Columbia October 2015

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K N I G H T S O F C O L U M BU S

O CTOBER 2015

COLUMBIA

The 133rd Supreme Convention • Philadelphia, Pa. • Aug. 4-6, 2015

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A commitment to excellence, outstanding service and the highest ethical standards: these are the traits of all Knights of Columbus field agents, but the dedication of the agents listed here has earned them membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) for 2015. MDRT is an international organization that recognizes the top one percent of financial professionals in the world. We salute these men for their devotion to continuing Father McGivney’s mission of protecting Catholic families.

2015

Steven Abeyta – Vacaville, CA Pierre Albert – Hearst, ON * Henry Angelucci – Hamilton, NJ Randy Atkins – Punta Gorda, FL * Michael Aun – St. Cloud, FL Ben Baca – Whittier, CA * Larry Bate – Carthage, TX Mark Bateman – Towson, MD Cameron Beddome – Red Deer, AB Lawrence Bell – Pittsburg, CA Wade Bormann – Preston, IA Walker Bormann – Marion, IA Daniel Bouchard – Leduc, AB * William Britten – Westminster, CO Gregory Bronson – Rescue, CA Adam Bruna – Belleville, KS William Buchta – Grand Island, NE D. Frank Burns – Sarasota, FL Joseph Butler – Auburn, MA Daniel Cabirac – Houma, LA Robert Callaway – Laurel, MD * Nicholas Calvino – Plymouth, MA Robert Canter – Upper Marlboro, MD * John Canter – Crownsville, MD Edwin Caraballo-Canals – Aquadilla, PR Jeffrey Carvalho – Fremont, CA Cleophas Castillo – Winnipeg, MB John Cesta – West Palm Beach, FL Wayne Cherney – Devils Lake, ND * Joel Clelland – Upland, CA Andres Contreras – Honolulu, HI Thomas Cowan – Yucaipa, CA John Day – Lake Charles, LA Jon Deakin – York, PA Mark Deaton – Cypress, TX Justin J. Deges – Hill City, KS Daniel DelVillar – Newport Coast, CA * Joseph DeMarco – Vero Beach, FL Jeffrey Denehy – East Walpole, MA John DiCalogero – East Walpole, MA * Matthew DiCalogero – Waltham, MA Robert DiCalogero – Canton, MA * Glen Dobmeier – Humboldt, SK Shane Duplantis – Houma, LA Denis Duval – Garson, ON * Louis Esola – Cherry Hill, NJ David Gallagher – Nepean, ON Daniel Gimpel – Sarnia, ON James Grabinski – Walden, NY * Brian Graham – Kensington, MD * Wade Greif – Manhattan, KS Carlos Gutierrez – San Leandro, CA Lawrence Havranek – Butler, OH Mark Hedge – Butler, OH *

Court of the Table Members Robert Abbate Virginia Beach, Virginia (Six Consecutive Years) Joe Sandoval Los Angeles, California (Two Consecutive Years) Daniel Heisler – Roseville, CA Larry Hoelscher – Jefferson City, MO * John Hoolick – Wilkes Barre, PA David Imbriani – Monroe Township, NJ * Thomas J. Jackson – Denver, CO * James Johnson – Regina, SK Douglas Kelly – Omaha, NE * Mark Kingsbery – Slidell, LA Alan Kotlarski – Punta Gorda, FL Chuck Larter – Spencerville, ON * Brian Lawandus – Oldsmar, FL Jose Lebron-Sanabria – Humacao, PR William Lewchuk – Calgary, AB * Ernesto Literte – Torrance, CA Blake Maly – Omaha, NE Eduardo Manrique – Lawrence, MA Roberto Martinez-Mojica – Caguas, PR Chad McAuliff – Broken Arrow, OK Robert McFadden – Iselin, NJ Michael McGranahan – Fullerton, CA* Stephen Melancon – Las Vegas, NV Lawrence Messer – Westminster, MD Robert Meyer – Spearville, KS Stephen Michlik – San Antonio, TX Gregory Miskiman – Calgary, AB * Daryl Morrow – Coral Springs, FL Seth Myhre – Minneota, MN Jason Nelligan – Hamilton, ON James Nestmann – Saskatoon, SK Timothy Nowak – Ogallala, NE Edward O'Keefe – Middle River, MD * Guy Ouellette – Legal, AB Sammie Pace – Amarillo, TX Kevin Paish – St. Albert, AB * Rafael Peschiera – New Boston, NH Craig Pfeifer – Wayne, NE Neil Pfeifer – Norfolk, NE * Vincent Polis – Clarkston, WA * Mark Primeau – Unionville, VA Henry Rangel – Cypress, TX Daniel Reed – Ellsworth, KS

Darin Reed – Ellis, KS Bobby Renaud – Sudbury, ON * Dale Robinson – White Bear Lake, MN Alfred Sanchez – Midland, TX Ronald Sandoval – San Gabriel, CA Sonny Sangemino – Windsor, ON * Benjamin Santo – Milford, NE Bradley Schaefer – Evansville, IN Kevin Schubert – Linn Creek, MO James Seideman – Lubbock, TX * Douglas Shaw – Van Alstyne, TX Daniel Sheehan – Neoga, IL Victor Silva – Flagler Beach, FL Thomas Sitzmann – Pueblo, CO * Jody Snowder – Edmond, OK John Spencer – Marietta, OH Joseph Spinelli III – Tallahassee, FL James Stachura – Eau Claire, WI Phillip Stackowicz – South Bend, IN Mark Stallbaumer – Hanover, KS John Stewart – Bourne, MA John Stoeckinger – Lincoln, NE * Blake Stubbington – Edmonton, AB Douglas Supak – La Grange, TX * Jody Supak – La Grange, TX * Eric Sylvester – Windsor, ON Raymond Terwilliger – Mountain Top, PA Jeffrey Toeniskoetter – Boynton Beach, FL Young Tran – Portland, OR Daniel Turnwald – Glandorf, OH Kevin Tuuri – Port Townsend, WA Marcel van der Sluys – Los Angeles, CA Joseph venderBuhs – Abbotsford, BC Onil Vienneau – Bas-Caraquet, NB James White – Palm Beach Gardens, FL Stephen White – Pelham, NH William Wisniewski – Chicopee, MA Joseph Wolf – Harker Hts, TX * Mark Yubeta – San Clemente, CA Pierre Zermatten – Palatine, IL Stephen Znoj – Canton, GA *Denotes MDRT Life Member

Exemplary Dedication.

Extraordinary Service.

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COLUMBIA PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus ________ SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson SUPREME KNIGHT Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. SUPREME CHAPLAIN Logan T. Ludwig DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT Charles E. Maurer Jr. SUPREME SECRETARY Michael J. O’Connor SUPREME TREASURER John A. Marrella SUPREME ADVOCATE ________

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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OCTOBER 2015 ♦ VOLUME 95 ♦ NUMBER 10

COLUMBIA

EDITORIAL Alton J. Pelowski EDITOR Andrew J. Matt MANAGING EDITOR Patrick Scalisi SENIOR EDITOR

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson is pictured with newly elected and re-elected supreme directors during the Aug. 5 business session of the 133rd Supreme Convention.

Venerable Michael McGivney (1852-90) Apostle to the Young, Protector of Christian Family Life and Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us. ________ HOW TO REACH US MAIL COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4210, option #3 PRAYER CARDS & SUPPLIES 203-752-4214 COLUMBIA INQUIRIES 203-752-4398 FAX 203-752-4109 K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-380-9995 ONLINE columbia@kofc.org & kofc.org/columbia ________ Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.

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Copyright © 2015 All rights reserved ________ ON THE COVER A painting by John Trumbull, which has hung in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda since 1826, depicts the presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence.

133rd SUPREME CONVENTION Aug. 4-6, 2015 2

Papal Greetings Greetings from Pope Francis sent to the 133rd Supreme Convention by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

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Supreme Convention Highlights Photos, news, homilies and remarks from the 133rd Supreme Convention in Philadelphia: • Order Launches Holy Family Pilgrim Prayer Program • Supreme Convention Highlights Plight of Christian Refugees • Awards Session Honors Outstanding Knights, Programs

18 Knights of Columbus News Order Observes 125th Anniversary of Father McGivney’s Death • K of C Earns Top Financial Rating for 40th Consecutive Year • K of C Chaplains Gather for Annual Meeting Before Convention • Court Defends WWII Memorial • New Supreme Directors Elected

20 Report of the Supreme Knight Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson’s annual report on the Order’s charitable work and continued growth.

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‘Called to Bear Witness’ Greetings from Pope Francis sent to the Supreme Convention

by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS has been in- their Creator with Life and Liberty” — will draw atformed that from Aug. 4-6, 2015, the 133rd Supreme tention to the duty of American Catholics, precisely as Convention of the Knights of Columbus will be held responsible citizens, to contribute to the reasoned dein Philadelphia, Pa. He has asked me to convey his fense of those freedoms on which their nation was warm good wishes to all present, together with the as- founded. The cornerstone of these is religious freedom, surance of his closeness in prayer. understood not simply as the liberty to worship as one As he prepares to visit Philadelphia next month for chooses, but also, for individuals and institutions, to the Eighth World Meeting of Families, the Holy Father speak and act in accordance with the dictates of their expresses deep appreciation for the steadfast public wit- consciences. To the extent that this right is menaced, ness which your Order has whether by invasive public borne to our Christian unpolicies, or by the growing derstanding of marriage influence of a culture which It is urgent that, from Catholics and the family. Elevated by sets alleged personal rights throughout the world, an the Savior to the dignity of above the common good, unceasing sacrifice of prayer a sacrament, marriage is, in there is need for a mobilizathe Creator’s plan, a natural tion of consciences on the be offered for the conversion of institution, a lifelong part of all those citizens hearts, an end to fanatical covenant of love and fiwho, regardless of party or violence and intolerance, and delity between a man and a creed, are concerned for the woman, directed to their overall welfare of society. a general recognition of those perfection and sanctificaIt is the Holy Father’s fundamental human rights which tion, and to the future of hope that the program of are not granted by the state, but our human family. catechesis and prayer which Today, when the instituthe Knights have inaugufrom the hand of the Creator. tion of marriage is under atrated in view of the forthtack from powerful cultural coming Synod on the forces, the faithful are called to bear witness to this Family and the World Meeting of Families will conbasic truth of biblical faith and natural law, which is tribute significantly to this prophetic witness. essential to the wise and just ordering of society. In The protection of religious freedom must also enmeeting the moral, social and political challenges of gage the consciences of believers on the global level, in the present hour, great wisdom and perseverance will response to the attacks unleashed on minority commube required of them — “the patience of the saints, who nities, most often Christian, in various parts of our keep the commandments of God and hold fast to their world. His Holiness is profoundly grateful for the effaith in Jesus” (Rev 14:12). forts of the Knights to raise public attention to this For this reason, His Holiness trusts that the theme grave humanitarian tragedy. He is likewise grateful for of this year’s Supreme Convention — “Endowed by the practical solidarity shown to suffering individuals 2 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦

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CNS photo/Paul Haring

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and families through the recently established Christian Refugee Relief Fund. He appeals once more to your Order for constant prayer, in families, parishes and the local councils, for these, our beleaguered brothers and sisters, who strive only to be faithful to Christ. It is urgent that, from Catholics throughout the world, an unceasing sacrifice of prayer be offered for the conversion of hearts, an end to fanatical violence and intolerance, and a general recognition of those fundamental human rights which are not granted by the state, but from the hand of the Creator, whom all believers invoke as a God of peace.

Finally, the Holy Father has asked me to express his appreciation for the outstanding charitable, educational and spiritual activities with which the Knights of Columbus contribute to the Church’s mission, and to his own ministry as the Successor of Peter, charged with solicitude for all the Churches.

Commending the deliberations of the Supreme Con-

vention to the intercession of Mary, Seat of Wisdom, the Holy Father assures all the Knights and their families of a special remembrance in his prayers. With great affection he imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of strength and peace in the Lord.

Yours sincerely,

Pietro Cardinal Parolin Secretary of State

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133rd Supreme Convention

Endowed by their Creator with Life and Liberty Knights champion religious freedom and celebrate faith, family and fraternity at 133rd Supreme Convention

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athering in the City of Brotherly Love and the birthplace of American liberty, approximately 2,000 Knights, their families and guests attended the 133rd Supreme Convention Aug. 4-6. Nearly 100 archbishops and bishops — including 11 cardinals — were joined by dozens of priests who concelebrated the opening Mass, offered in honor of the family.

The international assembly met at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, just weeks before the World Meeting of Families would be hosted in the same venue.

The theme of the convention — “Endowed by their Creator with Life and Liberty” — was inspired by the opening 4

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words of the Declaration of Independence, signed in Philadelphia in 1776.

In a letter of greeting from Pope Francis, sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father commended the Order for its charitable work and focused on the importance of promoting marriage, family and religious freedom.

In particular, the letter noted “the duty of American Catholics, precisely as responsible citizens, to contribute to the reasoned defense of those freedoms on which their nation was founded.”

It also drew attention to the World Meeting of Families

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Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addresses delegates and guests during the opening business session of the 133rd Supreme Convention in Philadelphia Aug. 4.

and the Order’s new Holy Family Prayer Program, which was launched following the opening Mass (see page 6).

In his annual report (see page 20), delivered during the opening business session Aug. 4, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson detailed the Order’s accomplishments, underscoring how they are rooted in love of God and neighbor.

“When we look into the face of each person, we see the source of life, liberty and human dignity, and therefore we see a brother,” the supreme knight said. “To be a Knight of Columbus is to be a man for others.”

The supreme knight also spoke about the continued growth of the Knights of Columbus and its charitable work. The Order has grown to nearly 1.9 million members worldwide, and its charitable contributions surpassed $174 million and 71.6 million hours of voluntary service last year. Similarly, Knights of Columbus Insurance protects more Catholic families than ever, with over $96.7 billion in force at the time of the convention.

