Squire Advancement Program Counselors Guide

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

COUNSELOR HANDBOOK

CONTENTS

COUNSELOR GUIDLINES

REFERENCE SECTION: – Advancement Level Requirements with Squire Advancement Record – Fact Book

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM COUNSELOR GUIDELINES INTRODUCTION The Squire Advancement Program is an integral component of the Columbian Squires program. The Squire Advancement Program is designed to encourage Squires to learn and master certain activities in order to develop as leaders. As they accomplish certain objectives they will be recognized for their accomplishments and encouraged to strive to move through five increasingly challenging levels of advancement.

The Squire Advancement Program is to be a supplement and a complement, not a replacement, for traditional Squire circle activity.

As counselors and Squires become involved in the Squire Advancement Program, counselors, circle officers and other Squires will need to become familiar with how the program is designed, how it works and what is the role of counselors and Squires in this vital aspect of the Squires program.

This material is designed to answer those questions.

This handbook has three distinct parts: these “Counselor Guidelines”, the full contents of the Squire’s “Fact Book” and the list of “Advancement Level Achievements” each Squire should strive to complete.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE In Medieval times a squire was a young man in training to become a knight. Squires learned through service. There were different levels of squires, in various stages of training. Before a young man even became a squire, he began his training as a “page.” He would be trained in courtesy and chivalry, attending to the knight, his lady, and their guests, as well as attending to duties that included care of the household and table, the stables and horses, and campsite. As he was trained by squires and served the knight who was his mentor, he learned to hunt and fish, how to protect himself with a shield, to use a sword, and to ride a horse while carrying a lance.

This training continued when he became a squire. Squires became specialized in different duties, and were named accordingly. A knight might have a “squire of the chamber,” a “squire of the table,” and a “carving squire,” whose duties are fairly obvious from their titles.

A knight’s senior squire was called the “squire of the body.” The “squire of the body” was responsible for the actions and supervision of the other squires. When his knight went into battle, the “squire of the body” would accompany him, to assist him with his personal needs, including armor and armaments. If the knight was injured the “squire of the body” would tend his wounds, or, if the knight were killed, he would see to it that the body was buried.

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ADVANCEMENT LEVELS Like squires of old, through the Squire Advancement Program, Squires will advance through various levels of training. There are five levels of advancement. The five levels, in order from lowest to highest, are –

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Page Shield Bearer Swordsman Lancer Squire of the Body of Christ

Moving from level to level is a matter of achievement and recognition, not of privilege or authority. Responsibility for circle activities remains with the circle officers and committee chairmen. Thus the term “level” is used, rather than “office” or “rank.”

ADVANCEMENT COUNSELOR The chief counselor should designate himself or another counselor to serve as “Advancement Counselor.” It will be this counselor’s responsibility to supervise the “Squire Advancement Program” within the circle.

The Advancement Counselor’s duties include: 1 – Guiding the Squires through the requirements for each level of advancement, as listed in the Advancement Level flyers.

2 – Using circle meeting time to teach Squires the information they need to know to accomplish certain activities. This counselors guide provides material to use in these training sessions.

Squires who attain the level of “Lancer” or “Squire of the Body of Christ” may assist the Advancement Counselor in these training sessions. “Lancer” and “Squire of the Body of Christ” level Squires may also serve as mentors to Squires in the lower levels by working directly with them to help them meet the requirements for the higher levels they are seeking to achieve.

3 – Assuring that each Squire is credited for each activity he achieves. The “Squire Advancement Record” should be used to record the achievements of each Squire.

4 – Keep track of the advancement level each Squire has attained and recognize each Squire’s achievement. Use the “Circle Advancement Record” to record when a Squire has reached a new level. As the respective Squires advance to each higher level, an appropriate advancement level certificate and corresponding name badge, available from the Supreme Council Supply Department, should be presented to each respective Squire.

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ADVANCEMENT ACTIVITIES A list of activities has been compiled that must be accomplished for each of the five levels. In total, there are 160 listed activities. No Squire is required to do them all, even to reach the highest level of advancement. However, some achievements are required. Other achievements are optional.

Thus, a Squire has some choice in which activities he will accomplish. Besides the 160 listed activities, a Squire may even suggest his own activities, which, if approved by the advancement counselor, he can accomplish as electives.

To advance from one level to another, a Squire will need to accomplish a number of activities.

Activities in the lower levels are basic, and, particularly to achieve the level of “Page,” a large number of the listed activities are required activities. For example, for a new Squire attempting to achieve the level of “Page,” an activity may be as simple as learning the Squires Motto – “Esto Dignus,” meaning “Be Worthy.”

As a Squire advances to higher levels, he will find the listed activities become progressively more involved or difficult. On the other hand, he will have more choice in which activities to accomplish, as there are fewer required activities in the higher levels. An experienced Squire, attempting to achieve a higher level of advancement, will be expected to perform at a higher level of achievement. Thus, for a Squire who has achieved the level of “Lancer,” and desires to be a “Squire of the Body of Christ,” an activity may be as involved (though not required) as traveling to a foreign country to join the Holy Father at a World Youth Day celebration.

ACTIVITY CATAGORIES The 160 listed activities, including both required and optional activities, plus electives, are grouped into four activity categories. The four activity categories, each having 32 listed activities, are: -

Home and Family Squires and Knights Community and Country Church

REQUIRED AND OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES For each level of advancement there are certain activities that are required to be achieved to complete the requirements for that level.

Samples of required activities, from various levels, include knowing circle officer names; knowing the basics of parliamentary procedure; knowing basic prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and certain Church rules; attending Mass; receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation; giving three speeches before the circle; and performing a major project for the parish or another Church institution.

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SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM COUNSELOR GUIDELINES

The number of required activities in each activity category, and for each level, will vary.

Advancement Level Page Shield Bearer Swordsman Lancer Squire of the Body of Christ

# of Required Activities 14 4 3 2 2 25

Of the 160 listed activities, those which are not required, are optional, that is, the Squire may pick and choose which ones he wants to accomplish, provided he achieves the required number of activities necessary to advance from one level to another.

Once again, the Squire Advancement Program is in addition to, and does not replace, a Squire’s traditional circle responsibilities and activity. The Laws and Rules for the Columbian Squires require that every Squire, except officers, be appointed to a circle activity committee. Serving as a circle officer, ceremonial team member or committee chairmen, can count as an activity, however, for purposes of the Squire Advancement Program, these are optional, not required, activities.

ELECTIVE ACTIVITIES A Squire may propose an activity as an “elective” achievement in order to get credit for a hobby, talent, program or training course that the Squire plans to participate in. In determining whether to approve the “elective” activity as an eligible achievement, the Advancement Counselor should determine if the achievement is appropriate for the Advancement level, in terms of the amount of work expected and the leadership skills and experience to be gained. The subject matter of the proposed achievement must fall within the achievement category for which credit is sought. The Squire should be given credit for future work in this area, not for what he has done prior to making and receiving approval for his “elective” achievement.

For each of the first four levels – Page, Shield Bearer, Swordsman and Lancer – a Squire may suggest one elective activity that he will accomplish in each activity category, for a maximum total of four electives per level.

For the highest level – Squire of the Body of Christ – a Squire may suggest up to two elective activities which he will accomplish in each of the four categories, for a maximum of eight electives.

Maximum # of Advancement Level Elective Activities Page 4 Shield Bearer 4 Swordsman 4 Lancer 4 Squire of the Body of Christ 8 24

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QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADVANCEMENT For a Squire to achieve the Page and Shield Bearer levels, he will need to accomplish 24 activities for each level. For the three more advanced levels, Swordsman, Lancer and Squire of the Body of Christ, a Squire will be required to accomplish at least 16 activities for each level. Thus, to advance through all five levels, he must complete a total of 96 activities.

Total # of Activities # of Required Maximum Total # of Activities Advancement Level To be Accomplished Advancement Level Activities # Electives To be Accomplished Page 24 Shield Bearer 24 24 Page 14 4 Swordsman 4 16 24 Shield Bearer 4 Lancer 16 16 Swordsman 3 4 Squire of the2 Body of Christ4 16 16 Lancer 96 16 Squire of the Body of Christ 2 8 To achieve each level, a minimum of four activities must be completed by a Squire in each of the four activity categories – “Home and Family,” “Squires and Knights,” Community and Country,” and “Church”. This helps to assure that he participates in a broad range of activities.

To advance from one level to another a Squire will need to accomplish all of the qualifications for the lower level first. A Squire may work on activities for a more advanced level, and receive certification for achieving an activity, but he must meet all of the qualifications for each of the previous levels before he can be recognized for achieving a higher level. In other words, a Squire who has not yet achieved the “Page” level may work on requirements for the Shield Bearer level, and even complete and be certified for all of the requirements for “Shield Bearer,” but, he must first complete the requirements for “Page” before he can be awarded “Shield Bearer” status.

The qualifications always require that the Squire be a member in good standing in the circle and that he actively participate in circle meetings and events. Some advancement activities require a certain length of time as a Squire, as a circle officer or as an activities committee chairman.

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RECORDING OF ACHIEVEMENTS The advancement counselor shall certify that a Squire has accomplished a certain activity, or completed all of the requirements for a particular achievement level. A parent or guardian, or a counselor, may certify that a “Home and Family” activity, and certain activities in other categories, has been accomplished. Each Squire will have an Advancement Record to have signed and dated by his parent/guardian or counselor, as appropriate. The Advancement Counselor will maintain a master Advancement Record for each member of the circle that he shall update at each meeting from those of the individual Squires.

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Each circle is encouraged to implement the Squire Advancement Program so that every Squire has the opportunity to master the skills, knowledge and attitudes of Catholic leadership. To implement the program, begin at a circle meeting by using the PowerPoint presentation to carefully explain the program to all Squires and to distribute appropriate Squires Advancement Program materials. Each Squire should be given the “Achievement Level Requirements with Squire Advancement Record”, and a “Fact Book.”

The circle should determine how often and when it will hold training, testing and certification sessions.

TRANSITION While this program is new, since some Squires may have been circle members for many years, these veteran Squires may have some catching up to do. They should be given credit for activities they have already achieved under the new Squire Advancement Program.

In implementing the new program, priority should be given to having the most senior Squires (based on length of time as a Squire), and oldest Squires, certified first, in as many required and optional achievements as possible, based on previous accomplishments. Credit for electives may not be retroactive, but may only be given for elective achievements accomplished after July 1, 2005.

After all Squires have been certified in past or current activities, focus should move towards accomplishing new activities.

ADVANCEMENT TRAINING A significant number of activities, particularly in the initial levels, require learning, or even memorization, of certain information. Most of this information is contained in a “Fact Book” which should be given to each Squire. Squires will need to learn the material in this book on their own, with a fellow Squire, or in groups. Squires should be encouraged to learn everything in this 6

“Fact Book.” As they master the material, they should be encouraged to challenge other Squires, when they are together, to answer questions pertaining to this material. These promptings should be done in a mentoring way, not in a “hazing” manner, to fraternally remind and motivate Squires to learn their material, to accomplish new activities, and to advance from one level to another.

Some activities can be accomplished simply by a Squire actively participating in the circle. For example, a Squire could accomplish an achievement by serving on a circle activities committee or on the circle’s ceremonial team. Or, he could receive certification for recruiting a new member.

These activities are basic to what every Squire does, or should do. Other achievements will need to be set up by counselors or parents as specific circle or family activities. Examples include going to a museum or a sporting event, or inviting government officials, such as the mayor or state or provincial legislator, to address the circle.

Some activities could be taught at circle meetings. For example, Squires could be shown how to raise, lower and fold their national flag. A portion of a meeting should occasionally, perhaps quarterly, be set aside for this purpose. The material could be presented by a counselor, by another Knight, by an experienced Squire, or by some other person invited to make a presentation to the circle on a specific subject during the “entertainment” portion of the circle’s meeting agenda.

Some state circles may choose to hold similar sessions during a portion of a state circle convention or other state circle gathering. All of the Squires attending such a session could then be certified in having mastered that certain activity, based on their attendance or, if necessary, testing during or following the session.

A final group of activities would be those that must be accomplished by a Squire working more or less independently on a specific authorized activity. These could include most “Home and Family” activities, as well as some other activities of a service, civic or spiritual nature. As long as the activity is verified as having taken place, the Squire will receive certification for accomplishing it.

Parents/guardians will be authorized to provide certification for some of these activities occurring away from the circle.

SQUIRES AS MENTORS With the Advancement Counselor’s permission, once a Squire qualifies for the “Lancer” level, he may then act as a mentor to the other Squires working to achieve any of the lower levels. A Squire on the “Lancer” or “Squire of the Body of Christ” level may help other Squires to learn or test for certification in appropriate achievements and advancement levels.

