Columbia November 2021

Columbia KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG COVERS 10_18 FINAL.indd 1

10/18/21 6:04 PM

MDRT Nov ad 2021 r1.qxp_Columbia Ad 10/19/21 9:11 AM Page 1

MDRT

The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®

2021

Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is an international organization that recognizes the top 1% of financial professionals in the world. Congratulations to the 433 Knights of Columbus Field Agents that were recognized for their commitment to excellence, outstanding service and highest ethical standards. We salute these men for their devotion to continuing Father McGivney’s mission.

Robert Abbate — Virginia Beach, VA Max Abbate — Virginia Beach, VA Nick Abbate — Richmond, VA Jose Acosta — Port Saint Lucie, FL Arthur Aguilar — El Dorado Hills, CA William Albanese — Millsboro, DE Matthew Albers — Aviston, IL Brian Almond — Hastings, NE Henry Angelucci — Hamilton, NJ Kevin Anglin — Conroe, TX Eric Anzaldua — Weslaco, TX Patrick Arndt — Fenton, MI Gilles Arsenault — Moncton, NB Spencer Ashburn — Lincoln, NE Joe Ayroso — Hayward, CA Louis Baca — Whittier, CA Luke Baker — Atchison, KS Paul Baker — Fort Wayne, IN Marcus Bardwell — Prairieville, LA John Barfield — West Melbourne, FL Brian Barlow — Saginaw, MI David Barnes — Ponchatoula, LA Ken Basel — Crystal Lake, IL William Baumann — Fresno, CA Daniel Bax — Jefferson City, MO Dennis Beans — Victoria Harbour, ON Cam Beddome — Red Deer, AB Jimmy Bell — Iriving, TX Odilon Bello — Pitt Meadows, BC Ralph Bergeron — Metairie, LA James Bernacki — Spring Hill, FL Daniel Biggs — Miami, FL Jean Bisson — Blainville, QC Julien Bisson — Saint-Jérôme, QC Christopher Bivens — Crossville, TN Kurtis Black — Russia, OH Jeremiah Blossom — Brookville, IN Christopher Bohr — Martinburg, MO Steven Books — Plum City, WI Christopher Boozell — Oakwood, OH Jeremy Borchers — West Point, NE Wade Bormann — Bellevue, IA Walker Bormann — Hiawatha, IA Benji Borrelli — Jackson, MI Jason Bourget — Stanley, WI Allen Bourne — Canton, GA Robert Bovenschen — Brown City, MI John Boylon — Hanover Township, PA Thomas Brennan — Glen Rock, NJ Marcel Brideau — Tracadie-Sheila, NB Gregory Bronson — Rescue, CA Timothy Bronson — Nine Mile Falls, WA Paul Brotzen — Harrisburg, PA Derek Brown — Linwood, NJ Kevin Brown — Nashua, NH Adam Bruna — Belleville, KS Carl Bruno — Mount Laurel, NJ Michael Bryant — Graham, TX Joel Buchinski — Prince Albert, SK Bill Buchta — Grand Island, NE Ben Budia — Fort Collins, CO Donald Burks — Plano, TX Philip Burnette — Port Angeles, WA Joseph Butler — Auburn, MA Christopher Cain — Murray, KY Robert Callaway — Burtonsville, MD Nicholas Calvino — Plymouth, MA Robert Canter — Annapolis, MD John Canter — Crownsville, MD Joseph Carlin — McAllen, TX Michael Carlin — Weslaco, TX Blair Carruthers — Saskatoon, SK Wesley Casaus — Anthem, AZ James Cassoday — South Bend, IN Jose Castaneda — Sylmar, CA Cleo Castillo — Winnipeg, MB John Cesta — West Palm Beach, FL Christopher Chalifoux — Loveland, OH Brandon Chambers — Goose Creek, SC Wayne Cherney — Devils Lake, ND David Chicola — Alexandria, LA Brian Cilone — Rutherfordton, NC Jack Clarke — Roanoke, VA

Stephen Clites — Laurel, MD Randy Clouatre — Saint Amant, LA Jonathan Collins — Coldwater, OH Samuel Connahey — Dillsburg, PA Gerald Connolly — Peterborough, ON Andres Contreras — Dinuba, CA Timothy Coskren — Walpole, MA Daniel Costello — Orange Park, FL Daniel Cotter — Galloway, OH Vincent Creo — Madison, NJ Jeffrey Cummons — Jackson Center, OH Joseph Cunningham — Murrieta, CA Timothy Dagel — Sheldon, IA Chad Daigle — Fate, TX Paul Daigle — Thompsons Station, TN Michael Dalby — Anadarko, OK Dion Dangzalan — Salinas, CA Shawn David — Carencro, LA Jim Davis — Cranston, RI Aldrin D’Cunha — Burlington, ON Jon Deakin — York, PA Mark Deaton — Cypress, TX Ivan Delabruere — Milton, FL Pasqualino Deluca — Grande Prairie, AB Joseph DeMarco — Vero Beach, FL Jeffrey Denehy — East Walpole, MA John DiCalogero — East Walpole, MA Matthew DiCalogero — Medfield, MA Robert DiCalogero — Canton, MA Michael Dietz — Pueblo, CO Dustin Dolce — Jefferson City, MO Joseph Donlon — Somerset, NJ John Dorsey — Topeka, KS Vincent D’Souza — Manotick, ON Michael Duffy — Towson, MD Lance Dufour — Locust Grove, OK Stephen Dugal — Oshawa, ON Robert Duncan — Albany, OR Shane Duplantis — Thibodaux, LA Fred Durso — Laurel Springs, NJ Dennis Duval — Sudbury, ON Scott Eastwood — Lincoln, RI Emeka Egu — Beaumont, CA Jay Eisele — Tucson, AZ Cameron Ellis — Madison, AL Daniel Ellis — Shreveport, LA Frank Emanuele — Cromwell, CT Louis Esola — Cherry Hill, NJ Mathew Evangelista — Repentigny, QC Dwayne Failla — Katy, TX Derek Faust — Lafayette, LA Alberto Fernandez — Ocala, FL Raul Fernandez — Ocala, FL James Ferris — Cottleville, MO Sal Filippelli — Henrico, VA Michael Fischer — Westwood, NJ Phillip Fischer — Estero, FL Sean Fitzpatrick — Baltimore, MD John Forcella — Howell, NJ Shawn Fox — New Richmond, WI Brian Franck — Brainerd, MN Dwight Frank — Louisville, KY Jared Frey — North Battleford, SK Joseph Furey — Clearwater, MN James Gabster — Glassboro, NJ David Gallagher — Ottawa, ON John Gallop — Brooklin, ON Michael Garofalo — Mount Laurel, NJ Raymond Garretson — Overland Park, KS Daniel Garrigan — Woodbridge, VA Kevin Garza — Diamond Bar, CA Gerardo Gautier-Matias — Juana Diaz, PR John Gaviria — Elmont, NY Yvan Genier — Connaught, ON Martin Gibula — Richmond, TX Daniel Gimpel — Corbyville, ON David Giuliani — Middlebury, VT Shane Goheen — Little River, SC Christopher Gonzalez — Cranberry Township, PA Jeffery Goralczyk — Syracuse, IN Robert Gordon — Mooresville, NC Brent Graettinger — Graettinger, IA Brian Graham — Kensington, MD

Exemplary Dedication.

Michael Gruszewski — Lockport, NY Glain Guilmette — Madison Heights, MI Clinton Hajovsky — Temple, TX David Hargrave — Waco, TX Thomas Harrington — Manassas, VA Craig Harris — Longmont, CO Stewart Havranek — Omaha, NE Philip Hayden — Lansing, MI Mitchell Hebert — Lafayette, LA Mark Hedge — Butler, OH Gregory Helgerson — Union Center, WI Gregg Hemmelgarn — Yorkshire, OH Thomas Hendricks — Doylestown, PA Michael Henriquez — San Antonio, TX Luke Henry — Gardner, KS Ronald Henry — Knoxville, TN Joel Herman — Harwood, ND AJ Hingle — Metairie, LA Darrell Hinkebein — Nixa, MO Scott Hinkebein — Nixa, MO Larry Hoelscher — Jefferson City, MO Dennis Hoffman — Bryan, TX Bob Hoholick — Fort Worth, TX John Holtzhauser — Apollo Beach, FL Daniel Hooker — Pearl River, NY Daniel Horan — Syracuse, NY Robert Howard — Madison, VA Ted Hunkins — Pacific, MO Solomon Huss — Penacook, NH Dale Jacks — Shelby Township, MI Joe Jackson — Henderson, CO Ryan Janak — Yoakum, TX Glen Janow — Eagle Lake, TX Jimmy Johnson — Lowe Sackville, NS Ian Johnstone — Lincoln, NE Lance Jolly — Arlington, TN Patrick Keane — Belle Harbor, NY James Keefe — Chicago, IL Douglas Kelly — Elkhorn, NE James Kelly — Clinton, MA Donald Kenkel — Portsmouth, IA Lawrence Kennedy — Sanford, FL Matthew Kling — St. Charles, IL Jonathan Knaus — Stuart, FL Mark Koeppen — Tucson, AZ Joseph Kong — Nanaimo, BC Alan Kotlarski — Punta Gorda, FL J Krawczyk — Omaha, NE Robert Lafond — Douglas, MA Joseph Latess — Cranberry Township, PA Brian Lazusky — Orlando, FL Maurice LeBlanc — Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, NB Philip Limmex — Spring Green, WI Shaun Linenberger — Hays, KS Michael Lodato — Fort Collins, CO Anthony LoMonaco — Vail, AZ Douglas Luetticke — Tina, MO Alfred Lugo — Torrance, CA Stephen Machado — Galt, CA Ian Maddock — Fredricton, NB Steven Mages — Freeport, MN Michael Maggio — Yukon, OK Justin Manion — Cottleville, MO Roger Markham — Gaylord, MI Robert Marlowe — Towson, MD George Martinez — Uvalde, TX Jesse Martinez — Rosamond, CA Vincent Marzella — Staten Island, NY Benny Matos — Loxahatchee, FL Matthew Maurin — Reserve, LA Kevin Maxwell — Leesburg, FL Antonio Maza — The Colony, TX Donato Mazzaro — Ringwood, NJ Michael McAndrew — Altoona, PA Chad McAuliff — Broken Arrow, OK John McCadden — Rockville Centre, NY Luke McClure — Gulfport, MS Michael McDonough — Louisburg, NC Mark McEniry — Seal Beach, CA Bob McFadden — Iselin, NJ Patrick McFadden — Iselin, NJ Daniel McGeehan — Toms River, NJ David McIntosh — Greenville, PA

Thomas McKeon — Pottstown, PA Ernest McKinnon — Moncton, NB James Medeiros — Toronto, ON Joseph Melancon — Fallon, NV Stephen Melancon — Las Vegas, NC Norbert Mendes — Princeton, NJ Larry Messer — Westminster, MD Roy Metter — David City, NE Tyler Meyer — Kingman, KS Christopher Miller — Chicopee, MA Todd Minard — Oak Lawn, IL James Misa — Parsippany, NJ Gregory Miskiman — Calgary, AB David Moeller — Folsom, CA Brian Montone — Brentwood, CA Anthony Moore — Fort Wayne, IN Kevin Moran — Virginia Beach, VA Paul Morassutti — San Ramon, CA Manuel Moreira — Roseville, CA Henry Morgan — Flowood, MS John Mueller — Chandler, AZ Chad Muhlenkamp — Milford, OH Michael Muniz — Victoria, TX Albert Myers — Cantonsville, MD Prudeno Natividad — Vallejo, CA Valere Ndongo — Orleans, ON Jason Nelligan — Hamilton, ON Brandon Nelson — Pueblo, CO Peter Nelson — Bristol, TN Rylee Nelson — Simla, CO Luke Niemeyer — Breese, IL Tim Nowak — Neehan, WI Douglas Nurenberg — Saint Johns, MI Matthew O’Brien — Cottleville, MO Dennis O’Connell — Mazomanie, WI Edward O’Keefe — Middle River, MD John Olig — Vesper, WI Bob Olivas — Anaheim, CA Chris Onyedinma — Clayton, NC Daniel Ordonez — Garden City, KS Jose Oviedo — Houston, TX Joseph Owens — Fuquay Varina, NC Paola Pacana — Irvine, CA Kevin Paish — St. Albert, AB Brandon Pals — Teutopolis, IL Mark Pan — Pitt Meadows, BC Ted Pataki — Cedar Park, TX Eddy Patterson — Granbury, TX Craig Pfeifer — Hartington, NE Neil Pfeifer — Norfolk, NE Noah Pfeifer — Norfolk, NE Michael Phelps — London, ON Kevin Philip — Regina, SK Benoit Picard — Laval, QC Jerome Pickett — Kingsford, MI Glenn Podany — Bothell, WA Andrew Poole — South Saint Paul, MN Gregory Prentice — Beverly, MA Timothy Pugh — Niceville, FL Ian Rana — Saskatoon, SK Christopher Randazzo — New Braunfels, TX Henry Rangel — Cypress, TX Joseph Rannazzisi — West Babylon, NY Cody Reed — Kenner, LA Daniel Reed — Ellsworth, KS Darin Reed — Ellis, KS Stephen Regan — Lebanon, TN Bobby Renaud — Sudbury, ON Ronald Restaino — San Diego, CA Martin Reynolds — Newark, DE JP Ricard — Glen Robertson, ON Mike Rivera — Amarillo, TX David Roberts — Salem, OH Jonathan Rock — Frederick, MD Martin Rodriguez — Lubbock, TX Wilfrido Romero — Simi Valley, CA Anthony Rosemeier — De Graff, MN Jarrod Roth — Port Orchard, WA Michael Roznowski — Loves Park, IL John Ruckart — Oldsmar, FL Terry Ruf — Yorkton, SK Ben Salazar — Norfolk, VA Alfred Sanchez — Midland, TX

Ronald Sandoval — Pasadena, CA Jayme Sanford — Englewood, CO Sonny Sangemino — Windsor, ON Robert Sass — Easthampton, MA Zachary Scardino — Porter, TX John Schibi — Parsons, KS Kirby Schmelzle — Seneca, KS Kevin Schubert — Linn Creek, MO Steven Schuler — Lake Worth, FL Michael Schwab — Anacortes, WA John Seguin — Sturbridge, MA Cicero Seisdedos — Honolulu, HI Raymond Selg — Norfolk, VA Matthew Seuntjens — Danbury, IA Peter Seuntjens — Danbury, IA Daniel Sheehan — Neoga, IL Joseph Shock — Hanover Township, PA Loy Shrum — Millersville, MO James Siermine — Aston, PA Mark Sirois — Waterbury, CT Steven Sofranko — Lehighton, PA Joseph Soja — Ft. Collins, CO Hector Soler — Beloit, KS David Soukup — Kansas City, KS Devon Soukup — Mustang, OK John Soukup — Lincoln, NE Joseph Spada — Lombard, IL James Speelman — Waxahachie, TX Joseph Spinelli — Tallahassee, FL Jack Springmire — Woodridge, IL Bobby Stevens — Tecumseh, OK John Stewart — Sagamore Beach, MA Mark Stice — Horsham, PA Thomas Strassner — Ocean City, MD Stan Stope — Columbia, MO Blake Stubbington — Edmondton, AB Michael Sullivan — Edwardsville, IL Mark Suomala — Fitchburg, MA Joday Supak — LaGrange, TX James Swartz — Harbor Beach, MI Eric Sylvester — Windsor, ON Matthew Sylvester — Amherstburg, ON Zachary Taylor — Oshawa, ON William Teal — Phoenix, AZ Daniel Thelen — Westphalia, MI Michael Thelen — Westphalia, MI Christian Thibault — Granby, QC Austin Thorne — Sulphur, LA Andrew Tice — Hurst, TX Dennis Tobash — Orfield, PA Vance Todt — Oran, MO Jeffrey Toeniskoetter — Boynton Beach, FL James Tower — Corinth, TX Adam Tumminelli — Virginia Beach, VA Daniel VanBoxtel — Appleton, WI Herman Vanderheyden — Strathroy, ON Thomas Varkados — Lake in the Hills, IL Timothy Voegeli — Wichita, KS Alexander Vu — Spring, TX Steven Wallace — Hoover, AL Bill Weber — Newton, KS Kevin Weber — Gretna, NE Andrew Weiss — South Bend, IN Trey Welker — Edmond, OK Scott Weston — Otterville, ON Stephen White — Pelham, NH Scott Williamson — Red Deer, AB Scott Willis — Lake Charles, LA Hamilton Wiltshire — Scarborough, ON Christopher Winston — Middleburg Heights, OH William Wisniewski — Chicopee, MA Walter Witt — Ossian, IA William Wolfe — Jenkins TWP, PA Jefferson Woolsey — Saint Paul, MN Martin Yakimovich — Holly Ridge, NC Fabian Yaklin — Prior Lake, MN Max Yardley — Edmond, OK Joseph Yockey — Stillman Valley, IL Michael York — Washington, MO Mark Yubeta — San Clemente, CA Steven Zahradka — Dacula, GA Pierre Zermatten — Palatine, IL Arnold Zwiers — Prince George, BC

Extraordinary Service.

