columbia october 2015

OCTOBER 2015OCTOBER 2015

COLUMBIACOLUMBIAKNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The 133rd Supreme Convention • Philadelphia, Pa. • Aug. 4-6, 2015

Oct 15 COVERS E 9_4_Layout 1 9/11/15 4:55 PM

Steven Abeyta – Vacaville, CAPierre Albert – Hearst, ON *Henry Angelucci – Hamilton, NJRandy Atkins – Punta Gorda, FL *Michael Aun – St. Cloud, FLBen Baca – Whittier, CA *Larry Bate – Carthage, TXMark Bateman – Towson, MDCameron Beddome – Red Deer, ABLawrence Bell – Pittsburg, CAWade Bormann – Preston, IAWalker Bormann – Marion, IADaniel Bouchard – Leduc, AB *William Britten – Westminster, COGregory Bronson – Rescue, CAAdam Bruna – Belleville, KSWilliam Buchta – Grand Island, NED. Frank Burns – Sarasota, FLJoseph Butler – Auburn, MADaniel Cabirac – Houma, LARobert Callaway – Laurel, MD *Nicholas Calvino – Plymouth, MARobert Canter – Upper Marlboro, MD *John Canter – Crownsville, MDEdwin Caraballo-Canals – Aquadilla, PRJeffrey Carvalho – Fremont, CACleophas Castillo – Winnipeg, MBJohn Cesta – West Palm Beach, FLWayne Cherney – Devils Lake, ND *Joel Clelland – Upland, CAAndres Contreras – Honolulu, HIThomas Cowan – Yucaipa, CA John Day – Lake Charles, LAJon Deakin – York, PAMark Deaton – Cypress, TXJustin J. Deges – Hill City, KSDaniel DelVillar – Newport Coast, CA *Joseph DeMarco – Vero Beach, FLJeffrey Denehy – East Walpole, MAJohn DiCalogero – East Walpole, MA *Matthew DiCalogero – Waltham, MA Robert DiCalogero – Canton, MA *Glen Dobmeier – Humboldt, SKShane Duplantis – Houma, LADenis Duval – Garson, ON *Louis Esola – Cherry Hill, NJDavid Gallagher – Nepean, ONDaniel Gimpel – Sarnia, ONJames Grabinski – Walden, NY *Brian Graham – Kensington, MD *Wade Greif – Manhattan, KSCarlos Gutierrez – San Leandro, CALawrence Havranek – Butler, OHMark Hedge – Butler, OH *

Daniel Heisler – Roseville, CALarry Hoelscher – Jefferson City, MO *John Hoolick – Wilkes Barre, PADavid Imbriani – Monroe Township, NJ *Thomas J. Jackson – Denver, CO *James Johnson – Regina, SKDouglas Kelly – Omaha, NE *Mark Kingsbery – Slidell, LAAlan Kotlarski – Punta Gorda, FLChuck Larter – Spencerville, ON *Brian Lawandus – Oldsmar, FLJose Lebron-Sanabria – Humacao, PRWilliam Lewchuk – Calgary, AB *Ernesto Literte – Torrance, CABlake Maly – Omaha, NEEduardo Manrique – Lawrence, MARoberto Martinez-Mojica – Caguas, PRChad McAuliff – Broken Arrow, OKRobert McFadden – Iselin, NJMichael McGranahan – Fullerton, CA*Stephen Melancon – Las Vegas, NVLawrence Messer – Westminster, MDRobert Meyer – Spearville, KSStephen Michlik – San Antonio, TXGregory Miskiman – Calgary, AB *Daryl Morrow – Coral Springs, FLSeth Myhre – Minneota, MNJason Nelligan – Hamilton, ONJames Nestmann – Saskatoon, SKTimothy Nowak – Ogallala, NEEdward O'Keefe – Middle River, MD *Guy Ouellette – Legal, ABSammie Pace – Amarillo, TXKevin Paish – St. Albert, AB *Rafael Peschiera – New Boston, NHCraig Pfeifer – Wayne, NENeil Pfeifer – Norfolk, NE *Vincent Polis – Clarkston, WA *Mark Primeau – Unionville, VAHenry Rangel – Cypress, TXDaniel Reed – Ellsworth, KS

Darin Reed – Ellis, KSBobby Renaud – Sudbury, ON *Dale Robinson – White Bear Lake, MNAlfred Sanchez – Midland, TXRonald Sandoval – San Gabriel, CASonny Sangemino – Windsor, ON *Benjamin Santo – Milford, NEBradley Schaefer – Evansville, INKevin Schubert – Linn Creek, MOJames Seideman – Lubbock, TX *Douglas Shaw – Van Alstyne, TXDaniel Sheehan – Neoga, ILVictor Silva – Flagler Beach, FLThomas Sitzmann – Pueblo, CO *Jody Snowder – Edmond, OKJohn Spencer – Marietta, OHJoseph Spinelli III – Tallahassee, FLJames Stachura – Eau Claire, WIPhillip Stackowicz – South Bend, INMark Stallbaumer – Hanover, KSJohn Stewart – Bourne, MAJohn Stoeckinger – Lincoln, NE *Blake Stubbington – Edmonton, ABDouglas Supak – La Grange, TX *Jody Supak – La Grange, TX *Eric Sylvester – Windsor, ONRaymond Terwilliger – Mountain Top, PAJeffrey Toeniskoetter – Boynton Beach, FLYoung Tran – Portland, ORDaniel Turnwald – Glandorf, OHKevin Tuuri – Port Townsend, WAMarcel van der Sluys – Los Angeles, CAJoseph venderBuhs – Abbotsford, BCOnil Vienneau – Bas-Caraquet, NBJames White – Palm Beach Gardens, FLStephen White – Pelham, NHWilliam Wisniewski – Chicopee, MAJoseph Wolf – Harker Hts, TX *Mark Yubeta – San Clemente, CAPierre Zermatten – Palatine, ILStephen Znoj – Canton, GA

A commitment to excellence, outstanding serviceand the highest ethical standards: these are thetraits of all Knights of Columbus field agents, but

the dedication of the agents listed here has earned them membershipin the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) for 2015. MDRT is an international organization that recognizes the top one percent of financial professionals in the world. We salute these men for theirdevotion to continuing Father McGivney’s mission of protectingCatholic families.

Robert AbbateVirginia Beach, Virginia(Six Consecutive Years)

Joe SandovalLos Angeles, California

(Two Consecutive Years)

Court of theTable Members

2015

Extraordinary Service.Exemplary Dedication.

*Denotes MDRT Life Member

MDRT Ad 2015 A_Layout 1 9/11/15 1:52 PM Page 1

- KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦ 1

COLUMBIAO C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 ♦ V O L U M E 9 5 ♦ N U M B E R 1 0

2

4

18

Papal GreetingsGreetings from Pope Francis sent to the 133rd Supreme Con-vention by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Supreme Convention HighlightsPhotos, news, homilies and remarks from the 133rdSupreme Convention in Philadelphia:• Order Launches Holy Family Pilgrim Prayer Program• Supreme Convention Highlights Plight of ChristianRefugees• Awards Session Honors Outstanding Knights, Programs

Knights of Columbus NewsOrder Observes 125th Anniversary of Father McGivney’sDeath • K of C Earns Top Financial Rating for 40th Con-secutive Year • K of C Chaplains Gather for Annual Meet-ing Before Convention • Court Defends WWII Memorial• New Supreme Directors Elected

Report of the Supreme KnightSupreme Knight Carl A. Anderson’s annual report on theOrder’s charitable work and continued growth.

1 3 3 r d S U P R E M E C O N V E N T I O NA u g . 4 - 6 , 2 0 1 5

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson is pictured with newly elected and re-elected supremedirectors during the Aug. 5 business session of the 133rd Supreme Convention.

COLUMBIAPUBLISHER

Knights of Columbus________

SUPREME OFFICERSCarl A. AndersonSUPREME KNIGHT

Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D.SUPREME CHAPLAINLogan T. Ludwig

DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHTCharles E. Maurer Jr.SUPREME SECRETARYMichael J. O’ConnorSUPREME TREASURERJohn A. MarrellaSUPREME ADVOCATE

________

EDITORIALAlton J. Pelowski

EDITORAndrew J. MattMANAGING EDITORPatrick ScalisiSENIOR EDITOR

Venerable Michael McGivney (1852-90)Apostle to the Young,

Protector of Christian Family Life andFounder of the Knights of Columbus,

Intercede for Us.________

HOWTO REACHUSMAIL

COLUMBIA1 Columbus Plaza

New Haven, CT 06510-3326ADDRESS CHANGES

203-752-4210, option #3PRAYER CARDS & SUPPLIES

203-752-4214COLUMBIA INQUIRIES203-752-4398

FAX203-752-4109

K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE1-800-380-9995

[email protected] & kofc.org/columbia

________

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing)Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that anapplicant or member accepts the teaching authority of theCatholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires tolive in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.

________

Copyright © 2015 All rights reserved________

ON THE COVERA painting by John Trumbull, which has hung in theU.S. Capitol Rotunda since 1826, depicts the presenta-tion of the draft of the Declaration of Independence.

20

Oct 15 E 9_11 AP_Oct E 11 9/11/15 4:43 PM Page 1

PAPAL GREETINGS

2 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦ O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

‘Called to Bear Witness’Greetings from Pope Francis sent to the Supreme Convention

by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS has been in-formed that from Aug. 4-6, 2015, the 133rd SupremeConvention of the Knights of Columbus will be heldin Philadelphia, Pa. He has asked me to convey hiswarm good wishes to all present, together with the as-surance of his closeness in prayer.As he prepares to visit Philadelphia next month forthe Eighth World Meeting of Families, the Holy Fatherexpresses deep appreciation for the steadfast public wit-ness which your Order hasborne to our Christian un-derstanding of marriageand the family. Elevated bythe Savior to the dignity ofa sacrament, marriage is, inthe Creator’s plan, a naturalinstitution, a lifelongcovenant of love and fi-delity between a man and awoman, directed to theirperfection and sanctifica-tion, and to the future ofour human family.Today, when the institu-tion of marriage is under at-tack from powerful culturalforces, the faithful are called to bear witness to thisbasic truth of biblical faith and natural law, which isessential to the wise and just ordering of society. Inmeeting the moral, social and political challenges ofthe present hour, great wisdom and perseverance willbe required of them — “the patience of the saints, whokeep the commandments of God and hold fast to theirfaith in Jesus” (Rev 14:12).For this reason, His Holiness trusts that the themeof this year’s Supreme Convention — “Endowed by

their Creator with Life and Liberty” — will draw at-tention to the duty of American Catholics, precisely asresponsible citizens, to contribute to the reasoned de-fense of those freedoms on which their nation wasfounded. The cornerstone of these is religious freedom,understood not simply as the liberty to worship as onechooses, but also, for individuals and institutions, tospeak and act in accordance with the dictates of theirconsciences. To the extent that this right is menaced,

whether by invasive publicpolicies, or by the growinginfluence of a culture whichsets alleged personal rightsabove the common good,there is need for a mobiliza-tion of consciences on thepart of all those citizenswho, regardless of party orcreed, are concerned for theoverall welfare of society. It is the Holy Father’shope that the program ofcatechesis and prayer whichthe Knights have inaugu-rated in view of the forth-coming Synod on the

Family and the World Meeting of Families will con-tribute significantly to this prophetic witness. The protection of religious freedom must also en-gage the consciences of believers on the global level, inresponse to the attacks unleashed on minority commu-nities, most often Christian, in various parts of ourworld. His Holiness is profoundly grateful for the ef-forts of the Knights to raise public attention to thisgrave humanitarian tragedy. He is likewise grateful forthe practical solidarity shown to suffering individuals

It is urgent that, from Catholicsthroughout the world, an

unceasing sacrifice of prayer be offered for the conversion of

hearts, an end to fanatical violence and intolerance, and a general recognition of those

fundamental human rights whichare not granted by the state, but

from the hand of the Creator.


PAPAL GREETINGS

OCTOBE R 2 0 1 5 ♦ CO LUMB I A ♦ 3

CN

S ph

oto/

Paul

Har

ing

and families through the recently established ChristianRefugee Relief Fund. He appeals once more to yourOrder for constant prayer, in families, parishes and thelocal councils, for these, our beleaguered brothers andsisters, who strive only to be faithful to Christ. It is ur-gent that, from Catholics throughout the world, an un-ceasing sacrifice of prayer be offered for the conversionof hearts, an end to fanatical violence and intolerance,and a general recognition of those fundamental humanrights which are not granted by the state, but from thehand of the Creator, whom all believers invoke as aGod of peace.Finally, the Holy Father has asked me to express his

appreciation for the outstanding charitable, educa-tional and spiritual activities with which the Knightsof Columbus contribute to the Church’s mission, andto his own ministry as the Successor of Peter, chargedwith solicitude for all the Churches.Commending the deliberations of the Supreme Con-

vention to the intercession of Mary, Seat of Wisdom,the Holy Father assures all the Knights and their fam-ilies of a special remembrance in his prayers. Withgreat affection he imparts his Apostolic Blessing as apledge of strength and peace in the Lord.

Yours sincerely,

Pietro Cardinal ParolinSecretary of State


4 C O L U M B I A ♦ O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Gathering in the City of Brotherly Love and the birth-place of American liberty, approximately 2,000

Knights, their families and guests attended the 133rdSupreme Convention Aug. 4-6. Nearly 100 archbishops andbishops — including 11 cardinals — were joined by dozensof priests who concelebrated the opening Mass, offered inhonor of the family.

The international assembly met at the Pennsylvania Con-vention Center in Philadelphia, just weeks before the WorldMeeting of Families would be hosted in the same venue.

The theme of the convention — “Endowed by their Cre-ator with Life and Liberty” — was inspired by the opening

words of the Declaration of Independence, signed inPhiladelphia in 1776.

In a letter of greeting from Pope Francis, sent by VaticanSecretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Fathercommended the Order for its charitable work and focusedon the importance of promoting marriage, family and reli-gious freedom.

In particular, the letter noted “the duty of AmericanCatholics, precisely as responsible citizens, to contribute tothe reasoned defense of those freedoms on which their na-tion was founded.”

It also drew attention to the World Meeting of Families

Endowed by their Creatorwith Life and LibertyKnights champion religious freedom and celebrate faith, family and fraternity at 133rd Supreme Convention

133rd Supreme Convention


OCTOBE R 2 0 1 5 ♦ CO LUMB I A 5

and the Order’s new Holy Family Prayer Program, which waslaunched following the opening Mass (see page 6). In his annual report (see page 20), delivered during the

opening business session Aug. 4, Supreme Knight Carl A.Anderson detailed the Order’s accomplishments, underscor-ing how they are rooted in love of God and neighbor. “When we look into the face of each person, we see the

source of life, liberty and human dignity, and therefore wesee a brother,” the supreme knight said. “To be a Knight ofColumbus is to be a man for others.”The supreme knight also spoke about the continued

growth of the Knights of Columbus and its charitablework. The Order has grown to nearly 1.9 million membersworldwide, and its charitable contributions surpassed$174 million and 71.6 million hours of voluntary servicelast year. Similarly, Knights of Columbus Insurance pro-tects more Catholic families than ever, with over $96.7 bil-lion in force at the time of the convention.The convention highlighted numerous charitable pro-

grams, including the continued success of the Knights ofColumbus Ultrasound Initiative and the Order’s sponsorshipof the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, which tookplace in Los Angeles the preceding week. Among many otherK of C initiatives highlighted were programs to feed the hun-gry, to provide housing for wounded veterans, to help or-phaned children in Africa, and to assist with disaster reliefin the Philippines.

