Milites Christi
Held annually since 1966, the College Councils Conference brings college Knights together from across North America. Attendees participate in a dynamic program of prayer, inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and leadership training. This year’s conference will be held in New Haven, Connecticut, on September 30-October 2, 2022, and its theme is Milites Christi – a Latin phrase meaning, Soldiers of Christ or Christian Knights.
Some of the main events to look forward to this year are: our annual Awards Banquet, where we announce the Outstanding College Council Award and other prestigious awards; a keynote address from His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York; training sessions, panels, and main stage presentations on council best practices, leadership development, and living as a Catholic gentleman; a visit to the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center; and Mass at St. Mary’s Church, the birthplace of the Order and the burial site of Blessed Michael J. McGivney. You will also have the chance to meet and network with over 200 college council leaders from nearly 100 councils across North America, and exchange ideas and best practices with them.
Each college council should plan to send at least two students to this year’s conference. The Supreme Council will cover the travel costs, food and lodging for these students, as well as the council chaplain. You won’t want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to take your council to new levels of success this fraternal year!
For more information, please contact the College Councils Department at college@kofc.org or 203-214-8377.
57th College Councils Conference
September 30-October 2, 2022
FRIDAY, September 30, 2022
1:00 PM Registration
6:00 PM Opening Mass at Saint Mary’s Church
7:30 PM Banquet & Awards Session
Keynote Address: His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Awards Presentation
SATURDAY, October 1, 2022
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Opening Session
10:15 AM Breakout Sessions I & II
Chaplain Meeting
Will run concurrently with first morning breakout session at 10:45 AM
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Breakout Sessions III & IV
Seminarian Session
Will run concurrently with final afternoon breakout session (IV)
2:45 PM Afternoon Session
3:30 PM Afternoon Break
4:30 PM Holy Hour of Adoration at Saint Mary’s Church
5:30 PM Vigil Mass at Saint Mary’s Church
6:30 PM Eucharistic procession
7:30 PM Tours and Social at Bl. Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center
9:45 PM Sneak Peak Movie Screening – Mother Teresa: No Greater Love
SUNDAY, October 2, 2022
8:00 AM Mass
9:00 AM Breakfast
9:30 AM Closing Session
10:15 AM Adjournment
Departures from Omni New Haven Hotel throughout the day.
*Agenda subject to change
His Eminence
Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York
Timothy Dolan was named Archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict XVI on February 23, 2009. He had served as Archbishop of Milwaukee, appointed there by Pope Saint John Paul II on June 25, 2002.
Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis on June 19, 1976, he served as associate pastor at Immacolata Parish in Richmond Heights, Mo., until 1979 when he began studies for a doctorate in American Church History at The Catholic University of America.
In 1994, he was appointed rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he remained until June 2001. While in Rome, he also served as a visiting professor of Church History both at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
On June 19, 2001 – the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood - then Monsignor Dolan was named the Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis by Pope Saint John Paul II, choosing for his Episcopal motto the profession of faith of St. Peter: Ad Quem Ibimus, “To Whom Shall We Go?” (Jn 6:68).
Cardinal Dolan served as chairman of Catholic Relief Services, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America. He is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.
Cardinal Dolan completed a three year term as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in November, 2013. He completed a term as chair of the Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life activities.
On January 6, 2012, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI announced that Timothy Dolan was to be appointed to the College of Cardinals.
James Wahlberg
Executive Director of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation
James Wahlberg is the Executive Director of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and has been working in and around the field of addiction recovery for more than 25 years. Jim’s journey to recovery began through the compassion of a Catholic Priest and a visit from Mother Theresa during one of his stints in a Massachusetts State Correctional Facility.
As Jim worked to maintain long-term sobriety and strengthen his faith, he would go on to create a number of short films on the topic of addiction, including the critically acclaimed ‘If Only’ that is particularly relevant in light of today’s opiate crisis. ‘If Only’ was created to encourage a dialogue between parents, teachers, faith leaders, and young people; and has been shown to hundreds of thousands of people in venues ranging in size from classrooms to arenas.
Jim partnered with Catholic publishing company Our Sunday Visitor to publish his memoir, The Big Hustle: A Boston Street Kid’s Story of Addiction and Redemption; and produce the faith-based film What About the Kids, which advocates for a faith-based solution to substance use disorder and features an appearance by Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
Through his work over the last decade Jim has met thousands of parents who have experienced the unthinkable loss of their child(ren) to fatal overdose. His latest film project, Out of the Ashes, tells the story of some of these extraordinary families, their work helping others, and their drive to turn their grief and pain into purpose.
