CHAPLAIN’S f report · They may not admit it, but they are crying out for spirituality. Our...
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The Pope and Church Leaders Praise the Order for Its Work A Call for the Defense of Religious Liberty T he leaders of the U.S. and Canadian bishops’ conferences joined Pope Benedict XVI in expressing concern over restrictions on religious liberty and praising the Knights of Columbus for their work in its defense. Both Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York , president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed gratitude for the Knights’ tireless defense of religious liberty and asked them to continue their leadership in that work, especially at this time. Both Archbishop Smith and Cardinal Dolan made their remarks at the Supreme Convention’s States Dinner. A letter of greeting to the Knights’ convention, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, CHAPLAIN’S report OCTOBER 2012 f VOLUME 4 f NUMBER 10 f WWW.KOFC.ORG/CHAPLAINS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In service to One. In service to all. LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH f 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326, USA 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. I t is customary that the Columbia magazine dedicates the October issue to the Supreme Convention, which takes place during the first week of August. We celebrated this year’s event in Anaheim, California. After 10 years we returned to this venue where I experienced my first Supreme Convention in 2002. There has been a notable change in the chaplains meeting since then. A decade ago, just a handful of chaplains came together. It is very gratifying to note that this year we had 69 chaplains present. The majority of those present in Anaheim participated in several meetings during the last few years; friendships have grown and a community has been formed. We came from Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland and the United States. Five of those present were bishops, with a number of monsignors, a military chaplain and a religious brother also in attendance; the rest were priests. The majority were state chaplains or associates, and the others who joined us were either faithful friars or council chaplains. It was indeed a great gathering and a happy event. Thank you, my brothers, for giving your time and effort in order to walk together as fellow chaplains under the banner of Father Michael McGivney, our founder and the example of what we strive to be as chaplains. Our Supreme Chaplain, Archbishop Lori, chaired the meeting. We were happy to SEE LIBERTY PAGE 3 SEE MEETING PAGE 2 Chaplains Gather at Supreme Convention Father John P. Grace, O.S.A. Director of Chaplain Programs & Development Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addresses the meeting of chaplains and discusses the important role that priests play in the spiritual formation of K of C members. F ROM THE D IRECTOR ’ S D ESK A letter of greeting from the Vatican Secretary of State to the 2012 Supreme Convention conveyed Pope Benedict XVI’s gratitude to the Order for its defense of religious liberty. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Transcript of CHAPLAIN’S f report · They may not admit it, but they are crying out for spirituality. Our...
The Pope and Church Leaders Praise the Order for Its Work
A Call for theDefense of
Religious Liberty
The leaders of the U.S. and Canadian bishops’conferences joined Pope Benedict XVI in expressing
concern over restrictions on religious liberty and praisingthe Knights of Columbus for their work in its defense.Both Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York , president ofthe United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, andArchbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, president of theCanadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressedgratitude for the Knights’ tireless defense of religiousliberty and asked them to continue their leadership in thatwork, especially at this time.
Both Archbishop Smith and Cardinal Dolan madetheir remarks at the Supreme Convention’s States Dinner.
A letter of greeting to the Knights’ convention, signedby Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,
CHAPLAIN’S reportO C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 f V O L U M E 4 f N U M B E R 1 0 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
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.
It is customary that the Columbia magazinededicates the October issue to the Supreme
Convention, which takes place during the firstweek of August. We celebrated this year’s event inAnaheim, California. After 10 years we returnedto this venue where I experienced my firstSupreme Convention in 2002.
There has been a notable change in thechaplains meeting since then. A decade ago, justa handful of chaplains came together. It is verygratifying to note that this year we had 69
chaplains present. The majority of those presentin Anaheim participated in several meetingsduring the last few years; friendships have grownand a community has been formed. We camefrom Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Polandand the United States. Five of those present werebishops, with a number of monsignors, amilitary chaplain and a religious brother also inattendance; the rest were priests. The majoritywere state chaplains or associates, and the otherswho joined us were either faithful friars orcouncil chaplains. It was indeed a great gatheringand a happy event. Thank you, my brothers, forgiving your time and effort in order to walktogether as fellow chaplains under the banner ofFather Michael McGivney, our founder and theexample of what we strive to be as chaplains.