Likewise, the Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Re-lief Fund, which was launched in August 2014, received par-ticular attention throughout the convention (see page 8). “The Knights of Columbus will redouble our efforts to

bring aid to these victims in the Middle East,” the supremeknight said in his report. “It is a time for action.”The theme of fraternal solidarity with victims of violent re-

ligious persecution was accentuated during the States Dinner,when two special guests — Chaldean Catholic ArchbishopBashar Matti Warda, C.Ss.R., of Erbil, Iraq, and MelkiteCatholic Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Syria— delivered impassioned keynote addresses about the suffer-ing their people have endured. They also expressed gratitudefor the Order’s spiritual and financial support.For the second time in history, and the first time since 2005,

the Supreme Convention also included a Ukrainian CatholicDivine Liturgy in addition to other large Masses (see page 13).On Aug. 5, the annual awards session honored individual

Knights and councils for outstanding achievements duringthe past fraternal year (see page 15). Delegates also passedboard resolutions during the convention in defense of reli-gious liberty, the institution of marriage and the culture oflife, and in solidarity with persecuted Christians. The following pages feature photos, news and excerpts

from the 133rd Supreme Convention’s proceedings, followedby the complete text of the Supreme Knight’s Annual Report.For extended coverage, visit kofc.org/convention.♦

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addresses delegates and guests during the opening business session of the 133rd Supreme Convention inPhiladelphia Aug. 4.



Opening Mass

A new Knights of Columbus Prayer Program focusing on the HolyFamily was inaugurated at the conclusion of the opening Mass at

the 133rd Supreme Convention. The program features an image of theHoly Family by 18th-century engraver Giovanni Balestra, which ishoused in the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriageand Family in Rome.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., of Philadelphia formallylaunched the program as state deputies representing the Order’s 74 ju-risdictions held framed copies of the image, each bearing the blessingof Pope Francis. The archbishop also asked for prayers for the successof the World Meeting of Families in September and for the Synod ofBishops on the family, which will take place in Rome Oct. 4-25.

The images will be brought on pilgrimage from council to councilto serve as the centerpiece for prayer services during the coming year.This is the 17th Orderwide prayer program featuring a sacred image.Since 1979, these rosary-based programs have attracted more than 17million participants in over 147,000 prayer services.♦

Order Launches Holy Family Pilgrim Prayer Program



Far Left: State deputies hold framed copies of the Holy Family image during the launch of the Order’s new prayer program. • Above: Nearly 100bishops, including 11 cardinals, were present at the opening Mass of the 133rd Supreme Convention. • Below left: An honor guard of more than100 Fourth Degree Knights led the opening procession. • Below: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., of Philadelphia delivers the homily.

WE ASK THE LORD in our celebration today to restoreour families; to bring us back into balance; to give us lovefor one another; to teach us to be merciful and forgiving; andto cherish the gifts that God has given to the other membersof our family.

Our Gospel reading leads us to a reflection on the family ofthe Church. When we talk about the Church as the “bark” ofPeter, we’re talking about it not as a massive ocean liner, strong

and powerful, but as a small boat that is easily rocked duringa storm on the sea.

There’s much going on in the world around us that has ledto the bark of Peter being tossed about — things that can causeus to be anxious in the cultural storms in which we find our-selves. We find in today’s Gospel a word of encouragement forthe family of the Church caught in this storm. While the apos-tles are tossed about on the waves, Jesus is praying for them.There is nothing that should give us greater consolation andhope: Jesus is praying for the Church. And whenever the Fa-ther hears the voice of Jesus, the Father responds. ...

We’re having the World Meeting of Families here inPhiladelphia in order to do two things: to strengthen familylife and to recommit ourselves to living that life more faithfullyin the years ahead. The Holy Father’s presence symbolizes thefact that he is leading us in the storm of our time to re-embracethe Gospel understanding of marriage and family life. We cel-ebrate this Mass in anticipation of that event, and we ask theLord to make your families, the families of the Knights ofColumbus, strong and secure symbols of the presence of lovingfamily life in the heart of the Church. — Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia

Homily, Votive Mass for the Family, Aug. 4



Opening Business Session

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda,C.Ss.R., of Erbil, Iraq, and Melkite Catholic Archbishop

Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Syria, delivered keynote ad-dresses at the States Dinner Aug. 4, offering firsthand accountsof religious persecution in their lands. They described thecampaign of religious cleansing of Christians and other reli-gious minorities who are being killed, tortured, or forced toflee from their homes by the Islamic State extremist group,also known as ISIS or Daesh.

Earlier in the day, the archbishops joined Supreme KnightCarl A. Anderson at a press conference to raise public aware-ness about the suffering in the region.

“Please, speak for the Christians in the Middle East, becausethey have been subject to all kinds of violence because theyare Christians,” said Archbishop Warda. “This is part of yourheritage, this is part of being an American. Please speak forthe persecuted around the world.”

Archbishop Jeanbart likewise gave stirring testimony aboutthe grim situation in his war-torn country.

“We have seen people killed, slaughtered, women violated,priests and bishops kidnapped, houses destroyed, churches andconvents invaded,” he said. “But we persist with the help ofGod and with the help of those who help us, like the Knightsof Columbus.”

The supreme knight recalled that delegates to the 1926Supreme Convention, also held in Philadelphia, took up thecause of Mexican Catholics, who were being persecuted andkilled by their government

“We raised awareness about the issue, and financially helpedmany refugees who fled north,” said Anderson. “We were ableto do much good, for many people. Today, we are compelledas an organization to speak up for our brothers and sisters inthe Middle East as the world remains largely silent.”

During his annual report, the supreme knight invited hisbrother Knights to stand with him in solidarity for persecutedChristians in the Middle East, as they raised olive wood crossesand recited together a prayer on behalf of the victims.

“The blood of these martyrs cries out to you and me forhelp,” he said. “It is time for a season of truth about what ishappening to Christians and other minorities.”

The Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund,which launched a year earlier, has already distributed morethan $4 million to refugees in Iraq and Syria. This humani-tarian assistance has included shelter for those who have hadto flee their homes, as well as support for medical facilities inareas flooded with refugees.

For more information or to donate to the relief efforts, visitchristiansatrisk.org.♦

Supreme Convention Highlights Plight of Christian Refugees



Opposite page: During the supreme knight’s an-nual report Aug. 4, Knights together raise olivewood crosses in a show of solidarity with perse-cuted and displaced Christians.

Clockwise from top left: A color guard fromChaplain (Maj.) Charles Watters Assembly atFort Bragg in North Carolina presents the na-tional colors. • U.S. Army Capt. Luis Avila, hiswife, Claudia, and their son, were guests of honorat the convention. Capt. Avila is a wounded war-rior for whom the Order is funding a “smarthome” through its partnership with the Gary SiniseFoundation. • A Knight holds an olive wood crossinscribed with the emblem of the Order. • Arch-bishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio tothe United States, reads the greeting of Pope Fran-cis to the convention.



States Dinner

Above: As seen from the back side of the dais, Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil, Iraq, delivers his keynote address at the States Dinner Aug. 4.• Below: Knights and guests from Saskatchewan wave their province’s flag during the playing of state songs. • Right: Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbartof Aleppo, Syria, delivers his keynote address.


IN MY COUNTRY, Syria, Christians are in grave danger.We may disappear soon. Let me give you an idea about whatis happening.

For more than four years now, my country has been tornapart by a civil war, while radical Muslims are now calling forjihad and exclusion, a kind of apartheid for all non-Muslims.In dangerous zones, like my city of Aleppo and localities closeto Turkey, the population is terrorized by kidnappings,snipers, car bombs, shelling and looting. All this has culmi-nated in the manifestation of ISIS last year.

Innumerable attacks have destroyed Aleppo’s churches; itsfactories and flourishing industry; its infrastructure and socialand administrative institutions; its commercial area; its an-cient homes, schools and hospitals. My episcopal residenceand cathedral have been destroyed, and I live like a refugee ina convent in the city. More than half the Christians — 85,000people — have left Aleppo.

What horrors must ISIS commit before the world will takegreater action to stop the murderers? Across the region, as thefight is taken up against ISIS, the United States and its alliesmust be aware that Christians and other minorities are oftencaught up in the fighting, facing calamities as they are dis-placed, without any provisions for shelter, food and medicalassistance.

By God’s grace and with the help of organizations likeyours, we have been able to respond, in a significant way, to

a good part of the humanitarian needs of our people. Duringthe celebration this afternoon, I witnessed Knights of Colum-bus lifting up images of the Holy Family. I must tell you thatthe aid you have given my people this year has lifted up hun-dreds of families in Syria.

It is my fervent prayer that my fellow Christians and bish-ops in the United States and around the world will make thefate of the persecuted Christians in the Middle East a real pri-ority, because the suffering of my people is a wound to theentire Body of Christ.— Melkite Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Syria

States Dinner keynote address, Aug. 4



I SPEAK TO YOU from Iraq, the land of ancient Mesopotamia,where we have worshipped as Christians since the apostlesThomas and Thaddeus first brought us the teachings of Christ,nearly 2,000 years ago.

With the brutal attacks by ISIS in the summer of 2014against our faithful in the city of Mosul, and then the Christiantowns of the Nineveh Plain, more than 125,000 of our brothersand sisters were violently and forcibly displaced. Forced to fleefor their lives, these Christians have had to leave their houses,properties, past and, indeed, their very heritage behind them.

Churches and holy places where people had worshipped forcenturies have now been destroyed and desecrated, the HolyCross replaced by the flag of Daesh (ISIS). Many of these fam-ilies fled to the relative safety of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,where now they wonder how their lives can go forward. Thesepeople are in our care, yours and mine.

It is heartbreaking for us to see unprecedented numbers ofour faithful leaving their homeland to face a frightening andunknown future as refugees with little hope. We have to admit,as a Church, that we were not prepared at all for this crisis,which landed upon us last summer. We have made shelters ofchurch gardens and halls, catechism classrooms, public schools,tents, incomplete building structures.

In extending your hand of help to us, you had expressed yourhope that we work toward providing decent accommodationsand secure job opportunities. To that end we approached youlast year for aid in constructing low-cost housing, and we con-tinue to work on this project. We have also opened two medicalcenters, a trauma center, and will soon open a maternity andchild care hospital.

But we have not focused on physical and medical needsalone. Based on my conviction that ignorance and illiteracy arethe most dangerous long-term enemy that we face here in theMiddle East, we have been working to help our students pursuetheir studies. We have therefore embarked on building theCatholic University of Erbil and are grateful to announce thatthe first classes will begin this fall.

Brothers and Sisters, you were among the first to extend alife-saving hand to us in our time of danger. You stood at ourside, just as our Mother Mary and the Beloved Disciple did atthe side of the Crucified, even while much of the world turnedaway. I am here to say thank you for your charity. Thank youfor your prayers. Thank you for your generous love.— Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, C.Ss.R.,

of Erbil, IraqStates Dinner keynote address, Aug. 4

States Dinner


Above: States Dinner attendees, including a delegation from Mexico, wave flags during the playing of state songs. • Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl,archbishop of Washington, and Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, archbishop of Québec and primate of Canada, walk in procession, holding theflags of their respective jurisdictions. • Below: Supreme Knight Anderson thanks Archbishop Warda following his keynote address.

Opposite page: A projected image of Mary as Theotokos is seen in the background as Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchyof Philadelphia celebrates the Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy Aug. 5.



EDITOR’S NOTE: Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian CatholicArcheparchy of Philadelphia and Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholicsin the United States celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysos-tom for the Prefeast of the Transfiguration at the Supreme ConventionAug. 5. The following text is excerpted from his homily.

In his 1995 apostolic letter on the Eastern Churches, St. JohnPaul II wrote: “Participation in Trinitarian life takes placethrough the liturgy and in a special way through the Eucharist,the mystery of communion with the glorified body of Christ,the seed of immortality. In divinization and particularly in thesacraments, Eastern theology attributes a very special role to theHoly Spirit: through the power of the Spirit who dwells in mandeification already begins on earth; the creature is transfiguredand God’s kingdom inaugurated” (Orientale Lumen, 6).My brothers and sisters in Christ, all of us begin our journey

of transformation, of transfiguration in this path of diviniza-tion, from the moment of our baptism. At that moment wehave been “baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ.”In a special way, men who choose to become Knights of

Columbus, following in the footsteps of our founder, FatherMichael McGivney, also experience a special transformation.As a pastor, I was privileged to assist in the organization of

a new council in my parish. I saw men who were never very

active in church life join the Knights for the opportunity towork with others in parish programs. The power of fraternalprayer and works of charity in an atmosphere of unity withpatriotic love for God, Church and country transformed thesemen and their families. This in turn inspired these Knightsand their families to reach out in service to the needs of others,to live the Beatitudes. In the words of Our Lord, they becometransformed into “the salt of the earth” and “the light of theworld” (Mt 5:13,14).Brother Knights, as the salt of the earth, you are valuable to

the world. You preserve moral, ethical and religious values andteachings in a world challenged with evil and immorality. Youalso enhance and improve the quality and flavor of life for peo-ple around the world through your numerous acts of charity,just as salt enhances the quality and flavor of food. I personallyknow how thousands of people in Ukraine, including thosewounded and psychologically scarred by war, have had theirlives enhanced by the generous humanitarian aid of theKnights of Columbus, for which we are extremely grateful.As the light of the world, you not only share the light of

Christ in a darkened world, but by your example you let yourlight “shine before others, that they may see your good deedsand glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:16).

Slava Isusu Christu! Glory be to Jesus Christ!♦

‘Let Your Light Shine Before Others’

Divine Liturgy



Divine Liturgy

I GREET ALL my brother Knights and guests of theSupreme Convention on behalf of the Ukrainian GreekCatholic Church and especially on behalf of our brotherKnights from Ukraine. We have been richly blessed withthe establishment of this esteemed international Order inUkraine in 2013. As of today, we have 9 councils and over300 active members of both Latin and Byzantine rites.

After the Maidan events, known as “the Revolution ofdignity,” we are witnessing in Ukraine the birth of a newnation and our hope is that the Knights of Columbus inUkraine will be in the front line to enrich our Ukrainiansociety with solidly lived Christian values.

Last year, however, was very challenging for Ukraine, andwe continue to receive daily news about the casualties ofour soldiers and civilians in eastern Ukraine. Over one mil-lion people have been displaced by the war, and they aredependent on humanitarian aid from the internationalcommunity.

I must acknowledge that the Knights of Columbus wasthe first to respond officially to the appeal of the Holy Fa-ther for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. We are immenselygrateful for this brotherly support.— Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk

of Kyiv-Halych, UkraineLetter of Greeting to the Supreme Convention

Top: Archbishop Soroka drinks from the chalice following the consecration.• Above: The choir of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of theHoly Family in Washington, D.C., leads sung responses during the DivineLiturgy.



