To all our members

and their families:

A Merry and Holy

Christmas and a

Happy and Safe

New Year!KNIGHTLINEKNIGHTLINE

N e w s f o r k N i g h t s o f c o l u m b u s l e a d e r s � 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

d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0 � V o l u m e 2 7 � N u m b e r 1 2 � w w w . k o f c . o r g

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In Service to One. In Service to Al l .

S tate deputies from jurisdictions aroundthe world gathered in Baltimore, Nov. 12-

14, for their mid-year meeting, and an inten-sive two-day conference focusing onmembership growth and related issues.

The state deputies and their wives weregreeted at a welcome dinner by SupremeKnight Carl A. Anderson, who said, “We arehere tonight to reaffirm what is essential aboutthe Knights of Columbus and our contribu-tion to society: our civic contribution, ourcharitable contribution and our religious con-tribution.”

The supreme knight recalled the words ofPope John Paul II who said, “We need to re-discover the authentic meaning of ‘Christianvolunteerism.’”

“I thought to myself,” Supreme Knight An-derson said, “What better organization in theworld today than the Knights of Columbus tolead the effort to restore an authentic under-standing of Christian volunteerism?”

At the opening business session on themorning of Nov. 13, the supreme knight toldstate deputies that councils will soon be givensome flexibility in conducting First Degree cer-emonies, in an effort to ensure that every coun-cil is able to hold such ceremonies frequently.

“No prospective qualified candidate for ad-mission into the Knights of Columbus shouldbe frustrated from joining the Order becausehe cannot find, or we cannot offer, a First De-gree that will allow him to join in a reasonableperiod of time,” the supreme knight said.

State deputies focused heavily on member-ship growth during the meeting, and theOrder’s new senior vice president for member-ship growth, Michael Durbin, reminded themthat one very powerful motivation for invitingmen to join the Knights is that it helps makethem better Catholics.

“But one other reason that membership is

so relevant and important is that it keeps usCatholic,” Durbin said. “If it keeps usCatholic, then we’re building up the body ofthe Church, and that’s part of Father Mc-Givney’s vision.”

Durbin also discussed the Order’s increasedfocus on 18- to 35-year-olds and on the im-portance of youth programs that involve chil-dren in the middle and high school years,paving the way for recruitment when youngmen reach their late teens and 20s.

George Hanna, senior vice president for fra-ternal services, emphasized the way in whichprogram activities contribute to membershipretention. “Keeping your members active isyour number one retention tool,” Hanna ex-plained. “When you were a kid, you alwayswanted to be on the best team, the winningteam. Our members are no different. Theywant to participate in programs that reallymake a difference.”

Tom Smith, executive vice president foragencies and marketing, emphasized the criti-

cal contribution to membership growth thatfield agents are making in many jurisdictions.“None of us is as good as all of us,” Smith re-minded the state deputies. “Those states andjurisdictions where the state deputies, the gen-eral agents and the field agents, and the grandknights and membership directors work to-gether are the most successful states whenmeasured by membership growth and insur-ance growth.”

Along with discussing the growth of theOrder, participants also joined together to cel-ebrate their faith. In his homily at the SundayMass, Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E.Lori said: “To bear witness of Christ, we mustbe close to Christ in prayer. We need thestrength the Eucharist offers, the help of theSacrament of Penance, the intercession of thesaints — most especially the Blessed VirginMary. Close to Father McGivney in prayer,may we be those witnesses the world needs tothe glory of God, for the good of the Church,and for the salvation of souls.”

Leading the Way to Authentic‘Christian Volunteerism’

State Deputies Talk Membership Growth and More

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 pre-

cepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.

P riesthood Sunday honorary Mass ... Snow shoveling for the sickand unable ... Monthly breakfast for retired Knights: These are just

three of the 38 activities that St. Louis de Montfort Council 14553 inOak Lawn, Ill., lists in its personalized recruiting pamphlet.These small, 41/

4-inch-by-51/2-inch flyers, placed inthe church vestibule and at parishevents, offer prospects and their fami-lies a glimpse into the good deeds,prayerful activities and fun events thecouncil offers.

“I figured it was a quick and easy wayto get information to people as ananswer to the question: ‘What doyou guys do?’” said Past GrandKnight Hank Montoya, who wasthe charter grand knight for Council14553 when it was instituted threeyears ago. “It gives a man an idea ofwhat the council does and if any of theactivities interest him.”

