College Councils Newsletter
www.kofc.org/college
NEWS FOR COLLEGE KNIGHTS
FALL/WINTER 2014
Supreme Knight Addresses College Conference K of C history author keynote speaker at banquet
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t this year’s College Council Conference, Supreme Knight Carl anderson spoke of the order’s heritage and legacy, and how they both fit into the new evangelization. He emphasized that this is particularly important in a “culture of suspicion” that questions the relevance of Christianity and, especially, Catholicism. It is a mission, Supreme Knight anderson said, which is addressed in St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, where the great pope stated, “Man is created out of love, he is called to love, and his life is meaningless unless he finds authentic love.” The supreme knight reminded the college Knights that the mission of the Knights of Columbus in light of the new evangelization is “to demonstrate that it is possible to live this way (the way of the gospel) and that living this way is better than any other way.” “Profess what you believe, profess what you know, and live what you profess,” Supreme Knight anderson told the college Knights. “That’s our heritage, our legacy, and that is our message.” “anyone who tells you that youth are the future of the Church doesn’t have it right,” he
continued. “Youth are not the future of the Church; they are the present of the Church. Today you are Catholic laymen responsible for living the mission of the laity: to transform society through the living of the message of the gospel.”
Prior to the supreme knight’s remarks, Kevin Coyne delivered his keynote address. Coyne, who is currently writing a book on the history of the Knights of Columbus, has written for a variety of magazines and newspapers, including the Asbury Park Press and The New York
Following the supreme knight’s address, Coyne highlighted many of the accomplished Knights who made up the Order’s history.
See Page 6 For ADDRESSES
Looking to the Future College Knights gather to learn and worship together
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athering in New Haven, Conn., from Sept. 26-28 for the 2014 College Council Conference, more than 200 Knights from over 87 campuses across North america were challenged to provide an authentic Christian witness throughout their schools and communities. after hearing from Supreme Knight Carl anderson and author Kevin Coyne on Friday, Sept. 26, Knights spent the weekend reflecting on their mission and purpose as college council members. at Saturday’s opening session, Conference Chairman Michael alonso of Texas a&M Council 10624 welcomed the participants and See Page 7 For FUTURE
Bringing Lessons Back to Their Schools
Celebrating Mass at the Order’s Birthplace
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unday morning’s closing session began with the praying of the rosary followed by a series of speakers during breakfast. Matthew St. John, director of insurance marketing, discussed Father Mcgivney’s founding vision and its relationship to the order’s insurance program, and the value it offers to young members and their families.
“So I hope that when the time is right, when you’re looking for insurance protection for you and your family, when you’re looking to begin planning for retirement, when you’re looking to guard against illness and infirmity, I hope you will turn first, foremost and always to the Knights of Columbus — your Knights of Columbus,” St. John said. “We are here to protect you, just as Father Mcgivney intended us to be. That is a claim that no other company can ever make. We are the premier Catholic insurance company, and we are yours.” Director of vocations for the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Father James gallagher, offered remarks on discernment and becoming real men of god. Father gallagher pointed out that discernment is not just limited to becoming a religious, but rather, it is finding your call to be men of god as fully as you can. Discernment, he said, can be helped through prayer, through talking to others and through action. “Why talk about discernment for everyone?” Father gallagher asked the gathered college Knights. “It’s appropriate for everyone to consider that everyone has a vocation, not just 2
See Page 7 For LESSONS
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fter the tours were complete, the college Knights went to the birthplace of the order, St. Mary’s Church, for the celebration of Mass. Director of Chaplains and Spiritual Development Father Jonathan Kalisch, o.P., was the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass. among the concelebrants was Father Joseph allen, o.P., pastor of St. Mary’s Church. In his homily, Father Kalisch described the formation that Knights of Columbus founder Father Michael Mcgivney sought in the fall of 1881: “He turned to the older men — those in their thirties and forties — of St. Mary’s, gathered them, asking them, ‘How can we form a fraternity of communion that has a missionary fruitfulness?’ as Pope Francis would later say. “It was at this time in the fall that that hard work was being done, that Father Mcgivney was stirring up the hearts of the parishioners here to encounter Christ to gratitude because their lives were changed with a fraternal communion that also has at its heart a missionary fruitfulness. “and so, Father Mcgivney, at 29 years old, was trying to stir up the hearts of the men who were there, trying to imbibe and
invigorate. and perhaps this was what Pope Francis would describe as evangelizing the community, standing by them every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy this may prove to be. That’s what an evangelizing community is. “as Pope Francis said, ‘evangelization consists mostly of disregard for constraints of time, faithful to the Lord’s gift. It also bears fruit. It cares for the grape and does not grow impatient.’ “You and I are called to live a fraternal communion with missionary fruitfulness that goes beyond our inner circles and goes to the heart of our campuses, one that preaches and proclaims the gospel of Christ. and it begins personally with the completion to heal, to make the changes we need in our lives and receive the mercy of god to be transformed, and to go back into the vineyard, and to work, and to do the will of our Heavenly Father. Christ has saved you and me, and he calls us to work in the vineyard." at the end of the Mass, participants gathered for prayer at the tomb of Father Michael J. Mcgivney, located in the back of the church.