CONTENTS

Columbia NOVEMBER 2021

✢

VOLUME 101

✢

NUMBER 10

Departments 3 For the greater glory of God Father McGivney’s beatification one year ago illuminates his life and witness for parish priests and Catholic families today.

By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

Pope John Paul II is depicted embracing Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, the primate of Poland, in a bronze statue titled “Homage and Friendship” by sculptor Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz. This miniature of the original life-size statue, located at the Catholic University of Lublin, was a gift to the Knights of Columbus from the university. Cardinal Wyszyński was beatified on Sept. 12 (see page 24).

4

Learning the faith, living the faith Christ’s gift of self in the Eucharist is an invitation to be transformed

by God’s infinite love.

By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

PLUS: Catholic Man of the Month

6 Knights of Columbus News College Knights Urged to ‘Go to Joseph’ • St. Joseph Documentary Airs Nationally • Supreme Knight Visits Vatican Mission to UN • Knights Celebrate Columbus Day in Washington, D.C. 13

Fathers for Good Venerable Patrick Peyton’s call for parents to lead their families in prayer is vital to building unity and peace.

By Philip Kosloski

8 14

The Path of Discipleship

An interview with author Sherry Weddell about becoming intentional followers of Christ and building up his Church.

A Light in the Darkest Hour

26 Knights in Action Reports from councils and assemblies, representing the four pillars of the Faith in Action program model

Knights provide support and relief following Hurricane Ida, the second-most destructive storm in Louisiana’s history.

ON THE COVER

The Calling of St. Matthew, a painting completed by Michelangelo Caravaggio circa 1600, depicts Christ calling Matthew the tax collector to follow him as a disciple.

By Andrew Fowler

17

Sacrifice and Service

Knights of the “Greatest Generation” tell their stories of faith and courage as veterans of World War II.

By Paul Kerchum, Tom Rossi and Louis Graziano, with Columbia staff

Knights of Columbus Museum Inc./Aaron Joseph

24

Primate of the Millennium

Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, recently beatified, courageously led the Church in Poland through its most consequential period.

By George Weigel

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.

kofc.org/join Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_19 FINAL r2.indd 1

1

10/19/21 4:21 PM

EDITORIAL

Dual Citizenship WHEN BLESSED MICHAEL MCGIVNEY

founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882, he emphasized two founding principles: “Unity and Charity.” Fraternity was added in 1885, and the principle of Patriotism was formally recognized at the turn of the century, with the establishment of the Fourth Degree.

Yet, like fraternity, patriotism was integral to Knights’ identity from the beginning. After all, the Order was founded at a time when national identity and the relationship between church and state were at the forefront of Catholic consciousness. Many of the initial members, including Supreme Knight James T. Mullen, were Civil War veterans and had been raised in a period of anti-Catholic prejudice. The Order’s very name was chosen to signify that the Catholic faith was wholly compatible with love for one’s country. The editors of The Columbiad, writing in the inaugural issue in November 1893, further noted, “We have men of various races and languages. But, by drawing close the bonds of brotherhood, we produce the best type of American citizenship.”

In his encyclical On Christians as Citizens, published just months before Father McGivney’s death in 1890, Pope Leo XIII wrote, “No better citizen is there, whether in time of peace or war, than the Christian who is mindful of his duty; but such a one should be ready to suffer all things, even death itself, rather than abandon the cause of God or the Church” (7). In other words, true patriotism consists of a duty to love and serve one’s country in a spirit of gratitude and charity, while submitting to legitimate authorities — and it simultaneously includes an obligation in conscience to oppose laws

that are “contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2239, 2242).

Many have observed that the Knights’ authentic understanding and practice of patriotism, grounded in faith and in the other principles of the Order, guarded against excessive and unreflective nationalism — and allowed for the early expansion of the Order to Canada, the Philippines and Mexico. The Order’s patriotism would later be manifested in significant and practical ways, such as its charitable service during World Wars I and II and its efforts to add the words “under God” in the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance. Still today, Knights everywhere are challenged to practice faithful citizenship through our charity and public witness, recognizing that our Catholic faith and moral principles do not conflict with civic duties, but rather inform and illuminate them.

Through the lens of faith, moreover, we know that true patriotism has a transcendent dimension. As we approach the end of the liturgical year and the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we are reminded that, ultimately, we were not created for this world, which is passing away, but instead have been called to be citizens of heaven. In this light, the articles that follow touch on several topics — from the universal vocation of Christian discipleship (page 8) to the sacrificial service of veterans (page 17) to the witness of faith in the face of totalitarian ideology (page 24) — that are related to our duties as citizens, both of this world and the next. ✢ Alton J. Pelowski, Editor

Featured Resource: Into the Breach Video Series Into the Breach, a video series produced by the Knights of Columbus, is inspired by a 2015 apostolic exhortation to Catholic men by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix. Each of the 12 episodes features personal stories and interviews with Catholic leaders about key themes such as masculinity, fatherhood, suffering and leadership, urging Catholic men to embrace their essential roles as protectors and as defenders of the faith. All Knights and councils are encouraged to watch and share the videos, which can be viewed at kofc.org/intothebreach.

2

Columbia PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus SUPREME OFFICERS Patrick E. Kelly Supreme Knight Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. Supreme Chaplain Paul G. O’Sullivan Deputy Supreme Knight Patrick T. Mason Supreme Secretary Ronald F. Schwarz Supreme Treasurer John A. Marrella Supreme Advocate EDITORIAL Alton J. Pelowski Editor Andrew J. Matt Managing Editor Cecilia Hadley Senior Editor Margaret B. Kelly Associate Editor

Blessed 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 COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 columbia@kofc.org kofc.org/columbia ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4210, option #3 addresschange@kofc.org COLUMBIA INQUIRIES 203-752-4398 K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-380-9995

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_19 FINAL r2.indd 2

10/19/21 4:21 PM

F O R T H E G R E AT E R G LO R Y O F G O D

All in God’s Timing Father McGivney’s beatification one year ago illuminates his life and witness for parish priests, Catholic men and families today

By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

Photo by Laura Barisonzi

GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE works in

marvelous and mysterious ways. One way is by giving every age the saints it needs. With eyes of faith, it is possible to see the wisdom of God’s timing as he provides the witnesses we need for the moment we are in.

This is true for all the saints, but it was brought home to me in a specific way while reflecting on our Founder’s beatification, which took place one year ago, on Oct. 31, 2020. I find myself asking, “Why Father McGivney?” and “Why now?”

None of us can know the mind of God, but I think there may be several reasons.

In the first place, Blessed Michael McGivney was a parish priest. He was not called to contemplative life; rather, he was called to be Christ among the people — with all the pastoral challenges that entails. He knew well the strain that comes from being involved with the day-to-day struggles of his parishioners. Parish priests today face their own challenges. More and more priests labor alone, administering two or more parish sites with diminishing resources and participation. When you add to this distrust resulting from the abuse crisis and the stress of pandemic restrictions on Mass attendance and parish life, it’s no wonder that many priests feel exhausted and demoralized.

What better moment, then, for a model and an intercessor like Blessed Michael McGivney — a parish priest who ministered to parishioners struggling and suffering through the difficulties of their age, including fatherless families, addiction and even pandemic conditions. And he did this amid societal prejudice that treated Catholics — particularly priests — as pariahs.

Moreover, in Father McGivney’s day, Catholic families faced an uphill climb. As immigrants, they grappled with bigotry, material poverty and the temptation to abandon their faith in order to find social acceptance. Many of Father McGivney’s parishioners had left

largely Catholic homelands to come to a land where their beliefs were considered foreign and even suspect.

Similar challenges face our families today, under fierce pressure from outside forces.

Increasingly, as they were the 1880s, Catholic families are tempted to accept secular ideologies and to abandon their faith in order to avoid the contempt of the world. As Christians, we are called to be in the world, but not of the world — and that is getting more and more difficult by the day.

We live in a time of great division, as proponents of political and cultural ideologies work hard to gain adherents while shouting down opposition. These fissures have found their way into our families, often pitting one generation against another.

Our Founder knew that the answer for Catholic men and for Catholic families was to come together and to strengthen one another in faith. I believe that through Father McGivney’s beatification, our Lord is reminding Catholic men and families that we must be unified more than ever before.

Finally, Father McGivney was a man of action. He saw the desperate situation of his parishioners and was not content merely to lament that reality. He acted — concretely and decisively. In founding the Knights of Columbus, he was calling men and families to rise and be bound together.

Thus, I believe that our Founder’s beatification in this moment in history is no mere coincidence. We should look to his response to the needs of his time as a roadmap for our own response to the needs of our time.

Let us continue to pray for Father McGivney’s canonization, even as his life and witness — brought into sharper focus by God’s providence — inspire our own actions in the days and years ahead. Blessed Michael McGivney, pray for us!

Vivat Jesus!

‘I believe that our Founder’s beatification in this moment in history is no mere coincidence. We should look to his response to the needs of his time as a roadmap for our own response to the needs of our time.’

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_19 FINAL r2.indd 3

3

10/19/21 4:21 PM

LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

The Real Presence Christ’s gift of self in the Eucharist is an invitation to be transformed

by God’s infinite love

By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

IN MY JUNE COLUMN, I addressed the sad

fact that, for decades, fewer Catholics have been participating in the Eucharist, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Along with declining Mass attendance is a decline in belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This is the Church’s eucharistic faith: By the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the words of consecration uttered by the priest, the substance of bread and wine are completely changed into the substance of the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. What appear to be bread and wine are in fact the true and substantial presence of the Redeemer.

But restating the Church’s teaching is not enough. We need to reflect deeply on the critical role that the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist plays in our lives of faith.

The consecration of bread and wine is not a riddle or a magic trick, but a beautiful mystery which, when taken to heart, has the power to transform our lives.

Christ is present in many ways, but in the Eucharist he uniquely gives himself to us whole and entire, as food and drink, in sacrificial love — so ardently does he desire to unite himself intimately with every member of the Church, his mystical body. Indeed, that is why we use the term “Communion”: When we worthily receive the Eucharist, we enter into a deep and personal union with Jesus and with the Church. The Lord wishes to enter into our hearts, to make of us his dwelling place, to infiltrate and transform every aspect of our lives — our thoughts, decisions, relationships, work, joys and sufferings.

In receiving the Eucharist, we truly encounter Jesus and are changed, leading us to say with St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). And as Jesus unites himself to us, he also knits fraternal bonds of charity and unity with

4

our fellow worshippers, thus building up and strengthening the Church.

We should never take this eucharistic encounter for granted. Coming into our hearts, the eucharistic Lord remedies our minor faults. If we have committed mortal sins, thereby extinguishing sanctifying grace from our souls, Christ still enters into our depths, but he is not able to penetrate the barriers to his love we have raised — that is, until we receive sacramental absolution. In other words, Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts, but serious sin closes that door until we sincerely repent. It has been said that the door of our hearts can be opened only from the inside, not from the outside.

How important that we spend time adoring the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament!

In Jesus’ presence, we sense more clearly the depth of his love for us. Indeed, his heart speaks to ours. When we take time to praise, thank and adore Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, he fills us with grace and joy. Our gloom is dissipated as we find ourselves simply rejoicing to be in his presence, just as we do when we are with good friends.

When we pour out our troubles and our needs, the Lord listens, and as our Good Shepherd he gently nudges us to accept whatever it is that God our Father wills for our life. When we are confused and troubled, the loving presence of Jesus, who is “the light of the world,” helps us sort things out and guides us in truth and love.

Last June, before the solemn feast of Corpus Christi, Pope Francis concluded a general audience by expressing his hope and prayer that the feast would prompt Catholics throughout the world to deepen their awareness of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. May we, the family of the Knights of Columbus, continually rediscover in the Eucharist “grace and light” for our lives. ✢

‘The consecration of bread and wine is not a riddle or a magic trick, but a beautiful mystery which, when taken to heart, has the power to transform our lives.’

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 4

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Supreme Chaplain’s Challenge A monthly reflection and practical challenge from Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.

For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

(Gospel for Nov. 7, Mk 12:43-44)

FROM TOP: Courtesy of the Augustinians of the Assumption — Photo by Michelle Mishina — CNS photo/Paul Haring

“Give until it hurts” might seem like a tired old cliché, but it has merit nonetheless. It’s fairly easy to give from our excess — what we don’t really need — but real sacrifice begins when we go beyond that.

The widow in the parable, in giving what to many people would be a bit of loose change, offered a more meaningful gift than the wealthy who donated far larger sums they would hardly miss. But there’s another layer of meaning here: Unlike the wealthy, the widow gave everything she had to God and put her trust completely in his divine providence. May we recognize that she made the wiser investment.

Catholic Man of the Month Blessed Pavel Djidjov (1919-1952) FATHER PAVEL DJIDJOV was not surprised when he was imprisoned in 1952 by the communist government of his native Bulgaria. The party killed thousands of political opponents as it consolidated power after World War II, and by the 1950s — under a politician nicknamed “Little Stalin” — it targeted the country’s religious leaders.

Father Djidjov wrote to a friend not long before his arrest: “There will be three trials, within a week, against Catholic priests. … These will not be the last ones, surely. May God’s will be done!

We await our turn.”

The young priest had been following God’s will since childhood. Born in Plovdiv and baptized Joseph, he excelled in mathematics and sports, even playing for a leading soccer club in the city. However, he had felt a strong call to the priesthood and at 19 entered the Augustinians of the Assumption in eastern France, taking the name Pavel.

He studied theology near Paris during World War II, and when food grew scarce, the practical seminarian raised sheep to supplement the community’s

Liturgical Calendar Nov. 1 Nov. 2

Challenge: This month, I challenge you to review your charitable giving and to pray about whether God is asking you to contribute something more. Second, I challenge you to participate in your council’s Food for Families or Coats for Kids Faith in Action program.