The convention highlighted numerous charitable programs, including the continued success of the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative and the Order’s sponsorship of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, which took place in Los Angeles the preceding week. Among many other K of C initiatives highlighted were programs to feed the hungry, to provide housing for wounded veterans, to help orphaned children in Africa, and to assist with disaster relief in the Philippines.

Likewise, the Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund, which was launched in August 2014, received particular attention throughout the convention (see page 8).

“The Knights of Columbus will redouble our efforts to bring aid to these victims in the Middle East,” the supreme knight said in his report. “It is a time for action.”

The theme of fraternal solidarity with victims of violent religious persecution was accentuated during the States Dinner, when two special guests — Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, C.Ss.R., of Erbil, Iraq, and Melkite Catholic Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Syria — delivered impassioned keynote addresses about the suffering their people have endured. They also expressed gratitude for the Order’s spiritual and financial support.

For the second time in history, and the first time since 2005, the Supreme Convention also included a Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy in addition to other large Masses (see page 13).

On Aug. 5, the annual awards session honored individual Knights and councils for outstanding achievements during the past fraternal year (see page 15). Delegates also passed board resolutions during the convention in defense of religious liberty, the institution of marriage and the culture of life, and in solidarity with persecuted Christians.

The following pages feature photos, news and excerpts from the 133rd Supreme Convention’s proceedings, followed by the complete text of the Supreme Knight’s Annual Report.

For extended coverage, visit kofc.org/convention.♦ OCTOBER 2015

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Opening Mass

Order Launches Holy Family Pilgrim Prayer Program

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new Knights of Columbus Prayer Program focusing on the Holy Family was inaugurated at the conclusion of the opening Mass at the 133rd Supreme Convention. The program features an image of the Holy Family by 18th-century engraver Giovanni Balestra, which is housed in the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Rome.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., of Philadelphia formally launched the program as state deputies representing the Order’s 74 jurisdictions held framed copies of the image, each bearing the blessing of Pope Francis. The archbishop also asked for prayers for the success of the World Meeting of Families in September and for the Synod of Bishops on the family, which will take place in Rome Oct. 4-25.

The images will be brought on pilgrimage from council to council to serve as the centerpiece for prayer services during the coming year.

This is the 17th Orderwide prayer program featuring a sacred image.

Since 1979, these rosary-based programs have attracted more than 17 million participants in over 147,000 prayer services.♦ 6

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Far Left: State deputies hold framed copies of the Holy Family image during the launch of the Order’s new prayer program. • Above: Nearly 100 bishops, including 11 cardinals, were present at the opening Mass of the 133rd Supreme Convention. • Below left: An honor guard of more than 100 Fourth Degree Knights led the opening procession. • Below: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., of Philadelphia delivers the homily.

WE ASK THE LORD in our celebration today to restore our families; to bring us back into balance; to give us love for one another; to teach us to be merciful and forgiving; and to cherish the gifts that God has given to the other members of our family.

Our Gospel reading leads us to a reflection on the family of the Church. When we talk about the Church as the “bark” of Peter, we’re talking about it not as a massive ocean liner, strong

and powerful, but as a small boat that is easily rocked during a storm on the sea.

There’s much going on in the world around us that has led to the bark of Peter being tossed about — things that can cause us to be anxious in the cultural storms in which we find ourselves. We find in today’s Gospel a word of encouragement for the family of the Church caught in this storm. While the apostles are tossed about on the waves, Jesus is praying for them.

There is nothing that should give us greater consolation and hope: Jesus is praying for the Church. And whenever the Father hears the voice of Jesus, the Father responds. ...

We’re having the World Meeting of Families here in Philadelphia in order to do two things: to strengthen family life and to recommit ourselves to living that life more faithfully in the years ahead. The Holy Father’s presence symbolizes the fact that he is leading us in the storm of our time to re-embrace the Gospel understanding of marriage and family life. We celebrate this Mass in anticipation of that event, and we ask the Lord to make your families, the families of the Knights of Columbus, strong and secure symbols of the presence of loving family life in the heart of the Church.

— Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia Homily, Votive Mass for the Family, Aug. 4 OCTOBER 2015

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Opening Business Session

Supreme Convention Highlights Plight of Christian Refugees

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haldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, C.Ss.R., of Erbil, Iraq, and Melkite Catholic Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Syria, delivered keynote addresses at the States Dinner Aug. 4, offering firsthand accounts of religious persecution in their lands. They described the campaign of religious cleansing of Christians and other religious minorities who are being killed, tortured, or forced to flee from their homes by the Islamic State extremist group, also known as ISIS or Daesh.

Earlier in the day, the archbishops joined Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson at a press conference to raise public awareness about the suffering in the region.

“Please, speak for the Christians in the Middle East, because they have been subject to all kinds of violence because they are Christians,” said Archbishop Warda. “This is part of your heritage, this is part of being an American. Please speak for the persecuted around the world.”

Archbishop Jeanbart likewise gave stirring testimony about the grim situation in his war-torn country.

“We have seen people killed, slaughtered, women violated, priests and bishops kidnapped, houses destroyed, churches and convents invaded,” he said. “But we persist with the help of God and with the help of those who help us, like the Knights of Columbus.”

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The supreme knight recalled that delegates to the 1926 Supreme Convention, also held in Philadelphia, took up the cause of Mexican Catholics, who were being persecuted and killed by their government “We raised awareness about the issue, and financially helped many refugees who fled north,” said Anderson. “We were able to do much good, for many people. Today, we are compelled as an organization to speak up for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East as the world remains largely silent.”

During his annual report, the supreme knight invited his brother Knights to stand with him in solidarity for persecuted Christians in the Middle East, as they raised olive wood crosses and recited together a prayer on behalf of the victims.

“The blood of these martyrs cries out to you and me for help,” he said. “It is time for a season of truth about what is happening to Christians and other minorities.”

The Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund, which launched a year earlier, has already distributed more than $4 million to refugees in Iraq and Syria. This humanitarian assistance has included shelter for those who have had to flee their homes, as well as support for medical facilities in areas flooded with refugees.

For more information or to donate to the relief efforts, visit christiansatrisk.org.♦

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Opposite page: During the supreme knight’s annual report Aug. 4, Knights together raise olive wood crosses in a show of solidarity with persecuted and displaced Christians.

Clockwise from top left: A color guard from Chaplain (Maj.) Charles Watters Assembly at Fort Bragg in North Carolina presents the national colors. • U.S. Army Capt. Luis Avila, his wife, Claudia, and their son, were guests of honor at the convention. Capt. Avila is a wounded warrior for whom the Order is funding a “smart home” through its partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation. • A Knight holds an olive wood cross inscribed with the emblem of the Order. • Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States, reads the greeting of Pope Francis to the convention.

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States Dinner

Above: As seen from the back side of the dais, Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil, Iraq, delivers his keynote address at the States Dinner Aug. 4.

• Below: Knights and guests from Saskatchewan wave their province’s flag during the playing of state songs. • Right: Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Syria, delivers his keynote address.

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IN MY COUNTRY, Syria, Christians are in grave danger.

We may disappear soon. Let me give you an idea about what is happening.

For more than four years now, my country has been torn apart by a civil war, while radical Muslims are now calling for jihad and exclusion, a kind of apartheid for all non-Muslims.

In dangerous zones, like my city of Aleppo and localities close to Turkey, the population is terrorized by kidnappings, snipers, car bombs, shelling and looting. All this has culminated in the manifestation of ISIS last year.

Innumerable attacks have destroyed Aleppo’s churches; its factories and flourishing industry; its infrastructure and social and administrative institutions; its commercial area; its ancient homes, schools and hospitals. My episcopal residence and cathedral have been destroyed, and I live like a refugee in a convent in the city. More than half the Christians — 85,000 people — have left Aleppo.

What horrors must ISIS commit before the world will take greater action to stop the murderers? Across the region, as the fight is taken up against ISIS, the United States and its allies must be aware that Christians and other minorities are often caught up in the fighting, facing calamities as they are displaced, without any provisions for shelter, food and medical assistance.

By God’s grace and with the help of organizations like yours, we have been able to respond, in a significant way, to

a good part of the humanitarian needs of our people. During the celebration this afternoon, I witnessed Knights of Columbus lifting up images of the Holy Family. I must tell you that the aid you have given my people this year has lifted up hundreds of families in Syria.

It is my fervent prayer that my fellow Christians and bishops in the United States and around the world will make the fate of the persecuted Christians in the Middle East a real priority, because the suffering of my people is a wound to the entire Body of Christ.

— Melkite Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Syria States Dinner keynote address, Aug. 4 OCTOBER 2015

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States Dinner

Above: States Dinner attendees, including a delegation from Mexico, wave flags during the playing of state songs. • Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, and Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, archbishop of Québec and primate of Canada, walk in procession, holding the flags of their respective jurisdictions. • Below: Supreme Knight Anderson thanks Archbishop Warda following his keynote address.

Opposite page: A projected image of Mary as Theotokos is seen in the background as Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia celebrates the Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy Aug. 5.

I SPEAK TO YOU from Iraq, the land of ancient Mesopotamia, where we have worshipped as Christians since the apostles Thomas and Thaddeus first brought us the teachings of Christ, nearly 2,000 years ago.

With the brutal attacks by ISIS in the summer of 2014 against our faithful in the city of Mosul, and then the Christian towns of the Nineveh Plain, more than 125,000 of our brothers and sisters were violently and forcibly displaced. Forced to flee for their lives, these Christians have had to leave their houses, properties, past and, indeed, their very heritage behind them.

Churches and holy places where people had worshipped for centuries have now been destroyed and desecrated, the Holy Cross replaced by the flag of Daesh (ISIS). Many of these families fled to the relative safety of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where now they wonder how their lives can go forward. These people are in our care, yours and mine.

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It is heartbreaking for us to see unprecedented numbers of our faithful leaving their homeland to face a frightening and unknown future as refugees with little hope. We have to admit, as a Church, that we were not prepared at all for this crisis, which landed upon us last summer. We have made shelters of church gardens and halls, catechism classrooms, public schools, tents, incomplete building structures.

In extending your hand of help to us, you had expressed your hope that we work toward providing decent accommodations and secure job opportunities. To that end we approached you last year for aid in constructing low-cost housing, and we continue to work on this project. We have also opened two medical centers, a trauma center, and will soon open a maternity and child care hospital.

But we have not focused on physical and medical needs alone. Based on my conviction that ignorance and illiteracy are the most dangerous long-term enemy that we face here in the Middle East, we have been working to help our students pursue their studies. We have therefore embarked on building the Catholic University of Erbil and are grateful to announce that the first classes will begin this fall.

Brothers and Sisters, you were among the first to extend a life-saving hand to us in our time of danger. You stood at our side, just as our Mother Mary and the Beloved Disciple did at the side of the Crucified, even while much of the world turned away. I am here to say thank you for your charity. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your generous love.

— Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, C.Ss.R., of Erbil, Iraq States Dinner keynote address, Aug. 4

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Divine Liturgy

‘Let Your Light Shine Before Others’ EDITOR’S NOTE: Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in the United States celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for the Prefeast of the Transfiguration at the Supreme Convention Aug. 5. The following text is excerpted from his homily.

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n his 1995 apostolic letter on the Eastern Churches, St. John Paul II wrote: “Participation in Trinitarian life takes place through the liturgy and in a special way through the Eucharist, the mystery of communion with the glorified body of Christ, the seed of immortality. In divinization and particularly in the sacraments, Eastern theology attributes a very special role to the Holy Spirit: through the power of the Spirit who dwells in man deification already begins on earth; the creature is transfigured and God’s kingdom inaugurated” (Orientale Lumen, 6).

My brothers and sisters in Christ, all of us begin our journey of transformation, of transfiguration in this path of divinization, from the moment of our baptism. At that moment we have been “baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ.”

In a special way, men who choose to become Knights of Columbus, following in the footsteps of our founder, Father Michael McGivney, also experience a special transformation.

As a pastor, I was privileged to assist in the organization of a new council in my parish. I saw men who were never very

active in church life join the Knights for the opportunity to work with others in parish programs. The power of fraternal prayer and works of charity in an atmosphere of unity with patriotic love for God, Church and country transformed these men and their families. This in turn inspired these Knights and their families to reach out in service to the needs of others, to live the Beatitudes. In the words of Our Lord, they become transformed into “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Mt 5:13,14).

Brother Knights, as the salt of the earth, you are valuable to the world. You preserve moral, ethical and religious values and teachings in a world challenged with evil and immorality. You also enhance and improve the quality and flavor of life for people around the world through your numerous acts of charity, just as salt enhances the quality and flavor of food. I personally know how thousands of people in Ukraine, including those wounded and psychologically scarred by war, have had their lives enhanced by the generous humanitarian aid of the Knights of Columbus, for which we are extremely grateful.

As the light of the world, you not only share the light of Christ in a darkened world, but by your example you let your light “shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:16).

Slava Isusu Christu! Glory be to Jesus Christ!♦ OCTOBER 2015

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Divine Liturgy

Top: Archbishop Soroka drinks from the chalice following the consecration.

• Above: The choir of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington, D.C., leads sung responses during the Divine Liturgy.

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I GREET ALL my brother Knights and guests of the Supreme Convention on behalf of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and especially on behalf of our brother Knights from Ukraine. We have been richly blessed with the establishment of this esteemed international Order in Ukraine in 2013. As of today, we have 9 councils and over 300 active members of both Latin and Byzantine rites.

After the Maidan events, known as “the Revolution of dignity,” we are witnessing in Ukraine the birth of a new nation and our hope is that the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine will be in the front line to enrich our Ukrainian society with solidly lived Christian values.

Last year, however, was very challenging for Ukraine, and we continue to receive daily news about the casualties of our soldiers and civilians in eastern Ukraine. Over one million people have been displaced by the war, and they are dependent on humanitarian aid from the international community.

I must acknowledge that the Knights of Columbus was the first to respond officially to the appeal of the Holy Father for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. We are immensely grateful for this brotherly support.

— Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, Ukraine Letter of Greeting to the Supreme Convention

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Awards Session

Awards Session Honors Outstanding Knights, Programs

T

he annual Supreme Knight’s Award Session Aug. 5 recognized individual Knights, as well as councils, assemblies and Squires circles, for superlative achievement in the areas of membership growth and retention, insurance sales, and charitable outreach.

