Brother Knights -

I had the opportunity to attend the Leadership Retreat this past weekend. The topic was ―Stewardship‖ and the keynote speaker was Monsignor Sell, Vicar General for the Lafayette Diocese. If you’re a parishioner at OLMC, I am sure that you heard Father Richard’s homily read at all of the Masses regarding the Gospel and Stewardship (all priests read the same homily this particular weekend). If you didn’t get a chance to hear it, please go click on the following link and listen: Father Richard Doerr Jan 23 2011 Homily.
I would like to share some of Monsignor’s points from his keynote address that reinforce our role as Knights and as Stewards of the church and community:

Stewardship is mentioned 87 times in the New Testament ―We must be in it for the long haul, it is the cumulative effect of the little things!‖ Canon Law 222 - The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for apostolic works or charity, and for the decent sustenance of ministers. ―We are bound to support the church...Everyone can give their time and talent, and to the degree to which we are able, our treasure....‖ ―God’s love is bestowed upon us and only benefits us when we flow it out‖ – ―The Dead Sea is dead because it has no outlet, what goes in stays and stagnates and becomes briny.‖ ―God will ask - How well did you teach others to help me?‖ ―Judgment will not only be based upon what you gave, but what you chose to keep for yourself‖

So as Knights, please ask yourself,

Am I doing all I can do to be a good steward? Do I actively participate in the opportunities created by the Knights of Columbus and the ministries of our parish? Have I educated myself on all of the good that the Knights of Columbus do locally, nationally, and internationally? - so I can teach others? so I can ask others to join? What do I hear in the word ―Stewardship‖? - Knights of Columbus manifesting the Spirit of God, the compassion of God to anybody, anywhere, at anytime in need?

Please come join us at our next Business Meeting in the St. Cecilia Music Room on February 7th beginning with a rosary at 6:45 pm.

God Bless!
Doug