The Knights Line The Knights Line 2207 Viento ST Orlando FL. 32822 DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DO NOT DELAY MAIL TO: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Blessed Theodore G. Romzha Assembly 2279 P.O. Box 1391 Windermere, FL 34786 VOLUME 25, No. 5 May 2019 Kurdistan Regional Government of his administration's Sustaining Hope In Iraq commitment to protect Christians. Without that commitment and effective security, Christians face an uncertain future. 4/1/2019 Since 2014, we have spent more than $20 million to help Violence At The Hands Of Islamic State Militants persecuted Christians and others targeted for genocide in the May Have Subsided, But Our Support Of Suffering Middle East. Our support has helped provide food, housing, Christians Remains Crucial education and medical care for tens of thousands of displaced people. It has also funded rebuilding the town of Karamles after “WITHOUT THE KNIGHTS of Columbus, its liberation from ISIS. our Christian community would not have We were the driving force behind the 2016 declaration by then- survived.” This is what I heard time and Secretary of State John Kerry that ISIS had committed genocide again as I visited Iraq in March, meeting against religious minorities. We then worked closely with Vice with survivors of genocide, refugees, medical President Mike Pence to update policy so that persecuted minority personnel, educators and bishops, as well as communities would no longer be overlooked by U.S. government U.S. and Kurdish government officials. aid. I came to Iraq at the invitation of the Carl A. Anderson As part of these efforts, I testified numerous times at Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda — a congressional hearings, and my testimony became the basis for the member of the Order and a good friend. Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act. Congress The day before leaving for Iraq, I had the privilege of a private unanimously passed the bill due in large part to the efforts of Rep. audience with Pope Francis. He and I discussed the Knights‛ Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). The act, efforts to help the persecuted Christians in that region — an issue which was signed into law by the president in December, provides that is close to his heart. He encouraged us to continue, saying, “A for direct funding of groups targeted for genocide. Middle East without Christians is not the Middle East.” Having discussed this issue with Vice President Pence and My trip to Iraq provided a concrete opportunity to express our Mark Green, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International solidarity with these Christians who have suffered so much, to Development, I know their commitment. But much remains to be assess the effectiveness of our past support and to understand done that government cannot do. That is why we entered into a future needs. groundbreaking memorandum of understanding with USAID to It was equally important to convey to Kurdish government build a new government-private sector partnership to help these officials that the Christians there are not alone; they have suffering minorities. important allies. The violent genocide of Christians by ISIS has been stopped, I was encouraged to hear from the prime minister of the WEB SITE: http://www.kofcassembly2279.org Assembly E-Mail - [email protected] but we must not allow their despicable goal to be achieved by have inherited. indifference. In that Ascension, we see the ministry given to the Apostles I will remember many things about my trip to Iraq, such as and to us when Jesus says "Go teach all nations what I have praying with still suffering Christians displaced from Mosul, one commanded you". Jesus has left this world physically, but gives of the oldest Christian cities in the world, and listening to senior us a promise that He will be with us until the end of the world. churchmen speak about the deteriorating situation of Christians In the words of Jesus at His Ascension into Heaven, the Apostles entrusted to their care. understood their ministry in the Lord Jesus. All we have to do There are hopeful images as well: the opening of McGivney is read the Epistles to see the living out of their ministry as House to provide apartments for young families and care for commissioned by Jesus in His ascension. the elderly; the construction of a new Catholic hospital; and the As we prepare for this Feast at the end of May, let us recommit activity of the newly established Catholic University of Erbil. ourselves to our baptismal vows, bringing that light of Christ to These initiatives in housing, education and medical care are the world, sharing your experiences of Jesus in your daily living. building