Here is a summary of some of the key awards and recipients, including the six international service program awards: • International Family of the Year: Ron and Peggy Weingartz, married for 31 years, have five grown children.

Ron, 53, past grand knight of St. Mary Magdalen Council 12295 in Brighton, Mich. Heavily involved in council activities as well as their parish’s religious education efforts, Ron and Peggy spearheaded a program that places ultrasound machines at local pregnancy centers through the Order’s Ultrasound Initiative. Together with their children, they were also the driving force behind a parish “Kids Against Hunger” campaign, raising funds to purchase food and organizing volunteers to re-package it into meals for distribution to families in need.

• Church Activity: St. Gabriel the Archangel Council 14492 in Chestermere, Alberta, raised more than $70,000 to help build a new church through their “Angels on High” initiative. Fundraising efforts involved 18 hikers — including Knights, fellow parishioners and the parish priest — who raised funds by climbing to the peaks of the Kananaskis mountain range. The council also held a silent auction and received donations from individual and corporate sponsors.

• Community Activity: Mar Toma Council 10981 in El Cajon, Calif., hosted a fundraising and prayer event on behalf of Iraqi Christians. The council rallied more than 1,000 people in the hall of St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon and raised $650,000. The funds were divided, with $300,000 sent directly to Christian refugees in Iraq, $200,000 to refugees in

Supreme Knight Anderson and his wife, Dorian, join Michigan State Deputy Robert W. Fox and his wife, Sandra, in honoring the Ronald and Peggy Weingartz family of St. Mary Magdalen Council 12295 in Brighton, Mich., as the 2015 International Family of the Year.

Turkey and $150,000 to the Adopt-aRefugee-Family Program in Lebanon.

• Council Activity: St. Hubert’s Council 11658 in Harrison Township, Mich., raised funds for cancer research on behalf of a brother Knight diagnosed with incurable cancer. In less than five years, the council has raised more than $100,000.

• Culture of Life Activity: Father Lucien Galtier Council 4184 in West St. Paul, Minn., raised $100,000 so that the Wakota Life Care Center in West St. Paul could purchase an ultrasound machine and other items. Television actress Lauren Roman and former Minnesota Vikings player Matt Birk, a member of Council 4184, spoke at the fundraising banquet.

• Family Activity: Martinsburg (Mo.) Council 1270 came to the aid of the widowed mother of a member who died suddenly. Council members helped run her farm, harvest her crops and sell her farm equipment.

• Youth Activity: Cumberland (Md.) Council 586 offered shelter, food and

other assistance to 78 high school students from Kansas who were stranded when their bus broke down on their return trip from the March for Life.

• Leading General Agents: Michael Rodriguez of Puerto Rico (336 percent of quota) and Sergio Urrutia of Florida (208 percent of quota).

• Leading Field Agents: Ronald Sandoval Sr. (520 percent of quota) and Ronald “Joe” Sandoval Jr. (518 percent of quota), both of the Baca Agency in California.

• Top Recruiter: Jose Noel T. Alcubilla of Visayas was recognized as the top recruiter of 2014-2015 for having signed up 145 new members.

• Century Club: Councils that add 100 members over suspensions and withdrawals are eligible for the Order’s prestigious Century Club Award. This year’s winners are: Cotabato City Council 3504 in Mindanao (136 members); Gen. T. de Leon Council 10695 in Valenzuela City, Luzon (120 members); El Salvador Council 9480 in Misamis, Mindanao (117 members).♦ OCTOBER 2015

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Memorial Mass

Above: Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore was the principal celebrant for the Memorial Mass on Aug. 6, the feast of the Transfiguration. Pictured in front of the altar is the Martyrs of Christ the King Reliquary, containing relics of 38 Mexican saints and blesseds, including six saints and three blesseds who were Knights of Columbus. • Left: Deputy Supreme Knight Logan T. Ludwig reads the necrology of bishops and K of C leaders who died during the past year. • Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv, Ukraine, carries the blood relic of St. John Paul II following the Memorial Mass.

THE TRANSFIGURATION is presented in Scripture as the high point of Jesus’ ministry, when, on the heights of Mt. Tabor, Christ revealed his glory before the awestruck apostles, Peter, James and John. The glory of Jesus is his complete union of love with the Father, a union of love so complete and so perfect that it is not just an idea or a feeling but a Person, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit, for “God is love.”

So, you might say that when we climb Mt. Tabor with the three apostles, our eyes of faith behold the divine origin of that charity and unity which are at the heart of the Knights of Columbus. Father McGivney didn’t just invent these principles, but rather drew them from the very heart of the Gospels.

He knew that if we were to share the glory of God we must be people who are united in charity; united in opening our hearts 16

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to the love of God poured forth by the Holy Spirit; united in bearing witness to the love of God we have received by leading lives of unhesitating charity, especially on behalf of the poor, the sick and the vulnerable.

Father McGivney’s charity as a parish priest revealed a soul that had been transfigured, changed, transformed by the Holy Spirit into the living image of God’s glory — that is to say, his love. How many lives has Father McGivney’s ministry changed and transformed? We are attracted to the saints and blesseds of the Order, such as the Mexican martyrs, because in laying down their lives in self-giving love for the sake of the faith, they manifested in their flesh the glory of God revealed in the flesh of Christ.

— Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore Memorial Mass homily, Aug. 6

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Business Sessions

Clockwise from top left: Delegates raise signs indicating support of their jurisdictions during the Aug. 5 business session. • Chief Insurance Officer Thomas P. Smith Jr. addresses delegates following his reelection as a supreme director. • Supreme Advocate John A. Marrella reads proposed resolutions.

• District of Columbia State Deputy Timothy M. Saccoccia addresses his brother Knights during the Aug. 6 business session. • Delegates review resolutions during the final business session. • Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori delivers closing remarks to the assembly.

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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

Order Observes 125th Anniversary of Father McGivney’s Death

Knights carry a statue of Venerable Michael McGivney during the closing procession of the Mass at St. Mary’s Church observing the 125th anniversary of his death.

KNIGHTS AND their families from throughout Connecticut gathered Aug. 14 at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, where the Order was founded in 1882, for a Mass commemorating the 125th anniversary of the death of Venerable Michael McGivney.

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore was the principal celebrant and homilist.

A Fourth Degree honor guard led the procession as four Knights carried a statue of Father McGivney, which was placed near the church pulpit.

In his homily, Archbishop Lori reflected on Father McGivney’s personal traits and pastoral ministry.

“St. John Paul II said that the priest’s personality must be a bridge to Christ, and indeed Father McGivney’s unassuming, lighthearted, yet determined character attracted many to the Catholic faith and to St. Mary’s Church,” he said. “He loved the priesthood deeply and lived it for others, including widows, orphans and outcasts.”

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bishop Lori joined Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, other Supreme Officers and John Walshe, a great grandnephew of Father McGivney, at the sarcophagus near the entrance of the church, where the remains of Father McGivney are interred. The supreme chaplain then led the congregation in prayers for Father McGivney’s canonization.

Father McGivney died Aug. 14, 1890, two days after his 38th birthday, at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, Conn., where he served as pastor for six years. He was also pastor at the time of Immaculate Conception Parish in nearby Terryville. Previously, he was assistant parish priest for seven years at St. Mary’s, where he gathered a handful of parish men in the church’s basement to found the Knights of Columbus in 1882.

The cause for Father McGivney’s sainthood was opened in 1997, and Pope Benedict XVI declared him a Venerable Servant of God in March 2008. ♦

K of C Earns Top Financial Rating for 40th Consecutive Year CITING THE ORDER’S strong presence in Catholic communities and its members’ loyalty, ratings agency A.M. Best reaffirmed the K of C’s rating of A++ (Superior) for financial strength. The announcement marks the 40th consecutive year that the Knights of Columbus earned A.M. Best’s highest marks.

“Knights and their families are not just customers, they are members of a fraternal family, united by their common bonds of faith and service,” said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. “Our rating is a testament to our ethical and sustainable business philosophy, which combines good business decisions with an outlook that puts people before profits.”

Anderson added that “a key to our organization’s strength consists of our excellent agents, who are Knights of Columbus, and who view their brother Knights as family members.”

Concerning the Knights of Columbus, A.M. Best noted: “Through conservative management, active fraternalism, and high-quality insurance products, the fraternal society has grown to a multi-billion dollar international insurance organization.”

The Knights of Columbus currently has more than $99 billion of life insurance in force and $22 billion in assets under management. No insurer in North America is more highly rated than the Knights of Columbus.♦

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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

K of C Chaplains Gather for Annual Meeting Before Convention MORE THAN 80 state and local chaplains gathered for Mass Aug. 3 at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia to kick off their annual meeting prior to the 133rd Supreme Convention.

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore was the principal celebrant and homilist. He reminded his brother chaplains that, despite the challenges of an increasingly secular culture, people today have a deep spiritual hunger.

“We know that this hunger is only satisfied by God’s infinite love, and we must do our best to feed our people with the skills, talents and best efforts that we have,” he said. In the end, “it is Jesus who acts and bestows the grace that people need.”

Following Mass, the chaplains gathered for a series of workshops, addresses and discussions. Speaking

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore addresses the annual meeting of K of C chaplains. again to participants, Archbishop Lori said that the upcoming Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis, which begins Dec. 8, “is tailor-made for an organization that claims charity as its

first principle.”

The supreme chaplain asked those in attendance to foster greater love for the sacramental life of the Church, such as encouraging K of C families to recommit to never missing Sunday Mass.

He similarly stressed “the importance of encouraging brother Knights and their families to avail themselves of the sacrament of penance,” he said.

“Not just once or twice, but a monthly reception of the sacrament of mercy.”

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson also offered remarks in which he thanked the chaplains for their service to the Order. He asked them to exercise spiritual wisdom and practical judgment in addressing the challenges of the culture, and to promote Supreme Council initiatives that strengthen the family, including the new pilgrim icon program featuring images of the Holy Family.♦

Court Defends WWII Memorial New Supreme Directors Elected ON AUG. 31, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals again ruled that a historical World War II memorial, including a statue affectionately called “Big Mountain Jesus,” can remain standing on the ski slopes near Kalispell, Mont.

Sixty years ago, Kalispell Council 1328 leased a 25-by25-foot plot of land on Big Mountain, which lies within a commercial ski resort, from the U.S. Forest Service to erect a memorial honoring fallen soldiers from World War II. The permit for the memorial had been renewed every 10 years without incident until 2010, when a Wisconsinbased atheist group claimed that the memorial violated the U.S. Constitution. The Forest Service initially denied the permit, but then renewed it after public outcry.

In February 2012, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sued to have the memorial permanently removed. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty intervened in federal district court on behalf of several individual Montanans and the Knights of Columbus. The suit was defeated in June 2013 and the decision was subsequently appealed.♦

ON AUG. 5, delegates to the 133rd Supreme Convention elected two new supreme directors to the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors, replacing two retiring members. Elected for three-year terms beginning Sept. 1 were the Honorable Graydon A. Nicholas, former Graydon A. Nicholas lieutenant governor of New Brunswick, Canada, and Ronald F. Schwarz, the immediate past state deputy of Oklahoma.

Nicholas, 69, a member of Bishop Dollard Council 1942 in Fredericton, is the first member of the Aboriginal First Nation in Canada to become a judicial appointee for New Brunswick and to Ronald F. Schwarz become lieutenant governor of the province. Schwarz, 56, twice earned Circle of Honor status for membership and insurance growth while serving as the Oklahoma state deputy. A Knight since 1977, he belongs to St. Monica Council 11237 in Edmond.♦

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Annual Report of the

S UPREME K NIGHT 133 R D S U P R E M E C O N V E N T I O N — P H I L A D E L P H I A , PA ., AU G U S T 4-6, 2015

My brother Knights, today we meet in the city of Philadelphia, the birthplace of American Liberty.

It was here in 1776 that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document whose opening words have been called “the greatest, most consequential statement of political philosophy of all time.”1 (see page 48) We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. ese words do not carry the power of law. But they have a power greater than law in the minds of those around the world who are determined to be free. omas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration’s first draft, wrote, “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable.” But it was a Philadelphian, Benjamin Franklin, who with one edit made one of the most significant contributions. He struck out the words “sacred and undeniable” and replaced them with a single word: “self-evident.”2 With a stroke of his pen, Franklin shifted the entire foundation of the Declaration from religious doctrine and a matter of faith to that of reason and the universal nature of the human person.

As the delegates prepared to consider the resolution of independence, news reached Philadelphia that a British fleet of 300 ships carrying 30,000 troops had entered New York Harbor.

Soon, Philadelphia would come under British control.

Delegate John Adams described the temperament of the assembly. “We were not,” he said, “in a very submissive mood.”3 And so, the delegates pledged their lives and their “sacred honor” to the cause of liberty and declared independence.

Eighty-seven years later, President Abraham Lincoln visited a small Pennsylvania city. While overlooking the fields of Gettysburg, he recalled how “a new nation, conceived in liberty” was struggling to defend the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence. And he promised that “this nation, under God,” would “have a new birth of freedom.”

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At Gettysburg, President Lincoln defended America’s founding principles in order to secure its future.

So too did another president, who nearly a century later began his inaugural address by recalling the cause for which he said our forebears fought — “the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.” President John F. Kennedy continued, “We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.”

He then announced “to friend and foe alike” that his generation of Americans was “unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed.”4 And so, my brother Knights, in that same spirit and with that same determination, I announce the theme of this 133rd Supreme Convention: “Endowed by their Creator with Life and Liberty.” is theme is particularly appropriate this year, since we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae (e Gospel of Life) and the 50th anniversary of Dignitatis Humanae (On the Dignity of the Person), the Second Vatican Council’s document on religious freedom.

It is also appropriate since we are meeting in the city of Philadelphia — a city steeped in Catholic history. is was one of the few places in the 13 colonies where Catholics could freely practice their faith. And at times, it was the only place.

