Category: Grand Knight

Brother Knights,

I would like to thank everyone for the successes of the last few months with our council. There were many things that we were involved in within our community. We had Brother Knights help at St Marguerite Bourgeoys with their welcome back event, a barbeque at St. Teresa of Calcutta school, a barbeque at Newman House on Queen’s University Campus in support to Catholic Christian Outreach, a Parish Spaghetti Supper which was both a welcome for Father Michel and a birthday party for Father John, a Parish Fish Fry, a couple First Friday Eucharistic Adoration events and the continuation of the ASK program. To say September and October have been busy is an understatement. Brother’s, you have made this all possible with your generous ability to jump in and help out when needed. We have no problem with volunteers on the day of the event, however, finding people to help organize these events has become a bit of a sore spot for our council. We need your help prior to these events. Most of them don’t take much time in committee, and we have seasoned veterans willing to pass on their knowledge. Please take advantage of these opportunities while they are available to learn from these dedicated brothers who have committed so much time and effort over the years to make these events of all types happen. We owe them our thanks for what they have accomplished and there is no better way to do that then to learn as much as we can from them and carry the torch into the future.

Thank you for all of your hard work and may God bless you always.

Vivat Jesus!

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

Brother Knights,

I was recently reminded of something that I do not always think about – changes in assignments within our own clergy. Our parish recently underwent some changes with our Associate Pastor Father Paul Mawalla being reassigned to Perth and Father Michel Quenneville returning to our parish for the first time since being ordained a Priest. This move shows us that we must embrace change as it happens. It’s not just those moving that are affected, but also those Priests who remain.

I was recently in a small farming town parish near Lake Huron for Mass while we were visiting my wife’s family and they too had a new priest, Father Ray Lawhead, who was given exactly one week’s notice to move from Lasalle, near Windsor, to Petrolia, near Sarnia, an assignment with 4 parishes. Speaking with him after Mass that Sunday emphasized something that Fr Michel mentioned at our last general meeting, that there is a state of mourning that priests go through when leaving one parish to go to a new one. This is a change with moving away from friends and parishioners that you have become close to, your parish family.

I consider us very fortunate to have had time to plan and hold a farewell party for Father Paul. Father Ray in Petrolia will have to wait to go back to Lasalle for a visit when his time will allow. These men that we are lucky enough to call Father have hardships like the rest of us. They live a life of service, and we should do whatever we can to assist them, and we must always keep them in our prayers.

For all of our Priests, Deacons, and Religious, thank you for everything that you do, and know that we are here for you as Knights, men, and faithful Catholics. May God continue to bless your ministries.

Vivat Jesus!

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

Brothers,

I would like to thank all of you for your support in my first year as Grand Knight. I have learned a lot in this last year.

Just before I took on this role, our council had experimented with our first “event” in a few years, an after-mass coffee social, to knock the rust off. In the year since I took office, we have held 2 golf tournaments, several back-to-school BBQ’s, Newman House BBQ, Fish Fry, Degree Team exemplification at St Mary’s Cathedral, First Communion Rosary presentations, several end of year BBQ’s, school awards at 5 schools, and a Multi-Cultural Food Festival. And I’m probably missing things too.

There is a great amount of planning that goes into each of these events, some more than others, and getting back on track after years of lockdown has not been easy. Everything we’ve done has essentially been a new event. We could not gauge the numbers that we would see as it has been so long since the last time, we held similar events, and we also didn’t know how people would react. Would they keep 6 ft distances, would they wear masks, would they even come? Well, they came! And without your help in these events, they would not have happened.

This coming fraternal year we need you more than ever. We have events lined up but will need help organizing and staffing them. The groundwork is largely laid out now, so that makes things a bit easier, but we need members who have not been out in a while to come back into the fold. Your help is always welcome and ap-appreciated. It has been a very busy year and it is only going to continue to stay busy.

Remember that we are an order based on Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. Our foremost principal is Charity. So please be charitable with your time and abilities assisting your council and parish where help is needed. Thank you to everyone who helped throughout the year in any capacity — you have made this council a tremendous success. And thank you for supporting me. I am still learning and will make mistakes, so I ask that you please keep me in your prayers.

God bless you all.

Vivat Jesus!

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

Brothers,

I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work over the last months with regards to our involvement within the schools of our parish, Mother Theresa, Archbishop O’Sullivan, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, and St. John XXIII.

In January we got underway with the annual Basketball Free Throw competition at all four of these schools with the assistance of many brother Knights from council. Then last month we held judging of the Substance Abuse Posters by a group of Knights who judged posters that were submitted by the schools of our parish as well. In both of these school projects that we support as Knights, the children and teachers took on these tasks and treated them as though they were part of the curriculum.

