O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E M I C H I G A N S T A T E C O U N C I L K N I G H T S O F C O L U M B U S
MENT BIAN SUPPLE O ALL M U L O C N A MICHIG SERVICE T TO ONE. IN E IC V R E S IN
February 2013
Bishop Alexander K. Sample of Marquette Appointed Archbishop of Portland in Oregon After spending the past seven years as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, the Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample is heading back west. Today (Jan. 29) the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI has appointed him archbishop of Portland in Oregon. Archbishop-Designate Sample, who was born Nov. 7, 1960 in Kalispell, Montana and graduated from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978, will be installed as Archbishop of Portland on April 2, 2013. He will succeed Archbishop John Vlazny, who turned 75 years old, the canonical age of retirement for bishops, on Feb. 2, 2012. In a prepared statement to the Church in the Diocese of Marquette, Archbishop-Designate Sample stated, “Even as there is excitement and joy at taking up this new challenge that God has placed before me, I would be less than honest if I did not say that I will leave the Church in the U.P. with a certain heaviness of heart. I will profoundly miss the people, the clergy and religious of the diocese. I will miss my brother priests in a special way, since I was chosen from among them to be their bishop. “I have always tried to be obedient to the will of God and to accept whatever the Church asks of me to be God’s will. It is in this spirit that I have said ‘yes’ to the Holy Father’s request for me to serve the Church in a new place in western Oregon. I ask the prayers of all the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Marquette. They will always be in my heart and prayers. Venerable Frederic Baraga, pray for us!” he wrote. Archbishop-Designate Sample will remain as administrator of the
Diocese of Marquette until his installation in Portland. At that time, the Diocesan College of Consultors will select a new diocesan administrator who will serve the Diocese of Marquette until a new bishop or an apostolic administrator is named by the Pope. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Archbishop-Designate Sample completed studies in philosophy at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. in 1986. He then entered the Pontifical College Josephinum Seminary in Columbus, Ohio to study for the priesthood for the Diocese of Marquette. He was ordained a priest on June 1, 1990 at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette by Bishop Mark F. Schmitt. His first appointment was as associate pastor of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette. He then served as pastor of the parishes of St. George in Bark River, Sacred Heart in Schaffer and St. Michael in Perronville before heading to Rome where he earned a licentiate in canon (church) law in 1996. When he returned to the Diocese of Marquette, ArchbishopDesignate Sample spent the next 10 years in the diocesan offices serving in various positions including chancellor, director of ministry and priest personnel, executive director of the Bishop Baraga Association and member of the College of Consultors. During that same time period, he also served as canonical pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Marquette. He was ordained Bishop of Marquette on January 25, 2006 at St. Peter Cathedral. At 45 years old, he was the youngest bishop in the United States at the time. In addition, his ordination as bishop was the first to take place in the Diocese of Marquette in over 100 years. The Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon covers the western part of the state from the summit of the Cascades to the Pacific Ocean. It contains 29,717 square miles, which is almost twice as many as the Diocese of Marquette. Numbering 415,725, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Portland comprise 12% of the total population. The archdiocese has 124 parishes, 22 missions, 40 elementary schools, 10 high schools, two colleges and universities, one diocesan seminary, and 10 hospitals. There are also 150 diocesan priests, 144 religious priests, 388 women religious, 78 brothers, and 79 permanent deacons in the archdiocese.
