Knights of Columbus
‘In Service to One, In Service to All’
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he Knights of Columbus (KOC) of the Diocese of Trenton rejoiced with their brother Knights throughout the world at the Vatican announcement that their founder, Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, would advance one step closer to canonization with his beatification on October 31, 2020, in St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford, Connecticut. His Eminence, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, CSSR, Archbishop of Newark, has been appointed by Pope Francis as his delegate to preside at the Mass of Beatification.
A statue of Father Michael J. McGivney is seen at The Catholic University of America in Washington. The founder of the Knights of Columbus was beatified Oct. 31 during a Mass in St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford, Conn. CNS photo/ Tyler Orsburn
That this historic moment takes place on American soil is most fitting since Father McGivney, born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1852 and ordained in Baltimore in 1877, founded the Knights in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882. He was the first-born son of Irish immigrants and grew up in a poor family. He was a good student but left school at age 13 to take a job and contribute to his struggling family. Three years later, he began his path to the priesthood in Montreal, then at the Vincentian-run seminary of Our Lady of the Angels in Niagara Falls, New York, and then back to Montreal, where he entertained thoughts of joining the Jesuit order, which sponsored the seminary. Father McGivney’s seminary studies were interrupted twice, the second time due to the death of his father in 1873. The Bishop of the Diocese of Hartford accepted Father McGivney as a seminarian and supported his studies at the Sulpician sponsored St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore until 38 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE November 2020
his ordination at the A Message from Cathedral there on December 22, 1877. BISHOP DAVID M. As a seminarian O’CONNELL, C.M. and a priest, Father McGivney was regarded as a pious, good-natured and dedicated young man. He began his first pastoral assignment in New Haven on Christmas Day that year and was quickly recognized for his hard work and pastoral zeal. He was drawn to young people, the poor, the immigrant and those with special needs. Connecticut was considered an anti-Catholic state at the time, and Father McGivney devoted himself to teaching the Catholic faith with clarity and precision. The presence of many “secret societies” in the region prompted him to establish the St. Joseph’s Young Men’s Total Abstinence and Literary Society to confront rampant alcoholism and the lack of adequate Catholic education among Irish immigrants and their families. The Catholic publication “Our Sunday Visitor” recently noted that: Father McGivney took a keen interest early on as a priest in helping the young men of the parish. Their problems became his concerns, and he looked for ways to help them find hope amid much of the darkness in their lives. These problems stemmed from substance abuse to unemployment, compounded by a loss of faith. Father McGivney began organizing men of the region into a Catholic fraternal organization that would become the Knights of Columbus, with mutual fraternal support, promotion of the Catholic faith and charity as its defining purposes. With 2 million members worldwide, the Knights of Columbus are currently the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world, contributing almost $200 million annually to various charitable and Catholic causes. The Knights have also donated over 77 million (and growing!) hours of service each year in pursuit of their mission. In 1889, an influenza pandemic gripped the world and found its way into New England. Father McGivney, while serving the stricken faithful of his parish, was infected and died of pneumonia on August 14, 1890, at the age of 38.
His reputation for personal holiness and apostolic zeal spread quickly throughout the region as the Knights of Columbus grew in number. In 1996, Father McGivney’s native Archdiocese of Hartford introduced his cause for canonization to the Holy See. He was recognized for his “heroic virtue” by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and declared “Venerable.” A miracle was attributed to his intercession in 2013, and Pope Francis approved his beatification on May 27, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a curious coincidence given his own death from a coronavirus pandemic 130 years earlier. For more information on the Knights of Columbus and Father Michael McGivney, see www.kofc.org.
Knights of Columbus
Diocese to commemorate McGivney beatification, honor Knights FROM CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE AND MONITOR REPORTS
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nights of Columbus councils throughout the United States have joyfully looked forward to Oct. 31, the day that their founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, was to be beatified. In the Diocese of Trenton, that long-awaited event will be commemorated two weeks later during a Mass of Thanksgiving and the presentation of a special gift to the local Knights councils. The Vatican announced the beatification in May, when Pope Francis signed the decree recognizing a miracle through the intercession of Father McGivney. That cleared the way for his beatification, which took place during a Mass celebrated in St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford, Conn. by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark. Attendance was limited, but a video of the Mass is available on www.kofc.org.
