JANUARY 20 10 ! VOLUME 3 ! NUMBER 1 ! WWW.KOFC.ORG/CHAPLAINS CHAPLAIN’S report KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In Service to One. In Service to All.

LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH ! 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326 USA

STATEWIDE CHAPLAINS MEETING Manitoba Leads the Way e have reached our third year of the Chaplains Report . I be - state officers, organized this gathering of the jurisdiction’s chaplains. W lieve it is very much in keeping that a special word of grati - This was an ideal situation for me, and it turned out to be very special tude be extended to our Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori. indeed as 38 chaplains arrived for the meeting. Some came from a As bishop of the Bridgeport Diocese, you can imagine the volume of good distance and all came ready to participate. State Deputy Guy M. work entailed as pastor Précourt and two state officers were present throughout. Father John P. to his flock. As well as The gathering included presentations by the state deputy, the state that, he is very much in - chaplain and myself. A PowerPoint presentation was given by a state Grace, O.S.A. volved in commissions officer on the organization of the Supreme Council and the state of - Director of Chaplain for the Conference of fices. Participants were then invited to share their thoughts, and be - Programs & Development Catholic Bishops. Yet he lieve me, they were not shy to offer observations, ask questions, raise finds time to participate objections, or just have their say. Some questions were answered, fears in many aspects of our allayed and suggestions noted. Order, and also write his inspiring and very readable monthly column At the end of the meeting, taking into account all of the ideas of - that helps all our chaplains and K of C members to be involved in fered and issues raised, State Deputy Précourt announced that he faith formation. Bishop Lori — on behalf of all the chaplains of the would write to all grand knights requesting that time be allotted at Knights of Columbus — thank you for your leadership and dedica - each council’s general meeting for a prepared input on faith formation. tion, and may the Lord guard you, direct you and grant you every Some had already been doing so, using Bishop Lori’s monthly column blessing during this new year of 2010. as a guide. This was music to my ears! During a chaplains meeting in Phoenix last August, it was discussed Following the meeting, we all gathered for a concelebrated Mass in that we arrange district meetings of chaplains. As a result, we held a the Ukrainian Rite. The main celebrant was Archbishop-Metropolitan meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the end of October 2009. State Emeritus, Most Rev. Michael Bzdel, C.S.S.R, who is the honorary Chaplain Msgr. Mitrad Michael Buyachock, in conjunction with the SEE MANITOBA , P AGE 3

THIS MONTH ’S TOPIC FOR THE CHAPLAIN ’S REPORT (Based on the Compendium of the Catchism of the ) SUBJECT : Baptism and Confirmation ...... COMPENDIUM QUESTIONS : 250-271 BORN ANEW & STRENGTHENED IN FAITH The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation Allow Us to Share in the Life of the Trinity

elebrating the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (this year on C Jan. 10) reminds us that, in the course of his public ministry, the Lord gave the Church her sacramental life. When asked how we become members of the Bishop Church, most of us William E. Lori rightly answer, “baptism.” Supreme Chaplain Yet, our answer would not be complete if we omitted the other two sacraments of initiation. We are “born anew in baptism, strengthened in confirmation, and nour - ished by the Eucharist” ( Compendium , 251).

BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST The word “baptize” means to immerse in water. Whether baptism is carried out through immersion or, more commonly, through the pouring of water, the effect is the same: The newly baptized person Who can is immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ. In baptism, we be baptized? receive an initial sharing of the Holy Spirit and the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity (252). “Anyone not In God’s plan of salvation, events such as Noah’s building of the ark and the miraculous passage of the chosen people through the yet baptized.” Red Sea, were like a “forecast” or a “prefiguring” of baptism. The This includes story of Noah shows how water is both a source of death and of life, just as in baptism sin and death are “drowned” even as a new life of infants, who grace is engendered. In passing through the Red Sea, Israel was freed from slavery to Egypt. So, too, when we pass through the waters of are born with baptism we are freed from the slavery of sin. In crossing the Jordan, original sin. Israel inherited the Promised Land, an image of the eternal life that takes root in us (253). All of this was fulfilled in Christ. To echo the thought of St. Leo the Great, Christ’s passage from Satan and become children of God. When infants are baptized, death to life passed over into baptism. Accordingly, the risen Christ their parents make a profession of faith for them. After attaining the sent the Apostles out to preach the Gospel and to baptize them in use of reason, the baptized child makes his or her own profession of the name of the Trinity from the day of Pentecost onward (254- faith. The godparents and the whole Church, however, share in the 255). responsibility of attracting people to the faith, helping them to pre - Who, then, can be baptized? The short answer is, “anyone not yet pare for baptism (in the catechumenate) and to grow in the new life baptized” (257). This includes infants, who are born with original of faith and grace (258-259). sin (see 75-78). Through baptism they are freed from the power of SEE CONFIRMED , P AGE 4

