Knights of Columbus Has Championed the Cause of Suffering Christians in the Middle East

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KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUS

sEPtEmbEr 2018 ♦ V o l u m E 9 8 ♦ N u m b E r 9 COLUMBIA

FEATURES 8 A Lifeline for Persecuted Christians For four years running, the Knights of Columbus has championed the cause of suffering Christians in the Middle East. BY COLUMBIA STAFF 18 ‘We Will Stand With You’ An interview with Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil about the humanitarian efforts of the Church in Iraq. BY COLUMBIA STAFF 20 Return to the Land of Modern-Day Martyrs The Knights of Columbus continues to support efforts to rebuild and resettle a Christian Iraqi town ravaged by ISIS. BY INÉS SAN MARTÍN 24 Knights of Diplomacy The Order’s efforts on behalf of Christians targeted A portrait of Father Ragheed Ganni, who was martyred by Islamist for genocide moved the U.S. government to take action. insurgents in 2007, rests among the shattered remains of his tomb- BY ANDREW T. WALTHER stone in St. Addai Chaldean Catholic Church in his native town of Karamles, Iraq. Father Ganni’s cause for canonization was opened this past spring, and a new memorial is being built in place of the original, which was destroyed by ISIS militants.

DEPARTMENTS 36Building a better world Knights of Columbus News 26 Knights in Action Through prayer, material aid and Mountaintop Mass Honors Father advocacy, we stand in solidarity McGivney • New John Paul II 30 Scholarship Recipients with Christians suffering in the Documentary Released • Supreme Middle East. Director Named to Philippine BY SUPREME KNIGHT CARL A. ANDERSON Supreme Court 4 Learning the faith, 7 Fathers for Good National Catholic Register living the faith A Knights’ connection brought The witness of St. John Vianney en- my parents together during World courages us to grow in holiness, fidelity War II. and love. BY GERALD KORSON BY SUPREME CHAPLAIN ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI PLUS: Catholic Man of the Month Photo by Edward Pentin/Courtesy of

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EDITORIAL COLUMBIA

PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus Saints Wanted ______THE CRADLE of Christianity is also a At precisely this time, the Knights of SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson crucible of faith. In the 21st century, de- Columbus countered ISIS’ campaign of SUPREME KNIGHT scendants of ancient Christian commu- destruction with a campaign of charity Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. nities in the Middle East have experienced and solidarity — establishing the Chris- SUPREME CHAPLAIN Patrick E. Kelly unspeakable suffering and even the threat tian Refugee Relief Fund and urging DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT of extinction. On June 2, 2007, Father prayer and advocacy for suffering Chris- Michael J. O’Connor Ragheed Ganni, a 35-year-old Chaldean tians and other persecuted minority com- SUPREME SECRETARY Ronald F. Schwarz Catholic priest serving in Mosul, Iraq, munities in the Middle East. SUPREME TREASURER wrote an email message to a professor in This issue of Columbia outlines the John A. Marrella SUPREME ADVOCATE Rome, where he had studied and was or- Order’s important work in the region ______dained just six years earlier. Father Ganni over the past four years (see page 8) and EDITORIAL described the situation in Mosul as “worse provides updates about new and ongo- Alton J. Pelowski than hell,” noting that churches continu- ing projects, including a $2 million ini- EDITOR Andrew J. Matt ally faced attacks by Islamist extremists. tiative to resettle Karamles that began last MANAGING EDITOR The very next morning, after celebrating year (see page 20). As the people of Margaret B. Kelly Sunday Mass for his people, he and three Karamles continue to return and rebuild ASSOCIATE EDITOR others were followed, confronted for re- with K of C support, they draw inspira- fusing to close the local church, and bru- tion from their native son, Father Ganni, tally murdered. whose cause for canonization was offi- Father Ganni was well aware of the cially opened in May. Today, Father risks of his profession. Less than a year Ganni is known as Father Ragheed of the earlier, he attended the funeral of a Eucharist, and a new memorial is now brother priest who was kidnapped, tor- being constructed in St. Addai Church. Venerable Michael McGivney (1852-90) Apostle to the Young, tured and martyred. In response, Father Father Ragheed’s witness, together with Protector of Christian Family Life and Ganni simply acknowledged his own that of other Christians in Iraq, Syria and Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us. human weakness and prayed for the elsewhere who have held firm to the faith ______strength “not to humiliate” the priesthood until the end, provides a lesson to us all: HOW TO REACH US of Christ. When Father Ganni was killed, When confronted by manifest evil, the MAIL Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul only adequate response is humility, faith- COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza had the following words written on his fulness and love — that is to say, holiness. New Haven, CT 06510-3326 tombstone in Arabic: “Father, not my will The Church, which is in constant need ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4210, option #3 but yours be done” (cf. Lk 22:42). Nine of purification and authentic reform, faces [email protected] months later, Archbishop Rahho was enormous challenges today, not only in PRAYER CARDS & SUPPLIES himself kidnapped and murdered. the Middle East but throughout the 203-752-4214 COLUMBIA INQUIRIES In August 2014, after the rise of the Is- world. It is therefore imperative that we 203-752-4398 lamic State group, militants invaded Fa- seek to follow Christ more closely and FAX ther Ganni’s hometown of Karamles, 20 pray that, by his grace, our faith, hope and 203-752-4109 K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE miles east of Mosul, and demolished his charity might always increase.♦ 1-800-380-9995 tombstone in St. Addai Chaldean E-MAIL Catholic Church. Never did the future of ALTON J. PELOWSKI [email protected] INTERNET Christianity in the region look so bleak. EDITOR kofc.org/columbia ______Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Solidarity Cross Program Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the K of C councils are urged to raise awareness of the plight of perse- Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to cuted Christian communities in the Middle East through the Sol- live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church. idarity Cross Program, by which they purchase 5-inch olivewood ______crosses crafted by Christians in the Holy Land and distribute them Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved for a suggested donation of $10 each. Net proceeds go to the Chris- ______tian Refugee Relief Fund. For more information, contact the Fra- ON THE COVER ternal Mission department or visit kofc.org/christiansatrisk. An icon of Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians

depicts Mary, with the Child Jesus over her heart, ON THE COVER: Icon by Fabrizio Diomedi (2018) spreading her mantle around recent Christian martyrs.

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BUILDINGABETTERWORLD

Our Work Continues Through prayer, material aid and advocacy, we stand in solidarity with Christians suffering in the Middle East

by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

THIS ISSUE of Columbia details our their homes and desecrated their aid to our brothers and sisters in the churches. faith who have been marked for ex- When their land was recaptured tinction by ISIS and other terrorists in from ISIS, the Christians were ready White House. We worked with them the Middle East. to return to their homes. But their to de-escalate tensions and avoid a The hard truth is that Christians towns were in ruins. Who would help bloody conflict that could have ended are on the verge of extinction in the them rebuild? the Christian presence in Iraq. Middle East. We must not allow this The first to act was the government Archbishop Warda has said that to happen. of Hungary, which provided funds to without the support of the Knights of Since 2014, the Knights of Colum- rebuild the town of Teleskof. During a Columbus, Christianity might have bus has committed more than $20 consultation with Hungarian govern- died in Iraq. million to aid Christians and those of ment officials in Budapest, I discussed Our work has brought a message other religions in their care. This with them our similar effort. of solidarity and of hope — that no money has provided food, shelter, Today, with $2 million from the Christian community is an island. clothing and medical care to thou- Order, Karamles is being rebuilt and Every Christian is “a piece of the sands who lost everything in Iraq and Christian families are returning home. continent.” Syria because they refused to give up We have provided more than finan- Every Christian is a member of the their love of Christ. cial aid. We worked closely with then- Body of Christ. No Christian has been We have supported true heroes in Secretary of State John Kerry to abandoned by the Lord. And no these countries, and several have spoken ensure that Christians and other reli- Christian should be abandoned by us. at our Supreme Conventions — includ- gious minorities were recognized as Their suffering continues. And our ing Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan victims of genocide. We also worked work must continue. of the Syriac Catholic Church of Anti- with U.S. Reps. Jeff Fortenberry and This year’s pilgrim icon program och, Melkite Catholic Archbishop Jean- Anna Eshoo to urge Congress to will focus the eyes of our Church on Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Syria, and unanimously pass legislation declaring the sacrifice of these communities. As Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Christians the victims of genocide. St. John Paul II said in 2000: “The Warda of Erbil, Iraq. Similarly, we worked with Rep. precious heritage which these coura- We have been proud to support the Chris Smith, who has been a hero in geous witnesses have passed down to medical clinic in Erbil operated by St. leading the effort to make U.S. assis- us is a patrimony. … May (their) Elizabeth University of Health and So- tance available to these communities. memory … grow still stronger! Let it cial Sciences in Bratislava, Slovakia. The He was the first senior government of- be passed on from generation to gen- young doctors and staff of this clinic ficial to go to Erbil to see firsthand the eration, so that from it there may blos- were some of the first to treat Yazidi and situation of the Christians there. som a profound Christian renewal!” Christian women escaping from sexual Now, we are working with Vice And to again focus the attention of slavery at the hands of ISIS. President Mike Pence to see that U.S. our nation, this month we begin a new Last year, we launched a special ini- assistance reaches these communities. national awareness campaign. tiative to resettle the Iraqi town of When the conflict between Kurdis- My brothers, these heroic Christians Karamles. It had been a Christian tan and the government of Iraq threat- have not abandoned the field. And town for centuries before ISIS overran ened an ancient Christian town, we neither will we. it, drove out its inhabitants, destroyed alerted the State Department and the Vivat Jesus!

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LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

A Priestly Heart The witness of St. John Vianney encourages us to grow in holiness, ﬁdelity and love

by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

THE ANNUAL Supreme Convention riving there, he found that the faith was always concludes with the holy sacri- all but dead among the villagers. fice of the Mass offered for fellow Father Vianney’s priestly heart, how- Knights, families and loved ones who ever, burned with love for Jesus and for died during the past fraternal year. the people he was sent to serve. This Present at that Mass are relics of saints priest, whose talents were regarded as ings as a person and as a shepherd. I also who are near and dear to the Knights mediocre, brought the parish at Ars back could not help but think of how the of Columbus. This year, for example, we to life by bringing many of his parish- Church’s mission of evangelization is venerated St. John Paul II, our beloved ioners back to the practice of the faith. harmed when her bishops and priests K of C Mexican Martyrs and St. Edith He did so not by strategic planning, but are mired in infidelity — either personal Stein. We also venerated the relics of two rather by the force of his integrity and misconduct or failures of leadership. saints who are part of the history By contrast, when in God’s of the Archdiocese of Baltimore: grace a shepherd strives, like St. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first John Vianney, for authentic native born citizen of the United Your love of the faith, your goodness and holiness, what a States to be canonized; and St. difference it makes. The faith is John Neumann, who was or- practice of the principle of charity, true, good and salvific — but it dained a bishop in 1852 at St. and your support for the Church’s becomes credible when preached Alphonsus Church in downtown and borne witness to by shep- Baltimore. bishops and priests are a great gift. herds whose deeds bear the Relics are precious and holy marks of integrity, by shepherds reminders of our closeness to the who are firmly on the road to saints. They tell us that saints were flesh- holiness, the fruit of his daily prayer cen- holiness, by shepherds who are filled and-blood persons, unique individuals, tered on the Blessed Sacrament, his prac- with pastoral love. in whom and through whom God’s ho- tice of self-mortification, his untiring love In these days when the misdeeds of liness shone forth. They spur us to for his parishioners, his long hours in the shepherds are so painfully evident, may strive, in God’s grace, to lead lives of in- confessional, and his confrontation with I say a word of encouragement and tegrity, virtue and charity. evil. Soon, his remote parish began to at- thanks to you, the family of the Knights One particular relic we venerated dur- tract people from all over France and even of Columbus? Your love of the faith, ing this year’s convention touched me from other parts of Europe. It was an un- your practice of the principle of charity, very deeply. It was the heart of St. John likely place to become a center for re- and your support for the Church’s bish- Vianney, the patron of priests. Vianney evangelization and renewal, but God, in ops and priests are a great gift. You help was born in 1786 in Dardilly, France, to his providence, raised up a good and holy us live the vocation God has given us. parents who were poor but devout. In shepherd to lead the way. As supreme chaplain of the Knights, I their home, the seeds of a priestly voca- St. John Vianney, who had not been have experienced this time and again. tion were planted in their son’s heart, but regarded as promising by his superiors, Thank you. And please do pray for me, his path to the priesthood was arduous set a very high standard for every bishop for your chaplains, and for all members as he struggled with his studies. Or- and priest. Gazing upon his priestly of the clergy. Pray that we might have dained to the priesthood in 1815, Vian- heart, I was deeply moved. I was filled in us a priestly heart, like that of St. ney was soon appointed pastor of a with gratitude and hope. At the same John Vianney — that is to say, a heart parish in the remote village of Ars. Ar- time, I was struck by my own shortcom- like unto that of Christ.♦

