— Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
Did you know this about the IW Knights of Columbus?
“From his election in 1978 until his death in 2005, Pope John Paul II addressed more than two dozen messages to the Knights of Columbus. From speaking to the K of C Board of Directors to sending letters to the annual Supreme Convention, the pope’s words were often characterized by appreciation and admiration for the Order’s work, as well as by reflections about its mission in the Church and the world today." Over the next several weeks we will review a number of these messages.
"John Paul II’s high esteem for the Knights was evident in the ways he spoke about the Order, just as the Knights’ love for the pope was expressed in innumerable gestures of support. Addressing the Board of Directors in September 1987, he quipped, 'It was a good idea for Columbus to discover America, for this enabled the foundation of the Knights of Columbus. We include here some representative excerpts from John Paul II’s words addressed to the Knights throughout his pontificate. Although years have passed since they were delivered, the relevance of these words has not diminished, and they continue to encourage and inspire us today.'”
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“May the Lord reward you, and through your efforts bring forth abundant fruits of evangelization in the Church. May your dedicated activity in turn help you to realize in yourselves those interior attitudes without which no one can truly evangelize: trust in the power of the Holy Spirit, true holiness of life, deep concern for truth, and an ever increasing love for God’s children.
May the Lord’s blessing be upon you, upon your families and upon all the Knights of Columbus.
Address of John Paul II to the Knights of Columbus, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Oct. 7, 1979”
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“Whenever I think of the Knights of Columbus, I am reminded with joy of a rich heritage of faith, fraternity and service, and of a shining example of Catholic laity involved in the mission of the Church. And therefore, I encourage you to carry on the worthy traditions which are yours, even as St. Paul says, ‘to make still greater progress’ (1 Thes 4:1), seeking to be ever more attentive to the word of God and completely disposed to carry out God’s will.
Message to 101st Supreme Convention, Columbus, Ohio, July 21, 1983”
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The above article can be found in the K of C’s Columbia On-Line magazine at KofC.org – or on IWKnights9981.com/bulletin, on facebook.com/IWknights9981, and on Twitter at twitter.com/IwKnights or by contacting Rob Schultz at (314) 973-2373.
Links Related to this week’s column:
In His Words
In his many messages to the Knights, Pope John Paul II expressed gratitude, solidarity and pastoral guidance
By Knights of Columbus' Columbia Magazine (10/21/2022)
Click here to read the article
Rack-in-the-Back . . . . . . . .
Please shop our book and CD Rack-in-the-Back, located in the vestibule leading to the rear parking lot.. Suggested Donation for the CD's is $3.00/title - books on the top shelf are FREE....including copies of the Prayer Book of St Joseph.
We would like to talk with you about becoming an IW Knight. Please visit us on-line at our web site at www.IWknights9981.com/AboutUs. Or call Rob Schultz at: (314) 973-2373.