Recruitment as Evangelization: Our Mission for Souls
Julián Andrés Jimenez Angarita-Georgetown University Council 6375
Paul Walbridge-University of Florida Council 13900
This presentation sets out to demonstrate that recruitment can be a tool for evangelization. Too often, councils recruit new members for the sake of growth alone. Growth is essential for college councils, but if you do so without fraternal fellowship and faith, it will get you nowhere.
The Knights of Columbus is a calling. We provide an avenue for college men to pursue Christ on campus and in an increasingly hostile world. In this session, we will emphasize the centrality of recruiting with a focus on Catholic brotherhood and fraternal formation to your mission on campus.
Brothers in The Breach: Spiritual Warfare at the Council Level
Gabriel Abood-University of Scranton Council 4032
Daniel Kane, Jr.-University Catholic Council 15020
Jack Le Page-Norwich University Council 9146
We live our lives on a spiritual battlefield, our actions have an impact on ourselves and those around us for better and for worse. Porn, hook up culture and other vices are tools of the devil that lead us astray. But we are not in this fight alone. We of course have spiritual aid and protection from God and the Church, importantly we also have our brothers.
This presentation focuses on how the current state of our battle against the evils of life and practical methods to aid you, your council, and fellow Catholics in this fight. We will talk about how to promote a culture of life and chastity on campus, stress the importance of fraternal correction and leaving no Knight behind, and give you the tools for your battle as brothers in the breach!
Council Operations and Officer Training:
Christopher Holzman-Benedictine College Council 4708
Troy Laughlin-Lamar University Council 16464
In this breakout session you will learn best practices to help your council operate at a higher, more efficient level. This session will demonstrate how to set specific goals as an officer corps and reach them consistently. You will learn strategies that other successful college councils are using on a regular basis. These strategies are simple, and we will highlight their easy application so that your council can begin as soon as you return to campus.
Additionally, we will discuss the Officer’s Online and Supplies Online, along with ways to streamline communication between officers and general members. Lastly, this presentation will show you how to become familiar with and apply a new, revised meeting format. The goal of this presentation is to give your councils the tools to successfully achieve Star Council this fraternal year!
Seminarian Session:
Sean Lee – St. Joseph Seminary Council 17205
The goal of this presentation is to aid seminarian councils in finding meaningful and impactful ways to incorporate council activities into the broader seminary life and schedule. Seminary councils have unique needs, but our council structure can be successfully adapted to meet the needs of our seminarian Knights. Categorically, seminarian knighthood is great preparation for chaplaincy and parish work. This can clearly be understood through closer examination of Blessed Michael McGivney’s life.
Additionally, this presentation will address the unique challenges that seminarian councils face and the importance a clear council vision. Finally, we will discuss how a clear vision can lead to stronger collaboration with faculty, local councils, and other organizations on campus. There are many reasons why seminarians should join the Knights of Columbus - this has been undeniably apparent for 140 years!
The Cor Meeting: Preparing for Mission on Campus
Sean Pott-Director of Evangelization and Education
What does it mean to go on mission? What does it require? As men of faith and virtue, if we are not constantly preparing ourselves and our brothers for the work of mission, how can we be expected to do it well? Looking to the example of the upper room where the Apostles gathered and received the Holy Spirit, we will dive into the concepts and demands of the mission of the Church in relation to your campus and what we must do to prepare for it.
Knights of Virtue: Virtue Ethics in Leadership
Joseph McInerney-Director of Leadership and Ethics Education
How do you lead in a culture at odds with the Gospel?
People want to talk about leadership. It is interesting. It can even be glamorous. And we all know the critical importance of good leadership. Given that interest and importance why are leaders struggling so mightily in 21st century American culture? Poll after poll and survey after survey show that our leadership class has never been held in lower regard. What gives? Which brings up another question. If all the talented and experienced people in the leadership class cannot lead, how can I hope to be a good leader in a culture whose values are dead set against the Catholic principles I hold dear?
This workshop will answer these interesting and hard questions. It will explain how leadership in America has gotten into such sorry condition and how Catholicism and your faith in Jesus Christ have the resources to enable you to succeed as a leader where so many other people have failed. The workshop will also provide direction on leadership capacities and skills that you can practice in your work to become the leader God wants you to be.
