As is tradition, New Westminster Council #1283 of the Knights of Columbus hosts an annual Appreciation Dinner for Clergy and Religious at St. Peter’s Parish. For this recent event, they invited members of the clergy, their families, and religious Sisters from the Eparchy of New Westminster, along with many other clergy and religious from the area. Some of the clergy of the Eparchy are actually members of Council #1283, including Bishop Michael.
The evening featured a wonderful meal prepared by the Knights themselves and served by their highest-ranking members. Special guests included KofC State Deputy Herb Yang and his wife, Clara, as well as State Chaplain Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski. Worthy State Deputy Herb Yang brought greetings, and Bishop Michael was asked to address the attendees as a member of the clergy himself.
He mentioned the Vancouver festival tragedy and asked everyone to pray for the victims, as well as for their families and friends who now struggle with the aftermath. He also spoke of the upcoming Conclave to choose the next Pope for the Church. He noted that we must look past our own personal preferences—and the sometimes superficial or unimportant qualities we might like to see in the Holy Father—and instead ask the Lord to provide a good and holy leader according to the needs of the Church in our time and, above all, the Will of God.
We should have that same attitude with regard to priests and Sisters: we should want them to be sincerely dedicated to the Will of God for the good of His People and His Church. The rest will work out! He also urged everyone to encourage their sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews to think and pray about a vocation to religious life or the priestly ministry.
The evening was also filled with fellowship and good will and a festive spirit. Every member of the clergy in attendance and every member of a religious community received a gift of appreciation by the “luck of the draw”. There were a variety of gifts from many donors, but all were a pleasure to receive.
The pleasure of the clergy and religious to be there was apparent, and the outpouring of love and appreciation on the part of the Knights and the many other guests toward their Priests, Deacons and Sisters — was also obvious. God bless the Knights for this tradition of appreciation and, God, bless our Clergy and Sisters and bless us with many more good vocations!
