Fr. Nicholas Reid Dear Brother Knights,

The month of May has traditionally been dedicated to Our Lady for a variety of reasons. Most prominent is that, at least in the northern hemisphere, May is a season of growth and renewal; think, April showers bring May flowers.

As we move through the Easter season we are asked to turn our hearts to the risen Christ and to participate in the preaching and spreading of the Gospel message; one that is always centered on Hope. One very Marian way of doing this is by reflecting on the opening passage of the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55) which begins, my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.*

Mary is compelled to speak so eloquently of God because of the working of the Holy Spirit in her heart. Even with all of the questions that must have been swirling in her head after the Angelic announcement of the Incarnation (such questions are still in the hearts and minds of every person when they learn of their pregnancy) Mary is still able to rely on the Lord’s enduring faithfulness.

May we also serve as messengers of the Lord’s greatness and confidently rejoice in His mission even when we are confronted with the inevitable questions of our reality.

In Christ,
Father Nicholas J Reid

*Magnificat is Latin for magnifies, which the New American Bible translates proclaims.

Here are the minutes from our April Meeting. Just click on the link below to open a PDF file.

April Meeting Minutes

HE DOOR IS OPEN – Be part of something important to your Parish and Community by joining the Knights. Our next First Degree induction ceremony is Wednesday, June 13. For more information about joining this great organization, please contact Rich Anderson (659-3523) or visit our website (www.kofc12992.com).

Our breakfast on Sunday, May 6, was a great success. We served 176 patrons, received many compliments on the food, and delivered profits of $500 to the Samaritan Center. Thanks to all who attended and to our Brother Knights, Lady Knights, and Boy Scouts for helping make this such an enjoyable event. Congratulations to Gilbert Bisges for winning $80 in the 50/50 drawing.

Please mark your calendars for Friday, June 15, when our Council and the Councils from Father Helias and Monsignor Pleus at IC Parish will be sponsoring the 11th Annual Fish Fry to benefit the Carmelite Sisters from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. All Parishioners willing to bake and donate a home-made pie are asked to deliver them to the Undercroft that day from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Please contact Dave Gramlich (634-4165) or Rich Anderson (659-3523) for more information.

Brother Knights of the 3rd Degree, our next fraternal year begins July 1, 2012 when a new slate of Officers will be inducted. If you are a looking to become more involved with your Council’s activities and would like to be a candidate for one of the positions, please contact me at (659-3523).

Respectfully Submitted,
Rich Anderson, Grand Knight

Fr. Nicholas Reid Dear Brother Knights,

He is risen, He is risen indeed! The Easter season is upon us and as we transition the penitential practices which are the hallmark of Lent season into participating in Christ’s victory over sin and death we stand between two different world views, both of which reflect our Catholic Faith. On the one hand we know that Christ was and is victorious over His Passion and Death and on the other we know also that sin and death remain ever present in the world.

It is in this contrast between grace, won for us by Christ on the cross; and sin and death, brought to us through the transgressions of our first parents, Adam and Eve, that we are called to work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Easter gives us our direction, one of hope and confidence; yet our fallen nature gives us our mission, to be intentional disciples of Christ and missionaries of His Gospel message. It is precisely because we live in this contrast that God became man in the first place; to reconcile His creation back to Himself for all time. Take heart, for He is Risen!

May the Lord bless you and yours this Easter Season,

Father Nicholas Reid

Our Council held it’s monthly meeting last week. We started with a supper and then moved on to our business meeting. Our Meeting Minutes will give you a comprehensive overview of what we do in our meetings.

At this meeting we dealt with numerous requests for money. This is one way in which we assist a variety of groups with worthy causes and it’s one reason we need member support for our activities, many of which have the goal of raising money.

I’d like to post more photos and information about council activities. Do you attend them? Do you have a camera? Of course you can use your smartphone too. Please email them to me along with a few words about the activity you participated in.

