News & Announcements

Food For Thought:

Holiness is about grasping the moments of each day and using them to grow and become a better person and about assisting others in achieving the same. It is this that gives glory to God. "A Call to Joy"

You are who and what you are still capable of becoming. You are your realized and unrealized potential. God sees you and all your potential, and he aches to see you embrace your best, truest, highest self. He Yearns to help you and to accompany you in that quest. "I Heard God Laugh"

There will be times of fear and trembling. There will be times of discouragement and disillusionment. Have courage, smile, keep your chin up, laugh often, be kind to yourself, stay focused, be gracious and appreciative, think happy thoughts, and carry on regardless. "The Rhythm of Life"

Every thought is a seed. Some thoughts are good seeds, some thoughts are bad seeds, but every seed we plant in our mind grows. "Unpublished"

PRAYER OF A MAYTYR

It’s a moving testimony by an African Pastor. Found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred for his Christian faith. It is the moving testimony of a martyr.

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low-living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lifted by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven.
My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes again. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me.
My colors will be clear!

God bless you in the coming year, Vivat Jesus!

NEW 4TH Degree Members

Congratulations to our Brother Knights as they have moved up in the ranks to our order of Patriotism.

Sir. Knights. Paul Esker, Harrold Hall and Theron Bell.

The Orb or Globe represents God the Father the Creator of the Universe. The Cross God the Son the Redeemer of Mankind. The Dove the God the Holy Spirit and Sanctifier.
These symbols along with the red, white, and blue colors are used to stress the basic principle of the Fourth Degree .... PATRIOTISM.

25 YEARS

Council 12852,

Twenty-Five years ago on January 26^th , 2001, a group of thirty-five men answered the call to move forward within their parish faith, family and community to formally became the St. Mark Council #12852. Through the past 25 years the council has grown with men determined to answer the call with time, talent and contributions. We will smile, looking back at where we started but reminding ourselves of what we have contributed too and become, while setting in place a strong council for members now, future, young and old.

Remember: Faith, Family, Community, "nothing changes if nothing changes."

Charity touches many

Council 12852 has contributed time, talent and financial support to many different organizations.

Thank everyone in our council that has contributed and the organizations that allowed us to be part of their journey...

Matt Smyser Ordination to Diaconate

Matt Smyser was the seminarian that council 12852 supported through his journey toward priest hood.

He is now a Diaconate as of November 29th, 2025.

Congratulations Diaconate Matt Smyser, from all of us at Knights council 12852.

NEW MEMBERS JUNE 2025

Our Newest Members as of November 2025

Completing their 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree exemplification.

Joshua Dahler, Joe Pennington, William (Bill) Simon, Danial Williams, James Winter, Logan Wise

Moving up in our ranks, Fr. Alfredo Basualdo, James Allen, Austin Beattie, Theron Bell, Rick Gagel.

Two Transfers: Fr. Alfredo Basualdo and Sean Keefe.

CONGRADULATIONS / Vivat Jesus!

Faith, Family, Charity

2025 Council 12852 is continuing our mission of Faith, Family and Charity, by donating and / or spending community time with people, groups and organizations as follows:

Sr. Maria Alice Mrema (Marian University), Seminarian Matt Smyser (St. Meinrad), Redeeming Hope (Berea), St. Marks Newman (EKU Kickoff Dinner), Special Olympics at Galaxy Bowling, Habitat for Humanity (Support), Bingo Workers (Appreciation Dinner), St. Mark Church / Catholic School (Ice-cream social, Veterans Day (Military and Flag History) St. Mark School, 4th & 5th graders. Pancake Breakfast last Sunday of each month after mass. St. Mark Newman (New Roof). Right to Life (Billboard). Coats for Kids, 12852 donated 480 coats this year, 384 to Madison County Schools and 96 to Estill County Schools. Special Olympics at EKU (Softball throw) 2day event in June.

Council 12852 Thank you, and God Bless

Quotes to ponder

More time isn’t the answer. The answer is: careful selection, prayerful discernment, a grateful heart, and acknowledgment of the reality of our finitude.

*Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy

In the quiet moments, when we are alone with nothing but our thoughts and memories, we all need to be able to feel good about ourselves, whether we are young or old. It is the responsibility of each of us individually to do whatever is necessary to feel good about one’s self in these quiet moments.

*Perfectly Yourself

When something of this world stops serving you, it prevents you from flourishing, or worse still, it prevents you from making progress, cast it away from you. Whether it be money or things, food or your phone, a toxic person or group of friends, social media or the speed and busyness of life, if it isn’t helping you to be all that God created you to be. . . throw it far away from you.

*Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy

Jesus wants to enter your heart in a new way. But the door to your heart can only be opened from the inside. It has no handle on the outside. And so, the words from the Book of Revelation take on a deeply personal meaning for us today: “Behold, I stand at the door knocking.” (Revelation 3:20) Will you open the door of your heart?

*33 Days to Divine Mercy

Set goals that stretch you but do not break you.

*The Rhythm of Life