Startup Steps

Welcome! Looking to startup Cor?

The steps below will guide you through the process of getting Cor up and running in your parish, including helpful resources and how best to use them.

We also encourage you to review the Cor Leader Guide for more detailed information. Grand Knights and/or EFF Directors should review all steps before getting started.

Step 1

Goal: Understand Cor’s mission and vision, and appoint leadership.

Action Items:

Learn Cor’s mission and vision and how it aligns with the founding vision of Blessed Michael McGivney for the Knights of Columbus.

Watch Cor Foundations Video
Grand Knight to appoint a Council Evangelization and Faith Formation (EFF) Director to lead Cor.
Submit the Council EFF Director Form to ensure EFF Director receives all Cor communications, including an onboarding email series.

Submit Council EFF Director Form

Cor Mission

To help focus men on Jesus by building Christ-centered brotherhood through a flexible framework of prayer, formation and fraternity.

Cor Vision

To aid in transforming the hearts of men through Christ-centered brotherhood. Rooted in prayer, formation and fraternity, men will be sharpened in faith and virtue as they cultivate authentic friendships with Christ and each other.

We envision a future where Cor  continuously helps sustain these men to lead their families, strengthen their parish communities and courageously evangelize the world as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.

Step 2

Goal: Become familiar with EFF Director role and key resources.

Action Items:

Learn more about the Council EFF Director role. Simply put, the goal is to bring men to Jesus and build a strong, Christ-centered brotherhood. This goes beyond administration — it calls for personal engagement, leadership and collaboration to inspire men, strengthen their faith and integrate efforts into parish life.

For a more detailed role description, review the Council EFF Director Scope & Success Guide

Remember your State EFF Director and Diocesan EFF Coordinator are here to help you. Reach out to introduce yourself, ask questions and establish a regular way to stay in touch. Look at your State Councils website for contact information.
Begin reviewing the Cor Leader Guide and accompanying videos.
Order a Council Cor Kit from Supplies Online. This will include all the printed materials you need to get Cor up and running.

Step 3

Goal: Secure pastoral permission and build council support.

Action Items:

Meet with your pastor (Grand Knight and EFF Director). Here are some tips. Ask his permission to:
- Implement Cor for the men of your parish. Helpful materials to bring to meeting include:
  - Cor: A Guide for Clergy Brochure
  - Clergy's Role in Cor
  - Cor Video Options: Cor Overview or Cor Foundations
- Collaborate with existing men’s group (if applicable). See Working with Men’s Ministries for guidance.
- Promote Cor in the parish bulletin and speak after all Masses for a weekend to invite the men of the parish.
Get council buy in. Present Cor during the EFF Director report of your council meeting. Share Cor’s mission and vision, structure and leadership plan. Invite council members to participate, support the rollout and invite others.
Start building out your team. This should include two to three men who can help share the load and get Cor off the ground. They do not have to be Knights. Watch video for ideas on how to build a great Cor team.

Step 4

Goal: Set logistics and invite men to participate.

Action Items:

Set initial logistics. Determine the date, time and location for the first three Cor sessions. Reserve the necessary space and put on parish calendar.
Communicate and invite. Start spreading the word about Cor among the men of your parish and community. Start with the men you know and ask your team to the same. Review How to Promote Cor to:
- Publish a bulletin announcement, including a short interest survey with a QR code.
- Give a brief pulpit talk after all Masses one weekend.
- Place posters around parish campus. Available in the Leader Resources/PDFs tab and Supplies Online.
Build a contact list. Include clergy, council members and men who have expressed interest and/or responded to the interest survey. Keep this list updated.

Step 5

Goal: Prepare content and communicate clearly.

Action Items:

Plan content for the first three Cor sessions. Each session should include all three key elements of Cor: prayer, formation and fraternity.
- Cor content exists to supplement the aim of building Chris-centered brotherhood. Work in collaboration with your leadership team and pastor to determine which content is the most approproate for the group at this stage.
- See Cor Examples in Leading Cor 101, Cor Content tab and Cor Formation Content Guide for ideas/resources.
- Use content that easily engages the men in your group, such as the Into the Breach video series or the Men of the Word Bible study.
- For more information about the three key elements of Cor, watch this video.
Prepare materials. Order or prepare any necessary resources (books, handouts, prayer aids, refreshments). Materials available at Supplies Online and Shop Catholic Info .
Send out invitations/reminders. Communicate dates, times and location well in advance and close to dates for a reminder. Remind participants to bring any needed items (Bible, rosary, etc).

Step 6

Goal: Strengthen your own faith and leadership.

Action Items:

Prioritize your personal faith life. It is an integral part of your role. If you are working to lead others to a deeper relationship with Jesus, you cannot give what you do not have. Prioritize prayer, the sacraments and take Jesus’ example of leadership as your model. Lectio Divina is a great way to incorporate Scripture into your daily prayer routine.

Watch: Lectio Divina
Grow in leadership. We have curated relevant ongoing formation and training videos specifically for EFF Directors. The Leadership Virtue Series is another good resource for any person in a leadership role. You might begin by watching “Prayer – the First Habit.”

Watch: Formation & Training Watch: Leadership Virtue Series