CHAPLAIN’S reportS E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 3 f V O L U M E 5 f N U M B E R 9 f W W W . K O F C . O R G / C H A P L A I N S

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In service to One. In service to a l l .

L E A R N I N G T H E F A I T H , L I V I N G T H E F A I T H f 1 C O L U M B U S P L A Z A , N E W H A V E N , C T 0 6 5 1 0 - 3 3 2 6 , U S A

At the 131st Supreme Conventionin San Antonio, Supreme Knight

Carl Anderson delivered an annualreport that chronicled the record-setting activity of the Knights duringthe fraternal year just ended.

The new records includedonations of more than $167.5 millionto charity and the volunteering bymembers of more than 70 millionhours of service.

The supreme knight highlightedvarious charitable programs carried outby Knights in more than a dozencountries. Activities ranged fromproviding new winter coats to children;to helping amputee victims inearthquake-devastated Haiti; tostocking food pantries; to helpingvictims of disasters such as HurricaneSandy, the recent explosion in West,Texas, and the tornados in Oklahoma.

“We help change countlesslives and communities around theworld,” Supreme Knight Andersonsaid. “Our charitable service not onlyhelps the temporal needs of our

neighbors, but our personal witnessof charity can also evangelize as welive Christ’s commandment oflove.”

Other achievements from thispast year included a new record fortotal membership of 1,843,587;the expansion of the Knightsinto Ukraine and Lithuania; andan insurance milestone of morethan $90 billion of life insurancein force.

Anderson also spoke of theorganization’s defense of life,marriage and religious liberty,saying, “The culture of life andcivilization of love will not bebuilt overnight. But we willcontinue to work day and night tobuild them through our example,our words and our prayers.”

In a reference to the powerfulwitness of Christian charityprovided by the new pope, thesupreme knight tasked every mem-ber with bringing “the example ofPope Francis into his home, hisparish and his community.”

Protectors of God’s Gifts

Visit www.kofc.org/chaplains to sign up to receive future issues of this newsletter via e-mail. Previous issues are also archived at this site.

In the Spirit of Father McGivneySupreme Knight Carl Anderson delivering his annual report at the 131stSupreme Convention in San Antonio, Texas, Aug 6, 2013.

Standing in front of a statue of Father McGivney at the Supreme Councilheadquarters are (from left) Father John Grace, O.S.A.; Supreme Knight CarlAnderson; Father Jonathan Kalisch, O.P., and Supreme Chaplain ArchbishopWilliam Lori. Father Grace is retiring in September after four years as head of thechaplains program and will be succeeded by Father Kalisch. Ordained for theDominican Order in 2003, Father Kalisch most recently served as Catholic chaplainat Dartmouth College. He is a graduate of Georgetown University, where he wasgrand knight of Council 6375. He also helped charter councils at GeorgeWashington University, Quinnipiac University and Dartmouth, serving as councilchaplain for the latter two. Father Kalisch also was chaplain to delegations of CollegeKnights attending World Youth Days in Sydney and Madrid, and participated inseveral of Archbishop Lori’s chaplain focus groups.

Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch newly appointed Director of Chaplains and Spiritual Development

Supreme Knight’s Annual Report Highlights Records in Charity, Service and Insurance

M E M B E R S H I P I N T H E K N I G H T S O F C O LUM B U S 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.

human suffering: “We cried when it was time to cry, hugged when it wastime to hug, and loved when it was time to love.”

Later this year in Newtown, the Order will present a gift of$100,000 to assist the ongoing parish programs that care for those stillsuffering from the tragedy.

The Caritas Award was established earlier this year by a vote of theKnights of Columbus Board of Directors and will be conferred on futurerecipients when merited by their exemplary works of charity.

In an announcement that he called both happy and sad, Supreme KnightCarl Anderson told participants in the State Chaplains Meeting at the

2013 Supreme Convention that Father John Grace, O.S.A., was retiringafter serving for four years asdirector of Chaplain Programsand Development at theSupreme Council. Though heand all those who worked withFather Grace will miss him,Anderson said, he was happythat Father Grace will bereturning to his religiouscommunity in California toenjoy a slower pace of life.

“Although I’m not sure a missionary priest actually retires,” thesupreme knight said about Father Grace, who is 76 years old and served asan Augustinian missionary for most of his priesthood. As the supremeknight presented a gift to Father Grace for pioneering the Knights ofColumbus Chaplains Program, the 72 chaplains attending the meeting gavehim a standing ovation for his years of work with them.The supreme knightalso announced that Father Jonathan Kalisch, O.P., has been named tosucceed Father Grace as director of the Chaplains Program. Most recently

Catholic Chaplain at Dartmouth College, Father Kalisch joined the Order as a student at Georgetown University in 1991. A Dominicanpriest, he will begin his assignment at the Supreme Council headquartersin September.