“They need to fill their ranks with young men eager to participate in parish life.” Locally, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Beatification of Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Due to COVID restrictions, attendance will be limited to Knights and their families, and will be by invitation only, with all safety and health protocols observed. The Mass will be livestreamed by the Diocese and can be viewed at youtube.com/trentondiocese. The celebration will include the in-
MORE ONLINE To read about the life and legacy of Blessed Michael McGivney and for beatification coverage, go to TrentonMonitor.com and click on NEWS>CHURCH.
which the Knights attend. In an interview with The Monitor, Bishop O’Connell emphasized the valuable work and impact of the Knights across the Diocese, noting, “They are very present in many parishes, offering support and assistance in the spirit of Father McGivney and the first Knights.” The Bishop also mentioned the presence of the Knights at “so many diocesan and parish events, giving witness to the important role of Catholic laymen.” He especially cited the Knights’ support of parish priests and vocations, their pro-life activism and example and their deep sense of patriotism. He also offered a plug for membership, saying, “The Knights have been a great ‘arm of the Church’ in so many ways. They need to fill their ranks with young men eager to participate in parish life, the next generation.” The installation of the portrait has been warmly received by council leadership. State Secretary James E. Stoever, reflected, “I was Portrait of Father McGivney, painted very impressed the Bishop by Rev. Peter Gray PSS thought so highly of the Knights to do this; it is quite an honor.” stallation and blessing by Bishop O’ConStoever, a member of Epiphany Parish, nell of a portrait of Blessed Michael Brick, said of his fellow Knights, “It’s an McGivney as an expression of appreciahonor to work with these men in our tion for the Knights of Columbus in the Diocese who rise to the occasion to do Diocese. The Bishop commissioned the 24x28 reproduction painted by Sulpician things we never thought possible.” Calling the Mass “a once-in-a-lifetime artist, Father Peter Gray, and directed experience,” fellow Knight John Flynn, that it be installed in the Co-Cathedral, Continued on 44 where many diocesan events are held November 2020 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 39
In the spirit of Fr. Michael McGivney, the Knights of Columbus Burlington County Chapter Councils continue to carry out his mission to do good works. Our Councils dedicate thousands of hours of their time to support causes such as: Cathedral Kitchen (over 5,000 sandwiches in 2020), Coats for Kids, St. Vincent DePaul, local parish projects, Interfaith Hospitality Network, First Way of Burlington County, Good Counsel Homes, New Lisbon Developmental Center, Red Cross Blood Drives, Send a Hero Home for Christmas, School Scholarships, Deborah Heart & Lung Center, Special Olympics, Roses for Life, Youth Basketball Free Throw Contest, March for Life, Folds of Honor, New Jersey’s Mission of Honor, Trenton Soup Kitchen, Trunk or Treats and many more activities.
Knights of Columbus Burlington County Councils Burlington • 589 Moorestown • 1082 Sacred Heart • 5337 Our Lady of Perpetual Help • 5714 St. Mary of the Lakes • 6520 Fr. John P Wessel • 6530
Our Lady of Fatima • 7755 Tabernacle • 8733 St. Francis of Assisi • 10994 St. Kateri Tekakwitha • 12229 Our Lady Queen of Peace • 12592 St. Ann • 17430
The councils in the Ocean County Chapter are some of the most dedicated and compassionate Knights.
Through the programs the Knights of Columbus support, our brothers have compiled thousands of hours of service and substantial funds to many projects; from Simon’s Kitchen in Seaside Heights serving thousands of meals to those less fortunate and in need, to the Send a Hero home for the Holidays program raising tens of thousands of dollars to send military personnel stationed in New Jersey home to be with family for Christmas. With our support of the Interfaith hospitality, we assure that those in need – no matter what their personal faith is – are helped; after all, we are all God’s children. The resilient support to “THE RIGHT TO LIFE” initiative sending hundreds of parishioners to march on Washington and our commitment to support the unborn child with the OPEN DOOR PREGNANCY CENTER IN TOMS RIVER is unwavering. We clothe hundreds of those in our communities with Coats for Kids, we feed hundreds weekly with our support for St. Vincent DePaul and our food pantries. Our treasurer each year raises thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics through the POLAR PLUNGE. From the support of programs like basketball Free Throw, the Giving Tree for Christmas, blood drives for the Red Cross, food deliveries to the elderly, and assisting families in need in our parishes along with the many other programs and services, you will find our brotherhood giving 100%. The mission that was sent forth by Fr. Michael McGivney lives strong within our chapter and all the councils of the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS WORLDWIDE. VIVAT JESUS !!!!!
