APR 18 E COVERS FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 3/15/18 2:16 PM Page 1

APRIL 2018 KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUS April Columbia Ad ENGLISH.qxp_Layout 1 3/14/18 3:02 PM Page 1 Keeping Our Promise

Find an agent at kofc.org or 1-800-345-5632

LIFE INSURANCE • DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE • LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE • RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

World’s Most Ethical Companies® and Ethisphere® names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC. APRIL 18 E 3_15 FINAL 2.qxp_Mar E 12 3/15/18 12:02 PM Page 1

KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUS

a P r i l 2 0 1 8 ♦ V o l u m E 9 8 ♦ N u m b E r 4 COLUMBIA

FEATURES 8 and the Knight Who Raced Him to Victory An interview with , the Hall of Fame who rode the fastest steed of all time. BY ALTON J. PELOWSKI 14 Game On! The father of gold medal winner Amanda Pelkey reflects on watching his daughter’s dream come true. BY JOHN PELKEY, WITH COLUMBIA STAFF 16 The Last of Mexico The heroic witness of St. Pedro Maldonado, a member of the Knights, inspired the restoration of religious freedom to his state. BY JUAN GUAJARDO 20 ‘Love Is the Only Way’ An interview with actor Jim Caviezel about his role in the new film Paul, Apostle of Christ. BY COLUMBIA STAFF

22 Knighthood and the ‘New Man’ A rosary that belonged to St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero, a Catholic men are called to be faithful servants, and Knight of Columbus who was martyred in 1937, is pic- protecting their families and building up the Church. tured during the centennial celebration of his in El Paso, BY ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT Texas. (See story on page 16.)

DEPARTMENTS 36Building a better world Knights of Columbus News 7 Fathers for Good Reversing negative demographic New K of C Video Series High- The season when we celebrate the trends will depend on embracing lights “Everyday Heroes” • Knights Resurrection is a privileged time the Church’s wisdom about mar- of Columbus Sets Insurance of sacramental grace. riage and family. Record for 17th Consecutive Year BY JASON GODIN BY SUPREME KNIGHT CARL A. ANDERSON • Order Mourns Death of Supreme Director 26 Knights in Action 4 Learning the faith, living the faith ’s mercy sets us free from slavery to sin and the prison of our pretensions. BY SUPREME CHAPLAIN ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI PLUS: Catholic Man of the Month Photo by Joe Najera Photography/Diocese of El Paso

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 1 APRIL 18 E 3_15 FINAL 2.qxp_Mar E 12 3/15/18 12:02 PM Page 2

EDITORIAL COLUMBIA

PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus The Paradox of the Cross ______Mozart, Jordan, . Jesus says to his disciples, “Whoever SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson There is a temptation to think of those wishes to come after me must deny SUPREME KNIGHT who possess extraordinary abilities, tal- himself, take up his cross, and follow Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. ents or holiness as otherworldly — as if me. For whoever wishes to save his life SUPREME CHAPLAIN Patrick E. Kelly their capacity for greatness was not re- will lose it, but whoever loses his life for DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT alized in the same valley of tears in my sake will find it” (Mt 16:24-25). Michael J. O’Connor which the rest of us live. Certainly, such The Christian call to self-denial and SUPREME SECRETARY Ronald F. Schwarz figures have been blessed with remark- self-sacrificial love, though challenging, SUPREME TREASURER able gifts, but so too have we. The dif- is not a path to misery but to everlasting John A. Marrella SUPREME ADVOCATE ference often lies in how a person has, joy and fulfillment. At the center of ______or has not, made use of those gifts. Christianity stands the paradox of the EDITORIAL In his book Peak: Secrets from the cross: St. Paul writes, “The message of Alton J. Pelowski New Science of Expertise (2016), psy- the cross is foolishness to those who are EDITOR Andrew J. Matt chologist K. Anders Ericsson states perishing, but to us who are being saved MANAGING EDITOR that in his 30 years of studying so- it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18). Anna M. Bninski called prodigies, he has “never found In this issue of Columbia, we begin ASSOCIATE EDITOR a convincing case for anyone develop- by highlighting the achievements of ing extraordinary abilities without in- Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte and tense, extended practice.” He argues Olympic gold medal-winning hockey that what sets apart the world’s most player Amanda Pelkey, whose dedica- skilled athletes, artists and other top tion to their respective sports has been performers is not innate talent but complemented by their dedication to rather a passionate determination to serving others. We also feature articles Venerable Michael McGivney (1852-90) Apostle to the Young, overcome their weaknesses. Whatever on St. Pedro Maldonado, a Knight of Protector of Christian Family Life and the task or achievement, overempha- Columbus priest martyred in Mexico, Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us. sizing the natural talents of others can and a new film about St. Paul, who ______be a way of excusing ourselves from wrote these words when faced with his HOW TO REACH US the hard work required to excel. own martyrdom: “I have competed MAIL Similarly, we have a tendency to ide- well; I have finished the race; I have COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza alize the lives of the and kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). Finally, the New Haven, CT 06510-3326 and conclude that such sanctity is un- issue includes a thought-provoking re- ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4210, option #3 attainable, or at least too costly. As G.K. flection on the meaning of knighthood [email protected] Chesterton once wrote, “The Christian today. We are charged to become no PRAYER CARDS & SUPPLIES ideal has not been tried and found less than saints so that, as the closing 203-752-4214 COLUMBIA INQUIRIES wanting. It has been found difficult; prayer of the Angelus states, we “may 203-752-4398 and left untried.” Nonetheless, the call by his Passion and Cross be brought to FAX to holiness remains universal — no one the glory of his Resurrection.”♦ 203-752-4109 K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE is exempt — and a principal reason the 1-800-380-9995 Church canonizes saints is to propose ALTON J. PELOWSKI E-MAIL them as models for believers today. EDITOR [email protected] INTERNET kofc.org/columbia ______Catholic Information Service Resource: Into the Breach Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Into the Breach: An Apostolic Exhortation to Catholic Men (#340) Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix provides concrete an- on matters of faith and morals, aspires to swers to key questions: What does it mean to be a Catholic man? live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church. How does a Catholic man love? Why is fatherhood so crucial ______for every man? Published as part of the Veritas Series of the Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved Order’s Catholic Information Service, this booklet includes a ______study guide and discussion questions. To download or order ON THE COVER copies, visit kofc.org/cis. Ron Turcotte, a member of the Knights of

Columbus, rides Secretariat to victory in the COVER: Photo by Tony Leonard/©Tony Leonard Foundation on May 5, 1973.

♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 2 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:52 PM Page 3

BUILDINGABETTERWORLD ‘To Receive and Give Life’ Reversing negative demographic trends will depend on embracing the Church’s wisdom about marriage and family

by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

IN 1980, I had the opportunity to real human interaction but created a speak in at a conference on the new hesitation to commit to long- future of the family in Europe and term relationships such as marriage Africa, which was sponsored by the and especially to the responsibility of Catholic University of the Sacred raising children. what it means to be “fully human.” Heart’s medical school. In an earlier column this year, I We need more Catholic couples to During the meeting, a young wrote about the coming of a new cri- adopt the attitude described by African mother introduced herself sis as developments in science in Francis: a life of such generosity and and her new baby. She told us that her areas such as artificial intelligence, sacrifice that they are willing “to re- child’s name was “Gift Francis” and robotics and genetics increasingly ceive and give life.” that she chose that name because blur our understanding of what it This will require all of us to make when she was pregnant her parish means to be human and even to act greater efforts to transmit the central priest, who was a Franciscan mission- in a human way. teaching of Humanae Vitae regarding ary, told her that her child the dignity and mission of was a gift from God. marriage. This is one of the I thought of Gift Francis “Married love particularly reveals great pastoral challenges fac- last Advent when Pope Fran- ing the Church in our time. cis lamented nations that have its true nature and nobility when The Knights of Columbus entered a demographic winter we realize that it takes its origin is seeking to strengthen because they have “chosen Catholic families by helping sterility.” con- from God, who ‘is love.’” men and women understand trasted this with the Chris- their mission as both spouses tian’s way of life that is open and parents in terms of a “to receive and give life.” I wrote that, in this regard, Pope “domestic church.” The pope’s words followed a recent Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical, Humanae We hope more Catholic families study published by Demographic In- Vitae, was truly prophetic. will appreciate in their daily lives telligence, which reports that the U.S. As we approach the 50th anniver- how, in the words of Paul VI, “the birthrate has fallen to a 30-year low of sary of the encyclical, let us strive to marriage of those who have been bap- 1.77 children per woman. The study recover its central teaching, that tized … represents the union of predicts that the U.S. birthrate will be “married love particularly reveals its Christ and His Church” (8). at its lowest rate of growth since the true nature and nobility when we re- At times, this will require Catholic Great Depression years of 1936-1937. alize that it takes its origin from God, couples to act heroically. At times, all Numerous factors influence this who ‘is love,’” (8) and that “this love of us will respond imperfectly. But negative growth; we identified many is above all fully human”(9). this should only make us more, not during our conference back in 1980. If we do not recover this under- less, determined to accompany and as- But now some experts suggest there standing of the “true nature and no- sist each other in fulfilling the noble may be a new factor: a correlation be- bility” of married love, many younger mission given to our families. The tween the birth rate and increased use Catholics living in a thoroughly secu- safeguarding of this mission has been of social media. larized culture will find it increasingly entrusted, through Father McGivney’s They say more time spent in vir- difficult — if not impossible — to foresight, to our noble Order. tual reality has not only diminished understand “human fulfillment” and Vivat Jesus!

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 3 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:52 PM Page 4

LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

Keeping Up Appearances God’s mercy sets us free from slavery to sin and the prison of our pretensions

by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

IN THE EARLY 1990s, there was a have fabricated about ourselves. We popular British sitcom called Keeping may imagine ourselves to be superior Up Appearances. As the title suggests, to members of our family, our the show was all about trying to look co-workers, friends and acquain- better than one really is. The central tances. Usually, we fool no one — live in fear and anxiety that we will character, an overbearing middle-class least of all, God. fail, that we will be humiliated, that married woman named Hyacinth This season is an opportune we will lose our standing. Bucket, is a caricature of a social time to examine our consciences, allow With this in mind, Holy Week and climber whose uppermost thought is the Holy Spirit to reveal our true selves Easter constitute a moment of truth. to win the acceptance of those she to us, and receive God’s mercy. On the first Easter Sunday evening, considers socially superior. In- the risen Lord Jesus passed sisting that her pedestrian last through the locked doors of the name, Bucket, be pronounced Upper Room. There he ap- “Bouquet,” Hyacinth does her Jesus passes this power over sin peared in his glorified humanity best to conceal her humble to the fearful Apostles. The roots — only to be embarrass- to his disciples so that it might Lord did not undertake to ex- ingly foiled by her earthy rela- reach all of us through the plain to these, his closest fol- tives who inevitably show up lowers, exactly what had at the wrong time and place. sacrament of reconciliation. transpired the past three days of For devotees of British humor, his passion, death and resurrec- Hyacinth’s antics are invariably tion. Instead, he said to them, hilarious. “Peace be with you. … Receive the The beauty of this sitcom is that in TRAPPED BY FEAR Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive laughing at Hyacinth we also laugh A false self-image is flimsier than are forgiven them, and whose sins you at ourselves. It may not be our con- gauze, but it often acts as a barrier, a retain are retained” (Jn 20:21-23). scious goal to impress the local gen- set of heavy locked doors that pre- Thus the Lord takes his followers to try, but in one way or another, all of vent others from entering and enjoy- the heart of the mystery: God’s Son us like to keep up appearances. We, ing real friendship and communion became one of us so that he could die too, may wish for people to think of with us. on the cross and rise from the dead for us as more talented, prosperous, suc- It also functions like a prison. We the forgiveness of sins, defeating sin cessful, generous, humble or virtuous are trapped inside this false image, and death by the power of divine than we are. We seek to hide our alienated by fear of what others mercy. By bequeathing the Holy weaknesses. We gloss over the dispar- might think of us. Worse still, this Spirit, Jesus passes this power over sin ity between our public and private false self-image keeps God at bay as to his disciples so that it might reach selves, especially those inward well. It’s our way of saying that we’re all of us through the sacrament of rec- thoughts, words and deeds that do not created in God’s image but in our onciliation. For, as Jesus said of the not match our public image. own; we choose our aspirations over promised Holy Spirit, “When he Embedded in this false image is an his gifts. Living in this self-made comes he will convict the world in re- inept snobbery. Like Hyacinth, we prison, we find authentic peace of gard to sin and righteousness and con- may begin to believe the myths we mind and heart in short supply. We demnation” (Jn 16:8).

