IWKnights Corner for December 31, 2023

Did you know this about the IW Knights of Columbus? 

“Knights of Columbus leaders from dozens of universities and colleges met for a weekend of leadership training, fraternal development and prayer at the 58th annual College Councils Conference, held Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in New Haven, Connecticut, under the theme ‘Mary With Her Knights’.

College councils, which are active in more than 150 schools in the United States and Canada, offer men an opportunity to build Catholic life and community on campus, grounded in faith formation, service and brotherhood.

In his video address to the conference, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly acknowledged that college campuses are often difficult places to be Catholic, but he urged the Knights to have hope amid their daily challenges.

‘Our Father in heaven will fulfill the work he has started in you. … Put your trust not only in our Lord, but also in Our Lady,’ he said.  ‘The Blessed Mother will guide and guard you as you navigate the difficulties of college life.  Believe me when I say, Mary is always looking out for her Knights’.

The conference opened Friday, Sept. 29, with Mass, followed by a banquet, keynote address and awards session at the Omni New Haven Hotel.

Welcoming the college Knights and chaplains in attendance, Deputy Supreme Knight Arthur Peters encouraged them to continue their important efforts to evangelize their campuses.

‘We’re grateful for your leadership and for all you’re doing in furthering the mission of Blessed Michael McGivney in our colleges and universities,’ he said.  ‘With over 37,000 members in over 150 active councils, you’re an important part of the overall work of the Order.  On your campuses, be proud to share the message of our Catholic faith and the work of our Order, not only with Catholics but with the entire student body’.

Keynote speaker Father John Anthony Boughton, general vicar of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in the Bronx, New York, challenged the Knights to live in a state of grace under the Blessed Mother’s protection and in opposition to the devil.

‘A Catholic man who knows his identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ terrifies Satan and all his minions,’ he said.  ‘When we live a sacramental life, we become warriors that are effective in the fight’.

Father Boughton emphasized that God had personally chosen each young man present to be alive and at work in this time as defenders of the truth.  He reminded them to pray the rosary often and to entrust their work to Mary’s intercession.

‘The rosary is so powerful because we have the power of God in our very hands,’ he said. ‘You’re inviting the Lord to move in your soul, to seek the graces you particularly need so that you can have the relation of heart and mind to do what is yours to do, whatever your vocation is’”…

The link to the entire article above can be found in the Friday Flocknotes, IWKnights9981.com/bulletin, facebook.com/IWknights9981 or twitter.com/IWknights.