K of C insurance — part of a vocation to serve

Chad McAuliff, member of Harry L. Harper Council 6606 in Broken Arrow, Okla., became a field agent in 2012. For McAuliff, being a Knight is part of a vocation to serve and to help fellow members and their families — and continue Father Michael J. McGivney’s vision.

As a freshman in college, I discovered the Knights of Columbus. As a single Catholic young adult, I was drawn to the local council by their good works and active ministries around the city of Broken Arrow, Okla. Volunteering with the council, I helped elderly widows move from their homes to an assisted living facilities; cutting down tree limbs after a snowstorm; and raising funds for food pantries, needy families and toys for children, just to name a few.

Looking back, I now know, God was knocking at my door and working behind the scenes —the same month I joined the Knights I met my future wife, Alyssa.

We met at a bowling tournament, a couple hours away in Joplin, Mo. We discovered that we lived just about five miles from each other back home. I ended up leaving my jacket with her, and of course I had to stop by the next week and ask her for a date — I mean, the jacket back.

Alyssa was not Catholic but had questions. Her questions kept me accountable to my beliefs as a Catholic gentleman. God was working through both of us, as with every question we grew closer together and desired a greater knowledge about the faith.

The years went by. My involvement with the Knights of Columbus continued, and Alyssa decided to become Catholic. As our minds and hearts opened to the Catholic faith, the Knights of Columbus

always seemed to be a concrete foundation of charity and fraternity.

God continued to open doors — I completed my finance degree at St. Gregory’s University, and Alyssa and I began planning our wedding for summer 2012.

That year, I realized my vocation was to help other families in their faith and finance. That was when I decided to become a Knights of Columbus field agent. Through the Knights of Columbus, Alyssa and I both discovered a passion to become better versions of ourselves.

Eight years later, Alyssa and I have four wonderful children — Ryan, Emma, Brody and Avery. My wife and I work together in my insurance office, and we really enjoy the time together and helping others to become more active in their faith, family and finances. Because of the Knights, I have been able to help hundreds of families save for their future, protect their loved ones, preserve their assets and give them opportunities to say yes to their personal journey to grow in faith and joy.

Our Lord grants us each day with graces and blessings, may we open our minds and hearts to his love and seek out peace in this hectic world through the Eucharist. May we continue Father Michael J. McGivney’s vision by properly protecting families and by putting our faith into action.

Live in the Oklahoma area and have questions about K of C insurance? Chad and his team can help. Visit chadmcauliff.com or email chad.mcauliff@kofc.org.

Article originally published in Knightline, a monthly resource for K of C leaders and members. To access Knightline archives, click here.