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State Vocations Chairman Remarks
Brother Knights,
My name is Joe
Flaherty, III, and I am your newly appointed Vocations Chairman for the State of
Alabama. I am a member of the Council 13152 and Assembly 2856 of Fort Payne. In
the council, I am currently serving as Grand Knight; and in the assembly I hold
the office of Faithful Admiral. I would like to take a few minutes to talk
about vocations.
The life of
the Knights of Columbus is forever intertwined with an attachment to and a need
for the priesthood. This was Father McGivney's design, and it is our heritage.
Promotion of vocations is the continuation of his vision and work, and it is one
of the best means to ensure the health and growth of our Order.
Through the
Knights of Columbus Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP), councils,
assemblies and Squires circles "adopt" one or more seminarians or postulants and
provide them with financial assistance and moral support.
RSVP money is
used by seminarians and those in religious formation for tuition and books, car
insurance and maintenance, emergency expenditures and other living expenses.
Knights provide more than financial support, though. Members write letters to
students, sponsor dinners for them, invite them to join the Order and, most
importantly, pray for vocations.
Qualifying
councils and assemblies receive a $100 refund for every $500 donated, up to a
limit of $2,000 donated to an individual, while the refund for Squires is $20
for every $100 donated. In the Philippines and Mexico, councils and assemblies
receive the equivalent in local currency of $50 for every $250 donated.
If your
council(s), assembly or Squires circles choose to participate, when you receive
that money from Supreme you can send it to the State Council to be placed in the
Priesthood Scholarship Fund. The Priesthood Scholarship Fund is held by the
State Council and accepts contributions from council(s), assembly and individual
Brother Knights to help educate men to become priest in both dioceses (The
Mobile Archdiocese and the Birmingham Diocese).
This is what
the Knights are all about. We must support our priests and seminarians. Remember
“One good priest can make a difference.” Father McGivney, protector of Christian
family life and promoter of vocations, hear our prayers.
If you have
any question, need any answers, looking to sponsor a seminarian or just to talk,
I am here for you. Please contact me.
Joseph E.
Flaherty, III
State Vocations
Chairman
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