For those of us lucky enough to take part in the BBFT in particular, the energy and enjoyment that we saw in the kids is what makes this all worthwhile. Recently I have had the honour of attending the school masses of each of these parish schools to hand out awards to those who have won in their age group. This has been an outstanding way to recognize these achievement’s from within the parish that we call home and for the kids and staff to associate us visually as a part of this parish.

The one thing I keep hearing from teachers and principals is how great and fitting it is to do these presentations when the whole school is gathered together for Mass and to see that those of us that the kids have seen in their schools are active members of St. Paul’s. Our group of faithful men we call Knights are being seen and are being associated with being active faithful members of our faith by the children, the future of our faith, and their teachers who guide them.

Let us continue to be a shining example of a Catholic lifestyle to strive for. Thank you to all brother Knights who have helped in these two projects and a huge thank you to Br. Shaun Tymchuk for your leadership and organization of both the BBFT and Substance Abuse Awareness Poster contest.

Vivat Jesus!

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

Brother Knights,

I would like to wholeheartedly thank you for your support over this past year as we have navigated our way out of full restrictions and continue to ease back into the ways that we did things prior to COVID-19. This is still an ongoing process where we hit roadblocks, such as caterers we once used closing down, facilities not being available when we would have liked them, to event chairs health conditions or age preventing them from running an event that they had run for many years prior to the lockdown.

We have been blessed however that we have a dedicated core group of Brother Knights who come together to pull off the events that we have hosted and events that are currently in the works, and I want to thank them all for their hard work and dedication in getting our council back up and running and keeping it going.

With that being said, I would also like to reach out to everyone who reads this and express that we need your help. We must not burn them out. Many hands make light work. The committee’s, events, and even meetings that we have are a great opportunity for fraternal bonding, and coming out of a pandemic that involved lockdowns, fraternity is a vital element to our nature as men and as men of faith.

I understand that having the time for this is low on the priority list, but you may find it to be good for your mental health and stress levels alongside bringing you closer to Christ through charity, as well as being beneficial to your family. Remember that we are brother’s, sometimes brothers may be driven away for a time for one reason or another, but as family you are always welcome at the table when you are ready to come home. God bless you.

Vivat Jesus!

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

Brother Knights,

At the time that I am writing this I have been working with my youngest son Liam on his preparation for his first Communion and Reconciliation. I recently purchased a book to help him and me through this process and am finding that this time in his life serves as a reminder to me of those things that many of us learned early in our lives in catechism as children and just how different my understanding is now as opposed to as a child. Not only that, but the insight of children with their understanding can be very enlightening. In a world where you hear more and more of people refusing to or, not believing, to hear an 8-year-old explain why he believes in, and loves God is showing me that there may yet still be hope for the survival of our faith.

I recently took him out of class to witness the Mass of the Immaculate Conception at St. Mary’s, where he was able to experience the organ, incense, Archbishop, and most of the Priests of our Archdiocese in the largest Mass he’s ever attended. We got to be present with a holy relic at that time as well.

I’ve been lucky enough as well to have access to the Vella collection while it was set up, to take him and his sister through some of the nativities. He enjoyed finding the differences from the different cultures and getting an understanding as to the history of why. When we were in southwestern Ontario, he was able to see the nativity at the church that his mother was baptized at. Unfortunately, the church was closed while we were there so we couldn’t go inside this time.

I have noticed for the last two years he has been paying very close attention to Mass and the readings each week. He asks questions which make me think as well. Liam has pushed me to continue to explore my faith further and has deepened my love of Christ. We look forward to continuing our faith journey together as we prepare for his first communion this year. I find that this journey with my son has been educational for me more than anyone and I wouldn’t trade this time for the world. To see the level of understanding and faith within my child is the most uplifting feeling. Please pray for us.

Vivat Jesus!

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

Brother Knights,

At the time of writing this we are preparing for our annual memorial mass on November 15th and in preparation for this mass I find myself reflecting on the significance of the month of November. November is traditionally a month that we remember those who came before us and reflect on their contributions to our lives and to our society as a whole. It is not only significant among us Catholics, but also to our society, as November 11th is Remembrance Day, which is used as the one day each year that our country remember those soldiers, sailors, and airmen that laid down their lives. As a council we traditionally come together each November to celebrate the lives of those Brother Knights of our council who have gone to meet our Lord and Saviour. It is always important to honour the lives of those who have gone before us.

At the end of the month, we turn our attention to preparing the way for the birth of our Lord. Advent gives us time to reconcile with God and prepare our hearts and souls for the arrival of His Son Jesus Christ at Christmas. For many of us this time of year can be incredibly stressful. Instead of focusing on everything that the modern world throws at you this time of year, focus on what this season is really about and why it exists, the “reason of the season”, the birth of Christ our Lord. Too many people these days focus on material things this time of year. We should pray for them and pray for each other. This season, take time to reflect on the Nativity when you pray. When you may feel stressed, turn to prayer, and take the time to pray your rosary daily. God bless you all.

