Merry Christmas!
The following is a exert from my presentation at our Annual Christmas Dinner with the CWL.
In August our Order held its 128th Supreme Convention. The theme of the convention was "I Am My Brothers Keeper". These words ring true to our Orders strongest values and I pray everyday that we will all take them to heart and allow them to lead us to true compassion for all those in need. These words could not be truer than during the Christmas Season. Every day we see, hear, and encounter those who are homeless, freezing in the cold, those who have no food, and are going hungry, those who have no money, and their children no gifts, and those who have been injured physically and emotionally by others, who feel that they have no where else to turn. We as individuals feel like we are powerless to help them, but as a community of Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we can make the difference that the world needs, because we are Our Brothers Keepers. We are a warm bed... a hot meal... a child’s Christmas present, and a shoulder to cry on. And so I challenge each of you, starting this Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent to try and make a difference in the life of one person each day until Christmas. Image if each of the 100 or so of us completed this challenge over the next 27 days of advent... collectively we will have assisted at least 2700 people.... ... ... ... ... In Service to One. In Service to All. The motto of our Order can be given no better example.
This Sunday the second reading is from Paul's Letter to the Romans and provides a similar challenge:
"the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light;"
Last night I was watching the CNN Heroes presentations on TV, and it made me realize the real quality of the power of one person fighting for justice in our world. I was particularly touched by the story of Aki Ra, and his organization the Cambodian Self Help Demining group. By the age of 10 Aki Ra had been conscripted by the Kehmer Rouge regime and spent years laying thousands upon thousands of land mines in his own country. Today he runs a non-profit that removes those same land mines. Today, Aki Ra has removed in excess of 50,000 land mines, allowing the local peoples to move back into the land that has been unlivable since the 70’s. On top of this he founded and runs an orphanage which has cared for over 100 children over the last 7 years. Many who have lost limbs due to accidents with land mines. Aki Ra is a shining example of the love that we have within us. His motto... one mine, one life.
Perhaps a little closer to home we have the miracle of the Chilean miners trapped for more than two months after the mine they were working in collapsed. We all know the story, but what do we know about Greg Hall? Who is Greg Hall? Greg is from Houston Texas, and owns the drilling company brought in to rescue the miners. Greg led the rescue team. However, what you may not know is that Greg will tell you that “God drilled that hole” and that prayer was perhaps the most important part of the plan. Perhaps more interesting is that Greg is a Third Degree Knight of Columbus and is currently training as a Deacon.
Today, it has been nearly 1 year since the devastating earth quake in Haiti. As Catholics we can be proud of the response that was provided. Catholic charities were some of the first on the ground to provide immediate emergency relief efforts. The Knights of Columbus was among them and they are still there helping. To date over 2,200 wheel chairs have been shipped to Haiti and support for rebuilding has commenced. However, perhaps the moment that we can be the most of proud of was the 8th of November, when the first shipment of prosthetic limbs was prepared and sent to Haiti. The Knights of Columbus has committed an estimated $1 million to provide prostheses to every Haitian child who lost a limb in the quake, and the ongoing medical care and physical therapy that goes with it. I believe that I can say on behalf of the some 1000 children who will receive this gift of life: Thank You, God Bless.
Now let us turn to home and our growing community. We are extremely lucky to have a parish that is as strong as St. Charles Garnier. We have an amazing pastor, a deacon, a community that amazes me everyday, and we are still growing. We are truly blessed. Father Wayne and Deacon Neil. You are a tribute to your vocations and model examples to all. I am pleased to present you with these small tokens of our appreciation.
The Knights of Columbus has a proud tradition of supporting the Catholic Church, its Clergy, its people, and its lands. Since its inception the Knights of Columbus Church loan program has distributed more that $500 million to parishes and dioceses throughout North America. Further millions have been donated to parishes for the same purposes by individual councils and individual Knights. Tonight I have the honor of asking Father Wayne to join me.
It seems like it was only yesterday that we had outgrown the “old church hall” and plans for the extension were in place. Today, we are again faced with a lack of space for the many groups and functions that use our vibrant parish. We are all now waiting in anticipation for the completion of the new meeting rooms in the Chancery office. Bishop Corriveau, I would like to thank you for your commitment to our diocese and our parish. With your help our parish will be able to grow and be a beacon in the darkness. Thank You.
Father Wayne - On behalf of the Knights of Columbus St. Charles Garnier Council 9845 I am pleased to present to you this cheque to be used to repay a portion of the debt incurred in the building of the new meeting rooms for the amount of $10 000.
While making preparations for tonight I was considering all of the ways that the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women's League are present in our community and all of the places that we are still needed and a line by Helen Rice came to mind. This tid bit is a true insight into the human mind and our world. I will leave it with you to ponder: "True peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas everyday".
Thank you, enjoy the rest of the evening.
Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas
Vivat Jesu!