The Future of the College Council Program: A Commitment to Growth The following text is taken from Thomas J. Perretta Jr.’ s presentation given to all attendees at this year’s College Councils Conference.
re you graduating this year? If you are, you probably have many difficult decisions to make about what you will do and where you will be. regardless of where you end up after graduation, the easiest decision you have to make is to continue your Knights of Columbus membership after college. For most of you, transferring your membership to a local council is the best option. By transferring to a council near your new job or new school, you’ll continue to receive the basic benefits of membership, including access to our top-rated life insurance products and a monthly subscription to Columbia magazine. also, if moving to a new area, transferring to the local Knights of Columbus council offers you access to a group of Catholic men who share your ideals and values. These men can lead you to the area’s great restaurants and best-kept secrets. They can also help you expand your professional network in the area — maybe even help you advance more quickly in your career. To learn more about councils in your post-graduation destination, visit www.kofc.org/findacouncil. For some of you, your post-graduation experience will be transient and there will not be a parish to call home. You may wish to remain in your college council until you settle down, at which time you can transfer your membership to a local council. If this is the option you wish to pursue, you should meet with your grand knight and financial secretary prior to graduation to make sure the council has your permanent address and permanent email (not school email) on file to contact you. You may also wish to discuss paying advance dues to the council. as you know, joining the Knights of Columbus in college has been very rewarding, however, membership in the Knights of Columbus post-graduation can be even more rewarding. Take the first steps today to ensure that your active membership continues after graduation.
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ver the next fraternal year, each college council should recommit itself to focusing on growth: growth in spirituality, charity and fraternity. over the next year we ask all our college councils to grow in five simple ways. First, we need to commit to grow in membership by presenting a constant invitation to all eligible men we encounter and by developing fraternal bonds among existing members. New members will join us for the fraternity and the joy of community that we exhibit as brothers. In order to sustain as campus organizations all college councils must recruit more than 20 new members each year. a constant stream of members fills the yearly need for new chairmen and officers. We must always remember that Father Mcgivney gathered our first Knights together not to remain small but to go out and gain others. The supreme knight has said consistently since the beginning of his tenure that we have not just a duty but a moral obligation to ask every eligible Catholic male to join our fraternity. our first act of charity must be this offer of membership. If you survey our councils who are consistently growing by more than 20 members and are perennial contenders for awards, you will find one thing in common: activity. events are not always large but they are consistent. Second, we are also asking all councils to grow and strengthen their programming by following the guidelines of the Columbian award. The requirements for this award ask each council to complete four programs in the areas of Church, Community, Council, Family, Youth and Culture of Life. growing to this level of council activity demonstrates that college councils are not organizations who are just active monthly, but instead, are a daily and active part of campus life. Most importantly, please remember that if your council does Columbian award-level activity then you should be sure to report it by filing a form (SP-7) each year with the
Membership After College
Supreme Council. The information we receive about our councils helps us to paint a clearer and more accurate picture of the impact of the Knights of Columbus, and that helps all of our councils. Third, we must remain vigilant as Christian men in today’s world and commit to the spiritual development of ourselves and our brother Knights. all of us are first bound together as brothers by our common eucharistic faith. our Charter reminds us that one of our primary purposes is “through common worship, charitable works, meetings and rites of initiation, to form its members in Catholic faith and virtue.” as college Knights we are powerful defenders of the faith on our campuses. Countless councils have utilized resources from our Catholic Information Service. This is a worldclass catechetical library that should be known and shared by all members. Discover new ways this year to grow in faith as individuals, as a council and as part of the larger Catholic community on campus. our fourth area of growth pertains to the College Councils Conference. It has been observed that consistent conference attendance is a strong indicator of council health. The Supreme Council feels so strongly about this practice that it automatically allows for one See Page 7 For GROWTH
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Knights gather around the tomb of Father Michael McGivney, which is partly covered by bouquets of roses. College Knights visited St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., the birthplace of the Knights of Columbus, which was founded by Father McGivney.
