Knights of Columbus Council #11730

Knights honored the Silver Rose Program today, Monday, July 21st at the 0830 Mass. Knights participating included Phil Davies, Jon Stewart, Paul Ceciliani, Seminarian Jonathan Decock, Father Matt, Charley Walker, Sean Humbarger, Jim Appleyard, Logan Crane, and Greg Sullivan. Father Matt prayed:
Heavenly Father, We gather before You today, united as brothers and sisters in faith, under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas and Protector of the Unborn. We thank You for the gift of the Silver Rose, a symbol of love, unity, and our unwavering commitment to the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, you revealed your love and compassion to St. Juan Diego through the miracle of the roses. We ask for your intercession as we carry this Silver Rose across nations, from Canada to Mexico, uniting the Knights of Columbus and our communities in prayer. Guide us to be steadfast witnesses to the dignity of every human person, created in Your image. Lord Jesus, You are the source of all life and love. Through the Silver Rose, we seek to renew our hearts and our nations in Your truth. Inspire us to build a culture of life, where every person is cherished, protected, and loved. May our prayers, offered with this rose, bring hope to mothers in need, comfort to the suffering, and strength to those who defend life. Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the Knights of Columbus and all who join in this pilgrimage. May our devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe deepen our resolve to serve You and advance Your Kingdom. Bless our councils, parishes, and communities as we strive to live out the message of Your Mother, fostering unity and charity across borders. We entrust this Silver Rose journey to You, O Lord, and to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Blessed Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. May this pilgrimage renew our faith, strengthen our fellowship, and bring glory to Your holy name. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Family of the Month: The cornerstones of the Knight’s are Faith, Family, Community, and Life–The Prestgard Family exemplifies these. They are not only active at Our Lady of the Pines, but also St Gabriel’s. Greg Prestgard exemplifies life through his work as a volunteer with the Life Safety Team at OLP. He also exemplifies Faith, Family, and Community as a Scout leader at St. Gabriel. The Scouts lead a life that would make them fine candidates for Knights of Columbus because they follow their Scout Oath of doing their best for God and country and follow their Law of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Just recently Greg has become a fourth degree (Patriotism) in the Major James A. Broyles, Assembly 3523, that serves OLP and St Gabriel. Cynthia is a facilitator for youth programs at Our Lady of the Pines and prays a holy hour with the Seven Sisters Apostolate at St. Gabriel. Their son, TJ, is a member of the youth group at OLP and participates in the Scout troop with his dad.

Knight of the Month: Sir Knight Phil Davies has been a tremendous leader and supporter of Knights activities during the month of May. He was inducted as a 4th Degree Knight during an exemplification ceremony hosted at Our Lady of the Pines serving in the Major James A. Broyles, Assembly 3523. He donated over 20 hours of his time in support of several Knights activities that included Welcome Sunday, Breakfast Burritos, and serving dinner to a chapter meeting hosted at OLP that received rave reviews from chapter leadership. In addition, other Knights have noticed he continues to recruit other Catholic men into the Knights of Columbus to build a stronger Council and community. As one of the newest members of Council 11730, Sir Knight Davies has taken on a very active role in living the Knights motto of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity.

On June 13, Brothers John Stewart, Charley Walker, Pierre Gaudreault, Mack McGuire, Gary Havens and Paul Ceciliani cooked 200 burgers and 100 hotdogs for over 200 OLP youth, parents, volunteers, and Father Brad in support of the Vacation Bible School. It was a great events enjoyed by all!

Worthy Grand Knight Pierre Gaudreault and wife Michelle, joined Financial Secretary John O’Rourke and OLP’s Respect Life Coordinator Melia Dunbaugh for the annual Walk For Life event at Memorial Park on Saturday, 7 March. It was a beautiful day to join thousands of walkers, runners, and volunteers. Melia relayed that their efforts support “Life Network, with 4 pregnancy centers, provides services to thousands of women and men facing a crisis pregnancy and reach 6,500 students in their sex-respect/education for a lifetime and suicide prevention program in 31 local schools… (now) more at-risk women in our community will receive life-revealing ultrasounds than ever this year.”

For the first time ever, Council 11730 offered and awarded scholarships. This year’s winners are Rachel Limb ($1000) and Lauren Anderson ($500).
Rachel is graduating from St Mary’s High School where she has attained a perfect 4.0 GPA (unweighted) and a 4.7 GPA (weighted) highlighted by 45 A+ grades and 18 Advanced Placement classes! She is at the top of her class. In our parish, she actively serves with audio-visual services, as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and as a Hospitality Minister. In the community, she works at the Marian House, helps with food banks, volunteers at school as a mentor and tutor, and participates in the planning and execution of many other events. She lives her faith at school, home, and in the community with both Catholic and non-Catholics. She encourages prayer as a multi-sport athlete and in all occasions. Rachel is planning to attend the University of Notre Dame to pursue a degree in Chemistry. Subsequently, she plans to attend medical school to focus on either anesthesiology or endocrinology. Her passion is to change lives! Please congratulate Rachel for her past successes and wish her the best for a bright future!

Lauren is graduating from Pine Creek High School where she has earned a perfect 4.0 GPA (unweighted) and a 4.6 GPA (weighted) including 34 A+ grades and 36 Advanced Placement or Honors Classes! She ranks in the top 3% of her class. In our parish, she serves either as a Proclaimer and Hospitality Minister nearly every weekend. Her love for sharing her faith was most evident while in the “Lighthouse” and “Called” youth groups. Her inspirational leadership was instrumental in establishing the “Youth Choir” composed of all teenagers. In the community, she helps families in Academy District 20 as a lead in the “Shop with an Eagle” for those in financial need and hardship. She has seen the pain and tribulations experience by divorce and separation in other military families and is motivated to ultimately become a family lawyer after completing her bachelor’s degree at University of Chicago. Please congratulate Lauren for her impressive achievements and the promise for more amazing successes!