Dear Brother Knights

Our Council serves and supports the Parish of St. Andrew the Apostle/Good Shepherd Mission is so many important ways. I never tire of pointing out that anything of importance which occurs in this Parish has Knights of Columbus leadership and involvement! You are truly ‘the strong right arm of the Church’!

One of the most significant gifts of service and support which our Council provides is:  the Annual Catholic Appeal Dinner – also known as the “Bishop’s Appeal Dinner”! Every year for the past 22 years the Knights of Columbus have provided this “kick-off” Dinner for the Annual Catholic Appeal in our Parish – an evening of great food, great fellowship, great music, and great energy! One of the highlights of the whole year for our Parish – made possible by our Council!

How important is the Annual Catholic Appeal Dinner? Very important! Consider that, as the largest Parish in our Cochise County Vicariate, St. Andrew’s Appeal Goal represents 39% of the Appeal Goal for this Vicariate. Because St. Andrew’s is very successful in energizing the generosity of its parishioners – last year 108% of Goal -- our Vicariate has been very successful in meeting its Appeal Goal – last year 106% of Goal. 

But wait, there’s more! The Cochise Vicariate leads our Diocese in meeting its Appeal Goal – “as goes the Cochise Vicariate, so goes the Diocese!” – and so, because of this ripple effect, our Council, through the gift of this Appeal Dinner and the ‘energy of generosity’ it generates, is one of the keys to the success of the Annual Catholic Appeal of our Diocese! How’s that for a demonstration of the ‘strong right arm of the Church’?

Please plan on attending the Annual Catholic Appeal Dinner on Saturday, 11 February, at our Hall, following the 5:00PM Mass at St. Andrew’s.

Bishop Kicanas will be present with us for this year’s Dinner, and, we will be bidding ‘hale and farewell’ to Brother Knight, Chuck Fisher, who is stepping down after 12 years as the Executive Director of Catholic Community Services of Southeastern Arizona! It will be a “Knights’ Night” to remember!

Vivat JESUS! Fr. Greg Chaplain