Presented by Knights of Columbus Council 8415

Dear Brother Knights,

Our Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson has directed us to “…move forward aggressively” as an order: to build our membership; develop new council plans; outreach to those in need; and to keep the order on “Front Line” for Church and Society (Mid-year meeting Nov. 15-17, 2002).

Our Supreme Knight takes his cue from our late Holy Father, John Paul II, who, in his message of May 12, 2002, written for the 36th World Communications Day, pointed to the need for “…fresh energy and imagination in proclaiming the one Gospel of Jesus Christ”. The subject of World Communications Day 2002 reflected on just that as the theme was “Internet: A New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel”.

The late Pope John Paul II, in establishing the Vatican website, noted the vast potential of the Internet - used properly - “…to follow the Lord’s command to ‘put out into the deep’: Duc in altum! (Lk 5:4)”. Our Holy Father also noted, “The Church approaches this new medium with realism and confidence” and, “Like other communications media, it is a means, not an end in itself”.

Many Councils are faced with a struggle to build its ranks; an aging membership; and a lack of awareness and understanding of the Knights of Columbus. And, like all Brother Knights, we have a need to support our Pope, Bishops, Priests, and our Church.

With the likelihood that future members will come from the “younger” Catholic gentlemen of our communities (18-40 year olds), and that this age group typically “surfs the internet”, we have a need to focus on capturing not only their interest, but their enthusiasm.