Worthy Brothers,
Welcome to the August (HOT) edition of the Cross and Compass. I hope this message finds you and your families enjoying a restful and joyful summer. As we enter the month of August, we are presented with a powerful moment of transition - spiritually, seasonally, and as a council.
It is hard to believe that we are in August already, June and July sure flew by quickly. We had a great July. I’d like to thank the 12 brother knights that came to help with cleaning out the Knight’s room and moving the remainder of the things from the kitchen to the stage area. It was a lot of hard work. We also moved all of the floor tile for the kitchen project and those boxes were not light. Thanks again to everyone that volunteered. I’d also like to thank the Food Bank collection crew for another great month. I’m really impressed with these guys as they are out there in the heat making it happen. Thank you for your contributions to feeding the less fortunate, you are making a difference in people’s lives. Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone that donated to the “Choir Robe Fund”. In total we raised about $3,000, the choir is well on their way to getting their new robes this fall. Once again, we continue to show we are the backbone of our church, and can answer the call to help.
At our July meeting we awarded the Knight of the Year and the Family of the Year. I’m pleased to announce that Mark Crews our Financial Secretary is our Knight of the Year. He took over mid-year as Financial Secretary for us and he has been instrumental in automating our processes and making our Council more financially sound. Congrats Mark! I’d also like to announce George and Kathy Bevis are our Family of the Year. George took over the kitchen with both hands and turned our monthly breakfast into something we should all be proud of and by doing so he brought our church family closer together as a community. Also, Kathy Bevis is always at church and working in the Basement, and she always has a smile on her face. They are truly a great couple and are an example and testament to what we should all strive for. May God continue to shine down on our winners, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
You know, August is often a quieter month in our parish life, as many have headed north, others take time for vacations with family, yet it is far from insignificant in our faith journey. In fact, August holds deep Catholic meaning to us and to our Marian devotion, reminding us that even in times of rest, we are called to reflect, grow, and prepare.
Hear ye, hear ye - We Need a Program Director, scratch that, we are in desperate need of a program director for our Council. As our council gears up for a new fraternal year, we are in need of a Program Director. This is a vital leadership position that helps bring our mission to life. This brother Knight will work closely with council officers and members to plan and coordinate our events throughout the year. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to get more involved, consider stepping into this role. You won’t do it alone; we’ll support you every step of the way.
The Program Director helps oversee:
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Planning and scheduling council activities
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Working with committee leads for Faith, Family, Community, and Life programs
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Reporting upcoming events at meetings and in the newsletter
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Encouraging member involvement and volunteer support
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Coordinating with the parish to align with its calendar and needs
If you're organized, motivated, and care about keeping our council active and impactful, this is the role for you. Please reach out to me directly or one of the officers if you’re interested or would like to learn more.
At the heart of August is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15. This Holy Day of Obligation celebrates Mary being assumed body and soul into Heaven, an extraordinary sign of God’s promise to us all. Her Assumption reminds us that our final goal is not of this world, but eternal life with our Lord. It also challenges us to live in a way that mirrors her faithfulness, humility, and complete trust in God’s plan. As Knights, we turn to Mary, our Queen and Mother, as a guide in our work. The rosary is one of our spiritual weapons, and this month is an ideal time to recommit ourselves to Marian prayer and devotion both personally and as a council.
As we look toward the fall, this is the time to prepare. August is a good month to regroup, reflect, and recommit. Ask yourself: How is God calling me to serve this year? Where can I make a difference in my parish, in my council, in my family?
Let’s recommit to our four principles:
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Charity: Support those in need with time, treasure, or a listening ear
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Unity: Attend meetings, share ideas, and lend a hand
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Fraternity: Check in on one another and encourage brotherhood
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Patriotism: Be a witness to faith and service in our community and country
Let’s finish summer not by winding down, but by gearing up—rooted in faith and brotherhood.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our council, parish, and the Knights of Columbus mission. Whether you’ve been active this summer or are just getting back into the swing of things, know that your presence matters. We are stronger when we work, pray, and serve together.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us and guide our every step. I look forward to seeing you at Mass or our next meeting on August 13 starting with the Rosary at 5:30 followed by dinner at 6:00 and then our Council meeting. Lastly, who will be the 3 that tell us a little bit more about themselves at the next meeting? We want to get to know everyone better so I’m asking 3 brothers to tell us their story at each meeting, what did you do for work, what was a challenge you encountered in life, and finally how did you handle the challenge. We are all learning from one another and every one of us has a story. I look forward to hearing yours at the next meeting.
Vivat Jesus!
Rick Kuertz, Grand Knight 