Father Jonathan Kalisch, O.P., director of Chaplains and Spiritual Development, and a former college chaplain at Dartmouth College and Quinnipiac University, delivers the homily. He was also the main celebrant for the vigil Mass held Sept. 27 in St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn.
Best practices in social media, council management, membership recruitment and retention, and ex in charity and fraternity were among the topics covered in workshops held during the conference.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson with College Councils Advisory Board Chairman Michael Alonso, past grand knight of Texas A&M University Council 10624.
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College Knights toured select areas of the Supreme Council Headquarters during their visit.
A college Knight examines an exhibit in the Knights of Columbus Museum.
College Knights visited and attended Mass at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., the birthplace of the Knights of Columbus.
Knights gather around the tomb of Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, to say a prayer at the conclusion of the Mass on Saturday, Sept. 27.
College Council Coordinator Robert Rauch delivered the closing remarks to the attendees.
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Father John Meehan, S.J., president of Campion College, offered the opening prayer for the Sunday session of the College Councils conference.
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ADDRESSES, from Page 1 Times, for which he wrote a weekly column about New Jersey. He has taught at Columbia University’s graduate School of Journalism since 2000, and has twice been named Distinguished Teacher of the Year. He is the author of A Day in the Night of America, Domers: A Year at Notre Dame, and Marching Home: To War and Back with the Men of One American Town, for which he received the J. anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress award. During his address, Coyne highlighted many of the accomplished Knights who made up the order’s history, including John o’Hara. Born in 1888, o’Hara was the son of the U.S. consul to Uruguay and consequently spent part of his youth in South america. He later entered the seminary, was ordained a priest and returned to the University of Notre Dame, where he had previously taught. Not only did Father o’Hara become the prefect of religion at Notre Dame, he also became a big booster of the school’s football team, encouraging many of the players to receive daily eucharist. He wrote: “Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament is a mark of strength and not of weakness.” “Football wasn’t just football to o’Hara, who later became president of Notre Dame,” Coyne said. “He once wrote this: ‘Notre Dame football is a spiritual service because it is played for the honor and glory of god and of his Blessed Mother. When St. Paul said, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all for the glory of god,” he included football.’” During World War II he was the apostolic delegate to the U.S. military forces. after the war, he became bishop of Buffalo, then archbishop, and finally, cardinal of the archdiocese of Philadelphia. His last words before his death in 1960 were, “I want to go home.” He was later buried at his beloved Notre Dame. “It would be hard to find somebody whose life better exemplified the principles the Knights stand for — charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism — and that is why I offer him to you as an example,” Coyne said. “He was once one of you — a young student at a Knights college council. I don’t know if there’s a Cardinal o’Hara among you, but I do know that there’s a piece of him in all of you — that you, too, stand for the principles that he stood for. That piece will only grow as you grow, and as you broaden the commitment you have already made as young Knights.” Following the addresses, Supreme Knight anderson and several other supreme officers and Supreme Council representatives conferred awards on the college Knights for their exemplary service and achievement. 6
Insurance for Young Knights s young Knights, your lives are unique to that of our older members. Your needs are different. Your priorities are different. Your preferences are different. Your budgets are different. That’s why we’ve designed our new Young adult Insurance program for Knights and their spouses Protecting our families ages 18-29. from financial ruin is The new program maximizes flexibility, convenience and affordability to enable young brother not just a task for the Knights and their spouses to get the coverage they oldest among us; need. Through the program, members and their all Knights should be spouses can receive an annual renewable term life thinking about how insurance policy that will help protect their families they can and should and their futures.* We know many of you think you’re way too protect the ones they young, but you’re not. There are several love. reasons why you need Young adult Insurance:
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1. You’ve got debt. Maybe you have student loans. Maybe you’re paying off your car. Maybe you have some credit card debt. Not all debts are forgiven when you die. Depending on the type of debt, the state you live in, and whether or not the loan is cosigned, your family could be responsible for that money. and, if you don’t have any debt, what about funeral costs and final expenses?