RECOGNITION As Squires move from level to level, each will receive a certificate signifying the Advancement level attained. Certificates are available at no charge from the Supreme Council Supply Department. Each circle should hold periodic recognition sessions, during which time Squires will be presented with their certificates. It is recommended these sessions be open so that parents, siblings and others might attend.

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Certificates for the first four levels should be signed by the chief counselor and the chief squire before presentation. Certificates for the highest level, recognizing a “Squire of the Body of Christ,” will be specially prepared by the Supreme Council office and should be ordered from the Department of Fraternal Services. These certificates will have the signature of the supreme knight and will be forewarded to the state deputy for his signature and presentation by the state deputy.

In addition to a certificate, a Squire should be presented with a name badge representing the level of advancement he has attained. Each name badge will have a place to write or type the Squire’s name. Squires should wear their name badges at all circle meetings and during other Squires and Knights activities. The name badges for “Page,” “Shield Bearer,” “Swordsman,” and “Lancer” should be purchased by the circle from the Supreme Council Supply Department. The name badge for a “Squire of the Body of Christ” should be ordered, at no charge, from the Department of Fraternal Services, which will have the Squire’s special name badge prepared and forewarded to the state deputy for presentation to the Squire at an appropriate occasion.

When one or more Squires reach the level of the “Squire of the Body of Christ,” recognition should be given in a manner befitting the achievement of this most prestigious of all Squire awards. Mass and Communion, followed by an awards dinner or breakfast and ceremony, just for this purpose, would certainly be appropriate. The state deputy, other state council officers, state squires committeemen, the district deputy, the grand knight or faithful navigator, sponsoring council or assembly officers, clergy, Knights, public officials, parents, siblings, other relatives and other guests, including members of the press and the media, should be invited and welcomed to all advancement ceremonies, but especially to those recognizing a “Squire of the Body of Christ.”

PROGRAM MATERIALS – “Advancement Counselor” – Resource Book – “Fact Book” for each Squire – information Squires will need to learn to qualify for certain advancement activities – Individual/Circle Advancement Record Forms – “Advancement Level Requirements with Squire Advancement Record” – Advancement level certificates (1 for each of the 5 levels)

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ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

CONTENTS 1–2

Shield Bearer

3–4

Swordsman

5–6

Lancer

7–8

Squire of the Body of Christ

9-10

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

Page

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Qualifications Be a Squire in good standing for at least two months. Complete 24 “Page” achievements, minimum of four in each category. Achievements typed in bold face are required for that category.

Certifications After completing an achievement, ask your counselor to put his initials and the date on the line next to each achievement, to indicate when the achievement was certified as completed. Achievements marked with an asterisk (*) may be certified by a parent’s/guardian’s initials and the date. Your counselor will also enter the certification dates into his copy of your Squire Advancement Record. If an elective is completed, write the name or a description of the elective activity on the line provided.

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

Home and Family *1 - Lead your family in a blessing before your evening meal for at least one week *2 - Hold a family talent night *3 - Have a game night with your family to play board, card, video or other games *4 - Create a photo album or scrapbook of your family’s activities or achievements *5 - Use a new recipe to cook a meal for your family *6 - Celebrate a holiday with your family with decorations and a holiday meal *7 - Go on an outdoor outing (picnic, camping trip, sledding, fishing, etc.) with your family *8 - Go on a cultural outing (to a theater, museum, historical site, etc.) with your family *9 - Elective - _________________________________________________ Squires and Knights 1 - Know the Squires motto and be able to describe the meaning of each symbol in the Squires emblem 2 - Name the founder of the Knights of Columbus and when, where and how it was started 3 - Name the founder of the Columbian Squires and when, where and how it was started 4 - Know the names of the officers and counselors of the circle and the officers of the state circle 5 - Serve on a circle committee and attend circle and committee meetings for at least 2 months 6 - Know how to make, amend or dispose of a motion, ask a point of information or adjourn a meeting using Parliamentary Procedure 7 - Attend an activity sponsored by your sponsoring council or assembly 8 - Recruit a friend as a new Squire 9 - Elective - ____________________________________________________ Community and Country 1 - U.S. Squires, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and know about its origin, including the words “under God” 2 - Learn the history and words of your National Anthem, how it was chosen as the national anthem, and sing it with your circle 3 - Learn and demonstrate the proper way to display, hoist, lower and fold the flag 4 - Name the major geographic features in your town, such as lakes, rivers, hills, parks, etc.

5 - Name the symbols of your nation and state/province, such as the official bird and flower 6 - Name and know the purpose of the patriotic holidays specific to your country, such as Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day in the U.S.

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7 - Describe the type of local government in your town (mayor/council, selectman/council, Board of Education, town meeting, county commissioners, city manager, etc.)

8 - Know the names of the local head of government, the governor/premier of your state/province and the president/prime minister of your country 9 - Elective -_____________________________________________________ Church

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

*1 - Recite the “Ten Commandments” *2 - Recite the “Seven Sacraments” and explain the purpose of each *3 - Recite the “Precepts of the Church” *4 - Recite from memory the “Our Father” “Hail Mary” “Glory Be” “Apostle’s Creed” and the “Act of Contrition” *5 - Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation *6 - Attend Mass at least weekly *7 - Set aside five minutes each day for personal prayer *8 - Recite the names of the Pope, your bishop and your pastor *9 - Elective - _________________________________________________

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SHIELD BEARER

Qualifications Regular attendance at circle and committee meetings and activities for at least 6 months. Complete 24 Shield Bearer achievements, with a minimum of four in each category. Achievements typed in bold face are required for that category.

Certifications After completing an achievement, ask your counselor to put his initials and the date on the line next to each achievement, to indicate when the achievement was certified as completed. Achievements marked with an asterisk (*) may be certified by a parent’s/guardian’s initials and the date. Your counselor will also enter the certification dates into his copy of your Squire Advancement Record. If an elective is completed, write the name or a description of the elective activity on the line provided.

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

Home and Family *1 - Research and create a “family tree” of your family and relatives *2 - Put together a jigsaw puzzle or create a craft or artistic item with your family *3 - Hold a family exercise session *4 - Attend a sporting event with your family *5 - Plant a vegetable or flower garden or care for a selection of indoor plants *6 - Attend a play, concert or movie or watch a video/DVD at home with your family *7 - Make and decorate a cake, pie or other desert for a birthday or other special occasion *8 - Go on an outing or other activity with your grandparents *9 - Elective - __________________________________________________ Squires and Knights 1 - Know and be able to use the basic motions of Parliamentary Procedure listed in the Squire Advancement Program “Fact Book” or in the “Circle Operations and Executive Leadership Guide” (#498) 2 - At a circle meeting give a one minute speech about yourself and your family 3 - Achieve “Very Important Proposer” (VIP) status by recruiting at least 1 new member 4 - As a Squire, attend a Squires circle investiture ceremony 5 - Be able to recite a brief biography of Father McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus 6 - Be able to recite a brief biography of Brother Barnabas, founder of the Columbian Squires 7 - Know the qualifications for the Corps d’Elite Award and the Brother Barnabas Award 8 - Know the names of the grand knight/faithful navigator of your sponsoring unit, the district deputy, your state or territorial deputy and the supreme knight 9 - Elective - ______________________________________________________

Community and Country *1 - Talk to a veteran about his/her experience in the military *2 - Write a letter about a local issue to a government official or newspaper editor *3 - Attend a parade with your family or circle 4 - Participate in the posting of the colors ceremony 5 - If in a U.S. circle, lead the “Pledge of Allegiance” at a circle meeting 6 - Listen to a talk to your circle about public safety by a local fire or police official such as the fire chief or chief of police, or other emergency preparedness officer, or take a tour with them of their office and facility 7 - Attend a local, county, state/province or national government meeting 8 - Learn about and tell your circle about an historical event that occurred in or near your town 9 - Elective - ____________________________________________________ 3

SHIELD BEARER

Church

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

*1 - Rosary devotion - a - recite the four categories of Mysteries of the Rosary; b - pray the Rosary alone *2 - Know the Holy Days of Obligation, the requirements to receive communion and the rules for fast and abstinence during Lent *3 - Learn about and describe the life of the patron saint after whom you were named *4 - Say a prayer of intercession to Father McGivney and pray for his canonization 5 - Take a guided tour of the rectory/parish office to learn what is done there 6 - Take a guided tour of the church, including the altar, tabernacle, sacristy and pulpit 7 - Attend a meeting in which a guest speaker talks about some aspect of Church history 8 - Attend Mass with your Squires circle 9 - Elective - ____________________________________________

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SWORDSMAN

Qualifications Attendance at circle and committee meetings and activities for at least nine months, completed 16 Swordsman achievements, four in each category. Achievements typed in bold face are required for that category.

Certifications

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

After completing an achievement, ask your counselor to put his initials and the date on the line next to each achievement, to indicate when the achievement was certified as completed. Achievements marked with an asterisk (*) may be certified by a parent’s/guardian’s initials and the date. Your counselor will also enter the certification dates into his copy of your Squire Advancement Record. If an elective is completed, write the name or a description of the elective activity on the line provided.

Home and Family *1 - Plan and hold an international night with your family, featuring food, music, entertainment and dress from a foreign country *2 - Keep a scrapbook of your achievements and important papers and awards *3 - Set up a bird feeder in your yard, identify, list, and report to your circle the number and types of birds that visit over a two week period *4 - With a parent or guardian, plan your family’s meals for a week, create a grocery list and do the grocery shopping while staying within a pre-set food budget *5 - Organize a family charity project, such as donating food to a local soup kitchen *6 - Plan and carry out a home emergency plan, including escape routes, procedures, and obtaining emergency supplies and equipment for different types of possible emergencies *7 - Help a parent/guardian/grandparent/other relative or neighbor with a home fix-it project, such as painting, repairing or constructing something around the house *8 - Create a painting/drawing, sculpture, photo exhibit or other type of art or craft project for a 1-3 minute presentation at a circle meeting *9 - Elective - ___________________________________________________ Squires and Knights 1 - Give a 1-3 minute speech to your circle about your favorite hobby or sport 2 - Serve on a circle activity committee and help organize and hold at least two activities sponsored by the committee 3 - Recruit at least one new member 4 - Hear a member of the Fourth Degree discuss its history, purpose and membership requirements 5 - Participate in a joint circle/sponsoring council or circle/sponsoring assembly activity 6 - Listen to a K of C officer discus why he is a Knight and what he does in the K of C 7 - Serve as a member of the circle’s ceremonial team and participate in at least one investiture 8 - Recite the names of the officers of your sponsoring K of C unit, of the state circle, the state council and of the Supreme Council officers 9 - Elective - _____________________________________________________

Community and Country *1 - Visit and tour a facility for the poor or homeless, such as a soup kitchen *2 - Visit and tour a pregnancy help center *3 - Assist a person who is elderly, ill, injured or who has a disability with some chores around his or her house *4 - Participate in a program, such as Special Olympics, that supports people who are intellectually, emotionally or physically challenged

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SWORDSMAN

5 - Attend a circle meeting at which your state senator, state representative or other elected or appointed public official, or some other state/provincial or community leader, is invited to speak 6 - Plan and carry out a project to clean up, recycle items, or otherwise improve the environment around your house, neighborhood or town 7 - Join in a walk-a-thon, car wash or other fund raising project to raise money for a worthy cause 8 - March in a local parade with your circle 9 - Elective - _____________________________________________________ Church

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

*1 - Describe the three types of vocations – married, single, clerical *2 - Describe and distinguish between the role of priests, deacons, brothers, nuns, and lay ministers *3 - Lead a personal prayer at a Squires meeting 4 - Lead a decade of the rosary in a group 5 - Be trained and serve as an altar server 6 - Attend a circle meal with the pastor and/or father prior at the rectory 7 - Participate in a circle sponsored Mass in which you participate in the choir, as an usher, altar server, lector, Eucharistic Minister or in some other active role 8 - Attend Mass at the arch/diocesan cathedral and tour the chancery office to learn the duties of the various arch/diocesan offices and ministries - meet the cardinal/arch/bishop, if available, to discuss the hierarchy of the Catholic Church 9 - Elective - ____________________________________________________

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LANCER

Qualifications Attendance at circle and committee meetings and activities for at least one year, accomplish 16 Lancer achievements, four in each category. Achievements typed in bold face are required for that category.

