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N OVEMBER 2013
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NOVEMBER 2013 ♦ VOLUME 93 ♦ NUMBER 11
COLUMBIA
F E AT U R E S
8 The Harvest is Plentiful Oregon Knights produce bumper crop for families in need. BY ED LANGLOIS
12 A Luminous Testament of Faith The encyclical Lumen Fidei underscores how the gift of faith enables us to grasp the deepest meaning of reality. BY COLUMBIA STAFF
18 Ringing From on High Year of Faith pilgrimage to National Shrine in Washington, D.C., marks 50th anniversary of the Knights Tower Carillon. BY ALTON J. PELOWSKI
22 On the Front Lines of Charity Sir Knight Steve Leisure and other VAVS volunteers demonstrate the Order’s dedication to serving veterans. BY CARLA JEAN WHITLEY
24 Heroism on the High Seas The critically acclaimed film Captain Phillips features a naval rescue mission led by a Fourth Degree Knight.
A member of Tillamook (Ore.) Council 2171 works in the garden that Knights run to supplement area food pantries.
D E PA RT M E N T S 3
Building a better world
Ad design by Justin Perillo — Photo by Curtis Miller
The Gospel mandate of love, emphasized by Pope Francis and his predecessors, inspires the Knights’ Christian witness. BY SUPREME KNIGHT CARL A. ANDERSON
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Learning the faith, living the faith A new project will explore Catholic men’s spirituality, challenging Knights to renew and strengthen their faith.
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Knights of Columbus News College Leaders Challenged to Bear Christian Witness • New Head of Chaplain Programs Appointed • Past State Deputies Elected to Board
17 Fathers for Good
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Charity Spotlight Supreme Council donates $100K to Newtown parish.
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Knights in Action
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Star Council Winners
The Year of Faith has given us direction for the road ahead. BY TOM HOOPES
BY SUPREME CHAPLAIN ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI
PLUS: Catholic Man of the Month
NOVEMBER 2013
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Faith-Inspired Love WHEN POPE Emeritus Benedict XVI announced the Year of Faith, which concludes this month, he invited “the whole Church into a time of particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith” (Porta Fidei, 4). He added that the year would provide “a good opportunity to intensify the witness of charity,” noting the inseparable connection between charity and faith (14). We can observe from history and experience that humble acts of service naturally spring from a vibrant trust in God, from an understanding of the dignity he bestows on his creation, and from gratitude for his countless blessings. In this light, Knights of Columbus strive to follow the example of the Church’s saints and leaders by living out our faith through charity. The recent encyclical on faith, Lumen Fidei, begun by Pope Benedict and completed by Pope Francis, sheds light on the relationship between faith and charity (see page 12). “Faith transforms the whole person precisely to the extent that he or she becomes open to love. … Faith’s understanding is born when we receive the immense love of God which transforms us inwardly and enables us to see reality with new eyes” (Lumen Fidei, 26). Conversely, without insight into “God’s love, his concrete concern for every person, and his plan of salvation that embraces all of humanity and all creation,” we are left with “no criterion for discerning what makes human life precious and unique” (54). Certainly, a person who does not have the fullness of faith can still exhibit kindness and altruism. Yet it is no surprise, as
studies reveal, that religious people tend to donate significantly more time and resources to charity than non-religious people. After all, Christian faith means that “if God so loved us, we also must love one another” (1 Jn 4:11). The gift of faith enables us to see how we fit into God’s loving plan, and it goes hand in hand with the gifts of hope and charity. As Blessed Mother Teresa put it, “the fruit of faith is love, and the fruit of love is service.” However, if faith is reduced to an abstract belief in God and does not inspire acts of love, then it is dead (cf. Jas 2:17-19). This is why reflecting on, and rediscovering, the gift of faith is so important. The Year of Faith began on Oct. 11, 2012, the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and concludes Nov. 24, the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The dates evoke the treasury of the Church’s memory, tradition and teachings on the one hand, and the source and object of our faith on the other: Christ, in whom all things have been created and hold together (cf. Col 1:1617). This dual aspect of faith — assent to revealed truth and adherence to God (cf. CCC 15) — inspires authentic love. Therefore, as we prepare to begin a new liturgical year and look for new opportunities to practice charity, let us not forget to turn our gaze to Christ in constant gratitude and ask for his grace.♦ ALTON J. PELOWSKI EDITOR
Faith Resource: “The Mysteries of the Life of Jesus” The booklet The Mysteries of the Life of Jesus (#403) by Michelle K. Borras is part of the New Evangelization Series published by the Order’s Catholic Information Service, of which Borras serves as director. Leading us into the depths of Christ’s life together with Mary, the author explores how the inexhaustible riches of the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the Incarnation reveal the meaning of love, human destiny and eternal salvation. To download this and other Catholic resources, visit kofc.org/cis. 2 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦
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COLUMBIA PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus ________ SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson SUPREME KNIGHT Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. SUPREME CHAPLAIN Dennis A. Savoie DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT Charles E. Maurer Jr. SUPREME SECRETARY Logan T. Ludwig SUPREME TREASURER John A. Marrella SUPREME ADVOCATE ________ EDITORIAL Alton J. Pelowski EDITOR Andrew J. Matt MANAGING EDITOR Patrick Scalisi SENIOR EDITOR Krista Tullock COPY EDITOR ________
Venerable Michael McGivney (1852-90) Apostle to the Young, Protector of Christian Family Life and Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us. ________ HOW TO REACH US MAIL COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4580 OTHER INQUIRIES 203-752-4398 FAX 203-752-4109 CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-380-9995 E-MAIL columbia@kofc.org INTERNET 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 an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.
________ Copyright © 2013 All rights reserved ________ ON THE COVER An honor guard of some 500 Fourth Degree Knights enters the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
COVER: Photo by Tom Serafin
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BUILDING A BETTER WORLD
Charity That Evangelizes The Gospel mandate of love, emphasized by Pope Francis and his predecessors, inspires the Knights’ Christian witness by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson
RECENTLY, CATHOLICS around arise from the Church’s charism of the world celebrated the news that love, which sees every person as a being Pope Francis will canonize Blessed made in the image and likeness of more fully our Lord’s commandment of John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II in God. love of neighbor. This message has enApril 2014 on Divine Mercy Sunday. John Paul II showed us even more couraged the activity of the Knights of Of course, John XXIII is the pope clearly how this charism is also a voca- Columbus, which was founded on the who envisioned and then inaugurated tion for every Christian to love his principles of charity, unity and fraterthe Second Vatican Council, and John neighbor and that it should be lived nity. Often, being true to these princiPaul II will be recorded by history as out in the day-to-day reality of life, as ples demands nothing less than its authoritative interpreter. we work to build first a culture of life courageous holiness, and we see this During the last general meeting of and ultimately a civilization of love. witnessed by so many brother Knights the council in 1965, Pope Paul VI Benedict XVI further deepened our as they, like the Good Samaritan, reach summarized its accomplishout in tragic situations to help ments. He observed that the neighbors in need. encounter with secular society More recently, Pope Francis We see a consistent message from was central to the council’s spoke of this path of charity. five popes over five decades, calling He said, “The Church, Benework, adding that “secular humanism, revealing itself in its dict XVI told us, does not us to live more fully our Lord’s horrible anti-clerical reality grow through proselytism, it has, in a certain sense, defied grows through attraction, commandment of love of neighbor. the council. The religion of the through witness.” God who became man has He added, “The witness met the religion (for such it is) of man theological understanding of this voca- that comes from charity, which is to who makes himself God.” tion in his first encyclical, Deus Caritas worship God and serve others, is what And then the pope asked, “What Est, which reminded us: “Love of makes the Church grow.” happened? Was there a clash, a battle, neighbor, grounded in the love of God, When people see the witness of what a condemnation? There could have is first and foremost a responsibility for the pope called “humble charity,” they been,” he said, “but there was none.” each individual member of the faith- say like the prophet Zechariah: “We Instead, Paul VI said the Good ful” (20). And in a recent interview in want to come with you” (Zec 8:23). John Paul II expressed the same idea Samaritan “has been the model of the the Italian Jesuit magazine La Civiltà spirituality of the council.” He Cattolica, Pope Francis gave a moving years earlier in the document Ecclesia pointed out that “charity has been the description of how he views the en- in Europa when he called Christians to principal religious feature” of the counter today between the Church and a “charity that evangelizes.” This is the mission of the Knights of council, emphasizing that “it is Christ culture. He said, “I see clearly … that himself who taught us that love for the thing the Church needs most today Columbus today, and it is the key to our brothers is the distinctive mark of is the ability to heal wounds and to our continued growth. If this ideal is his disciples.” warm the hearts of the faithful…. I see lived faithfully by every brother In presenting the Catholic Church the Church as a field hospital after a Knight, the Order will continue to as the Church of the Good Samaritan, battle.” serve as the strong right arm of the Paul VI stressed that the response of We see a consistent message from five Church. the Church to secular culture must popes over five decades, calling us to live Vivat Jesus!
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LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH
Living God’s Gift of Masculinity A new project will explore Catholic men’s spirituality, challenging Knights to renew and strengthen their faith by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori WITH THIS COLUMN, I begin a and women relate to one another. new initiative. It is the fruit of discusA growing number of children today sions I had with state chaplains and — including four out of five in inner the same daily struggles. Standing todelegates at the 131st Supreme Con- cities — are raised in fatherless homes. gether reminds men of their strengths vention this past August. The pro- In many other cases, fathers are often and how best to use them to improve posal is simply this: to offer a series of absent from their families because of their marriages, be better fathers, grow articles on men’s spirituality. Indeed, work or other activities. But even hus- in virtue, serve others more generously I received enthusiastic requests to in- bands and fathers who are present for and be better citizens. clude topics such as saints who are their families may find their authority Our Order offers a practical way of role models for men, the role of men at home questioned. Add to this the evangelizing husbands, fathers and in society and the family, and the sense of powerlessness that many faith- their families, of helping them to unvirtues appropriate to Knights derstand and accept what our of Columbus. Many asked me culture often rejects — specifito write on the pressures and cally, how men and women Membership in the Knights temptations that men face in should relate to one another in living their Catholic faith in complementary ways and how helps men embrace a solid, today’s world, coupled with vital the healthy relationship of sturdy and secure understanding a husband and a wife is for insights for growing in prayer. They also expressed hopes children. In short, membership of manhood that includes the that this series would reflect in the Knights helps men emthe unique spirit of the Order brace a solid, sturdy and secure courage to defend life, virtue with its four principles of understanding of manhood and authentic human values. charity, unity, fraternity and that includes the courage to depatriotism. fend life, virtue and authentic human values. CONTEMPORARY ful men feel today due to the deconCHALLENGES struction of marriage, the scourge of IN FATHER MCGIVNEY’S What prompted these requests to ad- online pornography, and the margin- FOOTSTEPS dress the meaning of masculinity? For alization of manly virtues and Chris- To be sure, writing these articles is no one thing, Knights live in a world tian values. small order. Even as I begin this projwhere the role of men is ambivalent at In the face of these and other ect, I hear an objection: “Archbishop, best. Just look at how husbands and fa- tremendous challenges, the Order has if you go down that path, won’t you thers are portrayed in popular enter- a great deal to offer. First, the Knights risk losing many readers? After all, Cotainment. They are often depicted as can help men tap into a hidden source lumbia is read not just by Knights, but insensitive to their wives and as inept of strength — namely, the presence of also by their wives and family memrole models for their children. The Christ, especially in the Eucharist and bers. Will they want to read about widespread acceptance of so-called in confession, where we encounter a men’s spirituality?” “same-sex marriage” also calls into love that is more powerful than sin. I sure hope so. Why? Because I am question what it means to be a man, a Knights also provide the camaraderie not planning to write “men-only” artihusband and a father — and how men of like-minded men of faith who face cles. My intent is to reflect on how men 4 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦
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LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH
ought to relate to others: first and foremost to God as members of the Church, and then to their wives, families, friends and colleagues. My fellow Knights are asking: How can I follow Christ more closely? How can I grow in virtue or be a better husband and father? I’m going to wager that most readers are deeply interested in these questions. Moreover, there is precedent for this emphasis. One of the reasons Father Michael McGivney founded the Knights was to help the men of his parish take ownership of their faith and to support them in their role as husbands and fathers. As a gifted and holy priest, Father McGivney could relate
HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS
POPE FRANCIS: CNS photo/Paul Haring — BLESSED LUIGI: Courtesy of the Associazione Maria e Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi
Offered in Solidarity with Pope Francis GENERAL: That priests who experience difficulties may find comfort in their suffering, support in their doubts, and confirmation in their fidelity. MISSION: That as fruit of the continental mission, Latin American Churches may send missionaries to other Churches.
