Christmas Message
by State Deputy, Marcel Lemmen
“The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial, and be reminded of the beauty of the One who is Christmas.”
– Bill Crowder
As Knights and Catholics, it is our mission to remind our family, friends, and neighbours that Christmas is because of Christ. We do this through words, deeds, and the example of our lives.
By living the gospel through faithful worship. By doing works of charity, evangelization and participating in faith formation. This season, after two restricted Christmases, it has been wonderful to see the outpouring of charitable works, for the less fortunate, by our members and their councils.
All of this prepares us spiritually for a fruitful Christmas celebration of the birth of our Saviour. It also prepares us to start off the New Year with a renewed sense of purpose in our mission as Knights of Columbus.
And so, on behalf of my wife, Charlene, and daughter, Grace, I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and health and happiness in the New Year!
Vivat Jesus!
Brother Marcel Lemmen
December 22, 2020
Brother Knights,
This past year will always be remembered for the world pandemic, which crippled and posed unavoidable restrictions upon each of us and our families.
But it will also be remembered for the compassion and the generosity of our knights of Columbus member councils which stepped-up to the challenges, by creating new and innovative ways to communicate, to support, to volunteer and to donate to the many causes and less fortunate of our society.
The year 2020 will also be remembered as the year that Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney was beatified and is now only one miracle away from sainthood. As brother Knights, we should all be humbled by this fact, which affords us the opportunity to follow in this great man’s footsteps.
As we are about to welcome the birth of our Saviour, let us all bow our heads in prayer, inviting the Lord’s benevolence and safe passage from this year to the next. May his intervention, bring this terrible plague to a halt, allowing all of humanity to heal and return his love.
On behalf of The Ontario State Board, my wife Flavia and my Daughters Gabriella and Daniella, I would like to offer our best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.
Humbly yours,
David Peters
State Deputy