CHAPLAIN’S reportL E A R N I N G T H E F A I T H , L I V I N G T H E F A I T H � 1 C O L U M B U S P L A Z A N E W H A V E N , C T 0 6 5 1 0 - 3 3 2 6 U S A

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 0 � V O L U M E 3 � N U M B E R 1 � W W W . K O F C . O R G / C H A P L A I N S

W e have reached our third year of the Chaplains Report. I be-lieve it is very much in keeping that a special word of grati-

tude be extended to our Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori.As bishop of the Bridgeport Diocese, you can imagine the volume of

work entailed as pastorto his flock. As well asthat, he is very much in-volved in commissionsfor the Conference ofCatholic Bishops. Yet hefinds time to participatein many aspects of our

Order, and also write his inspiring and very readable monthly columnthat helps all our chaplains and K of C members to be involved infaith formation. Bishop Lori — on behalf of all the chaplains of theKnights of Columbus — thank you for your leadership and dedica-tion, and may the Lord guard you, direct you and grant you everyblessing during this new year of 2010.During a chaplains meeting in Phoenix last August, it was discussed

that we arrange district meetings of chaplains. As a result, we held ameeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the end of October 2009. StateChaplain Msgr. Mitrad Michael Buyachock, in conjunction with the

state officers, organized this gathering of the jurisdiction’s chaplains.This was an ideal situation for me, and it turned out to be very specialindeed as 38 chaplains arrived for the meeting. Some came from agood distance and all came ready to participate. State Deputy Guy M.Précourt and two state officers were present throughout. The gathering included presentations by the state deputy, the state

chaplain and myself. A PowerPoint presentation was given by a stateofficer on the organization of the Supreme Council and the state of-fices. Participants were then invited to share their thoughts, and be-lieve me, they were not shy to offer observations, ask questions, raiseobjections, or just have their say. Some questions were answered, fearsallayed and suggestions noted. At the end of the meeting, taking into account all of the ideas of-

fered and issues raised, State Deputy Précourt announced that hewould write to all grand knights requesting that time be allotted ateach council’s general meeting for a prepared input on faith formation.Some had already been doing so, using Bishop Lori’s monthly columnas a guide. This was music to my ears!Following the meeting, we all gathered for a concelebrated Mass in

the Ukrainian Rite. The main celebrant was Archbishop-MetropolitanEmeritus, Most Rev. Michael Bzdel, C.S.S.R, who is the honorary

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In Service to One. In Service to Al l .

THIS MONTH’S TOPIC FOR THE CHAPLAIN’S REPORT (Based on the Compendium of the Catchism of the Catholic Church)SUBJECT: Baptism and Confirmation ......................................................................COMPENDIUM QUESTIONS: 250-271

Manitoba Leads the Way

Father John P.Grace, O.S.A.Director of Chaplain Programs & Development

STATEWIDE CHAPLAINS MEETING

SEE MANITOBA, PAGE 3

C elebrating the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (this year onJan. 10) reminds us that, in the course of his public ministry,

the Lord gave the Church her sacramental life. When asked how we

become members of theChurch, most of usrightly answer, “baptism.”Yet, our answer would notbe complete if we omittedthe other two sacramentsof initiation. We are

“born anew in baptism, strengthened in confirmation, and nour-ished by the Eucharist” (Compendium, 251).

BAPTIZED INTO CHRISTThe word “baptize” means to immerse in water. Whether baptism

is carried out through immersion or, more commonly, through thepouring of water, the effect is the same: The newly baptized personis immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ. In baptism, wereceive an initial sharing of the Holy Spirit and the theologicalvirtues of faith, hope and charity (252).In God’s plan of salvation, events such as Noah’s building of the

ark and the miraculous passage of the chosen people through theRed Sea, were like a “forecast” or a “prefiguring” of baptism. Thestory of Noah shows how water is both a source of death and of life,just as in baptism sin and death are “drowned” even as a new life ofgrace is engendered. In passing through the Red Sea, Israel was freedfrom slavery to Egypt. So, too, when we pass through the waters ofbaptism we are freed from the slavery of sin. In crossing the Jordan,Israel inherited the Promised Land, an image of the eternal life thattakes root in us (253). All of this was fulfilled in Christ.To echo the thought of St. Leo the Great, Christ’s passage from

death to life passed over into baptism. Accordingly, the risen Christsent the Apostles out to preach the Gospel and to baptize them inthe name of the Trinity from the day of Pentecost onward (254-255).Who, then, can be baptized? The short answer is, “anyone not yet

baptized” (257). This includes infants, who are born with originalsin (see 75-78). Through baptism they are freed from the power of