4 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:52 PM Page 5

LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

FREED BY MERCY door of our fearful hearts, to gaze at ence a new freedom to follow Christ. The Sunday after Easter is known as us with the eyes of mercy and to re- Our relationship with the Church is Divine Mercy Sunday. It is a day veal us to ourselves. renewed, and we receive that peace when the Church reads the aforemen- The examination of our con- the world cannot give (cf. Jn 14:27). tioned Gospel account of Jesus’ ap- sciences and the confession of our The first principle of the Knights pearance to the disciples on Easter sins unmask our self-righteousness of Columbus is charity expressed in Sunday. In parishes throughout the and the pretensions of our hearts. In service to others, especially the vul- world and at places of pilgrimage like the words of absolution, through the nerable and those in need. Charity is the John Paul II National Shrine power of the Holy Spirit, the priest not merely an external action, but in Washington, D.C., Catholics — acting in the person of Christ — rather flows from hearts purified by gather on this day for , the Di- forgives our sins and frees us from the power of God’s merciful love. vine Mercy Chaplet and the sacra- our self-made prisons. As the Spirit How important it is, then, that we ment of reconciliation. It is a sacred of the risen Lord descends upon us embrace the gifts of the Easter sea- moment of truth when we allow the and cleanses our souls, we rise from son, leaving our false images behind risen Lord to pass through the locked the death of sin and begin to experi- and humbly turning to the Lord.♦

HOLY FATHER’S CATHOLICMANOFTHEMONTH PRAYER INTENTION Blessed Giuseppe Offered in Girotti (1905-1945) Solidarity with Pope Francis GIUSEPPE GIROTTI was born into a hardworking family in Alba, a That economists may have the town in northwestern , July 19, courage to reject any economy of 1905. He was an inquisitive boy, had exclusion and know how to open a lively sense of humor and received new paths. a strong Catholic education with his two younger brothers. The homilies of a visiting Dominican priest in- spired him to join the Order of Preachers at age 13. After making his religious vows in Word of God” and “elder brothers.” At 1923, Girotti was ordained to the great risk, he helped many Jewish fam- priesthood in 1930 and studied ilies hide or escape from the Nazi-Fas- Scripture at Rome’s Angelicum Uni- cist regime until his eventual arrest. versity and ’s École In October 1944, he was sent to Biblique. Father Girotti then taught Dachau, Germany, where as inmate at the Dominican Theological Semi- number 113355 he lived with 1,090 nary of and published brilliant other in Cabin 26, originally commentaries on the Books of Wis- built to house 180 people. Forced to dom and . He also ministered dig up potatoes from dawn till dusk in to the lonely and abandoned, espe- freezing rain and snow, he soon fell ill. cially at a nearby hospice. In spite of the harsh conditions, Fa- At the beginning of World War II, ther Girotti remained open and gen- Father Girotti taught for the Conso- erous. He gave food to others and lata Missionaries in Turin. Students encouraged them in the faith, preach- later recalled how he would ask them ing about the theological virtues and for spare clothes, food or money to Christian unity. Executed by injection give to the poor. Father Girotti’s out- of gasoline, Father Girotti died Easter reach soon extended to persecuted Sunday, April 1, 1945. He was beati- Jews, whom he called “carriers of the fied by Pope Francis in 2014.♦ POPE FRANCIS: CNS photo/Paul Haring — BlESSEd GIuSEPPE GIROttI: Photo courtesy of the Order of Preachers

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 5 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:52 PM Page 6

KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUSNEWS New K of C Video Series Highlights “Everyday Heroes”

ORDINARY KNIGHTS doing extraordinary things — this is the underlying theme of a new multipart video se- ries titled “Everyday Heroes,” which debuted online at the end of March. Each 5-minute episode tells the in- spiring story of a present-day Knight or K of C council and the ways members live out the Order’s mission — from a parish in Ottawa, Ontario, to Long Island to Lourdes, France. One video, for example, explores the faith and service of U.S. Army Special Forces 1st Sgt. Sompaul Vora- panich, a Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage leader; another introduces a talented group of seminarians who spread God’s love through music; a third delves into the conver- sion and sporting philosophy of Darrell Miller, a former MLB player. Many of the faces will be familiar to Columbia readers, • Mario Reali Council 16261: one of Long Island’s as the series catches up with Knights and families who newest councils, named after a dynamic young man of faith have appeared in the magazine: who died suddenly in 2015 at age 25 (August 2017) • Chris Dooley: a multi-sport Special Olympics athlete • University of Notre Dame Council 1477: the Order’s from Maryland who competed as a kayaker in the 2015 oldest college council, whose members began selling steak Special Olympics World Games (December 2015) sandwiches before home football games in 1973, raising • The Al Dakhil family: a Melkite Greek Catholic fam- $1.5 million for charity to date (February 2018, etc.) ily welcomed as refugees from Syria by Holy Redeemer • José Lebrón-Sanabria: a K of C general agent who Council 9544 in Ottawa (June 2016) helped coordinate relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hur- • Robert Wolf Jr.: a father whose son, James, inspired ricane Maria (March 2018) him to join the Order shortly before giving his life in the All of the videos can be watched online and shared via Iraq War (July 2017) social media at kofceverydayheroes.org.♦

Knights of Columbus Sets Insurance Order Mourns Death Record for 17th Consecutive Year of Supreme Director

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS recorded its 17th consecutive SUPREME DIRECTOR year of growth in insurance sales, with nearly $8.8 billion in new life Javier S. Martinez died insurance sold and a new record of more than March 2 in Stafford, Texas. $109 billion of life insurance in force. He was 58 years old. The new sales record caps a solid year for the A dedicated Knight for Knights. In February, for the fifth consecutive year, more than 27 years, Mar- the organization was also named a “World’s Most tinez served in numerous Ethical Company®” by the Ethisphere® Institute, fraternal leadership posi- an independent center for research promoting best tions, including Texas State Deputy (2008- practices in corporate ethics and governance. 2010) and Supreme Director since 2009. As In addition, the Knights was again listed on the a member of the Board of Directors, he fo- Fortune 1000 list (880) in 2017 and earned a financial cused on membership growth, particularly strength rating of A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best. in Hispanic communities. “We remain committed to our founding vision of protecting the Born in 1959, Martinez earned a law de- financial future of Catholic families,” said Supreme Knight Carl A. gree from the University of Texas and had a Anderson. “We offer top-quality financial protection provided by long career as a litigation attorney. He is sur- professionals who are brother Knights, who share our values and who vived by his wife of 37 years, Marietta, their act on them.”♦ two sons and three granddaughters.♦

6 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:52 PM Page 7

FATHERS FOR GOOD Easter Duty

The season when we celebrate the Resurrection is a privileged time of sacramental grace

by Jason Godin

ou may be familiar with the term “Easter Duty” and confessional — to present myself before Jesus in the per- Y relate it to the obligation to go to confession and re- son of the priest and receive the Lord’s pardon and peace ceive Holy Communion during the Easter season. If you in absolution (cf. Jn 20:22-23). already have a habit of regular confession and Commun- Call it what you will — penance, confession, reconcili- ion, you can fulfill the obligation without much effort. If ation — the Catechism teaches that this sacrament has not, it is worthwhile to recall what the Church requires many effects, the foremost of which is “restoring us to and why. God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friend- When considering our sacramental duties, we should ship” (1468). Sin damages our relationship with God. Rec- first realize that the Church proposes certain rules and re- onciliation rooted in humble contrition restores it. For quirements to help us grow in grace good reason, the formula for abso- and get to heaven. lution begins with the words, For those who grew up in a tra- “God, the Father of mercies.” ditional Catholic household, it may Sin also breaks our bonds with be surprising to learn that the term others in the Church. We sow dis- “Easter Duty” does not appear in cord and distrust, and disrupt our the Church’s canon law, nor is it union with the Body of Christ, mentioned specifically in the Cate- when we choose to love ourselves chism of the Catholic Church. over our neighbors. Reconciliation Rather, the idea stems from two re- restores those links that we share lated Church laws: to receive the with the ones we love and the ones Eucharist at least once a year during we should love more. the Easter season, unless a serious The aspect of the sacrament that reason indicates another time as many shrink from — the difficult preferable (canon 920); and to re- practice of telling my sins to another ceive absolution in sacramental person — has become one of the confession for any mortal sin at most reassuring for me. On my least once a year (canon 989). own, I can fool myself and excuse Of course, this is the minimum my sins, thinking that at least I required by the Church, and today most practicing haven’t killed anybody. But the very act of confessing in the Catholics receive Communion during not only the presence of a priest makes my examination of conscience Easter season (broadly defined as the period from the deeper and more honest. In the sacrament, God truly acts First Sunday of Lent to Trinity Sunday) but also many through the priest, which makes the parting words, “Go in other times of the year. peace,” all the more powerful and consoling. Less popular, however, is the practice of confession, so We don’t deserve and cannot earn God’s forgiveness, yet let us look more closely at that sacrament. he gives it for the asking. In the sacrament of reconcilia- For me, the motivation for confession is often a nag- tion, we drink from the depths of Divine Mercy, where ging uneasiness that I have hurt someone and a desire to God replenishes us with the graces needed to live in and set things right. I may have acted out of anger with my act out of love each day. Considering that we are reborn wife or frustration with my children, or harbor resent- spiritually in confession and fortified by grace in Holy ment toward others. I may try to dismiss this uneasy feel- Communion, we should think of our Easter Duty as an ing or rationalize my behavior, but ultimately I know that opportunity to become the better man God calls us to be.♦ I have fallen short and sinned. I need to make amends with those whom I’ve wronged and realize that God is the JASON GODIN is a member of Chaska (Minn.) Coun- first one offended by sin. That is why I show up at the cil 9141.

FIND ADDITIONAL ARTICLES AND RESOURCES FOR CATHOLIC MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES AT FATHERSFORGOOD.ORG. CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 7 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:53 PM Page 8

8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:53 PM Page 9

SECRETARIAT and the KNIGHT WHO RACED HIM TO VICTORY

An interview with Ron Turcotte, the Hall of Fame jockey who rode the fastest steed of all time

by Alton J. Pelowski

t was a horse race like none other. In June 1973, a 3-year-old chestnut Icolt named Secretariat was poised to be the first winner of the illustrious Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 25 years. Secretariat, known af- fectionately as “Big Red,” had won the Kentucky Derby and in dramatic fashion the previous month. The horse captured the world’s attention, surpassing the Vietnam War, Roe v. Wade and the Water- gate scandal in headlines. Still, few could imagine how stunning the win at the 1973 would be, with a speed and margin of victory that remain unmatched. This past fall, Secretariat’s owner, , died at age 95. The horse lived to be 19 years old, before dying in 1989, and the trainer, Lucien Laurin, died in 2000. The jockey who rode Secretariat to victory 45 years ago, however, is still alive and well, and he is a 51-year member of the Knights of Columbus.

Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, a member of the Knights of Columbus, looks over at the timer during the final stretch of the Belmont Stakes on June 9, 1973. (Photo by Bob Coglianese Photos Inc.)

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 9 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:53 PM Page 10

Left: Ron Turcotte sits in his home in Drummond, New Brunswick. On the wall hangs a poster of him as a jockey, signed by his fans with “get well” wishes following his career-ending in- juries in 1978.

Right: Turcotte stands with Secretariat in anticipation of the 99th running of the Kentucky Derby in 1973.

Ron Turcotte, 76, is a member of St. Michael de the office of a man who helped me find a at E.P. Tay- Drummond Council 6841 in Drummond, New lor’s Windfields Farm, which had a horse that year in the Brunswick. Five years after winning the Triple Crown, he 1960 Derby. was thrown from a horse on the Belmont track and suf- Not long after that, I became a jockey, even though I fered major injuries, ending his career and leaving him didn’t know anything about racing. Up until then, I paralyzed from the waist down. But it didn’t change his didn’t even know what a jockey was. outlook on life. In anticipation of this year’s Triple Crown races, Colum- COLUMBIA: And yet you went on to have an extremely bia’s editor, Alton Pelowski, spoke with Turcotte about his successful career, beginning in Canada and then in the career and his memories of riding the “greatest horse that United States. Tell me about that. ever lived.” TURCOTTE: Yes, I was leading rider the first year I rode in Canada. By October of the next year, I was 100 wins COLUMBIA: What led you to become a jockey? in front of the second rider. RON TURCOTTE: I grew up here in New Brunswick in There was a trainer at that time who wanted me to go to a family of 12 children. When I was old enough, I went Maryland with him and finish out the year there. I was able to work with my dad cutting lumber. After about five to get out of my contract, and I became the leading rider years, my brother went to Toronto and made a lot more in Maryland and also in Delaware the following spring, in money roofing houses. I decided to go back with him to 1964. That’s where I got to meet a lot of New York people. Toronto, but when we arrived, the carpenters were on One of the stewards asked me where I was heading next. strike. We left here with very little money in our pockets, He told me, “You can ride with anybody. You’re pretty pol- and we ran out not long after we got there. ished,” and encouraged me to go to New York. At the suggestion of my landlord, I looked for work at There was a state race at the Aqueduct. I went there to Woodbine Racetrack outside of Toronto. I tried twice to ride a horse for Mr. William du Pont, and I won. A couple get in, but I couldn’t get by the gate without a pass. of days later, I was one of the first three riders at Saratoga. Meanwhile, we found a restaurant that would feed us at night if we showed up at 5 and stayed until 9 to wash COLUMBIA: In 1972, a year before you rode Secretariat dishes. Then, we’d run to a bait company, hop in a in the Triple Crown, you rode another Triple Crown- truck and go pick worms and nightcrawlers until 2 or contending horse from the same farm. 3 in the morning. That’s how we paid for our room that TURCOTTE: Well, was actually the horse that first month. saved the farm. I know the movie (Secretariat) doesn’t say The third time I headed to Woodbine I hitchhiked, that, but Riva Ridge was the winningest 2-year-old cham- and it happened to be a horse trainer who gave me the pion of 1971 and the favorite for the following year’s Ken- ride. We headed by the guards, and he dropped me off at tucky Derby. Photo by Bard Photography

10 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 2:29 PM Page 11

Secretariat History’s Greatest Horse The record achievements of Secretariat, the chestnut colt ridden by Ron Turcotte during the 1973 U.S. Thorough- bred Triple Crown, remain unmatched to this day.

♞ Named Horse of the Year in 1972 (the first 2-year-old to be so honored) and again in 1973. ♞ Won the 1973 Kentucky Derby in a record 1:59.40, becoming the first horse to complete the course in less than 2 minutes. ♞ Broke another record at the Preakness Stakes two weeks later, finishing in 1:53 flat. ♞ Featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated, Time and Newsweek the week before the Belmont Stakes. ♞ Defeated the field at Belmont by a jaw-dropping 31 lengths with a record time of 2:24 for 1.5 miles. ♞ Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974, and received numerous honors and distinc- tions since. ♞ Had a heart weighing approximately 22 pounds, more than twice the size of that of an average horse, as revealed by a necropsy in 1989.

We won the Derby with him, and if it weren’t a muddy Man o’ War, which everybody claimed to be the greatest day at the Preakness, we would have gone on to win the horse up to that time. Triple Crown. On the fast track, there was no 3-year-old And he told me — this is before the Belmont — “Son, that could beat him. you’re riding the greatest horse that ever lived.” And he said, As for Secretariat, I first met him in Florida, and the “Believe me, I know. I’ve seen them all. Man o’ War has trainer, Lucien Laurin, asked me to get on him and tell nothing over this horse.” Finally, he said, “Don’t fall off.” him what I thought. Oh, he was a very kind horse. He wasn’t flighty and timid like Riva Ridge. COLUMBIA: Secretariat would often break out of the gate last and come from behind, as in the 1973 Ken- COLUMBIA: What was it like to ride Secretariat? tucky Derby. Why was that? TURCOTTE: It was really a dream come true. He was a TURCOTTE: He was big and heavy, like an overgrown professional horse; a very smart horse; a generous horse; kid, so he needed a little time to get his legs together, his gentle; he learned very fast. I can’t say enough good things feet under him. And I’d give him the time, because I about him, besides his ability to run. He was a really, re- knew he could pick it up. I started schooling him that ally nice horse. He had ability, and he was the greatest way, so he could go to the lead or I could come from be- horse I’ve ever seen. hind and go between horses. What really impressed me was how tough a horse he At the same time, he was a very versatile horse. I had was, how strong he was. He could take training like no won the on the lead with him. other horse could take. The faster you worked him, the I rode him the way I did in the Kentucky Derby be- faster he’d run his races. When he was right, there was no cause I didn’t think he was quite tight enough to go a mile horse that could beat him. and a quarter without a good race in the Wood Memorial I already had a Hall of Fame career up to that time and a couple weeks earlier. He had a great big abscess under had ridden a lot of great horses — more than I can re- his upper lip and got beat there. member. But Secretariat was the frosting on the cake. So, at the Derby, I just took it very easy with him the There was a man, Hollie Hughes, who had trained the first quarter of a mile and then I start picking up my winner of the 1916 Kentucky Derby, so he had seen horses. Photo by Bettmann / Contributor via Getty Images

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 11 APRIL 18 E 3_15 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/15/18 7:09 PM Page 12

Clockwise, from left: Ron Turcotte and Secretariat are led into the winner’s circle by owner Penny Chenery following the victory in the 1973 Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. • Queen Elizabeth II of England speaks with Turcotte in the winner’s circle after he rode Fanfreluche, the Canadian Horse of the Year, to victory in the 1970 Manitoba Centennial Derby. • Turcotte is carried by Reggie Jackson (left), the Oakland A’s slugging outfielder, and Nolan Ryan, the California Angels’ ace pitcher, in New York City Jan. 9, 1974. The athletes vied for the Cavalcade of Champs 1973 trophy.

COLUMBIA: At the Derby, you ended up with a track Anything can happen in a race, but I was so certain that record, which stands to this day. And the same goes for we were going to see something extraordinary. I told Lu- the next two races of the Triple Crown. Take us through cien that if I got beat in that race, I was going to hang those races. my tag and quit riding. And he was so sure that he said TURCOTTE: Well, when we came to the Preakness, he would quit training. which is the second leg of the Triple Crown, I think that When I came out the gate in the Belmont, I just took was the most beautiful of the races that I rode. I just it easy, letting him get his feet under him. But when I saw passed everybody around the first turn and took control them closing ahead of me, I didn’t want to be trapped. of the race at the three-quarter pole. We won very easily So, I let him get to the lead, and I had control of the race. and broke the track record, even though it took nearly 40 Then, I let him run to show everybody what he could do. years before they corrected the time and gave it to us. I was kind of peeved that they didn’t give us a record at When we came to the Belmont, I trained Secretariat the Preakness, so I just let him run. We won by 31 lengths very hard. I kept encouraging Lucien to let me go ahead and took 2 and 3/5 seconds off the track record. with him, and he was afraid that I was doing too much with him. We kept going back and forth until I kind of COLUMBIA: You were already a member of the Knights won my point, because the horse was getting stronger and of Columbus by this time. What inspired you to join in stronger all the time. 1967, and what has been your experience with the Order? LEFT: Photo by Bob Coglianese Photos Inc. — TOP RIGHT: Photo by Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images — BOTTOM RIGHT: AP Photo/Ron Frehm

♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 12 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:53 PM Page 13

A Knight at the Races

Below are career highlights of acclaimed jockey Ron Tur- cotte, a native of New Brunswick, Canada, and a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus since 1967.

♞ Rode more than 3,000 winners during his 18-year career. ♞ Won the Preakness Stakes aboard Tom Rolfe in 1965, and the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes aboard Riva Ridge in 1972. ♞ Rode Secretariat to victory in the 1973 Triple Crown, becom- ing the first jockey in 70 years to win back-to-back Kentucky Derbys and the first in history to capture 5 of 6 consecutive Triple Crown races (matched in 2015 by Victor Espinoza). ♞ Invested as a member of the Order of Canada in 1974, the first person associated with thoroughbred racing in Canada to receive such an honor. ♞ Inducted into numerous halls of fame following his career, including the U.S. National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Hall of Fame.

Right: Turcotte displays the 50-year membership plaque he received from his K of C council in Drummond, New Brunswick.

TURCOTTE: Well, I had a friend I went to school with. My family was so great. They treated me the same as At that time, we sat two to a bench. By the time I came when I was riding, as the same person. I couldn’t ask for to New York, he was living in Connecticut. He was a a better family, and I can’t say enough about my wife. member of the Knights of Columbus and asked if I She really helped me and stuck by me. wanted to join. I said, “Sure, I’d love to.” So, after the Being a jockey is a very dangerous profession, but races one night, I took my First Degree in Bridgeport that’s something that never entered our minds. If we with the New Haven team there. I joined a council on thought about how dangerous it was, then we probably Long Island and soon became a Third Degree member. wouldn’t do it — but you’re young, you’re fearless. I’ve always enjoyed being a Knight, and I used to at- Still, I always kept a St. Christopher medal in my car tend a lot of meetings when I lived in New York. When and a small crucifix in my helmet. I came here, I transferred to St. Andre Council (7222) and then St. Michael Council (6841) in Drummond, where I’m a member now. POSTSCRIPT: Since returning home to New Brunswick four decades ago, Turcotte has kept himself busy. He has COLUMBIA: After your tragic accident in 1978, what ranched beef cattle and raised other animals, and he has role did your faith and family play in helping you planted nearly 300,000 trees. After his four daughters grad- through? uated, he began making appearances at racetracks through- TURCOTTE: Well, I left my life in God’s hands and just out Canada and the United States, signing autographs for kept taking it one day at a time. My wife was with me charity. He serves on the board of the directors of the Per- all the time at the hospital and just about lost me a cou- manently Disabled Jockeys Fund and offers encouragement ple times. I contracted meningitis, went into a coma and to injured riders. Turcotte still travels occasionally, but is they had to re-operate. otherwise enjoying life in Drummond, where he lives with I was told by the doctor that I would never walk again, his wife of 52 years, Gaëtane, and continues to participate and I just tried to do the most I could in my situation. in his local K of C council.♦ Photo by Bard Photography

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 13 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:53 PM Page 14