an infrastructure to sustain Christian life. In sharing those experiences, will be bring the Presence of Jesus On a more personal level, I will cherish the painting I received to others and hopefully bring them to know Jesus as we do. from a young Yazidi boy helped at the medical clinic we support. It depicts a large sun shining down on a church, a mosque and a God bless you all, Yazidi temple, with a large Knights of Columbus emblem in the Fr. Sal Pignato, foreground. Another memory that will not soon fade is praying Faithful Friar/Florida State Chaplain with young school children at Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish with the rosaries I presented to them as a gift from Pope 4th Degree Assembly 2279 Francis. Faithful Navigator’s Report There are many reasons the Knights of Columbus is so committed to our persecuted brothers and sisters. Yet perhaps it is Brother Sir Knights, as simple as this: We want a world where children can paint their The Final Slate of Assembly 2279 Officers for the 2019 - 2020 pictures with bright colors and can recite their prayers together Fiscal Year Are: in peace.. Faithful Navigator Joe Grelish Vivat Jesus! Faithful Captain Anthony Casella BLESSED THEODORE G. ROMZHA Faithful Admiral Ed Neal ASSEMBLY 2279 Faithful Pilot Mike MacMenamin Faithful Comptroller Peter Shine The Nominating Committee appointed by Faithful Navigator Faithful Purser Mike Crawford Joe Grelish has presented the following slate of candidates for Faithful Scribe Henry Abbott elective Assembly Officers for the 2019-2020 fraternal year: Faithful Chaplain Father Sal Pignato Trustee John Adams Faithful Navigator Joe Grelish Trustee Joe Chenette Faithful Admiral Ed Neal Trustee Don Abate Faithful Captain Anthony Casella Inside Guard Scotty Kilwein Faithful Pilot Michael Macminamen Outside Guard Patrick Brand Faithful Purser Michael Crawford Faithful Comptroller Peter Shine Special Thanks to Bob Dannenfelser and Matt Abbott for their Faithful Scribe Henry Abbott unwavering support to the KOC and our beloved Assembly. They Inner Sentinel Scotty Rilwein will continue to support our Assembly as their busy schedules Outer Sentinel Patrick Brand permit. 1 Year Trustee John Adams Many Thanks to Mike Krochmalni for his continued devotion 2 Year Trustee Donald Abate producing and editing our Assembly Newsletter faithfully every 3 Year Trustee Joseph Chenette month. This is NOT an easy task. Thank you Mike.! Pentecost is rapidly approaching, therefore, here is a brief syn- Nominations may also be made from the floor at the next opsis about Pentecost. general meeting prior to elections. There is much more additional information available on line and at your library. 4th Degree Assembly 2279 The Christian holy day of Pentecost, which is celebrated on Faithful Friar/State Chaplain Report the seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus My Dear Brother Knights, Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31). In Christian May 30th brings us the Feast of the Ascension. In that Feast, tradition, this event represents the birth of the early Church. we celebrate the final event of the Mission of Jesus Christ. The liturgical celebrations of Pentecost in Western churches are Jesus came into the world to be that acceptable Sacrifice to as rich and varied as those in the East. The main sign of Pentecost God due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve and which we in the West is the color red. It symbolizes joy and the fire of the 2 (Continued on Page 16) The Holy Eucharist PART 2 By Bernard Mulcahy, O.P. Part 1: The Eucharistic Feast this: [The Lord said to Moses:] Tell all the congregation of Israel that… At this our solemn Feast, let holy joys abound they shall take every man a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, And from the inmost breast let songs of praise resound; a lamb for a household; and if the household is too small for a lamb, Let ancient rites depart, and all be new around, then a man and his neighbor next to his house shall take according In ev’ry act and voice and heart. to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you will Remember we that eve, when, the Last Supper spread, make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, Christ, as we all believe, the lamb with leavenless bread, a male a year old; you shall take it from the sheep or from the goats; Among His brethren shared, and thus the Law obeyed, and you shall keep it to the fourteenth day of this month, when the Of old unto their sires2 declared. whole assembly of Israel shall kill their lambs in the evening. Then The Holy Eucharist is celebrated as a feast, as a kind of solemn, they shall take some of its blood,and put it on the two doorposts and ritual meal.