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Joe’s Jottings

March 2012

My Brother Knights and Friends,

Much has happened in recent times here in Ontario. A few noteworthy events are certainly worth mentioning.

The Ontario State Board was privileged to attend the installation of our former State Chaplain Most Rev. Noël Simard as the Bishop for Valleyfield Quebec. It was a beautiful ceremony and we were received with great respect and warmth by the Diocese and of course Bishop Simard. On the 18th of February the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI elevated a number of Archbishops to Cardinal, the most noteworthy to us was our own Archbishop Thomas Collins. On the 29th of February my wife Leah and I attended a welcome Mass for His Eminence at St. Michaels Cathedral followed by a luncheon. The Church was filled with family, friends and many clergy. This was truly a memorable day for all of Canada and we were honored to be included. A number of masses around the Archdiocese have followed and the participation of the Knights has been exemplary.

Membership is moving along at a modest pace and we would be very pleased if we can continue on this positive growth pattern. We have many fine Knights who have been members for many years. We need to tap into their expertise to help us bring new younger members in to pick up the torch and move the Order forward.

It is fast approaching Convention time and many delegates have registered for the Annual event to be held on the Victoria Day weekend in May. We anticipate having a similar training module day on Saturday similar to the one that took place last December at our D.D. organizational meeting. The feedback on this was very positive and we hope to carry this momentum forward.

Part of the Convention activities will include our 2nd annual “True Fraternity” Golf Tournament. Put together a foursome, bring your wife or even come out yourself and we will put you on a team. This event will take place on Friday May 18 2012 and more information will be forthcoming from tournament Chair Dan Heffernan. We hope this event will be a great way to start off the Convention weekend.

The spring is always a busy time of year for the Knights and this year is no exception. There is a great deal happening. We understand there are a considerable number of 1st Degrees along with that 2nd and 3rd Degrees as well. There are several 4th degree exemplifications across the Province. All of these events are signs that the Knights are growing.

As of this point in time we have brought in almost 1200 new members. While we have lost a number due to the fact that each year we lose a certain percentage to death, we have decreased our suspension and withdrawl numbers significantly. This also is a positive sign.

Last, but certainly not least, our Insurance members are growing as well. We have a good solid core of General Agents that have a very capable group of Fraternal Advisors that are working hard to help grow the Order. Working together will allow us the luxury of knowing our loved ones are cared for along with those that are needy, as this was one of the main reasons our founder the Venerable Michael McGivney founded the Knights 130 years ago.

Until the next time,

Vivat Jesus!

Mars 2012

Mes Frères Chevaliers et amis,

Beaucoup de choses se sont passées ces derniers temps ici en Ontario. Quelques événements particuliers valent la peine d’être mentionnés.

L’Exécutif du Conseil d’État de l’Ontario a eu le privilège d’assister à l’investiture de notre ancien Aumônier d’État, Mgr Noël Simard, comme évêque de Valleyfield (Québec). C’était une cérémonie magnifique et nous avons été accueillis avec beaucoup de chaleur et de respect par le diocèse et, bien sûr, par l’Évêque Simard.

Le 18 février dernier, le Saint Père le Pape Benoît XVI a élevé plusieurs Archevêques au rang de cardinal, notamment notre propre Archevêque Thomas Collins. Le 29 février, mon épouse Leah et moi avons assisté à une messe de bienvenue en l’honneur de Son Éminence à la cathédrale St. Michaels, suivie d’un déjeuner buffet. L’église était remplie de parents, de proches, d’amis et de nombreux membres du clergé. C’était réellement une journée mémorable pour tout le Canada et un honneur pour nous d’y prendre part. Plusieurs autres messes ont eu lieu dans l’archidiocèse et la participation des Chevaliers a été exemplaire.

Les efforts de recrutement avancent à un rythme adéquat et nous espérons poursuivre sur cette lancée de croissance positive. Beaucoup de nos vaillants Chevaliers sont membres de l’Ordre depuis de nombreuses années. Nous devons puiser dans cette expertise pour attirer des membres plus jeunes qui prendront prendre la relève et aideront l’Ordre à aller de l’avant.

Le Congrès approche à grands pas et beaucoup de Délégués se sont déjà inscrits à cet événement annuel, qui se tiendra pendant la fin de semaine de la Fête de Victoria en mai. Nous comptons organiser, la journée du samedi, un module de formation semblable à celui que nous avons tenu en décembre dernier lors de la réunion administrative des D.D. Nous avons reçu des commentaires très positifs à propos de cette formation et nous voulons maintenir cet élan.

Parmi les activités prévues au Congrès, il y a notre 2e Tournoi de golf annuel « True Fraternity ». Organisez un groupe de quatre joueurs, amenez votre épouse ou venez seul et nous vous trouverons une équipe. Cet événement aura lieu le vendredi 18 mai 2012. Le président du tournoi Dan Heffernan vous communiquera d’autres renseignements bientôt. Nous espérons que cet événement donnera un excellent coup d’envoi à la fin de semaine du Congrès.

Le printemps est toujours une période très achalandée pour les Chevaliers et il en est de même cette année. Il y a beaucoup d’effervescence. Je crois comprendre qu’un nombre considérable de Premiers Degrés sont prévus, ainsi que des Deuxièmes et Troisièmes Degrés. Il y a également plusieurs Exemplifications du Quatrième Degré à travers la province. Tous ces événements sont signe que les Chevaliers grandissent.

Jusqu’ici, nous avons recruté près de 1 200 nouveaux membres. Bien que nous perdions des membres chaque année en raison de décès, le nombre de suspensions et de retraits a considérablement diminué. C’est également bon signe.

En dernier lieu, et non le moindre, le nombre de membres assurés augmente également. Nous avons un solide bassin d’Agents généraux et un groupe de conseillers fraternels très compétents qui travaillent fort pour assurer la croissance de l’Ordre. En travaillant ensemble, nous pouvons pouvoir aux besoins de nos proches et des personnes nécessiteuses, puisque c’était une des principales raisons qui ont motivé notre Fondateur, le Vénérable Abbé Michael McGivney, à créer l’Ordre des Chevaliers de Colomb il y a 130 ans.

À la prochaine,

Vivat Jesus!

 

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Father McGivney

Who we are

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church.

The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need. As recently as 1992, Mother Teresa of Calcutta praised the Knights in a speech on the occasion of her reception of the first Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award.

Thanks to the inspired work of Father McGivney—as well as that of millions of other Knights over the past century—the Knights of Columbus now stands at its pinnacle of membership, benefits and service. Currently, there are over 1.6 million members.

Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today.

If you want to join this great organization of Catholic men, it is likely that there is a local council near you. There you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order: striving in charitable works; serving the Church and unified in following its teachings; supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs; acting for the good of their country; and giving aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor. This is Father McGivney's dream, echoing across the century, and living today in the hearts of his brothers and all of those they touch.

Father McGivney's founding vision for the Order also included establishing a life insurance program to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members. The Order's insurance program has expanded substantially to serve more effectively the Knights' growing membership. Year after year, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest possible quality ratings for financial soundness from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The Order provides the highest quality insurance and annuity products to its members, along with many other fraternal benefits. 

As the Order has grown, its benevolence has multiplied. The Order continues to break all previous records for charitable contributions and volunteer service. In the past decade, the Knights donated nearly $1 billion to numerous charitable causes and nearly 400 million hours of volunteer service. In 1999 alone, the Knights donated nearly $109 million and 55 million volunteer hours to charitable causes.

The over 56,000 Knights of Columbus in Ontario are lead by the Ontario State Officers

 
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