The meeting of state chaplains was chairedby Supreme Chaplain Archbishop WilliamLori, who pointed out to the priests and bishopsthat they are successors of Father McGivney.Archbishop Lori said that the ChaplainsProgram, in which state and council chaplainshave been encouraged to become more activein the meetings and activities of their councils,has helped to develop and deepen thespirituality of Knights throughout the Order.

The next step, the archbishop said, is toguide Knights and councils in taking part inthe new evangelization of the Church through their public witness andcharitable works. “We need to engage — in the words of Blessed John PaulII — in a charity that evangelizes,” Archbishop Lori said. “The Knightsmust become an even more effective instrument in making the connectionbetween the faith and the community, the faith and the culture, the faithand the everyday lives of men and their families.”

Chaplains Gather At Supreme Convention

During the States Dinner of the 131st Supreme Convention, SupremeKnight Carl Anderson conferred the newly established Caritas Award for

“exemplary works of charity” to Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose ofLima Parish in Newtown, Conn., and St. Virgilius Council 185, representedduring the ceremony by Grand Knight Timothy Haas.

Newtown was the scene of last December’s elementary school shootingthat gripped the nation and the world as the small community mourned theloss of 26 residents, most of whom were young children.

In the wake of the tragedy, Msgr. Weiss and the Newtown Knightsstepped forward to give spiritual support and charitable service to the parish andcommunity.

As its first priority, the council established a program that asked people topray a minimum of three Hail Marys for the victims and their families; the firstresponders and teachers; and the Newtown community as a whole. With thehelp of the Knights’ websites, the effort spread, and more than 105,000 peoplesigned up, offering a total of more than 3.25 million prayers.

Caroline Previdi, one of the children killed, had been saving money tohelp in the council’s annual Christmas toy drive for children in need. In hermemory, council members raised more than $70,000 for toys.

Additionally, Knights served as ushers at eight funerals, most ofwhich were for children, and helped in the parish when it wasoverwhelmed with messages of condolence and other logisticalchallenges.

“Those we honor, like the Good Samaritan, treated their injuredand suffering neighbors, classmates and friends with mercy and love,”said Anderson before an audience of some 2,000 that included Knightsfrom an assortment of countries and their guests. In response, Msgr.Weiss remarks that he did what any priest would do in the midst of great

Newtown Pastor and Council Receive Inaugural Caritas Award for Service to Community

The inaugural Caritas Awards were given to Msgr. Robert Weiss of St. Roseof Lima Parish in Newtown, Conn., and St. Virgilius Council 185, alsoin Newtown, for all their tremendous charity and service to theircommunity in the wake of the Sandy Hook School shooting.

Supreme Knight Anderson congrat-ulates Augustinian Father John P.Grace on his retirement and presentshim with a Carolingian Cross ingratitude to his service as director ofchaplain programs and development.

Anew Knights of Columbus Marian Prayer Program was inaugurated during Mass on the second day ofthe 131st Supreme Convention. The prayer program features framed copies of an image of Mary as the

Immaculate Conception that were carried in procession by each state deputy of the Order at the end of Massduring an inauguration ceremony. Presiding at the ceremony was Supreme Chaplain Archbishop WilliamLori, who prayed for God’s blessing upon the state deputies as they prepared to “carry these images of Our Ladyto councils and countries throughout the world.” The Immaculate Conception image is a copy of the originalpainting that is housed in the Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec in Canada.

A Gathering That Inspires and a FarewellThe 2013 Supreme Convention

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

Father John P. Grace, O.S.A.Director of Chaplain Programs & Development

The Supreme Convention once again had a profound effect on theKnights who attended and on the Order as a whole, and it was a

particularly positive experience for our chaplains who traveled to SanAntonio. During these past few years, my heartfelt desire has been to seea deepening of the Order’s spirituality based on our founding principles. Iam convinced that this is happening. It has long been my conviction thatif our membership drives, charitable services and public displays do notstem from a deep spirituality and solid faith formation, we have missedthe point. This year's convention showed me that we are heading in theright direction.

Our Chaplains Meeting on Monday, Aug. 5, was certainly amemorable occasion. We were blessed with a record number of participantsas all but four jurisdictions registered for our annual gathering. There wasa mix of first-time participants and chaplains who have been with us formany years, and a very positive atmosphere of priestly fellowship prevailed.Of course, we know well that we have only begun our journey and muchremains to be done, yet those of us who have traveled this road togetherduring these past few years can see the difference. Chaplains are taking anew and more prominent place within the Knights of Columbus.

On that Monday morning, we began with a concelebrated Mass,with Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori as principal celebrant. As always,his words were encouraging to us as chaplains. This was followed by lunch,midday prayer and the actual meeting. In all, we were together for aboutfive hours.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson joined us, and his remarks placedour chaplains squarely at the center of the Knights’ spirituality. Hechallenged us to be at the side of Pope Francis, who is opening up a newopportunity for the Knights to step forward in service. He observed thatour Holy Father is presenting to the world the Church of the GoodSamaritan. That’s us — an organization based on charity, unity andfraternity. It means reaching out concretely and personally to make a giftof self to others.