Awards Session

The annual Supreme Knight’s AwardSession Aug. 5 recognized individ-

ual Knights, as well as councils, assem-blies and Squires circles, for superlativeachievement in the areas of membershipgrowth and retention, insurance sales,and charitable outreach. Here is a summary of some of the key

awards and recipients, including the sixinternational service program awards:• International Family of the Year:

Ron and Peggy Weingartz, married for31 years, have five grown children.Ron, 53, past grand knight of St. MaryMagdalen Council 12295 in Brighton,Mich. Heavily involved in council ac-tivities as well as their parish’s religiouseducation efforts, Ron and Peggyspearheaded a program that places ul-trasound machines at local pregnancycenters through the Order’s UltrasoundInitiative. Together with their children,they were also the driving force behinda parish “Kids Against Hunger” cam-paign, raising funds to purchase foodand organizing volunteers to re-pack-age it into meals for distribution tofamilies in need.• Church Activity: St. Gabriel the

Archangel Council 14492 in Chester-mere, Alberta, raised more than$70,000 to help build a new churchthrough their “Angels on High” initia-tive. Fundraising efforts involved 18hikers — including Knights, fellowparishioners and the parish priest —who raised funds by climbing to thepeaks of the Kananaskis mountainrange. The council also held a silentauction and received donations fromindividual and corporate sponsors. • Community Activity: Mar Toma

Council 10981 in El Cajon, Calif.,hosted a fundraising and prayer eventon behalf of Iraqi Christians. The coun-cil rallied more than 1,000 people in thehall of St. Peter’s Chaldean CatholicCathedral in El Cajon and raised$650,000. The funds were divided, with$300,000 sent directly to Christianrefugees in Iraq, $200,000 to refugees in

Turkey and $150,000 to the Adopt-a-Refugee-Family Program in Lebanon.• Council Activity: St. Hubert’s

Council 11658 in Harrison Township,Mich., raised funds for cancer researchon behalf of a brother Knight diag-nosed with incurable cancer. In lessthan five years, the council has raisedmore than $100,000. • Culture of Life Activity: Father Lu-

cien Galtier Council 4184 in West St.Paul, Minn., raised $100,000 so thatthe Wakota Life Care Center in WestSt. Paul could purchase an ultrasoundmachine and other items. Television ac-tress Lauren Roman and former Min-nesota Vikings player Matt Birk, amember of Council 4184, spoke at thefundraising banquet.• Family Activity:Martinsburg (Mo.)

Council 1270 came to the aid of thewidowed mother of a member who diedsuddenly. Council members helped runher farm, harvest her crops and sell herfarm equipment.• Youth Activity: Cumberland (Md.)

Council 586 offered shelter, food and

other assistance to 78 high school stu-dents from Kansas who were strandedwhen their bus broke down on their re-turn trip from the March for Life. • Leading General Agents: Michael

Rodriguez of Puerto Rico (336 percentof quota) and Sergio Urrutia of Florida(208 percent of quota). • Leading Field Agents: Ronald San-

doval Sr. (520 percent of quota) andRonald “Joe” Sandoval Jr. (518 percentof quota), both of the Baca Agency inCalifornia.• Top Recruiter: Jose Noel T. Alcu-

billa of Visayas was recognized as thetop recruiter of 2014-2015 for havingsigned up 145 new members.• Century Club: Councils that add

100 members over suspensions andwithdrawals are eligible for the Order’sprestigious Century Club Award. Thisyear’s winners are: Cotabato CityCouncil 3504 in Mindanao (136 mem-bers); Gen. T. de Leon Council 10695in Valenzuela City, Luzon (120 mem-bers); El Salvador Council 9480 in Mis-amis, Mindanao (117 members).♦

Awards Session Honors Outstanding Knights, Programs

Supreme Knight Anderson and his wife, Dorian, join Michigan State Deputy Robert W. Fox andhis wife, Sandra, in honoring the Ronald and Peggy Weingartz family of St. Mary MagdalenCouncil 12295 in Brighton, Mich., as the 2015 International Family of the Year.


THE TRANSFIGURATION is presented in Scripture as thehigh point of Jesus’ ministry, when, on the heights of Mt.Tabor, Christ revealed his glory before the awestruck apostles,Peter, James and John. The glory of Jesus is his completeunion of love with the Father, a union of love so completeand so perfect that it is not just an idea or a feeling but a Per-son, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit,for “God is love.”

So, you might say that when we climb Mt. Tabor with thethree apostles, our eyes of faith behold the divine origin of thatcharity and unity which are at the heart of the Knights ofColumbus. Father McGivney didn’t just invent these princi-ples, but rather drew them from the very heart of the Gospels.He knew that if we were to share the glory of God we must bepeople who are united in charity; united in opening our hearts

to the love of God poured forth by the Holy Spirit; united inbearing witness to the love of God we have received by leadinglives of unhesitating charity, especially on behalf of the poor,the sick and the vulnerable.

Father McGivney’s charity as a parish priest revealed a soulthat had been transfigured, changed, transformed by the HolySpirit into the living image of God’s glory — that is to say, hislove. How many lives has Father McGivney’s ministry changedand transformed? We are attracted to the saints and blessedsof the Order, such as the Mexican martyrs, because in layingdown their lives in self-giving love for the sake of the faith,they manifested in their flesh the glory of God revealed in theflesh of Christ. — Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore

Memorial Mass homily, Aug. 6


Memorial Mass

Above: Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Loriof Baltimore was the principal celebrant for the Me-morial Mass on Aug. 6, the feast of the Transfigura-tion. Pictured in front of the altar is the Martyrs ofChrist the King Reliquary, containing relics of 38Mexican saints and blesseds, including six saints andthree blesseds who were Knights of Columbus. • Left:Deputy Supreme Knight Logan T. Ludwig reads thenecrology of bishops and K of C leaders who diedduring the past year. • Archbishop MieczysławMokrzycki of Lviv, Ukraine, carries the blood relic ofSt. John Paul II following the Memorial Mass.



Business Sessions

Clockwise from top left: Delegates raise signs indicating support of their jurisdictions during the Aug. 5 business session. • Chief Insurance OfficerThomas P. Smith Jr. addresses delegates following his reelection as a supreme director. • Supreme Advocate John A. Marrella reads proposed resolutions.• District of Columbia State Deputy Timothy M. Saccoccia addresses his brother Knights during the Aug. 6 business session. • Delegates reviewresolutions during the final business session. • Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori delivers closing remarks to the assembly.


CITING THE ORDER’S strongpresence in Catholic communitiesand its members’ loyalty, ratingsagency A.M. Best reaffirmed the K ofC’s rating of A++ (Superior) for fi-nancial strength. The announcementmarks the 40th consecutive year thatthe Knights ofC o l u m b u searned A.M.Best’s highestmarks.“Knights and

their families arenot just cus-tomers, they aremembers of a frater-nal family, united bytheir common bonds offaith and service,” said SupremeKnight Carl A. Anderson. “Our rat-ing is a testament to our ethical andsustainable business philosophy,which combines good business deci-sions with an outlook that puts peo-ple before profits.”Anderson added that “a key to our

organization’s strength consists of ourexcellent agents, who are Knights ofColumbus, and who view theirbrother Knights as family members.”Concerning the Knights of Colum-

bus, A.M. Best noted: “Through con-servative management, activefraternalism, and high-quality insur-ance products, the fraternal societyhas grown to a multi-billion dollar in-ternational insurance organization.”The Knights of Columbus cur-

rently has more than $99 billion oflife insurance in force and $22 billionin assets under management. No in-surer in North America is morehighly rated than the Knights ofColumbus.♦

K of C Earns Top Financial Rating for 40th Consecutive Year

Order Observes 125th Anniversary of Father McGivney’s Death

KNIGHTS AND their families fromthroughout Connecticut gatheredAug. 14 at St. Mary’s Church in NewHaven, where the Order was foundedin 1882, for a Mass commemoratingthe 125th anniversary of the death ofVenerable Michael McGivney.Supreme Chaplain ArchbishopWilliam E. Lori of Baltimore was theprincipal celebrant and homilist. A Fourth Degree honor guard led

the procession as four Knights carrieda statue of Father McGivney, whichwas placed near the church pulpit. In his homily, Archbishop Lori re-

flected on Father McGivney’s per-sonal traits and pastoral ministry.“St. John Paul II said that the

priest’s personality must be a bridgeto Christ, and indeed Father Mc-Givney’s unassuming, lighthearted,yet determined character attractedmany to the Catholic faith and to St.Mary’s Church,” he said. “He lovedthe priesthood deeply and lived it forothers, including widows, orphansand outcasts.”At the conclusion of Mass, Arch-

bishop Lori joined Supreme KnightCarl A. Anderson, other SupremeOfficers and John Walshe, a greatgrandnephew of Father McGivney, atthe sarcophagus near the entrance ofthe church, where the remains of Fa-ther McGivney are interred. Thesupreme chaplain then led the con-gregation in prayers for Father Mc-Givney’s canonization.Father McGivney died Aug. 14,

1890, two days after his 38th birth-day, at St. Thomas Church inThomaston, Conn., where he servedas pastor for six years. He was alsopastor at the time of ImmaculateConception Parish in nearby Ter-ryville. Previously, he was assistantparish priest for seven years at St.Mary’s, where he gathered a handfulof parish men in the church’s base-ment to found the Knights ofColumbus in 1882. The cause for Father McGivney’s

sainthood was opened in 1997, andPope Benedict XVI declared him aVenerable Servant of God in March2008. ♦

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

18 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦ O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Knights carry a statue of Venerable Michael McGivney during the closing procession of the Massat St. Mary’s Church observing the 125th anniversary of his death.

Oct 15 E 9_11 PS_Oct E 11 9/11/15 5:17 PM Page 18

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS


MORE THAN 80 state and localchaplains gathered for Mass Aug. 3 atthe National Shrine of St. John Neu-mann in Philadelphia to kick off theirannual meeting prior to the 133rdSupreme Convention.Supreme Chaplain Archbishop

William E. Lori of Baltimore was theprincipal celebrant and homilist. Hereminded his brother chaplains that,despite the challenges of an increas-ingly secular culture, people todayhave a deep spiritual hunger.

“We know that this hunger is onlysatisfied by God’s infinite love, and wemust do our best to feed our peoplewith the skills, talents and best effortsthat we have,” he said. In the end, “itis Jesus who acts and bestows the gracethat people need.”Following Mass, the chaplains gath-

ered for a series of workshops, ad-dresses and discussions. Speaking

again to participants, Archbishop Lorisaid that the upcoming Year of Mercyproclaimed by Pope Francis, whichbegins Dec. 8, “is tailor-made for anorganization that claims charity as its

first principle.” The supreme chaplain asked those in

attendance to foster greater love for thesacramental life of the Church, such asencouraging K of C families to recom-mit to never missing Sunday Mass.He similarly stressed “the impor-

tance of encouraging brother Knightsand their families to avail themselvesof the sacrament of penance,” he said.“Not just once or twice, but a monthlyreception of the sacrament of mercy.”Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

also offered remarks in which hethanked the chaplains for their serviceto the Order. He asked them to exer-cise spiritual wisdom and practicaljudgment in addressing the challengesof the culture, and to promoteSupreme Council initiatives thatstrengthen the family, including thenew pilgrim icon program featuringimages of the Holy Family.♦

K of C Chaplains Gather for Annual Meeting Before Convention

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E.Lori of Baltimore addresses the annual meet-ing of K of C chaplains.

ON AUG. 31, the NinthCircuit U.S. Court of Ap-peals again ruled that a his-torical World War IImemorial, including a statueaffectionately called “BigMountain Jesus,” can remainstanding on the ski slopesnear Kalispell, Mont.Sixty years ago, Kalispell Council 1328 leased a 25-by-

25-foot plot of land on Big Mountain, which lies withina commercial ski resort, from the U.S. Forest Service toerect a memorial honoring fallen soldiers from World WarII. The permit for the memorial had been renewed every10 years without incident until 2010, when a Wisconsin-based atheist group claimed that the memorial violatedthe U.S. Constitution. The Forest Service initially deniedthe permit, but then renewed it after public outcry. In February 2012, the Freedom From Religion Founda-

tion sued to have the memorial permanently removed. TheBecket Fund for Religious Liberty intervened in federal dis-trict court on behalf of several individual Montanans andthe Knights of Columbus. The suit was defeated in June2013 and the decision was subsequently appealed.♦

Court Defends WWII Memorial New Supreme Directors ElectedON AUG. 5, delegates to the 133rdSupreme Convention elected twonew supreme directors to theKnights of Columbus Board of Di-rectors, replacing two retiring mem-bers. Elected for three-year termsbeginning Sept. 1 were the Honor-able Graydon A. Nicholas, formerlieutenant governor of NewBrunswick, Canada, and Ronald F.Schwarz, the immediate past statedeputy of Oklahoma.Nicholas, 69, a member of

Bishop Dollard Council 1942 inFredericton, is the first member ofthe Aboriginal First Nation inCanada to become a judicial ap-pointee for New Brunswick and tobecome lieutenant governor of theprovince. Schwarz, 56, twice earnedCircle of Honor status for membership and insurancegrowth while serving as the Oklahoma state deputy. AKnight since 1977, he belongs to St. Monica Council11237 in Edmond.♦

Graydon A. Nicholas

Ronald F. Schwarz



It was here in 1776 that the Continental Congress adopted theDeclaration of Independence, a document whose opening wordshave been called “the greatest, most consequential statement ofpolitical philosophy of all time.”1 (see page 48)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all menare created equal, that they are endowed by theirCreator with certain unalienable Rights, that amongthese are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.— That to secure these rights, Governments areinstituted among Men, deriving their just powers fromthe consent of the governed.

ese words do not carry the power of law. But they have apower greater than law in the minds of those around the worldwho are determined to be free.

omas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration’s first draft,wrote, “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable.” Butit was a Philadelphian, Benjamin Franklin, who with one editmade one of the most significant contributions. He struck outthe words “sacred and undeniable” and replaced them with asingle word: “self-evident.”2

With a stroke of his pen, Franklin shifted the entire foundationof the Declaration from religious doctrine and a matter of faithto that of reason and the universal nature of the human person.

As the delegates prepared to consider the resolution ofindependence, news reached Philadelphia that a British fleet of300 ships carrying 30,000 troops had entered New York Harbor.Soon, Philadelphia would come under British control.

Delegate John Adams described the temperament of theassembly. “We were not,” he said, “in a very submissive mood.”3

And so, the delegates pledged their lives and their “sacred honor”to the cause of liberty and declared independence.

Eighty-seven years later, President Abraham Lincoln visited asmall Pennsylvania city. While overlooking the fields ofGettysburg, he recalled how “a new nation, conceived in liberty”was struggling to defend the principles contained in theDeclaration of Independence. And he promised that “this nation,under God,” would “have a new birth of freedom.”

At Gettysburg, President Lincoln defended America’s foundingprinciples in order to secure its future.

So too did another president, who nearly a century later beganhis inaugural address by recalling the cause for which he said ourforebears fought — “the belief that the rights of man come notfrom the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.”

President John F. Kennedy continued, “We dare not forgettoday that we are the heirs of that first revolution.”

He then announced “to friend and foe alike” that his generationof Americans was “unwilling to witness or permit the slowundoing of those human rights to which this Nation has alwaysbeen committed.”4

And so, my brother Knights, in that same spirit and with thatsame determination, I announce the theme of this 133rdSupreme Convention: “Endowed by their Creator with Life andLiberty.”

is theme is particularly appropriate this year, since we arecelebrating the 20th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s encyclicalEvangelium Vitae (e Gospel of Life) and the 50th anniversaryof Dignitatis Humanae (On the Dignity of the Person), theSecond Vatican Council’s document on religious freedom.

It is also appropriate since we are meeting in the city ofPhiladelphia — a city steeped in Catholic history.

is was one of the few places in the 13 colonies whereCatholics could freely practice their faith. And at times, it was theonly place.

Maryland was founded for Catholics. In 1632, King Charles Igave Charles Calvert, a Catholic, the land grant that establishedMaryland. In 1649, that colony enacted the first religioustolerance law in America.