Knights of Columbus Ocean County Chapter Councils: Manchester: Fr. James A. Thompson 9134 Brick: Msgr. John F. Baldwin 836 Beach Haven: Annunciation 3826 Whiting: Our Lady of the Pines 9852 Toms River: St. Joseph 4969 Manchester: Fr. Emil Kapaun 10022 Jackson: Rev. Mitchell Cetkowski 6201 New Egypt: Assumption 10900 Forked River: Fr. Capodano 6522 Lakewood: St. Mary of the Lake 10527 Point Pleasant: St. Martha 7926 Jackson: St. Monica 10529 Brick: Epiphany 8160 Little Egg Harbor: St. Theresa 14615 Seaside Park: Rev. Gebhard Braungart 8415 Toms River: St. Maximilian Kolbe 10899 Bayville: St. Barnabas 8603
The Monmouth County Chapter continues to carry on the works of our founder, Father Michael J. McGivney with charity, unity & fraternity! The Councils that comprise the Monmouth Chapter continue to honor our founder during these uncertain times of pandemic as they continue to selflessly donate time and money to the many charities and causes our order has long supported including, but not limited to: • Hosting food drives throughout the county to help many food banks • Shopping for groceries & prescriptions and delivering food to seniors • Raising large funds of money to be active in the “Coats for Kids” drive • Supporting the “Send a Hero Home for the Holidays” campaign • Actively getting onvolved in the “Keep Christ In Christmas” initiative • Spending Christmas Eve at the hospital with terminally ill children • Supporting our local Birthright locations • Supporting the “40 Days for Life” ministry • Getting involved with the St. Paul Street Evangelization Ministry • Supporting the Arc of Monmouth County • Hosting monthly meetings for parents & guardians of special needs children • Supporting persecuted Christians in the Middle East
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Corinthians 13:13
The NJ Knights of Columbus Monmouth County Chapter 335 Long Branch 525 Red Bank 816 Neptune 1672 Freehold 2858 Bayshore
3187 Fair Haven 3231 Manasquan 3402 Keyport 5324 Matawan 5611 Spring Lake
5903 Englishtown 6392 Lincroft 6552 Middletown 10005 Howell 11349 Holmdel
11660 Highlands 12232 Keyport 12620 Eatontown 15703 Farmingdale 15964 Marlboro
Honoring the works of our founder, Father Michael J. McGivney
Father McGivney’s beatification Mass will take place on Oct. 31, 2020, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut. This is a time of great joy and celebration for Knights all over the world. We will celebrate with Bishop O’Connell at a Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral on November 14, commemorating the beatification of Fr. Michael McGivney. The Central New Jersey Centennial Chapter is proud of all our councils accomplish in their communities. As a Chapter, we host an annual Chapter Baby Shower in support of local Right-to-Life organizations. Our councils support and run many Faith-InAction (Faith, Family, Community and Life) programs. During the pandemic, councils in our chapter have run blood drives and supported local food banks. As a chapter, we are proud of the generosity of our councils to support charities like Special Olympics and participate in the Coats for Kids program. Finally, councils have raised funds in support of our active service men and women through the Send A Hero Home program which helps active service men and women get home to their families for Christmas.