Vivat Jesus!

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

Brother Knights,

This being the September October Newsletter gives me an opportunity to reflect on a personal journey of mine. October 2nd marks Crystal and my anniversary, but that day marks another anniversary for me as well. It was October 2nd two years ago that I committed myself to praying the rosary daily. As a kid I didn’t know much about the rosary my parents weren’t big on going to church and I only knew of two people in my life then that I saw pray it regularly, and that was my great grandmother, Helen Quinn and my great aunt, Marion Waitson. So as a kid I thought of it as more of a girl thing rather than something that we all should pray. It wasn’t until I joined the Knights of Columbus, and the emphasis put upon the rosary that I realized the importance of it.

After becoming a Knight, I committed to praying the rosary daily during lent, but in September of 2020 I decided that beginning October 1st I would pray my rosary daily. If you noticed at the beginning, the date was not October 1st. So, needless to say I screwed it up right off the bat. In typical fashion I missed the first day. So, the next day, on my anniversary I started a journey. I now pray it daily and always finish by asking for Blessed Fr. McGivney and Our Lady of Fatima to pray for me.

Now this is a personal story that I have not shared with many people, and it tends to make me a tad emotional. As many of you are aware, my oldest daughter Aunna was diagnosed with cancer last spring, but what you may not know is the path that we took to finding it. About one month after I began praying the rosary daily, Aunna began having issues that were of no relation to the cancer diagnosis she would later receive. It was a long, complicated process of many hospital stays and much testing. It’s this testing that in the spring of 2021 discovered her cancer and just two weeks after diagnosis resulted in the surgical removal of her entire thyroid where they found cancer in two places.

We still do not know what the initial cause of the illness was. The doctors all said that if it wasn’t for the imaging done for her unexplained illness it likely would have spread further before she would have even started to notice anything wrong. I truly believe that there is no coincidence in the timing. Our Lady interceded and saved my daughter’s life. Praise be to God.

If there is one thing that I can strongly recommend to all my brother Knights and all my friends, it is simply to do what Our Lady of Fatima asked of us and pray the rosary daily. It may just change your life as it has mine.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

Blessed Father Michael McGivney, pray for us.

Vivat Jesus!

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

Reverend Fathers, Brother Knights, Friends,

I am Ryan Karl Polywkan, and I am humbled and honoured to have been elected as your new Grand Knight for this fraternal year. I became a Knight in December of 2014, after arriving back in Kingston upon my release from the Military that summer. At the time my wife Crystal and I had 3 children and were coming from a parish in Shilo, Manitoba where we made up 5 of the 13 or so parishioners. We came back to the church only within the last couple years we were out there. I had been struggling and spoke with my Padre at work, as it so happened, he was a Catholic Deacon who had been in the infantry and was injured, had his calling and came back to the military as a Padre. He told me to turn my focus to God. So, I did. We went to Our Lady of Shilo where we had the most welcoming priest Father Innocent, his love for God and his love for the mass was something to behold. You could truly feel the Holy Spirit working through him. When we were moving back to Kingston, he sat down with us and we were looking at St. Paul’s, being closest to us, but also where I had gone as a child for school. First with Father Karl, then with Father Leo. Not long after being here was I approached by Brother Howard to ask if I would be interested in becoming a Knight. In my now nearly 8 years in this council I have tried to be involved with as many events as I could. To date the only event I’ve not participated in is the Fish Fry. The amount and variety of activities in this council really can keep one very busy. There is something here for everyone.

The last two and a half years have put a damper on our events. We are not completely out of the woods yet, but we are the closest we have been. We can gather once again, without restrictions, we can host events, we can come together as a community of believers, as friends, as family. We must now take this opportunity and move forward, it’s time to put everything back into full swing again. We must contribute as we once did. Without fear. With love for one another. Let’s get out of the shadows we’ve spent the last two years in. We are Knights, we are husbands, fathers, brothers, grandfathers, men, and our parish community needs us. It’s time to bring our parish family back together in the ways that we have in the past, with the many events that bring us all together.

I encourage all brother knights to get involved. Whether it has been two years, ten or more, now is the time to come back out to our meetings and events. Now is an opportunity as everyone has missed time lately. Reintroduce yourselves. Our meeting format has changed a little since the pandemic started. It is now designed to keep the meeting to within an hour, to allow for fraternal social time following the meetings. I would like to get to know more of you using this time and find out what your interests are and how we can help each other make this a success. Our meetings will remain available online for the foreseeable future and will be broadcast from the parish hall where those wishing to come can be there in person. I look forward to working with every single one of you. Each of us has something to offer. I would also like to encourage every one of you to pray your Rosary daily. When you joined the Knights of Columbus you were all given a Rosary, it deserves to be prayed. If you need a replacement, please let me or our Financial Secretary know. It is the most important piece of your kit as a Knight of Columbus.