2
February 2013
Michigan Columbian Supplement
Statement of the Supreme Knight on the Death of Cardinal Glemp
Knights of Columbus Supreme Council “Family of the Month” Awardees
The following are the winners for the April 2012 “Family of the Month” contest, obtained through a random drawing held at the Supreme Council Office from among many nomi1/24/2013 nees submitted by council throughout the Order. The 1.8 million members of Knights November of Columbus and I join Catholics in Family of Poland and throughout the world in Thomas & Linda Splitt mourning the death of Cardinal Jozef Council 529– Alpena Glemp. Cardinal Glemp was an important force in helping to bring freedom Family of to Poland in the 1980s. He knew the Francis & Marian Mazure Knights of Columbus well from his Council 1546 - Bad Axe many trips to the United States and Family of strongly encouraged our expansion into Mike & Wanda Munoz Poland. In meeting with him, I found his advice both on our Council 3774– Allen Park work in Poland and on the general situation there to be invaluable. He will be fondly remembered and our prayers are with Family of him and the people of Poland at this time. Pat & Jan Hall Council 9962 - Kalamazoo Update Contact Information Family of David & Kathy Caspary If you are curCouncil 13115 - Houghton rently a member December and your address has changed, or you Family of are in the process Henry & Mary Jane Stroemer of moving go to Council 414 - Bay City www.kofc.org, on Family of the home page click Michael & Evelyn O’Brien on for members in Council 1492– Ludington the upper right Family of hand corner of the George & Linda Rutherford page, when the for Council 2168 - Portland members page pop’s-up scroll Family of down to the bottom of the page and you will see the UpBrad & Val Hartel date Contact Information box, follow the instructions, it’s Council 3224– Caro easy and simple . Family of Bruce & Peggy Lilley Council 4401 - Farmington Hills 2013 Dates To Remember Family of Dave & debbi Simon February 14 - Valentine’s Day Council 7311 - Grand Ledge February 20 - Ash Wednesday Family of March 10 - Daylight Savings Time Begins Jerome & Angela Waldron March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day Council 13703– Clio March 20 - First Day of Spring March 24 - Palm Sunday Fr. Michael J. McGivney – March 29 - Good Friday Apostle to the Young, March 31 - Easter Sunday Protector of Christian Family Life and A loving heart is the truest wisdom. Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Charles Dickens Intercede for us. Statement of the Supreme Knight on the Death of Cardinal Glemp
Michigan Columbian Supplement
February 2013 3
Poll Finds More than 8 in 10 Americans Favor Significant Abortion Restrictions
NOTE Please do not send you council dues checks to the State Office, this only delays the process of paying your dues. A return envelope has been placed in every packet containing raffle tickets, before sealing that envelope please make sure that the stub portion of the ticket and a check for the amount of raffle tickets sold are in the envelope.
Four decades after the Supreme Court’s controversial decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion throughout the United States, a new KofCMarist Poll shows that more than 8 in 10 Americans (83 percent) favor significant restrictions. The poll reveals that support for significant abortion restrictions has increased by four points since last year – rising from 79 percent to 83 percent. Of the 83 percent who support significant restrictions on abortion, 10 percent believe abortion should never be permitted; 12 percent believe abortion should be allowed only to save the life of the mother; 34 percent would restrict abortion only to cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother; and 27 percent would limit abortion to – at most – the first three months of pregnancy. Just 11 percent would allow abortion at any time, while 6 percent would allow it during the first six months of pregnancy. “After four decades of legalized abortion in this country, Americans have had ample time to understand that abortion has terrible consequences," said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “They understand abortion’s true legacy – a child loses life, and parents lose a child. And after witnessing the effects of abortion for the past 40 years, Americans are not legally or morally comfortable with that legacy. It is time for our country to chart a new course on this issue – a course that protects both the mother and the child.” The survey also found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans (58 percent) believe abortion is “morally wrong.” And 84 percent of Americans say laws can protect both mothers and unborn children. “For years polls have found that Americans divide on labeling themselves as pro-life or pro-choice,” said Lee Miringoff of The Marist Poll. “By asking more detailed questions about their specific views on abortion, we have been able to go beyond those labels to get a more complete picture of what Americans actually think about this issue.” The newly released survey is the latest in a series of polls commissioned by the Knights of Columbus and conducted by The Marist Institute for Public Opinion. This KofC-Marist Poll data was gathered via a telephone survey of 1,246 adults residing in the continental United States and has a margin of error of ±2.8 percentage points. Data were collected from December 4 through 6, 2012. Additional information is available at www.kofc.org
Once He’s Joined Keep Him Involved
Michigan Columbian Supplement
February 2013 4
FLORIDA TO HOST MICHIGAN KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND V E N E R A B L E F R E D E R I C B A R A G A D AY 1ST BISHOP OF MARQUETTE The annual Michigan Knights of Columbus and Bishop Baraga Day has taken on a new name and a new significance. After 40 years of dedicated research on the life of Bishop Baraga and with the backing of the Diocese of Marquette, on May 10, 2012 the Vatican confirmed that Bishop Baraga exhibited a life of heroic virtue and could thus be called “Venerable.” "I am thrilled beyond words at this recognition of Bishop Baraga's heroic virtue by the universal Church,” Bishop Alexander K. Sample said. “I cannot overstate what a significant step this is towards the anticipated beatification and canonization of Bishop Baraga. This is a day for which we have been waiting nearly 40 years. I am so pleased to be able to call my saintly predecessor ‘Venerable’ Frederic Baraga!”
