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KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUS

M A y 2 0 1 8 ♦ V o l u M e 9 8 ♦ N u M b e r 5 COLUMBIA

FEATURES 8 Medal of Honor Medic An interview with Capt. Gary M. Rose about his service in the Vietnam War. BY COLUMBIA STAFF 14 Knights of the ‘Greatest Generation’ Knights who served in World War II tell their stories. BY COLUMBIA STAFF 20 Mission Accomplished A young Knight accompanies a relic of St. on a historic pilgrimage across Canada. BY DEBORAH GYAPONG 24 A Celebration of Mary, Mother of the Church The Church’s Marian identity will be honored in a new feast day, on the Monday after Pentecost. BY SEAN INNERST

Five Canadian soldiers sit on the steps of a K of C Army Hut club- house in Prince George, British Columbia, circa 1940.

DEPARTMENTS 36Building a better world Knights of Columbus News 7 Christians at Risk Native American Catholic commu- Order Provides Aid to Persecuted Nebraska Knights intensify effort nities demonstrate diversity of cul- Christians During Holy Week • to help persecuted Iraqi Christians ture and the unity of faith. Knights in the Philippines Walk return to their ancient homeland. BY SUPREME KNIGHT CARL A. ANDERSON for Life • Polish President Thanks BY MIKE MAY Knights for Support of Hurricane 4 Learning the faith, Victims 28 Knights in Action living the faith The mission of evangelization remains essential to the Church’s identity today. BY SUPREME CHAPLAIN ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI PLUS: Catholic Man of the Month Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives

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EDITORIAL COLUMBIA

PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus The Way to Happiness ______OF ALL THE TEACHINGS of Jesus Nonetheless, the wisdom of Scripture SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson recorded in Scripture, do you know and of older generations endures. It can SUPREME KNIGHT what’s the most common? One saying be seen, for example, in the charitable Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. in particular appears in all four Gospels, work of the Knights of Columbus and SUPREME CHAPLAIN Patrick E. Kelly twice in Matthew and Luke: “Whoever in the lives of many Catholic young DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but people who live counter-culturally. This J. O’Connor whoever loses it will save it” (Lk 17:33, issue of Columbia features an interview SUPREME SECRETARY Ronald F. Schwarz cf. Mt 10:39, 16:25; Mk 8:35; Lk 9:24; with Capt. Gary M. Rose, a Knight SUPREME TREASURER Jn 12:25). This theme of self-sacrifice, who received the Medal of Honor for John A. Marrella SUPREME ADVOCATE especially for the sake of Christ and the his extraordinary bravery as a medic ______kingdom of God, is repeated several during a classified mission in the Viet- EDITORIAL other ways, such as in the parable of the nam War (see page 8); profiles of World Alton J. Pelowski grain of wheat (cf. Jn 12:24). It speaks War II veterans who reflect on their ex- EDITOR Andrew J. Matt not only to the preeminence of the perience as servicemen and as Knights MANAGING EDITOR Gospel above all worldly pursuits, but (see page 14); and the story of how a 20- Anna M. Bninski also to something fundamental about year-old Knight helped extend the mis- ASSOCIATE EDITOR human nature. The Second Vatican sionary presence of St. Francis Xavier to Council put it this way: Our creation in present-day Canada (see page 20). the likeness with God “reveals that man, Consider, finally, a reflection on the who is the only creature on earth which new feast day celebrating the Blessed God willed for itself, cannot fully find Mary, Mother of the Church himself except through a sincere gift of (see page 24). This memorial, which himself” (Gaudium et Spes, 24). links the humility and maternity of Venerable Michael McGivney (1852-90) Apostle to the Young, With this in mind, it is perhaps un- Mary to the birth of the Church at Pen- Protector of Christian Family Life and surprising that religious observance is on tecost, further reminds us of the call to Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us. the decline today. Our era is often char- self-sacrificial love, the call to become ______acterized by “selfies” and entitlement, in missionary disciples and the call to ho- HOW TO REACH US contrast to the selflessness and heroism liness. The Christian life, after all, is MAIL that defined the “Greatest Generation,” made possible by the indwelling of the COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza for instance. Nor is it surprising that, ac- Holy Spirit, whom St. John Paul II New Haven, CT 06510-3326 cording to many studies, young people called the “personal expression” of eter- ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4210, option #3 report greater feelings of unhappiness. nal, self-giving love (Dominum et Vivi- [email protected] In his new apostolic exhortation on the ficantem, 10). And true blessedness — PRAYER CARDS & SUPPLIES call to holiness, Francis reflects on on earth as in heaven — consists of 203-752-4214 COLUMBIA INQUIRIES the Beatitudes and notes that the word sharing in this love of the Most Holy 203-752-4398 “happy” or “blessed” “becomes a syn- Trinity, in whose image and likeness we FAX onym for ‘holy.’ It expresses the fact that are created.♦ 203-752-4109 K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE those faithful to God and his word, by 1-800-380-9995 their self-giving, gain true happiness” ALTON J. PELOWSKI E-MAIL (Gaudete et Exsultate, 64). EDITOR [email protected] INTERNET kofc.org/columbia ______CIS Resource: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) The Gifts of the Holy Spirit According to Catholics in union with the . This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the (#360) by Dominican Father Peter John Cameron explains how on matters of faith and morals, aspires to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit — wisdom, understanding, live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church. counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord — draw ______us closer to Christ. Part of the Veritas Booklet Series published Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved by the Order’s Catholic Information Service, this booklet is in- ______fused with the teaching of Aquinas and rich Marian insights. To ON THE COVER download or order this resource, visit kofc.org/cis. Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose, a U.S. Army medic and

member of the Knights who served in the Vietnam ON THE COVER: Photo by Spirit Juice Studios War, is pictured wearing the Medal of Honor.

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BUILDINGABETTERWORLD

‘Hold On to What Is Good’ Native American Catholic communities demonstrate diversity of culture and the unity of faith

by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

THIS YEAR, I spent much of Holy the Indian peoples, but Christ, in the Week in the Diocese of Gallup, N.M., members of his Body, is himself Indian.” encountering the presence of our Often, in Columbia and elsewhere, I Catholic faith among Native Americans. have written about ’ chal- I met Mercy Corps volunteers at the St. lenge to bring the Gospel to the periph- and despair. Michaels Association for Special Educa- eries. But Holy Week made clear to me Instead, after his baptism, he lived a tion on the Navajo Reservation; greeted that there is a “periphery” in the heart life of hope and reconciliation — for 50 Navajos at the Villa Guadalupe residence of our own continent — one largely years evangelizing his fellow Native of the Little Sisters of the Poor; visited San overlooked by many Catholics but American people. Estevan del Rey mission church in “Sky where the Gospel has already been lived There is a Pueblo Indian prayer famil- City” on the Acoma Pueblo — the scene for centuries. iar to the Laguna tribe that reads like a of a dramatic episode in Willa Cather’s “Today, people are realizing more and poem: “Hold on to what is good, even Death Comes for the Archbishop; and spoke more clearly that we all belong to the if it’s a handful of earth. Hold on to with a missionary priest about what you believe, even if it’s a his pastoral work on the Zuni tree that stands by itself. Hold reservation. There is a “periphery” in the on to what you must do, even But the high point was the if it’s a long way from here. Easter Vigil at San José Mission heart of our own continent — one Hold on to your life, even it on the Laguna Pueblo reserva- where the Gospel has already it’s easier to let go. Hold on to tion, after Dorian and I shared my hand, even if someday I’ll dinner with a parish family. been lived for centuries. be gone away from you.” Mass was an extraordinary We encourage our children experience as the church, built to read the great literature of in 1699, filled with light during the pro- one human family,” John Paul II said pagan Greece such as Homer’s Iliad, not cession. As Communion ended, the during his 1987 meeting with native because we somehow endorse such congregation sang a hymn in the native peoples in Phoenix, days before his visit things as King Agamemnon’s bloody Keresan language. to Fort Simpson. sacrifice of his daughter Iphigenia to the Later, the governors of the pueblo “Within this family,” he continued, goddess Artemis, but because such sto- stood in front of the altar and spoke of “each people preserves and expresses its ries tell us something important about the need to continue to live in a way that own identity and enriches others with human nature and the moral life. We brought their Catholic faith “in har- its gifts of culture, tradition, customs, should not hesitate to explore similar mony with their Indian way of life,” to stories, song, dance, art and skills.” lessons in our own history. treat each other in a Christian way and An outstanding example of this is Pope Francis recently reminded us, “to speak to each other with respect.” Nicholas Black Elk, whose cause for “Each culture that receives the Gospel The experience brought to life what has recently been opened enriches the Church by showing a new St. John Paul II had said in Fort Simp- in the Diocese of Rapid City, S.D. aspect of Christ’s face.” son, in the Northwest Territories, three He fought at the Battle of Little If we are truly the people “who long to decades ago: “The worthy traditions of Bighorn and later witnessed the death see His face,” then there is one further the Indian tribes were strengthened and and destruction of the Minneconjou at voyage of discovery, this time close to enriched by the Gospel message. ... Wounded Knee. These experiences home, that we have been invited to make. Thus not only is Christianity relevant to could have led to a life of anger, hatred Vivat Jesus!

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LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

Beyond Dissent The mission of evangelization remains essential to the Church’s identity today

by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

FIFTY YEARS AGO, Blessed Pope to open their hearts more widely to the Paul VI issued Humanae Vitae. In this Lord and to actively share the faith with prophetic encyclical, the Holy Father the searching and the straying alike. taught that artificial birth control is not At the heart of the Second Vatican permitted because it breaks the bond Council and the pontificates that have called for “re-proposing” the Gospel in between two inseparable and God- followed is the call to proclaim Christ places where many no longer practice given aspects of marital love: its capac- in our time, so that people may open the faith and where new forms of secu- ity to express the exclusive and total their hearts to the Lord and find salva- larism have taken hold. Pope Benedict, love of husband and wife for each other tion from their sins and the path to ho- like those before him, emphasized that and its capacity to beget new life. The liness in his Church. evangelization entails an opening of the document unleashed a firestorm heart. It involves becoming of criticism for maintaining a agents of the Holy Spirit, help- teaching allegedly made obso- ing people have a profound ex- lete by the advent of “the pill.” Evangelization involves becoming perience of Jesus and his love — The pope’s warnings that the a love that opens them to the pervasive practice of contracep- agents of the Holy Spirit, helping Word of God, the sacraments, tion would open the door to people have a profound experience virtuous living and ultimately promiscuity, abortion and the their vocation to holiness. breakdown of the family went of Jesus and his love. Evangelization is also clearly unheeded. Only a small per- central to the pontificate of Pope centage accepted this teaching, Francis, who penned Evangelii and many still dissent. Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel ). He In 1975, Paul VI issued another FROM VATICAN II UNTIL TODAY speaks of the urgency of this mission and landmark document, Evangelii Nun- Following his predecessors, St. John calls each one of us and our parishes and tiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern Paul II called for a “new evangelization” church institutions to “missionary con- World). In it, he tapped into the deepest — not new in content, for “Jesus Christ version” (30). He challenges bishops and root of the Second Vatican Council, is the same yesterday, today, and for- priests to take the lead in creating dioce- which his predecessor, St. John XXIII, ever” (Heb 13:8) — but new “in its ses and parishes that are on fire with the had convoked to proclaim Christ anew ardor, methods, and expression.” He mission of spreading the Gospel. He “as the center of history and of life.” reaffirmed the Church’s mission to pro- challenges religious women and men “to Drawing together the teaching of the claim the Gospel, stressing the obliga- wake up the world” by their witness to council, Paul VI described evangeliza- tion of the Church to evangelize those the kingdom of God. And he challenges tion as the Church’s core identity and whose faith had grown dim and to re- laypeople to engage robustly in this mis- mission. In short, the Church “exists in evangelize nations where the faith is sion in their families and daily work. order to evangelize” (14). This mission fading. St. John Paul II said no one is is directed both toward people who exempt from the duty of proclaiming A NEW PENTECOST have not yet heard the Good News and the Gospel, and laypeople are the prime What has been the response of the those who no longer practice their faith. agents of the new evangelization. Church to this call for a new evangeliza- Pope Paul called on all members of the Pope Benedict XVI likewise pro- tion? One survey published in 2005 Church, not just clergy and religious, moted the new evangelization. He asked various Christian congregations

