Brother Joe Roueche - Rest in Peace

You have no doubt heard of the tragic passing of Brother Joe Roueche.  Thanks to Brother Mark Simpson for providing this link to the story on the Chattanoogan.com and the comments below.  Please feel free to leave your own comments by clicking the comments line below.  Feel free to share stories and memories or any other wishes you would like to post.  Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori.

From Brother Mark Simpson:

Joe was a regular at 12:00 noon mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. He usually sat in the balcony and was meticulous about wearing a suit to mass every Sunday. He could always be counted on to take up the collection in the balcony. While taking up the collection, he was always sure to give an affectionate pat on the shoulder to people that he recognized from week to week.

Before and after mass he would find his way to the vestibule and make sure to dispense at least a dozen or more big hugs saying things like “Praise the Lord, or Hallelujah Jesus” to anyone who walked within three feet of him. Big and tall it didn’t matter—he would reach up or bend over. Some newcomers were a little embarrassed by his overt sign of affection, but the regulars came to expect it, and it certainly didn’t matter to Joe. He kept doing it week in and week out.

A spry 79, he was a man of deep faith. When I was fortunate enough to give him communion, he would take the host and hold it up and shake his head gently from side to side and say “Thank you Jesus” and consume it with incredible awe and reverence. He consumed the precious blood the same way.

He was a humble man who quietly served his Lord and our Order well by his example. Rest in peace at home in the arms of Christ our Brother.

Mark Simpson
2^nd Degree Captain

Another view of Christmas - from Poland

Thought you might like to see a few pictures from Wayne's Christmas in Poland. Click here if you would like to check out some of the scenes from the City of Poznan's Christmas Festival in Old Market Square. It's the first year for the festival, and the locals I was with seemed impressed, So was I. Coming from a country where many cities are retiscent to celebrate Christmas at all, it's nice to see a city embrace the season wholeheartedly. Click here to see the pictures, a few with captions to give you some context.

Keep Christ in Christmas - Watch the TV announcement

Click here to see the latest TV ad from the Knights of Columbus for "Keep Christ in Christmas".

Recharge and Review: pictures from December events

While you're doing your best to "Keep Christ in Christmas", pull up a cup of coffee and take a look at some recent event photos. Click here to see some pictures from the Our Lady of Guadalupe fesitval on December 12, a big event with food and pinatas galore attended by at least 200 and maybe more. Also, check out pictures of the December First Friday Fish Fry, our biggest yet, held in partnership with the OLPH Home & School Association. The third grade class won the attendance contest and therefore a pizza party for the whole class sponsored by the council.

Don't forget to take a few minutes, slow down and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas, take stock of a successful first half of our 40th fraternal year, and charge up your batteries for more in 2009!

Celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe

This Friday, December 12, is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Americas and Protector of the Unborn. Find out more about why this feast has been extended to all of the Americas and it's importance to the evangelization of the continent. Click on the following links:

• Article by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson


• The Woman who Changed the Face of a Continent


• Prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe


• Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Don't forget the Guadalupe Festival at OLPH in the gym on Friday, December 12, following the 5:30 Mass. Knights will be participating in the Mass and volunteering at the festival. Come by and help out or bring the family for an evening of food and fun, especially for the kids!

Remember to FIGHT FOCA

The Freedom of Choice Act is bad news for babies, mothers and society. Fight back! Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and sign the Fight FOCA petition at: http://www.fightfoca.com/. Read the last message from the Grand Knight here.

NEW! Frequently asked questions about the FOCA act. Click here.

Remember, It's CHRISTmas!

Keep Christ in Christmas!

Pictures and Video from Light Up for Christ

Fr. Dickerson Lights Up the Holy Family Grotto at the Light Up for Christ event. Grand Knight Jason Randall and Deputy Grand Knight Richard Buske help with candlelighting. To see more pictures from the event, click here.

Light Up for Christ is a Success!

The second annual Light Up for Christ event was a big success, attracting a crowd of over 100 members, families and other folks from the community. Thanks to everyone who helped put the festivities together, including Chef Steve Reker, the Ladies Auxiliary, and everyone else who put in time to make this event a success!

If you missed it, see what you missed. Click on the video box below. This was aired on WRCB TV 3 last night and this morning. More pictures and video coming up soon.