2. You want to protect the ones you love. You don’t want your parents and your family to be saddled with your debt if something happens to you, so why not make sure they won’t be? It’s easy. It’s affordable. It’s what Knights do.
3. You’re on a budget. Young adult Insurance is affordable. How affordable? Very affordable. The amount you pay is based on your age and medical condition, but you could get $25,000 of coverage for as little as $1 a week.
4. Your time is valuable. Young adult Insurance is quick and easy. It’s an annual renewable term insurance product that you reevaluate and renew every year. It’s designed with Knights ages 18 through 29 in mind, to maximize affordability and flexibility.
5. You’re a Knight. our founder, Venerable Father Michael J. Mcgivney, started the Knights to protect Catholic families from financial devastation. ever since, we’ve gone on to issue $93 billion of in force life insurance to members and their families. Knights and their eligible family members throughout the United States and Canada trust us with this important task. It’s what Knights do. and, as a Knight, you’ve got a dedicated agent — a fellow brother Knight — to help you. Why not begin that relationship today?
6. You’re Catholic. There’s an advantage to buying Catholic. You get the comfort of knowing that your money is going to an organization that performs tremendous amounts of charity, that stands resolutely behind the Church, and that conducts its business in an unapologetically Catholic way, with strict rules on ethics and investments.
7. You won’t live forever. Let’s face it, we are all going to die someday. Hopefully not soon, of course! But what if you do? What will happen to those you love? Would you protect them if you could? So what are you waiting for? Visit kofc.org/youngadultins today to request a personalized quote and more information. or, you can contact your agent to get started. Find him at kofc.org/findagent. *Eligibility is based on age, medical condition and other factors. The Young Adult Insurance Program is not yet available in CA. Spouses, while eligible for insurance through the program, are not able to request a quote online. They can apply directly through their Knights of Columbus agent.
LESSONS, from Page 2 a call, to a religious life. There is a place in god’s work for every single one of us.” College Council Coordinator robert rauch delivered his closing remarks to the attendees, during which he noted next year will mark the 50th College Councils Conference, which will take place oct. 2-4 in New Haven. “remember that you and your brother Knights are the present. You are leaders
today. Incorporate the new ideas and best practices you learned this weekend to continue to make a difference on your campuses and in your communities,” rauch said. “remember the fraternity you shared this weekend with brother Knights from across the continent. Continue to grow and strengthen the community on your campus. give every eligible Catholic male at your university the opportunity to join our ranks.”
GROWTH, from Page 3 student’s travel, room and board, and provides multiple opportunities to earn a stipend for a second student. This fraternal year’s councils that achieve 200 percent net intake or the Star Council award will earn a second travel stipend to cover an additional student representative’s travel, room and board for next year’s conference. We will be celebrating 50 years of the College Councils Conference, and every council should send at least two students to this special anniversary event. Finally, we must all increase our knowledge and appreciation of our fraternal benefits program and the vision that Father Mcgivney laid out for our first brothers. all of us have heard of the strength of our insurance program, but do we promote and build a culture of insurance within our councils? In order to build this culture and educate ourselves, we are asking that each college council conduct a fraternal benefits night with your field agent or general agent. Your agent will take care of the programming. He has great information to share beyond our insurance products, and all of our brother agents are full-time employees and active members who have a passion for Father Mcgivney’s mission for families. This year, these fraternal benefits nights may be counted as a “family” program for
your Columbian award applications. Your Knights of Columbus insurance program will protect your future families. as a college council you are not alone. our efforts over the next fraternal year will be to help you take full advantage of the college councils support team. as part of our work, our team visits with councils throughout the year. our goal is that each council receives an official visitation once every three years. Whenever possible, we’d like to visit with the council over the course of a meeting or activity. additionally, our staff is working hard to produce a new line of promotional and recruiting materials for your use on campus. as you focus on the growth of your college council throughout this year, we’d like to hear from you. Let us know what you think would help you to promote the Knights of Columbus at your school. encourage your council officers to contact College Coordinator robert rauch to explore future campus visit opportunities. We look forward to our work together over this next fraternal year. Through this commitment to growth we can build a better world, and through the work of our councils we can continue to provide what Saint John Paul II called a “charity that evangelizes.”
