STATE DEPUTY MESSAGE FOR JULY 2025
Congratulations Worthy IPSD James Larson on your quest for Circle of Honor! We hope and pray that we reached Pinnacle by the date of this newsletter! We need to push through the tape!
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome Brothers. Remember āEARLY is EASYā Let me introduce myself. My name is Ken Rose and my bride is Julie. We have been married for 42 years and have 2 children and 6 grandchildren. Many of you may have already met me, however as we move into this Columbian Year 2025-2026 I look forward to meeting many more of you.
I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 31 years. My philosophy during my time in the order, regardless of the position I was in, has always been, do what is right, and do it for the good of the Order and the Good of the Church. Sometimes we can get hung-up on āthe numbersā. I believe, if we help the Councils serve their Parish and make the Church stronger, Catholic Gentlemen will be drawn to the Order, this will address the numbers. If men are leaving the order because they have no purpose, then we have failed. We may have lost that Unity and Fraternalism. We need to treat each member of our Parish as a brother. Encourage them to become stronger in their faith. Implement and follow through with solid programs. We donāt always need NEW PROGRAMS, we need to identify what is needed in each Council/Parish.
No catholic gentlemen NEEDS to be a member of the Knights, but they Deserve to be a member, they Deserve to be invited to join. The same premise needs to be shared with Parishes that donāt yet have a Council, no Parish/Pastor NEEDS a Council, but they DO DESERVE one. If we believe that Charity begins at home, we need to stimulate Unity and Fraternalism in the Order. I am always open to new ideas and old ideas, the only idea or program I canāt support is one that is never suggested. I believe we need to continue, to successfully help grow the Order, following the guidelines of our Founder Blessed McGivney, utilizing Charity, Unity and Fraternalism, together with our Fourth Degree Brothers in Patriotism, and help grow the Church and our Order.
Membership will still be our focus. To share the gift of membership as our founder Blessed McGivney chose to share with the men of his parishes. With over 85,000 members in the California Jurisdiction we need to help those Councils that are struggling and our goal is to bring them back to life. Iāve implemented a new program called Hispanic Outreach and appointed Juan Torres as a new Director to lead the team. To help suspended Councils by getting them the training they need and guide them to invite others to join them on the journey. As we begin the year we look forward to reaching 90,000 members. Our goal is 100 members a week. Early is easy!
Looking forward to 2025-2026 we have a unique opportunity. Many programs are still on tap. We need to continue urging our parishes to to implement the Cor program. To help the men of our parishes be stronger in their faith and share that faith with their families. We will continue to help those in the community that are less fortunate through our St Josephās table Program ā Food for Families, our Campesino distribution, looking to schedule one here in this Diocese. Our wheelchair events will go to raise funds for Honor Flight and the Veterans in our community. One new program is the AED plan for Parishes. Councils are being challenged to raise funds to place an AED Machine in every church/parish hall.
I selected our Mother, in the likeness of Our Lady of Miracles, to Shepard and Guide us this Columbian Year, She is the patroness of my parish, Sjrine of Our Lady of Mircles and holds a special bond to my heart. What is unique to this image, most images have the baby Jesus in her left arm, this image has the baby Jesus in her righ arm and looking towards her heart.
Our Lady of Miracles pray for us!, Blessed McGivney Pray for us.
Ken Rose, State Deputy 2025-2026
STATE CHAPLAIN MESSAGE FOR JULY 2025
Dear Brother Chaplains and Worthy Brother Knights,
At the beginning of June, I had the opportunity to participate in a gathering of the new State Deputies and State Chaplains in New Haven. It was an honor to meet the many brother priests who have been serving our Order, some for many years. I was also impressed by the wonderful hospitality that was showered upon us by the Supreme Officers and the newly installed State Deputies.
The most moving experience for me during this trip was participating in a pilgrimage in the steps of our founder. I was familiar with Bl. Michael McGivney but hadnāt taken the time to get to know him. We visited the parishes he served in Thomaston and Terryville, the family burial plot and the beautiful St. Maryās Church, site of the Orderās founding and Bl. Michaelās sepulcher.
I have been gifted with a new patron saint! Bl. Michael was a humble man who accepted the Lordās call to priestly ministry. He was a creative and innovative priest who utilized the āmediaā of the day to share the Gospel with his people, especially the young. His heart was closely united to the poor, the wayward and the suffering, having known hardships in his own life. His priestly ministry was short-lived (13 years) and yet, he founded a movement, a ministry really, that has touched the lives of millions over nearly a century and a half!
As I begin my service to the Order as State Chaplain, I encourage all my brother council, chapter and assembly chaplains: invite Blessed Michael to walk with you in your service to our brother knights and their families! I invite you to take a few moments to visit the Father McGiveny Guild website (fathermcgivney.org) to learn a bit more about our American Blessed. May his example and intercession renew our priestly zeal and make us saints!
Vivat Jesu!
Fr. Dan Avila
State Chaplain, 2025-2026
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