well to all of his parishioners. But he also realized that he couldn’t serve wives and mothers very well unless he helped men embrace their vocation. With his focus on evangelization and work with the laity, Father McGivney was ahead of his time. He saw every aspect of the Knights as contributing to the Church’s mission, as a way of walking with his parishioners, even in their darkest hours. While the challenges in his day and ours are somewhat different, our duty to follow in Father McGivney’s footsteps has not changed. How important that we see the Order as a way for men not just to hang on to their faith, but also to grow
and flourish in it with their families. Father McGivney never used the phrase “new evangelization,” yet that is what he did: He helped his parishioners seek the face of Christ, to experience his love and to embrace the faith as a way of life. As Pope Francis teaches in his encyclical Lumen Fidei, faith is “capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence” (4). He further observes that we do not embrace and live the faith alone, but do so rather in a spirit of unity and fraternity (cf. 39, 51). It is my hope that these articles will, in some small way, catch that spirit and thus shed light on the Order’s role in the new evangelization.♦
C AT H O L I C M A N O F T H E M O N T H
Blessed Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi (1880-1951) BORN IN 1880 in Sicily, Luigi Beltrame was adopted and raised by his uncle’s family. A bright young man, Luigi studied in Rome and earned a law degree. Though he was honest and generous, his faith was tepid. This changed dramatically, however, when he met Maria Corsini in 1901. A talented and beautiful woman who loved literature and music, Maria was involved in many Catholic charitable and social action movements. The couple began a courtship and married on Nov. 25, 1905. Luigi and Maria soon became parents and had three children by 1909. Four years later, Maria was again expecting when she was diagnosed with a lifethreatening condition. She and Luigi entrusted themselves to God and firmly refused abortion. Against great odds, mother and child remained healthy. While working as a lawyer and civil servant, Luigi poured his heart into charitable apostolates. He and Maria brought sick pilgrims to Lourdes and prepared young couples for marriage. Luigi and Maria’s bustling family life
included sports, vacations and a large circle of friends who often gathered at their Rome apartment. During World War II, their home also became a haven for Jews, refugees and the poor. Prayer was an everyday part of the family’s life: Mass in the morning, grace at meals and recitation of the rosary at night. Three of their children eventually entered religious life. On Oct. 21, 2001, Pope John Paul II made this historic announcement: “Today the aspiration of the Second Vatican Council is fulfilled with the first beatification of a married couple.” Luigi and Maria “are an eloquent testimony to holiness in marriage,” he said, and declared their wedding day as their feast day, Nov. 25.♦
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS
College Leaders Challenged to Bear Christian Witness
GATHERING in New Haven, Conn., for the 2013 College Council Conference, more than 120 Knights from approximately 60 schools across North America were invited to let their lives reflect the bold and radiant ideals of Christ on their campuses. The three-day event gave college Knights the opportunity to build friendships, develop innovative ideas and challenge each other to become leaders of charity and service. During the opening banquet on Friday, Sept. 27, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson delivered remarks to the young men, thanking them for their service and challenging them to embrace the “sincere gift of self ” personified by the Good Samaritan. “Give God permission to enter into your life and make a difference,” the supreme knight said. “You are not the future of the Church; you are the Church now.” Also addressing the gathering was Ross Douthat, New York Times columnist and the bestselling author of Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics, who spoke on the current state of religion in America. In a modern culture where many people identify themselves as “spiritual” but don’t find Christian answers plausible, he challenged the young men to show that Christianity is “compelling, fresh, new and even revolutionary.” Following the addresses, awards were presented for exemplary service and achievement. Texas Tech University Council 14426 in Lubbock received this year’s Outstanding College Conference Award. The conference featured presentations punctuated by breakout sessions in which the young Knights honed their own leadership skills and explored topics of membership 6 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦
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recruitment, engagement and retention; best practices; and excellence in charity and fraternity. On Saturday, Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer, past president of Gonzaga University and president of the Magis Center for Reason and Faith in Irving, Calif., spoke on virtue, human freedom and the spiritual ideals ingrained in every person. Noting that we all have the desire for “perfect and unconditional truth, love, goodness, beauty and hope,” he challenged college Knights to seek these things out and to take the task seriously. Conference attendees also had the opportunity to visit the Knights of Columbus Museum and gather at St. Mary’s Church for Mass. In his homily, Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch, the newly appointed director of director of chaplains and spiritual development (see page 7), called on the college Knights to reach out to those who have fallen away from their faith. “You’re fighting the good fight of faith,” he said. “All of that takes audacity and courage. You and I are like our military brothers in the spiritual realm.” At Sunday morning’s closing session, the young men were urged to forge bonds of faith with their fellow Knights. In closing remarks, Deputy Supreme Knight Dennis A. Savoie offered three reasons why college Knights should continue their membership in the Order after they graduate: access to a top-rated insurance program, membership in a great fraternity through which they can enjoy the friendship of like-minded men, and the opportunity to live their faith on a daily basis. “Stay connected to the Knights of Columbus,” Savoie said. “And invite your Catholic brothers to join us.”♦
Photo by Tom Serafin
College Knights from more than 60 schools across North America stand outside of the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Conn., during the 2013 College Council Conference.
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS
Vicarius Christi Fund Earnings Given to Pope Francis
TOP: L’Osservatore Romano
Pope Francis received Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in a private audience Oct. 10. They discussed the charitable mission and work of the Knights of Columbus, and the supreme knight presented the Holy Father with a $1.6 million check, representing the annual proceeds of the Order’s Vicarius Christi Fund. Since it was established in 1981, the fund has provided more than $52.8 million for the pope’s personal charities and causes. During the Oct. 10 meeting, Supreme Knight Anderson also presented Pope Francis with a new documentary film produced by the Knights of Columbus, titled Francis: The Pope from the New World. Also pictured is Msgr. Peter Wells, assessor for general affairs at the Vatican and a member of Holy Family Cathedral Council 10388 in Tulsa, Okla.
New Head of Chaplain Programs Appointed
Past State Deputies Elected to Board
AT THE CHAPLAINS meeting at the 131st Supreme Convention, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson announced that Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch had been selected to succeed Augustinian Father John Grace as director of chaplains and spiritual development at the Supreme Dominican Father Council. Jonathan Kalisch Father Kalisch is no stranger to the Knights; he joined the Order in 1991 as a student at Georgetown University and has been involved with campus ministry — and college K of C councils — at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., and Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. Father Kalisch officially began his assignment at the Supreme Council headquarters in New Haven in September. Father Grace announced his retirement at the Supreme Convention after serving as director of chaplain programs for four years. At the meeting, the supreme knight thanked him for his service and offered the Order’s best wishes as Father Grace returns to his Augustinian community in California.♦
DELEGATES TO the 131st Supreme Convention elected two immediate past state deputies to the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors Aug. 7. Elected for three-year terms were Michael L. Wills of Tennessee and Daniel Rossi of New Jersey, who now hold the title supreme director. They Michael L. Wills succeed John P. Wainscott of Utah and David A. Bellendier of Iowa, both of whom completed their terms in office. Wills, 61, is an attorney who joined the Knights in 1983 and is a member of All Saints Council 15706 in Knoxville. He served the past two years as Tennessee state deputy in a term that ended June 30. Rossi, 63, joined the Order in 1987 Daniel Rossi and is a member of St. Gregory the Great Council 7677 in Hamilton Square, N.J. A former university professor who now heads an agricultural association, Rossi served as New Jersey state deputy from 2011-2013.♦
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The Harvest is
Plentiful
Oregon Knights produce bumper crop for families in need by Ed Langlois | photos by Curtis Miller
A
t 9 a.m. on Sept. 10, 86-year-old Don Armstrong is elbow deep in Oregon coastal loam, yanking out russet potatoes. Eight hours later, 57-year-old widow Paula Taylor will leave her parish food bank with a sack of the sizable spuds to feed her family. Taylor’s bag is a small part of the more than 15,000 pounds of produce that was grown and donated this year by members of Tillamook (Ore.) Council 2171, based at Sacred Heart Church. “I love fresh food. It tastes real,” said Taylor, who worked on a farm in the past and knows how hard the labor can be. “I think what these men do is a beautiful thing.” The Tillamook Knights’ third annual harvest yielded an increased charitable output, about 1,000 more pounds than last season. This year, the heaviest head of cabbage alone was a 24-pound whopper. The project falls under the Order’s Food for Families initiative, in which the Supreme Council refunds $100 to local councils for every 500 pounds of food they donate to local charities. It’s an incentive created in 2012 in response to increasing needs of communities. “Things like this help people. It also keeps you moving,” said Armstrong, who gets huffing when he labors but is still fit. He has spent his life as a commercial fisherman, a millwright and a flight instructor. A Tillamook native and Catholic school graduate, Armstrong has been a Knight for nearly seven decades, since age 18. Tillamook, famous for its cheese, is like a Midwestern dairy town of 5,000 plopped down on the Pacific Coast. The sur-
Opposite page: Don Armstrong displays the giant cabbages harvested by members of Tillamook (Ore.) Council 2171 at the half-acre garden they cultivate for charity. This year, the garden yielded more than 15,000 pounds of fresh produce for distribution to the needy. • Above: Council member Bob Durrer holds up a hardy russet potato.
rounding county has 24,000 people and 26,000 cows. This demographic creates not only fine cheddar, but also a memorable aroma that folks here have dubbed the “Smell of Money.” Still, there’s buzz in these parts about Knights who are farming not for cash, but for the poor. “I guess we have been making an impression,” said Armstrong, surveying his fellow Knights as they worked the half-acre plot. GARDEN OF GENEROSITY The 40-by-100-foot plot that serves as the K of C garden is located along the Tillamook River, two miles from town and adjacent to Armstrong’s house. The parcel, which is owned by a Portland-area real estate agent, became so overgrown that Armstrong at first asked if he could mow it. Later, he inquired if he could farm it on behalf of the needy, a notion that came to him while praying. Armstrong’s fellow council members liked the idea, and so did the real estate agent. “Not only is it amazing to have this fresh produce come in, but it comes at a time when food inventory is very low,” said Melissa Carlson-Swanson, who runs the Tillamook branch of the Oregon Food Bank, which supplies local pantries run by churches and other organizations. Food donations taper off after Christmas and don’t pick up again until Thanksgiving, added Carlson-Swanson. Fresh produce is always rare. Jobs are also scarce in Tillamook County. The region has not recovered from the downturn in the wood products industry. Many residents work in low-paying tourist businesses like restaurants and hotels. Oregon Food Bank records show that many recipients hold down two or more jobs but still qualify for aid. In addition to welcoming the produce, Carlson-Swanson appreciates getting to know the Knights, whom she calls “some pretty cool guys.” She finds their zeal and camaraderie inspiring. NOVEMBER 2013
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Hank Gollon digs up potatoes at the garden in early fall. Food grown by Council 2171 goes to local food pantries to help feed hundreds of people.
“When we drive up, all we see are bright smiles and their bucket with potatoes. They walk through corn stalks, picking excitement to show us what they brought in from the field,” ripe ears. After the first frost, they will pluck squash off the she said. “They want us to hurry up and take it to the people vine. so they can get their bins back and fill them again.” “There are a lot of people who need the food,” said Bob The fresh produce gets used as fast Durrer, a retired dairy farmer and as the Knights can grow it. Knight of 54 years, as he pulled up a “Everything goes,” said Ellen Kujak, russet the size of a football. “You are who runs a pantry at the Tillamook doing something for other people. OT ONLY IS IT Christian Center. “People have been That is the main motivation.” really receptive to it. I can see them Hank Gollon, a powerfully built reAMAZING TO HAVE THIS bag up the produce and be really tired lumber mill maintenance worker, thankful. And I feel really good giving lugs a bucket of potatoes out of the FRESH PRODUCE COME IN, healthy food.” The pantry, one of two field with little exertion. “This work is BUT IT COMES AT A TIME in the small town, feeds about 400 really rewarding,” he said. Gollon has people per month. That’s down from been a Knight for more than 40 years. WHEN FOOD INVENTORY 2008, when 700 people per month “I think if you are a Knight, it makes came, but is still much higher than beyou a better Catholic.” IS VERY LOW.” fore the recession. “I enjoy the work, and people need Kujak, an evangelical Christian, says to have good produce, too,” said Bob that men like the Knights bring ecuWillhite, a former county public works menism to life and draw the whole supervisor. He brings his small tractor community together. to the parcel to prepare the ground and carry the thousands “I feel they are heroes,” added Suzanne Weber, mayor of of pounds of potatoes, cabbage and corn. “Part of it is letting Tillamook and a member of Sacred Heart Parish. “They are people know the Knights are part of the community and that giving of their time and their effort and truly living the bib- we want to help people,” Willhite said. “It makes you feel lical sense of what Jesus was about — helping your brother.” good. You accomplish something. You’re not just sitting around watching football.” CULTIVATING FERTILE GROUND These gardening Knights have never hungered much but Like many people, the Knights write checks for charitable have worked hard their whole lives. Asked to explain their causes. But these Good Samaritans also help the needy by la- generosity, the men emphasize that this work is just what one boring for days in the hot sun. They crawl along rows, churn- does as a Catholic and a Knight. Men of action, not theoloing up the ground with hand tools. They fill bucket after gians, they are reticent to expound upon their motivations.
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Tom Weber, who is the mayor’s husband, a former fire chief and a Knight since 1993, spoke up as he scooped firm red potatoes from the ground. “I can go from here sweating and knowing I was doing something for other people and for the Church.” The project, he added, “means camaraderie, a sense of responsibility, a place to go.” Like the produce itself, Weber has deep roots here. The field is located just across the Tillamook River from the farmhouse where his father grew up. While the men do worry that the real estate agent may one day sell the parcel, they have already heard from parishioners who are willing to offer acreage so the project can continue. As the Knights set their sights on another bumper crop next year, they are also preparing the ground for new recruits. “We’re looking for some younger guys who don’t mind getting their hands dirty out here with us,” Weber said with a smile. “Yep,” chimed in Durrer as he wiped sweat from his brow. “We could use some strong young backs.”♦ ED LANGLOIS is a staff writer at the Catholic Sentinel, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Portland, Ore.
FOOD FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM The Food for Families Reimbursement Program offers rebates to K of C units that provide financial assistance to food banks and food pantries. For every $500 or 500 pounds of food that a council or assembly donates to a food bank, the Supreme Council will refund $100, up to a maximum refund of $500 per council (based on $2,500 in contributions) per fraternal year. Columbian Squires circles can also receive a refund of $20 for every $100 contributed.To qualify, councils simply need to complete the Food for Families Reimbursement Program Report Form by June 30, 2014. Visit kofc.org/food.
