Arizona State Council Knights of Columbus - Fraternal Year 2019-2020
Brothers,
Mary Ann and I wish you and your families the happiest of New Years as we enter the second decade of this century. We pray that you can build on the accomplishments and challenges of the past year, so that the new year is better and brighter materially and spiritually. Make 2020 about giving to God, family, and community, of yourself, your love, time, talents, and treasure.
We have many great opportunities waiting for us in the coming months. I invite every Knight to make an effort to participate at the parish, council, and/or statewide levels in the months ahead. I ask you to focus on Faith, Family, Community, and Life efforts to grow the Church through evangelization of our faith and the Order by extending a hand to Catholic men who would benefit from membership in the Knights.
This January we have two major events to which I invite every District Deputy, State Director and Chairman, Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Council Officer, and Council degree team member to attend. This year’s State Council Mid-Year meeting will be held January 10-12, 2020, in Casa Grande. The host council for the meeting is Fr. Patrick J. Murphy Council #3136, St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Diocese of Tucson. The main meeting on Saturday will be held at St. Anthony’s Community Center, 150 N. Drylake St., Casa Grande, AZ 85122. Registration packages are found on the state website: www.kofc-az.org.
District Deputy training will also take place on Friday afternoon and Sunday morning at the Holiday Inn, 777 North Pinal Ave., Casa Grande, AZ 85122.
This year there are several unique activities that will be part of the meeting. District Wardens are highly encouraged to attend for specialized training that will help them be more effective in their roles. A special registration form for District Wardens can be found on the state website for those who want to attend.
During the Saturday meeting we will adjourn at 10:20 a.m. so that Knights and family members can join in Casa Grande’s Pro-life March and Rally. This coincides with the Tucson Diocese Pro-Life March and Rally in Tucson. Bring your council banners to process with during the March. Also, don’t forget your walking shoes and Rosary beads for a short stroll down the street while praying to end abortion.
Many of you have already heard that the Supreme Council is introducing a new degree format that will provide a new Knight candidate an opportunity to receive all three degrees, Admissions, Formation, and Knighthood, in one exemplification ceremony. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the new degree and observe the ceremony up close and personal during the Mid-Year meeting. Councils are encouraged to bring candidates with them to be some of the first to be exemplified during this new ceremony.
January is also the month in which we remember the 1973 Supreme Court decision that gave way to the legalized murder of nearly 61 million babies through abortion. On or about the anniversary date of the decision, rallies and marches are held to publicly pray that this horrible decision is overturned, that abortion ends, and that workers in the abortion industry experience a conversion of heart and refuse to lift another hand against the unborn.
The March in Tucson will take place January 11, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. starting at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S Stone Ave. Following a 9:00 a.m. Mass at the church, marchers will gather in the parking lot and then March 4.2 miles to Holy Hope Cemetery, 3535 N. Oracle Road. Upon arrival at the cemetery, about noon, a Pro-Life rally will be held and is open to the public, including marchers and those who could not march. The march will take place rain or shine. Bishop Weisenburger will be participating and presiding.
On January 18, 2020, in Phoenix, people will gather for the bi-annual Pro-Life March and Rally at 10:30 a.m. on Washington Street, adjacent to Cesar Chavez Memorial Plaza, 201 W. Washington. After a brief address, the march will begin at about 11:30 a.m. The march will proceed West about one mile to Wesley Bolin Plaza at the State Capitol, 17thAvenue and Washington/Adams. The Pro-Life Rally, with guest speaker Abbey Johnson, former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director and best-selling author of the movie Unplanned, will begin at 12:30 p.m. The rally will conclude at 2:00 p.m. If you can’t march, attend the rally. Support the sanctity of life!
Coming up on February 1st is the Phoenix Catholic Men’s Conference. The conference will be held at Xavier College Prep Performing Arts Center, 4710 North Fifth Street, Phoenix. The theme this year is “Catholic Men Linked as Brothers.” What a perfect theme for the event this year as our own Supreme Knight Carl Anderson will be a principal guest speaker. I strongly urge every Knight to attend this event designed to spiritually nourish, energize, and uplift. Registration is now open, so do not delay, sign up today as seating is limited. The event website is www.cmfp.org.
Our fraternal year is not over yet, we’re just beginning. Get everyone aboard the bus, put it in high gear, and head to the finish line. Let’s make it a strong finish! Yes, that means that we need to start preparations for the State Convention in May, begin composing any resolutions to present, start thinking about State Awards submissions, elect your council delegates, sell State Charitable Raffle tickets, and hold elections for your council officers. Also, you have ample time to complete required service programs for Columbian and Star Council eligibility. Speaking of the Star Council Award reminds me to mention membership and insurance.
Seriously brothers, do not denya Catholic man the honor of becoming your brother by not askinghim to join the Knights of Columbus. For that man’s sake, for the sake of his family, for the sake of his parish, for the salvation of his soul, please ask him to join us. Membership in the Knights is not about the numbers, but about answering God’s call to evangelize the faith, and to sustain our members’ families through excellent insurance programs. Grow the Order, grow the faith. This is who we are. This is what we do.
Vivat Jesus,
Mario Vassallo,
State Deputy
Files coming soon.