The council’s approach really works,since it has made Star Council status forthe two years it has been eligible.

The council’s specialized pamphlets arealso included in the folders the council givesto interested prospects. These folders also con-tain a Membership Document (#100) and recruitment flyers from theSupreme Council (especially those highlighting member benefits andthe top-rated insurance program).

Along with personalized pamphlets, the Knights also distribute post-card-size invitations for parish members to join a weekly Communionservice followed by the praying of the rosary sponsored by the council

every Saturday. Finally, Montoya said thecouncil is working with a local vendor inproducing pencils with the wording “Dad,Please Join the Knights of Columbus” onthem. The ultimate plan is to distributethese to the children of potential mem-bers, possibly through local schools oryouth groups.

Montoya himself first became in-volved with the Order when sev-eral Knights came to his parishwith the proposal to start a new

council. At that time, he had beenworking with a group of men inter-ested in increasing their prayer livesand helping the Church. “Being a Knight has been an interest-

ing walk in my faith,” he said. “It broughtme closer to my faith, and allowed me to do

some things that help bring others closer totheir faith ... to evangelize.” For more ideas on creating your own council

flyer visit the “Council” heading at kofc.org/service.If your council has a recruitment strategy that works well, or a re-

cruiter who is especially successful, please e-mail the details to us atKnightline@kofc.org so we can share it with others.

2

MAKING RECRUITING PERSONALCouncil Creates its Own Membership Materials

Knights Bring Former Vietnamese Prison Guardsto Testify on Heroic Cardinal’s SanctityThe cause of sainthood for Cardinal François Xavier Nguyen Van Thuân (1928-

2002), who heroically suffered for the faith in Vietnamese prisons, began the

diocesan process phase on Oct. 22 in Rome. In support of his cause, the Knights

funded the travel expenses to the event in Rome for three witnesses to the cardi-

nal’s holiness. The witnesses who attended the ceremony at the Apostolic Palace

of the Lateran included Pham Van Cong, one of the prison guards who discovered

Christ’s love through the Vietnamese cardinal who treated him like a son and in-

structed him in the faith. The second man, Nguyen Van Trong, was a prison guard

whom the cardinal befriended during a period of house arrest. Trong secretly as-

sisted the cardinal in celebrating daily Mass, and later converted to Catholicism in-

spired by the cardinal’s witness. Also present was Nguyen Ngoc Dien, a neighbor

during Cardinal Van Thuân’s period of house arrest who worked clandestinely to

arrange meetings for priests and religious with the cardinal, and who labored to

spread the faith across Vietnam. The Knights also helped with the translation into

Italian of a documentary on Cardinal Van Thuân’s life.

3

Fraternal Survey: the Measure of Our SuccessDuring 2009, the Knights of Columbus con-

tributed more than $151 million and nearly

69.3 million volunteer hours to benevolent

causes. The fact is that the K of C did even

more. Just 77 percent of councils, assem-

blies and circles completed the 2009 Annual

Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) and re-

turned it to the Supreme Council office. The

Supreme Council cannot report what it does-

n’t know, and it can’t extrapolate the accom-

plishments of the 23 percent of its units that

didn’t answer the survey last year. The dead-

line for returning 2010 survey forms (found

online at kofc.org/forms or in the Council

Report Forms Booklet [#1436]) is Jan. 31,

2011. This year, each district deputy is espe-

cially encouraged to make sure that each

council in his district files a fraternal survey to

ensure the highest possible reporting per-

centage for the Order.

J ust three months after Supreme Knight CarlA. Anderson announced that the Order

would donate $1 million to Project Medishareto provide prostheses to Haitian children wholost limbs in the January 2010 earthquake, alarge shipment of the prosthetic devices wassent to Port-au-Prince.

During a news conference held on Nov. 8 atthe Hialeah, Fla., facility where the prostheticdevices were being prepared for shipment, rep-resentatives of the organizations involved ex-pressed enthusiasm for the difference that the

“Hope for Haiti’s Children” program will makein the lives of the child amputees.

