State Deputy Messages

Worthy Brother Knights,

As we approach this holiday season, let us remember the reason for the season. We are also coming to that time of the year where we enter the dues billing period. Let us keep in mind that those new online members we joined to our councils may have joined on the MCGIVNEY 2020 promotion. Which means you will have to change their dues status. Free online membership has also been extended to June 30, 2022. I would also like to encourage you all to read the Fraternal Leader Advisory. This document has a large variety if important information for all leaders. The Board of Directors for the Knights of Columbus has voted to reinstate the assessment process beginning January 1, 2022. This means that the Supreme Per-Capita Billings will restart.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

Having returned from the State Deputy Midyear Meeting, I bring you updated information as to where we are going. The new Affiliate program is progressing through the initial phase and the reports are encouraging. I am hopeful that we will be able to participate in this program in the coming months. There are still some technical issues are being looked into and hopefully resolved to make the transfer of personnel less tedious and time consuming. To date there have been 1,462 ultrasound machines provided to pregnancy centers and Supreme is hoping that by the end of the fraternal year, the Knights of Columbus will have donated 2,000. Also, Grand Knights, Financial Secretaries are requested to check their Prospect page online at least weekly. Work those individuals into becoming council members. This is where we are now picking up the most members.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

There are several changes and updates for us to work on. First – a new step in the Online join process. When an applicant signs in he will have to validate his email address. After filling out page one of the online join application, a one-time validation code will be sent to the prospect’s email address. He then enters the code and proceeds with the application. Second – The routes for the 2022 Silver Rose Program are now available. Third - KnightCast is coming on November 11, 2021.KnightCast is a groundbreaking new video series from the Knights of Columbus with the aim of engaging today’s Catholic men in a compelling conversation about the Catholic Faith and their own personal growth as they lead their families in service to their Church.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

Happy Halloween do not eat all the candy that is left over from the trick or treaters. Tomorrow Monday, November 1st, is All Saints’ Day and Tuesday, November 2nd is All Souls Day, both Holy days so do not forget mass. November is also the month where most councils hold their Mass for their deceased members. Let us remember our dearly departed and honor them during this month. Let us also remember that on Thursday, November 18th the State will hold the State Rosary. Check the State website and the weekly briefing for pertinent information on this program.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

This past Friday I attended a celebration hosted by the Hooksett Lions club. It was their annual Citizen of the year award night. The awardee was our own District Deputy Elmer Lajoie. We heard from multiple people on how Elmer helped so many others through his efforts. Annually he spends some thirty hours on Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Christmas time, putting food baskets together for those in need and then delivering them. Spending time in the town hall putting food packages together and bagging toys for the children for Christmas. Working tirelessly to help others. Listening to all these people telling us of acts of charity, unity and fraternity emanating from one individual within his community. What a pleasure it is to know that one of our brother knights is so celebrated. Congratulations Brother Elmer!

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

This past weekend we conducted the Fall Quarterly Meeting in Laconia, NH. I wish to thank the Belmont Council 10943 for their sponsoring the meeting and the wives who prepared the luncheon. The meeting with the breakout sessions was well received and a lot of useful information was given and received. Our next meeting will be held in January. It will be held in Suncook on January 23, 2022 and hosted by Council 4666. Let us put that date on the calendar and plan to attend. District Deputies, our next meeting will be the Mid-Year Organizational meeting on December 4, 2021 and information on that will be out shortly and I expect to see 16 DDs in attendance.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

Next weekend on Sunday, October 17th, we will be conducting our Fall State Quarterly Meeting. We are meeting in Laconia at St Andre Bessette Hall, 31 Gilford Ave, Laconia, NH. If you will be having the lunch do not forget to notify GK Robert Gonyea (bgonyea1203 [AT] comcast [DOT] net). In addition, any District Deputy, Director, or Chairman who has not picked up his current directories should pick them up at the meeting. Grand Knights and District Deputies who are holding degrees must fill out and submit their Form 450 to Supreme, the State Ceremonials Director and to the State Deputy. See you all next weekend.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

