Ministry Spotlight: Knights of Columbus

10-08-2017Weekly ReflectionJames McGrath, PFN, PGK

Corpus Christi Council 10062

The Knights of Council 10062 have long acknowledged that their successful operation as one of the leading Councils in Arizona is due in large part to the overwhelming support of our pastors and parishioners. The practice of the Order’s first principle, Charity, would not be possible without the loyal patronage and unending collaboration of the Corpus Christi Catholic Community. We are immensely appreciative of the continuous support provided by our parishioners.

The generosity of Corpus Christi Parishioners in support of Knights’ Charities has had an enormous impact on our community. One example is the PWID Campaign (Persons with Intellectual Disabilities), was the first fundraiser event our Council undertook after it was founded. The iconic yellow cans, aprons and nationally recognized Tootsie Roll candy have since become an annual event.

Since that eventful first year, Corpus Christi Knights have supported additional charity events. The Knights’ Kids Program is an annual pre-Christmas event, in which fifty underprivileged youngsters from Frank Elementary School in Guadalupe, are treated to a personal shopping spree at the Ray Road J.C. Penney store. Typically, each child receives nearly $125.00 in clothing, plus a visit with Santa and nominal presents. There would be no such Christmas for these kids without generous donations and support from our parishioners, the general public, and the In-Country Vietnam Vets. Our goal is to improve the quality of life.

Other Knights’ events, like the Pancake Breakfasts and The Texas Hold’em Poker Night raise money for the support of our parish’s seminarians. We provide each seminarian from our parish with $200.00 a month to help with his expenses. Also, in 2017, we have approved a monthly stipend to support the college missionary work of Kylie Armstrong and her worthy work of evangelization.

Our Annual Drawing to Support Local Charities typically raises over $10,000.00 for our St. Vincent De Paul Corpus Christi Conference. These funds support the service and dedication of St. Vincent De Paul, whose work is vital to many citizens of the Corpus Christi and Ahwatukee communities.

The Special Events Drivers Program involves distributing the new vehicles used by players and officials at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Donations from the Phoenix Thunderbirds for our services results in our contributions to worthy charities like Maggie’s Place and The 100 Club of Arizona.

Most of our high volume fundraising is channeled through our 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Charity. It permits eligible donations and sponsorships, such as for the annual Joe Hasulak Golf Tournament, to be tax deductible.

Our discretionary funds are used to provide Children’s Bibles, given to each child baptized in our parish. Corpus Christi Knights also volunteer for the Special Olympics, sponsor an annual scholarship fund,  Soccer and Free Throw contests for our parish youth. We are sponsors of the Blood Drives, and we help the Miles Jesu community by picking and packaging their citrus crop. 

The Knights of Columbus, Corpus Christi Council 10062, is the product of a Parish Convocation, called by our parish’s founding pastor, Reverend L. A. Sigman, in 1989. Father Sigman, of course, became a Charter Member and served as our first Chaplain until he retired.

Accepting officer roles for the Council’s first fraternal year were Father L. A. Sigman, Kurt Wagner, Jim McGrath, Michael Durham, John Bender, James Borcsani, John Rajczyk, Manual Lerma, Keith Dompier, Joel Galles, John Heuer, Frank Chatnuck, Joe Hasulak and Ed Koleski. From this founding group, Wagner, McGrath, Durham, and Dompier each served a term as Grand Knight.

Founding History

Late-19th century Connecticut was marked by the growing prevalence of fraternal benefit societies, hostile toward Catholics, especially immigrants. (Similar to the situation portrayed in the 2002 movie, The Gangs of New York.) Plus, abundantly dangerous working conditions in factories left many families fatherless. Recognizing a vital, practical need in his community, Father Michael J. McGivney, of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., gathered a group of men at his parish in 1881. He proposed a lay organization, the goal of which would be to unite Catholic men and to provide for the families of deceased members.

The parish priest established the Knights of Columbus, and with it, a “pass-the-hat” insurance system to protect the Catholic families in his congregation. Over time, that system has evolved, and today we stay true to our founding mission through our multi-billion dollar, top-rated insurance program. Members have exclusive access to our voluntary insurance program and products, including life insurance, retirement annuities, long-term care insurance, and disability income insurance.

In addition to these benefits, Catholic men were drawn to the Knights because of its emphasis on serving our Church, community, and family.

Our Founder — A Model of Pope Francis’ Message

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori, in March 2017,  said, “Father McGivney implanted a culture of encounter in the Knights of Columbus with the Gospel principles of unity and fraternity. I think these two principles of our Order come very close to what Pope Francis means by a ‘culture of encounter’ – a deep meeting of minds and hearts. This is what Pope Francis means when he encourages us to encounter Jesus – not merely to know about Jesus but to allow the heart of Christ to speak to our hearts and draw us into real intimacy with him and his heavenly Father.”

These Gospel principles are a part of the tradition of evangelization espoused by the Knights of Columbus. We are, in the words of Pope Francis, “missionary disciples,” men who love the Lord so deeply that we are compelled to bear witness to the Gospel.

“Two other words used by Pope Francis are charity and mercy. He urges us to reach out to the poor and needy in both word and action.”

Since our founding in 1989, Corpus Christi Council 10062 has a consistent record of “reaching out to the poor and needy.” Thus, we are fulfilling commands of the Gospel as Jesus would have us do.

In addition to the spiritual and corporal works that Council 10062 perform, it is noteworthy to consider the spiritual growth of the men called Knights experience individually and collectively. We pray together, work together, engage in spiritual retreats together; we bond and become friends. More than one man has experienced the deep kinship that blooms and matures among active Knights who spend so much quality time together. We are the only organization of laymen in the world with so many “brothers.”

Who Else Does What We Do?

The Order of the Knights of Columbus has assisted the thousands of victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma through donations, with food and shelter and other immediate relief as well as helping with the cleanup of the aftermath.

Our Order will raise and donate $2 million to salvage and resettle Karamdes, a predominately Christian town on the Nineveh Plan which was destroyed by ISIS. Our action will move hundreds of Christian families back to homes from which ISIS evicted them

We help our parish and community, but we also help our brothers and sisters around the world.

It Is YOUR Time To Encounter Jesus!

Catholic men, eighteen years of age or better, who practice their Faith, by keeping the Ten Commandments and the Precepts of the Church are encouraged to join the most dynamic, active and well-organized Council in Arizona.

Accept our invitation to become a Knight; become one of the men who make a difference in the quality of life of our parish, our community, our world!

Knights of Columbus Corpus Christi Council 10062 gather with Father Joe Schwab at their 2016 Spiritual Retreat at the Franciscan Renewal Center.