An estimated 1,000 children underwentamputations after suffering severe injuries inthe earthquake. Project Medishare, which op-erates a critical care, trauma and rehabilita-tion hospital in Port-au-Prince and clinics inthe Central Plateau, is equipped to fit pros-theses and to provide physical therapy oncepatients have been fitted with the devices. The

Prosthetic Limbs Shipped to Haiti’s Children

Project Medishare, Knights of Columbus Provide ‘Hope forHaiti’s Children’ with Major Shipment to Port-au-Prince

T o assist the communications work of the Vatican, the Knights ofColumbus made a significant contribution toward the purchase of

a new mobile production studio for the Vatican Television Centre (CTV).The mobile unit, which features high-definition broadcasting equipment,was blessed Nov. 17 by Pope Benedict XVI, who also greeted delegatesfrom the Knights of Columbus and Sony, the other co-sponsor of thenew equipment. At a press conference held the day before, Supreme

Knight Carl A. Anderson said the van represents the “most recent devel-opment in the long history of the Catholic Church’s work in mass com-munications, and the Knights of Columbus is privileged to have a rolein bringing the Good News of Christ to the world through the mediumof television.” The press conference was also attended by Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social

SEE vatican, PAGE 7

SEE shipment, PAGE 4

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi provides a tour of the inner workings of the new mobile studio to (from left:) Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, Deputy Supreme KnightDennis Savoie, Supreme Secretary Emilio Moure and Rome Office Director Enrico Demajo.

LIVE, FROM THE VATICANKnights Sponsor Vatican High-Definition Broadcasting Unit

Knights of Columbus agreed to underwrite the cost of both the pros-theses and therapy for children who needed them. The children willbe supplied with up to three prostheses (as they outgrow them) andtwo years of physical therapy.

“The Knights of Columbus have stepped up with the ‘Hope for Haiti’sChildren’s’ project,” said Dr. Robert Gailey, associate professor at the Uni-versity of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of PhysicalTherapy. “The issue is that in Haiti there is a stigma for those who havelost limbs ... that somehow something occurred in their life and theyhave been marked as having been a bad person and therefore the loss ofa limb is letting people know that this is a person to stay away from.Imagine being a child and being faced with this for the rest of your life.”

Gailey, who is also director of rehabilitation services for Medishare,continued: “As a result, our project is not only to fit the children onetime, but the Knights of Columbus has given us the opportunity to takecare of these children for the next two or three years. It is not just fittingthem with a limb, it is also a return to school programs so they can go andplay and learn like all the other children ... where they can learn to par-ticipate in activities with their prosthesis, and play soccer, basketball, andrun, and be children again.”

Knights of Columbus Supreme Secretary Emilio B. Moure said at thenews conference that children are an investment, no matter what coun-try they live in.

“Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, and if we do nothelp those poorest countries, with the most marginalized people, then

how are we to expect a different future?” Moure asked. “Those childrencould be the next Einstein, or could be the next president of the coun-try, or could be the father of a child in need. So we need to help indi-viduals anywhere in the world.”

Also participating in the news conference were Dr. Barth Green, thepresident and co-founder of Project Medishare, and Adam Finnieston,chief prosthetics officer at Extreme Prosthetics, producer of the prostheticdevices.

Supreme Secretary Emilio B. Moure speaks to reporters next to a shipping containercarrying prosthetic limbs destined for Haitian children while Dr. Robert Gailey looks on.

shipment, FROM PAGE 1

Help a Child in Need this Christmas Through ‘Hope for Haiti’s Children’As part of the Order’s annual “Help a Child in Need” Christmas Campaign, people are encouraged to contribute to the “Hope for Haiti’s Children” program. Donations (in the

United States) are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law to Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In Canada, donations are tax cred-

itable to the extent allowed by law to Knights of Columbus Canada Charities, Inc., a registered charity with the CRA. Please write “Hope for Haiti’s Children” on the memo

line of the check. Checks should be sent and made payable to: Knights of Columbus Charities, One Columbus Plaza, PO Box 1966, New Haven, CT 06509-1966. For

Canada, please mail checks made out to: Knights of Columbus Canada Charities, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 7252 Station A, Toronto, ON M5W 1X9.

4

Knights Celebrate New Seminary’s Opening in CubaI n ceremonies held Nov. 3-5, the Catholic

Church in Cuba inaugurated its first newseminary in more than a half century. The proj-ect was largely funded by the Knights ofColumbus, as well as by donations from theU.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and otherCatholic organizations.

The new San Carlos and San Ambrosio sem-inary, located about 30 miles outside of Ha-vana, replaces a similar facility that was seizedby the Communist government in 1966 — anevent that exemplified strained relations withthe Church over the past five decades. Theopening of the new seminary signifies anotherstep in the improving relations between theCatholic Church and the state.

