The CrossA Supplement Publication of KCFAPI and the Order of the Knights of ColumbusCBCP Monitor. Vol. 19. No. 6 March 16 - 29, 2015

K of C donates 100 motorized fishing boats to typhoon survivorsI am proud to be a Knight of Columbus by Atty. Neil

Jerome A. Rapatan

Faithful to its principle of Charity, the Knights of Columbus went to Borongan, Eastern Sa-mar to distribute 100 motorized fishing boats to fishermen that were affected by Typhoons Yolanda and Ruby. The blessing of the said fish-ing vessels was led by the Bishop of the Diocese of Borongan, Most Rev. Crispin Varquez, DD. He was assisted by Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio, III and Fr. Bernard Aljibe.

Knights of Columbus Supreme Director and KCFAPI Chairman Alonso L. Tan, Luzon Deputy and KCFAPI President Arsenio Isidro G. Yap and Visayas Deputy Ro-drigo N. Sorongon also witnessed the said momentous occasion. The guests were welcomed by the City Mayor of Borongan, Mayor Ma. Fe Abunda, represented by Councilor Victor Franco.

The beneficiaries of the project were carefully selected and evalu-ated by a team of local Knights of Columbus members. Not only that the beneficiaries were affected by the destructive typhoon, they must also rely solely in fishing as their

38th Annual Family Service Awards

THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Associa-tion of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) is com-mitted in giving the best incentive programs to their Area Managers (AMs) and Fraternal Coun-selors (FCs), especially to the 38th Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Annual Family Service Awardees, according to KCFAPI Vice President for Frater-nal Benefits Group, Gari San Sebastian.

“…Our qualification last year for the 38th Annual Family Service Awards was more chal-lenging as we introduced a new scheme of quali-fication for our awardees and we also improved their reward system. Our Association makes sure that we always provide the best to all our valued salesforce in line with our corporate mission.” said San Sebastian.

He added that the first year allowance or FYA will be used in mobility and day to day opera-tions of FCs in extending superior benefits to all Brother Knights and their families.

“Our awardees have surpassed the expecta-tions of the Association and the order of the Knights of Columbus. They go beyond their call of duty by helping in the membership growth and development of the Order and by this, we always make sure we give the best incentive programs,” San Sebastian added.

He also acknowledged the families of their sales representatives for their invaluable support and for the inspiration, strength and guidance they provide.

“All of these will not be made possible without their (awardees) adherence to the primary objec-

tive of the Knights of Columbus that is to render financial assistance to all the brother knights and their families. They are like the living apostles of Fr. McGivney and Fr. Willmann who continu-ously carry on their noble and humble work up to this present time.” San Sebastian cited.

Awarding CeremonyThe 38th Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Annual

Family Service Awards was held last March 6 to 8 at the Bellevue Hotel and Resort, Panglao, Bohol. With the theme “SOARING 60s”, par-ticipants wore costumes inspired by the glamor-ous and glittering rock and roll era.

“To all our dedicated and committed AMs

Area Manager of the Year Fraternal Counselor of the Year

OUR 2014 Area Manager of the Year is none other than Bro. Manuel Naldoza of the Central Luzon Conquerors (CLC). This is the 4th “Area Manager of the Year” award of Bro. Wel as he received the same recognition in 2000, 2004 and in 2005.

Below is his speech during the 38th Annual Family Service Awards held last March 6, 2015 at the Bellevue Hotel and Resort in Panglao, Bohol.

“Through the years, the CLC hurdled its target. And 2014 was another great year for us. We had

five (5) awards and three (3) of them were as Runners-up Fra-ternal Counselors. Una sa lahat, maraming salamat sa ating Poong Maykapal, sa suporta ng aking pamilya at sa lahat ng pinuno ng KCFAPI. Now, allow me to share with you some of the factors that contributed to what we have achieved today.

As an Area Manager (AM), I am a coach not a boss. I see to it that all of my Fraternal Counselors are highly motivated. We maintain a sense of belongingness in our team together with our families.

We have developed a unified first degree exemplification and where we also invite the participants’ better half during the formation course. In one instance, I won-dered bakit matanda ang kasama ng batang candidate, yun pala ay nanay ang isinama.

I hope you would agree with me that if there were one-hundred (100) KofC members insured the ratio of the family members is no more than fifteen percent (15%).

Our 2014 Fraternal Counselor of the Year is none other than Bro. Lauro L. Evangelista of Central Luzon Believers 1 (CLB1). This is his 3rd title as Fraternal Counselor of the Year. The other two were in 2008 and 2009. Below is his speech during the 38th Annual Family Service Awards held last March 6, 2015 at Bellevue Hotel and Resort in Panglao, Bohol.

