'In Solidarity With Our Priests' Degree Honorees

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As part of our “Experience of a Lifetime” membership campaign, councils are asked to show that the Knights of Columbus stands “In Solidarity With Our Priests.” To honor our priests as well as to motivate recruiters, degree teams and prospects, each degree should have a special honoree. Throughout the campaign, pairs of months will have a certain honoree. Under the theme of “In Solidarity With Our Priests” suggested monthly honorees are:

July/August: Father Michael J. McGivney

Get your campaign off to a fast start by holding a First Degree to honor Father McGivney during July and August. This will help your council become “recruitment active” early in the calendar year and the campaign kickoff, while leaving enough time to get a good start on your fraternal year recruitment quotas.

September/October: Chaplains

During these months hold a degree in honor of the men who follow in Father McGivney’s footsteps — our council chaplains. The chaplain is the spiritual guide closest to the Knights of Columbus council. As part of this degree acknowledge your honoree’s accomplishments and years of service as a priest, a member and as a chaplain. Possible honorees include Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori, your council’s chaplain, former chaplains, diocesan chaplains, and state chaplains.

November/December: Parish Pastors

Parish priests give us the sacraments of our salvation. Knights of Columbus councils are parish-based, and the bond between pastor and council is characterized by solidarity. Honorees for degrees during this period should include pastors, assistant pastors, and retired pastors.

January/February: All Clergy

Hold a degree in honor of any and all other priests whose ministries serve to inspire and teach us as members of the Knights of Columbus. Potential honorees include diocesan administrators, hospital chaplains, military chaplains, missionaries, priests in social service, chaplains, instructors, administrators and any other priests.

March/April: Pope Benedict XVI

The Easter season is the perfect time to show our love and support to our spiritual father Pope Benedict XVI by sponsoring a degree in his honor. Tie your degree honoring the pope in with the Mass in honor of our clergy and clergy appreciation event on or near Founder’s Day that all councils are urged to conduct. New Knights recruited during the clergy appreciation Mass and event could be brought into the Order at the First Degree in honor of the Holy Father a week or two later. This serves the dual purpose of making sure that you have recruits for your First Degree and that your recruits receive their degree immediately.

May/June: Bishops

Recognize the bishops as leaders of the local clergy by holding a degree exemplification in their honor. Possible honorees for this degree include the bishop of your diocese, bishops in your state/province, retired bishops, and auxiliary bishops.