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LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

whether spreading the faith is a high pri- the Church’s very identity and mission. manded. Their wholehearted witness to ority. In conservative Protestant congre- Relatively few Catholics reject outright Jesus and their courageous preaching gations, some 75 percent answered in the call to spread the Gospel; it’s more brought extraordinary results. the affirmative; 57 percent of African- that they decline to participate, often Let us unite in praying earnestly for American congregations agreed. Among because they themselves have not been a new Pentecost in our day. And the U.S. Catholic parishes, only 6 percent evangelized and adequately catechized. Knights of Columbus, as the world’s did — not exactly an enthusiastic em- This month, the Church celebrates largest Catholic lay organization, can brace of the central thrust of the Second the Solemnity of Pentecost, when the and should lead the way in bearing wit- Vatican Council or the teaching of re- Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles. ness to and spreading the Gospel. In cent . Their warnings go un- Their hearts and minds were opened so the power of the Spirit, let us open our heeded as the number of practicing that they truly grasped who Jesus is, hearts to Jesus, fully live his Gospel — Catholics declines. This constitutes a what he taught and what he did to save including those teachings that are kind of “soft” dissent, not so much from us. And they received the wisdom, countercultural — and speak of him in a specific teaching but rather from the strength and courage to go forth and love to others, so as to win them for Lord’s missionary mandate and from spread the Gospel as the Lord had com- Christ and his Church.♦

HOLY FATHER’S CATHOLICMANOFTHEMONTH PRAYER INTENTION Blessed Vladimir Ghika Offered in (1873-1954) Solidarity with Pope Francis THE SON OF a Romanian diplomat and the grandson of the last reigning prince of , Vladimir Ghika That the lay faith- was born on Day 1873 in ful may fulfill (present-day Istan- their specific mis- bul). Raised Orthodox, Ghika con- sion, by respond- verted to Catholicism at age 27 and ing with creativity earned a doctorate in theology three to the challenges years later in . that face the In , he founded the na- world today. tion’s first free medical clinic with the Msgr. Ghika returned to Romania Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent to serve refugees flooding the country de Paul and also established the first following Hitler’s invasion of Poland LITURGICALCALENDAR ambulance service in . Dur- in 1939. During Allied bombing raids ing , he used his inherited on Nazi forces in Bucharest, he refused wealth to aid refugees and personally to abandon the capital. Similarly, May 2 Memorial of St. Athanasius, tended the sick and wounded. when the communist regime forced Bishop and Ordained for the Archdiocese of Romania’s king to abdicate in 1948, he May 3 Feast of Sts. Philip and in 1923, Father Ghika celebrated refused to flee the country. James, Apostles both the Latin Mass and the Byzan- As persecution intensified, Msgr. May 10 The Ascension of the Lord tine-rite liturgy. A poet, playwright and Ghika carried out his ministries with (transferred to May 13 in spiritual writer who was proficient in undeterred serenity and joy. “Those some regions) more than 20 languages, he befriended who love God are ready to discover May 14 Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle such Catholic literary figures as Paul new beatitudes in every situation, May 20 Pentecost Sunday Claudel, Jacques Maritain and François quite often where they are least ex- May 21 Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mauriac. He was sent by Pope Pius XI pected,” he wrote. Arrested in 1952 for Mary, Mother of the Church on a variety of missions throughout the “high treason,” he was repeatedly tor- May 27 The Solemnity of the Most world and, in 1933, accompanied a tured at the Jilava prison, where he Holy Trinity group of Carmelites in to estab- died May 16, 1954, at age 80. He was May 31 Feast of the Visitation of the lish the first Carmel in Japan. beatified by Pope Francis in 2013.♦ Blessed Virgin Mary POPE FRANCIS: CNS photo/Paul Haring — BlESSEd VlAdImIR GHIkA: Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Bucharest

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KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUSNEWS Order Provides Aid to Persecuted Christians During Holy Week

DURING HOLY WEEK, the Knights a predominantly Christian town in of Columbus transferred more than $1 the Nineveh Plain region of Iraq. million in aid to persecuted Christians Some $500,000 from the Knights in the Middle East. will help support the food program run “As we recall the passion, death and by the Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, resurrection of Jesus, it is particularly Iraq. An additional $300,000 will be timely for us to remember and sup- sent to the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate port our brothers and sisters in Christ to support its aid programs for the who have, in places like Iraq and nearly 3,000 families from Iraq and Syria, endured so much persecution Syria who are in great need of assistance for their faith,” said Supreme Knight with food, clothing, shelter, and access Carl A. Anderson. “We hope that our to education and medical care. assistance will help these communities Chaldean Archbishop Bashar to rise up again and rebuild.” Warda of Erbil said, “Our people Since 2014, the Order has commit- know that without the direct support ted almost $19 million to Christians from the Knights of Columbus to and other religious minorities in the Christians in the region, and without region. The latest support includes its assistance in making our case to $800,000 in new financial assistance the United States government, Chris- and $250,000 as part of the ongoing tianity might already have been A boy in Erbil, Iraq, carries a bag of food commitment to rebuilding Karamles, driven out of Iraq completely.”♦ provided through K of C support.

Knights in the Philippines Polish President Thanks Knights for Walk for Life Support of Hurricane Victims

Knights and family members take part in a Walk for Life in Quezon Polish President Andrzej Duda meets with Polish Knights of Colum- City, Luzon, Philippines, March 17. Events organized at the regional bus leaders and volunteers March 20. President Duda arrived in and diocesan levels brought together clergy, Knights and other pro-life Brusy, a town in northern Poland, and thanked the Order for sup- witnesses to promote the dignity of life from conception to natural porting people affected by hurricanes in the region in August 2017. death. The 2018 “Walk for Life” events, which took place throughout Speaking with State Deputy Tomasz Wawrzkowicz (far left), President February and March, also highlighted the call to faithful, indissoluble Duda expressed admiration for the Knights’ solidarity and readiness marriage, following the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ to provide long-term support. The Supreme Council donated $10,000 objections to a bill, currently under consideration, that would that to assist with disaster relief efforts in Poland, which came in addition would legalize divorce. to volunteer efforts and more than $35,000 raised by Polish Knights. TOP: Photo by Stivan Shany/Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Erbil — BOTTOM LEFT: Photo by Roy Lagarde/Courtesy of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

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CHRISTIANSATRISK Rebuilding the Cradle of Christianity

Nebraska Knights intensify effort to help persecuted Iraqi Christians return to their ancient homeland

by Mike May abriel Jabbour fled Syria in 2012 shortly before he As part of “Rebuilding the Cradle of Christianity,” the Gwas to be executed by ISIS for being a Christian and Fort Calhoun Knights hosted a dinner with silent and refusing to convert to Islam. live auctions and featuring remarks from Syriac Catholic “A Muslim told me they were tracking me and wanted Bishop Barnaba Yousif Benham Habash, along with to come to my home to kill me, so I was forced to flee,” members of the Jabbour family. he recounted. Bishop Habash was born and raised in Iraq, where he Jabbour and his wife, Maya Tayar, eventually managed also served as a priest and bishop. Since 2010 he has led to join their daughter, Rula, in Omaha, Neb., where she the New Jersey-based Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance is a member of St. Parish. for Syriac Catholics in the United States and Canada. Jabbour and Rula were featured “You know the word ‘catholic’ speakers at a “Rebuilding the Cradle means universal,” Bishop Habash of Christianity” event in Omaha said during remarks March 10. “We March 9 and 10, helping to raise cannot be for part of Christianity or awareness as well as funds for perse- part of humanity. We are for all as cuted Christians in the Middle East. Jesus Christ. So the Knights of Launched by St. Columbus, they practice this truth Parish Council 10305 in Fort Cal- indeed. … When they know that houn, Neb., the event supported Christianity is persecuted, they can- the K of C effort to rebuild Karam- not be indifferent. … The Cradle of les, an ancient Iraqi town destroyed Christianity needs to be rebuilt be- by ISIS, and resettle hundreds of cause the fire of persecution con- Christian families there. The initia- sumed this house.” tive was announced by Supreme At last year’s Supreme Conven- Knight Carl A. Anderson at the tion, Bishop Habash spoke about Supreme Convention in St. Louis the genocide and persecution of last August. Christians in Iraq and Syria. Con- “This is the biggest project our rad and Hubschman were present council has ever been involved Bishop Barnaba Yousif Benham Habash of the and heard his remarks, which in- with,” said Grand Knight Jim Hub- Syriac Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of De- spired them to do something to schman, who coordinated the proj- liverance of Newark delivers his homily at St. help these displaced Christians and ect with Supreme Director Mike Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Neb., March 10. refugees. Conrad, a fellow member of the Returning to Fort Calhoun, they council. discussed with their council the “We’re very committed to helping these people who possibility of taking part in the Knights rebuilding project want to go back to their homelands,” Hubschman added. by funding construction of five homes. They quickly Karamles, southeast of Mosul, fell to ISIS in August raised $10,000, and from there, the idea blossomed into 2014. The town was liberated in late 2016, and residents the largest event the council has ever sponsored. have been gradually returning. Net earnings totaled an estimated $120,000, which is But of the town’s nearly 800 homes, 464 were burned, enough to build approximately 60 homes for Christians 97 were destroyed by bombs, and the rest were damaged living in Iraq.♦ or vandalized, according to a report by Open Doors, an international ministry serving persecuted Christians MIKE MAY writes for The Catholic Voice, newspaper of around the world. Churches and sacred images also were the Archdiocese of Omaha. He is a member of St. John destroyed or vandalized. the Baptist Parish Council 10305 in Fort Calhoun, Neb.

