State Deputies Meet in Orlando

Christmas is one of the mostjoyous times of the year, espe-cially for children.

Unfortunately, there are many chil-dren in need who can’t enjoy theChristmas season. Your council,along with every council in ourOrder, is urged to conduct programsto aid them as part of the Knights ofColumbus “Help a Child in Need”initiative. Through this initiativecouncils undertake a variety of activi-ties to help disadvantaged youths.Look at the needs in your communityand come up with a program to helpmeet them. For instance, the councilthat won this year’s InternationalService Program “Family” category

NEWS FOR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LEADERSwww.kofc.org

KnightLineDECEMBER 2009 VOL. 26 • NO. 12

Volunteerism, charity and membership growth werethe major items on the agenda as state deputiesfrom around the world gathered, Nov. 20-22, in

Orlando, Fla., for their midyear meeting. Supreme KnightCarl A. Anderson commended Knights in the Philippinesfor their “outstanding volunteer work” in the wake ofTropical Storm Ketsana, and thanked Knights throughoutthe Order for donating more than $150,000 for reliefefforts there (see related story, Page 3).

See ‘CHILDREN’ Page 2

See ‘MIDYEAR’ Page 2

This clay crèche is from Peru, on loan fromthe collection of the Rev. Timothy Goldrick.

If you like what you see in this issue of Knightline and Program Supplement then check out the online versions for even more. Theonline versions include color photographs and active links that will allow you to quickly access much more information related tothe subject matter of the articles. To access other newsletters and an archive of past issues, visit www.kofc.org/newsletters. Alsouse this link to access online versions of Chaplain’s Report, Squires Newsletter and other publications.

Knights of Columbus Museum Showcases LatinoChristmas Tradition with Nativity Scenes The Knights of Columbus Museum is presenting A Latino Christmas: Nativities of LatinAmerica, a showcase of authentic, ethnic Nativity scenes that reflects varied and vibrantcultural celebrations of Christmas. Now in its fifth consecutive year, this year’s show,which runs through Jan. 31, 2010, displays Nativities from throughout Latin America andthe Southwestern United States. The exhibition features more than 120 crèches from 16Latin countries (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, DominicanRepublic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru andVenezuela), plus four southwestern states from the U.S. (Arizona,Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas) and Puerto Rico.

Check Out the Online Version!

Remember a Child in Need This Christmas

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addresses state deputies at theirmidyear meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Also from Peru, this clay crèche (on loanfrom the collection of the Rev. Charles DesRuisseaux) is featured in the exhibition, A

Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America.

provided Christmas baskets to families in need(See page one of Program Supplement for moredetails). Other councils collect Christmas presentsfor children who would otherwise go without gifts;

supply meals to orphanages or sheltersfor mothers and their children; whilestill others collect funds to benefitfoster child programs. Start now to

conduct programs to benefit chil-dren in need during the

Christmas season and continuethese initiatives throughout

the year. If you’re look-ing for ideas on

activities, visitwww.kofc.org/

helpachild for alisting ofchild-relat-ed servicesin yourjurisdic-tion.

The Gift of MobilityThe Maryland and District of Columbia State

Councils, and the American Wheelchair Mission(a division of the Global Wheelchair Mission) cel-ebrated Veterans Day by distributing 110 wheel-chairs to veterans at the Order’s Washington D.C.VA Medical Center. For more information aboutthe Order’s involvement with the GlobalWheelchair Mission visit www.kofc.org/wheelchair.

CHILDREN, continued from Page 1Father’s FirstChristmasIn a special Christmasfeature, the Knightsof Columbus Fathersfor Good Web site willhighlight the experi-ences of men whorecently welcomed anewborn and will becelebrating their firstChristmas as a dad.Other important topics on the siteinclude a “Rate YourMarriage” sectionbased on the recentMarriage Index find-ings, and a feature onthe dangers of theInternet called “MenAre Stronger thanPorn.” Log on toFathers for Goodtoday: www.fathersforgood.org.

Coats for Kids Kicks OffKnights from the Pittsburgh area

distributed 300 coats to children in needat Sacred Heart Elementary School onNov. 21. The distribution is part of theOrder’s Coats for Kids program, whichdebuted last year as an outgrowth of theHelp a Child in Need campaign.Approximately 10,000 coats will be distributed in more than 20 select cities during the next several months.

