Category Archives: Knights of columbus

Why the Name Knights of Columbus

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Why Knights of Columbus?

When Father McGivney, the son of Irish immigrants, proposed a name for the fraternal and charitable organization in 1882, his choice was “Sons of Columbus.” After debate with the founding members — all of them laymen, most of them Irish — the group finally settled upon “Knights of Columbus.”

While “Knights” invoked the chivalric orders, with their code of ethics, aspiration to virtue and defense of the most vulnerable, the adoption of Columbus as patron signified that Catholics had been in the New World from the beginning — that is, from the very day that it became “New.”

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Columbus Rediscovered Read More

Five Myths About Columbus Read More

FATHER MCGIVNEY TO BE BEATIFIED!

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Priest launched international lay movement, died in 19th century pandemic

ROME – The Vatican today (May 27) announced that Pope Francis approved the promulgation of a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, a Connecticut priest who served his flock during the pandemic of 1890, before himself becoming ill and dying of pneumonia.

The pope’s action means that Father McGivney can be declared “Blessed,” the step just prior to sainthood. An additional miracle attributed to Father McGivney’s intercession will be required for his canonization as a saint.

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Recruiting Younger Members

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Recruiting Younger Members:

  Does your council want younger members?

  • Is your leadership on board with a strategy to recruit and attract younger members? Is your pastor on board?
  • Action Step: Discuss your goals of recruiting younger men at an officer meeting and general council business meeting.

Does your council currently have younger members?

  • How many active and how many inactive younger (under 40) members does your council have? How many younger men attend meetings? Service programs? Spiritual programs? Are there younger men on your council roster that are not attending events?
  • Action Step: If your council has younger men on your roster, reach out to them to find what about the council is attractive to them and what would make the council more attractive to them and their families. You may also enlist these men in helping your council to recruit more younger men. If your council does not have younger men on its roster, identify the youngest men you do have. For example, if your youngest members are in their 60s, work with them to try and identify men in their 40s and 50s to join. Then, these members can help recruit men in their 40s or 30s.
     

Has your council met with your Chaplain/pastor about attracting younger men?

  • Have you discussed your desire to attract younger men with your Chaplain? Is he aware of your council’s current roster and how many younger men are involved?
  • Action Step: Meet with your Chaplain and report on how many younger men are currently on your council’s roster. Discuss how active these members are and any feedback you received in reaching out to them about what the council does well and what could be improved. Ask for your Chaplain’s assistance in identifying and reaching out to younger men in your parish and inviting them to join the council.

 

Has your council considered adjusting its meeting or event times?

  • When does your council hold its meetings and a majority of its events? Why does it hold them when it does (is it the only time parish space is available or has the council always held it them)?
  • Action Step: Poll council members to determine if meeting times are convenient for those with families (do meetings and events conflict with after school activities, bedtime, dinner time, etc.). If you have many events on weeknights, consider incorporating family dinners with these events so that families can attend without having to worry about also planning a dinner.

 

Does your council have family focused or family friendly events?

  • When your council plans an event, does it consider how attractive and convenient the event is for families? Does your Family Chairman still have children at home?
  • Action Step: Plan at least one council event every month that is targeted specifically at families. These events should alternate between faith-based programs, service-based programs and social based programs. Programs held on weekends are likely easier for families to attend.