Lodging
Attendees to the 2022 College Councils Conference will stay at the Omni New Haven Hotel (155 Temple Street). Your online registration serves as your room reservation for Friday and Saturday night. Please note that even though your room will be included on the Supreme Council’s master bill, the hotel will need a credit card to keep on file for incidentals. If you count as an additional student above the two covered by the Supreme Council, your registration will still reserve you a room, but your council will be billed the $200 conference fee after the conference.
Student representatives from the same school will occupy a room together. A lone representative from one school will be paired with another sole representative from another campus. Chaplains will receive single-room accommodations.
Please note that due to the size of this event we cannot make arrangements for wives or other family members.
Travel Information
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements. Please follow the guidelines below when purchasing tickets, etc. (Prices listed for ground transportation services are subject to change.)
If you plan to travel by air, please use a travel search engine (e.g., Kayak.com) to purchase airline tickets. These sites aggregate the information from airline websites and discount travel sites (e.g., Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com) to find the best prices available.
Airfare should be purchased in advance, and no later than Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 (two weeks before the conference). If you have an expensive itinerary, please contact the Supreme Council staff before booking your ticket, as we may be able to find you a better deal with our travel agents.
To reduce costs, we encourage you to fly into one of the following major tri-state area airports:
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, New York City;
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Queens, New York City;
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey; and
• Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut.
Detailed directions from each of these airports to New Haven may be found below. Subject to train schedules and road traffic, a one-way trip from Newark or New York City airports to New Haven can take up to 3.5 hours. Travel from Bradley airport to New Haven is approximately 1 hour. Please plan accordingly to arrive in time for Friday evening’s activities and to attend the closing events before making your departing flight on Sunday.
Please plan to arrive in New Haven by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, and to depart from New Haven no earlier than 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 2.
Directions from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Upon arrival at the airport, use the New York Airport Shuttle Service to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Transit time between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Grand Central Terminal is approximately one hour. If you are traveling with a group, it may be cost-effective to share a taxi/Uber/Lyft. Rides in a taxi-service vehicle should cost no more than $60.00.
• Upon arrival at Grand Central Terminal, purchase a ticket to New Haven for the Metro-North Railroad. Transit time between Grand Central Terminal and Union Station in New Haven is approximately two hours.
• On weekdays, there is a free shuttle service that provides transportation between Union Station and downtown New Haven. This shuttle runs every 20 minutes and drops off in front of the hotel. More information may be found at CT Transit:
• https://www.cttransit.com/services/union-station-shuttle-new-haven
• Alternatively, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft from Union Station to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street). This will cost about $5-10.
Directions from LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Upon arrival at the airport, use the New York Airport Shuttle Service to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Transit time between LaGuardia Airport and Grand Central Terminal is approximately 45 minutes. If you are traveling with a group, it may be cost-effective to share a taxi/Uber/Lyft. Rides in a taxi-service vehicle should cost no more than $60.00.
• Upon arrival at Grand Central Terminal, purchase a ticket to New Haven for the Metro-North Railroad. Transit time between Grand Central Terminal and Union Station in New Haven is approximately two hours.
• On weekdays, there is a free shuttle service that provides transportation between Union Station and downtown New Haven. This shuttle runs every 20 minutes and drops off in front of the hotel. More information may be found at CT Transit:
• https://www.cttransit.com/services/union-station-shuttle-new-haven
• Alternatively, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft from Union Station to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street). This will cost about $5-10.
Directions from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Upon arrival at the airport, use the Newark Liberty Airport Expressbus to travel to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Transit time between Newark Liberty International Airport and Grand Central Terminal is approximately 45 minutes.
• Upon arrival at Grand Central Terminal, purchase a ticket to New Haven for the Metro-North Railroad. Transit time between Grand Central Terminal and Union Station in New Haven is approximately two hours.
• Alternatively, you may consider taking Amtrak directly from the airport station to New Haven.