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SUPREMECHAPLAIN’SCHALLENGE

A monthly reflection and practical challenge from Supreme direction. Let’s be honest. In a selfish, me-first world, it’s Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori: just as hard to hear Jesus say “the first shall be last” as it was to hear my roommate at 5:15. And yet, my brothers, “Then he sat down, Jesus calls us to be servants of all; to step out of our com- called the Twelve, and fort zone and say “Gladly!” as we go to serve others in our said to them, ‘If anyone lives. “Gladly, Jesus. Gladly!” wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all Challenge by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori: and the servant of all.’” This month, I challenge you to become even more like (Gospel for Sept. 22, Jesus, the “servant of all,” by making an act of charity for Mk. 9:35) someone in your life from whom you have been distant, When I was in seminary, I had a roommate who was or whom you have wronged. Second, I challenge you to an early riser. Every morning, his loud alarm went off at prayerfully reflect on these words from Scripture: 5:15 a.m., at which point he’d always say the same thing: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one “Gladly, Jesus. Gladly!” My comments went in a different another” (1 Jn. 4:11).♦

HOLY FATHER’S CATHOLICMANOFTHEMONTH PRAYER INTENTION Father Bill Atkinson (1946-2006)

WILLIAM Edward Atkinson was born in Philadelphia Jan. 4, 1946. Raised in a Catholic home in Upper Darby, Pa., he was a tall, athletic boy who excelled at baseball and also volunteered at a That young people in Africa may home for children with disabilities. have access to education and work In his senior year at a high school in their own countries. staffed by the Order of Saint Augus- tine, Atkinson announced his desire to become an Augustinian friar. He Though completely paralyzed from LITURGICALCALENDAR entered the novitiate in New Ham- the neck down, Brother Bill eventually burg, N.Y., in the fall of 1964. mastered a mobilized wheelchair, and Months later, the novices went tobog- he faced his condition with courage, Sept. 3 St. Gregory the Great, ganing after a heavy snowstorm, and patience and wit. Pope and Doctor of the Church Atkinson’s sled careened into a tree, In 1973, he made his solemn reli- Sept. 8 The Nativity of the shattering his spine. gious vows, and the following year, Blessed Virgin Mary He took a turn for the worse in the after receiving a special dispensation Sept. 13 St. John Chrysostom, hospital, and Atkinson’s novice master from Pope Paul VI, he became the first Bishop and Doctor of the Church asked him if he wished to profess tem- known quadriplegic in history to be Sept. 14 The Exaltation of porary vows, which is allowed when ordained a priest. Father Bill gradu- the Holy Cross there is danger of death. Over the next ated from Villanova University the Sept. 15 Our Lady of Sorrows four days, Brother Bill stopped breath- same year, and for the next three Sept. 20 Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, ing several times as he battled pneu- decades he was a beloved presence at Paul Chŏng Ha-sang monia and high fever. His parents his high school alma mater, where he and Companions, Martyrs remained at his side, while the novices taught theology. Sept. 21 St. Matthew, prayed a novena to Blessed John Neu- Father Bill died Sept. 15, 2006, Apostle and Evangelist mann for his recovery. The 19-year- at the age of 60, and Archbishop Sept. 27 St. Vincent de Paul, Priest old friar’s condition suddenly Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia of- Sept. 29 Sts. Michael, Gabriel and stabilized on the final day of the ficially opened the cause for his can- Raphael, Archangels novena, baffling doctors. onization in April 2017.♦ POPE FRANCIS: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters — FATHER ATKINSON: Photo by John Shetron/© Villanova University — TOP: skodonnell/Vetta/Getty Images

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KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUSNEWS

Mountaintop Mass Honors Father McGivney New John Paul II Documentary Released

A NEW documentary on Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Ireland in 1979 began airing on public television stations across the United States in August. John Paul II in Ireland: A Plea for Peace traces the impact of the pope’s dramatic three- day pilgrimage, beginning with his famous words in Drogheda: “On my knees, I beg of you; turn away from the paths of violence.” Narrated by Jim Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, Conn., celebrates Mass in honor of the Order’s Caviezel and featur- founder Aug. 11 on the crest of a hill overlooking the city of Waterbury. ing interviews with prominent political, religious and cultural figures, including Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, who UNDETERRED BY RAIN and potential of the Holy Land USA also served as executive producer, the film threats of lightning, more than site as a way to draw Catholics to- chronicles how John Paul II’s witness con- 1,000 people gathered in Water- gether in faith and spark interest in tributed to the eventual peace settlement bury, Conn., Aug. 11 for a “Moun- the life of the Order’s founder, Fa- in Northern Ireland. taintop Mass” in honor of ther McGivney, who was born in More information, including DVD Venerable Michael J. McGivney. Waterbury Aug. 12, 1852. sales and broadcast times, can be found at Archbishop Leonard Blair of “God has revealed himself on jp2inireland.com.♦ Hartford celebrated the Mass on mountains, and he will continue to the top of Pine Hill, the site of do so on this mountain,” said Fa- Holy Land USA, a former 17-acre ther Sullivan, who is a member of Supreme Director religious theme park built in 1955. Valley Council 23 in Ansonia. The park was closed in 1984 due to The Mass included a Fourth De- Named to Philippine disrepair, but the site is still illumi- gree honor guard and was attended Supreme Court nated at night by a massive, 57- by relatives of Father McGivney as feet-tall cross. well as many local Knights and SUPREME DIRECTOR Jose C. Reyes Jr. “What a powerful thing it is for their families. Supreme Advocate took the oath of office as a Supreme Court us to be gathered on this holy John Marrella and other Supreme Associate Justice of the mountain in Waterbury, just as Council representatives were also Philippines Aug. 13, three Christ taught the people on the present. days after his appoint- mountain in today’s Gospel,” Arch- “From the top of the mountain, ment by Philippines Pres- bishop Blair said in his homily. you can see where Father Mc- ident Rodrigo Duterte. “This cross that is lit up every night Givney was born, where he worked Reyes has served on is a powerful spiritual reminder to in the spoon factory in his early the Philippine Court of

everyone of the presence of God.” teens, where he worshipped and Appeals for 15 years and The Catholic Transcript The event was conceived by Wa- where he went to school,” observed has been a Knight for Reyes terbury native Father James M. Sul- Father Sullivan. On the other side 38 years. He has also livan, pastor of the Church of of the mountain, he added, is the served as Luzon North Deputy since the Assumption in nearby Ansonia, in cemetery where Father McGivney’s jurisdiction was created in 2014 and was collaboration with the Knights of remains were buried for 92 years elected to the Order’s Board of Directors Columbus. Father Sullivan said before being transferred to St. in 2016. He and his wife, Maria, have he saw the enormous evangelizing Mary’s Church in New Haven.♦ three children.♦ TOP LEFT: CNS photo/Aaron Joseph, for

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FATHERS FOR GOOD Love at First Sight

A Knights’ connection brought my parents together during World War II

by Gerald Korson f not for the Knights of Columbus, I might not be here. father pushed through the crowd. “May I have this IMy father, Paul Korson, was a Knight who met my dance?” he asked. She accepted, and my father and his mother at a K of C hall when he was preparing to go over- walking dream danced to “Sunday, Monday or Always.” seas during World War II. Before his death in 2006, he The song, which was first recorded that year, would be- had spoken about this, but I discovered the whole story come their song. recently while reading my father’s memoirs after my His second question was: “Are you engaged?” He was as mother passed away. blunt as he was innocent. He later wrote, “I know I was Like many young men of his day, agog, in seventh heaven, with a pulse my father enlisted after the attack on to match.” Pearl Harbor. Following basic train- After the final dance, the two ex- ing, he was sent to Butler University changed phone numbers before in Indianapolis for six months of Air Dad and Osgood hitched a ride Force officer training. back to base. A shy, gentlemanly, devout farm Her name was Maryann, but my boy from Michigan, Dad was in- father called her “Jo,” a seldom- clined to spend his free time reading heard synonym for “sweetheart.” on base rather than hitting the town. They had several dates before Dad He was pulled out of his shell by an shipped off to train as a B-17 bom- airman trainee named Osgood, bardier and then onward to the Eu- whom he called “a miniature dy- ropean Theater. He would earn a namo” with an “overpowering inter- Purple Heart and a Silver Star for est in girls.” The two men first met bravery in completing a mission de- while walking to Sunday Mass in spite sustaining serious injuries from July 1943, and their common faith enemy flak. made Osgood “an instant prospect Despite this and other close calls, to be a friend.” he returned home to marry his Jo, Osgood urged my father to go with him to the Knights my mother, on Armistice Day (later Veterans Day) in of Columbus hall downtown, where there was hospitality 1945. They had been wed nearly 61 years, with eight chil- for servicemen. My dad agreed, and the next Sunday, they dren, when he passed away 12 years ago. My mother con- boarded a streetcar together to the hall. After checking out tinued to live in the house they had purchased in 1948 till the game room, they went to the library and immersed her death last month. themselves in sports magazines. When Dad dozed off, Os- In his memoirs, Dad wrote a poem about the night he good went looking for girls. He returned with glorious sto- met his love: ries of a free buffet, a large dance hall and two nice girls Our eyes met from across the dance floor sitting in a booth. Reluctantly, my dad agreed to meet the She didn’t smile, she didn’t frown ladies, but as he approached them, his attention was di- and her gaze held a question…. verted by something, or rather someone, else. Blindly bold, I blunder through the crowd “Across the dance floor on the other side of the hall, I “May I have this dance?” saw a dream walking, and being followed by a group of And we danced and danced infantrymen,” my father wrote. “This was it! She is the And have danced through a lifetime. one!” He resolved right then that this was the woman he And it all began on a summer Sunday in 1943 at a would marry. “The die had been cast, and there was no Knights of Columbus hall in Indianapolis.♦ escape. There was no wish to escape.” The band was playing, and soldiers and their dance GERALD KORSON is a veteran Catholic journalist and a partners were twirling across the floor. Though shy, my member of the Knights of Columbus in Fort Wayne, Ind.

