KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 1 09—p;[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ddd NOTE FROM THE GRAND KNIGHT Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: My wife and I were on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise on the Baltic Sea earlier this summer. We visited cities in nine countries. Each place offered excursions highlighting the history and culture of the country. We visited palaces, castles, innumerable museums, churches and cathedrals erected hundreds of years ago. These churches were built and adorned by the best architects, craftsmen and artists of the land to give glory to God and inspire the people in their faith. Generations of Roman Catholics and Orthodox believers worshipped the same God and His saints as I do now. It put in perspective the richness of our faith. We are currently in the process of renovating our church, updating its facilities and making it more beautiful. Our city is very young compared to the cities we visited in the Baltic, yet our church is similarly the center of our spiritual life as are the cathedrals of Europe. I look forward patiently to the completion of the renovation. Events and meetings in September will continue to be held at other locations due to the renovation of St. Joseph HOM. Our business meeting on September 1st will take place at Christ the King at 6:30 p.m. A 1st degree exemplification on September 24 will be at St. Anthony of Padua at 9:30 a.m. Our officers meeting will be held at New York Pizza on September 27. In addition, a 2nd and 3rd degree exemplification is scheduled at the Neuman Center at UNLV on August 27. Then, a 4th degree exemplification will take place on September 10 at Markich Hall, 911 E. Ogden. Please make every effort to attend these events if you can because October looks to be a busy month. Yours, Bill Koss Grand Knight Council 10442 [email protected]702-834-4507 ******************************************************************************************************************** “Faith ventures and hazards...counting the costs and delighting in the sacrifice.” – Cardinal John Henry Neuman Y2K PLUS XVI EDITION, ISSUE IX SEPTEMBER 2016 KNIGHTLY NOTES ST JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL NO. 10442 7260 WEST SAHARA AVENUE LAS VEGAS, NV 89117
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KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 1
09—p;[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ddd
NOTE FROM THE GRAND KNIGHT
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
My wife and I were on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise on the Baltic Sea earlier this summer. We visited cities in nine
countries. Each place offered excursions highlighting the history and culture of the country. We visited palaces, castles, innumerable museums, churches and cathedrals erected hundreds of years ago. These churches were built and adorned by the best architects, craftsmen and artists of the land to give glory to God and inspire the
people in their faith. Generations of Roman Catholics and Orthodox believers worshipped the same God and His saints as I do now. It put in perspective the richness of our faith.
We are currently in the process of renovating our church, updating its facilities and making it more beautiful. Our city is very young compared to the cities we visited in the Baltic, yet our church is similarly the center of our spiritual life as are the cathedrals of Europe. I look forward patiently to the completion of the renovation. Events and meetings in September will continue to be held at other locations due to the renovation of St. Joseph HOM. Our business meeting on September 1st will take place at Christ the King at 6:30 p.m. A 1st degree exemplification on September 24 will be at St. Anthony of Padua at 9:30 a.m. Our officers meeting will be held at New York Pizza on September 27. In addition, a 2nd and 3rd degree exemplification is scheduled at the Neuman Center at UNLV on August 27. Then, a 4th degree exemplification will take place on September 10 at Markich Hall, 911 E. Ogden. Please make every effort to attend these events if you can because October looks to be a busy month.