Supreme Knight AddressesSocial Responsibilities andProfessional EthicsAt a gathering of business leaders and pro-fessionals at Fairfield University, SupremeKnight Carl A. Anderson addressed therecent social encyclical by Pope BenedictXVI, Caritas in Veritate, and its relevancefor attendees and their companies. To readthe full text of the Supreme Knight’sspeech, visit www.kofc.org. The Nov. 8,event was cosponsored by FairfieldUniversity’s Center for Faith and Public Lifeand the Fairfield County Chapter ofCentesimus Annus Pro Pontifice. Precedingthe presentation, Supreme ChaplainBishop William E. Lori celebrated a Massfor the participants in Fairfield University’sEgan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Motherof the Civilization of Love

The new book bySupreme KnightCarl A. Andersonand Msgr. EduardoChávez is theselection for theDecemberSupreme Knight’sBook Club discus-

sion. The book traces the history of OurLady of Guadalupe from the 16th century tothe present and discusses how her mes-sage continues to speak to contemporaryissues. For details on the discussion dateand time, and to join in and submit yourquestions online, visit www.kofc.org. Tobecome an official member of the bookclub and automatically receive the featuredselection each month for a discountedprice, or to view archived discussions ofprevious book club selections, visitwww.kofc.org/bookclub.

“Although our name is the Knightsof Columbus,” Anderson said, “formany thousands of people, whetherit’s after 9/11, or in the Gulf Coastafter Katrina, or in the Philippines orMexico after extensive flooding, K ofC often stands for ‘Knights ofCharity,’ and I think that’s somethingthat we can be very proud of.”

Supreme Chaplain BishopWilliam E. Lori asked the statedeputies to enhance the spiritual sideof K of C activities, and workshopsfocused heavily on membershipgrowth, inviting state leaders to“think outside the box” when itcomes to recruitment.

MIDYEAR, continued from Page 1

John R. Cahill, deputy grand knight of Council 9542 at the Catholic University of America, right, and Charles H. Gallina, the Order’s assistant for military affairs, chat with Leon Anderson, a veteran.

America’s Church Celebrates50th Anniversary Knights from the District of Columbia andsurrounding areas took part in the 50thanniversary celebration of the dedication ofthe Basilica of the National Shrine of theImmaculate Conception. The Knights of

Columbushas had aclose rela-tionship withthe NationalShrine —from the daythe corner-stone waslaid in 1920to the fund-ing of theKnightsTower, its carillon andbells and themagnificentKnights ofColumbus

Incarnation Dome. Additionally, theKnights of Columbus usher ministry hasserved the Shrine on Sundays, Holy Daysand during Pilgrimages ever since 1982,and the funds the Order has provided formore than a quarter of a century continuesto enable EWTN television to broadcastfrom the Shrine to viewers all acrossAmerica and throughout the world. TheKnights of Columbus’ legacy of service anddevotion to Our Lady and her NationalShrine in Washington is an integral part ofthe Order’s history of support to theCatholic Church for more than 127 years.

Philippines Typhoon Relief Knights from throughout the Order continueproviding support to relief efforts forFilipino victims of Tropical Storm Ketsana.As of Nov. 17, more than $120,000 had beendonated by state and local councils andindividuals in the U.S. and Canada, alongwith $50,000 from the Surpeme Council.Kansas, donated $5,725, while Illinois andColorado gave $5,000; Florida donated$4,000; and Washington state provided$3,000; Arkansas, Idaho, New Jersey,Pennsylvania and Virginia each had donat-ed $2,000; Newfoundland and Labradordonated $1,500 (Canadian); Iowa, Alabama,Massachusetts, Texas and British Columbia(Canadian) had donated $1,000 each; andDelaware, Missouri, Tennessee and WestVirginia donated smaller amounts. You canstill contribute, by check only, madepayable to: Knights of Columbus Charities,Inc. Specify “Philippines” on the checkmemo line, and mail to: Knights ofColumbus Charities, 1 Columbus Plaza, POBox 1966, New Haven, CT 06509-1966. Forupdates, visit www.kofc.org/news.

Award Honors Nearly 90Years of Knights of ColumbusWork and Service in RomeIn honor ofnearly 90years ofservice bythe Knights of Columbus in Rome,SupremeKnight Carl A. Andersonreceived the “LupaCapitolina”award from Rome’s mayor, GiovanniAlemanno, on Oct. 28. “I am honored to receive this award fromthe City of Rome for the great work theKnights of Columbus have done there fornearly a century,” said Anderson. “As boththe ‘Eternal City’ and the center of theCatholic Church, Rome has a special placein the hearts of the Knights of Columbus,and we look forward to another 90 years ofservice in this great city.”The Knights have been active in Romesince 1920, when a delegation of Knightsled by the then-Supreme Knight JamesFlaherty met with Pope Benedict XV. ThePontiff encouraged the Knights to expandtheir work in Rome. Later that decade, the Knights opened sev-eral recreational youth facilities of Rome.An additional facility was opened in the1950s. Today, the Knights continue to operatethese facilities, which are used by theyoung residents of Rome. In 1965, thegrounds of one of the facilities was donated by the Order for the constructionof the Paul VI Audience Hall, where thepope regularly receives pilgrims visitingthe Eternal City.

