STATE DEPUTY MESSAGE FOR AUGUST 2025

My Brothers,

I’m sending this message from Washington DC. I’m here for the 143^rd Supreme Convention.  I hope and pray to bring home to California for information to help us grow the order. I just learned that we finished July with 253, about 150 short of our objective of a 100 week. We need pray and continue to invite. Let’s use the power of the rosary to open the hearts and minds of our future brothers.

How often we have discussions about how our council is looking for strong Catholic men who want to grow in their faith and give back to the community. They would be a great addition to our parish. How about we fill out an online application to get started?” The problem is we just don’t know where to begin.

Here is one suggestion – The Fishers of Men Guidebook is filled with talking points to help you discuss the benefits of Knights of Columbus membership with the Catholic men in your area. You’re strongly encouraged to promote the guidebook to council leaders so they can go out with courage and connect with other Catholic men. To download the Fishers of Men Guidebook today visit https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/membership/fishers-of-men.pdf

Gentle Reminder: Local councils can compete to receive prizes from the Supreme Council Home Office when they meet a minimum of 100% of their 2025-2026 Fraternal Year membership quota between July 1 – October 31, 2025! * Currently in California We have 7 Councils that are at 100% and qualified, One is at 450%. Go to the State Website to download this weeks Star Award Tracker. https://www.californiaknights.org/star-tracker-report/

The latest McGivney Tour will start on Sunday, August 10th and will conclude on Wednesday, August 27th.  The Relic will arrive in Fresno then travel north to the Bay area, Redwood Chapter, Northern California Chapter, and end up in the Stockton area (San Joaquin Chapter).  The Southern Tour will begin sometime in November.  You may place your tentative requests now and firm up the times and dates when the Southern Tour dates are announced.  See the link at the KofC State Museum for more info or to schedule in your area, https://www.californiaknights.org/emilio-moure-museum/

As we move into August, keep in mind that August 21^st is Senior Citizen day, as it is vital that Councils consider doing something for Seniors if not perhaps a fundraiser for the Columban Retirement home, they are a 501c3 organization. We also need to foucus on saving lives and helping every parish have an AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator), the Knights have made arrangements to get them a reduced rate,

Remember Early is Easy!, Vivat Jesus ,

Our Lady of Miracles pray for us!

Ken Rose, State Deputy 2025-2026

 

STATE CHAPLAIN MESSAGE FOR AUGUST 2025

Dear Brother Chaplains and Worthy Brother Knights,

As I pen this message I am preparing to attend my first Supreme Convention in our nation’s capital. I am excited to be gathered with so many brother Knights and fellow Chaplains to celebrate the Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism that are the hallmarks of our Order.

Two celebrations during the month of August deserve our special attention. August 15^th is the Holy Day of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother into heaven. Our Order has enjoyed the patronage of Our Lady from our earliest days. It was in a church dedicated to her honor that our Order was founded and we rely on her constant intercession to assure that we remain faithful to our first calling: to be faithful disciples of her Son, Jesus. Mary teaches us this discipleship by her humility and willingness to walk with Jesus from Bethlehem to Egypt, to Nazareth, to Calvary and to the tomb. Her Assumption into heaven proclaims our hope that when our earthly journey in this world is complete, that does not mean that life is over. We too are called to eternal life when, like Mary, with our glorified body and soul, we shall behold our God in the new heavens and the new earth! Most Holy Lady, Assumed into Heaven, pray for us!

On August 28^th we celebrate the feast of St. Augustine of Hippo. As you probably know, our Pope Leo XIV is a son of Augustine, having lived his priestly life as an Augustinian. You may have noticed how often Pope Leo refers to Augustine in his talks and homilies. As a bishop and doctor of the Church, Augustine has much to teach us. His life was one of constant conversion, believing that in this life we are always restless until we rest in God alone. If you have never read his “Confessions” I urge you to pick up a copy. It is a spiritual classic that would make great material for a COR study group! Two of my favorite quotes from St. Augustine:

“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.”  St. Augustine, pray for us!

Let me close by reminding you of a wonderful opportunity for a spiritual retreat at the beautiful St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista. The retreat theme is “MEN ON A MISSION: Exploring our Faith” and is being sponsored by our Salinas Council #1948, September 5-7, 2025. More information can be found in this August bulletin.

Vivat Jesu!

Fr. Dan Avila
State Chaplain, 2025-2026