GAME ON! The father of gold medal winner Amanda Pelkey reflects on watching his daughter’s dream come true

by John Pelkey, with Columbia staff

he U.S. women’s ice hockey team had won eight out of IF YOU BUILD IT… Tthe last 10 World Championship tournaments. Until this I also built a rink in our yard. Sometimes, up to 50 neighbor- February, however, 20 years had passed since the team won a hood kids would be out there. Our pastor Father Paul would gold medal at the Olympics, as the Canadian women were come up and skate, too. We had a big picture window in the victorious in Salt Lake City (2002), Turin (2006), Vancouver house, and he always said it was divine intervention that a (2010) and Sochi (2014). puck never went through it. At the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, When the city wouldn’t let me put lights on the rink, a dear South Korea, the U.S. team defeated Canada for the gold in friend said, “Hey, Coach, do you know that you don’t need a an overtime shootout Feb. 22. permit for Christmas tree lights?” So, I bought 6,000 Christ- John Pelkey, 54, a member of mas tree lights for one tree, 4,000 Bishop Brady Council 399 in Barre, for the other and lit up the rink. Vt., and father of U.S. player It was so beautiful. You could see Amanda Pelkey, 24, traveled to South it from the other side of the val- Korea with his wife and son to watch ley. Whenever I turned them on, his daughter compete. He spoke with my buddy on that side would say, Columbia about his experience of “The game must be on. We’ll raising an Olympic champion. bring the kids over!” I sent my kids to a little ICE IN THE BLOOD Catholic school here in Montpe- Hockey has always been one of my lier, St. Michael’s, and when big passions. My father was a big Amanda would play competitive hockey guy, and I grew up playing it hockey, between 5th to 8th grade, as well. we’d go to Canada. She was very Amanda was probably 2 years old fortunate to be a good student, when she started, skating with all the and I’d take her out of school to 7- and 8-year-olds and speeding cir- go play up in Montreal. A lot of cles around them. She just really the sisters and the lay teachers loved it at a very young age, and had were extremely supportive. a God-given gift for the game. Amanda would tell them, “Yeah, someday I’m going to play When she was about 8, a good friend gave us tickets to a in the Olympics.” A lot of those teachers have contacted us U.S. Olympic women’s game. Amanda looked at me and said, since and said, “You, know, we always thought you guys were “Dad! I love this! I wanna play on that team someday!’” And a little bit crazy, but it’s amazing to see her achieve her dreams.” I looked at her and said, “Then keep practicing, because you can do it.” She really worked hard at it. A PRE-OLYMPICS PARTY Maybe I’m old-school, but the way I was brought up is that Going to the Olympics is extremely expensive. With my wife, as a parent you find what God-given gifts your kids have, and myself and my son, you’re talking a pretty good chunk of change. then try to give them every tool and opportunity to help One of my buddies said, “We’re gonna have a little party them grow. and raise a little something for you.” I don’t like charity in the For me, it meant getting involved with coaching and run- sense of receiving it, but he said, “No, we’re gonna do it. All ning summer programs so that Amanda could be on the ice. the different people Amanda grew up playing hockey with, I’ve been involved with Vermont hockey for 23 years now. we’re inviting those teams and their families.” Photo courtesy of the Pelkey family

14 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:53 PM Page 15

Above: The U.S. women’s ice hockey team celebrates its gold medal victory Feb. 22 at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea. • Opposite page: John Pelkey stands with his daughter, Amanda, and wife, Ann, after the U.S. Women’s National Team won the gold medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship in Plymouth, Mich., April 7, 2017.

Well, they had over 500 people show up. I told my wife it stunned while everybody was jumping up and down all was better than a wedding. And they raised enough money around me. And I’m like, “Did this just really happen? Is it for all three of us to go. We’re just very, very blessed. There’s over? Are you really serious?” It was so surreal. I just looked no other way to put it. up and said, “Thank you.”

‘ARE YOU SERIOUS?’ GIVING BACK In Korea, we could definitely feel my father around us the I grew up with the Knights of Columbus. My father and whole time. He would have loved it. He just passed away a grandfather were Fourth Degree members, and I’m Fourth couple years ago. Like I said, he was a big, big hockey guy. Degree today. I work in the granite industry, and we’ve made He never missed one of my games. granite signs for different councils all over the country. I also The culture is very different in Korea, and few people speak helped build our local club, which we just sold to a school. English, but we had a blast. We are fortunate to be in a time The money went to St. Monica’s Church in Barre. where we have Google Translate. We would talk into our cell I’ve always tried to teach my kids the importance of giving via AP phone and it would come out Korean or Russian or whatever back. Martin St. Louis, a Canadian kid who coached Amanda language the person spoke, and they would talk into theirs, when he played for the University of Vermont, also always and it would come out English. It was really cool. I was talk- pumped into her head the idea that you never become larger ing to everybody. than the game. He actually went on to win a Stanley Cup with

The Canadian Press We went to all the games in Pyeongchang. In the gold the Tampa Bay Lightning. medal game, as I sat there from the overtime period to the So Amanda’s always put a lot of time and love into things end of the shootout, I probably sucked down a whole roll like working at hockey camps and speaking at various schools of Rolaids. in the area. When she’s not playing pro hockey, she’s coaching Then, when the last goal was scored, I was sitting there and doing a lot of wonderful things.♦ Photo by Nathan Denette/

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 15 APRIL 18E3_14FINAL.qxp_Mar123/14/181:53PMPage16 Of the 25 Mexican martyrs that Pope John Paul II canonized II Paul Pope John that martyrs Mexican 25 the Of officials. ipal munic- anti-Catholic from charges false on him apprehend to arrived had horseback on men armed raucous, 25 than More to no avail. but to escape, time him to allow a diversion create to tried the valiantly protect parishioners his to Outside, hosts. pyxes consecrated two for parishioner a asked and brero rough by broken waiting. were was attackers His door. the on silence knocks the when arrived He barely home. had walk his began and p.m. 3 around at Parish abel Ash On Is- Santa in confessions flock. hearing finished he his 1937, Wednesday with stayed who state Chihuahua the in priests two only of one was Pedro Maldonado Father mained. T 16 Hours Hours later, to beaten death. the was beloved brutally pastor som- his on threw cassock, his of out changed priest The re- 334 only war, the before priests 4,500 country’s the Of ♦ of the Church in Mexico wasn’t over. Mexico in Church the of persecution the but 1929, in War ended had Cristero he A I B M U L O C The heroic witness of St. Pedro Maldonado, a member of the Knights, Knights, the of member a Maldonado, Pedro St. of witness heroic The ♦ 8 1 0 2 L I R P A The LastMartyr inspired the restoration of religious freedom to his state his to freedom religious of restoration the inspired of MEXICO by Juan Guajardo Juan by ico. The youngest of eight siblings, he excelled in his studies his in excelled he siblings, eight of youngest The ico. and Maldonado Apolinar Micaela Mex-Lucero in Chihuahua, to 1892 15, June born was Lucero Maldonado Jesús Pedrode OUTLAW AND PASTOR A Christ.” Jesus serve to duty and faith common a through cultures both and unites dioceses both connects in Chihuahua here the message to spread he the means was given “That bar). side- (see anniversary ordination the of celebration a at recent Chihuahua, of Archdiocese the of priest a and great grandnephew Maldonado’s St. Zapata, Fernando Father said God,” border. the of sides inspire both on to Catholics continues witness his and — exiled later and years ago 100 ordained was he where Texas, Paso, El and tered, minis- he where Chihuahua, — cities two of saint a became He killed. be to martyrs the of last the and priests Columbus of Knights six of one was Maldonado Father 2000, 21, May “The fact that he was ordained in El Paso is a blessing from El Paso a in is blessing ordained was he that fact “The the homilist for the bilingual Mass. bilingual the for homilist the was (left) Paso El of J.Seitz Mark Bishop 25. Jan. Cathedral Patrick St. at Mass anniversary the centennial concelebrates Mexico, Chi- huahua, of Weckmann Miranda cio Constan- Archbishop page: Opposite Patrick St. Paso, El in Cathedral Texas. at the ordination of saint’s celebration centennial the Lucero Maldonado is pictured during Jesús de Pedro St. of reliquary The

Photos by Spirit Juice Studios APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:53 PM Page 17

and showed an interest in the priest- 100 Years of Priestly Witness hood from childhood. He followed God’s call and entered El Paso faithful celebrate centenary of St. Pedro Maldonado’s ordination the seminary in 1909. His peers looked up to him for his devotion. In a biog- ONE SAINT. Two cities. One hun- in the United States dedicated to a raphy titled El Mártir de Chihuahua dred years. Knight of Columbus saint, it will now (1992), Javier H. Contreras Orozco The significance of those numbers permanently house the relic. noted that after one session of spiritual did not go unnoticed by Catholics in “He began his commitment to Christ exercises, the rector asked Pedro what the Diocese of El Paso, Texas. From in a public way right here in our cathe- went through his mind. The pious Jan. 21-26, hundreds of faithful — in- dral,” Bishop Seitz said. “How many dio- youth replied, “I have thought to have cluding numerous Knights of Colum- ceses can claim a saint? How many can my heart always in heaven and in the bus and their families — came together say that one was ordained in their cathe- tabernacle.” to commemorate the 100th anniversary dral? We’re very proud that he is ours.” As the bishop of Chihuahua recov- of St. Pedro Maldonado’s ordination, Texas Knights of Columbus played ered from an illness, Father Maldonado which took place in El Paso’s St. Patrick a prominent role in the celebration. traveled to El Paso to be ordained on Cathedral Jan. 25, 1918. Following the centennial Mass, State Jan. 25, 1918. Events included a talk on persecu- Deputy Douglas Oldmixon observed He returned to his native Chihuahua tion, a musical about St. Pedro’s life, a that St. Pedro “provides to modern a few weeks later to celebrate his first Holy Hour, a panel discussion by Knights an incredible example of char- Mass and begin his priestly duties. De- friends and family of the saint, and a ity — it’s the ultimate charity to lay spite being described as thin and frail centennial Mass. One of the great down your life for your friends.” by the townspeople, he energetically blessings that came during the week- Father Fabian Marquez, a priest of carried out his ministry with particular long celebration was the gift of a relic the Diocese of El Paso and a member of care for the spiritual well-being of fam- — a piece of bone from St. Pedro’s St. Council 11926, ilies, as well as for the poor, the sick, hand — by the Archdiocese of Chi- also noted the special connection be- and the native farm laborers known as huahua to the Diocese of El Paso. tween the Knights and St. Pedro. campesinos. “We received that relic at the border “Now,” he said, “they also have a re- Father Maldonado promptly started crossing close to here, and we had a sponsibility to share and promote the life a “nocturnal adoration” ministry that procession led by the Knights of of one of our Knights — a Knight who blossomed to include at least nine area Columbus,” explained Bishop Mark J. is a martyr and a saint for the Church of churches. In 1922, he formed one of Seitz of El Paso. Chihuahua, the Church of El Paso and the first Knights of Columbus coun- A shrine of St. Pedro was erected in the Church worldwide.” – Reported by cils in Chihuahua — Fray Alonso the cathedral in 2005. The only shrine Juan Guajardo

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 17 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:54 PM Page 18

