KnightLineJUNE 22, 2005 VOL. 22 • NO. 9 www.kofc.org NEWS FOR LEADERS ‘This Can Be Best Year’ in Knights’ History, Supreme Knight Tells Order’s Leaders The Knights of Columbus is poised for continued strong growth, says Supreme Knight

upreme Knight Carl A. Anderson those in need can be found in the results told the Order’s top leaders that of the 2004 Survey of Fraternal Activity. Snow is an extremely exciting and Previous records for charitable contri- rewarding time to be a Knight and espe- butions and hours of volunteer service cially to be a leader of the 1.7 million were broken last year. member Catholic fraternal service Supreme Knight Anderson an- organization. Addressing the Order’s 70 nounced that Knights raised and distrib- state deputies June 10 at the organiza- uted to charity more than $135 million, tional meeting for the 2005-06 exceeding 2003’s total by more than Columbian year, Anderson said the $5 million. The survey also showed that Order’s strengths in all areas of opera- the estimated number of volunteer tions and programming mean the hours by Knights for charitable causes Knights can contribute greatly to the grew to more than 63 million hours. Church and society. Cumulative figures show that over “I can’t think of a more dynamic or the last 10 years, the Knights has donat- stronger Catholic organization in the ed $1.174 billion to charity and provid- Church today than the Knights of ed in excess of 560 million hours of vol- Columbus. This can be the best year in unteer service. the life of the Knights. We are poised for “This is a fantastic record,” Ander- great growth,” he said. son said, “but we can do better next Anderson announced that the 1.7 year.” The key, he said, is for the millionth member had been recruited. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson address- Knights to become an organization He is Gerry Kissell, who joined Im- ing state deputies at their organizational more rooted in the Eucharist. maculate Conception Council 13681 in meeting. The state deputies met under the “Christ is doing things today Springfield, Mo. He was recruited by theme, “Experience of a Lifetime.” through us,” he said. “When we say Grand Knight Dr. James Shelley. Both ‘Vivat Jesus,’ we are saying ‘Jesus is Kissell and Shelley will be guests of alive. The Church is alive.’ That was honor of the Order’s Board of Directors gram and its products as attracting SEE ‘MEETING’ PAGE 2 at the Supreme Council meeting in many new Knights. Anderson also said Chicago, Aug. 3-5 the variety of ways members can get involved in the Church and the com- TOP 10 JURISDICTIONS munity mean more men find something IN ‘I can’t think of a more they can contribute to the Knights CHARITABLE GIVING dynamic or stronger Catholic once they have been recruited. “Our goal remains to have the organization in the Church Knights connected to the life of the ONTARIO — $7,655,212 CALIFORNIA — $6,572,879 today than the Knights.’ Church at the parish level, in our schools and in our hospitals,” Anderson QUEBEC — $5,752,883 said. ILLINOIS — $5,595,344 “Hitting the 1.7 million-member “Every practical Catholic ought to FLORIDA — $5,555,056 mark represents an enormous mile- see a potential home in the Knights of TEXAS — $5,513,976 stone in the history of the Knights,” Columbus, and if not yet a home, then MICHIGAN — $5,268,878 a hand that’s reaching out to help. Anderson said. NEWJERSEY — $4,049,657 Credit for the Order’s continued That’s our future,” he said. MINNESOTA — $3,395,356 growth, he said, can be attributed to many things. He cited the strength of RECORD YEAR IN GIVING The success the OHIO — $3,353,995 the Order’s $55 billion insurance pro- Knights is having in reaching out to 1 FROM ‘MEETING’ FROM PAGE 1 SUPREME KNIGHT Though state deputies do not face the CARL A. ANDERSON Benedict XVI’s message in his worldwide challenges of the Holy inaugural Mass homily. If we focus on Father, Bishop Lori noted, they should the first principle of our Order, charity, likewise begin their term of service in a 10 Keys to we can make Christ more manifest in spirit of humility, putting God first. the world.” “As state deputies, you have been Success placed in a position of trust and leader- NEWSUPREME CHAPLAIN TAKES PART IN ship by your brother Knights,” the uring this month’s state depu- MEETING That was a message Supreme supreme chaplain said. “You have ties’ meeting, I reviewed with Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori of assumed a heavy set of responsibilities Dthe newly elected leaders my Bridgeport, Conn., highlighted in his on top of family, work and social obli- 10 keys to success. homily at a Mass offered at St. Mary’s gations” Only total reliance on the What will help him lead your juris- Church during the meeting. It was the grace and mercy of God will give you diction to greater growth in 2005-06, first international meeting Bishop Lori the strength to perform your duties can also help you at the council level. had attended since being appointed su- well, he added. Here, then, are my 10 keys to success preme chaplain in April. “Leadership in all forms brings with for grand knights, council officers and Those who assume leadership posi- it the burden of giving a good example,” appointed personnel: tions in the Knights of Columbus Bishop Lori observed. “For you, it 1. Be Membership-Growth Ori- means modeling for others the ideals of ented 365 Days a Year. Every activity Columbianism, to implement the your council undertakes should be Model for others vision and the mission of the Knights of geared to membership growth. the ideals of Columbianism; Columbus. But first the vision and plan 2. Establish Long-Term Goals for must begin in the heart and the mind of Growth. Long term should be at least implement the vision and one who is always being purified.” At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop five years. mission of the Knights. 