FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT KOFC.ORG OR CALL (203) 752-4473

K N I G H T S O F C O L U M B U S - 1 C O L U M B U S P L A Z A , N E W H A V E N , C O N N E C T I C U T

District DeputyReminder

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

IMPORTANT REMINDERSRemember to submit the District Deputy•Semiannual Report (#944) which was due Dec.31.Have you planned your district midyear•meeting?Ensure that each of the councils in your district•submit the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity(#1728) by Jan. 31.If you have any questions during your term,•please send an e-mail to dd@kofc.org.

District Deputy

BUILDING THE DOMESTIC CHURCHWHILE STRENGTHENING OUR PARISH

The Knights of Columbus is positioned to playa key role in the new alliance between theChurch and the family called for by Pope

Francis. To meet this call from our Holy Father, wehave to do some things differently. More specifically:

Councils have to become even more active•in our parish communities.We have to stop duplicating activities that are•more appropriately done by and through theparish.We have to focus more on programs that•support Catholic families in their mission asa domestic Church.

In light of this, Supreme Knight Carl Andersonannounced an Order-wide initiative, during hisaddress at the Mid-Year State Deputies Meeting, tostrengthen both our parishes and families. It isentitled: “Building the Domestic Church WhileStrengthening Our Parish.”Highlights of the new initiative include:

Moving away from the home association•system and toward parish-based councils.Valuable resources should no longer be usedin supporting home associations whoseactivities are outside the mission of theKnights of Columbus or of the Church.Parish-based councils must move toward•greater integration into the life of the parish.Knights of Columbus resources of time,talent and money need to be used to

strengthen parish-based and parish-sponsoredprograms.Councils should seek ways to work more•closely with parish-based youth ministryprograms and parish-based schools. TheBoard of Directors has decided that as part ofthis new initiative, local councils will no longersponsor Boy Scout troops. Councils shouldmove to end sponsorship as soon aspractically possible and no later than the endof 2016. Councils should encourage troopsthat they currently sponsor to become parish-sponsored troops.Councils should seek to more closely•integrate the activities of Squires Circles andother youth activities within the youth ministrygoals of the parish.Councils should give priority to programs and•activities that fall within the Family, Churchand Youth categories of the Surge withService program.

The “content” of the Knights of Columbus has notchanged. We are a Catholic brotherhood basedupon the principles of charity, unity, fraternity andpatriotism. We are dedicated to the faithful andunparalleled service to the Church. But what willchange is the “expression” of that service so that ourwork may become even more relevant and effective.The changes outlined above may be difficult forsome. Change is never easy. But the proven recordof the past half century is clear: the closer theKnights of Columbus becomes to parish life; thecloser we work with our priests; and the more wesupport Catholic families, the more our Order hasgrown in charity and membership.A letter, FAQ sheet and a one page agenda/talkingpoints for meeting with the pastor has been sent toeach grand knight. Ensure that each councilunderstands what this initiative is intended toaccomplish. Questions regarding this initiativeshould be directed to Knights of Columbus CorporateCommunications at knightline@kofc.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT KOFC.ORG OR CALL (203) 752-4473

CULTURE OF LIFE EVENTS INJANUARY AND BEYOND

Encourage councils in your district to sponsora bus or subsidize students to attend the2016 March for Life in Washington, D.C. on

Friday, January 22, 2016. This year’s theme is, “Pro-life and Pro-Woman Go Hand in Hand!” For moreinformation about the March for Life, youthconference, rally, Rose Dinner, and related events,visit marchforlife.org or call 202-543-3300.

For Knights on the West Coast, Culture of Lifeevents will be held in three major California cities onSaturday, January 23, 2016. In addition to the largeWalk for Life – West Coast in San Francisco,(walkforlifewc.ca ) pro-life events will be held in LosAngeles and San Diego. Go to onelifela.org andsandiegowalkforlife.net for details.

During the month of March, Philippine Knights havemarches planned for life throughout their country.Go to kofc.org.ph for more information. In Canada,Knights can participate in the National March for Lifein Ottawa on Thursday, May 12, 2016 or inscheduled provincial marches. For moreinformation, visit campaignlifecoalition.com.

A qualifying March or Walk for Life, involving aminimum of 100 people (Knights, families, students,etc.) in a local, regional or national event fulfills allfour of the Culture of Life Activities requirements forthe Columbian Award.

To order “Defend Life” signs, call 203-752-4403 orsend an email to william.obrien@kofc.org with yourname, council number, address, telephone number,and the exact number of signs needed in English,French or Spanish.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Each year, councils in many jurisdictions worktogether with the Special Olympics to makethe competitions memorable for the athletes.

Many Knights describe the overwhelming feeling ofwarmth and love they receive from the athletes forhelping and supporting them.