TO DONATE TO THE KNIGHTSOF COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN REFUGEE RELIEF FUND, VISIT CHRISTIANSATRISK.ORG Photo by Spirit Juice Studios

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Medal of Honor Medic

An interview with Capt. Gary M. Rose about his service in the Vietnam War

by Columbia staff

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Retired Capt. Gary M. Rose, a recipient of the Medal of Honor, visits the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville, Ala.

etired U.S. Army Capt. Gary Michael “Mike” Rose, a Today, he resides with his wife in Huntsville, Ala., where R member of the Knights of Columbus, was recently he is involved with a number of charitable organizations, in- awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military cluding the Knights of Columbus. A past grand knight of accolade, for his bravery during the Vietnam War. Good Shepherd Council 11672 in Huntsville, Capt. Rose Born in Watertown, N.Y., Oct. 17, 1947, Rose grew up in currently serves as faithful navigator of Father F. the Los Angeles area before enlisting in the U.S. Army in Trecy Assembly 0004 in Huntsville. 1967. As a Green Beret medic, he was exposed to machine President Donald Trump bestowed the Medal of Honor on gun fire while treating nearly 70 wounded soldiers during Op- Capt. Rose at a Oct. 23, 2017, White House ceremony in the eration Tailwind, a secret mission in Laos Sept. 11-14, 1970 presence of Rose’s wife, Margaret, their three children and two (see sidebar). Operation Tailwind remained classified for grandchildren, as well nine prior Medal of Honor recipients. decades, and few details of Rose’s actions were made public. Rose is the fourth Knight of Columbus to be awarded the As a result, when his name was submitted for the Medal of Medal of Honor, following Sgt. Maj. Daniel Daly (1873- Honor in 1970, he was passed over. Instead, he was awarded 1937), who received the honor twice, and Rev. (Maj.) the Distinguished Service Cross in 1971. Rose continued his Charles J. Watters (1927-1967) and Maj. General Patrick career in the Army, reaching the rank of Captain before retir- Brady, 81, both for their service in Vietnam. ing in 1987. He later worked as a technical consultant in the Columbia recently spoke with Capt. Rose about his military defense and automobile industries. service, his faith and his being a Knight. Photo by Spirit Juice Studios

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Then-Sgt. Gary M. Rose (center) is helped from a helicopter landing area after Operation Tailwind in September 1970.

COLUMBIA: Describe how you joined the U.S. Army and needing medical help — children, women, men. It was akin your early experience as a medic. to working in an emergency room. CAPT. ROSE: When I was about 19, they were heavily draft- At the time, there was a CIA operation going on in Laos, ing in the Marine Corps. My father, remembering what he and they were getting their proverbial rear ends kicked. So went through as a private in boot camp in the Marine Corps they sent us in, and our was to get on the ground and cre- in 1942, didn’t recommend being a draftee. So I chose to join ate some noise to pull off those troops. the Army. For the next 96 hours we had a running gun battle going I had been in the 7th Special Forces Group for six months on. I was seriously hit on two different days. Well, in at Fort Bragg when I was assigned to the 46th Company in Huntsville it would be considered a serious injury. A hole in Thailand. I worked with the border police and with the Thai your foot or a hole in your arm, as long as you can function Army, and I got a great amount of field experience as a medic with your weapon, was not considered a serious injury. There — not combat experience, but treating diseases and injuries. were 16 Americans, and 24 Purple Hearts were issued to those And then I was transferred to MACV-SOG (Military Assis- 16 Americans for those four days. tance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group, 5th Special Forces Group), which I later found out was cross- COLUMBIA: You have said many times that you don’t see border operations in Cambodia, Laos and North Vietnam. yourself as especially brave. Rather, in caring for other wounded soldiers even amid enemy gunfire, you were just COLUMBIA: So, including Operation Tailwind, you served doing your duty. in several different countries in the course of the war? CAPT. ROSE: A lot of the things that are in the citation, and CAPT. ROSE: All of my combat experience was in Cambodia some of the witness statements, I honestly don’t remember and Laos. In Vietnam, I was never in combat but worked in doing them. Maybe I was so focused on the wounded that I the dispensary, holding sick call for Americans and for our wasn’t aware of it. When you have professional soldiers, that’s troops and their families. We also treated indigenous personnel what they do. We were about as well-trained as any group of Photo courtesy of Ted Wicorek

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men have ever been trained. It’s very similar to your OPERATION TAILWIND police and your firemen; when everybody else is run- ning away from the danger, they are running to it. I was not on the perimeter; I was working on the THE NORTH VIETNAMESE Rose with shrapnel that ripped a wounded and the injured. So it never occurred to Army (NVA) was funneling hole in his foot. me to worry about the enemy. I know that sounds weapons and supplies south “I remember that night taking ridiculous, but it’s not my function: My function is along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in off my boot to check it out, and the wounded. A medic is part of the morale support southeastern Laos. Though my middle finger slipped all the system within the unit, because the others know that Laos was neutral and off-limits way to my knuckle,” Rose re- person’s job is their welfare. to foreign troops, a Special called. “I pulled my hand back out When you go into combat with people, you form Forces group was sent to disrupt and said, ‘Nah I’ll worry about a bond that’s almost unbreakable. You have the sense these efforts in September that some other time.’ I never that you were part of something greater than your- 1970. The soldiers, consisting thought about it until I got back self. What I’m proud of is the fact that I was able to of 16 Americans and approxi- after the operation.” do my job within my unit, and I kept faith with the mately 120 indigenous Mon- men I fought with. My secret pride, if you would, is tagnard personnel, were DAY 3 After managing to de- that I didn’t fail them. dropped by helicopter 40 miles stroy an enemy base camp, the into enemy-controlled territory. company found itself hemmed in COLUMBIA: Describe how you were finally rescued Sgt. Gary M. Rose was the lone by more than 500 NVA. They by helicopter after four days. medic among them. had taken on so many wounded CAPT. ROSE: The first two ships (helicopters) took that a medevac helicopter was all but 35 people out, but by the time the third ship DAY 1 Before the team landed, called. came, it had pretty much lost its engine. After we got their choppers came under heavy Rose rigged bamboo litters for on, a Marine was shot in the throat — I couldn’t be- NVA machine gun fire. After at- the severely injured, and he lieve it didn’t hit anything vital. tending to the wounded on the stood exposed to enemy fire Now there’s a lot of blood, and as I wrapped his ground, Sgt. Rose spotted a man while attempting to pass them up neck, I knew he was going into shock. That’s when who had been shot and was to the crew on the hovering chop- I yelled in his ear, “Listen, you stupid son of a b—, trapped outside the company’s per. The NVA onslaught was so if you were going to die, you’d already be dead!” And defensive perimeter. Racing intense that the pilot had to abort he came out of shock. through enemy fire to reach him, the mission. The next thing I know, the ship crashed. Though he shielded the injured soldier I don’t remember it, Capt. McCarley later said that with his body while tending his DAY 4 With mortar rounds I looked right at him and said, “Captain, we got to wounds. He then carried him back raining down upon the team as get back onto that helicopter,” which was on fire by to safety through a hail of bullets, extraction helicopters arrived, then. So I got back up inside the helicopter and firing his own weapon as he went. Rose moved under enemy fire to started emptying everyone out. As the company continued its retrieve the allied dead and If there hadn’t been a fourth ship, we would have mission, Sgt. Rose repeatedly wounded. He then hobbled been toast, because there was not a helicopter in the moved through enemy fire to treat aboard the last chopper with the area large enough to extract 35 people. So we got the mounting number of casual- remaining wounded. everybody on, and we were extracted. ties. He dug foxholes for the As they lifted off, a Marine And I will tell you this much: If it was not for the wounded and crawled from one door gunner was shot through Air Force pilots and the Marine Corps Cobra pilots to another offering medical aid the neck. Rose rushed to his aid — they would return to base, refuel and come back and encouragement throughout and saved his life by stanching out; they didn’t get any more sleep than we did — the night. the bleeding. Just then, enemy we would have not made it. We owe our lives to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Eugene McCar- fire hit the engines, and the air- those air crews. ley, who was Rose’s commanding craft soon crashed on a river- officer, told The New York Times bank, ejecting men and spewing COLUMBIA: You have said that God’s hand was in a July 30, 2016 article, “The fuel. Rose crawled in and out of clearly evident in your survival and that of your level of gallantry and disregard for the wreckage until every man brother Green Berets. How aware were you of his own safety that he showed — was safe. God’s presence during those harrowing days, and I’ve rarely seen anything like it.” Upon returning to base, Rose what role has your faith played since? refused treatment until the others CAPT. ROSE: It’s your right in this country not to DAY 2 The next day, a rocket- had been tended. Thanks in part believe in God, to be agnostic or atheist, but I don’t propelled grenade exploded near to Rose’s heroic efforts, only three see how anybody couldn’t believe in God if you were the command team, spraying men had died in the operation.

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U.S Army Gen. Creighton Abrams, the U.S. commander in Vietnam, awards the Distinguished Service Cross to Sgt. Gary M. Rose Jan. 16, 1971. • Rose participates in a meeting with fellow members of Council 11672 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Huntsville March 26.

with us on that day. When I think about those four days, I found out that I was Catholic. He looked at me and said, “Ya don’t see how you could survive something like that without oughta join the Knights of Columbus.” And if your sergeant Somebody deciding it was not your time to go. major suggests you join the Knights of Columbus, it’s kind I got back home, and I got married and started a family and of like, “Where’s the form, and where do I sign?” so on. As I look back over the last 47 years since that opera- I’m a Knight of Columbus today for several reasons. One, tion, I think I’ve got to be among the luckiest people who I am in a group of very good and generous and capable and have ever been born. My wife and I are financially secure, and energetic men who, on a weekly basis, constantly improve our we have friends all over the country. I get to be involved in little local community. doing things that make at least my little part of the world a I still look back when my kids were younger, that I could little better. have been a little bit more tolerant, a little bit less frustrated I think faith sometimes comes slowly; from my childhood with things — maybe not as quick to anger, if I had not gone it was embedded in my head, and it was always in the back- to Vietnam. But I think the Knights have helped temper that. ground. When I look back, I’m convinced that the good Lord Being with the Knights also provides a great means of net- for some reason likes me. working throughout the city of Huntsville to get things ac- My wife is very religious, and so I think my association with complished — like getting some legal help for a single mother, her has a lot to do with it, too. I think faith gives you the sub- making sure that intellectually disabled people are being well conscious and conscious tools to hopefully make good deci- taken care of, or making sure kids have a safe place to go on sions about everything you do. Halloween. There are so many things Knights do for so many people. And other agencies are trying to improve the lives of COLUMBIA: What led you to join the Order while serving others, too. You build this network of goodness. Everybody in Panama in 1973, and what kind of volunteer activities is there to make things better. and charitable initiatives do you participate in? Our faith says, “Do unto others as you would like them to CAPT. ROSE: You really wanna know? OK, I was a sergeant do unto you.” Why do you go out of your way to help the eld- and was driving for the group commander. Well, Sgt. Maj. erly or the intellectually disabled? Well, it goes back to “Honor Darcy was a Catholic, and he was the grand knight, and he thy father and mother” and serving the least of my brothers.♦ LEFT: Photo courtesy of Gary M. Rose — RIGHT: Photo by Spirit Juice Studios

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In Remembrance of a Life of Service