Nov. 4 Nov. 9 Nov. 10 Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 22 Nov. 24 Nov. 30

All Saints The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop Dedication of the Lateran Basilica St. Leo the Great St. Martin of Tours, Bishop St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (USA) St. Elizabeth of Hungary Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs St. Andrew, Apostle

rations. He returned to Bulgaria in 1942 and was ordained there in 1945.

Father Djidjov studied business and social science in Varna, on the Black Sea, and was later appointed treasurer of St. Augustine College in Plovdiv. An intrepid defender of the Church and critic of communism, he had a strong influence on students, which brought him to the attention of the secret police.

On July 4, 1952, he and two other Assumptionist priests — Fathers Josaphat Chichkov and Kamen Vitchev — were arrested and accused of spying for France and the Vatican. They were tortured before being convicted in a sham trial and later executed by firing squad in Sofia on Nov. 11. St. John Paul II beatified the three priests as martyrs in 2002. ✢

Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intention

We pray that people who suffer from depression or burnout will find support and a light that opens them up to life.

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_19 FINAL r1.indd 5

5

10/19/21 3:24 PM

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

College Knights Urged to ‘Go to Joseph’ COLLEGE KNIGHTS seeking guid-

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 6

Above: Members of St. John Henry Newman Council 11323 at Virginia Tech, Outstanding College Council for the 2020-2021 fraternal year, pray the rosary together in the Newman House chapel. • Left: Knights at Lamar University share a laugh outside the Catholic Student Center.

St. Thomas Aquinas Council 16464 at Lamar was first runner-up for Outstanding College Council.

“You have a role to play: servant leadership. You have to be sacrificial.”

The author of Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father and a member of Father Peter Paul Maher Council 6793 in Silver Spring, Md., Father Calloway challenged his brother Knights to foster lifelong, personal devotion to St. Joseph and concluded his speech by leading the Knights in a prayer of consecration.

Following the addresses, the annual awards session honored several councils for their witness and service on campus throughout the last fraternal year.

The Outstanding College Council Award was presented to St. John Henry Newman Council 11323 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va. Throughout the pandemic, the Knights at Virginia Tech

have brought men together for cookouts, Bible studies and service projects, including work days at the Catholic Campus Ministry’s Newman House and a “tonsure drive” to raise money for a local pregnancy resource center. The council also provided a public witness of faith by organizing a eucharistic procession across campus to pray for national unity.

St. Thomas Aquinas Council 16464 at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Council 15020 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., were recognized as first and second runners-up, respectively. Additional awards were given for each of the Faith in Action program categories and other achievements. For more information, visit kofc.org/college. ✢

Photos by Spirit Juice Studios

ance, courage and strength need look no further than St. Joseph, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly told hundreds of young men gathered virtually for the 56th Knights of Columbus College Councils Conference Sept 24-25.

“As college Knights, St. Joseph can help answer two key questions before you: What kind of a man do you want to be? And, more importantly: What is God calling you to do with the gifts he has given you?” the supreme knight said in his address.

Knights of Columbus college councils are active on nearly 150 campuses in the United States and Canada. This year’s College Councils Conference brought student members together under the theme “Go to Joseph” — echoing Genesis 41:55 and coinciding with the Year of St. Joseph, which began Dec. 8, 2020.

Supreme Knight Kelly stressed that St. Joseph can be a powerful intercessor for young Knights who are making foundational decisions about their lives.

He added that by joining the Order, they have already made a decision that sets them apart and sends a message to the world.

“Joining the Knights says to your campus and to the world: ‘I am a man of faith, and I’m not afraid to take a stand,’” he affirmed. “That’s no small thing, especially today. You are following Christ at a difficult time and place.”

Keynote speaker Father Donald Calloway, MIC, likewise urged college Knights to imitate the servant leadership of St. Joseph, especially in a cultural landscape marked by “so much confusion about what it is to be a man.” Noting that many attendees will be called to fatherhood, Father Calloway encouraged them to look to Joseph under his title “Pillar of Families.”

“If men are not there to shore things up, to hold things up, to be pillars, things are going to collapse,” he said.

10/18/21 5:02 PM

St. Joseph Documentary Airs Nationally

Supreme Knight Visits Vatican Mission to UN

A NEW K OF C -produced film, St. Joseph:

TOP RIGHT: Courtesy of the Holy See Mission to the United Nations — BOTTOM: Photo by Matthew Barrick

Our Spiritual Father, explores the powerful witness of one of the most important figures in salvation history.

The hourlong documentary premiered Oct. 10, beginning a six-week run on ABC-affiliated stations across the United States through a partnership with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission.

The film’s release coincides with the final months of the Year of St. Joseph, called by Pope Francis to encourage the faithful to follow the saint’s example and ask his intercession.

“St. Joseph is often considered the silent, humble witness of the Bible,” said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly. “The truth is that he models for each one of us the importance of prayer, obedience and courage in our lives. I encourage everyone to watch this documentary as a way to go to St. Joseph, increase their devotion to him and allow his example to inspire us in our many challenges.”

Featuring biblical re-enactments, personal testimonials and interviews with scholars, the documentary explores the role of St. Joseph in the life of Jesus and the Church, and why his model of fatherhood is needed today.

“Joseph waits silently for us, ready to guide us in the same way he helped our Lord,” said the supreme knight. “Throughout my life, I have found him to be a powerful help when confronted with tough choices, and I encourage others to go to him as well.”

Local broadcasts of St. Joseph: Our Spiritual Father continue through late November. Watch the trailer and find broadcast times and other resources at kofc.org/stjoseph. ✢

SUPREME KNIGHT Patrick Kelly and his wife, Vanessa, visited the Holy See Mission to the United Nations on Sept. 17 — two decades after the supreme knight completed a legal internship there in 2001.

Speaking to staff members and interns at the New York City mission, Supreme Knight Kelly said he never could have imagined what God had in store for him 20 years ago, and he urged them to say “yes” to the surprising opportunities God offers. The supreme knight and Mrs. Kelly also met with Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations, pictured right, and Father Roger Landry, an attaché at the Holy See Mission and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Financial support from the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council enabled the Holy See Mission, through the Path to Peace Foundation, to acquire its present offices in 1994. ✢

Knights Celebrate Columbus Day in Washington, D.C. Fourth Degree Knights of the Calvert Province present the colors at the annual celebration of Columbus Day at the Columbus Memorial in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the National Christopher Columbus Association, this year’s event included diplomats from Italy and Spain, as well as Former Supreme Director Tommy C. Harger of Virginia (pictured at the podium). Learn more about Columbus and the history of Columbus Day at kofc.org/columbus.

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 7

7

10/18/21 5:02 PM

The Path of

Discipleship An interview with author Sherry Weddell about becoming intentional followers of Christ and building up his Church

S

COLUMBIA: One of the things you discuss in your books is the idea that “God has no grandchildren.” Can you explain what that means?

SHERRY WEDDELL: Basically, it means we don’t live in Christendom anymore. We used to live in a world where Christian thought, values, beliefs and practice dominated the culture, dominated most people’s hearts and minds. And so, to be a 8

Scala / Art Resource, NY

herry Weddell was attending a national Catholic conference a number of years ago when a gentleman walked up to her and made a surprising confession. “Until I read your book last month,” he said, “I didn’t know it was possible to have a personal relationship with God.” Weddell, a Catholic author who has written extensively about evangelization, was floored. “I just sat there with my mouth wide open, trying to figure out what I was going to say next,” she recalled.

After all, the man had grown up in a faithful, practicing family, was highly committed to the Church, and even worked in full-time ministry. Nonetheless, he told Weddell, “Nobody ever talked about relationship with God. I literally didn’t know.”

It turns out that the man was not alone, as Weddell would have many similar conversations in the years that followed. In fact, the 2007 Pew Religious Landscape Survey reported that fewer than half of American adults who identify as Catholic were certain you could have a personal relationship with God. Helping people to discover and form this personal faith, Weddell explains, is essential to evangelization, especially in a world where religious belief is increasingly countercultural.

In 1997, Weddell cofounded the Catherine of Siena Institute, which focuses on helping laypeople use their gifts to serve God and the Church; she currently serves as its executive director. She has also written several books, including Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus (Our Sunday Visitor, 2012) and Fruitful Discipleship: Living the Mission of Jesus in the Church and the World (OSV, 2017).

She recently spoke with Columbia about what Knights of Columbus can do to become faithful disciples and effectively evangelize in their families, parishes and communities.

The risen Lord instructs the apostles to preach the Gospel to all nations in this early 14th-century painting

by Duccio di Buoninsegna.

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 8

10/18/21 5:33 PM

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 9

9

10/18/21 5:02 PM

believing Christian, all you had to do was go with the tide.

But that changed many decades ago, and we don’t live there anymore. Now you have to go against the cultural tide, which in most places is either indifferent or hostile.

We’re in a world where people increasingly don’t just inherit faith. They don’t inherit religious belief from their parents or from being part of a particular ethnic group. Young adults assume that when they come of age, they will piece together their identities themselves. If they were born into faith, they will either walk away or stay because they choose to. So, today we’re in the land of intentional Catholics, not cultural Catholics.

COLUMBIA: Can you further explain the term “intentional,” especially in relation to Christian discipleship?

SHERRY WEDDELL: Pope John Paul II said something in one of his very first apostolic exhortations that really struck me when I first read it years ago. Most Catholics, he said, do not yet have a “personal attachment to Jesus Christ” — “they have only the capacity to believe placed within them by baptism and the presence of the Holy Spirit” [Catechesi Tradendae, 1979].

He had spent most of his life at that point in Poland, which is one of the most Catholic cultures on Earth. And yet he was still aware of this tension, in reality, between being a member of the Church and having a relationship with Christ. You can be validly baptized, a member of the body of Christ, and yet not have a personal faith.

I’ve had hundreds of conversations where people say, “I grew up in the Church, I went to Mass, I was confirmed, the whole nine yards. And yet, honestly, I thought of God as this nasty, distant figure who didn’t care about me and only showed up to punish you when you broke the rules.”

So, when I talk about intentional discipleship, what I mean is somebody who has spent enough time with Jesus to consciously decide to follow him as a disciple in his Church.

You can’t sleepwalk your way through this, especially in our culture, where the tide is against us. You won’t go against the tide for a lifetime unless this means something to you.

That’s what I mean by intentional.

An intentional disciple is not a saint — I’m not saying that. But he or she has embarked on the larger journey that leads to sanctity. And that is to follow Jesus Christ in the midst of his Church for the rest of one’s life. It’s what the Catechism of the Catholic Church [1428] calls the second, ongoing, lifelong conversion.

COLUMBIA: What advice would you have for Knights of Columbus who want to lead and evangelize as intentional disciples — and particularly Knights whose children or grandchildren have left the Church?

SHERRY WEDDELL: The first thing I’d do is pray: I’d say, “OK, Lord, I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t feel like I know enough. I’m not holy enough. I don’t know what to say. But I want to be used somehow to help my children and my grandchildren. Lord, I’m open to whatever it takes.

10

There’s no reason we cannot be a generation of saints now, in the 21st century.

We have the same Jesus Christ, the same grace of the Holy Spirit, the same Gospel, the same tradition.

The question is, will we respond? Will we say yes?

Whatever I need to repent of, whatever I need to grow in, Lord, I’m open, just show me.” I have never known God not to respond powerfully to someone who just declares themselves open and says, “Boy, do I need help.”

In Forming Intentional Disciples, I talk about the five stages of spiritual journey that 21st-century unbelievers typically make. For many of them, the first issue is trust — do I trust anything about Christianity or the Church or Jesus Christ or God? For a lot of young people, the bridge of trust has been broken, if it ever existed. For a variety of reasons — peer pressure, scandals in the news, personal experience — it’s greatly damaged.

But there has to be a bridge. Maybe that bridge of trust is a friend or a parent: They think your religious ideas are crazy, but they trust you, they like you anyway. So, you’re their bridge. And the first thing we’ve got to do is build that bridge, so eventually it can hold the weight of truth.

Learning how to listen is one of the most crucial things.

Part of building trust is lowering defenses so people feel like, “I can talk to Dad, even though I know he disagrees with me. I can trust him to honor me, to not run over me.” Really listening — asking good questions that evoke issues, and then listening without judgment — that is when people’s defenses drop.

I used to think that if I let people talk error, and I didn’t correct them right away, I was hardening them in their error.

And, boy, was I wrong. Because what enables them to open the door to new input is you listening, asking the questions that probably no one has ever asked them before. Maybe they’ve never tried to put their ideas into words; they themselves don’t know what they actually think.

By listening, you’re opening the door not just to conversations with you, but to conversations with a lot of people.

Studies indicate that nonbelievers and nonpracticing Christians are much more likely to talk about faith with someone if they’ve had a positive faith conversation in the last year.

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 10

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Members of Fray Marcos Council 1783 in Gallup, N.M., accompany Bishop James Wall as he processes with the Eucharist outside Sacred Heart Cathedral. The procession was the culmination of a three-day parish festival in September.

Photo by Windswept Media

Just one positive faith conversation in a whole year can double their openness.

These are the very early stages, but they’re crucial before we get to things like apologetics and catechesis.

COLUMBIA: In your writing, you talk about “powerful evangelizing tools” that already exist in parishes. What are some practical things that Knights of Columbus councils can do to fulfill that potential in their parish and in their community?

SHERRY WEDDELL: I think Knights of Columbus could be hugely important. The evangelizing potential of the Knights is staggering.

There are two basic first steps. The first is intercessory prayer. We believe that Jesus Christ is our high priest and intercessor, praying with us and in us, pouring out graces on the world. It is this same glorified, ascended Lord, at the right hand of the Father in heaven, whom we encounter in the Eucharist.

And we have seen that in parishes where people participate in this intercessory prayer, engaging in organized, sustained prayer for the spiritual renewal of the community, the atmosphere changes. Distrust and conflict go way down; spiritual openness goes way up. People are much more responsive to anything that the church does: preaching, evangelization, care for the poor. People are much more likely to actually step inside your building and have a direct experience of the presence of God. We’ve heard a number of stories like this. Total strangers, with no clue in the world, just walk in and it changes their lives.

I happen to be one of them. As a fundamentalist undergrad in Seattle, I walked across the threshold of a Catholic church and felt the Real Presence. And that’s why I am talking to you today. If you had tried to explain the Real Presence to me, I wouldn’t have believed it, because it was against every category I had in my head. But I had a direct mystical experience. And there are many other people who’ve had similar experiences.

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 11

11

10/18/21 5:02 PM

lives. This was at every level — all formation classes, business meetings, pastoral council, even social events — the first minutes were spent doing that. It became so normal. And when people see that it is normal for ordinary Catholics to have those experiences, they start to say, “Maybe I could have something like that. It’s not just for Mother Teresa or some very special saints.” I could see the Knights making something like that part of their council meetings, for example.

Breaking the silence about relationship with God and telling Jesus’ story are really important. There are lots of different ways that can happen — evangelizing retreats, conferences, courses — and all these things take leadership, time, energy, creativity, resources. And I think it’d be right up the Knights’ alley.

COLUMBIA: You spend a lot of time studying and thinking about very sobering facts about the state of the Church. What gives you hope?

SHERRY WEDDELL: The first is the fact that the living Lord is with us. The one

Catholic men discuss their faith during a prayer breakfast hosted by Monroe (Mich.)

Council 1266. About 50 men belong to the group, called the Regular Joes, and meet every other week for prayer and fellowship. Council 1266 was recognized with the international Faith Program Award during the 139th Supreme Convention.

12

to whom all power and authority has been given, this Lord of history, dwells in our midst and is pouring out his graces on us. He is interceding so that God’s kingdom will be built on earth as it is in heaven. We’re joining him in that, and he has the power to make that happen.

