KnightLine DECEMBER 2009
www.kofc.org
VOL. 26 • NO. 12
N E W S F O R K N I G H T S O F C O L U M B U S LE A D E R S
State Deputies Meet in Orlando
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olunteerism, charity and membership growth were the major items on the agenda as state deputies from around the world gathered, Nov. 20-22, in Orlando, Fla., for their midyear meeting. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson commended Knights in the Philippines for their “outstanding volunteer work” in the wake of Tropical Storm Ketsana, and thanked Knights throughout the Order for donating more than $150,000 for relief efforts there (see related story, Page 3).
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addresses state deputies at their midyear meeting in Orlando, Fla.
Remember a Child in Need This Christmas
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hristmas is one of the most joyous times of the year, especially for children. Unfortunately, there are many children in need who can’t enjoy the Christmas season. Your council, along with every council in our Order, is urged to conduct programs to aid them as part of the Knights of Columbus “Help a Child in Need” initiative. Through this initiative councils undertake a variety of activities to help disadvantaged youths. Look at the needs in your community and come up with a program to help meet them. For instance, the council that won this year’s International Service Program “Family” category
See ‘MIDYEAR’ Page 2
Knights of Columbus Museum Showcases Latino Christmas Tradition with Nativity Scenes The Knights of Columbus Museum is presenting A Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America, a showcase of authentic, ethnic Nativity scenes that reflects varied and vibrant cultural celebrations of Christmas. Now in its fifth consecutive year, this year’s show, which runs through Jan. 31, 2010, displays Nativities from throughout Latin America and the Southwestern United States. The exhibition features more than 120 crèches from 16 Latin countries (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Venezuela), plus four southwestern states from the U.S. (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas) and Puerto Rico.
This clay crèche is from Peru, on loan from the collection of the Rev. Timothy Goldrick.
See ‘CHILDREN’ Page 2
Check Out the Online Version! If you like what you see in this issue of Knightline and Program Supplement then check out the online versions for even more. The online versions include color photographs and active links that will allow you to quickly access much more information related to the subject matter of the articles. To access other newsletters and an archive of past issues, visit www.kofc.org/newsletters. Also use this link to access online versions of Chaplain’s Report, Squires Newsletter and other publications.
Supreme Knight Addresses Social Responsibilities and Professional Ethics At a gathering of business leaders and professionals at Fairfield University, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addressed the recent social encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, and its relevance for attendees and their companies. To read the full text of the Supreme Knight’s speech, visit www.kofc.org. The Nov. 8, event was cosponsored by Fairfield University’s Center for Faith and Public Life and the Fairfield County Chapter of Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice. Preceding the presentation, Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori celebrated a Mass for the participants in Fairfield University’s Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola.
Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love The new book by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and Msgr. Eduardo Chávez is the selection for the December Supreme Knight’s Book Club discussion. The book traces the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe from the 16th century to the present and discusses how her message continues to speak to contemporary issues. For details on the discussion date and time, and to join in and submit your questions online, visit www.kofc.org. To become an official member of the book club and automatically receive the featured selection each month for a discounted price, or to view archived discussions of previous book club selections, visit www.kofc.org/bookclub.
MIDYEAR, continued from Page 1 “Although our name is the Knights of Columbus,” Anderson said, “for many thousands of people, whether it’s after 9/11, or in the Gulf Coast after Katrina, or in the Philippines or Mexico after extensive flooding, K of C often stands for ‘Knights of Charity,’ and I think that’s something that we can be very proud of.” Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori asked the state deputies to enhance the spiritual side of K of C activities, and workshops focused heavily on membership growth, inviting state leaders to “think outside the box” when it comes to recruitment.
The Gift of Mobility The Maryland and District of Columbia State Councils, and the American Wheelchair Mission (a division of the Global Wheelchair Mission) celebrated Veterans Day by distributing 110 wheelchairs to veterans at the Order’s Washington D.C. VA Medical Center. For more information about the Order’s involvement with the Global Wheelchair Mission visit www.kofc.org/wheelchair. John R. Cahill, deputy grand knight of Council 9542 at the Catholic University of America, right, and Charles H. Gallina, the Order’s assistant for military affairs, chat with Leon Anderson, a veteran.
