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Iowa Knight Life 2016-01-06 Resolutions

Posted on by Posted in Convention, Council, Culture of Life Leave a comment

This Week on Knight Life

Resolutions for some a favorite new year activity and genuinely consider. We also resolve to prepare for convention.

We start each new year with a hope we can make it better – but are reminded it needs to begin in faith. So while we wait to find out those things, a past Grand Knight resolves on behalf of all Knights. To resolve is to plan and to plan is key to success especially when preparing for convention and you hope to leave a lasting impression

Hello, I’m Mike Gaspers back with you for a half hour of information, inspiration and invitation around the activities of this band of brothers the Iowa Knights of Columbus.

This is Knight Life…our Mission is Be Men of Courage and to do everything with LOVE for our fellow man, woman, child and unborn child.

Audio Player

To listen to the full podcast click the play arrow.

Resolutions: Overview of the Podcast

We begin this week with a prayer for life from Fr Dan Greving of the Sts Mary and Joseph Cluster in the Sioux City Diocese.

Hope to see you there at the capitol! Of the many knights we meet some seem to stand out. One remarkable fellow from St Augustine’s Council in Des Moines is Don Hauser. Don is a “seasoned” Knight having seen 85 years of life. He remains active with his council promoting the Knights which came to my attention when he shared his resolutions for a Knight last year – and updated them this year.

Don Hauser & Mike Gaspers

Don Hauser & Mike Gaspers

I do think is wonderful to begin each year with intentions to accomplish something better; and tip my hat to Don that he is still working on perfecting his resolutions. I invite you to visit the Iowa Knights of Columbus website to read Don’s resolutions and perhaps post some of your own in the comment section.

One member of the Iowa Knights For Life committee is Jim Bates who is also this year’s convention co-chairman. Recently I spoke with Jim about what we can expect from this year’s convention.

The basket idea intrigues me – so much so I plan to approach my council about making one to represent us: Danbury Holy Rosary Council – Gem of the Loess Hills. Contents to be determined.

One man with a lot of content is Kevin Hayes. We flashback to this year’s Supreme convention to get a glimpse of Kevin’s impressions of the Knights of Columbus on the international level after having been the state convention co chair in 2015.

Any third degree Knight can stand for election to the Supreme Meeting each year. I encourage you to not only attend the Iowa State convention but to consider the Supreme Convention as well. Review State convention details on the Iowa KofC website.

Steve Hesprich reflects on hope in this week’s Knights to Christ segment.

On behalf of our State Deputy Jon Aldrich I wish you a Happy New Year; one filled with resolve to be courageous, merciful and filled with hope.

To find out more on the Iowa Knights visit our website www.iowakofc.org .You can follow Iowa Knights of Columbus on Facebook or on Twitter @IAKnights for the latest news and updates.

We are a family friendly fraternity. We place God First in our lives and then with mercy and in charity act courageously to serve others.

If you feel prompted to give something back and want to become more of the Catholic man you were created to be, join us as we make a difference serving our church, our communities and our families. Knights make it easy to give back.

I’m Mike Gaspers, thank you for listening. Feeling inspired? Then act courageously and with love to put your faith into action by word and by deeds.

Knight Life is a production of the Iowa Knights of Columbus.

Iowa Knight Life 2015-12-16 ChristiansAtRisk

Posted on by Posted in Advent, Community, Homelessness Leave a comment

This Week on Knight Life

ChristiansAtRisk: This week on Knight Life …. Peace on Earth & Good Will toward all…but not quite yet.

Hello, I’m Mike Gaspers back with you for a half hour of information, inspiration and invitation around the activities of this band of brothers the Iowa Knights of Columbus.

This is Knight Life…our Mission is Be Men of Courage and to do everything with LOVE for our fellow man, woman, child and unborn child.

Audio Player

To listen to the full podcast click the play arrow.

Overview of the Podcast – ChristiansAtRisk

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord.

A lowly birth into a poor family of an oppressed people — Jesus should not amount to much by Roman that is worldly expectations. King Herod feared the rumor of his birth. Jesus mere existence was enough to cause Herod to act murderously to eliminate this new born King in killing as many children as he could. Catholic Tradition commemorates the massacre of all the children as the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

This hatred of others just for their existence is still with us today. As we wish each other Peace on Earth & Good Will toward men, evil roams the Middle East seeking to destroy the people of the Cross – Christians.

Last Wednesday December 9th, Carl Anderson Supreme Knight was among a number of people to give testimony before congress about what is happening in the Middle East. His voice joins a growing coalition which agrees that Christians are victims of genocide perpetrated by ISIS. Reports from the region including that of Iraqi priest Fr Douglas Bazi are that people are being killed simply for professing Christianity. Those that are not killed – women and girls – are often raped or sold into sexual slavery. We hear from Fr Bazi and his plea for help and understanding

At this past summer’s Supreme Convention Anderson led delegates in pledging support and humanitarian assistance for Middle Eastern Christians. Delegates were addressed by 2 bishops from Catholic Churches in the region describing what is going on and how dire it is. We are all challenged to become informed and to act in solidarity with those being persecuted.

Jonathon Eltrevoog reports on these efforts to aid and to educate by the Knights of Columbus.