The second is the fact that we have been here before, more than once.

Frankly, the Church has been in much worse places than this. For example, in early 17th-century France, a generation of disciples arose out of a disaster a thousand times worse than anything you and I have experienced. They had lived through 32 years of religious civil wars in which millions of French people had died.

And out of that conflict arose what historians call the generation of saints.

It started with Francis de Sales. In 1594, as a newly ordained priest, he set out on foot in his area of the French Alps, where every Catholic church had been padlocked for 60 years, where there were 40,000 ex-Catholics and 100 practicing Catholics. And in four years, he re-evangelized the whole area.

That was the opening salvo of this enormous revival that involved tens of thousands of people — laypeople, married, single, rich, poor. God raised up an extraordinary network. And they not only re-evangelized the Church, they had an impact on it for 150 years afterward. Out of that, a missionary movement brought the faith to North America, to Southeast Asia and elsewhere. The revival that came out of that country basically changed the entire Catholic Church.

And there’s no reason we cannot be a generation of saints now, in the 21st century. We have the same Jesus Christ, the same grace of the Holy Spirit, the same Gospel, the same tradition. The question is, will we respond like they did? Will we say yes?

And we have to do this together. No individual is big enough for this. We need to say yes together to be a generation of saints for the 21st century. And there’s no reason that God could not use us to start another revival, just like theirs. That’s my hope. ✢

Photo by Spirit Juice Studios

Intercessory prayer basically frees people up to say yes. We never control people through prayer, that’s really important to understand. We can’t make somebody come back to church by praying for them. But what you can do is remove impediments, misunderstandings, lies they’ve believed, fears, that sort of thing. We restore their freedom to see the good and respond.

That’s what we’re doing when we join Christ in his intercessory prayer.

The second step is breaking the silence about the possibility of a relationship with God. Even though that has been our doctrine for 2,000 years, we don’t talk about it much at the local parish level. When we don’t talk about Jesus, when we don’t tell his story, when we don’t talk about our own experiences of encountering him, when we don’t talk about his saving presence in the Eucharist, we are undermining and suppressing conversion in our parishes.

In one parish that we’ve worked with, they had a policy that every single meeting would start with somebody giving a testimony of their encounter with God and how it changed their

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 12

10/18/21 5:02 PM

F AT H E R S F O R G O O D

The Family That Prays Together Venerable Patrick Peyton’s call for parents to lead their families in prayer is vital to building unity and peace

Photo courtesy of Family Theater Productions

By Philip Kosloski IN 1942, Father Patrick Peyton, a newly ordained priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, couldn’t bear to hear another news story about the lives being lost in World War II. Families were being devastated and communities destroyed, with no end in sight.

Then, Father Peyton had an idea to bring lasting peace. He recalled the great Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when an outnumbered Christian fleet rallied to defeat a threatening array of Ottoman warships. Pope Pius V turned to the rosary, joined in prayer by the sailors aboard the ships. Together they implored the help of the Virgin Mary, and the Ottoman forces were miraculously defeated.

Father Peyton firmly believed that the rosary could again play a key role in bringing peace to the world. He had been taught the importance of family prayer back in Ireland, kneeling with his parents and eight siblings every night to pray the rosary. He also believed that the Blessed Mother had healed him from tuberculosis while he was a seminarian, and he had made a vow to spread her love to all the world.

However, the young priest knew he needed help. Wanting to reach as many people as possible using modern technology, but without any background or connections in mass media, he went to New York City and convinced a woman from the Mutual Broadcasting System that the nation needed a Catholic radio program. She gave Father Peyton a chance, on one condition: He needed to enlist the help of Hollywood stars.

Father Peyton nervously called Bing Crosby and, somehow, was able to win him over. The radio show hit airwaves May 13, 1945, and featured Crosby, Archbishop Francis Spellman of New York, President Harry Truman and members of the Sullivan family — whose five sons had been killed in action in 1942 — leading the rosary. Father Peyton ended the program with an appeal for families to pray the rosary together for peace.

The show was a resounding success, leading to the creation of a regular radio program and the establishment of Family Theater Productions in 1947. Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars were eager to support Father Peyton in his work, and his new company would go on to produce more than 800 radio programs and 83 TV specials.

During this time, Father Peyton became known as the “Rosary Priest” and popularized the phrase “The family that prays together stays together.” A new “crusade” was born, a “Crusade of the Family Rosary” that would take Father Peyton to hundreds of massive Rosary Rallies around the globe, bringing millions together in prayer.

The Knights of Columbus supported Father Peyton’s mission from the beginning. In 1944, the Supreme Council adopted a resolution to “endorse and recommend the program of the Family Rosary.” The Order also supported Father Peyton’s radio broadcasts, helping him get airtime on local radio stations. In 1956, the Supreme Council named Father Peyton an honorary Fourth Degree Knight.

Father Peyton continued his work spreading family prayer until his death in 1992. Family Theater Productions continues that work now and recently produced a powerful documentary film about his remarkable ministry — Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton. An associated campaign, called “Pray Together Now,” invites families to commit to praying together daily.

“The greatest thing a child can get,” Father Peyton said, “is spiritual leadership in his mother and in his father, a leadership that never takes their eyes off God.” There is a tremendous need for families to answer Father Peyton’s call today. Our world may not be in the midst of a world war, but family life is in crisis. Now is the time to lead another “crusade” of prayer, giving hope to the world when it needs it the most.

At his final Rosary Rally in 1985 in Manila, Father Peyton had a special message for fathers. “Don’t be afraid to kneel beside the wife that’s yours and let those precious innocent children hear your voice, as I heard my father’s voice,” he said. “Lead the family and make that little home a small little church.”

To watch Pray and join the “Pray Together Now” campaign, visit praythefilm.com. ✢ PHILIP KOSLOSKI, a member of Msgr. Reding Council 1558 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., writes for Aleteia.org. He is the author of the comic book The Tale of Patrick Peyton (Holy Cross Family Ministries, 2019).

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 13

13

10/18/21 5:02 PM

A Light in the Darkest Hour Knights provide support and relief following Hurricane Ida, the second-most destructive storm in Louisiana’s history

B

arbara Garcia has lived near Albany, La., for almost 40 years, and she’s never experienced a storm like Hurricane Ida. The storm cut a deadly swath through the Bayou State after making landfall Aug. 29, exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina.

“With Katrina, it was a walk in the park” by comparison, Barbara said — at least in Albany, 40 miles east of Baton Rouge. With winds exceeding 100 mph for nine hours, Ida toppled hundreds of trees in the area, including one that fell on the home where

14

Barbara lives with her husband, Albert.

Between the fallen trees and flooded roads, the couple was trapped for two and a half days.

“This one was terrifying,” Barbara added. “I told Albert, when another comes, we’re leaving because it was really hard, and I was really scared.”

Nearly two weeks after the storm, the Garcias were still picking up debris. Longing for dinner after a grueling day of clean-up, they heard about the Knights of Columbus distributing food nearby at St. Margaret, Queen of

Scotland Catholic Church. The meal was a blessing.

“They’re angels,” Albert said. “They have gone above and beyond.”

Ida became the second-most destructive storm to hit Louisiana, after Katrina, and one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history, causing more than 80 deaths and an estimated $95 billion in damage. It left more than 1 million people without power, some for weeks. Knights of Columbus across the Gulf Coast and beyond responded with a spirit of resilience

CNS photo/Adrees Latif, Reuters

By Andrew Fowler

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 14

10/18/21 5:02 PM

FROM TOP: Photo by Spirit Juice Studios — Photo by Zack Smith

Left: A man walks to his home in Cut Off, a small town in southeastern Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. • From top: R.J. Segalla, a member of St. Jean Vianney Council 9247 in Baton Rouge, delivers a hot lunch to a woman in Albany, La. Council members prepared and served more than 600 meals in the parking lot of St. Margaret Church on Sept. 11. • David Eck Sr. piles broken siding outside a home in Destrehan. A member St. Christopher Council 4508 in Metairie, Eck was part of a crew of 40 Knights who came together Oct. 2 to clear debris for neighbors needing help.

and charity — serving thousands of hot meals, clearing debris and distributing necessities such as water, food, cleaning products and tarps for damaged roofs. In addition to financial support and deliveries of supplies from Knights around the country, local councils contributed an estimated 300,000 volunteer hours in the weeks following the storm.

“We have areas where the buildings are literally ripped up like tin cans,” said Louisiana State Deputy George Martin. “It’s heartbreaking, but at the

same time, it’s awesome to see the unity, fraternity and charity the Knights of Columbus offers to our members and our communities.”

ONE MEAL AT A TIME Rudy Wolf, grand knight of St. Jean Vianney Council 9247 in Baton Rouge, has lived through several major hurricanes, including Andrew in 1992 and Katrina in 2005. But Ida’s severe winds were particularly devastating, he said, especially east of Baton Rouge.

“You can see it on the interstate driving from Baton Rouge to Albany,” Wolf said. “The further you go east, the worse it gets.”

Wolf contacted Father Jamin David, the pastor of St. Margaret’s in Albany, to ask how and when Council 9247 could help. The outreach was a welcome relief to Father David.

“Disasters bring out the worst in people sometimes, but they bring out the best in people too,” said Father David, who serves Louisiana state chaplain. “You can see that in all the NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 15

15

10/18/21 5:02 PM

and say, ‘We’re here,’” said Mississippi State Deputy Ray Gamez, who is a member of Council 4472. “I think this is what Father McGivney asks of us — taking care of our parish and our community.”

“It just meant the world” to receive the council’s help, Father Fratt said. “It was like a light in the dark, and it was really dark.”

MOBILIZED TO REBUILD In Destrehan, a suburb of New Orleans, Muriel Licciardi knew she had to evacuate from her home before the hurricane hit, in case she needed medical attention for her pneumonia. She fled to Arkansas and stayed there a month. When she returned in late September, she was overwhelmed by the damage in her A SPECIAL DELIVERY neighborhood.

As Hurricane Ida approached “It was very hard to see it, and southeastern Louisiana, Father not be able to help,” said Licciardi, Gregg Fratt decided he wasn’t gowho is in her 60s. “I’m sad and ing anywhere. The pastor at Sacred devastated for others that have lost Heart Catholic Church in Cut Off more than me.”

— 35 miles north of Ida’s landfall When she told her nephew, at Port Fourchon — wanted to be Charles Melancon, about her and there for parishioners who couldn’t her neighbors’ situations, he knew evacuate. Fortunately, the church what to do. The grand knight of was not severely damaged, but most St. Christopher Council 4508 in of the small town did not escape nearby Metairie, Melancon put the lightly. Father Fratt, a member of word out to Knights in the area, Morgan City (La.) Council 1373, asking for volunteers for a clean-up compared the level of destruction day Oct. 2. More than 40 people to a war zone. Some homes near — including Knights and their the church were flooded up to four family members, and some local feet; many lost their roofs. The area high school students — came to was without power and water for cut fallen trees, remove debris and several weeks. fix roofs.

Father Fratt made Sacred Heart Among them was Supreme a distribution center for Cut Off Director Rennan Duffour, a past residents. However, the need was A K of C volunteer directs traffic during a meal state deputy.

“It may take years to mounting; he didn’t have enough distribution organized by Knights at St. Charles get back to a place where we were supplies and water. That’s when he Borromeo Church in Destrehan. The team cooked nearly 800 meals for people who had lost power. before the disaster happened,” received a call from a friend from Duffour said. “We have to keep seminary, Father Michael Austin, providing support as needed.” who now serves as a pastor and The group spent the day cleanK of C chaplain 125 miles east at ing up three homes in Destrehan, including Licciardi’s, and Holy Family Parish in Pass Christian, Miss. serving nearly 800 meals at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic “They’ve had their share of hurricanes, so he knew exactChurch. ly what we were dealing with,” Father Fratt explained. “And “What Knights do after a major disaster, especially here they know what it feels like for people from the outside to in Louisiana — we mobilize,” Melancon said. “We need to come in and help them.”

Father Austin tapped Msgr. Leech Council 4472 to spear- show people love so they know that they’re not forgotten.”

For Licciardi, the Knights’ helping hands were a sign of hope. head the parish’s fundraising and collection efforts. In one “I get emotional when I think about it,” she said. “When weekend, the Knights raised $20,000 and collected more we came home and saw what we were facing and what all than 30,000 pounds of water and cleaning supplies. They loaded the donations into a tractor trailer donated by coun- our neighbors had gone through — I am just so touched by the outpouring of help.” ✢ cil member Teddy Fields, who runs a trucking company, and drove them to Cut Off on Sept. 11.

“One of the wonderful things about this council is that ANDREW FOWLER is a content producer for the Knights of when anybody calls for assistance, the Knights step up Columbus Communications Department.

16

Photo by Zack Smith

volunteer hours, the service and the contributions that are being funneled into communities affected by Ida.” On Sept. 11, Knights from Council 9247 prepared and served more than 600 meals in St. Margaret’s parking lot.

They also brought water, diapers and cleaning materials for the parish’s supply pantry, as well as $3,000 in gift cards donated by council members.

Father David was grateful for the Knights’ presence and their efforts to bring the community back to a sense of normalcy, one hot meal at a time.

“This is what the Knights of Columbus are really all about,” Father David said. “By their presence and their work, the Knights are helping people to get back on their feet.”

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 16

10/18/21 5:02 PM

SERVICE and SACRIFICE

Knights of the “Greatest Generation” tell their stories of faith and courage as veterans of World War II

By Paul Kerchum, Tom Rossi and Louis Graziano, with Columbia staff

FROM TOP: Photo by National Guard Bureau — Imperial War Museum/Wikimedia Commons — Courtesy of 1st Division Museum at Cantigny Park

M

illions of young men entered the armed forces to serve their countries during World War II. For patriotic Canadians, Britons, Frenchmen and their allies, the call came after the Nazi invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939. Millions more from the United States joined them after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

“We know that they were very young, and for most of them it was their first trip abroad,” said French Consul General Vincent Hommeril, who recently bestowed the medal of the French Legion of Honor upon Louis Graziano (see page 22), a Knight who on June 6, 1944, participated in the D-Day invasion.

“They were not compelled to do that, but they decided to do it — they risked their lives,” Hommeril continued. “I am from Normandy. So personally, these people really mean something to me.

And we are still, up to this day, very grateful for what they did.”

While Graziano saw grim action on the front lines, others like Tom Rossi, then a 22-year-old member of the top-secret Office of Strategic Services — a precursor to the U.S. Army’s Special Forces and the Central Intelligence Agency — played a perilous role working behind enemy lines.

Others still, like Paul Kerchum, showed the courage of endurance as prisoners of war. Kerchum spent more than three death-defying years in Japanese labor camps — after surviving the horrific Bataan Death March at age 22 in April 1942.

In the following pages, we share the dramatic stories, adapted from interviews, of these three Knights of the “Greatest Generation.”

From top: Tens of thousands of American and Filipino troops are marched to Japanese prison camps on the Bataan peninsula of Luzon in April 1942. • Allied soldiers cross a river during commando training in 1943. • The German Instrument of Surrender is signed in Reims, France, effectively ending World War II in Europe on May 7, 1945.

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 17

17

10/18/21 5:02 PM

‘In My Heart, I Forgave’ One of the last living survivors of the Bataan Death March, Paul Kerchum overcame suffering through faith Shortly before his 18th birthday, Paul Kerchum enlisted in the U.S. military to escape the gritty industrial towns of Ohio and western Pennsylvania where he had grown up. Now 101 years old, he recalls here his experiences as a POW, his long military career, the transforming influence of his wife, and why he joined the Knights of Columbus more than 40 years ago, as a charter member of Logan De Rosier Council 7521 in Benson, Ariz.