The Central NJ Centennial Chapter Councils Trenton Council • 355 Bordentown Council • 570 Princeton Council • 636 Ewing Council • 3756
Hamilton Council • 6213 Hightstown Council • 6284 Lawrence Council • 7000 Hopewell Council • 7103
St. Hedwig Council • 7244 St. John the Baptist • 7333 St. Gregory The Great • 7677 St. David the King • 14716
November 2020 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 43
Knights of Columbus
Church’s ‘strong right arm’ supports BY CHRISTINA LESLIE Correspondent
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lay organization designed to aid families of men enduring dangerous factory working conditions now stands two million brothers strong behind tenets of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The Knights of Columbus, founded in 1881, has withstood anti-Catholic sentiment, two World Wars, a Great Depression, countless challenges, even a pandemic or two, but has remained true to its mission to serve the Church, community and family with God’s divine direction. CHARITY AND VIRTUE The national Knights of Columbus website, KofC.org, proudly outlines its 139-year history from its roots in Connecticut to its growth into an organization with worldwide reach and influence. Father Michael J. McGivney, a 29-year-old assistant pastor in St. Mary Church, New Haven, Conn., gathered a group of men in his parish Oct. 2, 1881, to establish a lay organization with a
three-fold purpose: to prevent Catholic men from entering the anti-Church secret societies prevalent in the area; to support the families of the parish whose male breadwinners had died, and to serve the Church with charity and virtue. To illustrate that their loyalty to their country need not interfere with their faith, the order chose Christopher Columbus, a devout Catholic, as the fraternal group’s patron. Father McGivney issued a dioce-
Providing outreach to people in need has been a longtime priority for Knights of Columbus Councils. Here, members from the St. John Council in Lakehurst are shown organizing the donations received during a winter coat drive. Courtesy photo 40 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE November 2020
san-wide appeal to his fellow priests for new Knights, and men were drawn to its works of charity. In 1892, 6,000 Knights marched in the New Haven Columbus Day parade to celebrate the 400th anniversary of their patron’s discovery of the New World. The organization received a blessing from Archbishop Francesco Satolli, apostolic delegate to the United States, for the “merits of this splendid Catholic organization” in 1895.
“... the Knights of Columbus number some two million members in 16,242 councils ...” The Knights of Columbus grew exponentially at the beginning of the 20th century in response to needs in U.S. communities and beyond. By 1910, groups of Knights, known as councils, were chartered throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Cuba and Panama. Striving to involve men of faith studying at colleges and universities, in 1904, the order presented The Catholic University of America in Washington with a grant to establish a Knights of Columbus chair of American history; fundraising efforts over the next nine years resulted in a $500,000 permanent endowment to the school. Over the course of its 139 years, the Knights of Columbus has supported individual and societal needs regardless of creed, sex or status. The order offered education and employment services to servicemen returning from World War I; worked to overcome racial prejudice by the Ku Klux Klan; backed legislation to permit children to attend religious schools; fought fascism and communism following World War II, and successfully lobbied to add the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Referencing their
TRENTON DIOCESAN FEDERATION KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS
faith, charity in action contributed a invaluable to Catholicism glob18 years of of age the and practicing Theassistance Trenton Diocesan Federation KnightsCathoof Columbus, referred to as the record-setting ally, Pope John Paul II referred to them as lic men. According to its 2020 Annual Federation, ofReport 4 individual Chapters representing each inCounty within $187.7 million the “strong right arm” of is thecomprised Church. of the Supreme Knight released donations, while its the Diocese of Trenton: Burlington, Mercer,theMonmouth, and Ocean. this summer, worldwide, Knights of STRENGTH IN NUMBERS members performed 76.7 Columbus number some two million million hours of service. Sports compeThe basic unit of the Knights of members in 16,242 councils, nearly 400 Theis the objective ofBased the inFederation to promote unity of action among its member titions, essay contests and letters to semColumbus local council. of them is located on college and universiinvolve youngest Catholics, parishesChapters, or out in the community, each is a united and to foster bondNew ofJersey spiritual, fraternal,inarians social, andthecivic action ty campuses. counts 59,700 while philanthropic programs ease burheadedamong by a Grandthe Knight and under the member Knights in 377 councils, while clergy and laity within the Diocese of Trenton. Due to the vision and dens for communities undergoing crisis. spiritual guidance of a chaplain, or local the Diocese of Trenton numbers some foresight of Venerable Father Michael J.73McGivney, the Founder Knights of$1.8 Knight-led of foodthe drives have reaped priest. Districts comprise several groups of 11,736 members in councils. in donations and 540,381 local councils and are ledthe by District DepColumbus, Federation is well-positioned to be able to million conduct programs and donors PROGRAMS TO ASSIST ALL have donated a pint of blood to aid their uties. State Councils report to the Supreme provide outreach to our neighbors and Parishes within theneighbors. Diocese. Councils raised $7.8 million in There are nearly as many charitaCouncil, the Knights officers located at scholarships and grants for the deserving ble programs and initiatives performed the organization’s international headquarstudent, they regularly “adopt” priests byinKnights of Columbus as there are ters in New Conn. The present ThisHaven, includes participating the annual Diocesan Our Lady of and Guadalupe Torch and seminarians to ease the financial member Knights. The Annual Report Supreme Knight is Carl A. Anderson. Celebration, hosting the biannual Bishop's Appreciation Dinner and our annual Continued on 42 discloses that in fiscal 2019, the Knights Knights of Columbus must be at least
Pride In Our Priests Banquet, conducting the annual Nativity Blessing at the State House, sponsoring the Send A Hero Home Program which honors our service men and women by sending them home for the Holidays, and sponsoring the Shoulderto-Shoulder Program which provides support for our law enforcement community.