*********************************************** Note: For July, August and September, due to the Church renovations, we will unable to meet in the Hall. Council 10442 Business Meetings will be at Christ the King Church and start at 630 pm. Assembly 2820 Membership will meet at St. Anthony of Padua in July, and Christ the King in August and September. These meetings will start at 7pm. Both Council and 2820 Officers Planning Meetings will take place at NY Pizza. *****************************************************************************************
September 2016 Sept 1st Council Business Meeting (630-8pm Christ the King)
Sept 12th 2820 Officer Planning Meeting (630-8pm NY Pizza)
Sept 21st 2820 Business Membership Meeting (7-9 pm at Christ the King)
Sept 24th First Degree Exemplification (7-9 am St Anthony of Padua)
Sept 29th Council Officers Planning Meeting (630-8pm NY Pizza) **************************************************************************
OCTOBER 2016 **Editors Note: This schedule is subject to change, dependent on church renovations. Stay Tuned)
October 1-2 Membership Drive (Plaza after all Masses)
October 6 Council Business Meeting (730 – 9pm Hall)
October 7- BBQ Dinner Kitchen Setup and Prep (12 to 7pm Hall)
October 8 BBQ Dinner Event – 9am to 9pm Kitchen and Hall
October 10- 2820 Officer Planning Meeting – 630-8pm Kitchen and Hall
October 15-16 Parish Tootsie Roll Drive – Plaza after all Masses
October 19 2820 Business Meeting (730-9pm Bread of Life Room)
October 22 KofC Golf Tournament for Catholic Charities Meal on Wheels
October 27 Council Officers Planning Meeting (730-9pm St Francis Room)
October 29 First Degree Exemplification (7-9am St Francis/Clair Room)
October 29-30 Ladies Auxiliary Religious Goods Sales (in Hall after masses TBD)
October 30 Pancake Breakfast (6am -1pm) Hall
**************************************************************************** “Only by being a man (or woman) for others does one become fully human.” Fr. Pedro Arrupe
Please continue to help our brothers, families, and friends that are in need of our prayers. Prayers are our
way of asking Jesus to help! Please remember the following in your prayers: Tony Ruivivar, our Society of Seven Star, will continue to use our prayers. He will be undergoing tests Sept 1st to have a lesion on his liver checked. Please pray for him and his wife Karen Tony Donofrio needs our prayers for his health issues, he was recently hospitalized with emergency
surgery to repair an aneurysm of the aorta. Please pray for a full and speedy recovery and for his wife Paula also. It is with great sorrow we announce that our brother, SK Felix Peries, passed away, on August13th, in Sri Lanka. Please pray for the soul of our departed brother.
Again with great sorrow we ask for prayers for the soul of Jeanne Kurvers, wife of Theo, who is a PGK and was a very active member, has passed to our Lord after a long illness on Aug 20th. Please keep them in your prayers.
SK Sylvester Smith has been in lots of pain because of his shoulder surgery. Please remember him and his wife Marsha in your prayers.
Bill Gorman and his wife Terri are both ill and need our prayers and support. Please add Bill Allen to your prayers. Bill has been an active member of our Council and is hurting.
Fran Kenny, wife of PGK Matt, has been suffering with pain and is in need of our prayers. Prayers are also needed for the following Brothers and Sisters: Louis Lanza, Mrs Peries, Leon Fuselier, Kathy Fuselier, Reynaldo Cadiz, John Labrador, Joe Karkalla, and Dorothy Mae Castronova.
Remember our Blessed Mother has a direct line and it works! Please continue to help our brothers & families with prayers. I know they will be answered! Call or
visit the sick.
IF YOU AREN’T PRAYING THE ROSARY OFTEN YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON HER HELP! We should be thankful for the responses we have received from Above. He certainly supports our prayers to His Mother Mary through the rosary. KEEP THEM COMING!!!!!!!
To all who are Ill: Remember many brothers and sisters are praying for you!! Online Rosary: comepraytherosary.org Please let me know if we should add or remove any names from the list.
All Members – be a part of one of the best brotherhoods and add new life-long friends. Become committee chairman, call the new members and friends for help. Do not do it alone!! Be sure and say hello and visit with ALL your Brothers at the meetings, and introduce yourselves to new members. We are all the same, part
of the Brotherhood and trying to do some good.
God Bless, Nick Ciccone, Fraternal Chairman 702-845-5879 (leave message) or [email protected]
“Prayer is the raising of the mind to God. We must always remember this. The actual words matter less.” -- Pope John XXIII ******************************************************************************************
MEETING CHANGE NOTICE During the Church renovations, our Meetings will be held at Christ the King, starting at 630pm. The Officer’s Meetings will be at NY Pizza, 2400 S. Jones. Assembly Meetings will be at St Anthony of Padua’s starting at 7pm. The officer meetings be at NY Pizza. We will be having our First Degree Exemplifications in conjunction with St Anthony of Padua, at their Parish. This will be for the summer during the renovations at the Church. Christ the King is located at: 4925 S Torrey Pines Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89118 St Anthony of Padua is located at 6350 N. Fort Apache Road, Las Vegas NV 89149
Calling All Second and Third Degree Knights!!!! Your Opportunity to become a Sir Knight! All are encouraged to make their Fourth Degree. Assembly 2776 is Hosting a Fourth Degree Exemplification and Dinner on September 10 2016. It will be at Markich Hall, 911 E Ogden Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101.