But by 1681, Protestants outnumbered Catholics 30 to 1 andlaws began to change. Catholics were prevented from inheritingor purchasing land. ey were denied the right to vote or holdpublic office.

Priests were subject to life imprisonment for the crime ofcelebrating Mass, and a 100-pound reward was offered toanyone who reported seeing a priest do so. en, in the early1700s, the government ordered the closing of Maryland’s onlyCatholic church.5

us, Pennsylvania became home to a large Catholicpopulation, second only to Maryland. With anti-Catholic windsblowing in Maryland and elsewhere, Philadelphia was home tothe only Catholic parish in the 13 colonies, and Pennsylvania wasthe only colony to allow Catholic schools.

SUPREME KNIGHT133RD SUPREME CONVENTION — PHILADELPHIA, PA. , AUGUST 4-6, 2015

My brother Knights, today we meetin the city of Philadelphia, the birth-place of American Liberty.

Annual Report of the



By 1765, because of this unique tolerance, Catholics in Pennsylvania numbered about 6,000. Yet Catholicsremained a despised minority throughout much of colonialAmerica.6

Despite the widespread hatred of Catholicism, the delegatesassembled in Philadelphia came to realize that Catholics wereindispensable to the cause of independence. us, howCatholics were treated became a vital consideration.

is point was brought home when the ContinentalCongress sent a delegation to Québec to convince French-speaking Canada to join the American cause. It was led byBenjamin Franklin and included the only Catholic signer ofthe Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll.

But the Canadians refused to become involved. ey reminded the Americans that England had recently

enacted the Québec Act, which recognized the CatholicChurch as the official church of Québec. Catholics were,therefore, treated much better in Canada than they were inAmerica. And the American delegation was told as much.

Without the support of Catholic Québec, America’s strugglefor independence would be much more difficult. But it wouldhave had no chance of success without the strong support ofFrance, a Catholic country.

It was only with time, as George Washington and others

worked to keep this support, that things began to change forCatholics in the colonies.

Washington banned anti-Catholic demonstrations in theContinental Army, such as “Pope Day,” which he called a“ridiculous and childish custom,”7 and delegates to theContinental Congress eventually accompanied Charles Carrollto Catholic Mass. e Continental Congress also offered allGerman troops, many of whom were Catholic, bothcitizenship and religious freedom if they would leave theBritish and instead join the American cause — and as manyas 12,000 did so.

roughout the American Revolution and the creation ofthis country, Catholics played an important role.

A Catholic church — Old St. Mary’s Church inPhiladelphia — was the site of the first public religiouscommemoration of the Declaration of Independence. GeorgeWashington later attended a solemn Mass of anksgivingthere to celebrate victory over the British on Nov. 4, 1781.And two decades later, on Feb. 22, 1800, Congress met in thatsame church for a memorial service following the death ofPresident Washington.

Yet it wasn’t just Catholic churches that played a role in thelife of the new nation. Individual Catholics, despite their smallnumbers, also played an active part.

Phot

o by

Tom

Ser

afin



Charles Carroll signed the Declaration of Independence,and his cousin, Daniel, signed both the Articles ofConfederation and the Constitution. It was Daniel’s youngerbrother, John Carroll, who became America’s first Catholicbishop. All three put their life on the line for the cause ofliberty.

And we remember the stunning defeat of the British armyat the Battle of Yorktown, achieved by the combined actionsof the French fleet under Admiral de Grasse, the Frencharmy under Rochambeau, and the American force led byLafayette.

Following the battle, a Mass of anksgiving attended bythe Continental Congress and the Pennsylvania Assembly wascelebrated in St. Mary’s Church. e homilist, a Frenchchaplain, declared the victory a modern miracle, saying thatit was “the wonderful work of that God who guards yourliberties.”8

From Philadelphia came omas FitzSimons and GeorgeMeade, who together raised a battalion for the ContinentalArmy, and John Barry, who is regarded as “the father of theAmerican Navy.”

And from farther afield came Tadeusz Kościuszko andCasimir Pułaski. ese Polish natives, commissioned to the

Continental Army by Benjamin Franklin, fought as coloneland general, respectively, alongside George Washington.

Philadelphia has also been important in the life of theKnights of Columbus. It was the home of our sixth supremeknight, James Flaherty. Elected in 1909 and serving into 1927,he oversaw the work of the Knights of Columbus in itssupport of our troops during World War I.

After the Great War, Supreme Knight Flaherty brought theKnights of Columbus Board of Directors to France and Italy.Following their audience with Pope Benedict XV, he beganthe Order’s work of providing athletic fields for Italian youth— an initiative that continues to this day. In the 1920s,Supreme Knight Flaherty also led the Order’s efforts to combatthe racism and bigotry of the Ku Klux Klan.

And he led the Order’s efforts to defend the persecutedCatholics of Mexico. It was in Philadelphia during the 1926Supreme Convention that Supreme Knight Flaherty took upthe cause of the oppressed Mexican Catholics, saying, “ereligious crisis in Mexico will be the most important questiondiscussed by this convention.” at campaign, which wouldlast a decade, ultimately helped end the war and thepersecution of Catholics there.

Under Supreme Knight Flaherty’s leadership, the Orderearned the description given to it by Pope Benedict XV: “enoble Knights of Columbus.”

But our meeting this year in Philadelphia is not only atime to remember the past; it is our time to plan for thefuture. Next month, Pope Francis will visit this city, andmany brother Knights are already busy with preparations forthis visit.

Pope Francis has said that “to love God and neighbor is notsomething abstract, but profoundly concrete; it means seeingin every person the face of the Lord.”9 When we look into theface of each person, we see the source of life, liberty andhuman dignity, and therefore we see a brother.

And as Knights of Columbus we know this: Authenticbrotherhood is the true foundation of authentic freedom.

When Pope Francis visits this City of Brotherly Love, hewill help all Americans understand that love is the truefoundation of every city. He will also call all of us to a deeperfaith and a deeper commitment to charity. Knights ofColumbus have already heard that call and are acting on it.

My brother Knights, this is the 15th time that I will fulfillmy responsibility as supreme knight to report on theaccomplishments of our Order during the past fraternal year.

Today, I report that the Knights of Columbus has neverbeen stronger and more relevant. We have set new records incharity, membership and insurance.

Millions of Catholics are now more secure because of thefinancial protection we provide. Millions of people around theworld have been helped because of our service. Our parishesand neighborhoods are now better places because of the effortsof our nearly 1.9 million members.

We are building a better world, one council at a time.

The Liberty Bell, which the Knights helpedtransport to San Francisco 100 years ago,

is pictured in Philadelphia.

Thinks

tock



For the 16th consecutive year, we set new records incharitable giving. Our charitable contributions increased lastyear by more than $3.4 million to a record $173,550,680.

Texas led all jurisdictions with charitable donations of$9,066,514. Illinois was second with $7,839,940, followed byCalifornia, Ontario, Florida, Michigan, Québec, New Jersey,Missouri, British Columbia, New York and Ohio.

We also set a new record in charitable service, volunteering71,560,617 hours. Experts value each hour donated in 2015at approximately $23.07. is means the time we donated tocharity last year was worth $1,650,903,434.19.

In the past decade we donated more than 691,352,169hours. e value of those efforts total nearly $14.4 billion.

Brother Knights in the Philippines led the way involunteering, with Luzon contributing a total of 6,898,549hours. Texas was second with 4,536,659 hours, followed byFlorida, California, Mindanao, Ontario, Illinois, Visayas,Pennsylvania and Missouri.

When it comes to time volunteered per member, Alaska wasfirst with nearly 95 hours per member. Nova Scotia was secondwith 93 hours, followed by Saskatchewan, Prince EdwardIsland, Delaware, Utah, Florida, Nevada, the District ofColumbia and Oklahoma. Last year, each Knight donated anaverage of nearly $93 and about a full workweek of 38 hours.

From July 25 to Aug. 2, we saw another milestone whenour $1.4 million sponsorship of the 2015 Special OlympicsWorld Games in Los Angeles helped make those games atremendous success. We covered costs, including food andtransportation, for every American and Canadian athleteduring their time in Los Angeles. And for our support, wewere designated a “Founding Champion of the WorldGames.” Additionally, more than 1,000 brother Knights andtheir families were among the volunteers supporting the 7,000Special Olympics athletes.

e Knights of Columbus has stood alongside SpecialOlympics and its founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, from thevery first World Games in 1968. Eunice’s husband, SargentShriver, was a longtime brother Knight. I cannot help butthink of my meeting with Sargent Shriver during the firstSpecial Olympics World Summer Games held outside theUnited States, in Dublin, in 2003. Holding his rosary in onehand, he spoke of the importance of our families affirming thedignity of these athletes.

Our work with Special Olympics continues, now strongerthan ever. Leading up to the World Games, our councilsdonated $15,327,401 to Special Olympics and otherprograms for people with intellectual disabilities. And morethan 146,000 individual brother Knights gave nearly818,000 hours of their time at more than 21,000 SpecialOlympics events.

Just prior to this year’s Super Bowl, the Arizona Knights ofColumbus brought together Special Olympics athletes andNFL players for a flag football game and skills clinic. SeattleSeahawks tight end Luke Willson joined Pro Football Hall ofFame offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz and his son, Michael,along with former Kansas City Chiefs player Chris Horn.ey were joined by Catholic Athletes for Christ PresidentRay McKenna and Arizona State Deputy Laurence J. Becker.

In February, as college athletes attended the NFL ScoutingCombine in Indianapolis, Special Olympics athletesshowcased their talents at a clinic hosted by the IndianaKnights of Columbus, Catholic Athletes for Christ and SpecialOlympics Indiana. is marked the third year that the Knightshas sponsored this event. is year, Indianapolis Colts playerJoe Reitz and former Colts wide receiver John Standefordhosted the clinic at the Colts training facility.

Knights of Columbus support Special Olympics in aneven more direct way. For example, Brother KnightChristopher Dooley of Regina Coeli Council 2274 inEaston, Md., was part of the four-person U.S. kayaking teamat the Special Olympics World Games. Chris also served asmaster of ceremonies for Special Olympics Maryland AthleteCongress and worked at the control center of the MarylandWinter Games.

e Knights’ assistance extends beyond that given to SpecialOlympics. Last year, our councils donated more than $4.26million to benefit those with physical disabilities.

Since 2009, we have partnered with the Global WheelchairMission. Last year we distributed nearly 6,885 wheelchairsworldwide, bringing our six-year total to almost 50,000.Among the countries receiving aid in 2014-15 were thePhilippines, Mexico and Vietnam.

When California Knights traveled to the Philippines to helpdistribute wheelchairs, one of the recipients was a 96-year-oldman who fought alongside U.S. forces in the Pacific duringWorld War II.

My brother Knights, we have answered our Holy Father’s call byserving the Lord and our neighbors as never before.

KNIGHTS OF CHARITY



Knights helped with other important needs as well, giving$4.1 million to benefit the elderly, $3.1 million to assisthospitals and health care facilities, and $7.6 million forcommunity projects. Knights also provide housing for thosein need. Last year, we donated $669,259 and 1.2 millionvolunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity.

ese charitable works take a great deal of planning, but wealso stand ready to help those affected by unexpected disasters.

is year we continued to help victims of Typhoon Haiyanin the Philippines through our Livelihood Project. In March,we delivered 100 motorized boats to Filipino fishermen whoseboats were destroyed. at brought the total delivered to 226.

is project has helped not only fishermen, but also localcarpenters who were hired to build these boats. e projectwas financed by donations of more than $850,000 fromKnights and other donors to our emergency relief fund, whichalso received $250,000 from the Supreme Council.

e boats were blessed by Bishop Crispin Varquez of theDiocese of Borongan. Overseeing their delivery was LuzonSupreme Director Alonso L. Tan, former Visayas DeputyRodrigo N. Sorongon and former Luzon Deputy Arsenio Yap.

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, director of communications for theCatholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said of thedonation: “[It was] a perfect example of a charity thatevangelizes, and of neighbor helping neighbor. It showedexactly what the Knights of Columbus are all about. ...Everyone now knows that the Knights keep their promises, andwhen they help, it is not just for today, but for the long haul.”

We also provided assistance last year to those suffering fromman-made tragedies in Ukraine and the Middle East. econflict in Ukraine has created an enormous humanitarian

catastrophe, especially during the freezing winter months.During that time, we provided $400,000 to relief programssponsored by the Catholic Church in Ukraine. e Ukrainian-rite and Latin-rite Catholic communities each received$200,000 to feed and aid homeless children and refugeesliving in the capital city of Kiev, and to assist orphans andchildren separated from their families.

Also this year, British Columbia Knights led by Past StateDeputy Edward J. Shawchuk distributed 280 wheelchairs inwestern Ukraine. Assisting the Canadian Knights weremembers of Councils 15801 and 16130 in Lviv, Ukraine.

e Knights of Columbus began working in Ukraine at theurging of His Beatitude Cardinal Lubomyr Husar in 2005. Aformal presence was established in 2013, and we now havenine councils with 346 members in that country.

As we meet in the birthplace of American independence,we remember in a special way our brother Knights and theirfamilies — and indeed all the people of Ukraine. And weremember, too, the words of Benjamin Franklin: “Wherefreedom dwells, there is my country.”

Likewise, Iraqi and Syrian Christians, as well as otherreligious minorities, continue to face violent persecution andthe very real prospect of extinction. ousands have fled theirhomelands to escape forced conversion or martyrdom.

Our Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Funddonated $2.2 million to help these families in Iraq. Ourdonation paid for the construction of new homes on propertyowned by the Chaldean-rite Archdiocese of Erbil.

e houses were built mostly for Iraqi Christians who weredriven from their homes in Mosul and the surrounding area— many of whom have been unable to find room even inemergency shelters. We also gave $150,000 to provideemergency medical care for refugees in Erbil this summer.

Our Christian Refugee Relief Fund has also sent $200,000in general aid to the Melkite-rite Archeparchy of Aleppo,Syria. More recently, an additional $150,000 was donatedafter the diocesan facilities were bombed.

After learning of the Knights’ refugee fund, students at HolyCross Academy in Oneida, N.Y., raised money to help.Students found donors who pledged to pay for every goal theschool’s soccer team scored during the 2014 season. E. BartHanifin Council 473 in Oneida was the first to sign up. Withthe addition of other sponsors, the Holy Cross Academy teamraised $3,325 for the fund.

In the United States and Canada, our Knights of ColumbusCoats for Kids program is providing thousands of children inneed with warm winter coats. Last year, 1,304 local councilspurchased and distributed 60,000 coats — an increase of morethan 8,000 from the previous year. Since 2009, we havedistributed more than 230,000 new coats to children.

In Connecticut, Knights started an annual tradition ofdistributing coats on the day after anksgiving. As manypeople set out to shop on “Black Friday,” these Knightsdelivered 2,500 coats to children at seven sites throughout the

Phot

o by

Tom

Ser

afin

Knights cheer on an athlete as he completes drills with a Marian Uni-versity football player at the 2015 Special Olympics Mini Combinein Indianapolis.


state. is past year, similar Black Friday distributions wereheld in Minnesota, North Dakota, Arizona, Ohio andWashington, D.C.

is year, the Connecticut Coats for Kids program alsoestablished a partnership with police to bring warmth to evenmore children. e Connecticut State Council provided NewHaven police officers with coats to distribute in localneighborhoods. e idea came from a conversation betweena New Haven Police lieutenant and State Deputy omas J.Vita. We hope this program will expand in the future, as it isa great example of how Knights of Columbus can bring bothcharity and unity to our inner city communities.

