Sign In For Members Join Sign In
  • Donate

  • For Members

  • Who We Are

  • Our Mission Our Faith Our History Supreme Officers About Membership Video Library
  • What We Do

  • Charity Insurance Invest Donor-Advised Funds Programs Scholarships Churchloan
  • Get Involved

  • Join Donate Find a Council Store College Councils
  • News Hub

  • Latest News Columbia Knightline Faith Response Social Media Hub
  • Contact Us

  • Safe Environment Program

  • Careers

  • Who We Are

    What We Do

    Get Involved

    News Hub

    Co-Workers in Christ

    Father McGivney's loving, respectful cooperation with his parishioners is a model for both priests and laity

    by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori 11/1/2020

    YEARS AGO, a fellow priest said to me, “I’m counting the days until the bishop sends me somewhere else.” Only recently ordained, I ventured to ask, “What’s the problem?” He answered, “I really don’t like the folks in my parish. They’re pushy and opinionated.” He added, “They know I want out, and I guess that’s making things harder.” Not exactly a recipe for success!

    In contrast, consider the generous and loving ministry of Blessed Michael J. McGivney, our beloved founder and an exemplary parish priest. Father McGivney both liked and loved his parishioners. By the dedication of his priestly life, he showed that he truly wanted to be among them. Father McGivney made a tremendous impact by his powerful preaching and reverent celebration of the sacraments, but also by his empathy and respect. He exemplifies the cooperative and loving way we priests should relate to the laity.

    Father McGivney was, by all accounts, deeply engaged with the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and, later, St. Thomas in Thomaston. He ministered to his people with single-hearted attention and remarkable energy. In organizing plays, baseball games, parish fairs and other activities, he showed that he enjoyed being with his parishioners. Indeed, Father McGivney did not seek to do everything for his parishioners. Rather, he worked with his parishioners, and together, with God’s grace, they created a healthy, vibrant community of faith, worship and service.

    He also showed respect for his younger parishioners, not only by defending them when they were maligned in an erroneous news account, but also by speaking to them directly about dangers to their faith and morals. Humble, friendly and upbeat, Father McGivney asserted himself when necessary and could be appropriately stern when people’s spiritual welfare was at stake. He respected his people too much to pander to them.

    ‘Father McGivney worked with his parishioners, and
    together, with God’sgrace, they created
    a healthy, vibrantcommunity of faith,
    worship and service.’

    But it was in founding the Knights of Columbus that Father McGivney’s pastoral love for his people glowed most brightly. He had witnessed the destitution of widows and their children when fathers died prematurely, often due to industrial accidents. He also saw the need to help the men of his parish strengthen their faith and be better husbands and fathers. From his pastoral concern sprang the Knights of Columbus: a fraternity of men, united in charity, robustly living the faith while providing for their families’ long-term financial security.

    It was not always smooth sailing. In those first years, Father McGivney encountered criticism as well as division among the Knights themselves. For a time, it appeared his project would fail. But Father McGivney did not crumble or seek to dominate. Instead, he showed real leadership and perseverance by insisting that the Knights of Columbus remain a lay-led organization. In this, he was well ahead of his time — anticipating the call of the Second Vatican Council that the laity take a greater lead in the life of the Church and in transforming society.

    Then, after a slow start, the Knights of Columbus began to grow rapidly. Father McGivney did not regard this as a moment of vindication or an opportunity to grasp for power and influence. In fact, he did the opposite. He resigned as supreme secretary and retained only his role as chaplain. He did not seek to control the Knights of Columbus but only to keep it true to the mission and Gospel principles upon which he founded the Order: charity and unity, as well as fraternity.

    Still today, Blessed Michael McGivney relates to us with pastoral love and respect as he intercedes for us and inspires us to embrace our mission anew.

    PRESS RESOURCES

    PRESS

    Logos & Emblems

    Photo Library

    Press Releases

    Recent News

    Supreme Convention

    Video Library

    PUBLICATIONS

    Chaplain's Report

    Columbia

    Fraternal Leader Advisory

    Knightline

    Knights in Action

    Share your Knights in Action News

    FOR PRESS INQUIRIES

    Please contact the
    Knights of Columbus News Bureau
    news@kofc.org, 475-255-0097

    Knights of Columbus 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510 203-752-4000

    Connect With #KOFC

    Who We Are

    Our Mission Our Faith Our History Supreme Officers About Membership Video Library

    What We Do

    Charity Insurance Invest Programs Scholarships Churchloan

    Get Involved

    Join Donate Find a Council Store College Councils

    Member Resources

    Sign In For Members Safe Environment Program Brand Assets Benefits
    This website uses cookies, including third-party cookies, to optimize the functionality of the website and for website analysis and statistics. To find out more about cookies and how to change your cookie settings, please go to our Cookie Policy. Click Allow if you agree to the use of cookies.