In remarks on Nov. 4, Supreme Knight CarlA. Anderson said, “Today we write a new page

in the history of Cuba. We write this pagemindful of the many sacrifices that havebrought us to this day. But we write this pagewith joy and hope because we write it in thebright light of the springtime of the new evan-gelization.”

The project was made possible, Andersonadded, by Pope John Paul II, who blessed thecornerstone of the seminary during his 1998apostolic visit to Cuba.

Supreme Secretary Emilio B. Moure joinedthe supreme knight in representing the Orderat the dedication. Moure was born in Cuba andcame with his family to the United States in1967 at age 11. Cardinal Jaime Ortega yAlamino, archbishop of Havana, celebrated thededication Mass at the seminary. The cardinalwas instrumental in the release of 52 political

prisoners earlier this year, and in August, theKnights of Columbus bestowed its highesthonor, the Gaudium et Spes Award, on him inrecognition of his lifetime of service to societyand to the Church.

Also attending the dedication were membersof the Cuban government, the bishops ofCuba, and representatives of the Vatican and ofthe Catholic Church in the United States,Mexico, Italy and the Bahamas.

The Order founded its first council in Cubain 1909 and in recent years has renewed activ-ity there. The seminary’s library is named inhonor of Knights of Columbus founder FatherMichael McGivney in appreciation for theKnights’ support of the building project. Abronze dedication plaque, inscribed in Spanish,will be placed in the library.

Last Chance for Rewards of RecruitingTHE 10 FOR 10 COUNCIL incentive will

continue through December 2010. When a council

recruits at least 10 new members between Oct. 1

and Dec. 31, the council will receive 10,000 VIP

points. These points are in addition to what the re-

cruiter will receive and can be used to purchase pro-

motional gift (PG) merchandise for the council. Or the

council can use the VIP points as gifts or prizes for

their members or recruiters. This contest is open to

every council and every council can win. You just

have to recruit at least 10 new members during the

three months.

“VIP” CLUB RECRUITERS GET PINNED: Each recruiter who brings in 10or more new members from July 1 to Dec. 31 will re-ceive a specially designed “VIP” Club recruiter pin.

CHRISTOPHER FUND DONATIONS:To assist your jurisdiction, help those in need andgrow in membership, a special incentive is being of-fered to every state council that achieves 50 percent(or more) of its membership quota by Dec. 31. Eachstate council that qualifies for this incentive will re-ceive $2,000 for its Christopher Fund.

So get started on helping your jurisdiction and re-

cruiters earn these exciting prizes by getting your

council recruitment efforts up and running ASAP. For

more details, go to kofc.org/recruit.

K of C Free Throw Championship It’s time to step up to the line and start planning your

council’s participation in the Knights of Columbus

Free Throw Championship. Begin by ordering the

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship Kit

(FT-KIT). Use the order form at kofc.org/forms or in

the Council Report Forms Booklet (#1436), or call the

Department of Fraternal Services at 203-752-4270.

Schedule a date and location for the event. Contact

schools, and community and youth centers to re-

serve a basketball court. January is recommended

for council competitions, February for district compe-

titions, and March-April for regional and state cham-

pionships. For more information on the Free Throw

Championship go to kofc.org/freethrow.

Polish composer and Knight of Columbus Henryk

Mikolaj Górecki died Nov. 12 in a hospital in

Katowice. He was 76. Upon learning of the com-

poser’s passing, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

said, “The Knights of Columbus has lost a dear friend

and one of its proudest and most talented members.

Maestro Henryk Gorecki was a man of deep faith,

which he expressed poignantly and beautifully in his

music. His genius was recognized around the world.”

The supreme knight continued: “When the Order was

established in Poland, he celebrated the develop-

ment by dedicating a sacred choral work titled ‘Pod

Twoja Obrone’ to the Knights of Columbus. That stir-

ring work brings to life the beautiful prayer ‘We fly to

thy protection, O holy Mother of God.’ Now, as we

mourn the passing of our esteemed brother Knight,

we make that same prayer for him.” Górecki was a

member of Our Lady of Ludmierz Council 14001.

Brother Górecki is survived by his wife, Jadwiga, his

daughter Anna Gorecka-Stanczyk, and his son Miko-

laj Górecki.