This past Saturday, I attended the State Council’s annual Bishop Matthew F. Brady Scholarship Ball. Council 428 of Laconia did an excellent job in hosting this affair. There was plenty well prepared food, the portions were generous, and no one left hungry. Beside presenting the scholarships, we had a Silent Auction, and the State Raffle drawing was held. A list of the raffle winners will be posted on the State Website and weekly brief shortly. On another note, October is normally when councils hold one of their membership drives. It is requested that councils notify their District Deputies of the dates they will be holding their Fall Membership Drive(s) and that the District Deputies notify the Stat Membership Director of those dates. A reminder let us not forget the Fall Quarterly meeting which will be held on October 17th in Laconia. See you there.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

This past week has been good for the State and for some councils. Between Friday and Saturday, we joined 8 new members. We do, however need more new members. We have a new membership program that will be coming in the next couple of months which will be beneficial to the councils in one way, but detrimental in the other. Very shortly, I expect to hear something from Supreme on this new program. So, get on the band wagon and recruit, recruit, recruit. Also remember that this coming Saturday, October 2, 2021, is the State Ball. Come support our Scholarship winners and observe the State Raffle drawings and don’t forget the Silent Auction.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

Yesterday, August 29, 2021, I had the opportunity to participate in the dedication of the new Rosary Garden built by Meredith Council 17141 and the parishioners of St. Charles Cardinal Borromeo Parish. Bishop Libasci presided over the 10:30 am Mass and then blessed the Garden. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend that you visit. It is indeed a beautiful place to see, meditate and pray the rosary. In addition, in memory of the 13 members of our Armed Forces killed in Afghanistan last week, Bishop Libasci asks that we pray the rosary on Monday (today), Tuesday and Wednesday for our military members, our fellow American citizens caught up in that country and for the Afghan people. There are also three Votive Masses being offered on those three days, Aug 30 Votive Mass #32 “For Refugees and Exiles”, Aug 31 - Votive Mass #31 “In Time of War or Civil Disturbance”, and on Sept 1 – Votive Mass #41 “For Relatives and Friends”. You may also consider doing a novena ending on 9/11.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

New Hampshire State Council Knights of Columbus

Worthy Brother Knights,

This month is indeed flying by, and membership attainment is slow. Council Membership Directors need to start planning their Fall Delta Church Drives, ordering the supplies needed and get their membership teams organized. It is requested that the names, phone numbers and email addresses of the Council Membership Directors be submitted to the State Council Membership Director IPSD Joseph Kowalik III. This coming Thursday, 26 August 2021, we have an online virtual meeting with the council membership directors at 7:00 pm, Friday, 27 August 2021 is the State Virtual Degree. Let us continue to help our parishes in recovering from the pandemic and let’s get our councils on the go.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

New Hampshire State Council Knights of Columbus

Worthy Brother Knights,

Here we are at mid-August, I trust everyone is enjoying this wonderful summer weather. We now have a Feast Day for Blessed Michael McGivney, August 13th. Mark your calendars for next year. Next year the Feast Day will be on a Saturday and provided we get a votive mass authorized we can do a Statewide celebration. A second order for the state shirt is out, so get your order in before September 30th. This coming Friday, Aug 20th, we have a virtual meeting with Grand Knights and on the 26th there is a virtual meeting with Council Membership Directors. Yesterday, Saturday the 14th, the installation of State Officers and District Deputies was held after the 4:00 pm Mass at St Joseph Cathedral, State Chaplain Fr. Agapit Jean Jr, PSD officiated at the mass and Deacon Rory Traynor was the homilist. During his sermon, Deacon Rory expounded on how the Knights have greatly helped him and how appreciative he is. Father also explained before the final blessing that the Knights were there and why.

Fraternally,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
NH State Deputy

New Hampshire State Council Knights of Columbus

My Brother Knights,

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day, let us remember the reasons and how we got here.  This day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence by 13 American colonies from under the rule of imperialist Britain.  This act set in motion events that eventually led to war between the British and the American colonialists which gave us our freedom. 