FUTURE, from Page 1 introduced the College Councils advisory Board. He reminded the college Knights of Supreme Knight anderson’s remarks at the awards banquet and the Knights’ commitment to the mission of the laity to live the gospel through their actions. “The supreme knight asked us to profess what we believe, to profess what we know, and to live what we profess,” alonso said. “as I look around this room at leaders from universities across the continent, I am confident that each of you will help us to show that living the way of the gospel is the best way.” Thomas Perretta Jr., manager of College Councils and Young adult outreach, spoke about the future of the College Council Program. “This conference is about looking forward to new heights of charity, new levels of fraternal cooperation, and discovering the practical tools that will help us each to be successful,” Perretta said. “Successful as council leaders. Successful as intentional and evangelical Catholics. Successful as college councils.” “This talk is titled the ‘Future of College Councils,’” Perretta added. “our future for the next year should be the support and recommitment of each of our councils to growth. growth in spirituality. growth in charity. growth in fraternity. So let us now commit to our work of realizing the potential impact of Father Mcgivney’s vision on each of our campuses.” after the opening session the college Knights attended a series of breakout sessions, where they explored the topics of council management and leadership development, membership recruitment and growth strategy, running effective charitable programs, and best practices in social media. Simultaneously held with these breakout sessions was a meeting of the 13 attending college chaplains and a training session for the 18 financial secretaries in attendance. In the early afternoon the college Knights split their time between sessions geared at various types of college councils. Moderated by the advisory board members, these sessions were then followed by panel discussions concerning communications on campus and in the community, spiritual development, alumni networking and membership post-graduation. With the conclusion of the workshops and discussions, the college Knights traveled to the nearby Supreme Council Headquarters, where they visited the chapel and the executive offices. afterward, the participants also had the opportunity to tour the Knights of Columbus Museum.
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COLLEGE COUNCIL AWARDS Pope Francis reminds us that “without fraternity, it is impossible to build a just society.”
He called upon Catholics to cast aside the growing “globalization of indifference” and instead to build “a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another.” Members of the Knights of Columbus show that they accept and care for those in need through their charitable activity that is renowned worldwide, made more effective by the support of their fraternal brotherhood. College Knights also know that care for their brothers and those in need is their mission. Despite being faced with many obstacles, their challenge is to foster a culture of life on their campus and to strive, by their actions, to build a civilization of love..
OUTSTANDING COLLEGE COUNCIL AWARD An outstanding college council not only knows and accepts these challenges, but faces this task with a sense of dedication and determination that elevates the entire Order and promotes a new Catholic evangelization on its campus.
While many college councils demonstrated impressive achievements this year, one council showed exceptional distinction and was named Outstanding College Council. Members of this council were marked by a strong desire to offer public witness to their faith, a commitment to service, and a wide variety of charitable activities. In addition to making major improvements to the council’s communications and on-campus promotion, this council maintains its own First and Second degree teams, allowing it to bring in new members and advance them in the Order. This helped the council achieve Double Star status with 48 new members and nine new insurance members. Upon graduation from the university, members are given a Knights of Columbus medal to wear on their robes and are encouraged to become active in councils in their new communities. The council sponsors a biweekly discernment group directed by Knights and their chaplain that meets for prayer and discussion focusing on the call to a vocation. Included in this program is a yearly weekend retreat led by the chaplain for members discerning priesthood or religious life. Over the past three years, seven council members have entered into religious or priestly formation. To provide the greatest level of service to the community, the council conducted two "week of service" events during the school year. These included making more than 200 sandwiches for a soup kitchen, providing food deliveries to homeless people, visiting senior citizens in nursing homes and tutoring children at an afterschool program. Members of the university community were also invited to join the Knights in these activities. The council hosted the annual college football game held with the other college councils in its area. The council fielded a 45-member team and provided refreshments afterward for the more than 100 participants in the game. While helping to organize and operate the campus Relay for Life event, this outstanding council raised $3,350 for the American Cancer Society. This council’s members are active in organizing The National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, held the evening prior to the annual March for Life. The Knights lead more than 150 student volunteers to assist the approximately 10,000 pilgrims that attend the vigil. To help promote a culture of life on campus, the council sponsored a presentation by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori entitled “Being Proactively Pro-Life in Today’s Society.” The event was attended by over 100 people.
