Scott W. Schutte
State Deputy
StateDeputy@IndianaKofC.org
Home Council : 16305 - SAINTS FRANCIS AND CLARE GREENWOOD, IN
Home Assemby : 245 - BISHOP CHATARD INDIANAPOLIS, IN
My Worthy Bother Knights,
As we end the first quarter of this year, it is a time to review and to plan for success. What have you accomplished so far? What do we need to do to make Star Council? Where are we missing opportunities to serve our Church. Let’s talk about some of the items that I need you to consider.
Circle of Honor
The State will be working hard to meet its goals and to become a Circle of Honor State. Indiana has achieved this goal only a few times in its history. The last time was under PSD Scott Cunningham. We came close last year with the invitation of 1203 new members. Our goal for this year is 1265. If we can meet 50% by the end of December, we can reduce the number of new members. We proved last year that we can meet that goal. But we need to start inviting those men now.
We also need to have three State level Holy hours. I have had one already and will finish this goal at the State Convention.
This year we need to have 30 Star Councils. That is a number that can be achieved, but I need you to fill out the paperwork and to schedule Financial Benefit Events with the Insurance agents. If you are not sure what your Council needs to accomplish, talk with your District Deputy. Plan for your activities and make this a success.
Women’s Care Center Endowment
We set a goal of $10,000,000 in the endowment within 10 years. We need to put forth our best efforts this year to make that amount a realization. We were able to get a good start last year and were able to magnify our contributions with the ASAP program. Let’s keep up the great work and make this endowment pay it forward for years to come.
License Plates
We met our goal last year to keep the Knights of Columbus license plates in the State of Indiana. We have impacted the Charity Fund Inc. budget, and it is paying dividends towards disaster relief and the projects we can fund for Knights in need and other worthy needs. But we should be doing more. We are less than 1 % of our membership having this license plate. We should be looking at 10%. That’s 3,300 license plates, proudly announcing, I am a Knight of Columbus. The costs are minimal. Consider having your Council purchase the plate for your chaplain. Show your pride as a Knight of Columbus.
Statewide Activities
We will have the 40 Days for Life Over-Knighter on October 6th. Please find the local Planned Parenthood and pray for an hour or two to end this plight in Indiana. We have locations in Indianapolis, Merrillville, Fort Wayne, and Bloomington. There may be others. Let’s make this a year to make a statement.
We will have a Knights Retreat on November 18th at Our Lady of the Greenwood. Please send someone from you Council and bring non-members. Let them see that we are about our Faith. This event will focus on how Knights live the Catholic Faith. I hope to see many of you there.
We held the annual Golf outing on September 23rd. It was a great success and I thank all the golfers that attended. Let’s plan for an even bigger event next year.
NCYC – FOOD FOR FAMILIES
NCYC will visit Indianapolis in November. We are supporting the food packing efforts again this year. I need your Council to donate to that effort. We need $10,000 for this to be a success. We have only received $600 to date. If all 200 Councils gave $50 that would get us to the goal. I would hope that many Councils could do better than that. If we have money left over, it will go towards filling food pantries. We need these funds before the end of October. Now is time.
Eucharistic Congress
Check last month’s newsletter for information regarding the volunteering opportunities for the Congress in Indianapolis.
There are four pilgrimages to Indiana from around the Country as well. These pilgrimages will converge in Indiana at the beginning of July. The north will cross from Illinois to South Bend then south to Indianapolis, the East will come up from Cincinnati, the south from Louisville and the West from St. Louis. We are working with the local Dioceses to determine the needs of these pilgrims so that our Councils can aid as they pass through your local area. Please be prepared to welcome these pilgrims to Indiana.
Closing Thoughts
As many of you heard, my wife Kristine’s mother passed away recently. Thank you to everyone for their support and prayers. This is a reminder to us all that someday we will move on to heaven. Gentlemen, that is the reason we have the life insurance program. We want you to make sure that your families are cared for. Please talk with the agents and attend the Financial Benefit Events so that you provide for your families when you are gone.
We as Knights should also be working to help our Brother Knights with sickness and other health issues. I have members of the State leadership and their wives that have had health issues that have limited their efforts in participating in the operations of the State. Let us all pray for each other and help where we can.
Let’s keep inviting those new members. We have some huge projects, Eucharistic Congress, coming up and we will need lots of volunteers. Plus, we want our fellow Catholics to keep the faith, COR Initiative. Keep dreaming big and be ready to Evangelize Through Our Works.
Vivat Jesus
Scott Schutte
Indiana State Council - Knights of Columbus
State Deputy
statedeputy@indianakofc.org
webpage HERE
Vivat Jesus