FIND ADDITIONAL ARTICLES AND RESOURCES FOR CATHOLIC MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES AT FATHERSFORGOOD.ORG. Photo courtesy of Gerald Korson

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A Lifeline for Persecuted Christians

For four years running, the Knights of Columbus has championed the cause of suffering Christians in the Middle East

by Columbia staff

s Islamic State militants swept across northern Iraq and Syria in the summer A of 2014, the future of Christianity in the Middle East hung in the balance. ISIS systematically targeted Christians and other religious minorities for genocide, leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands more fleeing for their lives. The Knights of Columbus responded by establishing the Christian Refugee Re- lief Fund in order to provide humanitarian assistance in cooperation with local Church leaders and other allies. In addition to committing more than $20 million in aid over the past four years, the Order has also conducted campaigns to promote prayer and raise awareness, and it has successfully advanced public policy in defense of victims of religious persecution. The timeline that follows provides a summary of some of the many ways that the Knights of Columbus has aided vulnerable communities in the Middle East during this critical time. To support the initiative, visit christiansatrisk.org.

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Aug. 11 — With an initial $500,000 and pledging to match an additional $500,000 in donations from the public, the Knights of Columbus announces the establishment of the Christian Refugee Relief Fund to aid those suffering religious persecution in Iraq and elsewhere. “The unprovoked and systematic persecution and violent elimination of Middle East Christians, as well as other minority groups, especially in Iraq, has created an enormous humanitarian crisis,” states Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. “Pope Francis has asked the world for prayers and support for those affected by this terrible persecution, and we are asking our members, and all people of good will, to pray for those persecuted and to support efforts to assist them by donating to this fund.”

Displaced families flee their homeland in August 2014 following the violent invasion of ISIS in northern Iraq. 2014

November — The Order Sept. 9 — Within weeks, the donates more than $2 million Order raises more than $2 mil- October — The Knights to the Chaldean Catholic lion in donations and urges of Columbus begins send- Archdiocese of Erbil, Iraq, to Knights and their families, as ing financial assistance to provide food, shelter and well as others, to recite the the Melkite Catholic Arch- emergency medical service to “Prayer for Those Persecuted in diocese of Aleppo. thousands of internally dis- Iraq,” written by Supreme Chap- placed persons under its care. lain Archbishop William E. Lori.

Sept. 26 — Melkite Catholic Arch- bishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo, Dec. 12 — Pope Francis Syria, delivers an impassioned address at meets with Supreme Knight Fordham University in New York, detailing Anderson, who presents the the persecution of his people. Holy Father with $400,000 “When we consider innocent Christian to supplement the Vatican’s victims,” he says, “we can speak without efforts in the Middle East. exaggeration of several hundred dead, many of them martyrs.” Columbia reprints an adapted version of A Syrian priest inspects the damage inside a the speech in its December 2014 issue. church in May 2014. TOP: CNS photo/Rodi Said, Reuters — BOTTOM: Photo by Omar Sanadiki, Reuters

SEPTEMBER 2018 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 9 SEP 18E8_17FINAL.qxp_Mar128/17/183:51PMPage10 refugee families as well. well. as families refugee other assisted and welcomed since and have parishes, councils Catholic C of K other with Syria. together Daraa, 9544, Council of city cient an- the flee to forced was that Melkite Greek Catholic family Catholic Greek Melkite in Kanata, Ontario, welcome a welcome Ontario, Kanata, in 9544 Council Redeemer Holy 2015 10 March 24 24 March ♦ A I B M U L O C Mmes of Members — ♦ 8 1 0 2 R E B M E T P E S 63,000 crosses have been distributed, rais- distributed, been have crosses 63,000 than more Todate, Fund. Relief Refugee Christian the to going proceeds net with cross, per $10 of donation suggested a for ing nearly $400,000. nearly ing communities and parishes their in bution distri- for Land Holy the in artisans tian Chris- by made crosses olivewood 5-inch purchase to C units K of Pro- — inviting gram Cross Solidarity the initiate would Council Supreme the low, minorities.” other and tians Chris- to happening is what about truth of season a for help,”for “It he said. is time me and you to out cries tyrs suffering. those for prayer a together and crosses reciting Iraq olivewood and raising Syria, in Christians persecuted for idarity in sol- in him with stand to delegates invites Convention Anderson Knight Supreme Supreme Philadelphia, 133rd the an Iraqi girl. of X-rays examines medical clinics, STEP-IN the of Dr. Zuzana Ulman, director n h mnh ta fol- that months the In mar- these of blood “The 4 Aug.

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July July — The Order begins support of St. of support begins Order The — and awareness. and funds raise to campaign national a of part as States United the across airing begins East Middle the in minorities religious persecuted other and Chris- tians of plight the on commercial July 25 25 July good part of the humanitarian needs of people.” our needs humanitarian the of part good a to way, significant a in respond, to able been have we yours, like organizations of help “By the God’s with and adding, grace Syria, in Christians displaced of plight the mine.” and yours care, our in are people These forward. go can lives their how wonder they where Iraq, Convention Supreme the at addresses keynote deliver each Archbishop Aleppo of and Jeanbart Erbil of Warda Matti Archbishop Jeanbart similarly speaks of speaks similarly Jeanbart Archbishop Bashar Archbishop Catholic Chaldean A o C-produced of K A — f h Kritn ein of region Kurdistan the of safety relative the to fled ilies fam- these of “Many Warda. Archbishop recounts (ISIS),” of flag the by placed re- Cross Holy the ecrated, des- and wor- have destroyed been now centuries had for shipped people where Dinner. States “Churches and holy places holy and “Churches ✼✼✼ Daesh

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Sept. 11 — At the second annual Solidarity Dinner of the In Defense of Christians National Leadership Convention in Washington, D.C., Supreme Knight Anderson delivers a keynote address. “You and I know the truth about what is happening to Christians in the Middle East,” he says, noting that Pope Francis used the term “genocide” in relation to Christians and other minority communities in Iraq and Syria. The dinner concludes three days of intense media and advocacy work by the Knights and conference participants. On Sept. 10, participants visited some 300 congressional offices, urging members of Congress to vote for H. Con. Res. 75, a bill introduced the previous day by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) that would designate the Is- lamic State’s actions in the region as genocide.

November — The Order donates to Catholic Relief Services, sponsoring the Church’s efforts to educate Syrian August — The Order sends additional aid and Iraqi refugees in Jordan. to the Archdiocese of Aleppo, which provides humanitarian assistance to Christian families wanting to remain in their country.

October — A 15-year-old Chaldean Catholic girl from Iraq named Katreena recovers at the residence of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Enfield, Conn., after receiving treatment at the Con- necticut Children’s Medical Cen- ter in Hartford. Injured while fleeing from ISIS with her family in 2014, she was able to travel to the United States for medical care thanks to the Knights’ support.

Dec. 9 — Supreme Knight Anderson delivers testimony during a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C., on “Fulfilling the Hu- manitarian Imperative: Assisting Victims of ISIS Violence.” He implores the U.S. State September — The Knights of Columbus finances the delivery of one Department to “publicly acknowledge that month’s supply of food to more than 13,500 refugee families in Erbil. genocide is taking place against the Chris- tian communities of Iraq and Syria.” TOP: Photo courtesy of Catholic Relief Services — BOTTOM: Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Erbil

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April 19 — At a Congressional hearing titled “Confronting the Genocide of Religious Minorities: A Way Forward,” Supreme Knight Anderson underscores policy recommenda- tions such as assisting genocide survivors who wish to come to the United States and ensuring stability for minorities who remain in the Middle East. Nine days later, he delivers an address at a U.N. conference titled “Defending Religious Freedom and Other Human Rights: Stopping Mass Atrocities Against Christians and Other Believers.” Other speakers at the conference, organized by the Holy See’s Permanent Ob- server Mission to the United Nations, include Thomas Farr, director of the Religious Free- dom Project at Georgetown University and a member of Potomac Council 433 in Wash- ington, D.C.; and Father Douglas Bazi, a At a U.N. conference April 28, Chaldean Catholic priest who was kidnapped 2016, Supreme Knight Anderson and tortured by Islamist extremists before discusses the genocide report prepared running a refugee center in Erbil. 2016 by the Knights of Columbus.

January — The Chris- tian Refugee Relief Fund May 1 — Archbishop Jeanbart exceeds $5 million in total of Aleppo delivers an address to donations. March 17 — U.S. Sec- more than 350 people at St. Mary’s retary of State John Kerry Church in New Haven, Conn., the declares that Christians birthplace of the Order. He urges and other religious minori- his listeners “to help and to save” the March 9 — The Knights of Columbus, in coop- ties in the Middle East face Christians in Syria, who “have been eration with In Defense of Christians, submits a genocide at the hands of living for 2,000 years among hard- major report titled Genocide Against Christians in the ISIS. Supreme Knight An- ships, difficulties and persecutions.” Middle East to the U.S. State Department. The 280- derson applauds the desig- The following day, Archbishop page report presents comprehensive evidence that nation as “correct and truly Jeanbart and the supreme knight Christians in territories controlled by ISIS have been historic.” hold a joint press conference at the killed, kidnapped, raped, sold into slavery, driven Knights of Columbus headquarters. from their homes and dispossessed. It also includes interviews with witnesses of such atrocities collected during a recent K of C fact-finding mission to Iraq. The following day, the report is made public at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Melkite Catholic Archbishop where Supreme Knight Anderson is joined by Cop- Jean-Clément Jeanbart of tic Orthodox Bishop Anba Angaelos of the United Aleppo gives the closing bless- Kingdom; Nina Shea, director of the Hudson Insti- ing after celebrating Mass in tute’s Center for Religious Freedom; Prof. Robert the Holy Family Chapel at the Destro of The Catholic University of America; and Knights of Columbus head- Father Douglas Bazi, among others. quarters May 1, 2016. TOP: Photo by Gregory Shemitz/Catholic News Service — BOTTOM: Photo by Tom Serafin

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Aug. 2 — Patriarch Ig- Oct. 12 — The Path to Peace Foundation honors the natius Joseph III Younan Knights of Columbus and Supreme Knight Anderson of the Syriac Catholic with the 2016 Path to Peace Award “for their direct as- Church of Antioch, a long- sistance to the victims of violence in the Middle East time member of the and their effective advocacy for the recognition of the Knights of Columbus, de- persecution of Christians and other ethnic and religious livers an address on the minority groups there as genocide.” dire situation for Chris- tians in the Middle East during the opening busi- ness session at the 134th Sept. 22 — Supreme Knight Ander- Supreme Convention in son testifies before the U.S. Helsinki Toronto. Commission on Capitol Hill at a hear- “Our Churches go back ing titled “Atrocities in Iraq and Syria: to the first Christian com- Relief for Survivors and Accountability munities, in their liturgy, for Perpetrators,” convened by commis- traditions, culture and lan- sion chairman Rep. Chris Smith (R- guage,” he says. “They are NJ). Anderson calls on the U.S. now a kind of endangered government to deliver aid directly to species that could be wiped Christian and other minority commu- out for good!” nities who are victims of genocide in Iraq and Syria.

June — The Chris- tian Refugee Relief Fund exceeds $10 million in donations.

