LSU Luncheon

The KofC Council 8601 and the St. Patrick’s Ladies Auxiliary purchased, prepared, delivered and served lunch for approximately 250 students at Christ the King Church on October 20th. The students were very appreciative and seemed to enjoy the jambalaya, salad and bread pudding. Thanks to Marty Mumphrey and all who helped (see photos below). We had five ExxonMobil participants who earned sufficient service hours for me to apply for another $500 grant.

Memorial Mass

A special Memorial Mass will be held starting at 3:00 pm, Saturday, November 5th at St. Patrick’s Church. The Mass will honor those Knights of Columbus members that have died in the past year. The Forth Degree Honor Guard will participate. Please plan to attend.

Ultrasound Initiative

We have received word that all paperwork and other requirements for the ultrasound machine to be ordered by the Women’s Help Center in North Baton Rouge is complete. Supreme is putting up its half of the $33,000 machine in the amount of $16,500. PreBorn is paying $9,993.75 so that all the local organizations need pay is $6,506.25. That means the Fund, managed by St. Thomas More Council 5530, to which Counsel 8601 contributed $500, now will contribute four thousand dollars to the ultrasound machine needed by Women’s Life Ministries in Amite. As he need arises, the Fund will be used to meet the challenges of the future.Brothers, thank you all for your dedication to the cause of life.

Silver Rose Program

The Silver Rose program demonstrates the unity between Knights of Columbus in Canada, the United States and Mexico, through a series of prayer services promoting the dignity of all human life and honoring Our Lady. Each year, from early March through mid-December, Silver Roses (see photo below) are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.The rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life was celebrated at St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church, hosted by Council 9247, on October 23rd. Participating in the 4th Degree Honor Guard for the event were SK/ Kevin Heltz and SK/ Joe Lawler (photo below).​

Recruitment Weekend

The Council 8601 conducted a recruitment weekend on October 10th & 16th. A talk describing the origin and purpose of the Knights of Columbus was given at each of the four Masses. Men in the congregation were invited to visit with the Knights when exiting the Church and learn more about our organization. The event was very successful, and a number of men are likely to become Knights because of this effort. Thanks to all the Knights that participated and a special thanks to the speakers:  Mike Giroir, Bill Coorpender, Curtis Lauret and Richard Littrell.

Star Council Award

Star Awards recognize outstanding achievement in membership, insurance, programming, and overall operations. Earning a Star Award is the marker of a high performing Knights of Columbus unit and the goal to which every council, district, and assembly should strive. Star Council, Star District and Star Assembly Awards can be earned by completing criteria designed specifically for each division of the Knights of Columbus. We have known for quite some time that our Council earned the award. The photo below shows the Council Grand Knight receiving the award trophy from District Deputy Russell Ruh. 

Coats for Kids

This program provides warmth for children in need during cold winter months. The goal of the Coats for Kids program is to ensure that no child in North America goes without a coat during the winter season. Through the dedication of councils across the United States and Canada, hundreds of thousands of new winter coats have been distributed to children since program inception.Council 8601 donated $500 to this program. The expenditure will be reimbursed to the Council through the ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program. 

Thanksgiving Holiday

This year the Council has elected to give gift cards to the needy families in our Parish instead of cooking and delivering meals. I am currently waiting on a list of those families from the St. Vincent de Paul ministry. We will decide on the delivery method for the cards at our next Council Meeting.

Closing

Here’s wishing everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. If you are traveling, please be extra careful because I want to see you at our next Council Meeting on November 3rd. Deacon Pete will be giving a talk on the book Awake, not Woke.

Roger Travasos, Pat Mauras, Grace Cazes, Ildi Gajda, Bobby Jarreau

                               SK/ Joe Lawler, Renee Lindsey

SK/ Kevin Heltz and SK/ Joe Lawler                                                                  Silver Rose​

Grand Knight receiving the award trophy from District Deputy Russell Ruh. ​

Viva Jesus

Joe Lawler

Grand Knight, Council #8601​

• Visit the Council website at mykc8601.com