Our Supreme Chaplain, Archbishop Lori,chaired the meeting. We were happy to
SEE LIBERTY PAGE 3
SEE MEETING PAGE 2
Chaplains Gather atSupreme Convention
Father John P. Grace,O.S.A.Director of Chaplain Programs & Development
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addresses the meeting of chaplains and discusses the important role that priestsplay in the spiritual formation of K of C members.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
A letter of greeting from the Vatican Secretary of State to the 2012Supreme Convention conveyed Pope Benedict XVI’s gratitude to theOrder for its defense of religious liberty. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
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.
congratulate him on being recently appointed by the Holy Father as the 16th
archbishop of Baltimore.If we were to ask what theme seemed to dominate the talks and homilies
of the convention, there is no doubt that we would respond: religious liberty.During his address to the chaplains, Archbishop Lori said: “We are seeking todefend a liberty that is fundamental to humanity and to any society that canrightly be called just … We are seeking to preserve and defend freedom (notonly) so that we can worship without fear, but also, so that we can engage theculture without fear of recrimination, help shape a society more worthy of humandignity and, in the process, grow in holiness in the true freedom of the Kingdomof God. In other words, brothers, this afternoon we sit at the intersection of thechallenge of the New Evangelization and the struggle for religious liberty. Weengage in the latter for the sake of the former. … The Church wants to be freeto engage the world by bringing into the public square the values and those worksof charity that lead to authentic human development and a more just and civilsociety. And we are not only about the business of defending our churchinstitutions, but the rights of individuals as well — to not have tocompartmentalize their faith and work.”
As always, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson joined us. He also continuedwith the topic of religious liberty. He said, “It is vitally important that the Knightsof Columbus understand the challenges faced by aggressive secularism andmilitant atheism and to stand up. If Catholic men don’t stand up, who will?” Headded that the Knights of Columbus are going to fight very hard for religiousliberty. He warned that there will be greater criticism of the Order because of ourdoing this, but the Knights are going to be seen as one of the stronger culturalforces. We’re not going to stop or be deterred because of bad headlines or criticism.We therefore need even closer solidarity between clergy and laity.
The Knights of Columbus must be leaders in this effort. We must befaithful even when it’s difficult. It’s not difficult, the supreme knight observed, tobe obedient to the Church when there is no opposition. The Church and theKnights of Columbus are going to require increased spiritual strength and spiritualformation of their members.
“The future of the Catholic Church is going to largely depend upon whatCatholic laymen do to take responsibility. The Knights of Columbus have to bethe dynamic engine by which charity, culture of life, catechetics and evangelizationmove forward in a parish. We must be the organization every pastor can counton when he needs assistance.”
The supreme knight, in fact, emphasized what we have been saying forsome time now: that it is important for state chaplains to encourage increased
spirituality among state leaders and among grand knights; it is important that theybe willing to educate our members and to help them understand their faith so thatthey may be ready to defend it in today’s society, which is hostile to religion andreligious freedom in the marketplace.
In my own remarks, following on what was previously said, I emphasizedthat the upcoming Year of Faith and the Synod of Bishops’ theme of NewEvangelization offer an ideal opportunity for chaplains and Knights to beinvolved. We have a serious-minded and readymade body of faithful Churchmembers at our disposal in the Knights. Many of them are in need ofevangelization and most desire a better understanding of the content of theirfaith. To them, maybe our mission could be one of hope to face the challengesbefore us. We need to invite those who are searching for a faith community —a religious family, if you like — to really look at the truths of the Catholic Church;to create for them the opportunity to sample a council that is immersed in Gospelteaching, to see if it can enrich their lives. The Knights have the resources. Theyhave the manpower. We have the organization. We need the goodwill and adetermination to be the most powerful arm of Mother Church through charity,unity and fraternity as true Catholic patriots.
Surely, this is where the chaplain comes in. I see it as a challenge and a God-given opportunity. We are in a most favorable position to involve our membersin what will unfold within the Church during this coming year. Our Holy Fatherthe pope has called for a New Evangelization, so we respond. We have also beencalling for this within our own ranks for some time past. Some jurisdictions havealready taken up the challenge. It now needs to be undertaken by every councilin every jurisdiction.
We must show that in word, sacrament and Christian community, Christlives in his people — the Church. Social action and spiritual ministry are two sidesof the same coin that say we are to love God with our whole heart and love ourneighbor as ourselves. The life and actions of many councils have been one-sided,with complete concentration on the social angle, and then neglect of the spiritual.They may not admit it, but they are crying out for spirituality. Our councils needtheir chaplains.
Pray for us, and guide us, Father Michael McGivney, that we may continueto be imbued with your spirit.
God bless and keep you all.
