March 1, 2012

Worthy State Officers, Clergy Members, State Family Members, and Brother Knights,

As we approach the end of the fraternal year, there are a few things I want to share with you. We are receiving pull tabs from some of the Councils and Circles and hope you continue the great work.

Please bring the pull tabs to the recycling collection centers and turn your money into the Squires at the

Louisiana Knights of Columbus Annual Convention in Baton Rouge. Remember that all money raised will benefit Ronald McDonald’s House in New Orleans and families that need to use their facility.

Our Second Annual Squires Scholarship Raffle is in full swing and we want to thank the Councils that have bought their tickets and mailed them in already. I hope that the rest of the Councils will send their money in and fill out the tickets and mail them back in the self addressed envelope. The deadline for the ticket sales will be Sunday May 6, 2012 at the KC State Convention and the ticket drawing will be after the Rosary on Sunday. All money raised will be used for the Squires High School Scholarship. With your help we can recognize our best and brightest Squires for their hard work. Remember that these young men are our future members as Knights of Columbus and they will appreciate the help that we give them.

We are in the process of starting another Squires Circle in Leesville, LA by KC Council 4156. Thanks to Brother’s Paul Rindahl and Louie Johnson for helping their young men in their community and helping the future of their Council. The paper work has been sent to Supreme and we are waiting for their response. Special thanks go out to the Grand Knight and the members for investing in the success of continuing to fulfill the promise of Brother Barnabus, the founder of the Columbian Squires, a youth program for young men in need and a way of keeping them involved in our Catholic faith.

Most of you remember how big a part Jesuit Catholic High School was in the Squires program. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans, almost all the schools had to rebuild or start over with very minimal students returning. Jesuit and many other Catholic schools are returning back to full capacity and busy in their communities. I am proud to say the Jesuit Squires Circle has been quietly working at school and with their projects. They sent 42 applications to Supreme for new members. They will once again be a part of the Louisiana State Squires program again. I hope that other Councils or Assemblies will contact their local Catholic Schools and inquire about starting a youth ministries program for young men.

Back in January, Squires came from across the state to attend our Squires Retreat in Hammond, LA. We spent the night at the KC Council home Friday and Saturday nights and were treated to several great meals. We want to thank Joey Quebedeaux, Grand Knight, and the members of that Council for their hospitality. Saturday morning we attended the Baton Rouge Right to Life Pro Life March. We marched behind the 4th Degree Sir Knights in their Regalia and followed them all the way to the state capitol. We returned to the Council home and completed our weekend of retreat with activities, reflection time, Mass, and Rosaries to help these young men become closer to the Catholic Church and to God.

Our Annual Squires Olympics was held on March 17 &18, 2012 in Youngsville, LA and Brian Decou is in charge of this weekend of fraternity, fun, and food. Our Annual Family Fun Day will be held on April 14, 2012 in Bayou Black, LA and Wayne Bonvillian is in charge of this event. You can get on the internet on go to Louisianasquires.org and get all the up to date information of our upcoming activities and contact us for more information. We want any and all KC members that are interested in starting a Squires group to attend any of these events and see what everyone is talking about.

As we look forward to closing this year and starting a new year, please remember the Squires

 

Vivat Jesus!

George S. Martin
Louisiana State Squires Chairman