I

lived in a poor community during the Great Depression, and it was customary at age 16 to drop out of school and help support your family. I worked for two years until Jan. 6, 1938, when I decided to join the Navy and see the world. The first thing the Navy recruiter asked was: “Do you have a high school diploma?” “No,” I said. “Go across the hall. They’ll take anybody.” So, I joined the Army instead.

After a two-year tour in Hawaii, I reenlisted and joined B Company, 31st Infantry in Manila, where I was a machine gun squad leader.

I was in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. They soon had control of the air and seas in the Philippines, and in early January 1942, they broke through the main line of resistance. The 31st Infantry pulled a counterattack that led to a 13-day battle.

On the 13th day, a Japanese mortar exploded and threw me flat on my face. It destroyed my helmet. When I came to, two men were escorting me, and I kept saying, “I don’t want to go to the hospital.” And I didn’t. That’s when I started to pray.

When the bullets were flying around, and bombs were bursting all around you, I said the Hail Mary. Believe me, I prayed.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur then implemented War Plan Orange, which called for all of the troops to retreat. When we retreated to the Bataan peninsula in Luzon, we were on half rations and in terrible shape. On Good Friday, April 3, the Japanese manned a massive offensive, and on April 9 Gen. King, commander of the troops on Bataan, surrendered an exhausted, hungry and disease-ridden army.

What followed became known as the Bataan Death March — 55 miles (88 km) north from Mariveles to the San Fernando railhead. Men were shot, bayonetted, beheaded or beaten to death on that hot and dusty road. A lot of times I didn’t see it. I took the middle of the file, kept my eyes forward,

18

watched the legs in front of me and just kept walking. When somebody ran out of the file, I’d hear shots. One time, I saw somebody beaten to death when he ran out to get some sugar cane.

At San Fernando, we were stuffed into boxcars, standing room only. We were offloaded at the village of Capas, then had a 9-kilometer hike to the first prison camp, Camp O’Donnell. A Japanese officer greeted us. I’ll never forget his words: “You are not prisoners of war,” he said. “You are captives and you’ll be treated like captives.”

YEARS IN CAPTIVITY In the next two months, hundreds of Americans and thousands of Filipino soldiers died at O’Donnell. In early June 1942, I was transported to the main prison at Cabanatuan, where 3,000 Americans died in the next six months. You couldn’t believe the brutality. Three Navy officers in our camp who tried to escape were captured and then beheaded. We were put in groups of 10, and if one escaped, then the other nine were shot.

Work details were sent to Taiwan, Japan and elsewhere. In early October 1943, I was part of a 500-man work detail sent to build an airfield near Las Pinas, 40 miles from Manila. All we had were rumors that help was on the way.

We heard that for three and a half years.

One day, we were at the end of the runway when one of the men began pointing toward Manila. And there in the sky were hundreds of American and Japanese aircraft in aerial combat. Later, we learned that Gen. MacArthur had returned to the Philippines.

The next morning, 11 of us were stuffed into a ship, part of a convoy headed for Japan. No sooner had we left Manila Bay than we came under American submarine attack. The holds were covered, and we remained in complete darkness, but we prayed for the best. We ran zigzag all over the South China Sea for days, being chased by American submarines.

Approximately 5,280 Americans went down to the bottom of the sea when unmarked hell ships like ours were sunk by American submarines or aircraft.

We eventually landed in Japan and were stuffed into a train to Sendai. Then, we took a narrow-gauge railroad way up into the mountains, where we worked at Mitsubishi

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 18

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Opposite page: Staff Sgt. Paul Kerchum is pictured in 1946 after leaving the Army and joining the Air Force. • Above: Kerchum gives a patriotic salute outside his home in Benson, Ariz. Among the 18 decorations Kerchum earned during his 29 years in the U.S. military are two Bronze Stars, the Philippine Defense Medal and the Korean Defense Medal.

Photo by George Hosek

Mine No. 11. One day, a B-29 came over and dropped food, clothing and medicine with the news that the war was over.

I began eating well and, soon enough, I was no longer a 75-pounder. They put us on a hospital ship, and for the first time in four years we slept in real beds.

FINDING LOVE AND FAITH After World War II, I joined the Air Force. In order to make a few extra dollars, I started to work at a beer garden. Every evening, this nice-looking 18-year-old lady came through the cafeteria. And all eyes were on her. One day, they sent her to the beer garden to get some food from the walk-in refrigerator. She walked in, and so did I. We talked a while, and I made a date with her. And it wasn’t long afterward that we got married.

When Gloria and I married, she put me on the right road, you know? Because I’ll admit, I was not much of a Catholic at that time. I remember one day I started talking about somebody. And she yelled at me, “Cállate la boca!” (“Shut up!”). Then she said, “Paul, one of the biggest sins is gossiping. And if you want to go to heaven, you better quit.”

During the Korean War, I was stationed at Ashiya Air Force Base in Japan. Everybody used to ask me, “Why did you go back to Japan?” Because I was a POW, I had an option not to go. But I told them, “I want to go there.” Gloria and I

talked all about it. And I talked to a lot of the Japanese people. And in my heart, I forgave them. That was how Gloria influenced me.

We were married for 74 years and had two children. Gloria passed away Dec. 21, 2019 — a day does not pass that I fail to think about her.

After serving 29 years — eight in the Army infantry and 21 in the Air Force — I retired in 1966 as a chief master sergeant. When I received my first retirement check, I said, “I need to find a job.” So, I worked for several years at a hardware store and later as a real estate agent.

I’ve spoken a lot over the years about my wartime experiences. One day in 1980, I went up to the podium at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Benson and I gave my talk. Afterward, some of the Knights got a hold of me and talked to me. And then I joined the Order as charter member of Logan De Rosier Council 7521 in Benson. I held many officer roles, including grand knight. It was the camaraderie of it. They were a good group, and they were for something.

When I joined, I really joined, I really became involved.

You could find me anytime on Friday or Saturday morning in front of Safeway or the post office raising funds for charity. I raised a lot of money, and I really liked what I was doing. So, to all Catholic men, I say join. And if you join, try to be active. ✢ NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 19

19

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Behind Enemy Lines Tom Rossi’s military service involved daring missions in Nazi-occupied territory Gaetano “Tom” Rossi was born in Newark, N.J., in October 1919 to parents who had immigrated from the Neapolitan region of Italy. When the United States entered World War II, Rossi joined the top-secret Italian Operational Group of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was organized by the legendary Maj. Gen. William J. Donovan. Similar to today’s Special Forces, OSS operational groups supported partisan resistance forces, disrupted communications and supply lines, and rescued Allied prisoners of war.

Unrecognized for many decades, Rossi and his brother commandos — who called themselves “Donovan’s Devils” — received official commendation for their OSS service when they each were awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, in 2018.

Rossi joined the Knights of Columbus 60 years ago and is currently a member of St. John the Evangelist Council 7515 in Yardley, Pa.

T

here were nine kids in the family. That was an education in itself. As a youngster, to help the family, I shined shoes. I had a box, carried it downtown, and the people who could afford a pair of shoes got a shine for a dime. I also worked in a barbershop sweeping the floors. These little jobs were all everybody had. I wasn’t alone; everybody was doing the same thing.

You get out of high school in middle of the Depression, so what do you do? You look for work, which wasn’t there anymore. I finally hit it when I went to this employment office and they sent me to an upholstery shop. They wanted me for a week, but I stayed even longer.

I was at my uncle’s house listening to the radio when we heard about Pearl Harbor. I said, “Pearl Harbor? What the hell is that?” I had no idea. But staying on the radio, we found out that we were attacked.

I couldn’t wait to get downtown to sign up. Half the city was down there. At age 22, I was in OK shape and got to be a 1-A (eligible for military service). After my draft notice came, I was assigned to the Army War College in Washington, D.C. After a couple of months of the paperwork business, the boss, Col. Booth — I won’t forget that name — wanted to talk to me in private. “You have an Italian name,” he said. “Yeah, my parents are Italian. I’m Italian.” “Well, they’re making up a special group. A lot of action, mostly secret. Are you interested?

20

If so, we’re going to make an appointment for you to be interviewed by the Office of Strategic Services.” I said, “Yes.” Within a week, I got the notice. The guy picked me up, took me to a room full of colonels and at least one general. “Whatever you hear here, you don’t repeat,” they said.

“You’re going to be involved in parachuting and sabotage behind the lines.” Our job was specifically to get a hold of the many Italian resistance groups or partisans — partigiani, as they were called — and support them.

SPECIAL MISSIONS Our training was rigorous and was conducted in secret at what is now known as the presidential retreat Camp David.

William Fairbairn, a tough British army officer, directed much of the handto-hand training there: If you have to grapple with a guy, we were told, make sure he’s down. Boom boom. Always two shots. Never boom and then go.

After training, I was assigned to the 2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion, Company A — the Italian-speaking unit — but we also had units in France, Greece and so forth.

We were what they called an OSS operational group — a fighting, commando group and the forerunner of today’s U.S. Army Special Forces. We’d have two or three guys go behind the lines maybe for a month, or some for days. We had our American uniforms and always, even behind the lines, we kept our uniforms.

There was also the OSS secret intelligence group (SI), which later became the CIA. They were spies, who were there already and which we knew nothing about.

Our job started once we got to Africa and the Sicilian campaign started. We had a small group parachute into Italy, and their job was to find the concentration camps where the American and British prisoners were and talk to the wardens in Italian. “Let’s get these guys the hell out of here. What’s the best way?” Our guys took care that they got out safe.

Then we moved up to Corsica, which was a few hundred miles in front of the action with direct access to the Italian coast. That’s where our long-term job started.

L’Île-Rousse, on the northwest coast, became our main headquarters; I was sent to the forward operating base in Bastia, on the northeast coast. The FOBs were located behind enemy lines and facilitated air drops, intel and direct support for the many ongoing operations.

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 20

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Opposite page: U.S. Army Tech. Sgt. Tom Rossi is pictured in Nazi-occupied Siena, Italy, in 1944. • Above: Rossi, a Knight for 60 years, holds a K of C plaque of appreciation for his service to his country and the Order, given on the occasion of his 100th birthday in 2018.

Photo by Michael Confer

The unit got involved in everything after early operations expelling most of the Nazis from Corsica. I was in the headquarters most of the time and got drafted out to help our first sergeant handle paperwork. One very important mission my unit was involved in was the Ginny mission. We had to get to a long mountain tunnel in north central Italy that the German trains used to transport guns and food for the German soldiers. Our job was to break up that tunnel.

Somehow, after the outfit landed, all 15 men got captured.

We found out later that Hitler had ordered, “We don’t care what uniform they have or not. If they’re here for sabotage, kill them. Period.” So, our men were executed. We lived and trained with these guys. To lose them all was a terrible blow.

From mid-April to May 1, 1945, I was part of a small operational group that established a forward operating base behind German lines in Siena. There, we were in a better position to supply and lead partisan forces against the Nazis.

It was to be our last FOB of the war.

BROTHERS FOR LIFE When V-E Day came on May 8, we got down to Naples to take a boat, go back to the States to train to go to the East.

War wasn’t over. We got to Washington, and we were all waiting to go to the Pacific. But we didn’t have to go there.

The war ended in August.

I served in the war four years. When I saw my kid brothers

and sisters again, they were teenagers. They grew up, and I had missed those formative years. I also missed my youngest brother, who had died during the war.

I got married in 1946, and Giovanna and I eventually had four children. A few years later, as a GI Bill graduate, I passed the civil service tests and Social Security became my profession.

In 1961, I joined Our Lady of Fatima Council 5184 in Newark. We had a ball doing good things: collecting food, giving it out, collecting money at intersections for good causes. We kept busy and did the work of the council. Wherever people needed help, we went. Charity was numero uno. I’ve always loved the Knights of Columbus, and half of my family are Knights today. My current council here is beautiful. Our guys do a lot of great work.

My OSS group had a lot of reunions after the war, because most of us came from New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania. We had at least 50 reunions. We were close going in. We were close coming out.

It took 50 years for my unit — the 2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion, Company A, OSS Italian Operational Group — to be officially recognized. But it finally happened in 2018, when the members of the OSS all received the Congressional Gold Medal, the few of us that were left, for our service. I think that was very honorable, very impressive. I was so happy. I was proud to be who I was: an American soldier. ✢ NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 21

21

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Witness to Victory D-Day soldier Louis Graziano is the last living eyewitness of Germany’s surrender in World War II Luciano “Louis” Charles Graziano was born in February 1923, the youngest of five children. His parents came through Ellis Island from Sicily and settled near Buffalo, N.Y. After eighth grade he quit school to go to work, and later joined his family’s hair salon business.

Graziano set aside his scissors to take up arms during World War II, landing at Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. The following year, he was present in the room at Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s headquarters in Reims, France, where German Gen. Alfred Jodl signed the Instrument of Surrender on May 7, 1945.

A charter member and past grand knight of Father Larry Endrizzi Council 6918 in Thomson, Ga., Graziano was made a Knight of the French Legion of Honor in Thomson on Sept. 17.

I

n January 1943, I received a letter from Uncle Sam to report to Fort Niagara for a physical. After combat training, I left for England with 16,000 troops on the Queen Mary.

During the 18 months I spent in England, we had a lot of tough training as we prepared for the invasion of Normandy. At one point, a German plane came every night waking us up. Finally, I said to the men, “Let’s stay up and get that plane.” I put a tracer bullet — one that lights up — every fourth bullet in my gun to be able to find our target, and I shot that plane down. Another time, I was sent for six weeks on a secret mission to London. Almost every night, the bombs would whistle and explode, and I never knew if I was going to get hit. It made me pray harder to God for protection.

The night before we landed on Omaha Beach, we had a prayer meeting, and that was one night everyone prayed.

When we landed in the morning, we were in the third wave. I drove a truck off the landing ship, then jumped out of it in a hurry because the Germans were up on top of the cliff shooting down at us. I lay down among the dead soldiers and then crawled toward the cliff, which was 100 feet high. When I finally got under it, we set the woods on fire and got rid of that machine gun on top. Then I shot a flare up in the sky, knowing the Navy would know what to do: They took out another machine gun for us.

I was in charge of 35 men, and sadly lost two when we made the landing on the beach. Most of my men had lost their guns in the water coming ashore, as they would have

22

drowned if they didn’t drop them and other equipment on their backs. We remained underneath the cliff for a day, until the arrival of the Rangers, who were the first group of soldiers to climb the cliff.

Then I said, “All you men without a gun, go down and get one off the dead soldiers and follow me up the cliff.” So, we followed the Rangers up the cliff while the Germans continued shooting down at us. And we finally made it up there and got control of them.

LIBERATION & SURRENDER For the next 43 days, we fought all the way to Saint-Lô and then kept on traveling till we got to Reims, where Gen. Thrasher put me in charge of utilities. He gave me 35 men to work with, and we had to take care of all the buildings in Reims that the Americans occupied. I put the men to work getting things done.

At one point, the general came over and said, “I need for you to put a telephone in Gen. Eisenhower’s quarters.”

I took my buddy Buck with me, and we had to run wire through the town and fields while watching out for mines.

We stayed at headquarters a couple days with Gen. Eisenhower. He was really good to us, and it was an honor to serve under him.

The war continued through 1944, and one day that the winter, the captain asked me to go on a mission. I asked him if it was a request or an order. He said, “I can make it an order.” I replied, “OK, let’s go.” I had been in the worst possible battle in my life at Omaha Beach, so what could be worse?

