State Deputy Messages

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: May 14, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

In a short two months we will begin a new fraternal year.  Councils will have elected a new slate of officers, and everyone will be eager to get started.  Let us not however forget to complete the current year.  Once your elections are over don’t forget to submit the list of newly elected officers to Supreme but also fill out the information for the State Directory on the State Website.  This information needs to be submitted so we can get the new Directories out to you at the summer quarterly.  You will also need to fill out the Form 365 for your Directors and Chairmen.  Every council should assign a program director, family director and community director also.  These positions are required for the youth protection program.  Upcoming events are:  Camp Fatima Work Weekend on May 20th , FS Forum on May 23rd, State Rosary on May 25th, the State Virtual Degree on May 26th and the GK Forum on May 31st.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr., State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: April 30, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

Yesterday, Sunday, April 30, 20232, we adjourned the 124^th New Hampshire State Council Annual Convention.  On Saturday we elected a new slate of State Officers.  My congratulations to State Deputy Elect Tim Kingsley, State Secretary Elect Mark Messier, State Advocate Elect, The Honorable Jordan Ulery, State Treasurer Elect David DeWorken, and State Warden-Elect Allen Ouellette.  Let us give them our total support in this upcoming new Fraternal Year.  Let us now finish this fraternal year and continue into the new fraternal year with renewed gusto.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr., State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: April 16, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

Happy Easter, He is truly Risen! My brother Knights, in a week and a half, we will be starting our annual State Council Convention. At this meeting, we will be electing a new State Deputy, State Secretary, State Treasurer, State Advocate, and a State Warden. It is important for you, the delegates to the State Council, attend and cast your vote for your next State Officers. This year we are celebrating our 124th anniversary as a State Council. Our Supreme Guest is Supreme Advocate John A. Morella. Our opening Mass will be officiated by Bishop Libasci with State Chaplain Fr Agapit Jean Jr, PSD, Chaplain of the Year, Fr Matthew Mason and Msgr. Richard Kelly on Friday, April 28,2023. The Mass will start at 6:00 pm, come join us at the Sheraton, Nashua (Formerly the Radisson). Vivat Jesus,

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr.
State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: April 02, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

“Christ is risen, He is truly risen”.  Those are the words we speak on this Holy Day of Easter in proclamation of what has happened.  Today we celebrate a day we call Easter. Easter as defined by Webster’s New World Dictionary is “an annual Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus”.

It is also looked upon as the beginning of Spring, trees and bushes are starting to bud, the grass is turning green, and the weather is beginning to get warmer.  We see families coming to church, women in their Easter bonnets, men in their new spring clothing and children merrily anticipating returning home so they can go in the yard or in the home and look for those eggs and candies left by the Easter Bunny.  Families later in the day getting together to celebrate the day with a nice ham dinner with all those trimmings.

However, as we gather around the table, let us not forget to thank God for all that he has given us.  His Son who died on the cross for our salvation, for our families, friends and for the little gifts he has provided to us through our prayers.  Please also pray for a full recovery for Pope Francis. On behalf of my wife Peggy and I, we wish you a Happy Easter.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr.
State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: March 19, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

Now is the time to start thinking of your council elections in May.  Remember to go to the State Website following your elections and complete the directory information and also submit elections information to Supreme.  Councils are also required to fill out and submit the State Per Capita and Group Insurance form prior to March 31, 2023.  There are still 20 councils who have not paid their Supreme Per Capita and are currently pending suspension.  Council delegates need to submit their meal package requests for the convention next month.  Let us also not forget to submit the information for the Ad Book.  All this information is located on the State Website.  Our Supreme Guest this year is Supreme Advocate John Marella. Let’s all get together and welcome him to New Hampshire.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr.
State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: March 05, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

