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CHAPLAIN’S reportJ u n e / J u l Y 2 0 1 8 f v o l u m e 1 0 f n u m b e r 6 f 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

The new Faith In Action program model begins in July and will replace the previous Surge With Serviceprogram which has been in place since in 1971. Faith In Action takes its inspiration from the Building theDomestic Church initiative, and it greatly emphasizes the faith and spirituality of all Knights of Columbus. In addition to the updated program model, there is also an exciting new initiative starting in July. It’s called the “Monthly Challenge from the Supreme Chaplain.” Each month, Archbishop Lori will choosea few lines from scripture from an upcoming Sunday liturgy and offer a brief reflection on the verses chosen.Then, he will call on all Knights of Columbus to live out a particular spiritual challenge related to those verses.

The challenge allows Knights to put faith into action in their councils, homes, parishes and communities. It will help unite Knights fromaround the world, as they come to appreciate that their brother Knights globally are responding to the same challenge.

During your council’s monthly meeting, discuss what it was like taking part in the previous month’s challenge. Instructions for leading thisdiscussion will be available on kofc.org/domesticchurch. The Monthly Challenge will be published each month here in the Chaplain’s Report, aswell as in Knightline and Columbia magazine.

The devotion, faith and unity that the archbishop’s challenge brings can inspire our brother Knights. I ask that you pray for this new initiativeand thank you in advance for leading this important effort.

Vivat Jesus!

SEE ACTION, PAGE 2

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

Father JonathanD. Kalisch, OPDirector of Chaplains andSpiritual Development

A new service program model for the Knights of Columbus, called Faith In Action, focuses on faith, family, community and life. Its goal is to fully integrate Christ-centered programs into daily council, parish and family activities.

WHAT IS FAITH IN ACTION?Faith In Action is a simplified umbrella program that defines the roles and requirements of all Supreme Council-recommended activities. It offersthe guidance Knights need to lead their families and parishes in quality, faith-filled family programs.

WHAT INSPIRED THE FAITH IN ACTION MODEL?The new model takes its inspiration from the Domestic Church program, which focuses on creating dynamic parish-based councils. Likewise,spiritual renewal is at the center of the new model, especially the renewal of family, council and parish life.

HOW IS THE NEW MODEL STRUCTURED?It is divided into four program categories: Faith, Family, Community and Life.

WHY WERE THESE CATEGORIES CHOSEN?They represent our main priorities as an Order. Our central goal is to strengthen our men and their families in the Catholic faith. We also emphasizethe important role that a devout and loyal family plays in modern society. Additionally, a critical part of our mission as Knights is to spread a spiritservice throughout our community. Finally, we have an obligation to “be committed to the defense of life in all its stages and in every condition”(St. John Paul II).

HOW DOES A COUNCIL KNOW WHAT PROGRAMS TO CONDUCT?A council may develop and conduct any program that makes a difference in their parish or community. However, the Supreme Council doesrecommend 32 programs — eight for each category (see chart, page 2). Nine of these programs are brand-new to the Knights of Columbus.

Introducing Faith In Action — A New Model for a New Age

We Need to Feel the Joy of Fatherhood

In a reflection on fatherhood, Pope Francis explains: “When a man doesnot have this desire [for fatherhood], something is missing in this man.

Something is wrong. All of us, to exist, to become complete, in order to bemature, we need to feel the joy of fatherhood: even those of us who arecelibate. Fatherhood is giving life to others, giving life, giving life.” This iswhy fatherhood — living out one’s vocation to fatherhood, whether thatfatherhood is bound up in physical marriage or spiritual marriage in thepriesthood or religious life — is absolutely essential for a man to live out thefullness of his meaning in life. … To fully live, all men must be fathers andlive out their fatherhood!

The above text is taken from Bishop Olmsted’s Into the Breach (#340).Copies, which include a study guide written specifically for members of theKnights of Columbus, are available from the Knights of Columbus’ CatholicInformation Service.

e question for every man is not, “Am I called to be a father?”but rather “What kind of father am I called to be?”

“Our life in Christ is not one of ‘do’s and don’ts,’ but an adventure in authentic freedom. Embrace that freedom in order to place your life at the service of Christ,

beginning in your home and radiating into the world.”— Bishop Thomas Olmsted

WHAT IS A CHAPLAIN’S ROLE IN THIS NEW MODEL?Chaplains play a vital role in this new model. Their guidance and support is fundamental to helping Knights and their families live as Catholicsand properly serve the parish community.

HOW CAN I LEARN ABOUT FAITH IN ACTION?For information, talk to your grand knight and your local district deputy. Kofc.org/faithinaction is being updated with information on all the newcategories and programs with easy-to-find resources, videos and more.

ACTION, FROM PAGE 1

FAITH COMMUNITYRefund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) Coats for Kids Into the Breach Global Wheelchair MissionMarian Icon Prayer Program Habitat for Humanity Building the Domestic Church Kiosk Disaster Preparedness Rosary Program Free Throw ChampionshipSpiritual Reflection Program New Catholic Citizenship Essay ContestHoly Hour New Soccer ChallengeSacramental Gifts New Helping Hands New

FAMILY LIFEFood for Families Marches for Life Family of the Month/Year Special OlympicsKeep Christ in Christmas Ultrasound ProgramFamily Fully Alive Christian Refugee Relief Family Week Silver RoseConsecration to the Holy Family Mass for People with Special Needs NewFamily Prayer Night New Pregnancy Center Support NewGood Friday Family Promotion New Novena for Life New

ere is a battle for our souls, our families and ourworld, and Our Lord calls us men to fight. Are you ready to answer the call? Will you accept Bishop Olmsted’s plea

to “engage in the battle that is raging around you”?