Registration of Candidates will start at 11 am and Exemplification starts at 12 noon. Following the Exemplification there will be 5pm Mass at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church (315 S Casino Center Blvd) Las Vegas, NV 89101. After Mass will be No Host Cocktails and Dinner back at Markich Hall. Please contact Sir Knight Douglas Barrett with questions at 408-887-4050 or email [email protected].
Don't Forget to Use the Amazon Fundraiser Link for All your Amazon Purchases!
If you use the link provided, our Council will receive a small rebate on your purchase. It’s a painless fundraiser for us and just too simple not to use when you shop on Amazon. Remember, there is no identification linked to the rebates we receive. Your purchases remain private to you. This link will also work with your Amazon Prime account.
Follow these directions to reach the Amazon link…
1. Use this link to navigate to our Council Web Site: https://www.kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/?CNO=10442 or copy and paste it into your web browser.
2. Click on the, "Our Amazon Link," icon found on the upper right quadrant of our web site. Once you click on the Amazon icon, it will bring you to the Amazon site, and you won’t see any difference in the way you navigate and shop the site.
Supreme launches donation drive to help Louisiana Flood Victims
Southern Louisiana is being hit by what is called “the worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy.”
Several people have died, with tens of thousands of others forced to leave their homes. More than 30,000 people have been rescued from the flooded areas, many seeking refuge in emergency shelters.
In response to the devastation, the Supreme Council has launched an online donation drive to assist with local relief operations. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to relief efforts.
"The Knights of Columbus has a long tradition of providing disaster relief," said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "Our communities, like the people of Southern Louisiana, need our time, our efforts and our financial assistance. We are going to do all that we can, working with
the Louisiana State Council and local councils, to help those most in need as a result of the flooding."
Your support is urgently needed. Please DONATE TODAY at kofc.org/flood to help those suffering such devastation.
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ Be diligent in serving the poor. Love the poor, honor them, my children, as you would honor Christ Himself.” - St Louise De Marillec
Catholic Charities and Knights of Columbus Council (and Assembly 2820) Sponsor Golf Tournament for Meals on Wheels Program- Help is Needed!!!!!!! Note from Ken Sawyer
At the end of the golf tournament last year, Deacon Tom Roberts mentioned how great it would be if we could spearhead a tournament for Catholic Charities and specifically help raise funds for the ever growing need for the Meals on Wheels program. Our golf committee has agreed to forgo a tournament this year for the Knights and agreed that all proceeds from the 2016 tournament will go to the Meals on Wheels Program.
So as Knights, I am asking for your help, and before you say I’m not a golfer please read on, because we still need your help. We need help with Raffle items. Everyone works at, or shops at, or eats at a place that is a prospective contributor. Big or small -we need lots of items for the raffle. I went into Tuxedo Junction, asked to see the owner with a signup form asking for help, and she agreed to be a $250 Tee Box Sponsor. The same thing with my Vet at Ark Animal Clinic, he also sent a $250 check. We ate at Bone Fish Grill, asked to see the
manager and left with 2 $25 gift cards. When they understand we have people in LV needing this service and they can help, it isn’t hard. The more prizes we show they can win, the more raffle tickets we can sell. so please us obtain items. To put on an event like this takes a lot of coordination, so we need volunteers. Please respond and let me know what you can do.
1. The 2:30 the afternoon before (Oct. 21st), at the golf course we need to set up, stuff 100 player goodie bags, Put out the Tee Box signs, etc.
2. 7:00 AM the morning of (Oct 22nd) we need help with signing in players, handing out polo shirts, selling raffle tickets, handing out waters, etc. Lots to do!
3. The Players have a chance to win a Car on a Hole in One, thanks to Jim Marsh, but we need to staff a validation table at that hole (one attempt per player).
4. The will have 2 other chances for nice prizes for a Hole in One, plus a trophy for closest to the pin. Again we need help
5. Did I say sell RAFFLE tickets?? Oh, I did, but the more sellers we have the better the odds of selling.
6. At St Joseph we are holding a sign-up weekend on September 10th
& 11th before and after all the masses, and we will have a bucket for donations for non-players. Please respond with what Mass you can cover.
This is open to all golfers, not just Knights.
Again we need everyone’s help.
For the golfers, we have a great rate of just $100 (that includes golf, Luncheon, Polo Shirt valued at $25) at the Legacy Golf Club in Henderson. So please fill out the form, and note you have several ways to pay, 1) Mail us a check 2) Credit Card by phone, or 3) the Golf Course web.