DISCUSSION /R EFLECTION QUESTIONS WHAT ARE THE SACRAMENTS of Christian initiation, and which of them can be received only once? (See Compendium , 251) IN BAPTISM, WHAT DOES WATER effect and symbolize? What are some of the ways that baptism was foreshadowed in salvation history? (See Compendium , 252-255) WHY DOES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH promote the baptism of infants, whereas many Protestant communities wait until much later to administer the sacrament? How does baptism relate to the profession of faith? (See Compendium , 75-78, 257-259 and 261-262) WHAT DO THE WORDS “confirmation” and “chrismation” describe in regard to the second sacrament of initiation? (See Compendium , 271) NAME THE SEVEN GIFTS of the Holy Spirit, which are deepened in the sacrament of confirmation. (See Compendium , 268)

Visit www.kofc.org/chaplains to sign up to receive future issues of this newsletter via e-mail. Previous issues are also archived at this site. issues edition of A Civilization of Love CIS B OOKLET : : Supreme Knight’s Book Providential Baptism and Confirmation t a panel discussion hosted by Vatican A spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Italian language version of Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson’s best-selling book A Civilization of Love (Una Civilt ả Dell’Amore ) was officially released in Rome on Dec. 9. In a note sent through Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI called the book “a providential editorial initia - tive.” The full text of Cardinal Bertone’s mes - sage read: “On the occasion of the presentation of the On Dec. 10, 2009, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI book A Civilization of Love by Carl Ander - met privately with Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, son, Supreme Knight of the Knights of accompanied by Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Columbus, The Supreme Pontiff directs his Baptism and Confirmation were auspicious well wishes and hopes that this Lori of Bridgeport. During the course of their meeting, sacraments we received as children. providential editorial initiative arouses a re - the Supreme Knight presented the Holy Father with a What did they do for us? Do you newed fidelity in Christ and a generous evan - know how important they are? check for $1.6 million, representing the earnings from gelical witness. The Pope willingly imparts to the Order’s Vicarius Christi Fund, the annual proceeds Sometimes Catholics are criticized all present at this significant occasion his im - for baptizing infants — find out plored apostolic blessings. I send his personal from which are given for the Holy Father’s personal char - why the Church encourages this greetings and good wishes.” ities and causes. practice. Produced by the Order’s Anderson wrote the book “as part of a dis - Catholic Information Service cussion that has been going on in the Catholic ited to Catholics. “While I believe the building (CIS), this booklet is part of the Church for more than 40 years.” The Second of a civilization of love is the responsibility of Luke E. Hart Series based on the Vatican Council, he notes, “challenged cultures every Christian, all Christians must work to re - Catechism of the Catholic Church. on a global basis by a set of values inspired by its alize this vision in such a way that Jews, Mus - To get your free copy or listen to it understanding of each person’s true vocation.” lims and others were welcome to participate,” in MP3 format, visit the CIS Web John Paul II and Benedict XVI have Anderson states in the book’s introduction. site, www.kofc.org/hart . (Also called for an effort to combat the 21st century’s The English language edition of A Civiliza - available inFrench and Spanish.) culture of death by working together to build a tion of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Request a copy by writing: CIS, civilization of love. Anderson’s book explores Transform the World remains available in both PO Box 1971, New Haven, CT “the implications of this call,” which is not lim - hard cover and paperback editions. 06521-1971.

