Next year, the K.J.Z.T. will celebrate its 125th anniversary. From the very beginning of its existence, the purpose and mission of our Fraternal has been morality, fraternalism, mutual aid, perseverance in the Catholic faith and the preservation of the Czech language. We continue to build upon that legacy, as we embrace our new name—K.J.Z.T. Family Life: Faith, Community and Financial Security. It is an exciting time for us and an opportunity to work together to address the needs of our members, increase our membership and deepen our commitment to the Lord Jesus.

In this season of celebration, in which we gather with our loved ones for Thanksgiving and Christmas to offer gratitude to God and to commemorate the birth of our Savior, we are encouraged to thank God for his many blessings to us and to name them.

Therefore, I am…

• grateful for the opportunity to serve as State Chaplain of a fraternal that promotes Christian values and the importance of family life
• grateful for the members who diligently serve our Fraternal as active members and officers.
• grateful for the young people who serve as the future of our Fraternal.
• grateful for the senior members of the K.J.Z.T. who offer us wisdom and direction.
• grateful for the members of our Fraternal who witness to their faith by their illnesses, pain and suffering.
• grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the rebranding of our Fraternal at a time when so many fraternals are being challenged by the ever-changing social climate.
• grateful for the women who founded the K.J.Z.T. and the women who today continue to lead it. Long before it was the social norm, women operated our Fraternal, exemplifying to many the strength and faith of women in Texas.
• grateful for the faithfulness of the members of the K.J.Z.T. to the Catholic Church.
• grateful for the insurance products that offer financial stability to our membership.
• grateful for the promotion of our Czech heritage by the K.J.Z.T.
• grateful for the opportunity to live in a country in which we are allowed to form and be members of a fraternal like ours.

In this beautiful time of the year of faith and celebration, let us take to heart the words of Saint Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians (5:18): “In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

In Christ,
Father Gary Janak
State Chaplain