“To all my fellow Area Managers and Fraternal Counselors, Broth-ers and Sisters, Good Evening! To achieve a wide range of success is not just a matter of luck or by chance. Much effort plays an im-

portant factor to make a real big achievement in our field of work. Sabi ng iba swerte swerte lang yan. Subalit sa karanasan ko at maging sa karanasan ng karamihan sa atin tila walang puwang ang ganoong salita.

It takes a lot of thinking and doing and a simple but effective STRATEGY. But what strategy did I apply? STRATEGY is actually an acronym I made for myself:

S- is for service. Sabi nga Service is our business. It should be our ultimate goal – to serve our Brother Knights and their family through our insurance system.

T- is time and/or timing. May kasabihan tayo na Time is gold. It truly is, we have to grab every possible time our prospective BC Holder is available, and the proper timing when and where to ap-proach him is equally important.

R and A – are for responsibility and accountability. We all become responsible and accountable to our BC Holders once they agreed to sign our application forms. Let us

Visits to the Fr. George J. Willmann SJ Museum: Clockwise from left: 1. Photo of 2015 Officers of HOLUAP (Home Office Life Underwriters Association of the Philippines) headed by its President and KCFAPI Underwriting Manager, Ms. Carmelita S. Ruiz (seated, 6th from left) during their courtesy call with KCFAPI EVP, Ma. Theresa G. Curia (standing). Prior to the courtesy call, the group composed of Ms. Florence C. Luzande of Philamlife, Ms. Lea Buenaobra of AXA Life Philippines, Mr. Dennis Baluyut of Manulife, Ms. Maria Louisa Penuliar of Insular Life and Mr. Alvin Gregorio of CISP visited the Fr. George J. Willlmann Museum with KC Foundations Executive Director, Mr Roberto T Cruz as their tour guide. 2. Photo of Father Jesuit Provincial Fr. Antonio Moreno and Fr. Catalino Arevalo together with Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, KCFAPI VP Gari San Sebastian and KC Foundations Executive Director Roberto T. Cruz with their family members during KCFAPI’s lunch treat at the El Mitre following their visit to the Fr. Willmann Museum. 3. Photo of Brother Knights from San Mateo Council and 4. Photo of Brother Knights from Nueva Ecija during their respective visits to the Fr. Willmann Museum.

Boats, C2

Area, C3 Fraternal, C3

Awards, C3STATE DINNER ATTIRE (Day 1):

FILIPINIANA FOR FEMALE AND BARONG FOR MALE

BARRIO FIESTA DINNER ATTIRE (Day 2):

FLORAL OR HAWAIIAN FOR BOTH MALE AND FEMALE

Bishop Crispin Varquez, DD blesses the motorized fishing vessels before their distribution to the local fishermen of Borongan Samar who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda. With him is KCFAPI Chairman and Knights of Columbus Supreme Director, Alonso L. Tan.

Inset photo shows KCFAPI Spiritual Director, Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio, III who assisted in the blessing of the 100 motorized boats. Looking on is KCFAPI President and Luzon Deputy, Arsenio Isidro G. Yap.

C2 The CrossMarch 16 - 29, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 6

Alonso L. Tan

Chairman’s Message

President’s Message

Roberto T. Cruz

Ma. Theresa G. Curia

Arsenio Isidro G. Yap

Some reflections on the 38th Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Annual Family Service Awards

Evangelizing through KCFAPI

Curia Settings

Michael P. Cabra

Committed Men of KCFAPI

My Brother’s Keeper

Touching Base with the Foundations

EVERY year, during the first week of the month of March, the KCFAPI Board of Trustees and Officers and its wholly-owned companies gather together to honor and acknowledge the “cream of the crop” of its sales force and the members of their respec-tive families for their valuable support.

Congratulations to all the awardees at the KCFAPI 38th Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Annual Family Service Awards which was recently held last March 6-8, 2015 at the Bellevue Hotel and Resort in Panglao, Bohol. Headed by Area Manager of the Year Bro. Manuel Naldoza of the Central Luzon Conquerors and Fraternal Counselor of the Year Bro. Lauro Evangelista of the Central Luzon Believers as well as the Fr. Willmann Knights of the Round Table and Chairman Circle winners, it was indeed great to be in the midst of all our successful producers who consistently devoted their time, effort and skills throughout the year to deserve the accolades given them.

With these men at the helm of KCFAPI’s drive to be an effective provider of protection to our fellow brother Knights and their families, KCFAPI has remained an important catalyst to ensure that our brothers are suf-ficiently protected during those unforeseen times of death / loss of their loved one/s. Man’s need for protection is a continuous process that never stops and this is where the strength of our Area Managers and Fraternal Counselors lie – their ability to identify and address the untapped needs of our brother knights and their families.

