Author: Paul Spire
Brothers all, Easter has come and gone. I pray that everyone had a wonderful experience during the Lenten season and had time to spend with family and friends between all that takes place during this time of year. Between all the Fish Frys and other preparations leading up to the Triduum, it has been a great time to be a Knight and spread the good that we all do. As it states in the prayer of St. Francis, “it is in giving that we receive” where we truly understand our role as fathers.
As we are getting ready for the Convention, there are many of you that will be recognized for the work that your Council has done over the past year. I am always amazed by just how much we do within our communities supporting the needs of those who deserve our support. Not to mention all the fun activities that we do together as families and friends to enjoy our way of Christian life.
At this year’s convention we will once again be collecting a draft of your Council’s Form SP-7 to ensure that everyone completes it correctly. Completing this form correctly is one requirement for Councils to qualify for the Columbian Award. For this to be correctly filled out, Councils must report 16 program activity credits: four each in the Faith, Family, Community and Life categories. Featured programs count for two activity credits, as long as the Featured Program Minimum Requirements are met. There are no required programs that must be conducted for a council to be eligible for the Columbian Award. Please note that procedural Church activities, such as Sunday mass, weddings, funerals, baptisms etc. do not qualify for Columbian Award program credit. All programs listed on the SP-7 must have been submitted previously using the Program Report Form (#10784) and a copy must be submitted to the State Forms site for us to verify the event. Those “Featured Programs” are listed below.
FAITH
REFUND SUPPORT VOCATIONS PROGRAM (RSVP): Councils are required to donate at least $500 to an individual seminarian or religious aspirant. For every $500 donated, Supreme will refund the council or assembly $100, with a maximum refund of $400 per individual supported. Report activity using the RSVP Refund Application (#2863).
HOLY HOUR: Councils are required to hold at least four Holy Hours (quarterly) or organize and support two Holy Hours and at least one Eucharistic Procession.
INTO THE BREACH: Councils are required to hold eight sessions to discuss the content of the original Into the Breach video series or apostolic exhortation (#340) or five sessions of Into the Breach: The Mission of the Family video series.
SPIRITUAL REFLECTION: Councils are required to host or attend a Spiritual Reflection for the men of the council and the parish that is at least a day long and is attended by 10 men or 10% of your council, whichever is fewer.
FAMILY
FOOD FOR FAMILIES: Councils are required to collect a minimum of $500 or 1,000 pounds of food for a parish or community food pantry. In addition, councils must contribute a minimum of 100 total man-hours in preparation/ distribution/service of meals. Report activity using the Food for Families Refund and Plaque Application (#10057).
FAMILY OF THE MONTH/YEAR: Councils are required to recognize twelve families throughout the fraternal year: one for each month. In addition, each council should submit a Family of the Year to their jurisdiction’s competition.
FAMILY FULLY ALIVE: Councils are required to distribute and actively promote the use of the Family Fully Alive Booklets.
FAMILY PRAYER NIGHT: Councils are required to organize at least four Family Prayer Nights, one for each quarter of the year.
COMMUNITY
COATS FOR KIDS: Councils are required to distribute a total of 6 cases (4 in Canada) made up of any of the following coat types/styles. Report activity using the online Program Report Form (#10784). Type of Coat Coats in One Case: Youth Coat 12, Teen Coat 12, Light Coat 24.
GLOBAL WHEELCHAIR MISSION: Councils are required to donate the equivalent of 10 wheelchairs at $150 per chair to the American Wheelchair Mission or the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation, by raising funds through council, parish or community activities.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Councils are required to donate a minimum of $1,000 or 200 service hours to a Habitat for Humanity project in their community.
LIFE
MARCH FOR LIFE: Councils are required to organize a minimum of 25 marchers to participate in a national, state or local March for Life or councils must themselves organize a March for Life.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Councils are required to contribute a minimum of 200 man-hours in support of state/local Special Olympics activities or must raise a minimum of $2,000 for Special Olympics.
PREGNANCY CENTER SUPPORT / ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy): Councils are required to contact a local pregnancy center to assess its needs and support the center through fundraising, volunteering, or prayer. Report activity using the online Program Report Form (#10784). Through ASAP, for every $500 a council donates to a qualifying pregnancy resource center or maternity home (up to $2,000), the Supreme Council will donate $100 more. Visit kofc.org/asap to apply online.
ULTRASOUND: Councils are required to identify a Pregnancy Center in need of an ultrasound machine that meets the requirements listed on the Diocesan Evaluation (#10715). Upon approval from the Supreme Council, a council raises 50% of the cost of the ultrasound machine. The council must then follow the published guidelines for obtaining the remaining 50% from the Supreme Council. Qualification for this program will be determined from the information provided on both the Diocesan Evaluation (#10715) and the Ultrasound Application (#10716)
As we approach the election of Officers for the upcoming year, I pray for all of those who are contemplating stepping up and becoming a part of your Council’s leadership team. The Knights of Columbus has a great training program in all areas of leadership roles. Do not be afraid of stepping up and becoming a part your Council leadership team. Remember that it was Joseph who escorted and no doubt greatly aided Mary on the trying trek to Bethlehem when she was about to give birth and then assisted her in the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Just think of how great his faith was that everything would unfold as planned by God. Sometimes we just have to be still and listen to the call.
Vivat Jesus,
Paul Spire General Program Director