St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Knights of Columbus Council 14754 Charity, Unity and Fraternity
K of C Council 14754 Grand Knights Page
Worthy Grand Knight
- Donovan E. White
It is an honor and a privilege to be
installed as Grand Knight of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Council for the
new Fraternal Year.
It is humbling
to walk the path of our Past Grand Knights. Their accomplishments
and dedication need to be recognized and acknowledged. Not the least
of which are the achievements of our immediate Past Grand Knight
Michael Dhanens. He led us with innovation, determination, and
vision. Like all Past Grand Knights, we owe him a debt of gratitude
and respect for the work he did and the leadership he provided.
In the coming year, I look forward to
building on Michael’s and previous Grand Knights accomplishments and
instituting our own. I appreciate and treasure the advice that I
have received from Past Grand Knights and members of this council. I
hold the principals of our order, Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and
Patriotism, sacred. Here are some examples of how we continue to
exhibit these principals.
Charity has
never been a problem or question for this council. Last year we
donated over several thousand dollars to deserving organizations and
individuals. We, along with the partnership of the Ladies Fellowship
Ministry, have raised an incredible amount of funds through our Fish
Fry drive. Our Coats for Kids received generous funding from our
parishioners. Members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton also supported
Catholic men as they further their vocations in religious life. Our
seminarians have benefited greatly. We want to help ensure they have
all they need to be successful priests. Our council has contributed
monetarily to other causes such as Right to Life, St. Vincent de
Paul, K of C Ukraine Support Fund, and the Bakersfield Pregnancy
Center. We not only open our wallets, but we open our hearts. This
council is very generous, and we thank God for blessing us so that
we may be a blessing to others.
Unity and
fraternity are also practiced. Annual events like the St. Vincent de
Paul Breakfasts, Roadside Cleanups, Christmas Family parties, Annual
Men’s Retreat, 5th Sunday Rosaries, Charter Members Night and Fish
Fry’s have brought us together. We will also continue use our
monthly meetings and social gatherings to instill in all of us the
tenants of Unity and Fraternity.
Our
extraordinary Pitmasters, led at the direction of Tim Escalante,
will continue to make sure we will not go hungry at least once a
month! Our pitmasters are the Loaves and Fishes of so many of our
ministries and they step up to the plate constantly. I do feel that
our social meetings should be true social events with speakers and
presentations of interest to our fellow Knights, their families, and
members of our parish. Our gatherings should have meaning and
purpose. Stay tuned on that.
Our events will
continue so long as there is life in our council. To remain a
presence in all our activities to we need you. We need as much
member participation to make these activities possible if we are to
be successful. We need to be willing at times to collaborate with
other brothers should the need arise. We must always be mindful that
60-70% of our order are gentleman that are unable to continue. We
need to consider inviting gentlemen into our order so that we can
pick up where they left off. This too is part of unity and
fraternity. We are servant leaders. We are the right arm of the
church. There is no task too great for us to do especially when Faith
is our weapon.
When I assess
the makeup of our council, I don’t just see “third degree members
Knights, or “new member Knights”, or “Charter member Knights” or
even 4th Degree Knights. I see Knights of Columbus, the order that
was founded by a Priest, a priest who will one day be on his way to
beautification.
We as a council
have a responsibility and duty to each of our brothers and friends.
We have a responsibility to the community at large. We have a
responsibility to support are pastor. We cannot forget about those
brothers who have given their time and dedication to a cause that
they believe was worthwhile. I can truthfully say that in this
council our fellow brother cares. With the addition to our Fallen
Knights committee, we hold true to these desires. I want to make
sure that each Knight can serve the ministries in a meaningful and
productive way, and this council will continue to that support which
leads to the fulfillment of Fr. McGivney’s vision. We are the strong
right arm of the church.
I leave you with
this…it is often said that “when one Knight does something, we all
have done it”. Well, I would like to submit to you, “If everyone
does a little, nobody has to do a lot”.
I want to thank
my fellow officers for their dedication, trust, and leadership.
Please pray for me and the officers of this council, that we act
justly and as catholic gentlemen in all our decisions, and we as a
council uphold the traditions of our order with honor and dignity.
God Bless You and God Bless the United States of America and the
Knights of Columbus.
Vivat Jesus!
Donovan E. White Grand Knight CY 23-24 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 14754