As our Filipino knights are not automatically insured within the Order, this challenges our AMs and FCs all the more as they first have to really convince prospective BC Holders of the value and benefits of insurance with KCFAPI while still maintaining focus on the Order and its directions as guided by this year’s theme – KCFAPI CARES [Charity, Accountability, Resilience, Excellence, Stability]

I ncourage all our Area Managers and Fraternal Counselors to continue striving for excellence to serve, educate and protect our brother Knights and their families. I hope you all enjoyed our Bohol Escapade into the soaring 60’s together with your respective beloved families. You are definitely the pillars behind the steady and continuous growth of the KCFAPI which over the years has blossomed into a significant player in the local insurance industry. With all of you there, I am confident that we will have another banner year next year and the years to come. Keep up the good work!

VIVAT JESUS!

IN the recent “Fr. George J. Willmann SJ Annual Family Service Awards” of KC-FAPI where outstanding performances in terms of sales of Fraternal Counselors (FCs) and Area Managers (AMs) were recognized, I saw fewer awardees com-pared to last year. Does this mean that our sales have dropped significantly or are we following a new set of standards to give the award more meaning and more significance?

Since targets have been met, it only goes to show that our sales performance did not drop but actually had increased by a few per-centage, by several millions. Part of our new scheme in recognizing our exemplary sales performance is to widen the parameters by which they could qualify for the award. As I’ve stated last year, “We must understand that we have set the bar of standards higher and we must admit that it has corresponding responsibilities”. This would mean that only those who had covered all areas as required can be recognized. To meet the criteria would also mean that our FCs and AMs received a substantial increase in their allowance derived from sharing the many benefits of being a Benefit Certificate (BC) holder to our brother knights and their families.

We would like to recognize and congratulate Brother Manuel Naldoza (Central Luzon Conquerors) and Brother Lauro Evange-lista (Central Luzon Believers) for emerging as the Area Manager and the Fraternal Counselor of the Year, respectively. Their efforts once again raised the standard by which an AM and an FC should conduct themselves in meeting their targets and helping KCFAPI achieve its own.

Next year and every year hereon, there will be changes in the parameters of being an awardee. We do not just want our achievers to be recognized, we also want them to earn more for their respec-tive families. We also want them to be responsible enough to work for the goals set forth by the Association for the coming years and not just meet their personal targets.

Meanwhile the performances of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Jurisdictions also showed a big jump as compared to their perfor-mances for the past three years. All three are expected to receive the “Circle of Honor” (COH) Award from Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson by June 30, 2015. As a matter of fact, the Visayas Jurisdiction has already qualified for the Pinnacle Award as early as third week of February. Meanwhile, the Luzon Jurisdiction also qualified for the Pinnacle Award last March 9 while the Mindanao Jurisdiction will be conferred with the “Circle Of Honor” Award by early April and with the Pinnacle Award hopefully before the National Convention in May.

The performance of the three jurisdictions is phenomenal as compared to last year’s performance at about the same period, which was only at 62% or 5% behind the target of 67% ending February 2014. As of March 9, 2015, the Visayas Jurisdiction ranked number one Orderwide with 109.19% in membership growth, Luzon Jurisdiction followed at number 2 with 105.00% and Mindanao Jurisdiction at the third place with 94.21%. Never in the history of the Order has any of the three jurisdictions from the Philippines landed at the top of membership intake until today. Mindanao at third place is more than 9% ahead of the fourth placer New Mexico with 85.05%.

Although they might have missed receiving their COH Award during their second year as State Deputies, Visayas Deputy Rodrigo Sorongon and Mindanao Deputy Balbino Fauni nevertheless would be receiving their third COH Award by the end of the Columbian Year on June 30, 2015.

Similarly, yours truly will be receiving his fourth consecutive COH Award. This special recognition will make him the first ever Filipino State Deputy to attain such honor and among the very few if not the only State Deputy to have ever achieved it Orderwide.

Luzon, the largest jurisdiction in terms of membership with over 167,000 members and the most awarded jurisdiction for the last four years is re-writing the history of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines. With the equally good performances of the Visayas and Mindanao Jurisdictions, we are now witnessing the dawning of the Golden Era of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines.

Although it’s sad to note that the term of the three State Deputies would end on June 30, 2015, all three, however, have pledged their support to and expressed their confidence that their successors will be able to live up to expectations.

With the continuing efforts to change and improve the systems set in place in both KCFAPI and the K of C in the Philippines, I see no reason why we will not experience continuous growth in sales in KCFAPI and membership growth in the Order.

Our collective efforts have brought us success after success and have strengthened the bond which makes us a cohesive force in attaining and even surpassing our targets. Let this simple formula guide us in the years to come.

Again, congratulations to all the awardees of KCFAPI and the three State Deputies of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for a job well done. Vivat Jesus!