3. Create Team-Oriented Council Lori led the congregation in the prayer Officers. Work as a team toward a com- for the canonization of Father Michael mon goal, whether it be a service proj- should follow the example of Pope J. McGivney at the tomb of the Order’s ect or a recruitment goal. Benedict XVI and reflect first on their founder. 4. Maintain a Positive Attitude and inadequacy for the job and their Communicate It. You must instill a absolute need for God’s assistance, CHALLENGES AHEAD By adhering to its positive attitude — “The best is yet to Bishop Lori told the state deputies. principles and the vision of its founder, come” — “This year will be better than Pope Benedict possesses rare intel- the Order will advance the Culture of last year, and next year will be even lectual and spiritual gifts, he said in his Life and withstand challenges from the better.” homily at a Mass held June 10 in St. culture of death in the next fraternal 5. Focus on Youth and Youthful Mary’s Church. Yet he began his papa- year, Supreme Knight Anderson told Leadership. Conduct programs that cy acknowledging his human weakness the state deputies. attract younger men and their families, and need for God’s help, and asked for SEE ‘MEETING’ PAGE 3 such as our popular free-throw pro- prayers of the saints and the faithful. gram. 6. Take Advantage of Leadership Training Programs. The Supreme Villa Maria Visit Council and your state council wants your council to succeed. Attend grand knight training seminars, state meet- ings and functions. 7. Establish Accountability. Be accountable to your fellow officers, your chaplain and to your members. Give them direction and know what you expect of them. 8. Have and Communicate Clear Priorities. Repeat them often at meet- ings and through newsletters, e-mail or regular correspondence with your offi- cers and members. 9. Be Open to Change. Constantly assess your performance and adjust The wives of the Supreme Officers, directors and state deputies visited Villa Maria, the pro- life retreat center run by the Sisters of Life, while their husbands attended the organiza- your program to meet overall goals. tional meeting. Their visit included Mass, a tour of the facility and talks by Mother Agnes 10. Use Your District Deputy. He is Mary Donovan, superior general (far left) and Sister Mary Grace, superior of the center (third an invaluable resource to you and your from left). The Knights of Columbus opened the international retreat center in cooperation fellow officers. with the Sisters of Life and the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., last fall. Vivat Jesus! 2 ‘MEETING’ FROM PAGE 2 Holy Family Chapel Blessed

The institution of marriage is being challenged in Canada, and in the United States a battle over anticipated Supreme Court vacancies is heating up. If the right people are named to the highest court, the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States may be overturned, he said. Calling membership “the number one priority,” Anderson urged a strong finish in recruitment for the 2004-05 fraternal year and a strong start come July 1. He recommended that every council undertake the membership Blitz parish drive in October. To highlight the need to recruit young members, the supreme knight threw a basketball and a soccer ball from the podium into the audience of Bishop Lori incenses the altar in the redesigned Holy Family Chapel at the Supreme Council state deputies. The balls have been spe- office. The chapel features several floor-to-ceiling mosaics created by artists who worked in cially designed for the Knights of the Chapel in the Vatican. Columbus for the popular basketball free throw championship and the new soccer competition that is being Jesuit Father Ivan Marko Rupnik The Knights of Columbus, he said, was commissioned by the Knights ear- needs to prepare itself spiritually for ‘Step forward for lier this year to create floor-to-ceiling when the Church pronounces its deci- mosaics depicting events in Christ’s sion regarding Father McGivney’s opportunities not found life. Father Rupnik’s best known work saintliness. “This is a moment of spiri- is the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the tual renewal for the Knights,” he said. anywhere else: our insurance, at the Vatican. Membership in the Father McGiv- our fraternal brotherhood.’ Bishop Lori blessed the chapel and ney Guild has climbed to nearly the mosaics. “This is a day of rejoic- 100,000 members. The guild promotes ing,” he said. “We offer to God this new devotion to Father McGivney by dis- launched Orderwide in the fall. chapel built with the Lord’s help.” tributing prayer cards and religious arti- While the Order is strong both in In the days to come, he said, the cles, and through its Web site, members and finances, it must contin- chapel would be a source of spiritual www.fathermcgivney.org. ue to pursue Father McGivney’s vision strength for the Knights of Columbus. “There should be 1.7 million of a Knights of Columbus council in “Countless Knights will visit here and prayers a day for Father McGivney,” every parish, Anderson said. Pointing pray, then return to their homes and said Anderson. out that Hispanics make up the fastest councils. Members of the headquarters growing group in the United States, he staff will gather to worship and receive MARCHING ORDERS In his closing re- said that every jurisdiction and every the Body of Christ,” Bishop Lori said. marks, Supreme Knight Anderson said K of C unit must make a concerted it was an “exciting time to be a leader effort to recruit Spanish-speaking FOUNDER’S CAUSE FOR SAINTHOOD Do- in the Knights of Columbus. This can Catholics, as well as Catholic men of minican Father Gabriel B. O’Donnell be the best year ever in the life of the other ethnic backgrounds. addressed the state deputies and their Knights.” “We really have to decide that we’ll wives on the status of the cause for Noting that both the Philippines be faithful to Father McGivney, that sainthood of Father McGivney. All and Mexico are celebrating 100 years of we’re going to help the immigrant,” the tasks related to the cause have been Columbianism this year, Anderson supreme knight said. “We have to be completed, Father McGivney’s postula- urged the state deputies to have the there for them because they are part of tor said. “Now we wait for the judg- same pioneering spirit of those Knights our future.” The changes in the demo- ment of the Church.” who carried Father McGivney’s vision graphics of the Church brought about During this time of waiting, Father to those countries. by immigration must be reflected in the O’Donnell told the Knights to “deepen “We must have the same courage of Knights, he said. your relationship with Father McGiv- those Knights from 100 years ago to go ney, deepen your awareness of him.” wherever we need to to grow the HOLY FAMILY CHAPEL BLESSED On June Order,” he said. “Open wide the doors 11, Bishop Lori celebrated Mass for the PUBLISHED 18 TIMES A YEAR to your council homes. Work together Knights in the recently redecorated BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS and pray together.” SUPREME COUNCIL Holy Family Chapel at the Supreme “With all the resources we have, it Council office. 1 Columbus Plaza ◆ New Haven, CT 06510-3326 is time to get up and get moving.” 203-752-4398 ◆ [email protected] 3 Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW HAVEN CT KnightLine PERMIT No. 400 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven CT 06510-3326

and we’ve received several “Best cil. And, if you are aware of a man who Practices” citations from the Insurance you think would make a good agent, Marketplace Standards Association. please refer him to your general agent. Our professional agents are doing an Then, every member will have the Our Greatest outstanding job of presenting our prod- opportunity to take advantage of our ucts to members and their families. But greatest fraternal benefit — our insur- Fraternal Benefit they never forget that a life insurance ance program. ◆ BY THOMAS P. SMITH JR. sale is one based on trust. The member SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT must trust the Order and trust the prod- (AGENCIES AND MARKETING) uct. Above all, however, he must trust the agent. Our record sales volume indi- INSIDE: ’d like to use my column in this issue cates that they do. And they do, in no to convey to you the same message I small measure, because of the support • 1.7 Millionth Member Idelivered in person to our state they receive from you. deputies at their organizational meeting Experience shows us that, where the Recruited; Record-Breaking held recently here in New Haven and greatest synergy exists between our Charitable Giving Stats reported in this issue of Knightline. That agency force and our fraternal leaders, Announced Page 1 message has two parts: First, that these everyone benefits. Agents attain their are prosperous times for the Order’s goals and incentives. State deputies • New Chapel Blessed at insurance program and, second, that the attain their goals and incentives. There K of C Headquarters partnership between our general and are more Star Council Award recipients. Page 3 field agents and our fraternal leaders has Membership in the Order increases. never been stronger and has, in fact, con- So, in closing, I’ll ask of you what I • Supreme Knight’s ‘10 Keys tributed to that prosperity. asked of your state deputies. Don’t to Success’ Page 2 These are indeed prosperous times. underestimate the positive impact that The first five months of 2005 were the you can have. Invite your agent to speak best in our history. We set all-time highs at all council meetings and, most impor- for life insurance issued in the months tantly, at all First Degrees. Give him On the Web Additional news and of March, April and May. We annually space in your council bulletin. Your features from the Knights of Columbus receive the highest possible ratings from endorsement can be a real “door-opener” Supreme Council are at www.kofc.org. both Standard & Poor’s and A.M. Best, for him with the members of your coun-