With this great news this year’s celebration will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 in Holiday, Florida. Join your brother Michigan Knights and their wives in sunny Florida for an afternoon of information regarding the exciting news on Venerable Frederic Baraga and the progress on the cause for sainthood of the 1st Bishop of Marquette and share Knights of Columbus fraternity with your brother Knights and their ladies. The day will start with Mass at 11:00 A.M. at St. Vincent De Paul Church, 4843 Mile Stretch Dr., Holiday, FL 34690, followed by a luncheon and program. The following may be called to make reservation for the luncheon. Map and directions are available upon request.
Please RSVP by February 18, 2013 to: Mr. Herbert Wegener
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Barry
4046 Passport Lane, Apt. 102 New Port Richey, FL, 34653 727-376-2743
2951 Westmoreland Ct. New Port Richey, FL, 34655 727-375-5342
hgwegener@gmail.com
g.s.barry@comcast.net Record breaking streak reaches twelfth consecutive year
By Thomas P. Smith, Jr., Chief Insurance Officer The Knights of Columbus is truly a remarkable, one-of-a-kind organization, and our insurance program continues to show its strength and stability in spite of economic turmoil. In fact, 2012 marked the twelfth consecutive year of growth in many categories, chief among them the volume of coverage issued. This accomplishment illustrates the faith our members have in the products and services we offer to protect their families. Allow me to share a few of the Order’s 2012 achievements with you. During 2012, the Order issued more life insurance than ever before in our history: $8.1 billion. Our total insurance in force surpassed $88 billion. To put this remarkable number in perspective, consider that at the end of 2001, we stood at $42.9 billion. The Order introduced a Graded Premium Whole Life plan, which makes whole life coverage more “budget-friendly” than
ever before. We also made improvements to the Systematic Withdrawal Options on our annuity products. Ask your agent how these additions to our portfolio can benefit you and your family. We finished the year with more field agents serving our members than ever before. Still, as our membership continues to grow, new agent candidates are always in demand across the U.S. and Canada. The ultimate goal is to have all of our members served by a dedicated, full-time agent, and, if you know someone who may be interested in becoming an agent, please contact me. During 2012, we celebrated four exceptional months that were in the “best ever” category. Records were set in February, May, August, and November. More than 13,000 new retirement annuities were issued to our members and their families in 2012, and members continued to fund their current annuities in record numbers. Our A++ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best was reaffirmed and there continues to be no more highly rated life insurer in North America. continued on page 6
5
February 2013
MICHIGAN COLUMBIAN SUPPLEMENT
Public Relations There are many rewards and benefits to a well-planned public relations program. For the Knights of Columbus, an effective program can: 1. Create awareness in the community for your council and its contributions. 2. Build a positive image for the Knights of Columbus as a whole, and your council in particular. 3. Create valuable exposure for the council and its activities. 4. Communicate key messages to target audiences. 5. Clear away misconceptions. 6. Strengthen community support for the Knights of Columbus and its mission. 7. Assist in recruiting new members.
PROSPECTS TO MEMBERS Holy Cross Children’s Service’s Your Help Is Their Hope! Mission • Provide Loving Service to the poor. • Recruit disciples willing to serve others. Work for justice, for youth rejected by families and society. How You Can Help Memorial Gifts Council Quota Council over quota MI Fund to HCCS Volunteer at facilities
Sweatshirts for kids at Christmas Council Calendar sales Buy a room for a child ($1,000.00) Adopt a child for a year($2,000.00) Insurance policy HCCS as Beneficiary
For more information visit WWW.hccsnet.org
The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild serves as a source for information about the life, works and spirituality of Father McGivney. The Guild distributes informational materials about him, receives reports of favors granted through his intercession and oversees the distribution of relics. Guild members receive regular updates on the progress of Father McGivney's cause for canonization and are invited to participate in promoting devotion to this Venerable Servant of God. Members of the Knights of Columbus are not automatically Guild members and must elect to join the Guild. To become an organ donor: Go to www.giftoflifemichigan.org
Please consider giving blood. Go to www.redcrossmichigan.org Click “Local Chapters” to find American Red Cross Nearest You. Blood is in short supply!
