Quarterly Newsletter (April-June 2012)

Post date: Jun 2, 2012 1:39:18 PM

As we near the end of another Fraternal year and I reach the end of my two year tenure as your Grand Knight, I wanted to share some thoughts.

First and foremost I wish to thank you for your friendship, support and your prayers. In particular I am very grateful to Kevin Galbraith for his tireless support and work ethic as the Deputy Grand Knight and Programs Director. It is no secret that without his work and dedication, our Council would not have progressed as far as it has to date.

I look forward to serving our Council in a different capacity for the next year or so as a Trustee and hopefully in other areas. Servant leadership is the model that Jesus has laid out for us to follow and there are at least 15 places in Sacred Scripture that I could find that speaks about how to lead and serve. One example would be (Matthew 20:25-26) "Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,"

Our secular world places enough emphasis on power, prestige, rank and title to sicken a person morally and spiritually. The four words of Jesus in the above passage have greater meaning for Catholic Men and Knights of Columbus today now more than ever in my opinion - "Not so with you".

Our Church and our Country is under attack from all things evil, I need not remind you of that. Technology like the Internet, television, "smart phones" and computers in general make it very easy for us to be lulled into forgetting to read Scripture, to pray and to contemplate. We must continue to strive to be a "people set apart" from the rest of our society. Of course, we cannot become hermits or cloister ourselves so much as to stop loving and serving those who are less fortunate than we are. Instead, we must be good examples of Catholic Men to others who either do not know Jesus or, who may have walked away from Him.

I myself find it difficult sometimes to stay focused on what I should be doing to live a good, Holy and Catholic life as a Man. There are so many distractions that come from the technology that I mentioned above coupled with the stresses of work, married life, fatherhood and leisure time. It truly is a daily struggle to "run the race" as St. Paul mentions in his letters.

There are very difficult and challenging times ahead for America and for the Catholic Church in America. But, these can be exciting times because we all know that Jesus Christ will come again to gather us all together. I ask that you support and pray for your new Officers who will serve for the next Fraternal Year. They are: Father Gerald, Kevin Galbraith, Matthew Wierzgac, Thomas Cook, Bernard Zacharias, Norman Vesprini, George Pariseau, Joe Dixon, John Presutti, Ron Fuller, Michael Blaszak, David Kummet, Gene Wierzgac, Michael Cesar and Frank Finch.

I want to also thank the Men who have served and who are moving on to other areas of service in their chosen vocations. In particular, Michael Porter who has served honorably as our Treasurer and the founding Chief Counselor of our first Squires Circle. And, Dr. Henry Russell who has faithfully served our Council as Chancellor these past few years. I would also like to recognize our District Deputy Peter Schwartz for his service and guidance to our Council for the past two years. Peter is moving on to another position within his own home Council. I have valued our friendship Peter and all of the guidance that you have provided to me these past two years.

In closing, I simply want to express my appreciation for having been given the honor of serving you as the Grand Knight of our Council. Many, many Knights of Columbus enjoy many years of membership without ever having been called to serve in this capacity. It truly has been a very challenging and rewarding experience for me and I consider it to be an honor to have served you and the Order.

God Love you,

SK Frank Finch

Grand Knight 2010-2012

Council 10963