STATE DEPUTY MESSAGE for MAY

Worthy Brothers,

As we start the month of May, which is dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary, let us look back to Good Friday. When our Lord Jesus looked down from the cross with concern not for himself, but with concern for those he loved. He entrusted His own dear Mother to His beloved disciple John. “Woman, behold your son.” “Son, behold your mother.”

This act of giving and receiving was not meant only for our Blessed Mother and for John. Jesus looks at all of us from the Cross and says, “Behold, your mother.” And He directs His own dear Mother to turn to each one of us with love and affection, seeing her own precious child in each one of us.

We must see Jesus in every face and remember that in your words and deeds you are spreading the Good News of Jesus. All the good that you do is like the ripple that goes out when a stone is thrown into the water. You will never know the full effect of all the good that comes from the smile or happy greeting that you share. Or how many people’s lives that are changed by the programs that we do.

How many lives are saved by the ultrasounds that our councils are donating. What change is made in a child’s life, and in their future, by the coat that you put on them (Helping Hands/Coats for Kids). The impact that is made on the family that receives the box of food or clothing that you hand them when we participate in the Campesinos (Farmworkers) Program. The difference that is made when your council supports a pregnancy center (ASAP) and the mothers and families that are helped. Or the additional help that a religious sisters’ order can provide our communities after your council adopts them to support what they do through the Women’s Religious Assistance Program (WRAP). All the programs that we do make a difference is someone’s life. You are truly living out your faith through your good works.

We continue to invite Catholic men and their families to join our Knights of Columbus family. But there can never be enough Brothers. Just as there can never be enough good works, there is always a need. Where there is a need there is a Knight. We need more Knights.

Thank You and God Bless,

Vivat Jesus!

GREG MARRACQ
State Deputy 2023-2024

STATE CHAPLAIN MESSAGE FOR MAY

Dear Worthy Knights,

When the State Council leaders and local Council delegates gather for the State Convention on May 16-19 in Visalia it will also be the observance of the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday and the end of the Easter season. This solemn observance recounts the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Lord and Giver of Life, who gave the apostles the gift necessary to preach the gospel. 

At the first Pentecost, Saint Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, preached his first homily and challenged everyone to repent and be baptized in the name of the Risen Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and the reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 38). After his sermon, Saint Peter, the first pope, converted three thousand people. For this reason, Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church.

Worthy Brothers, we have all been recipients of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit through the Sacraments. The Holy Spirit empowered us to teach and guide others in understanding and living out the teachings of the Risen Lord as well as in interpreting and applying the Scriptures to our lives.

As we recall Pentecost and the dramatic change in the disciples to leave the upper room to go out and proclaim the Good News, let us pray that each of us will always have the courage to propagate the vision of our founder, Blessed Michael McGivney. Like the first disciples, Blessed McGivney often stepped outside the church walls to become an advocate for parishioners in need to keep their families together. 

On this gathering to celebrate the mission and the achievements of the Order during the State Convention, let us ask the Holy Spirit to renew in each of us the desire to complete and pursue our respective tasks and responsibilities with great joy and diligence.  Let us allow the Holy Spirit to speak through our hearts the way to make a difference in the lives of those we encounter by bringing them hope and healing.

Vivat Jesus!

REV. RAYMUND REYES
State Chaplain 2023-2024

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