116th Convention FLORIDA STATE COUNCIL 2020 State Convention Program and Advertisement Guide May 23, 2020 St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Delray Beach, Florida In Memory and Honor of Marybeth O’Connor Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. Amen! The Florida KofC Charities Team: Steve Ring , Vice-President and Director Richard E. Dahn, Jr- Citizens with Disabilities Campaign Chairman Robert W. Read, PSD, FM, Mobile Disabilities Chairman Mark W. Lynn, Vocations Chairman Jonathan A. Holmes, Raffle Chairman Peter J. Chiaravalle, Special Olympics Chairman Joseph B. Bishop, Helping Life Chairman Edward A. Smith, Mass Cards Chairman In Loving Memory of Marybeth O'Connor from the Past State Deputies RICHARD LaLUZERNE 1977-1979 FRANK X. SCANDONE 1987-1989 JAMES W. CUPP 1989-1991 THOMAS H. SHAUGHNESSY 1991-1993 ROBERT J. ANDERSON 1993-1995 GARY L. MCLAIN 1995-1997 JOHN L. HEMEL 1998-1999 DENNIS J. STODDARD 1999-2001 DAVID K. TEBO 2001-2003 STAN ZGURZYNSKI 2003-2005 ROBERT W. READ 2005-2007 JAMES J. SCHONEFELD 2007-2009 DOUGLAS J. MURRAY 2009-2011 CHRISTOPHER E. KERNAN 2011-2013 REV. MR. PAUL M. KOPPIE 2013-2015 DONALD GOOLESBY 2015-2017 DONALD T. KAHRER 2017-2019 Left yet not forgotten, Your memory lives with us forever in our hearts. 1 Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson March 29, 2020 Founder’s Day Scott A. O'Connor State Deputy Florida State Council Knights of Columbus Worthy State Deputy and dear Brother O Connor: In my own name, and on behalf of my fellow Supreme Officers and Board of Directors, I extend greetings to you and all my brother Knights of the Florida State Council. In this time of worldwide uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is prudent to conduct the business of your state convention virtually. Yet even amid the current disruptions, you and your brother Knights are called to be men of hope who must provide for the continued growth and good works of our Order. Each Knight participating in this convention has been entrusted with a sacred mission based on the vision of our founder, the Venerable Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney. As his spiritual sons, we carry on the vital work of building up our parishes, passing on the Catholic faith in our homes and ensuring the financial protection of our families. Father McGivney’s life and legacy should inspire us each day as we continue to pray fervently for his canonization. As we mark our Order’s 138th anniversary amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for the Knights of Columbus is greater than ever before. Through the Order’s Leave No Neighbor Behind pandemic response program, we can reach out to our brother Knights and their families, as well as to fellow parishioners, neighbors and the broader community. Our world needs Knights who will step out into the breach as sterling examples of Charity, Unity and Fraternity, offering a helping hand where one may be needed during this challenging moment in history. Finally, I express my sincere gratitude to you, the state officers, district deputies, council officers, general and field agents, and each brother Knight who has contributed to our Order’s mission in Florida. May Our Lady of Guadalupe watch over and guide your virtual proceedings and protect the health of every Knight and his family, and may Venerable Father Michael McGivney intercede for us all. Fraternally, Carl A. Anderson Supreme Knight 2 Scott A. O’Connor State Deputy 1406 S.W. 159th Avenue Knights of Columbus Pembroke Pines, FL 33027 305-790-2041 [email protected] Florida State Council May 23, 2020 Dear Brother Knights and Ladies, I want to welcome you to the first virtual Florida State Council – State Convention. I offer congratulations to all delegates of the 116th Annual Meeting, truly a historic occasion. Delegates represent councils that make up our great jurisdiction including the Bahamas and St. Lucia. Florida is one of the premier jurisdictions in all the Order, it is by your dedication and hard work that we can all be proud of the accomplishments made by our jurisdiction. I want to personally thank all our Regional Administrators, District Deputies, Directors, Chairman and Coordinators who make up the volunteer ranks of the Florida State Council leadership. You have accomplished much, in our Programs, our Charities, and our Membership Growth. Despite having to face many challenges, including two major hurricanes, the death of Marybeth, our first lady of the jurisdiction, a pandemic, the likes of which have not been seen in over 100 years and many other challenges learning to survive in this new environment we are now a part of. But we Florida Knights are strong, and we are united! No matter what was thrown at us, you managed to get the job