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These activities are just a sampling of the programs run by this outstanding council. In recognition of their exemplary accomplishments and service, this year’s Outstanding College Council Award was presented to Council 9542 at The Catholic University of America.
STAR COUNCILS
The Star Council Award recognizes outstanding achievement in membership, insurance and service program activities. To be eligible to earn the Star Council Award, a council must qualify for the Father McGivney Award (achieved membership quota), Founder’s Award (achieved insurance membership quota) and Columbian Award (conducted and reported at least four major programs in each of the Service Program categories). This year the College Council program had 20 Star Council Award winners. Each of these councils has demonstrated a commitment to our Columbian principles and exceeded the Order’s goals for its Knights. Many of these councils received their award at the annual Awards Banquet during the College Councils Conference. The following are the recipients of this year’s Star, Double Star and Triple Star awardees:
STAR COUNCIL
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Council 2782 • St. Gregory’s University Council 5354 in Oklahoma • North Dakota State University Council 9126 • University of Maryland Council 13295 • Mexico DF Council 14104 in Mexico City, Mexico • Georgia Institute of Technology Council 14496 • Grand Valley State University Council 14586 in Michigan • University of Utah Council 14764 • University of Northern Iowa Council 14987 • University of Houston Council 15105
DOUBLE STAR
The following councils have achieved 200 percent of their net membership goal in addition to completing the requirements for Star Council, earning them the Double Star Council status:
• The Catholic University of America Council 9542 in D.C. • Oklahoma State University Council 11135 • University of Virginia Council 11324 • Drake University Council 14977 in Iowa • South Dakota State University Council 15457
TRIPLE STAR
The following councils have achieved 300 percent of their net membership goal in addition to completing the requirements for Star Council, earning them the Triple Star Council status:
• St. Peter’s University Council 7913 in New Jersey • The University of St. Thomas Council 11949 in Minnesota • West Visayas State University Council 15029 in La Paz, Philippines • University of Kentucky Council 15424 • University of Texas – El Paso Council 15727
Every college council should aim to be a Star Council during this fraternal year. The requirements can be found on our website at www.kofc.org/star.
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CHURCH ACTIVITY AWARD
The Knights of Council 2782 at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., fostered the development of a seminarian in need by supporting a brother Knight from their own council. With the help of a local restaurant, they held a dinner fundraiser for their fellow council member as well as all priests, sisters and deacons of the St. John’s Catholic Newman Center. The dinner was also opened to the Catholic community as a show of appreciation. The restaurant donated 20 percent of all proceeds to seminarian Greg Morehouse to cover some of his tuition debt as he continues with his studies for the priesthood. Appropriately, the dinner fundraiser was held on April 27, 2014, the canonization of Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II. (Grand Knight Christopher Simon accepted both the Church Activity Award and the Highest Net Gain in Insurance Membership Award on behalf of Council 2782.)
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY AWARD
Once a month, members of Council 6375 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., gathered in the early morning hours so that the less fortunate could awaken to a more compassionate day. Meeting at 5 a.m., they prepared hot coffee and premade sandwiches to distribute to the homeless of the community. The project, titled “Grate Patrol,” involved teams of seven Knights who drove to areas where the homeless were typically found sleeping on heating grates. Both the council and those they served mutually benefited from the initiative, each attaining a sense of dignity and gratitude through the conversations and kindnesses they shared. By personalizing the image of poverty, the Knights learned to understand the plight of those in need and to stand in solidarity with their struggles. (Deputy Grand Knight Louis Cona accepting the Community Activity Award on behalf of Council 6375.)
COUNCIL ACTIVITY AWARD
The brother Knights of Council 14188 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., in their project titled “Holy Family Society,” practiced the calling of intellectual and spiritual development through weekly catechesis and enrichment meetings. The group discussed readings from the Luke E. Hart Series on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the writings of saints such as St. John of the Cross and St. Ignatius of Loyola. The program has been successful in developing the hearts, minds and spirits of its members through this intentional and organized effort, allowing all to grow in faith, discipleship and fraternal fellowship.
