5th Ontario District Master Paul Johnston

Hello Brother Knights all

I bring greetings from Supreme Master Michael McCusker and Vice Supreme Master Alain Cayer

I want to begin by thanking everyone for everything you are doing in your Assemblies and Councils to strengthen the Fourth Degree and our Catholic faith.

The Fourth Degree is about much more than wearing the uniform or attending a meeting. It is about Faith, Patriotism, Fraternity, and Service. Every time we participate in a Colour Corps activity, attend a funeral or church celebration, support our parish, or stand beside a Brother Knight and his family, we are demonstrating what the Fourth Degree is all about.

Looking ahead, I want to put a couple of important dates in front of everyone.

We have a challenge from the Hennepin Province (Michigan and Ohio) this year to the greatest membership increase and I responded with "Bring it on" Last year one of or successful exemplifications involved working closely with the District Deputy and he held a Formation Degree in the morning followed by a Fourth Exemplification in the afternoon. This allowed us to bring in 6 new Sir Knights unexpectedly.

And I want to make a special offer to our priests. If you have a priest or priests who would like to become Fourth Degree Sir Knights but are unable to attend the regular exemplification because of their schedule, please contact me. I can come to the parish and conduct a mini priest exemplification to accommodate their availability.

Honour Guard and Colour Corps

I also want to recognize the tremendous amount of Honour Guard and Colour Corps activity that I have been seeing throughout the District.

That is fantastic!

When our Sir Knights are out there representing the Knights of Columbus at Masses, funerals, parish celebrations, civic events and other important occasions, people notice. Our uniforms represent something.

They represent our commitment to our faith, our Church, our communities and our Brother Knights.

I want to remind all Assemblies to please keep me informed of your Colour Corps activities, and especially your Honour Guard activities for deceased Brother Knights.

When possible, I, along with our District Marshals, will make every effort to attend and stand with you.

When a Brother Knight is called home to the Lord, it is one of the most important responsibilities we have as Sir Knights to be there for his family and to honour his life of service.

I would like to announce that I have added SK Ken Bosse to my team as a Marshall. This gives 2 District Marshalls to assist our Marshall of the District Kevin Belanger.

Remember with the Uniform, Wear it Proudly and Wear it often!

A Great Example of Fraternity

I want to share 3 wonderful examples of that spirit of fraternity.

Firstly, I have been part 100's of Honour Guard activities but have never escorted a State Deputy to the first pitch at a ball game. On June 9th we did just that at the Chatham Barnstormers game where 10 Councils volunteer to sell 50/50 and sell the tickets and concessions at each home game.

Secondly, the Windsor Canada Day Parade where 26 Colour Corp members marched with several Councils and our KofC float. We were joined by the VSM Michigan & Ohio and 3 other members from Michigan

Finally, with several Sir Knights from our District, I was invited by the Michigan 1 Master to attend the St. Anne's Novena in Detroit on July 19th.

What a spectacular event!

There were 26 Colour Corps members participating, including 10 Sir Knights from Canada.

It was a wonderful opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Brother Knights from Michigan and demonstrate that the bonds of the Knights of Columbus go well beyond borders. That is what fraternity is about.

We may belong to different Councils, different Assemblies and even different countries, but we are all part of the same organization, united by our Catholic faith and our commitment to serve.

The Honour Guard at the shrine in Merlin was well attended as well as the Special Olympics opening Ceremony in London. We were also invited to provide an honour guard for the Installation of Bishop Miehm.

In Closing

Brother Knights, we have a strong District, but the strength of our District does not come from one person.

It comes from you.

It comes from our Faithful Navigators, our Assemblies, our Colour Corps, our Honour Guards, our Councils, and every Sir Knight who is willing to step forward and serve.

Our challenge going forward is simple:

Recruit a new Brother and Sir Knights.

Support our parishes.

Stand with our Brother Knights.

Support our families.

Be visible in our communities.

And, above all, live our Catholic faith.

Let us continue to make the 5th Ontario District a vibrant, active and welcoming part of the Cardinal McGuigan Province.

I thank each of you for your dedication, your service and your commitment to the Knights of Columbus.

May God bless you, your families, our priests, our parishes, and the work that we do together.

Vivat Jesus

Fraternally & Patriotically,

SK. Paul Johnston – Master

5th Ontario District 

Cardinal McGuigan Province

519-300-6812

 5th Ontario District Master's Staff

District Treasurer: 

SK. Steve Ilijanich, FDD, PGK, PFN (#2097)

District Secretary: SK. Gord Edwards FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (#2097)

1 year Trustee: SK. Kevin Belanger FDD, PGK, PFN (#0861)

2 year Trustee: SK. Joe Legue FN (#0867)

3 year Trustee: SK Richard Blyth FN (#2097)

Website Administrator:

SK. David Gelinas, State Deputy, FDD, PGK, PFN (#2355)

Former Masters of 5th Ontario District
SK Gord Edwards, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (#2097)

SK. R.A. (Reg) Campbell, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (#2355)

SK. W. Peter H. Harding, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (deceased)

SK. Douglas D. Shwaluk, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (#3854)
SK. James L. Farrand, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (deceased)
SK. Stanley E. Balakowski, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (#2355)
SK. William Tobin, FDM, PFN (#1789)
SK. James H. Houston, OMC, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (#0885)
SK. Henry Marentette, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (deceased)
SK. Donald Strong, FDM, PFN (deceased)
SK. Jerome P. McNamara, FDM, FDD, PGK, PFN (deceased)

District Marshalls

Marshall of the District

SK. Kevin Belanger, FDD, PGK, PFN (#0861) London

Marshalls

SK. Steve Ilijanich, FDD, PGK, PFN (#2097) Windsor/Essex

SK. Ken Bosse, DD, FN, PGK (#2355) Amherstburg

Exemplification Team

SK. & Deacon Dan O'Connor (Faithful Friar) #0861

SK. John Semaan (Expositor of the Constitution) #0862

SK. Ted Richardson (Historian) #0888

SK. Reg Campbell (Defender of the Faith) #2355

SK. Greg Barr (Registrar) #2600

SK. Mark Roehler (Narrator) #0885

SK. David Gelinas (Video Director & Equipment) #2355

SK. Joe Legue (Asst Video Director & Equip Manager) #0867

SK Gord Edwards (Audio Director) #2097