Council 11498 Oct. social mtg. Special guest speaker: Susan Hession

Susan Hession: Inspiring others through her faith and charity

The Knights would like to thank Susan and her family (Sean, also a Knight of Columbus member, and their son Ryan) for sharing their story last night. Their willingness to open up about their experiences not only highlights the importance of community but also serves as a reminder of the strength found in unity and shared values. By sharing their journey, they inspire others to reflect on their own paths and consider how they, too, can make a difference in the lives of those around them. The Knights recognize the significance of such narratives, as they foster a sense of belonging and encourage others to engage in acts of service. The heartfelt anecdotes shared by Susan, Sean, and Ryan resonate with the audience, illustrating the profound impact that faith and charity can have on individuals and families alike. Their story is a shining example of how love, support, and a commitment to helping others can create ripples of change that extend far beyond one’s immediate surroundings.

Please see excerpts from her Bio. below:

"I am a cradle-to-grave Catholic. I share 6 children and 11 grandchildren with my husband, Sean. I was widowed in 2011 and God saw to it that I found love again with a wonderful man. Sean and I will celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary this Saturday. Three years ago, after living in Florida and Nebraska, we returned to my roots in Southern New Jersey and last year, we bought a home in Washington Twp. Church of the Holy Family was our go-to church whenever we visited family, so after settling here, becoming parishioners at Holy Family was a foregone conclusion. Besides, as Sean says, we moved here for family, it is most appropriate that we belong to the Church of the Holy “Family.”

In the beginning of July, I gave notice to my employer that I would be retiring at the end of August. It was time to view my daily routine through a different lens. Just a couple of weeks later, Fr. Jim announced that the parish would be looking to develop its own team of Catholic Daughters. Sounded like the Holy Spirit was talking directly to me.

I had spent the past 35 years managing businesses, agendas, initiatives, and people. I had been fortunate enough to have held positions as: a multi-point General Manager of mobility dealerships (where we sold and serviced wheelchair vans and mobility equipment); Branch Manager of a major mid-Atlantic roofing distributorship’s warehouse and sales center; Sales and Operations Manager of the largest Ford franchise in Southern New Jersey; and most recently, Country Club Business Manager. Is it possible that each job wasn’t just preparing me for the next one and then the next one – but for retirement?

Helping others through charitable acts in the spirit of Jesus Christ is the heart of our organization.

I would go on to say, “Ladies, if I am Regent, in alignment with the CDA Mission Motto and Purpose, we will focus on the heart of the organization – these charitable acts. Through these acts, we will promote justice, equality, and advancement of human rights and human dignity. Through these acts, we will help the women we serve, and ourselves, develop spiritually. Through these acts, we will have the unique opportunity to share our faith with others.”

God bless you all,

Susan Hession