Certifications

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

After completing an achievement, ask your counselor to put his initials and the date on the line next to each achievement, to indicate when the achievement was certified as completed. Achievements marked with an asterisk (*) may be certified by a parent’s/guardian’s initials and the date. Your counselor will also enter the certification dates into his copy of your Squire Advancement Record. If an elective is completed, write the name or a description of the elective activity on the line provided.

Home and Family

*1 - Video or write a family history by interviewing your siblings, parents and grandparents *2 - With your parents’ permission, redecorate your bedroom or another room in your home *3 - With your parents, review or create a budget for your family, and a budget for yourself based on your allowance or wages and expenses *4 - Use a computer program, or graph paper, to design what your future home, an addition on your current home, or some other building or architectural design, might look like *5 - Write a short story, play, or poem, or the lyrics or musical score for a song *6 - Pray the Rosary with your parents daily for one week, for seven Sundays, or on seven other occasions *7 - With a friend or two, perhaps at dinner, bring your parents up to date on the current youth scene, describing the newest in clothing fashions, fads, slang, music/CDs, dances, movies/videos/DVDs, computer games, television shows, sports and dating trends *8 - Use a computer or paper to record the daily weather conditions at your house for one month *9 - Elective - __________________________________________________ Squires and Knights 1 - Give a persuasive one minute speech at a circle meeting about an activity you would like the circle to consider holding 2 - Recruit at least one new member 3 - Send a Mass card, sympathy note, flowers or other item to a fellow Squire or counselor upon the occasion of the death of a member of his family 4 - Join the Father McGivney Guild and pray for his canonization 5 - Depending on your eligibility, participate in one of the following K of C programs - Free Throw, Soccer Challenge, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Poster Contest or the Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest 6 - Assist your sponsoring council in fund raising for people who are intellectually challenged 7 - Attend or participate in a sporting event sponsored by your circle or sponsoring council/assembly 8 - Attend a religious or civic event in which a Fourth Degree Honor Guard participates 9 - Elective - _______________________________________________________ Community and Country

*1 - Attend a public meeting of a local government agency *2 - Tour your town or city hall and meet the mayor, town manager, county commissioner or other public official *3 - Visit an historical site, battlefield or museum concerning the history of your country *4 - Visit and tour an agency that helps people with health issues such as AIDS or cancer or social problems such as alcoholism and drug abuse *5 - Demonstrate expertise in a sport by being a member of a team, league, club or course in which you earn a certificate, grade, letter, medal, trophy or other recognition *6 - Visit the Knights of Columbus Museum and St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, CT 7

LANCER

7 - Participate in a circle service program in which you are responsible for leading or organizing a portion of that program 8 - Participate in a circle service program at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter 9 - Elective - _______________________________________________________ Church

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

*1 - Receive the Sacrament of Confirmation *2 - Spend a holy hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament *3 - Be commissioned as a Eucharistic Minister, if allowed by the diocese and pastor *4 - Serve on a committee in your parish *5 - Memorize and recite the 20 mysteries of the four categories of the Rosary 6 - Give a 3-5 minute speech to your circle on the Catholic Church’s position on one of the following issues: war, the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, bioethics, poverty, hunger, homelessness, health care, worker rights 7 - Show support for a seminarian by a visit or sending him a personal letter, card or care package, or by participating in a circle sponsored fund raiser to raise funds for an RSVP scholarship 8 - Participate in a recitation or reenactment of the Stations of the Cross with your circle or in your parish or school 9 - Elective - ______________________________________________________

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SQUIRE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

Qualifications Be a Squire for at least two years, accomplish 16 Squire of the Body of Christ achievements, four in each category.

Achievements typed in bold face are required for that category.

Certifications

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

After completing an achievement, ask your counselor to put his initials and the date on the line next to each achievement, to indicate when the achievement was certified as completed. Achievements marked with an asterisk (*) may be certified by a parent’s/guardian’s initials and the date. Your counselor will also enter the certification dates into his copy of your Squire Advancement Record. If an elective is completed, write the name or a description of the elective activity on the line provided.

Home and Family *1 - Read and review the section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the requirements and rules for the Sacrament of Marriage and discuss them with your parents, pastor, father prior or counselor *2 - Support, participate in or organize a pro-life program concerning the unborn, the disabled or the elderly *3 - Give support to a child or family through an aid agency *4 - Read a chapter in each of six books of the Bible and discuss each in a half hour Bible Study with a parent, or a circle or parish sponsored Bible study *5 - Use a home telescope or a telescope at a nearby college or observatory to view the moon, planets and stars *6 - Take a day or overnight trip with your family to a Catholic shrine *7 - Help your family organize and hold a family reunion *8 - Design and create a homepage for a website *9 - Elective - __________________________________________________ *10 - Elective - __________________________________________________ Squires and Knights 1 - Recruit at least one new Squire 2 - Attend a meeting of another Squires circle 3 - Serve on a ceremonial team investing new members into another Squires circle 4 - Assist in the institution or reinstitution of a new Squires circle 5 - Serve as a mentor to a Squire to help him achieve the rank of “Page” or “Shield Bearer” 6 - Attend your jurisdiction’s state circle convention, if one is held in your jurisdiction 7 - Be elected or appointed to a state or local circle officer position, committee chairmanship, or ceremonial team member 8 - If you are 18 years old, become a Knight of Columbus 9 - Elective - ____________________________________________________ 10 - Elective - ____________________________________________________ Community and Country *1 - Travel to your state or provincial capital and visit key government offices, such as the executive and judicial branches, and, if in session, listen to the debate and parliamentary procedure and observe the voting of the legislature *2 - Attend a public hearing to speak for or against an issue being considered by a council, board, commission or other government agency *3 - Volunteer in a political campaign to work on behalf of a candidate you support *4 - Visit and tour a hospital for veterans, a military service academy or a military base that is open to visitors *5 - Work on a project with Habitat for Humanity, a Catholic work camp, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services or a similar construction, relief or development organization 9

SQUIRE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

*6 - If you are 18 years old, register as a voter 7 - Invite your Congressman or Member of Parliament to speak to your circle or visit his/her office 8 - Ask your town councilman/county commissioner or other local official, or your state senator or state representative, or your Congressman or Member of Parliament, to introduce legislation recommended by your circle 9 - Elective - _____________________________________________________ Church

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS with SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT RECORD

1 - With your counselor’s approval, organize a service project to benefit your parish or another Catholic institution in your arch/diocese *2 - Attend a diocesan or national Catholic youth conference, or World Youth Day with the Pope *3 - Say a novena for a special intention *4 - Attend a day-long or overnight spiritual retreat with your circle, parish or school *5 - Serve as a religious education instructor or as an assistant to one *6 - Read a book or watch a movie/video/DVD about the Church’s Ecumenical Councils or other events in the history of the Catholic Church and discuss it with a counselor/parent 7 - Read a papal encyclical and give a 3-5 minute talk to the circle about what it says 8 - Christian Faith Study – study the basics of another Christian denomination or other religion and use a 3-5 minute talk to describe to the circle any similarities and differences in beliefs and practices as compared to the Catholic Church 9 - Elective - _____________________________________________________ 10 - Elective - _____________________________________________________

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INTRODUCTION

The Squire Advancement Program has five levels of achievement – Page, Shield Bearer, Swordsman, Lancer, and the most difficult, but most prestigious level, Squire of the Body of Christ. The information in this booklet can be of help to you as you complete different achievements in the Squire Advancement Program. Refer to the lists of achievements you will need to accomplish, to determine which information you will need to refer to in this booklet.

Achievement of all five levels of advancement could take several years, so, hold on to this booklet, as you may need it for a long time.

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

This is not a textbook. Nor is it a novel to be read from start to finish. Rather, it is a reference book that contains a lot of information, to be referred to when you need it. It is a book to be used, when it is needed. Browse through it, so you will know what tools are available, when you need them.

While some of the information, such as many of the prayers and holidays, may already be familiar to you, some others may not be. Some other sections of this booklet contain more information than you need to know. For example, this booklet contains a list of the official birds and flowers for all of the states and provinces in the United States and Canada. You may only need to know the official bird and flower of your own state or province, but, of course, you can learn the other ones, if you want to!

Some information, such as the names of your circle officers, is not in this booklet, but there is a place for it. Write the names of your circle officers in the proper place. There are other places to write in additional information as well. It’s your booklet, so write notes in it wherever you want or need to.

Finally, some of the information contained here will probably be completely new to you. Whether it is information you will need to complete an achievement, or not, it is good information for you to know. You might even find it interesting enough to want to learn more about it by additional research on the Internet or in the library. By all means, take the opportunity to do so. Whether it helps you to become a Squire of the Body of Christ, or just a more educated person, you will be glad you did.

S Q U I R E A D VA N C E M E N T P R O G R A M FA C T B O O K Table of Contents

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

Grace Before and After Meals.............................................................. 3 Squires Motto....................................................................................... 3 Squires Pledge..................................................................................... 3 Symbolism of the Squires Emblem...................................................... 3 Knights of Columbus – Founding and History................................... 3 Columbian Squires – Founding and History........................................ 5 My Circle Officers................................................................................. 5 My Circle’s Counselors......................................................................... 5 My State Circle Officers....................................................................... 5 Parliamentary Procedure...................................................................... 6 Pledge of Allegiance – History and Wording....................................... 7 U. S. National Anthem – History and Lyrics......................................... 9 Canadian National Anthem – History and Lyrics................................ 10 Philippine National Anthem – History and Lyrics.............................. 10 Significant Geographic Features in Your City/Town............................ 11 Official National/State/Province Birds and Flowers........................... 12 Local Government................................................................................ 14 U. S. Patriotic Holidays....................................................................... 14 Canadian Patriotic Holidays.................................................................15 Philippine Patriotic Holidays............................................................... 16 Government Leaders........................................................................... 17 The Ten Commandments.................................................................... 17 The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church.................................. 17 The Precepts of the Church................................................................ 18 Our Father........................................................................................... 18 Hail Mary............................................................................................ 18 Glory Be.............................................................................................. 18 Apostles' Creed.................................................................................. 19 Act of Contrition.................................................................................. 19 A Guide for Confession....................................................................... 19 Pope, Arch/bishop, Pastor.................................................................. 21 Basics of Public Speaking.................................................................. 21

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

Nine Keys to a Great Speech............................................................. 21 VIP Club Rules................................................................................... 22 Father McGivney – Founder of the Knights of Columbus................. 22 Brother Barnabas – Founder of the Columbian Squires....................24 Corps d’Elite Award – Requirements..................................................25 Brother Barnabas Award – Requirements.......................................... 26 Sponsoring Council/Assembly Officers.............................................. 26 District Deputy.................................................................................... 27 State Council Officers.........................................................................27 Supreme Council Officers...................................................................27 Holy Days of Obligation.....................................................................27 Requirements for Receiving Holy Communion...................................28 Rules for Fast and Abstinence During Lent........................................28 Prayer for the Canonization of Rev. Michael J. McGivney..................28 The Fourth Degree..............................................................................28 Household Budget..............................................................................29 Father Michael J. McGivney Guild.......................................................30 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.............................. 31 Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge............................................ 31 Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest.................................................................. 31 Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest.....................................................31 Knights of Columbus Museum...........................................................32 St. Mary’s Church...............................................................................33 The Mysteries of the Rosary.............................................................. 34 Stations of the Cross......................................................................... 35 Requirements for the Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church....................................................................... 35 Pro-Life Basics................................................................................... 36 List of Major Catholic Sites and Shrines........................................... 37 Knights of Columbus – Membership Requirements...........................39 Requirements for Becoming a Voter.................................................. 39 World Youth Days.............................................................................. 39 Novenas – What They are and How to Make One............................ 40 The Ecumenical Councils....................................................................40

Grace Before and After Meals Before: Bless us, O Lord! and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

After: We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who lives and reigns world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

Squires Pledge “We promise to pattern our lives on that of the youth Christ.”

Symbolism of the Squires Emblem The Squires emblem symbolizes the ideals which identify a Squire. On the arms of a Maltese cross are the letters “P,” which represents the physical development necessary to make the body as strong as the spirit; “I,” which stands for the intellectual development needed for cultural and mental maturity; “S,” which represents the spiritual growth and practice of our faith, and “C,” which stands for the development of citizenship and civic life. The larger letters “C,” representing Christ; “S,” the Squires; and “K,” the Knights of Columbus by whom the Squires program is sponsored, are intertwined in the center of the cross. They are the three foundations of the program. “Esto Dignus,” the Squires’ motto encircling the emblem, is Latin for “Be Worthy.”

Knights of Columbus – Founding and History The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut.