Here we are starting the month of March and coming closer to the end of the fraternal year with much to be accomplished yet.  We are3 still receiving Fraternal Surveys and audit reports. District Deputies need to be reviewing their reports to see who still owes what.  The Granite Awards Banquet has been cancelled due to a lack of council participation.  Our next big event is the convention and councils should be preparing for it.  Everyone from State Officers, District Deputies, Directors, Chairmen, Grand Knights and delegates should be registering for their meals and rooms at the hotel.  Applicable information is available on the state website.  Don’t forget to join us for the monthly rosary on March 23. 2023.  The next Fraternal Benefits Night is on April 26, 2023, presented by Jim Effner and you can register of it at: https://tinyurl.com/KofCEffnerApr26.  Remember that you need seven people from your council to attend to receive credit.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr.
State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: February 19, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

In a matter of days, we will be beginning 40 Days of life, which begins on the 22nd of this month, which is also the first day of Lent. Let us continue to pray for the end of abortions. Remember to check the State Council calendar for our monthly Forums, Rosary, and Degrees. Register for the monthly Rosary on the State website review the biweekly Brief. We also have Fraternal Benefits Nights coming up. The first one on March 2nd, and the second on April 26th. Remember that in order to get credit, you must have at least seven people attending these FBNs. Let us also remember to register for the annual State Convention. All forms are on the State website. Lastly, we must continue to recruit new members to fill our dwindling membership rolls. Who will continue our good works if we don’t find new members? Schedule a Church Drive with your pastors and let us find these new men.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr.
State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: February 05, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

Last month, following the Winter Quarterly, the State Council held three Townhall meeting, which were quite successful.  A lot of good information was presented.  Hopefully, those districts who have not participated in a townhall meeting will schedule one in the near future.  The State Council has decided to again run incentives for new joins.  The top 10 Councils achieving 100% of quota or higher between January 1, 2023, and arch31, 2023, will be eligible to receive $500.00.  The top 3 District Deputies who achieve 100% or higher of their district quota will be eligible for $1,000.00.  The next Grand Knight Forum is on February 22, 2023, at 7:00 pm and the next Financial Secretary Forum is on February 28, 2023, at 7:00 pm.  Registration for these forums can be made on the State Web page.  In addition, please remember the TWO Fraternal Benefits Nights councils need in order to earn the Founder's Award.  Our insurance agents will help in this area. 

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr.
State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: January 08, 2023 

Worthy Brother Knights,

Happy New Year to all. We are now officially in 2023 and we need to redouble our efforts in accomplishing our new member goals and completing our programs. Remember to access the Online Membership prospect list and get them processed into your councils. Later this month on January 22, we are holding our Quarterly meeting. On January 23, 2023, Districts 7 & 8 will be holding a Townhall Meeting at St Joseph the Worker Parish. On January 24,2023, Districts 1, 4 and 6 will have a Townhall Meeting at St Marie’s Church and Districts 9 & 11 will have a Townhall Meeting on January 25, 2023, location TBD. Townhall will start at 7:00 pm and last an hour or so. Regional Growth Director Ken Latham from Supreme will be our host for the Townhall. Vivat Jesus, Raymond A. Lemay Sr. State Deputy, New Hampshire State Council

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr
State Deputy

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: December 25, 2022 

Worthy Brother Knights,

We have reached the mid-year point of the Fraternal Year. This is the time to reflect on what we have accomplished and what we have not. On one hand, we have councils who have been working hard to achieve Star Council status. They have achieved at least three quarters of their membership goal and have been furiously working to get all their activities accomplished. On the other hand, there are those councils who have demonstrated a lackadaisical attitude in their drive to do anything. We have 45 councils who have not recruited one new member this Fraternal Year. How many have not committed to complete any Faith in Action programs. My Brother Knights, as we start the second half of our Fraternal Year let us reaffirm our commitment to follow, as Knights of Columbus, in the footsteps of our Founder Blessed Michael McGivney, whose members are practical Catholics and who are united by their faith and the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Let us promote and conduct educational, charitable, religious, social welfare and other activities that benefit our members, their families, church, and communities.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr
State Deputy

