b'KNIGHTS of COLUMBUSGEORGIA STATE COUNCILFraternal greetings and best wishes to all our Brother Knights and their families for a most enjoyable and successful 118th annual state convention. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUSGeorgia State CouncilMARK HOFMANNMay 17, 2020 State Deputy, JacksonGeorgia Knights and Families,Welcome to the 118th Annual meeting of the Georgia Knights of Columbusthe first ever virtual convention.While this virtual convention may not be ideal, it will still allow us the time to gather and take care of our business as required in the By-Laws. This has been a year like none before.The novel coronavirus has turned the world upside down, killed many of our Brothers, and left unprecedented numbers of people out of work. Social distancing, shelter in place, face masks and virtual everything became the norm.Sporting events were cancelled, concerts post-poned and our churches closed. Americas Doctor, fellow Catholic Dr. Anthony Fauci took to the airwaves and became a popular TV personality. After the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Knights began the Leave No Neighbor Behind initiative.Members were urged to help out local food banks, and to make blood donations. I am so proud of the way the Georgia Knights have responded with food drives, blood drives, monetary donations, and assisting our priests with virtual masses.We did not allow the roadblocks and hurdles of the Covid-19 pandemic to stop us, we simply changed how we did things:Meetings are being held via teleconferencing or video chats.We are attending mass via Facebook.Our first virtual degree was held with an unprecedented # of candidates.The annual Necrology Mass will be virtual, streamed live to Facebook.And of course, the first virtual State Convention.Thank you for attending our virtual convention and continuing to be the greatest asset of the Georgia Knights of Columbus.My prayers are with you and your families during this time; stay safe until we meet again.Vivat Jesus,Mark W. HofmannMark W. HofmannState DeputyBE THE PRAYER THAT CHANGES THE WORLD7'