Interestingly, July 4^th is not the date that it was signed, but the date that the final draft was approved.  The actual document which we are so familiar with written in fine calligraphy and signed by the delegates was signed on August 2, 1776.  These brave men, many who were leaders in their communities and others who were known to the British faced death for what they had done.  They strongly believed in what we have today.  

Let us, as we celebrate this Fourth of July holiday, take a moment to remember those fifty-six brave men, who signed a document that would lead to what has become our beloved United States of America.

God Bless America,

Happy Fourth of July to All,

Raymond A. Lemay Sr
State Deputy 

State Deputy Message – Weekly Briefing June 28th   

Worthy Members All.

As I enter into a new area of service to our Order and Church it is necessary to advise the membership of an ongoing investigation referred to the State Advocate on advice from our prior regional growth director.

Apparently, recruitment processes were previously utilized that are contrary to recognized standard proper Form 100 processing procedures normally practiced. The investigation has documented several forms were submitted without the knowledge of the Grand Knight, missing a current Financial Secretary signature, and creating concerns all the way to New Haven as to how contact was made with the applicants named on the membership forms.

As this process is still ongoing, I have accepted the incoming state deputy’s offer for the position of state membership director to see this through, so these practices will end. 

If our Order, if this State Council, if your Council is to weather the storm that is building of anti-Catholic, anti-Christian sentiment that seems to be building then we need to keep on our toes and play by the rules.

But when playing by the rules is circumvented, it negatively affects the perception of what we are all about. Even to the point of discouraging members from our ranks.

We cannot let eagerness to meet expectations to overshadow our commitment of diligent service.  In the area of Membership there have arisen numerous areas where the [ t ]’s were not crossed, and the [ i ]’s were not dotted, leaving a gap in the accuracy of the recruitment process.

It is incumbent upon all of us not to just seek to fill artificial quotas, but to qualify each person seeking to join or re-join our band of brothers. 

Each council Grand Knight and Financial Secretary are the sole gatekeepers for your council rosters. Irregularities in recruitment occur when this authority is not followed or is passed on to others. Their responsibility includes “knowing” the new and changing policies affecting their rosters; especially new online recruitment opportunities that continue to present themselves.

The Proposer needs to do his job and approach Catholic men who are willing to serve, and to follow through shepherding the candidate through the degrees. 

The Admissions Committee needs to do its job and interview, to explain our Order, and to “vet” them for the council vote to accept them into the council. 

The Financial Secretary need to do his job of orientating a prospect, utilizing the exemplification processes available to get them to the 3^rd degree, and process the Form 100. 

I know that, with your support, this coming year will be a banner year for New Hampshire, the dust of the pandemic will be cleared off, our Councils will be reinvigorated and our work of supporting the Church will proceed. I look forward to working with your councils and promoting new opportunities that will become available this coming year. Some are game changers.

I thank my state officer team that supported me the last two years, my District Deputies, State Directors, and Chairman, and the Grand Knights, Financial Secretaries, and all council members that persevered and found ways to get things done under unprecedented challenges. Thank you all!

I thank my wife Sue and all member wives, without their support, we have nothing. So, on behalf of Sue and I, we thank you for opportunity to lead New Hampshire Jurisdiction. God Bless you all.

Fraternally,

Joseph J Kowalik III

Outgoing State Deputy

Brother Knights,

Email Updates:

Effective immediately, my email address is changing to jjkowalik3 [AT] gmail [DOT] com so as to respond to your fraternal requests more efficiently. Please update your records accordingly. Emails sent to my comcast address will be forwarded to the new address for now.

State Council Directory Book Submissions for Fraternal Year 02021-2022:

Every council needs to make their annual update submission on the State Council website for your council’s contact information for the new State Directory Book.

Remember the end of year submissions; Form 185, Form 365, and SP-7 need to go to Supreme, and to both State Deputy-Elect Ray Lemay at RayLemay [AT] comcast [DOT] net and Executive Secretary Ed McCann at emccann777 [AT] comcast [DOT] net moving forward.

Vivat Jesus!

Joseph

State Deputy Joseph J Kowalik III