Brother Knights also made a tremendous difference last yearby providing millions of meals through our Food for Familiesprogram.

Simon’s Soup Kitchen, operated by Rev. Gebhard BraungartCouncil 8415 in Seaside Park, N.J., has served more than100,000 meals. When it first opened in 2004, the kitchenserved 50-75 people a week. It now serves 500 meals a weekfor 30 weeks a year. And in New Haven, the Knights ofColumbus Supreme Council donated $100,000 to assist theConnecticut Food Bank in providing meals during theChristmas season.

In the Philippines, brother Knights work to break the cycleof poverty by encouraging microbusiness initiatives. DiegoSilang Council 7656 of Quezon City, Luzon, sponsored anew-business seminar at Our Lady of Fatima Church, whichdrew 29 participants. e event made recommendations onidentifying opportunities, as well as advice on how to userecycled materials to cut costs.

Ever since our sponsorship of the first national blood drivein the United States in 1938, we have continued to lead inthis effort. During the past year we enlisted the support of404,532 blood donors.

e work of many of our councils has been trulyoutstanding. For example, over the past decade, FatherRichard C. Joyce Council 2270 in Montgomery, N.Y., hascollected 2,120 pints of blood.

Our charitable work seeks to change lives even where we donot have local councils.

rough the sponsorship of the Knights of Columbus, threeHaitians journeyed to Rome for a meeting marking the fifthanniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010.e three men — members of the Haitian amputee soccerteam sponsored by the Knights of Columbus — wereintroduced to Pope Francis, to whom they presented a teamjersey and a ball signed by their fellow teammates.

ey also showed off their remarkable skills with Italiansoccer players at our Knights of Columbus soccer field inRome. e three players — Wilfrid Macena, Mackenson Pierreand Sandy J.L. Louiseme — had all received prosthetic andrehabilitation care through our partnership with the Universityof Miami’s Project Medishare. is partnership, through theHealing Haiti’s Children program, also made free prostheticsand rehabilitation services available to every child who lost alimb in the earthquake. With Medishare’s medical expertiseand the Knights of Columbus’ funding of nearly $1.7 million,approximately 1,000 people received prosthetic limbs andmore than 25,000 people received rehabilitation services.

WH

EELC

HAI

R: C

ourte

sy o

f the

Glo

bal W

heel

chai

r Mis

sion

— V

ATIC

AN: S

erviz

io F

otog

rafic

o/L’

Oss

erva

tore

Rom

ano


Left: Azul Juarez, 3, holds up a sign thanking the Knights of Columbusfor the “gift of mobility” at a wheelchair distribution center in Pachuca,Mexico. The Knights of Columbus partners with the Global WheelchairMission to supply wheelchairs to those in need around the world.

Above: Pope Francis receives a Team Zaryen jersey from Wilfrid Macenaduring a private audience while Macena’s teammates, Mackenson Pierre(far left) and Sandy J.L. Louiseme, look on. Also present are SupremeKnight Anderson and Dr. Robert Gailey, director of rehabilitation forProject Medishare.



Councils have looked beyond their own communities inmany ways. Last summer, Troy (Ill.) Council 9266 raised morethan $9,000 to pay for educational costs, school supplies,clothing and food for children in Kenya.

Elsewhere in Africa, the Knights of Columbus continuesworking with the Apostles of Jesus to provide care and shelterfor children in Uganda and Kenya who have been orphaned

because of AIDS. We built a school in Uganda, where adormitory for students was recently completed. In addition,our funds provided a new bus to transport students safely toand from school in Kenya.

Charity is our Order’s first principle and the basis for allwe do as Knights. In other words, to be a Knight ofColumbus is to be a man for others. In his inaugural Masshomily, Pope Francis said that if we would follow him we“must be inspired by the lowly, concrete and faithful servicewhich marked Saint Joseph and, like him, (we) must open(our) arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace withtender affection the whole of humanity, especially thepoorest, the weakest, the least important, those whomMatthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, thethirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those inprison.”10

We do this in countless ways through thousands ofprograms in communities around the world.

Each year we have accomplished more than we have the yearbefore. One important reason for this steady growth in charityis our steady growth in membership. More brother Knightsmean more hands ready to help others. And each new Knightalso means we are helping someone to become a betterCatholic man, a better husband, a better father and a bettercitizen.

Our commitment to charity therefore depends upon ourcommitment to membership.

Ph

oto

by M

ike

Ro

ss

Supreme Knight Anderson stands with Lt. Sam Brown, New HavenPolice Chief Dean Esserman and Connecticut State Deputy Tom Vitain front of coats collected in a joint effort between the Knights ofColumbus and the New Haven Police Department for the Knightsof Columbus Coats for Kids program.

Oct 15 E 9_14 FINAL_Oct E 11 9/15/15 10:34 AM Page 26


During this same period we added 256 new councils, in-cluding five in Mexico, 11 in Poland, 10 in Canada, 95 inthe Philippines and 135 in the United States. We now have15,117 councils throughout the Order.

And this year I again personally presented charters for sev-eral new councils. In October, I presented a charter to St.Augustine Council 15723 in Washington, D.C., at St. Au-gustine Church, known as the “Mother Church of African-American Catholics in the Nation’s Capital.”

Our Order is also growing in Ukraine, Lithuania andPoland. Last January, in Lithuania, more than 10,000 peopleattended the first “Family Expo” sponsored by the Archdioceseof Vilnius. Council 15900 was there to spread awareness aboutthe Order’s efforts to strengthen family life. Archbishop Gin-taras Grušas of Vilnius, a member of that council, addressedthe meeting, as did Supreme Treasurer Michael O’Connor.

In 2014, I announced the establishment of our first coun-cil in South Korea — St. Andrew Kim Taegon Council16000. Membership in Korea has continued to grow, and Iwas recently in Seoul to present charters to that council andto St. Paul Chong Hasang Council 16178.

Other jurisdictions added substantially to their ranks aswell. Ukraine took the lead, growing by nearly 110 percent.Lithuania followed with 21.6 percent and Poland with 14.2percent. Mexico Central and Mexico South grew by 12.8 per-cent and 9.5 percent, respectively. In Canada, British Colum-bia led with a 1.7 percent growth in membership. In theUnited States, Hawaii saw the largest growth with 8.9 percent.

Most brother Knights say they were asked to join theKnights of Columbus by a family member or friend, yet toomany Knights say they rarely offer this invitation to others.All of us need to make an extra effort to extend the benefits of

MEMBERSHIP GROWTHIt gives me great pleasure to report that our membership grew forthe 43rd consecutive year to a record 1,888,598 brother Knights.



membership to more Catholic men. Today, I ask every brotherKnight to recruit at least three new members this year. You can use our new membership recruitment app, free

of cost and available for most mobile devices, to assist youin this important work. This app gives prospective membersan overview of our charitable work, our service to theChurch and our fraternal benefits. It also includes a digitalprospect card. Councils should hold First Degrees on a timely and fre-

quent basis, and they should use our new First Degree DVDwhen a degree team is not available. Our Star Councils lead the Order in growth and charita-

ble efforts. I applaud every council that has achieved thishonor, and I encourage every council to strive to join theirranks. This year, 2,163 councils achieved Star Council status— an impressive increase of 88 percent over last year.Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of

Columbus to strengthen Catholic family life. And since 1882,we have been protecting Catholic families for generations. This past year, we launched a new program to assist our

families — Building the Domestic Church: The FamilyFully Alive. This program will strengthen marriages andfamilies by encouraging family prayer, catechesis, charityand better communication. We began this initiative inpreparation for the upcoming World Meeting of Families,in Philadelphia. Now, the Domestic Church program willbe the centerpiece of our continued efforts to strengthenCatholic family life. It will also be an essential part of our new Pilgrim Icon

Program dedicated to the Holy Family, which we began atthis Supreme Convention. Through this program, we willentrust the families of the Knights of Columbus to the HolyFamily and adopt the World Meeting of Families Prayer asour own:

Bishop Francis Xavier Soo-il of the Military Ordinariate of Korea, Auxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer for the Archdiocese for the MilitaryServices, USA, Supreme Knight Anderson and Knights of Columbus leaders join members of the two new South Korean councils, St. Andrew KimTaegon Council 16000 and St. Paul Chong Hasang Council 16178, as they receive their charters.



Phot

o by

Joh

n W

hitm

an

May the example of the Holy Family, with the aidof [the] Holy Spirit, guide all families, especiallythose most troubled, to be homes of communionand prayer and to always seek your truth and live inyour love.

During his visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis cited theneed for “holy and loving families to protect the beauty andtruth of the family in God’s plan and to be an example forother families.” He added: “What a gift this would be to so-ciety, if every Christian family lived fully its noble vocation!”11

is is our challenge: for every Knights of Columbus fam-ily to truly live as a domestic church, to be a family fully alive.In this way, all of our Knights of Columbus families can par-ticipate in the World Meeting of Families and embrace itstheme: “Love Is Our Mission: e Family Fully Alive.”

When Pope Francis arrives in Philadelphia this Septem-ber, he will be met by thousands of Knights of Columbus.But more importantly, he will be met by the prayers andwitness of our families.

Another great resource for K of C councils and families isour Catholic Information Service, which continues to provideinformation on the faith through its Veritas and Luke E. HartSeries. Of special importance is the New Evangelization Serieson topics such as prayer, the Eucharist, St. John Paul II’s the-ology of the body, marriage and consecrated life.

Supreme Knight Anderson joins members of St. Augustine Council 15723 in Washington, D.C., at the council’s charter presentation. Also presentare State Deputy Ernest T. Boykin Jr., Charter (now Past) Grand Knight Harry Anderson, current Grand Knight Kenny Brown and FatherPatrick Smith, pastor and council chaplain. The new council was formed at St. Augustine’s Parish, historically known as the “Mother Church ofAfrican-American Catholics in the Nation’s Capital.”



We can help today’s youth understand the distinctivenessof Catholic charity.

In Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Practicalactivity will always be insufficient, unless it visibly expresses alove for man, a love nourished by an encounter with Christ.”12

This is the spirit of Knights of Columbus charity, and thisis the lesson we must teach our youth by our example.

Our councils engage youth in a variety of ways. Forexample, Medalla Milagrosa Council 8254 in Quezon City,Luzon, feeds up to 800 elementary schoolchildren twice amonth and also provides school supplies.

St. Matthew Council 14360 in Norwalk, Conn.,sponsored three trips to Bridgeport Bluefish minor leaguebaseball games for clients of the Family and Children’sAgency. The games were attended by teens in the agency’safter-school and behavioral health programs, as well as thosefrom specialized foster care.

Richard Council 788 in Lansing, Mich., delivered “Caseythe Teddy Bear” toys to local police. Law enforcementagencies and victim advocate groups use the bears to helpchildren affected by traumatic situations.

As I have stated repeatedly, we have no highe r prioritythan the protection of our children. And as Knights ofColumbus, we take this responsibility very seriously. Westrive to maintain the highest standards regarding theprotection of young people.

This year, we’ve partnered with Praesidium Inc., anorganization with more than 20 years experience insafeguarding youth. Through this partnership, our memberswill be provided with the most up-to-date resourcesavailable to keep children safe, including online training,background screenings and reporting services. All childrendeserve a safe environment, and the Knights of Columbusis committed to providing such an environment.

During the past year, 119,059 young people participatedin 4,371 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championships.Our Soccer Challenge program engaged more than 16,852participants at 1,596 events.

Knights of Columbus will also play an important part inWorld Youth Day 2016 in Kraków, Poland. Next summer,with the help of our Polish brother Knights, we will host asite for English-language pilgrims from around the world.

Knights also showed support for young people bysponsoring 28,777 Scouts in 1,158 Scouting units in the

United States and 1,341 Scouts in 129 Scouting units inCanada. Working closely with the National CatholicCommittee on Scouting and their local dioceses, ourcouncils determine the best ways to promote the formationof our Scouts.

Columbian Squires were also very active this past year.Squires concluded the year with 23,976 members in 1,826active Squires circles. They donated more than $110,000and over 250,000 volunteer hours.

Our college councils also continue to expand. This year,we added 22 new college councils, including nine in theUnited States and 13 in the Philippines. We now have29,065 college Knights at 323 college councils. During thelast fraternal year, these college Knights donated more than$198,000 and 290,000 hours.

In the 2014-2015 academic year, the Supreme Councilfunded 519 college scholarships worth over $1.06 million.

Among our other programs, six scholarships totaling over$84,000 were provided through the Matthews and SwiftEducational Trust. This scholarship provides benefits for thechildren of members killed or permanently disabled as aresult of military conflict or of criminal violence whileperforming their duties as police or firefighters.

In addition, 129 scholarships worth more than $187,000were provided through the Fourth Degree Pro Deo and ProPatria scholarship program.

For seminarians, 108 scholarships were awarded throughthe Father Michael J. McGivney and Bishop Thomas V.Daily Vocations Scholarship programs. Of the 44 newawardees, 39 are members of the Order. Each scholarshipprovides $2,500. Since these two scholarship programsbegan in 1992 and 1999, respectively, they have distributedmore than $6.5 million to 1,146 seminarians, 789 of whomhave become priests.

But our greatest support for vocations comes through ourRefund Support Vocations Program (RSVP). Last year,3,068 local units provided $3,687,161 to 6,248 seminariansthrough RSVP. Since 1981, RSVP has provided more than$63 million to more than 104,000 men and womenpursuing vocations.

St. James Council 2299 in Logan, Ohio, spirituallysupported 39 seminarians in the Diocese of Columbus.They wrote the names of each seminarian on individualprayer cards, which were then distributed during the parish’s

YOUTHBrother Knights, you know that young people need our support — ifnot materially, then morally and spiritually through our good example.



Phot

o by

Pet

er R

inge

nber

g

monthly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Each adorerwas asked to pray during the Holy Hour for the seminariannamed on the card.

The path toward a vocation is different for each person.For Matt Hawkins, the journey began at age 23, when hefirst converted to the faith. Now, at 58, he is preparing forthe priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, whereFather McGivney completed his studies. His path of

discernment has been a long one, but the Knights of St.John Paul the Great Council 13832 in Finleyville, Pa., havehelped him through the process, offering him financial andmoral support through the Order’s RSVP initiative.

Local councils and assemblies provided $7.1 million inother scholarships and an additional $1.5 million for youthathletic programs. Last year, councils and assembliescontributed a total of nearly $18 million to youth programs.

Supreme Knight Anderson, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., and Indiana State Deputy Scott C. Cunningham standwith members of Notre Dame Council 1477 outside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. The university honoredthe supreme knight and the Knights of Columbus with the Evangelium Vitae Medal, one of the nation’s most prestigious pro-life awards.



Phot

o co

urte

sy o

f cha

rity:

wat

er

One of the most urgent issuesthe Holy Father addressed is theneed for clean drinking water,especially in Africa. We agree.

And so today, I amannouncing a new initiative ofthe Knights of Columbus.rough a partnership with thenon-profit organization “charity:water,” we will provide financingto build 20 new clean waterwells in Africa. is project willimprove the health and save thelives of thousands of people.

As one African priest told uswhen he heard of our initiative,“Water is life, and I thank theKnights of Columbus forreaching out with this precious gift of life.”

At the same time, we continue our support of the Wellsof Hope organization, led by brother Knight Ted VanderZalm, who for years has dug wells in Central America tobring clean water to remote villages.