Aug. 3 — At a press conference during the Supreme Con- vention, Patriarch Younan, Sept. 8 — At the third annual In Defense of May 26 — Supreme Archbishop Jeanbart and Arch- Christians Solidarity Dinner in Washington, D.C., Knight Anderson testifies bishop Warda speak about the Supreme Knight Anderson receives the IDC Lifetime before members of Con- ongoing suffering and needs of Achievement Award for his and the Order’s work on gress at a hearing titled their people. behalf of Christians and other persecuted minorities. “The ISIS Genocide Dec- “If Christian families can Also pictured (left to right) are Former Attorney General laration: What Next?” live in a dignified way through John Ashcroft, U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.), In Defense The supreme knight’s programs like education, shel- of Christians Founder and President Toufic Baaklini and U.S. testimony would become ter, food and health, then we Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). the basis for the Iraq and will be able really to keep our Syria Genocide Emer- community alive,” Archbishop gency Relief and Account- Warda explains. “Thanks to December — Following the Dec. 11 bombing ability Act of 2017, or support from the Knights of by an Islamic State militant of St. Mark’s Coptic H.R. 390. Columbus, we are closing Orthodox Cathedral complex in Cairo, Egypt, some camps and moving fami- which killed 29 people during Mass, the Supreme lies to decent housing.” Council sends support for the families of victims. TOP: Photo by Matthew Barrick — RIGHT: Photo by Tom Serafin

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Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson is joined by a panel of clergy and scholars during the release of the genocide report at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., March 10, 2016. Through an established relationship with Coptic Orthodox Bishop Anba Angaelos of the United Kingdom (sitting left), the Order later contributes to relief efforts following bombings at Coptic churches in December 2016 and April 2017.

April — After the bombing of two Coptic Christian churches by Islamic State militants that killed at least 47 people and wounded more than 100 in Egypt on 2017 Palm Sunday, April 9, the Order distributes $100,000 to support relief efforts.

Oct. 12 — Supreme Knight Anderson participates in the first government-spon- March 24 — The Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont sored conference on Christian persecution Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., presents Supreme Knight An- in Budapest, Hungary, titled “Interna- derson with the inaugural Benedict Leadership Award for the tional Consultation on the Persecution of Order’s work on behalf of persecuted Christians. Christians — Finding the Appropriate An- “It is our hope that your award will bring attention and relief swers to a Long Neglected Crisis.” The to persecuted Christians and move the public to act more deci- Hungarian government donated $2 mil- sively in their behalf,” states Conor Gallagher, the institute’s ex- lion in May 2017 to rebuild the predomi- ecutive director. nantly Christian town of Teleskof, Iraq.

Aug. 1 — During his annual report at the 135th Supreme Convention in St. Louis, Supreme Knight An- derson announces that the Knights of Columbus will fund the resettlement and restoration of Karamles, an ancient Christian town in Iraq. The Knights of Columbus Board of Directors set a $2 million fundraising goal, which would help 1,000 families to return (see more on page 20). The supreme knight also announces that the Knights of Columbus and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bish- ops will co-sponsor a Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians on Nov. 26, followed by a Week of Awareness and Education. Bottom: Photo by martyn Aim

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Nov. 26-Dec. 2 — The Knights of Columbus joins the U.S. Con- ference of Catholic Bishops and other Catholic groups in sponsoring a Week of Awareness for Perse- cuted Christians. Events include a press conference with Archbishop Warda of Erbil and other leaders at the Na- tional Press Club in Washington, D.C., Nov. 27; a Mass celebrated Religious sisters pray at the Nov. 28 by Archbishop Warda at Saint John Paul II National the Saint John Paul II National Shrine Nov. 28, 2017, dur- Nov. 11 — In recognition of the work of the Knights Shrine in Washington, D.C., in ing a memorial Mass for the of Columbus to end the persecution of Christians and memory of the victims of geno- victims of genocide. other religious minorities in the Middle East, the Custody cide; and a Nov. 30 conference co- of the Holy Land, led by Franciscan Father Francesco Pat- sponsored by the Knights and the ton, presents Supreme Knight Anderson with its Grato Holy See’s Mission to the United Animo Award at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Nations at the U.N. headquarters Land in Washington, D.C. in New York.

Oct. 24 — By alerting the U.S. government of a devel- oping territorial dispute in Teleskof, the Knights of Columbus is instrumental in helping de-escalate a poten- tially devastating armed conflict between Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

Oct. 25 — The supreme knight intro- duces U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at the fourth annual In Defense of Chris- tians Solidarity Dinner in Washington, D.C. The vice president pledges that the U.S. government will provide aid to suffering Christians in the Middle East and singles out the Knights of Columbus for December — In time for Christmas, the Order provides a 30-day supply of “extraordinary work caring for the per- food to 12,000 displaced or formerly displaced Christian families in Erbil. secuted around the world.” TOP LEFT: Photo by Paul Felters — BOTTOm: Photo by Stivan Shany/Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Erbil

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2018

March 9-10 — St. John the Baptist Parish Council 10305 in Fort Calhoun, Neb., hosts a “Rebuilding the Cradle of Christianity” event in Omaha to raise awareness as well as funds to support the K of C effort to rebuild Karamles. Coordinated by Supreme Director Mike Conrad, the event welcomed Syriac Catholic Bishop Barnaba Yousif Benham Habash, among other speakers, and raised $163,000 to help rebuild more than 80 homes for Christians in Iraq.

March — During Holy Week, the Order provides funds to support several initiatives: the Archdiocese of Erbil’s food program for internally displaced communities; programs run by the Syriac Catholic Patri- archate based in Lebanon for some 3,000 refugee families from Iraq and Syria, who are in need of food, clothing, shelter and access to education and medical care; and the ongoing commitment to rebuild and resettle the town of Karamles.

April 15 — At St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford celebrates a Mass for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Bishop Bawai Soro of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Mar Addai of Toronto, a native of Iraq, delivers the homily and speaks after the Mass, which concludes a prayer, education and fundraising initiative among local Catholic high schools.

Aug. 7 — At the 136th Supreme Convention in Baltimore, the Knights of Columbus commits to complete the construction of McGivney House, a 140-unit apartment building in Erbil that will provide housing for both Syriac and Chaldean families. A new pilgrim icon titled “Our Lady Help of Perse- cuted Christians” is blessed at Mass the following day, inaugurating the Order’s 18th Marian Prayer Program.

The Blessed Mother’s protective mantle surrounds a representative gathering of recent Christian martyrs — men and women, young and old, from East and West; priests, religious and laypersons, including one of the six priest-members of the Knights of Columbus who were killed by the Mexican government in the first half of the 20th century — in this detail of the Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians icon. Created by Italian iconographer Fabrizio Diomedi and commissioned by the Knights of Columbus, the image also features four crosses that represent an “ecumenism of blood” among martyrs of Roman and Eastern Catholicism, as well as those of Coptic, Armenian, Syriac and Orthodox traditions.

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Prayer for Persecuted Christians

O God of all the Nations, the One God who is and was and always will be, who in your providence willed that your Church be united to the suffering of your Son, look with mercy on your servants who are persecuted for their faith in you. Grant them perseverance and courage to be worthy imitators of Christ. Bring your wisdom upon leaders of nations to work for peace among all peoples. May your Spirit open conversion for those who contradict your will that we live in harmony. Give us the grace to be united in truth and freedom, and to always seek your will in our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians, pray for us.

Prayer composed by Archbishop William E. Lori, Supreme Chaplain

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‘We Will Stand With You’

An interview with Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil about the humanitarian efforts of the Church in Iraq

by Columbia staff

or the past four years, the city of Erbil, in northeastern Christians and others fled Mosul and the Nineveh Plain [to FIraq, has been the epicenter of one of the most significant Iraqi Kurdistan] — crying with no one to help, except for the humanitarian relief efforts of our time. A primary destination Church. Neither the U.N. nor the Iraqi government was tak- for those forced from their homes by the Islamic State, the ing care of these displaced people. Then, the Knights came Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, led by Archbishop and worked closely with us to help ease the suffering of those Bashar Matti Warda, has served displaced minority commu- displaced families — and not just Christians but Yazidis, nities since the summer of 2014. The Knights of Columbus everyone — by providing them with food, medicine, shelter. has closely collaborated with the archdiocese to help ensure a The Knights said, “We are with you. We will stand with continued Christian presence in Iraq. you. We’ll support you. We will be in this together.” That gave In addition to providing food, shelter and medical care for great hope to the Christian community. And that’s why today the displaced communities in Erbil, the Order has helped we have so many families returning to their liberated villages. Christians return to their homes in the Nineveh Plain area. And for those unable to return, the Order has assisted with COLUMBIA: How did the McGivney House project in Erbil the construction of a 140-unit apartment building in Erbil. come about? Called the McGivney House in honor of the Knights’ founder, ARCHBISHOP WARDA: The archdiocese already had con- the building will provide housing for Syriac and Chaldean structed the framework for a large hospital, but due to the Christian families, as well as for elderly men and women left crisis, we postponed the work. Then we spoke with Supreme without care after their homeland was invaded by ISIS. Knight Anderson and came up with this project: to use this In July, Columbia spoke with Archbishop Warda about the building to welcome more than 100 families displaced fami- McGivney House and the Order’s ongoing efforts to aid lies and also accommodate the elderly people who have been Christians in the Middle East. left without care. More than 5,000 families have been able to return to such COLUMBIA: What impact has the Knights of Columbus towns as Karamles, Qaraqosh and Teleskof. But we still have had on assisting displaced Christians in Iraq? thousands of families in Erbil who haven’t decided yet to stay ARCHBISHOP WARDA: The work of the Knights helping the or to leave because their homes have been destroyed com- displaced Christians from Mosul and the Nineveh Plain is a pletely. When we finish, we hope to accommodate families historic work. Without this support, Christianity would dis- here and provide them safety. Among other things, we still appear in our region. need to install electrical generators to provide electricity for After the Daesh (ISIS) invasion, more than 125,000 the McGivney House before people can move in.

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Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil, Iraq, stands in front of the McGivney House, a 140-unit apartment building that the Knights of Columbus is helping complete for Christian families and elderly people unable to return to their homes elsewhere in Iraq.

COLUMBIA: What has been the experience of the people COLUMBIA: Can you share your perspective about the fu- coming home to the Nineveh Plain region? ture of Christianity in the Middle East? ARCHBISHOP WARDA: Everyone who returned to their village ARCHBISHOP WARDA: Christianity has been in the Middle was shocked by the horror of the scene. Their houses were East for 2,000 years. The origin of Christianity is here. St. burned or damaged. They lacked power, a water supply, roads, Paul, St. Thomas, St. Peter — they were all in the Middle medical — they needed everything. Still, they were hopeful East. The whole Gospel started here. and began reconstruction. With the help of the Church, thou- I do believe that the cause of all of the trouble and violence sands of families have been able to return home. in the Middle East today is sin. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ Today, we have families returning to Karamles, which is is forgiveness. This troubled Middle East needs reconciliation being rebuilt through the generous donation of $2 million and forgiveness, and we [Christians] are the people of forgive- from the Knights. ness, of reconciliation. We have to be here to set an example The most immediate need has been the renovation of the that despite all the atrocities and all this persecution, we are houses. That’s really a priority for us as a Church. We want as able to say, “We love you, we forgive you. Let’s start life again many families to go back and start life again, but they need a together. Let’s start the dialogue of life again together.” proper and dignified house. So the cure for the Middle East is Jesus Christ, and we are Also important is renovation of medical clinics and of the ones who must carry Jesus Christ to the people. schools, so that our children can continue their education and have adequate health care. Another basic infrastructure need COLUMBIA: Do you have any words you would like to share is good roads. Finally, the restoration of churches and preser- with members of the Knights of Columbus worldwide? vation of the shrines and monasteries. ARCHBISHOP WARDA: Thank you for your solidarity, your Security is also needed. We are working with the Knights love, for being a good neighbor to all the affected and perse- to continue to put the pressure on all governments — Bagh- cuted Christians and Yazidis. You have given a great example dad, Washington, Erbil — to provide the needed security for to all the people in the Middle East — especially in Iraq and the Christians and for the Yazidis. Syria — of what the love of Christ can do. And you have We must ensure that the Christians will stay in their his- made a big difference in the lives of so many families. torical lands and play an important part also in bringing sta- We are so grateful for the work of the Knights. Because of bility to the region. your help, Christianity in Middle East has survived.♦ Photo by Claire Thomas

