Knights of Columbus

Chapter News

OC Logo2Bjpg-125Knights of Columbus
Orange County Chapter Happenings
January 2015

My Brothers,

On January 17th, the Diocese of Los Angeles held the first “One Life LA” walk for the Culture of life.  The walk began at the heart of old Los Angeles, Our Lady Queen of Angels, La Placita and walked past the new Cathedral, then down into the park in front of City Hall where the afternoon’s program took place.  Archbishop Gomez, Carl Anderson, and a full slate of active Life Promoters challenged Los Angeles to tell the world that we support life from the moment of conception through the last moment of natural death;  And our Order was a major sponsor and supporter of the entire event.  I was proud to be a part of this historic moment, the first march of its kind in our great city.  I was proud to see so many Knights, in Color, in Volunteer shirts, carrying Council banners and signs supporting life, and in fact, leading the March.

More importantly, I was overwhelmed by the number of enthusiastic Youth who marched, sang, prayed, chanted, cheered, and broadcast to the world that they believe in the Culture of Life.  Newspapers estimate that there were somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 participants in this great day of sharing.  It was peaceful and joyous.  I saw one group of five Pro Choice people with a bull horn get surrounded by young people chanting “Your mother chose YOU!”  The protestors were silenced and I think a bit ashamed.

For a first time event, this was truly monumental.  If you didn’t make it in 2015, please plan on coming in 2016 and bring your family and friends who believe that Life is a sacred gift.

On a more local front, the Knights of Orange County served 4600 meals to Special Olympians at the Fall Games in Fountain Valley in December.  Members from councils 3926, 4922, 5568, 6020, 7985, 8336, 9511, 9667, and 10782, helped in the transport, preparation, serving, and clean up of these meals.  The Supreme Council sent a camera team to create a promotional video both for membership and recruitment for Special Olympics this summer. Thanks to PCP Steve Bolton for coordinating a tremendous effort and satisfying so many people.

Two of our major youth programs are running at this time.  The Basketball Free Throw Competitions should be taking place in the Councils and at the District levels.  At the end of February, Don Ehrman will conduct the Chapter competition.  He is planning on using the St. Norbert facility on either Feb. 21 or 28.  Standby for the firm date.  Meanwhile, the Essay contest entries should all be turned in to Chairman/DD Abraham James by our Chapter meeting on January 22.

District Deputy John Piccolo and the Knights of St. Killian’s put on an excellent 3rd degree on January 17th.  67 men were brought to the honors of full knighthood at that exemplification.  The next 3rd degree will at St. Pius V in Buena Park on February 22.  Please start making your reservations with DD Bill Schafer or on the Chapter website now.

Clergy Night takes place at St. Joachim’s Parish Hall on Friday, January 23, the day after our Chapter meeting.  Reservations indicate that we will have a full house.  As a night set aside to honor our Priests and Religious, this has always been a wonderful evening of fellowship with our clergy and families.  We refrain from speeches at this dinner, but this year, there will be a special short tribute to Bishop Cirillo Flores who we recently lost.

All Knights in Orange County should have received raffle tickets in their mail to support the Day of Sharing.  This special day of fun for our Intellectually Disabled friends and family is primarily funded through the proceeds of this raffle.  Our expenses often run well over seven thousand dollars to put this event on so please, consider selling or purchasing your tickets as a way of supporting this unique Orange County event.

Just a reminder that our Chapter Meeting will be this Thursday night, January 22,  at 7:30 pm.  As usual, St. Joachim’s Knights will offer a light supper starting at about 7:00.  We will be holding a short meeting this month so that we can help set up the hall for Clergy Knight.  Brothers, Your Help Is Needed!  Please try to be there.  Hopefully, we will be set up and out by 9 pm.

Yours in service,
Jack Haney
President, Orange County Chapter

Fr. McGivney, Pray for Us! 

 

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