Briones Council 2419 — with the intention of drawing men caves to avoid being seen. He celebrated Mass in silence, closer to Christ. Two years later, he was assigned to Santa Is- under the cover of darkness, and continued to hear confes- abel Parish. sions, baptize, preside at weddings and minister to the sick Laity close to Father Maldonado knew his strong stance and dying. against Masonic sects, socialist education, anti-worship laws A new wave of persecution broke out in 1931, and three and agraristas — peasants armed to steal private property and years later, Father Maldonado was incarcerated, beaten and turn it into common land. psychologically tortured by authorities before being exiled to His outspokenness didn’t sit well with authorities, and El Paso, where he was aided by the Knights of Columbus. when President Plutarco Elías Calles’ regime broke open the dam of religious persecution in 1926, life became tougher for ‘¡VIVA CRISTO REY!’ the priest and his faithful in Santa Isabel. Under Calles, Mex- Desiring to be near his flock, Father Maldonado returned to ico’s anti-Catholic worship laws began to be zealously en- Chihuahua and remained there until his death. forced throughout the state, resulting in a bloody civil war On that fateful Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1937, Santa Is- and the shuttering of churches, schools and seminaries. abel’s municipal officials used false charges to call for his ar- In late 1926, the state issued a warrant for Father Maldon- rest. Some of the men who apprehended him still wore ashes ado’s arrest, accusing him of violating the country’s strict wor- on their foreheads. ship laws. The authorities relentlessly hunted the priest They forced him to walk barefoot approximately 3 kilo- throughout the northeast region of the Chihuahua. meters from his La Boquilla neighborhood to the city hall. Forced into hiding to evade capture, Father Maldonado Along the way, he and the parishioners accompanying him “went from ranch to ranch, living day by day, but he no longer prayed the rosary. celebrated the liturgy in homes to avoid endangering the resi- When the group arrived at the building, one official grabbed dents,” wrote Orozco. “Instead, to throw his pursuers off his Father Maldonado by the hair and punched him. Two others trail, he celebrated Mass outdoors, in caves and under trees.” hit the defenseless priest over the head with the butts of their The authorities remained in pursuit in 1927, but Father rifles. Bleeding heavily, Father Maldonado was dragged to the Maldonado traveled through the cerros (hills) and slept in second floor, where the vicious attack continued. Several of his Photo by Joe Najera Photography/Diocese of El Paso

18 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18 E 3_15 FINAL 2.qxp_Mar E 12 3/15/18 9:06 AM Page 19

Above left: Father Fernando Zapata, the great grandnephew of St. Pedro Maldonado and a member of St. Patrick Cathedral Council 16778 in El Paso, leads a Holy Hour at the cathedral Jan. 26. • St. Pedro (in front of the doorway at right) stands with members of Fray Alonso Briones Council 2419 in Chihuahua, Mexico, Dec. 17, 1922, the day the council was chartered.

parishioners tried to defend him, but they were overpowered the of Guadalupe! Long live Father Maldonado!” — and thrown out of the building. just as Father Maldonado had vividly dreamed shortly before “That’s when one of the assailants mockingly fed him the his martyrdom. Eucharist, which he was carrying with him and protecting,” Although the newspapers gave the murder little publicity, recounted Father Zapata. The hosts had fallen, which it prompted local Catholics to establish religious freedom prompted the assailant to say, “Here, eat your superstition.” groups and begin lobbying the state government to respect “But they didn’t know that was his last wish — not to die the rights of the faithful. Two months later, on April 26, 1937, without receiving the Body of Christ,” explained Father Zap- the governor of Chihuahua authorized the resumption of ata. “That was how he entered martyrdom.” public worship. By May 1, church bells rang across Chi- Father Maldonado’s attackers left him lying in a pool of his huahua once more. own blood, semiconscious. He was beaten so badly that his Father Maldonado’s legacy remains an inspiration and an left eye was nearly dislodged from its socket, his skull was example of “peace, union and fraternity,” said Father Zapata, cracked, and his teeth were shattered. By the time a group of who recently became a member of St. Patrick Cathedral women parishioners were able to rescue him and get him to Council 16778 in El Paso. “Through his sacrifice, he shows the hospital late that night, he was in a coma. He died the us that, even when we’re surrounded by conflict, peace and next day, on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, from severe love of Christ is stronger than any kind of violence.”♦ brain trauma. The priest’s death, ruled a murder, shocked the people of JUAN GUAJARDO is editor of North Texas Catholic, the Chihuahua, and Catholics turned out en masse for his funeral publication of the Diocese of Fort Worth, and a member of procession, shouting, “Long live Christ the King! Long live Davis Lambright Council 4101 in White Settlement, Texas. Photo courtesy of Fray Alonso Briones Council 2419

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 19 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:54 PM Page 20

‘LOVE IS THE ONLY WAY’

An interview with actor Jim Caviezel about his role in the new film Paul, Apostle of Christ

by Columbia staff

he Great Fire of Rome in A.D. 64 had been extinguished. If he really sees that, then you would see his heart in his eyes, TNonetheless, the Emperor Nero, looking for a scapegoat, and it would be haunting. That moment is the beginning of continued to light the streets of the city with the burning bod- his conversion. ies of Christians. This is where the new film Paul, Apostle of Christ begins, as the title character spends his final days await- COLUMBIA: In preparing for the role, did you grow in ap- ing martyrdom in ancient Rome’s Mamertine Prison. preciation of St. Paul and St. Luke? The film, which is dedicated to those facing persecution for CAVIEZEL: When (producer) Zelon first approached their faith today, centers on the friendship of Paul (James me about the project, I didn’t jump up and say I’d like to do Faulkner) and (Jim Caviezel), who risks it. But around that time, I went to Auschwitz with my lawyer his life to visit Paul in prison and carry of 21 years, Frank Stewart, who had the apostle’s writings to the Christian been fighting his fourth cancer. He was community. a mentor to me. We were there looking Paul, Apostle of Christ is a unique at the very place where Maximilian collaboration between a nonprofit Kolbe died — like Paul and many great Catholic organization, ODB Films saints who were put in prison unjustly (odbfilms.com), and a major Holly- and faced great suffering and execution wood studio, Sony Pictures. Written in our Lord’s name. and directed by Andrew Hyatt, the When I came back, Frank passed film (rated PG-13) was released in the- Support the Knights of Columbus away. Probably a month and a half later, aters March 23. Christian Refugee Relief Fund. I get a phone call from Zelon. I wasn’t Jim Caviezel spoke to Columbia in Visit christiansatrisk.org in any mood to do the movie and said, early March about his faith and how he “Just send me the script.” As I read it, I got involved in the project. immediately saw my relationship with Frank: me being Luke and Frank being COLUMBIA: This was your first biblical role since The Pas- my mentor, like a father. That was the relationship I saw be- sion of the Christ. What attracted you to the project? tween Luke and Paul. JIM CAVIEZEL: Great script. Most scripts you get — whether a Bible or religious story, comedy, drama, action — they’re not COLUMBIA: Your trip to Auschwitz was connected to the that good. If you can find a good one, then the rest of it is just documentary Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the getting the tone of it. I sat down with (writer/director) Andrew Fall of Communism, which you narrated. What significance Hyatt, and he was very open to that. When you sit down with did that project have for you? your director, you get the idea if you’re right for it. Then, you CAVIEZEL: It’s definitely related to this one. Twenty percent go from there. of the Polish population was killed in World War II. They were One of the many messages in this one is that Paul becomes invaded by the Nazis, and the Communists came and stabbed a great teacher because he learns humility through great hu- them in the back. But their faith and their devotion to the miliation. He’s haunted at the end of his life by the people he Blessed Mother was extraordinary. had hurt. The one big one had to be Stephen calling out, and The martyr Father Jerzy Popiełuszko — I can look at him and seeing the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Father. say, “I can’t be afraid. I have to be able to look evil in the eye.” Photo by Afif Amireh

20 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18E3_14FINAL.qxp_Mar123/14/181:54PMPage21

Photo: ® CTMG 2018 the face with love. with face the in evil it’s meeting but It’s weakness, not passivity. not is ness Forgive- passivity. It not is costs. all at forgiving It the is gave. from scene Faulkner) Paula (James in St. with talks Caviezel) (Jim Luke St. bitterness there when you look at the cross and the man on that can’t sweet. There’s just that I it and take coffee, their in sugar me.” to it did you these, he when end the at clear very very, is Lord Our sand. the stomach. your in but feeling love, bitter a that’s with gosh, people lead to want I is. Lord our where not that’s know I because don’t cynical, I too be to that; not try in I why. know interested wasn’t media The Friday. Good on ISIS by crucified were that Christians of pictures brought experience of Christians in the Middle East and elsewhere? and East Middle the in Christians of experience to bring people along and love these characters. these love and along people bring to humor of moments those find to had also we and film, this in you of see least the we to did did you say, When “Whatsoever both says, hungry? he they And you and thirsty?’ see sheep, we the did from “When goats the separates us to be joyful — but we have to show the truth. Wetruth. that the had show to have we but — joyful be to us isn’t God that I’msaying asking Messiah. not our is who cross C he what and Kolbe Maximilian like people of I’m reminded Many faith-based films are too saccharine; they put too much in heads our sticking Christians, as ostriches be can’tWe C AVIEZEL OLUMBIA : : How does does How : I had some friends who came back from war and war from back came who friends some had I Paul, Apostle of Christ of Apostle Paul, relate to the to relate to talk me out of doing the the doing of out me talk to That is the most convicting thing. convicting most the is That loved. feel people that a way live and there out get to us wants Jesus film. this of message important an also that’s And way. can’t that. That to play going only not Love is the path. be the Paul. like suffering their from never learned They victim. the played saints great the Certainly, better.” treated be should I at “Oh, look how and they’reis afraid: victim me, and treating a be to I can’t continues a victim. be who to going a person be friends. his from suffering hold with- doesn’t Jesus knows? who to today, come ready may be It to it. want meet just I and come, will time that know I coincidence. no was It years old. 33 was I and J.C., are initials my that realized I ment, mo- that at and heaven, from came words those believe I it.” of weight the from crushed be will you cross, your carry and up don’tpick you If cross. our carry to called all we’re man, “Look, said, I And again.” town this in work never “You may own life, have there been any moments that inspired your faith? own inspired that moments your any at been there back have life, Looking own Damascus. to Road the on version That was the big change for me: no more victimhood. I’m victimhood. more no me: for change big the was That wasn’t I decided I when life my in time a came there So, face. the in death look to able be to have we Catholics, As C C Paul, Apostle of Christ of Apostle Paul, AVIEZEL OLUMBIA : : Among the film’s key flashbacks is Paul’s con- Paul’s is flashbacks key film’s the Among : Mel Gibson came to me at one point and tried and point one at me to came Gibson Mel , released in theaters March 23. March theaters in released , The Passion of the Christ. Christ. the of Passion The 8 1 0 2 L I R P A ♦ ♦ A I B M U L O C He said, He ♦ 21 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:54 PM Page 22

Knighthood and the ‘New Man’

Catholic men are called to be faithful servants, protecting their families and building up the Church

by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following text was abridged from an ad- Exactly 900 years ago, in A.D. 1118-19, a small group of dress delivered Feb. 3 at the “Into the Breach” men’s confer- men came together in Jerusalem to form a religious commu- ence, sponsored by the Diocese of Phoenix, and is reprinted nity. They were pilgrims. The First Crusade had retaken the with permission. The Arizona Knights of Columbus provided city from Muslim rule in 1099. The men, who were all from significant volunteer and financial support for the event. Europe’s knightly order, had come looking for a life of com- mon prayer and service. They got both, but not in the way et’s be clear about our purpose today. “Into the Breach” they intended. L is a men’s conference in the most thoroughly binary sense. As warriors, the men had skills. As knights, they came from We’re here to recover what it means to be men, and especially respected families with important connections. The roads lead- how to live as Christian men of sub- ing to Jerusalem and other holy sites stance and virtue. The theme for my were infested with brigands and Mus- remarks is “memory, sex, and the mak- lim raiders that would rob, rape, mur- ing of ‘the new man.’” I’ll deal with der or abduct many of those making the each of those topics in turn because journey. The Christian rulers of the city they connect to each other in some im- needed help in protecting the travelers. HE WORLD NEEDS portant ways. … T The men had taken vows of poverty, FAITHFUL CATHOLIC MEN, chastity, and obedience to the MEMORY AND THE of Jerusalem. And their first task, under “NEW KNIGHTHOOD” MEN WITH A HUNGER obedience, was to patrol the roads. … Memory is a cornerstone of our iden- The Holy See approved the rule of tity. It’s the storehouse of everything TO BE SAINTS. their religious community, the Poor we’ve learned, all of our love, all of our Brothers of the Order of the Temple of experiences, and all of their meaning. — the Knights Templar. The Memory gives the storyline to our Templars went on to become the most lives. It shapes how we understand the effective Christian fighting force in the world and approach the future. … Holy Land for nearly 200 years. They had dozens of recruiting Just as memory anchors each person’s individual story, his- and support communities throughout Europe. And they were tory plays the same role for cultures, nations and communities so successful that they were finally persecuted and suppressed of faith. History is our shared memory. When we Christians through the jealousy of the French king. lose a strong grasp of our own history — our own unique A lot of nonsense — some of it vindictive, some of it ridicu- story and identity — others will gladly offer us a revised ver- lous, much of it just false — has been written about the Tem- sion of all three: a version that suits their own goals and big- plars. If you want facts, read Malcolm Barber’s The New otries, and not necessarily the truth. And then some very ugly Knighthood: A History of the Order of the Temple, or the work things can happen. A community dies when its memory fails. of Jonathan Riley-Smith or Thomas Madden. Or read St.