Our stewardship of the environment also includes ourresponsibility as a corporate citizen. In New Haven, we havereplaced all the windows in our corporate headquartersbuilding with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient windows. Weestimate that it will now take 13 percent less energy to coolour building and 31 percent less energy to heat it.

We also recently completed a retrofit of our building’slighting that has already brought significant energy savings,and we continue to develop our Strategic EnergyManagement Plan.

Elsewhere, we have helped restore ecosystems to theirproper balance.

In the Philippines, following the devastation of thousandsof trees by Typhoon Haiyan, we provided 10,000 coconutseedlings to farmers as part of a major reforestationprogram, helping to restore both the environment and theeconomy.

On the local level, our councils combine concern for theenvironment with service to their communities and ourChurch. For example, Msgr. Esper Council 3027 in Fowler,Mich., conducts an annual “Returns for Vocations”fundraiser. By collecting bottles and cans, brother Knightsraise about $5,000 annually to support local seminarianswhile protecting the environment and beautifying theircommunity.

PROTECTING THEENVIRONMENT

This summer, Pope Francis issued his encyclical Laudato Si’. In it,he calls for a new dialogue about the environmental challenges weface. And so the Knights of Columbus has not only discussed thesechallenges, we have also acted on them.

Through a partnership with “charity:water,” the Knights of Columbuswill help bring clean drinking water to thousands of people in Africa.



Last year, 6,217 Knights joined our Patriotic Degree,bringing Fourth Degree membership to a record high of347,177. We also added 84 new assemblies, bringing the totalto 3,253.

Sir Knights are an especially important presence in VeteransAdministration (VA) hospitals throughout the United States.ey make up the majority of the thousands of Knights whoare part of the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services (VAVS)program. Our veterans deserve the best that we can give them,and the Knights of Columbus has always kept our promise incaring for our veterans. Today, we are the VA’s largest singlefraternal volunteer service partner. Led by the Fourth Degree,Knights donated nearly 99,000 hours of service at more than136 VA medical centers.

e Fourth Degree also led our financial support of militarychaplains. Five years ago, in partnership with the Archdiocesefor the Military Services, USA, we pledged $1 million tosupport the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program. at totalhas reached $1,074,754.

Currently, there are 23 seminarians receiving funds throughthis program. Five priests were ordained through it in 2014,and five additional priests have been ordained this year.

Today, only 225 priests remain as active-duty chaplains —that is one priest for every 1,300 Catholics in the military. While25 percent of the U.S. military is made up of Catholic soldiers,Catholic priests make up only 8 percent of the chaplains.Clearly the need continues. And so, although we have reachedour $1 million goal, we will continue our financial support.

We have also continued our partnership with the GarySinise Foundation to build computer-equipped custom “smarthomes” for America’s severely wounded heroes. Last year, wehelped build a smart home for Cpl. Kyle Hockenberry andhis wife, Ashley. During this fraternal year, we will provide anew computer smart home for U.S. Army Capt. Luis Avilaand his wife, Claudia.

Local councils also continue their great efforts to aid ourveterans. Last year marked the fifth year that St. Philip theApostle Council 11671 in Clifton, N.J., and the New Jersey

FOURTH DEGREE &THE ARMED FORCES

Fourth Degree Knights lead our Order’s commitment to patriotism.They provide a dignified presence as honor guards at patriotic ceremonies and liturgical events.

Top: Pilgrims and volunteers arrive at the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes,France. The Knights of Columbus, through a partnership with the Arch-diocese for the Military Services, USA, sponsored more than 200 pil-grims in 2015. • Above: Supreme Knight Anderson andrepresentatives of the Florida State Council join members of John Car-dinal O’Connor Council 16080 at the Naval Air Station in Pen-sacola during the charter ceremony of the newest military council.

LOUR

DES:

Tom

Ser

afin



Phot

o by

Tom

Ser

afin

Supreme Knight Anderson and his wife, Dorian, stand with Bishop F. Richard Spencer (center) of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA,and the American pilgrims in front of the Rosary Basilica as a part of the 2015 Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage.

State Council organized a successful “Tank Pull” to supportour wounded and disabled veterans. In five years, this eventhas raised approximately $700,000.

Once again, through the U.S. Military Archdiocese, we co-sponsored nearly 200 pilgrims to attend the 57th AnnualInternational Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. eevent included delegations from more than 40 countries. Ourdelegation was joined by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio andAuxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer of the Archdiocese forthe Military Services, USA.

e Knights of Columbus has a long history in Lourdes,beginning with an Army hospitality center there at the end ofthe First World War. During our recent pilgrimage, militarypersonnel used the same Knights of Columbus guidebook toLourdes that we distributed to troops in 1919, as well as ourcurrent prayer book.

Also participating in the 57th International MilitaryPilgrimage were brother Knight chaplains from Canada,Korea, Poland and Lithuania, in addition to a delegation ofwounded warriors and chaplains from Ukraine.

During our pilgrimage, I had the honor of meeting theMcQuigg family. Brother Knight Paul McQuigg is a Marinegunnery sergeant who received severe combat wounds to hisface and has undergone more than 50 surgeries. Standing withhim through his struggles have been his wife, Holly, and their11-year-old son, Sebastian. e example of the McQuiggfamily, and of all the pilgrims, was truly inspiring.

We continue to welcome men serving in the armed forcesinto the Knights of Columbus.

During the recent charter presentation ceremony at the newJohn Cardinal O’Connor Council 16080 at Naval Air StationPensacola in Florida, I shared this historic message from FranklinDelano Roosevelt. It was written soon after the First World War,when Roosevelt was acting secretary of the Navy. It reads:

e Department desires to express the gratitude of theofficers and men of the United States Navy for all themany good things the Knights of Columbus have donefor them during the World War. e efficiency of yourorganization has been well matched by the constantdesire of the individual worker to serve the men to thebest of his … ability. is helpfulness and efficiency hasproven a powerful aid to the … fighting spirit of theNavy. e Department is desirous that your excellentwork be continued and that the Naval Service, whetherthe country be in peace or at war, have the benefit ofyour splendid co-operation. ere is a very constantneed for your services.

Roosevelt’s message also said, “e Knights of Columbusshould be just as active and continue as it did in the war. If itswork should stop, it would be a national calamity.”

I am proud to say that our work has not stopped. And Ihave every confidence that it will continue in the future.


O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 ♦ C O L U M B I A 35

He did not want the tragic death of a breadwinner to leavewidows and children in poverty.

Today, Father McGivney’s mission continues through ourinsurance program. is year, for the 14th consecutive year,our program of “insurance by brother Knights for brotherKnights” set a new record: We issued $8.24 billion in newinsurance sales.

is is a result of the hard work and integrity of our brotherKnights who serve as our insuranceagents.

I am also proud to announce thatthe Knights of Columbus was againrecognized by the EthisphereInstitute as a 2015 World’s MostEthical Company®. is designationrecognizes industry leaders thatfoster a culture of ethics andtransparency at every level of theircompany. e Knights of Columbusis one of only three recipientshonored in the Life Insurancecategory this year.

For 133 years, the Knights ofColumbus has been protecting thefinancial future of Catholicfamilies and providing charity tothose in need. Both in ourcharitable work and in ourinsurance program, our foundingprinciples continue to guide everyaspect of what we do, includingour corporate governance, ourinvestment decisions, the actions of our professional agencyforce and our day-to-day operations.

And despite almost a decade of financial turbulence, wecontinue our success because we continue our commitmentto our Catholic values.

Our fraternal Catholic brotherhood, founded on principlesof charity, unity and fraternity, is the key to our businessmodel — a model that is ethical, sustainable and successful.

For the 40th consecutive year, the Knights of Columbusearned A.M. Best’s highest rating of A++ (Superior). israting is reserved only for a select number of companies that

have “a superior ability to meet their ongoing insuranceobligations.” A.M. Best noted, “its strong market presence inthe Catholic community ... consistently positive statutoryearnings ... (and) exceptional level of risk-adjustedcapitalization” are some of the major reasons for the Orderreceiving once again a superior rating.

We also continue to place among America’s largestcompanies, ranking number 939 on this year’s Fortune 1000

list. Our assets grew 4.5 percent lastyear to more than $21.5 billion.Our surplus ratio is 11.1 percent,which is consistent with the averagefor the top 25 life insurancecompanies.

Our insurance in force reached$96.7 billion, an amount that hasmore than doubled in the last 12years. Last year alone, our insurancein force grew by $4.1 billion. Weissued nearly 73,000 life certificateslast year, surpassing our closestfraternal benefit society competitorby more than 30,000. We now haveover 2 million certificates in force.And our five-year sales growth ofmore than 1.7 percent stands inmarked contrast to the industry as awhole, which saw sales decline bynearly 2 percent during this sameperiod.

Every day, our professionalagency force of more than 1,500

brother Knights helps Catholic families plan for their financialfuture. ese brother Knights serve only Knights and theirfamilies. ey share the commitment of every Knight to ourOrder’s principles. rough their dedicated service, brotherKnights and their families can be confident that when theychoose life insurance with the Knights of Columbus, theirfuture is secure.

A recent survey of our membership revealed what we havelong known: Our members like our insurance program. Infact, 94 percent of insurance members expressed satisfactionwith the program.

INSURANCE

Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus tofinancially protect Catholic families.

Oct 15 E 9_14 FINAL_Oct E 11 9/15/15 10:34 AM Page 35


Not surprisingly, that satisfaction has translated into oneof the lowest lapse rates in the industry at 3.7 percent —well below the industry average of 5.7 percent. In otherwords, more than 96 percent of our insurance members keeptheir policies. That is an outstanding level of customersatisfaction.Our success continues to outpace the industry. Our

insurance premiums exceeded $1.19 billion. Our lifepremiums increased 3.7 percent, more than double theindustry rate of 1.8 percent. Our annuity deposits were at $531.6 million. We paid more than $290.5 millionin dividends to our life insurance contract holders. Andsince the beginning of our program, we have paid out morethan $13.5 billion in living benefits to our insurancemembers.Last year we paid out more than $337 million in death

benefits. And over the course of our history, we have paiddeath benefits totaling nearly $4.4 billion. But the true test of excellence for any insurer is the

strength of its financial platform — that is to say, the degreeto which assets exceed liabilities and what is necessary toreserve in order to make future payments on death claims.Our $1.9 billion surplus enables us to keep the promises wemake to our families.



In this regard, Standard and Poor’s says that the Knights ofColumbus is “extremely strong ... at the AAA level,” and theypraise our “very strong competitive position.”

To those who ask how we remain both extremely strong andvery competitive, the answer is simple: We put people beforedollars.

e widow of a brother Knight recently said it best. Shewrote:

When my husband, John, passed away, I didn’t knowwhat I was going to do, nor did I know who to turnto for help. Because John had coverage with theKnights of Columbus, I was able to get in contact withJason (our field agent). He attended to me right away... [and] he took care of filing all of the claims that goalong with losing someone. Had it not been for Jason,I would have made many mistakes. He was my angel,and I’m sure that he has helped a lot of people. In myopinion, he is one of a kind.

at is what we mean when we say, “Insurance by brotherKnights for brother Knights.” at is the Knights ofColumbus promise. at is the Knights of Columbusdifference. at is the Knights of Columbus advantage.



INVESTMENTS

This year, our Investment Department has again done an excellentjob of maintaining our financial strength. Their hard work has al-lowed us to maintain competitive rates both on the premiums wecharge and on the dividends we return.

Despite continued low interest rates, these professionalshave found quality, sustainable ways to maintain healthyyields. While the yield on 10-year treasury bonds last year av-eraged 2.5 percent, our new purchase rate was 4.22 percent.

During 2014, we invested more than $7 million each day.Our new investments totaled $2.4 billion, and we had$959,364,745 in investment income — an increase of 4.28percent over 2013.

Strong investment performance is the bedrock of our finan-cial strength.

But what we do with our money matters in another way.When we invest in an enterprise, our dollars help make thatenterprise grow and succeed. We therefore invest in ways thatreflect our Catholic values, and we screen our investments ac-cordingly.

is commitment extends to the financial assistance weoffer to local parishes through our ChurchLoan program.ese loans provide direct financing to Catholic parishes andschools. In this way, we help build the future of our localCatholic communities.

Year after year, our investment team has created an ethicaland sustainable formula that has built a record of success.Now, for the first time, we have put this expertise at the serv-ice of other Catholic institutions through Knights of Colum-bus Asset Advisors. We launched this initiative because we

believe that the Knights of Columbus investment model,committed to sustainability, transparency, prudence andCatholic values, offers a more compelling approach forCatholic institutions than money managers with a non-Catholic focus.

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors is a registered invest-ment advisor and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Knightsof Columbus. It offers faith-based investment solutions con-sistent with Catholic principles and is specifically designed tomeet the needs of Catholic institutions. In this way, too, wehope to strengthen the financial base of Catholic institutionsacross the country.

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis wrote: “Business is avocation, and a noble vocation, provided that those engagedin it see themselves challenged by a greater meaning in life;this will enable them truly to serve the common good.”13

In these few words, Pope Francis adeptly summarized whatcould be described as the business philosophy of the Knightsof Columbus.

As with the charitable and fraternal work of our Order, ourinsurance and investment strategies support our Catholicfaith. is is another facet of the Knights of Columbus differ-ence. We invest money in ways that are consistent with ourethical values. And we do so in ways that support our Churchlocally, nationally and internationally.



In December 2014, on the feast of Our Lady ofGuadalupe, I was again honored to represent the Knights ofColumbus in a private audience with Pope Francis. It wasthe third time I have met with our Holy Father.

During the meeting, we discussed the Order’s charitablework, including our efforts on behalf of refugees in the MiddleEast. I presented the Holy Father with our annual contributionof $1.6 million from the Vicarius Christi Fund for his personalcharities. Since 1981, our gifts through this fund have totaled

more than $54,415,000. is year, we also contributed an ad-ditional $400,000 for his efforts to assist persecuted Christians.

Shortly after our meeting, Pope Francis celebrated a specialMass in St. Peter’s Basilica. At its conclusion, Brother KnightMsgr. Eduardo Chávez, postulator for the cause of St. JuanDiego, presented the Holy Father with a Knights of Colum-bus Silver Rose.

Brother Knights hand-carried this rose and others like itfrom Canada, through the United States, and to the Basilica

L’O

sser

vato

re R

oman

o

KNIGHTS & THE CHURCH

For more than a century, the Knights of Columbus has stood asthe strong right arm of our Church. Brother Knights around theworld not only engage in acts of charity that evangelize, but also inthose that directly promote evangelization.

On Dec.12, 2014, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis received Supreme Knight Anderson in a private audience at the Vatican.During this meeting, the supreme knight presented the pope with the annual proceeds from the Vicarius Christi Fund and an additional $400,000for the Vatican’s Christian relief fund.



Above: Supreme Knight Anderson joins (left to right) Patrick Kelly, director of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine; Supreme Chaplain ArchbishopWilliam E. Lori of Baltimore; Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv, former personal secretary to John Paul II; Metropolitan-Archbishop StefanSoroka of Philadelphia; and Deputy Supreme Knight Logan T. Ludwig at the inauguration of the permanent exhibit at the shrine in Washington, D.C.

of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. For more than50 years, we have sponsored the Silver Rose program as asymbol of Catholic unity throughout North America and tohonor Mary under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

This fall, a new Knights of Columbus-produced docu-mentary film on Our Lady of Guadalupe will be broadcastacross the United States on the ABC Television Network.The bilingual film is narrated in Spanish by PlácidoDomingo and will have a DVD release later this year.

Inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. John Paul II wasdedicated to promoting the spiritual unity of the WesternHemisphere. He wanted us to break down the barriers thatdivide Catholics throughout our continent and to see our-selves as part of a great community — as members of Ecclesiain America.

As pope, John Paul II brought this message to NorthAmerica on many occasions: on seven visits to the UnitedStates, five to Mexico, three each to Canada and the Do-minican Republic, and once to Cuba. During each of thesevisits, the Knights of Columbus was in solidarity with thisgreat pope and his message.

Today, we continue this solidarity through our work withthe Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C.Last fall, we celebrated the inauguration of the shrine’s per-

manent exhibit on his life. The new exhibit, titled “A Giftof Love: The Life of Saint John Paul II,” is a 16,000-square-foot state-of-the-art gallery.

In September, we will open the shrine’s new Redeemer ofMan chapel. This chapel can accommodate more than 500pilgrims, and its name is in tribute to St. John Paul II’s firstencyclical, Redemptor Hominis. The chapel will be adornedon four sides with beautiful mosaics created by Jesuit FatherMarko Rupnik. Father Rupnik’s extraordinary artistry cannow be found in more than 130 churches around the world,including the basilicas at Lourdes and Fatima, as well as atthe Vatican’s Redemptoris Mater Chapel.

We especially remember St. John Paul II’s call to openwide the doors to Christ for a new evangelization. This na-tional shrine ensures that the Knights of Columbus will takeits place in the forefront of this great mission.

is spring, we also released a new documentary film titledJohn Paul II in America: Uniting a Continent. Narrated by actorAndy Garcia, the film explores how John Paul II transformedthe cause of human rights throughout the Western Hemisphereby his concern for the poor and his defense of democracy. edocumentary is now available on DVD and was screenedthroughout April on PBS-affiliated stations and on EWTN,CatholicTV, and Salt + Light Television in Canada.



We are now developing a second film on the vital role thatSt. John Paul II played in the fall of communism and theliberation of Eastern Europe. This feature-length documen-tary will be released next spring.The Knights of Columbus welcomed the announcement

by Pope Francis that he would canonize Blessed JuníperoSerra in Washington, D.C., this September. For nearly twocenturies, Father Serra has been regarded as the founder ofCalifornia and revered by millions of Hispanic Catholicsthroughout the southwestern United States and Mexico.In May, I was honored to address a conference on

Junípero Serra’s life, organized by the Pontifical Commis-sion for Latin America, the Pontifical North American Col-lege and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Held in Rome, themeeting clarified the contributions he made to our nation.Pope Francis offered Mass for the conference in the chapelof the North American College and preached a beautifulhomily on Father Serra.Blessed Junípero Serra served God in a heroic way, and we

believe Pope Francis is right to describe him as one of thefounders of the United States. We are right to seek his inter-cession for the continued evangelization of our countries.This summer, in honor of Pope Francis, our first Jesuit

pope, the Knights of Columbus made a $600,000 donationto help save the historic shrine that honors the North Amer-ican Jesuit martyrs and St. Kateri Tekakwitha. The donation

consisted of $500,000 from the Knights of ColumbusSupreme Council and $100,000 from the New York StateCouncil. Brother Knights in the Albany, N.Y., area alsoraised funds toward this effort. Located in the Mohawk Valley of central New York, the

400-acre shrine was St. Kateri’s birthplace and the placewhere St. Isaac Jogues, St. René Goupil and St. John de laLande were martyred. Our donation is an important part ofour continuing efforts to preserve the spiritual heritage andidentity of Catholics in North America.As we celebrate the canonization of Junípero Serra, I also

ask that we pray for the beatification of our own founder.On Aug. 14, we observe a milestone for Venerable Michael

McGivney — the 125th anniversary of his death. Father Mc-Givney left this life just two days after his 38th birthday andonly eight years after founding the Knights of Columbus.Although Father McGivney was a priest for only 13 years,another priest described his holy life as rich in priestly virtue,saying that our founder had Christ’s love of souls, St. John

Above: Supreme Knight Anderson joins Archbishop José Gomez of LosAngeles and Cardinal Marc Ouellet, president of the pontifical com-mission for Latin America, during a three-day conference on BlessedJunípero Serra, the “Apostle of California,” at Rome’s Pontifical NorthAmerican College.

Right: Pope Francis receives a Knights of Columbus Silver Rose fromMsgr. Eduardo Chávez, postulator of the cause for canonization of St.Juan Diego, on Dec. 12, 2014, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.The rose was one of six crafted for the running of the Silver Rose andmade a 9,000-mile pilgrimage from British Columbia, through theUnited States and into Mexico, symbolizing the unity of Knights acrossNorth America and the Order’s commitment to the sanctity of humanlife through devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

CO

NFE

REN

CE:

BO

TTO

M: A

less

ia G

iulia

ni/C

PP —

RO

SE: L

’Oss

erva

tore

Rom

ano



Vianney’s childlike piety and St. Vincent de Paul’s zeal forthe works of mercy.He was a “good, simple, honest priest of Connecticut. …

To meet him was at once to trust him; children actually lovedhim and the very old people of the neighborhood … calledhim a positive saint and … non-Catholics found in FatherMcGivney a soul of immense sympathy.”Another priest said, “He was a man of the people. He was

ever zealous for the people’s welfare, and all the kindlinessof his priestly soul asserted itself most strongly in his unceas-ing efforts for the betterment of their condition.”Amid the anti-Catholic prejudice and social problems of

his day, Father McGivney did not remain passive. Instead,he founded a new Catholic brotherhood with laymen andfor laymen to protect families, support the Church, spreadthe Gospel and work for the common good.We need to continue our prayers for his beatification and

eventual canonization. In 2008, Father McGivney was declared a Venerable Ser-

vant of God by the Holy See in recognition of his life ofheroic virtue. An approved miracle through his intercessionis needed to open the way for his beatification. During thepast several years, we have investigated a number of reportedfavors attributed to the intercession of Father McGivney.Possible miracles through Father McGivney’s intercessionshould be reported to the Father McGivney Guild.Praying for the intercession of Father McGivney is the

duty of every brother Knight, and I especially ask that eachcouncil recite the prayer for his canonization at every meet-ing. Surely this good and holy parish priest will intercede forus with the same loving concern he offered our first brotherKnights.Father McGivney was a parish priest, and brother Knights

worldwide continue to support our parish priests today.Overall, our donations to assist the Church totaled $47.3million this year, of which $18 million went to church fa-cilities, $7 million to Catholic schools, $6.4 million to di-rect assistance for seminarians and $2.4 million directly toseminaries.When Sarnia (Ontario) Council 1429 raised $120,000

through the sale of its social hall, the funds were distributedamong four area parishes. Donat Robichaud (NewBrunswick) Council 9178 raised $15,800 to help purchasea new heating system for St. Teresa of Avila Church. HolyRedeemer Council 9544 in Ottawa, Ontario, promoted de-votion to the Divine Mercy during its annual spiritual re-treat, and more than 230 people from 23 different parishesand K of C councils attended the event. In addition, thecouncil organized its parish’s annual Divine Mercy Sundaycelebrations, which included a procession with the DivineMercy image.Father McGivney was our first supreme chaplain, and we

continue to treasure the service that so many priests havegiven us as state and local chaplains. Led by Supreme Chap-

lain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore and assistedby Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch, our support ofcouncil chaplains has never been stronger.At the 131st Supreme Convention in San Antonio two

years ago, we inaugurated our current Marian Prayer Pro-gram, which features an image of Mary as the ImmaculateConception from the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame deQuébec. Each state deputy was given a copy of the image tobring to his home jurisdiction, where it would travel amongcouncils as the focus of prayer programs. To date, 1,178,796participants have attended 6,991 services.The Knights of Columbus has always held a strong de-

votion to our Blessed Mother. For example, Padre Antoniode Figueroa Council 3898 in Parral, Mexico Northwest,has sponsored a weekly Marian prayer program for morethan 50 years. Since 1963, council families have donatedfunds to a diocesan seminary and taken turns hosting atraveling image of Our Lady of Guadalupe for prayer serv-ices in their homes.Today we continue this devotion as we launch our new

Pilgrim Icon Prayer Program, this year featuring the HolyFamily. In addition to our programs of evangelization, we have

also helped Catholics stay informed about important eventsaround the world. Our financial support of EWTN NewsNightly provides in-depth coverage of daily news from aCatholic perspective. And in Canada, we continue to sup-port Salt + Light Television.Earlier this year, the Knights of Columbus honored one

of the great leaders of our Church, the late Cardinal FrancisGeorge, archbishop emeritus of Chicago. On Jan. 30, in oneof his last public appearances, Cardinal George received ourhighest honor, the Gaudium et Spes Award.Cardinal George was the host ordinary for the Knights of

Columbus Supreme Convention in Chicago in 2005 andpresided over our Eucharistic Congress following that con-vention. He gave the keynote address at our supreme con-ventions in 2002 and 2009.We were deeply saddened by the death of Cardinal George

and by the passing of three other brother Knights andfriends: Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop emeritus of NewYork; Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop emeritusof Montréal; and Cardinal Edmund Szoka, president emer-itus of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State andpresident emeritus of the Governatorate of Vatican CityState, who also previously served as the archbishop of De-troit. And then, on July 23, we again lost a longtime friendwith the passing of Cardinal William Baum, the former arch-bishop of Washington and the apostolic penitentiary emer-itus. Cardinal Baum was a member of the Order for 63 yearsand was the longest-serving U.S. cardinal in history at thetime of his death.We pray the Lord may grant his devoted servants eternal

rest.



In some of the saddest episodes of the past year, ourbrother Knights have been there with a message of hope andhealing.

The world’s eyes were on Charleston, S.C., in the wake ofa shooting that took the lives of nine people at EmanuelAME Church. As it happens, the meeting place of Rev. P. N.Lynch Council 704 faces Marion Square in downtownCharleston. As the city came together in grief, the councilcontacted the owners of nearby buildings and gave themlarge banners — each displaying a message of reconciliation— which they could hang from their buildings. As eventsunfolded, millions throughout the world saw the wonderfulmessage created by Council 704: “Let us be the example oflove that conquers evil.”

And then, some would say a miracle happened. The fam-ilies of the victims publicly forgave the alleged killer. Eachsaid it in a different way, but they all expressed what one ofthem said so simply: “If God forgives you, then I forgiveyou.”

These families, without great fanfare, made a magnificentChristian witness. They showed the world the great powerof St. Paul’s words: “Do not be overcome by evil, but over-come evil with good” (Rom 12:21).

But what these brothers and sisters in Christ did wassomething even more — they demonstrated how Christiancharity, unity and reconciliation can bind together a societyand heal a community. They demonstrated the transforma-tive power of faithful citizenship. They truly madeCharleston a city of brotherly love.

Their witness prevented the violence that recently devas-tated other American cities. The nation owes these coura-geous Christians a debt of gratitude for showing us a noblepath.

People of faith needed to be in Marion Square duringthose dark days, and people of faith need to remain in thepublic square today. In the history of our nation, this hasnot always been easy for members of the African MethodistEpiscopal Church. Nor has it always been easy for Catholics.

Members of the Sisters of Life, led by Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, join Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Supreme Carl Anderson andhis wife, Dorian, at the 10th anniversary celebration of Villa Maria Guadalupe, the Order’s pro-life retreat center that is operated by the Sisters ofLife in Stamford, Conn.

Phot

o by

Tom

Ser

afin



Soon after, all manner of anti-Catholic legislation was in-troduced in Maryland. This included the double taxationof Catholics, requirements that priests post a bond to assuretheir “good behavior,” and laws designating a convert toCatholicism as guilty of “high treason.”

Such anti-Catholic bigotry would wax and wane duringthe early history of the United States and continue through-out the 19th century and into the 20th, most notably withthe “Know-Nothings” and the nativist attacks on Irish immi-grants. Although anti-Catholicism during these periodswould take different forms, they all emphasized a commontheme: Catholics, by the principles of their religion, cannotbe faithful citizens.

From its earliest days, the Knights of Columbus has soughtto answer this slander. As one Catholic priest wrote within adecade of our founding, “Comfort and help are not the onlyfruits of our organization, its province is more far reaching. …e very name of our Order … necessarily inspires our mem-bers with renewed patriotism and makes us better citizens.”

Faithful citizenship has always been central to our under-standing of what it means to be a Knight of Columbus.That is why we established the Patriotic Degree of ourOrder in the year 1900. Faithful citizenship is our commit-ment to the common good. And our commitment to thecommon good includes our commitment to fraternal broth-erhood and solidarity with our neighbor.

But brotherhood is not only the basis of the Knights ofColumbus, but it is also the basis of every society that re-spects the equal dignity of all its citizens. Our commitmentreaches out to all in society with charity and a spirit of unity,and it respects the dignity of all our fellow citizens, whetheror not we agree with them.

My brother Knights, our fraternal brotherhood is notsomething we simply do on Sunday, within the confines ofa church. It is the way we live out our lives every day. Andthis is precisely what our forebears meant when they spokeabout defending the free exercise of religion.

We are especially grateful for the leadership of SupremeChaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, who isalso chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Lib-erty for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In thiscapacity, Archbishop Lori has been an untiring championin defense of the free exercise of religion for all Americans.

Religious freedom was the first freedom our forebearswrote into the Bill of Rights. It should never be treated as asecond-class right. No government should tell communitiesof faith what to believe or that they must change what theybelieve. And no government should punish citizens for act-ing according to their faith.

We do not defend this right only for ourselves. We standin solidarity with all those — of whatever faith — whoserights are threatened.

Eighty-nine years ago, Supreme Knight Flaherty ad-dressed the Supreme Convention in Philadelphia with thesewords:

We behold our brothers suffering for their faith, inone of the most violent and unjust persecutions ofmodern times. … It is a sorry hour for our civiliza-tion when a persecution of this sort … can be con-ducted under sanction of silence. We shall not giveit that sanction.

He also said, “We are bidden to hold our peace, but weshall not hold our peace.”

In 1926, Supreme Knight Flaherty was speaking of the per-secution of Catholics in Mexico. But who among us, hearingthose words today, does not think of the religious cleansing— or, as Pope Francis says, the “genocide”15 — of Christiansin the Middle East? What is their only crime? To believe inthe one who 2,000 years ago taught us to love our neighbor.

In Iraq alone, the Christian population has fallen by atleast two-thirds, from 1.5 million to less than 400,000.Many of these Christians have fled to the city of Erbil.16

FAITHFULCITIZENSHIP

In 1754, a writer in the Maryland Gazette made this startling andobnoxious assertion: “Catholics,” he wrote, “by the very Principlesof their Religion … can never be faithful Subjects.”14



Phot

o by

Tom

Ser

afin

In Syria, almost 10 percent of the population is Christian.There, too, violence against Christians has caused a refugeecrisis. Thousands have fled for their lives to escape forcedconversion or martyrdom.

In July, a headline in e New York Times asked, “Is is theEnd of Christianity in the Middle East?”17 e world remainslargely silent. ese refugees’ cries for help remain largely un-heard. ankfully, the Kurdistan Regional Government andthe nations of Jordan and Lebanon have offered safe haven formany, and we are grateful. But neither the United States gov-ernment nor the United Nations are doing enough.

The blood of these martyrs cries out to heaven for justice.And the blood of these martyrs cries out to you and to mefor help.

As with Mexico in 1926, the Knights of Columbus willcome to their aid.

Through our Knights of Columbus Christian RefugeeRelief Fund, we have already delivered more than $3 millionto assist our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria. Our dol-lars provide housing and medical care, but we can and mustcontinue to do more.