A new monument honors Air Force veteran, 9/11 victim Lt. Col. Robert J. Hymel

ir Force 1st Lt. Robert J. Hymel narrowly survived Defense Intelligence Agency in 1994, the same year he A the harrowing crash of his B-52 bomber in the Viet- joined the Knights of Columbus. Known for organiz- nam War. Three decades later, he was killed when hi- ing blood drives with his council, St. Elizabeth Ann jacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into his Seton Council 8183 in Lake Ridge, Va., he was clean- Pentagon office Sept. 11, 2001. ing out his Pentagon office in preparation to move out The life of Hymel — a husband, father and Knight of the next day when the Sept. 11 attack took place. Columbus — was commemorated at the Jan. 30 dedi- Hymel’s body was found under a doorframe, where it cation ceremony of a new appeared he had been at- tower erected in his honor at tempting to rescue a coworker the entrance of his alma from the fire when the floors mater, St. Charles Catholic above them collapsed. He was High School in LaPlace, La. the only member of the Air Louis G. Authement, a mem- Force killed that day. ber of St. Charles Council “Nearly 29 years after being 2409 in nearby Luling, within seconds of certain launched the memorial proj- death and rescued from the ect a decade ago, after he burning wreckage of his B-52, heard the story of the heroic Robert died in the burning veteran’s life from Hymel’s wreckage of 9/11 in the role twin sister, Mary Toce. of the rescuer attempting to Hymel joined the U.S. Air save the life of another,” Au- Force in 1969 and trained for thement said. “During his fu- combat in single seat fighter neral at Arlington National jets before being promoted to Cemetery, a B-52 was allowed fly B-52s three years later. His to conduct a flyover for only bomber was struck by missiles the second time in the ceme- during a mission in Thailand tery’s history.” in 1972. Rather than bailing Moved to memorialize out, Hymel and his crew had Hymel’s life of service and sac- attempted to fly the crippled rifice, Authement organized a plane back to base so that Air Force 1st Lt. Robert Hymel stands in front of a capital campaign that was their wounded rear gunner T-38 jet at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, supported by nine local coun- could receive medical care. Texas, at the end of his pilot training in 1971. cils, including his own, as well When the plane, Hymel was as the Louisiana State Council badly injured and trapped in and 14 Catholic parishes. the smoldering cockpit. He In remarks during the dedi- was rescued just before the aircraft burst into flames. cation ceremony, officiated by Archbishop Gregory M. Though Patricia, Hymel’s wife, received a telegraph Aymond of New Orleans, Authement noted that each stating that her husband was not expected to live, Hymel pillar of the new Knights of Columbus Tower, as it is eventually returned home and met their daughter Na- called, bears a plaque with one of the four principles of talie, who had been born during his deployment. After the Order — charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism — a long recuperation, Hymel continued active duty in the which typified the life and legacy of Lt. Col. Hymel. Air Force, including strategic planning in the Desert “He was not just a Knight by name; he was a Knight Storm and Desert Shield campaigns in the Persian Gulf. by principles,” Authement said. “These four principles Hymel retired from the Air Force with the rank of and the legacy of Lt. Col. Hymel will forever stand to- lieutenant colonel in 1993 and began work with the gether as one on this tower.”♦ Photo courtesy of Laughlin Air Force Base

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KNIGHTS of the ‘GREATEST GENERATION’

Knights who served in World War II tell their stories

by Columbia staff

ore than seven decades have passed since Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, MWorld War II, and the “Greatest Gener- casting the nation’s full weight into the war ef- ation” is quickly disappearing. Of the 16 mil- fort until the surrender of Nazi Germany and lion Allied servicemen from the United States Imperial Japan in 1945. and 1.1 million from Canada, nearly 450,000 When men returned from service, most re- lost their lives during the war. Approximately sumed civilian life, got jobs and started fami- the same number remain alive today, and they lies. Many joined the Knights of Columbus. are dying at about the same rate as during Their lives, and the values that defined them, WWII — several hundred each day. still have much to teach us today. As we look The war itself began with Hitler’s invasion forward to Memorial Day, Columbia spoke of Poland Sept. 1, 1939. Canada followed Eng- with five Knights, all in their 90s, who shared land and into the conflict days later. some of their recollections about their service The United States entered the war after the in the military and in the Order.

Above: In this Feb. 23, 1945, file photo, U.S. Marines of the 28th Regiment, 5th Division, raise the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan. AP Photo/Joe Rosenthal, File

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Anthony J. Buccieri

• Born Oct. 6, 1924

• Water tender 2nd class, U.S. Navy; served in World War II on the U.S.S. Tuscaloosa in the Atlantic, Mediter- ranean and Pacific; later served in the Korean War on the U.S.S. Woodworth and U.S.S. Heyliger

• Joined the Order in 1963; mem- ber of Msgr. Henry O’Carroll Coun- cil 444 in Newburgh, N.Y.; past faithful navigator of Francis J. Gor- man Assembly 696 in East Orange County, N.Y.

• Logged more than 15,000 hours as a volunteer at Castle Point Vet- erans Hospital; past commander of Catholic War Veterans in New- burgh, N.Y.; past commander of Newburgh VFW Post 1161

• Named to the French National Order of the Legion of Honor in 2016

RIGHT AFTER Pearl Harbor, I signed up which was worse than seeing it! We picked for the Navy. I was in high school in Marl- up survivors after a destroyer hit a sea mine, borough, N.Y., and two weeks into my junior and then we headed back to England. Next year, I got orders to report to Newport, R.I., was the invasion of southern France, and and then on to a diesel school in Virginia. then to the Pacific — Iwo Jima and Oki- In the fall of ’42, I got aboard the nawa, where we lost a lot of men. We also Tuscaloosa, which was a heavy cruiser, and went to the Philippines after the landings they told us, “Your new station’s the boiler to liberate the islands, and then went on to room.” Shanghai. We started off with the invasion of North You talk about united people, regardless Africa and later escorted Churchill in the of what your race, color or creed was. It Queen Mary across the Atlantic to meet with didn’t matter. We were there to win the war. Roosevelt. We then patrolled the North At- There are 24 cemeteries throughout the lantic, and at one point we were 50 miles world where our people are buried. They’re from the magnetic North Pole on a secret the heroes. mission preparing for the invasion of Nor- After the war, I got married and worked mandy. They set up weather stations with Norwegian troops, in heavy construction. Teresa and I had four children. and that’s what delayed the invasion of Normandy by a couple The Knights of Columbus was something in common of days: the weather. I also saw Eisenhower aboard ship get- among my close friends, and they invited me to join. And ting ready for the invasion. once I signed up, I was involved quite a bit. We all worked On D-Day, we provided fire support for Utah Beach. I was together between the Knights and the parish, and if there were below deck and didn’t see anything, but I could hear it, any problems we could solve, we’d help solve them. Photo by George Hosek

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Dennis J. Kenny

• Born Dec. 14, 1918

• Aero engine technician in the Royal Cana- dian Air Force

• Joined the Order in 1962; member of St. Norbert (Manitoba) Council 8557 and Arch- bishop Tache Assembly 369 in Winnipeg

Joseph G. Lavallee ►

• Born Aug. 22, 1923

• Private first class, Company L, 4th Battalion, 5th Marine Corps Regiment, 1st Marine Divi- sion; served in the Pacific theater; wounded at the Battle of Cape Gloucester on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea

• Joined the Order in 1945; past grand knight of St. Anne de Beaupre Council 3157 in Grants Pass, Ore.; past faithful navigator of Very Rev. Francis W. Black Assembly 905 in Medford, Ore., and Bishop Paul E. Waldschmidt Assembly 2437 in Grants Pass, Ore.; former district deputy

I GREW UP ON A FARM in St. Norbert, During the war, I went to maybe half a Manitoba. We were four boys and four girls dozen K of C Army Huts, in towns like in my family. Even though cash was not Winnipeg and Dauphin. They were well- flowing like water, we were well-lodged, loved and attended by Air Force, Army well-fed and well-loved. My parents were and even the Navy. They served good food very religious; we said prayers every evening. and provided entertainment — you got to When I was 18, I joined the Army, the dance and there were different stage Canadian Officer Training Corps. After the shows, too. second year of university I joined the Air I was discharged from the Air Force in Force. I was a flight engineer at airfields — May 1946 and opened a service station maintaining engines, making sure they were and repair shop called Kenny’s Garage, safe for our pilots. I spent most of my time south of Winnipeg. In 1949, I married the in Gimli, Souris and Dauphin in Manitoba, love of my life, Leontine. We had six kids, and in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, but I trav- and we have 16 grandkids and eight great- eled to others across Canada. grandkids. I also served on the Precision Squadron, I joined the Knights of Columbus in promoting the Air Force and attending fu- 1962, because those guys were leaders — nerals. There were 1,500 who died while training to be pilots they would have done anything for the Church. They were a in Canada during the war; I couldn’t attend all of them but I good example for me. When Pope John Paul II visited in ’84, attended quite a few. I served as commander of the Fourth Degree honor guard. Mom was always worried that I would neglect my religion Since the war, I can say I have been happily married, raised when I went in the service, but faith is essential in my life. children with guidance, love and respect. I hope I gave a good Without it I would be lost. example — I did my best. Photo by Ian McCausland Photography

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Photo by Spirit Juice Studios hr w hd he o fu mnh of months Division Corps four Marine First The or training. three had we where back came all We God. Pacific. thank healthy, the in was I my best friend ricocheted from my arm and got him in in him got and arm my from ricocheted friend best my on soldiers itself. beach New Japanese the of of lot a island quite the encountered on we landed Britain, we When Zealand. New me in kept duties but Guadalcanal, to went friends received bullets in the head. The bullet that killed that bullet The head. the in bullets received friends five our Of theater; were in four the European brothers, Marines. the joined I 1942, and to on get Jan.anxious in the service, 13, was Everybody changed. everything 1941, it. of moment every enjoyed and farm five-acre a on N.H., ter, boys Weand five girls. up grew in Manches- DAD AND MOTHER had a total of five of total a had MOTHER AND DAD I left Quantico, Va., for New Zealand, New for Va., Quantico, left I During the battle, it was very scary, and a couple of my of couple a and scary, very was it battle, the During When they bombed Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, Dec. Pearl Harbor bombed they When to be a part of, and I’ve brought in over 40 members. 40 over in I’vebrought and of, part a be to man Catholic any for organization wonderful and important I it to is most join.” the feel 1945. So, I’ve since a been Knight He is twice a widower and a father of four. and later worked 33 years for an aviation company in California. E DITOR ’ NOTE S : Lavallee ran an income tax service after the war Knights of Columbus said, “Joe, you’vegot “Joe, said, Columbus of Knights faith. strong a have to It’simportant very rosary.” my get I until can’tleave “I said, I ahead, went troops the When foxhole. a in lost I rosary the have still I more. lot a pray recovering. year a than spent more I where Hospital, Naval Diego San to me shipped they So, walk. couldn’teven and diseases tropical of sorts all had contracted I Britain, New On . to back I nothing was him. for do could There eyes. the between fe te a, oe red wo were who friends some war, the After to me got was I way the danger in Being us shipped they battle, that won we After 8 1 0 2 Y A M ♦ A I B M U L O C ♦ 17 MAY 18 E 4_13 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 4/14/18 9:14 AM Page 18

Cruz C. Ortiz Sr.