TRENTON DIOCESAN FEDERATION It is with great pride the Federation joins in the celebration of the Beatification KNIGHTS ofthatCOLUMBUS of Father McGivney, and continues to further the mission of the Knights of Columbus, the world’s foremost Catholic Fraternal Organization.
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he Trenton Diocesan Federation of the Knights of Columbus, Vivat Jesus! referred to as the Federation, is comprised of 4 individual Chapters representing each County within the Diocese of Trenton: Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean. The objective of the Federation is to promote unity of action among its member Chapters, and to foster a united bond of spiritual, fraternal, social, and civic action among the clergy and laity within the Diocese of Trenton. Due to the vision and foresight of Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, the Founder of the Knights of Columbus, the Federation is well-positioned to be able to conduct programs and provide outreach to our neighbors and Parishes within the Diocese. This includes participating in the annual Diocesan
Our Lady of Guadalupe Torch Celebration, hosting the biannual Bishop’s Appreciation Dinner and our annual Pride In Our Priests Banquet, conducting the annual Nativity Blessing at the State House, sponsoring the Send A Hero Home Program which honors our service men and women by sending them home for the Holidays, and sponsoring the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Program which provides support for our law enforcement community. It is with great pride that the Federation joins in the celebration of the Beatification of Father McGivney, and continues to further the mission of the Knights of Columbus, the world’s foremost Catholic Fraternal Organization. Vivat Jesus!
Knights of Columbus Chapters in the Trenton Diocese Burlington County – Mercer County - Monmouth County - Ocean County November 2020 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 41
Knights of Columbus
A competitor eyes the hoop before attempting a basket during the diocesan finals of the 2017 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Tournament in Holy Family Parish, Lakewood. The competition, created by the international Catholic fraternal organization in 1972, invites boys and girls from 9 to 14 years old to compete against others in their age and gender groups. Winners in each age group at the local council level progress to the district level, then go on to compete in the Trenton Diocese finals. The field is further winnowed to send only the top-scoring boy and girl in each age group, one from each of New Jersey’s five Catholic (arch)dioceses, to compete for the state trophies. In 2017, the Knights of Columbus estimated that some 350,000 athletes participate in local rounds nationwide each year. Joe Moore photo
Knights take pride in their charity works Continued from 41
burdens of their education. OTHER EXAMPLES INCLUDE: Ultrasound initiative: Their strong anti-abortion stance has led Knights to raise $60 million to place 1,255 ultrasound machines at pro-life pregnancy centers across the United States and Canada. K of C Coats for Kids: Launched in 2009, this program has reaped the donation of 124,211 coats to help keep the disadvantaged warm. Christian refugee relief: Bringing awareness and support to those persecuted for their faith, especially in the Middle
East, Knights raised $3.3 million last year, and $25.8 million since 2014. Partnerships: Knights have partnered with Special Olympics ($4.5 million), Habitat for Humanity ($810,000) and the Global Wheelchair Mission (8,109 chairs last year, 99,979 since 2003) among
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AT A GLANCE: Worldwide membership: 2 million members Councils: 16,242 (with 300+ on college campuses)
CHALLENGED TO LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND Knights of Columbus, themselves impacted by COVID-19, nonetheless Continued on 44
Source: 2020 Annual Report of the Supreme Knight
In fiscal 2019, the Knights of Columbus made a record-setting $187.7 million in donations, while its members performed 76.7 million hours of service. The diverse programs supported by the Knights of Columbus, and the amounts donated, include:
Program grants: $ 18.25M
Marian devotion, family life, pro-life, vocations, evangelization
New Jersey (as of 6-30-20): 59,700 members, 377 councils
Community grants: $ 7.73M
Diocese of Trenton (as of 7-7-20): 11,736 members, 73 councils
Church grants: $ 7.25M
Burlington County: 2,483 members Mercer County: 1,812 members Monmouth County: 3,400 members Ocean County: 4,041 members
others, to aid those who aid others.