Satan and become children of God. When infants are baptized,their parents make a profession of faith for them. After attaining theuse of reason, the baptized child makes his or her own profession offaith. The godparents and the whole Church, however, share in theresponsibility of attracting people to the faith, helping them to pre-pare for baptism (in the catechumenate) and to grow in the new lifeof faith and grace (258-259).

BORN ANEW & STRENGTHENED IN FAITH

DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONSWHAT ARE THE SACRAMENTS of Christian initiation, and which of them can be received only once? (See Compendium, 251)IN BAPTISM, WHAT DOES WATER effect and symbolize? What are some of the ways that baptism was foreshadowed in salvation history? (See Compendium, 252-255)

WHY DOES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH promote the baptism of infants, whereas many Protestant communities wait until much later to administer the sacrament? How does baptism relate to the profession of faith? (See Compendium, 75-78, 257-259 and 261-262)

WHAT DO THE WORDS “confirmation” and “chrismation” describe in regard to the second sacrament of initiation? (See Compendium, 271)NAME THE SEVEN GIFTS of the Holy Spirit, which are deepened in the sacrament of confirmation. (See Compendium, 268)

Visit www.kofc.org/chaplains to sign up to receive future issues of this newsletter via e-mail. Previous issues are also archived at this site.

Bishop William E. LoriSupreme Chaplain

SEE CONFIRMED, PAGE 4

The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation Allow Us to Share in the Life of the Trinity

Who can be baptized?“Anyone notyet baptized.”This includesinfants, whoare born withoriginal sin.

state chaplain. All was so new to me and itwas a very great privilege to participate in thisspecial experience.To conclude the day, the state officers

hosted a banquet in the hall for all the chap-lains in celebration of the “Year for Priests”initiative, and gave each one a special certifi-cate to mark the occasion.What a memorable event, and so fitting to

mark this special year dedicated to priests.

Thank you, Manitoba, for setting such agreat example for other jurisdictions. Maybeother states would like to accept the chal-lenge to host a similar event for the chap-lains. I know that jurisdictions have much inplace for different organizational meetings.What do you have in place for chaplainsmeetings?Don’t you think it would be a favorable

step forward to have statewide special meet-ings for your chaplains, at least once a year

(perhaps right at the start of the new year)? May this new year be one of great spiritual

strength and vision for all who have responsi-bility for, and the spiritual care of, others atthis critical time. God bless and keep you all.

REV. JOHN P. GRACE, O.S.A.DIRECTOR OF CHAPLAIN PROGRAMSAND DEVELOPMENTJOHN.GRACE@KOFC.ORG(203) 752-4263

CIS BOOKLET: Baptism and Confirmation

Baptism and Confirmation weresacraments we received as children.What did they do for us? Do youknow how important they are?Sometimes Catholics are criticizedfor baptizing infants — find outwhy the Church encourages thispractice. Produced by the Order’sCatholic Information Service(CIS), this booklet is part of theLuke E. Hart Series based on theCatechism of the Catholic Church.To get your free copy or listen to itin MP3 format, visit the CIS Website, www.kofc.org/hart. (Alsoavailable inFrench and Spanish.)Request a copy by writing: CIS,PO Box 1971, New Haven, CT06521-1971.

THE SUPREME KNIGHT’S BOOK CLUB DISCUSSES: Marriage: The Mystery of Faithful Love Join Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and Alice von Hildebrand, wife of the late author

Dietrich von Hildebrand, online for a discussion of his book, Marriage: The Mystery of FaithfulLove (Sophia Institute Press). Dietrich von Hildebrand is considered one of the most influential Catholic intellectuals of the 20th century, and Pope Benedict XVI, like Pope JohnPaul II before him, has expressed great esteem for his work. Submit your questions online atwww.kofc.org and take part in the discussion. Visit www.kofc.org for details on discussiondates and times. Archived book club discussions can be found at www.kofc.org/bookclub.