Father McGivney worked closely with the young people of St. Mary's parish, holding catechism classes and organizing a total abstinence society to fight alcoholism. In 1881 he began to explore with various laymen the idea of a Catholic, fraternal benefit society. In an era when parish clubs and fraternal societies had wide popular appeal, the young priest felt there should be some way to strengthen the religious faith of the men and their families, and at the same time provide for the financial needs of families overwhelmed by illness or the death of the breadwinner.

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

Squires Motto “Esto Dignus” – “Be Worthy”

Father McGivney discussed this idea with Bishop Lawrence McMahon of Hartford, and received his approval. He traveled to Boston to talk with the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, and traveled to Brooklyn to consult the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He met with other priests of the diocese. Wherever he could, he sought information that would help the Catholic laymen to organize themselves into a benefit society.

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William Geary, one of the Order's charter members, said that at the first council meeting in 1882, Father McGivney was "acclaimed as founder by 24 men with hearts full of joy and thanksgiving, recognizing that without his optimism, his will to succeed, his counsel and advice they would have failed."

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

Father McGivney had suggested “Sons of Columbus” as a name for the Order. This would bind Catholicism and Americanism together through the faith and bold vision of the New World's discoverer.

The word "knights" replaced "sons" because key members of the organizing group who were Irish-born Civil War veterans felt it would help to apply a noble ritual in support of the emerging cause of Catholic civil liberty. In the first public reference to the Order on February 8, 1882, the New Haven Morning Journal and Courier said the Knights of Columbus' initial meeting had been held the night before at St. Mary’s Church.

On March 29, the Connecticut legislature granted a charter to the Knights of Columbus, formally establishing it as a legal corporation. The Order's principles in 1882 were "Unity" and "Charity." The concepts of "Fraternity" and "Patriotism" were added later. Each of these ideals played a major role in ceremonials from the beginning. The Columbus-linked themes, says historian Christopher J. Kauffman, "reverberated with pride in the American promise of liberty, equality and opportunity.”

In April 1882, Father McGivney, with the permission of Bishop McMahon, wrote to all the pastors of the Diocese of Hartford. The Order's primary objective, he wrote, was to dissuade Catholics from joining secret societies by providing them better advantages at times of death or sickness.

He urged each pastor to exert his influence "in the formation of a Council in your parish." Father McGivney personally installed the first officers of San Salvador Council #1 in New Haven, in May 1882.

By May 1883, Council 2 had been instituted in Meriden, Connecticut and Bishop McMahon, so impressed with the organization, became a member of Council 11 in 1884, and served as its council chaplain. By the end of 1885, there were 31 councils in Connecticut.

From the moment it was launched, the organization fortified Catholics in their faith, offered them ways to greater financial security in a sometimes hostile world, and strengthened their selfesteem.

From its simple beginnings in a church basement, the Knights of Columbus today combines Catholic fraternalism and one of the most successful American insurance enterprises. The four towers of the international headquarters symbolize the Order's worldwide commitment to charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Over 13,500 fraternal councils are active in more than 10 countries.

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Over 1.7 million Knights contribute about $144 million and 68 million hours of volunteer service to charitable causes annually — for example, the $1 million donated in 2001 through its Hero’s Fund following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, $500,000 in aid following the Asian tsunami in 2004, and $2.5 million pledged, and an additional $4.2 million raised, for it’s Gulf States relief effort following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

At St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Father McGivney's polished granite sarcophagus, sheltered inside a totally restored church, now has become a shrine for pilgrim Knights and Squires to visit where the Order began.

On August 4, 1925, Duluth Circle #1, sponsored by Duluth Council #447, was the first circle instituted – in conjunction with the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus, held in Duluth, Minnesota.

My Circle Officers Chief Squire: _______________________________________________________________ Deputy Chief Squire: ________________________________________________________ Notary: ___________________________________________________________________ Bursar: ___________________________________________________________________ Marshal: __________________________________________________________________ Sentry: ____________________________________________________________________ Arm Captain: _______________________________________________________________ Pole Captain: _______________________________________________________________ My Circle’s Counselors Chief Counselor: ____________________________________________________________ Father Prior: _______________________________________________________________ Committee Counselors: _______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

Columbian Squires – Founding and History Brother Barnabas McDonald, a de La Salle Christian Brother, whose entire adult life was devoted to the welfare of young men, in 1923 was charged by the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council with the development of a program for Catholic young men to help in the development of each member's leadership abilities.

My State Circle Officers State Chief Squire: ____________________________________________________________ State Father Prior: ____________________________________________________________ State Deputy Chief Squire: ______________________________________________________ State Notary: _________________________________________________________________ State Bursar: _________________________________________________________________ State Marshal: ________________________________________________________________ State Sentry: _________________________________________________________________ 5

Parliamentry Procedure (Refer to Robert's Rules of Order for greater detail.)

• Quorum A quorum is the minimum number of members needed to conduct business.

Each circle sets this number and it is noted in its bylaws.

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

• Motions and Resolutions A motion is a proposal that the circle take certain action, or that it holds a certain view or position on a particular issue. To make a motion, a Squire would say, "I move that" and then states the action he proposes the circle to take. For example, he could say, “I move that we hold a pizza party and game night following our next monthly meeting.”

• Seconding Motions As a general rule, with some exceptions, every motion should be seconded. A motion is seconded by a member's saying, "I second the motion," or "I second it.”

When a motion has been made and seconded, it is the duty of the chief squire, unless he rules the motion out of order immediately, to state the question - that is, state the exact question that is before the circle for its consideration and action. Thus, he may say: "It is moved and seconded that the following motion be adopted [reading the motion/resolution];" or "It is moved and seconded to adopt the following motion/ resolution."

• Debate/Discussion After a question has been moved, seconded and stated by the chief squire, the circle should consider it, debate it, discuss it, and take action. All resolutions, reports of committees, communications to the circle, and all amendments proposed to them, and all other motions, except certain undebatable motions, may be debated before final action is taken on them, unless by a two-thirds vote the circle decides to dispose of them without debate.

By a two-thirds vote is meant two-thirds of the votes of those being present cast.

Debate must be limited to the merits of the last question stated by the chair that is still pending. In a few cases the main question is also open to debate.

• Secondary Motions If a Squire wants to change the motion in some way, he may make a motion to amend it, to commit, etc., and for the time being this subsidiary motion would replace the main motion, or resolution. For example, he may say “I move that the motion be amended so that the pizza party and game night be held after our meeting in April, instead of March.” This becomes the immediately pending question, which must be decided before going back to the main motion.

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Besides changing, or amending, the main motion, some other secondary motions are: - Commit or refer the main motion to a committee - Defer action - Postpone indefinitely or to a certain time - Make a special order (2/3 vote) - Table the Motion (this means take no further action, killing the motion, at least temporarily) - Suppress or limit debate (“Call the question”) (2/3 vote) - Object to its consideration (2/3 vote)

• Putting the Question and Announcing the Vote When the debate/discussion appears to have ended, a Squire may move to “close the question,” or the chief squire asks, "Are you ready for the question?" If no one objects, debate is ended and he proceeds to put the question – that is, to take the vote on the question, first calling for the affirmative (“yeas”) and then for the negative (“nays”).

In putting the question the chair should make perfectly clear what the question is that the circle is to decide.

Motions usually require a majority vote to be approved – that is, a majority of the votes of those being present cast. Sometimes, as noted in the list above, a two-thirds vote is required, such as to “close the question,” that is, to stop, suppress or limit the debate.

Pledge of Allegiance I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

• History The Pledge was first published in the Youth’s Companion on September 8, 1892.

Mr. Francis Bellamy of Rome, New York and Mr. James Upham of Malden, Massachusetts were both on the staff of the Youth Companion at the time. The families of each man contended that his was the authorship and both had evidence to substantiate their claims.

The United States Flag Association appointed a committee to weigh the competing claims.

The committee decided unanimously in favor of Mr. Bellamy as being the author, and that decision was accepted by the Flag Association.

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

To consider a motion a second time: - Take from the table - Reconsider - Rescind

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The recitation of the Pledge by 12,000,000 school children for the National Public School Celebration of Columbus Day in October 1892 gave it national publicity.

On June 14, 1942, the U.S. Congress included the Pledge to the Flag in the United States Flag Code (Title 36). In 1945 the Pledge to the Flag became officially known as the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

The Pledge has been modified four times.

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

• The word “to” in the second line was added in October, 1892.

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• On June 14, 1923, at the First National Flag Conference held in Washington, D.C. under the leadership of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution, the words “flag of the United States” were substituted for the original words, “my flag,” because of concern that some foreign-born children and adults might have had in mind the flag of their native land.

• In 1924, the words “of America” were added.

• By act of Congress and approval of the president, on Flag Day, June 14, 1954, the words “under God” were added.

This last change was the result of a campaign by the Knights of Columbus. President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.”

When the Pledge is recited, all should stand, facing the flag, with the right hand over the heart, fingers together and horizontal with the arm at as near a right angle as possible.

After the words “justice for all,” the arm should drop to the side.

On June 20, 1985, the Ninety-ninth Congress passed and President Reagan signed Public Law 99-54 recognizing the “Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance” as part of national Flag Day activities. It is an invitation urging all Americans to participate on Flag Day, June 14, 7:00 P.M. in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

U. S. National Anthem – History and Lyrics On Sept. 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key visited the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay to secure the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured after the burning of Washington, D.C. Though Dr. Beanes was released, they were detained overnight onboard the ship during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending Baltimore Harbor. In the morning, when Key saw the American flag still flying over the fort, he wrote a poem to commemorate the occasion.

The poem was first published under the title “Defense of Fort M'Henry,” and sung to the tune “To Anacreon in Heaven.” This music may have been written by John Stafford Smith, a British composer born in 1750, but the authorship is uncertain. In 1931, Congress officially made “The StarSpangled Banner” the national anthem.

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

The Star Spangled Banner O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

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SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

Canadian National Anthem – History and Lyrics The music for “O Canada" was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer; French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. “O Canada” was first sung on June 24, 1880. The official English lyrics are based on a version written in 1908 by Justice Robert Stanley Weir. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The official English version includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unaltered. It was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980.

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O Canada O Canada!

Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Philippine National Anthem – History and Lyrics On June 5, 1898, Aguinaldo commissioned a composer from Cavite, Julian Felipe, to prepare a composition which would be played during the independence ceremonies. On June 11, Felipe showed Aguinaldo the draft of his musical composition, which was entitled Marcha Filipina Magdalo. Aguinaldo and the other revolutionary leaders, upon hearing the composition played on the piano, adopted it as the official march of the Philippines. Felipe taught the music to the members of the band of San Francisco de Malabon so it could be played the next day. Felipe changed the title of the march to Marcha Nacional Filipina (Philippine National March).

On June 12, 1898, the band of San Francisco de Malabon played it for the first time during the unfurling of the Filipino flag at Kawit.

Near the end of August 1899, a young poet-soldier named Jose Palma (younger brother of Dr. Rafael Palma) wrote the poem entitled Filipinas. This poem expressed the patriotism and fighting spirit of the Filipino people. It became the words of the anthem. The national anthem now had music and words.

Significant Geographic Features in Your City/Town Rivers: __________________________________ Lakes: ___________________________________ Mountains: _______________________________ Hills: ____________________________________ Valleys: __________________________________ Deserts: __________________________________

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

The Philippine Hymn (English version translation by Camilo Osias and A.L.Lane) Land of the morning, Child of the sun returning, With fervor burning, Thee do our souls adore.

Land dear and holy, Cradle of noble heroes, Ne'er shall invaders Trample thy sacred shore.

Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds And o'er thy hills and sea, Do we behold the radiance, feel and throb, Of glorious liberty.

Thy banner, dear to all our hearts, Its sun and stars alight, O never shall its shining field Be dimmed by tyrant's might!

Beautiful land of love, O land of light, In thine embrace 'tis rapture to lie, But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged, For us, thy sons to suffer and die.