KCFAPI once again hit its Target of more than P150 Million in First Year Contribu-tion Income. At the beautiful Bellevue Hotel, in Bohol, we celebrated and gave recognition to our finest Fraternal Benefits Awardees who are the strong “Missionaries and Ambassadors” of KCFAPI. Congratula-tions to our Area Manager of the year, Bro. Manuel Naldoza! Congratulations to our Fraternal Counselor of the Year, Bro. Lauro Evangelista!

The 38th Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Annual Family Service Awards inspired me more as I still have the Francis effect within me. I know that our awardees also have the same feelings. But let us make it clear that the awards were not an effect of the visit of Pope Francis. Even before he came, our awardees have already set their foot on winning the race. Perhaps we can dare to say that the awards are actually not the real gift of God to them. The award is the result of God’s earlier greater gifts. The first gifts of God were their dedication, com-mitment, competence, skills, perseverance, productivity that they have exhibited in the past year as they put on the best day to day performance in the work place. I can boldly reiterate that being a Fraternal Counselor or an Area Manager is a unique task as they “build relationships of mutual care and re-spect”, because there is “conviction” to help a Brother Knight and his family financially and spiritually. The video presentations we saw during the awards night: that one of our Fraternal Counselor of the Year, Bro. Lauro

Evangelista and that of our Area Manager of the Year, Bro. Manuel Naldoza, said it all. The events in their respective territories, their activities, be it a simple orientation with the family up to the intricate and technical lectures and trainings differenti-ate how our field representatives are able to carry out our mission and most importantly, evangelize. The group performances alone display how Fathers can sweetly and grace-fully dance with their daughters in those performances of Bro. Efren Casupanan’s Group and that of Bro. Rex Blanco and Bro. Wel Naldoza’s Group. How beautiful it is to be with KCFAPI!

When we cooperate well with God’s inspi-ration, our work and effort becomes fruitful. Making it to the awards night happens not just like that more so, if you are able to qualify for it more than once. There must be a general pattern of work and behavior. There must be consistency in action, certain work ethics, professionalism and of course, that special touch of being a “brother” in ac-tion and in faith. And because every year we have awardees, it means we are a dream team.

I hope I am not rubbing in too much the Francis effect, but when I reflect on the kinds of persons who received the awards, perhaps we can humbly say: We are not re-ally far from what Lolo Kiko advised all of us to live by, especially the young people. He said: pensar bien, sentir bien, hacer bien. Think well, feel well, act well.

This compares to our awardees who have harmoniously lived these characteristics in

their work, to the best of their abilities. Our awardees are those who think well and who think right. They just know what to do at the right time at the right place in any given situation. They can distinguish right from wrong and make decision based on good choices.

They are the people who feel well. Mostly they know how to use their intuition in executing their tasks. Perhaps they are the ones who we say do things from the heart, with the heart. Mula sa puso ang paggawa sabi nga. They love what they do and do well what they love. They act from the heart, with feelings shown outwardly. They are generous with time, highly skilled in their tasks and also learn from their mistakes.

Pensar bien, sentir bien and hacer bien is a good summary of what we like our Fra-ternal Counselors, Area Managers and even our employees to live by. The Pope puts it very articulately, almost poetically, but most of all, it touches a soft spot in us. That is why Lolo Kiko is effective. He says in more powerful and effective way and updated language, what is underlying in what we know is correct. And it energizes us.

May I repeat: May the Francis effect be on all of us. May we become holier and wiser in our lives. May there be transformation in our society because of all of us. May we dream for increased productivity in the years ahead.

Congratulations again to all the Awardees and their loved ones. May God’s blessings be on all of us.

LAST March 6, 2015 we wit-nessed the “Fr. George J. Will-mann, SJ – 2014 Annual Family Service Awards” at the Bellevue Hotel and Resort in Panglao, Bohol. It was the most awaited evening for our sales represen-tatives as we honor the brave men who for the past year have been consistently committed with their covenant as Fraternal Counselors and Area Managers.

At the end of 2014, KCFAPI had a total of thirty two (32) Fraternal Counselors and eight (8) Area Managers awardees headed by the 2014 Area Man-ager of the Year and Fraternal Counselor of the year who, together with their spouses were rewarded with 3 days, two nights all expense paid out-of-town trip by KCFAPI.

Our 2014 Fraternal Coun-selor of the Year is none other than, Bro. Lauro L. Evangelista.He is known by many as Bro.