Just do not delay. We need to order the special 75th Catholic Charities commemorative anniversary Polo Shirts by October 7th and we want you to get the correct size. Please contact me to volunteer, or if you have any questions.
Our Knight of the Month for August is Our Family of the Month for August is Tony Lino Loyola. Brother Lino has been a and Paula Donofrio. This very special couple has Valued member of our Council. He is a helped so many people over the years. Tony has been shining example of service and ministry. a valued member of the Council for many years, serving He is the Lead Usher for the Parish and in almost every capacity/office over the years. He most dedicates a lot of time and service to this recently finished a term as Financial Secretary of the Council. ministry. This has been more challenging He carefully trained his replacement. He is showing lately with all the renovations to the church and much courage now, fighting to get back his strength and changes due to construction. He back to helping out after a challenging surgery. Paula has participates in Council Events, too. been a charter and valued member of the Ladies Auxiliary Thank You Lino! for many years. They both are excellent role models and mentors for us all. Thank you Tony and Paula!!
Honorary Membership Congratulations to Sir Knight Bruce Jarzen on receiving his Honorary Membership with over 26 years of continuous service as a Knight of Faith and a Knight of Action. Bruce made his First Degree on July 6, 1990 and finished with his Fourth Degree on August 17, 1991. When you see Brother Bruce, please shake his hand and thank him for his dedication to our mission! **********************************************************************************************************
Congratulations to Brother Ed Wright, who made his Second and Third Degree
Exemplification on Saturday, August 27th. Congrats!!!!
*************************************************************************************** Compassion is the most important and perhaps the only law of all humanity.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky -
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 8
St Joseph Husband of Mary Roman Catholic Church
Knights of Columbus Council 10442 7260 West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89117 Phone: 363-1902 Or Contact: Grand Knight: Bill Koss, 702-834-4507 Deputy Grand Knight: PatrIck Barry, 702-871-8716
Fraternal Chairman: Nick Ciccone, 702-845-5879 Financial Secretary, Fred Smith, 509-499-1622 Newsletter Editor -Jolyn Pinzl, 702-306-2668 Membership Director: Bob Zagby, ,702-379-3025 Email communications: Frank Davis, 702-363-9010 A little Vegas Heat humor.
Pope Francis' Prayer for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: "If you knew the gift of God!" You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. *****************************************************************************************************************************************************
If you are ever going to Love Me If you are ever going to love me, Love me now,
while I can know the Sweet and tender feelings, which from true affection flow. Love me now, while I am living.
Do not wait till I am gone and then have it chiseled in marble, Sweet words on ice cold stone. If you have tender thoughts of me, please tell me now. If you wait till I am sleeping, never to awaken, There will be death between us, and I won’t hear you then. So if you love me, even a little bit, let me know it while I am living, so I can treasure ite Contributed by Sharon Wilks
“I praise you for all things, I bless you, I glorify you through the eternal priest of heaven, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. Through him by glory to you, together with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.” St. Polycarp of Smyrna - “For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.” - St Teresa of Avila
Annuities in force and 1400 service agents, the Knights are proudly fulfilling Father McGivney’s vision of protecting the widows and orphans of deceased Knights. You can also plan and save for your financial security and future retirement. Please take advantage of this special fraternal service. As a Knights of Columbus member, this is a free insurance, annuity and estate planning service for you and your family.