We had to find a company of troops that were lost and needed to get to Bastogne, Belgium, to reinforce Gen. Patton’s men who were cut off by the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge. It was snowing hard and bitterly cold. We went out and found them between Reims and Metz. As we escorted them up to Bastogne, we were worried that we might not have enough food, ammunition or warm clothes. I had not been issued combat boots and my feet froze.

Once we arrived in Bastogne and got them all situated, the captain and I went back to Reims — and I made it back there just in time. Fluid was coming out of the sores in my swollen feet; another day and they would have had to amputate them.

I stayed in the infirmary three weeks before they let me out.

One building in Reims that I took care of was known as the “Little Red Schoolhouse,” which was used as Supreme

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 22

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Opposite page: U.S. Army Master Sgt. Louis Graziano is pictured with his future wife, Staff Sgt. Eula “Bobbie” Shaneyfelt, in Reims, France, in 1945. • Above: Graziano displays the French Legion of Honor medal he was awarded on Sept. 17. A charter member and past grand knight of Father Larry Endrizzi Council 6918 in Thomson, Ga., he is seated in Lou Graziano Hall alongside a poster showing the cover of his memoir.

Photo by George Hosek

Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force, where Gen. Eisenhower and his staff were quartered. I found out May 6 that the German commanders would be coming in to sign the “Instrument of Surrender.”

I had set up a war room with all the maps, where they were to do the signing. I was honored to be in that room when the surrender was signed in the early hours of May 7, 1945. The German general wouldn’t sign until the Americans, British, French and Russians had signed. He wanted to be the last one. When we got through, the Germans had nothing but a straight face. They got up and clicked their heels together.

Then I took them into Gen. Eisenhower’s office, which was a couple of doors down the hall. He asked them if they were satisfied with how everything went. And they nodded their heads and clicked their heels together. He dismissed them. And that was the end of that.

THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE One day after the surrender, Buck said, “Let’s go watch the ladies play ball.” So he got his girlfriend and the three of us went to a Women’s Army Corp softball game in Reims. I said to them, “Who’s that pitching?” Buck’s girlfriend said, “Her name is Bobbie, and she’s my best friend.” So, the next day

I asked her for a date, and she said, “OK.” I went to pick her up that night. But when I got there, the lady in the office said, “She’s already gone with somebody.” So, I got stood up!

About two weeks later, I went back and asked her for a date again. And that time Staff Sgt. Eula “Bobbie” Shaneyfelt was there. Little did I know that I would be marrying the girl of my dreams a few months later in Reims and honeymooning in Paris. We got married by a priest when we arrived in New York.

My wife was from Alabama, and she didn’t like the snow up north. So, we eventually moved to Thomson, Ga., where we raised our five children and I opened Louis Hair Styling Salon.

I also helped establish and build our parish church. In 1977, I joined the Knights of Columbus and was a charter member of our council, signing up about 30 men at the beginning. I later served as grand knight and as treasurer for about 20 years. Both of my sons and two grandsons joined our council too.

We do Friday fish fries, spaghetti dinners and chili suppers for the whole parish. And we raise a lot of money and do a lot of good for people who need help.

I think all Catholic men should join the Knights of Columbus. It makes them better men — men who work to help others. ✢ NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 23

23

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Primate

of the Millennium Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, recently beatified, courageously led the Church in Poland through its most consequential period

P

ope Pius XII took one of his boldest decisions when, on Nov. 12, 1948, he named the 47-year-old Stefan Wyszyński (a bishop for only two years) as archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw and primate of Poland. Soon after, Wyszyński made his own consequential decision: The Church would try to reach some sort of modus vivendi with the new communist regime. It was the judgment of an astute political realist who understood just how badly World War II had wounded the Polish Church, and indeed Poland itself, which had seen 20% of its population killed between 1939 and 1945.

The Church “had shown in Dachau and in the Warsaw Uprising that we have learned how to die for the Church and for Poland,” Wyszyński believed; now, as the country rebuilt itself in the harshest years of Stalinism, the Church should show that it knew how to live, and to help Poland live.

Over the next three decades, the former professor and clandestine military chaplain put to work the Catholic social doctrine he had once taught at the seminary in Włocławek.

In doing so, Wyszyński became the defining figure of Polish Catholicism between the Second World War and the rise of Solidarity — and thereby helped make possible the election of a Polish pope. Today, he is revered not only as one of the most influential churchmen of the 20th century, but also — since his beatification in Warsaw on Sept. 12 — as “Blessed.”

‘RENDER UNTO CAESAR’ Upon becoming primate of Poland in 1948, Archbishop Wyszyński led a reform of Polish seminaries, giving students a much more rigorous intellectual formation. At the same time, he spoke to the heart of Polish piety by appeals to Our Lady of Częstochowa, the famous “Black Madonna” whose

24

image he placed on his coat of arms (but without a crown, because, he said, Poland was too poor for her queen to wear a crown). He was prepared to support social and economic reform in Poland even as he rejected communist atheism and communist political brutality. Thus, in 1950 he led the Polish episcopate in reaching a 19-point accord with the communist regime, which granted some free space for the Church’s pastoral life while the Church acknowledged the regime as Poland’s legitimate government and promised to work for national reconstruction. The agreement did not sit well in Rome, where the primate was criticized. It would not be the last time Wyszyński’s striking combination of tough-minded strategic resolve and tactical flexibility would prove wiser than the approach of the Vatican’s diplomats.

True to form, the communists began reneging on the deal, doing everything in their power to turn the Catholic Church into a subsidiary of the Polish state; their underhanded tactics included creating faux-Catholic groups of priests and laity as alternatives to the real Church. Tensions reached the boiling point when, in 1953, the regime issued a decree claiming the authority to appoint and remove pastors, parish priests and bishops. Wyszyński, now a cardinal, led the Polish episcopate in an epic act of resistance. Preaching at Warsaw’s St. John’s Cathedral, the primate laid down his challenge in no uncertain terms: “We teach that it is proper to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God that which is God’s. But when Caesar sits himself on the altar, we respond curtly: He may not.” Shortly thereafter, the bishops met in Kraków and made Wyszyński’s position their own: “We are not allowed to place the things of God on the altar of Caesar. Non possumus [We cannot]!”

Courtesy of the Institute of Primate Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, Warsaw, Poland

By George Weigel

C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_18 FINAL.indd 24

10/18/21 5:02 PM

Each year had a theme (faith, the Ten Commandments, the moral life, the family and so forth), and sermons and religious education classes explored a given theme for a full year. Twenty years later, the workers at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk and the other sites where the independent Solidarity trade union was born were the children who had learned the truths of Catholic faith, including the truths of their own dignity, in unheated church basements during Stefan Wyszyński’s Great Novena.

CNS photo/Grzegorz Galazka

Opposite page: Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński embrace during the pope’s inaugural Mass on Oct. 22, 1978. • Above: Members of the clergy pray during the beatification Mass of Cardinal Wyszyński in the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw, Poland, on Sept. 12. Mother Elżbieta Róża Czacka was beatified as well.

THE GREAT NOVENA On the night of Sept. 25-26, 1953, Cardinal Wyszyński was arrested and interned for three years, first in a monastery and then in a convent. He put that triennium to good use, planning the implementation of his second historically consequential decision. Poland would celebrate the millennium of its baptism in 1966. The years leading up to that celebration ought to be an opportunity to re-catechize the entire country. Thus, while under house arrest, Wyszyński devised his Great Novena — a nine-year program of catechetical and pastoral renewal he launched in 1957, a year after being released from internment.

The symbolic centerpiece of this Great Novena was the pilgrimage of the image of the Black Madonna to every parish in Poland. The crowds rushing to meet Poland’s queen were so colossal, however, that the communists “arrested” Our Lady and confined her to the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa. Undeterred, Wyszyński, master of the public gesture, continued the pilgrimage by sending the icon’s frame from parish to parish. Everyone knew who was “inside” that frame — just as everyone knew who had been made to look fools.

The Great Novena was more than an exercise in mass popular piety, however. During those nine years, the country was systematically re-catechized, and the lasting impact would earn Wyszyński the title “Primate of the Millennium.”

A POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP Cardinal Wyszyński’s relationship with Karol Wojtyła, whom he would help elect pope in 1978, was complex.

He had approved Wojtyła’s nomination as auxiliary bishop of Kraków in 1958 but was not enthusiastic about the possibility of Wojtyła becoming archbishop of that city in 1962. He didn’t know Wojtyła well at that point and imagined him an intellectual who could be easily manipulated by the communists — who had the same mistaken impression.

Thus Wyszyński proposed several other candidates for Kraków, finally agreeing to Wojtyła in late 1963.

The primate would soon learn that the younger man was as shrewd a political operator as himself, and the two of them made a formidable team — Wojtyła always deferring to Wyszyński and cleverly avoiding the traps the regime laid to try to demonstrate a rift between the two men. Wyszyński, for his part, watched with satisfaction as Wojtyła, a man not naturally given to raising his voice, learned to be a vocal public advocate of human rights for all and a deft critic of communist lies and idiocies. The two also worked together to achieve reconciliation between Polish and German Catholics, in an initiative that enraged the communists, even as they jointly resisted ill-advised efforts by Vatican diplomats to insert themselves into the ongoing debate between the Polish Church and the communist regime.

During the second conclave of 1978, Wyszyński was initially skeptical about the suggestion of his friend, Cardinal Franz König of Vienna, that Karol Wojtyła could be elected bishop of Rome. But once he grasped the reality of that possibility, the primate lent his considerable support to the idea — and rightly saw in Wojtyła’s election the ultimate vindication of his own efforts since World War II. The picture of the two men embracing at John Paul II’s inaugural Mass on Oct. 22, 1978, is one of the great images of modern Catholicism.

Cardinal Wyszyński later died of abdominal cancer on May 29, 1981 — just as John Paul II was recovering from the assassination attempt of May 13.

Some 40 years after his death, Blessed Stefan Wyszyński remains celebrated as the embodiment of a true churchman. His courage and tenacity, rooted in a deep faith, set an example for all of us, especially in those moments when we, too, must say, Non possumus. ✢ GEORGE WEIGEL is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington and the biographer of St. John Paul II. NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG 10_19 FINAL r1.indd 25

25

10/19/21 3:24 PM

K N I G H T S I N AC T I O N ✢ F A I T H I N A C T I O N

Faith BROTHERS HELPING FATHER

Msgr. Ben Catilogo (center), chaplain of Archbishop Lino Gonzaga Council 8185 in Tacloban City, Visayas, gathers with members of the council after blessing a statue of Blessed Michael McGivney on the grounds of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Council 8185 commissioned and installed the sculpture in celebration of Father McGivney’s beatification.

MEN’S ROSARY IN POLAND

Matka Kazimiera Gruszczyńska Council 15420 in Kozienice, Poland, organized its sixth Men’s Rosary at Holy Family Parish. Father Krzysztof Wróbel, council chaplain, joined other members and parishioners in praying the luminous mysteries for various intentions, including the end of the pandemic and the faithfulness of the Polish people.

FATHER’S RETIREMENT

Members of Our Lady of Grace Council 4894 in Minot, N.D., hosted more than 450 people at a retirement dinner for their chaplain, Father Bruce Krebs, who had served as pastor of Our Lady Grace Parish for 14 years.

The Knights presented Father Krebs with a traveling Mass kit and donated nearly $2,800 to Bishop Ryan Catholic School and the local St. Vincent de Paul Society in his honor.

Members of St. John Council 8302 in San Antonio attended the first Mass of their brother Knight, Jesuit Father Luis Benavides, at his home parish of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The council supported Father Benavides, whose father is also a member of the council, during his seminary studies.

HOLY CROSS UPGRADE

Fabre Council 6035 in Laval, Québec, presented a check for $15,000 to Father Keith Callaghan, pastor of Holy Cross Parish, to assist in upgrading lighting, security and sound systems in the church.

KNIGHT REFLECTIONS

Mother Teresa Council 8972 in Tyrone, Ga., has hosted a virtual “Night of Reflection” once a month since November 2020. Members log in to watch a short video, usually selected from the Order’s Into the Breach series, followed by discussion.

HOLY TRINITY RSVP

Msgr. Esper Council 3027 in Fowler, Mich., sponsored its 16th annual “Returns for Vocations” fundraiser, bringing in more than $19,000 for seminarians through can collections and a fund drive at Most Holy Trinity Parish.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile and Father Matthew J. O’Connor stand with members of Bay of the Holy Spirit Assembly 2573 in Daphne, Ala. The Knights provided an honor guard for Mass celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Father O’Connor, who is a member of Poet Priest Father Ryan Council 2737 and pastor of Christ the King Parish in Daphne.

2 6 C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG KIA 10_18A FINAL.indd 26

10/18/21 5:21 PM

REPAIRING A MOTHER’S RESPITE

Family

Council 4970 in Carmichael, Calif., and Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Council 15693 in Sacramento raised more than $8,000 through various projects to fund repairs to Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home, a residence and resource center for mothers and their children.

PLAYGROUND PATRONS

Members of Abilene (Kan.) Council 1661 responded to a request from Father Peter O’Donnell, pastor of St. Andrew’s Parish, to clean and restore the playground at the parish elementary school. The Knights donated equipment and materials, pulled out weeds and spread gravel to prepare for the new academic year.

COMMUNITY CLEANUP Grand Knight Matthew Heffron of St. Paul (Minn.) Council 397 and his daughter enjoy lunch at a council cookout. Council 397 hosts family picnics for Knights and other parishioners several times a year.

Kittanning (Pa.) Council 1011 organized a cleanup day at St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic cemeteries. The

Knights and other members of St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish installed new signs, purchased by Council 1011, and landscaped and tidied the grounds.

TIMBER!

Members of Puyallup Valley (Wash.)

All Saints Council 1629 regularly meet to collect wood from downed trees at the homes of parishioners and neighbors. They transport the timber to fellow Knights and parishioners who need the fuel to heat their homes.

FAMILIES’ FARE SHARE

Mary, Mother of God Council 14446 in Oakville, Ontario, donated $2,000 to Fare Share Food Bank Oakville. The council has supported the family hunger nonprofit throughout the pandemic.

BASEBALL BANNER

Albany (N.Y.) Council 173, which sponsors several local youth baseball teams, printed a banner celebrating its 125th anniversary to display at the games.

RAMP FOR A WIDOW

TOP LEFT: Photo by David Ellis — BELOW; Photo by Bridget Havercroft

Members of Michael O’Connor Council 5026 in Beaufort, S.C., built a ramp to improve the mobility of Dolores Brown, the wife of deceased council member Vinny Brown.

SWINGS FOR SCHOLARS

A golf tournament organized by Blessed Sacrament Seminole (Fla.) Council 17162 raised approximately $15,000 for Blessed Sacrament Catholic School after the parish school’s fundraising events had to be canceled due to the pandemic.

Members of Bishop Gallagher Council 6297 in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, greet a family at a fair organized by the Knights at St. Monica’s Parish in Greenwood. Proceeds from the event, which included a barbecue, bake sale and games, supported veterans’ organizations, long-term care centers and other community nonprofits.

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG KIA 10_18A FINAL.indd 27

27

10/18/21 5:21 PM

K N I G H T S I N AC T I O N ✢ F A I T H I N A C T I O N

Community READY FOR THE RAIN

Members of St. Martin of Tours Council 16421 in Smithville, Ontario, sold rain barrels to raise funds for various council projects.

GIFTS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Members of a Little League team sponsored by Sts. Peter & Paul Council 2215 in Haubstadt, Ind., climb aboard the council’s float before the annual Haubstadt Sommerfest parade. Council member Charlie Arnett, the team’s coach, captained the float — a representation of Christopher Columbus’ ship La Niña — and council chaplain Father Christopher Droste joined the crew dressed as Blessed Michael McGivney.

