Brother Knights,

As I write this, we now have a new pope, Pope Leo XIV!  It has been described by many as a time of mourning and renewal at the same time for the Church.  We mourn the loss of Pope Francis.  By all accounts, he was a strong supporter of the Knights.  He often spoke of charity, unity, and fraternity at various times, our core principles.  As you continue to offer prayers for the repose of his soul, we honor his legacy by continuing to be Knights of charity, faith, and service to all.  Our new pope also appears to be a strong supporter of the very same principles.  Though he was born in Chicago, raised and educated there, he has spent the bulk of his life in service to the Church in other countries, namely Peru.  In service to the Church which means in service to his fellow man.  In time my hope is he becomes known as one of the best Popes of our time.  We shall all see.  He has been described as a thoughtful leader, not prone to irrational decisions.  In my opinion, the Church could use a person with his traits right now.
 
Every organization needs leadership.  Men and women who are willing to step up and take on the roles of leading their club, group, church, state, etc. to new places.  We all have our own strengths and weaknesses to bring to the table, but the first thing is answering the call to serve.  Right now, it is our councils call to serve.  We are seeking nominations for various roles.  Voting will take place soon.  We have a cornucopia of men out there who our council could benefit from.  Please consider getting involved by coming to some meetings.  See what it’s all about.  Get to know your fellow Knights more personally, not just as fellow workers at the fish fry or fireworks tent.  Volunteer to be an officer and if at first you don’t succeed, try again.  Our organization is crucially in need of men who will get involved on the day-to-day level. 
 
As we finish the final tallying of the fish fry’s, we move right into our biggest fundraiser but short duration event, fireworks!  We need LOTS of help over only 3 DAYS to pull this off.   These fundraisers make our reason to exist work.   They allow us to help the charities, school, priests, religious, and lay folks that come to us for their needs.  Without the funds, we cannot do the great work we are known for.  Please sign up when the time comes and offer to help out.
 
Next meeting is May 21, Fitzgerald Hall @ 7:30pm.  We start, as always, with the rosary and the meeting follows.  See you there.
 
Vivat Jesus!
Semper

Matt Schafers
Grand Knight 833

Brother Knights,

When you read this, Palm Sunday will be right around the corner.  It is almost Easter.  How have you progressed on your journey to grow closer to Christ?  Have you not kept to your sacrifices, stumbled on your path, given up already?  Perhaps you are one of the good ones who has remained on your chosen path of devotion.  Wherever you are, you are still not too late to prepare your heart for the joy and celebration of Easter.
 
You don’t have to be perfect in your Lenten duty, you only need to make progress.  Baby steps are still steps closer to Christ.  Closer than you were before.  We should be using this time to strive to become better men of faith, husbands, fathers, and Americans.  The good Lord welcomes everyone who tries.  Stumblers included!
 
I encourage everyone to attend all the Sacred Liturgies that you can.  They are some of the most beautiful that the Church has (yes, they are also long).  As Knights, we are called to be leaders to others in our faith and service.  Consider how you participate and assist in those liturgies may inspire someone else to grow their love of Christ.  Hope to see you there!
 
Semper
Vivat Jesus!

Matt Schafers
Grand Knight 833

Brother Knights,

We have embarked on the season of Lent.  For Catholics (and non-Catholics too) it is a time for reflection, introspection, repentance, and spiritual preparation.  Lent mirrors the biblical time of Jesus in the wilderness.  This is our time to deepen our faith and promote self-discovery, learning about those things you may not know and spreading what you do know throughout the community.

It’s also a time for fish fries!   If this doesn’t get you excited, there’s nothing wrong with looking forward to great fellowship, comradery, conversation, and great fish with a motley crew!  We need your help!  These fish fries are one of our main fundraisers and we need lots of folks to help out, especially during the third shift, clean up.  Please sign up or show up, we’ll find a spot for you.

Vivat Jesus!
  
Matt Schafers
Grand Knight 833

Brother Knights,

I hope your new year is off to a great start.  If you’re struggling to think of a good resolution, try stopping by the church for a few minutes extra one day a week.  Gradually increase that to 5 minutes, then 10.  Maybe attend daily Mass once a week.  There are numerous opportunities throughout Lincoln to attend Mass at various times and our parish is smack dab in the middle making it easy to get to several churches in a short drive.  I have it easy at Pius.  Mass is offered every day and throughout the day but I still find it a struggle to get there reliably.  I have committed to once a week, but we have folks that take advantage and attend every chance they get.  Whatever it is you choose to do, before long, you’ll be on your way to a deeper and more meaningful understanding of what God wants from you and how you can give back to Him.
 
A very big way to give back is to help out at the upcoming fish fry events!  We need everyone to pitch in.  This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year but it is also a social event.  Not just for fellow Knights but our loyal patrons too!  There are a lot of different jobs that need to be done.  Don’t fight over being named the fish squeezer, there’s 6 fish fries, you’ll get your chance to see what it’s all about.  We got the patio crew, the kitchen crew, the bar crew, and the dining room help, there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved and find your niche.  Be a part of the motley crew that make our fish fries the best in town.
 
Brother Ron sent out the Sign-Up Genius already.  Please look it over and sign up for a slot.  If you can only make one Friday, we’ll take your help.  Kids are a great help as well.  They can help in the dining room with table service.  The seasoned citizens love seeing the young girls and boys helping out.  Our fish fries are a destination, not simply a meal spot.  

Let’s all pitch in and continue this great tradition we have of providing the best fish, the best location, and the best service in Lincoln!

Vivat Jesus!
Semper.
Matt Schafers
Grand Knight 833

Brother Knights,
 
Well here we are, the second week of Advent!  Boy time flies.  Soon it will be Christmas and the new year upon us.  This coming Sunday is Candy Cane Sunday and we could use men to post the exits at church and collect donations/pass out candy canes.  No verbal exchange is necessary (you don’t have to ask just hold the basket out and the money flies in!).  Pass out the candy canes to anyone and everyone, we got plenty.  We’ll have them in the ushers closet.  Just come to the back of the church after Communion and volunteer, no sign up on this one.  The money goes to purchase the remaining items on the Giving Wreaths so it’s a great cause.
 
Also along with that, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in the church basement to meet and greet all the little ones after the 10am and 12pm Masses.  Kids will get a small gift bag and the photos are free!  Bring your kiddos down and get that off your list of to do items.  100 bags available until they are gone.
 
This has been a very productive year for the Council.  We need to continue to grow and enlist new Knights and get more Knights helping out at all the activities we field throughout the year.  If you aren’t growing, your dying.  I read somewhere that there are only 2.1million Knights in the US.  If that is correct, it seems mighty small.  Let’s buck that trend and keep this Council thriving!
 
As we wait and reflect during this Advent season in anticipation of Christmas, I would like to
share the words of St. John Paul II:  “In Advent we await an event which occurs in history and at the same
time transcends it. As it does every year, this event will take place on the night of the Lord’s Birth. The shepherds will hasten to the stable in Bethlehem; later the Magi will arrive from the East. Both the one and the other, in a certain sense, symbolize the entire human family.
 
Theresa and I want to wish all of you and your families a blessed Advent and Christmas season!  May your families gather and give thanks to God for all that he has blessed you with, big and small.  Thank you to all Knights for all you do for Council 833 and St. Teresa’s.

Vivat Jesus!
  
Matt Schafers
Grand Knight 833