Derek W. Rabey, State Charities Director
Our State Council theme remains appropriate; “Be Not Afraid.” Our Bishops and Priests need the Knights of Columbus now more than ever! The First and Foremost principle of our Order is Charity, and it is the basis for all we do as Brother Knights. Charity is at the heart of all the work we do and our Faith — and it always has been. For the Knights of Columbus, charity means supporting a virtually boundless variety of projects. Together, we will make a difference. This is our path and our faith leads the way.
Brothers, this fraternal year, each of you are called to be inspired with the true spirit of charity and discharge our full duty to God, to our neighbors and to ourselves. We grow together in friendship with the Lord through our fraternity, and this friendship is lived and cultivated by our practice of charity. Membership in the Order offers a wide variety of opportunities for men and their families to grow in their faith and serve those in need.
Whether with gifts of money or works of service, the Knights must continue their strong support within their communities through initiatives and programs, such as American Wheelchair Mission, Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan Fund, Cardinal Medeiros Fund, Disaster Response, Educational Grants, Special Olympics, Thanksgiving Masses, etc. Knights recognize our mission, and our faith in God; it compels us to action and calls each of us to “Be Not Afraid.”