October 2025 Update from the Diocesan Chair

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As we progress through the fraternal year, October is an important month for our councils. Here are a few things to consider for this month.

Forms & Compliance

  • Council audits form #1295 were due August 15th please be sure to copy me (your District Deputy) as well as the Illinois Office and fraternal mission. Also, include your Form 990 that was filed with the IRS. 

Safe Environment Compliance

  • We have finished the first phase of SAFE Environment Compliance and are able to report that 54 councils became compliant with the necessary requirements of the Order’s SAFE Environment Program – if your council falls into that category THANK you for your hard work and commitment.  Of the 18 councils that fell short of the requirement 3 councils are at risk of closing which means 15 still need to place this in its appropriate priority.  As a result, the Diocesan and State Leadership plans to fraternally work with the council leadership by notifying the Pastor to help intercede in the coming days.  Until compliant, all programming where youth and vulnerable adults are present should be canceled.  SAFE Environment is a council Pass or Fail Compliance — not an individual endeavor and will be strictly enforced.   We look forward to reporting that in Joliet we are SAFE Environment Compliant.  Resuming your youth programming is easy!  Just send your SAFE Environment Certifications and Background checks to your District Deputy who will get your programming restored with the help of the Diocesan Chairman within 24 hours

Charity Spotlight for ID!

  • Is your council’s Charity Ambassador registered with the State?  If not, have them see me tonight.  That is the first step to earning the State’s Star Charity Award.  Also you can register at https://www.illinoisknights.org/charity
  • In October we focus on two State charities Charitable Assistance Fund and Vocations
    • The Charitable Assistance Fund (CAF) (formerly known as General Assistance Fund) was the original pass the can Charity.  It is used to alleviate human suffering in times of sudden and catastrophic need or extraordinary loss.  It is meant to foster the principle of charity within the State of Illinois!  Now is the time when we need to participate in refilling the bucket.  Winter, Spring and Summer are the heaviest use months for this Charity.  Our goal this year for the state is $47,304 of which Joliet is responsible for $7,954.  Make sure you pass the can
    • As we discussed in August keep selling those books to help Priestly and Religious Vocations.  This year we want to top $113,529 for the State of Illinois and $19, 089 as a Diocese.  Remember for every $25 book you sell your council retains $10 and is a fundraiser!  It is a great way to fund your RSVP initiative

Joliet Chapter

  • Save the date for the Bishop’s Burse October 18th at Our Lady of Mercy in Aurora.  There will be a 5pm Mass and then dinner following immediately after in the parish center.  Tickets are available for purchase for $40 at jolietchapter.org NOW
  • The next Chapter Meeting will be on October 24th at  Jay Rogers Farm in Morris and hosted by Dupontaris Council 845.  The link will be available on the chapter website.  This will be the Supreme Awards meeting so make sure you send a representative and be recognized!!

Programming

  1. Our State Deputy is very big into service and in September wants to encourage every council to do an act of service for a member of your council, parish, or community.   ideas for programs can be located under “Helping Hands” in the Community Category.
  2. START! Your SP-7 Now……and you’re ILSP7
  3. Coats for Kids Program – There are also three ways for your council to participate: (A) you can order the case(s) directly through kofccoatsforkidsusa.com and have the coats delivered to your address; (B) if your council cannot afford to purchase one or more cases or do not have a location to distribute the coats but would like to help with larger distributions to the Pembroke Community (Joliet diocese), you can send your contribution to Illinois State Council Financial Office, address below and (C) if you would like to participate with the State Council order in October 2025, that will hopefully be matched by the Supreme Council, you can send your contribution to the Illinois State Council Financial Office (address below), make your check payable to: “Illinois State Council,” put “Coats for Kids” in the memo line on the check, let us know the size and gender preference to be ordered and provide us with a contact person.  The contributions through the Illinois State Council were required by September 30, 2025 — but you can call and ask if they are still accepting donations.

There are 12 coats per case, of various sizes ($283.38 per case for Child and Youth sizes; $340.24 for Teen and Adult sizes, price includes shipping).  When ordering through kofccoatsforkidsusa.com, you need to select the products and quantity you want to order, purchase with a credit card, and the coats will be mailed directly to your council or the address of your choice.  If the coats are ordered as part of the Illinois State Council order in October 2025, the coats will be delivered to either the State Council office in Kankakee or Marce Tebbe’s address in southern Illinois, and arrangements will be made to get your coats delivered to your council or for pickup.

The address for your State Council contributions or matching program is:

Illinois State Council Financial Office

PO Box 309

Palos Heights, IL 60463

Again, make your check payable to: “Illinois State Council” put “Coats for Kids” in the memo line on the check.

We hope to get the orders from the State Council completed in October so that the coats arrive quickly and can be DISTRIBUTED in November.

  • Start Planning your Keep Christ in Christmas program now! 
  • Council Free Throw Contests kits should be ordered online

Membership

Continue to add your Council’s membership drives at https://jolietdc.org/events/community/add/

What is your next programming event where you can have a Micro Drive to “manufacture” new membership?  How is your council creating a culture of invitation within its members to make candidates and new members comfortable to join and become involved?  These are all questions that revolve around what the Supreme Knight’s Keynote Address at Convention and State Council Values about membership.  Here are the right answers:

  1. If your Fall membership drive with Father isn’t scheduled — get specific dates: THIS WEEK! Put it on the calendar à align it within the week of your business meeting and make it easy to exemplify men!
  2. Next Program à Micro Drive -à Manufacture New Members
    1. Just like the no frills drive hand out a prayer card; Membership Team Ask the Question “what do you know about the Knights of Columbus?” Sign them up for free membership at kofc.org/JoinUs à KEEP IT SIMPLE — hopefully have an exemplification space ready or can convert within a week or less at a systematic council event
  3. Create a positive culture of invitation à Make sure that your members have been to charm school à Have a systematic way of introducing your candidates to your Chairmen/Officers at your Events
  4. Dinner à Exemplification à Dinner this will be the quickest path to STAR Council.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need help.

Vivat Jesus!

Mike Enos

Joliet Diocesan Chair

[email protected]