Tag Archives: Community service

Member Training

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Knights RecruitingYou may have felt lost when council members talk about recruiting, membership, and council growth.  It sounds like we are just about membership and recruiting new members and that is not entirely correct.

We are about family and helping our church growth through coordinated actions in support of our parish priests.  Our church has experienced rapid growth during the last ten years and it is only beginning.  We are a vibrant church and welcome families every month.  In addition, we are expanding our facilities, ministries, child care, and support of our neighbors and the elderly and home-bound through Meals on Wheels.  We are now working on the acquisition of Aldersgate United Methodist Church to form St. Thomas More Church South Campus.

But, it takes people–men of the parish–to provide the experience, support and services needed.  We also need to renew our officer pool of Third Degree Knights.  We grow our own and that means we need to gain new members.  How can you help?  You can attend Membership Training hosted by Supreme and it is all on-line as a webinar.  Best of all, it is a night time webinar presented at 8 p.m. on August 30th.

Join Fraternal Mission presenters for a training webinar identifying the best ways to recruit new members for our council and get them engaged in charitable activity.

The one-hour webinar will provide a detailed look at the how, what and why of recruiting new members.  We will explore:

  • Recruitment Skills Training
  • Best Practices in running effective Church Recruitment Drives
  • Setting goals and Earning the Star Council Award

Register today.  You will fill out a brief form and then access a link to test your portal and Flash player.  All webinars are recorded and available on demand.

Can you hear your inner voice calling you to service?

A Salute to the Keeling Family

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We have had to share Gene Keeling for many months this year, while he was off on his several trips to California and beyond.  He was sorely missed, but Lisa Keeling seemed to be everywhere filling in and often led efforts in support of both the Council and the Catholic Daughters.

Now, sadly, the news we feared the most has arrived.  The Keeling Family is pulling up stakes and heading West to San Jose.  We feel like parents watching our young take off, but we are full of pride as we look back over the more than ten years of Keeling Family support of the Knights and our parish.

The Keeling Family have been critical to parish events.  Be it Parish Pride grilling, Pancake Breakfasts, Oktoberfest, Fish Fry’s, St. Thomas More School Graduation Breakfasts, preparing meals in support of Diocesan events, roasting pork for parish fundraisers, Operation LAMB, or one of the many other parish charitable events, Gene and family were there in a leadership role with sleeves rolled up and no job too hard to take on.

The Council recognizes their efforts and have named Gene Keeling our Knight of the Year and the Keeling Family as our Knights of Columbus Family of the Year.

Yes, we shall miss them, but our memories are many and their contributions to the parish and Council build a seemingly endless list of accomplishments.  We are proud of them and wish them continued success in all that they do in their new parish community.

The Journey Begins on Divine Mercy Sunday

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Our Forty Days of Lent are coming to a close and the celebration of Easter.  Then, one week beyond, is Divine Mercy Sunday.  Are your prepared?  Do you understand Divine Mercy Sunday?  Why not make it part of your journey as a Knight.  It may be what leads you to the Fourth Degree and membership in the local Assembly.

“The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us. And, he wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.”  Won’t you join us on Divine Mercy Sunday on April 23rd at St. Thomas More Church.

We encourage you to learn more about Divine Mercy Sunday by visiting the Divine Mercy Shrine website.  Learn more about why we gather for this special event.  And, while you are there, click on their link to The 100th Anniversary of Fatima.

Divine Mercy 2017

Fish Fries Build Church

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1-Knights Picnic 2006 (21)A number of years ago, when our council was just starting, our knights looked for ways to help build our church community.  Most of our families were fairly new to Chapel Hill. Some knights had been with our church since the beginning on Gimghoul Street and others were here for school, a new job, or to be with family.

We all remembered church events from our former parishes where were carnivals, barbecues, fish fries, spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfasts, ice cream socials, St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfests and more.  These parish events build church.  They get families and children together.

Our mission was to find our niche.  The church already held pancake breakfasts (hosted by the Men’s Club).  What were we to do?

That is how we started our first fish fry.  It was a financial disaster (we spent more then we made).  We did not make money, but we were successful in starting something that was bigger than us.  We believed that we were not doing things to make money.  We were working to build a strong fraternal men’s group and make a difference in the community.  This was our ministry.

We learned that we could have fun, demonstrate teamwork and family values, and show our parish men that there was something for them to do. Something for them to be part of that not only strengthen their families, but built a stronger parish.  We could make a difference and have fun at the same time.

Today, our Lenten Fish Fries attract large crowds and families.  We event get community walk-ins from nearby protestant churches.  After all, who doesn’t like fish on Fridays during Lent.  Our neighbors and community get to see a full parking lot on 15-501.  You can be sure that they see our brightly lit building, church, and parking lot full of cars and say, “Wow!  What’s that?”  Maybe we might attract a fellow Catholic who is looking for a church to go home to, especially at Easter.

Experience of a lifetimeYes, our council fish fries help build church.  You and your family are doing it one brick, one fish, one plate of barbecue, one smile, one hello, and one warm, loving handshake at a time.  The Knights of Columbus, An Experience of a Lifetime.

If you are a Catholic gentlemen, 18 or older, we invite you to join us.