Clockwise from above left: The council members work in the garden at harvest time. • A Knight drives a tractor hauling a wagonload of potatoes. • Melissa Carlson-Swanson of the Oregon Food Bank receives one of the many cabbages that will stock community food pantries. NOVEMBER 2013
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A Luminous Testament of Faith The encyclical Lumen Fidei underscores how the gift of faith enables us to grasp the deepest meaning of reality by Columbia staff
ope Francis’ first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), was released July 5, 2013, nearly four months after his election to the papacy. “It’s written with four hands, so to speak,” said the pope, “because Pope Benedict began writing it, and he gave it to me.” The 90-page document celebrates the gift of faith and completes a papal trilogy on the three theological virtues, following Benedict XVI’s Deus Caritas Est (2005) on charity and Spe Salvi (2007) on hope. “The light of faith is passed from one pontiff to another like a baton in a relay, thanks to the gift of apostolic succession,” noted Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, who presented the document to the press. Publication of this encyclical was one of the most awaited 12 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
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events of the Year of Faith, which began in October 2012 and concludes this month on the feast of Christ the King, Nov. 24. In the following pages, Columbia presents a sampling of key passages from the first papal encyclical ever penned by two living pontiffs. THE GIFT OF FAITH: A GREAT LIGHT The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus. … Those who believe, see; they see with a light that illumines their entire journey, for it comes from the risen Christ, the morning star that never sets. (1)
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Above: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI greets Pope Francis at the retired pontiff’s new residence in the Vatican Gardens May 2. • Left: The Calling of St. Matthew (1599-1600), Michelangelo Caravaggio, Rome, Italy. prove incapable of showing the way. Yet, in the absence of light, everything becomes confused; it is impossible to tell good from evil, or the road to our destination from other roads that take us in endless circles, going nowhere. (3) There is an urgent need, then, to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim. The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence. A light this powerful cannot come from ourselves but from a more primordial source: in a word, it must come from God. (4)
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GOD IS FAITHFUL The man of faith gains strength by putting himself in the hands of the God who is faithful. … The God who asks Abraham for complete trust reveals himself to be the source of all life. Faith is thus linked to God’s fatherhood, which gives rise to all creation; the God who calls Abraham is the Creator, the one who “calls into existence the things that do not exist” (Rom 4:17), the one who “chose us before the foundation of the world … and destined us for adoption as his children” (Eph 1:4-5). (10-11) Yet in speaking of the light of faith, we can almost hear the objections of many of our contemporaries. In modernity, that light might have been considered sufficient for societies of old, but was felt to be of no use for new times, for a humanity come of age, proud of its rationality and anxious to explore the future in novel ways. (2) … In the process, faith came to be associated with darkness. … Slowly but surely, however, it would become evident that the light of autonomous reason is not enough to illumine the future; ultimately the future remains shadowy and fraught with fear of the unknown. As a result, humanity renounced the search for a great light, Truth itself, in order to be content with smaller lights that illumine the fleeting moment yet
IDOLATRY: THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH The history of Israel also shows us the temptation of unbelief to which the people yielded more than once. … In place of faith in God, it seems better to worship an idol, into whose face we can look directly and whose origin we know, because it is the work of our own hands. Before an idol, there is no risk that we will be called to abandon our security, for idols “have mouths, but they cannot speak” (Ps 115:5). Idols exist, we begin to see, as a pretext for setting ourselves at the center of reality and worshiping the work of our own hands. … Idolatry, then, is always polytheism, an aimless passing from one lord to another. Idolatry does not offer a journey, but NOVEMBER 2013
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Left: Pope Francis prays in front of the Marian icon of Salus Populi Romani (health of the Roman people) at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome July 20. • Opposite page: Madonna of the Host (1866), Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Bayonne, France. trary, profess their faith in God’s tangible and powerful love, which really does act in history and determines its final destiny: a love that can be encountered, a love fully revealed in Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. (17)
FAITH AND REALITY Our culture has lost its sense of God’s tangible presence and activity in our world. We think that God is to be found in the beyond, on another level of reality, far removed from our everyday relationships. But if this were the case, if God could not act in the world, his love would not be truly powerful, truly real, and thus not even true, a love capable of delivering the bliss that it promises. It would make no difference at all whether we believed in him or not. Christians, on the con14 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
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THE TRUTH OF LOVE Only to the extent that love is grounded in truth can it endure over time, can it transcend the passing moment and be sufficiently solid to sustain a shared journey. If love is not tied to truth, it falls prey to fickle emotions and cannot stand the test of time. (27) … The light of love proper to faith can illumine the questions of our own time about truth. Truth nowadays is often reduced to the subjective authenticity of the individual, valid only for the life of the individual. A common truth intimidates us, for we identify it with the intransigent demands of totalitarian systems. But if truth is a truth of love, if it is a truth disclosed
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rather a plethora of paths leading nowhere and forming a vast labyrinth. Those who choose not to put their trust in God must hear the din of countless idols crying out: “Put your trust in me!” Faith, tied as it is to conversion, is the opposite of idolatry; it breaks with idols to turn to the living God in a personal encounter. (13)
THE CRISIS OF TRUTH: ‘A MASSIVE AMNESIA’ Today, more than ever, we need to be reminded of the bond between faith and truth, given the crisis of truth in our age. In contemporary culture, we often tend to consider the only real truth to be that of technology: truth is what we succeed in building and measuring by our scientific know-how, truth is what works and what makes life easier and more comfortable. … But Truth itself, the truth that would comprehensively explain our life as individuals and in society, is regarded with suspicion. … In the end, what we are left with is relativism, in which the question of universal truth — and ultimately this means the question of God — is no longer relevant. It would be logical, from this point of view, to attempt to sever the bond between religion and truth, because it seems to lie at the root of fanaticism, which proves oppressive for anyone who does not share the same beliefs. In this regard, though, we can speak of a massive amnesia in our contemporary world. The question of truth is really a question of memory, deep memory, for it deals with something prior to ourselves and can succeed in uniting us in a way that transcends our petty and limited individual consciousness. It is a question about the origin of all that is, in whose light we can glimpse the goal and thus the meaning of our common path. (25)
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in personal encounter with the Other and with others, then it can be set free from its enclosure in individuals and become part of the common good. (34) … HUMILITY AND WONDER One who believes may not be presumptuous; on the contrary, truth leads to humility, since believers know that, rather than ourselves possessing truth, it is truth that embraces and possesses us. Far from making us inflexible, the security of faith sets us on a journey; it enables witness and dialogue with all. … The gaze of science thus benefits from faith: faith encourages the scientist to remain constantly open to reality in all its inexhaustible richness. Faith awakens the critical sense by preventing research from being satisfied with its own formulae and helps it to realize that nature is always greater. By stimulating wonder before the profound mystery of creation, faith broadens the horizons of reason to shed greater light on the world that discloses itself to scientific investigation. (34)
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THE PATH OF FAITH Because faith is a way, it also has to do with the lives of those men and women who, though not believers, nonetheless desire to believe and continue to seek. To the extent that they are sincerely open to love and set out with whatever light they can find, they are already, even without knowing it, on the path leading to faith. They strive to act as if God existed, at times because they realize how important he is for finding a sure compass for our life in common or because they experience a desire for light amid darkness, but also because in perceiving life’s grandeur and beauty they intuit that the presence of God would make it all the more beautiful. (35) FAITH AND COMMUNION Persons always live in relationship. We come from others, we belong to others, and our lives are enlarged by our encounter with others. Even our own knowledge and selfawareness are relational; they are linked to others who have gone before us. … Self-knowledge is only possible when we share in a greater memory. The same thing holds true for faith, which brings human understanding to its fullness. Faith’s past, that act of Jesus’ love which brought new life to the world, comes down to us through the memory of others — witnesses — and is kept alive in that one remembering subject which is the Church. (38) … It is impossible to believe on our own. Faith is not simply an individual decision that takes place in the depths of the be-
liever’s heart, nor a completely private relationship between the “I” of the believer and the divine “Thou,” between an autonomous subject and God. By its very nature, faith is open to the “We” of the Church; it always takes place within her communion. (39) THE SACRAMENTS AND THE TRANSMISSION OF FAITH The Church, like every family, passes on to her children the whole store of her memories. … There is a special means for passing down this fullness, a means capable of engaging the entire person, body and spirit, interior life and relationships with others. It is the sacraments, celebrated in the Church’s liturgy. The sacraments communicate an incarnate memory…. (40) The transmission of faith occurs first and foremost in baptism. … Those who are baptized are set in a new context, entrusted to a new environment, a new and shared way of acting, in the Church. … No one baptizes himself, just as no one comes into the world by himself. Baptism is something we receive. (41) … The sacramental character of faith finds its highest expression in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a precious nourishment for faith: an encounter with Christ truly present in the supreme act of his love, the life-giving gift of himself. (44) FAITH AND THE COMMON GOOD Faith does not draw us away from the world or prove irrelevant to the concrete concerns of the men and women of our time. … Faith is truly a good for everyone; it is a common good. Its light does not simply brighten the interior of the Church, nor does it serve solely to build an eternal city in the hereafter; it helps us build our societies in such a way that they can journey towards a future of hope. … (51) The first setting in which faith enlightens the human city is the family. I think first and foremost of the stable union of man and woman in marriage. … In the family, faith accompanies every age of life, beginning with childhood: children learn to trust in the love of their parents. This is why it is so important that within their families parents encourage shared expressions of faith that can help children gradually to mature in their own faith. (52-53) FAITH AND HUMAN DIGNITY At the heart of biblical faith is God’s love, his concrete concern for every person, and his plan of salvation that embraces all of humanity and all creation, culminating in the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without insight into these realities, there is no criterion for discerning what NOVEMBER 2013
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makes human life precious and unique. Man loses his place in the universe, he is cast adrift in nature, either renouncing his proper moral responsibility or else presuming to be a sort of absolute judge, endowed with an unlimited power to manipulate the world around him. … (54) Faith also helps us to devise models of development which are based not simply on utility and profit, but consider creation as a gift for which we are all indebted; it teaches us to create just forms of government, in the realization that authority comes from God and is meant for the service of the common good. (55) CONSOLATION AMID SUFFERING Christians know that suffering cannot be eliminated, yet it can have meaning and become an act of love and entrustment into the hands of God who does not abandon us; in this way it can serve as a moment of growth in faith and love. By contemplating Christ’s union with the Father even at the height of his sufferings on the cross (cf. Mk 15:34), Christians learn to share in the same gaze of Jesus. (56) … Nor does the light of faith make us forget the sufferings of this world. How many men and women of faith have found mediators of light in those who suffer! So it was with Saint Francis of Assisi and the leper, or with Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her poor. They understood the mystery at work 16 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
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in them. In drawing near to the suffering, they were certainly not able to eliminate all their pain or to explain every evil. Faith is not a light that scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey. To those who suffer, God does not provide arguments that explain everything; rather, his response is that of an accompanying presence, a history of goodness that touches every story of suffering and opens up a ray of light. In Christ, God himself wishes to share this path with us and to offer us his gaze so that we might see the light within it. Christ is the one who, having endured suffering, is “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2). (57) MARY: OUR MODEL OF FAITH The Mother of the Lord is the perfect icon of faith; as Saint Elizabeth would say: “Blessed is she who believed” (Lk 1:45). … In the fullness of time, God’s word was spoken to Mary and she received that word into her heart, her entire being, so that in her womb it could take flesh and be born as light for humanity. … In the Mother of Jesus, faith demonstrated its fruitfulness; when our own spiritual lives bear fruit we become filled with joy, which is the clearest sign of faith’s grandeur. (58)♦ Excerpts from Lumen Fidei © copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.
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Above: Pope Francis kisses a man with disabilities after spotting him in the crowd and having his popemobile stop as he rode through St. Peter’s Square March 19 before his inaugural Mass. • Left: Crucifixion with Saint Francis (detail), anonymous, 13th century, Arezzo, Italy.
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FAT H E R S F O R G O O D
Faith of Our Family The Year of Faith has given us direction for the road ahead by Tom Hoopes
Photo by Tom Serafin
W
hen he announced the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI did what a good father does: He prepared us for the changes in the world by teaching us to focus on what stays the same. The dates he chose suggest that purpose. The Year of Faith began Oct. 11, 2012, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which ushered in a period of great change. It will conclude this month on Nov. 24, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, the unchanging one who holds all things together in himself. Announcing the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict said, “Reflection on the faith will have to be intensified … especially at a time of profound change such as humanity is currently experiencing” (Porta Fidei, 8). Shortly afterward, Benedict initiated some profound changes of his own, including the announcement of his resignation, which was followed by the election of Pope Francis. The Year of Faith was the year of two popes, and we received the great gift of Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), an encyclical begun by Pope Benedict and completed by Pope Francis. The document teaches us, “Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey.” We needed that lamp as we watched Pope Emeritus Benedict lifted by helicopter to his place of retirement; as we saw the doors of Castel Gandolfo close on his papacy; and as we passed through Lent waiting for the election of a new supreme pontiff. The light of faith assures us that each pope is a successor of St. Peter and that Christ remains the head of the Church throughout such change. Closer to home, in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan., the Year of Faith inspired the “Love It, Learn It, Live It” program, stressing prayer, study and witness. Kansas Catholics studied the teachings on papal succession and infallibility. We learned about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the source and summit of the liturgy. We prayed together, knowing that Pope Benedict had entrusted the Year of Faith to the Blessed Mother and invited us to “cherish” the rosary. Taking
Mary as our model, we gave witness to the faith in our parish, families, jobs, schools and communities, living our faith more consciously and inviting others to do the same. Yet we also became more aware that faith, ultimately, is a mystery, and that we need to learn to follow Christ in the darkness. Lumen Fidei states, “God does not provide arguments which explain everything; rather, his response is that of an accompanying presence, a history of goodness which touches every story of suffering and opens up a ray of light.” My family and I experienced that presence as we set out on vacation this past summer on the evening of July 4. We headed west on I-70 toward California, staring out the windows at fireworks lighting up the sky of each passing town. I found myself reviewing the changes of recent months: a national election, an elementary school massacre, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the Defense of Marriage Act, and the new threats looming in the letters HHS, NSA and IRS. Then I thought of my own family, these 10 people, mother and children, hurtling through the night with me in a van. We had suffered some serious health crises, upheavals and adjustments, and knew not what lay ahead in the darkness. All we could do was follow our own headlights toward the fireworks on the horizon. Taking my rosary, I called out, “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” A van of voices joined me. “The Five Mysteries of Light,” I announced. So, let the world pull the rug out from under us. I would show my family that there is solid ground beneath it all. That is what a father does. Hard years may come, but a father makes them years of faith, entrusting them into the hands of “the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change” (Jas 1:17).♦ TOM HOOPES is writer in residence at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., and a member of Father Michael J. McGivney Council 10705 in New Haven, Conn.
FIND ADDITIONAL ARTICLES AND RESOURCES FOR CATHOLIC MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES AT FATHERSFORGOOD. ORG .