• On weekdays, there is a free shuttle service that provides transportation between Union Station and downtown New Haven. This shuttle runs every 20 minutes and drops off in front of the hotel. More information may be found at CT Transit:
• https://www.cttransit.com/services/union-station-shuttle-new-haven
• Alternatively, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft from Union Station to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street). This will cost about $5-10
Directions from Bradley International Airport (BDL)
• We encourage you to consider an airport shuttle service, such as Connecticut Limo, to travel from Hartford to New Haven. Reservations should be made in advance; you can do so online at http://www.ctlimo.com/. A one-way fare is $55 per person and roundtrip is $110 per person (you get a discount when traveling in a group). The Connecticut Limo drops passengers off directly at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street). Connecticut Limo picks up passengers in front of Door # 1 (near the Southwest baggage claim area).
• Alternatively, you may arrange an Uber/Lyft ride once you arrive at Bradley. This can be cheaper if you travel in a group as most non-peak times run $70-$80 from Bradley to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street).
• A traditional taxi service is also available. However, these run at a flat rate of $120 from Bradley to New Haven.
Metro-North Railroad
• The Metro-North Railroad is a commuter rail system.
• When traveling from New York to New Haven, peak (i.e., rush hour) fares apply in the morning until 9:00 a.m. and in the evening from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. When traveling from New Haven to New York, peak fares apply in the morning until 9:00 a.m. The peak fare for one-way travel between New York and New Haven is $23.50; the off-peak fare is $17.75. All weekend fares are off-peak.
• We encourage you to purchase your tickets in the station, as fares are much more expensive if you purchase your tickets from the conductor on the train. You may also download the Metro North Railroad app and purchase tickets through that.
• More information on the Metro-North Railroad may be found on the Metropolitan Transit Authority website: http://mta.info/mnr/
New York Airport Shuttle Service
• The New York Airport Shuttle Service provides safe and reliable transportation between destinations in Manhattan and the New York City airports. Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to the New York Airport Service bus stop, which is located outside baggage claim at every terminal.
• Tickets may be purchased online or on the bus. For more information, please consult the New York Airport Shuttle Service website: New York Airport Shuttle | GO Airlink NYC (goairlinkshuttle.com)
• Please Note: It would be most cost effective to make a reservation for a shared shuttle.
• From LaGuardia Airport to Grand Central Terminal, one-way fare is $16.00; round-trip fare is $30.00. From John F. Kennedy International Airport to Grand Central Terminal, one way fare is $16.00, round-trip fare is $30.00.
Newark Liberty Airport Express
• The Newark Liberty Airport Express provides safe and reliable transportation between destinations in Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to the bus stop, which is located outside baggage claim at terminals A, B and C.
• Near Grand Central Terminal, buses load and drop off at 120 E. 41st Street, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. The main entrance to Grand Central Terminal is located at Park Avenue and 42nd Street.
• Tickets may be purchased online or on the bus, however it is cheaper to buy them online ahead of time. For more information, please consult the Coach USA website: https://www.newarkairportexpress.com/
• From Newark Liberty International Airport to Grand Central Terminal, one-way fare is $17.00; round-trip fare is $30.00.
Traveling by Car
• Should you prefer to drive from campus or rent a car once you land at one of the above airports, please make your way to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street).
• There is self-parking available at the hotel for $23.00 per night. You may have this fee billed to your room. However, please note that these funds will then be deducted from your council’s travel stipend check.
Any questions or concerns regarding lodging should be directed to the College Councils Department at college@kofc.org or 203-214-8377
This year, the Supreme Council will cover the travel costs and Conference Fee (hotel/meals) for two students and the council chaplain from each college council in North America. At the Supreme Council’s discretion, members of college roundtables and other developing college councils may also be invited.
Student representatives should be enrolled at the college or university their council supports. The Supreme Council suggests that college councils send students who serve as officers of the council (i.e., grand knight), however this is not required; any student may represent his council. At most, a college council may send seven student representatives, however, the Supreme Council will only offer travel stipends and waive the Conference Fee for the first two.
If the council chaplain cannot attend the conference, his invitation may be extended to another priest who works with the council.
Those who attend the conference at the expense of the Supreme Council are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. In the weeks following the conference, travel stipend checks will be mailed to each council’s financial secretary. The council will bear the responsibility of reimbursing the student representative(s) from these funds. These checks will reflect distance from New Haven, CT, and average travel costs from that region. Councils unsure of the travel stipend amount for their council can contact the College Councils Department at (203)-214-8377 or college@kofc.org.
