Overview

One Knight's Journey follows the progress of a man who rose through the ranks of the largest Catholic Lay organization in the world, the Knights of Columbus, from an entry-level member at a local council in southeast Florida, to one of 24 members of the Board of Directors. The autobiographical story chronicles his faith formation process; motivation to join the Order and his journey rising through the ranks. One of the primary focus areas is coverage of the author's time as the State Deputy of the Florida Jurisdiction, a leadership position with responsibilities for managing a group of more than 56,000 members, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The story focuses on facing adversity, natural disaster, the loss of his wife to Metastatic Breast Cancer, overcoming long-odds to maintain the organizations operations during the shut-down of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The story is intended to provide its targeted audience, namely, other members of the Knights of Columbus, who may be in leadership positions, or are contemplating getting into leadership roles; with examples of the kinds of issues that they may face, and an explanation of how the author handled the situations he faced. The story also provides many examples of the workings of the Knights of Columbus, from local councils to the highest levels of leadership. The book includes faith validation examples and is a story about staying focused, even in the darkest times. Overcoming long-odds and finding ways to thrive when other organizations were falling by the wayside, utilizing modern communications and technology, help to explain the success story.

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9781943901296

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Reviews

This unassuming and unpretentious autobiography is nothing less than the chronicle of a soul. It is really the spiritual journey of Scott A. O'Connor, guided by the light of the Holy Spirit. An engineer by profession, Scott grew up in the '60s and '70s. The events of the day were very much part of the world of his youth. These included the Viet Nam War and the protests against it, the hippie movement, the hijacking of commercial airliners and so on. The refuge of a stable home and family life was his safe haven from the chaotic events in the world of his youth. However, the death of his father while Scott was a young college student caused him to assume an amazing level of self-reliance. In college he had to support himself with numerous part time jobs from bouncer to bus driver. Importantly, Scott's life was positively influenced by some very unlikely and unexpected persons whom the Lord used as His instruments. For Scott these included Prophet John, a wandering preacher; John Leonard and Ray Farrell who employed young Scott; and then there was the mysterious and unnamed man Scott encountered in a Publix parking lot. All these individuals the Lord used to influence the course of Scott's journey. A key statement in the book is this: God chooses to whom he may reveal himself, we do not. Let us all be watchful not to miss it; and when it happens, be grateful for witnessing the awesome gift of grace. This chronicle is one man's humble testimony to grace in his life. In the course of his journey, Scott found a fit for his desire to give back in the Knights of Columbus. The order, through both lay and clergy members, was a great source of comfort and support to Scott as he dealt with the loss of his wife, Marybeth, to cancer. This short book is an accessible, informal yet very informative presentation of the structure, operations and outreach of the Knights of Columbus. The particular focus is on the Florida State Council of the Knights. The author offers detailed information on the use of technology by the Knights during the Pandemic of 2020 and beyond. He is convinced that much of the technology, especially with respect to meetings, necessitated by the lockdowns of the pandemic, are here to stay as we enter a new normal. This wonderful little book is ultimately an account of the people and experiences which have made Scott A. O'Connor the man he is today. It is also an excellent body of information available to anyone interested in the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church today. It is definitely a worthy read. -Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, STD, CMG, KCHS, Archbishop of Nassau

"This unassuming and unpretentious autobiography is nothing less than the chronicle of a soul. It is really the spiritual journey of Scott A. O'Connor, guided by the light of the Holy Spirit. An engineer by profession, Scott grew up in the '60s and '70s. The events of the day were very much part of the world of his youth. These included the Viet Nam War and the protests against it, the hippie movement, the hijacking of commercial airliners and so on. The refuge of a stable home and family life was his safe haven from the chaotic events in the world of his youth. However, the death of his father while Scott was a young college student caused him to assume an amazing level of self-reliance. In college he had to support himself with numerous part time jobs from bouncer to bus driver. Importantly, Scott's life was positively influenced by some very unlikely and unexpected persons whom the Lord used as His instruments. For Scott these included ""Prophet John,"" a wandering preacher; John Leonard and Ray Farrell who employed young Scott; and then there was the mysterious and unnamed man Scott encountered in a Publix parking lot. All these individuals the Lord used to influence the course of Scott's journey. A key statement in the book is this: ""God chooses to whom he may reveal himself, we do not. Let us all be watchful not to miss it; and when it happens, be grateful for witnessing the awesome gift of grace."" This chronicle is one man's humble testimony to grace in his life. In the course of his journey, Scott found a fit for his desire to ""give back"" in the Knights of Columbus. The order, through both lay and clergy members, was a great source of comfort and support to Scott as he dealt with the loss of his wife, Marybeth, to cancer. This short book is an accessible, informal yet very informative presentation of the structure, operations and outreach of the Knights of Columbus. The particular focus is on the Florida State Council of the Knights. The author offers detailed information on the use of technology by the Knights during the Pandemic of 2020 and beyond. He is convinced that much of the technology, especially with respect to meetings, necessitated by the lockdowns of the pandemic, are here to stay as we enter a ""new normal."" This wonderful little book is ultimately an account of the people and experiences which have made Scott A. O'Connor the man he is today. It is also an excellent body of information available to anyone interested in the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church today. It is definitely a worthy read. -Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, STD, CMG, KCHS, Archbishop of Nassau"

Author Information

Scott A. O'Connor is a Director on the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus, for which he serves on both the Audit Committee and the Eastern Jurisdictions Committee; he is also a Board member of the Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund. His long business experience has been in the fields of Building Inspections and Business Development, and has authored articles published in international trade publications.He currently is an independent consultant.

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