So our memory as a Christian people matters. And I want to ’s great reflection on the Templars, “In by Edmund Blair Leighton (oil on canvas, 1908) / Wikimedia Commons recall one particular piece of our history as Christian men, be- Praise of the New Knighthood.” But pay special attention to cause it speaks to us right here, today. that expression: “the new knighthood.” The Dedication

22 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:54 PM Page 23

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 23 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:54 PM Page 24

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia speaks at the Catholic men’s conference hosted at Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix Feb. 3.

Knighthood in medieval Europe began as a profession of family. All of you fathers are bishops. And every father shapes heavily armed male thugs — men obsessed with vanity, vio- the soul of the next generation with his love, his self-mastery lence and rape. It took the Church and royalty centuries to and his courage — or the lack of them. tame and channel it. The animating ideal at the core of the So what does that mean? It means the world needs faithful Templars was to build a new order of new Christian men, Catholic men, men with a hunger to be saints. The role of a skilled at arms, living as brothers, committed to prayer, aus- Catholic husband and father — a man who sacrifices his own terity and chastity, and devoting themselves radically to serving desires, out of love, to serve the needs of his wife and children the Church and her people, especially the weak. — is the living cornerstone of a Christian home. The Church The ideal of this “new knighthood” was often ignored or in this country may face a very hard road in the next 20 years, betrayed. Then and now, humans are sinners — all of us. But and her sons need to step up and lead by the witness of their the astounding thing is how much more often and how much daily lives. more fruitfully the ideal was embraced, pursued and actually lived by the brothers, rather than abused. SEX AND THE “NEW MAN” My point is this. C.S. Lewis described Christianity as a Since most of you are familiar with those two little details “fighting religion.” He meant that living the Gospel involves a called the Sixth and Ninth Commandments, I’ll mention the very real kind of spiritual warfare; a struggle against the evil in obvious things just briefly. ourselves and in the world around us. Our first weapons should Don’t cheat on your wife. Don’t put yourself in a situation always be generosity, patience, mercy, forgiveness, an eagerness where the idea would even occur to you. Don’t mislead and abuse to listen to and understand others, a strong personal witness of women, and damage your own dignity as a man, by sleeping faith, and speaking the truth unambiguously with love. … around before marriage. And if you’re already doing that, or did This is why the ideal of knighthood still has such a strong that, or you’re toying with the idea of doing it sometime in the

hold on the hearts and imaginations of men. As men, we’re future, stop it, now, and get to confession. Finally, don’t demean , courtesy of the Diocese of Phoenix hardwired by nature and confirmed by the Word of God to your wife, your daughters, your mother and your sisters by poi- do three main things: to provide, to protect and to lead — soning your imagination with porn. It steals your time and your not for our own sake, not for our own empty vanities and ap- heart from the people who need them the most — the wife and Catholic Sun petites, but in service to others. … family you love. Pornography exploits and humiliates women. , the great saint of the early Eastern And it dehumanizes men at the same time. God made us to be Church, described every human father as the bishop of his better than that. Our families need us to be better than that. Photo by John Bering/

24 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APRIL 18 E 3_14 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 3/14/18 1:54 PM Page 25

Those are some of the don’ts. The dos are equally obvious. Do love the women in your life with the encouragement, af- 22 Rules fection, support and reverence they deserve by right. Do be faithful to your wife in mind and body. Do show courtesy and of Knighthood respect to the women you meet, even when they don’t return it. Chivalry is dead only if we men cooperate in killing it — and given the vulgarity of our current national environment and its leaders, we certainly need some kind of new code of dignity between the sexes. Finally, those of you who marry, do have more children, and do invest your time and heart in them. America is facing a birth bust, and it’s a sign of our growing national selfishness. Children are the future. They’re the cement of love in the covenant of a husband and wife. They’re the single best anti- dote to selfishness. Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and all the other blots on recent male behavior are merely a symptom of an entire cul- ture of unhinged attitudes toward sex. Women are right to be angry when men treat them like objects and act like bullies and pigs. But a real reform of male behavior will never come In his Feb. 3 address in Phoenix, Archbishop Chaput about through feminist lectures and mass media man-sham- summarized the rules of knighthood written more than ing by celebrities and award ceremonies. In a lot of men, that 500 years ago by Erasmus of Rotterdam in his book The kind of hectoring will merely breed nominal repentance and Manual of a Christian Knight. inner resentment. A man’s actions and words change only when his heart changes for the better. And his heart only 1 Deepen and increase your faith. changes for the better when he discovers something to believe 2 Act on your faith; make it a living witness to others. in that transforms and gives meaning to his life; something 3 Analyze and understand your fears; don’t be ruled by them. that directs all of his reasoning and desires. In other words, 4 Make Jesus Christ the only guide and the only when he becomes a new man. … goal of your life. But we don’t and we can’t create ourselves. And when we 5 Turn away from material things; don’t be owned by them. 6 Train your mind to distinguish the true nature of try, we destroy the very thing that guarantees our humanity: good and evil. the reality that none of us is a god, but all of us are sons and 7 Never let any failure or setback turn you away from God. daughters of the true and only God. 8 Face temptation guided by God, not by worry There’s only one way any of us will ever become a genuinely or excuses. new man. It’s by giving ourselves totally to God. It’s by put- 9 Always be ready for attacks from those who fear ting on the new man in Jesus Christ that Paul describes in the Gospel and resent the good. Ephesians 4 (22-24) and Colossians 3 (9-17). And the kind 10 Always be prepared for temptation. And do what you can of new men we become demands the armor Paul gives us in to avoid it. 11 Be alert to two special dangers: moral cowardice and Ephesians 6 (11-17) — because, like it or not, as Catholic personal pride. men, we really are engaged in a struggle for the soul of a beau- 12 Face your weaknesses and turn them into strengths. tiful but broken world. 13 Treat each battle as if it were your last. To put it another way: The “new knighthood” St. Bernard 14 A life of virtue has no room for vice; the little vices of Clairvaux once praised never really disappears. It’s new and we tolerate become the most deadly. renewed in every generation of faithful Catholic men. And 15 Every important decision has alternatives; think brothers, that means us. It’s a vocation that belongs to us, and them through clearly and honestly in the light of what’s right. nobody else. … 16 Never, ever give up or give in on any matter of moral Maleness, brothers, is a matter of biology. It just happens. substance. 17 Always have a plan of action. Battles are often Manhood must be learned and earned and taught. That’s our won or lost before they begin. task. So my prayer for all of us today is that God will plant 18 Always think through, in advance, the consequences of the seed of a new knighthood in our hearts — and make us your choices and actions. the kind of “new men” our families, our Church, our nation, 19 Do nothing — in public or private — that the and our world need.♦ people you love would not hold in esteem. 20 Virtue is its own reward; it needs no applause. MOST REV. CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. Cap., is arch- 21 Life is demanding and brief; make it count. bishop of Philadelphia. 22 Admit and repent your wrongs, never lose hope, encourage your brothers, and then begin again.♦ Photo by De Agostini / C. Balossini / Bridgeman Images

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 25 APR 18 KIA E 3_14 FINAL.qxp__Layout 1 3/14/18 1:49 PM Page 26

REPORTS FROM COUNCILS, ASSEMBLIES KNIGHTSACTIONIN AND COLUMBIAN SQUIRES CIRCLES

Olympics of Texas after Knights from across the state donated close to $316,000 in cash, goods and services to the organiza- tion. For more than 20 years, St. Jude Council 7736 in Mansfield and Father W.P. Pechal Council 11721 in Kaufman have taken the lead in preparing meals for the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games, working alongside other councils to feed the event’s thousands of volunteers. The jurisdiction also wel- comed Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori to the Texas State Conven- tion and recognized him with the inaugural Arch- bishop John Carroll De- fender of Religious Liberty Medal, which was developed Members of Abbot Francis Sadlier Council 6168 in Lecanto, Fla., paint Our Lady of Grace by Msgr. Timothy J. Valenta Church. The council volunteered 300 hours to the project, applying 35 gallons of paint in Assembly 2041 in College two shades of blue to the church building and its tower. Council 6168 also ran the most Station. To accompany the successful Father Willie Golf Tournament in its 22-year history, netting $8,000 for 16 teachers occasion, the assemblies of at St. John Paul II Catholic School. The tournament is named after golf-loving Father Willie Guadalupe Province District McEwan, Council 6168’s chaplain from 1979 to 1986. 6 raised $2,500, which was donated in Archbishop Lori’s honor to the Supreme Council’s RSVP program. VOCATIONS ENCOUNTER SHOE TOSS at five area parishes. The John F. Kennedy Memorial Monsignor James J. Zegers fund drive yielded $4,500 to Council 5635 in Dunedin, Council 9113 in Marmora, support the Archdiocese for Fla., hosted a vocations ap- N.J., held its ninth annual the Military Services, USA, preciation dinner to provide Michael J. Barnes Memorial through the Knights of a personal encounter between Shoes at the Shore horseshoe Columbus Military Chap- 20 seminarians and priests fundraiser. The horseshoe- lain Scholarship Program. and 125 Catholic parents and toss competition honors the youth. With a priest of semi- memory of a deceased council LONGSTANDING narian at each table, the member and raised $4,000 SERVICE parishioners had the chance for the council’s program to Rivière du Loup (Québec) to converse and gain a greater support widows in need. Council 2402 reached its In the aftermath of flooding, a understanding of vocations 40th consecutive year of member of Father Vander to the priesthood. The dinner MILITARY CHAPLAIN blood drives. The many Heyden Council 4874 in Pon- was served by 15 young peo- FUND years of collections have chatoula, La., loads up relief ple from the parish faith for- Father Francis Tretiel As- supported the medical needs supplies. The council and mation program, and $2,500 sembly 1736 in Barnesville, of the council’s community. ladies’ auxiliary prepared 640 of the meal’s proceeds were Ohio, with the help of St. box lunches and 400 hot din- donated to the Diocesan Joseph of Monroe County TEXAS-SIZED CHARITY ners for those whose homes Burse Fund, with the remain- Council 5009 in Woodsfield The K of C Texas State were damaged by the water, ing $500 going to the youth and Cambridge Council Council was was recognized as well as for those who as- program retreat fund. 1641, conducted collections as a major sponsor of Special sisted with cleanup efforts.