Larry and is one of the prides of the Central Luzon Believers, a group under the leadership of Area Manager Bro. Efren M. Casupanan. Bro. Larry is married to Sis. Cecilia. They are blessed with two kids Ces Loraine and Mark Emman. He is a full-time Mathematics teacher in a pre-mier high school in Malolos, Bulacan. He is a consistent Annual Family Service Awardee for 14 years since he started as a Fraternal Counselor. He was the FC of the Year for 2008 and 2009, Runner-Up FC for 2007 and 2013, WKRT for 2005 and 2010, and Chair-man Circle (CC) for 2002, 2003 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2012. Indeed, a multi-awarded Fraternal Counselor. He is the past Grand Knight of Council 12810 during the Columbian Year (CY) 2010-2011 and the present District Deputy of M16.

Our 2014 Area Manager of

the Year on the other hand, is none other than Bro. Manuel L. Naldoza. Bro. Wel as he is fondly called, leads and manages the area of Central Luzon Conquer-ors which covers the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Aurora for the past 16 years. He was happily married with Sis. Puring for almost thirty five (35) years until she passed away last year. They were blessed with four daughters who are now all pro-fessionals: Em-em, an Accoun-tant working in Canada, Cha-cha a Bookkeeper of Landbank Manila, Peng-peng a Chemical Engineer and Kathleen, also an Accountant and a Compliance Officer at ASKI. Bro. Wel, is a licensed Civil Engineer, a former College Instructor and a former Chief Corporate Inspector at the National Housing Author-ity (NHA). He is a consistent Annual Family Service Awardee since he started as an Area Man-

ager. He was the Area Manager of the Year in 2000, 2004 and 2005. Bro. Wel was a Past Grand Knight, a former District Deputy and a former Regional member-ship director and is now the State Insurance Promotion Chaiman. Undeniably, an extraordinary Brother Knight.

Aside from the 2014 Awardees there are other committed men of KCFAPI and each has his own story to tell. But one thing is common among them: each has the same amount of zeal in responding to the number one objective of the Order of the Knights of Columbus, which is ‘To provide pecuniary aid to the members of the order as well as to their immediate family members’.

Have you met any of these committed Men of KCFAPI? I suggest you do and live according to the aspirations and objectives of our Founder, Fr. Michael J. McGivney.

THIS issue’s focus is on the 38th Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Annual Family Service Awards held last March 6-8, 2015 at Pan-glao, Bohol. Allow me first, to greet the awardees for their noteworthy performanc-es. After all the hard work comes the rewards for those who overcame the challenges.

Normally, when we face challenges and difficulties, we secure strength not only from our confidence in ourselves, but also from our family and loved ones. We are motivated by the fact that our success most often brings benefits to our family and/or those who mean the most to us.

In school, we learned about Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which said that people have an inborn desire to be self-actualized, to be all they can be. But before this ultimate goal can be realized, a number of more basic needs must first be met. At the bottom of the pyramid are basic physical needs like food, water, sleep and warmth. Once met, people next look for the second level or the need for safety and security. As this is satisfied, the third level of needs become more psychological and social – the need for love, friendship and intimacy. These first three levels of needs are called deficiency needs since they arise due to deprivation. These need to be satis-

fied so we can avoid unpleasant feelings or consequences. The fourth level of need is self-esteem, personal worth, social recogni-tion and feelings of accomplishment. The fifth and highest level of need is our need for self-actualization or the process of grow-ing and developing as a person in order to achieve our individual potential.

The Annual Family Awards therefore gives an opportunity for our best-performing FCs and AMs to receive self-esteem and self-actualization since their success is recognized not only by the KCFAPI Board and Manage-ment, but equally important, by their beloved families whose physiological, security and social needs have already been provided for by the awardees’ achievements.

For their part, the two Foundations, KC Philippines Foundation, Inc. (KCPFI) and the Knights of Columbus Fr. George J. Will-mann Charities, Inc. (KCFGJWCI) offer a rare opportunity with a life-long impact to our scholars to hurdle their basic needs to realize their self-esteem and self-actualizing needs. Our KCPFI Collegiate scholars, once they successfully complete their tertiary education become eligible for good-paying jobs that allow them to earn more, escape the clutches of poverty and realize a more comfortable and prosperous way of life. As

evidenced during last year’s First KCPFI Grand Alumni Homecoming, many of our scholars have blossomed to be highly success-ful authorities in their respective professions.

Our KCFGJWCI rel igious scholars similarly realize their chance to overcome the limitations of their humble beginnings and are able to attend respectable and well-attended seminaries/ universities which better equip them to pursue and complete their priestly vocations and create a much greater impact in their respective dioceses and religious assignments/missions. For our diocesan seminarians and priests, their respective diocesan congregations are their extended families who motivate them to make their own significant marks in society.

I believe that whenever we have these Annual Family Awards, we receive a wake-up call that urges us to look deeper into ourselves and evaluate if we have personally made full use of our God-given talents. Let us just remember that in case we have not done so yet, it is never too late to start doing our best so we can make our own impact in life – for ourselves, our family, our com-munity, our country and for God. As long as we continue to breathe on this earth, our personal search for self-actualization never ends - of course, with God as our Guide.

main source of food or livelihood. Qualified beneficiaries from all over the Eastern Visayas Region, came to Borongan to receive their new fishing boats.

