February 2011 Mother Teresa Council 12202

Grand Knight's Report

Grand Knight Message from the February 22nd, 2011 Meeting

Welcome Brothers,

            This month as I did the last two months, I would like to quote a section from "The Rediscovering Catholicism" book. This is taken from the chapter, "Leadership".

            I quote:.."I submit to you that leaders will never be more or less than their soldiers' evaluation of them. This is the true efficiency report. From most of your troops you can expect courage to match your courage, guts to match your guts, endurance to match your endurance, motivation to match your motivation, esprit to match your esprit, a desire for achievement to match your achievement. You can expect a love of God, a love of country, and a love of duty to match your own. They won't mind the heat, if you sweat with them, and they won't mind the cold if you shiver with them.

            You see, you don't accept the troops; they were first. They accept you. And when they do, you'll know. They won't beat drums, wave flags, or carry you off the drill field on their shoulders, but you'll know. You see your orders will appoint you to command. No orders, no letters, no insignia of rank can appoint you as a leader. Leadership is an intangible thing. Leadership is developed within yourselves; and you'll get stronger as you go....

            ...At different times, we are called to be leaders. Some as mothers and fathers, others as CEOs and presidents, and others yet, as priests and bishops. Whatever form of leadership we are called to, let us exercise it with one thing in mind. People don't fail because they want to fail. People fail because they don't know how to succeed.".........End Quote.

            Leadership, that is what we are looking for, for the next term. I said this last month, I know we are all busy, but as GK, you decide how active a council you want. We've had a busy few years, and maybe it's time for this council to "cool its jets" a bit until a new executive gets their feet wet and begin to feel confident and comfortable to blast forward again. This would be up to the new Grand Knight and executive. 

            What we are looking for immediately is a DGK, who would then ultimately take over the GK position in July. This person would be the ideal candidate to join me in Surrey for the convention at the end of April. Please give this some consideration.

Thank you for attending this evening. Thank you for your time. Until next month, live, laugh and be happy, all while doing God’s work.

Dale Hofer, Grand Knight 12202

District Deputies Report:

From the Desk of your District Deputy,

My Brother Knights,

From time to time, we all look back and say:  “What have I done?”    I know I do….Can you answer that you have given of your time in a productive manner?  Have you helped that individual that is less fortunate than you?  Have you visited the widow of an old friend or helped a group of young people?  Did you respond to the call from your Pastor? Have you given of yourself to your Council?  What is our Worthy DD talking about you are asking yourself…well I am just referring to our mandate as Brothers.  Are we doing our job within our community, in our parish?  Very soon, we will be submitting reports to our State Executive for the annual convention.  This year is especially exciting because we are celebrating the 100th year of Columbianism within the BC/Yukon jurisdiction and we here in District 11 are going to be fortunate enough to celebrate those 100 years, right in our own back yard.

June 11, 2010 , District 11 will be hosting a Major Degree in Vernon.  This is a very special time for our Brother Knights of the First Degree, as they will be fortunate to experience the Second and Third Degree at home, with their Brother Knights close at hand to support them.  Following the Degree exemplifications, which will be in honour of Bishop David Monroe, we will be hosting a banquet to celebrate not only the Major Degree but also 100 years of service by the Knights of Columbus in our province. A time when we can answer those questions that we ask ourselves!

I am asking that you mark the date on your calendar, not only to come out and support our Brothers but also to come out and celebrate.  We do our “good works” quietly and often without fanfare…so take out that calendar and write in June 11th for a Knight of Celebration.

March is also our membership blitz month.  This is a perfect time to invite other Catholic men to join you as a Brother and become a member.  Bro. David Elrick has done a very good job as Membership Director and I urge you to support him when he calls upon you for assistance for the next blitz.

I look forward to working with you all to promote our Fraternal Order and especially as we answer the call of our Pastors to do springtime work in our parishes….

Fraternally,

Michael Gernat, DD#11

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Bargaining

When the anger subsides or cannot be sustained, the dying person may move into a period where they negotiate for time. “Just let me be pain free for tonight”, “let me live long enough to get past Christmas, see my first child/grandchild born, my daughter married.’’ Sometimes the individual promises something in return, a good deed, a donation, very good behaviour. The dying person is trying to regain control, negotiate extra time. This is a relatively short period. Sometimes the bargain runs out and another is attempted. Often the bargains are between God and the dying person. They may or may not be revealed to others.

Depression

When denial cannot be sustained, anger burns out and bargains do not work, the dying person falls into a situational depression where they begin to truly accept the losses that will come with dying and mourn them. The dying person is grieving the loss of the unfulfilled future.

Acceptance

If the dying person has been granted enough time and support to work through, (or back and forth in the other stages), the final stage of quiet acceptance will be reached. The individual is no longer angry, resentful, or depressed, they are expectant. He has found peace and his interest in events and those around him is almost non-existent. He does not want visitors or to talk. Often all that is required is a silent companion.                   

 Dear Brother Knights, to visit the sick is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. When we come to those who are suffering, we did not come just as an individual, we come as Christ’s bearer. Let us never be afraid to be involved in that very special ministry. Let us pray that whatever is lacking in us to be Christ’s followers be granted to us. Amen.

God Bless,

Father Andrij.

March Birthdays