Maryland was founded for Catholics. In 1632, King Charles I gave Charles Calvert, a Catholic, the land grant that established Maryland. In 1649, that colony enacted the first religious tolerance law in America.

But by 1681, Protestants outnumbered Catholics 30 to 1 and laws began to change. Catholics were prevented from inheriting or purchasing land. ey were denied the right to vote or hold public office.

Priests were subject to life imprisonment for the crime of celebrating Mass, and a 100-pound reward was offered to anyone who reported seeing a priest do so. en, in the early 1700s, the government ordered the closing of Maryland’s only Catholic church.5 us, Pennsylvania became home to a large Catholic population, second only to Maryland. With anti-Catholic winds blowing in Maryland and elsewhere, Philadelphia was home to the only Catholic parish in the 13 colonies, and Pennsylvania was the only colony to allow Catholic schools.

Photo by Tom Serafin

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By 1765, because of this unique tolerance, Catholics in Pennsylvania numbered about 6,000. Yet Catholics remained a despised minority throughout much of colonial America.6 Despite the widespread hatred of Catholicism, the delegates assembled in Philadelphia came to realize that Catholics were indispensable to the cause of independence. us, how Catholics were treated became a vital consideration. is point was brought home when the Continental Congress sent a delegation to Québec to convince Frenchspeaking Canada to join the American cause. It was led by Benjamin Franklin and included the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll.

But the Canadians refused to become involved. ey reminded the Americans that England had recently enacted the Québec Act, which recognized the Catholic Church as the official church of Québec. Catholics were, therefore, treated much better in Canada than they were in America. And the American delegation was told as much.

Without the support of Catholic Québec, America’s struggle for independence would be much more difficult. But it would have had no chance of success without the strong support of France, a Catholic country.

It was only with time, as George Washington and others

worked to keep this support, that things began to change for Catholics in the colonies.

Washington banned anti-Catholic demonstrations in the Continental Army, such as “Pope Day,” which he called a “ridiculous and childish custom,”7 and delegates to the Continental Congress eventually accompanied Charles Carroll to Catholic Mass. e Continental Congress also offered all German troops, many of whom were Catholic, both citizenship and religious freedom if they would leave the British and instead join the American cause — and as many as 12,000 did so. roughout the American Revolution and the creation of this country, Catholics played an important role.

A Catholic church — Old St. Mary’s Church in Philadelphia — was the site of the first public religious commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. George Washington later attended a solemn Mass of anksgiving there to celebrate victory over the British on Nov. 4, 1781.

And two decades later, on Feb. 22, 1800, Congress met in that same church for a memorial service following the death of President Washington.

Yet it wasn’t just Catholic churches that played a role in the life of the new nation. Individual Catholics, despite their small numbers, also played an active part.

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The Liberty Bell, which the Knights helped transport to San Francisco 100 years ago, is pictured in Philadelphia.

Charles Carroll signed the Declaration of Independence, and his cousin, Daniel, signed both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. It was Daniel’s younger brother, John Carroll, who became America’s first Catholic bishop. All three put their life on the line for the cause of liberty.

And we remember the stunning defeat of the British army at the Battle of Yorktown, achieved by the combined actions of the French fleet under Admiral de Grasse, the French army under Rochambeau, and the American force led by Lafayette.

Following the battle, a Mass of anksgiving attended by the Continental Congress and the Pennsylvania Assembly was celebrated in St. Mary’s Church. e homilist, a French chaplain, declared the victory a modern miracle, saying that it was “the wonderful work of that God who guards your liberties.”8 From Philadelphia came omas FitzSimons and George Meade, who together raised a battalion for the Continental Army, and John Barry, who is regarded as “the father of the American Navy.”

And from farther afield came Tadeusz Kościuszko and Casimir Pułaski. ese Polish natives, commissioned to the 22

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Continental Army by Benjamin Franklin, fought as colonel and general, respectively, alongside George Washington.

Philadelphia has also been important in the life of the Knights of Columbus. It was the home of our sixth supreme knight, James Flaherty. Elected in 1909 and serving into 1927, he oversaw the work of the Knights of Columbus in its support of our troops during World War I. After the Great War, Supreme Knight Flaherty brought the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors to France and Italy.

Following their audience with Pope Benedict XV, he began the Order’s work of providing athletic fields for Italian youth — an initiative that continues to this day. In the 1920s, Supreme Knight Flaherty also led the Order’s efforts to combat the racism and bigotry of the Ku Klux Klan.

And he led the Order’s efforts to defend the persecuted Catholics of Mexico. It was in Philadelphia during the 1926 Supreme Convention that Supreme Knight Flaherty took up the cause of the oppressed Mexican Catholics, saying, “e religious crisis in Mexico will be the most important question discussed by this convention.” at campaign, which would last a decade, ultimately helped end the war and the persecution of Catholics there.

Under Supreme Knight Flaherty’s leadership, the Order earned the description given to it by Pope Benedict XV: “e noble Knights of Columbus.”

But our meeting this year in Philadelphia is not only a time to remember the past; it is our time to plan for the future. Next month, Pope Francis will visit this city, and many brother Knights are already busy with preparations for this visit.

Pope Francis has said that “to love God and neighbor is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete; it means seeing in every person the face of the Lord.”9 When we look into the face of each person, we see the source of life, liberty and human dignity, and therefore we see a brother.

And as Knights of Columbus we know this: Authentic brotherhood is the true foundation of authentic freedom.

When Pope Francis visits this City of Brotherly Love, he will help all Americans understand that love is the true foundation of every city. He will also call all of us to a deeper faith and a deeper commitment to charity. Knights of Columbus have already heard that call and are acting on it.

My brother Knights, this is the 15th time that I will fulfill my responsibility as supreme knight to report on the accomplishments of our Order during the past fraternal year.

Today, I report that the Knights of Columbus has never been stronger and more relevant. We have set new records in charity, membership and insurance.

Millions of Catholics are now more secure because of the financial protection we provide. Millions of people around the world have been helped because of our service. Our parishes and neighborhoods are now better places because of the efforts of our nearly 1.9 million members.

We are building a better world, one council at a time.

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K NIGHTS

OF

C HARITY

My brother Knights, we have answered our Holy Father’s call by serving the Lord and our neighbors as never before.

For the 16th consecutive year, we set new records in charitable giving. Our charitable contributions increased last year by more than $3.4 million to a record $173,550,680.

Texas led all jurisdictions with charitable donations of $9,066,514. Illinois was second with $7,839,940, followed by California, Ontario, Florida, Michigan, Québec, New Jersey, Missouri, British Columbia, New York and Ohio.

We also set a new record in charitable service, volunteering 71,560,617 hours. Experts value each hour donated in 2015 at approximately $23.07. is means the time we donated to charity last year was worth $1,650,903,434.19.

In the past decade we donated more than 691,352,169 hours. e value of those efforts total nearly $14.4 billion.

Brother Knights in the Philippines led the way in volunteering, with Luzon contributing a total of 6,898,549 hours. Texas was second with 4,536,659 hours, followed by Florida, California, Mindanao, Ontario, Illinois, Visayas, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

When it comes to time volunteered per member, Alaska was first with nearly 95 hours per member. Nova Scotia was second with 93 hours, followed by Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, Delaware, Utah, Florida, Nevada, the District of Columbia and Oklahoma. Last year, each Knight donated an average of nearly $93 and about a full workweek of 38 hours.

From July 25 to Aug. 2, we saw another milestone when our $1.4 million sponsorship of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles helped make those games a tremendous success. We covered costs, including food and transportation, for every American and Canadian athlete during their time in Los Angeles. And for our support, we were designated a “Founding Champion of the World Games.” Additionally, more than 1,000 brother Knights and their families were among the volunteers supporting the 7,000 Special Olympics athletes. e Knights of Columbus has stood alongside Special Olympics and its founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, from the very first World Games in 1968. Eunice’s husband, Sargent Shriver, was a longtime brother Knight. I cannot help but think of my meeting with Sargent Shriver during the first Special Olympics World Summer Games held outside the United States, in Dublin, in 2003. Holding his rosary in one hand, he spoke of the importance of our families affirming the dignity of these athletes.

Our work with Special Olympics continues, now stronger than ever. Leading up to the World Games, our councils donated $15,327,401 to Special Olympics and other programs for people with intellectual disabilities. And more than 146,000 individual brother Knights gave nearly 818,000 hours of their time at more than 21,000 Special Olympics events.

Just prior to this year’s Super Bowl, the Arizona Knights of Columbus brought together Special Olympics athletes and NFL players for a flag football game and skills clinic. Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson joined Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz and his son, Michael, along with former Kansas City Chiefs player Chris Horn. ey were joined by Catholic Athletes for Christ President Ray McKenna and Arizona State Deputy Laurence J. Becker.

In February, as college athletes attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Special Olympics athletes showcased their talents at a clinic hosted by the Indiana Knights of Columbus, Catholic Athletes for Christ and Special Olympics Indiana. is marked the third year that the Knights has sponsored this event. is year, Indianapolis Colts player Joe Reitz and former Colts wide receiver John Standeford hosted the clinic at the Colts training facility.

Knights of Columbus support Special Olympics in an even more direct way. For example, Brother Knight Christopher Dooley of Regina Coeli Council 2274 in Easton, Md., was part of the four-person U.S. kayaking team at the Special Olympics World Games. Chris also served as master of ceremonies for Special Olympics Maryland Athlete Congress and worked at the control center of the Maryland Winter Games. e Knights’ assistance extends beyond that given to Special Olympics. Last year, our councils donated more than $4.26 million to benefit those with physical disabilities.

Since 2009, we have partnered with the Global Wheelchair Mission. Last year we distributed nearly 6,885 wheelchairs worldwide, bringing our six-year total to almost 50,000.

Among the countries receiving aid in 2014-15 were the Philippines, Mexico and Vietnam.

When California Knights traveled to the Philippines to help distribute wheelchairs, one of the recipients was a 96-year-old man who fought alongside U.S. forces in the Pacific during World War II.

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Knights cheer on an athlete as he completes drills with a Marian University football player at the 2015 Special Olympics Mini Combine in Indianapolis.

Knights helped with other important needs as well, giving $4.1 million to benefit the elderly, $3.1 million to assist hospitals and health care facilities, and $7.6 million for community projects. Knights also provide housing for those in need. Last year, we donated $669,259 and 1.2 million volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity. ese charitable works take a great deal of planning, but we also stand ready to help those affected by unexpected disasters. is year we continued to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines through our Livelihood Project. In March, we delivered 100 motorized boats to Filipino fishermen whose boats were destroyed. at brought the total delivered to 226. is project has helped not only fishermen, but also local carpenters who were hired to build these boats. e project was financed by donations of more than $850,000 from Knights and other donors to our emergency relief fund, which also received $250,000 from the Supreme Council. e boats were blessed by Bishop Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan. Overseeing their delivery was Luzon Supreme Director Alonso L. Tan, former Visayas Deputy Rodrigo N. Sorongon and former Luzon Deputy Arsenio Yap. Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, director of communications for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said of the donation: “[It was] a perfect example of a charity that evangelizes, and of neighbor helping neighbor. It showed exactly what the Knights of Columbus are all about. ...

Everyone now knows that the Knights keep their promises, and when they help, it is not just for today, but for the long haul.”

We also provided assistance last year to those suffering from man-made tragedies in Ukraine and the Middle East. e conflict in Ukraine has created an enormous humanitarian 24

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catastrophe, especially during the freezing winter months.

During that time, we provided $400,000 to relief programs sponsored by the Catholic Church in Ukraine. e Ukrainianrite and Latin-rite Catholic communities each received $200,000 to feed and aid homeless children and refugees living in the capital city of Kiev, and to assist orphans and children separated from their families.

Also this year, British Columbia Knights led by Past State Deputy Edward J. Shawchuk distributed 280 wheelchairs in western Ukraine. Assisting the Canadian Knights were members of Councils 15801 and 16130 in Lviv, Ukraine. e Knights of Columbus began working in Ukraine at the urging of His Beatitude Cardinal Lubomyr Husar in 2005. A formal presence was established in 2013, and we now have nine councils with 346 members in that country.

As we meet in the birthplace of American independence, we remember in a special way our brother Knights and their families — and indeed all the people of Ukraine. And we remember, too, the words of Benjamin Franklin: “Where freedom dwells, there is my country.”

Likewise, Iraqi and Syrian Christians, as well as other religious minorities, continue to face violent persecution and the very real prospect of extinction. ousands have fled their homelands to escape forced conversion or martyrdom.

Our Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund donated $2.2 million to help these families in Iraq. Our donation paid for the construction of new homes on property owned by the Chaldean-rite Archdiocese of Erbil. e houses were built mostly for Iraqi Christians who were driven from their homes in Mosul and the surrounding area — many of whom have been unable to find room even in emergency shelters. We also gave $150,000 to provide emergency medical care for refugees in Erbil this summer.

Our Christian Refugee Relief Fund has also sent $200,000 in general aid to the Melkite-rite Archeparchy of Aleppo, Syria. More recently, an additional $150,000 was donated after the diocesan facilities were bombed.

After learning of the Knights’ refugee fund, students at Holy Cross Academy in Oneida, N.Y., raised money to help.

Students found donors who pledged to pay for every goal the school’s soccer team scored during the 2014 season. E. Bart Hanifin Council 473 in Oneida was the first to sign up. With the addition of other sponsors, the Holy Cross Academy team raised $3,325 for the fund.

In the United States and Canada, our Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program is providing thousands of children in need with warm winter coats. Last year, 1,304 local councils purchased and distributed 60,000 coats — an increase of more than 8,000 from the previous year. Since 2009, we have distributed more than 230,000 new coats to children.

In Connecticut, Knights started an annual tradition of distributing coats on the day after anksgiving. As many people set out to shop on “Black Friday,” these Knights delivered 2,500 coats to children at seven sites throughout the

Photo by Tom Serafin

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Left: Azul Juarez, 3, holds up a sign thanking the Knights of Columbus for the “gift of mobility” at a wheelchair distribution center in Pachuca, Mexico. The Knights of Columbus partners with the Global Wheelchair Mission to supply wheelchairs to those in need around the world.