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Ringing from on High Year of Faith pilgrimage to National Shrine in Washington, D.C., marks 50th anniversary of the Knights Tower Carillon by Alton J. Pelowski
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n Sunday, Sept. 8, several thousand Knights of Columbus traveled to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., for a special Year of Faith pilgrimage. Filling the Great Upper Church of the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine, Knights and their families listened as music from the 56-bell carillon of the Knights Tower called them to prayer. The pilgrims joined Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, together with other K of C leaders and guests, at “America’s Catholic Church” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Knights Tower Carillon and to reconsecrate the Order to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The massive bronze bells inside the Knights Tower Carillon call to prayer visitors to the National Shrine. NOVEMBER 2013
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An honor guard of approximately 500 Fourth Degree Knights led the opening procession for the solemn Mass, which was celebrated by Archbishop Lori and concelebrated by Archbishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix of Québec, primate of Canada, among others. Immediately following Mass, a prayer program commenced that included exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a Marian meditation led by Archbishop Lacroix, recitation of the rosary, remarks by the supreme knight, and an act of reconsecration led by the supreme chaplain and supreme knight. In his homily, Archbishop Lori noted the relevance of Jesus’ words in the Gospel reading, which seemed “tailor-made for this occasion”: “Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?” (Lk 14:28). The supreme chaplain went on to say that the 329-foot Knights Tower, which was funded by a $1 million grant from the Order and completed in 1957, has a symbolic purpose: “I would submit that the Knights Tower should be seen as a tower of faith that rises in our midst as sign and symbol of the Church’s faith.” Citing Pope Francis’ first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), Archbishop Lori listed several ways that the Knights Tower is “an apt symbol for the faith that we profess.” For instance, it is built on a solid foundation, just as Christians are called to establish their faith firmly on the truth (cf. LF, 23). While “faith knows because it is tied to love” (26), the tower also represents the Knights’ works of charity as they “bear wit20 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
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ness to the truth of God’s love.” Moreover, just as faith involves seeing and hearing (cf. 29), the Knights Tower “directs our gaze and lifts our spirits upward,” and “the bells open our ears to the Word of God.” Finally, the “structural unity and integrity” of the tower evokes the unity and “communion of the Church” as well as the “interconnected elements” of the faith (cf. 38, 46). After Mass, Archbishop Lacroix led the congregation in prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. The recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary followed, with state deputies from throughout the East Coast leading the decades. In remarks delivered following Mass, Supreme Knight Anderson echoed the sentiments of Archbishop Lori. “Just as the carillon of the Knights Tower sends beautiful music into our nation’s capital and reminds all who hear it of this place of God, our lives as Catholics and as Knights of Columbus must also reach out to enrich others and remind them of Our Lord’s presence among us,” Anderson said. The supreme knight also spoke about the significance of Mary’s title as the Immaculate Conception, which he said is reflected in the patronage of not only the National Shrine, but also in the home parish of Venerable Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus. “Our Lord sees and loves and saves Mary before she had free will; before she could speak; before she could breathe; before her parents were even aware of her existence,” Anderson said. “And thus Mary, the Immaculate Conception, is the
Photos by John Whitman, Matthew Barrick, Tom Serafin
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From far left: The honor guard of some 500 Fourth Degree Knights is pictured after the Mass. • Pilgrims fill the Great Upper Church of the basilica. • Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore elevates the host. • Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson delivers remarks following Mass.
paragon of human dignity. Because, in reaching out to Mary with extraordinary grace while still in the womb, God reminds us that our dignity comes to each of us as a gift from the Creator.” The supreme knight further noted that a two-year Orderwide Marian Prayer Program dedicated to the Immaculate Conception was inaugurated Aug. 7 at the 131st Supreme Convention in San Antonio. The program features a painting of Our Lady that hangs above the main altar in the BasilicaCathedral of Notre-Dame de Québec, the primatial church of Canada. A large reproduction was on display at the foot of the National Shrine’s sanctuary during the pilgrimage. Before the final benediction, Archbishop Lori prayed an act of reconsecration, placing the Knights of Columbus again under Mary’s protection. In part, the prayer read: “O Mother of the human family, Mother of America, and Mother of the Knights of Columbus, we confidently entrust ourselves and our families to you. … Obtain for us strong faith and the grace of eternal salvation. Pray that we might be dedicated entirely to your Son. We pray that by your motherly care our Order and our hearts, newly consecrated, and belonging totally to God, may be a special portion for him, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” The largest bell, or bourdon, of the 56-piece carillon is known as the Mary Bell. It sounded after Supreme Knight Anderson led the congregation in the Sub Tuum Praesidium, a prayer to Mary from the first Christian centuries. Weighing 7,200 pounds, the Mary Bell features fleurs-de-lis, the em-
blem of the Order, and the inscription: “MARY IS MY NAME / MARY IS MY SOUND / BELOVED MOTHER / QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH / QUEEN OF THIS DEAR LAND / FOR KNIGHTS TO GOD AND COUNTRY BOUND / AND ALL WHO HEAR MY VOICE / I SING THE PRAISES OF GOD.” Finally, Archbishop Lacroix invited everyone to consider making a pilgrimage to his home diocese of Québec in 2014. Next year will mark the 350th anniversary of the historic parish of Notre-Dame de Québec, the mother parish of Canada and the United States. Among the special guests and dignitaries present for the pilgrimage was Cardinal William Baum, a former archbishop of Washington. It was Cardinal Baum’s predecessor, Cardinal Patrick O’Boyle, who presided at the inauguration of the Knights Tower Carillon on Sept. 8, 1963, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On that occasion, Cardinal O’Boyle declared, “To the members of the Knights of Columbus, in the name of all the bishops of the United States, I say we are deeply grateful for this wonderful gift. Long after we are gone, this tower and these bells will be paying honor to God and to his Mother.” Indeed, although the Year of Faith Pilgrimage was a special occasion of prayer and celebration, the bells of the Knights Tower Carillon sound numerous times each day, welcoming pilgrims from near and far to Mary’s House.♦ ALTON J. PELOWSKI is editor of Columbia.
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ON THE FRONT LINES OF CHARITY Sir Knight Steve Leisure and other K of C volunteers demonstrate the Order’s dedication to serving veterans by Carla Jean Whitley
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n Sept. 7, the football-crazed city of Tuscaloosa, Ala., saw hundreds of people pouring onto a lawn dotted not with the crimson of the University of Alabama, but instead with tents arrayed in red, white and blue. As community members and veterans gathered on the grounds of the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center for a welcome home event, among the first to greet them was Steve Leisure, a Fourth Degree Knight and the Order’s 2012 Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Volunteer of the Year. “Thank you for your service,” said Leisure with a big smile as veterans young and old stopped by the K of C table for snacks and beverages. Managed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the VAVS program serves American veterans and their families. Since partnering with the VAVS in 2002, the Knights of Columbus has played a major role in VA facilities nationwide through its Serving Those Who Served program, which is spearheaded by the Order’s Fourth Degree, also known as the Patriotic Degree. Although they have long been recognized for their ceremonial role — marching in parades and appearing at events in formal regalia — Fourth Degree Knights are becoming just as well-known for their volunteer service to veterans. Motivated by faith and charity, 1,240 Knights currently volunteer at 136 of the 153 VA medical centers throughout the United States.
ACTIVE SERVICE The welcome home picnic is one of several volunteer activities that Leisure helps to coordinate at the Tuscaloosa VA. Throughout the event, though, he remained humble about being recognized nationally for his service, which includes 610 hours a week at the medical center. “I was really surprised to get [the award]. I didn’t think I did that much,” said Leisure, who serves as culture of life di22 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
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rector and financial secretary of Tuscaloosa Council 4083 as well as faithful navigator of Tuscaloosa Assembly. “It brought tears to my eyes. There are guys who work a lot harder.” A congenital back problem disqualified Leisure from military service, but he now sees his volunteer work as a way to practice patriotism. “I figured this was a good way to give back to those who did serve our country,” he said. Although Leisure was eager to volunteer — and has, in fact, helped others since he was a child assisting elderly neighbors — he wasn’t sure how to get involved. The Knights offered him that opportunity. He has volunteered his time at the VA for the past few years, since the Tuscaloosa Assembly started rosary and Communion services for veterans. It was the Knights’ focus on charitable work that led Leisure to join the Order in 1994, 10 years after he became Catholic. He describes the Knights as “the public face of the Catholic Church” and sees his membership as an opportunity to live out his faith. In the process of volunteering, Leisure has regularly exceeded expectations, said Stephanie Massey, a program manager for recent Iraq and Afghanistan veterans at the Tuscaloosa VA. She met Leisure three years ago and has worked with him annually in preparing the “Picnic in the Park.” “He is just so willing to do whatever he can do to help out,” Massey said. “It’s one thing for somebody to call and say, ‘Hey, I want to set up a table.’ They show up, do their thing and leave. Steve and the Knights, they really do way more than that.” Although western Alabama is not a heavily Catholic area, Knights are responsible for a number of programs offered at the Tuscaloosa VA. In addition to supporting the welcome home event, they hold a weekly Communion service and a monthly Mass, distribute rosaries, offer transportation to offsite Masses, visit patients, collect toiletries, and participate in Veterans Day and Memorial Day activities.
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Photo by Randal Crow
Opposite page: Sir Knight Steve Leisure receives the Order’s 2012 VAVS Volunteer of the Year Award. • Above: Leisure shares a laugh with veterans and fellow Fourth Degree Knights (left to right) Herman Weber, Steven Weems, Bob Bliven and Jim Stakem. A NATIONAL TREND Leisure and his brother Knights in Tuscaloosa aren’t alone in their dedication to supporting veterans. Such service is a natural extension of the Order’s charitable mission, and in particular the Fourth Degree’s patriotic focus. “Knights of Columbus have been volunteers at VA hospitals at the local level for a long time,” said Col. Charles H. Gallina (USMC/Ret.), who serves as the Order’s assistant for military and veterans affairs, national VAVS representative, and liaison to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. This relationship allows the VAVS a centralized point of contact in communicating with K of C volunteers, while also making volunteer opportunities easily accessible to Knights who want to participate. Executed through the Fourth Degree, the program is open to Knights Orderwide. Likewise, all volunteers have a number of opportunities throughout the national VA system. Former VAVS Director Laura Balun, who retired in July after 32 years with the VA, said she had 108 different volunteer assignments when she was chief of service in Washington. “[Volunteers] weren’t there to supplant employees, but they were there to supplement employees,” she said. “They were able to give that personal touch.” The Knights’ involvement has been particularly significant as organizations have provided fewer VAVS volunteers in recent years, according to Balun. By contrast, K of C involvement has tracked upward in the past decade. In 2012, Knights accounted for more than 100,000 hours of donated service.
The Knights also create distinctive programs at the medical centers, including religious initiatives, vocational rehabilitation, arts and crafts programs, pet therapy opportunities, holiday celebrations, parties, and outings to ball games and performances. According to Balun, the Knights’ success in recruiting volunteers to assist veterans has served as a model for the VAVS national advisory committee, for which Gallina serves as recruitment chairman. While the veteran-focused Serving Those Who Served program aims to expand into every VA medical center, there are service opportunities even for Knights who aren’t located near such facilities. K of C units can conduct drives to gather supplies such as clothing, books, movies and religious items for patients. Leisure said involvement with VAVS through the Knights has been valuable on a personal level. “My favorite part is taking Communion to patients, to see them when they receive Christ, to see the smile that comes on their face,” he explained. Simply asking a patient how he is doing, and giving him a handshake and a hug, can mean a lot, Leisure added. “It’s a blessing that God has put me where he has and is using me to work with veterans. It gives me a lot of pleasure to give back to those who gave so much.”♦ CARLA JEAN WHITLEY is a writer and editor based in Birmingham, Ala.
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Heroism on the High Seas The critically acclaimed film Captain Phillips features a naval rescue mission led by a Fourth Degree Knight
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he new movie Captain Phillips, about the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips, played by Tom Hanks, was released Oct. 11. A tense drama, the film is based on the 2009 hijacking of an American cargo ship by pirates off the coast of Somalia and the successful recovery effort by the U.S. Navy. The daring Easter Sunday rescue of Capt. Phillips was overseen by Cmdr. (now Capt.) Francis X. Castellano, who is played in the movie by Yul Vazquez. A member of the Knights of Columbus for 27 years, Capt. Castellano belongs to Kempsville Council 10515 at the Church of St. Mark in Virginia Beach, Va., and Holy Cross Assembly in Germantown, Tenn. In an exclusive Knights of Columbus interview, Capt. Castellano talked about his roots in the Order and the importance of his Catholic faith. An extended version of the interview is published online at kofc.org. What are some of your early memories of the Knights of Columbus, and what led you to join the Order? Capt. Castellano: My father was heavily involved with Patchogue (N.Y.) Council 725. He was the grand knight right around the time I was born. He was also a district deputy and a Fourth Degree Knight. My earliest memories are of accompanying my father and mother to K of C events. Our council had a 24 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
NOVEMBER 2013
catering hall associated with it, and I used to wait tables and wash dishes there. I became a Columbian Squire and then a chief squire. So, my life was surrounded by the Knights of Columbus. What drew me to the Knights was the fraternity and fellowship that I saw. My father had many friends. He was a World War II veteran and there were many veterans in his council. I remember them regaling me as a boy with their stories from their time in the service. Growing up, I also remember attending the council’s annual Blue Mass to honor our fallen local firefighters and police officers. I remember helping out with the K of C for those less fortunate in the area, raising funds for charity, and I remember that camaraderie and sense of service. As a result, I was very interested in doing more with the Knights as a young person. Prior to my departing for the Naval Academy, right around my 18th birthday, I made my First Degree and became a member. A few years back, when I was in Germantown, Tenn., I became a Fourth Degree Knight. With my friends there we started an assembly, and I was a founding member. I think the K of C, with its fraternity and service, is something that stays with me. It is a rock I can always rely on. As a Knight, you gain lifelong friends and also a support network that can help bring you through troubled times or key decisions in life. Knights are men of faith you can depend on for help.
Jason Boland/© 2013 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
an exclusive Knights of Columbus interview
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What attracted you to military service? Capt. Castellano: Growing up with my father as a veteran, and through interaction with other veterans, I gained a sense of service and a desire to join the military. When I was about 8 years old, I got the idea to go to the United States Naval Academy. I entered at 18 and have been wearing the uniform for 27 years. The former chief of operations had a saying: Every day when you put on the uniform on, you put on the cloth of the nation. That really means a lot to me.
