Christmas Message - Grand Knight

Dear Brothers,

Christmas is a celebrating season. Universally, we rejoice at the Birth of the Babe in Jesus. He is the "Emmanuel', gifted to us. His coming offered us hope, radiated His Light and exemplified His Love for us.

The Miracle of Christmas is a source of Inspiration

Let us inspire others

The Birth of Christ is the cause for Celebration

Let us make known His cause

May we always cherish His Coming

For Jesus is the epitome of true Love

May your days be bright and your heart light

May this glorious day of our Saviour's Birth

Resound with Hope and Peace on Earth!

On a personal note, as we celebrate, it is befitting for me to acknowledge that the Lord has been so good to me always. I am also grateful for the time, effort and dedication, you have offered in your services towards the Council and the consistent support you have given me.

I call upon you and your family to join me in thanking God for His wonderful Blessings upon us, both as an individual and as a family. This is a time not only of Celebration but also the time of Reflection in my life. May it be the same in yours.

On behalf of Lynette, Lynsi, Samantha, Gwen, Keene and myself,

I wish You, your Lady, your Children and other Members of your Family:

A Christmas of all Joy and Peace

May Jesus shower His Choicest Blessings on you in abundance!

May your New Year be wonderful, with Good Health, Cheer and Success in your endeavours!!

Fraternally,

Simon Mendes

Grand Knight

GUIDELINES

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS – ST. FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH

USHERING AND TRAFFIC CONTROL OF CAR PARK AREA

for MASSES on

CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY

NEW YEAR’S EVE & NEW YEAR’S DAY

GUIDELINES

FOR USHERING General Guidelines (UG- )

UG-01 AREAS - Inside the Church, Foyer / Hallway & Church Hall

UG-02 Direct people first in the Church, if need be then in the Church Hall

UG-03 Set up Chairs in the Main Hall

UG-04 Know where all the Emergency Exits are located

UG-05 Be aware of what is going on around, non-parishioners also attend Masses

UG-06 Walk around, as need be, the Church, the Hall, the wash-rooms

UG-07 Keep confessional doors open and ensure all other doors are locked

UG-08 Ensure there are no bags or knapsacks left unattended

UG-09 Be observant of any suspicious activity or people and report

UG-10 Spread out in the Church and avoid many being at the back of the Church

UG-11 To avoid air congestion / heating - If required OPEN Slightly the

emergency exit doors – one by the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and - the other at

the opposite side of the Church where the sound system is located

FOR COLLECTION/COMMUNION/BULLETINS Guidelines (CG- )

CG-01 FOR COLLECTION, we need ushers at a maximum, as follows:

6 – as usual, to proceed from the main aisle

2 – to collect from the pews at the back of the Church

1 – to collect from pews near the extreme right side ( west side wall )

1 – to collect from the people in the Foyer & Hallway

2 – to collect from the people in the Hall

CG-02 FOR COMMUNION, we need ushers at a maximum, as follows:

3 – as usual, to proceed from the main aisle

1 – to direct from pews near the extreme right side ( west side wall )

4 – to direct people in the back pews, Foyer & Hallway

2 – to collect from the people in the Hall

CG-03 FOR BULLETIN DISTRIBUTION, if distribution is required, we need

ushers at a maximum, as follows:

2 – as usual, back of the Church (inside)

3 – in the foyer

2 – in the Hallway near the Hall entrance

Carol - Ladies Nite

>>click on image to view picture album - courtesy Bro. John DeSouza

A great performance by our Voices for Christ Choir at the Carol/Ladies Nite Dec 20, 2010.

Ladies / Carol Nite 20th Dec. 2010

Address by the Grand Knight- Simon Mendes

Rev. Father(s), Worthy DD Bro. Mike Muldoon, Past Grand Knights, Ladies & Brother Knights,

I welcome you all to our annual Ladies Nite – also our Carol Nite. At this culminating celebration of the calendar year, we meet fraternally to be together, to remember, to acknowledge gratitude and of course to enjoy.

As we are here together in a festive mood, contrary to the ways of the world, let us remember all our dear family members, our friends and our brothers whom we miss. May I request you to stand in Silent Reflection for a few moments, in their memory. …… Thank you. … You may now sit.

And as the GK of the our Council, I deem it a privilege to have you here, providing me an opportunity to appreciate all who support, assist and spend their time and effort to work for our Council.

I sincerely thank Fr.Bob O’Brien, Pastor and Chaplain of our Council, for his support to our Council and our events. To Fr. Steve Murrin also, a big thank you for your assistance all along. A big round of applause for them.

I have to admit, we continuously, almost on a day to day basis receive assistance from our Church Staff Joanita Miranda and Marilou Alinea. And I call on them to please come forward to receive a token of our appreciation. … Ladies, Brothers let us applaud them

To our DD Bro. Mike Muldoon – District Warden Bro Valens Almeida and to our past Grand Knights Bros. Mathew Rodrigues, Anthony D’Souza, Bro. Fred Gamboa, Bro. Gabriel Ogundele, Bro. Marcel Lemmen and Bro. Valens Almeida - thank you for your support and your guidance. Please stand and be acknowledged.

I thank all Executive Officers, Directors & Chairs and all members of different committees who have worked tirelessly to move our events to success.

And now to you all Ladies, You have always provided support to our Council not only in releasing our Brothers to attend to the Council’s activities while you shouldered the domestic and other fronts in their absence. Words would fail me to express my gratitude. In all humility I admire you for your patience and understanding and willing cooperation. May I request you all including my wife Lynette, to please stand and be recognized. Thank you. Brothers please join me in extending this round of deserving applause on behalf of our Council # 12067 and myself,

Lest I forget my Executive Officers, Brothers may I request you to stand be recognized. ….They work willingly and with dedication. I count on them for having the events successful. Sometimes, it could be my late evening call or a morning call, they are there. Alan Pires (Fraternal Advisor) Dominic Fernandes (Financial Secretary), Joseph Remedios (Deputy Grand Knight), Edwin D’Cruz (Chancellor), Edgar Dias (Treasurer), Hilary D’Souza (Recorder), Patrick Bajcar ( Advocate), Anthony Wong (Warden ), Guards- Venant Ferreira, Satish Karunakaran, Priyal Jayasinghe and Justin Yao, Trustees George Lim, Edward Rodrigues and Hilary Fernandes, Lecturer Bro. Kelvin Netto – Chief Counsellor for the Squires – Savio Pereira and the Directors;

Church – Jestin Nazren

Council - Joe Bonnici

Youth - Joel Pereira

Community – Nigel D’Souza

Family - Tony Mathias

Health - Blood Donor Clinic - Sunil Mudalige

Right to Life - Francis Ho

Website – Luis Gomes

If I have missed anyone, pardon me.

Finally, this event, if we have gathered in so large a number and are enjoying today, it’s due to the unremitting efforts to attain the best, by the team headed by Bro. William Fernandes, his team of Committee members. It is a no frills event but a great one. Ladies and Gentlemen, - may I have your hands for a big round of applause to Brother William Fernandes and his team.

Enjoy the evening. Thank you!

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

Feast of St. Francis Xavier

>>click here to view picture album - Courtesy Bro. John D'Souza