WHEELCHAIR: Courtesy of the Global Wheelchair Mission — VATICAN: Servizio Fotografico/L’Osservatore Romano

Above: Pope Francis receives a Team Zaryen jersey from Wilfrid Macena during a private audience while Macena’s teammates, Mackenson Pierre (far left) and Sandy J.L. Louiseme, look on. Also present are Supreme Knight Anderson and Dr. Robert Gailey, director of rehabilitation for Project Medishare. state. is past year, similar Black Friday distributions were held in Minnesota, North Dakota, Arizona, Ohio and Washington, D.C. is year, the Connecticut Coats for Kids program also established a partnership with police to bring warmth to even more children. e Connecticut State Council provided New Haven police officers with coats to distribute in local neighborhoods. e idea came from a conversation between a New Haven Police lieutenant and State Deputy omas J. Vita. We hope this program will expand in the future, as it is a great example of how Knights of Columbus can bring both charity and unity to our inner city communities.

Brother Knights also made a tremendous difference last year by providing millions of meals through our Food for Families program.

Simon’s Soup Kitchen, operated by Rev. Gebhard Braungart Council 8415 in Seaside Park, N.J., has served more than 100,000 meals. When it first opened in 2004, the kitchen served 50-75 people a week. It now serves 500 meals a week for 30 weeks a year. And in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council donated $100,000 to assist the Connecticut Food Bank in providing meals during the Christmas season.

In the Philippines, brother Knights work to break the cycle of poverty by encouraging microbusiness initiatives. Diego Silang Council 7656 of Quezon City, Luzon, sponsored a new-business seminar at Our Lady of Fatima Church, which drew 29 participants. e event made recommendations on identifying opportunities, as well as advice on how to use recycled materials to cut costs.

Ever since our sponsorship of the first national blood drive in the United States in 1938, we have continued to lead in this effort. During the past year we enlisted the support of 404,532 blood donors. e work of many of our councils has been truly outstanding. For example, over the past decade, Father Richard C. Joyce Council 2270 in Montgomery, N.Y., has collected 2,120 pints of blood.

Our charitable work seeks to change lives even where we do not have local councils. rough the sponsorship of the Knights of Columbus, three Haitians journeyed to Rome for a meeting marking the fifth anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010. e three men — members of the Haitian amputee soccer team sponsored by the Knights of Columbus — were introduced to Pope Francis, to whom they presented a team jersey and a ball signed by their fellow teammates. ey also showed off their remarkable skills with Italian soccer players at our Knights of Columbus soccer field in Rome. e three players — Wilfrid Macena, Mackenson Pierre and Sandy J.L. Louiseme — had all received prosthetic and rehabilitation care through our partnership with the University of Miami’s Project Medishare. is partnership, through the Healing Haiti’s Children program, also made free prosthetics and rehabilitation services available to every child who lost a limb in the earthquake. With Medishare’s medical expertise and the Knights of Columbus’ funding of nearly $1.7 million, approximately 1,000 people received prosthetic limbs and more than 25,000 people received rehabilitation services.

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Supreme Knight Anderson stands with Lt. Sam Brown, New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman and Connecticut State Deputy Tom Vita in front of coats collected in a joint effort between the Knights of Columbus and the New Haven Police Department for the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program.

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Photo by Mike Ross

Councils have looked beyond their own communities in many ways. Last summer, Troy (Ill.) Council 9266 raised more than $9,000 to pay for educational costs, school supplies, clothing and food for children in Kenya.

Elsewhere in Africa, the Knights of Columbus continues working with the Apostles of Jesus to provide care and shelter for children in Uganda and Kenya who have been orphaned

because of AIDS. We built a school in Uganda, where a dormitory for students was recently completed. In addition, our funds provided a new bus to transport students safely to and from school in Kenya.

Charity is our Order’s first principle and the basis for all we do as Knights. In other words, to be a Knight of Columbus is to be a man for others. In his inaugural Mass homily, Pope Francis said that if we would follow him we “must be inspired by the lowly, concrete and faithful service which marked Saint Joseph and, like him, (we) must open (our) arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison.”10 We do this in countless ways through thousands of programs in communities around the world.

Each year we have accomplished more than we have the year before. One important reason for this steady growth in charity is our steady growth in membership. More brother Knights mean more hands ready to help others. And each new Knight also means we are helping someone to become a better Catholic man, a better husband, a better father and a better citizen.

Our commitment to charity therefore depends upon our commitment to membership.

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M EMBERSHIP G ROWTH It gives me great pleasure to report that our membership grew for the 43rd consecutive year to a record 1,888,598 brother Knights.

During this same period we added 256 new councils, including five in Mexico, 11 in Poland, 10 in Canada, 95 in the Philippines and 135 in the United States. We now have 15,117 councils throughout the Order.

And this year I again personally presented charters for several new councils. In October, I presented a charter to St. Augustine Council 15723 in Washington, D.C., at St. Augustine Church, known as the “Mother Church of AfricanAmerican Catholics in the Nation’s Capital.”

Our Order is also growing in Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland. Last January, in Lithuania, more than 10,000 people attended the first “Family Expo” sponsored by the Archdiocese of Vilnius. Council 15900 was there to spread awareness about the Order’s efforts to strengthen family life. Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius, a member of that council, addressed the meeting, as did Supreme Treasurer Michael O’Connor.

In 2014, I announced the establishment of our first council in South Korea — St. Andrew Kim Taegon Council 16000. Membership in Korea has continued to grow, and I was recently in Seoul to present charters to that council and to St. Paul Chong Hasang Council 16178.

Other jurisdictions added substantially to their ranks as well. Ukraine took the lead, growing by nearly 110 percent.

Lithuania followed with 21.6 percent and Poland with 14.2 percent. Mexico Central and Mexico South grew by 12.8 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively. In Canada, British Columbia led with a 1.7 percent growth in membership. In the United States, Hawaii saw the largest growth with 8.9 percent.

Most brother Knights say they were asked to join the Knights of Columbus by a family member or friend, yet too many Knights say they rarely offer this invitation to others.

All of us need to make an extra effort to extend the benefits of

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Bishop Francis Xavier Soo-il of the Military Ordinariate of Korea, Auxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Supreme Knight Anderson and Knights of Columbus leaders join members of the two new South Korean councils, St. Andrew Kim Taegon Council 16000 and St. Paul Chong Hasang Council 16178, as they receive their charters. membership to more Catholic men. Today, I ask every brother Knight to recruit at least three new members this year.

You can use our new membership recruitment app, free of cost and available for most mobile devices, to assist you in this important work. This app gives prospective members an overview of our charitable work, our service to the Church and our fraternal benefits. It also includes a digital prospect card.

Councils should hold First Degrees on a timely and frequent basis, and they should use our new First Degree DVD when a degree team is not available.

Our Star Councils lead the Order in growth and charitable efforts. I applaud every council that has achieved this honor, and I encourage every council to strive to join their ranks. This year, 2,163 councils achieved Star Council status — an impressive increase of 88 percent over last year.

Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of 28

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Columbus to strengthen Catholic family life. And since 1882, we have been protecting Catholic families for generations.

This past year, we launched a new program to assist our families — Building the Domestic Church: The Family Fully Alive. This program will strengthen marriages and families by encouraging family prayer, catechesis, charity and better communication. We began this initiative in preparation for the upcoming World Meeting of Families, in Philadelphia. Now, the Domestic Church program will be the centerpiece of our continued efforts to strengthen Catholic family life.

It will also be an essential part of our new Pilgrim Icon Program dedicated to the Holy Family, which we began at this Supreme Convention. Through this program, we will entrust the families of the Knights of Columbus to the Holy Family and adopt the World Meeting of Families Prayer as our own:

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Supreme Knight Anderson joins members of St. Augustine Council 15723 in Washington, D.C., at the council’s charter presentation. Also present are State Deputy Ernest T. Boykin Jr., Charter (now Past) Grand Knight Harry Anderson, current Grand Knight Kenny Brown and Father Patrick Smith, pastor and council chaplain. The new council was formed at St. Augustine’s Parish, historically known as the “Mother Church of African-American Catholics in the Nation’s Capital.”

Photo by John Whitman

May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of [the] Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled, to be homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love.

During his visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis cited the need for “holy and loving families to protect the beauty and truth of the family in God’s plan and to be an example for other families.” He added: “What a gift this would be to society, if every Christian family lived fully its noble vocation!”11 is is our challenge: for every Knights of Columbus family to truly live as a domestic church, to be a family fully alive.

In this way, all of our Knights of Columbus families can participate in the World Meeting of Families and embrace its theme: “Love Is Our Mission: e Family Fully Alive.”

When Pope Francis arrives in Philadelphia this September, he will be met by thousands of Knights of Columbus.

But more importantly, he will be met by the prayers and witness of our families.

Another great resource for K of C councils and families is our Catholic Information Service, which continues to provide information on the faith through its Veritas and Luke E. Hart Series. Of special importance is the New Evangelization Series on topics such as prayer, the Eucharist, St. John Paul II’s theology of the body, marriage and consecrated life.

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YOUTH Brother Knights, you know that young people need our support — if not materially, then morally and spiritually through our good example.

We can help today’s youth understand the distinctiveness of Catholic charity.

In Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Practical activity will always be insufficient, unless it visibly expresses a love for man, a love nourished by an encounter with Christ.”12 This is the spirit of Knights of Columbus charity, and this is the lesson we must teach our youth by our example.

Our councils engage youth in a variety of ways. For example, Medalla Milagrosa Council 8254 in Quezon City, Luzon, feeds up to 800 elementary schoolchildren twice a month and also provides school supplies.

St. Matthew Council 14360 in Norwalk, Conn., sponsored three trips to Bridgeport Bluefish minor league baseball games for clients of the Family and Children’s Agency. The games were attended by teens in the agency’s after-school and behavioral health programs, as well as those from specialized foster care.

Richard Council 788 in Lansing, Mich., delivered “Casey the Teddy Bear” toys to local police. Law enforcement agencies and victim advocate groups use the bears to help children affected by traumatic situations.

As I have stated repeatedly, we have no higher priority than the protection of our children. And as Knights of Columbus, we take this responsibility very seriously. We strive to maintain the highest standards regarding the protection of young people.

This year, we’ve partnered with Praesidium Inc., an organization with more than 20 years experience in safeguarding youth. Through this partnership, our members will be provided with the most up-to-date resources available to keep children safe, including online training, background screenings and reporting services. All children deserve a safe environment, and the Knights of Columbus is committed to providing such an environment.

During the past year, 119,059 young people participated in 4,371 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championships.

Our Soccer Challenge program engaged more than 16,852 participants at 1,596 events.

Knights of Columbus will also play an important part in World Youth Day 2016 in Kraków, Poland. Next summer, with the help of our Polish brother Knights, we will host a site for English-language pilgrims from around the world.

Knights also showed support for young people by sponsoring 28,777 Scouts in 1,158 Scouting units in the 30

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United States and 1,341 Scouts in 129 Scouting units in Canada. Working closely with the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and their local dioceses, our councils determine the best ways to promote the formation of our Scouts.

Columbian Squires were also very active this past year.

Squires concluded the year with 23,976 members in 1,826 active Squires circles. They donated more than $110,000 and over 250,000 volunteer hours.

Our college councils also continue to expand. This year, we added 22 new college councils, including nine in the United States and 13 in the Philippines. We now have 29,065 college Knights at 323 college councils. During the last fraternal year, these college Knights donated more than $198,000 and 290,000 hours.

In the 2014-2015 academic year, the Supreme Council funded 519 college scholarships worth over $1.06 million.

Among our other programs, six scholarships totaling over $84,000 were provided through the Matthews and Swift Educational Trust. This scholarship provides benefits for the children of members killed or permanently disabled as a result of military conflict or of criminal violence while performing their duties as police or firefighters.

In addition, 129 scholarships worth more than $187,000 were provided through the Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria scholarship program.

For seminarians, 108 scholarships were awarded through the Father Michael J. McGivney and Bishop Thomas V. Daily Vocations Scholarship programs. Of the 44 new awardees, 39 are members of the Order. Each scholarship provides $2,500. Since these two scholarship programs began in 1992 and 1999, respectively, they have distributed more than $6.5 million to 1,146 seminarians, 789 of whom have become priests.

But our greatest support for vocations comes through our Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP). Last year, 3,068 local units provided $3,687,161 to 6,248 seminarians through RSVP. Since 1981, RSVP has provided more than $63 million to more than 104,000 men and women pursuing vocations.

St. James Council 2299 in Logan, Ohio, spiritually supported 39 seminarians in the Diocese of Columbus.

They wrote the names of each seminarian on individual prayer cards, which were then distributed during the parish’s

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Photo by Peter Ringenberg

Supreme Knight Anderson, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., and Indiana State Deputy Scott C. Cunningham stand with members of Notre Dame Council 1477 outside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. The university honored the supreme knight and the Knights of Columbus with the Evangelium Vitae Medal, one of the nation’s most prestigious pro-life awards. monthly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Each adorer was asked to pray during the Holy Hour for the seminarian named on the card.

The path toward a vocation is different for each person.

For Matt Hawkins, the journey began at age 23, when he first converted to the faith. Now, at 58, he is preparing for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, where Father McGivney completed his studies. His path of

discernment has been a long one, but the Knights of St. John Paul the Great Council 13832 in Finleyville, Pa., have helped him through the process, offering him financial and moral support through the Order’s RSVP initiative.

Local councils and assemblies provided $7.1 million in other scholarships and an additional $1.5 million for youth athletic programs. Last year, councils and assemblies contributed a total of nearly $18 million to youth programs.

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P ROTECTING THE E NVIRONMENT This summer, Pope Francis issued his encyclical Laudato Si’. In it, he calls for a new dialogue about the environmental challenges we face. And so the Knights of Columbus has not only discussed these challenges, we have also acted on them.

