January 1, 2015
Brothers,
Happy New Year! This is the time we set new resolutions for ourselves to try to improve our lives during the New Year. Some want to go on a diet. Some want to stop smoking. And, some want to improve a skill. A council can make resolutions, too. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson says, “Our principles are just words if we do not live them out.” Each of us and our council can choose to live by our principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Here are two New Year resolutions that a council should promise to do to live out our principles; one, embrace and support the culture of live from conception to natural death; and two, be a fully active council by earning the Star Council Award in the 2014-2015 fraternal year.
On January 22, 1973, the United Sates Supreme Court voted 7 to 2 majority vote in favor of the Roe vs. Wade decision to legally allow abortion. The Court deemed abortion a fundamental right under the United States Constitution. Every year, on the anniversary of the decision, opponents of abortion march up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., in the March for Life. The 2013 March for Life drew an estimated 650,000 people. There will be similar marches held throughout Arizona in January 2015. Please organize your council, families, and parishioners to participate in these marches. Wear your council shirts and name badges. Bring your council flag. Let Arizona know that the Knights of Columbus are standing up for the rights of the unborn. There is a huge need for a 4-D Ultrasound machine in Tucson at the “Fatima Women’s Center” in Tucson. This center is affirming the dignity and value of each and every woman and baby they are privileged to care for. These “state of the art” machines cost about $80,000. There is a need to organize 8 to 10 councils’ coordinated fund raising efforts to raise $40,000 before May 1, 2015. Supreme will contribute the other $40,000. Your State Deputy will be happy to help coordinate this effort. Over the last few years, Arizona has already provided four ultrasound machines across the state. Please consider this as a New Year resolution.
The Star Council Award is the pinnacle achievement which shows that your council is working to support its members’ families, and bring relevant programs to its membership, parish, and community. The Star Council Award recognizes outstanding achievement in membership, insurance and service program activities. Councils must conduct and report at least four major programs in each of the Service Program categories: Church, community, council, family, culture of life, and youth. It is our moral obligation to grow and strengthen our councils with new members. New members help to secure your council’s future by developing new leaders to continue the good work you are doing today. Every Brother Knight in Arizona needs to recruit a new member now. This will strengthen charity the Order in Arizona to better support our freedoms and the Catholic Church. Please consider this as a New Year resolution.
Remember that by living our State theme, “I will choose Christ, I will choose love, I choose to serve”, you and your council will exemplify our four principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. With this, your current members and your new members can be a strong force in your council, Church, family, and community.
Vivat Jesus!
Larry Becker
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