******************************************************************************************************************* PRAYER FOR THE CANONIZATION OF FATHER MCGIVNEY Founder of the Knights of Columbus in 1882 God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and the lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son Jesus Christ more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your venerable servant Father Michael J McGivney on earth according to the design of Your Holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (make your request) Through Christ our Lord. Amen Please report all favors received to: The Fr McGivney Guild 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven CT 06510-3326
NOTE: All members are encouraged to look into the annuity and insurance programs offered by the Knights. The annuities start at 100 and are a great long term investment. Go to the Supreme Council’s website or Contact field agent Stephen Melancon above for more info or to sign up. With over $92 million in insurance and
Pope Francis will declare Blessed Teresa of Kolkata a saint at the Vatican Sept. 4. The date was announced March 15 during an "ordinary public consistory," a meeting of the pope, cardinals and promoters of sainthood causes that formally ends the sainthood process. -- Mother Teresa was widely known as a living saint as she ministered to the sick and the dying in some of the poorest neighborhoods in the world. Although some people criticized her for not also challenging the injustices that kept so many people so poor and abandoned, her simple service touched the hearts of millions of people of all faiths. Born to an ethnic Albanian family in Skopje, in what is now part of Macedonia, she went to India in 1929 as a Sister of Loreto and became an Indian citizen in 1947. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. Shortly after she died in 1997, St. John Paul II waived the usual five-year waiting period and allowed the opening of the process to declare her sainthood. She was beatified in 2003. After her beatification, Missionary of Charity Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, the postulator of her sainthood cause, published a book of her letters, "Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light." The letters illustrated how, for decades, she experienced what is described as a "dark night of the soul" in Christian spirituality; she felt that God had abandoned her. While the letters shocked some people, others saw them as proof of her steadfast faith in God, which was not based on feelings or signs that he was with her. The date chosen for her canonization is the eve of the 19th anniversary of her death and the date previously established at the Vatican for the conclusion of the Year of Mercy pilgrimage of people like her who are engaged in works of mercy. *********************************************************************************************************************************************************
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE MOTHER TERESA QUOTES “Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.” “God doesn’t ask that we succeed in everything, but that we are faithful. However beautiful our work may be, let us not become attached to it. Always remain prepared to give it up, without losing your peace.” “We are at Jesus’ disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he wants you to proclaim His work in the street, if he wants you to clean the toilets all day, that’s all right, everything is all right. We must say, 'I belong to you. You can do whatever you like.' And this is our strength. This is the joy of the Lord - “Let anyone who comes to you go away feeling better and happier. Every one should see goodness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile. Joy shows from the eyes. It appears when we speak and walk. It cannot be kept closed inside us. It reacts outside. Joy is very infectious - “We can do no great things; only small things with great love.” –
-Blessed Mother Teresa See more at: http://catholicquotes.org/#love
In his annual report delivered at the 134th Supreme Convention in Toronto, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson noted the
Order’s record levels of charity, with over $175 million in donations and over 73.5 million hours of volunteer service.
The supreme knight also cited some of the major accomplishments of the Order: the further development of the Knights
of Columbus’ Building the Domestic Church initiative and continued support for Christians at risk, including those
suffering genocide at the hands of ISIS.
At the opening of his report, the supreme knight officially announced the convention’s theme.
“We also recall the words of Pope Francis,” Supreme Knight Anderson said. “He has called Catholics to a new sense of
missionary discipleship and fraternal brotherhood. He has urged Catholics to go out to the peripheries. And he has
placed great confidence in the Knights of Columbus. And so, I am pleased to announce the theme of our 134th Supreme
Convention: ‘A Light to the Nations.’”
The supreme knight spoke to an audience of nearly 95 archbishops and bishops, including 11 cardinals, scores of clergy
and approximately 2,000 members of the Knights and their families from throughout North and Central America, the
Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Europe.
“Our charity is motivated by faith. And our faith is a gift to be shared,” stated Supreme Knight Anderson. “When we
bring new men into the Order, we give them the opportunity to be better Catholics. And we multiply the good works that
we can do. I am pleased to report that our membership grew for the 44th consecutive year to a record high of 1,918,122
brother Knights. Soon, we will number more than 2 million men.”
He also announced that the Knights of Columbus has seen impressive membership growth in new areas such as Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland.
“In one decade, we have grown in Poland to nearly 90 local councils with nearly 4, 400 members,” the supreme knight said. “In Ukraine, we now have 566
members in 13 councils. And because of this, the Supreme Directors voted in April to establish Ukraine as our newest territory.”
Supreme Knight Anderson noted that in his recent apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis asks, “Who is making an effort to strengthen marriages, to help
married couples overcome their problems, to assist them in the work of raising children and to encourage the stability of the marriage bond?”
The answer, the supreme knight said, is the Knights of Columbus.
“Because the light of faith is first transmitted within the family and nurtured in the parish, we have started new programs to strengthen both our families and
our parishes. They especially give young fathers the tools they need to bring their families closer together and closer to God,” Supreme Knight Anderson said.
The Building the Domestic Church program, he added, provides concrete ways in which Knights can reach out to accompany wounded families.
“I ask each of you to take to heart our responsibility as leaders of the most important Catholic men’s organization in the world,” Supreme Knight Anderson
asked his brother Knights. “What we do in our families and parishes will change the history of the Catholic Church in our communities. And it will help
ensure the future of those parishes. The strong right arm of the Catholic Church must also be the strong right arm of our parish church. Today, this is what it
means to be a light to the nations.”
Along with growth in membership and charity, the Knights of Columbus also achieved records in its insurance program.
