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The 'Year for Priests'
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 In keeping with the Order's longstanding "In Solidarity With Our Priests" campaign, the Supreme Knight has called upon all Knights to actively participate in the "Year for Priests" declared by Pope Benedict XVI. The centerpiece of the Order's program for this yearlong celebration (June 19, 2009 – June 19, 2010) is a new holy card (#4864, available in English, French, Spanish and Polish) featuring a prayer for priests. This prayer may be used at all council meetings and events, as well as in the homes of members during their family prayers. The card features an icon, written by Marek Czarnecki (www.seraphicrestorations.com ), showing Christ in Mass vestments with a gold pelican over his heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. At the bottom of the icon is an altar prepared for Mass, and at the sides are Melchizedek, whose sacrifice of bread and wine prefigured the Eucharist, and St. John Vianney the patron of parish priests. The back of the card includes a prayer for priests.
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For Knights of Columbus Units
Samples are being mailed to every council in the U.S. and Canada. Additional quantities of holy cards (#4864) can be ordered using a Requisition Form (#1). Supplies are available in packs of 100 cards. The first pack of 100 cards ordered by a council, assembly or circle will be free, subsequent sets cost $3 each to offset standard shipping and handling costs.
For Dioceses, Parishes and Individuals
Please use this form to place an order. Supplies are available in packs of 100 cards, at a cost of $3 per pack to offset standards shipping and handling costs.
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Since its founding by a priest, the Venerable Michael McGivney, the Knights of Columbus has maintained a strong and close relationship to priests. To acknowledge and reinforce this special bond between the Knights of Columbus and our priests, all councils are urged to recognize their priests during the "Year for Priests" celebration.
Holding an appreciation event for priests is a wonderful way to show the gratitude that the Knights of Columbus has for the men who dedicate their lives to guiding us in the faith. Along with honoring priests and showing that the Knights of Columbus stands “In Solidarity With Our Priests,” such an event can also serve to familiarize nonmembers with the Order and your council. Here are some steps to follow when organizing this event:
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Form a priest appreciation committee. This committee will select the date, time and place for the Mass and priest appreciation event, and should also suggest additional ways the council can honor priests during the “Year for Priests.”
Organize a program for the event that will allow attending priests to relax and see that the members of the Order appreciate them and are ready to serve them.
Assign Knights and other volunteers to personally greet all priests attending the event and to direct them to their seats.
Provide guests with pre-dinner refreshments once they have arrived. If dinner is to be served, decide whether it will be a sit-down meal or a buffet, whether it will be cooked by volunteers or catered, and whether Knights will act as servers. (Pay special consideration to having Knights act as servers during the meal as a way to show the Order’s willingness to serve our priests. Make arrangements for volunteers to handle these duties.)
Decide upon any appropriate entertainment well in advance of the event and make sure the facility at which it will be held is suitable. Decorate the hall/facility for the event. You may also want to consider providing a simple printed program of the evening’s activities to the guests either in advance or upon their arrival.
Consider presenting each priest with a “Clergy Appreciation” certificate (#4362 horizontal). This attractive certificate includes spaces for the grand knight’s signature as well as the recipient’s name. Knights of Columbus maroon certificate folders (#4100) are available for $2 each and black leatherette certificate frames (#1973) are available for $2.50 each.
Show The Life and Legacy of Father McGivney (#24358 for English, 24377 for French, or 24376 for Spanish) during the event. This production chronicles the life of this holy and hardworking priest from his boyhood and priesthood to his death in 1890 at the age of 38. Although his life was short, his impact was enormous. This production is available free except for a $3 shipping and handling charge from the Department of Fraternal Services. It can also be downloaded for free from the Web site.
Gather together in prayer during the event. Consider opening the program to the entire Catholic community by inviting nonmembers and their families to participate. Use the “Prayer for our Priests” prayer card (#4864, $3 per bundle of 100) at your service. Also, consider distributing the Father McGivney prayer cards (#2617), available in English, French or Spanish from the Supreme Council Supply Department at no cost, during all events. In addition, hand out copies of The Life and Legacy of Father McGivney booklet (#2045 — available, at no cost, in limited quantities of 50 copies per order).
Present copies of Parish Priest – Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism to the attending priests.
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Consider using the “Prayer for our Priests” prayer card (#4864, $3 per bundle of 100) at every council meeting and event.
Adopt a seminarian through the Order's RSVP program. Also, promote vocations by utilizing the Order's vocations support programs. Remember, every seminarian should receive some support have have some contact with a Knights of Columbus council.
Invite your pastor or bishop to a dinner hosted by your council. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like – the key is building relationships with them.
Invite them to a breakfast or lunch.
Take time before or after weekend liturgies to recognize and appreciate your pastor.
Invite them to a picnic hosted by your council. Pick them up and bring them back to the rectory after the event.
Have a prayer day for your priests or bishop where hours are covered by couples and families. This is a way to pray for deeper relationships between our priests or bishops and our families.
Invite them to a wine and cheese party with your members and their families.
Send a “press release” to your local Catholic newspaper about your council’s efforts to recognize your priests.
Include priests in a family night hosted by your council.
- Send goody baskets, balloon bouquets, a fruit basket, or flowers to all priests in the deanery or diocese. Include notes and prayer bouquets. Remember to identify that it is sent from your council.
Place an ad in your local Catholic newspaper thanking all priests.
Get Catholic schools or CCD classes involved in a poster or essay contest, or in writing notes to their pastor.
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Send a card to your parish priest or bishop telling him what his priesthood and/or friendship means to you. Consider using the Knights of Columbus Thank You card (#2010) available for 25 cents each.
Introduce your family to your pastor or bishop if they haven’t met him before.
Invite a priest or bishop you know to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you invite them to dinner, you may make it a formal dinner with china and linens, or a down-home barbecue or something that is unique and special to your family. Just be creative.
- Invite them on a family picnic and pick them up if possible.
Bake them cookies, etc.
Have the children of council members draw them a picture, create some other unique work of art or write them a letter.
Invite them to your home for coffee or tea and a chat.
Go on an outing together, such as a dinner and a play, concert, bowling, movie, hunting, fishing, golf, tennis, etc.
Use the “Prayer for our Priests” prayer card (#4864, $3 per bundle of 100) at home during family prayers.
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