Manual for Men by Bishop Thomas Olmsted is for menengaging in the battle for their souls and for their families.

Part one includes Bishop Olmsted’s call for Catholic men tostep “into the breach” in service to God, their families, parishes,and wider communities. Part two presents a collection of prayers,Church teachings and writings that serve to inspire men seekingto become better men of God.

The manual is an excellent resource for the men in your parishand council. It is available from TAN books.

Bishop Thomas Olmsted is a member of Sts. Simon and JudeCathedral Council 12708 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Bishop Olmsted Offers Prayer Manual for Men

The Faith In Action model has a total of 32 programs. Among them are nine new programs designed to revitalize you, your parish, your council and your community.

SACRAMENTAL GIFTS

Our councils play an integral role in helping Catholics understand andvalue the sacraments as pivotal moments in their lives. Now, councilswill together pray for recipients of the sacraments and offer them giftsmarking the significance of the occasion.

FAMILY PRAYER NIGHT

It can be a challenge to raise children in the faith without the supportand companionship of other Catholic families. Family Prayer Nightprovides an opportunity for council members, their spouses andchildren, as well as other Catholic families, to come together regularlyfor prayer, dinner and fellowship.

MASSES FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

The Knights of Columbus affirms, welcomes and defends life in all itsstages and in every condition. Yet people with intellectual or physicaldisabilities (and their families) may still feel excluded or unwelcome inour parishes and communities. It is an obligation of Knights to neverlet this happen. A dedicated Mass — organized with help from thecouncil — is the first of many steps toward ensuring they regularly attendMass and become an integral part of the parish family.

HOLY HOUR

A Holy Hour is a simple way to carry on the Church’s long tradition ofworship before the Blessed Sacrament. Councils will now work withtheir pastors to organize regular Knights of Columbus Holy Hours. Theymay include a reflection, communal rosary and intercessory prayers toSt. Joseph, Venerable Father McGivney and the councils’ patrons.

PREGNANCY CENTER SUPPORT

Father McGivney formed the Knights to provide for widows and theirchildren. Today, this care for the vulnerable extends to parents facingunexpected pregnancies, as well as their unborn children. To better helpthem, moving forward councils will provide more extensive support topro-life pregnancy centers in their local areas. Note: This is a new activityunrelated to the Ultrasound Initiative.

GOOD FRIDAY FAMILY PROMOTION

Our Christian faith centers on Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.But attendance at Good Friday and Easter is declining. Now, throughthis promotion, Knights and their families will work with their pastorto create a campaign promoting the importance of Good Friday services.Knights will take this opportunity to also educate parish families aboutthe plight of Christians living in the Holy Land today.

NOVENA FOR LIFE

Knights will lead their communities in the spiritual battle to establish a culture of life, primarily by praying and promoting a novena with theirparishes, families and the wider community.

SPIRITUAL REFLECTION PROGRAM

Families need rejuvenating spiritual events that inspire them in themoment and shape their future. Under the Faith In Action programmodel, councils will work with pastors to host and attend low-costretreats. These events could be open only to council members or men ofthe parish, or entire families.

HELPING HANDS

This program continues the important work many councils already doto extend to others the friendship and love of God. Under this newlynamed program, councils have the freedom to organize activities thatbest suit their community, whether it’s serving at a soup kitchen, helpingthe homeless, aiding refugees or something entirely unique. Note: Thisis a new activity unrelated to the Food for Families program.

Check Out the Order’s New Faith-Based Programs

JUNE

Preach on the Church’s understanding of fatherhood during themonth. Inspire fathers by sharing the resources available atfathersforgood.org.

Mark the feasts day of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, who wereimprisoned and eventually killed for their faithfulness to the Church’steachings, by leading a group of Knights in prison ministry.

JULY

Support your council’s newly elected officers and appointed programchairmen and directors as the fraternal year begins.

Celebrate the holidays of Canada Day and Independence Day withMasses of thanksgiving and reflections on the importance of religiousfreedom.

Mark the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, July 25. Considerhosting a parish-based study group of Humanae Vitae to discuss whythis encyclical is still vitally important decades after its publication.

AUGUST

Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance during this year’s SupremeConvention to be held in Baltimore. You can keep up with the K of C Supreme Convention by following the hashtag #KofC or by tuning in to EWTN, Canada’s Salt + Light Television and more.

Support Knights as they prepare for events in the fraternal year,including K of C Family Week.

Celebrate special Masses on the anniversaries of our founder’s birth,Aug. 12, and death, Aug. 14. Also, distribute prayer cards (#10502A)to all the members of your parish.

Planning the Months Ahead

PUBLISHED BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPREME COUNCIL1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326 f 800-390-0005 f CHAPLAINS@KOFC.ORG

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

Prayer for Courage in Facing ChallengesThe below prayer is part of the Supreme Chaplain’s Monthly Challenge.

Council chaplains should offer the prayer prior to leading the discussion during the monthly meeting.

Come, Holy Spirit. We thank you for guiding our lives

and pray that we may have the courageexemplified by Father McGivney

to live our faith to the fullest through our council, our families and in society.

May our words today give glory to your Sacred Heart

and if we struggled this past month in living our faith,

help us to never stop turning to you and always try again. Amen.