November 2019 Bulletin: New Kniights, St. Nick, Christmas Trees and More!

Lead article from the November 2019 bulletin.

The Knights were busy in October with multiple events including a first degree after the October council meeting. Three new Knights have joined. Many thanks to the first degree team. October finished with the pro-life dinner at St. Albert’s parish hall. Thanks to Jim Shovelain for organizing another Pro-Life dinner and for his continued work protecting life. Marie Legatt organized another Saints party at St. Alberts parish hall – thanks Marie for your continued work helping out the Knights.

As the days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping you can feel the Knights tree lot is approaching. This year providing the weather and tree delivery cooperate, the tree lot set up starts on November 16 and lot filling on November 23. Youth from both St. Michaels and St. Alberts parishes will help with the tree lot setup. The Knights Tree Lot will be open beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 29, through Sunday December 15 (or earlier if the trees run out). There will be multiple ways to sign up for a shift or two helping to sell Christmas trees including a sign-up genius that is in this bulletin and will be sent out via e-mail. Please also consider help setting up and taking down the tree lot. As the dates get firmed up on the tree lot more information will be sent out.

Other activities in December include the St. Nicholas party will be held at the St. Michael parish school on Saturday December 7. Thanks to Don and Marie Legatt for organizing and running another St. Nicholas party. It has been heard that another St. Nicholas is needed this year – please contact Don, Erich or myself if you are interested in dressing up as St. Nicholas at the St. Nicholas Day party. There will be a coat drive November 9-17 and a toy drive starting November 11th and ending December 15th. All of this work done by the Knights helps out the local community. 

Thank you again to all who continue to help with the busy Knights schedule on top of your home schedule. Please include brother Knights in your prayers that we can continue to help out those around us and spread by word and deed the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

God bless, 

Andy Sipple 

Grand Knight

February 2017 Bulletin: Midwinter Blues

Lead article from the February 2017 bulletin, online now.

It's nearly February, and we are in the middle of winter.  It's that time of year when the kids are driving us crazy.  There is constant sickness in the house.  It's dark all the time.  The holidays are over so if feels like there is nothing to look forward to.  The road conditions can turn a simple errand into a white-knuckle nightmare.  In our family this is also a heavy swimming season, so nothing makes you realize how miserable it is outside until you sit in a sweltering pool for three hours then walk directly into negative cold outside.  The midwinter blues are setting in hard.

So where is the positive in this whole situation?  For me its two things.  First of all, have you ever seen a Minnesotan on the first 50 degree day of the year?  Nothing makes us appreciate spring more than a rough winter.  The same goes for fall after a hot summer.  One of the greatest things about living here is fully experiencing all four seasons.

The second positive for me is that this general mood can only mean one thing:  Lent is almost here!  This is the time of year when all our bad habits we developed throughout the year come into fruition.  Whether it be a bad diet, drinking too much, cursing, not praying enough, or whatever your weaknesses are, I'm going to bet for most of us they are probably at their worse right now.  But Lent gives us an opportunity to hit the reset button.  I love Lent because I see it as a six-week challenge between me and God.  It gives me a reason to set goals for myself and stick to them.  It's a time when I can reconnect with myself and with my faith.  After Ash Wednesday, I cannot keep saying I will start tomorrow.  I encourage you to start examining yourself this month and prepare for Lent.  Don't wait until the last minute to come up with a resolution.  Put some thought into it and prepare yourself for the six-week challenge!

God Bless,

Joe VanHoorik

Grand Knight