Conference Fee
There is a $200.00 Conference Fee to cover lodging and meals throughout the conference. The Supreme Council will waive this fee for attendees that travel at the expense of the Supreme Council. For college councils that send additional representatives above those covered by Supreme, they will be billed this fee in their next council statement. It will be up to the council to collect this fee from the individual traveler if it desires.
Held annually since 1966, the College Councils Conference brings college Knights together from across the country and around the world. Attendees participate in a dynamic program of inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and leadership training.
To learn more about past College Councils Conferences, including award winners, speakers, and photos, please visit our archived pages below:
2021 College Councils Conference
2020 College Councils Conference
2019 College Councils Conference
2018 College Councils Conference
2017 College Councils Conference
57th College Councils Conference
September 30-October 2, 2022
FRIDAY, September 30, 2022
1:00 PM Registration
6:00 PM Opening Mass at Saint Mary’s Church
7:30 PM Banquet & Awards Session
Keynote Address: His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Awards Presentation
SATURDAY, October 1, 2022
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Opening Session
10:15 AM Breakout Sessions I & II
Chaplain Meeting
Will run concurrently with first morning breakout session at 10:45 AM
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Breakout Sessions III & IV
Seminarian Session
Will run concurrently with final afternoon breakout session (IV)
2:45 PM Afternoon Session
3:30 PM Afternoon Break
4:30 PM Holy Hour of Adoration at Saint Mary’s Church
5:30 PM Vigil Mass at Saint Mary’s Church
6:30 PM Eucharistic procession
7:30 PM Tours and Social at Bl. Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center
9:45 PM Sneak Peak Movie Screening – Mother Teresa: No Greater Love
SUNDAY, October 2, 2022
8:00 AM Mass
9:00 AM Breakfast
9:30 AM Closing Session
10:15 AM Adjournment
Departures from Omni New Haven Hotel throughout the day.
*Agenda subject to change
His Eminence
Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York
Timothy Dolan was named Archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict XVI on February 23, 2009. He had served as Archbishop of Milwaukee, appointed there by Pope Saint John Paul II on June 25, 2002.
Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis on June 19, 1976, he served as associate pastor at Immacolata Parish in Richmond Heights, Mo., until 1979 when he began studies for a doctorate in American Church History at The Catholic University of America.
In 1994, he was appointed rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he remained until June 2001. While in Rome, he also served as a visiting professor of Church History both at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
On June 19, 2001 – the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood - then Monsignor Dolan was named the Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis by Pope Saint John Paul II, choosing for his Episcopal motto the profession of faith of St. Peter: Ad Quem Ibimus, “To Whom Shall We Go?” (Jn 6:68).
Cardinal Dolan served as chairman of Catholic Relief Services, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America. He is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.
Cardinal Dolan completed a three year term as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in November, 2013. He completed a term as chair of the Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life activities.
On January 6, 2012, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI announced that Timothy Dolan was to be appointed to the College of Cardinals.
James Wahlberg
Executive Director of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation
James Wahlberg is the Executive Director of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and has been working in and around the field of addiction recovery for more than 25 years. Jim’s journey to recovery began through the compassion of a Catholic Priest and a visit from Mother Theresa during one of his stints in a Massachusetts State Correctional Facility.
As Jim worked to maintain long-term sobriety and strengthen his faith, he would go on to create a number of short films on the topic of addiction, including the critically acclaimed ‘If Only’ that is particularly relevant in light of today’s opiate crisis. ‘If Only’ was created to encourage a dialogue between parents, teachers, faith leaders, and young people; and has been shown to hundreds of thousands of people in venues ranging in size from classrooms to arenas.
Jim partnered with Catholic publishing company Our Sunday Visitor to publish his memoir, The Big Hustle: A Boston Street Kid’s Story of Addiction and Redemption; and produce the faith-based film What About the Kids, which advocates for a faith-based solution to substance use disorder and features an appearance by Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
Through his work over the last decade Jim has met thousands of parents who have experienced the unthinkable loss of their child(ren) to fatal overdose. His latest film project, Out of the Ashes, tells the story of some of these extraordinary families, their work helping others, and their drive to turn their grief and pain into purpose.
Recruitment as Evangelization: Our Mission for Souls
Julián Andrés Jimenez Angarita-Georgetown University Council 6375
Paul Walbridge-University of Florida Council 13900
This presentation sets out to demonstrate that recruitment can be a tool for evangelization. Too often, councils recruit new members for the sake of growth alone. Growth is essential for college councils, but if you do so without fraternal fellowship and faith, it will get you nowhere.