CNS photo/U.S. Navy handout via Reuters
Could you tell us a little about your family life? Capt. Castellano: I have been married 22 years to my wonderful wife, Lisa. We have two beautiful daughters. My wife has been very strong and supportive of the family as I progressed in my career. I have been on a lot of sea duty, which means long periods away from home. We try as much as we can to have dinner together when I am home, and to discuss what we have done during our day. Being a father is very important and comes with obligations to be a role model, to go to church, show your faith, pray with your family, and be there in their times of need. You want the best for your children, and the best way to do that is to be a great example for them.
rived on scene in the early morning of April 9, and over the next several days we conducted negotiations to attempt to peacefully resolve the incident. Unfortunately, the pirates did not want to resolve it peacefully. What was it like seeing your character on screen in Captain Phillips? Capt. Castellano: Seeing myself portrayed was very interesting. I had an opportunity to speak with the actor Yul Vazquez and exchange emails with him. He was most interested in seeing my mannerisms and idiosyncrasies, in order to portray me properly, and I think he did a great job. It was intimidating for me, but from talking to him I found out it was also intimidating for him to portray a real person. What do you remember most about the experience? Capt. Castellano: Some of the vivid memories that stuck with me were the professionalism and teamwork of my crew and others. It showed the goodness of the American sailor. I had officers and enlisted personnel on the ship who spent hours and hours on station in very hot conditions in order to ensure that Capt. Phillips was safely returned to his family. It was just an incredible team effort. In terms of the rescue mission, my Catholic faith and being a Knight of Columbus played a big role in what I believed in — we wanted to bring Capt. Phillips back home safely to his family and protect the greater good.
What role has your Catholic faith played in your life? Capt. Castellano: I grew up around Our Lady of Mount Capt. Richard Phillips of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama, right, Carmel Catholic Church in stands alongside Cmdr. (now Capt.) Frank Castellano, commandPatchogue where my granduncle ing officer of USS Bainbridge, after being rescued by U.S naval was the pastor. I grew up as an forces off the coast of Somalia April 12, 2009. • Opposite page: altar boy there, and became an Captain Phillips was released in U.S. theaters Oct. 11. usher, a lector and a eucharistic minister. So I think that the How do you respond when Catholic faith and the power of prayer are very important. My people commend you for being a hero? wife and daughters gave me a Mariner’s cross, and also I carry Capt. Castellano: I don’t consider myself a hero. I am a prothe rosary my dad gave me when I became a Knight of Colum- fessional naval officer. I was out there doing my job. The heroes bus. My faith played a big role in the rescue mission. were the sailors on the Maersk Alabama who were able to use their wits to recapture the ship and safely extract themselves from How did you and your crew become involved in the rescue the situation. The other heroes are our Special Forces. They are mission? titans of our country. A lot of them have made the ultimate sacCapt. Castellano: On April 8, 2009, the Maersk Alabama was rifice over the last few years, and I am proud to call them teamattacked by four Somali pirates, 300 miles off the coast of Soma- mates and shipmates. lia. This is actually the first act of piracy against a United States I think all fathers are heroes to their families. Their children flag vessel in over 200 years. The USS Bainbridge, which was and their spouses look up to them. I think our call to heroism under my command, was the closest vessel to the scene, so we every day in our lives is to stand up for what we believe in, to be were ordered to approach. On the way, we came to learn that the role models as parents and role models in the community, helpheroic crew of the ship had captured one of the pirates and then ing the less fortunate and giving our time back. We live in a great taken back their vessel. However, the pirates had taken Capt. country, with a lot to give. Every day we can show heroic traits Richard Phillips hostage on one of the ship’s lifeboats. So we ar- just being who we are, Catholic men of faith.♦ NOVEMBER 2013
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C H A R I T Y S P OT L I G H T
Supreme Council Donates $100K to Newtown Parish In the wake of last year’s tragic school shooting, Knights continue to support Connecticut community
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Conn.; Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose Church in Newtown; and Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson gather with Knights and parishioners following a $100,000 donation from the Supreme Council.
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he Knights of Columbus donated $100,000 to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown, Conn., to support ongoing parish programs related to last December’s elementary school shooting. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson presented the gift Sept. 30 following Mass at St. Rose. Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, the newly appointed ordinary of Bridgeport, was the principal celebrant and homilist. The supreme knight and Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose, also delivered remarks at a brief ceremony following Mass. The Newtown elementary school shooting gripped the nation and the world as the small community mourned the loss of area residents, including 20 children, following the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14, 2012. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Newtown Knights quickly volunteered to assist St. Rose Parish and the community at large. The Knights’ first priority was spiritual, as the council established a program that asked people to pray a minimum of three Hail Marys on behalf of the victims and their families, the first responders and teachers, and the Newtown community. The efforts spread with the help of K of C websites, and more than 105,000
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NOVEMBER 2013
people signed up to offer a total of approximately 3.25 million prayers. The Knights also served as ushers at eight funerals for children and helped at the parish when it was overwhelmed with messages of condolence and other logistical challenges. “In the 24-hour news cycle, we often read or see the news, are affected for a time, and then quickly move on,” said Anderson in his remarks following Mass. “But the people of Newtown could not simply ‘move on,’ and our gift and award are meant to acknowledge that the work of Msgr. Weiss and the St. Rose of Lima community continues.” Indeed, St. Rose continues to assist the families that lost loved ones and help with many practical matters, including community projects and donations. The grant from the Supreme Council will ensure that these programs continue. The donation follows the presentation of the Order’s new Caritas Award for “exemplary works of charity,” which was bestowed upon Msgr. Weiss and the parish’s K of C council, St. Virgilius Council 185, at the 131st Supreme Convention last August. The new award was established earlier this year by a vote of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors and will be conferred on future recipients when merited.♦
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KN IGHTS IN ACTION
REPORTS FROM COUNCILS, ASSEMBLIES AND COLUMBIAN SQUIRES CIRCLES
ported the Greater Area Summer Youth Program, which helps young people find summer jobs. Council member Robert Martinez serves as head instructor, and the council provides lunch to students and their parents on the last day of the program. SEMINARIAN SUPPORT
Joe Militello, Howard Killian Jr. and Donnie Dobbelare of Leo Council 716 in East Moline, Ill., display some of the items that were collected during a council-sponsored food drive. Knights conducted a drive at five local parishes that netted nearly $1,400 in cash and 240 pounds of food for the St. Mary Food Pantry, which serves about 200 families.
SNOW MOBILE RALLY
Moose Mountain Council 10317 in Carlyle, Saskatchewan, hosted its third annual snow mobile rally at the farm of a council member. Seventy riders participated in the event, which raised $3,600 for the council’s charitable fund. VETERANS TREATMENT
Buffalo (N.Y.) Assembly hosted a spaghetti dinner that raised $1,000 for the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court, a hybrid drug and mental health court that serves veterans who are struggling with addiction and/or mental illness by keeping those who are nonviolent offenders out of jail. ROSARY MAKERS
Brother Mathias Barrett Council 10560 in Albuquerque, N.M., teamed with the rosary makers at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Parish to distribute approximately 500 rosary beads to parishioners. Each rosary was accompanied by an in-
structional prayer card from the Knights.
La Salle Assembly in Chicago uses the annual interest from an annuity that was donated to the assembly to provide $500 scholarships to a large number of seminarians each year. At the assembly’s annual “Seminarian Night,” Knights presented 51 seminarians with $500 stipends each to use toward any educational expenses, including tuition, books, transportation or living expenses.
PANTRY DONATIONS
Father James J. Mullen Council 2266 in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, donated $2,500 to the food pantry at Old Orchard Beach Methodist Church, which feeds about 400 needy families each month. The council also donated $2,500 to the Old Orchard Beach Community Food Pantry and Clothing Bank.
SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
For several years, Msgr. Maurice C. Deason Council 8141 in Austin, Texas, has sup-
lacan Provincial Hospital. During the hospital’s renovation, Knights teamed with the provincial government to restore the bust after many years of deterioration. STEAK COOK-OFF
BUST REDEDICATED
Father Gregorio Crisostomo Assembly in Malolos, Luzon, inaugurated a newly restored memorial bust of Father Gregorio Crisostomo at the Bu-
GARDEN CLEANED
James Madison University Council 9286 in Harrisonburg, Va., cleaned the garden and grounds of their school’s Catholic campus ministry house. Knights disposed of weeds and debris around the house and refreshed the area with new soil, flowers and mulch.
Knights from the San Juan area participate in a pro-life march near Luis Muñoz Rivera Park. Knights joined about 7,000 people for a 1.25-mile pro-life march that celebrated life from conception to natural death.
Holy Spirit Council 15196 in Memphis, Tenn., hosted its annual “Holy Cow Steak Cook-Off,” which gathered teams from throughout the region to compete in a ribeye steak cooking contest. More than 600 people attended the event, which also featured live bluegrass music, a sports memorabilia auction and a horseshoe competition. Proceeds from the cook off were added to the council’s charitable fund. ‘SLOPPER’ DINNER
Members of Bishop O’Sullivan Council 1648 in Apalachicola, Fla., stand with the handicapped-accessible bus that the council donated to Holy Family Senior Services. The bus cost $10,000, features a wheelchair lift, and carries 12 passengers and two wheelchairs. Funds for the purchase came from the sale of a house that was donated to the council.
Albert Solano Circle 5432 in Pueblo, Colo., hosted a “slopper” dinner to benefit local seminarians. Unique to the Pueblo region, a “slopper” is a hamburger patty sandwiched between two buns and garnished with green chili, cheese and onions. More than 200 patrons came to sample the dish, raising $1,000 for the Diocese of Pueblo’s Office of Vocations.
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KNIGHTS IN ACTION
collecting pennies for the Global Wheelchair Mission. Knights set a goal of collecting enough funds to purchase 15 wheelchairs and set out a collection box at St. Patrick Church. The response was overwhelming. Over seven months, the council collected $5,250 — enough to purchase 35 wheelchairs. Kevin Stepko of The Infant Jesus of Prague Council 11667 in Kilmarnock, Va., assists Special Olympics athlete Tashia Lowe during an outing at a local bowling alley. Knights provide ongoing support to help Special Olympians enjoy the sport of bowling, and the council typically provides lunch at each event.
BIBLES FOR VETERANS
Loyola Assembly in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., attended Mass with veterans at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. Following Mass, Knights presented the hospital’s Catholic chaplain with 50 large-print Bibles for veterans to use. BOUNCING BACK
PANTRY HELP
Members of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Council 11582 in Mount Zion, Ill., and their families helped sort, stack and organize hundreds of pounds of food for the Catholic Charities food pantry in Decatur. CRAB FEED
St. Joseph Council 9202 in Lincoln, Calif., hosted its annual crab feed for more than 400 people. Patrons enjoyed a five-course meal of crab and shrimp served by members of St. Joseph the Carpenter Circle 5197. The event also included dancing and raffles, and raised more than $10,000 for the council's charitable fund. PENNIES FOR WHEELCHAIRS
With the Canadian government’s decision to phase out the penny from currency circulation, St. Patrick Council 7689 in Markham, Ontario, decided to capitalize on the opportunity by 28 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
In January, an arson fire caused more than $650,000 worth of damage to St. Aegidius Church in Vilseck, Germany, which was built in 1401. Father Emil J. Kapaun Council 11987 at the Sembach Air Base immediately contacted the base’s senior garrison chaplain to take up a collection to help with repairs. A special offering was collected at all denomination services, which resulted in $5,600. BOWLING FOR KIDS
St. Isaac Jogues Council 11098 in Pickering, Ontario, participated in Bowl for Kids’ Sake, an initiative run by Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ajax-Pickering. The council’s bowling team raised $2,075 in pledges, helping Big Brothers and Big Sisters raise a total of $48,000. RESTORING VETERANS
Smokey Mountain Council 9722 in Sylva, N.C., volunteered with other Knights
NOVEMBER 2011
Gerald Bufford (second from left) of Prince of Peace Council 11537 in Birmingham, Ala., pulls lottery tickets from a tumbler during a council-sponsored dinner-dance. The event included dinner, entertainment and a reverse lottery in which the last ticket pulled was the winner. In all, the night raised more than $12,000, most of which will support education for children with special needs. Also pictured are: Gregg Tatum, Bill Hodges, Phillip Gaeton and Philllip Ehrman.
from Western North Carolina to feed veterans housed at the Veterans Restoration Quarters, a two-year live-in program designed to train, school, house and feed veterans who need a hand up. Knights and their families prepared food in the kitchen, served hungry veterans and then sat down to eat with them. FOSTERING VOCATIONS
Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy Assembly in West Broward County, Fla., donated $1,000 to the Missionaries of Charity to continue their work with the poor of Miami. The council also donated $500 each to two seminarians who are studying for the priesthood. ‘VOCATIONS DISCIPLES’
Father James J. Scanlon Council 6936 in Highland Springs, Va., participates in the “Vocations Disciple” program sponsored by the Sisters of Bon Secours. Knights display magnets on
their cars that encourage people to consider a vocation to Catholic religious life, along with a phone number for the sisters’ vocations hotline. Members who display a magnet also carry with them vocations materials and resources. HOCKEY FOR SEMINARIANS
Holy Trinity Council 12353 in Edmonton, Alberta, organized an outing for seminarians and staff at St. Joseph Seminary to attend an Edmonton Oil Kings hockey game. Knights arranged for a pre-game lunch at the hockey arena’s private dining hall, followed by a group photo for all attendees at center ice.
kofc.org exclusive See more “Knights in Action” reports and photos at www.kofc.org/ knightsinaction
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S TA R C O U N C I L W I N N E R S
Star Councils Awarded
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total of 1,071 councils earned the Star Council Award, the highest distinction available to a local K of C council, for the 2012-13 fraternal year. These councils, led by the grand knights listed here, conducted the required charitable and fraternal programs in the “Surge … with Service” areas and also achieved their membership and insurance quotas. Each council will receive an appropriately engraved plaque from the Supreme Council in recognition of its accomplishment. Of these councils, 344 earned the Double Star Council Award for meeting 100 percent of their insurance quota and 200 percent of their membership quota. Numbers in red indicate councils that achieved the Double Star Council Award. Additionally, 3,319 councils earned the Columbian Award for excellence in programming; 2,734 attained the Father McGivney Award for meeting their membership quota; and 1,977 earned the Founders’ Award for meeting their insurance quota.
