Knights of Columbus -Follow Pope’s Lead
August 14, 2014 by
That “extraordinary witness” and the pope’s admonition to all to cast aside indifference have “captured the imagination of the world,” he said Aug. 5 at the opening business session of the Knights’ 132nd Supreme Convention in Orlando.
“As Knights of Columbus, we are well-positioned to respond,” said Anderson.
He made the remarks in a lengthy annual report detailing the organization’s accomplishments and initiatives in 2013.
The Aug. 5-7 convention celebrated a year in which the organization reported an all-time record for charitable giving: more than $170 million and more than 70.5 million hours of service to charitable causes in the United States and elsewhere the Knights are active.
Response to unexpected tragedies played a large role in members’ activities last year, according to Anderson, while the Knights continued their support within their communities for the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids and Food for Families initiatives; programs for those with intellectual disabilities; blood drives; and partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and the American Wheelchair Mission.
Knights were part of relief efforts following two natural disasters in the Philippines; tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma; floods in Alberta, Canada; the factory explosion in West, Texas; and the Boston Marathon bombing.
Anderson noted the year also saw the Knights continue their support for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, the October 2012 super storm, and for the people of Newtown, Connecticut, as they recovered from the late 2012 school shooting that left 20 children and seven adults dead.
“Charity has been at the heart of the Knights’ mission for the past 132 years,” said Anderson. “Whether with funds or service, and whether quietly helping someone overcome a personal tragedy or assisting in the aftermath of a widely known humanitarian disaster, the outpouring of charity by our members produces meaningful results, especially by helping to bring peace of mind to those who find themselves in incredibly difficult situations.”
Anderson also noted:
— Quebec led all Knights of Columbus jurisdictions with charitable donations of more than $11 million.
— Record membership overall, including a new state benchmark of more than 100,000 members, in Texas.
— Growth of membership and volunteer hours in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central Europe and Asia.
— A new family program in advance of next year’s World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
Anderson made special mention of the establishment of the first Knights of Columbus council in South Korea, a nation with 5.5 million Catholics and which he described as the fastest growing Catholic community in the world.
He noted Pope Francis’ trip to South Korea Aug. 14-18, saying that visit and a papal trip to the Philippines Jan. 15-19 “will play a significant role in the future of the Knights of Columbus.”
Knights sing during the Aug. 5 opening Mass of the 132nd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Orlando, Fla. (CNS photo/Tom Tracy)
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With regard to the federal Affordable Care Act, Anderson said the Health and Human Services mandate that most Catholic employers provide contraceptive coverage “cannot be fixed and it must be repealed.”
He pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision this summer, which said closely held for-profit companies could be exempted from some requirements of the federal health care law because of the owners’ religious beliefs. He said the Knights hope the high court will follow that ruling with one “to protect the religious liberties of entities such as the Little Sisters of the Poor,” who are challenging the process required to be exempted from the mandate.
“What are we to tell our children: that government has become the final arbiter of conscience? That the voice of government must always have the last word?” he asked.
Anderson said that while some politicians try to divide the American people on social issues, the Knights’ polling “has found great unity among Americans,” even on abortion, “an issue often considered the most divisive.”
“A majority of Americans believe life begins at conception, and more than six in 10 think abortion is morally wrong. And, perhaps most importantly, more than eight in 10 Americans say that laws can protect both the well-being of a woman and the life of her unborn child,” he said.
Nearly 90 archbishops and bishops — including 11 cardinals — were expected to join approximately 2,000 Knights and family members for the convention. The theme of this year’s conference is “You Will All Be Brothers: Our Vocation to Fraternity.”
July 31 Feast of St Ignatius Loyola
July 31, 2014 by
Saint Ignatius founded the order of Jesuits of which Pope Francis is a member.
Ignatius had a love for St. Francis of Assisi and in every Church of the Jesuits St. Francis’ image can be found.
Ignatius’ motto was “All for the Glory of God , in Latin
“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”
Growing up Catholic the Sisters at school would have us put on the top of every paper we did AMDG .
It is a beautiful motto.
Happy Feast Day to all the Jesuits especially the Holy Father and to the Church
Wednesday July 30 The Whole Truth
July 30, 2014 by
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Prayers for the Situation in the Holy Land
July 29, 2014 by
New post on CNS Blog |
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July 28 Monday Visitors to the Monastery
July 29, 2014 by
Monday, Two Vietnam Sisters joined us for the Eucharist with Father Vincent Burke SVD. Sister Theresa of the Community of the Lovers of the Holy Cross and Sister Anna of the Community of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
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Saturday July 26 The Divine Word Missionaries from Bordentown, NJ celebrated Mass with us.
July 27, 2014 by
Sunday July 27 THAT TREASURE IS THE LORD HIMSELF AND THE LIFE IN HIS KINGDOM
July 27, 2014 by
THAT TREASURE IS THE LORD HIMSELF AND THE LIFE IN HIS KINGDOM
(A biblical reflection on the 17th Ordinary Sunday, 27 July 2014)
Gospel Reading: Mathew 13:44-52 (short version: Matthew 13:44-46)
First Reading: 1Kings 3:5,7-12; Psalms: Psalm 119:57,72,76-77,127-130; Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30
The Scripture Text
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.
“Have you understood all this?” They said to Him, “Yes.” And He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matthew 13:44-52 RSV)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.
“Have you understood all this?” They said to Him, “Yes.” And He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matthew 13:44-52 RSV)
What is your “treasure”? What do you consider the most valuable thing you could possess? Throughout scripture, we see that God our Father wants to give us a treasure beyond all price if we but ask Him. King Salomon was called the wisest man on the earth because he asked God for wisdom and good judgment (1 Kings 3:5,7-12). Jesus’ parables frequently highlighted the “treasure” that God offers those who seek Him. The Psalms also direct us to seek treasure in God’s word, which is finer than gold (Psalm 119:127).
The man in the parable of the treasure hidden in the field eagerly set out to sell everything. Why? Because he found something worth possessing above all his other possessions. Fortunately, he only needed enough money to buy the field – not the whole treasure. In a similar fashion, God offers us the treasure of His Kingdom at a price we can afford!We can’t pay the full price for the life God wants to give us. That treasure is the Lord Himself and life in His Kingdom, a Kingdom of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). In baptism we are united with Jesus in His death and resurrection. We become adopted children of God and temples of the Holy Spirit. This is something far beyond our ability to produce, let alone maintain. Only God can make us into a new creation.
Today at Mass, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the value of the treasure that God offers each and every one of us. Let’s set aside our earthly interests for a while – concerns about our friends, our jobs, our families, and what we will do with our free times – to spend time with the Lord. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with heaven’s treasure: life and communication with Jesus forever!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my treasure and joy, my hope and consolation. Free me from all that would keep me from You. May I always find strength in Your word and delight in Your presence. Amen.
Jakarta, 25 July 2014 [Feast of St. James, Apostle]
A Christian Pilgrim
The Divine Word Missionaries International Visit
July 24, 2014 by
The Divine Word Missionaries who have a residence in Bordentown had visitors from different countries and Father Flor brought them over to celebrant Mass for us.
From left to right
Brother Emmanuel from Haiti who is taking a group of young adults to the UN, Father Flor , who is a resident at Bordentown and is original from the Philippines, Father Paul, originally from China and will be stationed in Antigua and Father Johann who is from Indonesia. Father Johann is secretary to the Provincial and came to the United States to learn English at Epworth.