The Knights of Columbus is a calling. We provide an avenue for college men to pursue Christ on campus and in an increasingly hostile world. In this session, we will emphasize the centrality of recruiting with a focus on Catholic brotherhood and fraternal formation to your mission on campus.
Brothers in The Breach: Spiritual Warfare at the Council Level
Gabriel Abood-University of Scranton Council 4032
Daniel Kane, Jr.-University Catholic Council 15020
Jack Le Page-Norwich University Council 9146
We live our lives on a spiritual battlefield, our actions have an impact on ourselves and those around us for better and for worse. Porn, hook up culture and other vices are tools of the devil that lead us astray. But we are not in this fight alone. We of course have spiritual aid and protection from God and the Church, importantly we also have our brothers.
This presentation focuses on how the current state of our battle against the evils of life and practical methods to aid you, your council, and fellow Catholics in this fight. We will talk about how to promote a culture of life and chastity on campus, stress the importance of fraternal correction and leaving no Knight behind, and give you the tools for your battle as brothers in the breach!
Council Operations and Officer Training:
Christopher Holzman-Benedictine College Council 4708
Troy Laughlin-Lamar University Council 16464
In this breakout session you will learn best practices to help your council operate at a higher, more efficient level. This session will demonstrate how to set specific goals as an officer corps and reach them consistently. You will learn strategies that other successful college councils are using on a regular basis. These strategies are simple, and we will highlight their easy application so that your council can begin as soon as you return to campus.
Additionally, we will discuss the Officer’s Online and Supplies Online, along with ways to streamline communication between officers and general members. Lastly, this presentation will show you how to become familiar with and apply a new, revised meeting format. The goal of this presentation is to give your councils the tools to successfully achieve Star Council this fraternal year!
Seminarian Session:
Sean Lee – St. Joseph Seminary Council 17205
The goal of this presentation is to aid seminarian councils in finding meaningful and impactful ways to incorporate council activities into the broader seminary life and schedule. Seminary councils have unique needs, but our council structure can be successfully adapted to meet the needs of our seminarian Knights. Categorically, seminarian knighthood is great preparation for chaplaincy and parish work. This can clearly be understood through closer examination of Blessed Michael McGivney’s life.
Additionally, this presentation will address the unique challenges that seminarian councils face and the importance a clear council vision. Finally, we will discuss how a clear vision can lead to stronger collaboration with faculty, local councils, and other organizations on campus. There are many reasons why seminarians should join the Knights of Columbus - this has been undeniably apparent for 140 years!
The Cor Meeting: Preparing for Mission on Campus
Sean Pott-Director of Evangelization and Education
What does it mean to go on mission? What does it require? As men of faith and virtue, if we are not constantly preparing ourselves and our brothers for the work of mission, how can we be expected to do it well? Looking to the example of the upper room where the Apostles gathered and received the Holy Spirit, we will dive into the concepts and demands of the mission of the Church in relation to your campus and what we must do to prepare for it.
Knights of Virtue: Virtue Ethics in Leadership
Joseph McInerney-Director of Leadership and Ethics Education
How do you lead in a culture at odds with the Gospel?
People want to talk about leadership. It is interesting. It can even be glamorous. And we all know the critical importance of good leadership. Given that interest and importance why are leaders struggling so mightily in 21st century American culture? Poll after poll and survey after survey show that our leadership class has never been held in lower regard. What gives? Which brings up another question. If all the talented and experienced people in the leadership class cannot lead, how can I hope to be a good leader in a culture whose values are dead set against the Catholic principles I hold dear?
This workshop will answer these interesting and hard questions. It will explain how leadership in America has gotten into such sorry condition and how Catholicism and your faith in Jesus Christ have the resources to enable you to succeed as a leader where so many other people have failed. The workshop will also provide direction on leadership capacities and skills that you can practice in your work to become the leader God wants you to be.
Lodging
Attendees to the 2022 College Councils Conference will stay at the Omni New Haven Hotel (155 Temple Street). Your online registration serves as your room reservation for Friday and Saturday night. Please note that even though your room will be included on the Supreme Council’s master bill, the hotel will need a credit card to keep on file for incidentals. If you count as an additional student above the two covered by the Supreme Council, your registration will still reserve you a room, but your council will be billed the $200 conference fee after the conference.