• Born May 3, 1920

• Corporal technician in the U.S. Army Air Forces, Com- pany A 844, Engineer Aviation Battalion, Eighth Air Force

• Joined the Order in 1949; past grand knight of R. Con- roy Scoggins Council 5678 and past faithful navigator of Msgr. George A. Wilhelm As- sembly 1094, both in Houston

• VA hospital volunteer and fundraiser 1980-2004

MY PARENTS CAME to Texas from Mon- the mess hall, as well as for the Red Cross and terrey, Mexico, in 1911. I was born in Asa, on the Queen Mary. In London, we backed east of Waco, and I’ve got four sisters and six up Bob Hope and Dinah Shore. brothers. My daddy used to take us to Mass, After the liberation of France, I played at and my parents loved Our Lady of the Eiffel Tower. From there we went to Mu- Guadalupe. nich, then Austria and back home. During My daddy also played the violin and took the war, I always had a picture of Our Lady me one time to a Mexican fiesta in the coun- of Guadalupe in my wallet. I still carry it to try. All I could hear was the trumpet. So I said, this day. “Hey, that’s the instrument I want!” From age I was discharged Jan. 1, 1946, and got mar- 16, I was playing music all the time. ried in May. I started a band, and my wife, Then I went into the Army in ’42. They Faye, was our booking agent. When a church sent me to Riverside, Calif., where I became asked me to play, I never charged them. a bugler, blowing that horn all day long — Maybe that’s why God was so good to me taps, roll call, mail call, colonel calls, you with the music. name it. A couple of my brothers were already Knights and they en- We then went to England for three years, where I worked in couraged me to join. That was in 1949, and I got really in- the orderly room, delivered mail in a jeep and also brought volved. I also helped out at the VA hospital, bringing people wounded soldiers to the hospitals. I was never in combat but was to Mass, making sure they had wheelchairs, getting tele- in plenty of German air raids. Many of my friends got killed. phones in every room. While in England, we got a band got together — The We had three girls and a boy, and my son later became a Ramblin’ Wrecks, about 16 pieces. We played for troops in Knight, too. Photo by Felix Sanchez

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Bolesław Rybka

• Born June 1, 1920, in Warsaw, Poland

• Member of the Polish resist- ance Home Army (Armia Kra- jowa); participated in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944; sent to a German prisoner-of- war camp

• Joined Order in 1987, and has served in various officer roles for St. Council 9612 in Mississauga and Stefan Cardinal Wyszyn- ski Assembly 2176 in Toronto.

I WAS WALKING about the Krakowskie I promised Renata that within a month Przedmiescie in 1939, and suddenly I saw an we would be married in a church! And I old friend of mine who asked, “Do you kept my promise. We were married in a want to join the underground army?” I was Roman Catholic Church in Porto San sworn in that day. We met in secret for un- Giorgio, Italy. derground military training, and it was also We lived in England for a few years, my duty to recruit more soldiers to fight the where many members of the Polish Armed Germans, who had invaded that September. Forces began the next chapter of their lives. In 1944, I fought in Powstanie Warsza- In 1953, we immigrated to Canada arriving wskie, the Warsaw Uprising, which lasted in Montreal and then moving to Toronto 63 days. When Germans suddenly brought where I live today. Before the war, I was a tanks into the city, we got the order to film student, and once we moved to withdraw. Warsaw already was in ruins. Canada I began working for many years at There was no water and little food. the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corpo- With the Home Army defeated, they ration). Later I opened my own studio. forced us into transports to a POW camp All my life I have been very close to the in Mühlberg (Stalag IV B). In 1945, the camp was liberated Roman Catholic Church. My faith helped me through the by the American and British armies, and we were sent to a war and through my life. temporary camp for all Allied POWs, in Göttingen. That’s It’s been over 30 years since I joined the Knights of Colum- where I met Renata, my beloved future wife. bus. Thanks to my late wife, Renata, I signed up one Sunday At this time, Renata and I made a difficult decision not when the Knights were holding a membership drive. She to return to Poland, which was now under a communist said, “Bolek, join them! This is a good organization.” regime. We heard of the Russian (NKWD) and Polish It was my dream to one day serve my country again. Help- (UB/Urząd Bezpieczeństwa) communists who were persecut- ing establish the Order in Poland, as a member of the Polish ing Home Army soldiers. Degree Team, I accomplished that.♦ Photo by Jonathan Bielaski

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Mission Accomplished A young Knight accompanies a relic of St. Francis Xavier on a historic pilgrimage across Canada

by Deborah Gyapong

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t’s not every day that the arm of a saint who bap- ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, Itized hundreds of thousands of people comes to town. A first-class relic of St. Francis Xavier, which PATRON SAINT OF MISSIONARIES seldom leaves the Church of the Gesù in Rome, made an unprecedented coast-to-coast Canadian tour earlier this year in the care of D’Arcy Murphy, a young Knight from Ontario. “St. Francis Xavier may have died 465 years ago, but he’s been on mission in Canada this last month,” said Murphy at the conclusion of the pilgrimage. A striking young man, standing tall at 6’4”, Mur- phy is a student at the University of Ottawa and a member of Mary Mother of God Council 14446 in Oakville. Last fall, when asked to serve as the “guardian of the relic,” he did not hesitate. “My knee-jerk response was to say ‘yes’ right away, even though the implications were huge,” he said. MOST ROOMMATES are said Murphy. “It meant taking off a semester from school; it meant doing well if they can manage a Francis Xavier and his room- really making a major sacrifice and trusting in the shared chore schedule. Three mates, together with several Lord that this was where he wanted me to be.” young men at the University of other companions, pronounced Murphy found it inspiring that St. Francis Xavier Paris in the 1500s set the bar vows of poverty, chastity and (1506-1552), one of the founders of the Society of much higher. Their friendship re- obedience in 1534. They were Jesus, experienced a religious conversion as a university sulted in the founding of a reli- ordained three years later. student and ultimately became the patron saint of mis- gious order, and it led one to In 1541, the year after Pope sionaries (see sidebar). The Dec. 26-Feb. 3 pilgrimage become one of the greatest Chris- Paul III formally approved the of his most well-known relic was co-sponsored by the tian missionaries since St. Paul. formation of the Society of Archdiocese of Ottawa, the Jesuits of Canada and St. Francis Xavier was born Jesus, Francis was sent by Ig- Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO), a national uni- April 7, 1506, in the Kingdom natius, now his religious supe- versity student movement. The journey took Murphy of Navarre, present-day Spain. rior, on a missionary journey and his precious cargo to 15 cities, where some 80,000 At age 23, he began studies in from Lisbon, Portugal, to Goa people venerated the relic, astonishing local organizers. Paris, where he lived with St. in western India. After three “This was crazy, to travel across Canada with a Peter Faber and St. Ignatius of years evangelizing there, he 465-year-old arm,” Murphy said. “No one has had Loyola. Francis was an aristo- continued his mission to Cey- this experience. To be a student entrusted with car- crat and an accomplished ath- lon, Malacca, the Maluku Is- ing for this relic — what a gift, what a privilege!” lete who enjoyed dancing and lands in the Pacific, and Japan. dining. Seeking to bring the Gospel to ‘ARM GUARD’ OF THE SAINT “At first, St. Francis didn’t China, he fell ill and died on an D’Arcy Murphy is an only child, born April 18, want anything to do with his island off the coast in 1552. 1998, and the Catholic faith has always been an im- super-spiritual roommates,” St. Francis Xavier founded portant part of his life. His mother is active in their noted D’Arcy Murphy, a 20- flourishing churches and bap- parish and his father, a past grand knight of Toronto year-old student at the Univer- tized hundreds of thousands of Council 1388, is now a member of Council 14446. sity of Ottawa and a member of people during his decade of In his teens, Murphy was a Columbian Squire and the Knights of Columbus. missionary work. attended Catholic youth conferences. After graduat- However, Francis’ association In 1614, his arm was brought ing from high school in 2016, he went to World with the men led to a spiritual from the Basilica of Bom Jesus Youth Day in Poland shortly before beginning stud- conversion, and after Ignatius in Goa to the Gesù, the mother ies at the University of Ottawa. guided him through the Spiri- church of the Society of Jesus in “University was a place that I knew would not be tual Exercises and shared his vi- Rome, where it is housed in a the most welcoming of my faith,” Murphy said. “I sion for the Society of Jesus, side altar facing the tomb of his knew it would be a test.” Francis joined them as one of old roommate, St. Ignatius the founding Jesuits. Loyola. Francis Xavier and Ig- “He was living an extraordi- natius were canonized together D’Arcy Murphy, a member of Mary Mother of God Council nary adventure, a fun-loving, in 1622, and Pope Pius XI de- 14446 in Oakville, Ontario, stands with the arm relic of St. Fran- joyful man, but it came to a clared St. Francis Xavier patron cis Xavier in Montreal’s Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral. whole new level with Christ,” of in 1927.♦ OPPOSITE PAGE: Photo by Christian Fleury — RIGHT: Photo by Jake Wright

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In February 2017, Murphy went on a CCO mission to Ire- land, and by last October, he had led three Discovery Faith Studies himself. “It’s been a real joy to share the Gospel in a clear and simple way with my peers, my friends, even my roommates,” he said. When the relic pilgrimage was announced Oct. 18, CCO co-founder Angèle Regnier asked Murphy if he would accom- pany the relic as its “guardian.” “What was really exciting was that, without me even real- izing the arm was coming, the Lord was preparing my heart and mind to say ‘yes,’ to follow him, abandoned to his will,” Murphy said. “I didn’t know why the Lord was preparing me, but when Angèle asked me, I knew this was it.” Regnier credits Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., with first suggesting the idea of bringing the relic to Nic Baker, a member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Council Canada more than five years ago. 12401 in Russell, Ontario, venerates the relic with his wife, Meghann, Regnier and her husband, André, who is CCO’s co-founder and their five children. and a member of Centennial Council 8008 in Ottawa, had accompanied the archbishop to the Church of the Gesù in Rome. There, in the mother church of the Jesuit order, the At the beginning of his first semester, he encountered CCO arm of St. Francis Xavier is usually displayed at a side altar, and took part in their Discovery Faith Study program, which opposite one housing the remains of St. Ignatius Loyola. he called “life-changing.” “St. Francis Xavier is one of our patron , so Arch- “I really came to understand the importance and beauty of bishop Prendergast suggested we ask for the relic,” Angèle re- having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and that was called. “Francis’ life resonates with young people, who admire the heart of my Catholic identity,” he explained. his story of conversion.” As Canada’s 150th anniversary approached, Archbishop Pren- dergast assisted with obtaining permission from the rector of the Gesù as well as from governmental authorities in Italy, ensuring CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN OUTREACH protection for the priceless relic during the pilgrimage.

