Grand Knight New Year Message 2015

Happy New Year!

January 1^st marks the half way point through the KC fraternal year.   This is a good time to reflect on the Council’s activities over the past six months and to consider upcoming activities.  As you make new year’s resolutions, please think about your involvement with the Council.   It’s a great bunch of guys, activities are fun, and it hits the mark as far as discipleship goes.  

It has been a busy six months.  Take a look at these pictures that I feel capture the spirit of our Council during this time: http://hnojkc.org/index.cfm?pageid=182.  The pictures don’t show all activities.   Here’s a comprehensive list of activities/programs that were completed:

My appreciation to all who have contributed their time and energy to these projects!  

If there’s been a theme for this past six months, I suggest that it is “communications” – better communications with other HNOJ ministries and better communications within our Council.  Fr. Andrew has been especially helpful here and we look forward to working with him more as we move forward.  

Another significant effort started in the first half was the complete review and rewrite of the Council bylaws.  This effort, led by our Advocate and Trustees, involves a review of all facets of Council operations.  This is good for our Council as it causes us to question current processes and if necessary modify them to better support the Council’s mission.

The time ahead promises to bring many new opportunities for us to serve our parish and community – opportunities to become better disciples of Christ.   A number of 2015 activities have already been posted to the Council’s calendar at   http://hnojkc.org/index.cfm/pageid/99 (click on “Open Item”).  Those coming up are:

• January 13^th, KC Council Meeting, 7:30PM, Staff Lounge (in the office area behind reception desk).  Rosary at 7:10PM.
• January 23 – 25^th, Annual Pro-Life Cinnamon Roll Bake Sale
• January 31th, KC Free Throw Championship, 1:15PM, HNOJ Gym
• February 1 – 6^th, Immaculate Conception Icon, Adoration Chapel  (service time to be determined)
• February 14^th, District Free Throw Championship, 1:15PM, HNOJ Gym
• Wednesdays January 7^th, 14^th, 21^st & February 4^th, 11^th, 25^th:  Faith Formation Evening: Fine Dining

Then there are also those projects that are in process or ongoing:

• The “communications” theme will continue with Fr Andrew serving as our primary conduit to HNOJ ministries.
• The Trustees will continue their work reviewing and rewriting the Council bylaws.
• Discussions on “HNOJ Property enhancements” will continue. 
• The Council completed the painting of the sacristy & the Good Samaritan Center and also the building of the requested shelving unit last November.  An “adopt an island” program will now be considered where parish groups and families would “adopt” flower bed(s) around the parish grounds.  
•  A “rosary promotion” project would involve soliciting “inspiring Rosary essays” from parishioners and the publishing/distribution of selected essays in May, the month of Mary. 

And finally, we should make a stronger effort at growing our Council.  I ask that you make a concerted effort to share the good news of our Council with your friends and encourage them to join.

Please continue to monitor the Council web site at http://hnojkc.org for the latest Council news and activity updates. 

Stay warm & have a blessed new year!