our responsibility as Knights is to grow the Order so that we can make a bigger difference; so that we can reach more families and pass our beautiful faith to the next generation. Finally, he underscored that nothing is more powerful than a Brother Knight calling another man to something greater and doing so face to face in the context of friendship.
In this spirit, I would like to recognize the Micheal O’Conner Council 5026. While visiting a Brother Knight at Sprenger Healthcare Facility in Port Royal, Brother Reulito “Gonz” Gonzalez was introduced to a few other Catholic men who were not Knights. They all expressed interest in joining the Knights of Columbus. Brother Gonz rallied his Council and they overwhelmingly agreed to hold an exemplification at the healthcare facility. It is important to note, that the Council knows these men will not be attending Council meetings, working on projects at the Parish, or most likely not even paying dues. However, Brother Gonz and the Knights of Council 5026 offer these men at the end of their life, an invitation to become Knights, enhancing yet again the image of Council 5026 to the Parish of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Thank you Brother Gonz, Grand Knight Butch Alverez, and Micheal O’Conner Council 5026 for setting a high bar for the rest of South Carolina to follow!
As we enter the Advent season, 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!