FORMS MISSIONARY DISCIPLES HEALING AND RENEWAL The relic’s tour began Dec. 30, 2017, in Ottawa at CCO’s an- RESPONDING TO St. John Paul II’s call for a new nual Rise Up conference, where almost 1,000 young people evangelization, André and Angèle Regnier founded had the opportunity to venerate it. Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) at the Univer- The tour primarily consisted of locations where there was sity of Saskatchewan in 1988. Now based in Ottawa, either a CCO or Jesuit presence. The organizers were asking the organization brings the Gospel to thousands of for three specific graces: conversion of heart, the creation of university students across Canada with the help of missionary disciples, and healing. more than 80 full-time lay missionaries. “Every single place we’ve gone to has underestimated the CCO is focused on three pillars of evangelization crowd,” said Angèle Regnier. “Whatever the local people told — to proclaim, equip and commission — and en- us, we just put a zero after it.” gages students through faith studies, retreats, mission The crowds posed challenges sometimes, leaving venues trip opportunities and personal discipleship. without enough volunteers, sufficient food and water, or even For the past 10 years, the Knights of Columbus enough Communion hosts to accommodate the number of has been a sponsor of the organization’s Rise Up con- people at Mass, Regnier said. She compared the experience to ference, which brings together young leaders from the Gospel account of nets tearing from catching such a great across the nation for four days during winter break. number of fish (cf. Luke 5:6). André Regnier is a longtime member of Centen- “St. Francis has been on a mission in Canada for sure,” nial Council 8008 in Ottawa, and CCO’s current she said. president Jeff Lockert is a member of Divine Infant Murphy traveled with the relic next to him on its own seat Council 7873 in neighboring Orleans. in planes and kept it with him in his room at night, usually For more information about CCO and its mission, in a rectory. visit cco.ca.♦ He wore white gloves when lifting or carrying the relic in its glass container. He stood by during veneration and kept Photos by Jake Wright

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Visitors to Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa approach the relic of St. Francis Xavier as the pilgrimage draws to a close Feb. 2.

the reliquary clean of fingerprints after it was touched or and understanding of relics than I did,” said Baker, who is a kissed by thousands. When not on display, the relic stayed in member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Council 12401 a black protective case. in Russell, Ontario. On a typical day, the team would start early in the morning, Baker and his wife later returned to the cathedral to venerate with veneration at the local cathedral or a parish the diocese the relic with their five children, ages 10, 8, 6, 4, and 6 months. selected. Often, they visited several different venues in one city. “My children said, ‘It’s like St Francis Xavier traveled here to “Pilgrims came in all day long.” Murphy said, noting that come see us,’” Baker said. “It was the highlight of their week.” Masses were standing-room only. “We saw people coming in Seeing how the experience affected his family helped Baker huge numbers. The Church is alive in Canada.” understand the communion of saints better and become a Some visitors experienced physical and emotional healing, “witness to something holy,” he said. and bishops and priests found their faith and hope rejuve- In his homily, Archbishop Prendergast said, “By his life and nated through seeing the response to the relic. zeal to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth, Xavier “Everyone had an individual story, but each person was challenges us to do the same today, to become what Pope touched,” Murphy said. He also drew an analogy between the Francis challenges us to be: missionary disciples who learn popularity of the relic and that of the Stanley Cup. from Christ each day.” “When the Stanley Cup is in the Hockey Hall of Fame, On Feb. 3, Murphy, the archbishop and the Regniers trav- people come from far and wide to see it. They want to be with eled to Rome to return the relic. Archbishop Prendergast cel- the real Stanley Cup,” he said. ebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Church of the Gesù “It’s the same with a relic. It’s one thing to think about a saint, Feb. 4, and St. Francis Xavier’s arm was restored to its perma- but it’s another to have a physical encounter with the arm that nent place in the side altar the next day. baptized tens of thousands. It reveals a deeper spiritual reality, While in Rome, the team met briefly with Pope Francis and that the saints are alive in heaven and continue to pray for us.” gave him a framed photograph from the pilgrimage. Now that he’s back in Canada, Murphy is working out of WITNESS TO THE HOLY CCO’s head office in Ottawa until he can resume his studies The pilgrimage ended in Ottawa at Notre-Dame Cathedral in international development and globalization at the Univer- Basilica on Feb. 2, the feast of the Presentation. For hours be- sity of Ottawa next fall. fore and after a packed Mass, throngs lined up to venerate the “I have been blown away. It’s hard to put into words,” said saint’s relic. Murphy, reflecting on the pilgrimage. “It will take years and Nic Baker, who studied to be a Protestant youth pastor be- years of my life to actually process everything, to understand fore his conversion to the Catholic faith 12 years ago, has long all of these graces the Lord has been pouring out.”♦ been skeptical about relics but agreed to visit the cathedral with his wife, Meghann, a cradle Catholic and CCO alumna. DEBORAH GYAPONG is a freelance journalist based in “My wife, growing up Catholic, has more of an appreciation Ottawa, Canada.

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A Celebration of Mary, Mother of the Church

The Church’s Marian identity will be honored in a new feast day, on the Monday after Pentecost

by Sean Innerst

n 1974, I was received into the Catholic Church. age the growth of the maternal sense of the Church II was a freshman in college and ready to believe in the pastors, religious and faithful, as well as a everything that the Church taught. However, I re- growth of genuine Marian piety.” This dual purpose mained a little ambivalent about Mary, afraid that of the new feast — to promote greater appreciation she might be a distraction from my growing love for of Marian piety and of the Church as Mother — can Jesus. I didn’t quite understand where she fit in. be better understood if we take a step back and look A few years later, I was leaving Mass and passed in at the history of Marian devotion since Vatican II. front of the statue of Mary in my parish church. The building had been renovated some time earlier to RECOVERING DEVOTION look very simple, all in oak. Two hand-carved statues The fathers of the Second Vatican Council (1962- of Mary and melted into the interior and were 1965) had considered issuing a separate document barely noticeable. But as I left the church that day, I on the Blessed Virgin Mary, and there was even a was struck by the beauty of that statue of Our Lady. move to ask Blessed Pope Paul VI to define a new It had always just been furniture to me before, but Marian dogma. Instead, they spoke about Mary in suddenly, I was drawn to her. I marveled at how the the eighth and final chapter of Lumen Gentium, the oak of Mary’s face was actually one with the wooden Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, which they interior of the entire church — that they were really, titled “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God in mysteriously united. To my surprise, love welled up the Mystery of Christ and the Church.” in my heart for this woman in wood. Then, at the end of the last session of the council, This experience came to mind when, on the feast Pope Paul VI made a solemn proclamation of Mary of Our Lady of Lourdes (Feb. 11), it was announced as “Mother of the Church,” the very title that Francis that Pope Francis had established a new Marian feast has now reaffirmed. day on the Monday after Pentecost. The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, will be celebrated for the first time this year, on May 21. A replica of the Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) mo- A Feb. 11 statement by the Congregation for Di- saic that overlooks St. Peter’s Square is displayed in permanent vine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments exhibit at the Saint John Paul II National in Wash- noted that Pope Francis “attentively considered how ington, D.C. The mosaic includes John Paul II’s coat of arms greatly the promotion of this devotion might encour- and apostolic motto, “Totus Tuus” (Totally Yours). Mosaic created by Vatican Mosaic Studio/Photo by Matthew Barrick

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The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles at Pentecost is illustrated in a 6th-century Syriac manuscript known as the Rabbula Gospels.

Despite the extremely rich content of Lumen Gen- say the rosary. However, I still didn’t quite get how tium’s treatment of Mary’s place within the context Mary figured in the Christian life until a few years of the Church, the theological climate after the coun- later when I met a Discalced Carmelite priest who cil tended to downplay the importance of Marian had deep Marian devotion. As I spoke with him piety. Paul VI addressed this nearly 10 years after the about my questions, he smiled and made one very council in an apostolic exhortation, Marialis Cultus, simple suggestion: “Ask Jesus to introduce you to his in which he noted two errors: Devotions of piety mother.” What perfect advice for a former Protestant! should not be inserted into the Mass, but neither Of course, Jesus was the one to help me understand should they be scorned and suppressed (31). Mary. I obediently made that request in prayer and I remember this period very well, as Marialis Cul- returned home, not thinking much more about it. tus was published in 1974, the same year that I be- It was a few days later that I was struck by the came Catholic. Many of the priests and religious who wooden statue of Mary at my parish. Only afterward, helped me to enter the Church seemed to share my as I reflected on that moment while praying the rosary, ambivalence toward Mary at the time, so I set Our did I remember asking Jesus to introduce me to his Lady off to the side. Nonetheless, as I combed the mother. I then realized that Jesus had answered my Catholic section of the university library, I kept read- prayer. In so doing, he set my faith on a life-changing ing about Mary and devotions like the scapular and course. From that day, much that had been opaque to rosary, which seemed to have played such an impor- me became clearer; moral struggles that had seemed tant role in the lives of the saints. insurmountable became easier; and I saw myself not All this “Catholic stuff” was new to me and terri- merely as a of Jesus but a son in the Son. In bly fascinating, so I furtively taught myself how to Mary, I discovered the love that a perfect Son has for Wikimedia Commons

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his mother, and the love that she has for her Son. My Luke 1:46-55. She is the woman who remembers the walk in faith has since been colored by the love of covenant promises and realizes them with her “yes.” those two hearts and the remarkable way that a Mary is the woman who hopes, who believes and Catholic life can be lived out in that shared love. who loves (Deus Caritas Est, 41). She is also our Furthermore, I came to understand that there is a “Mother of hope” (Spe Salve, 50) and reminds us of mystical identity between Mary and the Church. We the central acts which constitute the Church: litur- do not offer Mary the worship that is owed to God, gical remembrance and worship, to which the but rather the Church strives to be Marian in offer- Church must attend in order for her to carry out the ing God the worship we owe to him. works of love in truth (Caritas in Veritate). Finally, Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium (The AN ‘ECCLESIAL RENEWAL’ Joy of the Gospel), returns to a call for ecclesial self- The popes in recent decades have shepherded a re- reflection. He quotes Paul VI’s assertion that “vivid vival of Marian piety, each in a particular way that and lively self-awareness inevitably leads to a com- indicates just how much the face of Mary is one with parison between the ideal image of the Church as the whole fabric of the Church’s life. It is easy to Christ envisaged her … and the actual image which oversimplify the rich teachings of recent popes as to the Church presents to the world today” (26). the important place of Mary in the Church, but Through this interior gaze on the part of the each, in his own way, has prepared for the institution Church, Francis hopes for an “ecclesial renewal” of this new Marian memorial. characterized not by self-critical introversion but by St. John Paul II directed the Church’s attention “a missionary impulse” (27). toward the Redeemer of Man, the very title of the He goes on to write, “With the Holy Spirit, Mary first encyclical of his long pontificate. For this pro- is always present in the midst of the people. She foundly Marian pope, Mary joined the disciples in praying was primarily Redemptoris for the coming of the Holy Mater, the Mother of the Re- Spirit (Acts 1:14) and thus deemer. In his 1990 encycli- made possible the missionary cal of that name, she is the THE CHURCH STRIVES outburst which took place at woman of faith, the first to Pentecost. She is the Mother believe in the mystery of TO BE MARIAN IN of the Church which evangel- Christ, as recorded in the izes, and without her we words of Luke 1:45: “Blessed OFFERING GOD THE could never truly understand are you who believed.” She is the spirit of the new evange- WORSHIP WE OWE TO not self-concerned, but en- lization” (284). tirely Christ-centered. HIM. In this light, it is not sur- As then-Cardinal Joseph prising that Francis, harken- Ratzinger, prefect of the Con- ing back Pope Paul VI’s gregation for the Doctrine of declaration at the end of the the Faith had put it, through Second Vatican Council, has her constant “maternal mediation,” the Church can established the new memorial of the Blessed Virgin learn not to “speak too much of herself” but instead Mary, Mother of the Church. focus on the Redeemer and his mission. Just as the Holy Spirit hovered over the Daughter In various works before and after becoming Pope Zion and caused Christ to find a home under the Benedict XVI in 2005, he noted that Mary at the heart of Mary at the Annunciation, he also caused the Annunciation is addressed by the angel in Body of Christ, the Church, to be born around the terms that parallel prophecies from the Old Testa- heart of Mary at Pentecost. This coming May 21 and ment, particularly 3:14-15 and Zechariah every Monday following Pentecost in the years to 9:9. These prophecies foretell the joyful announce- come, may the Holy Spirit find us gathered faithfully ment of the coming of Messiah to “Daughter Zion,” around Our Lady and waiting eagerly for his coming and the promise that God would be “in the midst of to bring us to rebirth as the Mystical Body of Christ.♦ you” (literally “in your womb”). Zion is the mount in Jerusalem on which the Temple was located, the SEAN INNERST is director of the Theology Cycle place from which the sublime worship of the one at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary and a co- true God went up to heaven. founder and professor at the Augustine Institute in For Benedict XVI, Mary is the woman of Zion and Denver. He is a member of Holy Name Council of the Magnificat, the canticle of praise she utters in 8539 in Sheridan, Colo.

