Check this out – Man builds shrine in Dodgeville, WI
Check this out – Man builds shrine in Dodgeville, WI
Tempus fugit momento mori. Do you remember what this means? Can you remember when you heard it last? I forgot all about it until being reminded a couple of weeks ago as I had the privilege to watch Steve Haines and Dennis Lee enter the KC’s with the 1st Degree.
Tempus fugit momento mori is Latin for basically “Time flees (flies) and remember you must (will) die.” This is a very strong premise of the Knights of Columbus. Thus, after listening and thinking about what I saw at the 1st Degree, I am writing this short article to invite my fellow Brother Knights to take time over the next year to once again experience a 1st Degree. How many years has it been since you witnessed a 1st Degree? If it has been more than 10, you need to be reenergized.
The 1st Degree explains in detail why we are Knights. It drives home the charity we bring to our community. It demonstrates our strength as Catholic males uniting to proclaim our faith. It reminds us of the ever endearing love the Virgin Mother has for all of us and the Knights devotion to her. It explains the fraternity we truly live by. So I ask you to please take the time to ask a friend, son, grandson, or neighbor to join the KC’s; and when you do, go with him to feel the 1st Degree (as you will feel it). I guarantee you will come away energized and enthused about the Knights.
Thank you,
Patrick Evans
Join our council in conjuction with the Knights of Columbus and their families around the world as we pray the rosary for Our Lady’s intercession for unity and peace on Sept 8th; we will be celebrating at Annunciation BVM parish located at 401 Gray Street, Green Bay, WI beginning at 7:30pm.
For more information about this celebration visit http://kofc.org
I orignally wrote this for our newsletter but thought it worthwill to share it here also.
I was privileged this summer to be selected as one of eleven Wisconsin State Delegates to the Supreme Convention. This year’s 128th Annual meeting was held August 3rd through the 5thh in Washington D.C. The opening mass was at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, I’m not sure of the numbers, but there were more Priests, Bishops and Cardinal’s there then I have ever seen, the procession with the Fourth Degree Honor Guard leading the way must have lasted a good 15-20 minutes. In his homily Archbishop Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington D.C. said “The theme for this Supreme Convention of the Knights, “I Am My Brother’s Keeper,” highlights the commitment of service and the works of charity that have been intrinsic to our order since its beginning. Father Michael J. McGivney, Servant of God, understood with a piercing insight guided by the Holy Spirit that God’s love made manifest in Christ is supposed to be reflected and shared in our care for one another. We are our brother’s keeper. The very origins of our order are rooted in the recognition that we are called to exercise a ministry of service and charity.” The very essence of being a member of the Knights of Columbus is that we may serve not just each other, but those less fortunate in our society.
I came away from the convention with a better sense of what we as an organization are capable of doing and a better sense that belonging to the Knights can be a real vocation. It is my hope that in the coming months we can translate the theme of “I am My Brother’s Keeper” into action throughout our church and community.
Visit the Supreme website for more information on this years convention
http://www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/conv/2010/index.html
Jack
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A few months ago Brother Knight John Steinhauer made a proposal to our council to organize a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe located near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Traditionally, May is marked by special devotions to the Ever-Virgin Mary; we chose our one-day pilgrimage for May 11, 2010. We also opened up the invitation to several councils and parishes throughout Green Bay. We originally thought we could fill a 50 passenger bus, but had to settle on a 36 passenger instead.
The day started out cold and rainy as thirty-five of us headed west to La Crosse, about a three and half hour trip. Along the way we took time to pray the Rosary, sing a few Marion hymns, and watch a moving movie and video of the Shrine. Arriving at the Pilgrim Center just in time for a quick lunch before heading up to the Shrine, a good ¼ mile or so located on a bluff over looking a small valley. After a short tour we celebrated Mass with Father Pete at the Shrine. Afterwards we had limited time to walk the grounds, before heading down the bluff to the gift shop and our awaiting ride back to Green Bay.
Everyone was pleased with the staff and volunteers services. The Shrine and grounds are magnificent, all were impressed and appreciated.
Check out our picture gallery of our trip
Received this email today; some interesting observations from a non-Catholic:
Didn’t “Snopes” this, so not sure if numbers are accurate…numbers not withstanding, a lot of good points about the Catholic institution.)
The mainstream media does not get it.
I am not happy that the Catholic Clergy is at 1.7% but this does place an interesting slant on the age old problem.
I received this …it was written by a Jewish business man…us Catholics could take some PR lessons from him….Excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman – NOT Catholic.
Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States , namely the Catholic Church?
Do you know – the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million elementary and high school students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to university studies at the rate of 92%.
The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.
The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people – not just Catholics – in the United States today.
But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.
Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church , 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed.
Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. (please see Rev. Rob Pollock post) This is not just a Catholic problem.
A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.
The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been weeded out by now.
Walk with your shoulders high and your head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental entity in the United States today. Then remember what Jeremiah said: ‘Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls’. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions.
Be proud that you’re a Catholic.
— and it’s just 1 minute 41 seconds!
View it .. and pass it on !!
Following email was passed along by our Worthy State Program Coordinator:
Passing the word along from our State Program Directory:
Worthy State Officers, Chaplains, Coordinators, District Deputies, Grand Knights, Communicators and Brothers,
In the highly charged political world that we live in no one or no institution is above attack. The Catholic Church has been taking an increasingly more vocal approach to condemning the “culture of death” and the attacks upon the innocent from terrorists and drug lords. It follows therefore that it too will be attacked, in turn, as it continues to defend the vulnerable. Today, we are witnessing the most insidious of attacks against the Holy Father himself.
As faithful Catholics and brothers of reason and logic we must recognize the responsibility that we have to understand this issue so that we can best defend our Holy Catholic Church. The Holy Father has dealt with the issue of pedophilia in a manner that he felt was the best at the time. None of us can undo the past and so we pray that our actions are always the right ones. The judgment process of these grievous sins will take their course but the defense of the Church will always be ours. Brothers I pray that each of you will pray for the Holy Father as requested and not fear defense of our religion.
Vivat Jesus, Robert Halaska, State Program Director, Wisconsin Knights of Columbus
Links
Prayer Card – English Printable PDF version (6 per page) – English
Prayer Card – Spanish Printable PDF version (6 per page) – Spanish