26 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APR 18 KIA E 3_14 FINAL.qxp__Layout 1 3/14/18 1:49 PM Page 27

KNIGHTSINACTION

GIFT FOR THE GROTTO defined medical service cov- Twelve Apostles Council ered under the Canada 16189 in Platte City, Mo., Health Act, and also raised made a $500 donation to $940 for Palliative Manitoba. Twelve Apostles Catholic Church to help fund a new SMILES ALL AROUND Marian Grotto, recently con- Father Wohlfohrt Council structed as a space for prayer 12029 in St. Bonifacius, and meditation. Two young Minn., teamed up with the brothers organized the con- local Lions Club to provide struction and maintain the crucial dental work for a high grotto parish as part of their school student who had re- Eagle Scout service project. cently lost her father. The young woman and her PALLIATIVE CARE mother did not have ade- PRESENTATION quate dental coverage or the Father Shyshkowich Council financial resources to replace 8925 in Winnipeg, Mani- the broken crown of one of toba, hosted a speakers forum her front teeth. A teacher at on palliative care, affirming Waconia High School tried the inherent worth and dig- for months to find funding nity of every person and em- for her student’s dental work, phasizing the importance of finally reaching the Lions caring for each as an individ- and Council 12029. A local ual. The forum, held at St. dentist agreed to donate the Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic crown and perform the work Church, was attended by 140 for a nominal fee, allowing people. Council 8925 pre- the Knights and Lions to do- Parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church and members pared a petition to the House nate the $500 each had ear- of Father Anthony McGirl Council 7907 in Issaquah, Wash., of Commons in Parliament, marked for the project to the gather in front of the World War II Memorial by the Legisla- requesting that hospice pal- student and her mother for tive Building in Olympia. The Knights and parishioners at- liative care be identified as a other expenses. tended a regional March for Life, for which the Knights provided a bus and supplied signs.

ULTRASOUND INITIATIVE Additionally, a peaceful place Bishop Gross Council 1019 for prayer and reflection was and Bishop Gross Assembly provided to the travelers be- 176, both in Columbus, fore departure. Ga., presented a new ultra- sound machine to Seneca BLESS THE BIKES Choices for Life. Council Victoria (British Columbia) 1019 also donated $10,000 Council 1256 hosted a Bicycle toward the machine’s insur- Blessing for the parishioners ance and maintenance. of St. Andrew’s Cathedral. “Bike to Work Week,” begin- THE WAY TO LOURDES ning the following Monday, The Four Chaplains Coun- presented a good opportunity cil 10652 in Fort Lewis, to have the riders and their Wash., aided a group of pil- equipment blessed. The rec- grim warriors flying out of tor of the cathedral offered a Seattle for the International rousing opening prayer and Military Pilgrimage in Lour- shared a reading from the Father Tony Sagrado, pastor of Most Holy Trinity Church, des, France. The help in- Book of before bless- celebrates Mass during a prison visit coordinated by Most cluded a 4 a.m. pickup, ing the bikes with holy Holy Trinity Council 5774 in Balic-Balic Manila, Luzon. After assistance with luggage and water. Afterward, the Knights Mass, the council provided food, drinks and toiletries to the check-in, and late-night help served coffee, ice cream sun- 68 inmates. upon the pilgrims’ return. daes and floats.

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 27 APR 18 KIA E 3_14 FINAL.qxp__Layout 1 3/14/18 1:49 PM Page 28

KNIGHTSINACTION

TRAVELING TROUBADOURS Holy Trinity Council 9990 in Nanaimo, British Co- lumbia, was called on by an ecumenical partner parish to help host the Lutheran Youth Choir. The Knights provided breakfast for the musicians, who were tour- ing the region to perform the biblical musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

BALLPARK OUTING New Richmond (Wis.) Council 2845 sponsored Members of Florentino N. Vergel De Dios Assembly 2822 in and chaperoned a baseball Baliuag, Luzon, repaint a marker that welcomes travelers on expedition, taking a bus full Frank Gerard of St. Joseph’s the highway between Baliuag and San Rafael. of young altar servers from Council 8268 in Duluth Heights, Minn., and Neil Slo- and St. Patrick parishes, as boda install the new church HOSPITAL HELP a parish centennial celebra- well as children from a local sign at St. Joseph’s Catholic Father Les Costello Council tion of the apparitions of emergency shelter, to St. Church. The council con- 2403 in Timmins, Ontario, Our Lady of Fatima. The Paul, Minn., for a St. Paul tributed to the fundraising ef- donated $60,000 to Tim- program included a candlelit Saints game. fort for the cost of the mins and District Hospital, procession with the image of parish’s new sign. a medical facility serving a Our Lady of Fatima, a Mass, OUT TO THE BALL GAME population of 115,000 in and a reception featuring an Triad Assembly 2282 in Win- the region. The hospital’s impressive “rosary cake” that ston-Salem, N.C., welcomed to an evening of fellowship, aging facilities are in need of used a cupcake to represent eight veterans from the VA baseball and fireworks at a updates to better provide each bead. Medical Center in Salisbury Winston-Salem Dash baseball care for the community. The game. Al Davis, a Korean War council’s contribution came Army veteran, threw out the from funds invested after first pitch, and all the veterans the sale of its hall. in attendance were recog- nized. The assembly handed GOING GREEN out 400 small flags prior to Presentation Council 10478 the game, and the honor in Stockton, Calif., took the guard presented the colors message of Laudato Si’ to during the national anthem. heart and transitioned from disposable napkins, table- CCD RESOURCE cloths and utensils to reusable Fairbury (Neb.) Council metal utensils and cloth nap- 4434 donated copies of the kins and tablecloths that can book Good Pictures, Bad Pic- be washed and reused. The tures to the CCD ministry of council is in the process of St. Michael’s Catholic purchasing plates to elimi- Church. The books are for nate the need for paper plates the parents of young children. and has also transitioned to a Children are encountering ex- digital newsletter. plicit material at very young ages, and this book is used to FATIMA CELEBRATION Members of Father M. J. Monahan Council 4851 in Holly- educate parents on how to Our Lady of Perpetual wood, Fla., and Patricia DeWain, a staff member of Annun- speak to their child about the Help Council 5714 in ciation Catholic Church in West Park, prepare meals in the inappropriate things they may Maple Shade, N.J., hosted kitchen at the parish’s first Loaves & Fishes Dinner. accidentally see.

28 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APR 18 KIA E 3_14 FINAL.qxp__Layout 1 3/14/18 1:49 PM Page 29

KNIGHTSINACTION

STATIONS OF THE CROSS St. Council 9995 in Payson, Ariz., constructed a walk- way and outdoor Stations of the Cross for its parish. The walkway includes a crushed granite path that leads to seven 8-foot wood crosses, each of which bears two bronze images depicting the different stations. The walk is lit in the evenings and features benches for rest and prayer.

FUNDING THE FUTURE Msgr. James J. Hickie Council 6695 in Bristol, Tenn., helped invest in the future of the Church by supporting local Catholic education. The council do- nated $50,000 to St. Anne’s Ray Howard, faithful navigator of Father Henry Tevlin Assembly 2108 in Rock Hill, S.C., Catholic School, adding to hands dozens of donuts to a Rock Hill police officer. The assembly delivered 25-dozen the existing Council 6695 donuts to the Lancaster, Rock Hill and York police and fire stations as an expression of ap- Scholarship Endowment in preciation and support for first responders. memory of Past Grand Knight Roland Heon and Deacon Harry Hall. INTO THE BREACH INFO Pro-Life Classic to benefit SESQUICENTENNIAL Father Michael C. Kidd The Network, CELEBRATION Council 14455 in Mitchell- which helps pregnant Chilliwack (British Colum- ville, Md., purchased copies women choose life by offer- bia) Council 3478 hosted of Bishop Thomas Olm- ing medical, logistical and an information booth at the sted’s apostolic exhortation financial support. One of city’s Canada Day celebra- Into the Breach for the the event’s corporate spon- tion that marked the 150th parishioners of Holy Family sors offered a $20,000 prize anniversary of the nation. Parish. The booklets, avail- for a hole-in-one, drawing Knights handed out flags able through the Order’s many golfers to the chal- and patriotic lapel pins Catholic Information Serv- lenge, but the prize sadly while also highlighting the ice, were distributed after went unclaimed. The event many good works of the weekend Masses with the yielded $12,000 to support council in its community. It aid of the Ladies of Holy the pro-life ministry. was a terrific chance for Family Mitchellville. outreach, and many chil- DIAPER DISASTER dren enjoyed the opportu- SCORE! AVERTED nity to take a photo with Michael Tinh Tran, a semi- Father Douglas J. Nohava When the Gabriel Project the Knights. narian supported by Doctor Council 1229 in Flagstaff, building at its parish was de- Briggs Council 4597 in Ariz., recently donated a stroyed by arson, St. An- FUND DRIVE Courtenay, British Columbia, state-of-the-art scoreboard to thony Claret Council 10090 Prince of Peace Council is ordained to the diaconate San Francisco de Asis in San Antonio held a diaper 12990 in Miami, Fla., by Bishop Gary Gordon of Catholic School for its new drive to provide supplies for raised $1,100 toward the Victoria at Christ the King gymnasium. the pro-life ministry. The purchase of a new ultra- Parish. The council helped 5,033 diapers collected will sound machine for Respect organize a reception follow- GOLFING FOR GABRIEL help 24 families for a Life Pregnancy Help Center ing the liturgy and also Sacred Heart Council 2577 in month, and the council has of North Miami-Dade, cleaned up the many result- Bowie, Md., hosted its 19th set a goal of 10,033 diapers which helps expectant ing dishes and cutlery. Dave Grabowski Memorial for the next drive. mothers in need.

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 29 APR 18 KIA E 3_14 FINAL.qxp__Layout 1 3/14/18 1:49 PM Page 30

KNIGHTSINACTION

with disabilities and their families. The wheelchair will allow clients to more easily tour the grounds, follow the Stations of the Cross and visit the outdoor shrines.

BLUE MASS St. Bernards of Madison (Wis.) Council 9082, along with Bishop W.P. O’Connor Assembly 1200, sponsored a Blue Mass for police and fire personnel. Red and blue me- morial candles were lit in re- membrance of deceased personnel, and the Mass was attended by Madison police, the Dane County sheriff, the University of Wisconsin po- lice force, the Madison Fire Father Lance W. Harlow, chaplain of De Goesbriand Council 279 in Burlington, Vt., ties a pair of Department, and paramedics sneakers for a youth at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, a residential care facility for children at and EMS personnel from risk. The sneakers were purchased through the charitable work of the St. Nicholas Project, which around Dane County. connects the Catholic community in Vermont with Kurn Hattin. Father Harlow enlisted the help of multiple councils in the Diocese of Burlington for the project, to which they responded with dona- PARISH CELEBRATION tions to the Back-to-School Shoe Fundraiser and contributions to a raffle in honor of Father Har- Bristol (R.I.) Council 379 low’s silver jubilee. These two fundraisers generated over $26,000 to support the children’s home. provided an honor guard for a Marian procession during the centennial celebration of PARISH ASSISTANCE FAITH FEST more for Campbell River ath- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Pius IX Council 4396 in Councils across the Diocese letes traveling to Kamloops Church in Bristol. The cele- Lansdale, Pa., made a $600 of Lansing, Mich., united to for competitions. bration is the longest running donation to St. be a “gold sponsor” of the sec- festival honoring Mary in the Church to help fund the re- ond annual FaithFest event, HOME FOR HISTORY entire state of Rhode Island. pair of the church roof. The held at the St. Francis Retreat Lock Haven (Pa.) Council money was raised through a Center in DeWitt. The 1774 refurbished an exhibit pancake breakfast that served Knights contributed $5,000 building of the Columbus more than 200 people. to the Christian music festi- Chapel and Boal Mansion val, which drew some 8,000 Museum, located in Boals- RECTORY RENOVATED people of all ages for a day of burg. The space will serve as Over several months, Kuya- prayer, activities and music. a vault for 150,000 pages of hoora Valley Council 10544 Fourth Degree Knights also Columbus family correspon- in Newport, N.Y., helped served as an honor guard for dence dating from the 1450s renovate the rectory of St. the festival’s Mass. along with other artifacts Catholic that make up the largest Church. In the kitchen, the WALK ON Columbus collection in Participants enjoying a “Sip Knights installed a new win- Bishop Hill Council 5468 in North America. & Paint” arts night hosted by dow, painted, refurbished Campbell River, British Co- Our Lady of the Rosary of cabinets and laid new floor- lumbia, sponsored a walk- NEW WHEELS Fatima Council 7460 in ing. They also updated the athon to raise money for local Holyoke (Mass.) Council 90 Cornwall, N.Y., prepare the rectory’s bathroom and im- Special Olympics projects. donated a wheelchair to the backgrounds of their pic- proved its outdoor safety Knights of Columbus and Bureau for Exceptional tures. The program of re- features. These renovations Special Olympics athletes Children and Adults at freshments and relaxing and the hours spent com- collected pledges totaling JERICHO, an organization painting activities raised pleting many other tasks over $5,000, which was used that provides religious edu- $1,000 for the CCD program have saved the parish a great to pay for uniforms, travel ex- cation, support and a wide of St. Thomas of Canterbury deal of money. penses, venue rentals and array of activities for people and St. Joseph Parish.