“Lumaki ako, nag-asawa at nagkaanak, pero hindi ako na-kapundar ng sarili kong bangka. Sumasama lang ako sa ibang man-

gingisda. Hindi ko iniisip sa buhay ko na may magbibigay sa akin ng bangka. Kaya gagawin ko ang lahat para makatulong ito sa pamilya ko at kahit sa aking mga kapitbahay. Makatikim man lang sila ng huli ko, ulo man lang ng isda.” -Benefi-ciary from Mayorga, Leyte

The Knights of Columbus was

one of the first organizations to respond to the disaster caused by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 and is still helping the region through its recovery and rehabilitation efforts. It has already donated millions worth of cash, relief items and chain saws to different Dioceses and Parishes in the Visayas.

(The writer, Atty. Neil Jerome A. Rapatan is the incumbent Legal officer of KCFAPI or the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. He hails from Borongan Samar and is an ardent member and active sup-porter of the projects of the Knights of Columbus)

Boats, C1

C3The Cross March 16 - 29, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 6

THIS kind of play does more good than is usu-ally known. It enables the student to laugh at himself. It restores balance. A young Mexican Scholastic was studying philosophy in Spain. He was suffering so much that he made up his mind to leave the House of Studies, and to leave the Society of Jesus, and go home. But before he could announce this decision to his Superiors, there was a fusion between the Philosophers and Theologians, and the Theologians presented a play. The star was a Mexican Jesuit, Miguel Pro. He was an imitator. For thirty minutes he imitated each one of the Superiors, portraying all the things which the Mexican Scholastic had suffered. It was so funny that, in the midst of

all the laughter and applause, he wept. When Miguel Pro left the stage, the Mexican thought: “If all these men have suffered this, and if they can laugh, then I can laugh, too!” He decided to stay in Spain, and in the Society of Jesus.

He wanted to thank the Father Pro, and went to his room. When he knocked, he thought he heard “Come in”, and entered. Miguel Pro was lying on his bed, white with pain, his knees against his chin. When he realized he had a guest, he sat up on the bed, and talked to him. Miguel Pro had ulcers, and was suffering from those ulcers while he was doing the imitations that saved the vocation of the young Mexican Scholastic! Miguel Pro was martyred, later, in Mexico.

It is important to know that George Willmann grew up in a place like this – a barracks of three hundred men – where the atmosphere was cheer-ful, manly, friendly. George was always a team man. He was never a loner. It is remarkable how the friendships he formed in Woodstock lasted through all the years! After fifty years his friends remembered the handball games they played together, the tennis matches, mopping floors to-gether in the kitchen, reviewing together, praying together, sharing their lives together. From the day he entered the Society of Jesus until the day he died, the normal home of George Willmann was a barracks, a community, a group of men living together, laughing together, supporting each other. This was the training that prepared him for the Knights.

Many years later, Dan Lord asked George Willmann to do him a favor. He said: “I want to ask your sister Dorothy to work with me. Could you ask her for me? Tell her the truth.

Tell her that I am a savage, and hard on ev-erybody, and that it is very difficult to work with me. But I would be grateful if she would take the job.”

When George Willmann relayed this message to his sister, Dorothy, she asked: “Is he really a savage?” George looked at her. He really loved her. The family called her their “Gift of God.” He said: “Well…whenever anybody really wants to do something, he always opts to step on few toes!”

Dorothy took the job with Father Dan Lord, and worked with the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and with the Queen’s Work, and with Christian Life Communities, for the rest of her life.

In third year philosophy, the Jesuit scholastics begun to think of the specialty they would fol-low. Some chose education. Some chose social work. Some chose science. But George was not particularly attracted to any of these. He was touched by the poverty that he saw among the Negroes who lived around Woodstock. And not only material poverty – spiritual poverty! They were suffering real discrimination.

Woodstock parish had a Catholic school, taught by religious Sisters, but it was for white children only. The government built a one room schoolhouse for blacks. In that one room there were students for all eight grades of grammar school, with one tiny frail black girl teacher. She had to remove the woolly suits of her kindergar-ten babies, in the winter time. And some of her eighth grade students were big strong black boys, heavily muscled, and weighing 180 pounds.

(To be continued on the next issue.)

