Are You Ready for the Persecution?
I always thought martyrdom was unlikely in our enlightened times. There are few places left on earth where a Christian still faces real potential of dying for the faith. May’s issue of Columbia revisits government efforts to crush Catholicism in 20th-Century Mexico. That wasn’t long ago, or far away.
When I was in graduate school, I had the privilege of teaching in China. The country’s rapid industrialization is exhilarating. But it brutally represses religious activity. In one city, I had a police escort. I thought it was cool until a host professor explained that the army was afaid “foreign devils” would photograph their nuclear facilities or (gasp) proselytize. My every move was watched.
I’m lucky to be American. Sure, some fellow countrymen try to stamp out any mention of God. Kids can’t pray in public. We wish Happy Holidays lest we offend the elusive throngs who hate Christmas. But most Americans are Christian. Why do we let an arrant minority whittle away our religious freedoms?
When he was bishop of Rapid City, now-Archbishop of Philadelphia Charles Chaput prognosticated that he would be jailed for defending the faith, and that his successor would be martyred.
He may yet be proven correct.
Washington is calling our bluff. Religious liberty is under attack and Catholics are expected to give up. Charities will be forced to provide birth control and abortifacients to employees, contrary to Catholic beliefs. Other laws provide sexual and reproductive ‘rights’ at odds with divine law. Next, I expect pastors will be told what they can teach, EWTN will be censored, and Columbia’s postage permit will be revoked.
How seriously do we take our faith? Are we willing to fight? Perhaps bishops really will be jailed or martyred for resisting the law. Another famous resister was Dr. Martin Luther King. In his Letter from Birmingham Jail (no coincidence) he quoted St. Augustine: “An unjust law is no law at all.”
I abhor the possibility that America faces religious persecution. But I see hope. We are blessed with extraordinary bishops and priests who are firm in their faith. Young people are seeking Truth and are unafraid to share their belief. Eucharistic adoration is at an all-time high.
We can overcome these attacks on Christianity. Our Church has endured much, much worse. There are no Knights of Columbus in China, but there are in Mexico. I hope to live by their example.
Brother Knights, stand up for Catholic teaching. Support our priests and bishops. Don’t stand idly by as our religious liberties are attacked. Live your faith by redoubling your service to parish, school, and community. Volunteer. Make those phone calls when your pastor asks. Pray. Continue writing your Congressmen. Seek out young men who will join us in our cause. And in the words of Winston Churchill, “Never, never, never give up.”
[special thanks to Very Rev. Francis Kittock for the homily that inspired these words]
Plant A Seed
The early Spring has accelerated our rush to play in the dirt. Most of my neighbors were outside this weekend raking leaves, picking up sticks, and planting bulbs. We’re eager to get things growing again.
It’s not coincidental that Easter falls in springtime. This season of Resurrection and renewal is a time of excitement.
Now is also a great time to plant seeds of faith. When was the last time you walked up to a new person at church or school and struck up a conversation?
I say this as encouragement to identify men who might be good candidates for membership, or ladies who might become new Auxilians. Our council is always in need of new blood, new Knights and Ladies.
I hope you didn’t miss our annual vocations dinner. We set a new attendance and financial record. Many of our pastors put in appearances to encourage the seminarians as well.
Next month is our Tootsie Roll Drive, a great family activity. We need lots of volunteers. It’s fun for kids too. As summer approaches, we start planning for the Firemen’s Softball Tournament. New members, these are great ways to meet people. If you haven’t already been asked to help, drop me a line and I’ll connect you with one of our team captains.
Our marketing team has been hard at work on this website. Soon we’ll add members-only content, like a directory of Knight-owned businesses. If you’re not able to attend our activities in person, you can at least see pictures and cast votes.
Please spring into action and participate in a council event or activity.
Chancellor’s March Message
I encounter a common theme when explaining the Knights of Columbus to folks unfamiliar with our Order. “Oh, you old guys are still around?”
YES, we’re still around. We’re growing. And we’re getting younger.
The Knights of Columbus are the only fraternal organization that’s growing. Of our Order’s 2 million members, the average age is 31. Many of our council’s members are under age 40.
But the gray-haired guys win all the attention. They earn it! Our weekday volunteer activities include VEAP, Bridging, Feed My Starving Children, Loaves & Fishes, Round Table construction projects, vigils at Planned Parenthood, building maintenance and banquet servers, NET Ministries, Poor Clare monastery and Meals on Wheels. They are staffed exclusively by retirees. Our 30-something members give time after work and on weekends.
We’re lucky to have such an able corps of volunteers. In 2011 our members donated over 15,000 hours of service to council, church and community. We could use more.
Please consider giving another hour each month. Include your family and neighbors — after all, we are a family organization. All of our ministries welcome new helpers. My daughter and her friends had fun helping at the Children’s Christmas Party, the Tootsie Roll drive, pancake breakfasts, movie night, family game day, and much more.
If you haven’t participated in one of our activities for awhile, or would like to get more involved, drop me a line. You’ll meet fabulous people and have a great time.
One of our upcoming events is the annual vocations dinner Saturday, March 3 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Don’t miss this – it’s your chance to meet over 150 future priests and see that the future of the Church is in good hands.
Also, we will welcome new members at a ceremony Thursday, March 8 at 6:30 pm. If you know a Catholic man who’s worthy of Knighthood, let me know.
Chancellor’s Corner
“And with your spirit.” I still trip over the new words at Mass. Less, though, than the twice-a-year Catholics near whom I stood Christmas Eve. By Communion, I realized they weren’t even trying. Change is constant, and we must keep up or be left behind. Witness my own inability to abbreviate. I can’t condense this message to a tweet. Adapting is hard. So the Mass changes create disunity. Some Catholics will stop participating (you know, guys who scowl mutely through Mass with their arms crossed). Others will stop going entirely. What a shame. The Mass brings us together. Unity -oneness- is a mark of our faith. Not coincidentally, it is also a principle of our Order.
In Father McGivney’s day, Catholic family life was under attack. He united men against discrimination. We too face ridicule for our beliefs. The media distort Church teaching as divisive and hateful, the opposite of Christ’s message of unidad y amor. Secularist churches (a howling non-sequitur) propagate an ‘if you don’t like it, don’t believe it’ catechesis. As Knights, we must support our priests (don’t miss our vocations dinner) in their role as moral authority. Let’s unite to change the debate, and defend Catholic family life. One of the best ways to ‘act out’ your faith is to volunteer. You might have a chance to introduce someone to the Knights or Auxiliary. We can recruit helpers through our Facebook and Twitter feeds. Hopefully one of your New Year’s resolutions is to become more involved. All our ministries welcome new members. Visit our website for a calendar of happenings, and check out something new. See you at the hall!
Michael Gigot
Chancellor