Get Ready for the 38th AnnualMarch for Life — Jan. 24 The 38th Annual March for Life will be held on

Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, in Washington, D.C. The

march, which commemorates the anniversary of the

U.S. Supreme Court’s infamous Roe v. Wade

decision on Jan. 22, 1973 that legalized abortion, is

being held on Jan. 24 because the traditional date

falls on a weekend. Other 2011 demonstrations will

be held in San Francisco (Jan. 22), the Philippines

(March 20) and in Ottawa (May 12). All Knights and

their families, particularly those in these areas, are

urged to join the events. Knights who cannot go to

Washington should participate in local or state pro-life

demonstrations. To assist your pro-life activities, the

Supreme Council offers a variety of materials (all of

which are free of charge when ordered in reasonable

quantities; there is only a shipping charge). See the

supply catalog (#1264) for a complete listing or visit

the “Pro-life” heading at kof.org/service. For de-

tails on the 38th Annual March for Life, call 202-543-

3377 or visit marchforlife.org.

Honoring Polish Genocide Victims at Katyn Memorial VisitSupreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and the Supreme

Officers visited the National Katyn Memorial in Balti-

more, Md., Nov. 14, to pay tribute to the Polish vic-

tims of genocide. The memorial pays tribute to the

Polish officers and others murdered by Soviet forces

during World War II. The ceremony was held immedi-

ately after the meeting of state deputies in that city.

Special Olympics Report The Knights of Columbus has always had a close re-

lationship with Special Olympics. To further track local

councils’ involvement, make sure that your council

completes the Partnership Profile Report with Special

Olympics (#4584) and submits it to the Supreme

Council Office by Jan. 31, 2011, with copies to the

state deputy, district deputy and the council’s files.

This form is available at kofc.org/forms.

The Knights of Columbus Book Club Discusses: World of Faithand Freedom: Why International Religious Libertyis Vital to American National SecurityBy Thomas Farr (Oxford University Press, 2008)In World of Faith and Freedom, Thomas Farr argues for a new diplo-

macy for the United States that respects the pivotal role religion plays

in shaping geopolitics. Solving international conflicts and fostering

democracy will require a new emphasis on protecting religious free-

dom around the globe. Thomas Farr is a professor at Georgetown

University’s School of Foreign Service and previously served as the

State Department’s first director of the Office of International Religious

Freedom. Please join us on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. EST for a dis-

cussion of World of Faith and Freedom with author Thomas Farr at

kofc.org/bookclub.

A New Look with the Same Inspiring Message: Fathers forGood Website Gets a RedesignWhether you are a seasoned dad, a new dad, a

dad to be, or a single guy wanting to know more

about fatherhood, the Fathers for Good website

has something to offer. And now, with its new

easy to navigate look, Fathers for Good is more

user friendly than ever. If you looking for informa-

tion, inspiration, expert advice and more, check

out fathersforgood.org today!

5

SHORT TAKES

Knights Mourn Death of Maestro Henryk Górecki

P resident John F. Kennedy was a manwhose vision for the United States stirred

the imaginations of its people, promptingthem to reach new levels of volunteerism. Inrecognition of his contributions to his country,the Knights of Columbus undertook thefunding of restoration work at his gravesite inArlington Cemetery. President Kennedy wasa member of the Order from 1946 until hisassassination in 1963.

The restoration work focused on the wordsof his inaugural address that are engraved in agranite wall opposite the eternal flame over histomb, and which have become difficult to readafter decades of weathering.

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said thatthe Knights of Columbus “is proud and hon-ored to be able to make this contribution tohonoring the memory of President Kennedy.His words inspired an entire generation, notjust in America but throughout the world. Weare grateful for the opportunity to work with

Arlington National Cemetery in helping to en-sure that those words will continue to inspireall who visit his final resting place.”

The original engraving was done by masterstone mason John Everett Benson, 72, who con-tinues to ply his trade in Rhode Island. Therestoration work was done by Gordon Ponsford(shown), who has carried similar work at morethan a dozen sites in Arlington National Ceme-tery in recent years.

6

Supreme Knight Presents Charter to U.S. Naval Academy Council

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson presented the members of Com-modore John Barry Council 14534 at the U.S. Naval Academy in An-napolis, Md., with their charter on Nov. 11, Veterans Day. The supremeknight joined the midshipmen and other guests for a Charter Mass cel-ebrated by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio for the Military Services,USA. While there, charter officers of the council presented the supremeknight with a USNA Chapel challenge coin and a “BEAT ARMY” pinshowing their Navy and Marine Corps pride.