Fr. Nicholas Reid Dear Brother Knights,

Mathew 5:20 “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

We are now in the throes of Lent, a period of inward conversion where we turn our hearts towards the Lord in concrete acts of penance, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In the above scripture verse, Jesus is preaching to his fellow Jews in an effort convert their hearts from being followers of the Mosaic Law into followers of Christ through faith and the gift of grace.

For Jesus, it is not enough to merely follow rules, even those good and productive rules put in place through the Law to govern the affairs of the Jewish people. Those laws were important to distinguish them from their Gentile counterparts, who were not in a covenantal relationship with God. In our time, in the new Covenant established by the life, death and resurrection of Christ (what we as Catholics will celebrate during the Triduum- Latin for ‘three days’- on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter) is one where righteousness isn’t about following the Law- but following Christ.

In our day, as Catholics, we are asked to convert our hearts and not simply our actions, be they public or private, communal or personal. This is the righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. The French writer and poet Charles Peguy once remarked, “The only sadness is not to be a saint.” If we allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us- we’ll have no choice but to be saints!

Oremus pro invicem,
Father Reid

Our next Lenten Fish Fry will be held on March 23 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. All Parishioners are invited to enjoy a delicious meal of white fish filets, macaroni & cheese, French fries, corn bread, cole slaw, ice cream, and beverages; $9 for adults; $5 for ages 6 thru 12.

The Regional Championship of the Knight’s 2012 Free Throw Contest took place on Sunday, February 19. Congratulations to Sam Husting, who won the 14 year old boys division and moves on to the State competition at Helias High School this Sunday, March 11. Good luck Sam

The Habitat for Humanity renovation project is still underway. Please contact Lew Hancock at 645-8511 to volunteer. All skill levels are needed.

2012 dues statements were mailed in December. Please help reduce our follow up efforts by remitting payment as soon as possible. Contact Steve Daniels (893-4753) if you have any questions.

For more information about joining this great organization, contact me at 659-3523.

Respectfully Submitted,
Rich Anderson, Grand Knight

Here are the minutes from our February Meeting. Just click on the link below to open a PDF file.

February Meeting Minutes

Fr. Nicholas Reid Dear Brother Knights,

Despite the unseasonably warm weather we have begun the month of February which means only one thing; Lent is around the corner! More specifically, in this time, we are each called to reflect on those areas of our lives we need to turn over to the Lord. Romans chapter 5 verses 3-5 helps us to see how a Lenten attitude can bring us closer to Christ:

…And we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.

This is perhaps one of my favorite passages in all of the Scriptures because it gives us a little glimpse into an important spiritual truth; it is only through the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we are able to understand the ups and downs that we inevitably encounter. Lent is a time of intentional sacrifice (either doing something extra or giving something up- or both!) where we necessarily call on the Holy Spirit for assistance. Be specific, be intentional, and be faithful.

May our heavenly Father, who will never leave us as orphans (John 14:18) continue to bless our efforts as we build up His Kingdom one soul at a time.

In Christ,
Fr. Reid

THE DOOR IS OPEN – Be part of something important to your Parish and Community. All the good works we do are based on our four core principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. For more information about joining this great organization, contact Rich Anderson (659-3523) or visit our website.

We will be having our Lenten Fish Fries on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Friday’s of Lent: February 24, March 9, and March 23 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. Please contact Rich Anderson (659-3523) to volunteer. All Parishioners are invited to enjoy a delicious meal of white fish filets, macaroni & cheese, French fries, corn bread, cole slaw, ice cream, and beverages; $9 for adults; $5 for ages 6 thru 12.

The Habitat for Humanity renovation project is still underway. Please contact Lew Hancock (645-8511) to volunteer. All skill levels are needed.

2012 dues statements were mailed in December. Please help reduce our follow up efforts by remitting payment as soon as possible. Contact Steve Daniels (893-4753) if you have any questions.

Respectfully Submitted,
Rich Anderson, Grand Knight

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