Did you know this about the IW Knights of Columbus?
We would like to pass along a few interesting stories about Father McGivney over the next few weeks. The following story, A Stairway to Heaven - written by Maureen Walther, from the recent Columbia online magazine will need a couple of weeks to publish or you can find the link to the story at our web site or social media sites listed in the final paragraph. .
"A tree canopy shades the old horse-and-buggy path to St. Thomas Cemetery in Thomaston, Conn. Etched into the steep hillside, a set of steps offers a shortcut — once the only pedestrian path to the cemetery, with a rather famous pedestrian (see image on the right).
While Blessed Michael McGivney is best known for his ministry in New Haven, where he founded the Knights of Columbus, he spent his last six years — half of his priestly life — in Thomaston, including service to the mission church in nearby Terryville.
'Father McGivney, or anyone who walked to the cemetery, would have come this way,' said Father Jim Sullivan, a longtime parishioner in Thomaston and now rector of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in McGivney’s hometown, Waterbury. 'He would have walked these steps regularly.'
On a hot Saturday morning in June, Father Sullivan and members of Sheridan Council 24 in Waterbury, which he serves as chaplain, joined Knights from Thomaston and Terryville for a work day at the cemetery. Together, they cleared the footpath and power-washed the grime of time from the headstones of priests who, like Blessed Michael McGivney, served and died in Thomaston.
The cemetery steps are not only a tangible link to Father McGivney’s days there — they also evoke the theme of ascent and the path toward sanctity that he walked with so many people. Preserving the footpath is just one of many ways that councils in the towns where he lived and ministered honor his legacy. As he did in life, Father McGivney continues to inspire the Knights of Thomaston, Terryviller and Waterbury to acts of faith and charity.
'Father McGivney gives us a great example of how to live a holy life — to live a life that is not only serving God, but serving our fellow man,' said Paul Folino, grand knight of Leo XIII Council 1090 in Terryville. 'We feel really blessed and honored that we can look `back and say that he was our pastor'".
Along with the link to our feature story - information on the Knights of Columbus can be found at IWKnights9981.com/bulletin or on facebook.com/IWknights9981 and NOW on Twitter at twitter.com/IwKnights.
Links Related to this week’s column:
Stairway to Heaven Father McGivney’s ministry and witness in the parishes he served continue to bear fruit today. By By Maureen Walther, Knights of Columbus Columbia Magazine (7/1/2021)
Click here for Article
Prayer for Protection in Time of Pandemic A Novena which seeks Our Lady’s Intercession for Protection in Time of Pandemic By His Holiness, Pope Francis (3/2020) A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION IN TIME OF PANDEMIC (PDF Version) Click here for the Prayer
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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.