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Official National/State/Province Birds and Flowers Countries United States Canada Mexico

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

Philippines

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States and Provinces Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas British Columbia

Birds Bald Eagle Common Loon Crested Caracara or Brazilian Caracara Philippine Eagle or Monkey Eating Eagle

California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine

Yellowhammer Willow Ptarmigan Great Horned Owl Cactus Wren Saguaro Mockingbird (2) Stellar Jay Varied Thrush California Valley Quail Lark Bunting Rocky Robin Blue Hen Chicken Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Nene Mountain Bluebird Cardinal Cardinal Eastern Goldfinch Western Meadowlark Cardinal Eastern Brown Pelican Chickadee

Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts

Great Gray Owl Baltimore Oriole Chickadee

Flowers Rose Maple Leaf Nopal Cactus Sampaguita

Camellia Forget-Me-Not Wild Rose Cactus Blossom Apple Blossom Pacific Dogwood Golden Poppy Mountain Columbine Mountain Laurel Peach Blossom Orange Blossom Cherokee Rose Hibiscus Syringa Native Violet Peony Wild Rose Sunflower Goldenrod Magnolia White Pine Cone and Tassel Prairie Crocus Black-Eyed Susan Mayflower

Robin Common Loon Mockingbird Bluebird Western Meadowlark Western Meadowlark Mountain Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Finch Eastern Goldfinch Roadrunner Bluebird Atlantic Puffin Cardinal Western Meadowlark Osprey

Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Prince Edward Island Quebec Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Cardinal Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Common Loon Western Meadowlark Ruffed Grouse Blue Jay Snowy Owl Rhode Island Red Sharp-tailed Grouse Great Carolina Wren Ring-necked Pheasant Mockingbird Mockingbird California Seagull Hermit Thrush Cardinal Willow Goldfinch Cardinal Robin Western Meadowlark

Apple Blossom Lady's Slipper Magnolia Hawthorn Bitterroot Goldenrod Sagebrush Purple Violet Purple Lilac Purple Violet Yucca Rose Pitcher Plant Flowering Dogwood Wild Prairie Rose Mayflower or Trailing Arbutus Scarlet Carnation Mistletoe White Trillium Oregon Grape Mountain Laurel Ladies Slipper White Garden Lily Violet Prairie Lily Carolina Jessamine American Pasque flower Iris Bluebonnet Sego Lily Red Clover Dogwood Western Rhododendron Rhododendron Wood Violet Indian Paint brush

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Brunswick New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York Newfoundland North Carolina North Dakota Nova Scotia

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Local Government Type of local government (i.e. – mayor/council, board of selectman, city manager/ council, etc.) - ___________________________________________________________ Name and title of head of local government body (i.e. – mayor, first selectman, city manager, county commissioner, etc.) - _______________________________________

SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FACT BOOK

U. S. Patriotic Holidays • Martin Luther King Day: The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., an African-American clergyman, is considered a great American because of his tireless efforts to win civil rights for all people through nonviolent means. Since his assassination in 1968, memorial services marked his birthday on January 15. In 1986, that day was replaced by the third Monday of January, which was declared a national holiday.

• Presidents' Day: Third Monday in February – Until the mid-1970s, the February 22 birthday of George Washington, hero of the Revolutionary War and first president of the United States, was a national holiday. In addition, the February 12 birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, who served in office during the Civil War, was a holiday in most states. The two days have been joined, and the holiday now includes all past presidents.

• Memorial Day: Fourth Monday of May – This holiday honors the dead. Although it originated in the aftermath of the Civil War, it has become a day on which the dead of all wars, and the dead generally, are remembered in special programs held in cemeteries, churches, and other public meeting places.

• Fourth of July, or Independence Day: July 4 – Honors the nation's birthday – the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is celebrated during the day by picnics and patriotic parades, and at night with concerts and fireworks. Many citizens fly the American flag and children often decorate bicycles with red, white and blue paper on this day.

• Labor Day: First Monday of September – This holiday honors the nation's working people, typically with parades. For most Americans it marks the end of the summer vacation season, and for many students the opening of the school year.

• Columbus Day: Second Monday in October – On October 12, 1492, Italian navigator Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. Although most other nations of the Americas observe this holiday on October 12, in the United States it takes place on the second Monday in October.

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• Veterans Day: November 11 – Originally called Armistice Day, this holiday was established to honor Americans who had served in World War I. It falls on November 11, the day when that war ended in 1918, but it now honors veterans of all wars in which the United States has fought. Veterans' organizations hold parades, and the president customarily places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

• Thanksgiving Day: Fourth Thursday in November – Dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts, determined to practice their dissenting religion without interference.

After a rough winter, in which about half of them died, the Pilgrims turned for help to neighboring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn and other crops. The next fall, after a bountiful harvest, the Pilgrims were inspired to give thanks by holding a feast.

The Thanksgiving feast became a national tradition – when Americans give thanks for prosperity and their other blessings, and also to remember the Pilgrims' sacrifices for their freedom. Thanksgiving dinner today almost always includes some of the foods served at the first Thanksgiving feast: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, pumpkin pie. Before the meal begins, families and friends usually pause to pray and give thanks for their blessings, including being together for the occasion.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day. There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917 and in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination.

The formats have changed over the years from a Trooping the Colors ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill to multicultural and professional concerts and fireworks displays.

One highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill as the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

From 1968 through 1975, celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", were held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations.

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Canadian Patriotic Holidays • Canada Day: July 1 – On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's subjects throughout Canada to join on July 1st in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada.

Since 1980 local celebrations organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities all across Canada have been encouraged.

On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day," became "Canada Day".

Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally.

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• Victoria Day: Monday preceding May 25 – The Sovereign's birthday has been celebrated in Canada since the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). May 24, Queen Victoria's birthday, was declared a holiday by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845.

From 1953 to 1956, the Queen's birthday was celebrated in Canada on Victoria Day. An amendment to the Statutes of Canada in 1952 established the celebration of Victoria Day on the Monday preceding May 25. In 1957, Victoria Day was permanently appointed as the day to celebrate the Queen's birthday in Canada.

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• Thanksgiving Day: Second Monday in October – Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday throughout all of Canada, except the Atlantic Provinces.

The first North American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1578 when the English Navigator, Martin Frobisher, held a formal ceremony in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving his long sea journey.

Many dates were used for Thanksgiving until Parliament declared in 1957 the second Monday in October of each year to be "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed." Most families in Canada celebrate Thanksgiving with a special dinner, usually including a roasted turkey and pumpkin pie, for family and friends.

• Remembrance Day: November 11 – On the anniversary of the end of World War I, Canadians remember all of the nation’s veterans who fought and died in war for Canada.

• Boxing Day: December 26 - The day after Christmas, the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is better known as Boxing Day. The term may come from the opening of church poor boxes that day; maybe from the earthenware boxes with which boy apprentices collected money at the doors of their masters' clients.

Today, some families give gifts (boxes) to those who provide services throughout the year.

PHILIPPINE PATRIOTIC HOLIDAYS • Independence Day: June 12 - Anniversary of the declaration of independence in 1898 from Spain. Actual independence did not occur until July 4, 1946. A public holiday since 1962.

• National Heroes Day: Last Sunday of August – to honor all of the nation’s heroes • Bonafacio Day: November 30 – Andres Bonafacio spearheaded the Philippine revolution against Spain in 1896. He was born on November 30, 1863 and executed May 10, 1897.

• Rizal Day: December 30 – Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines 16

Government Leaders United States/Philippines President: __________________________________________________________________ Senator: ____________________________________________________________________ Representative: ______________________________________________________________ Governor: __________________________________________________________________ State/Provincial Senator: ________________________________________________________ State/Provincial Representative: __________________________________________________

The Ten Commandments 1. I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods beside me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

3. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church 1. Baptism 2. Confirmation 3. Eucharist (Communion) 4. Reconciliation (Penance or Confession) 5. Anointing of the Sick (formerly called Extreme Unction or Last Rites) 6. Marriage 7. Holy Orders

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Canada Prime Minister: ______________________________________________________________ Senator: ____________________________________________________________________ Member of Parliament: _______________________________________________________ Premier: ____________________________________________________________________ Member of Provincial Parliament/Legislative Assembly/National Assembly/ House of Assembly: ___________________________________________________________________________

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The Precepts of the Church 1. To assist at Mass on all Sundays and holy days of obligation and to rest from servile labor.

2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed.

3. To confess our sins at least once a year.

4. To receive Holy Communion during the Easter season (from the First Sunday of Lent to Trinity Sunday).

5. To contribute to the support of the Church.

Our Father Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth, as it is in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us, And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil, Amen.

Hail Mary Hail Mary, Full of grace, The Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou among women, And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory Be Glory be to the Father, And to the Son, And to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now, And ever shall be, World without end, Amen.

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Apostles' Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.

A Guide for Confession The basic requirement for a good confession is to have the intention of returning to God like the "prodigal son" and to acknowledge our sins with true sorrow before the priest.

The Gospels show how important is the forgiveness of our sins. Lives of saints prove that the person who grows in holiness has a stronger sense of sin, sorrow for sins, and a need for the Sacrament of Penance or Confession.

• The Differences in Sins As a result of Original Sin, human nature is weakened. Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ's grace, takes away Original Sin, and turns us back toward God. The consequences of this weakness and the inclination to evil persist, and we often commit personal or actual sin.

Actual sin is sin which people commit. There are two kinds of actual sin, mortal and venial.

Mortal sin is a deadly offense against God, so horrible that it destroys the life of grace in the soul.

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Amen.

Three simultaneous conditions must be fulfilled for a mortal sin: 1) the act must be something very serious; 2) the person must have sufficient understanding of what is being done; 3) the person must have sufficient freedom of the will.

Remember – If you need help – especially if you have been away for some time – simply ask the priest and he will help you by "walking" you through the steps to make a good confession.

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• Before Confession When going to confession, be truly sorry for your sins. You, the penitent, out of love for God, must clearly and decisively reject the sin committed and resolve not to commit it again. You should resolve to try to avoid the near occasions of sin as well. Your intention to change your life, along with God's grace, will give you the strength to resist and overcome temptation in the future.

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• Examination of Conscience Before going to Confession, recall mortal and venial sins since your last sacramental confession, express sorrow for your sins, hatred for sin and a firm resolution not to sin again.

Reviewing the 10 Commandments and the Precepts of the Church can be very helpful when examining your conscience before confession: 1. Have God and the pursuit of sanctity been the goal of my life?

Have I denied my faith? Have I placed my trust in false teachings or substitutes for God? Did I despair of God's mercy?

2. Have I used profanity or God's name in vain? Have I lied, broken a promise or a solemn vow?

3. On Sundays and holydays have I attended Mass and avoided unnecessary work? Was I unnecessarily late for Mass, inattentive, or did I leave early? Have I neglected prayer for a long time?

4. Have I shown respect to parents, family members, teachers, employers and other legitimate authorities?

5. Have I cared for my bodily health and safety? Did I abuse drugs or alcohol?

Have I supported abortion, "mercy killing," or suicide in any way?

6. Was I impatient, angry, envious, proud, jealous, revengeful, lazy?

Have I forgiven others?

7. Have I gone to movies, or viewed videos, DVD’s, television shows, magazines, other reading material, or listened to music, that was profane, blasphemous, pornographic, wantonly violent or other wise morally unsuitable?

8. Have I been just in my responsibilities to my employer? Have I discriminated against others because of race or other reasons?

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Pope, Arch/bishop, Pastor Pope: Benedict XVI Cardinal/Arch/bishop: ________________________________________ Arch/Diocese: _______________________________________________ Pastor: _____________________________________________________ Parish: ____________________________________________________

• Nine Keys to a Great Speech If you need to give a speech, follow these nine steps: 1. Know your audience – who they are and what their interests are.

2. Choose a topic you know a lot about.

3. Know the main point you want to make.

4. Present some facts or data to support what you say.

5. Collect and organize your information.

6. Prepare notes.

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Basics of Public Speaking Most people are not used to speaking in public, mainly, because they don’t have to. But suddenly they find they have to, and they are surprised to find that speaking to a group of people, especially from a podium or lectern, or with a microphone in hand, is different than speaking to someone face to face. The only way to get used to it, is to do it, over and over again.

Here are a few tips to remember: * Practice, by yourself, in front of a mirror, or with one or two family members or friends. * If you were totally calm before you start, your speech could come across as listless and boring. Having a little nervousness when you start helps you to put some emotion into your talk, making it more exciting. * Your listeners usually don’t even know that you are anxious. * Once you start speaking, your nervousness usually decreases.

7. Plan to use visual aids.

8. Be familiar with the place where you will be speaking. Go there. Get up on stage and stand behind the podium. Put your notes down in front of you where you can refer to them. Move the microphone around until you are comfortable with it and you are speaking into it. Know how to turn the mike on. Test the volume of sound. Practice your delivery. Use a watch to time your speech.

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9. Politicians are often citicized for being long-winded. But there was one long serving mayor who was invited to speak each year at the town’s high school graduation. Each year he’d get up to the podium and say “Congratulations,” then return to his seat.

That was his speech, the whole speech, for which he was always rewarded with a standing ovation. Like the mayor, get to the point.