Coats for Kids Kicks Off Knights from the Pittsburgh area distributed 300 coats to children in need at Sacred Heart Elementary School on Nov. 21. The distribution is part of the Order’s Coats for Kids program, which debuted last year as an outgrowth of the Help a Child in Need campaign. Approximately 10,000 coats will be distributed in more than 20 select cities during the next several months.
CHILDREN, continued from Page 1 provided Christmas baskets to families in need (See page one of Program Supplement for more details). Other councils collect Christmas presents for children who would otherwise go without gifts; supply meals to orphanages or shelters for mothers and their children; while still others collect funds to benefit foster child programs. Start now to conduct programs to benefit children in need during the Christmas season and continue these initiatives throughout the year. If you’re looking for ideas on activities, visit www.kofc.org/ helpachild for a
listing of child-related services in your jurisdiction.
Father’s First Christmas In a special Christmas feature, the Knights of Columbus Fathers for Good Web site will highlight the experiences of men who recently welcomed a newborn and will be celebrating their first Christmas as a dad. Other important topics on the site include a “Rate Your Marriage” section based on the recent Marriage Index findings, and a feature on the dangers of the Internet called “Men Are Stronger than Porn.” Log on to Fathers for Good today: www.fathers forgood.org.
Also from Peru, this clay crèche (on loan from the collection of the Rev. Charles Des Ruisseaux) is featured in the exhibition, A Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America.
America’s Church Celebrates 50th Anniversary Knights from the District of Columbia and surrounding areas took part in the 50th anniversary celebration of the dedication of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Knights of Columbus has had a close relationship with the National Shrine — from the day the cornerstone was laid in 1920 to the funding of the Knights Tower, its carillon and bells and the magnificent Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome. Additionally, the Knights of Columbus usher ministry has served the Shrine on Sundays, Holy Days and during Pilgrimages ever since 1982, and the funds the Order has provided for more than a quarter of a century continues to enable EWTN television to broadcast from the Shrine to viewers all across America and throughout the world. The Knights of Columbus’ legacy of service and devotion to Our Lady and her National Shrine in Washington is an integral part of the Order’s history of support to the Catholic Church for more than 127 years.
Concert Honors Supreme Chaplain Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, received the first John Swanhaus Award during the second annual “The Time is Now” concert to benefit Malta House (a home for single mothers and their children) and Catholic Charities’ Room to Grow Early Childhood Center. The Knights of Columbus was the lead sponsor for the event. Swanhaus, a former executive of PepsiCo, was dedicated to helping the sick and poor through the Order of Malta, and was involved with Malta House since its inception. “Malta House and Room to Grow truly are works of love in our midst,” said Bishop Lori. Pictured, from left: Betsy Swanhaus, widow of John Swanhaus; Bishop Lori; and John Altieri, Chair of the Malta House Board. (Photo by Rich Cariello)
Philippines Typhoon Relief Knights from throughout the Order continue providing support to relief efforts for Filipino victims of Tropical Storm Ketsana. As of Nov. 17, more than $120,000 had been donated by state and local councils and individuals in the U.S. and Canada, along with $50,000 from the Surpeme Council. Kansas, donated $5,725, while Illinois and Colorado gave $5,000; Florida donated $4,000; and Washington state provided $3,000; Arkansas, Idaho, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia each had donated $2,000; Newfoundland and Labrador donated $1,500 (Canadian); Iowa, Alabama, Massachusetts, Texas and British Columbia (Canadian) had donated $1,000 each; and Delaware, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia donated smaller amounts. You can still contribute, by check only, made payable to: Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. Specify “Philippines” on the check memo line, and mail to: Knights of Columbus Charities, 1 Columbus Plaza, PO Box 1966, New Haven, CT 06509-1966. For updates, visit www.kofc.org/news.
