Council

Fraternalism

One of the things that holds a group of people together, is the ability to take care of each other and to have fun with each other now and then. In todays world with the modern demands of our time and attention, finding time to just be brothers is sometimes tougher than it sounds. But it is critically important. If you have a family group and you never see them, talk to them, show up to dinner with them, or even call them, it becomes hard to enrich that family group. Something else will inevitabiliy take its place in your heart.

As a Knight, you are not obligated to take part in anything actually. But the more you do take part in, the more you will meet the other members, their wives and families, the more you will feel connected and specially included with them.

So aside from the chairity, community, fundraising and parish activities, we try to provide some times through the year for guys to just get together to be brothers. Dinners, celebrations, field trips, tickets to events, and other gatherings. Simple things like going out to dinner together before the general meetings, or going to dinner after bingos. Spending time together working on projects is invaluable, but so is time just to have fun.

At times we have had attempts to start up card parties, supper hosting trade offs, ladies night out trips. Its not always easy to start those up, and even more challenging to maintain them. Often it can be deflating to those who work so hard on them and dont meet the same enthusiasm or participation.

Not everything works as well in real life as it does on paper. And often we are seeing things that used to be a big hit, just havent got the momentum they had once upon a time. Again its likely partially due to our subjugation to the demands of the world around us. Make no mistake, there is a never ending line up of interests to take your attention away.

As a group we should be working a little harder on finding ways to disconnect from the stream and just take some time to be ourselves, to share with others and appreciate the wonderful world God has provided for us. Part of that world is the incredible brothers we have in our council. There are thousands of stories to hear and share. Sometimes we really meet someone for the first time when someone is reading their eulogy at a funeral. It is a tragedy that this happens, so find time to take a step back from the pace of life and meet your neighbour. And when you can, find an excuse to just be a brother to someone.

The Council will keep trying to find opportunities to provide the membership to get to know each other. We know not everyone can be part of those all the time, but maybe all the time you can think about being part of one of those events. The rewards are beyond description.