893 2736 2737 7679 9676 12765 15367
John C. Lauer Jr. James L. Perry Jr. George A. Huth II Ibrahim H. Abril Ralph C. Jordan Michael J. Mullek Guillermo Alcala
ALABAMA
1760 Frank M. Bonadonna 4859 Abner H. Picon 8308 Michael A. Wehner
ALASKA
4957 12353 12419 12658 14492
Miles Daniel Berry Dennis P. Stansfield Geraldo Oliverio Julien J. Bilodeau Daren D. Farnel
ALBERTA
2493 4584 7306 8854 9838 10050 10441 10799 10832 11738 12144 12345 12856 13278 13779 14230
David L. Puzas Lawrence A. Powers Onofre G. Gutierrez Juan R. Verdugo Wilfred J. Burdick Michael P. Bracco Thomas G. Metzger Benjamin F. Serna John E. McNulty Shane D. Everitt Frederick J. Brown Paul C. Darcy Clarence P. Kohs John F. Martin Richard A. Kulok Kenneth M. Gallagher 14357 Jose E. Torres III 14621 Armando R. Urias Jr. 15376 Luis E. Kamei ARIZONA
2443 Gordon S. Thielemier 6419 David N. White 6609 Joseph D. Beffa 7258 Ronald L. Anderle
ARKANSAS
9514 Kenneth J. DeBauche 10167 Thomas V. Barr 11604 Alexander E. Coleman 12458 William G. Adams 14609 Miguel A. Andrade 14619 Charles J. Digiacomo
4949 5148 5282 6767 6855 9125 9844 10500 10681 13072 15445
Salvador D. Agosto Francesco Mauro Ely G. Abecia Zoltan Louis Vertes Kevin G. Mendonca Priscilo Tetangco Raymund P. Siglos Henry Li Peter R. Sobrinho Gabriel S. Sta. Maria Eloy Mendez
BRITISH COLUMBIA
750 1349 1740 1920 1990 2956 3016 3073 3254 3449 3487 3518 3522 3601 3667 3773 4229 4567 4588 4728 4970 5007 5216 5271 5385 6965
Edward M. Castillo Thomas J. Davis John S. Stammreich Gregory L. Granja Howard M. De Ruyter Edward D. Franger Henry Landin Paul J. Balian Michael G. Forys Gerald E. Loomer Michael A. Campos Roderico G. Galang Juan M. Acosta Leo V. Nevada John S. Schwetz Jr. Rene J. Perez Kenneth R. Arguelles Dennis D. Draudt Charles F. Bellavia Ferdinand P. Lampa Peter W. Mendenhall Tom C. Molina Andrew W. Yager Benjamin J. Prestia Abraham James Robert S. Rebollar
CALIFORNIA
6979 7268 7864 7902 9022 9037 9206 9332 9487 9498 9665 9679 9740 9969 10094 10925 11260 11612
12221 12451 12542 12834 12887
12938 13007 13124 13403 13672 13765 14007 14123 14158 14783 14818 14879 14927 15002 15065 15242 15344 15489 15515 1498 3285 4699 4732 7880 8909 10961 11514 12228 12335 12392 12979 13099 13981 14398 14898
Angelito A. Alvarez Timothy J. Wade Richard Contreras Ross C. Bouman Peter J. Kruse Paul F. Lopez Joseph E. Dizon Paul C. Melcher Michael N. Sofka Christopher Mracek Thomas M. Carlin Donald B. Chambers John K. Springer Patrick J. Leyden Dominick A. Scigliano Timothy V. Mahar Theodore K. Cherms Matthew P. McDonagh Jr Ruben A. Nunez Ralph Loconte Rouel G. Lagmay John C. Pugh Henrique M. Da Cunha Paul M. Henry John M. Powers Bernard A. Palecek Thomas F. White Joseph W. Luchi David J. Mulqueeney Michael D. Ramos Robert J. Tognetti Eric C. Watson Romulo A. Loyola Brian P. Dunleavy Rodolfo M. Rios Anthony Arceo Hilberto J. Darb Edward P. Camacho Peter J. Nelson David A. Wood Anthony P. Colombo Orlando P. Cagampan Robert A. Wilson Richard A. Lucero Gerald R. Williams Federico Herrera Philip S. Barenberg Todd J. Chwialkowski Philip T. Georgen Edward L. Paulovich Alan M. Batey Alfred D. Roberts Daniel P. Murphy Eric S. Ditch James M. Jost James L. Mead Patrick B. Callahan Christopher G. Schmitz
COLORADO
7 8 10 11 24 33 1253 2968 10537 11245 12080 12968 14198
John R. Mcnickle Mark F. Szczepanski Harold A. Bassi Jr. Jaime Morales Bryan P. Baker Lawrence C. Hanlon Stephen D. Haywood Paul H. Smith Peter E. Alder Richard A. Raffone Michael N. Cervellino Otis A. Shelton Ivan LuquenoTlayeca 14590 Frank A. Errato Sr. 14664 Robert J. Ennis 15461 Henry Gedeon CONNECTICUT
12104 Jay Fisher 13348 Robert W. Doyle DELAWARE
433 Timothy M. Saccoccia
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
9386 Dieudonne Ndouga 9542 Joseph M. Hubbard 11302 Otto E. Heck
667 1726 1895 2105 2505 3521 4826 5150 5972 7109 7121 7420 7667 7968 8074 8589 9924 10157 10201 11046 11069 11125 11220 11295 11483 11497 11669 11877 11961
Richard A. Hohman George C. Jalil Roy D. Gorski Jonathan A. Holmes Charles J. Stokes Jorge R. Caspary Dave J. Westner Kenneth A. Polster Rodolfo L. Lopez Brian M. Jones Robert F. Wesselman Enrique Zayas Kenneth E. Elliott Antonio M. Alcobia Raymond L. Lozano Thomas E. Raines David F. Kristie Thomas V. Doyle Anthony J. McGoron Charles P. Vincent David A. Sawyer Cristov Dosev Harry P. Anthertz Gerard A. Morneau Kellmis J. Fernandez John Santaromita Lawrence P. Wong Jr Frank J. Merlo Raymond A. Ruggiere Lyle J. Kobus Frank A. Chicollo Ronald J. Rizzolo Robert Wilson Edward Schwartz Allen A. Hanzel Francis W. Durnin Sr. Scott Czubkowski John P. Fitzgerald Jr. Felix V. Matos John F. Moonan Norman F. Larose Sr. Gerald G. Haggerty Joseph M. Reardon Charles J. Dolce Gary R. Chapman Rodger T. Culkin William R. Teska Roger D. Lynn Thomas J. Stewart Randall M. Sutherland Walter R. Howell Jr. Eric Zurita Charles Demino Timothy M. O’Connor Charles A. Finnigan Jr. Dana H. Rossignol Michael A. Cherup John A. Harrison Stephen J. Christie Charles P. De Carlo Julius S. Dunajewski
FLORIDA
12155 12196 12376 12402 12456 12544 12664 13045 13097 13116 13209 13277 13300 13307 13338 13355 13527 13657 13907 13996 14178 14202 14215 14222 14278 14295
14485 14698 14717 15332 15357 15429 1939 4410 6517 6532 6918 7366 7601 8081
Anthony M. Albenze William P. Adams David R. Labbe Herbert J. Reis Hugh E. Milford Christopher G. Keller George F. Harada Jr. Michael J. Vanairsdale Thomas B. Howe Richard A. Vitale Robert L. Vliek Richard J. Ooten Bradley J. Albrecht Joseph J. Courchaine Robert P. Fiscella Bruce R. Breitbach Jay S. Hoxie David C. Swint Daniel J. Jozwiak
GEORGIA
8495 9515 9923 10633 11058 11340
11402 12580 12883 12905 12942
13204 13217 13437 13808 14773 15161 15238
William T. Dent Wilfredo Velazquez David W. Lucero James C. Collins Timothy M. McCarthy Mark R. Noel Kenneth J. Rovneyko
14469 Reynaldo A. Golino 14663 Dennis F. Siler HAWAII
8310 William J. Maddock 11548 Joseph P. Cardona Jr. 15304 Stacy D. Carhart
IDAHO
460 658 1077 1555 1599 1949 2191 2601 2782
James J. Schwegel John C. Swan III Greg M. Allen Jose G. Perez Robert A. Porter Terence L. Cahill Leonard N. Hall Norman V. Pemenko Thomas M. Comberiate Laurence A. Theriault James L. Schreiner Steven H. Swies Michael T. Hyland Ty Simmons Michael W. Welsh Darren J. Di Maria David N. Newmister Laurence F. Bretz Christopher J. Rubino James E. Kasarda Steven F. Schutz Charles Murphy Thomas M. Tritsch Joseph C. Wozniak Michael F. Ballinger Scott E. Hawkins Robert C. Armstrong Chad L. Budde John T. Randant Charles E. Ellena Robert D. Madison Joseph A. Ferlita W. Jay Gould Carl A. Bodo Philip J. Schaub Bruce A. Kleckler Michael E. Smith Markus A. Indreika John A. Kunkel Jeffrey P. Hines John B. Weber Vincent P. Meno Ralph L. Fortino John C. Fruin Joseph M. Vaikutis Elmer Medina Steven E. Bishop Jeffrey L. Metters
ILLINOIS
3731 3800 4024 4053 4849 5572 5918 6498 6964 7254
7694 8021 8022 9266 10025 10366 10858 11091 11110 11112 11223 11977 11981 13123 13267 13598 14171 14562 14649 14795 15032 15037 15158 15168 15175 15296 15306 15422 15530 1014 2957 7839 8052
Jeffry W. Young Kevin P. Hipskind Christopher S. Wetli Joseph T. Hennekes Sr. Gregory A. Till Rex A. Herendeen Edwin N. Barron III Jeffrey B. Simpson Dennis K. Gochoel
INDIANA
12379 14214 14449 14659 15437 644 888 2073 4208 5389 5660 7459 7874 9574
IOWA
NOVEMBER 2013
Alvin K. Snyder Jr. Gregory J. Bartow John R. Zweibahmer Claude L. Mertzenich Edward G. Schiller Dennis E. Kluver Steve D. Brinkman James B. Brees Richard A. Brdicko
♦ C O L U M B I A ♦ 29
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S TA R C O U N C I L W I N N E R S 10150 10558 10722 10761 11038 11643 12422 13109 14029 14267 14494 14678 15060 15254 15347 15430
Robert L. Gavin Rene J. Beacom Scott A. Schwenk Keith D. Hauschildt Aaron P. Laake David B Butterwick Matthew T McGuire William M. Ludwig Terrence J. Smith Pedro A. Ceballos Steven A. Leppert Joseph L. Hasson Matthew P. Grebasch James D. Carter Jonathan C. Hand Brian C. Rolf
1052 1181 1857 1901 2608 2609 2794 3273 3677 4713 5050 7240 7426 10211 10483 10932 11352 11492 11687 11853 12093 12546 12577 12858 12932 12960 13354 14218 15026
Tony R. Johnson Roger R. Jacquet William E. McCune Anthony E. Hermreck Jose P. Hernandez Robert A. Popelka Robert M. Corley Jeremy J. McDonald Alfred J. Molina Donald L. Ziegler Roger D. Schuster Nicholas J. Martin Gary E. Sutton Marcus L. Schmidt Brian M. Suellentrop David F. Moorman Steven R. Schenk Jeffrey J. Richmeier Larry A. Dreiling Michael L. Watson William B. Bray Troy D. Schumaker Joseph E. James Dennis L. Hampel Eric C. Ganson Joseph A. Smith III Bradley G. Predmore Charles Kiser Jr. Francis M. Noel IV
KANSAS
1483 Richard S. Cwiak 5634 Charles R. Costello 7831 Charles R. Buchanan Sr. 12502 Joseph A. Feuser 12774 Joseph P. Masterson 12852 Kenneth D. Schwendeman 13053 Danny E. Parker 13917 Kenneth J. Morales 14372 John S. Lazzari KENTUCKY
5681 5708 5710 5739 5741
5922 5973 6060 6116 6122 6178 6185 6259
6303 6387 6613 6681 6737 6745 7126 7147 7421 7656 7666 7745
7806 7843 7844 7995 8210 8256 8447 8618 8693 8751 8753 8834 8922 8996 9160 9348 9353 9440 9491 9591 9877
9926 10173 10187 10291
LOUISIANA
10548 10550 10582
7355 8147 9973 13349 13505 15006 15133
11183 11289 11367 11417 11444 11519 11754 11847 11931 11945
1208 2732 4873 5755 6753
1000 3696 3710 3888 3939 4267 4318 4352 4640
LUZON
5183 5379 5576 5579 5622
John A. Manes Raymond F. Zansler Doyle D. Blasingame Albert J. Gary Malcolm L. Watson Jr. Michael J. Marcel John T. Gautreau Alcide L. Thonn David W. Prusak Sr. Robert E. Michiels Louis A. Gaudet Edward J. Estapa