Taking part in this program and submitting thePartnership Profile Report with Special Olympics(#4584) helps your jurisdiction receive a donationfrom the Supreme Council for your jurisdiction’sSpecial Olympics organization. Submit the form byJanuary 31, 2016.

DISTRICT FREE THROW CONTESTS

If there is more than one council in your districtparticipating in the Knights of Columbus FreeThrow Championship this month, the next step is

to host a district level competition. Make sure toreserve a gym and check-up on the rules by visitingkofc.org/freethrow. Award medallions were sent tostate councils for distribution at the Mid-yearMembership Meeting (12 medals per district - oneeach for a boy and girl in the 6 age groups). Be sureto find out when and where the next level ofcompetition (regional or state) is being held in orderto inform the winners in your district where theyshould report.

DISTRICT ESSAY CONTESTS

The district judging of the Catholic CitizenshipEssay Contest should take place in January.This is only necessary if 2 or more councils in

your district have participated in the contest. Oncethe essays have been judged, district deputiesshould forward the winners on to the next level ofcompetition.

Please contact your state Essay Chairman or YouthDirector to see if your jurisdiction participates at thestate or province level. If not, call 203-752-4703 oremail edward.wezenski@kofc.org for information onhow to participate at higher levels of competition.

DISTRICT DEPUTY OFFICIAL VISITS

Why is it important for you to make officialcouncil visits?

You represent the state deputy and supreme•knight in your district.You ensure that each council in your district•is on track with the mission of the Order.You encourage councils in your district to•progress toward earning the Star CouncilAward.You ensure that each council in your district•is fully engaged with their parish andcommunity.You provide information on important state•council and supreme council initiatives.

After your official visit, please complete and submit the District Deputy Semiannual Report on CouncilStatus (#944).

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT KOFC.ORG OR CALL (203) 752-4473

District DD Name Jurisdiction Council # Location4 Darren E. Johnson Washington 16361 Lacey - St. Martin's Abbey6 Zbigniew Brzosko Poland 16359 Adrzejowo6 Bret E. Fleming Washington 8294 Yakima6 Sergio Delgadillo-Montano Mexico NE 16378 Lamamoros, Tamaulipas8 Marvin Jarvis Oregon 16370 Univ. of Oregon - Eugene9 Michal Meller Poland 16377 Pyrzyce12 Joseph S. Mecham Oklahoma 16367 Univ. of Oklahoma - Norman17 Curtis Constrantiche Louisiana 16362 Houma19 Scott Hawkins Illinois 16369 Orland Park24 Paul Theberge British Columbia 16364 Agassiz27 Richard O. Dizon California 16371 San Mateo34 William K. Cornelius Ohio 16373 Westlake-St. Ladislaus34 William K. Cornelius Ohio 16376 Westlake-St. Bernadette56 Darren M. Gamma New York 16365 Middletown89 Alberto Castro Texas 16375 Dallas195 Arlie E. Markusen Texas 16358 ShallowaterC50 Felixberto C.S. Jampit Mindanao 16368 Duka, MedinaC95 Mardion L. Balgos Mindanao 16357 Tacurong CityI37 Jose T. Tolentino Luzon South 16363 Salinas, Bacoor, CaviteI38 Vicente O. Espiraz Luzon South 16360 Molino 7, Bacoor, CaviteI55 Lino C. Ragandang Mindanao 16374 Barangay Kipit,SibugayS60 Teofilo A. Samson Luzon South 16366 Lanctic, Carmona, CaviteV158 Conrado C. Mesias Visayas 16372 Northern Iloilo Poly State College

District DD Name Jurisdiction Circle # LocationT19 Metodio Masillonew Mindanao 5818 CompostelaN32 Ruben Morales Luzon North 5816 Caloocan5 Scott Strednak North Carolina 5815 Garner9 Mark Holmes Tennessee 5820 Nashville56 Marvin Guillot Louisiana 5819 Simmesport196 Jose Leos Texas 5816 Idalou

NEW COUNCILS AND CIRCLES INSTITUTED LAST MONTH

ANNUAL SURVEY OF FRATERNAL ACTIVITY (#1728)

The Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) measures each council’s success throughout thecalendar year. The combined results of each council’s good works is a powerful testament of thecharity that the Order as a whole provides to our parishes and communities. Please be sure that

each council in your district is keeping track of the great work done in their parish and community and thenreports that work to the Supreme Council Headquarters by January 31, 2016.

Also, ensure that councils are keeping accurate figures for the number of hours donated to charity. Forexample, many councils report that they visited a nursing home for 1.5 hours on the survey. However, if 10Knights participated in that activity, the hours that should be reported is 15 hours. Total hours for an activityare the hours multiplied by the number of people (Knights and other volunteers) participating in the activity.