Thursday, August 7, 2008

Master's Log For August

With Assembly and Council Training behind us, the Officers are off and running, and we are now in the swing of things. Hopefully most of the planning is done, Installation of Officers is underway, and Programs are being initiated. August is a very busy month with Installations and Vacations, but be ready to hit September full speed. The great ideas you had in June and July must be fleshed out and planned early. Before you know it, time will be slipping by.

There are no National Holidays in August, but there is one very special Feast Day - the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven. Our District is blessed with the presence of Mary's House also known as The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This National Shrine is located in the Nation's Capital, and we are the home team. When events are televised on EWTN, we truly represent ALL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. We take special pride in this honor and privilege. I would like to see this reflected in fundraising activities by all of the Assemblies to offset the cost of the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome.

Prior to the start of the school year, contact your local Scouting Troops and consider sponsoring an Eagle Scout Project. When you consider a special scouting program do not forget the Girl Scouts. They have a Gold Medal Program that is just as demanding as the Eagle Scout Program. In addition to boy scouts and girl scouts, also contact schools and parish youth groups. Some of our youth today do not have a good knowledge of our Flag or Patriotism. Consider a talk or demonstration on Flag History, Flag Etiquette, Flag Folding, or Flag Retiring Ceremonies.

It is not too early to begin recruiting new members for our Councils and Assemblies. The use of the Color Corps of your Assembly can be a valuable tool for recruitment - it gets the Knights of Columbus noticed. Work on recruiting First Degree members and act as mentors taking them through the higher degrees of the Order. Navigators and Commanders are encouraged to visit their affiliated Councils for more then just recruitment. As part of a Lecturer's Program, ask the Grand Knight if you can give a talk on the Flag, Patriotism, Color Corps, or the role of the Fourth Degree.

Remember our service men and women, especially those in harm's way. May God Bless them and send St Michael the Archangel to protect and guide them.

Finally, Brenda and I recently returned from Sydney Australia. The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, was also there. According to the Washington Post, the purpose of his visit was to apologize to victims of abuse. The Catholic Standard gives a different view. Hundreds of thousands of young people from all parts of the globe traveled to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008. They gathered with the bishops of the Church to learn about the Holy Spirit and the gifts that allow them and enable them to be apostles and missionaries for Jesus Christ. Over 400,000 were present for the closing Mass. Bishop Holley and four seminarians joined the youth of our Archdiocese and ate, prayed, and walked with them each day. Cardinal McCarrick was also there and he met with us on Saturday after a special Mass for Pilgrims from the States. The Catholic Church is alive and well with our youth. WYD 2011 will be in Madrid Spain.

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