I am away from Sacred Heart Church for part of this weekend to participate in the annual state convention of the Knights of Columbus in Jonesboro.  As the state chaplain of the Knights, I am blessed to be the celebrant of the Saturday morning (7:00 a.m.) Mass for all brother Knights from around the state who died since the last convention.  We celebrate the blessings that flowed to and from our brother Knights, and ask that God's love and mercy bring them to heaven if they are not already there.  I am always impressed by the large turnout of Knights at this early morning Mass, especially since we will have Mass later in the day with Bishop Taylor as the main celebrant at which all Knights at the convention attend.  This testifes to the faith and faith lives of so many of my brother Knights.  As I have been to more than a few of these state conventions, I must say that since coming to Sacred Heart Church and participating in our wonderfully-active council (10208), I go with a sense of pride, not in a boastful way, that our council and assembly stand so strong in the hallmarks of the order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism, as a light for others to see, and I pray, imitate.  I urge men of our parish who are currently not members of the Knights of Columbus, to pray about it, and consider joining us soon.  I truly believe it helps us to walk more closely with the Lord in our faith journey.