Stefan Farrow
Grand Knight
The following is a exert from my presentation at our Annual Christmas Dinner with the CWL.
In August our Order held its 128th Supreme Convention. The theme of the convention was "I Am My Brothers Keeper". These words ring true to our Orders strongest values and I pray everyday that we will all take them to heart and allow them to lead us to true compassion for all those in need. These words could not be truer than during the Christmas Season. Every day we see, hear, and encounter those who are homeless, freezing in the cold, those who have no food, and are going hungry, those who have no money, and their children no gifts, and those who have been injured physically and emotionally by others, who feel that they have no where else to turn. We as individuals feel like we are powerless to help them, but as a community of Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we can make the difference that the world needs, because we are Our Brothers Keepers. We are a warm bed... a hot meal... a child’s Christmas present, and a shoulder to cry on. And so I challenge each of you, starting this Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent to try and make a difference in the life of one person each day until Christmas. Image if each of the 100 or so of us completed this challenge over the next 27 days of advent... collectively we will have assisted at least 2700 people.... ... ... ... ... In Service to One. In Service to All. The motto of our Order can be given no better example.
This Sunday the second reading is from Paul's Letter to the Romans and provides a similar challenge:
"the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light;"
Last night I was watching the CNN Heroes presentations on TV, and it made me realize the real quality of the power of one person fighting for justice in our world. I was particularly touched by the story of Aki Ra, and his organization the Cambodian Self Help Demining group. By the age of 10 Aki Ra had been conscripted by the Kehmer Rouge regime and spent years laying thousands upon thousands of land mines in his own country. Today he runs a non-profit that removes those same land mines. Today, Aki Ra has removed in excess of 50,000 land mines, allowing the local peoples to move back into the land that has been unlivable since the 70’s. On top of this he founded and runs an orphanage which has cared for over 100 children over the last 7 years. Many who have lost limbs due to accidents with land mines. Aki Ra is a shining example of the love that we have within us. His motto... one mine, one life.
Perhaps a little closer to home we have the miracle of the Chilean miners trapped for more than two months after the mine they were working in collapsed. We all know the story, but what do we know about Greg Hall? Who is Greg Hall? Greg is from Houston Texas, and owns the drilling company brought in to rescue the miners. Greg led the rescue team. However, what you may not know is that Greg will tell you that “God drilled that hole” and that prayer was perhaps the most important part of the plan. Perhaps more interesting is that Greg is a Third Degree Knight of Columbus and is currently training as a Deacon.
Today, it has been nearly 1 year since the devastating earth quake in Haiti. As Catholics we can be proud of the response that was provided. Catholic charities were some of the first on the ground to provide immediate emergency relief efforts. The Knights of Columbus was among them and they are still there helping. To date over 2,200 wheel chairs have been shipped to Haiti and support for rebuilding has commenced. However, perhaps the moment that we can be the most of proud of was the 8th of November, when the first shipment of prosthetic limbs was prepared and sent to Haiti. The Knights of Columbus has committed an estimated $1 million to provide prostheses to every Haitian child who lost a limb in the quake, and the ongoing medical care and physical therapy that goes with it. I believe that I can say on behalf of the some 1000 children who will receive this gift of life: Thank You, God Bless.
Now let us turn to home and our growing community. We are extremely lucky to have a parish that is as strong as St. Charles Garnier. We have an amazing pastor, a deacon, a community that amazes me everyday, and we are still growing. We are truly blessed. Father Wayne and Deacon Neil. You are a tribute to your vocations and model examples to all. I am pleased to present you with these small tokens of our appreciation.
The Knights of Columbus has a proud tradition of supporting the Catholic Church, its Clergy, its people, and its lands. Since its inception the Knights of Columbus Church loan program has distributed more that $500 million to parishes and dioceses throughout North America. Further millions have been donated to parishes for the same purposes by individual councils and individual Knights. Tonight I have the honor of asking Father Wayne to join me.
It seems like it was only yesterday that we had outgrown the “old church hall” and plans for the extension were in place. Today, we are again faced with a lack of space for the many groups and functions that use our vibrant parish. We are all now waiting in anticipation for the completion of the new meeting rooms in the Chancery office. Bishop Corriveau, I would like to thank you for your commitment to our diocese and our parish. With your help our parish will be able to grow and be a beacon in the darkness. Thank You.
Father Wayne - On behalf of the Knights of Columbus St. Charles Garnier Council 9845 I am pleased to present to you this cheque to be used to repay a portion of the debt incurred in the building of the new meeting rooms for the amount of $10 000.
While making preparations for tonight I was considering all of the ways that the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women's League are present in our community and all of the places that we are still needed and a line by Helen Rice came to mind. This tid bit is a true insight into the human mind and our world. I will leave it with you to ponder: "True peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas everyday".
Thank you, enjoy the rest of the evening.
Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas
Vivat Jesu!
Stefan Farrow
Grand Knight
RSS Feed