Category: Knights of Columbus

Knights of Columbus Council Coats for Kids Program

The Parish’s KofC Council has undertaken the responsibility to obtain winter coats for our children. The first step was to obtain and purchase winter coats for every child in our school. This was completed this past Sunday, December 8th when St. Nicholas gifted a coat to every child. The beautifully organized and choreographed event by the School Director Nataliia Dankevych was well attended and enjoyed by all.

The second step is to respond to a plea from the “Smile for Kids” Program. They have 477 orphan children in Ukraine who have lost one or both of their parents due to this unjust war. They are living in orphanages or with other family members like grandparents. The Council is collecting money to purchase the coats as well as organizing packing and shipping to Ukraine in time for Christmas. Any donations for this effort will be gratefully accepted.

Checks should be made out to: “KofC – Ukrainian Relief Fund”. Please give the checks to Father Iura, Myron Melnyk, Andy Bamber, or Chris Komondy. If you are mailing the checks, please mail them to St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Attn: Chris Komondy, 569 George Street, New Haven Ct. 06511. Any questions please feel free to call the Project Coordinator Chris Komondy @  860-759-2723.

KofC Chaplain Visits Poland and Ukraine

Archbishop William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore and the Chaplain met with Knights of Columbus, Church leaders and displaced families in Poland and Ukraine October 1-4. During the visit, he helped distribute aid to refugees from the war in Ukraine and witnessed ongoing humanitarian efforts aided by the Order’s Ukraine Solidarity Fund — including initiatives of the Greek- and Latin-rite Churches in Ukraine and an orphanage run by the Archdiocese of Częstochowa, Poland.

Carl Anderson receives Sheptytsky medal

On the feast of the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God and the 67th Dormition Pilgrimage in Sloatsburg, NY, the former Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, was awarded the order of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky by Patriarch Sviatoslav and the Synod of Bishops. Archbishop Boris and Bishop Paul bestowed the medal.

Until last year, Carl Anderson led the Knights of Columbus around the world for 20 years. He was worked very hard for the good of the Ukrainian Church.

The news and photo announcement of the event is here posted by the Patriarchal Curia.

Watch the video of the event that includes Anderson’s acceptance address.

Pope meets with KofC Board

On February 10, 2020, the Holy Father received in audience the Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, his wife and members of the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus on the occasion of their annual pilgrimage to Rome, and to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the Foundation.

As you know, our parish is very happy to have a KofC council at our parish named for the Venerable Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky. Our council is small but an extraordinary group of men who are serious about the Byzantine Catholic faith, service to the Church, fraternity and works of charity.

The following is the greeting the Pope addressed to those present:

Dear friends,

I offer you a warm welcome on the occasion of your pilgrimage to Rome in this year that marks the centennial of the charitable activity of the Knights of Columbus in this city.

In fact, it was one hundred years ago that my predecessor Pope Benedict XV invited the Knights of Columbus to provide humanitarian aid to young people and others in Rome following the terrible conflict of the First World War. The Knights responded generously, establishing sports centres for youth that quickly became places for education, catechesis and the distribution of food and other essentials so needed at that time. In this way, your Order proved faithful to the vision of your founder, Venerable Michael McGivney, who was inspired by the principles of Christian charity and fraternity to assist those most in need.

Today the Knights of Columbus continue their work of evangelical charity and fraternity in a variety of fields. I think in particular of your faithful witness to the sacredness and dignity of human life, evident at both the local and national levels. This conviction has also led the Knights of Columbus to aid, both materially and spiritually, those Christian communities in the Middle East that are suffering the effects of violence, war and poverty. I thank all the members of your Order for seeing in our persecuted and displaced brothers and sisters of that region neighbours for whom you are a sign of God’s infinite love.

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Changes in how new initiates become Knight

A recent story at CRUX online gives background. You’ll notice some parishioners of St Michael’s in the image. Carl Anderson, the head of the KofC makes some good points to attend to.
 
“Knights of Columbus unveils initiation ceremony that will be public”
 
After 142 years, the Knights of Columbus is pulling down a veil of secrecy that has surrounded its initiation ceremonies in an effort to better showcase the order’s core principles and its drive to help Catholic men become disciples.
 
The CRUX story is here.

Renewed parish kitchen

parish Kitchen DoneOur KofC Grand Knight Hank Lindgren sent this picture of the renewed parish kitchen with this note:
 
Great job by all the volunteers, almost 50% of the council helping out. Next we tackle our basement room project…
 
New Stove, Stainless steel rolling center island, two new SS tables, new utensils, new lighting and wiring, new floor, paint and more! Should be appreciated by all the kitchen help… Great Job done by all!