done! Efforts by our many dedicated Knights, resulted in the conversion to virtual council meetings, virtual degrees, and virtual social events. Ingenuity is the backbone of our jurisdiction. Florida lead the way with establishing five regional (Virtual) exemplification teams that are now providing weekly degrees on-line in English, and a monthly degree in the Spanish language. Florida Knights raised funds in excess of $300,000.00 to support 13 Ultrasound Initiative projects, with matching funds from the Supreme Council the total value was in excess of $700,000.00 And, Florida is the first jurisdiction to place 100 Ultrasound Machines, accomplished in March of 2020. Our participation in the “Leave no Neighbor Behind” program included paying for the shipment of over $2 million dollars’ worth of donated supplies, which we helped distribute to those most in need. We brought back the wheelchair program and it is changing lives for the good, we have done much in a short time. You can all be proud of the Florida State Council, truly, a premier jurisdiction. Now, as we prepare to start the new Fraternal Year, one with its own uncertainties, we can know that no matter what occurs, Florida will find a way to succeed. The leadership of our jurisdiction, including State Officers, Directors, Chairman and Coordinators are all here to help you succeed. We want each and every one of you to have the tools and training necessary to prepare you for good leadership of your local councils. Our goal is to get every council qualified to be a Star Council, a goal that with good leadership, great training and superior people will be achievable. May God bless you and your council brothers in all of your activities, and may you bring in new members to assure that your council remains healthy and vibrant. Vivat Jesus, Scott A. O’Connor, State Deputy Florida State Council-Knights of Columbus “For God and Country” www.floridakofc.org 3 Bishop of St. Augustine The Most Reverend Felipe J. Estévez, S.T.D. 4 Archbishop of Miami The Most Reverend Thomas Wenski 5 Bishop of St. Petersburg The Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes DIOCESE OF ST. PETERSBURG Office of the Bishop ʹͲʹͲ ǡ Ǥ ǡ joined in spirit through the Knights’ ǡ ǡ Ǥ I am always impressed and inspired by the Knights’ ongoing ministerial outreach Ǥ Ǧͳͻ ǡ ǡǡ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ 6 Bishop of Orlando The Most Reverend John G. Noonan 7 Bishop of Palm Beach The Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito 8 Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee The Most Reverend William A. Wack Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee Office of the Bishop 11 North “B” Street Pensacola, Florida 32502 Office: 850-435-4520 Fax: 850-435-3565 Email: [email protected] May 15, 2020 Dear Brother Knights and Esteemed Guests, Greetings in the Risen Lord! Although the crisis that is gripping our world at present brings with it much anxiety, sadness, and stress, we must never forget that Jesus Christ is Lord – and because God is with us, all will be well. It seems as though everything we do these days is “extraordinary”. From celebrating Masses via the Internet to the way we shop for groceries or work from home, our life has been changed dramatically over the past several months. We marvel at the profound changes we have seen and experienced because of a microscopic virus that is spreading to all parts of the world. Thus it is no surprise that this statewide gathering of the Knights of Columbus is also extraordinary, taking place mostly virtually. No matter how we get together – via livestream media or in person – we recognize that it is Christ Jesus who gathers us. God has called us to serve Him and His Church as brother Knights, and He will strengthen and multiply our efforts if we only ask. Let this gathering be yet another occasion for us to place our faith and trust in our good God, even as it helps us to renew our brotherhood and friendships. As a brother – and Sir – Knight, I am proud of all that we are able to do together. Thank you for your commitment, your passion for service, your faith, and for sharing your gifts with God’s people. Know that you remain in my prayers, especially during this historic gathering. May God bless you, your families, and the family of the Church in abundance. I am, Your Brother in Christ, Most Reverend William A. Wack, CSC Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee 9 Bishop of Venice The Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane 10 Archbishop of Nassau The Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, S.T.D., C.M.G. 11 Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic The Most Reverend Kurt Burnette 12 United States Senator Rick Scott 13 Florida Bishops Most Rev.