“This year, we have seen Father McGivney’s legacy of shielding Catholic families from financial disaster reach new milestones,” Supreme Knight Anderson
said. “This year our insurance program achieved its 15th consecutive year of growth. We set a record high of 8.4 billion dollars in new sales. This represents
nearly 72,000 new life certificates, surpassing the closest fraternal benefit society by more than 25,000. Our five-year sales growth of nearly 1.6 percent is
above that of the insurance industry as a whole. Last year, our insurance in force grew by more than $4 billion. And in the last 13 years, our insurance in force
has more than doubled. Today, we have more than 2 million certificates in force. “But our greatest achievement was reaching this milestone,” he added. “We
surpassed $100 billion of life insurance in force.”
The Knights of Columbus Investment Department also saw a successful year, especially in the Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, which is in its 17th month
of operation and has 50 clients, including religious orders, dioceses and local and state councils. Asset Advisors is already among the top 200 asset managers in
the United States.
KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 13
REPORT FROM SUPREME NATIONAL CONVENTION, CONTINUED
One of the Knights of Columbus’ greatest endeavors during the past fraternal year was the assistance it brought to Christians facing persecution, especially
those facing genocide in the Middle East.
“In Iraq, Syria and neighboring countries, Christians and other religious minorities are facing extinction,” the supreme knight said. “Many receive no
support from their governments or from the United Nations. They have had to rely on their fellow Christians and they have been able to rely on the Knights
of Columbus. Since 2014, we have raised more than $11 million for Christian refugees. And that money has been a lifeline.”
Contributions received by the Knights helped fund the following:
In Erbil, Iraq, $800,000 dollars to supply food for 13,500 families.
Medical clinics and long-term infrastructure projects, including 120 apartments to provide permanent housing.
Support to all the Syriac Catholic priests exiled from Mosul after it fell to ISIS in 2014.
Catechetical classes for Syriac and Chaldean Catholics.
In Syria, assistance to the besieged Christians of Aleppo.
In Jordan, with Catholic Relief Services, support for educational initiatives for refugees.
In Lebanon, support for a variety of programs.
“These efforts depend upon the active involvement of our brother Knights,” Supreme Knight Anderson continued. “Some have donated to our Christian
Refugee Relief Fund. Others have responded by participating in our Solidarity Cross program, through our councils which have sold more than 82,000 olive
wood crosses made by Christians in the Holy Land.”
Along with vital financial assistance, the Knights of Columbus also worked to have the American government recognize that the persecution of Christians and
other minorities in the Middle East by ISIS is genocide. The Knights of Columbus did an enormous amount of research that was compiled into a nearly 300-
page report documenting conclusively that the genocide perpetrated by ISIS against Christians is a reality. The Knights also conducted a powerful public
awareness campaign to support this effort.
As a result, both chambers of the U.S. Congress, as well as the Secretary of State declared that the targeting of Christians is genocide.
“My brother Knights, we made history!” Anderson said. “However, this is only the beginning. We will continue to work to ensure that the Christians who still
speak the language of Jesus, and whose ancestors baptized St. Paul, survive.”
Of the good works performed by Knights of Columbus, the supreme knight said at the close of his address:
“In thousands of ways, every day the Church of the Good Samaritan lives and grows through the works of charity that are the hallmark of the Knights of
Columbus. And all of this is the legacy of our founder, the Venerable Father Michael McGivney whose spiritual genius inspired generations of Catholic men
to step forward with courage to confront the challenges of their day by living out the principles of charity, unity and fraternity in a distinctly Catholic way.”
“The prophetic flame of which Pope Francis speaks continues to burn bright in the hearts of our brother Knights around the world,” the supreme knight said.
“That flame enkindles in them a true sense of Catholic charity, a charity that evangelizes and brings in a very concrete way, a light to the nations.”
“Yes, it is the hour of the laity,” he added “It is the hour of the Knights of Columbus.”
--kofc.org
******************************************************************************************************** “Connected with our prayer must be the thoughtful and faithful reflection upon the Church's teaching on the respect for all human life and the integrity of the family. In our homes, in our Catholic schools and universities, in parish study groups, and in everyday conversations and discussions with our neighbors, we are called to give an uncompromising witness to the Gospel of Life. Parents, parish priests and institutions of Catholic education must be aware of the constant anti-life and anti-family messages which constantly bombard us and our young people.” -Cardinal Raymond Burke – ****************************************************************************************************
