Shining Stars

            Now it can be told.  Oscar Ledesma Assembly, actually a newly organized Knights of Columbus District C-38 at Bulua  with its official chamber at Sta. Cruz Church, Apovel outgrew itself carving a niche as an  awardee in as many available awards  Supreme Council in New Haven, Connecticut offered for 2008-09.

            In August 2010 issue of  Knightline, official KC publication just received very recently all the way from 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, USA four (4) Council Numbers namely 8006, 8532, 10059 and 13558 for Bulua, Apovel, Iponan and Terryhills respectively made it to the  magic circle  winning  mostly all the coveted prize.  Except for St. Peregrine Council of Terryhills, the three Council had already been in the tradition of winning all available awards in a row from Supreme Coucil from Star Awards to Fr. McGivney, Columbian to Founder’s Award.

 St. Peregrine Council on the hand made it for the first time winning Fr. Mc Givney, Star Awards and the rare extraordinary feat Double Star reserve for the elite Council who knows how and what it takes to achieve such momentous accolade. That makes them undisputed Grand slam winner in a row too. So better for the perennial Council winners to hold on  their line or they soon wake up relegated in the background by the fast rising star of St. Peregrine whose members are oozing with talents rarin’ to surge no matter the cost. The challenge now is how to make them happen again in the succeeding Columbian year. This makes the respective Grand Knights Guiling Malabon, Joe Balili, Samson Zate class of their turf. But better they work hard as the unperturbed lethal but charismatic triumvirate of the  first ever thrice elected Grand Knight Henry Pizana, equally active and implacable Membership Dir. Greg Meneses and the cool but reserve and gung-ho strategist Program Director, this writer of Terryhills of course are foisting  for possible repeat of three peat or status quo as they are learning hard lessons fast from their past experience instilling them renewed zest and vigor for  the next Columbian year and beyond. Why not when nothing is impossible under the sun.

Seriously though, Knight of Columbus as fraternal organization of practical Catholics is not engaging in head-on collision with other Councils nor trumpeting and beating around their services in five charism of the Order.  Rather it is an organization of simple yet practicing Catholic  gentlemen making themselves as Living Gospel to their needy parishioners doing their  service no matter how modest in their own way. Predominant of such charism is the provision of insurance as envisioned by Blessed Fr. Mc Givney, its Founder to all its members so when the time of harvest comes are ready to be returned back to His fold securing his family from onerous bundles of grief specially finances. But while still living, each member is enjoined to observe and participate in five-fold charitable services as already mentioned. Nothing personal here except that we are doing these services for the greater glory of God through His people while still on earth.

Thus far, blood letting, tree planting, voluntary fraternal activity in World Habitat for Humanity, visiting the sick and bereaved, donations in cash and or in kind to Church and community activities logging in as many opportunities there is as much as  possible, sports, lobbying for Pro-life – all of these are trademarks of this institution that has been practiced all through the decades. Surge as we say it.  

Cheers then to all KC around. You’re Council might have not  made it last year. Don’t fret. This year you may shine. Just do it anyway your share as services are only culminated if delivered becoming done deal. To the brightest shining stars that practically surged on achieving and or eclipsing their five (5) service programs of the Order, sail on or continue with the journey never mind if the road you take is the road less traveled. The rugged and the harder it appears, the better and Christlike you become. It is behooved therefore that all other Council would play their part if only to return back the compliment to those who voted and giving you their  mandate of your  respective offices in Church, Council, Youth, Family and community.           

Many thanks therefore for the following Sir Knights who true to their Knightship with the best in the world are continue navigating KC towards fulfillment and true liberation after all have been done, resting and enjoying well spent life. To the  Past 4^th Master Degree but still active  SK Suzing Arandil and his equally active  Sir Knight Macodi Agus, the District first Faithful Navigator, Past District Deputy of   Fr. Isaiah Edralin’s Assembly at Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, with the able support and active participation and generosity also of past FN SK Tony de la Cruz with his equally generous and fast paced ever ready trusted lieutenants SK Nar Bonete, Boy Guinayon and the ever supportive Printing Press mogul and Past Faithful Scribe SK Joe Balili who never waiver in using his facilities and services free making such  honor possible, more bottles to open and bottoms up!

With the assurance of these gentlemen, it would definitely be smooth-sailing journey for this Assembly under the new leadership and dispensation of  SK Hernan Agpawa. Hold on brad. As the song would say it: we are forever yours faithfully. Why not when the challenge to make it happen is only given once and truly worth fighting for. And we will in the service for all! Promise.