I was alerted to Rob denHartog’s actions by Don Hauser of the St Augustine’s council in Des Moines. It is tempting to focus on local news, those killed here by senseless violence or the political churn going on about us and forget that this genocide is going on halfway around the world. I am filled with pride knowing a brother Knight took concrete action to make a difference and did not ignore the call to help. The Knights of Columbus asks us all to become aware of humanitarian crisis facing Middle East Christians. And then like Don and Rob to act on our Advent wish of Peace on Earth Good Will toward men by doing something concretely to help these others in need – do start close to home with your charity but don’t let it end there. It is especially needed by these Christians who are at risk of being killed for their faith or expelled from their homes and left to seek refuge in unsafe or unwelcome places. Visit ChristiansAtRisk.org to learn more about what you can do to help.

During the break we listen to the latest Christmas message from the Knights of Columbus

John Zwiebahmer was with me at Supreme convention and heard Carl’s call to action. He is the District Deputy for District 8. I spoke with John about his enthusiasm coming out of convention; his efforts to keep District 8 on the move and the challenges of leadership.

March 5th – mark your calendars to attend the first ever District 8 regional convention & banquet. Good luck John our prayers are with you and for your success as God wills it.

Steve Hesprich reflects with us on the nature of Christ’s life in us and the nature of fraternity.

Isn’t that an interest question to ponder upon as we enter the final days of Advent preparation for the birth of Jesus? May our reflections prove fertile to greater love for our fellow human persons either close or far away.

To find out more on the Iowa Knights visit our website www.iowakofc.org .You can follow Iowa Knights of Columbus on Facebook or on Twitter @IAKnights for the latest news and updates.

We are a family friendly fraternity. We place God First in our lives and then with mercy and in charity act courageously to serve others.

If you feel prompted to give something back and want to become more of the Catholic man you were created to be, join us as we make a difference serving our church, our communities and our families. Knights make it easy to give back.

I’m Mike Gaspers, thank you for listening. Feeling inspired? Then act courageously and with love to put your faith into action by word and by deeds.

Knight Life is a production of the Iowa Knights of Columbus.

Iowa Knight Life 2015-10-07 Life Matters

Posted on by Posted in Culture of Life, Special Olympics Leave a comment

This Week on Knight Life

Knightly action because life matters! This week on Knight Life we explore what hospice care is and what it is not; We learn about a program to benefit young people; and we are challenged to recognize Christ especially in the small moments of our lives.

Hello, I’m Mike Gaspers back with you for a half hour of information, inspiration and invitation around the activities of the Iowa Knights of Columbus.

This is Knight Life…our Mission is Be Men of Courage and to do everything with LOVE for our fellow man, woman, child and unborn child.

We open this week with a prayer for life from Fr. Dan Greving of the Sts Mary and Joseph Cluster in the Sioux City Diocese.

Audio Player

To listen to the full podcast click the play arrow.

Overview of the Podcast

St Jude Hospice LogoThis week the Culture of Death casts a longer shadow over our land as California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law assisted suicide legislation. Knights acknowledge the terribly difficult situations people can find themselves in where hope seems elusive. We join with Pope Francis in proclaiming there are no disposable people.

I reached back into our archives and am replaying for our listeners an interview with Ken Root and Tom Moreland of St Judes Hospice. Tom is a third degree Knight of Columbus explains how end of life care can be respectful of life until natural death.

Honoring human dignity and right to life from conception to natural death is reflective in many Knights Activities. Since about 1974 Iowa Knights of Columbus have been strong supporters financially and otherwise of Special Olympics Iowa. A very large percentage of our councils participate in the CPID drive (think tootsie rolls) which raises funds for both local charities but also Special Olympics on a statewide basis.

Denny Hagedorn of West Des Moines is the Statewide Chairman of this campaign for persons with intellectual disabilities. We visit with him about some of the particulars. to learn more visit http://iowakofc.org/page/cpid

Since 1974 Iowa Knights have contributed well over $15 million dollars and many hours to helping organizations serving persons with Intellectual disabilities.

Best Buddies Iowa LogoAnother great program is Best Buddies of Iowa. This program aims to partner persons with intellectual disability with someone their own age for socialization and fun activities. Paul Martin and Don Hauser of the Des Moines St Augustine council give us an overview of an innovative strategy they used to raise funds for this worthwhile cause.

While many may want to dismiss persons with intellectual disabilities as being less valuable or lacking quality of life; Knights however stand firm in shining a light into this shadow to proclaim all persons have dignity and often these buddies of ours teach us how to love unconditionally and live every moment full of joy.

Steve Hesprich offers a reflection on keeping our eyes open to recognize God active in our lives, especially in the small and perhaps mundane moments of the everyday. May our eyes be open to the beauty of every human person in whatever condition or stage of life.

$52 saves one child.   If you recognize the baby within, you save the child.  To donate today to save a baby’s life visit www.seethebaby.org. How many babies will you help us save?

To find out more on the Iowa Knights visit our website www.iowakofc.org or you can also follow Iowa Knights on Facebook or on Twitter. Want to know more about how paper plates and saving babies – stay tuned.

We are a family friendly fraternity. We place God First in our lives and then with mercy and in charity act courageously to serve others.

If you feel prompted to give something back and want to become more of the Catholic man you were created to be, join us as we make a difference serving our church, our communities and our families. Knights make it easy to give back.

I’m Mike Gaspers, thank you for listening. Feeling inspired? Then act courageously and with love to put your faith into action by word and by deeds.

Knight Life is a production of the Iowa Knights of Columbus.

If you are a Knight and like this audio communication method, contact me, we could always use one more person with a microphone and a desire to make a difference. Requirements are minimal: determination and a love of the Knights. Send us an email:

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Due to an attempted hack this is a repost.