Dear Brother Knights,
Have you ever wondered “Why does My Council Only Get The Silver Rose for one (1) Day, or Why I cannot reserve it on a specific date or why it cannot be received for our usually scheduled Mass.
There are approximately 137 Parishes and missions throughout the Great State of Alabama and the state will host the “Silver Rose” for just 30 days before it moves on to Mississippi.
There are a total of 8 routes, that all start their journey in late February or early March, across North America. Four (4) Routes running across Canada and Four (4) Across the United State.
Here in Alabama, we are part Route #5. Route 5 starts its journey in February in Virginia and continues on through Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, before arriving in here in Alabama. The 1st stop in Alabama will be in Mobile area and its last stop in Alabama will be at E.W.T.N. in Irondale. Following the Mass the “Silver Rose: will be transferred to Mississippi to continues its journey on to Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and finally arriving in Mexico. On December 8th. For the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
So, as you can see, it is a challenge ever year to produce a State Schedule for the “Silver Rose”. So, please help us to ensure that the “Silver Rose” is transferred between each parish smoothly. We as members of the Knights of Columbus, should lead by example and attend a “Silver Rose” service and encourage your family and friends to attend with you.
My name is John Blackburn, and I am the Silver Rose Chairman for Alabama. After 20+ years Brother Skip Gentle has decided to step down as the Silver Rose Chairman and I will be stepping in as the new chairman. When you see Brother Skip, Please Thank him for a job well done, it can be a very stressful and difficult job at times.
The schedule for the 2025 Silver Rose is now open for councils to reserve a slot. Please remember that the Rose will be in the state for a short and limited time and not all parishes will have the honor to host it this year. The day you actually receive the Silver Rose will be determined by the number of parishes that sign up and the route planned. So, your day could fall on any day of the week.
So, please sign up as early as possible to ensure a spot on the schedule. Please remember when submitting your application, include: Council #, Parish, location and TIME of Mass, Point of contact to include e-Mail and phone # (the person responsible for the icon during its entire visit from arrival to transfer to next location and who is transferring the Silver Rose). Remember the Silver Rose is a 1st come, 1st served schedule your parish, contact the Alabama Silver Rose Chairman John Blackburn. At e-mail: al.silver.rose.24@gmail.com.
We will do our best to meet your parish scheduling requests. We will contact you when your date is confirmed. The Silver Rose schedule updates will be posted on the state’s website. I will have a spreadsheet with needed information available for viewing and scheduling at the midyear meeting in January. The final version will also be available for viewing at the Silver Rose table at the State Convention in Atmore. I want to verify the times of your scheduled services and make sure that we have a smooth transfer between the parishes. After your council/parish has concluded your Silver Rose Service, Please complete and file your could you send me the attendance numbers and any pictures, to al.silver.rose.24@gmail.com as soon as possible.
The Silver Rose along with the prayer service booklets in both English and Spanish, will be transferred to each Parish Council as indicated on the scheduled prayer service spreadsheet, including date and time. If you have any questions, please contact John Blackburn at: al.silver.rose.24@gmail.com
The Alabama KofC Riders is tracking the travels of the “Silver Rose” on their home page as it travels along Route #5 and would love to post your pictures.
Thank You and God Bless!
VJ,
John L. Blackburn
Silver Rose Chairman
Alabama
E-mail: al.silver.rose.24@gmail.com
