My Brothers,
As we say in Theater, "It's been a good run." Actually, when we finally reach June 30th it will have been 730 exciting and unusual combination of days. We began our journey at the beginning of the most horrific world-wide pandemic in the past 100 years; but through your efforts and dedication we learned how to cope and continue doing the good works of the Order. We are now close to the end of our administration and doing so with a war raging in the Ukraine. Rather than assisting our brothers and their families during a pandemic, we are assisting our brothers and those families 4800 miles away to find some kind of peace and happiness while they continue to fight for freedom and perhaps start a new life as refugees in a new country.
This is what we do as Knights. We help our fellow man. We Leave No Neighbor Behind, and we know if we are Not Afraid, we will succeed in helping others find some peace in their lives. Columbianism IS the Heart of the Family and you have demonstrated it to me during this most tubulous time in our world's history.
Make no mistake: Now is the time for Knights. These past two years have amplified old challenges and given rise to new ones. That face our families, our faith, and our culture as a whole. Recently the Pro-Choice movement stated that this summer will be one for the Ungovernable. More than ever, we need to stand side by side with our priests, Bishops, and our Church to protect the values which we cherish as sacred. Is it not any wonder why the words, “Be Not Afraid” are listed 365 times in the Bible. Every day we face new challenges, but as Knights we can meet them head on and persevere.
Blessed Father McGivney began our Order to help the men and their families in a small town in Connecticut. Today we assist our fellow Knights around the world. You my brothers are what makes me proud to be a Knight of Columbus, and proud to call you Brother. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your State Deputy these past two years; one that I will forever cherish in my heart.
The principles of our Order are Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. We understand this, but we need to embark our principles on yet another generation of young men to carry the torch when we pass on.
I believe President Eisenhower summed it up very succinctly when he stated, “Patriotism, a sense of duty, and a feeling of obligation are the noblest and most necessary qualities of any democratic system.” Isn’t this what we are really all about; following a sense of duty to serve our fellow men and women?
I was blessed with an excellent team of officers, chairman and directors, District Deputies, and support from Supreme Council. Thank you for always being there when I needed you. It has never been about me, but always about you and your families.
I offer my best wishes and support to Mike Kish, our newly elected State Deputy, and his team for a fruitful and successful term of office as the works of the Order continue in our Great Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.
Thank you all for giving me your support these past two years as we slowly came up and out of the Covid-19 pandemic. We tried our best to keep the ship afloat, and I believe we did just that.!
Blessed Fr. McGivney – Pray for Us
St. John Paul – Hear our Prayers
BE NOT AFRAID
Ken Grugel, State Deputy