"ESTO DIGNUS - BE WORTHY"
From the quill of the State Chief Squire...
Hello Brother Squires of California,
Congratulations on a successful convention! It is an honor to be your new State Chief Squire. I look forward to working with our state officers to make this year a fantastic year for the Squires. I would like to thank our State Director, Mr. Gene Buehl, and his team of Knights, for putting on an awesome convention this year.
My main focus for my term is to develop ways to get every single Squire in California at our state convention. My officers and I will be putting together new ideas of fundraising and other methods of gathering as many Squires to the best event of the year. If anyone has ideas for us to look at, they would be greatly appreciated, and I can be emailed at gregharlow6@gmail.com. Make sure you join our Facebook page and follow the State Circle’s action! I hope your circle has an excellent year and keep modeling your lives after the youth Christ. Esto Dignus.
State Chief Squire Greg Harlow
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S.C.S. Felipe Sanchez addresses delegates State Deputy Ivan Reek with S.C.S. Felipe Sanchez
Presentation to the delegates attending the 109th State Convention of The California State Council, Knights of Columbus, in San Diego, on Saturday, May 14, 2011:
It is a pleasure to be invited to such a special occasion where my brother Knights come together in unification as a state to choose our new officers for the upcoming year. The Knights is a great organization that has proved throughout the years to serve the community in its fulfillment. I represent the Columbian Squires, which also have become extremely active in serving in the necessities of not only our church, but the whole community itself. The Squires is a growing organization that needs nurturing and support from the Knights of Columbus.. The Squires fertilize the fields for future Knight recruitment and their support is needed for growth. Speaking on a personal level, I have seen our circle that is just three years old grow from less than 14 boys to over 20. We have received honors at the state circle conventions and been active in our local parish. The Knights will have received 4 new members from our ranks by the end of this year. I appreciate the level of support from our local council and our counselors that have made this possible. I believe that we are the only active circle in our local diocese. Our counselors are trying to mentor future counselors for a circle at an adjoining council.
As a Squire, I have learned to develop leadership skills that will benefit me in my future adult life. These skills range from becoming a productive member of society, active citizen, and a disciple of God. After being elected as the State Chief Squire the past June of 2010, I have dedicated my everyday life to make my Squires Circle more productive and efficient. This responsibility starts at the local level and progresses to my duties at the state office. I would ask the Knights to please continue to be generous with their time and support to grow the squires in our great state.
Felipe Sanchez, Chief Squire
California State Circle
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State Squire Greeting
Esto Dignus. Hello my fellow Brother Squires, I am flabbergasted to be your new State Chief Squire. I will be getting together with our phenomenal State Director, Gene Buehl, to formulate a plan that will benefit the Squires of California. I understand I am only the Captain of the crew; therefore I will need all your support and assistance in helping me to do my job efficiently.
My new plan consists of taking a road trip and visiting new Circles and churches that have a desire in starting a Circle. I have also been requested to start a Facebook page, but I need your assistance for this project. This year our Squires need to get out to our community and make a difference by participating in local events that are beneficial to their community. If you have ideas for events and would like to get other Squires Circles involved, let me know or give me a call at All Saints, Catholic Campus Ministry to CSUS (209) 669-0473). I am praying for this to be a great year with increased recruitment and with many new Circle members joining us at this year’s convention at Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, California, in June 2011 .
Our Stockton Diocesan Bishop, Stephen Blaire, is planning to attend All Saints Circle 5259 here in Turlock. We are hoping to see if possibly other circles would like to attend the Mass and the social gathering sometime after the first of the year. Give me a call if you are interested.
Remember to get your monthly reports in so that there are a lot of Circles to pick from for our awards. May you all have a Happy Thanksgiving, encircled with your family and friends and may God Bless You. Don’t Forget-TEAM California, Together Everyone Achieves More.
Your State Chief Squire,
Felipe Sanchez
Esto Dignus
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Text of message delivered to the delegates attending the 2010 State Council Convention in San Jose:
Worthy State Deputy, State Chaplain Fr. Nestor Rebong, Knights of Columbus delegates, dignitaries and special guests,
My name is Brendan Quinn and for the past Columbian Year, I have had the great honor of being your State Chief Squire of California, State Circle 8005.
During this time I have seen what makes the Squires and the Knights of Columbus so special. There is no organization that promotes and defends our Church more than you worthy Knights. I have been part of the "Walk for Life West Coast" and the "Drive for The Developmentally Disabled" for years, and I know how much time, effort and prayers the Knights have put into these extremely important events. When you look at the news and see clips of the "Walk for Life West Coast," it is impossible not to notice the signs donated by the Order and the large number of Knights and Squires in attendance. Knowing the Knights as I do, it is impossible for me not to appreciate the massive amount of time that went into creating that presence. We help to show the rest of the United States and the world that not all Californians are pro-abortion secular progressives.
Now not to brag, but the local Napa Council, Alemany 982, has constantly placed in the top 5 for many years in what is popularly known as the "Tootsie Roll Drive." The Knights and Squires work hand-in-hand for 3 days to raise money for those Californians who are less fortunate. My 5 siblings and I, two of whom are Squires, help out every year and we completely enjoy every moment of it... especially eating the Tootsie Rolls!
The Columbian Squires and Knights of Columbus have a symbiotic relationship. The Squires are the future of the Order. But that future cannot be realized without your complete support as counselors and role models. The Squires are the official youth group of the Knights of Columbus. I would ask every brother Knight here to put some effort into his local circle. If that is impossible due to time constraints, then I respectfully ask that you find someone to lend a hand.
One thing that I know of that had been lacking in my circle was the involvement of priests. Up until three years ago, there was little or no involvement in my circle with priests. The Squires are about social and spiritual formation and who better to complete that formation than a priest?
Some circles in this state are undermanned or have gone completely dormant due to neglect. Just recently I went to Auburn to speak to them about not shutting down their circle. I implored them to find a brother Knight to step up and keep the circle together. They did and I know personally the Squires appreciate their involvement. This circle had an important significance to me as I was part of the investiture team when they were formed.
The Squires continue to grow, but I know that we can do better. In many ways, California is the most important state in the Union, and we must set an example for the rest of the country to follow. I know that we Columbian Squires are worthy of our mission to become young Catholic gentlemen, following the example given to us by the Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney and Brother Barnabas McDonald. This is what we must strive for, and why the motto of the Squires is "Esto Dignus - Be Worthy."
I look forward to seeing all of you gentlemen next year when I am a Knight and will be able to call all of you my "brothers." Thank you and may God bless the Columbian Squires and the Knights of Columbus. Vivat Jesus!
Page last updated 7/15/11