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Return to the Land of Modern-Day Martyrs

The Knights of Columbus continues to support efforts to rebuild and resettle a Christian Iraqi town ravaged by ISIS

by Inés San Martín

fter leaving Holy Spirit Chaldean Catholic Church in FROM SHOCK TO HOPE A Mosul, Iraq, on June 3, 2007, Father Ragheed Aziz Ganni Ghanim Shaba Hanna and his family are among the many and three subdeacons were shot and killed by Islamist gunmen. who have benefited from the rebuilding in Karamles. Repairs Despite being threatened with violence if he did not close the to their home were completed in February. church, Father Ganni had just celebrated Mass for Trinity Sun- Until 2014, Hanna, his wife and their son lived off Hanna’s day. Facing his attackers that day, the 35-year-old native of salary as a driver, together with income from a mini-store at- Karamles, Iraq, responded, “How can I close the house of God?” tached to their home. When ISIS arrived, they had three The four men’s bodies were recovered and then buried at hours to vacate, leaving their possessions behind. They fled St. Addai Church, which served a thriving Chaldean Catholic to the Kurdish-controlled city of Erbil, where most of the community in the town of Karamles, 20 miles to the east of Christians forced out of the Nineveh Plains ended up. Mosul. When ISIS later seized Karam- “My home was charcoal when we les in August 2014, homes were came back,” Hanna recalled. “The torched, the church was largely de- shock of seeing it put me in the hos- stroyed and Father Ganni’s tombstone pital for three days. I couldn’t believe was smashed. “WHENEVER NEW what they had done.” ISIS was finally driven out in late Though still standing, the entire 2016, and last spring, the Vatican offi- HELP COMES AND home was blackened by fire. In addi- cially opened the cause for canonization, a bomb that destroyed a neigh- tion of Father Ganni and his WE RECONSTRUCT A boring house had left a large hole in the companions — a decision welcomed HOUSE, HOPE GROWS walls of a room on their second floor. with “great joy and pride” by Najat “This is my place, where my roots Sleman, Father Ganni’s aunt, who re- AND INCREASES.” are,” Hanna said, adding that he didn’t turned to Karamles after reconstruc- “doubt for a second” he would return tion efforts began last year. when he learned that Father Thabet Sleman’s family now lives in one of was helping people come home. more than 350 homes rebuilt thus far through a $2 million In all, more than 750 houses in Karamles were damaged initiative by the Knights of Columbus. Announced at the by ISIS, either totally or partially. Father Thabet has been 135th Supreme Convention in St. Louis in August 2017, the working against the clock to have as many homes ready as project is overseen by the Nineveh Reconstruction Commit- possible before summer ends. Some 40 houses are being re- tee, a coalition of local churches working together to resettle paired simultaneously, in the hope that new families can ar- predominantly Christian towns in the region. rive before the start of the school year. Father Thabet Habib Yousif, a Chaldean Catholic priest The work itself is being done by a team of some 50 people, and relative of Father Ganni, is serving at St. Addai and co- including masons, electricians and plumbers. All are locals, ordinating efforts to rebuild in Karamles. He initially re- so efforts to rebuild are also a source of employment. turned just two days after the town was liberated, and he has “Whenever new help comes and we reconstruct a house, witnessed the slow but steady transformation as hundreds of hope grows and increases,” said Father Thabet. families — some 1,000 Christians — have now returned to reclaim their ancestral homeland. DETERMINED TO REBUILD “People are very happy to be back,” Father Thabet said. Father Thabet has also been working on finding a temporary “Their identity is in this town.” home for two Chaldean religious sisters moving to Karamles

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August 2018

Above: Haitham Beno (right) and his wife, Almas Shankol, stand with their four sons in front of their newly renovated home in Karamles, a August 2017 town in the Nineveh Plain area of northern Iraq. The family began rebuilding efforts last year with support from the Knights of Columbus’ $2 million initiative to help residents return to their liberated hometown.

to teach children at a primary school the committee recently finished rebuilding. A convent in the town was hit during one of many aerial strikes by the government in an effort to drive ISIS out, and there is a hole in the ground where a three-story building used to be. “A lot of work still remains, since many houses are still burned and run-down,” said Father Thabet. “If people decide to come back home and nothing has changed from when they changing for the better,” said Almas Shankol, who returned left, they will leave Iraq. We can’t afford for this to happen.” to Karamles in August 2017 with her husband and their six Long term, Father Thabet has his mind set on opening a children. “For instance, the town is clean again. We are very university, a playground and a meeting center, and on using grateful for what Father Thabet and the reconstruction team some of the land owned by the Church to create small farms has done for us.” for young people to grow crops. When visiting the United States recently to speak about Other efforts are already beginning to pay off. For example, their experience, Shankol’s 14-year-old son, Noah, was often a new factory, where dozens will find employment, is being asked if he wanted to stay in the United States. His response built between the historic St. Barbara Church and the skele- was always “No.” ton of a university that never was. “Karamles is my mother,” he said. “We have deep roots “Karamles is not what it was before the war, but things are there.” TOP: Photo by Claire Thomas — BOTTOM: Photo by Martyn Aim

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August 2018

Above: Father Thabet Habib Yousif, a Chaldean Catholic priest who coor- dinates the K of C-supported reconstruction efforts in his hometown of August 2017 Karamles, stands in the recently restored St. Addai Church, which had been desecrated and burned by Islamic State militants during their seizure of the town in 2014.

A SAINT FROM KARAMLES In 2006, less than a year before his martyrdom, Father Ganni wrote what he called “My last prayer” after attending the funeral of a priest who had been decapitated by terrorists. In the prayer, Father Ganni did not ask God to protect him from suffering. Instead, he wrote: “Lord, give me the strength not to humiliate your priesthood, which I represent.” A decade later, when Father Thabet first returned to was a very kind person,” said Sadeeq, who now assists Father Karamles in October 2016, he entered St. Addai Church and Thabet in his spare time. “But today we’re very proud. It’s wept at the sight of Father Ganni’s grave. very precious to have a saint from Karamles!” “Today, when I pass in front of his grave, I greet him as a Many Christians forced out of the region have emigrated. living person, recalling the memories of an active and joyful However, those who have decided to remain in a land with a man,” Father Thabet said. “Parishioners also stand in front Christian presence since the earliest days of the Church are of his grave, speaking to him and asking for his intercession.” steadfast in their conviction, counting on those helping from Rami Sadeeq, 26, remembers the day the people of Karam- abroad and those interceding from above.♦ les learned of Father Ganni’s martyrdom. A girl came scream- ing in tears to share the tragic news with a small crowd. INÉS SAN MARTÍN is an Argentinean journalist who covers “It was a very sad moment. Everyone knew him, and he the Vatican in Rome for Crux. Visit cruxnow.com. TOP: Photo by Claire Thomas — BOTTOM: Photo by Martyn Aim

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MEDICAL TEAM STEPS IN TO PROVIDE CARE With K of C support, project continues to aid displaced communities in northern Iraq

LAST YEAR, a medical team led by doctors from St. Elizabeth University’s Project for Iraq in Need (STEP-IN) treated nearly 20,000 patients in northern Iraq. And according to the project’s director, Dr. Zuzana Ulman, they are on track to treat even more in 2018. The Slovakian-based initiative began in late 2014 to serve Christians, Yazidis and other internally displaced persons in need of medical care in the Kurdis- tan region of Iraq, with clinics in Erbil and Dohuk. The Knights of Columbus has financially supported STEP-IN since 2015, and the work of the project’s courageous staff was featured in the March 2016 and April 2017 issues of Columbia. “Since then, the project has grown, both in quantity and quality of the services,” said Dr. Ulman, 31, who recently provided an update on STEP-IN’s ongoing work. The team in Dohuk has set up a health center at the Dawoodiya refugee camp further north, where the need is greater. The center has a new microbi- ological laboratory, allowing the physi- cians to better treat patients with antibiotic-resistant infections. In Erbil, a physiotherapy center was recently opened, while prenatal care and nutri- tion screening and support has also been introduced at both clinics. time specialist doctors, pharmacists, lab “It’s hard to assess the size of the pop- technicians, nurses, translators and am- ulation who have access to our services, bulance drivers. Most of the team has because many of the patients travel long been recruited from the displaced distances to visit our doctors,” Ulman Christian and Yazidi communities. said. “We have buses of Christians com- As the project coordinators continue ing from Qaraqosh, near Mosul. And to monitor the severity of needs recently, after traveling over five hours throughout the Kurdistan region, which in a minibus, a group of Yazidi patients continues to evolve, they are also con- from the Sinjar area arrived to the Da- sidering expanding or moving their woodiya camp.” services to other areas of Iraq or Syria, The clinic in Dohuk has also pro- where the needs are even greater. From top: Dr. Zuzana Ulman (right) and vided the first medical treatment for “We are very grateful to the Knights members of the STEP-IN team stand outside of many Yazidi women who have escaped for their continuous support,” Ulman the medical clinic in Erbil, Iraq, in October ISIS’ horrific system of sexual slavery. said. “Quite frankly, without it we 2016. • Dr. Martina Partelova, a pediatrician Altogether, the STEP-IN team has wouldn’t be able to do half of the im- working with STEP-IN, listens to the heartbeat grown to 44 members, including part- portant work we are doing today.”♦ of a young Iraqi girl in April 2017. Photos courtesy of STEP-IN — BOTTOM: Photo by Matus Duda

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Knights of Diplomacy

The Order’s efforts on behalf of Christians targeted for genocide moved the U.S. government to take action

by Andrew T. Walther

n Oct. 24, 2017, the Knights of Columbus received an CAMPAIGN ON CAPITOL HILL Ourgent call from Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Beginning in late 2015, through meetings on Capitol Hill Iraq. Due to a dispute over territory with the Kurdistan Re- and in ads run in Washington newspapers, the Knights of gional Government, the Iraqi Army was prepared to shell the Columbus called on U.S. lawmakers to adopt H. Con. Res. town of Teleskof — occupied by the Peshmerga, the military 75. Introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) and forces of Iraqi Kurdistan — the next morning. The town, 20 Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) that September, the resolution miles north of Mosul, had recently been rebuilt by the Hun- recognized that ISIS had perpetrated “crimes against human- garian government and resettled by approximately 1,000 ity” and “genocide” against Christians and other religious mi- Christian families. If Teleskof faced another assault, Arch- norities in Iraq and Syria. bishop Warda said, Christianity could come to an end in Iraq, The Knights also urged the U.S. State Department to de- since his people would no longer believe that Iraq was safe clare ISIS’ actions genocide prior to the March 17, 2016, for them. deadline set by Congress for In response, the Knights such a designation. While immediately alerted the U.S. news coverage and a report ex- National Security Council isted on what had happened (NSC), State Department and to the Yazidi community, White House. Within hours, there was less media — and diplomatic interventions were no formal report — on what underway. A senior state de- the Christian communities partment official told the had suffered. Knights that the U.S. Secre- One senior State Depart- tary of State was speaking with ment official suggested that if both the Iraqi and Kurdish the Knights believed Chris- prime ministers. The NSC tians faced genocide at the further reported that they hands of ISIS and its allies, were contacting senior Na- they should try to “prove it.” tional Security leadership in As the deadline quickly ap- Iraq. The threat of violence proached, the Order worked was de-escalated, and the Battle of Teleskof never occurred. closely with In Defense of Christians, an advocacy group in The Knights’ quiet but decisive role in alerting key officials Washington, and collaborated with a broad coalition of part- was made possible by the Order’s ongoing efforts on behalf ners to write the definitive report on what ISIS and its allies of Christians and other minority communities in the region had inflicted on the Christian community. ISIS survivors, — work that builds on the Order’s long history of coming to various Church leaders and human rights advocates in the the aid of those who are persecuted for their faith. In addition region were interviewed, and a nearly 300-page report was to humanitarian relief through the Knights’ Christian prepared. It documented the atrocities the Christian com- Refugee Relief Fund, this work has included public awareness munity had suffered, including first-person accounts, the campaigns, such as the Week of Awareness for Persecuted names of victims, a legal brief on genocide and other docu- Christians co-sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic mentary evidence. Bishops and several other organizations in November 2017. The Knights delivered this report to the State Department Of particular significance has been the Knights’ advocacy March 9, 2016, and made it public at a news conference in with the U.S. government and the United Nations on behalf Washington the next day. The Order had also collected of Christians and other minorities targeted for genocide, and 140,000 signatures and launched a $1 million public aware- the fruits of this work have continued to unfold. ness campaign. Photo courtesy of the White House

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Opposite page: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence meets with Supreme Knight Anderson at the White House in 2017 to discuss aid to persecuted Christians, among other issues. • Above: U.S. Rep. Chris Smith visits with Iraqi Church leaders (left to right) Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil, Syriac Catholic Archbishop Yohanna Moshe of Mosul, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Timotheos Mousa Al-Shamani of St. Matthew’s Monastery in northern Iraq, and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Nikodimos Daoud Sharaf of Mosul in December 2016.