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Through a partnership with “charity:water,” the Knights of Columbus will help bring clean drinking water to thousands of people in Africa.

In the Philippines, following the devastation of thousands of trees by Typhoon Haiyan, we provided 10,000 coconut seedlings to farmers as part of a major reforestation program, helping to restore both the environment and the economy.

On the local level, our councils combine concern for the environment with service to their communities and our Church. For example, Msgr. Esper Council 3027 in Fowler, Mich., conducts an annual “Returns for Vocations” fundraiser. By collecting bottles and cans, brother Knights raise about $5,000 annually to support local seminarians while protecting the environment and beautifying their community.

Photo courtesy of charity:water

One of the most urgent issues the Holy Father addressed is the need for clean drinking water, especially in Africa. We agree.

And so today, I am announcing a new initiative of the Knights of Columbus. rough a partnership with the non-profit organization “charity: water,” we will provide financing to build 20 new clean water wells in Africa. is project will improve the health and save the lives of thousands of people.

As one African priest told us when he heard of our initiative, “Water is life, and I thank the Knights of Columbus for reaching out with this precious gift of life.”

At the same time, we continue our support of the Wells of Hope organization, led by brother Knight Ted Vander Zalm, who for years has dug wells in Central America to bring clean water to remote villages.

Our stewardship of the environment also includes our responsibility as a corporate citizen. In New Haven, we have replaced all the windows in our corporate headquarters building with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient windows. We estimate that it will now take 13 percent less energy to cool our building and 31 percent less energy to heat it.

We also recently completed a retrofit of our building’s lighting that has already brought significant energy savings, and we continue to develop our Strategic Energy Management Plan.

Elsewhere, we have helped restore ecosystems to their proper balance.

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F OURTH D EGREE & THE A RMED F ORCES

LOURDES: Tom Serafin

Fourth Degree Knights lead our Order’s commitment to patriotism.

They provide a dignified presence as honor guards at patriotic ceremonies and liturgical events.

Last year, 6,217 Knights joined our Patriotic Degree, bringing Fourth Degree membership to a record high of 347,177. We also added 84 new assemblies, bringing the total to 3,253.

Sir Knights are an especially important presence in Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals throughout the United States. ey make up the majority of the thousands of Knights who are part of the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services (VAVS) program. Our veterans deserve the best that we can give them, and the Knights of Columbus has always kept our promise in caring for our veterans. Today, we are the VA’s largest single fraternal volunteer service partner. Led by the Fourth Degree, Knights donated nearly 99,000 hours of service at more than 136 VA medical centers. e Fourth Degree also led our financial support of military chaplains. Five years ago, in partnership with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, we pledged $1 million to support the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program. at total has reached $1,074,754.

Currently, there are 23 seminarians receiving funds through this program. Five priests were ordained through it in 2014, and five additional priests have been ordained this year.

Today, only 225 priests remain as active-duty chaplains — that is one priest for every 1,300 Catholics in the military. While 25 percent of the U.S. military is made up of Catholic soldiers, Catholic priests make up only 8 percent of the chaplains.

Clearly the need continues. And so, although we have reached our $1 million goal, we will continue our financial support.

We have also continued our partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation to build computer-equipped custom “smart homes” for America’s severely wounded heroes. Last year, we helped build a smart home for Cpl. Kyle Hockenberry and his wife, Ashley. During this fraternal year, we will provide a new computer smart home for U.S. Army Capt. Luis Avila and his wife, Claudia.

Local councils also continue their great efforts to aid our veterans. Last year marked the fifth year that St. Philip the Apostle Council 11671 in Clifton, N.J., and the New Jersey

Top: Pilgrims and volunteers arrive at the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes, France. The Knights of Columbus, through a partnership with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, sponsored more than 200 pilgrims in 2015. • Above: Supreme Knight Anderson and representatives of the Florida State Council join members of John Cardinal O’Connor Council 16080 at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola during the charter ceremony of the newest military council.

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Supreme Knight Anderson and his wife, Dorian, stand with Bishop F. Richard Spencer (center) of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and the American pilgrims in front of the Rosary Basilica as a part of the 2015 Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage.

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We continue to welcome men serving in the armed forces into the Knights of Columbus.

During the recent charter presentation ceremony at the new John Cardinal O’Connor Council 16080 at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, I shared this historic message from Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It was written soon after the First World War, when Roosevelt was acting secretary of the Navy. It reads: e Department desires to express the gratitude of the officers and men of the United States Navy for all the many good things the Knights of Columbus have done for them during the World War. e efficiency of your organization has been well matched by the constant desire of the individual worker to serve the men to the best of his … ability. is helpfulness and efficiency has proven a powerful aid to the … fighting spirit of the Navy. e Department is desirous that your excellent work be continued and that the Naval Service, whether the country be in peace or at war, have the benefit of your splendid co-operation. ere is a very constant need for your services.

Roosevelt’s message also said, “e Knights of Columbus should be just as active and continue as it did in the war. If its work should stop, it would be a national calamity.”

I am proud to say that our work has not stopped. And I have every confidence that it will continue in the future.

Photo by Tom Serafin

State Council organized a successful “Tank Pull” to support our wounded and disabled veterans. In five years, this event has raised approximately $700,000.

Once again, through the U.S. Military Archdiocese, we cosponsored nearly 200 pilgrims to attend the 57th Annual International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. e event included delegations from more than 40 countries. Our delegation was joined by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio and Auxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. e Knights of Columbus has a long history in Lourdes, beginning with an Army hospitality center there at the end of the First World War. During our recent pilgrimage, military personnel used the same Knights of Columbus guidebook to Lourdes that we distributed to troops in 1919, as well as our current prayer book.

Also participating in the 57th International Military Pilgrimage were brother Knight chaplains from Canada, Korea, Poland and Lithuania, in addition to a delegation of wounded warriors and chaplains from Ukraine.

During our pilgrimage, I had the honor of meeting the McQuigg family. Brother Knight Paul McQuigg is a Marine gunnery sergeant who received severe combat wounds to his face and has undergone more than 50 surgeries. Standing with him through his struggles have been his wife, Holly, and their 11-year-old son, Sebastian. e example of the McQuigg family, and of all the pilgrims, was truly inspiring.

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INSURANCE Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus to financially protect Catholic families.

He did not want the tragic death of a breadwinner to leave widows and children in poverty.

Today, Father McGivney’s mission continues through our insurance program. is year, for the 14th consecutive year, our program of “insurance by brother Knights for brother Knights” set a new record: We issued $8.24 billion in new insurance sales. is is a result of the hard work and integrity of our brother Knights who serve as our insurance agents.

I am also proud to announce that the Knights of Columbus was again recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as a 2015 World’s Most Ethical Company®. is designation recognizes industry leaders that foster a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of their company. e Knights of Columbus is one of only three recipients honored in the Life Insurance category this year.

For 133 years, the Knights of Columbus has been protecting the financial future of Catholic families and providing charity to those in need. Both in our charitable work and in our insurance program, our founding principles continue to guide every aspect of what we do, including our corporate governance, our investment decisions, the actions of our professional agency force and our day-to-day operations.

And despite almost a decade of financial turbulence, we continue our success because we continue our commitment to our Catholic values.

Our fraternal Catholic brotherhood, founded on principles of charity, unity and fraternity, is the key to our business model — a model that is ethical, sustainable and successful.

For the 40th consecutive year, the Knights of Columbus earned A.M. Best’s highest rating of A++ (Superior). is rating is reserved only for a select number of companies that

have “a superior ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.” A.M. Best noted, “its strong market presence in the Catholic community ... consistently positive statutory earnings ... (and) exceptional level of risk-adjusted capitalization” are some of the major reasons for the Order receiving once again a superior rating.

We also continue to place among America’s largest companies, ranking number 939 on this year’s Fortune 1000 list. Our assets grew 4.5 percent last year to more than $21.5 billion.

Our surplus ratio is 11.1 percent, which is consistent with the average for the top 25 life insurance companies.

Our insurance in force reached $96.7 billion, an amount that has more than doubled in the last 12 years. Last year alone, our insurance in force grew by $4.1 billion. We issued nearly 73,000 life certificates last year, surpassing our closest fraternal benefit society competitor by more than 30,000. We now have over 2 million certificates in force.

And our five-year sales growth of more than 1.7 percent stands in marked contrast to the industry as a whole, which saw sales decline by nearly 2 percent during this same period.

Every day, our professional agency force of more than 1,500 brother Knights helps Catholic families plan for their financial future. ese brother Knights serve only Knights and their families. ey share the commitment of every Knight to our Order’s principles. rough their dedicated service, brother Knights and their families can be confident that when they choose life insurance with the Knights of Columbus, their future is secure.

A recent survey of our membership revealed what we have long known: Our members like our insurance program. In fact, 94 percent of insurance members expressed satisfaction with the program.

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Not surprisingly, that satisfaction has translated into one of the lowest lapse rates in the industry at 3.7 percent — well below the industry average of 5.7 percent. In other words, more than 96 percent of our insurance members keep their policies. That is an outstanding level of customer satisfaction.

Our success continues to outpace the industry. Our insurance premiums exceeded $1.19 billion. Our life premiums increased 3.7 percent, more than double the industry rate of 1.8 percent. Our annuity deposits were at $531.6 million. We paid more than $290.5 million in dividends to our life insurance contract holders. And since the beginning of our program, we have paid out more than $13.5 billion in living benefits to our insurance members.

Last year we paid out more than $337 million in death benefits. And over the course of our history, we have paid death benefits totaling nearly $4.4 billion.

But the true test of excellence for any insurer is the strength of its financial platform — that is to say, the degree to which assets exceed liabilities and what is necessary to reserve in order to make future payments on death claims.

Our $1.9 billion surplus enables us to keep the promises we make to our families.

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In this regard, Standard and Poor’s says that the Knights of Columbus is “extremely strong ... at the AAA level,” and they praise our “very strong competitive position.”

To those who ask how we remain both extremely strong and very competitive, the answer is simple: We put people before dollars. e widow of a brother Knight recently said it best. She wrote: When my husband, John, passed away, I didn’t know what I was going to do, nor did I know who to turn to for help. Because John had coverage with the Knights of Columbus, I was able to get in contact with Jason (our field agent). He attended to me right away ... [and] he took care of filing all of the claims that go along with losing someone. Had it not been for Jason, I would have made many mistakes. He was my angel, and I’m sure that he has helped a lot of people. In my opinion, he is one of a kind. at is what we mean when we say, “Insurance by brother Knights for brother Knights.” at is the Knights of Columbus promise. at is the Knights of Columbus difference. at is the Knights of Columbus advantage.

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INVESTMENTS This year, our Investment Department has again done an excellent job of maintaining our financial strength. Their hard work has allowed us to maintain competitive rates both on the premiums we charge and on the dividends we return.

Despite continued low interest rates, these professionals have found quality, sustainable ways to maintain healthy yields. While the yield on 10-year treasury bonds last year averaged 2.5 percent, our new purchase rate was 4.22 percent.

During 2014, we invested more than $7 million each day.

Our new investments totaled $2.4 billion, and we had $959,364,745 in investment income — an increase of 4.28 percent over 2013.

Strong investment performance is the bedrock of our financial strength.

But what we do with our money matters in another way.

When we invest in an enterprise, our dollars help make that enterprise grow and succeed. We therefore invest in ways that reflect our Catholic values, and we screen our investments accordingly. is commitment extends to the financial assistance we offer to local parishes through our ChurchLoan program. ese loans provide direct financing to Catholic parishes and schools. In this way, we help build the future of our local Catholic communities.

Year after year, our investment team has created an ethical and sustainable formula that has built a record of success.

Now, for the first time, we have put this expertise at the service of other Catholic institutions through Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors. We launched this initiative because we

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believe that the Knights of Columbus investment model, committed to sustainability, transparency, prudence and Catholic values, offers a more compelling approach for Catholic institutions than money managers with a nonCatholic focus.

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors is a registered investment advisor and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Knights of Columbus. It offers faith-based investment solutions consistent with Catholic principles and is specifically designed to meet the needs of Catholic institutions. In this way, too, we hope to strengthen the financial base of Catholic institutions across the country.

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis wrote: “Business is a vocation, and a noble vocation, provided that those engaged in it see themselves challenged by a greater meaning in life; this will enable them truly to serve the common good.”13 In these few words, Pope Francis adeptly summarized what could be described as the business philosophy of the Knights of Columbus.

As with the charitable and fraternal work of our Order, our insurance and investment strategies support our Catholic faith. is is another facet of the Knights of Columbus difference. We invest money in ways that are consistent with our ethical values. And we do so in ways that support our Church locally, nationally and internationally.

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K NIGHTS & THE C HURCH For more than a century, the Knights of Columbus has stood as the strong right arm of our Church. Brother Knights around the world not only engage in acts of charity that evangelize, but also in those that directly promote evangelization.

L’Osservatore Romano

In December 2014, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I was again honored to represent the Knights of Columbus in a private audience with Pope Francis. It was the third time I have met with our Holy Father.

During the meeting, we discussed the Order’s charitable work, including our efforts on behalf of refugees in the Middle East. I presented the Holy Father with our annual contribution of $1.6 million from the Vicarius Christi Fund for his personal charities. Since 1981, our gifts through this fund have totaled

more than $54,415,000. is year, we also contributed an additional $400,000 for his efforts to assist persecuted Christians.

Shortly after our meeting, Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. At its conclusion, Brother Knight Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, postulator for the cause of St. Juan Diego, presented the Holy Father with a Knights of Columbus Silver Rose.

Brother Knights hand-carried this rose and others like it from Canada, through the United States, and to the Basilica

On Dec.12, 2014, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis received Supreme Knight Anderson in a private audience at the Vatican.

During this meeting, the supreme knight presented the pope with the annual proceeds from the Vicarius Christi Fund and an additional $400,000 for the Vatican’s Christian relief fund.

