Atlantic County’s Knights of Columbus have commissioned four billboards with the message “Keep Christ in Christmas” for the month of December.
The four participating Knights councils – Saint Katharine Drexel Council 12868 from Egg Harbor Township, Saint Vincent de Paul Council 3451 in Mays Landing, All Saints Council 6277 in Northfield, and Saint Joseph Council 10220 from Somers Point – believe that “with regards to what we are facing and have faced [with COVID-19], we need Jesus more than ever in our lives today,” says Philip Keller, district deputy of Knights of Columbus District 50 in the state of the New Jersey, which comprises the Atlantic County councils.
After several meetings and discussions earlier this year, Keller and other Knights of Columbus leaders knew the billboard collaboration would strengthen the “unity” aspect of the Knights’ motto, which also includes charity, fraternity and patriotism.
“There are a lot of hands putting this together,” Keller continues, adding that he’s “proud of the District 50 councils that came together to make this group event a success.
Installed by the Interstate Billboard Company, the four signs totaled $2,800, with $700 raised from each council.
One billboard is stationed on the eastbound lane of Route 322 (Black Horse Pike); one westbound on Route 40 (Harding Highway); with the remaining two displayed on westbound 322, all either in Egg Harbor Township or Mays Landing.
Robert Baran, chancellor/lecturer of the Saint Joseph Council, believes the initiative “will warm the hearts of those actively seeking the holiness of the season. For others, we hope the billboards may reignite a search for the true blessings that Christmas offers. For all, the ‘Keep Christ in Christmas’ message is testimony that Christ is born, and that God’s love is offered to those who embrace the Christmas miracle of salvation and peace.”
“This is truly a very worthwhile cause,” adds Jerry Griffin, past Grand Knight of the Saint Joseph Council.
With a culture “so caught up with the material aspects of buy, buy, buy and spend, spend, spend [and with] God and religion being removed from schools and many other public places,” he says, “it’s important to keep Christ in the spotlight as much as possible.”
“As the world’s largest Catholic men’s fraternal group, the Knights are very proud and honored to stand tall together in unity, to help reinforce the importance of keeping Christ in Christmas – and also in our everyday lives,” he said.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