The campaign was effective. On March 14, Congress unan- and Agency for International Development, the Knights made imously passed H. Con. Res. 75, and three days later, U.S. Sec- progress in helping to shape a U.S. government response that retary of State John Kerry declared: “In my judgment, Daesh ended the de facto discrimination against victims of genocide [ISIS] is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under when it came to assistance. its control, including Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced changes in gov- Daesh is genocidal by self-proclamation, by ideology, and by ernment policy Oct. 25, 2017, at the fourth annual In De- actions — in what it says, what it believes, and what it does. ” fense of Christians Solidarity Dinner in Washington, D.C., It was only the second time the U.S. government had rec- where he was introduced by the supreme knight. The vice ognized an ongoing situation as genocide; the first related to president stated clearly that U.S. government assistance would Darfur, Sudan. no longer exclude those religious minorities who had faced the wrath of ISIS. ENSURING AID TO VICTIMS “My friends, those days are over,” Pence said. “This is the Although Secretary of State Kerry’s statement settled the de- moment. This is the time. And America will support these bate over what ISIS was doing, it did not settle the debate people in their hour of need.” over how the U.S. government should respond. Despite the The Knights applauded the vice president and the policy genocide designation, direct aid from the U.S. government change, and continued working with the U.S. government to and the United Nations rarely arrived to the Christian com- ensure its effective roll out, including by participating this munities in need. summer in meetings between senior White House, State De- Supreme Knight Carl Anderson provided Congressional partment and USAID representatives and religious and hu- testimony on the dire situation caused by the lack of U.S. gov- manitarian leaders in Iraq. ernment assistance to these communities. His testimony in Most recently, Vice President Pence announced July 26 the May 2016 became the basis for H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria establishment of a Genocide Recovery and Persecution Re- Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017 sponse Program “to rapidly deliver aid to persecuted commu- — a bill that unanimously passed in the House and is now nities, beginning with Iraq.” awaiting action in the United States Senate. Under the new program, the U.S. State Department and Prior to introducing the bill in January 2017, its author, USAID will partner with local faith and community leaders Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), flew to Iraq. K of C representa- to bring direct aid to those targeted by genocide in the region. tives helped to arrange meetings between Smith and Church Such developments are welcomed by the Knights, as we leaders, Christian refugees, and U.N. and NGO leaders there. continue to support directly — and be a voice for — those Several weeks later, as a new U.S. administration took of- in need.♦ fice, the Knights of Columbus continued advocating for U.S. and U.N. aid to Christian and other religious minority com- ANDREW T. WALTHER is vice president of Communica- munities targeted for genocide. Working closely with the tions and Strategic Planning of the Knights of Columbus. He White House, State Department, National Security Council has worked closely on this international issue since 2014. Photo by Stivan Shany/Archdiocese of Erbil

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REPORTS FROM COUNCILS, ASSEMBLIES KNIGHTSACTIONIN AND COLUMBIAN SQUIRES CIRCLES

Heart of Mary Parish. Their service that morning prompted four men to ex- press interest in joining the council, while the blood drive netted 27 pints and the pancake breakfast raised more than $550 toward an ultrasound machine.

20 YEARS OF CHARITY St. Therese Council 6320 in Netcong, N.J., held its 20th annual Charity Auc- tion and Tricky Tray. With support from the local community, the council raised almost $20,000 to support local charities.

Joined by Father Dawid Kwiatkowski of Pope John Paul I Council 7366 in Thomasville, Ga., K OF C BUILDERS and members of Father John Kennedy Council 4913 in Valdosa, a young altar server holds After St. John’s Council a new processional crucifix at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Council 4913 donated 10176 in Folsom, La., re- the polished brass crucifix to complement the candlesticks at the church’s altar. The new ceived a request for help lightweight crucifix is also easier for altar servers to carry. from a widowed parishioner whose dog had been killed by two rogue pit bulls, SCHOLARSHIPS house to the Pittston Public Knights erected a 200-foot AND ROSARIES Library, where panelists in- chain-link fence around her Very Rev. Jeremiah Murphy cluding a mother who lost yard. The council also pur- Assembly 211 in Decatur, her son to opiate addition, a chased $1,650 of lumber Ill., held its 10th annual St. judge, and a coroner shared and constructed new picnic Teresa High School Italian their experiences. tables for St. John the Bap- Night Scholarship Dinner. tist Catholic Church. Cumulatively, the assembly VISITING VETERANS has raised $51,618 to award For five years, led by mem- scholarships to incoming ber Joseph C. Fischer and freshmen from local parishes. his wife, Ann, Dover Coun- The assembly also visited cil 4182 in Camden, Del., eight second-grade classes to has taken part in a monthly provide rosaries for students get-together for veteran res- preparing for their First idents of Delaware Hospital Communion. for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna. Up to 25 veterans Ronald Rodrigue (left), a mem- RAISING AWARENESS attend, and at Christmas, Members of San Antonio ber of Red Church Council Council 372 and Assembly the council solicits specific Council 9195 in Anaheim 3634 in Norco, La., and admin- 948, both named for Presi- gift requests and shops for Hills, Calif., cook a meal as istrative assistant at St. Charles dent John F. Kennedy and the veterans. part of a monthly ministry for Borromeo Parish in Destrehan, located in Pittston, Pa., col- Isaiah House, a shelter for accepts a donation to the laborated to present an in- MULTI-TASKING homeless women in Santa church from Former Deputy formational program: the Immaculate Heart of Mary Ana. Each month, Knights Grand Knight John Campo. Opioid Fact Forum. The Council 13499 in Grand also prepare hot meals for ap- Council 3634 donated $2,225 Knights partnered with tel- Rapids, Mich., hosted a proximately 80 homeless toward restorations, as the evision, radio, newspaper blood drive, a pancake break- men, women and children parish prepares for its upcom- and billboard companies for fast and a membership drive who live in the neighboring ing 300th anniversary. publicity, drawing a full all at once at Immaculate Santa Ana park.

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MAKING CHANGE which Jessica’s sons attended. Good deeds abounded when A smaller portion goes to the St. Aloysius Council 15143 in Father O’Neill Charity fund. Spokane, Wash., gave first- and second-grade students at VEHICLES ON DISPLAY St. Aloysius Gonzaga Elemen- St. Fabian Council 967 in tary School $10 each to help Bridgeview, Ill., held its fifth them make a positive change annual charity car and bike in their community. Many show at St. Fabian Parish. students gave their money di- The show, which featured 73 rectly to food banks, and one vehicles, succeeded thanks to boy purchased reusable gro- the volunteer hours of cery bags to conduct a suc- Knights and their families Members of Ebensburg (Pa.) Council 522 gather under the cessful food drive. One girl and the generosity of partici- council’s highway cleanup sponsorship sign. Through the used her funds to establish a pating vendors. The $3,400 Adopt-a-Highway program, the council is responsible for clean- lemonade stand, raising $87 in proceeds went to children’s ing 2 miles of state roadway just south of Ebensburg Borough. for a food bank. Students hospitals and the Anthony supported an array of chari- Rizzo Family Foundation, ties, and all found that even a which raises money for can- small amount can do good. cer research and provides FLYING HIGH FILL ’ER UP support to children and their RUN FOR A SHELTER families battling the disease. Msgr. Edward J. Flanagan Everett W. Benson Council Father O’Neill Council 4011 Assembly 59 in Riverside, 5515 in Norway, Maine, con- in Lutherville, Md., hosted HELPING HISTORIC Calif., provided a United ducted a “Baby Bottle the 10th annual Jessica CHAPEL States flag for Divine Word Boomerang” fundraiser for Meredith Jacobsen (JMJ) 5K Nuestra Señora del Rosario Seminary. After almost 10 Mother Seton House, a preg- Memorial Run/Walk, which Council 10517 in Santa Fe, years without a flag, the sem- nancy resource center. Thanks commemorates a local N.M., traveled to the village inary gained a new flagpole, to the generosity of parish- mother who left behind two of Chamita to assist with the which is illuminated by solar- ioners, who filled 75 baby young children when she task of “mudding” the powered light. bottles with change, the died as a victim of domestic Capilla de San Pedro, work- council raised $1,908 to help violence. Over its 10 years, ing a mixture of clay, sand DONUTS DOING GOOD Mother Seton House con- the event has raised and straw into the chapel’s St. Thomas the Apostle tinue its ministry of educa- $120,000, with funds prima- centuries-old adobe walls to Council 9287 in Phoenix, tion, counseling and support. rily supporting the House of maintain the building. The Ariz., continues to collect Ruth, a domestic violence council members relished the donations for the Don Con- CHILI FUNDRAISER shelter that serves the Balti- chance to work with local roy Memorial Seminarian Father Robert Foster Jubilee more Metro area, and Im- parishioners in this long- Fund. For more than 20 Council 12687 in Elm maculate Conception School, standing traditional task. years, council members have Creek, Neb., held a baked served donuts after Sunday potato and chili bar benefit morning Masses to raise lunch to assist a member funds for seminarians. The with medical and recovery donuts and donations carry costs after a four-wheeler ac- on the legacy of past district cident. The event featured deputy Don Conroy. live music and silent and live auctions, which, combined COMMUNITY with free-will offerings, COMMITMENT raised some $14,000. More St. Boniface Council 16480 in than 50 members of this 58- Lunenburg, Mass., presented member council invested a $500 check donation for the 300-plus hours to plan the Lions Club Food Pantry. The event and prepare and serve donation marked Council 36 gallons of chili, 500 16480’s commitment to serv- baked potatoes and numer- ing the Lunenburg commu- ous desserts. Leftovers were Knights of Mindanao District R05 load up brush cleared from nity on the occasion of its first donated to Crossroads, a one of the major Catholic cemeteries in Cotabato City, Min- anniversary. homeless shelter in Kearney. danao. One hundred Knights took part in the cleanup.