Today, I announce that the Knights of Columbus will re-double our efforts to bring aid to these victims in the Mid-dle East. We will begin a new education campaign to exposethe crimes against humanity that are being committed. It istime for a season of truth about what is happening to Chris-tians and other minorities.

It is a time for action.

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore prepares to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption ofthe Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore during the 2014 Midyear Meeting of State Deputies.



Here in the United States, abortion continues to claimmore than a million lives each year. Today, it is the leadingcause of death in the United States.18 Yet in the past fiveyears, the Associated Press reports that abortions havedeclined by 12 percent.

ere may be many reasons for this, but let me suggest one. During the past five years, we have distributed nearly 600

ultrasound machines to pregnancy resource centers. If eachmachine saved just one child a week, that would be morethan 31,000 lives saved each year. And if each machine savedan average of three children per week, we would save almost100,000 children each year — a reduction of nearly 10 percent.

Not only has this program saved the lives of countlesschildren, it has also saved countless mothers from a lifetimeof sorrow.

We can stop abortions by helping both the mother andher child. And should someone ask why the Knights ofColumbus does this, tell them the answer is simple: becausewe love them both.

Jurisdictions with the largest number of our ultrasoundmachines include Florida (46), Texas (45), Missouri (39),California (38) and Michigan (34).

The program works by having state and local councils raisehalf the cost of an ultrasound machine for a qualifiedpregnancy resource center, and that amount is then matchedby the Supreme Council. To date, Knights of Columbuscouncils have spent just over $8.6 million, with nearly $8.7million provided by the Supreme Council.

For years we have promoted the cause of life by supportingpro-life marches around the globe. Knights and their familiesare among the most visible participants in the annual Marchfor Life in Washington, D.C., the March for Life in Ottawa,and similar pro-life events in the Philippines, Mexico andPoland. What is truly remarkable about these marches is thatthe overwhelming majority of participants are young, andtheir numbers are growing.

Each year, the Walk for Life in San Francisco grows largerwith our help. This year, I had the opportunity to addressthe OneLife LA Celebration and to introduce Rick Smith,better known as “Noah’s Dad.” Rick and his wife, Abbie,were blessed with a son, Noah, who was born with Downsyndrome two years ago.

Then I was honored to join Archbishop José Gomez andMother Agnes Donovan, superior general of the Sisters of

Life, in leading the OneLife LA march through the streetsof Los Angeles.

In addition to protecting life from its earliest stages, wehave also worked hard to protect those at the end of life. Wesuccessfully helped defeat physician-assisted suicide in anumber of states, including California, Connecticut andMaryland.

During his recent trip to the Philippines, Pope Francissaid, “Be sanctuaries of respect for life, proclaiming thesacredness of every human life from conception to naturaldeath.”19 We have answered our Holy Father’s call,supporting the cause of life last year with more than$11,742,781 and countless volunteer hours.

And our work is having an effect. Public opinioncontinues to support restricting abortion. This year, ourKnights of Columbus-Marist poll found that 84 percent ofAmericans would significantly restrict abortion, and thatthey believe laws can protect both a woman and her unbornchild. We found that almost 7 in 10 oppose taxpayerfunding of abortion, and 6 in 10 say abortion is morallywrong.

For years, Americans were told that unrestricted abortionwas “settled law.” But as we have seen after 42 years, it is farfrom settled.

Now we are being told that the Supreme Court has settledanother issue: the legal definition of marriage.

But Pope Francis has said this: “What is being proposedis not marriage, it’s an association. But it’s not marriage! It’snecessary to say these things very clearly!”20

And the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has donejust that in the following statement:

The unique meaning of marriage as the union of oneman and one woman is inscribed in our bodies asmale and female. The protection of this meaning is acritical dimension of the “integral ecology” that PopeFrancis has called us to promote. Mandatingmarriage redefinition across the country is a tragicerror that harms the common good and mostvulnerable among us, especially children.21

As we meet here in Philadelphia, we recall this city’s greattradition of religious freedom. American democracy is builton the idea of respect and tolerance — on the idea that noindividual should be the victim of unjust discrimination.

CULTURE OF LIFEIt is not just in the Middle East that we will save lives.



Our laws should protect not only popular beliefs, butminority ones as well. This much is clear: Christians must be faithful witnesses

to the vocation of marriage. At the same time, they must befaithful witnesses to the vocation of loving one’s neighbor.And we cannot take up either vocation with integrity if weignore the teaching of our Church.In his great document on evangelization, Evangelii

Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI wrote, “[T]he split between theGospel and culture is undoubtedly the drama of our time.”22So how are we to act our part in this great drama? How

are we to be faithful citizens responsible for the commongood of our society and, at the same time, faithful citizensin the city of God? We do this by remembering the words of St. Augustine in

The City of God, that “among our most declared enemiesthere are now some, unknown to themselves, who aredestined to become our friends.”23May our approach be that of St. Thomas More, who

during the great marriage debate of his time said this: “I donobody harm, I say none harm, I think none harm.”24And as this great debate continues in our own countries,

may our prayer be his as well: That we, regardless of ourdifferences, may all one day be saved souls together inheaven.On the 50th anniversary of his signing of the Declaration

of Independence, Charles Carroll, the only Catholic to havedone so, wrote:

I am now the last surviving signer … [and I] dohereby recommend to the present and futuregeneration the principles of that importantdocument as the best earthly inheritance theirancestors could bequeath to them, and pray that thecivil and religious liberties they have secured to mycountry may be perpetuated to the remotest posterityand extended to the whole family of man.25

One year later, he added, “God grant that this religiousliberty may be preserved in these States to the end of time,and that all believing in the religion of Christ may practicethe leading principle of charity, the basis of every virtue.”26My brother Knights, today is a time to celebrate the great

accomplishments of our Catholic forebears.It is also a time for choosing — choosing how we will keep

faith with those great accomplishments as we seek to makeour own contributions.It is not given to us to see into the future. But of one thing

I am certain: That the men in this room, as they make theircontribution, will like an earlier generation be “unwilling towitness or permit the slow undoing of those human rightsto which this Nation has always been committed.”27We are all endowed by our Creator with life and liberty.Vivat Jesus!

TOP:

Tom

Ser

afin

— B

OTT

OM

: Cou

rtesy

of O

neLi

fe L

A

Top: Supreme Knight Anderson, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Loriand Stephen J. Adamczyk, then-state deputy of Maryland, stand withrepresentatives from the Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Con-cerns and their new ultrasound machine during the Midyear Meetingof State Deputies. • Above: Supreme Knight Anderson and his wife,Dorian, join Sister of Life Mother Agnes Mary Donovan and Arch-bishop José Gomez of Los Angeles in leading the OneLife walk.


48 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦ A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

JOIN THE FATHERMCGIVNEY GUILDPlease enroll me in the Father McGivney Guild:

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE/PROVINCE

ZIP/POSTAL CODEComplete this coupon and mail to:The Father McGivney Guild, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 or enroll online at: www.fathermcgivney.org

OFFICIAL OCT. 1, 2015:To owners of Knights of Columbus insurance policies and persons

responsible for payment of premiums on such policies: Notice is herebygiven that in accordance with the provisions of Section 84 of the Lawsof the Order, payment of insurance premiums due on a monthly basisto the Knights of Columbus by check made payable to Knights ofColumbus and mailed to same at PO Box 1492, NEW HAVEN, CT06506-1492, before the expiration of the grace period set forth in thepolicy. In Canada: Knights of Columbus, Place d’Armes Station, P.O.Box 220, Montreal, QC H2Y 3G7

ALL MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOS, ARTWORK, EDITORIAL MAT-TER, AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES SHOULD BE MAILED TO:COLUMBIA, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. RE-JECTED MATERIAL WILL BE RETURNED IF ACCOMPANIED BY ASELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AND RETURN POSTAGE. PUR-CHASED MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED. OPINIONS BYWRITERS ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE-SENT THE VIEWS OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES — IN THE U.S.: 1 YEAR, $6; 2 YEARS,$11; 3 YEARS, $15. FOR OTHER COUNTRIES ADD $2 PER YEAR.EXCEPT FOR CANADIAN SUBSCRIPTIONS, PAYMENT IN U.S.CURRENCY ONLY. SEND ORDERS AND CHECKS TO: ACCOUNT-ING DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901.

COLUMBIA (ISSN 0010-1869/USPS #123-740) IS PUBLISHEDMONTHLY BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 1 COLUMBUSPLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326. PHONE: 203-752-4000,www.kofc.org. PRODUCED IN USA. COPYRIGHT © 2015 BYKNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRO-DUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSIONIS PROHIBITED.

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW HAVEN, CT ANDADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND AD-DRESS CHANGES TO COLUMBIA, MEMBERSHIP DEPART-MENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901.

CANADIAN POSTMASTER — PUBLICATIONS MAILAGREEMENT NO. 1473549. RETURN UNDELIVERABLECANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 50MACINTOSH BOULEVARD, CONCORD, ONTARIO L4K 4P3

PHILIPPINES — FOR PHILIPPINES SECOND-CLASS MAILAT THE MANILA CENTRAL POST OFFICE. SEND RETURNCOPIES TO KCFAPI, FRATERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT,PO BOX 1511, MANILA.

K OF C ITEMSOFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

IN THE UNITED STATESTHE ENGLISH COMPANY INC.

Official council and Fourth Degree equipment1-800-444-5632 • www.kofcsupplies.com

LYNCH AND KELLY INC.Official council and Fourth Degree

equipment and officer robes1-888-548-3890 • www.lynchkelly.com

IN CANADAROGER SAUVÉ INC.

Official council and Fourth Degree equipment and officer robes

1-888-266-1211 • www.roger-sauve.com

11/15!

NOTES1. William J. Bennett. America: The Last Best Hope, vol. 1 (Nashville: Nelson Current, 2006), 83.

2. Walter Isaacson. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003), 312.

3. Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 15, 1776. Adams Family Papers: An ElectronicArchive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/ (accessed July27, 2015).

4. John F. Kennedy. Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961. John F. Kennedy Presidential Libraryand Museum. http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/JFK-Quota-tions/Inaugural-Address.aspx (accessed July 27, 2015).

5. Maura Jane Farrelly. Papist Patriots: The Making of American Catholic Identity (Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press, 2012), 244.

6. Steven Waldman, Founding Faith (New York: Random House, 2008), 49.

7. George Washington. General Orders, Nov. 5, 1775, George Washington Papers at the Libraryof Congress, 1741-1799.

8. Robert Emmett Curran. Papist Devils: Catholics in British America, 1574-1783 (Washington,D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2014), 274.

9. Pope Francis. Address to the Missionaries of Charity at the Dono di Maria homeless shelter,Vatican City, May 21, 2013. https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2013/may/doc-uments/papa-francesco_20130521_dono-di-maria.html (accessed July 27, 2015).

10. Pope Francis. Inaugural Mass Homily, March 19, 2013. https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontif-icato.html (accessed July 27, 2015).

11. Pope Francis. Address to Families at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, January 16, 2015.https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2015/january/documents/papa-francesco_20150116_srilanka-filippine-incontro-famiglie.html (accessed July 27, 2015).

12. Pope Benedict XVI. Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), Encyclical Letter (Washington, D.C.:United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2006), 34.

13. Pope Francis. Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Apostolic Exhortation (Washington,D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2013), 203

14. Maryland Gazette, October 17, 1754.

15. Pope Francis. Address to World Meeting of Popular Movements, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, July 9, 2015.

16. Nick Thompson. “Iraq’s Yazidis Trapped, Hiding from ISIS.” Cable News Network, August 8,2014. http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/world/meast/iraq-yazidi-people (accessed July 27, 2015).

17. Eliza Griswold. “Is This the End of Christianity in the Middle East?” The New York Times, July22, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/magazine/is-this-the-end-of-christianity-in-the-mid-dle-east.html (accessed July 27, 2015).

18. “Leading Causes of Death.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 6, 2015.http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm (accessed July 27, 2015).

19. Pope Francis. Address to Families at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, January 16, 2015.

20. Pope Francis. Address to the Schönstatt Apostolic Movement, Vatican City, October 25, 2014. http://www.radiovaticana.va/player/index_fb.asp?language=it&tic=VA_R1INPO8T (accessed July27, 2015).

21. “Supreme Court Decision on Marriage ‘A Tragic Error’ Says President of Catholic Bishops’Conference.” U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 26, 2015. http://www.usccb.org/news/2015/15-103 (accessed July 27, 2015).

22. Pope Paul VI. Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World), Apostolic Exhor-tation (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1975), 20.

23. St. Augustine. The City of God, vol. 1. Trans. Marcus Dods (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1888), 46.

24. Letter from Thomas More to Margaret Roper, May 3, 1535. A Thomas More Sourcebook. Eds.Gerard B. Wegemer and Stephen W. Smith (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of AmericaPress, 2004), 343-346.

25. Bradley J. Birzer. American Cicero: The Life of Charles Carroll (Wilmington, Del.: IntercollegiateStudies Institute, 2010), 173.

26. Letter from Charles Carroll to Rev. John Stanford, October 9, 1827. The Life and Corre-spondence of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 1737-1832, vol. 2 (New York: G. P. Putnam & Sons,1898) 358.

27. John F. Kennedy. Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961.


KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS


TO BE FEATURED HERE, SEND YOUR COUNCIL’S “KNIGHTS IN ACTION” PHOTO AS WELL AS ITS DESCRIPTION TO: COLUMBIA, 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326 OR E-MAIL: [email protected].

Members of Risen Lord Council 13553 inSouthville Subdivision, Luzon, look on asstudents at Turralba Elementary Schoolenjoy a meal, beverages and multivitaminsduring a council-sponsored feeding pro-gram. Knowing that children from indi-gent families often don’t get enoughnutrients, the council has embarked on aone-year feeding program to ensure thatvillage children have a balanced and com-plete diet.

Building a better world one council

at a timeEvery day, Knights all over the world aregiven opportunities to make a difference— whether through community service,raising money or prayer. We celebrateeach and every Knight for his strength,his compassion and his dedication tobuilding a better world.

Cover3_Template_Layout 1 9/12/15 1:51 PM Page 4

PLEASE, DO ALL YOU CAN TO ENCOURAGE PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.PLEASE, DO ALL YOU CAN TO ENCOURAGE PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

‘THEIR SUPPORTGIVES ME THE

COURAGE TO KEEPSAYING “YES!”’

Growing up on my family’s farm in ruralKansas, I didn’t have a lot of experience withreligious communities. I learned from workingin summer catechetical programs that I lovedsharing the faith and that community prayerwas a great source of strength. As I taught chil-dren about being open to the different voca-tions and God’s plan for their life, I began totake this advice to heart.

I joined a discernment group and beganspending more time in prayer. I had only meta few sisters, but I was captivated by their un-tiring joy and deep spirit of peace. When Icame to visit the Salesian Sisters, I fell in lovewith the charism: bringing Christ to the youngand the young to Christ.

My family, friends, fellow parishioners, andseveral K of C councils encouraged me withtheir steadfast prayers and financial donations.Through their generosity I was able to pay offmy student loans before entering the convent.This is truly a blessing, and their prayerful sup-port gives me the courage to keep saying “Yes!”

SISTER APRIL HOFFMAN

Novice, Salesian Sisters Newton, N.J.

KEEP THE FAITH ALIVE

Ph

oto

by P

ho

tog

rap

hy b

y B

jorn

Oct 15 COVERS F 9_14.qxp_Layout 1 9/14/15 11:06 AM Page 34

columbia october 2015

Documents