For Catholic News Online, Visit www.headlinebistro.comHeadline Bistro serves up a quick digest of daily news of interest to Catholics in an easy-to-navigate Web site. Whether it relates to world affairs, politics or news specifically about theCatholic Church, you’ll find links to the original sources here. You’ll also find video clips,detailed state-by-state information about voting and public policy, and recommended books.

Concert Honors Supreme ChaplainSupreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport,received the first John Swanhaus Award during the sec-ond annual “The Time is Now” concert to benefit MaltaHouse (a home for single mothers and their children)and Catholic Charities’ Room to Grow Early ChildhoodCenter. The Knights of Columbus was the lead sponsorfor the event. Swanhaus, a former executive of PepsiCo,was dedicated to helping the sick and poor through the

Order of Malta, and was involved with Malta House since its inception. “Malta House andRoom to Grow truly are works of love in our midst,” said Bishop Lori. Pictured, from left:Betsy Swanhaus, widow of John Swanhaus; Bishop Lori; and John Altieri, Chair of the MaltaHouse Board. (Photo by Rich Cariello)

Villa Maria Celebrates Fifth AnniversaryThe Knights of Columbus and the Sisters of Life recently cele-brated the fifth anniversary of the dedication of Villa Maria

Guadalupe, an international pro-life retreat cen-ter. In addition to a votive Mass to Our Ladyof Guadalupe, a new stained-glass windowof the Virgin of Tepeyac was unveiled andblessed. Located in Stamford, Conn., VillaMaria Guadalupe is a collaborative effort of the Knights of Columbus andthe Sisters of Life. Dedicated Oct. 20, 2004, Villa Maria Guadalupe hostsretreats and events in an effort to build and foster a Culture of Life. Its mis-sion is to be a place of healing, hope and renewal for all who seek to knowand live the Gospel of Life.

Pictured: Edwin Rambusch and Sister Gemma Marie, S.V., discuss the newwindow, “Santa Maria Guadalupe” following the blessing ceremony.Rambusch Decorating Company was commissioned by the Knights ofColumbus to craft and install the window.

BY THOMAS P. SMITH JR.EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT(AGENCIES AND MARKETING)

Those of us in the marketingand agency area of theSupreme Council office wish

you and yours a happy, healthyChristmas season and all the best in2010. Here’s hoping that your mem-bership in the Knights continues tobring you countless blessings.

Speaking of the new year, willyou take part in the ritual of prepar-ing a set of resolutions for yourself?It’s traditional that many peoplespend this time of year looking atthemselves, identifying their flaws

and resolving to improve these trou-blesome areas.

It may be that you consider your-self overweight; or that you don’tspend enough time in the gym; orthat you haven’t read as many booksas you would like. January is usuallythe time when you endeavor tochange all of things that you may notlike about yourself.

Allow me to recommend onemore area that would benefit fromsuch a review: your financial future.

Are you ready for retirement?Will you have enough money to liveon? Are you protected from the finan-cial disaster that a long-term illnesscan bring? If you were suddenly orunexpectedly out of the picture,could your family survive? Have youadequately prepared for your wife’sfuture? Your children’s?

The one thing we can neverchange is the relentless march oftime. Consider that this season — inaddition to a time of celebration andreflection on 2009 — marks anotheryear gone… and you’re another yearolder. If you have been putting off adiscussion with a qualified adviserabout your finances, I recommendyou add that to the top of your list ofresolutions.

Your professional Knights ofColumbus agent can help and anappointment with him will be timewell-spent. We know you’re busy andwon’t waste your time. Accomplishyour first resolution of 2010. Contactyour agent today.

To identify your professionalKnights of Columbus agent, visit“Find an Agent” at www.kofc.org.And have a Happy New Year!

Resolve to Plan Your Financial Future in 2010

KnightLine1 Columbus Plaza New Haven CT 06510-3326

PUBLISHED 12 TIMES A YEAR BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPREME COUNCIL1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 l 203-752-4264 l knightline@kofc.org