Fraternity and EconomyThe Knights of Columbus demonstrates that putting regard for neighbor above profit is key to financial success

By SK Carl A. Anderson

The Gentle WarriorBy James B. Reuter, SJ

Part XVII of Chapter One of “The Gentle Warrior” seriesCHAPTER ONE: Training

LAST August, the 132nd Supreme Convention took place in Orlando, Fla., under the theme “You Will All Be Brothers: Our Vocation to Fra-ternity.” Our theme was inspired by Pope Francis’ message for the 2014 World Day of Peace, which was titled “Fraternity, the Foundation and Pathway to Peace.”

In that message, the Holy Father addresses many different aspects of how the Christian concept of “fraternity” can renew society. The pope states that the key to true economic reform is to see each person “not just as some kind of instrument, with a work capacity and physical strength to be exploited at low cost and then discarded when no longer useful, but as our ‘neighbor.’”

Pope Francis continues, “Chris-tian solidarity presumes that our neighbor is loved … as another brother or sister.”

In other words, the pope is calling on us to build a nation of

neighbors who treat each other as true brothers and sisters.

This, of course, is not a new concept to the Knights of Co-lumbus. More than a century ago, our founder, Venerable Michael McGivney, proposed a vision of Catholic brotherhood for the men of his time. This vision not only strengthened Catholic family and parish life during the 19th century, but it has also continued to offer an attractive avenue for men to live out their vocations.

Father McGivney understood that the “key” to a Catholic way of life was precisely to see society through the fraternal lens of charity and unity. In other words, the vo-cation of a true Catholic “knight” is to love his neighbor as another brother or sister.

In his World Day of Peace mes-sage, Pope Francis goes on to insist that contemporary society is in need of a “rediscovery of fraternity in the economy.” He also calls for society to “rediscover the virtues of prudence, temperance, justice

and strength.” These virtues, he says, “can help us to overcome dif-ficult moments and to recover the fraternal bonds which join us one to another.”

The Knights of Columbus can make an important contribution here as well. For decades, we have operated a top-rated insurance program for our members using the motto: “Insurance by brother Knights, for brother Knights.” Fra-ternity has been the foundation for what has become one of the most sustainable and successful business enterprises in the Catholic world.

Whether we consider the devel-opment of our insurance products, the investment strategies that support them, or the outstanding agents who make them available to our brother Knights, our Catholic fraternal “business” model is truly unique in today’s marketplace. We do not divide the world among consumers and customers, share-holders and stakeholders, union members and management. In-stead, our business decisions are

measured by a fraternal calcu-lus: What is best for our brother Knights and their families?

Some may say that this is a kind of idealism that cannot compete in the real world of business. On the contrary, the tremendous success we have achieved in recent years demonstrates that our approach is the height of what I would describe as Catholic realism.

We deal with real persons, not with economic abstractions. Our focus is on the person who is always worthy of respect and who always should take precedence over profit.

Admittedly, a business is not a charity. Profit is absolutely necessary to the strength and sustainability of any business venture and especially for an insurance program that de-pends on its ability to keep a finan-cial promise many decades into the future. But as I have said, profit is not the first or most important value — it does not define our mission.

In this issue of Columbia you will read about a new and impor-tant initiative: Knights of Colum-

bus Asset Advisors. This initiative will make available to Catholic in-stitutions across the United States the same Catholic fraternal busi-ness perspective that has become the hallmark of our Order.

In so doing, we believe that it will offer new opportunities for a sustain-

able, Catholic approach to financial decision-making that will greatly benefit the entire Catholic commu-nity. It may even inspire a paradigm shift in economic thinking that can, in the words of Pope Francis, make us a nation of true neighbors.

Vivat Jesus!

For the record we have ninety-eight (98) candidates in one session in Cabanatuan and eighty-nine (89) in Rosales, Pangasinan.

We have a pool of experienced formators, Former District Deputy (DD) Bro. Nestor Berber, a seasoned speaker, Former District Deputy Bro. Dindo Berino, an ex-seminarian and is also the Membership and Program Coordinator of Nueva Ecija and Aurora and Pangasinan, DD Hon Panahon, PhD, Dean of Graduate School, Bro. Ronald Pascual, a profes-sor. Former DD Nong Fernando, a Provincial Manager of DOLE, Uree Team of Cabanatuan and the Zara-gosa Team, all of whom dedicate their time, talent and treasure.

We have Bro. Rene Odulio who supports us financially and his mere presence in our activities helps lift up the morale of the membership.

We also have Bro. Al Tolentino, a poultry owner, who in every exem-plification provides us with chicken for our consumption.

Maraming naniniwala sa aming ginagawa na kung tawagin namin ay ‘PROJECT LEVEL-UP’.Sa ngayon, damang-dama namin ang mga bunga ng aming ginagawa. Noon, para maka-recruit ay kailangan may mag sponsor para sa exemplification fee. Ngayon, sila na ang nagkukusa at nagtatanong kung paano maging kasapi.

As we work on developing our members, we also train our Grand Knights (GK) for three years now by way of Values Formation. This is on top of the regular officers’ orientation.

