STATE DEPUTY MESSAGE FOR MAY 2025

My Worthy Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. This month provides an opportunity for us to deepen our Marian devotion, seeking her intercession and drawing strength from her example of faith, obedience, and humility.  I chose Our Lady of Lourdes as my Icon and saint for this Columbian year.  Not only is Mary the mother of Jesus, and thus, the Mother of God, she is also the Mother of the Church.  Her appearances in the Grotto of Lourdes, at Fatima, at Tepeyac and more are examples of her ongoing evangelization. By saying yes to the Angel Gabriel, she became the first Christian and thus honored above all other saints.

May is also the month to celebrate Mother’s Day. This year it falls on Sun, May 11, 2025.  We all would not be on this earth if not for our Mothers. We need to honor and show the proper respect, treat our Mothers/Wives to brunch or dinner or say a prayer of thanks for those who have gone before us.  Thank you to the Mothers that have formed us to be who we are today.

As I am sure you are aware, our Most Holy Pope Francis was called home by the Father on April 21st, Easter Monday. He served as Bishop of Rome, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, and Sovereign of the Vatican City State for twelve years.  In the words of Archbishop Jose Gomez, “…In this beautiful Easter season, when we celebrate our hope in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we pray that the angels may lead Pope Francis into paradise, that the saints and martyrs welcome him, and that God in his mercy will make his face shine upon his faithful servant and grant him eternal rest in the love that never ends…”.  Rest in Peace Your Holiness!

We now have two months left in the Columbian year.  Has your Council achieved all its objectives this year?  Make these last few months count!  We need to finish strong!  If you haven’t already, submit your SP-7 forms in May, don’t wait for the last moment.  Schedule your membership drives and exemplifications to fill those few gaps still missing.  I encourage every council to have one last membership drive before the end of the year.  If your council still needs a Financial Benefit Event, check the FBE schedule on the State website, https://www.californiaknights.org/vbn/.  Grand Knights and Program, Community and Family Directors need to be Safe Environment compliant. If you are not compliant this needs to get done as soon as possible and if you have any questions, you can contact Larry Dietz at the State Office, larry.dietz@califroniaknights.org.

Schedule your council officer elections now and prepare for a smooth transition and success in the new fraternal year.  The Supreme by-laws specify council elections need to be held between the first day of May to and including the fifteenth day of June each year.  Do it early and be sure to submit your Form 185 and Form 365 for the upcoming year right away in July. 

Our Annual State Business Meeting/Convention is coming up.  It will be at the Visalia Convention Center, Visalia, CA on May 15 – 18.  I am looking forward to seeing you there.  It is a business meeting but it is more than that, it is our Brother Knights from all over the State getting together and enjoying each other’s company.  You don’t have to be a voting delegate to attend.  For more information, refer to our State website at https://www.californiaknights.org/sam2025/.

God bless all of you!

Yours in Christ,

Jim Larson
California State Deputy
2024-2025

STATE CHAPLAIN MESSAGE FOR MAY 2025

Dear Brother Knights,

Happy Easter Season! Truly Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death. As we are mourning the lost of our Pope Francis “Pope of the People”, we are reminded not only to pray for his soul but we can ask him to pray for us. One of the cardinals said Pope Francis always said “Pray for me!”, now is the time we ask his intercession from heaven for us.

Pope Francis has taught us many things: simplicity, faith, humility, caring for the poor and marginalized, caring to our earth, becoming a man of peace and many other his great examples of life. I remembered vividly when he came out from the balcony as a new pope twelve years ago without any majestic papal vestment, just a simple white papal alb. No red papal shoes, but old black shoes. Humbly asking people to pray for him before he gave a first blessing to world as a pope. No fancy car. Called and paying to his newspaper guy in Argentina.

Pope Francis has welcomed our order and worked well with us. He praised us for our efforts to help war victims in Ukraine. You can learn more from our K of C website “Tribute to Pope Francis” YouTube video.

Now let us pray for the conclave that the Holy Spirit guide all cardinals to elect a new pope. We pray also of our upcoming State Convention May 15-17th in Visalia that become our joyful and faith filled event. Please bring your spouse and family. This is our Knight family event. Last but not least, let us carry spirit of Pope Francis as a Knight in our family, church and our world.

May God bless all of you and your family!

Vivat Jesus,
Rev. Budi Wardhana

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