Antonio T. Hernandez Candelario F. Suase Senen T. Mangalile Reynaldo C. Alfar Sr. Edgardo B. Oreta Manolo F. Tianzon Jaime P. Mesina Rolando T. Diverson Prospero B. Castillo Jr. Romeo M. Masagca Onofre F. Ibanez Emmanuel R. Bago Eduardo C. Dalisay Teodoro T. Maloles
30 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
10737 10971
11971 11996 12042
12051
12125
12308 12370 12405 12549 12755 12794 12810 12890
Ricardo G. Pena Teofilo R. Ramos Jr. Gerardo T. Sevilla Jaime A. Gutay Benito A. Leopando Jr. Fermin A. Domingo Albert I. Dimaranan Edgardo P. Ibay Nestor P. Aguinaldo Rodrigo C. Ledesma Severo S. Del Rosario Florentino P. Reyes Romeo Arcabos Rebellon Dante B. Montemayor Vernon E. de la Cruz Wilfredo S. Valencia Victor T. Obcena Arnel F. Mendoza Romeo H. Viloria Orlando B. Cariaga Jesus Luis J. Pinugu Jaime L. Riesgo Armando T. Domingo Nestor A. Namaya Jose Alexander H. Santos Carlos G. de la Cruz Guillermo Valero De Guzman Bernardino B. Cruz Ozzias T. Villaver Jr. Crispin C. Coronado Rodrigo V. Ponce Wilfredo A. Lavarias Jorge F. Bolalin Regino C. Gaudiel Silvino B. Domingo Arnold C. Yap Gaudencio B. Penamante Jr. Nelson M. Berdos Adelmo R. Mapula Cornelio Deleon Cruz Federico C. Castillo Romeo P. Mendoza Maximo P. Cortez Luis F. Ferrer Gelacio S. Sebastian Benjamin Gatinao Dofitas Jr. Paul Erwin G. Boneo Antonio B. Puno Mario G. Emata Jose Cagalingan de la Cruz Marcos C. Aves Ricardo C. Quiras Mark Anthony R. Lodrigito Edgardo S. Felipe Gerardo N. Ramirez Jr. Alfredo C. Macaraeg Antonio C. Paragas Vincent M. Toyaoan Eufemio M. Angeles Juanito V. Ellema Jr. Leovino A. Dalangin Francisco A. Matias Rolando B. Zabala George L. Penaflor Enrique Lulay B. Nalus John N. Nadua Fermin D. Micabani Themistocles C. Caballero Raymond Napoleon A. Tanglao Rosendo M. Sta. Rosa Francis K. Layag Rolando V. Landas Edwin N. Fernando Tomas A. Moreno Sr. Eutiquio F. Sernadilla Rolando P. Nicolas Rolando R. Manalad Martin R. De Leon
NOVEMBER 2013
13137 13213 13298 13628 13668 13725 13774 13776 13852 13949 14137 14227 14353 14405 14592 14708 14900 15055 15079 15139 15387 15419 15506
12403 David L. Bean 12985 Stephen B. Nagengast 12998 Paul P. Dyszkiewicz 13035 David L. Janusiewicz 13360 Daniel J. Taylor Sr. 13450 Robin A. Dombrowski 13452 Charles F. Zemanek 13453 Timothy J. Dunning 13499 James N. Edelyn 13579 Scott A. Houghtaling 13633 Dale R. Boone 13634 Timothy J. Starzynski 13980 Mark J. Lauer 13983 Ronald Koscierzynski 14056 Bobby D. Ellis 14213 Larry M. Pitruzzello 14883 Michael G. Zubalik 14928 Timothy G. Cahoon 15204 Michael A. Cummins 15213 Brian J. Egeling 15337 Henry R. Perri 15352 James E. Salter 15439 Robert E.Smith 15454 Timothy J. Lindgren
5515 Joseph P. Radziszewski 10020 John S, O’Brien 11376 Roland Dube 13861 Dennis J. Guay
3289 Rogelio G. Elicor Sr. 3504 Rey C. del Rosario Sr. 4552 Ramon V. Millan 4639 Dominador S. Dizon 5831 Julito N. Pepito 6511 Lucrino C. Tagaytay 6512 Edwin I. Mayormita 6610 Lorimer G. Cabunoc 6960 Eleuterio B. Aquino 7004 Alexander B. Bulahan 7643 Manuel D. Causin 7830 Fausto C. Tranquilan Sr. 8068 Martin M. Atilano 8212 Ranulfo D. Lopez 8330 Arturo C. Tolentino 8764 Dioscoro B. Sampaga Jr. 9047 Arnoldo T. Pusta 9517 Nicasio C. Venci 9573 Roberto M. Sevilleno 9688 Jessie L. Ducusin 10440 Wendelin C. Molina 10636 Ronie B. Palisbo 12109 Nestor B. Bayucot 12506 Caezar V. Cielo 12723 Nimrod Vincent V. Toledo 13258 Rosalino M. Maghanoy 13306 Crispin S. Seran Jr. 13706 Armando A. Bautista 13858 Samson F. Zate 14287 Efren Morley Bravo 14812 Julius C. Palomar 14889 Pelagio S. Montano 14971 Jonathan B. Balambao 15353 Franklin A. Abiol 15409 Buaulio B. Rojonan Jr. 15469 Eduardo D. Mesias
Lope M. Hidalgo Juanito G. Guiyab Christe A. Nora Charley B. Lovendino Ronaldo U. San Juan Bonifacio V. Lunaria Raul N. Castro Carmelo T. Banal Edwin P. Lim Guillermo E. Resma Gilacio M. Pascual Marlon A. Fernandez Glenn D. Espaldon Prudel C. Paredes Edilberto A. Lina Wilfredo C. Pabericio Alexander R. Beguas Edwin J. Arjona Damaso G. Mendoza Walter G. Barrios Valentine B. Altiche Jesus Danilo B. Pena Ricardo R. de la Cruz 15508 Rodolfo V. Barredo MAINE
2293 5381 6901 7559 7612 7914 9258 10957 11341 11372 11422 11616 11975 12054 12796 13091 14011 14455 14612 15084
Joseph R. Davis Emmanuel I. Madagu Steven D. Corbeille Nicholas J. Clemens David E. Johnston Robert B. Newell Thomas A. Reumont Robert E. Bowles Sr. Col. Roy A. Harris Keith Marchiano G. Emeka Onwezi Francis G. Bussink Jesse F. Stansbury John H. Planert Joseph M. Stewart Robert J. Thibeault David J. Baldwin Andres Padilla David A. Lotz Charles J. Hayes
MARYLAND
133 John M. Peters Jr. 737 George W. Hemingway 1116 Frank W. Furman III 1721 Michael J. Fitzsimmons 4794 Michael A. Morgan 14725 Mark J. Alaimo 14940 Paul J. Bergeron 15125 Miguel O. Ferreira 15197 Theodore J. Tudryn 15280 Richard D. Grassi MASSACHUSETTS
521 609 3830 4141 4188 6980 7115 7200 7233 7487 7591 8284 8556 8564 8605 8669 8808 8820 9568 10170 11689 12102
James E. Turpin Stephen P. Artz Arnold G. Joa James R. Highfield Stephen J. Paul Steven J. Borchert Joseph C. Mantooth Gregory Sokol Robert G. Muehlfeld Michael C. London Brian R. Sutherland Edward L. Harkins Steven E. Tikkanen Dennis P. Brown Gerald L. Corbat Donald A. Pollard Ronald A. Clor Matthew D. Reiniche Henry M. Schank Joseph A. Bonifazi Karl F. Sziisz Thomas J. Preslow
MICHIGAN
MINDANAO
2751 Lenus J. Feuling 3659 Laurence E. Bidwell Jr. 4184 John F. Rutz 4374 James L. Jansen 6731 Raymond F. Martin 9905 Joseph M. George Jr. 14420 Edward O. Laleman 14616 Donald J. Kerfeld 14832 Patrick G. Shannon MINNESOTA
4472 Rodney M. Malburg 6765 Gerald J. Michel 6872 Theodore H. Barze Jr. 7087 Jimmie R. Hoda 7120 Fred W. Middleton 8054 Andrew P. Spinnato
MISSISSIPPI
9409 11956 15121 15155 15382
John D. Rickman Larry L. Reid David Martin Jr. Jarrod M. Fetters James F. Ghents
1185 2241 2265 3586 6550 7475 9271 9272 10154 10746 12022 12332 13604 13823 13988 14163 14719 14972 15126 15287
Todd J. Milner Duane C. Smith Rodney D. Janes Gary T. Lottmann Arthur F. Carver Louis J. Menz Roy N. Baker Glenn L. Harmon L. Wayne Self John W. Collins Dale A. Abernathie John H. Jones Alfred L .Graf Stephen K. Murphy Anthony A. Meyer Matthew E. Scanlon Kurt M. Leiber David L. Chapman Leo M. Violett Isaac Jimenez
652 833 1723 1861 1966 2388 6750 10047 10108 10305 10795 10894 10909 10913 11001 11280 11879 14077 15407
Joseph P. Worthing Ronald R. Schinkel Robert A. Ostdiek Robert L.Elsen Jr. Patrick J. O’Shea Jr. Jeffrey S. Wardyn Todd J. Pella James M. Barnes David J. Arkfeld Philip H. Tamisiea Tyler J. Langel Alvin J. Thibault Mark A. Pelan Christopher J. Kruse Timothy P. Sullivan Michael R. Wernke Mauro D. Songcuan Jason W. Lawrence Rodney D. Flink
4928 7322 12877 14144 14544
Joseph E. Saiz David G. Queen Thomas S. Ball Ronald J. Tabick Raymond J. McCollum
MISSOURI
NEBRASKA
NEVADA
6581 8213 11272 11985
William T. Hanrahan Daniel W. Macdonald Reno Comeau Yvon Hache
NEW BRUNSWICK
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
7702 Frank P. Follett 10599 Derrick G. Hanrahan 13904 Frank B. Hrobak NEW HAMPSHIRE
355 Paul M. Donini 359 Thomas M. De Poortere 475 Michael M. Greenwood 2853 Lawrence A. Robinson 2858 Edward T. Cunning 3187 Kenneth J. Ern 3240 John F. Kennedy 3402 John D. Digregorio 3500 William B. Brown Jr. 3665 Gregory T. Keller 3756 George P. Barrett 5510 Thomas A. Ubriaco III 6042 Frederick Nunez 6212 Ismael Macaluso 6213 Matthew T. Mazur 6226 Brian J. Egenton 6380 Philip P. Oddo
NEW JERSEY
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S TA R C O U N C I L W I N N E R S 6504 Joseph Pasquarosa 6530 Eduardo F. Fuentecilla 6551 James A. Brennan 6552 Robert J. Batz 6735 Andre C. Zazzera 7046 Manny L. Vitone 7333 Matthew H. Reilly 7784 Robert J. Tiscornia 8733 Frederick P. Hinz Jr. 9193 Frank T. Brandis Jr. 10220 Thomas J. Keeley 12004 Anthony J. Kosar 12092 Kevin M. Gargin 12769 Salvatore Manente Sr. 12868 Edward A. Henne 13259 Edwin A. Densten III 14615 Earl V. Lind 14716 Francis J. Simone 15012 Bernard J. Papa 15217 Charles J. Specht 7313 7633 9527 12282 13969 14452 14999
Roger D. Martinez Ricky L. Poolaw Eric G. Chavez Paul M. Inglat Jaime M. Flores Alex Gonzales Christopher A. Spence 15062 Guerrero H. Macias 15199 John J. Maloney 15381 Daniel S. Vigil NEW MEXICO
233 309 423 443 536 584 1992 2204 2429 4065 5001 5147 5419 5915 6062 6158 6218 7085 7248 7551 7635 8637 9267 10709 10904
Michael A. Petrella Martin E. Hale Edward J. Hawkins Richard A. Jones Paul Grandetti Edward F. Drohan John G. McKenna Raymond Rendina Michael A. Civello Denis J. Beyer Joseph J. Lannon John Cardona Joseph N. Poliseno Michael Walczyszyn Donald G. Lynch Nicholas L Iven Randy Bon Kenneth H. Carlsen Maurice L. Bonnier David J. Nash Peter F. Bizzoso Joseph E. Furey Jr. William W. Monroe James V. Moore Edward J. Szczesniak John J. Scrivo Robert J. Lodato Thomas J. Jackson Joseph G. Timpa James G. Traves Daniel M. Tergesen Bernard P. Zipprich Jr. William A. Walters Jr. William J. Doyle Thomas E. Wilson Raymond C. Parchen Andrew J. McGowan III Matthew R. Grosodonia
NEW YORK
11428 11968 12637 14666 14687 14771 14991
15118 15446 15471 15493 15518 15638 2546 4600 6451 7024 7184 7343 9492 9549
Richard J. Ferraro Jay W. Van Hoose Mark S. Welsh Brian K. Daneker James A. Gedwellas Richard Adams Michael Valenzano Richard G. Chambless 10505 Charles D. Gruno NORTH CAROLINA
4690 Chad T. Kritzberger 9126 Joe T. Hendrickx 14816 Daniel D. Schelske
1577 1623 3509 6602 12656 13700 14802 15263 15295 15485 15526
NOVA SCOTIA
PENNSYLVANIA
11234 Matthew J. Stein 13236 Eugene J. Mandarano 13488 Kirk B. Nelson 15085 Lawrence A. Pizza Jr. 15250 Robert J. Hambly Jr.