THE SUPREME KNIGHT ’S BOOK CLUB DISCUSSES : Marriage: The Mystery of Faithful Love Join Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and Alice von Hildebrand, wife of the late author Dietrich von Hildebrand, online for a discussion of his book, Marriage: The Mystery of Faithful Love (Sophia Institute Press). Dietrich von Hildebrand is considered one of the most influential Catholic intellectuals of the 20th century, and Pope Benedict XVI, like Pope John Paul II before him, has expressed great esteem for his work. Submit your questions online at www.kofc.org and take part in the discussion. Visit www.kofc.org for details on discussion dates and times. Archived book club discussions can be found at www.kofc.org/bookclub .

MANITOBA , F ROM PAGE ONE Thank you, Manitoba, for setting such a (perhaps right at the start of the new year)? state chaplain. All was so new to me and it great example for other jurisdictions. Maybe May this new year be one of great spiritual was a very great privilege to participate in this other states would like to accept the chal - strength and vision for all who have responsi - special experience. lenge to host a similar event for the chap - bility for, and the spiritual care of, others at To conclude the day, the state officers lains. I know that jurisdictions have much in this critical time. God bless and keep you all. hosted a banquet in the hall for all the chap - place for different organizational meetings. lains in celebration of the “Year for Priests” What do you have in place for chaplains REV . J OHN P. G RACE , O.S.A. initiative, and gave each one a special certifi - meetings? DIRECTOR OF CHAPLAIN PROGRAMS cate to mark the occasion. Don’t you think it would be a favorable AND DEVELOPMENT What a memorable event, and so fitting to step forward to have statewide special meet - JOHN .GRACE @KOFC .ORG mark this special year dedicated to priests. ings for your chaplains, at least once a year (203) 752-4263 Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE P A I D CHAPLAIN’S NEW HAVEN CT 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 report PERMIT No. 400

CONFIRMED , F ROM PAGE 2 only be received once (269). In the West, the bishop normally admin - Normally, in the Latin Church, the bishop, priest or deacon admin - isters the sacrament, although he can delegate a priest to do so. In the isters the sacrament of baptism. In case of necessity, anyone can do so, East, priests ordinarily confer chrismation immediately after baptism provided that he or she has the intention of “doing what the Church (270). does” and employs the correct form of the sacrament (260). Such lati - This sacrament has deep roots in Scripture and tradition. The Old tude regarding the minister of baptism is due to its importance. The Testament prophets were anointed by the Holy Spirit. Not only was words of the Compendium are instructive: “Baptism is necessary for Jesus conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, but he also lived his salvation for all those to whom the Gospel has entire life and conducted his whole ministry in complete oneness with the Holy Spirit. At Pente - been proclaimed and who have had the possibility In a sense, of asking for the sacrament” (261). In the strength cost, the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and of Christ’s salvific will, however, others are saved confirmation enables enabled them to proclaim the teaching and saving without ordinary baptism, including those who deeds of Christ with courage and power. The die for the faith (baptism of blood); those who the recipient to share Apostles imparted the gift of the Holy Spirit to wish for the sacrament but cannot receive it; or in the mystery of the newly baptized by the laying on of hands. those who, moved by grace, sincerely seek God Bishops, who are successors to the Apostles, con - (baptism of desire). Children who die without Pentecost. It brings tinue to do so in the sacrament of confirmation baptism are also entrusted to the mercy about a special (263). of God (262). In a sense, confirmation enables the recipient to We should be grateful for the gift of our bap - outpouring of the share in the mystery of Pentecost. It brings about tism, particularly when we reflect on its effects. It Holy Spirit in whom a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit in whom not only removes original sin, but also takes away we are “sealed.” We are permanently marked out any sins committed prior to baptism. Through the we are “sealed.” both as followers of Christ and as full members of sacrament, we share in the life of the Trinity. This the Church. Through this sacrament, the gifts of is called “sanctifying grace,” and it joins us to Christ and makes us a the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, right member of his Body, the Church. Baptism also gives us a share in judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe) are Christ’s priesthood. United to his self-offering and freed from sin, we deepened in us. Thus, we are now more able to are enabled to offer up every aspect of our lives to God. bear witness to Christ (268). Initiation into the Church is completed CONFIRMED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT with the reception of Holy Communion, The second sacrament of initiation, given to those already baptized, a topic to which I will dedicate my next “is called confirmation because it confirms and strengthens baptismal column. grace.” In the Eastern Churches it is called chrismation to describe the heart of the rite itself — anointing with holy oil or chrism, blessed by the bishop on Holy Thursday (271). Like baptism, confirmation can

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