SHOULD  I   BECOME A  MEMBER ?

WHO ARE WE?: We are often asked, “who are you people, what is your purpose in life and what is your connection with the Parishes in the area or the Catholic Church for that matter”? Occasionally, parishioners see us at Church wearing a white Fez, white jacket and black trousers. This is when we are asked if we are Shriners. A CATHOLIC ORGANIZATION: We are a small group (called a Caravan) of dedicated Catholic men with the primary purpose of assisting the developmentally or mentally challenged in our area. The Order of Alhambra was founded in 1904. The Catholic Church approves of the Alhambra and its activities. Pope John Paul II honored our Order when he accepted the Fez that we presented to him. Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Monsignors and Priests belong to our Order throughout North America. FUND RAISING: With the funds we raise in the local area, we help Loveland in Venice, the Special Training And Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) of Charlotte County. We provide “God’s Special People” with picnics and cookouts. Annually we take them to the Shriners Circus in Ft. Myers. We supply them with tickets to attend our Irish Concerts as our honored guests. We also give them tickets for the Knights of Columbus’ spaghetti dinners and buy them needed equipment. SULTANA GROUP: In Diego Caravan , our wives (Sultanas)are partners with us in many ways including helping us in our fund raising activities .They are an integral part of our organization. HOW DO WE DO THIS: We help the Organizations we select in “our own way”. Our own way is not to simply give money to help “God’s Special People” but to actually get involved and “interact” with them. That is working and doing things, in other words getting involved, such as providing cookouts, giving them parties with clowns, etc., and buying equipment that their budgets may not permit them to buy. MEMBERSHIP: Membership is by invitation, limited to only Catholic men who are a credit to their Church and their community and are willing to be ‘active’ and not just be a member paying dues. It is extremely important to us that all our members be involved in all our activities. Many of our members are active 3^{rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and Church Ushers. Some of our wives belong to the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary and Council of Catholic Women at St. Raphael’s, Englewood, Florida. INTERESTED? If you are interested, please feel free to contact one of the officers listed below. They will discuss in more detail what we do and how we do it. If you are still interested they will invite you to attend one of our meetings before any commitment is made on your part or ours. Regional Director Marvin Peschel (941-473-2458), Deputy Regional Director Paul F. Caron (941-475-9435) or Grand Commander Tom Crown (941-698-8821) MEETINGS: When our Caravan was formed in 1997, we were fortunate to receive permission to use St. Raphael’s Parish Center for our meetings. Our meetings are normally held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7PM, and are usually followed by a social. ST. RAPHAEL’S PARISH: In the past we helped pay for the air conditioning and plumbing work done in the Parish Center kitchen. We also assisted at the Parish 2000 New Year’s Eve party and in 2001 took completed responsibility for it. Occasionally, we take responsibility for Sunday morning coffee and doughnuts. We take an active part in the Parish Ministry Fair. All of our Sir Nobles and Sultanas are willing and eager to assist the Parish in any way that we can. PRAYERS: Please remember “God’s Special People” in your prayers and God Bless.}