Dear Brother Knight’s;

Welcome to our second half of our Columbian year and as we approach it, we may think about the past year, our challenges, our accomplishments and especially how we have grown as members of this council. I know personally it has been extremely busy with a new demanding position with Electro-Motive and with you as your Grand Knight. However in perspective, God gives us a moment at a time and I’m sure I share with you that our social side is nurtured when we contribute some of our time within the K of C activities and programs. We are fortunate to be members of a dynamic and healthy council. We sustain our aspirations and goals for the council with fraternity, charity and unity and indeed our senior members know that and are delighted to share their experiences with all the newer Knights. So my challenge to you this year is to keep this in focus as one of the reasons you personally joined the Knights. It is so true that if you balance your work and family life and try to make time with men of faith, you will indeed find strength and serenity in everything you do.

Recently, Henry Feddema and Frank Gerritsen joined me in an Adopt–a-Family Christmas dinner organized by the CUPS organization for several families at Acadia Place. We mingled with the families and were glad to see they were open with us and told us about their lives and they seemed to have hope for progress with their situations. The local McDougal United church sponsored the dinner, and our council sponsored a husband and wife with five children with some presents and a food voucher. Some families inquired about St Cecilia’s and I’m sure they will visit us soon. Although we have just started this new service program towards helping a family, with some future meetings with CUPS, we will determine how we can be most effective in contributing some time towards social justice.

I’d like to thank our Chancellor Henry Feddema for organizing the K of C Basketball Free Throw school level competition and DGK Frank Gerritsen, Mike Abday, our Newsletter Editor Dan Barth for assisting. We had a great time and it was nice to see several students that had participated in the past.

Our Christmas Pot Luck dinner organized by our Lecturer Dan and Elaine was well attended by Fr. Henry, Fr. Frank and Fr. Francis and our deceased Knight’s ladies, Mrs: Catherine Beckett, Bernice Hassler, Clara D’Souza, Joyce Coughlin, Lucille Desrochers, Tilly Silbernagel and Gloria Grey. Invited guests were Elaine Templeton, Noreen MacDonald and Allan Wood and wife Didi. We had a jovial evening including stepdancing instruction all made possible by everyone who volunteered their time and shared some Christmas fraternity. Noreen advised that over $670 in donations for SSVP were received. Thank you!!!

By the time you have read this bulletin, we will have already held our first United Charities Appeal fund drive Coordinated by our DGK Frank at the Southcentre Mall from Jan. 4th to the 6th which promises to be successful within the busiest shopping days of the year. Thank you to all who have volunteered.

Please join me in thanking Bro. Greg LaMarre who is residing in Toronto, for his timely maintenance of our K of C Mail List and Council 4878 website. Please visit https://kofc.stceciliacalgary.com/

Heidi and I wish you a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Vivat Jesus!
GK Kevin Lopresti