Student representatives from the same school will occupy a room together. A lone representative from one school will be paired with another sole representative from another campus. Chaplains will receive single-room accommodations.
Please note that due to the size of this event we cannot make arrangements for wives or other family members.
Travel Information
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements. Please follow the guidelines below when purchasing tickets, etc. (Prices listed for ground transportation services are subject to change.)
If you plan to travel by air, please use a travel search engine (e.g., Kayak.com) to purchase airline tickets. These sites aggregate the information from airline websites and discount travel sites (e.g., Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com) to find the best prices available.
Airfare should be purchased in advance, and no later than Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 (two weeks before the conference). If you have an expensive itinerary, please contact the Supreme Council staff before booking your ticket, as we may be able to find you a better deal with our travel agents.
To reduce costs, we encourage you to fly into one of the following major tri-state area airports:
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, New York City;
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Queens, New York City;
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey; and
• Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut.
Detailed directions from each of these airports to New Haven may be found below. Subject to train schedules and road traffic, a one-way trip from Newark or New York City airports to New Haven can take up to 3.5 hours. Travel from Bradley airport to New Haven is approximately 1 hour. Please plan accordingly to arrive in time for Friday evening’s activities and to attend the closing events before making your departing flight on Sunday.
Please plan to arrive in New Haven by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, and to depart from New Haven no earlier than 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 2.
Directions from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Upon arrival at the airport, use the New York Airport Shuttle Service to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Transit time between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Grand Central Terminal is approximately one hour. If you are traveling with a group, it may be cost-effective to share a taxi/Uber/Lyft. Rides in a taxi-service vehicle should cost no more than $60.00.
• Upon arrival at Grand Central Terminal, purchase a ticket to New Haven for the Metro-North Railroad. Transit time between Grand Central Terminal and Union Station in New Haven is approximately two hours.
• On weekdays, there is a free shuttle service that provides transportation between Union Station and downtown New Haven. This shuttle runs every 20 minutes and drops off in front of the hotel. More information may be found at CT Transit:
• https://www.cttransit.com/services/union-station-shuttle-new-haven
• Alternatively, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft from Union Station to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street). This will cost about $5-10.
Directions from LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Upon arrival at the airport, use the New York Airport Shuttle Service to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Transit time between LaGuardia Airport and Grand Central Terminal is approximately 45 minutes. If you are traveling with a group, it may be cost-effective to share a taxi/Uber/Lyft. Rides in a taxi-service vehicle should cost no more than $60.00.
• Upon arrival at Grand Central Terminal, purchase a ticket to New Haven for the Metro-North Railroad. Transit time between Grand Central Terminal and Union Station in New Haven is approximately two hours.
• On weekdays, there is a free shuttle service that provides transportation between Union Station and downtown New Haven. This shuttle runs every 20 minutes and drops off in front of the hotel. More information may be found at CT Transit:
• https://www.cttransit.com/services/union-station-shuttle-new-haven
• Alternatively, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft from Union Station to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street). This will cost about $5-10.
Directions from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Upon arrival at the airport, use the Newark Liberty Airport Expressbus to travel to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Transit time between Newark Liberty International Airport and Grand Central Terminal is approximately 45 minutes.
• Upon arrival at Grand Central Terminal, purchase a ticket to New Haven for the Metro-North Railroad. Transit time between Grand Central Terminal and Union Station in New Haven is approximately two hours.
• Alternatively, you may consider taking Amtrak directly from the airport station to New Haven.
• On weekdays, there is a free shuttle service that provides transportation between Union Station and downtown New Haven. This shuttle runs every 20 minutes and drops off in front of the hotel. More information may be found at CT Transit:
• https://www.cttransit.com/services/union-station-shuttle-new-haven
• Alternatively, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft from Union Station to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street). This will cost about $5-10
Directions from Bradley International Airport (BDL)
• We encourage you to consider an airport shuttle service, such as Connecticut Limo, to travel from Hartford to New Haven. Reservations should be made in advance; you can do so online at http://www.ctlimo.com/. A one-way fare is $55 per person and roundtrip is $110 per person (you get a discount when traveling in a group). The Connecticut Limo drops passengers off directly at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street). Connecticut Limo picks up passengers in front of Door # 1 (near the Southwest baggage claim area).