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REPORTS FROM COUNCILS, ASSEMBLIES KNIGHTSACTIONIN AND COLUMBIAN SQUIRES CIRCLES

HOSPITALITY Ancienne-Lorette (Québec) Council 4246 used its monthly luncheon to raise funds for a Syrian family hosted by the parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation.

GROCERIES IN THE BAG Mid-Columbia Council 7292 in Hood River, Ore., assisted FISH Food Bank in preparing grocery bags for use by its clients. Offering the bags to clients is a sig- Chaplain Father Mike Yadron and members of Monsignor Robert B. Weis Council 10596 in nificant operational expense Munster, Ind., stand with a new sign for the Gabriel Project, a pro-life ministry that offers for the food bank, so the immediate, practical help to women experiencing difficult pregnancies. When the ministry’s council contributed $1,200 old sign became illegible, Council 10596 donated a new one to publicize the support re- for the purchase of 12,000 sources available and the St. Church community’s commitment to the sanctity bags — a six-month supply. of human life. Knights also volunteer at the food bank year-round.

A PLACE an automated external de- lacan, Luzon North, took PARISH FEST FOR PILGRIMS fibrillator. The council re- part in a procession and visit Cargill Council 64 in Put- St. Coun- ceived the machine from the to the local jail. In collabora- nam, Conn., supports its cil 15465 of Calbayog City, American Red Cross as a tion with San Isidro Labrador parish by managing conces- Visayas, completed con- thanks for its contributions. Parish, detainees were treated sions every year for the an- struction of an altar and a Now, the Knights are with lunch and given per- nual festival at St. Mary shelter for pilgrims at Cal- equipped to respond to po- sonal hygiene materials. Church of the Visitation. vary Hill, a regional pilgrim- tential medical emergencies. age site where the faithful gather during Holy Week. MUSICAL MEDLEY The council also makes Members of St. Thomas breakfast available to the More Council 13987 in crowds of pilgrims each year. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, served as backup singers for BEST FOOT FORWARD Father Toochukwu Okafor, St. Joseph on the Brandy- their state chaplain. The wine Council 15436 in council helped arrange an Greenville, Del., held its first evening of song and dance, shoe drive. More than 2,775 raising funds toward the es- pairs of gently used and new tablishment of a clinic in Fa- shoes were shipped to benefit ther Okafor’s hometown in families in Haiti. The shoe Nigeria. The full house of drive generated over $1,000 attendees enjoyed an array in funds that will be used to of tunes, including Father support the parish, local Okafor’s compositions I community service projects Love Nova Scotia and Father and charitable activities. McGivney Song. Schoolchildren try out their new raincoats, a gift from Las Pinas (Luzon South) Council 7618. The council distributed SAFETY FIRST! VISIT THE IMPRISONED the raincoats at Moonwalk Elementary School and its an- Eight members of Dixon To celebrate the feast of San nexes Mikesell Elementary School and Golden Acre Elemen- (Ill.) Council 690 under- of Manila, tary School. The coats will help protect the children’s health took training on the use of Pulilan Council 6105 in Bu- during the rainy season.

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KNIGHTSINACTION

SIGNS OF THE TIMES TONSURE DRIVE St. James Council 7896 in John Cardinal Newman Forest City, Iowa, mounted Council 11323 at Virginia a pro-life sign to a new Tech University held an framework constructed by original fundraiser: For five Knights. Two back-to- every $100 donated toward back signs were installed on the K of C Christian Refugee US Highway 69 and blessed Relief Fund, a Knight re- by the council chaplain. ceived a tonsure, commonly known as a “monk haircut,” LIVING ROSARY with the goal of raising Prayerful participants with $1,000 and tonsuring their glow sticks made up a living beloved campus chaplain. rosary at an event sponsored Drawing attendance from a by Transfiguration Council Catholic student reunion 13713 in Blythewood, S.C. and extending the amount of Members of Good Shepherd Council 6358 in Schertz, Texas, Sixty people participated in time Knights kept the hair- make a trek along Roy Richard Drive while participating in the rosary, which was pre- cut, the council surpassed its the Adopt-A-Highway program of the Texas Department of ceded by a dinner provided goal and raised $2,135 for Transportation (TxDOT). Knights collected 16 bags of trash by the council. persecuted Christians. and debris from a 1-mile stretch of road.

EDUCATION, The activity benefitted 575 CELEBRATION parishioners who availed Marbel Council 7658 in themselves of inexpensive Koronadal City, Mindanao, medical laboratory tests. The celebrated the feast of St. council provided 1,545 man- Anthony of Padua by sup- hours of community service plying notebooks, pens, in addition to subsidizing the pencils, crayons, writing free medical examination of pads, coloring books and the parish’s priests, employ- more for 200 students — as ees and volunteers. well as a free lunch.

GOOD AS NEW A Marian grotto, renovated by Albert Doerr Council 7869 in Remus, Mich., was dedicated at a special Mass. Winter weather had eroded much of the grotto’s grout, so the council powerwashed the stones, helped replace the grout, repaired the vo- tive stand and beautified the fountain in ways that will Doug Zima of Onawa-Blencoe (Iowa) Council 6249 washes help protect it from further dishes while also holding his grandson at the council’s chicken weather damage. dinner fundraiser, which supported local organizations serving Oscar Patino and Danny expectant mothers, persons with intellectual disabilities and oth- MEDICAL MISSION Noriega of Father Bach-Bro. ers in need. Council 6249 also operated its food stand at an an- Our Lady of Fatima Council Angel de Santa Cruz Council nual fundraiser supporting the Burgess Health Center, which 9636 in Las Pinas, Metro 14139 in Tucson, Ariz., ac- provides medical care in the Onawa area. Knights served sweet Manila, Luzon South, con- company a student through rolls, coffee and beverages in the early morning and a lunch fare ducted an advanced ECG a department store. Knights of burgers, hot dogs, taverns (aka sloppy joes), nacho grandes examination as part of its bi- volunteered during a pro- and beverages. The council then presented a check for a large annual Watch-Your-Health gram that provides children portion of their net proceeds to the event chairperson to support project, a 30-year commu- in need with $100 for back- local medical access. nity initiative of the council. to-school purchases.

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KNIGHTSINACTION

dinner to support veterans groups. This year’s fundraiser benefited the VFW Veterans and Military Support Pro- gram to the amount of $3,039. Over the past three years, the council has do- nated more than $6,250 to veteran programs.

MARY, PRAY FOR US St. Patrick’s Council 8178 in Monona, Iowa, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church erected a statue of the Blessed Virgin at St. Mary’s Ceme- tery in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima.

Members of Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Pollock Assembly 3586 in Bountiful, Utah, prep a meal DECADES OF SUPPORT for veterans and the families of veterans staying at the Fisher House near the Utah VA hos- Pope John XXIII Council pital. The Knights also stayed to visit with the veterans and families, who were very appre- 5495 in Burien, Wa., held ciative of the hot meal and Knights’ presence. its 43rd annual baby shower supporting the Pregnancy Aid office of South King SERIOUS SHRIMP of St. Church. RETREAT TO ADVANCE County. The council col- Mary Queen of Peace Coun- Parishioners have enjoyed the St. Matthew Council 9534 in lected clothing and cash do- cil 12072 in Mandeville, La., outdoor rosary so much that Surrey, British Columbia, nations from parishioners held a Shrimp Boil to help in the council has begun to also welcomed 90 men to a Satur- and made an additional the rebuilding of St. Joseph host outdoor 4th Sunday day retreat that featured talks $1,000 donation to support Abbey, which was damaged rosaries in the warm months. on raising Catholic families, the pro-life ministry. during the flooding of 2016. The council also sponsored growing closer to God as An estimated 500 shrimp two parish youth attending a spiritual father, and more. plates — one pound of Catholic gathering in Retreatants also attended shrimp, two potatoes and Steubenville, Ohio. Mass, prayed, sang and en- corn — were sold for $10 joyed several meals together. each in front of Mary Queen CONTINUED PRAYERS of Peace Church. More than 10 years ago, A GOOD DAY L. W. MacKenna Assembly San Antonio (Fla.) Council COMMUNITY SUPPORT 2043 and Msgr. Charles 1768 and Father Robert St. Charles Borromeo King Council 4771, both in Rittmeyer Council 10671 in Council 13513 in Jack- Denton, Texas, decided to Zephyrhills teamed up to sonville, Ala., collected establish a pro-life Holy support Catholic Charities more than $1,100 to sup- Hour of adoration. The and the St. Andreas Free port the East Central Ala- Knights started this ministry Clinic. The Knights pro- bama United Cerebral Palsy to ask Jesus to encourage vided 250 backpacks for telethon. The telethon funds couples to choose life and children; they also cooked the care of local children not consider an alternative and served food and drinks Members of ICC Gensanville and adults diagnosed with solution. The ministry ex- to clients who came for free Council 14286 in General cerebral palsy and other de- panded to include the sup- physicals, dental exams and Santos City, Mindanao, set velopmental delays. port of parishioners at pro-life resources. to work repainting the grills of Immaculate Conception PARISH ROSARY Church. All gather weekly VETERAN SUPPORT Chapel. The repainting took Father John T. Bolger Coun- on Thursday evenings to St. Mary’s Council 2346 in place during the council’s cil 6161 in Ajax, Ontario, support this ministry and Nutley, N.J., hosted the cleanup day at the chapel, regularly hosts a 5th Sunday hope that one day soon it third annual O. Allen Beyer which was followed by a Rosary in the Marian grotto will no longer be needed. Memorial “German Knight” meal together.

