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† Dr. NAD is the Program Director (1996-1997) for a K of C Council (#2134) in the Greenville, Mississippi delta. The Order of the K of C consists of local Councils, which hold three "Degrees" of membership. The Fourth Degree, devoted to Patriotism, is organized into "Assemblies" whose domain extends usually to include multiple Councils. Such Knights wear the regalia–cape, hat, sword– at funerals, visits from the bishop, etc. For his 4th D. Assembly (#555), Dr NAD also serves as a Faithful Captain (the "vice" chief officer) for 1996-1997.

(Here is the Diocese of Jackson, MS.)

Kneel or stand during the 2nd half of Mass?
Today, many note that at some churches, the congregation stands throughout the 2nd half of Mass, in contrast to how they grew up kneeling at those times.
      But, ever noticed that centuries old churches outside the US don't even have kneelers? At some times past, kneeling was forbidden, and standing was required at Sunday and Easter season masses.
      Many countries still follow the tradition. In fact, general church law is to stand from the Prayer over the Gifts until the end of mass, except for kneeling at the consecration (unless there is a preventing reason) and sitting for meditation after Communion (Gen. Instr. of the Rom. Missal, 21).
      In 1969, U.S. bishops altered this rule, so that people now kneel from the Sanctus the Amen of the Euch. Prayer (App. to the Gen. Instr., 21). For other countries, the prior regulations for the universal church apply unless their bishops adopt similar changes.

Easter egg hunt (1997) Kids ages 1-5 and 6-10. Dropped the past tradition of real, colored, boiled eggs. Purchased plastic "openable" eggs. Eggs filled with all Easter-themed stuff; either (A) 1 or 2 pieces of candy (no egg had chocolate only--feared melting), or (B) 1 or 2 pieces of candy and/or 1 or 2 trinkets. (nickels, dimes, or quarters would be good, too). Candy: For sanitary sanity, only individually wrapped pieces, or small packets of pieces. Typical Easter stuff like choc eggs and bunnies small enough to fit in eggs, small packets of jelly beans, mini-rolls of "life-savers," "Nerds" or other hard candy, Easter-themed gum with temporary tatoos wrapped in (big with kids). Trinkets: Amazing what's out there. Easter-themed: chick or Easter basket erasers; mini "wood crafty" ornaments of chick, bunny, egg, basket, carrot, bonnet. Other: small rubber balls ("super-bounce"); cool balloons. Sources: Probably the best places are "dollar stores." Other: Most eggs had to be taped closed with a tiny piece (hey, they're cheap). Get hinged ones--only 1 piece of tape needed (though, if unhinged, can mix tops and bottoms for color combos). Retrospective regrets: I wish I had looked for more Christian-oriented stuff, like resurrection stickers, crucifixes, etc. The event: It took 3 Knights less than 20 minutes to hide all 200 eggs. About 25 kids attended. Weather was cloudy and cool, but rain held off. Parents were shivering, but I didn't see a cold kid in the bunch. I opened by asking what the day was (Easter), and after sorting through the outgoing kids' declarations about what the Bunny brought them, a 5 yr old girl pointed out the Jesus was raised. I asked if she knew any prayers Jesus said, and she led us in the Our Father. Kids under 4 hunted in a fenced in area for 66 eggs. Five and over in a wide open area for 144 eggs. When done, I saw no baskets with less than 6 eggs. A local TV news reporter showed up spontaneously (she saw the announcement in the parish bulletin) for an interview and footage. I spoke with over 13 parents who said the event was sorely needed.

Free Throw Contest (1997) Boys and girls, ages 10-14. LOCAL: Promo material distributed to 13 places (mostly schools)— ages span different types of schools (e.g., elementary, middle, junior high). Needed more material, but ran out. Official packet only has 10 large posters (5 of two kinds). Made some smaller ones on computer using some provided clip art worked in on a photocopier. Had 66 boys, and 22 girls (no 14 yr old girls for some reason)--many more than were at the state competition later (below)— apparently from ~20 or so total in the past events. Many volunteers were required. Opened with the Lord's Prayer, and the event took about 3 hours (2 baskets), including registration and awards presentations. STATE: Some areas have a regional district competition before state. Don't know why we don't. Traveled (~2 hours) en convoy of me (with one 12 yr old boy passenger--great company), and some other parents providing rides as needed (it was a trial to organize over the preceding week). Attending were 7 of our local winners, dressed in uniform t-shirts the council purchased for them (looked sharp; we were the only ones; the kids told comrades they thought it was geeky, but told all the adults it was a great idea; other councils in attendance loved the idea too). No one won, but I believe all were glad to attend, and it's likely to get them and friends back next year. One huge disappointment, my fault. Two local winners did not make the appointed rendez-vous departure time and so did not attend. This was my failure. In the future: provide an earlier meeting time for late-comers' sakes. More solid arrangements should be made for getting all together. Perhaps I and 1 or 2 other volunteer parents should actually go to the houses of the kids and pick them up ourselves. I still feel miserable about the failure. They were mailed their t-shirts with an apologetic note, but I'm sure it was little consolation. It's difficult for adults to appreciate how seriously they take such events.

A S S E M B L Y

Vocations: Priests' Education Assistance raffle

In 1995-96, the Order granted ~$1.9 million from >1900 councils to seminarians, novices, and postulants studying for the priesthood. Since 1981, near $15 million. Since 1992, >250 seminarians assisted with $2500 annual grants

The Knights' vocation as the Right Arm of the Holy Father calls us to demonstrate our “solidarity with our priests.” What could possibly be a more important issue than religious vocations.     Currently (7 Mar 97), five men are studying to be priests for the Diocese of Jackson: a 31 yr old Deacon serving a parish in Ill.; a 20 yr old from Tupelo (I think Elvis was born there, and ND's Jarius Jackson hails from there) studying at St Joseph Seminary College, La.; a 37 yr old from Meridian studying theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and an undergraduate degree at Our Lady of the Holy Cross; at the same seminary, a 33 yr old from historic (Civil War battlefield) Vicksburg; and from Oxford, a 42 yr old MD at Catholic University in Wa.DC studying canon law. This is encouraging in the state of Mississippi where a huge number of pastors are non-US missionary priests. See what the recently ordained have to say at the diocese's Vocations page.     Our Fourth Degree Assembly used to contribute bingo proceeds to the Jackson Diocese’s Priest Education Fund (PEF). The enterprise lost profitability – perhaps because of the advent of gambling riverboats in Greenville – so was discontinued. Last year we sent more than $600 raised by a cash raffle to the PEF—meager compared with previous bingo proceeds, but we refused not to contribute. This year, we raised more than $1100, and will present $600 to our Bishop for the PEF. Fifty percent of the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the PEF, 25% goes to the 1st prize winner, 15% to the 2nd, and 10% to the 3rd. Each ticket was a mere $5.00.

End analysis, 40 Knights of Columbus donor units in the diocese (contributed a total of >$21,000): Among 4th° Assemblies, ours contributed the highest amount (12th among all 40 groups); our 3rd° Council's Ladies Auxiliary also placed 1st, contributing even more than the whole State's Ladies Auxiliary; the 3rd° Council placed 2nd ($2500).