I would like to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt appreciation to Brother Michael Mombourquette for his steadfast leadership over the last 4 years he served as Grand Knight. His term was one that won’t soon be forgotten. He guided us through a pandemic that saw changes not only to our finances, but also dramatically changed the way in which we hold meetings. Br Michael was immediately successful in running our meetings via zoom and made it look like a flawless transition to online. We were the lucky ones and didn’t skip a beat because of him. We are truly blessed as a council to have had Brother Michael as our Grand Knight. Thank you, Br. Michael and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide you.

As Knights of Columbus, we have a fraternal greeting, “Vivat Jesus”, which means “May Jesus Live”. I come from a Gunnery background where the moto for the Artillery is, “Ubique”, which means “everywhere”. Sometimes I find myself putting these two together and some of you may have seen that in some previous correspondence. I can think of no more fitting way to end this than with that.

Vivat Jesus
Ubique

Ryan Polywkan
Grand Knight

The Call, by George Herbert, 1633.

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life :
Such a Way, as gives us breath :
Such a Truth, as ends all strife :
And such a Life, as killeth death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength :
Such a Light, as shows a feast :
Such a Feast, as mends in length :
Such a Strength, as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart :
Such a Joy, as none can move :
Such a Love, as none can part :
Such a Heart, as joyes in love.

An old English poem that references one of the most commonly known quotations in the bible Jn 14:6 “I am the way the truth and the life”.

Christ is telling us that He is the end of all evils of this world, He gives us life, heals us, saves us to life eternal. Let us rejoice in that knowledge. Our faith tells us that this life on earth is temporary. Jesus himself tells us that we will face trials on this earth because of our faith. Expecting that faith in the Saving power of Christ will somehow make our lives all rosy is a risky way to live. What happens to our faith when we find ourselves in a situation that is not pleasant? How do we cope when hardships come, when tragedy strikes?

I recently saw an inspiring movie “Father Stu” starring Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson, among others. The real Father Stu (played by Mark) went through quite a few hardships, seemingly piling up on each other. From a boxer that was going nowhere fast, despite a winning record, to a condition that forced him to give up boxing, to a failed attempt to get “into the movies” in Hollywood to a horrendous motorcycle accident and finally a degenerative muscle disease that ultimately killed him, the real Stuart Long went from atheist to Catholic Priest, not just despite all these hardships, but because of them. I don’t want to tell you too much. See it if you get the chance. Unfortunately, it’s no longer in theatres so perhaps it’ll be on a streaming service.

We too need to have faith in what Christ tells us when he says “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. He is talking about eternal life, eternal truth and the Way to all this. But, here’s the thing: If we are really following the Way, the Truth and the Life, then we will have what it takes to find joy, even in the darkest times. When my Mom died 10 years ago, I found hope in reflecting on her life and joy in thinking of her in Heaven. When my Dad passed the following year I cried again, but I rejoiced at the life he had, the faith he gave me and I started to imagine and believe that I had two parents sitting together in Paradise, praying for me and loving me for eternity.

I have more and more been feeling the call to spread the word that Christ is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” to others whom I meet. This fall, I met a student who had an issue with what I said in lecture. It seemed to conflict with his dad’s version of the universe from an evangelical background. By the end of the meeting over lunch, I prayed over him and he had a renewed vigor to go on, knowing that his dad’s faith was strong, that My faith, de-spite being Catholic, didn’t conflict with his Dad’s faith and that we are all on the Way to life and truth.

This winter, my across-the-street neighbor confided in me last November that she had been spending all her days those past weeks at the intensive care ward with her husband who was dying of congestive heart failure and had a few weeks to live. Cynthia and I prayed over her (Hands on her shoulders), right there on the street, asking for healing for her husband and for herself that she would be able to see the Way, that she would find Joy in the Lord. That was 6 months ago. Now, I regularly see the pair of them walking around the neighborhood. He lost his grim attitude and is always happy and joking. It’s a miracle on earth but more than that, They are on the Way to life eternal again, they have joy, despite his grim condition that may still take him before he wants to go. He is amazed that he is living this “new live”, on “borrowed time”, his words.

How about you? Are you on the Way to Truth and Life? Whom are you telling about this amazing good news (Gospel)? We need to all get out there and start telling everyone who will listen and even those who don’t about our faith, about Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. We need to actively share our faith so that others can come along the Way too. Are you ready to step out in faith and begin again to evangelize the world as Father tells us at the end of each Mass? “Go in peace to Love and Serve the Lord” or “Go in peace, to Spread the Good news to the World”

Vivat Jesus!

Michael Mombourquette
Grand Knight