St. Vincent de Paul Council 13927 in Austin, Texas, held a fund drive for the American Wheelchair Mission at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Over one weekend, the council raised more than $44,000 to support the nonprofit — enough to provide new wheelchairs for nearly 300 people.

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Darrell W. Beck Council 577 in Decatur, Ill., sponsored a free men’s breakfast at St. Patrick’s Parish. The event featured a talk by Father Christopher Comerford, pastor, a member of the council and chaplain of the St. Louis Cardinals.

HELP AT THE FOOD PANTRY

Members of John Fitzgerald Kennedy Council 5486 in Lincoln Park, N.J., volunteered at Father English Food

Pantry, helping the staff organize and stock shelves. The pantry, an apostolate of Catholic Charities, serves families in need in Paterson.

A PLACE OF REFUGE

Karl Christ Council 12778 in Heber Springs, Ark., hosted a smoked pork sale at St. Albert Parish to raise money for charities including Margie’s Haven House, Cleburne County’s only shelter for survivors of domestic abuse and their children.

EYEING THE HURRICANE

Msgr. Gilbert Council 9364 in Washington, N.C., promoted hurricane preparedness at Mother of Mercy Parish by distributing information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to more than 300 families after weekend Masses.

Jim Hunt (left) and Carlos Angulo of Father Nicholas Phelan Council 1875 in Grass Valley, Calif., deliver an order to a young customer at the annual Nevada County Fair. The Knights have directed traffic and operated a barbecue booth at the local fair for more than 20 years; proceeds from the booth fund various council projects.

BELOW: Photo by Roseann Bath

KNIGHTS FOR MOBILITY

Joseph P. Doherty Council 6730 in Morristown, Tenn., donated more than $5,500 in gift cards to local firefighters, police officers and other first responders in gratitude for their service.

2 8 C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG KIA 10_18A FINAL.indd 28

10/18/21 5:21 PM

Life PRO-LIFE ON PARADE

Our Lady of the Woods Shrine Council 7329 in Mio, Mich., helped a recently established pro-life group, Right to Life of Oscoda County, raise awareness by sponsoring its booth and float entry at the local Fourth of July parade.

GOOD CIRCULATION

Members of Manordale Valley Council 4226 in Murrysville, Pa., managed logistics at a Red Cross blood drive co-sponsored by the council.

The drive, one of several the council has hosted since 2020, collected 40 units of blood.

Bishop Barry Knestout blesses an ultrasound machine donated by Msgr. Francis J. Byrne Council 5476 in Richmond, Va., to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond. This was the third machine the council has purchased for the center with matching funds from the Supreme Council.

TOP RIGHT: Photo by Vy Barto/Catholic Diocese of Richmond — BELOW: Photo by Joe Gawinski

BELOW: Photo by Roseann Bath

MEMORIAL MOBILITY

Members of Gov. Dongan Assembly 697 in Staten Island, N.Y., delivered wheelchairs to Eger Health Care, a nursing home in the borough, as part of the assembly’s Memorial Wheelchair Program. The Knights donate wheelchairs to convents, hospitals and care facilities in honor of members who have recently died.

PARISH BABY SHOWER A Little Sister of the Poor offers water to runners at the 15th Annual Knights of Columbus/ Pharmerica Nun Run 5K in Newark, Del. The event, sponsored by the Delaware State Council, raised nearly $24,000 for the Little Sisters’ Jeanne Jugan Residence, a retirement home for low-income seniors.

Delaney-St. Teresa Council 57 in Pawtucket, R.I., held a supply drive at St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Church for Mother of Life Center, a pregnancy resource center in Providence.

The council also collected more than $1,700 in donations, which it divided between Rhode Island Right to Life and the Little Flower Home, a Catholic nonprofit that provides housing and social services to homeless pregnant mothers and their children.

SERVING ST. JOSEPH’S HOME

St. Susanna Council 10272 in Mason, Ohio, donated $7,000 to St. Joseph Home, a Cincinnati nonprofit serving people with complex disabilities and their families. The council raised the funds through ticket sales to its annual classic car show.

GETTING THE WORD OUT

Members of St-André Avellin (Québec) Council 3007 designed and printed posters to encourage donations to Résidence Le Monarque (The Monarch Residence), a charity hospice. The council distributed the posters to local parishes and other organizations.

See more at www.kofc.org/knightsinaction Please submit your council activities to knightsinaction@kofc.org NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG KIA 10_18A FINAL.indd 29

29

10/18/21 5:21 PM

S TA R C O U N C I L S 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 2 1

5833 11835

Star Councils Awarded For the 2020-21 fraternal year, 1,725 councils earned the Star Council Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in membership, insurance and programming.

Star Councils conducted the required charitable and fraternal programs in the “Faith in Action” categories and also achieved their membership and insurance quotas. Each will receive an engraved plaque from the Supreme Council in recognition of its accomplishment.

Of these councils, 316 earned the Double Star Council Award (200% of membership quota) and 353 earned the Triple Star Council Award (300% or more of membership quota) or higher.

These exemplary councils and their grand knights are listed here. Councils in blue achieved the Triple Star Council Award or higher. For a complete list of Star Councils in the 2020-2021 fraternal year, visit kofc.org/starcouncils.

In addition, 3,799 councils earned the Columbia Award for excellence in programming; 3,477 attained the Father McGivney Award for meeting their membership quota; and 3,689 earned the Founder’s Award for meeting their insurance quota.

ALABAMA 764 John A. Coyle Jr. ALBERTA 12904 Leogardo S. Guevarra ARIZONA 1806 8077 8813 11440 12246 13779 14089 14804 15576 16277 17036

Timothy R. Avila Bobby D. Nielsen Joseph A. Colacicco Jose T. Cerna Sr. Rudolph A. Cavolina Carl E. Nink Joseph E. Giannetti Sr. Santiago D. Canales Jude M. Fernando Shawn T. Lynch Gary R. Clark

12542 12847 13237 15620 15750 15883 15965 16033 16185 16584 16687 16742 16764 16770 17037 17333 17376

Richard S. Stock Daniel E. Santos Erasmo M. Lascano Ramiro Lopez Jodl M. Cruz Alexei Lukban Anthony J. Foglia Jose F. De Leon Jr. James Hinojosa Manuel N. Gallegos Felimon N. Camana Karam B. Baraz Daniel S. Gonzalez Jr. Terence J. Dugan Luis R. Peralta Ramiro L. Espinoza Dr. David Blackham

ARKANSAS 14010 Noel M. Sagullo

COLORADO 11634 Jon B. Duncan 13253 Martin L. Vandeven

CALIFORNIA 4436 Miguel A. Palos 4780 Richard P. Roman 4929 Alfred P. Gordillo 5007 Ronald O. Gelfo 8177 Bradley K. Dufault 9213 Frank Pereschica 9530 Christopher C. Bernido 9799 Rosendo Q. Hurtado 10533 Jerry D. Calderwood

CONNECTICUT 9 Michael D. Shea 20 Eugene S. Tilley Jr. 36 Ronald F. Sills 50 Joseph J. Tiroletto 1090 Paul J. Folino 1253 2978 Jason J. Molitierno 3181 Carl S. Wrazien 3688 William P. Macnamara Jr.

Edward A. Sheeran Jr. Kenneth R. Slater Jr.

DELAWARE 9098 Robert J. Watras 13348 Charles E. Augustine DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 224 Steven Brian Mudd 6375 Dominic Parente 10008 James G. Mazol FLORIDA 4955 6800 7589 8086 8101 10462 10484 10572 10663 11241 11328 11755 12569 13654 13900 14278 14866 15007 15779 16236 16492 16495 16929 16980 17162 17182 17299 17480

John G. Yardley Paul S. Poco James A. Kersch John J. O’Malley Rafael Garcia Shawn C. Liszewski Edmund P. Leo David W. Dickinson Alejandro Daniel Rodas Scott D. Decubellis Robert N. Jones William M. Grant James H. Gallagher Alvaro Carbonell Peter T. Nguyen Carl D. Jervey Jimmy J. Hundley Jr. Theodore H. Carr Mason W. Stevenson Michael A. Coleman Clyde H. Slick Kevin Pham Thomas E. Stanton Romulo Simon Barbera Michael D. Popovich Yves Sajous Walter R. Silva Michael E. Tennyson

GEORGIA 12580 13437 14944 15212 15716 16534

Richard A. Morel Jonathan A. Von Plinsky Thomas W. Foley Michael H. Kaiser Matthew H. Jarrard Jose R. Almaras

HAWAII 6307 11743 12935 13227 14620 14663 16109 16741 17042 17320

Michael J. Dewitt Robert S. Allen Herman V. Monico David Joseph H. Aragon Brendan N. Takahashi Edward G.P. Kainoa Li See Sergio Loera Joshua Kapika Alejandro G. Manansala Cicero T. Seisdedos

IDAHO 12560

James A. Burkhardt

ILLINOIS 1135 1444 2191 2782 3935 6090 7682 8343 8713 10637 12173 14008 15771 16720 17080 17110 17360 17439

John W. Adams Jr. Nathaniel C. Smith Kevin M. Callahan Matthew S. Hanley Joseph S. Angelillo Delmor L. Thurman Jonas P. Trimble Joseph D. Gassiraro Edgar Romero John D. Wright Dennis P. Fitzgerald Carl A. Peterson Daniel P. Stolze David J. Heintz Brian P. Gedvilas Paul J. Rutherford Daniel M. Koebele David S. Diaz

INDIANA 1477 7235 7541 12951 17043

Samuel S. Delmer Gregg Y. Palmer James Wheeler Thomas W. Root Benedict P. Janczewski

IOWA 4108 9726 15347

Steven T. Phillips Timothy A. Schmid Doug T. Jones

KANSAS 4708 12932 14799 15100 16168 16954

John P. Morran Steven C. Neis Robert D. Crandall Leroy Ewy Martin D. Shibler Evan R. Ward

KENTUCKY 2046 Jason L. Simon 15841 Brian M. Gregory 15914 Harry F. Fordham LOUISIANA 1134 Phillip P. Chatelain 1337 William R. Brinkerhoff 2925 Terrence J. Johns 3409 Jeffery J. Reed 3779 Mike D. Rose 4010 Todd J. St. Romain 6389 Joseph H. Jarreau 7557 Glenn P. Ray 8615 Darren Melanson 9623 Michael A. Abbate Sr. 13145 Vicen A. Alvarez 16362 Mark D. Olivier 17205 Sean M. Lee LUZON SOUTH 1000 Luzindo Jose B. Lat 3469 Antonio M. Comia 4103 Amelito G. Alimagno 4407 Nestor H. Mercado 5183 Pio N. Boroc 5311 Emilio Jose A. Contreras 5575 Aldrin R. Lee 5688 5697 Arsenio S. Rodriquez 6122 Jesus D. Marasigan 6155 Rodolfo C. Claveria Jr. 6167 6178 Gerardo B. Marcelo 6181 Renato G. Tablada 6399 6843 Jerome B. De Asis 7147 Patricio Nilo P. Erni 7189 Efren F. Gamboa 7631 Dante I. Orlaza 7884 Joaquin T. Davila 8210 Edwin Dy Uy 8420 Pedro Q. Goronal 8447 Ramon L. Ramos 8987 David S. Motas 9635 Noel E. Aquino 10139 Ryan M. Elicanal 10397 Lowell N. Tolosa 10548 Edgar R. Cruzada 11200 Charlie Pangilinan Maghanoy 11444 Jose Y. Docot 11455 Ramon G. Solas 11624 Florante V. Romasanta 11945 Eduardo P. Dungao 11953 Herculano J. Elic 12205 Carlo T. Galamgam 12561 Ruben Buenaventura 13020 Deogracias A. Batican 13538 Dondon B. Buensuceso 13553 Rafael Braga 13628 Perfecto L. Origines 13855 Ismael Bisco Penano Jr. 13922 Lawrence G. Medrana 14049 Bernardo P. Halili 14160 Melvin A. Pagulayan 14381 Emiliano A. Artillaga 14389 Michael P. Sumera 14732 Gerry C. Rosales 14800 Salvador B. Cardano Jr. 15140 Bernardo S. Sabonsolin 15506 Eduardo J. Vecino 15541 Jonathan V. Alberto 15549 Nelson S. Villote 16141 16188 16245 Arante V. Alosnos 16271 Danilo F. Espineda 16282 Reaggie S. Zoleta 16366 Eric Mendez

16575 16602 16661 16717 16790 16844 16887 16919 17022 17084 17087 17268 17307 17371 17496

Ruel A. Manibo Rodel A. De Castro Rodante Montero Artucilla Jerome L. Panotes Roland C. Nery Samuel M. Punay John Cedrick E. Sabanal Guy B. Nuyda Heracleo D. Micabani Ruperto P. Peregil Armando C. Ponce Nicanor Octavio M. Altuna John Paul V. Solero Lyzander V. Quevada

LUZON NORTH 3655 Benjo M. Tarifa 3710 Enrico C. Capule 3711 Tranquilino T. Zamora Jr. 3888 Crispin M. Reyes 4105 Rodolfo M. Rivamonte 4206 Danilo P. Ison 4268 Jerry S. Fulgencio 4277 John Carlo A. Patiag 4465 Feliciano L. Andres 4758 Reynaldo Carino Cabigas 4911 Marianito S. Castelo 5119 Danilo S. Guinto 5463 Arnaldo S. Castillo 5533 Francisco S. Geronimo Jr. 5775 Alfredo S. Atraje 6116 Ronald Allan E. Francisco 6303 Jaime C. Bulatao 6459 Jerico B. Aguinaldo 6704 Arnold M. Domingo 6745 Allan Ray A. Baluyut 7731 Juanito C. Andaya 7813 Patricio T. Tenedor 7876 Alberto G. Oca 8111 Mario S. Deleon Jr. 8226 Eustacio G. Leonardo 8254 Albert P. Yarisantos 8485 Abraham M. Coloma Jr. 8691 Eric A. Caratao 8763 Romeo M. Gomez 8833 Isagani M. Concepcion 9008 Jimmy P. De Asis 9054 Emiliano V. Quejada 9087 Jose Romeo S. Delacruz 9101 Edwin Rodrigo Bernales 9116 Joel O. Salvador 9121 Rhogel F. Jacobo 9173 Carlos C. Lintag 9343 Vincent F. Uy 9582 Mariano F. Balanay 9786 Dharel D. Cuntapay 9874 Jesus Y. Rotap 10253 Abraham R. Ursulum 10353 Jose M. Mangeg 10638 Reinhart C. Bautista 10695 Noel M. Cruz 10860 Zoilo I. Santos 11124 Noel F. Del Rosario 11699 Arnold B. Pilare 11938 Wilmer M. Escobar 12042 Gilberto L. Nicolas 12369 Alfredo O. Deserto 12399 George Halili 12507 Noel V. Tabon 12528 Floriano G. Directo 12810 Virgilio R. Dimaapi 13183 Joven N. Mejia 13964 Randy G. De Jesus 14177 Eric D. Estinopo 14227 Gilbert P. Galanida 14258 Joel C. Diego 14353 Gil F. Borras 14569 Ramil S. Katipunan 15097 Roel C. Albarda 15167 Noel M. Macatiog 15311 Richard Dizon Rodriguez 15387 Cesar G. Dela Cruz 15432 Joselito T. Domingo 15481 Florante B. Doble Jr. 15559 Earnesto B. Rubia 15702 Arturo C. Readores 15709 Leonardo C. Yuncion 15933 Roberto Gil Del Rosario 16131 Alfredo L. Guivac 16246 Leonardo E. Lim 16272 Edilberto P. Marcelo