First U.S. Catholic President and a Dedicated Knight

Knights of Columbus Underwrites Cost of Gravesite Restoration Work

F or the second time this year, a federal appellate court has rejecteda constitutional challenge to the Pledge of Allegiance after hear-

ing arguments from attorneys for the Knights of Columbus. On Nov.12, the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston affirmed a lowercourt decision in New Hampshire dismissing a challenge by the Free-dom from Religion Foundation. As in an earlier Pledge case in Cali-fornia, the Knights of Columbus had joined the case as a “defendantintervenor,” and was represented by The Becket Fund for ReligiousLiberty in both written and oral arguments before the court. The NinthU.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of thePledge of Allegiance on March 11, 2010. In its decision in Freedomfrom Religion Foundation v. Hanover School District, the First Circuitheld that a New Hampshire law requiring that its public schools pro-vide a period for the voluntary recitation of the Pledge does not violatethe Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause, Equal ProtectionClause, or the Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution. SupremeKnight Carl A. Anderson said, “The First Circuit decision, taken to-gether with the Ninth Circuit decision earlier this year, reflects an un-mistakable consensus among the nation’s appellate courts that thePledge of Allegiance is constitutional. The Knights of Columbus isproud to have played a direct role in the successful defense of the Pledgein these cases.”

FEDERAL CIRCUITCOURT UPHOLDSPLEDGE RULING

Three New Cardinals are KnightsPope Benedict XVI on Nov. 20, elevated 24

bishops and archbishops to the College of Car-

dinals. Three of them are Knights of Columbus,

including Archbishops Raymond Burke, prefect

of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Sig-

natura; Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and

Kazmierz Nycz of Warsaw. Cardinal Burke be-

came a Knight in 1977, at LaCrosse (Wiscon-

sin) Council 839 while he was still a parish

priest. He became the Bishop of LaCrosse in

1995. He transferred to Bishops Council 10490

when he became Archbishop of St. Louis in

2004. Pope Benedict named him to head the

Supreme Tribunal, sometimes referred to as the

Vatican’s “supreme court,” in 2005, and he re-

mains a member of Council 10490. Cardinal

Wuerl became a Knight at Duquesne Council

264 while serving as a priest in the Diocese of

Pittsburgh in 1979. He became Bishop of Pitts-

burgh in 1988, and while there, wrote a series

of articles for Columbia magazine on the writ-

ings of Pope John Paul II. He transferred to

Catholic University of America Council 9542

when he became Archbishop of Washington,

D.C. in 2006. Cardinal Nycz became a Knight

at Warsaw Council 14271 in November 2007,

about six months after the council was estab-

lished, and seven months after he became

Archbishop of Warsaw.

IT ALL STARTED WITH A PHONE CALL. In October 2007, arepresentative of the Norfolk Public Schools called Norfolk Council 367in Norfolk, Va., to ask about renting the council hall for an awards pres-entation and banquet for the district’s special needs students. The schooldistrict got more than they asked for — the council donated the hall,purchased the food and prepared a full-course meal for the students andtheir families. When approached again by the same school administrator

to assist at a job fair to help the students find jobs after graduation, thecouncil secured participation from several local businesses in the job fair,including many small businesses owned by Knights.

For more information on entering your council’s top activities in the areas of

Church, Community, Council, Family, Pro-Life and Youth in your jurisdiction’s Serv-

ice Program competition, please visit kofc.org/service and then select the

“council” link.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAM WINNER: Community

7

I n these difficult economic times evensomething as basic as putting food on the

table is nearly impossible for some families.You and your brother Knights can help thesepeople in need by conducting a food drive.

As an incentive for councils to conduct fooddrives, the Supreme Council will again counta qualifying Food for Families program as ful-filling all four of the Community Activities re-quirements for the Columbian Award. Inorder to qualify, councils must complete andsubmit the Food for Families form (availableat kofc.org) by May 15, 2011. Here are somesteps to follow when conducting this program.Contact a local food pantry or soup kitchen

to ensure they will be able to receive thefood. Also, determine if there are specificitems that they need.

