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December 2019 Perception is reality for many people. Our Catholic faith is under attack by secularists, who take advantage of our reluctance, as people of faith, to make our works visible. These secularists focus on our imperfections rather than the good that we do. Why do we have this reluctance? Jesus taught us “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” as reported by Matthew 5:(14-16).
We, as Knights, are emissaries for our Catholic Church and as such we must be willing to make our works of charity visible to all within our communities, our states, our nation and throughout the world. A good example of how we can do this is the visibility of our Coats for Kids program under the direction of Roger Willis, our Coats for Kids program chairman.
Publicity during Knights of Columbus’ Black Friday events provides a good example of how we can make our programs visible to everyone. Thanks to all of the Councils that participated in the Coats for Kids program and the Black Friday Coats for Kids events. Take a look at an article posted on the Kent School District website with the title, “Community Helps Students Stay Warm” that describes the Black Friday event sponsored by St John the Baptist Council 11780. The link address for this article is: (https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=15745&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=31737&PageID=1).
Other Councils that participated in and publicized their Black Friday events include the following Councils: Mary Queen of Peace Council 9833, Msgr. Hugo Pautler Council 3455, St. Barbara Council 11736, Harry J. Tucker Council 11780, Northcross Council 8672, Holy Family Council 7356, Deacon Donald F Hanika Council 8476, Fr Justin P Garvey Council 6686, St John Mary Vianney Council 11408, Bishop A M A Blanchet Council 15730, Sacred Heart Council 10543, Four Chaplains Council 10652, Fr Stephen T Roman Council 15689, Seattle Council 676, Holy Trinity Council 11789, Holy Redeemer Council 12899, St Joseph’s Council 7528, Auburn Council 3598, Fred Harrington Council 7863, Fr John A Walsh Council 11642, St Collumbab Council 17152, St Charles Borromeo Council 13328, James G. Caldwell Council 2260, James G Caldwell Council 2260, St. Matthew Council 14852, Pope John XXIII Council 5495, St Francis Cabrini Council 4322, Holy Redeemer Council 12899, St Mary’s Presentation Council 9721, Yakima Council 894, Our Lady of the Lake Council 16184, Michael Flohr Council 766, St Mary’s Council 4196, Spokane Council 683, St Paschal Council 8266, St John Vianney Council 8201, Holy Family Council 3455, Uniontown Council 1823, Colton Council 1565, Pomeroy Council 1460, Colfax Council 1488 and Sacred Heart Council 7360.
The visibility of the Black Friday Coats for Kids events around Washington State provides a good example of how our Councils can make their many other projects visible. Program visibility is just one of the many ways that we, as Catholic men, can live our faith and demonstrate our commitment to Catholic values. Thanks to all those who participated in the Coats for Kids Black Friday events.
Vivat Jesus
Fraternally,
Scott hulse State Warden
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