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Above: Supreme Knight Anderson joins (left to right) Patrick Kelly, director of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine; Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore; Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv, former personal secretary to John Paul II; Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka of Philadelphia; and Deputy Supreme Knight Logan T. Ludwig at the inauguration of the permanent exhibit at the shrine in Washington, D.C. of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. For more than 50 years, we have sponsored the Silver Rose program as a symbol of Catholic unity throughout North America and to honor Mary under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

This fall, a new Knights of Columbus-produced documentary film on Our Lady of Guadalupe will be broadcast across the United States on the ABC Television Network.

The bilingual film is narrated in Spanish by Plácido Domingo and will have a DVD release later this year.

Inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. John Paul II was dedicated to promoting the spiritual unity of the Western Hemisphere. He wanted us to break down the barriers that divide Catholics throughout our continent and to see ourselves as part of a great community — as members of Ecclesia in America.

As pope, John Paul II brought this message to North America on many occasions: on seven visits to the United States, five to Mexico, three each to Canada and the Dominican Republic, and once to Cuba. During each of these visits, the Knights of Columbus was in solidarity with this great pope and his message.

Today, we continue this solidarity through our work with the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C. Last fall, we celebrated the inauguration of the shrine’s per40

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manent exhibit on his life. The new exhibit, titled “A Gift of Love: The Life of Saint John Paul II,” is a 16,000-squarefoot state-of-the-art gallery.

In September, we will open the shrine’s new Redeemer of Man chapel. This chapel can accommodate more than 500 pilgrims, and its name is in tribute to St. John Paul II’s first encyclical, Redemptor Hominis. The chapel will be adorned on four sides with beautiful mosaics created by Jesuit Father Marko Rupnik. Father Rupnik’s extraordinary artistry can now be found in more than 130 churches around the world, including the basilicas at Lourdes and Fatima, as well as at the Vatican’s Redemptoris Mater Chapel.

We especially remember St. John Paul II’s call to open wide the doors to Christ for a new evangelization. This national shrine ensures that the Knights of Columbus will take its place in the forefront of this great mission. is spring, we also released a new documentary film titled John Paul II in America: Uniting a Continent. Narrated by actor Andy Garcia, the film explores how John Paul II transformed the cause of human rights throughout the Western Hemisphere by his concern for the poor and his defense of democracy. e documentary is now available on DVD and was screened throughout April on PBS-affiliated stations and on EWTN, CatholicTV, and Salt + Light Television in Canada.

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Above: Supreme Knight Anderson joins Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles and Cardinal Marc Ouellet, president of the pontifical commission for Latin America, during a three-day conference on Blessed Junípero Serra, the “Apostle of California,” at Rome’s Pontifical North American College.

CONFERENCE: BOTTOM: Alessia Giuliani/CPP — ROSE: L’Osservatore Romano

Right: Pope Francis receives a Knights of Columbus Silver Rose from Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, postulator of the cause for canonization of St. Juan Diego, on Dec. 12, 2014, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The rose was one of six crafted for the running of the Silver Rose and made a 9,000-mile pilgrimage from British Columbia, through the United States and into Mexico, symbolizing the unity of Knights across North America and the Order’s commitment to the sanctity of human life through devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

We are now developing a second film on the vital role that St. John Paul II played in the fall of communism and the liberation of Eastern Europe. This feature-length documentary will be released next spring.

The Knights of Columbus welcomed the announcement

by Pope Francis that he would canonize Blessed Junípero Serra in Washington, D.C., this September. For nearly two centuries, Father Serra has been regarded as the founder of California and revered by millions of Hispanic Catholics throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico.

In May, I was honored to address a conference on Junípero Serra’s life, organized by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, the Pontifical North American College and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Held in Rome, the meeting clarified the contributions he made to our nation.

Pope Francis offered Mass for the conference in the chapel of the North American College and preached a beautiful homily on Father Serra.

Blessed Junípero Serra served God in a heroic way, and we believe Pope Francis is right to describe him as one of the founders of the United States. We are right to seek his intercession for the continued evangelization of our countries.

This summer, in honor of Pope Francis, our first Jesuit pope, the Knights of Columbus made a $600,000 donation to help save the historic shrine that honors the North American Jesuit martyrs and St. Kateri Tekakwitha. The donation

consisted of $500,000 from the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council and $100,000 from the New York State Council. Brother Knights in the Albany, N.Y., area also raised funds toward this effort.

Located in the Mohawk Valley of central New York, the 400-acre shrine was St. Kateri’s birthplace and the place where St. Isaac Jogues, St. René Goupil and St. John de la Lande were martyred. Our donation is an important part of our continuing efforts to preserve the spiritual heritage and identity of Catholics in North America.

As we celebrate the canonization of Junípero Serra, I also ask that we pray for the beatification of our own founder.

On Aug. 14, we observe a milestone for Venerable Michael McGivney — the 125th anniversary of his death. Father McGivney left this life just two days after his 38th birthday and only eight years after founding the Knights of Columbus.

Although Father McGivney was a priest for only 13 years, another priest described his holy life as rich in priestly virtue, saying that our founder had Christ’s love of souls, St. John

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Vianney’s childlike piety and St. Vincent de Paul’s zeal for the works of mercy.

He was a “good, simple, honest priest of Connecticut. …

To meet him was at once to trust him; children actually loved him and the very old people of the neighborhood … called him a positive saint and … non-Catholics found in Father McGivney a soul of immense sympathy.”

Another priest said, “He was a man of the people. He was ever zealous for the people’s welfare, and all the kindliness of his priestly soul asserted itself most strongly in his unceasing efforts for the betterment of their condition.”

Amid the anti-Catholic prejudice and social problems of his day, Father McGivney did not remain passive. Instead, he founded a new Catholic brotherhood with laymen and for laymen to protect families, support the Church, spread the Gospel and work for the common good.

We need to continue our prayers for his beatification and eventual canonization.

In 2008, Father McGivney was declared a Venerable Servant of God by the Holy See in recognition of his life of heroic virtue. An approved miracle through his intercession is needed to open the way for his beatification. During the past several years, we have investigated a number of reported favors attributed to the intercession of Father McGivney.

Possible miracles through Father McGivney’s intercession should be reported to the Father McGivney Guild.

Praying for the intercession of Father McGivney is the duty of every brother Knight, and I especially ask that each council recite the prayer for his canonization at every meeting. Surely this good and holy parish priest will intercede for us with the same loving concern he offered our first brother Knights.

Father McGivney was a parish priest, and brother Knights worldwide continue to support our parish priests today.

Overall, our donations to assist the Church totaled $47.3 million this year, of which $18 million went to church facilities, $7 million to Catholic schools, $6.4 million to direct assistance for seminarians and $2.4 million directly to seminaries.

When Sarnia (Ontario) Council 1429 raised $120,000 through the sale of its social hall, the funds were distributed among four area parishes. Donat Robichaud (New Brunswick) Council 9178 raised $15,800 to help purchase a new heating system for St. Teresa of Avila Church. Holy Redeemer Council 9544 in Ottawa, Ontario, promoted devotion to the Divine Mercy during its annual spiritual retreat, and more than 230 people from 23 different parishes and K of C councils attended the event. In addition, the council organized its parish’s annual Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations, which included a procession with the Divine Mercy image.

Father McGivney was our first supreme chaplain, and we continue to treasure the service that so many priests have given us as state and local chaplains. Led by Supreme Chap42

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lain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore and assisted

by Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch, our support of council chaplains has never been stronger.

At the 131st Supreme Convention in San Antonio two years ago, we inaugurated our current Marian Prayer Program, which features an image of Mary as the Immaculate Conception from the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec. Each state deputy was given a copy of the image to bring to his home jurisdiction, where it would travel among councils as the focus of prayer programs. To date, 1,178,796 participants have attended 6,991 services.

The Knights of Columbus has always held a strong devotion to our Blessed Mother. For example, Padre Antonio de Figueroa Council 3898 in Parral, Mexico Northwest, has sponsored a weekly Marian prayer program for more than 50 years. Since 1963, council families have donated funds to a diocesan seminary and taken turns hosting a traveling image of Our Lady of Guadalupe for prayer services in their homes.

Today we continue this devotion as we launch our new Pilgrim Icon Prayer Program, this year featuring the Holy Family.

In addition to our programs of evangelization, we have also helped Catholics stay informed about important events around the world. Our financial support of EWTN News Nightly provides in-depth coverage of daily news from a Catholic perspective. And in Canada, we continue to support Salt + Light Television.

Earlier this year, the Knights of Columbus honored one of the great leaders of our Church, the late Cardinal Francis George, archbishop emeritus of Chicago. On Jan. 30, in one of his last public appearances, Cardinal George received our highest honor, the Gaudium et Spes Award.

Cardinal George was the host ordinary for the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in Chicago in 2005 and presided over our Eucharistic Congress following that convention. He gave the keynote address at our supreme conventions in 2002 and 2009.

We were deeply saddened by the death of Cardinal George and by the passing of three other brother Knights and friends: Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop emeritus of New York; Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop emeritus of Montréal; and Cardinal Edmund Szoka, president emeritus of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and president emeritus of the Governatorate of Vatican City State, who also previously served as the archbishop of Detroit. And then, on July 23, we again lost a longtime friend with the passing of Cardinal William Baum, the former archbishop of Washington and the apostolic penitentiary emeritus. Cardinal Baum was a member of the Order for 63 years and was the longest-serving U.S. cardinal in history at the time of his death.

We pray the Lord may grant his devoted servants eternal rest.

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Photo by Tom Serafin

Members of the Sisters of Life, led by Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, join Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Supreme Carl Anderson and his wife, Dorian, at the 10th anniversary celebration of Villa Maria Guadalupe, the Order’s pro-life retreat center that is operated by the Sisters of Life in Stamford, Conn.

In some of the saddest episodes of the past year, our brother Knights have been there with a message of hope and healing.

The world’s eyes were on Charleston, S.C., in the wake of a shooting that took the lives of nine people at Emanuel AME Church. As it happens, the meeting place of Rev. P. N. Lynch Council 704 faces Marion Square in downtown Charleston. As the city came together in grief, the council contacted the owners of nearby buildings and gave them large banners — each displaying a message of reconciliation — which they could hang from their buildings. As events unfolded, millions throughout the world saw the wonderful message created by Council 704: “Let us be the example of love that conquers evil.”

And then, some would say a miracle happened. The families of the victims publicly forgave the alleged killer. Each said it in a different way, but they all expressed what one of them said so simply: “If God forgives you, then I forgive you.”

These families, without great fanfare, made a magnificent Christian witness. They showed the world the great power of St. Paul’s words: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21).

But what these brothers and sisters in Christ did was something even more — they demonstrated how Christian charity, unity and reconciliation can bind together a society and heal a community. They demonstrated the transformative power of faithful citizenship. They truly made Charleston a city of brotherly love.

Their witness prevented the violence that recently devastated other American cities. The nation owes these courageous Christians a debt of gratitude for showing us a noble path.

People of faith needed to be in Marion Square during those dark days, and people of faith need to remain in the public square today. In the history of our nation, this has not always been easy for members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Nor has it always been easy for Catholics.

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FAITHFUL C ITIZENSHIP In 1754, a writer in the Maryland Gazette made this startling and obnoxious assertion: “Catholics,” he wrote, “by the very Principles of their Religion … can never be faithful Subjects.”14 Soon after, all manner of anti-Catholic legislation was introduced in Maryland. This included the double taxation of Catholics, requirements that priests post a bond to assure their “good behavior,” and laws designating a convert to Catholicism as guilty of “high treason.”

Such anti-Catholic bigotry would wax and wane during the early history of the United States and continue throughout the 19th century and into the 20th, most notably with the “Know-Nothings” and the nativist attacks on Irish immigrants. Although anti-Catholicism during these periods would take different forms, they all emphasized a common theme: Catholics, by the principles of their religion, cannot be faithful citizens.

From its earliest days, the Knights of Columbus has sought to answer this slander. As one Catholic priest wrote within a decade of our founding, “Comfort and help are not the only fruits of our organization, its province is more far reaching. … e very name of our Order … necessarily inspires our members with renewed patriotism and makes us better citizens.”

Faithful citizenship has always been central to our understanding of what it means to be a Knight of Columbus.

That is why we established the Patriotic Degree of our Order in the year 1900. Faithful citizenship is our commitment to the common good. And our commitment to the common good includes our commitment to fraternal brotherhood and solidarity with our neighbor.

But brotherhood is not only the basis of the Knights of Columbus, but it is also the basis of every society that respects the equal dignity of all its citizens. Our commitment reaches out to all in society with charity and a spirit of unity, and it respects the dignity of all our fellow citizens, whether or not we agree with them.

My brother Knights, our fraternal brotherhood is not something we simply do on Sunday, within the confines of a church. It is the way we live out our lives every day. And this is precisely what our forebears meant when they spoke about defending the free exercise of religion.

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We are especially grateful for the leadership of Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, who is also chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In this capacity, Archbishop Lori has been an untiring champion in defense of the free exercise of religion for all Americans.

Religious freedom was the first freedom our forebears wrote into the Bill of Rights. It should never be treated as a second-class right. No government should tell communities of faith what to believe or that they must change what they believe. And no government should punish citizens for acting according to their faith.

We do not defend this right only for ourselves. We stand in solidarity with all those — of whatever faith — whose rights are threatened.

Eighty-nine years ago, Supreme Knight Flaherty addressed the Supreme Convention in Philadelphia with these words: We behold our brothers suffering for their faith, in one of the most violent and unjust persecutions of modern times. … It is a sorry hour for our civilization when a persecution of this sort … can be conducted under sanction of silence. We shall not give it that sanction.

He also said, “We are bidden to hold our peace, but we shall not hold our peace.”

In 1926, Supreme Knight Flaherty was speaking of the persecution of Catholics in Mexico. But who among us, hearing those words today, does not think of the religious cleansing — or, as Pope Francis says, the “genocide”15 — of Christians in the Middle East? What is their only crime? To believe in the one who 2,000 years ago taught us to love our neighbor.

In Iraq alone, the Christian population has fallen by at least two-thirds, from 1.5 million to less than 400,000.

Many of these Christians have fled to the city of Erbil.16

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Photo by Tom Serafin

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore prepares to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore during the 2014 Midyear Meeting of State Deputies.