Obtain permission (either from your ap-propriate government department, businessowner or pastor) to set up the drive at a gro-cery store or in the church foyer.

Get permission to display posters (#4833)

around your parish, community and stores.These posters should include the time andlocation of the drive.

Ask nearby stores for empty boxes in whichthe donations can be collected.

At the event, pass out flyers to shoppers asthey enter the store asking them to purchaseextra food and to place it in the collectionboxes on their way out of the store.

If you are running the event at your parish,hand out flyers to parishioners as they enterthe church and ask your pastor to make anannouncement about the initiative, or getpermission to have a council officer make anannouncement before or after each Mass.Also, request that a written announcementbe included in the parish bulletin. In the an-nouncement, ask parishioners to bring non-perishable food items to Mass the followingweekend.

When collecting monetary donations, makesure to have a secure receptacle in your col-lection area for cash and checks.

For more information visit the “community” section of

kofc.org/service.

Sponsor a K OF C Food Drive

Communications and of the administrative board of the CTV; FatherFederico Lombardi S.J., director of CTV; and Gildas Pelliet, managingdirector of Sony Italia.

The Order had previously donated a mobile production van to CTVin 1985 and another in 1995, and has also funded uplink costs for thebroadcast of Vatican events since the mid-1970s, after the Vatican joinedthe International Telecom Satellite Organization. Since that time, theOrder has covered the uplink costs to send the signal to the satellite and,in certain circumstances for developing countries, the downlink costs toreceive that signal and distribute it through a television system. Some ofthe upcoming Vatican events to be broadcast include Midnight Mass cel-ebrated by Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 24, from 4to 6 p.m. (all times EST). On Dec. 25, the Christmas message and theblessing urbi et orbi (to the city of Rome and the world) will air beginningat 6 a.m. On Jan. 1, 2011, the Mass of the solemnity of Mary Mother ofGod, on the occasion of the 44th World Day of Peace, presided over bythe pope in St. Peter’s Basilica, will air beginning at 4 a.m.

vatican, FROM PAGE 3

Pope Benedict XVI greets Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson after the blessing of thenew high definition mobile production and broadcasting center.

KNIGHTLINEKNIGHTLINE1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

p a i DNEW HAVEN CT

PERMIT No. 400

A s this article reaches you, theend of the year is fast ap-

proaching and the Christmas season is in fullswing. You are likely very busy running errands,planning celebrations and preparing your fam-ily for a joyful and holy holiday. Hopefully, youhaven’t waited until the last minute. Holidayscan be stressful if you haven’t taken the propersteps to be ready. And don’t ever allow yourselfto forget the true meaning of Christmas.

Most of us are procrastinators. It is part ofhuman nature to put things off, especiallywhen a task seems difficult or makes us un-comfortable. And we always believe we havemore time than we really do, and that timequickly passes. Wasn’t it just yesterday thatyou were celebrating Easter?

Unfortunately, this compulsion to procras-tinate applies to life insurance. The Life In-surance Marketing Research Association

(LIMRA) reaffirmed this through a studyconducted in September during Life Insur-ance Awareness Month. One in four house-holds plans to buy life insurance for thebread-winner or another member of the fam-ily in the next 12 months. Of course, weknow what happens to the best laid plans,and many of these families are unlikely to fol-low through on this goal.

During the struggling economy, familieshave been forced to re-evaluate their financialsituation. Fiscal responsibility is at the fore-

front of their thoughts. They are paying offdebt and saving more than in previousdecades. Life insurance ranks lower and theyare willing to wait. A month quickly becomesa year, yet 70 percent of those surveyed agreedthat life insurance is the best way to protectagainst premature death of a wage-earner.

Less than half of all households in NorthAmerica have individual life insurance. Youprobably know a friend or relative who isuninsured or underinsured. Maybe it’s yourfamily who lacks coverage. What if, when youare ready, it’s already too late? May I ask: whatare you waiting for?

This season, follow through on the promiseto keep your family financially safe and secureby meeting with your professional Knights ofColumbus agent. Give a gift that shows howmuch you truly care.

PUBLISHED 12 TIMES A YEAR BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPREME COUNCIL � 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-380-9995 � 203-752-4264 � KNIGHTLINE@KOFC.ORG

Knights of Columbus Insurance: Your Shield for Life.

Thomas P. Smith Jr.

Executive Vice President (Agencies and Marketing)

Stop Procrastinating Put Your Plan into Action