Villa Maria Celebrates Fifth Anniversary The Knights of Columbus and the Sisters of Life recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of the dedication of Villa Maria Guadalupe, an international pro-life retreat center. In addition to a votive Mass to Our Lady of Guadalupe, a new stained-glass window of the Virgin of Tepeyac was unveiled and blessed. Located in Stamford, Conn., Villa Maria Guadalupe is a collaborative effort of the Knights of Columbus and the Sisters of Life. Dedicated Oct. 20, 2004, Villa Maria Guadalupe hosts retreats and events in an effort to build and foster a Culture of Life. Its mission is to be a place of healing, hope and renewal for all who seek to know and live the Gospel of Life.
Pictured: Edwin Rambusch and Sister Gemma Marie, S.V., discuss the new window, “Santa Maria Guadalupe” following the blessing ceremony. Rambusch Decorating Company was commissioned by the Knights of Columbus to craft and install the window.
For Catholic News Online, Visit www.headlinebistro.com Headline Bistro serves up a quick digest of daily news of interest to Catholics in an easy-tonavigate Web site. Whether it relates to world affairs, politics or news specifically about the Catholic Church, you’ll find links to the original sources here. You’ll also find video clips, detailed state-by-state information about voting and public policy, and recommended books.
Award Honors Nearly 90 Years of Knights of Columbus Work and Service in Rome In honor of nearly 90 years of service by the Knights of Columbus in Rome, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson received the “Lupa Capitolina” award from Rome’s mayor, Giovanni Alemanno, on Oct. 28. “I am honored to receive this award from the City of Rome for the great work the Knights of Columbus have done there for nearly a century,” said Anderson. “As both the ‘Eternal City’ and the center of the Catholic Church, Rome has a special place in the hearts of the Knights of Columbus, and we look forward to another 90 years of service in this great city.” The Knights have been active in Rome since 1920, when a delegation of Knights led by the then-Supreme Knight James Flaherty met with Pope Benedict XV. The Pontiff encouraged the Knights to expand their work in Rome. Later that decade, the Knights opened several recreational youth facilities of Rome. An additional facility was opened in the 1950s. Today, the Knights continue to operate these facilities, which are used by the young residents of Rome. In 1965, the grounds of one of the facilities was donated by the Order for the construction of the Paul VI Audience Hall, where the pope regularly receives pilgrims visiting the Eternal City.
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Resolve to Plan Your Financial Future in 2010
BY THOMAS P. SMITH JR. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT (AGENCIES AND MARKETING)
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hose of us in the marketing and agency area of the Supreme Council office wish you and yours a happy, healthy Christmas season and all the best in 2010. Here’s hoping that your membership in the Knights continues to bring you countless blessings. Speaking of the new year, will you take part in the ritual of preparing a set of resolutions for yourself? It’s traditional that many people spend this time of year looking at themselves, identifying their flaws
and resolving to improve these troublesome areas. It may be that you consider yourself overweight; or that you don’t spend enough time in the gym; or that you haven’t read as many books as you would like. January is usually the time when you endeavor to change all of things that you may not like about yourself. Allow me to recommend one more area that would benefit from such a review: your financial future. Are you ready for retirement? Will you have enough money to live on? Are you protected from the financial disaster that a long-term illness can bring? If you were suddenly or unexpectedly out of the picture, could your family survive? Have you adequately prepared for your wife’s future? Your children’s?
The one thing we can never change is the relentless march of time. Consider that this season — in addition to a time of celebration and reflection on 2009 — marks another year gone… and you’re another year older. If you have been putting off a discussion with a qualified adviser about your finances, I recommend you add that to the top of your list of resolutions. Your professional Knights of Columbus agent can help and an appointment with him will be time well-spent. We know you’re busy and won’t waste your time. Accomplish your first resolution of 2010. Contact your agent today. To identify your professional Knights of Columbus agent, visit “Find an Agent” at www.kofc.org. And have a Happy New Year!
PUBLISHED 12 TIMES A YEAR BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPREME COUNCIL 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 l 203-752-4264 l knightline@kofc.org