Associate State Chaplains Message:

Christ grew the Church by his Cross and pierced side for everyone, not just with words and intentions on the streets for the few manageable ones. Guys: January recruitment slowed down and there are still many councils and districts at zero membership growth. Let’s carry this cross! How can this be? One council in El Paso told me that they are fine at 35 members because they want to keep the council manageable. The average age of the council members is not 20’s or 30’s (50/60). Our State Deputy would remind us:” What is going to happen to the council in five years—ten? It is going to die, but worse because before that, council activity will just go down to a few members who are doing all the work and attending the meetings.” Supreme council asks us for a 5% growth to just stay even, somewhere from 3 to 20 members in order to keep the ebb and flow of the active members stable. People die, move, and age out; so, when a council breaks off of the future, it is only thinking about itself and no one else: not the Order and not the Parish. A good council not only grows the men they also grow the parish community and bring life, faith, community, into their families. Let's carry this cross!

Yesterday our 1728 was due. How are the numbers compared to last year? Greater, smaller, or the same? Did we raise and distribute more or less funds? Did we volunteer more or less hours? Some used the pandemic as an excuse to get out and do something, now they are distracted and no longer have time for the Sunday Mass since they can stream it at their convenience in their sweat pants. Some turn off after homily when the Eucharist is the cornerstone everything is built off of. Think they are going to go council meetings or council programs and fundraisers? Think they’ll carry this cross?

But let’s focus on the ones that pay dues, attend, support the council. Man, on the third of you that actually read the Finish line! Thank you, I am always struggling to give you the tools to help other councils get motivated about recruitment, documentation, and activity. How to get your district and diocesan deputies to make you examples to motivate, inspire, and educate other councils’ leaders. Their shame, moaning, jealously, or despair is worthless. We rather focus on inspiration with a desire to ask and plan. I have seen District Deputies try to micromanage, berate, or “give up on” their local councils. Look at their numbers you have Star Councils and Councils with zeros in the same district. That says a lot about the Diocesan and District Deputies. When I approach them, I get excuses and reasons for their numbers not solutions and calendared strategies. Try something else! Who cares what succeeded or failed in the past? How does it affect today for tomorrow? Who cares what promises we make? Rather focus on the new paths and strategies are we enacting now to get to the next step? Let’s carry this cross!

For example, a Council’s goal for recruitment is 3, what will get us just one? But…. before inviting a man into the Order: Which activities are you looking forward to? Which are you planning and need help with? Invite the non-member to an activity or fundraiser of the council first, second, and third time before inviting them into the Order. Make sure to ask him and his family for help before and during the event. No activates planned yet? Look at SP-7 and faith in action guidebook to concretize and plan activities in various categories for diversification. Invite them to the fruits of the council and they will want to be part of the success, growth, and activity. Again, a good council not only grows the men they also grow the parish community and bring life, faith, community, into their families. Let’s carry this Cross!

We have five months: every council can grow the order by three members. Every council can stimulate the parish activity by three recruited families! Have a recruitment drive, invite a family to help your next Faith in Action program: Every Council grow the Order by one family in the next two weeks! What's you plan for February 13th? Let’s carry this Cross!

Vivat Jesus!

Rev. Mark N. P. Salas, Associate State Chaplain