We also see to it that we involve our families in our activities, hence we organize an annual grand family day which is now on it’s fourth (4th) year. In the past, we normally have

around one thousand seven hundred (1,700) attendees. For this year, we expect to have a total of 2,000 attendees.

Apart from these, we likewise maintain good partnership with the Order thru the GKs, the DDs and the Fourth Degree members.

Behind every successful man, is a trail made of determination, a path of overcoming failures, several rest areas of prayer time, and friendly mentors pointing out the direc-tion. But most of all, some say that behind every successful man is a supportive and devoted woman to keep his head on straight . My wife, Puring as she was fondly called by my brothers in the Knights of Columbus Order (KofC) and sisters in the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI), helped me to achieve my goals in life, supported

me when I am broke, pushed me to be successful in all of my endeav-ours, showered me with positive energy, and complimented me on a regular basis. Now that she has already gone back to our Creator, it will not be easy for me to continue with my career. Nevertheless, the memories she left behind will serve as an inspiration for me to further fulfill my commitments and obliga-tions not only to mankind but more importantly to God. In death, we never lose our loved ones. They still accompany us, just like what Puring has done for me, travelling with me when no one is available. They don’t disappear in our lives. We are merely in two different worlds. And so I of-fer this reward to the woman I love, my wife Purificacion, who made all things possible when she was still beside me and not behind me.

Area, C1

assure them that we offer them the best benefits they can get.

T- trust. Let us not forget that our Benefit Certificate Holders have put their full trust in us when they decided to invest their money through us. In return, let’s make them feel secured and assure them that we are worthy of their trust.

E- is effort. Hardwork, patience, and persever-ance are all important. Do the best that we can in encouraging and motivating our BC Holders. As one philosopher has uttered these lines, The man who has done his best has done everything; but the man who has done less than his best has done nothing.

G-is guidance from our Lord. Always keep a prayer for guidance and positive results will definitely follow whenever we go to our Brother Knights and their families to offer them our service- the KCFAPI Insurance. Also a prayer of guidance and enlightenment for them to choose the right person or company whom they can entrust their lives and future; and last but definitely not the least,

Y- is yourself. Your success does not depend on anybody else but yourself. Although some friends and relatives, kumpare and co-workers may help you find prospect brother knights and families, but in the end, reaching the peak of the mountain is really in your hands.

Matagal tagal na rin ang pagsasama natin sa ganitong gathering but still we have to light the match all the time to climb our respective mountains. We have made a commitment for self-improvement just to keep the fire in our hearts always burning to serve our BC Holders faithfully...... for they are our inspirations. Ma-sarap ang pakiramdam kung tayo ay nakagagawa ng mabuti at nakatutulong sa ating kapwa. Sabi nga, Fraternal Service Is Our Business.

Sometimes, failure comes our way. But never get disappointed nor lose hope. Instead make this a challenge to improve your strategy. Never get tired of going to our BC Holders. Never say never, wika nga. Kasabihan nga ng isang manliligaw: Walang matimtimang birhen sa matiyagang manalangin. That is the fighting

spirit that we should have. And let me quote some phrases from Michael Jordan, I’ve never been afraid to fail. That is something that you have to deal with in reality. I think I am strong enough as a person to accept failing. But I cannot accept not trying.

HUMILITY is another characteristic that could bring a person towards success. No mat-ter how high we have reached, always keep our feet on the ground. Even Jesus Christ humbled himself by following God’s will. Another phi-losopher quoted this line: I believe the first test of a truly great man is HUMILITY.

Nais ko pong samantalahin ang pagkakataon para magpasalamat sa aking pamilya. Kay Sis. Cecille na laging nakaagapay sa lahat ng oras. Kay Marc Emman at Ces Lauraine na aking inspirasyon.. Sa aking ama ........

Before I end, I would like to share this success with all of you who really worked hard not for yourselves but for our Brother Knights and their families, and to the service of KCFAPI. Once again, good evening. VIVAT JESUS!!!”

Fraternal, C1

and FCs who made it to the 38th annual awards, congratulations for your continuous dedication and hard work. Expect more rewards coming this 2015,” said Fraternal Benefits Services Man-ager, Michael P. Cabra.

The awardees together with their respective families visited some tourist spots in Panglao Is-land such as the Panglao Church,

Watch Tower, Bohol Bee Farm, Loboc River Cruise with lunch on-board floating restaurant. Other attractions they visited were Blood Compact, Baclayon Church, Man-made Forest, Tarsi-er Sanctuary and Chocolate Hills.

The Annual Awards was graced by the key officers of the KCFAPI and its Group of Companies. (Yen Ocampo)

Awards, C1

C4 The CrossMarch 16 - 29, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 6