Includes partnerships with the Global Wheelchair Mission, Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity, as well as Christian refugee relief and aid to food banks Vatican, Bishops’ conferences, Catholic dioceses/parishes, other religions’ charities
Youth grants: $ 3.82M
Schools, Native American aid, Coats for Kids
Council grants: $ 1.47M
Scholarships, The Catholic University of America
Educational grants: $ 704K
Grammar, high schools and universities
42 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE November 2020
Knights of Columbus
Principles keep Knights focused on mission Continued from 42
are increasing their efforts to serve the needy via two new initiatives. “Leave No Neighbor Behind” urges members to support their brother Knights and parishes while taking steps to strengthen the community by replenishing food banks and participating in blood drives. Providing religious education materials reliant on the writings of St. John Paul II through the organization’s Catholic Information Service is integral in “Building the Domestic Church,” that is, strengthening the family unit. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addressed the challenges encountered by the Knights during the pandemic in the organization’s annual report. He noted, “This year was unlike any the Knights of Columbus has ever faced. Never before have so many people had so many urgent needs, and never before have we done so much to help, guided by our principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. “It has been said that ‘where there’s a need, there’s a Knight,’” Anderson continued, “and we proved it once again… In countless ways, large and small, we have stepped up to help those around us, living out our faith more fully… Membership in the Knights of Columbus is not a casual commitment. It is a commitment to being a brother.” Anderson’s entreaty to the organization’s two million members echo those of the newly beatified Father McGivney to a small group of parishioners gathered in the church basement 139 years ago. “When we invite a man to join the Knights of Columbus, we are not simply inviting him to do something. We are inviting him to be someone,” said Anderson. “We are inviting him to be a man of charity, unity and fraternity. But being who we are means that we must act. As Catholic men committed to charity, we are compelled to act. We are a community of brothers who see all those who suffer and all those who are in need as our brothers and sisters.”
This 2018 photo shows members of the St. Mary of the Lakes Council, Knights of Columbus, Medford, standing atop the 72-foot wheelchair wooden ramp they built to help a paralyzed veteran from Tabernacle gain access to his home. Prior to the construction of this ramp, the council had assisted four other families with similar projects. Courtesy photo
Beatification, Mass set for Fr. McGivney Continued from 39
a district deputy in Monmouth County and member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help - St. Agnes Parish, Highlands, continued, “Father McGivney founded the order, thought outside the box, and his vision was ahead of his time.” “By attending the Mass, I will be able to pay tribute to our founder, and continue to strengthen the bond between the clergy and laity that Father McGivney had the vision and foresight to establish over 139 years ago,” said Edward Michalak, president of the Knights’ Trenton Diocese Federation and parishioner in Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown. “[The commissioned painting] will serve as a lasting testament to the importance and success of the Knights of Columbus.” Daniel Rossi, a member of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, serves as Supreme Director of the Knights. He said, “I always knew [Bishop O’Connell’s] appreciated and supported the Knights of Columbus, however, the commissioning
44 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE November 2020
of this icon is a marvelous way to express his appreciation to the Knights through the honoring of our founder. Its placement in the Co-Cathedral will send a message to countless others of the impact Blessed Father McGivney has had on our Church and its people.” Rossi noted his pride with “both the joyful recognition of our founder through his beatification and the amazing response that the Knights have provided during the current pandemic… I am honored to be invited to this Mass and to be able to personally witness this wonderful tribute to a humble parish priest who understood the importance of laymen strengthening their faith through living the principles of our Order – charity, unity, and fraternity,” he concluded. “His vision was remarkably ahead of its time, decades prior to Vatican II, and so vital as we face unprecedented challenges to our Church and our world today.” Correspondent Christina Leslie contributed to this report.