Rev. John P. Grace, O.S.A.Director of Chaplain Programs and [email protected](203) 752-4263
Nearly 70 priests and bishops participated in an Aug. 6 meeting of K of C state chaplains, who were gathered for the 130th Supreme Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
MEETING FROM PAGE 1
The opening Mass of the convention, celebrated by Bishop TodBrown of Orange, California, reiterated the theme of religious
liberty and recalled the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe duringturbulent times in Mexico.
“Now, five centuries later, we have our own disturbing times wherewe face a growing secularism, attacks on the value and gift of human life,attempts to redefine traditional marriage and serious curtailment of ourreligious rights,” Bishop Brown said.
He encouraged members of the Order to continue the fight forreligious freedom and expressed confidence that they would be in thefront ranks of the New Evangelization.
“Like Juan Diego, a layman,” Bishop Brown said, “the success of theNew Evangelization will depend on our laity and their involvement. Aslaity, your lives will act as witness to our faith.”
Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto gave the homily forWednesday’s concelebrated Mass, and Supreme Chaplain ArchbishopWilliam E. Lori of Baltimore was the main celebrant and homilist forThursday’s Memorial Mass.
conveyed Pope Benedict XVI’s gratitude to the Knights for their help“during these difficult times,” noting that “The Knights of Columbus haveworked tirelessly to help the Catholic community recognize and respond tothe unprecedented gravity of these new threats to the Church’s liberty andpublic moral witness.”
The letter stated: “By defending the right of all religious believers, asindividual citizens and in their institutions, to work responsibly in shapinga democratic society inspired by their deepest beliefs, values and aspirations,your Order has proudly lived up to the high religious and patrioticprinciples which inspired its founding.”
In remarks broadcast worldwide on Catholic television networks,Cardinal Timothy Dolan told the 2,000 Knights and family membersgathered for the convention: “We need you now more than ever.”
Cardinal Dolan gave thanks for “the generous and unfailing loyalty of
the Knights of Columbus to the pastoral goals of the United StatesConference of Catholic Bishops … especially — especially — the defenseof religious freedom.”
Archbishop Smith echoed the statements of Pope Benedict andCardinal Dolan, saying: “Our call at this moment is to affirm the right ofreligion to be active in the public square … to defend the freedom of peopleof faith and of religious institutions to act in accordance with their beliefsand nature; to maintain healthy church-state relations; to understandconscience correctly and to form it according to objective truth; and, toprotect the right to conscientious objection. Believers are summoned nowto stand up for their faith, even if they must suffer for doing so.”
“The Knights of Columbus do not shy away from this,” he concluded.“And we bishops are very grateful for your witness.”
Seminarian altar servers, followed by deacons, concelebrating priests and bishops, walk inthe closing procession of the Opening Mass.
Gathered in Faith
LIBERTY FROM PAGE 1
Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, president of the Canadian Conference of CatholicBishops, offers his remarks at the States Dinner.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops, delivered the keynote address at the States Dinner.
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 [email protected]
MASS and PILGRIMAGEfor LIFE and LIBERTY
led byHis Excellency
Most Rev. William E. LoriArchbishop of Baltimore
at theBasilica of the National Shrineof the Immaculate Conception400 Michigan Ave. NE • Washington, D.C.
onSunday, Oct. 14, 2012Noon – 2:30 p.m.
Televised Live on EWTN
• Solemn Mass at 12 Noon
• Eucharistic Adoration• Rosary starting the Novena for Life and Liberty
(Confessions available from 10 a.m. - Noon)
For more information:usccb.org/freedom
ORGANIZED BY THEAD HOC COMMITTEE FOR
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Anew series ofbooklets is being
developed by theKnights of ColumbusCatholic InformationService (CIS) that willcover the basic themesof the NewEvangelization.Drawing on theteachings of PopesJohn Paul II andBenedict XVI, the 17-part series is aresponse to PopeBenedict’s
challenge,“We must see to it that the beauty andcontemporary relevance of faith is rediscovered.” Theseries will show that the New Evangelization is not a newChristian message, but rather a new presentation of thejoy of the Gospel, in all its transforming power, to themen and women of today.
The first installment, What Is the NewEvangelization? (#401), is now available in print and as a PDF at kofc.org/cis. The series will also be translatedinto French and Spanish. More information will beavailable in this newsletter and at kofc.org/cis as theseries is completed during this Year of Faith.
Knights DevelopingCatechetical Resource forthe New Evangelization
