Volume 1, Edition 1
Circle #3847, Epping, NH 03042
This past month the Squires were very busy. Our Squire Sunday went very well, with a great turnout to cover all of the positions. After in our meeting, we talked about several items, and proposed some fundraising and circle events. We discussed a possible Bowl-A-Thon and Car Wash to make a work weekend and raise funds to visit another Squires council. Brian also informed us that we were able to have the Epping Elementary School gym to play basketball again. The Ham ‘N’ Bean dinner went very well. It was one of the highest profit dinners ever, good job to all that helped, and especially to David and Mike for chairing the dinner, Great Job guys! On the 12th we had the American Red Cross blood drive, and we wanted to thank all the Squires who helped either by volunteering or by donating. Also, our social meeting is this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the social hall, and all those going to Winter Fling 2002, it’s on Saturday, we are meeting at 2:00 p.m. and should be back around 10:00 p.m., any questions you can call Mr. Remick.
Introduction
to the Squires
Being our first issue I found it appropriate to lay out a general overview of who we are, what we do, and where we started. Our particular circle started on January 6th, 1991 and was named St. Joseph Squires Circle.
At the annual meeting of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus held in Atlantic City in August 1922, the Most Reverend Thomas J. Walsh, Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, made a plea to the Knights of Columbus to enter the field of boy work. He said, "If the Knights of Columbus will take care of the growing boy, then the boy grown into manhood will take care not only of the Knights of Columbus, but of the Church and the nation as well." The sincerity and urgency of the archbishop's request prompted Supreme Knight James A. Flaherty to name a special committee headed by then Deputy Supreme Knight, Martin H. Carmody to study the feasibility of organizing a junior order.
At about the same time that the Knights were setting up their special committee, Brother Barnabas McDonald, FSC, a Christian Brother regarded by many to be an expert in the field of youth apostolate, was working on a proposition for the Knights of Columbus to become involved in the field of boy welfare. Brother Barnabas' plan included formation of an elite group of boy leaders as the junior organization of the Knights of Columbus. His plan was brought to the attention of the Knights' special committee, which eagerly approved the proposal and recommended its adoption at the June 1923 meeting of the Board of Directors. This recommendation was formally adopted at the Supreme Council meeting in Montreal in August 1923.
Two years later, on August 4, 1925, the first Columbian Squires circle—Duluth Circle 1, Duluth, Minnesota—was instituted in ceremonies that highlighted the Knights of Columbus' annual convention. In the years to follow, the program experienced widespread and rapid growth. Circles were instituted throughout the United States, in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippine Islands. Today, there are over 22,000 young Catholic men between the ages of 10 and 18 holding membership in and participating in the programs of approximately 1,000 Columbian Squires circles.
You all know our motto and emblem, but do you know what they mean, if not then read further on to find out. The Squires emblem symbolizes the ideals, which identify a squire. On the arms of a Maltese cross are the letters "P," which represents the physical development necessary to make the body as strong as the spirit; "I," which stands for the intellectual development needed for cultural and mental maturity; "S," which represents the spiritual growth and practice of our faith and "C," which stands for the development of citizenship and civic life. The larger letters "C," representing Christ; "S," the Squires; and "K," the Knights of Columbus by whom the Squires program is sponsored, are intertwined in the center of the cross. They are the three foundations of the program. "Esto Dignus," the Squires' motto encircling the emblem, is Latin for "Be Worthy."
We have a very busy rest of February and beginning of March. We have postponed the Bowl-A-Thon to a later date in order for more support; the exact date will be discussed on March 3, which is our Squire Sunday and business meeting. Then we have our dinner the following Saturday, March 9, which by the way needs to get into the bulletin and a poster made. We then have the third-Sunday social meeting on March 17, and a date for shopping will be coming in the March edition of the Squire.
We were glad to bring in one new member in February, we should all welcome our new Squire, Nick Chiricello, and we have four, possibly five or six new candidates waiting to come in on our March investiture. This investiture will possibly be the start of the Salem circle, as they may join us to start a group down there, so that we can invest their members. If you know of anyone aged 10-18 and they want to join, be sure to call one of us, and pick up a 280 form from Mike or someone and have them fill it out.
Website Information!!
Be sure to check out the website on the new address: http://squires3847.home.attbi.com.
*Our columns from chief, deputy, and any other officer or chairman who wants a column will start with next month’s edition*