30 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APR 18 KIA E 3_14 FINAL.qxp__Layout 1 3/14/18 1:49 PM Page 31

KNIGHTSINACTION

SCHOOLWORK DISTRICT EFFORT Msgr. Gilbert Council 9364 The councils of South in Washington, N.C., assisted Luzon District S-55 united in the restoration of a local to hold their first “Buntis school, which is listed on the Summit” (Pregnancy Sum- National Register of Historic mit) under the theme “Pag- Places. One of the Knights mamahal at Kalinga sa discovered a large crucifix in Buhay” (Love and Care for the school’s storage, which he Life). Some 100 mothers at- restored and complemented tended for a free ultra- with religious murals in the sound, consultation and CCD classroom. checkup by an OB-GYN; seminars on responsible SPECIAL OLYMPICS parenthood and the life SUPPORT cycle in the womb; and ma- St. John Vianney Council ternal care conducted by the 7077 in Lower Sackville, University of the Philip- Faithful Navigator Leon Fitzgerald of Msgr. Gerald Murphy As- Nova Scotia, annually hosts pines’ College of Human sembly 2223 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, distributes Canadian the Halifax Area Regional Ecology. Thanks to the gen- flags at a ferry terminal, commemorating the unveiling of Special Olympics Track and erous support of companies Canada’s current maple leaf flag. Field Meet. Volunteers from and individuals, the project track clubs and other coun- had funding left over. cils assisted with the pro- gram’s events, which included FILLING THE PANTRY CHALLENGE ACCEPTED GIFT OF EDUCATION the long jump, the broad Blue Ridge (Ga.) Council St. Michael the Wichita Falls (Texas) Sacred jump, shot put, bocce and a 12126 made a $3,000 do- Council 15458 in Canton, Heart Council 10998 pre- washer toss — plus cere- nation from the proceeds of Ohio, accepted a challenge sented its annual Vinny monies and lunch. The 130 its charity golf tournament from its chaplain to honor the Lewis/Tony Bindel Memo- athletes each received a treat to Feed Fannin, an organi- Sisters of Notre Dame by erect- rial Scholarship, which was bag, a stuffed toy and a gift zation that feeds the hungry ing a monument to their serv- created in honor of two de- from Canadian Tire. Knights of Fannin County and the ice and dedication at St. ceased grand knights. The also assisted at the provincial Copper Basin through a Michael the Archangel School. council has awarded more games and made a combined community garden, a food As the first phase of a two-part than $20,000 in scholarships contribution of $6,000 to the pantry, education and project, the council built a wall since the program began. program. fundraising. featuring the sisters’ names and years of service at the school. CHURCH COMMUNITY Bishop Armstrong Council OCCASION TO GIVE 4443 in Sacramento gave Rt. Rev. Msgr. William A. one of its sponsored semi- Delaney Council 5983 in narians a chalice, which Farmingdale, N.Y., cele- was used at his first cele- brated its 50th anniversary bration of Mass. The coun- by making a $5,000 dona- cil also annually donates tion to the Church of St. $1,000 to three different James in Seaford. churches for use at their pastors’ discretion. PARISH-WIDE CHARITY Rev. W.W. Kroupa Council 3720 in Butte, Neb., do- nated $2,000 to each of the three churches that make kofc.org up Sacred Heart Parish of Boyd County. The funds exclusive Members of St. Council 15937 in Lewiston, were used toward much See more “Knights in Action” reports and Mich., take a break after installing new windows in the rectory needed capital improve- photos at of their parish. For insurance reasons, the previous windows ment, and Knights also as- www.kofc.org/ had to be replaced with windows that would allow a person sisted with replacing the knightsinaction room to exit in case of an emergency. churches’ shingles.

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 31 APR 18 KIA E 3_14 FINAL.qxp__Layout 1 3/14/18 1:49 PM Page 32

KNIGHTSINACTION

K OF C ITEMS OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS Councils Step Up After Disaster IN THE UNITED STATES THE ENGLISH COMPANY INC. Following California wildfires, K of C councils respond to needs Official council and Fourth Degree equipment 1-800-444-5632 • www.kofcsupplies.com DEVASTATING WILDFIRES LYNCH AND KELLY INC. swept across California in 2017, Official council and Fourth Degree causing more damage than all such equipment and officer robes 1-888-548-3890 • www.lynchkelly.com fires in the previous decade com- bined. In response, Knights in the IN CANADA ROGER SAUVÉ INC. region rose to the occasion with an Official council and Fourth Degree outpouring of generosity for equipment and officer robes 1-888-266-1211 • www.roger-sauve.com brother Knights and others who were impacted. Following the Tubbs Fire of Au- gust — the most destructive in the 04/18 JOIN THE FATHER Flames from a wildfire consume a home near Napa, state’s history, engulfing more than ! MCGIVNEYGUILD Calif., Oct. 9, 2017. 5,600 buildings and homes in Please enroll me in the Sonoma and Napa counties — the Father McGivney Guild: California State Council and local councils set in motion a network of support. NAME Within days, members of Alemany Council 982 in Napa had relief distri- ADDRESS bution efforts underway. CITY “Councils sent us loads of clothes, shoes, water, diapers — all the essentials STATE/PROVINCE that people need to live on,” explained Grand Knight Kenneth Marshall. Joseph De La Cerda of San Fernando Mission Council 3016 drove 380 ZIP/POSTAL CODE Complete this coupon and miles north to deliver items collected from churches in Southern California. mail to: The Father Eventually, Marshall had to ask the other Knights to stop making deliveries. McGivney Guild, “It was amazing,” he said. “We were just overwhelmed with donations.” 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT Two months later, when the Pocket Fire ravaged Cloverdale in northern 06510-3326 or California, St. Patrick’s Council 3484 in Canby, Ore., responded with remark- enroll online at: able efficiency. www.fathermcgivney.org After Mike Gorka, a member of OFFICIAL APRIL 1, 2018: Council 3484 with ties to the com- To owners of Knights of Columbus insurance policies and persons munity of Cloverdale, Calif., put out responsible for payment of premiums on such policies: Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the provisions of Section 84 of the Laws an SOS to his brother Knights, the of the Order, payment of insurance premiums due on a monthly basis to the Knights of Columbus by check made payable to Knights of council swiftly undertook a drive for Columbus and mailed to same at PO Box 1492, NEW HAVEN, CT 06506-1492, before the expiration of the grace period set forth in the needed items and funds policy. In Canada: Knights of Columbus, Place d’Armes Station, P.O. Box 220, Montreal, QC H2Y 3G7 “When a fellow Knight calls and ALL MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOS, ARTWORK, EDITORIAL MAT- TER, AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES SHOULD BE MAILED TO: says, ‘We need help,’ we are ready and COLUMBIA, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. RE- JECTED MATERIAL WILL BE RETURNED IF ACCOMPANIED BY A willing to do the work,” said Past SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AND RETURN POSTAGE. PUR- CHASED MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED. OPINIONS BY Grand Knight Duane Kloser. WRITERS ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE- Greg Perez (left) and Jesse Villarreal of St. Patrick’s SENT THE VIEWS OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. “We had a meeting on Tuesday, SUBSCRIPTION RATES — IN THE U.S.: 1 YEAR, $6; 2 YEARS, Council 3484 in Canby, Ore., took to the road $11; 3 YEARS, $15. FOR OTHER COUNTRIES ADD $2 PER YEAR. and I was in my truck and on the EXCEPT FOR CANADIAN SUBSCRIPTIONS, PAYMENT IN U.S. to bring relief supplies to Californians in need. CURRENCY ONLY. SEND ORDERS AND CHECKS TO: ACCOUNT- road Friday with a trailer loaded ING DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. full to head to Cloverdale,” said

COLUMBIA (ISSN 0010-1869/USPS #123-740) IS PUBLISHED Greg Perez, community director of Council 3484. MONTHLY BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326. PHONE: 203-752-4000, Perez drove 1,300 miles with fellow council member Jesse Villarreal to the www.kofc.org. PRODUCED IN USA. COPYRIGHT © 2015 BY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRO- deliver food, bedding, personal hygiene items and household goods. Learning DUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. exactly which items were most needed in Cloverdale, the two returned the PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW HAVEN, CT AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND AD- following week with another load. DRESS CHANGES TO COLUMBIA, MEMBERSHIP DEPART- MENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. “Donations were coming in from all areas of California Knights of Colum- CANADIAN POSTMASTER — PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 1473549. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE bus councils,” said Joseph Galbraith, a member of Van Nuys (Calif.) Council CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 50 MACINTOSH BOULEVARD, CONCORD, ONTARIO L4K 4P3 3148 and state chairman for disaster response. “The need was there, and the PHILIPPINES — FOR PHILIPPINES SECOND-CLASS MAIL AT THE MANILA CENTRAL POST OFFICE. SEND RETURN California Knights stepped up.”♦ COPIES TO KCFAPI, FRATERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1511, MANILA. TOP: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, file

32 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ A P R I L 2 0 1 8 APR 18 E COVERS FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 3/14/18 5:52 PM Page 33

KNIGHTSOFCOLUMBUS

Knights Members of Our Lady of Hope Council 8086 in Port Orange, Fla., work together to place wall framework during a Habitat for Hu- of charity manity build. Many Knights, accompanied by their wives, came out on a Saturday to help with the initial structural work on the home, Every day, Knights all over the world are which will house a family in need in Edgewa- given opportunities to make a difference ter. The council’s commitment will continue — whether through community service, until the project is completed, including work- raising money or prayer. We celebrate days for painting and sod laying. 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].

A P R I L 2 0 1 8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 3 3 APR 18 E COVERS FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 3/15/18 2:16 PM Page 34

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

KEEP THE FAITH ALIVE

‘I COULD NOT CONTROL MY JOY.’

With the help of God, I received my voca- tion one Sunday when I was 7 years old and a group of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters came to Mass at our parish. The moment I saw them, I was so happy that I could not control my joy. I left my seat and walked to them and stayed with them. To me, the sisters seemed to be walking like angels. After Mass, I said to them, “I want to be a sister, so that I will be walking like you.” When I reached home, I told my mother. She, too, was filled with joy and told me, “God has answered my prayers. I asked God on my wedding day to call one of my sons as a priest or daughter as a nun.” With tears, she said, “My daughter, I will be praying for you.” I later found the congregation I would be- long to and was drawn to their charism of al- ways adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Glory be to his holy name, today I am a sister!

SISTER CATHERINE NONYELUM CHUKWUONWE Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament of Onitsha, Nigeria East Wilson, N.C. Photo by Jimmy Williams Photography