There was also a bittersweet moment at the meeting when SupremeKnight Anderson announced that I would be retiring in September.

It has indeed been a privilege to communicate with you since June

2009 through this newsletter, and I pray that some of what has been writtenhas been helpful toward a better understanding of the chaplain’s role in theOrder. Thanks to the inspiration of our Supreme Knight, and under thedirection and leadership of our Supreme Chaplain, a community has beenformed, and we look forward to our coming together at the annualconvention and other venues. We have broken new ground, and I believe anew understanding of the chaplain’s role is taking root in many jurisdictions.Thank you, state and council chaplains, for your hard work and fraternity!

Father Jonathan Kalisch, O.P., the new Director of Chaplains andSpiritual Development, will lead us all to new heights. Much remains to bedone for all our chaplains to become more involved at the local level. AllKnights should understand how each council needs its chaplain, and towelcome him, and also to comprehend how the Order can promote the NewEvangelization through every council.

We are coming to the end of the Year of Faith, but now we beginputting that faith into action in a totally renewed manner, stemming fromour spirituality and spurred on by our formation in the faith of Christ andhis Church.

As Archbishop Lori said during our Chaplains Meeting: “The Knightsmust become an even more effective instrument in making the connectionbetween the faith and the community, the faith and the culture, the faith andthe everyday lives of men and their families.”

This surely sums up all we have been promoting these past few years.Archbishop Lori also said, “The next step is to guide Knights and

councils in taking part in the New Evangelization of the Church, throughtheir public witness and charitable works. We need to engage — in the wordsof Blessed John Paul II — in a charity that evangelizes.”

I am grateful for this unique opportunity, grateful for whateveradvancement has taken place, and my humble apologies for anyshortcomings of mine in carrying out the mission.

I am moving to other pastures, returning to my religious communityin California. But my desire always remains for the Knights of Columbus togrow in numbers, faith, spirituality and service to the Church and to theworld.

Let us close with these words: Pray for us, and guide us, FatherMcGivney, that we may continue to be imbued with your spirit. May Godbless you all, and may Our Lady of Guadalupe protect our Knights and theirfamilies.

Rev. John P. Grace, O.S.A.Director of Chaplain Programs and Developmentjohn.grace@kofc.org(203) 752-4263

Immaculate Conception Prayer Program Inaugurated

CHAPLAIN’Sreport1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326

PUBLISHED 12 TIMES A YEAR BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPREME COUNCIL1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326 f 203-752-4264 f KNIGHTLINE@KOFC.ORG

The international characterand worldwide appeal of

the Knights of Columbus werein full display at the OpeningMass of the 131st SupremeConvention in San Antonio.More than 2,000 Knights andguests from many countriesattended the liturgy on Aug. 6,the feast of the Transfiguration.

Archbishop GustavoGarcía-Siller of San Antonioserved as the principal celebrantand homilist for the Mass,which was concelebrated by 11cardinals, dozens of otherarchbishops and bishops, andmore than 100 priests fromaround the world. Leading theopening procession was anhonor guard of more than 100Fourth Degree Knights. Thefour state deputies from Mexicoalso processed, carrying a largeK of C-commissioned reliquarycontaining first-class relics of 38Mexican martyrs, including six saints and three blesseds who were Knights.

In his homily, Archbishop García-Siller echoed the words of Pope Francisat the recent World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, saying, “My brotherbishops, priests, Knights and family members, it is good for us to be here in thepresence of the Lord — gathered from throughout the world.”

The account of theTransfiguration from theGospel of St. Luke tells ofthe brilliant divinity of Jesus,but also containssuggestions of shadows inthe world, the archbishopsaid. “The Transfiguration isboth a dazzling experiencethat confirmed who Jesus is— the Son of God — and afrightening event thatreduced the disciples tosilence. There is both lightand shadow in this story,” hesaid.

Among the shadowsin today’s world, hecontinued, “is the constantmigration of peoples” whoare fleeing situations in theirown countries and seeking abetter life in another. TheChurch and all believersmust seek ways to reach outand assist these people

because they are brothers and sisters in the Lord, the archbishop noted. He concluded, “Pope Francis’ words still ring for us a true challenge that

shines with the light of the very principles of the Knights of Columbus: ‘Go. Do not be afraid. Serve.’” The archbishop also thanked the Knights for theirworldwide work of aiding those most in need.

In his homily, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller thanked Knights of Columbus for theirworldwide work of aiding those most in need, efforts that amounted last year to more than$167 million in charitable donations and 70 million volunteer hours.

Celebrating Opening Mass, Archbishop García-Siller Notes ‘Vital’ Role of Knights Throughout the World‘It Is Good for Us to Be Here’