GK Messages
Grand Knights June 2022 Message
I’ve recently participated in the California State Annual Meeting with our Chancellor, and it was evident the transfer of information for our councils as we continue to resume normal activities is primarily digital. All the information presented by State was followed by a link to a website.
What was the best part of the two-day California State event? There we’re several great speakers, including Fr. John Grace and incoming State Deputy Brother Rene Trevino. However, hearing our council announced as Bronze award for our ID drive was special!
Finally, I encourage all our members to support our incoming officers in their duties and kindly ask to consider your role as an officer as we look forward to the upcoming installation of officers.
Blessing to all Brother Knights!
Vivat Jesus
GK Carlos Normandia
April 2022
Since Easter represents the fulfillment of God's promises to mankind, it is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar. This season of Lent is also the opportunity to increase our prayer and belief in the Lord through the many activities at the parish which include the Stations of the Cross.
As we prepare for Holy Week, the Knights have been fully engaged in our activities and celebrations (Fish Fry’s, Feast of St. Joseph, etc.,) and Easter is part of that celebration. We’ve had great participation in our efforts supporting our parish and community, and I’m ‘Truly Grateful to all of you’ who have carved out time to assist with food preparations, serving and clean up duties.
There are several ways within this council to support our parish and there is now a wonderful opportunity to take the next step as an officer and lead the upcoming service programs and events the Knights are engaged in. The members of this council have been very charitable, but I also ask all of you to pray and think about taking on leadership role within your council. I’ve mentioned in the past, many new and senior members have obtained the natural progression of 3rd and 4th degree where a member receives full honors of Knighthood and is “Knighted.” (click on “9665 Officers” get a description of officer duties and the nomination form)
Finally, I encourage all of you to reach out to members whom you are friends with and haven’t attended a meeting due to a variety of reasons. We should reach out and assist our Brothers and lend a hand by inviting them back to our fraternity as we prepare for resurrection of our Lord!
Blessings to all Brother Knights!
Vivat Jesus
GK Carlos Normandia
January 2022Happy New Year and Welcome to 2022!
We begin the New Year with hope for 2022 as we have faced challenges in 2021 with the pandemic and a wide variety of constant change. However, our mission as Knights does not change but only grows larger. Our success during the first half of the Columbian year with our service programs and charitable contributions are a true testament of our dedication to our parish and community.
The second half of our Columbian year will see our continued growth and energy as we enter ordinary time followed by the Lenten Season. Our council's efforts with programs such as Food for Families, Knights Information Canopy, ID Drive, and upcoming Fish Fry requires all members to participate and dedicate some time. For those Knights who routinely carve out time and volunteer to support the service programs for our Pastor and community, I sincerely “Thank You.”
Our strong membership drives and awards we receive for membership represent our faith in action as we communicate with parishioners and men who want to become Knights. We have over 200 members and no matter how much time your able to commit every member is Welcome in support of our mission of charity, unity, and fraternity.
Therefore, we encourage all of you to attend a meeting with our Brothers and lend a hand by reaching out to one of the many ongoing campaigns serving our community in 2022!
Blessing to all Brother Knights!
Vivat Jesus
GK Carlos Normandia
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December 7, 2021
Happy Season of Advent!
On November 28th we entered the season of advent which personally is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a significant time for Catholics as we wait and prepare the way for our Lord Jesus Christ.
I also refer to this season as a time to examine oneself and reflect on our spiritual health and what God has provided for us.
Bishop Barron in many of his short readings advises us to join and reflect as we are reminded to pray daily and often not just during the Season of Advent. I encourage all of us to increase our reflections as we head toward Christmas.
To assist us with our prayers and daily reflections, there is a wealth of resources available in our “new” KofC book kiosk. Many parishioners and members of the council should take advantage of the literature and share with our family members as well.
Finally, the two Holy Days of obligation this month (Immaculate Conception and The Nativity of The Lord) are also part of the journey as Bishop Barron states in his Advent reflections of spiritual waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessing to all this Christmas Season!
Vivat Jesus
GK Carlos Normandia
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September 6, 2021 (Grand Knight Report
Welcome Brothers!
Our summer is winding down, but our efforts are not! There’s been plenty of activity this Columbian Year (CY) with new service programs which I’m encouraged about. However, there remains a need for time and talent. (website domain, Brothers for de-construction of OLMC spaces to support Built on Rock)
OLMC masses continue to be back at capacity and our Knights Canopy is well manned by our council members as we welcome parishioners before and after masses.
Thoughts for of the Month:
- This month of September represents a couple acknowledgments , including the “The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary” on Sept 8th
- Second and dear to all of us and mentioned by Brother Mark at the Men’s retreat is the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Remembering and Honoring!
- On the day of attack, KOC Board of Directors established $1 million Heroes Fund to support families of fallen first responders. (read full story on past Columbia issue, Jan 2002 by clicking the link below)
-More than 40 members of the Knights of Columbus died as a result of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11
https://issuu.com/columbia-magazine/docs/01_2002
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August 23, 2021
Our Council's request for Time and Talent
Dear Brother Knights,
I hope this message finds all of you in good spirits and great health. As I've spoken in the past about the needs for our council to flourish during he upcoming Columbian year, there remains opportunities to fulfill the many roles in our council.
Our current Chancellor, Mark Malebranche graciously accepted the position as Chancellor while we searched within our own ranks for another member to assume those duties.
Worthy Chancellor Mark is also the Faithful Navigator for Assembly #2652 which is also a honor and huge responsibility!!!
Therefore, while the council has recently added new members and transfers to our council, I ask both senior and new members to pray and reflect on how "I " can be more of a leader within our council and assist my brothers and Welcome new members?
Finally, I've attached a link to our web-site which provides more details of the roles and responsibilities of our officers.
There will be more information on the web-site at the next General Council meeting in September. Hope to see you at the meeting to share the news!!!
https://www.kofc9665.org/conte...
Vivat Jesus!
Carlos Normandia
GK Council 9665
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July 17, 2021
It brings me great pleasure to serve our council as your Grand Knight as our new Columbian year begins as we are showing and embracing signs of recovery. Our council is paving the way with leadership from energized members greeting our parishioners and encouraging new prospective members to join our fraternity of brothers.
During the pandemic we faced countless challenges and now through the blessings of our Lord we are re-engaging in the bonds of brotherhood, Amen!
Devoting ourselves to the service programs within our community, reaching back to those members with the “Leave No Brother Behind” program who are silent and emphasizing the goodness of why we are Knights will be my goals and that of our council for the Columbian year.
The leaders of our council continue to support exemplifications for our new members and other parishes as well and encourage all KofC 9665 members to achieve the highest degree so they may join our officers and lead this council into the next generation of leaders.
As our Supreme Knight, Patrick Kelly has stated “As Knights we are entrusted by God with a mission to practice heroic generosity and sacrificial love in caring for our families and community.”
In closing my brothers, let us put the fear behind us and engage going forward. What we need is to reinvigorate our members and parishioners.
GK Carlos Normandia
KofC 9665
olmcknights@gmail.com