(Grand Knight Curtis St. Pierre accepting this year’s Council Activity Award on behalf of Council 14188.)
FAMILY ACTIVITY AWARD
At the University of Houston in Houston, Texas, the Knights of Council 15105 work continuously to assist families struggling under difficult circumstances. At Casa Juan Diego, a shelter for immigrants who have made their way to Houston, these Knights volunteer with other young adult groups throughout the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston to help families make the transition to their new lives.
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Once a month, they lend a hand with duties such as cleaning, gardening, painting and sorting donations. By taking on this labor, staff and volunteers with specialized skill sets are able to focus on higher-end activities — for instance, family and medical care. As the council members have stated, “It isn’t glamorous, but being a Knight isn’t always about being in shining armor.” (Grand Knight Anthony Austria accepting the Family Activity Award on behalf of Council 15105.)
CULTURE OF LIFE ACTIVITY AWARD
As part of their campus Respect Life Week, the Knights of Council 1477 at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind., worked with their campus Right to Life group to organize and set up a simple and symbolic cemetery of crosses and flags illustrating the devastation of abortion. In the tradition of knighthood, these brothers took it upon themselves to keep an all-night vigil, taking shifts to pray the rosary and deter vandalism, since the display was set up in a prominent location accessible to the surrounding community. Understanding the importance of a public witness that is proudly pro-life, these Knights — many in Fourth Degree regalia — openly demonstrated their commitment and respect for the unborn through their prayerful solidarity. (Grand Knight Colin Devine accepting the Culture of Life Activity Award on behalf of Council 1477.)
YOUTH ACTIVITY AWARD
The Knights of Council 15064 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., took it upon themselves to help a local school in desperate need of window repairs. Having no funding to put aside for basic cleaning, to say nothing of costly replacements, the elementary school had gone for decades without the necessary repairs. Knowing that these broken and cracked windows created a safety hazard for students, the Knights rolled up their sleeves and assisted when no one else would. The blessing of such work comes from its visibility; each newly restored window bears witness to the work these brother Knights so enthusiastically provided. The brother Knights offered a model of charity and hard work to the school’s youth, showing them that even the smallest effort can build a better community. (Grand Knight Matthew DePaula accepting the Youth Activity Award on behalf of Council 15064.)
MEMBERSHIP AND INSURANCE AWARDS
Recruiting new members is essential to the continued growth and success of every council in the Order. This is especially true in college councils, as graduating members leave campus annually to seek employment, further their education and join new parishes. Offering a college man membership in the Knights of Columbus gives him the lifelong opportunity to improve his own life, his faith and his community. With a net gain of 66 new members, we are pleased to present the award for the Highest Net Gain in Membership to Council 14534 at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
(Grand Knight Will Gurzynski accepting the Highest Net Gain in Membership Award for Council 14534’s achievement in membership recruitment.)
This year’s award for Highest Percent Gain in Membership was presented to Council 7913 at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J., having increased their membership by 37.5 percent. With 13 new insurance members, the award for the Highest Net Gain in Insurance Membership was presented to Council 2782 at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. This is their second consecutive year as our insurance leaders. The award for Highest Percentage Gain in Insurance Membership was presented to Council 7913 at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J., for a 21.8 percent gain in insurance membership.
(Grand Knight Nicholas Chciuk accepted the Highest Percent Gain in Membership Award as well as the Highest Percent Gain in Insurance Membership Award for Council 7913’s achievements.)
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Campus Reminders March for Life Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 March with college Knights from across the country. Visit www.kofc.org/college for more information, including details about our meeting point, Vigil Mass and Cardinal O’Connor Conference.
Fraternal Benefits Night Schedule a Fraternal Benefits Night with your field agent to learn more about the Order’s legacy and the newly launched Young Adult Insurance program designed specifically for you. All councils should invite their field agent to general business meetings and schedule a Fraternal Benefits Night at least once a year. If you need help contacting your field agent, please visit www.kofc.org/findagent.
Campus Visits Supreme Council staff regularly visits college councils for meetings and events. We aim to visit every campus at least once every three years. If your council has an upcoming event or could benefit from our presence at a meeting, please let us know. We are now beginning to fill our calendars for Spring 2015 as well as Fraternal Year 2015-2016. Contact us today at college@kofc.org.
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