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KNIGHTSINACTION

COOL IT as security systems and hand- After the AC unit for the icap accessible computers. Our Lady of Guadalupe Per- petual Eucharistic Adoration ALTAR SERVER Chapel at the Catholic APPRECIATION Church of the Ascension Holy Cross Council 8509 failed during a heat wave, As- in Kernersville, N.C., wel- cension Community Coun- comed 25 young altar cil 15936 in Memphis, servers to a bowling party Tenn., donated $300, profits to thank them for their from its monthly pancake dedication and service to breakfast, toward the pur- the parish. The youth en- chase of a replacement. joyed two games of bowling and refreshments. ASSISTING SISTERS Msgr. Timothy F. Doody PRAYER FOR Young volunteers assist at a Catholic Charities, Diocese of Council 9696 in Lowell, THE SUFFERING Joliet mobile pantry stop at St. Patrick’s Church. Holy Trinity Ind., assisted a Missionaries Father Charles Griffin Council 4400 in Joliet, Ill., sponsored the stop, where food of Charity community by Council 15793 in Chilli- was served to 120 families. Additionally, the council donated removing old flooring in cothe, Ohio, joined by items to St. Patrick's Food Pantry and the Daybreak Center. their building. Knights parishioners, conducted a Proceeds for the donation, which makes up the council’s from other local councils public recitation of the Glo- second mobile food pantry sponsorship, came from their an- and assemblies also assisted rious Mysteries of the rosary nual golf outing. with the project, which at St. Peter Church. The saved some $10,000 in rosary was dedicated to those demolition costs. affected by addictions, espe- council cut the tree into women that was previously cially those related to drugs. portable pieces and repaired unavailable in the area. The HELPFUL EQUIPMENT damaged fences. With the council also supports St. Richard Cardinal Cushing TREE AND DEBRIS tree removed, it became Leo Parish of Calloway, Assembly 484 in Roseville, In the aftermath of a tor- clear that roots and other Need Line and Food Mich., raised $5,000 for nado, Resurrection Council detritus were causing flood- Pantry, Angel’s Attic, Help for Our Disabled 15834 in Tulsa, Okla., ing in the sanctuary and Angel’s Clinic and other Troops, an organization that cleared a 30-foot-plus wil- parking lot. Many Knights charitable organizations. serves veterans with severe low tree and debris from worked to clear up this handicaps by providing the grounds of the Church problem as well. BEST FLOOR FORWARD housing and equipment such of the Resurrection. The Commodore Barry Council PARISH PROJECT 883 in Pittsburg, Kan., George J. McCarthy Coun- serves monthly at the Lord’s cil 2975 in Grand Haven, Diner, a free meal ministry Mich., helped St. Mary’s of the Diocese of Wichita. Parish in Spring Lake dis- In addition to cooking and tribute 5,000 pounds of serving, council members food when the parish hosted go the extra mile and stay a Feeding America mobile late to clean and buff the pantry truck. Working with diner’s floors. family members and other volunteers, the council dis- tributed food to more than 50 families.

ULTRASOUND SUCCESS kofc.org Father Joseph Saffer Council exclusive 6897 in Murray, Ky., raised See more “Knights in Christian Perrault (left) and Guy St-Denis of Cheney-Ham- $40,000 toward an ultra- Action” reports and mond (Ontario) Council 8242 stand with firewood the council sound machine for Life photos at cut to a manageable size for an 82-year-old gentleman in House of Murray/Calloway www.kofc.org/ the community. The wood will help the man heat his home. County, providing a service knightsinaction for abortion-vulnerable

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VALUATION EXHIBIT OF PROMOTIONAL & GIFTITEMS THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In compliance with the requirements of the laws of the various states, we pub- lish below a Valuation Exhibit of the Knights of Columbus as of Dec. 31, 2017. The law requires that this publication shall be made of the results of the valuation with explanation as filed with the insurance departments. ASSETS — Actual and Contingent 1. Admitted Assets of the General Account Fund, item 26, page 2 of Annual Statement: $24,953,723,637 LIABILITIES — Actual and Contingent 2. Old System Reserve — including additional reserve: $ 41,776 3. New System Reserve — including D.I. and Dis. W. (net of reins): $ 13,927,412,506 4. Reserve for accident and health certificates: $ 522,819,802 5. Total per item 1 and 2, page 3 of Annual Statement: $ 14,450,274,084 Personalized Pocket Polo 6. Deduct liens and interest thereon, not included in Admitted Assets, The personalized performance pocket and not in excess of required reserves on the corresponding individual certificates: None polo wicks moisture, resists snags and re- 7. Balance — Item 5 less item 6 above: $ 14,450,274,084 8. Liabilities of the General Account Fund, except reserve tains its color for a professional look that (items 3 to 22 incl. page 3 of Annual Statement): $ 8,367,582,324 lasts. It features 4-oz 100% polyester 9. Liabilities — Actual and Contingent — sum of items 7 and 8 above: $22,817,856,408 double-knit material with a self-fabric 10. Ratio percent of Dec. 31, 2017 — 109.36% collar and is available in red, steel gray, Assets — Actual and Dec. 31, 2016 — 108.98% Contingent (Item 1) Dec. 31, 2015 — 109.03% black, bright blue, navy, Carolina blue, to liabilities — Actual Dec. 31, 2014 — 109.70% and Contingent (Item 9) Dec. 31, 2013 — 110.25% royal, or white. This will be personalized EXPLANATION with your council or assembly name and The above valuation indicates that, on a basis of the A.E., A.M. (5), 1941 C.S.O., number so please allow 10-12 business 1958 C.S.O., 1980 C.S.O., 2001 C.S.O., 2017 C.S.O., 1937 S.A., 1971 Indi- vidual Annuity Table, Annuity 2000 Table, 2012 IAR –S G2 table and 1983 “a” days for your order to be produced. S, Tables of Mortality with interest at 9%, 8.75%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4.5%, 4%, M, L, XL: $40 each, 2XL: $42, 3XL: 3.75%, 3.5%, 3%, 2.5%, the future assessments of the society, at the net rate now being collected, together with the now invested assets of the General Account Fund $43, 4XL: $44 are sufficient to meet all certificates as they mature by their terms, with a margin of safety of $2,135,867,229 (or 9.36%) over the above statutory standards. STATE OF: Connecticut COUNTY OF: New Haven The officers of this reporting entity, being duly sworn, each depose and say that they are the described officers of the said reporting entity, and that on the re- porting period stated above, all of the herein described assets were the absolute Ties and Pocket Squares property of the said reporting entity, free and clear from any liens or claims thereon, except as herein stated, and that this statement, together with related exhibits, sched- These 100% silk woven ties arrive in a gift box. ules and explanations therein contained, annexed or referred to, is a full and true statement of all the assets and liabilities and of the condition and affairs of the said reporting entity as of the reporting period stated above, and of its income and de- ductions therefrom for the period ended, and have been completed in accordance with the NAIC annual statement instructions and accounting practices and pro- cedure manual except to the extent that: (1) state law may differ; or, (2) that state 1. 4th Degree Navy/Gray Striped Tie rules or regulations require differences in reporting not related to accounting prac- tices and procedures, according to the best of their information, knowledge and $24, Long Tie $25 belief, respectively. Furthermore, the scope of this attestation by the described offi- cers also includes the related corresponding electronic filing with the NAIC, when 2. Emblem of the Order Navy/Gray required, that is an exact copy (except for formatting differences due to electronic Striped Tie $24.00, Long Tie $25 filing) of the enclosed statement. The electronic filing may be requested by various regulators in lieu of or in addition to the enclosed statement. 3. Emblem of the Order Red/Gold Subscribed and sworn to before me this 16th day of February 2018. tie $20.00, Long Tie $21 JINA JO HANSEN, Notary Public CARL A. ANDERSON, President 4. Emblem Navy/Gray Striped MICHAEL J. O’CONNOR., Secretary Pocket Square $15 RONALD F. SCHWARZ, Treasurer SEAL 5. Emblem Red/Gold Pocket Square $15 OFFICIAL MAY 1, 2018: To owners of Knights of Columbus insurance policies and persons responsible for payment of premiums on such policies: Notice is hereby 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 to the Knights of Columbus by check made payable to Knights of Columbus and mailed to same at PO Box 371492, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7492, 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 Stainless Steel Tumbler SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AND RETURN POSTAGE. PUR- The 30-oz tumbler is made of FDA-com- CHASED MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED. OPINIONS BY WRITERS ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE- pliant dual walled 18-8 stainless steel and SENT THE VIEWS OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. SUBSCRIPTION RATES — IN THE U.S.: 1 YEAR, $6; 2 YEARS, features a laser-applied emblem of the $11; 3 YEARS, $15. FOR OTHER COUNTRIES ADD $2 PER YEAR. Order. A removable twist-on lid keeps EXCEPT FOR CANADIAN SUBSCRIPTIONS, PAYMENT IN U.S. CURRENCY ONLY. SEND ORDERS AND CHECKS TO: ACCOUNT- your cold drinks cold and your warm ING DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. drinks warm! Our copper lined, vacuum insulated deep draw liner will maintain COLUMBIA (ISSN 0010-1869/USPS #123-740) IS PUBLISHED optimal drinking temperatures and pre- MONTHLY BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326. PHONE: 203-752-4000, vents container sweating. Note: This www.kofc.org. PRODUCED IN USA. COPYRIGHT © 2015 BY product is BPA free. $20 each KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRO- DUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION 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. CANADIAN POSTMASTER — PUBLICATIONS MAIL knightsgear.com 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 Banal na Sakramento Council of charity 8753 in Talipapa Novaliches, Quezon City, Luzon North, lead parishioners in a Good Friday procession. Council 8753 also pro- vided the service of Knights as marshals for Every day, Knights all over the world are the liturgical event. 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

‘MY LOVE FOR THE EUCHARIST BROUGHT IMMENSE PEACE.’

As a second grader, I began to consider a call to the priesthood by “marrying” my friends on the playground and hearing “con- fessions” in the bushes. But in high school, my faith began to wane. While in college, I became so tired of being a lukewarm Catholic that I needed something to change. Either I would fall madly in love with God, or I would leave him forever. I came up with a timeframe for God to change my heart: three months. The Lord led me to a classmate who was on fire with her faith, and I asked about her spir- itual practices. She recommended I try four things: daily Mass, frequent confession, adora- tion and serving the poor. A month later, I woke up late one morning, ran to class and felt lost all day. I realized I had missed Mass. My love for the Eucharist had grown, a love that eventually propelled me into the seminary and has brought immense peace in my life ever since. I gave God three months. He did it in one.

FATHER SCOTT A. GRATTON Diocese of Burlington St. Stephen’s Council 2284 in Winooski, Vt. Photo by Natalie Stultz Photography & Film