• Alternatively, you may arrange an Uber/Lyft ride once you arrive at Bradley. This can be cheaper if you travel in a group as most non-peak times run $70-$80 from Bradley to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street).
• A traditional taxi service is also available. However, these run at a flat rate of $120 from Bradley to New Haven.
Metro-North Railroad
• The Metro-North Railroad is a commuter rail system.
• When traveling from New York to New Haven, peak (i.e., rush hour) fares apply in the morning until 9:00 a.m. and in the evening from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. When traveling from New Haven to New York, peak fares apply in the morning until 9:00 a.m. The peak fare for one-way travel between New York and New Haven is $23.50; the off-peak fare is $17.75. All weekend fares are off-peak.
• We encourage you to purchase your tickets in the station, as fares are much more expensive if you purchase your tickets from the conductor on the train. You may also download the Metro North Railroad app and purchase tickets through that.
• More information on the Metro-North Railroad may be found on the Metropolitan Transit Authority website: http://mta.info/mnr/
New York Airport Shuttle Service
• The New York Airport Shuttle Service provides safe and reliable transportation between destinations in Manhattan and the New York City airports. Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to the New York Airport Service bus stop, which is located outside baggage claim at every terminal.
• Tickets may be purchased online or on the bus. For more information, please consult the New York Airport Shuttle Service website: New York Airport Shuttle | GO Airlink NYC (goairlinkshuttle.com)
• Please Note: It would be most cost effective to make a reservation for a shared shuttle.
• From LaGuardia Airport to Grand Central Terminal, one-way fare is $16.00; round-trip fare is $30.00. From John F. Kennedy International Airport to Grand Central Terminal, one way fare is $16.00, round-trip fare is $30.00.
Newark Liberty Airport Express
• The Newark Liberty Airport Express provides safe and reliable transportation between destinations in Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to the bus stop, which is located outside baggage claim at terminals A, B and C.
• Near Grand Central Terminal, buses load and drop off at 120 E. 41st Street, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. The main entrance to Grand Central Terminal is located at Park Avenue and 42nd Street.
• Tickets may be purchased online or on the bus, however it is cheaper to buy them online ahead of time. For more information, please consult the Coach USA website: https://www.newarkairportexpress.com/
• From Newark Liberty International Airport to Grand Central Terminal, one-way fare is $17.00; round-trip fare is $30.00.
Traveling by Car
• Should you prefer to drive from campus or rent a car once you land at one of the above airports, please make your way to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street).
• There is self-parking available at the hotel for $23.00 per night. You may have this fee billed to your room. However, please note that these funds will then be deducted from your council’s travel stipend check.
Any questions or concerns regarding lodging should be directed to the College Councils Department at college@kofc.org or 203-214-8377
This year, the Supreme Council will cover the travel costs and Conference Fee (hotel/meals) for two students and the council chaplain from each college council in North America. At the Supreme Council’s discretion, members of college roundtables and other developing college councils may also be invited.
Student representatives should be enrolled at the college or university their council supports. The Supreme Council suggests that college councils send students who serve as officers of the council (i.e., grand knight), however this is not required; any student may represent his council. At most, a college council may send seven student representatives, however, the Supreme Council will only offer travel stipends and waive the Conference Fee for the first two.
If the council chaplain cannot attend the conference, his invitation may be extended to another priest who works with the council.
Those who attend the conference at the expense of the Supreme Council are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. In the weeks following the conference, travel stipend checks will be mailed to each council’s financial secretary. The council will bear the responsibility of reimbursing the student representative(s) from these funds. These checks will reflect distance from New Haven, CT, and average travel costs from that region. Councils unsure of the travel stipend amount for their council can contact the College Councils Department at (203)-214-8377 or college@kofc.org.
Conference Fee
There is a $200.00 Conference Fee to cover lodging and meals throughout the conference. The Supreme Council will waive this fee for attendees that travel at the expense of the Supreme Council. For college councils that send additional representatives above those covered by Supreme, they will be billed this fee in their next council statement. It will be up to the council to collect this fee from the individual traveler if it desires.
Held annually since 1966, the College Councils Conference brings college Knights together from across the country and around the world. Attendees participate in a dynamic program of inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and leadership training.
To learn more about past College Councils Conferences, including award winners, speakers, and photos, please visit our archived pages below:
2021 College Councils Conference
2020 College Councils Conference
2019 College Councils Conference
2018 College Councils Conference
2017 College Councils Conference