In Syria, almost 10 percent of the population is Christian.

There, too, violence against Christians has caused a refugee crisis. Thousands have fled for their lives to escape forced conversion or martyrdom.

In July, a headline in e New York Times asked, “Is is the End of Christianity in the Middle East?”17 e world remains largely silent. ese refugees’ cries for help remain largely unheard. ankfully, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the nations of Jordan and Lebanon have offered safe haven for many, and we are grateful. But neither the United States government nor the United Nations are doing enough.

The blood of these martyrs cries out to heaven for justice.

And the blood of these martyrs cries out to you and to me for help.

As with Mexico in 1926, the Knights of Columbus will come to their aid.

Through our Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund, we have already delivered more than $3 million to assist our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria. Our dollars provide housing and medical care, but we can and must continue to do more.

Today, I announce that the Knights of Columbus will redouble our efforts to bring aid to these victims in the Middle East. We will begin a new education campaign to expose the crimes against humanity that are being committed. It is time for a season of truth about what is happening to Christians and other minorities.

It is a time for action.

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C ULTURE

OF

L IFE

It is not just in the Middle East that we will save lives.

Here in the United States, abortion continues to claim more than a million lives each year. Today, it is the leading cause of death in the United States.18 Yet in the past five years, the Associated Press reports that abortions have declined by 12 percent. ere may be many reasons for this, but let me suggest one.

During the past five years, we have distributed nearly 600 ultrasound machines to pregnancy resource centers. If each machine saved just one child a week, that would be more than 31,000 lives saved each year. And if each machine saved an average of three children per week, we would save almost 100,000 children each year — a reduction of nearly 10 percent.

Not only has this program saved the lives of countless children, it has also saved countless mothers from a lifetime of sorrow.

We can stop abortions by helping both the mother and her child. And should someone ask why the Knights of Columbus does this, tell them the answer is simple: because we love them both.

Jurisdictions with the largest number of our ultrasound machines include Florida (46), Texas (45), Missouri (39), California (38) and Michigan (34).

The program works by having state and local councils raise half the cost of an ultrasound machine for a qualified pregnancy resource center, and that amount is then matched by the Supreme Council. To date, Knights of Columbus councils have spent just over $8.6 million, with nearly $8.7 million provided by the Supreme Council.

For years we have promoted the cause of life by supporting pro-life marches around the globe. Knights and their families are among the most visible participants in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., the March for Life in Ottawa, and similar pro-life events in the Philippines, Mexico and Poland. What is truly remarkable about these marches is that the overwhelming majority of participants are young, and their numbers are growing.

Each year, the Walk for Life in San Francisco grows larger with our help. This year, I had the opportunity to address the OneLife LA Celebration and to introduce Rick Smith, better known as “Noah’s Dad.” Rick and his wife, Abbie, were blessed with a son, Noah, who was born with Down syndrome two years ago.

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Life, in leading the OneLife LA march through the streets of Los Angeles.

In addition to protecting life from its earliest stages, we have also worked hard to protect those at the end of life. We successfully helped defeat physician-assisted suicide in a number of states, including California, Connecticut and Maryland.

During his recent trip to the Philippines, Pope Francis said, “Be sanctuaries of respect for life, proclaiming the sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death.”19 We have answered our Holy Father’s call, supporting the cause of life last year with more than $11,742,781 and countless volunteer hours.

And our work is having an effect. Public opinion continues to support restricting abortion. This year, our Knights of Columbus-Marist poll found that 84 percent of Americans would significantly restrict abortion, and that they believe laws can protect both a woman and her unborn child. We found that almost 7 in 10 oppose taxpayer funding of abortion, and 6 in 10 say abortion is morally wrong.

For years, Americans were told that unrestricted abortion was “settled law.” But as we have seen after 42 years, it is far from settled.

Now we are being told that the Supreme Court has settled another issue: the legal definition of marriage.

But Pope Francis has said this: “What is being proposed is not marriage, it’s an association. But it’s not marriage! It’s necessary to say these things very clearly!”20 And the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has done just that in the following statement: The unique meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is inscribed in our bodies as male and female. The protection of this meaning is a critical dimension of the “integral ecology” that Pope Francis has called us to promote. Mandating marriage redefinition across the country is a tragic error that harms the common good and most vulnerable among us, especially children.21 As we meet here in Philadelphia, we recall this city’s great tradition of religious freedom. American democracy is built on the idea of respect and tolerance — on the idea that no individual should be the victim of unjust discrimination.

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Our laws should protect not only popular beliefs, but minority ones as well.

This much is clear: Christians must be faithful witnesses to the vocation of marriage. At the same time, they must be faithful witnesses to the vocation of loving one’s neighbor.

And we cannot take up either vocation with integrity if we ignore the teaching of our Church.

In his great document on evangelization, Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI wrote, “[T]he split between the Gospel and culture is undoubtedly the drama of our time.”22 So how are we to act our part in this great drama? How are we to be faithful citizens responsible for the common good of our society and, at the same time, faithful citizens in the city of God? We do this by remembering the words of St. Augustine in The City of God, that “among our most declared enemies there are now some, unknown to themselves, who are destined to become our friends.”23 May our approach be that of St. Thomas More, who during the great marriage debate of his time said this: “I do nobody harm, I say none harm, I think none harm.”24 And as this great debate continues in our own countries, may our prayer be his as well: That we, regardless of our differences, may all one day be saved souls together in heaven.

On the 50th anniversary of his signing of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll, the only Catholic to have done so, wrote:

TOP: Tom Serafin — BOTTOM: Courtesy of OneLife LA

I am now the last surviving signer … [and I] do hereby recommend to the present and future generation the principles of that important document as the best earthly inheritance their ancestors could bequeath to them, and pray that the civil and religious liberties they have secured to my country may be perpetuated to the remotest posterity and extended to the whole family of man.25 One year later, he added, “God grant that this religious liberty may be preserved in these States to the end of time, and that all believing in the religion of Christ may practice the leading principle of charity, the basis of every virtue.”26 My brother Knights, today is a time to celebrate the great accomplishments of our Catholic forebears.

It is also a time for choosing — choosing how we will keep faith with those great accomplishments as we seek to make our own contributions.

It is not given to us to see into the future. But of one thing I am certain: That the men in this room, as they make their contribution, will like an earlier generation be “unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed.”27 We are all endowed by our Creator with life and liberty.

Vivat Jesus!

Top: Supreme Knight Anderson, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori and Stephen J. Adamczyk, then-state deputy of Maryland, stand with representatives from the Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns and their new ultrasound machine during the Midyear Meeting of State Deputies. • Above: Supreme Knight Anderson and his wife, Dorian, join Sister of Life Mother Agnes Mary Donovan and Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles in leading the OneLife walk.

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K OF C ITEMS OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

NOTES

1. William J. Bennett. America: The Last Best Hope, vol. 1 (Nashville: Nelson Current, 2006), 83.

IN THE UNITED STATES THE ENGLISH COMPANY INC. Official council and Fourth Degree equipment 1-800-444-5632 • www.kofcsupplies.com

2. Walter Isaacson. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003), 312.

3. Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 15, 1776. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/ (accessed July 27, 2015).

LYNCH AND KELLY INC. Official council and Fourth Degree equipment and officer robes 1-888-548-3890 • www.lynchkelly.com

4. John F. Kennedy. Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/JFK-Quotations/Inaugural-Address.aspx (accessed July 27, 2015).

5. Maura Jane Farrelly. Papist Patriots: The Making of American Catholic Identity (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), 244.

IN CANADA ROGER SAUVÉ INC. Official council and Fourth Degree equipment and officer robes 1-888-266-1211 • www.roger-sauve.com

JOIN THE FATHER MCGIVNEY GUILD

7. George Washington. General Orders, Nov. 5, 1775, George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799.

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11/15

6. Steven Waldman, Founding Faith (New York: Random House, 2008), 49.

Please enroll me in the Father McGivney Guild: NAME

9. Pope Francis. Address to the Missionaries of Charity at the Dono di Maria homeless shelter, Vatican City, May 21, 2013. https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130521_dono-di-maria.html (accessed July 27, 2015).

10. Pope Francis. Inaugural Mass Homily, March 19, 2013. https://w2.vatican.va/ content/francesco/en/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato.html (accessed July 27, 2015).

11. Pope Francis. Address to Families at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, January 16, 2015. https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2015/january/documents/papafrancesco_20150116_srilanka-filippine-incontro-famiglie.html (accessed July 27, 2015).

ADDRESS CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP/POSTAL CODE Complete this coupon and mail to: The Father McGivney Guild, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 or enroll online at: www.fathermcgivney.org

OFFICIAL OCT. 1, 2015: To owners of Knights of Columbus insurance policies and persons responsible for payment of premiums on such policies: Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the provisions of Section 84 of the Laws of the Order, payment of insurance premiums due on a monthly basis to the Knights of Columbus by check made payable to Knights of Columbus and mailed to same at PO Box 1492, NEW HAVEN, CT 06506-1492, before the expiration of the grace period set forth in the policy. In Canada: Knights of Columbus, Place d’Armes Station, P.O. Box 220, Montreal, QC H2Y 3G7 ALL MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOS, ARTWORK, EDITORIAL MATTER, AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES SHOULD BE MAILED TO: COLUMBIA, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. REJECTED MATERIAL WILL BE RETURNED IF ACCOMPANIED BY A SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AND RETURN POSTAGE. PURCHASED MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED. OPINIONS BY WRITERS ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. SUBSCRIPTION RATES — IN THE U.S.: 1 YEAR, $6; 2 YEARS, $11; 3 YEARS, $15. FOR OTHER COUNTRIES ADD $2 PER YEAR. EXCEPT FOR CANADIAN SUBSCRIPTIONS, PAYMENT IN U.S. CURRENCY ONLY. SEND ORDERS AND CHECKS TO: ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901.

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8. Robert Emmett Curran. Papist Devils: Catholics in British America, 1574-1783 (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2014), 274.

AUGUST 2015

12. Pope Benedict XVI. Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), Encyclical Letter (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2006), 34.

13. Pope Francis. Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Apostolic Exhortation (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2013), 203 14. Maryland Gazette, October 17, 1754.

15. Pope Francis. Address to World Meeting of Popular Movements, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, July 9, 2015.

16. Nick Thompson. “Iraq’s Yazidis Trapped, Hiding from ISIS.” Cable News Network, August 8, 2014. http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/world/meast/iraq-yazidi-people (accessed July 27, 2015).

17. Eliza Griswold. “Is This the End of Christianity in the Middle East?” The New York Times, July 22, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/magazine/is-this-the-end-of-christianity-in-the-middle-east.html (accessed July 27, 2015).

18. “Leading Causes of Death.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 6, 2015. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm (accessed July 27, 2015).

19. Pope Francis. Address to Families at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, January 16, 2015.

20. Pope Francis. Address to the Schönstatt Apostolic Movement, Vatican City, October 25, 2014. http://www.radiovaticana.va/player/index_fb.asp?language=it&tic=VA_R1INPO8T (accessed July 27, 2015).

21. “Supreme Court Decision on Marriage ‘A Tragic Error’ Says President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference.” U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 26, 2015. http://www.usccb.org/ news/2015/15-103 (accessed July 27, 2015).

22. Pope Paul VI. Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World), Apostolic Exhortation (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1975), 20.

23. St. Augustine. The City of God, vol. 1. Trans. Marcus Dods (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1888), 46.

24. Letter from Thomas More to Margaret Roper, May 3, 1535. A Thomas More Sourcebook. Eds. Gerard B. Wegemer and Stephen W. Smith (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2004), 343-346.

25. Bradley J. Birzer. American Cicero: The Life of Charles Carroll (Wilmington, Del.: Intercollegiate Studies Institute, 2010), 173.

26. Letter from Charles Carroll to Rev. John Stanford, October 9, 1827. The Life and Correspondence of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 1737-1832, vol. 2 (New York: G. P. Putnam & Sons, 1898) 358.

27. John F. Kennedy. Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961.

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K N I G H T S O F C O L UM B U S

Building a better world one council at a time Every day, Knights all over the world are given opportunities to make a difference — whether through community service, raising money or prayer. We celebrate each and every Knight for his strength, his compassion and his dedication to building a better world.

TO

BE FEATURED HERE , SEND YOUR COUNCIL’ S

C OLUMBIA , 1 C OLUMBUS P LAZA , N EW

Members of Risen Lord Council 13553 in Southville Subdivision, Luzon, look on as students at Turralba Elementary School enjoy a meal, beverages and multivitamins during a council-sponsored feeding program. Knowing that children from indigent families often don’t get enough nutrients, the council has embarked on a one-year feeding program to ensure that village children have a balanced and complete diet.

“K NIGHTS IN A CTION ” H AVEN , CT 06510-3326

PHOTO AS WELL AS ITS DESCRIPTION TO : OR E - MAIL : COLUMBIA @ KOFC . ORG .

OCTOBER 2015

♦ C O L U M B I A ♦ 49

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

K E E P T H E F A IT H A L I V E

‘THEIR SUPPORT GIVES ME THE COURAGE TO KEEP SAYING “YES!”’

SISTER APRIL HOFFMAN Novice, Salesian Sisters Newton, N.J.

Photo by Photography by Bjorn

Growing up on my family’s farm in rural Kansas, I didn’t have a lot of experience with religious communities. I learned from working in summer catechetical programs that I loved sharing the faith and that community prayer was a great source of strength. As I taught children about being open to the different vocations and God’s plan for their life, I began to take this advice to heart.

I joined a discernment group and began spending more time in prayer. I had only met a few sisters, but I was captivated by their untiring joy and deep spirit of peace. When I came to visit the Salesian Sisters, I fell in love with the charism: bringing Christ to the young and the young to Christ.

My family, friends, fellow parishioners, and several K of C councils encouraged me with their steadfast prayers and financial donations.

Through their generosity I was able to pay off my student loans before entering the convent.

This is truly a blessing, and their prayerful support gives me the courage to keep saying “Yes!”