Worthy Brother Knights,

We have arrived at that time of the year where we celebrate the birth of the child, Jesus. What a glorious time of the year. Our churches are all decked out with poinsettias, green wreathes, Christmas trees and especially the creche with Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus. Our homes, decorated to the hilt with a beautifully decorated tree, presents galore underneath and the family nativity set on a separate table nearby. The family gathers to celebrate this festive day and to partake in a sumptuous meal prepared with loving care. Let us remember to thank the Lord, our God for all the blessings He has given us. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all

Raymond and Peggy Lemay Sr
State Deputy

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: December 11, 2022 

Worthy Brother Knights,

This past Saturday, the State Council held the District Deputy Mid-Year Organizational Meeting. A lot of information was passed on. Membership Drives are on the calendar. Each District Deputy was required to determine a weekend where one of his councils would conduct a Membership Church Drive. That would give us one church drive every weekend through March 2023. We will also have the opportunity to use the Affiliate Membership Program in January. Be sure to review the guidebook for instructions. It is very important that your council submits a Form 185 (Report of Officers Chosen) and Form 365 (Service Program Personnel Report) as soon as council elections are completed. This is how Supreme knows who to inform and who your officers and directors are. I have asked each District Deputy to work with their councils to ensure this important task gets completed. Please delegate the filling out and mailing of these forms to your Financial Secretary. Work with him to complete these forms early and get them sent in. Thank You for making this a priority task of your Council!

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr
State Deputy

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: November 27, 2022 

Worthy Brother Knights,

We are fast approaching the mid-year point in the fraternal year and much work remains to be accomplished. It is now the time to step into the breach and move forward. Supreme has made our lives easier through the initiatives they have created to make things easier. The Affiliate Membership Incentive Program will be opening again in January 2023. Training for this program will be on December 7, 2022, for those who have not used the program this past March. For those of you who used the program, you may use it again following the directions in Appendix 2 of the guidebook. Membership cards no longer need signatures saving Financial Secretaries and Grand Knights many hours. Some reports have been shortened or deleted. Membership however is still one of our priorities. Our membership numbers have dropped, and we must now replenish our ranks in order to accomplish our mission as Knights of Columbus and the vision of our Founder Blessed Michael McGivney.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr
State Deputy

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: November 13, 2022 

Worthy Brother Knights,

Here we are in mid-November already. Next weekend I will be in Orlando, Florida for the State Deputy mid-year meeting. I hope to bring back some good news about membership and programing. We already have received word that in January the Affiliate Membership Program will be open to those councils who have not already participated. We have also been informed that the Form 450 – Degree Exemplification Report is no longer submitted to Supreme. I however, would like to have it submitted to the State Membership Director, State Ceremonials Director and the State Deputy. Remember to register on the State Website for the Rosary to be held on November 17th. Congratulations to Districts 6, 11 and 13 for bringing in 14 new members, District 3 has also been busy having completed a membership drive which has brought in two applicants. Let us all be proactive and get going.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr
State Deputy

State Deputy Message – Bi-Weekly Briefing - Week of: October 30, 2022 

Worthy Brother Knights,

Yesterday evening (10/29/2022) members of the New Hampshire Knights of Columbus met for a great dinner and to show our appreciation for the work that Past State Deputy Joseph Kowalik III accomplished during his tenure as State Deputy. In attendance were State Deputy Ray Lemay, State Chaplain FR Agapit Jean Jr. PSD, PSD Greg Taillon, Vice Supreme Master Rich McDermott, District Master Glenn Camley, PSD Joel Plante, State Officers and family and friends. He led our State through a period that no one else has ever seen, a pandemic that shut down the entire country and through it all still managed to reach a membership Circle of Honor goal of 118%. My congratulations to Immediate Past State Deputy Kowalik for a job well done. Let us also thank his wife Sue and family for supporting and encouraging him through this pandemic ordeal.

Vivat Jesus,
Raymond A. Lemay Sr
State Deputy