States Deputies Mid-Year Membership Meeting
Knights of Columbus
Remarks at the Business Session
National Harbor, Washington, D.C.
November 1st, 2024
Introduction
Worthy Supreme Knight and Officers, Members of the Board, and Worthy State Deputies: Gathered for this important Mid-Year Meeting, we have much to be grateful for, as we witness growth in membership and growth in the Core Initiative. As your Chaplain, I echo the Supreme Knight’s appreciation for your leadership and hard work, as you bring to your jurisdictions the vision of Blessed Michael McGivney and as you ensure that his vision is put into practice in your state council, your districts, and local councils. Thank you for your dedication and commitment: your commitment of prayer, taking counsel, and getting on the road – for, as we know, the first principle of leadership is showing up.
This year, I’ve had the opportunity to experience firsthand the spirit and work of the Order in Canada, the Philippines, and Ukraine. I’ve also been able to look at the spirit and mission of the Order through the lens of the month-long Synod on Synodality in Rome. This morning, I won’t offer you a travel-log but I will share with you some reflections on what I have seen and heard.
Canada
First, this year’s Supreme Convention in Quebec was one of the best. Not only was the setting beautiful and the hospitality warm, but as we focused on our theme, “On Mission”. I sensed a genuinely good and enthusiastic spirit among the delegates. There is a sense that, even in these times of rapid change and uncertainty, the Knights of Columbus is indeed focused on and committed to its mission, especially its mission to help men be good men, to take their faith to heart, to be good husbands and fathers, to be active members of the Church, and to be those citizens that each country and the world needs so desperately.
As a pastor of souls I can tell you that the mission of the Knights of Columbus is more important than ever. Blessed Michael McGivney read the signs of his times in the light of the Gospel, but it also seems that he foresaw the signs of our times, and in his wisdom, he created for us a path to holiness, discipleship, a charity that evangelizes. May Blessed Michael soon be raised to the dignity of the altars!
The Philippines
What a privilege it was to accompany the Supreme Knight and his family on a nearly two-week visit to the Philippines. As your chaplain of many years, I have heard reports about the tremendous growth of the Order in the Philippines and as a bishop of many years, I have seen the vitality of the Filippino community in the dioceses where I have served. Finally, this summer, I was able to see the Philippines for myself!
Everywhere I went, I saw how strong the faith is in the Philippines. In one place I offered Sunday Mass in a parish with 100,000 parishioners. It was a Sunday Mass in Ordinary time in the middle of August – but to me attendance looked like Christmas or Easter – standing room only. And lots of people, in and out of the Church, talk about hospitality – but we were overwhelmed by the welcome we received everywhere we went. I was also deeply impressed by the works of charity I witnessed – feeding and ultra-sound programs, educational programs, anti-trafficking initiatives, care for widows and orphans, the presence of the Order amid great poverty. I am grateful to the Supreme Knight for the opportunity to accompany him and grateful to you, brother knights in the Philippines, for your hospitality – for the robust way you live the principles of the Order.
Ukraine
In the third week of the Synod in Rome, the organizers gave us a long free weekend. For me it was a golden opportunity to pay a second visit to Ukraine. The purpose of my visit was to represent the Supreme Knight in delivering a simple message: We have not forgotten! We are with you!
My travels took me both to Kyiv and Lviv and the schedule was busy. Near Kyiv is the town of Bucha where Russian forces murdered many innocent civilians. I prayed at a site of a mass grave – the dead have since been properly buried – and there is a memorial to the many who were killed. Within the hour, I found myself distributing coats to young people who lost their fathers in the massacre, and that night, I spoke with many widows who lost their husbands in the ongoing war. In Lviv, more than 60 Knights of Columbus chaplains from across Ukraine gathered for a day of prayer and fraternity – some putting themselves at risk to drive ten or twelve hours to get there. A number of priests gave testimony, sharing their experience of being pastors and chaplains in towns daily under attack. Let me just say that those priests are worthy successors of Father McGivney! They are the good shepherds who do not desert their flock in time of danger. And we can be proud, very proud, of the growth of the Order in Ukraine and the heroic work of charity and solidarity of our brother knights in that war torn country – and let us pray earnestly for a just peace!
The Synod on Synodality
Let me conclude with brief remarks about the Synod on Synodality in Rome. “Synodality” might not be a household word, even now, for most Catholics, but in a nutshell it means “journeying together” in faith and in mission. The month-long gathering considered ways to be a “more synodal” Church. We spoke about the spirit of solidarity that should prevail in a diverse Church that spans the globe, encompassing every language and culture. Much was said about the importance of listening and about the importance of going to the margins of society and the Church. We spoke about the many gifts, charisms, and ministries that the Holy Spirit bestows upon the baptized, especially upon the laity – and heard the call to employ those gifts more robustly so as to advance the Church’s mission of evangelization. Among the themes considered was co-responsibility in the Church’s life among the clergy, the laity, and those in consecrated life, and the obligation of those in authority to reach decisions collaboratively. We talked about listening to the Word of God and creating a culture within our local churches where people felt free to say what is in their minds and hearts. And we talked about how to form missionary disciples.
As discussions continued to unfold throughout the month, I sat there thinking: Blessed Michael McGivney really was ahead of his time! If you step back and look at the major themes of the Synod, it is evident that the Knights of Columbus are putting them into practice – not perfectly–nothing this side of heaven is perfect–but we are well on our way. We have a fraternity that spans the globe; unity in diversity; charity that reaches the margins; collaborative decision making; formation of the heart for mission, and so much more. I say this not to sow seeds of complacency but to offer encouragement. From where I sit as your chaplain – let me repeat – the Order is poised, yet again, to lead the way in both Church and society. In a time of polarization and bitterness, our principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism shine forth in the Church and beyond the Church and for that, we have Blessed Michael McGivney to thank.
Let me say once again what an honor it is to serve as your chaplain, to thank our Supreme Knight for his leadership, and to thank each of you and all of you for your leadership and service. Thank you and God bless you! Vivat Jesus!