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Many people find they can talk just fine. Their problem is how to stop talking. You’ll almost never be criticized for giving a short speech (except, perhaps, in speech class). Know how your speech will end. To make sure your audience gets the point, end the speech by restating your position. Memorize your last line. Use it, and get off the stage.

VIP Club Rules When a Squire proposes a new Squire and lists his own membership number on the membership document, once the document is processed at the Supreme Council office, he will automatically become a member of the Very Important Proposer (VIP) Club. The Supreme Council office will forward to the Squire a VIP certificate indicating the VIP Club level that the Squire has reached. The VIP Club levels range from one Squire proposed, to three, five, 10 or more, in increments of five.

VIP Club members are also eligible to wear the VIP Club lapel pin, which is available for purchase from the Supreme Council Supply Department.

Rev. Michael J. McGivney – Founder of the Knights of Columbus Michael J. McGivney was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on August 12, 1852. His parents, Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney, had arrived in the great 19th century wave of Irish immigration.

Patrick McGivney became a molder in the heat and noxious fumes of a Waterbury brass mill.

Mary McGivney gave birth to 13 children, six of whom died in infancy or childhood. So the first child, Michael, with four living sisters and two brothers, learned early about sorrow and the harsh grip of poverty. He also learned about the powers of love and faith, and family fortitude.

He went to the small district schools of Waterbury's working-class neighborhoods. A good child, he was admired by his school principal for "excellent deportment and proficiency in his studies."

Then, after the Civil War, when Connecticut's metals industry was booming, he left school at age 13 to go to work. His job in the spoon-making department of a brass factory provided a few more dollars for family survival.

When Michael reached the age of 16 in 1868, he left the factory. With the priesthood clearly in mind, he traveled with his Waterbury pastor to Quebec, Canada. There he registered at the French-run College of St. Hyacinthe. He worked hard on subjects which would prepare him to apply for seminary admission.

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Two academic years followed at Our Lady of Angels Seminary, attached to Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York. Young McGivney moved next to Montreal to attend seminary classes at the Jesuit-run St. Mary's College. He was there when his father died in June of 1873. Lacking

funds and concerned about his family, he went home for the funeral. He stayed in Waterbury awhile to work and assist with the family’s finances. Then, at the request of the bishop of Hartford, he entered St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. After four years of study, on December 22, 1877, he was ordained in Baltimore's historic Cathedral of the Assumption by Archbishop (later Cardinal) James Gibbons. A few days later, with his widowed mother present, he said his first Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Waterbury.

One of the responsibilities of St. Mary's priests was pastoral care of inmates of the city jail. In a notable case, a 21-year-old Irishman, while drunk, shot and killed a police officer. James (Chip) Smith was tried for first-degree murder in 1881, convicted and sentenced to be hung. Father McGivney visited him daily. After a special Mass on the day of execution, the priest's grief was intense. The young offender comforted him: "Father, your saintly ministrations have enabled me to meet death without a tremor. Do not fear for me, I must not break down now."

Father McGivney worked closely with the young people of St. Mary's parish, holding catechism classes and organizing a total abstinence society to fight alcoholism. In 1881 he began to explore with various laymen the idea of a Catholic, fraternal benefit society. In an era when parish clubs and fraternal societies had wide popular appeal, the young priest felt there should be some way to strengthen the religious faith of the men and their families, and at the same time provide for the financial needs of families overwhelmed by illness or death of the breadwinner.

Wherever he could, he sought information that would help the Catholic laymen to organize themselves into a benefit society.

People who knew Father McGivney in this period were impressed by his energy and intensity.

Father Gordian Daley later recalled, "I saw him but once, and yet I remember this pale, beautiful face as if I saw it only yesterday. It was a 'priest's face' and that explains everything. It was a face of wonderful repose. There was nothing harsh in that countenance although there was everything that was strong."

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Father McGivney began his priestly ministry on Christmas Day in 1877 as curate at St. Mary's Church in New Haven. It was the city's first Catholic parish and the second in the Sate of Connecticut. After the original church burned, a new stone church had been built, on one of New Haven's finest residential streets, Hillhouse Avenue. There was neighborhood objection which even the New York Times noted in 1879, under the headline: "How An Aristocratic Avenue Was Blemished By A Roman Church Edifice." So Father McGivney's priestly ministry in New Haven began with tension and defensiveness among the working-class Irish families he served.

William Geary, one of the Order's charter members, said that at the first council meeting in 1882, he was "acclaimed as founder by 24 men with hearts full of joy and thanksgiving, recognizing that without his optimism, his will to succeed, his counsel and advice they would have failed."

Father McGivney's dedication to the Order was evidenced in trips he made to all parts of Connecticut and in handwritten correspondence — little of which survives — about K of C business. At St. Mary's, despite all this, he remained the energetic curate with constant

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concern for every parishioner's problems.

In November 1884, Fr. McGivney was named pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, Connecticut, a factory town 10 miles from his hometown. It was a working class parish, heavily in debt, serving parishioners with few resources beyond their faith. With prayerful acceptance, Father McGivney put his seven years at St. Mary's behind him.

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In a testimonial resolution elaborately superimposed on the drawing of a chalice and host, his New Haven parishioners declared that, despite burdens and afflictions, his courtesy, his kindness and the purity of his life had "secured the love and confidence of the people of St. Mary's, which will follow him in every future field of labor."

In six subsequent years at St. Thomas, he wrestled with the church debt and built the same close ties of devotion and charitable concern he had developed in New Haven. He continued, as well, to serve as supreme chaplain, personally involved in helping the Order to extend its membership into Rhode Island. Later, from 1901 to 1939, his younger brothers, Msgrs. Patrick and John J. McGivney, served the Order as supreme chaplains. Never robust in health, Father McGivney was suddenly stricken with a serious case of pneumonia in January 1890. It hung on. Various treatments for consumptive illness were tried, but his decline persisted. The young priest lost physical strength just as the Order he founded was moving toward new vitality.

On August 14, 1890, Father Michael J. McGivney died at the age of 38. In his 13 brief, busy years as a priest, Father McGivney's piety and compassion had won the love of those he served as curate and pastor. His Christian inspiration, leadership and administrative drive had brought him the loyalty and affection of thousands who knew him as the founder of the Knights of Columbus.

At the first memorial service for deceased Knights held later in the year he died, this tribute was accorded him: "He was a man of the people. He was zealous of the people's welfare, and all the kindliness of his priestly soul asserted itself more strongly in his unceasing efforts for the betterment of their condition . . . Oh, Reverend Founder. . .that act alone which gave life to the Knights of Columbus has surely secured for thee everlasting joy and eternal peace."

Brother Barnabas – Founder of the Columbian Squires Edward Patrick McDonald was born in Ogdensburg, NY on July 20, 1865, the fourth child of John and Maria McDonald. In his youth he attended parochial schools and was an altar boy at the cathedral in Ogdensburg. He was made sexton of the cathedral and put in charge of training the other altar servers and helped as an instructor in Sunday school classes. Young Eddie was so determined to help people that, following Mass, he would quickly take off his cassock so he could rush to the front of the cathedral to help the elderly down the front steps.

The bishop saw that Eddie had a vocation, and at age 20, Eddie entered the Christian Brothers novitiate in Amawalk, NY in 1885.

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In 1887, now called Brother Barnabas, he began teaching at St. Patrick’s School in New York City.

He would begin work with charities, particularly those working with boys and young men. By 1909 he was a member of President Theodore Roosevelt’s Special Commission on Standards of Child Welfare.

In 1923, Brother Barnabas was appointed Executive Secretary of the Knights of Columbus Boy Life Bureau. Brother Barnabas was charged by the Knights of Columbus with the development of a program for Catholic young men, which would have the immediate objective of developing each member's leadership abilities.

Brother Barnabas was active in other organizations as well. He was on the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Big Brother Association, among many others.

Four years after the first Squires investiture, on April 22, 1929, Brother Barnabas died in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was buried in Santa Fe, NM. The New York Times wrote, "(he) was a Saint walking amid the crowded, busy, modern ways of men, in active ministry to boyhood...to how many thousands of individuals he has given a helping hand, no one can estimate."

In 1932, the remains of Brother Barnabas were moved to De La Salle College in Aurora, Ontario.

The Columbian Squires raised funds to erect a large cross monument for the gravesite there. In 1967 Brother Barnabas’ remains were transferred to Lincoln Hall, NY, and again, in 1981, were finally transferred to Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY, where they now rest. The large cross purchased by the Columbian Squires, which had been left in Canada, was transferred by the New York State Circle of Columbian Squires to Gate of Heaven Cemetery and re-erected on December 7, 1988 a short distance from Brother Barnabas’ grave.

Corps d’Elite Award – Requirements This award recognizes those circles which achieve a high level of all-round excellence. Each circle meeting the following requirements will qualify for a Corps d’Elite Award: 1. Submit the “Officers, Chairmen and Counselors Report” (Form #468).

2. Conduct and report on the Corps d’Elite Award Application (Form #278) at least four (4) major involvement activities in each of the following areas of the Squires program: spiritual, service, circle and membership.

3. Pay the July 1 per capita tax on or before October 10. Pay the January 1 per capita tax on or before April 10.

4. Complete and return the “Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity” (Form #1728C) to the Supreme Council office by January 31.

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The first Squires investiture was held on August 4, 1925 in Duluth, MN. Since then, the Squires program has grown to over 1,400 Squires circles with over 25,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Caribbean, Central America, and on U.S. military bases overseas.

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5. Achieve a net gain of at least two (2) members by June 30. Attainment of the circle membership quota will be determined by receipt of Squires membership documents processed and recorded at the Supreme Council office between July 1 and June 30.

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Brother Barnabas Award – Requirements This award recognizes the best program activities among the thousands conducted annually by Squires circles Orderwide. Competition is keen since only 25 circle programs are recognized annually.

The circle’s best program activity must be described in detail on the Brother Barnabas Award Application (Form #279) and submitted to the Supreme Council office by June 30 of the fraternal year (July 1 – June 30) in which the activity was conducted. The circle may submit more than one activity program for consideration, but each activity must be entered on a separate application form.

The activities will be judged on the following criteria: 1 – The nature of the activity – does it advance the objectives of the Squires to develop leadership?

2 – Participation of membership – How many circle members participated? What percentage of the circle membership?

3 – Results – what benefits were derived from sponsorship of the project?

How did the results affect the Church, community, circle, families or your peers?

4 – Originality – Was the program something new? Did the activity meet some specific l ocal need?

5 – Committee planning – How effectively was the program organized?

How much detail was involved in staging the event?

6 – Delegation of responsibility – How many members served as workers, planners? What type of organization was used for project implementation?

7 – If a service project, how much money was raised and donated to a charitable organization?

8 – Publicity – How effectively was the program publicized before and after the event on radio, television, cable television, in newspapers, church bulletins, on the internet and your circle’s webpage?

Sponsoring Council/Assembly Officers Council Name and Number: ______________________________________________________ Grand Knight: __________________________________________________________________ Chaplain: _____________________________________________________________________ Deputy Grand Knight: ___________________________________________________________ Financial Secretary: _____________________________________________________________ Chancellor: ____________________________________________________________________

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Assembly Name and Number: ____________________________________________________ Faithful Navigator: ______________________________________________________________ Faithful Prior: __________________________________________________________________ District Deputy Name and district number: ______________________________________________________

State Program Director: __________________________________________________________ State Youth Director: ____________________________________________________________ State Squires Chairman: _________________________________________________________ Supreme Council Officers Supreme Knight: Carl A. Anderson Supreme Chaplain: Most Rev. William E. Lori Deputy Supreme Knight: Dennis A. Savoie Supreme Secretary: Donald R. Kehoe Supreme Treasurer: John “Jack” W. O’Reilly, Jr. Supreme Advocate: John Marrella Supreme Warden: Meclea “Mickey” Casavant Holy Days of Obligation In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the United States are as follows: Mary, Mother of God: January 1 Ascension: Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter (transferred to a Sunday in Canada)

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State Council Officers/Personnel State Deputy: __________________________________________________________________ State Chaplain: ________________________________________________________________ State Secretary: ________________________________________________________________ State Treasurer: ________________________________________________________________ State Advocate: ________________________________________________________________ State Warden: _________________________________________________________________

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: August 15 All Saints Day: November 1 Immaculate Conception: December 8 Christmas (Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ): December 25 27

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Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is not in effect. Four holy days observed in some countries outside the United States are the Epiphany, January 6; St. Joseph, March 19; Corpus Christi; Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29. In countries where the Epiphany and Corpus Christi are not observed as holy days of obligation, they are transferred to a Sunday.

