First in Faith and Charity

Oct. 1, 2023

At the 141st Supreme Convention, Knights are called to make forming Catholic men the Order’s top priority

By Columbia staff

Oct. 1, 2023

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly delivers his annual report during the opening business session Aug. 1. (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

“For Father McGivney and the first Knights, faith and charity went hand in hand,” Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly told the delegates, clergy and guests gathered for his annual report at the opening business session Aug. 1.

“In these difficult times, so much depends on the commitment to our mission,” the supreme knight continued. “Will we be credible witnesses to a living faith? Will ours be a charity that evangelizes? ... Our answer is the same as Father McGivney’s: Yes!”

This past year, the Order’s more than 2 million members served 49 million volunteer hours and gave more than $185 million to charity in 2022. With regard to growing in faith, the Knights of Columbus is expanding Cor, an initiative focused on prayer, formation and fraternity that the supreme knight called “a game changer.”

“After a very successful pilot program in 21 jurisdictions, we’re preparing to roll Cor out to the entire Order,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “Every Knight and every Catholic man, of any age, can find value in Cor. I encourage you to make it a priority and invite the men of your parish.”

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori echoed the supreme knight’s urgency at the closing business session Aug. 3. Noting that faith and charity are gifts bestowed by baptism, he stressed that Knights have a responsibility to help each other develop these virtues: “Every decision we make, every program we initiate, every leader we choose, every interaction we have among ourselves and with our partners in the Church — all this must begin from the central question: Does this help our men to grow in their faith and to lead lives of charity?”

This issue of Columbia features highlights from the convention, including photos, excerpts from homilies and addresses, and the Supreme Knight’s Annual Report. For further coverage and video, visit kofc.org/convention.

PILLARS OF CHARITY, UNITY AND FRATERNITY

Photo by Andrey Gorb — A K of C Charity Convoy delivers supplies to a church in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrii Gorb)

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly recognized the accomplishments of exemplary Knights and councils Aug. 31 at the Supreme Knight’s Award Session. This year’s ceremony was followed by a performance of the popular folk rock band Scythian, founded by brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka — first-generation Ukrainian Americans and members of John Carrell Jenkins Council 7771 in Front Royal, Virginia.

Below is a summary of the international program award winners in the four Faith in Action categories, as well as select honors for insurance sales and membership growth.

FAITH

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Council 17248 in Sławno, Poland, organized the town’s second annual Week of Christian Culture in October 2022, promoting Christian values through words, music and images. The festival’s diverse events aim to reach a broad audience, including people not associated with daily Church life. In addition to a Mass, the program featured concerts, an art exhibit, sports events, a blood drive and a charity fundraiser.

FAMILY (tie)

In keeping with Blessed Michael McGivney’s mission to care for widows and orphans, St. Pius X Council 14574 in Rochester, Minnesota, developed a program called “Adopt a Widow” to support the spouses of deceased members. When a member of the council dies, another Knight “adopts” his widow, offering social contact and help, such as transportation or manual labor.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Council 17501 in Charlotte, North Carolina, helped rebuild a brother Knight’s house after it was destroyed in a fire. Oscar Garcia lost his adult son when the house burned down, and shortly after he died from COVID-19. Together with their parish, the council raised $40,000 for the family, and a group of 45 Knights and other volunteers worked more than 1,000 hours to complete the reconstruction.

COMMUNITY

Members of Sts. Borys and Hlib Council 17740 in Fastiv, Ukraine, have transported several tons of relief supplies to aid victims of war, particularly those in areas once occupied by the Russian army. Together with their chaplain, the Knights collected food and other essential items from parishioners and delivered them to Bucha, Irpin and Makariv in late March 2022. Council 17740 also was one of the first councils to deliver food boxes from the Polish Knights to the Kharkiv region after it was liberated in September 2022.

LIFE

The Michigan Knights of Columbus have doubled down on their commitment to life following the historic repeal of Roe v. Wade in 2022. More than 150 Michigan councils have participated in the Order’s ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) program — more than any other jurisdiction. Together, they have donated in excess of $400,000 to more than 75 pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes. They also continue to support the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative and currently have placed nearly 90 lifesaving machines in pregnancy centers and clinics.

Leading general agents: Kevin Pierce of Oklahoma/Kansas (281% of quota) and Mark Lewans of Saskatchewan (194% of quota)

Leading field agents: Jody Supak of the Supak Agency in Texas (649% of quota) and Devon Soukup of the Pierce Agency in Oklahoma (561% of quota)

Top recruiters: Past State Deputy Walter Streit of Alberta was recognized as the top recruiter of 2022-2023 for the Order’s insurance territories, signing up 217 members. Visayas Advocate Enerio Sabulao was recognized as the top recruiter of the Order’s non-insurance territories for signing up 797 members.

MCGIVNEY MEDAL AWARDED TO CALIFORNIA CHAPLAIN

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori congratulates Augustinian Father John Grace before bestowing on him the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal. (Photo by Paul Haring)

Augustinian Father John Grace, a longtime K of C chaplain who has worked with local councils, the California State Council and the Supreme Council, was honored for his service at the Supreme Knight’s Award Session, becoming the second recipient of the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal. Instituted last year by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors, the medal is awarded annually to a K of C chaplain whose priestly zeal and exemplary service are in the finest traditions of the Order’s founder, Blessed Michael McGivney.

Father Grace, a member of St. Augustine of San Diego (California) Council 16237, has been a Knights of Columbus chaplain for 23 years. Born in Ireland, he was ordained in 1962 and worked as a missionary in Africa for 14 years and South America for 18 years before relocating to the United States in 2000.

In California, Father Grace began his legacy as a ”Knights priest,” serving as chaplain to numerous councils, chapters and eventually the entire jurisdiction. Along the way, Father Grace encouraged California Knights in their charitable work and acted as guide and mentor to strengthen their faith. He actively promoted the growth of the Order, and his ”membership prayer” is still recited throughout the state.

Father Grace became the Order’s first director of chaplains in 2009; for the next four years, he worked closely with Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori to develop the responsibilities of state and council chaplains. In 2010, he led a pilgrimage of state chaplains to Rome for the Year for Priests.

Supreme Knight Kelly also bestowed the Order’s St. Michael Award on Father Grace in November 2021 in recognition of his many years of exemplary service.

Pope Leo XIV speaks with Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori.

First in Faith and Charity

PILLARS OF CHARITY, UNITY AND FRATERNITY

MCGIVNEY MEDAL AWARDED TO CALIFORNIA CHAPLAIN

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