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The Kodak Moment…Make It a Whole Album!!!

Jim Wade, Council Growth Director

Just take a moment and think back to your first “Kodak Moment” that you experienced as a true Knight of Columbus:

That moment when you fully realized just how special it is to be a Knight of Columbus. It may have been while attending the funeral of a deceased brother Knight and a family member came up and said, “thank you for being here, the Knights meant so much to George and it means so much to our family that you’re here.” It could have been while you were working on a Habitat house, and a 10 year old tugged at your sleeve and said with pride, “this is going to be my house and this is going to be my bedroom.” Or maybe it was when you were working at a Special Olympics event and one of “Gods Special Gifts” gave you a big hug and a smile and said “Thanks.” Or finally it could be a phone call from the local pregnancy center director telling you of a young mother to be, who chose to not have an abortion after seeing her baby on an ultrasound machine that your council along with Supreme provided. These moments are vastly different and they will be different for each and every one of you, they are not just a once in a lifetime event. They keep occurring as long as we are actively engaged as true Knight of Columbus. We each should have a whole album filled with such moments.

The Prophet Joel said, “Young men have visions that they see, while old men have dreams that they just dream.” We who are already Knights and especially those of us in leadership positions, are the “old men” in our order, regardless of our actual age. Therefore, I challenge you: The next Catholic man you meet, invite him to share the gift that you and I were so freely given. He will be the Prophet Joel’s “young” man who will have the vision that will be seen by many. Allow the next generation to share in their own “Kodak” moment and start their own album.

Now ask yourself the following questions: Are you a better: Catholic, Husband, or Father since becoming a Knight? Is your parish a better and stronger parish because of your Council? Is your community a better place to live because of what the Knights have contributed? How did you become a Knight?

In the vast majority of cases someone asked you. They provided you with a gift that has enriched your life and the lives of those around you. It is a gift that continues to give far beyond your own individual actions.
I challenge you to invite another Catholic gentleman to become a Knight. Help start a Round Table in one of the smaller Catholic communities, or work to start a new council in a neighboring parish. Charity is the first principle of our order, sharing your gift is certainly the best act of Charity that you can give because it is a gift that keeps on giving for future generations.


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