Requirements for Receiving Holy Communion 1 - Be in a state of grace by confession of sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) 2 - Observe the Eucharistic fast (no eating or drinking – except water or medicine) for one hour before receiving communion. Persons who are advanced in age or suffer from infirmity or illness may be exempted.

3 - Have the right intention for receiving communion Rules for Fast and Abstinence In the Church, Ash Wednesday and all Fridays are days of penitence.

If 14 years old or above: 1 - On Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of the year (which do not fall on a Holy Day or Solemnity), abstain from eating meat or foods made with meat.

(In the United States, on Fridays outside of Lent, the faithful may substitute abstinence with other forms of penitence, and especially with works of charity and the exercise of piety.)

If 18 to 59 years old: 2 - Fast (do not eat) between meals on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; food consumed during the morning and noontime meals, combined, should not equal the evening meal.

Prayer for the Canonization of Rev. Michael J. McGivney God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will.

Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (here make your request). Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. The Fourth Degree Any Third Degree Knight in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree.

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The first exemplification of the Fourth Degree was held in New York City on February 22, 1900.

The ritual added patriotism to the three principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity.

The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and love of and loyalty to the Knights’ respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups, called “assemblies.”

Certain members of the Fourth Degree join the color corps, where they often march, resplendent in tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau), cape and sword, in parades, and serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

Church/charities -------------------------------------- $370 Mortgage/property tax/homeowner’s insurance or rental payment ------------------------- 850 Home maintenance/repairs ---------------------------- 50 Auto loan -------------------------------------------------- 230 Auto insurance ------------------------------------------ 220 Auto expenses (gas, oil, etc.) ----------------------- 200 Auto repairs/parts (tires/wipers/etc.)---------------100 Groceries ($100.00/week) ---------------------------- 433 Restaurant/prepared meals ---------------------------- 50 Utilities (electric, oil/gas, water) -------------------- 250 Telephone ---------------------------------------------------- 35 Cell phone --------------------------------------------------- 40 Cable tv/internet ------------------------------------------- 85 Medical (hospital/doctor/prescriptions)------------ 60 Credit card payments ---------------------------------- 100 Life/Health insurance ---------------------------------- 180 Clothing ------------------------------------------------------- 50 Entertainment ---------------------------------------------- 75 Gifts (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) ---------------------- 50 Savings ----------------------------------------------------- 90 Weekly Cash ($50.00/week)-------------------------- 216

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Household Budget Consider that your parents have a weekly combined take home income (after deducting for taxes, social security, etc.) of $861.92. Their monthly take home income would be $3,734. Based on that amount, a sample monthly household budget for a family like yours might look like this:

Total Monthly Expenses -------------------- $3,734 The above figures are based on a family that tithes. In the Bible, to “tithe” means giving 10% of your income to God. For some, this means giving the whole 10% to the Church. For others, a percentage, say 5%, is given to the Church, and the other 5% given to one or more charities.

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Now, prepare a budget for your own expenses. Add how much money you receive each week and multiply by 52 weeks to see how much money you have in a year. Then, divide by 12 months to find your monthly income.

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Your weekly income: Part time job $ Allowance ______ Lunch money ______ Gifts received ______ ______ Other ______ x 52 = $_______ yearly Total $______ divided by 12 = $_______ monthly

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Your monthly expenses: Church/charities School lunch/drinks/snacks School supplies (backpack, books, computer supplies, pens, etc.)

Clothes/sneakers/accessories CDs/DVDs/computer games Entertainment (movies, dances, restaurants, sports, etc.)

Transportation (bike, bus, gas, etc.)

Gifts (Christmas, birthdays, etc.)

Savings Other Total monthly expenses

$ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ $______

Your total monthly income and your total monthly expenses should be equal.

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 Servant of God. Members of the Knights of Columbus are not automatically Guild members and must elect to join the Guild. The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild Newsletter is published bimonthly except July - August, and is sent free to Guild members. The Guild homepage is at www.fathermcgivney.org.

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship The Free Throw program is for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14. Contestants are scored on the number of baskets they make out of 25 free throws. Shoot-offs are conducted on the council, district, regional, state or provincial levels to determine winners. The results of the state or provincial contests are forwarded to the Supreme Council office where the international winners are determined. Pre-packaged kits, containing promotional materials, entry forms, score sheets, participant and winner certificates, are available from the Supreme Council office.

Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge The Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge is designed for players to demonstrate the most basic of soccer skills – the penalty kick – and is open to all boys and girls in your community, ages 10-14.

Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest The goal of this contest is to encourage the creation of thought provoking slogans and visuals by young people for their peers to promote awareness of the dangers of substance abuse.

Entries must fall under one of these topics: Alcohol Awareness and Abuse, or Drug Awareness and Abuse. Each poster must include a slogan reflecting either of these topics and an original image. Posters may only be entered under one topic. Categories will be broken down by age: ages 8 to 11 and ages 12 to 14. Entries may be judged at the local, district, state and international levels. International winners will serve as the basis for substance abuse awareness materials produced and distributed by the Supreme Council office.

Schools should be contacted early enough so that students may work on their entries during the fall months. Local judging should be in January. State level winners are due at the Supreme Council office by March 31 and international winners are announced in May. Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest Kits, containing contest materials and guidelines, should be ordered from the Supreme Council office.

Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest The Knights of Columbus Essay Contest on “The Responsibility of the Catholic in a Free Society” is open to all students graduating from Catholic elementary schools (8th graders) and Catholic high schools (12th graders). Participants prepare compositions based on a theme taken from Church writings. Essays should be between 500 and 750 words in length. Judging is done on a 100 point scoring system. First, second and third place winners, and all participants, are given certificates. Sponsoring councils or circles are encouraged to also present monetary awards to the winners. The certificates and other contest materials may be ordered from the Supreme Council office in the essay Contest Kit.

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The Soccer Challenge is one in which the soccer goal is divided into a series of five scoring zones, with a point value given to each section. After the participant is given 15 penalty kicks, his or her total number of points will be awarded depending upon the scoring zones that were hit. The contest will take place on the council, district, regional, state, and international levels.

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Knights of Columbus Museum 1 State Street, New Haven, CT If you can’t get to New Haven, take a virtual tour on-line at www.kofc.org. Here are the highlights you will see:

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• Lobby and Atrium The massive main lobby welcomes visitors as they begin a dramatic journey through the history of the Knights of Columbus. The two-story atrium beckons guests to explore temporary exhibits in the upper lobby. Above the staircase hangs an ancient cross that was atop St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City for nearly 400 years.

• Theater A short film introduces visitors to the origins and works of the Knights of Columbus, the largest lay Catholic organization in the world. The film also serves as a preface to the Museum, which was named in 2002 by U.S.A. Today as the top ranked religious-themed museum in the nation.

• Father Michael J. McGivney Gallery and Reliquary Fr. McGivney, who founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882, is being considered for sainthood by the Vatican. The McGivney Gallery profiles his life and the reliquary contains second class relics obtained when, in 1981, his coffin in Waterbury was exhumed and the remains of his body examined and transferred to a sarcophagus in St. Mary’s Church in New Haven. The centerpiece of this gallery is a life-sized statue of Fr. McGivney by renowned sculptor Stanley Bleifield • Christopher Columbus Gallery Learn the reasons for the name "Knights of Columbus" and the patronage of the Catholic explorer by the Knights. Significant artifacts in this gallery include the glazed ceramic tiles brought by the admiral on his second voyage in 1493 and used in construction and decoration of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Other pieces in this gallery depict many of the various celebrations and observances associated with Columbus through the years, including the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and the 1992 Christopher Columbus Quincentennial.

• The Papal Gallery Guests feel as though they are transported to Rome, the Eternal City, in this gallery which traces the Order's interactions with the Vatican since 1882. The Papal Gallery includes artwork, artifacts, archival material, papal medals, photographs and films, some dating back to 1896.

• The Wall of History The Knights of Columbus Wall of History runs for 170 feet, as it relates the mission and works of the Order at its founding through the present. A visual timeline, the Wall of 32

History uses artifacts, objects, photographs and striking graphics to document the organization’s major achievements.

• Media Information Center Using touch-screen monitors, visitors can interactively explore the Order's origins, organization and outreach. Documenting "Knights in Action," the Media Information Center is located midway along the Wall of History.

• Library and Archives This repository for rare books and documents from the Order's archives, features more than 400 Columbus-related volumes. Use of materials for scholarly intent is with permission and by appointment only.

• The Courtyard The museum building encloses a beautiful exterior, center courtyard that remains green year round. In the elevated center court are fountains and cascading waterfalls, crowned by a dramatic Bleifield statue of "Columbus, the Evangelizer." In a meditative corner, a bronze plaque memorializes Knights lost while serving in World War II. St. Mary’s Church St. Mary's, under the energetic administration of the Dominican order since 1886, is a thriving church and the primary Catholic presence in downtown New Haven. St. Mary's Church is recognized as a shrine and birthplace of the Knights of Columbus. As one of its major centennial projects, the Order completely renovated the structure, inside and out.

St. Mary's Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut, is the church of the city's original Catholic congregation. The parishioners' first church burned down in 1834. The current church was dedicated in 1874. Burdened by a $150,000 debt, the original plans for a steeple were left on the drawing board.

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• Museum Gift Shop This unique store offers Knights of Columbus keepsakes, religious books, children's books, devotional aids, seasonal gifts, and videos. Items relating to the permanent collection and temporary exhibits are also available for purchase.

Over a four-year period from 1981 to 1984, the Knights completed a top-to-bottom renovation of the church. In 1986, the Order added a 179-foot steeple to the church and had a three-bell carillon installed. Occasional restoration projects have been undertaken since then as part of the Order's efforts to maintain the beauty of the church, which is the final resting place for Father Michael J. McGivney, the Order's founder.

The Columbian Squires raised $25,000 towards installation of the elevator that now serves the church.

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The Mysteries of the Rosary The Five Joyful Mysteries Said on Monday and Saturday 1. Annunciation 2. Visitation 3. Nativity 4. Presentation 5. Finding in the Temple

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The Five Sorrowful Mysteries Said on Tuesday and Friday

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1. Agony in the Garden 2. Scourging at the Pillar 3. Crowning with Thorns 4. Carrying of the Cross 5. Crucifixion The Five Glorious Mysteries Said on Wednesday and Sunday 1. Resurrection 2. Ascension 3. Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. Assumption 5. Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Five Luminous Mysteries Said on Thursday 1. Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan 2. Manifestation of Jesus at the wedding at Cana 3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God 4. Transfiguration of Jesus 5. Institution of the Eucharist

Jesus is condemned Jesus carries his cross Jesus falls Jesus meets his mother Simon helps carry the cross Veronica wipes Jesus’ face Jesus falls the second time Jesus meets the women Jesus falls the third time Jesus is stripped Jesus is nailed to the cross Jesus dies Jesus is taken down from the cross Jesus is buried Christ rises from the dead

Requirements for the Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church - Catholic marriage is more than a contract, it is a sacrament, and a covenant, that can be ended only by death - Marriage must be between one man and one woman, both of whom must be baptized Catholics - They may not be close relatives - They must be physically able to consummate the marital union - Neither may have been married before (no divorce and remarriage) unless the former spouse has died - Most dioceses require the couple to attend a pre-cana program before the wedding is to be held. This program may involve one or more sessions of instruction and discernment concerning what marriage is all about, as well as helping the man and woman to know each other better, to be sure their views on marriage, having children, finances, and other important issues are compatible.

- The Sacrament of Marriage must be administered in a Catholic church before a priest or deacon and at least two witnesses. The priest or deacon is a witness for the Church.

The priest or deacon does not administer the sacrament, but asks the couple if they consent to the marriage and the marriage vows. The man and woman administer the sacrament to each other when they each answer, “I do.”

- Consent for marriage must be given freely, knowingly, and without any conditions by either person.

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Stations of the Cross First Station: Second Station: Third Station: Fourth Station: Fifth Station: Sixth Station: Seventh Station: Eighth Station: Ninth Station: Tenth Station: Eleventh Station: Twelfth Station: Thirteenth Station: Fourteenth Station:

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Pro-Life Basics The Columbian Squires and the Knights of Columbus are unambiguously and proudly pro-life. In accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Order defends human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Building a new Culture of Life where every human life, especially the unborn, disabled, elderly and dying, is welcomed, respected and protected by law is one of the highest priorities of the Order.

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Roe v. Wade was the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion throughout the United States. Since then, there have been about 50 million abortions in the United States. The Supreme Court of Canada legalized abortion nationally in 1998, though they were already allowed previously in some provinces. Abortions in Canada number about 100,000 annually.

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The physical life of each human being begins at conception and continues until natural death.

