Dear Brother Knights,

This time of year, we look ahead to the beginning of the school year. Even if one no longer attends school or has children in school, this time of year is a good reminder for us that we are to be lifelong learners.

God has given us an intellect that we might know truth and, ultimately, to know him better. He has instilled in us a great sense of wonder, which is the desire to know and to discover, moving a person to create and to love. This has always been the heart of the church’s educational efforts. And it’s good to remember that this education was never meant to end. No matter our age, the Lord wants us to experience the joy of learning.

Let us pray for all those who will be going back to school this fall. May their minds be open to the wonders of God’s creation. May they see God in his creation.

Sincerely in Christ,

Father Kipper

Dear Brother Knights,
 
We celebrate during this month of July the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. We celebrate this milestone with great joy, but also that we never forget how our country was established and who we are as a people.
 
The story of the United States of America is not a story of one ethnicity, race, or even religion—even though our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Rather, we are a great melting pot of races, ethnicities, and even cultures that have come together to live by certain ideals and laws. These ideals are highlighted by our constitution and expressed in our Declaration of Independence. 
 
These ideals include the fact that we are all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, which is the source of our dignity, and why each one of us deserves respect. 
It includes the freedom to pursue happiness in our lives and to serve the common good. 
These principles, not a common ethnicity, are what unite us. 
 
We are very blessed to live in this land of the free, where we can worship God and live out our Catholic faith. Let us celebrate our country and never forget the sacrifices that allow us to live with this freedom.
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Kipper

Dear Brother Knights,

Throughout the universal church, the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on June 12th.

The image of the Sacred Heart is a familiar image, as it is found in our churches and homes. The origin of this devotion go back to the 17th and 18th century, when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque received visions of Jesus. In these visions, Jesus revealed his Sacred Heart crowned with thorns, bleeding and set aflame. The image represents the truth of Christ’s love for us. It’s burning love that suffers so that he may enter our lives.

Again, we see this image often, and like many things we can forget its impact. Perhaps in this month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we could all take a few moments looking at that picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus meditating on how much our Lord burns with love for us.

Sincerely in Christ,

Father Nicholas Kipper

Dear Brother Knights,

He is risen! Alleluia!

As Christians, we celebrate this Easter with much solemnity because it is a central and integral part of our lives. If Jesus had not been resurrected, he would still be considered by many to be a great man. He would be viewed as a heroic figure who died a painful death. He would leave behind many teaching that some people would follow. But Christ revealed that he would like to enter into relationship with us and share in his resurrection. His invitation to share his resurrection give us ultimate hope.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ does not offer us escape from this fallen world. The Lord offers us no promise that we will triumph over earthly power or receive temporal prosperity. However, in the resurrection of Jesus, we celebrate the greatest triumph in the history of the world. Christ has put death, our greatest foe, to death. And if we cling to him; if we follow him, that same triumph will happen within our own hearts.

Praying for Easter blessing and grace for you and your family.

Sincerely in Christ Jesus,

Father Kipper

Dear Brother Knights,

In the first Eucharistic Prayer we call Abraham “our father in faith.” He was willing to give up what was most endearing to him, Isaac, his son, through whom Abraham promised many decendants.

Abraham is our father in faith because he was willing to give up what was most precious to him, putting it in positive terms, he trusted God above everything else, even his own desires and his own preferences.

At the heart of sin is lack of trust. One way or another when we sin we’re saying, “I know what’s best for myself.” I will do what I want because I know what will make me happy. Even though deep down we know our Lord wants what is best for us, we sometimes think this way.

During this Lenten season, we take on additional spiritual practices: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We do this to rely less on our own will and desire, but instead we trust in the Lord.

Trust in God, like Abraham, our father in faith. May that trust bring us great peace.

Sincerely in Christ,

Father Kipper