3 0 C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG KIA 10_18A FINAL.indd 30

10/18/21 5:21 PM

16286 16314 16445 16477 16542 16597 16651 16737 16847 16993 16998 17004 17012 17100 17274 17281 17297 17344 17390 17424 17452 17455

Florentino L. Cariaga Bonifacio S. Tarubal Alwin D. Alejandrino Joselito L. Magracia Romeo S. Mariano Nelson Yumol Baluyot Daniel C. Dela Cruz Mark Jayson G. Santos Cornelio Cagurangan Laurino D. Macadangdang Neil Patrick C. Sicsic Mark L. Gregore William P. Azaula Narciso De Guzman Paladan Bobby C. Regalado Daniel I. Cortez Angelo C. Abrogar Florentino P. Ocampo Manuel G. Cruz Alberto Concepcion Guliano Federic F. Bernal

MAINE 149

Marc A. Podschlne

MARYLAND 1384 Raymond P. Sears 15084 Michael W. Spraggins 16499 Shawn C. Williams MASSACHUSETTS 238 Dennis E. Kenny 13845 Mark De Lorenzo 16156 Stephen A. Ahlquist MEXICO CENTRAL 12062 Onofze Rodolfo Hernandez MEXICO NORTHEAST 2081 Marco Hernan Perez Salas 5159 Kublai Chiw-Castillo 13570 Juan Vidal Zermeno Pena 15218 Ramon G. Trevino-Garcia 15565 Castillo M. Gonzalez 16378 Jesus Garcia De Leon 16537 Enrique Carrizalez Cruz 17429 Irineo Sanchez Martinez MEXICO NORTHWEST 16842 Eduardo Araiza A. MEXICO SOUTH 13963 Jorge Estrada Aviles 15868 Carlos A. Casas Ortega Sr. MEXICO WEST 3338 Carlos A. Soto-Sanchez 15284 Jorge Ricardo Sevilla Gonzalez 17267 Moises Omar Ortega Castellanos MICHIGAN 2660 Stephen I. Lentz 3078 Charles R. Morrison 6549 James M. Cislo 7582 Frank D. Tomsich 8687 John R. Huyge Jr. 13319 Stan P. Politowicz 15021 Matthew T. Pater 15204 Jeffrey L. Burden 16169 Edward A. Hurst Jr. 17232 Ben J. Schaendorf 17237 Jack J. Hoffman MILITARY COUNCILS 10292 Christopher J. Sandoval 12488 William J. Chizek 14223 Gregory Boren MINDANAO 3504 4639 Nelson I. Mabaquiao 5307 Romeo A. Gevero 5907 Jesse G. Gicaraya 6714 6941 Gregorio M. Tuble Jr. 7905 Jerry Remulado 8685 Enrique T. Aguilar 8864 Daniel D. Zabala 8926 Laurence B. Origin

9474 9517 9965 10457 10549 10692 11586 11842 11982 12299 12304 12356 12635 12693 12945 13208 13325 13353 13650 13735 13769 14065 14286 14370 14468 14718 14893 15042 15127 15222 15435 15502 15504 15602 15879 15961 16107 16117 16284 16307 16336 16368 16374 16403 16429 16471 16473 16489 16511 16562 16607 16683 16684 16785 16791 16792 16805 16806 16823 16850 16855 16880 16897 16928 16935 16936 16961 16962 17072 17115 17117 17183 17188 17207 17217 17221 17243 17250 17261 17271 17288 17289 17322 17345 17377 17466 17512 17523 17525

Ceriaco L. Velita Nilo Palma De Gracia Rolando A. Rico Lemuel S. Gacal Cyril P. Cobrador Isabelo L. Dagundon Eduardo G. Awox Benz Noel P. Sedentario Romel E. Reronte Rodrigo V. Buot Allan M. San Nicolas Victorino B. Carino Jr. Ermelindo C. Bagsican Expedito S. Libarios Gaspar B. Basir Jr. Arthur D. Ello Alex M. Gracia Leopoldo U. Dela Rosa Arnulfo D. Buquia Edbert P. Himo Ferdinand V. Fernandez Alginno Peter C. Bondoc Jose Arnulfo S. Derla Arnold V. Cervantes Angelito U. Acosta Margarito A. Megabon Abbott V. Tumaub Israel S. Gargar Raul T. Octubre Danny Ranalan Evan V. Dinopol Brylle Barcelonia Vina Ian Christopher A. Uka Jem Kendall V. Margaja John Dave Macalisang Jun Michael D. Gomonid Reynaldo D. Carajay Randy L. Cuaresma

MINNESOTA 5202 Isaiah J. Lippert 12029 Nathan H. Smith

15761

Brandon D. Olson

MISSISSIPPI 2180 Jeremy S. Adams MISSOURI 6780 Kevin M. Casel 7119 Roland Schriever 12650 Russell J. Olewinski 13681 Craig R. Henley 14745 Mark A. Coleman NEBRASKA 16680 Andrew Nigro NEVADA 9102 13897 14144 14784

Joe M. Suarez Jr. Timothy D. Burnham Raymond Al. Wagner Christopher T. Traver

NEW HAMPSHIRE 2078 Eric S. Potter 4875 Jacob M. Halterman 4983 Allen Mark Ouellette 15669 Thomas M. Hogan NEW JERSEY 2248 Matt W. Donnelly 3402 Wayne R. Szaro Sr. 5410 Peter R. Terrafranca 7020 James J. Robbins 7814 Genaro Gonzalez-Quinones NEW MEXICO 17083 James D. Beasley NEW YORK 443 David C. Aviles 545 Kevin R. Greco 3995 Joseph W. Razza 4126 William T. Morgan 6802 Donald P. Cavanaugh 14578 Robert Schnell 14687 Thomas J. Ahearn 15728 James Rivera 16261 Michael F. Reali 17086 Peter Seidenberg NORTH CAROLINA 11180 Michael A. Garguilo 11265 Joseph G. Basar 12921 Robert J. Sivori 13236 Manuel H. Comas NORTH DAKOTA 4485 Marcus J. Bailly 5056 Gary A. Robinson 6540 John S. Berger 9126 Michael J. Mayer NOVA SCOTIA 3209 George B. Demeter OHIO 2726 15533 16373 16376

Robert L. Fischer Mark W. Dean Daniel J. Barringer James R. Schultz

OKLAHOMA 916 David M. Nolan 9333 Robert S. Mulvihill 10822 Rommel D. Flores 13313 Toan T. Nguyen 17383 Christopher E. King ONTARIO 4895 10874 11268 12494 14337 14421 15920 17065 17397

Bryan L. Childerhouse Nicholas Quadrini Frederick J. Horvath Donny C. Thivierge Melchorito E. Tejero Joseph J. Van Troost Mark Freeman Eduardo Wijangco Rohan C. Nazareth

PENNSYLVANIA 2201 Thomas H. Volk 3673 Joseph D. Pargola 6353 Kelly B. Brown 9984 Frank Cannetti

12572 12967 14210 14349 14696 17028 17145 17178 17417

William R. Hallock Robert E. Ryzner Sr. Joseph R. Smee Thomas M. Grimaldi George Shaheen Robert W. Ziemba Greg P. Myers Thomas H. Goughnour Jr. John J. Krakowiak

POLAND 14000 14004 14983 14989 15117 15128 15142 15195 15267 15416 15523 15527 15622 15672 15708 15726 15759 16015 16105 16262 16266 16642 16727 16893 16964 16999 17030 17050 17248 17316

Sławomir Wójtowicz Marek Tyka Janusz Duży Paweł Kuśmirczuk Jerzy Warasiecki Stanisław Kawecki Włodzimierz Stec Dariusz Kołodziejczyk Marcin Wojciechowski Marian Styczeń Rafał Wadowski Jerzy Łazarczyk Andrzej Raczkowski Franciszek Nowak Grzegorz Kołodziejski Marek Sok Henryk Drzymała Janusz Królikowski Krzysztof Sietczyński Zdzisław Sobolewski Robert Wolski Jacek Treter Janusz Szkodny Piotr Junga Mateusz Wróblewski Stanisław Kobus Przemysław Zaborowski Grzegorz Tyczyński Laurence Cherni Jacek Beczyczko

QUÉBEC 1209 3072 10278 17555

Gilles Garceau Michel Des Roches Jean-Pierre Lamontagne Francis McKen

RHODE ISLAND 379 Benjamin P. Smith 10557 James R. Gambardella 12613 Bruce P. Guindon SOUTH CAROLINA 6726 Owain Hogan SOUTH DAKOTA 6605 Martin R. Saffel 9809 Daniel J. Harrington 13400 Dan W. Mostek 15457 Jacob M. Rausch 16802 Jack P. Lebrun 17216 David H. Schneider TENNESSEE 5207 Christopher J. Manning 8860 William T. Hewitt 9705 John K. Schwartz 10010 Thomas E. Kimball 12469 Domingo Castillo 14902 Chris R. Langer 16523 Daniel K. Dunn 16604 Daniel M. Dore TEXAS 2592 2791 3203 3458 4786 5348 6280 6699 8131 8975 9130 9674 9796 10463 10624 11978 12084 12535

Raymundo Aguilar Orlando R. Martinez Andrew F. Ramirez Antonio E. Garza Anthony C. Quintero Omar J. Pena Rene M. Garza Bobby J. Simmons Thomas D. Bonn Mark J. Rasmussen Victor P. Torres Jesus R. Franco Paul T. Lally Webster J. Veade Jr. Joseph P. Pettibon III Ramiro Gonzalez Jr. Gilbert B. Macias Ruben G. Rodriguez

12697 12927 13166 13577 14426 14739 15033 15882 16041 16078 16275 16393 16464 16730 16778 17039 17060 17204 17225 17304 17410

Rev. Mark N. Salas Seth R. Neuman Freddie Santos Benjamin M. Haddock Alejandro N. Jasso Kenneth D. Chesshir Adam L. Frisch Sergio J. Villarreal Joseph L. Smith Patrick L. Giglio Col. Victoriano Garcia Jr. Jacob C. Korte Troy M. Laughlin Philip Tait Rudy A. Escandon Abraham Salinas Donald R. Quintero Melvin S. Stewart Vincent G. Dominic Dr. Dean A. Hansen Pastor Martinez Jr.

UTAH 5502 9849 14239 15418

Joseph A. Nesi Michael A. Sweetland Ernest C. Barrera Paul B. Buckley

VERMONT 9146 Jack T. Le Page VIRGINIA 367 2473 5476 5750 10947 11323 16938

Daniel T. Doyle James E. Saenz Bruce M. Slough Charles G. Wheeler Thomas M. Canavan Nicholas A. Zaso Michael S. Murrow Jr.

VISAYAS 3938 4276 4432 4491 6109 6235 7154 8185 9223 9501 9931 10099 13530 14116 14782 15071 15754 16098 16114 16319 16941 17158 17212

Harold M. Baybay Reynaldo G. Jose Macario O. Yanez Jr. Gil A. Gabasa Jaime G. Asturias Samson S. Lacuesta Laredo S. Bru Lovie Gene R. Matildo Sisinio A. Oybenes Elmer E. Talbo Naser L. Laja Ronald M. Poseo Efren B. Barredo Jr. Nicolas L. Plaza Agustin Nunez Arcena Kenneth Canada Rivera Proceso Salvador M. Chagas Gilberto F. Magallon Rey Canuto -

WASHINGTON 3611 Michael V. Ptacek 9617 Ronald L. Enneking 13395 Michael E. Haynes 15136 Brad T. Johns 15462 Porfirio Montes 16361 Michael T. Remer WISCONSIN 973 David L. Kreutz 2035 Daniel P. Becker 4648 Andrew J. Orgovan 4706 Edward G. Ricker 5798 Raymonde E. Berres 12609 Freddie A. Koslowski 16022 Richard D. Mich 16333 Jack V. Wrbanich

NOVEMBER 2021 ✢ C O L U M B I A

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG KIA 10_18A FINAL.indd 31

31

10/18/21 5:21 PM

NAME ADDRESS

for our families

CITY STATE/PROVINCE

GRATEFUL

ZIP/POSTAL CODE Complete this coupon and mail to: The Father McGivney Guild, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326

for our churches

VERY BLESSED

or enroll online at: fathermcgivney.org

by the work of our

BROTHER KNIGHTS! During this holiday season, we celebrate our councils and Knights with good tidings and warm wishes for a joy-filled Thanksgiving and a peace-filled Christmas.

OFFICIAL NOVEMBER 1, 2021: 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 06507-9982. 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 06507-9982.

Sherpa Blanket

today to start shopping for all your council and personal needs!

Please contact custom@knightsgearusa.com for additional inquiries.

THE ENGLISH COMPANY INC. www.kofcsupplies.com

1-833-562-4327

Seaport Qtr Zip

KnightsGear.com

1-833-695-4872

IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

FOR UNIFORMS

Defer Pullover

Zapata Mug

www.KnightsGear.com www.KnightsGear.ca

THE SUPPLY ROOM, INC. www.kofcuniform.com

Kingsland Jacket

Fleece-Lined Beanie

K OF C OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

1-800-444-5632

Wrap yourself in the warmth of the season!

Scan the QR Code or visit

Join the Father McGivney Guild Please enroll me in the Father Michael J. McGivney Guild:

THANKFUL

&

✃

11/21

COLUMBIA (ISSN 0010-1869/USPS #123-740) IS PUBLISHED 11 TIMES A YEAR BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326. PHONE: 203-752-4000, kofc.org. PRODUCED IN USA. COPYRIGHT © 2021 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, P.O. BOX 554, ELMSFORD, NY 10523.

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.

3 2 C O L U M B I A ✢ NOVEMBER 2021

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG KIA 10_18A FINAL.indd 32

10/18/21 5:31 PM

KNIGHTS OF CHARITY

Photo by Maciej Maziarka

Knights of Charity 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.

Polish Knights serve as marshals for the annual National March for Life and Family in Warsaw. The Polish State Council helped to sponsor the peaceful pro-life demonstration, which processed down the capital’s main thoroughfare and culminated in Mass at Holy Cross Church on Sept. 19. The Knights were responsible for managing the crowds and ensuring the safety of participants.

To be featured here, send your council’s “Knights in Action” photo as well as its description to: Columbia, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 or e-mail: knightsinaction@kofc.org COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG COVERS 10_18 FINAL.indd 33

10/18/21 6:04 PM

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

‘God continued to affirm my desire.’

Sister Fidelis Marie Lanowich Missionary Benedictine Sisters Sioux City, Iowa

COLUMBIA NOV 21 ENG COVERS 10_18 FINAL.indd 36

Photo by Timothy Metcalf

During my younger years, the Lord allowed a lot of loneliness in my life. I was quiet and shy, and the church became my refuge; I always felt cared for by the priests and religious sisters there. I was intrigued by their joy and the presence of God so visible in them. This was something I wanted.

I started going to adoration, where my faith and relationship with Jesus became my own.

When I finished high school, I served as a missionary for a year and then decided to seriously discern religious life.

Honestly, that time was hard; I didn’t know anyone else discerning or how to go about it. I often felt discouraged, but God continued to affirm my desire for this vocation. When I learned about the Benedictine way of life, I felt as if I were reading my own journal.

I knew I was being called to the Missionary Benedictines since my first visit, but I never imagined the abundance of joys and challenges in store for me. It is quite the adventure saying yes to God, wherever he may be leading you!

10/25/21 2:01 PM