NORTH DAKOTA
5449 Derek J. Linders 1056 1569 1597 1641 1890 2299 3304 3724 3904 4471
OHIO
4733 4847 5253 5589 9788 11188 11193 11224 11275 11370 11445 11450 11828 12359 12939 13984 14155 14282 14344 14406 14502 14504 14891
14995 15447 15458
Todd R. Ames Patrick J. Kiliany Bradford C. Lauter Ronald H. Ginnetti Richard A. Ferris Thomas A. Walsh Michael C. Kalal Francis J. Minnick Michael A. Saine Stephen M. Vernarsky Paul L. Eckinger Stephen J. Koly Stephen J. McClellan Gary Hunter Vincent A. Morman Robin K. De Santos Oliver N. Collins Mark T. Taylor Daniel E. Dowler Dennis J. Scherger Brett A. Gissel Stephen F. Majer Marshall L. Myers Robert J. Hilmer Sean P. Fitzgerald Robert F. Huczel William P. Saba Sr. Robert N. Brehm Jason W. Tabb Dennis M. Fodor Rodger A. Siebeneck Paul F. Quolke Brother Paul A. Heuing James R. Schiller Ronald E. Klausing Arthur Moreno
3220 John D. Mueggenborg 4721 Christopher E King 7395 Terrell S. Crosson 8204 Michael E. Bertels 11959 Francis E. Peek 13313 Joseph M. Paul 14248 David L. Horsley
OKLAHOMA
1454 5860 8008 8851 9989 10283 10416
Michael J. Petis Frank J. Morelli Jean-Louis Huard John T. Barrett Bill Kudryk Gaetano Turcarolo Raymond O. Beauregard Gerry F. Hogan Dollard E. Guillemette Jean Paul Vincelette Maurice N. Vaillancourt James Gomes Real J. R. Munger Vicente D. Dumael Franco Pagani Michael T. Goral Francis J. Walsh Brendan G. Wall Jason Wing-Goon Kwok
ONTARIO
11271 11500
12401 12859
12898 13049 13417 13433 13701 14032 14446 15463
849 Francis R. Mohr
OREGON
329 964 4050 4644 5367 6252 6353
11143 11389 11872 12250 12703 13421 13710 13800
14090 14722
15456
15015 15117 15195 15239 15249 15268 15520
Terry D. Brillon William E. Geary John J. Pavik Thomas P. Fitzgerald James L. Krieger Clifford T. Jensen Daniel F. Deymonaz Dien Dang Mark D. Boshears Theodore M. Seeber Van Do
Richard J. Kovaleski James P. Pierce Gary J. Buschta Mark A. Morningstar Edgar H. Schuring Rudy Verbka Paul T. Shellenberger Vincent T. Dlugos Richard M. Tomak Michael P. Burke Melvin L. Losovsky Thomas W. Lofiego James D. Milbower Joseph F. Stafford Rodger Rothenberger Peter J. Sagona Andrew P. Rodgers Jr. John A. Mercurio
Marek Sliwinski Tomasz Bakowski Robert Sedkowski Rafal Tracz Slawomir Korczynski Pawel Wais Stefan Otremba
POLAND
1719 Jose R. Davila-Rodriguez
PUERTO RICO
3567 13585 13792 14315 15491
Andre Simoneau Pedro T. Diaz Jr. Lorne R. Flavelle Edwin G. Rosete Sergio Borja
QUEBEC
1472 Brian A. Pina 4005 Joseph R. Carrignan 5273 John A. Pizzo
RHODE ISLAND
1886 Fred J. Staniec 9859 Gerard P. Woynarski
SASKATCHEWAN
724 1668 2207 5086 6076 6629 6726 6756 6847 6884 6892 7129 8123 8295 8900 9575
Kenneth B. Headley William B. Hooks John O. Stanley Eldon B. Miller Mario P. Insabella John S. Jackson Patrick A. Davis Billy P. Rife Jr. Michael V. Akright Robert Brohm Dante H. Tomasini Jr. William A. Saunders James E. Gunter Michael E. Massey Thomas C. Hallman Wilfred J. Courchaine Jr. Paul L. Cinquemani Michael P. Cousino Swinton W. Hudson III Greg Moody Daniel J. Hamilton Frank K. Manipole
SOUTH CAROLINA
11325 11991 12554 13112 14475 14765
820 Patrick T. Steele 9809 Russell D. Ledeboer
SOUTH DAKOTA
10296 10328 11315 11739 13400
William R. Grocott Gerald E. Tracy II Joseph D. Bernard Jamison A. Rounds Mark A. Bannwarth
3537 Francis D. Pierce Jr. 4563 Gary M. Wisniewski 7449 Christopher D. Cambre 8273 Henning V. Landa 10743 Thomas A. Manning Jr. 12256 Patrick J. Watson 14079 Stephen A. De Right 14902 Paul J. Keller Sr. 15196 David E. Guntert 15234 Richard G. Lee 15393 James M. Barnes TENNESSEE
830 1422 1450 2045 2785 3910 4298 6234 6456 6699 6878 6887
TEXAS
7435 7600 7728 7736 8156 8157 8190 8771 9151 9201 9220 9708 9748 9817 9868 9902
9997 10131
10240 10373 10463 10861 10930
10940
10995 11169 11721 11980 12040 12091 12160 12208
12327 12385 12522 12642 12798 13133 13232 13255 13408 13470 14512 14617 14679 14700 14844
Edward J. Diaz Lloyd F. Curry Maj. Larry V. Gray Randolph C. Barta Ernesto Rodriguez Ben F. Warner III Thomas A. Krueger Joseph A. Kramer Jr. Henry J. Daniels Boanerges Lopez Allen C. Hradecky Abbie H. Anderson Jr. Jason R. Graham Richard J. Skrok Jose L. Longoria David G. Tomlin Gerardo Guajardo Frank L. Salazar Martin J. Pratka John D. Keating Jr. William A. Thornburg Glenn D. Williams Joe A. Amador Patrick M. Hall Richard D. Fotter Robert D. Fief David J. Pels Robert A. McMichael Stan J. Urban P. Michael Carrizales Ernie C. MacDonald Edward F. Tydings Joseph P. Fugina Mark Todd Bonin Raymond S. Gonzales Christopher S. Scheidt William J. St. Cyr Thomas J. Stehling Robert M. Repka Jr. Jose Luis Martinez Mario L. Guerra Jr. Jorge E. Saenz Paul E. Richeson Michael G. McMahon Gary J. Boye Manuel E. Cruz Carl E. Zimmerman Jr. William J. Kadura Ricardo Rios Thomas E. Stocks Raul Villarreal III Matthew W. Figun Terrence L. Sullivan Gerald Hightower James A. Hatcher Gennaro F. Tomasello Terry J. Le Boeuf John W. Johnston Darryl L. Seidel
15262 Mario A. Garza 15365 Joseph G. Wilkens 15448 Jose Arturo Zavala 602 777 1129 5214 6010
UTAH
10733 11246 11812 15418
Thomas B. Catrow Joseph A. Garcia Frank J. Lesar Kevin B. Miller Salvatore D. Guarniere Mark R. Meredith Paul Sepe Benjamin P. Trujillo John R. Steffen
459 Steven C. Buttie 511 Everett M. Henry 5332 Gerald S. Partsch Sr. 7369 Christopher J. Moniz 7771 Vincent T. Criste 9655 Thuong D. Nguyen 9953 Steven W. Ford 10806 Jonathan M. Smith 10979 Edward D. Zuber 11136 Pietro Sacripanti 11170 Reyes Guerra 11264 Kenneth M.Kyle 11533 Michael D. McMunn 11667 Wesley T. Werling 11678 Ren A. Thorne III 12982 Craig A. Radcliff 13467 Joseph B. Connelly 13468 Richard R. McCoy 14034 Leo P. Wells 14129 Michael J. Szablak 14511 Frank H. Parker 15256 Douglas T. Anderson VIRGINIA
3348 5019 5028 5215
Randy G. Bravo Gil Palma Sorongon Elesio T. Quitor Amado K. Belgera Jr. Isidoro M. Espinosa Nicanor P. Maglasang Arden N. Taroballes Luther B. De Asis Andy Carl A. Abrece
VISAYAS
6048 6990
11517 12324 14043
1379 1488 1643 1674 7642 7907 7908 8079 8137 8872 10652 11134 12583 13395 13794
Francis L. Sigman Richard D. Appel Kim L. Washburn Eugene T. Boring Dennis A. Ameen Gregory S. Mahoney Eugene W. Victor Richard P. Tagorda Manuel R. Aguilar Arthur C. Smalley Stephen W. Haslett Chad C. Anderson Peter M. Guthrie Dennis E. Cox Stephen G. Schweyen 14689 Hill Williams 14922 Bruce A. Houck WASHINGTON
12036 Michael D. Azar WEST VIRGINIA
617 3492 3562 5438 5456 6630 6759 7096 7498 10552
Gary J. Janssen Brian D. Jelinek Richard J. Jacunski Mark A. Rebholz Michael P. Hines Joseph M. Minneci Jeffrey E. Pfannes James R. Neubauer Donald Le Brun Joseph R. Giganti
WISCONSIN
2104 Terry C. Winnop
WYOMING
NOVEMBER 2013
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P RO M OT I O NA L & G I F T I T E M S
CHARTER REVISIONS At the 131st Supreme Convention, the Supreme Council adopted two resolutions proposed by the Board of Directors that amend the charter of the Knights of Columbus. The first amendment revised Section 2 of the charter as follows:
A.
SEC. 2. The purposes for which said corporation is formed, always consistent with Catholic values and doctrine, are the following: (a) through a system of subordinate councils, along with regional, national, and international convocations, to raise up, support and encourage a fraternity whose members are practical Catholics united by their faith and by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism; (b) through common worship, charitable works, meetings, and rites of initiation, to form its members in Catholic faith and virtue; (c) to render pecuniary aid to its members, their families, and beneficiaries of members and their families; (d) to render mutual aid and assistance to its sick, disabled, and needy members and their families; (e) to promote social and intellectual interaction among its members and their families; (f ) to promote and conduct educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief, public relief, and other activities; and (g) to unite members in their Catholic identity and the practice of their Catholic faith. To more effectively carry out its purposes, said corporation may establish, accumulate, and maintain a reserve fund or other funds in such manner and in such amounts as it may determine.
B.
C.
The second amendment added a new Section 7 to the charter, which reads as follows: SEC. 7. The corporation shall have a chaplain who shall be designated the Supreme Chaplain. He shall be a Catholic priest or bishop who conducts his ministry to the Order in the spirit of Father Michael J. McGivney. He shall, by virtue of his office, serve as a member of the Supreme Board of Directors and its Executive and Finance Committee. He shall serve, ex officio, on the Supreme Council. The Supreme Chaplain shall be responsible for forming the members of the Supreme Council and the Board of Directors in Catholic values and doctrine. He shall advise those bodies as to whether their actions are consistent with Catholic values and doctrine and with the corporation’s Catholic purposes. The Supreme Chaplain shall guide the chaplains of the subordinate councils, ensuring that they support the Catholic identity and evangelical mission of their councils and the corporation at all levels and in all activities. He shall be responsible for instructing the members in the Catholic faith and leading the Order in prayer, and he shall be consulted regarding any changes in the religious content of the Order’s rites of initiation.
A. Fontanini® 2013 K of C Cherub Ornament. 2.5” high, polymer. PG-788 — $6.50 B. What Can I Give Jesus? Book and Music CD. Written by Cheryl Kirking with accompanying music CD. Book is 23 pages. CD is approximately 8 minutes long. PG-447 – $12 C. Holy Family and Kings Set. Ceramic six-piece white and gold set that depicts a traditional manger scene with the Holy Family and the three wise men. 14” wide, ceramic. PG-293 — $44 Many more Christmas and Knights Gear items online!
Order online and get FREE SHIPPING! Place an order for any merchandise on the website totalling $100 or more online between Nov. 1-Dec.1, 2013, and receive FREE shipping when you enter discount code Christmas in checkout!
knightsgear.com OFFICIAL NOV. 1, 2013: To owners of Knights of Columbus insurance policies and persons responsible for payment of premiums on such policies: Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the provisions of Section 84 of the Laws of the Order, payment of insurance premiums due on a monthly basis to the Knights of Columbus by check made payable to Knights of Columbus and mailed to same at PO Box 1492, NEW HAVEN, CT 06506-1492, before the expiration of the grace period set forth in the policy. In Canada: Knights of Columbus, Place d’Armes Station, P.O. Box 220, Montreal, QC H2Y 3G7 ALL MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOS, ARTWORK, EDITORIAL MATTER, AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES SHOULD BE MAILED TO: COLUMBIA, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. REJECTED MATERIAL WILL BE RETURNED IF ACCOMPANIED BY A SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AND RETURN POSTAGE. PURCHASED MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED. OPINIONS BY WRITERS ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT 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: ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901.
COLUMBIA (ISSN 0010-1869/USPS #123-740) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326. PHONE: 203-752-4000, www.kofc.org. PRODUCED IN USA. COPYRIGHT © 2013 BY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW HAVEN, CT AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO COLUMBIA, MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. CANADIAN POSTMASTER — PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 1473549. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 50 MACINTOSH BOULEVARD, CONCORD, ONTARIO L4K 4P3 PHILIPPINES — FOR PHILIPPINES SECOND-CLASS MAIL AT THE MANILA CENTRAL POST OFFICE. SEND RETURN COPIES TO KCFAPI, FRATERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1511, MANILA.
32 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦
NOVEMBER 2013
Control No.
O F F I C E U S E O N LY
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Item No.
Price Each
TOTAL
Promotional and Gift Department 78 Meadow Street New Haven, CT 06519-1759 PHONE: 203-752-4216 or 203-752-4425 FAX: 1-800-266-6340 All prices in U.S. currency — No C.O.D. Products available in the U.S. and Canada only NAME STREET CITY, STATE/PROVINCE and ZIP/POSTAL CODE DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER EMAIL ADDRESS
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$17
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K N I G H T S O F C O L UM B U S
Building a better world one council at a time Every day, Knights all over the world are given opportunities to make a difference — whether through community service, raising money or prayer. We celebrate each and every Knight for his strength, his compassion and his dedication to building a better world.
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BE FEATURED HERE , SEND YOUR COUNCIL’ S
Members of Mary, Cause of Our Joy Council 8447 in Soldiers Hill, Luzon, distribute notebooks to students from Itaas Elementary School. Knights distributed notebooks to 600 pupils, ensuring that the students had the proper tools for learning.
“K NIGHTS IN A CTION ” C OLUMBIA , 1 C OLUMBUS P LAZA , N EW H AVEN , CT 06510-3326
PHOTO AS WELL AS ITS DESCRIPTION TO : OR E - MAIL : COLUMBIA @ KOFC . ORG .
NOVEMBER 2013
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PLEASE, DO ALL YOU CAN TO ENCOURAGE PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
K E E P T H E F A IT H A L I V E
‘THE MORE I PRAYED, THE MORE GOD WORKED WITHIN MY HEART.’
DEACON KEN MARLOVITS Diocese of Pittsburgh Theological College/The Catholic University of America
Photo by Ed Pfueller
The year prior to my entering the seminary, I served as grand knight of St. Rose of Lima Council 13564 in Darlington, Pa. During that time, I suggested that the council give greater attention to promoting vocations through spiritual means. The response was to spend one hour a week at a local perpetual adoration chapel praying for an increase in vocations. My brother Knights and I found ourselves in eucharistic adoration every Thursday night, praying for our council’s intention. Trust me, I was not praying for myself during that time. I was very happy with the job I had and my overall situation in life. The more I prayed, though, the more God worked within my heart. My time with the Knights helped me to understand the desire of my heart, and the support and encouragement of my council gave me the courage to pursue discernment. Since then, my brother Knights have supported me with prayers, financial assistance and personal support — all of which has helped me continue my faith journey toward the priesthood.