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11381 is deeply grateful for the pregnancy resource cen- their pro-life commitment. ter. Council 9997 covered its portion of the cost FINAL RESPECTS through a pancake breakfast Mt. McLoughlin Council fundraiser, and the Knights 2255 in Klamath Falls, Ore., also ran a fund drive to sup- and Oregon District 11 port the Annunciation Ma- Deputy Ipo Ross worked ternity Home in nearby together to provide a final Georgetown, Texas. Due to resting place for the un- generous donations from claimed cremated remains of the St. Thomas More 150 people. The remains parishioners, the Knights were interred in a interde- delivered approximately $400 nominational ceremony in of baby supplies and a check the potter’s field at Mt. Cal- for $1,100. vary Catholic Cemetery. Of- ficials, priests and ministers DONATE TO HOPE of several denominations Longmont (Colo.) Assembly took part in the ceremony, 94 held its third-annual which included full military Ravioli Dinner and Silent honors for the veterans Auction at St. Francis of As- among the deceased. sisi Parish, raising $2,000 toward charitable work. Scores Father Raju Chebattina (left) of Father Edwin B. Steele Council HONORING MARY of meals were also donated 2193 in Souris, Prince Edward Island, presents a backpack to St. Anthony’s Council 11651 to HOPE of Longmont, a a young student at one of the eight regional Roman Catholic in Lakeland, Fla., raised local nonprofit serving schools of his home parish in India. After serving as an asso- $15,000 to build a Marian homeless and at-risk people. ciate pastor in Canada for five years and celebrating the 10th grotto at St. Anthony anniversary of his ordination by personally funding a grotto at Church — a longtime dream his home parish to honor the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s of Father Val DeVera. Two appearance at Fatima, Father Raju asked his council to help years of fish dinners paid off him aid the poor in the region. Council 2193 committed to rais- with a beautiful grotto, ing $20,000, enough to pay women in the region a decent which features a statue of the wage to make a schoolbag and uniform for each of the 1,000 Blessed Virgin Mary sur- Catholic school students of the area. Working with their pas- rounded by colorful flowers, tor, the Knights organized several special collections. Between native Florida plants and the generous contributions of parish families and Council benches. The grotto provides 2193’s donation, they raised $21,110 — which covered the a new space where parish- project and provided a meal for the children during the festive ioners and visitors can pray dedication of the Marian grotto. to the Blessed Mother.

COALITION IN ACTION RADIO AID PRO-LIFE RESOURCES St. Thomas More Council Louis Duer (left) and John St. Mary’s Council 14298 in Father Jerome Rupprecht, 9997 in Austin, Texas, coor- Leone of Our Lady of Mercy Jefferson, Mass., served din- OSB, Council 11381 in dinated a fund drive among Joseph F. Lamb Council 5723 ner at St. Paul’s Cathedral in New Florence, Pa., presented councils in the Diocese of in Hicksville, N.Y., pause after Worcester. Assisting at a Life Choices Pregnancy Cen- Austin to replace an aging loading a car with food. Over fundraiser, Knights trans- ter with $35,900 for the pur- 3-D ultrasound machine at the course of a year the duo, ported all their supplies to chase of a 4-D ultrasound the John Paul II Life Center. together with fellow Knight the site and cooked pasta machine. In addition, the Knights in the diocese raised Bob Werner, have delivered and meatballs for 200 spon- center received a $1,050 $55,979, and with $32,055 more than 60,000 pounds of sors of the Catholic Em- check for operating expenses. from the Knights of Colum- food for local pantries, bring- manuel Radio Station. The Parishioners of Holy Family bus Ultrasound Initiative, ing the Order’s mission of council typically serves two Parish in Seward donated the fundraiser much ex- charity to those in need. meals a month for religious this generous amount of ceeded its goal and was able Council 5723 also installed education classes, its parish, money for the sole purpose to cover a maintenance con- handrails at the home of a and community benefits or of purchasing the 4-D ultra- tract for future repair ex- past grand knight who suf- other needs. sound machine, and Council penses and other needs of fered a stroke.

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FUN & CHARITY Held at the East Hanover Our Lady of Sorrows Coun- Fire Headquarters, the event cil 7633 in Bernalillo, N.M., served 200 people and col- combined good works and lected more than $3,000. games at its second annual Knights spent a day prepar- softball tournament. Partici- ing the meal and later served pants donated one toy per pasta and meatballs in the player and one jacket per evening. team, yielding 130 toys and 15 jackets for people in need. BOTTOM LINE Christ the King Council THANK YOU! 12691 in Worcester, Mass., St. John XXIII Council raised $5,597 through a 7302 in Cole Harbour, Nova fund drive held after Sunday Scotia, held a luncheon to Masses at Christ the King thank first responders for Parish. The drive funded their service to the commu- some 43,000 diapers for nity. Members of the Royal Catholic Charities Worces- Grand Knight Tom Sullivan (right) of Don Bosco Council 7784 Canadian Mounted Police, ter County to provide to in Newton, N.J.; Tina Figurelli-Magarino, executive director of local police officers and fire families in need. Birth Haven; project chairman Don Kimble; Deputy Grand fighters enjoyed the meal, Knight Tom Hudak; and Knights Gary Carlson and Bob Tis- which was served by Knights TAKING CARE cornia stand with some of the 11,000 diapers and wipes col- and members of the Cranford (N.J.) Council lected by Council 7784. Thanks to the generosity of the Catholic Women’s League. 6226 donated $10,000 from parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in the proceeds of its 2017 An- Branchville, St. Joseph Church in Newton and Good Shepherd PASTA FOR PEOPLE nual Golf Outing to Cran- Church in Andover, the council delivered substantial donations East Hanover (N.J.) Coun- ford Family Care, a local to Birth Haven, Today's Choice and Project Self-Sufficiency. cil 6504 hosted a “Pasta for organization that assists peo- People” fundraiser for hurri- ple in need, particularly cane victims in Texas, through a food pantry and Florida and Puerto Rico. assistance with utilities. GOOD EGGS Kelly presented a check for Dr. Edmund J. Tierney $17,000 to Bishop Wack and Council 5660 in Sioux City, Father George Sammut to- Iowa, held an “Omelet ward the building of a church Breakfast” to assist Father rectory. Council 15366 also Roach Council 3217 in presented the $2,200 pro- Dickinson, Texas, with its ceeds of its baby bottle drive hurricane recovery efforts. to the Alpha Center preg- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo nancy resource center. of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese had contacted CANCER BENEFIT the Diocese of Sioux City, The seven councils of Dis- his first diocese as bishop, trict 36 in Oshawa, On- and asked for assistance. tario, held a “Knights to More than 150 breakfasts Remember” prostate cancer were served, raising $1,700 research fundraiser gala in to help Council 3217 serve memory of Knight Wayne its parish and community. Lillie. The evening included a dinner dance with DONATION BONANZA a live band and DJ, both of Our Lady of Snows Council whom donated their time. Scott Boyle (left) and Eli Gabriel of Thomas Christopher De- 15366 in Pensacola, Fla., pro- The evening also featured Lalla Circle in Budd Lake, N.J., team up with Tom Rohe and vided a dinner for parish- live and silent auctions John Watral of Father Joseph A. Cassidy Council 6100, also ioners at St. Ann Catholic of donated items. The in Budd Lake, to dig postholes on the grounds of St. Jude Church following a Mass cel- $18,513 in proceeds were Parish. The Squires and Knights improved the landscape by ebrated by Bishop William presented to the Canadian installing a fence around an electrical transformer near the Wack of Pensacola-Tallahas- Cancer Society for prostate parish’s prayer garden. see. Grand Knight David cancer research.

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Kilmer, Margaret E. McKee, Scholarships. Three new Supreme Council Awards Jessica Muhanyi, Kalie L. Pe- scholarships were awarded for terson, Zachary J. Pitzl, the current academic year and College Scholarships Joseph Robben, Claire E. seven were renewed. The new Russell, Theresa M. Uh- recipients are Cecilia M. Du- FOR THE 2017-2018 academic lenkott, Alexis M. Wanner, rando, Christine A. Schul- year, the Knights of Columbus John Walker and Elizabeth S. man and Joan M. Tiller. awarded scholarships totaling nearly Wolfgang. From 1995 to 1997, $712,000 to 450 students. Most re- Knights of Columbus Chari- cipients are the children of Knights, FOURTH DEGREE PRO ties Inc. received bequests to- DEO AND PRO PATRIA or Knights themselves, attending taling nearly $200,000 from SCHOLARSHIPS the estate of Anthony J. La- Catholic universities or Catholic (CANADA) Bella. In his will, LaBella re- colleges in the United States, These scholarships are for stu- membered the kindness Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico or the dents entering colleges or uni- shown to him by Knights Philippines. These figures include versities in Canada, with re- when he was an orphan in $278,750 in awards given to 113 quirements regarding K of C Farmingdale, N.Y. The be- seminarians in the United States and Canada. membership that is the same quests have since been used to For more information about the Order’s scholarship as for their U.S. counterparts. establish a scholarship fund in programs, visit kofc.org/scholarships Ten new scholarships were LaBella’s name. Earnings awarded and 26 renewed for from the fund provide schol- the current academic year. arships for undergraduate JOHN W. MCDEVITT FOURTH DEGREE New recipients are: Julianne study in accordance with the (FOURTH DEGREE) PRO DEO AND M. Bittante, Emile X. Coutu- rules and procedures of the SCHOLARSHIPS PRO PATRIA rier, Florianne Dufour, Kait- Pro Deo and Pro Patria Schol- This scholarship was estab- SCHOLARSHIPS lyn J. Hackett, Grace L. arships. Three new scholar- lished in 1998 in honor of the A total of 46 U.S. students re- Heukshorst, Michael L. Lee, ships were awarded to Order’s 11th supreme knight. ceived Fourth Degree Pro Chloe C. Murphy, Renee A. Kalleigh S. Burke, Elizabeth Recipients must be enrolled at Deo and Pro Patria scholar- Pouliot, Grace E. Smyth and M. Hall and Faith E. Heery, a Catholic college or Catholic ships of $1,500 each. These Emily M. Willette. and 10 were renewed. university in the United States scholarships are awarded on In 1997, Knights of ENDOWED and be a Knight, the wife of a the basis of academic excel- Columbus Charities Inc. re- SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS Knight, or the son or daugh- lence to incoming freshmen ceived a bequest from Dr. ter of a Knight. Columbian in bachelor’s degree programs Percy J. Johnson Scholarships Arthur F. Battista to establish Squires and widows and chil- at Catholic colleges or are awarded to young men at- scholarships for graduates of dren of members who died in Catholic universities. The re- tending U.S. Catholic col- the Cornwall (Ontario) good standing are also eligi- cipients are Knights of leges or Catholic universities Collegiate and Vocational ble. In addition to the 20 Columbus or Columbian and are funded by a 1990 be- School. These $1,500 and new recipients listed here, 86 Squires, the son or daughter quest of Percy J. Johnson, a $2,000 annual scholarships scholarships were renewed for of a Knight in good standing, member of Seville Council 93 are awarded on the basis of the current academic year. or the son or daughter of a in Brockton, Mass. Five academic merit, financial New recipients are: Benjamin Knight who was in good scholarships were awarded need, community service and M. Arkfeld, Olivia K. Belin, standing at the time of his and 17 renewed for the cur- extracurricular activities. Zachary D. Calvert, Pat J. death. Contingent on satisfac- rent academic year. New re- Preference is given to Calvert, Jack Coleman, Kyle tory academic performance, cipients are: Patrick J. Dampf, Knights; to the children or P. Fletcher, Thomas A. Gam- these scholarships are renewed Luke J. Mahon, Christopher grandchildren of members; to ble, Matthew S. Ginter, for a total of four years. R. McSherry, Joseph H. students recommended by James R. Green, Timothy M. This academic year, 20 new Stulec and Gabriel J. Volpe. the Ontario State Council; Koubek, Juliana M. Lynch, scholarships were awarded In 2000, Knights of and to students bound for Patrizia M. Manziano, John and 33 renewed. The follow- Columbus Charities Inc. re- Catholic colleges or Catholic J. Marcin, Veronica C. ing are first-time recipients: ceived a $100,000 donation universities. For the current Maska, Mikayla A. Mathieu, Benedict J. Antonyraj, Kira L. from Frank L. Goularte. A academic year, 20 new schol- Troy R. McFarland, Jacob P. Babiarz, Robert C. Baxter III, scholarship fund in his name arships were awarded and 22 Messineo, Kalleigh N. Per- Isabel T. Berrios, Jacob S. was established to provide grants renewed. New recipi- rier, Katlin R. Pistone, Brumbaugh, Stephen J. $1,500 in need-based grants ents are: Logan Anderson, Molly E. Propson and Caulfield, Robert C. Clement, that are administered, in gen- Codie Brammall, Angel Ed- Theresa W. Wood. Rachel A. Halberg, Michelle eral, according to the rules of wards-Square, Jessica Gillard, the Pro Deo and Pro Patria Kelsey Goodwin, Yanojan

