If you have been to a 3rd Degree with our PSD Jim St. John in attendance have heard him discuss the state of attack on our faith.  Well I have one more concrete example of how Catholic charities must ‘run from the faith’ in order to survive or grow.

Catholic Healthcare West, one of the nation’s largest hospital systems, is ending its governing board’s affiliation with the Catholic Church and changing its name, two steps intended to help the system expand throughout the states in which it operates. In the past few years, proposed mergers between Catholic and secular hospitals have collapsed in part because of concerns about the church’s bans on abortions, in-vitro fertilizations and sterilizations. Other mergers have succeeded only where a separately licensed maternity ward free from Catholic doctrine was created on the second floor of a hospital taken over by a Catholic system and where a Planned Parenthood office was opened next door to hospital to quell objections about its planned affiliation with a Catholic system.

Really?

As Knights we cannot allow this to continue.  We must speak out to help those who seek to promote Catholic values and not allow them to be vilified for their beliefs.  We are pro-life but we live in a pro-choice culture.  Therefore it is up to us to encourage others to CHOOSE LIFE when making their choice under the current rule of law.  This is why Operation Ultrasound is so important and was so successful.

This spring we will once again rise to help those who battle daily to protect the life of the unborn.  Please do all you can to aid us in this effort.

As we look toward new opportunities in the 2nd half of our Fraternal Year, it is heartening to know that with our order, volunteering is inherently an optimistic activity.

Not to beat a dead horse, but what if your last paycheck was your last paycheck? What if a disability robbed you of your ability to earn income and support your family? We know this happens.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services in the U.S. reports a steady increase of priestly vocations. This is after a 10 yr decline leaving only 274 Catholic Chaplains in service this year.

Just ran across this and had to pass it along my Brothers.  Follow this link to a great blog post by Archbishop Dolan from NYC.

Worthy Brothers . . .

Here are a few of the highlights from this months meeting.

Delivered at the installation of officers ceremony:

Father John, Worthy District Deputy, Friends, Families, and My Worthy Officers and Brothers,

Let us continue. As officers, with our acceptance of the same ‘charge” as those who have come before us, we symbolize renewal, more than change. I agree with PGK Schuler believing that we stand today in the shadow of those who have built the foundation of our Order and our Council.

Make no mistake; we are the heirs of those efforts.  For my part I am honored and humbled to be your servant for the next several months.  I hope to be found worthy. I pledge to you that I will give my all, but wish to emphasize that in your hands more than mine my Brothers rests the final success or failure of our effort.

I believe that we can achieve each goal we set if we plan the work together, work the plan together and have faith that the Lord and our Holy Mother will guide our team.

Finally, I join with our Supreme Knight who, in a speech last April entitled “Making God’s Work Our Own”, quoted President Kennedy’s inaugural address from nearly 50 years ago, believing that what he said then applies to us today.

“With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.”

I ask for your prayers and I thank you.