Welcome to the 2017-2018 Fraternal Year

My Brother Knights in Texas! Welcome to the 2017-2018 Fraternal Year. In early August, my wife Lori and I had the privilege to attend the Supreme Council Convention in St. Louis (our home town). The compelling witness of the Bishops from the Middle East, especially Iraq and Syria of the persecution of Christians in their home land is a powerful witness to the need for the Knights of Columbus to be strong, visible and impactful in defending our Faith, our Priests and Bishops, and those who cannot defend themselves. Absent the witness of the Knights in this country and before Congress, it is possible Christianity might have been wiped away from the regions in which it originated. The lasting image and sounds for me are Bishop Barnaba Yousif Benham Habash, Syriac Catholic Bishop of Our Lady of Deliverance of Newark singing the Lord’s prayer in Aramaic – the language of Jesus. Very powerful. Difficult to comprehend there could be no more people singing that prayer in that part of the world in the native language of Jesus.

Why are we Knights? Why do we ask men to join us? Ultimately, we’re all working to join our Lord and Savior in heaven, and, He calls us to evangelize and bring more souls to Him as well. We are God’s eyes, ears, hands and feet here on Earth. We are here to serve, we are here to try and be more Christ-like and we are here to help each other get to heaven. How can we not ask our brothers to join us? So, let us go forth with passion and vigor to realize the vision of the Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney – a Knights of Columbus presence in every Catholic community in Texas. Every Brother Knight in Texas is a member of the membership team! Councils and DD’s are asked to schedule more Admission Degrees (First Degrees). It has been observed that recruiters recruit to degrees – so frequent availability of degrees will be a key to our continued success this year.

New members bring continued life to our Councils and new perspectives and energy. The Knights have been a strong and growing organization since our founding more than 135 years ago and we are each called to help ensure their viability for the future. Please take some time to review the Supreme Website – www.kofc.org. Interested candidates can review the “Join Us” section of the website for some of the benefits in belonging. There is also an email option on the State Facebook page, which features a monthly membership banner. Feel free to like and share the page. https://www.facebook.com/txkofc/?fref=ts. Extending an invitation to eligible Catholic gentlemen provides them the opportunity to grow in their faith, to serve the communities to which they belong and to associate with a bunch of like-minded Catholic gentlemen. Please be creative in your approach to recruiting – share what works with your DDs’ so we all can learn!

Texas has not had its best year yet but with your help we will make this fraternal year Texas’ Best Year Yet!

Vivat Jesus! Viva Cristo Rey!