Following are some highlights in the development of an unborn child: 1. When a human sperm and a human egg are joined at conception, also called fertilization, they form a new one-celled human being, which is called a zygote. If you could examine its chromosomes, you would know if it is a boy or a girl zygote.

2. Shortly after conception, this one celled zygote will divide into two cells. It is no longer a zygote – it is now a blastocyst.

3. Next, one of these cells will divide again, so there are three cells. Then, one of these three cells will divide, so there are now four cells. After this point, all of the cells will divide, so the number of cells goes from four, to eight, to sixteen, to thirty-two, and so on.

4. About a week after conception, the blastocyst is composed of hundreds of cells inside a protective covering, called the placenta, which begins to attach, or implant, itself in the mother’s womb. Once implanted, it is now called an embryo.

5. The embryo develops a protective hormone to prevent the mother's body from rejecting it as a foreign tissue.

6. At 17 days, the new life has developed its own blood cells, which may be a different blood type than its mother’s.

7. At 18 days, a muscle begins to occasionally pulse - this will be the heart.

8. At 19 days, the eyes start to develop.

9. At 20 days, the basic parts of the entire nervous system have been laid down.

10. At 24 days, the heart has regular beats or pulsations.

11. At 28 days, 40 pairs of muscles are developed along the trunk of the new life; arms and legs forming.

12. At 30 days, regular blood flow within the vascular system; the ears and nasal development have begun.

13. At 40 days, the heart energy output is reported to be almost 20% of an adult.

14. At 42 days, skeleton complete and the reflexes are present.

15. At 43 days, electrical brain wave patterns can be recorded. The new life may be thought of as a thinking person.

List of Major International Catholic Sites and Shrines Vatican City – Seat of the Roman Catholic Church – St. Peter’s Basilica – largest Christian church in the world, built above the tomb of St. Peter Canada – Montreal, Quebec – St. Joseph’s Oratory – Consecrated as a basilica in 2004, its dome is second in size only to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The oratory attracts about 2 million visitors and pilgrims annually, many of whom, including the ill seeking healing, pray on or ascend the Oratory’s 99 middle wooden front steps on their knees. The Oratory was founded in 1904 by a humble religious brother, Blessed Andre, known as a miraculous healer through his prayers to St. Joseph, the patron saint of Canada, husband of Mary, and foster father of Jesus.

– St. Anne de Beaupre, Quebec – Basilica of St. Anne de Beaupre – Visited by 1.5 million pilgrims annually, the basilica houses three relics (bone fragments) of St. Anne, who is the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus.

France – Lourdes – The Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette on seven occasions in 1858. The water in a spring there is believed to have curative properties.

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16. At 49 days, the baby looks like a miniature doll with complete fingers, toes and ears.

17. At 56 days, what was called an embryo is now almost two months old. It will now be called a fetus. All organs are functioning – stomach, liver, kidney, brain – all systems intact. This growing human being will increase in size until maturity at approximately 23 years of age.

18. 9th and 10th week, squints, swallows, retracts tongue.

19. 11th and 12th week, arms & legs move, sucks thumb, inhales and exhales amniotic fluid, nails appearing.

20. 16 weeks (four months), grasps with hands, swims, kicks and turns somersaults (still not felt by mother).

21. 18 weeks, vocal cords working . . . can cry.

22. 20 weeks, hair appears on head; weight - one pound; height - 12 inches.

23. At 23 weeks (about five months), though just over half way through a normal pregnancy, which usually lasts about 40 weeks (nine months), if the baby were born now, with modern technology, it would have a fighting chance at survival.

Germany – Cologne – The remains of the Three Kings, or Magi, are in the cathedral of Cologne Israel – Bethlehem – Birthplace of Jesus – Jerusalem – Church of the Holy Sepulcher – on the site where Jesus was buried – Nazareth – Where Jesus lived and began teaching – Sea of Galilee – Where Jesus walked on the water, and near which he

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performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes and preached the Sermon on the Mount Ireland – Knock – Pilgrimage site for Catholics where 15 people claimed, in 1879, to see a vision of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist

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Italy – Turin – Where the Shroud of Turin is housed – the shroud is a linen cloth believed to bear the image of the crucified Christ Mexico – Tepeyac, Mexico City – Site of the appearance of the Virgin Mary as the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego in 1531, now location of the Basilica of the Virgin, one of the most visited churches in the world. Within a few years of this vision, millions converted to Catholicism throughout Central and South America. Our Lady of Guadalupe is Patroness of the Americas.

Poland – Czestochowa – A painting of the Black Madonna, said to have been made by St. Luke, is in the Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa – Kracow – Lagiewniki – Basilica and Shrine of Divine Mercy – Saint Faustina was a 20th century Polish nun chosen by Jesus to remind the world of the mystery of God’s love. She was canonized on April 30, 2000. Pope John Paul II dedicated the Shrine on August 17, 2002. In the United States, the National Shrine of Divine Mercy is in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Portugal – Fatima – Site of several visions of the Virgin Mary by three children between May 13, 1917 and October 13, 1917. The Virgin prophesied Russia would be a threat to world peace and asked for its consecration to her Immaculate Heart. In October, 1917, the Communist Revolution occurred in Russia, and Soviet Russia, the predecessor of the Soviet Union, was created. Pope John Paul II performed the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1984. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union. He resigned on Christmas Day, 1991. The next day, the Supreme Soviet, the highest authority of the Soviet Union, voted itself, and the former superpower, the Soviet Union, out of existence.

A bullet that almost killed Pope John Paul II in an attempted assassination on May 13, 1981, now rests in the crown of a statute of the Virgin Mary in Fatima.

Spain – Santiago de Compostela – major pilgrimage site for route through France and Spain to the cathedral. Santiago is St. James, who was martyred in Jerusalem in 44 A.D. After King Herod Agrippa refused permission to bury the body, his followers stole the body and brought it here, where they buried it.

Syria – Damascus – The remains of John the Baptist are believed to be interred here in the Umayyad Mosque, which was visited by Pope John Paul II. It is the first Islamic mosque to be visited and prayed in by a Pope.

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Turkey – Ephesus – after the crucifixion, town where St. John went to preach, site of the first church dedicated to the Blessed Mother and location believed to be her last home on earth, now visited annually by over one million pilgrims.

United States – Washington, D.C. – Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, one of the 10 largest churches in the world, features the Knights Tower, a gift of the Knights of Columbus, which is as high as a 32 story building.

There are cathedrals, basilicas, and lesser known shrines throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Philippines that can be visited.

Requirements for Becoming a Voter In most states and provinces: - A citizen of the country/state/province/town where you plan to vote - At least 18 years old - No felony convictions - Register before or on the day of the primary or election - Present a photo ID Some locations may have additional requirements.

World Youth Days Since the first World Youth Day was held in Rome, Italy in 1986, the Pope has invited the youth of the world to join him in a celebration of faith. World Youth Days have been held every year since.

They are held annually in each country, on a date set by the national bishop’s conference, when they are celebrated on the parish or diocesan level. In addition, the Holy Father calls a World Youth Day gathering every two or three years on the international level.

The number of Catholic youth and others from around the world attending the international level World Youth Days normally runs from half a million to well over a million people. The estimated six million people who joined the Pope for the closing World Youth Day Mass in Manila, Philippines, in 1995, is considered the largest gathering of human beings in the history of the world.

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Knights of Columbus – Membership Requirements 1 – Catholic 2 – male 3 – 18 years of age or older

On the next page are World Youth Days held at the international level. In the other years not listed, World Youth Days were held in Rome. The millennium World Youth Day in Rome in the Jubilee Year 2000 was international level.

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Previous World Youth Days – International Level

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1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 2000 2002 2005 2008

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Buenos Aires, Argentina Santiago de Compostela, Spain Czestochowa, Poland Denver, Colorado, United States Manila, Philippines Paris, France Rome, Italy Toronto, Canada Cologne, Germany Sydney, Australia

Upcoming – 2011 Madrid, Spain Novenas – What They are and How to Make One A prayer or other devotion repeated, either privately or publicly, each day for nine consecutive days, or, one day a week for nine consecutive weeks, to obtain special graces. There are four basic kinds of novenas: mourning, preparation, prayer, and for indulgences. A novena of prayer would ordinarily be said for a specific favor, such as a physical healing. A novena for indulgences would be asking for the remission of punishment for sins committed. A novena of preparation would be to prepare oneself spiritually for a specific task or event. A novena of mourning would be for the benefit of a person who has died.

A novena usually consists of saying a certain prayer, or set of prayers, or attending Mass, each of the nine days. During this nine day, or nine week, period, one normally would receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and communion at Sunday Masses.

The Ecumenical Councils An ecumenical council meets with the approval, or at least the acceptance, of the Pope, usually to address certain issues, such as the formulation and proclamation of doctrine (i.e. – the beliefs of our faith) or the refutation of heresies (i.e. - false teachings), affecting the Church.

The bishops of a region, or of the world (now numbering about 5,800) are called to attend, study, discuss and vote on the issues raised, though the Pope always has the last say. The councils are named for the location in which they were held. As noted below, since the first council in 325 A.D., ecumenical councils have been held on average about once every 85 years, though 254 years elapsed between the Fourth Council of Constantinople and the next council, The First Lateran Council. Then, the First and Second Lateran Councils met only 15 years apart. Only the last two councils have been held in the Vatican. Some councils have been relatively short, while others consisted of various sessions held over a period of several years. The names of the 21 councils, the year, or years, in which they were held, and some of the issues they considered, are as follows:

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The First Council of Nicaea (325) - Adopted the Nicene Creed - Condemned the Arian heresy The First Council of Constantinople (381) - Condemned the Macedonian heresy The Council of Ephesus (431) - Condemned the Nestorian heresy The Council of Chalcedon (451) - Condemned the heresy of Eutyches The Second Council of Constantinople (553) - Condemned the “Three Chapters� of Theodore of Mopsuestra with 14 anathemas The Third Council of Constantinople (680) - Condemned Monothelitism The Second Council of Nicaea (757) - Restored the honoring of icons The Fourth Council of Constantinople (869) - Deposed Photius as Patriarch - Of the four Eastern Patriarchates, ranked Constantinople before Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem The First Council of Lateran (1123) - Confirmed the Concordat of Worms regarding the investiture of prelates and freedom of the Church - Set the grounds for the Crusades to recover the Holy Land - Abolished simony (the buying or selling of a church position) The Second Council of Lateran (1139) - Dealt with the effects of the Great Schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches - Invalidated consecrations of Antipope Anacletus - Excommunicated King Roger of Sicily - Outlawed use of crossbows in wars between Christians The Third Council of Lateran (1179) - Condemned the Waldensian and Cathar heresies - Issued 22 canons to restore ecclesiastical order following the schism The Fourth Council of Lateran (1215) - Proclaimed dogma of Transubstantiation - Set Easter Duty requiring confession at least once a year - Set organization for the Fifth Crusade - Required Jews and Muslims to dress differently than Christians The First Council of Lyons (1245) - Excommunicated and deposed Emperor Frederick II - Planned for the Seventh Crusade - Required cardinals to wear the red hat

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The Second Council of Lyons (1274) - Discussed conquest of the Holy Land - Discussed the Great Schism and the unity of churches The Council of Vienne (1311 and 1312) - Promoted a Crusade to the Holy Land - Reform of the clergy - Condemned heretical teachings of Peter Olivi about the incarnation, the human soul and baptism - Passed ordinances dealing with the Inquisition - Abolished the order of the Knights Templar The Council of Constance (1414 - 1418) - Dealt with the anti-popes and the Western Schism (the first part of this meeting is viewed by the Church as an illicit assembly, incapable of issuing any valid decrees; only the second part of the meeting is accepted as a true Ecumenical Council).

The Council of Ferrara-Florence (1438 - 1439) - Sought to reunite the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches The Fifth Council of Lateran (1512 - 1517) - Approved the institution and regulation of pawn shops to aid the poor - Forbade the printing of books without the approval of the bishop The Council of Trent (1545 - 1563) - Called in response to the Protestant Reformation, this council specified Catholic doctrine on salvation, the sacraments and the canon of the Bible - Standardized the Mass throughout the Church with what would become known as the “Tridentine� Mass The First Vatican Council (1869 - 1870) - Proclaimed the doctrine of Papal infallibility - Condemned rationalism, liberalism and materialism - Defined how Catholics view the Bible as inspired by God The Second Vatican Council (1962 - 1965) - Broad discussion and documents on the Church in the modern world - Affirmed that Jews are no more responsible for the death of Christ than are Christians

1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 1-203-752-4402 or www.kofc.org/squires

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