IN SERVICE TO ONE. IN SERVICE TO ALL
New Ecopy Starting with the April edition, you will have a choice. You can either receive the black and white printed copy of the paper, or you can receive a full-color online copy of the paper that you can view or print out as you wish. If you wish to receive the Michigan Columbian by e-mail go to www.mikofc.org. On the homepage, click on the yellow box titled “Newsletter Sign Up.” Fill out your information, and get ready to enjoy the new, full-color edition of the Michigan Columbian .
THE 24-HOUR MEMBER Tell Us About Your Programs Help us improve the Service Program activities offered by the Supreme Council office by sending reports on your council’s successful activities and/or any suggestions you may have on improving our programs. Send this information to Fraternal Services, Service Program Suggestions, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 or e-mail fraternalservices@kofc.org. Please include “Service Program Suggestions” in the e-mail’s subject line. CELL PHONE—NATIONAL DO NOT CALL LIST Are you bothered by sales calls on your cell phone? All cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. You will be charged for these calls. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 1-888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked.
Family of Year Form Please send all Family of the Year forms to: Michael Metiva State Family Life Director 860 N. Gleaner Rd, Saginaw, Michigan 48609 Email - m.metiva@mikofc.org Due By April 15, 2012
February 2013
Michigan Columbian Supplement
6
THE MACKINAC ISLAND RAFFLE The raffle was started in 1998 by State Deputy Martin Poleni’s wife, Diane, as a live auction with all proceeds going to Holy Cross Children’s Services. In 2000, State Deputy Kenneth Grembowski’s wife, Carol Ann, changed the auction to the raffle we have today. The subsequent state deputies’ wives have worked hard to help the raffle continue to grow. Donations can be made by a person or several people, by a business or organization, council or several councils, an assembly, LOTA, ladies auxiliary or a district. They can have a theme or can be a single item. Donation forms must be filled out for every donation and can be found on the Knights of Columbus web site (www.mikofc.org) Ladies Corner. The forms are necessary to make sure the item is listed correctly and we know who to thank. For the next two years, the raffle will be run by Sue Vittorini, the wife of the State Advocate. She can be reached at s.vittorini@mikofc.org. According to the raffle license, donations must be assigned a value. Please assign an amount to your gift. Do-
nations must be brought to the Grand Hotel’s Art Gallery for the 2013 Convention. If you have your raffle item ready by November 30, please bring it to the Winter Meeting and the state officers will see to it that it is handdelivered to the convention. You can give the gift to any state officer before April 1st and they will deliver it for you. You will be seeing sign-up sheets at different Knights’ functions that you attend. These sign-up sheets include: helping with the raffle by setting up the gifts, selling tickets, and packing up the gifts while at the convention. It takes many people to make the raffle a success. Please sign up. You will meet new friends and enjoy being a part of this very worthwhile effort. In the past we have had a business volunteer who has matched the funds that were raised—first the Detroit Free Press, and for the last two years the funds were matched by Weingartz Lawn to Snow. All contributions are welcome.
Raffle Items Needed
Please"Donate To the 2013 Raffle To Benefit Holy Cross Children's Services Volunteers will be needed to help with tickets, setup and pack up. Please contact the State Advocate's Wife by phone or email Sue Vittorini 46763 Poma Court, Macomb, MI 48044 Cell Phone:. 586-718-1532 Home"Phone: 586-247-9174 Fax: 586-566-4665 Editors Note In order for the Michigan Columbian to achieve it’s goal of cutting costs we need your help. If you have moved or you are in the process of moving it is very important that you inform the financial secretary of your council that you have a new mailing address. The financial secretary will send the changes to the Supreme Office.
Record breaking streak reaches twelfth consecutive year Members purchased more long-term care policies from the Knights of Columbus than in the past five years. As other companies discontinued this vitally important product, the value and strength of our long-term care coverage remains solid. In the first full year since its introduction in the spring of 2011, our Income Armor disability income insurance has already been embraced by many members who needed to protect their income. If you have a job and you haven’t spoken to your agent about this product, you should have that conversation soon. Associate members continued to become insured members, extending our shield of protection to themselves and their families. This trend is especially important to every agent, manager and member of the staff in New Haven. After all, this is the founding goal of Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, and, with each associate-to-insured conversion, we take a step towards fulfilling his mission. My purpose in sharing these statistics with you is twofold. First, take pride in the success your organization is having in fulfilling the vision of Father McGivney by caring for the financial security of our members and their families. Second, I want to remind you that today is a great day to meet with your professional agent to discuss coverage or review your current policies. If you don’t know who he is, please visit www.kofc.org and click on “Find an Agent.” You’ll be glad you did.