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SCHOLARSHIPRECIPIENTS

Selvanayagam, Khizer Sid- the intention of adding new diqi, Alyssa Seguin, Kabishan students in 2019-2020. Manmathan, Emily Screech, Four fellowships for the Educational Trust Fund Muhammad Zain, Minna John Paul II Institute for Stud- THE FRANCIS P. MATTHEWS Siddiqui, Lily Irwin, Waqas ies on Marriage and Family at and John E. Swift Educational Ali, Alexis Lalonde, Neyha The Catholic University of Trust offers scholarships to the Tahir, Ashley Langelier, Ari- America were awarded for the children of members who are ana Roundpoint, Ben Paul current academic year. The re- killed or permanently and totally and Marina St. Marseille. cipients are: Michael Grasin- ski, Rebecca Williams, Donald disabled by hostile action while SISTER THEA Rooney and Aaron Williams. serving with the armed forces dur- BOWMAN ing a covered period of conflict. In Matthews FOUNDATION – MEXICO 2004, the Order declared that mil- K OF C SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS itary conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan This scholarship is named Three new scholarships were and Pakistan would be covered for Sister Thea Bowman awarded in the amount of under the trust fund. Also eligible (1937-1990), an African- $500 each, renewable for up are the children of members who American religious who in- to four years. In addition, are killed as a result of criminal spired many people with her 17 were renewed. The violence directed against them urgent and uplifting call for new recipients are: Pablo F. while performing their duties as better education for children Martínez-Regis, Sofía Olvera- of the African-American Lerma and Edwin Trevizo- full-time law enforcement officers Swift community. González. or full-time firefighters. An appli- In December 1996, the cation must be filed within two years of the member’s Knights of Columbus Board PUERTO RICO death or the determination of his total and perma- of Directors, in partnership SCHOLARSHIPS nent disability. with the Sister Thea Bowman For the current academic year, As of June 30, a total of 822 children have been Foundation, authorized a two new scholarships were recorded as eligible for benefits from the Francis P. four-year grant in the amount awarded and 10 renewed. The Matthews and John E. Swift Educational Trust Fund of $25,000 per year to sup- new recipients are: Andrés scholarship program since its establishment in 1944. port deserving African-Amer- Citrón Citrón and Miguel A. Thus far, 351 eligible children have chosen not to use ican students pursuing a Torres Concepción. the scholarships, three have died, and 125 who began Catholic college education. Periodically, the board has PHILIPPINES college either discontinued their studies or fully used approved continuation of SCHOLARSHIPS their scholarship eligibility before graduation. There the grant program. For the For the 2018-19 academic are 40 future candidates. To date, 297 students have current academic year, a year, 26 new scholarships of completed their education through the fund. Recent $50,000 grant was allocated $500 were awarded and 10 re- graduates are Kristen M. Merchant, Melissa R. Sta- to the foundation for 10 new newed. The new recipients chowiak and James Vigiano. The following students students. are: Gella M. Abelardo, An- are working toward their degrees: Mitchell J. Atkinson, drey R. Amurao, Kaela M. Patrick L. Barta, Kellie E. Barta-Ramirez, Lucas D. GRADUATE Añober, Hazel M. Aquino, Miller and Nicole F. Palazzo. Two additional students FELLOWSHIPS Iresh A. Barruga, Jewel D. — Natalie Pelletier and Owen Pelletier — will begin The Order has an endow- Bonilla, Leigh-ann D. Capuli, their undergraduate studies with the 2018-2019 aca- ment at The Catholic Uni- Cristine R. Cervantes, Chris- versity of America in tine P. Coros, Ma. Alessandra demic year, making a total of 7 scholarships overall. Washington, D.C., that pro- S. Francisco, Paula I. Guinto, vides Knights of Columbus Precious A. Gumawa, Sheri- graduate fellowships. For the lyn P. Linggayo, Judiane C. current academic year the Macaldo, Maria T. Maluping, FOR MORE INFORMATION fellowship will continue to John R. Mationg, Edwin M. Scholarship applications for the 2019-20 academic year will be available after Oct. 1, 2018. To obtain an application or request support eight returning stu- Nacario, Jr., John C. more information, visit kofc.org/scholarships, call us at (203) 752- dents: Benjamin Block, Nawanao, Mary P. Olaer, Jo- 4332 or write to: Richard Raymond, Brooks celle C. Perez, Xylona C. Dept. of Scholarships Zitzmann, James Duguid, Ratilla, Fritz A. Ruiz, Clauber Knights of Columbus Allison Michael, Timothy C. Sabonsolin, Vincent R. 1 Columbus Plaza Anderson, Matthew Gabay, Salcedo, Ian C. Siasat and P.O. Box 1670 and Brian Killackey; with John R. Velarde. New Haven, CT 06507

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PROMOTIONAL & GIFTITEMS

K OF C ITEMS OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

IN THE UNITED STATES THE ENGLISH COMPANY INC. Official council and Fourth Degree equipment Three Season Jacket – Personalized 1-800-444-5632 This wear-anywhere jacket has a water- www.kofcsupplies.com resistant Taslan shell and fleece body lining. It has front zippered pockets, IN CANADA an interior pocket, elastic cuffs and ROGER SAUVÉ INC. a rib knit waistband. It is available Official council and Fourth Degree equipment and officer robes in a variety of colors (royal, gray, 1-888-266-1211 black, navy) with either the em- www.roger-sauve.com blem of the Order or the Fourth Degree emblem. Your council or assembly name and number will be embroidered around the emblem, so please allow 10-12 busi- 09/18 JOIN THE FATHER ! ness days for your custom order MCGIVNEYGUILD to be produced. Optional indi- Please enroll me in the vidual name personalization is Father McGivney Guild: available for an additional $6 NAME charge. S, M, L, XL: $63, 2XL: $65, 3XL: $66, 4XL: $67, 5XL: ADDRESS $68, 6XL: $69. This jacket also CITY available in tall sizes. LT, XLT: $65, 2XLT: $67, 3XLT: $68, STATE/PROVINCE 4XLT: $69 ZIP/POSTAL CODE Complete this coupon and mail to: The Father McGivney Guild, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT Knit Cap 06510-3326 or Show your support with our enroll online at: jacquard knit beanie cap in www.fathermcgivney.org grey with a black contrast stripe. Knights of Columbus OFFICIAL SEPTEMBER 1, 2018: is woven into the acrylic fab- To owners of Knights of Columbus insurance policies and persons ric, and a fleece lining pro- responsible for payment of premiums on such policies: Notice is hereby vides no-itch comfort and given that in accordance with the provisions of Section 84 of the Laws of the Order, payment of insurance premiums due on a monthly basis warmth. $15 each to the Knights of Columbus by check made payable to Knights of Columbus and mailed to same at PO Box 1492, NEW HAVEN, CT 06506-1492, before the expiration of the grace period set forth in the policy. In Canada: Knights of Columbus, Place d’Armes Station, P.O. Box 220, Montreal, QC H2Y 3G7 ALL MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOS, ARTWORK, EDITORIAL MAT- TER, AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES SHOULD BE MAILED TO: COLUMBIA, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. RE- JECTED MATERIAL WILL BE RETURNED IF ACCOMPANIED BY A SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AND RETURN POSTAGE. PUR- CHASED MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED. OPINIONS BY WRITERS ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE- SENT THE VIEWS OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. SUBSCRIPTION RATES — IN THE U.S.: 1 YEAR, $6; 2 YEARS, $11; 3 YEARS, $15. FOR OTHER COUNTRIES ADD $2 PER YEAR. EXCEPT FOR CANADIAN SUBSCRIPTIONS, PAYMENT IN U.S. CURRENCY ONLY. SEND ORDERS AND CHECKS TO: ACCOUNT- ING DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901.

COLUMBIA (ISSN 0010-1869/USPS #123-740) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 1 COLUMBUS Varsity Blanket PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326. PHONE: 203-752-4000, Snuggle up at a football game or enjoy a picnic lunch on this navy sweatshirt fleece blanket, www.kofc.org. PRODUCED IN USA. COPYRIGHT © 2015 BY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRO- made of heavyweight cotton/poly blend. It is screen printed with the emblem of the Order DUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION and Knights of Columbus in white. This blanket measures 50” x 60”. $24 each IS PROHIBITED. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW HAVEN, CT AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND AD- DRESS CHANGES TO COLUMBIA, MEMBERSHIP DEPART- MENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. knightsgear.com CANADIAN POSTMASTER — PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 1473549. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE Questions? 1-855-GEAR-KOC CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 50 MACINTOSH BOULEVARD, CONCORD, ONTARIO L4K 4P3 (855-432-7562) PHILIPPINES — FOR PHILIPPINES SECOND-CLASS MAIL Additional shipping costs apply to all orders. AT THE MANILA CENTRAL POST OFFICE. SEND RETURN COPIES TO KCFAPI, FRATERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, Please call before mailing in an order. PO BOX 1511, MANILA.

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KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUS

Knights Members of Holy Angels Council 10948 display loaves of bread outside of Holy Angels Church in in Colma, Calif. For the last five of Charity years, the council has been collecting day-old bread from the local bakery school and dis- tributing it to parishioners and others in need. Every day, Knights all over the world are given opportunities to make a difference — whether through community service, raising money or prayer. We celebrate each and every Knight for his strength, his compassion and his dedication to building a better world.

TO BE FEATURED HERE, SENDYOURCOUNCIL’S “KNIGHTSIN ACTION” PHOTOASWELLASITSDESCRIPTIONTO: COLUMBIA, 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326 OREMAIL: [email protected].

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PLEASE, DO ALL YOU CAN TO ENCOURAGE PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

KEEP THE FAITH ALIVE

‘GOD’S GRACE ALWAYS WORKS AT THE RIGHT TIME.’

I was 24 years old, and having fallen away from the faith, I felt broken, lost and unful- filled in life. One Sunday morning, I decided to go back to Mass, where I felt a great peace wash over me. I suddenly fell in love with the Lord and asked him about my vocation in life. Two months later, I received a brochure in the mail asking if I had ever considered becoming a priest. I can only explain it as God’s direct in- tervention. My faith life was awakened, and I slowly began my journey to the priesthood. It would still be another 10 years before I entered seminary, but God’s grace always works at the right time. I joined the Knights of Columbus and became more involved in my parish. That initial spark of love for the Lord deepened over those years through my experience of going to Mass, confession and eucharis- tic adoration, preparing me to finally say yes to the priesthood. Now, as a newly ordained priest of Jesus Christ, I feel fulfilled in answering God’s call.

FATHER EDWARD SHIKINA Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Council 11188 Columbus, Ohio Photo by Melissa Zuk