For Chaplains
10 Keys to Success as a K of C Chaplain
| This Month’s Chaplain’s Report |
| Faith Formation Program |
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| Father John P. Grace, O.S.A. |
Pope John Paul II was a man of prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist was the center of his day.
What does that say about the statement of our third key?
We are a Eucharistic people. We say that it is the center of our lives and we know it to be so. But the first directive of this third key says that we should: “Promote the Eucharist and Mass attendance, and help members deepen their understanding of its unique and central role in the Catholic faith…” So, if it is the center of our lives and we know it to be so, why should we have to promote it amongst our Knights?
In an apostolic letter of our Holy Father Pope Benedict VXI, in which he proclaims the Year of Faith to begin on Oct. 11, 2012, we are asked to profess, celebrate, live and pray our faith. For us as Catholics, all this depends on, and is centered on, where we stand in relation to the Eucharist. It is obvious that attendance at Mass on Sundays is not what it used to be. Some would argue that many Catholics no longer understand or believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This may offend some pious ears, and maybe we don’t want to hear or believe this. However, if this is a case in fact amongst some of our Knights, then surely there is cause for alarm.
As the supreme knight addressed a combined meeting of state chaplains and state deputies in Nashville last November, he stated: “The emphasis on Christian principles, centered on the Eucharist, is to shape the Order for the future.”
Simply said, our future lies in our faith formation which is nourished by the Eucharist, and conversely a Eucharist which is enlivened by a new understanding and living of our faith. This is very much in keeping with two Church highlights for this year, the Bishops’ Synod which will deal with the New Evangelization and the “Year of Faith” proclaimed by Pope Benedict. Hopefully we will deal with these two topics at a later date, but it suffices to say now that the Knights are in a privileged position to foster and participate in both of these Church initiatives.
There are many avenues open to us, and here are a few practical suggestions. As a priority, the chaplain can encourage the Knights’ attendance at Mass, particularly Sunday Mass. Ask Knights to become active in the liturgy of the parish as extraordinary ministers of the holy communion, lectors, ushers, choir members and maybe servers during the daily Mass. Encourage council leaders to bring together Knights of Columbus families in an expression of the Order’s dedication to strengthening Catholic family life as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, by sponsoring special corporate communion days. The family corporate communion will signify to the parish the strength and presence of the council within the parish community. This should be followed by a family breakfast at some convenient place. Some councils hold this corporate communion on the fifth Sunday of the month, which occurs four times during the year. For example, this year there are five Sundays in January, April, July and December. It might be easier to arrange for the Knights special attendance as a group on this fifth Sunday.
Many parishes have Eucharistic adoration. Some have it on a daily basis, others on a weekly or monthly basis. Knights should be highly involved in this very special devotion.
The Third Degree ceremonial has been re-written and it relates directly to the eucharist and priests. It includes a special message and teaching on the Eucharist given by our Supreme Chaplain Archbishop-designate William Lori. If you have not witnessed the new Third Degree, you might like to be present at one soon as it gives you an encouraging new vision of what fraternity entails for the Knights.
We will continue with this third key in the next issue. In the meantime, may this Eastertide be one of renewed life with many blessings. I pray that all the state conventions may be occasions of renewed enthusiasm for a greater charity, a closer unity and a more dedicated fraternity for us all.
God bless and keep you all.
Father John Grace, O.S.A.
Director of Chaplain Programs and Development
(203) 752-4263