MANITOBA, FROM PAGE ONE

A t a panel discussion hosted by Vaticanspokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, the

Italian language version of Supreme KnightCarl A. Anderson’s best-selling book A Civilization of Love (Una Civiltả Dell’Amore)was officially released in Rome on Dec. 9. In a note sent through Vatican Secretary of

State Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVIcalled the book “a providential editorial initia-tive.” The full text of Cardinal Bertone’s mes-sage read:“On the occasion of the presentation of thebook A Civilization of Love by Carl Ander-son, Supreme Knight of the Knights ofColumbus, The Supreme Pontiff directs hisauspicious well wishes and hopes that thisprovidential editorial initiative arouses a re-newed fidelity in Christ and a generous evan-gelical witness. The Pope willingly imparts toall present at this significant occasion his im-plored apostolic blessings. I send his personalgreetings and good wishes.”Anderson wrote the book “as part of a dis-

cussion that has been going on in the CatholicChurch for more than 40 years.” The SecondVatican Council, he notes, “challenged cultureson a global basis by a set of values inspired by itsunderstanding of each person’s true vocation.”Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI havecalled for an effort to combat the 21st century’sculture of death by working together to build acivilization of love. Anderson’s book explores“the implications of this call,” which is not lim-

ited to Catholics. “While I believe the buildingof a civilization of love is the responsibility ofevery Christian, all Christians must work to re-alize this vision in such a way that Jews, Mus-lims and others were welcome to participate,”Anderson states in the book’s introduction.The English language edition of A Civiliza-

tion of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do toTransform the World remains available in bothhard cover and paperback editions.

Pope: Supreme Knight’s Book ProvidentialVatican Publishing House issues Italian language edition of A Civilization of Love

On Dec. 10, 2009, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVImet privately with Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson,accompanied by Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E.Lori of Bridgeport. During the course of their meeting,the Supreme Knight presented the Holy Father with acheck for $1.6 million, representing the earnings fromthe Order’s Vicarius Christi Fund, the annual proceedsfrom which are given for the Holy Father’s personal char-ities and causes.

Normally, in the Latin Church, the bishop, priest or deacon admin-isters the sacrament of baptism. In case of necessity, anyone can do so,provided that he or she has the intention of “doing what the Churchdoes” and employs the correct form of the sacrament (260). Such lati-tude regarding the minister of baptism is due to its importance. Thewords of the Compendium are instructive: “Baptism is necessary forsalvation for all those to whom the Gospel hasbeen proclaimed and who have had the possibilityof asking for the sacrament” (261). In the strengthof Christ’s salvific will, however, others are savedwithout ordinary baptism, including those whodie for the faith (baptism of blood); those whowish for the sacrament but cannot receive it; orthose who, moved by grace, sincerely seek God(baptism of desire). Children who die withoutbaptism are also entrusted to the mercy of God (262).We should be grateful for the gift of our bap-

tism, particularly when we reflect on its effects. Itnot only removes original sin, but also takes awayany sins committed prior to baptism. Through thesacrament, we share in the life of the Trinity. Thisis called “sanctifying grace,” and it joins us to Christ and makes us amember of his Body, the Church. Baptism also gives us a share inChrist’s priesthood. United to his self-offering and freed from sin, weare enabled to offer up every aspect of our lives to God.

CONFIRMED BY THE HOLY SPIRITThe second sacrament of initiation, given to those already baptized,

“is called confirmation because it confirms and strengthens baptismalgrace.” In the Eastern Churches it is called chrismation to describe theheart of the rite itself — anointing with holy oil or chrism, blessed bythe bishop on Holy Thursday (271). Like baptism, confirmation can

only be received once (269). In the West, the bishop normally admin-isters the sacrament, although he can delegate a priest to do so. In theEast, priests ordinarily confer chrismation immediately after baptism(270). This sacrament has deep roots in Scripture and tradition. The Old

Testament prophets were anointed by the Holy Spirit. Not only wasJesus conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, but he also lived his

entire life and conducted his whole ministry incomplete oneness with the Holy Spirit. At Pente-cost, the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles andenabled them to proclaim the teaching and savingdeeds of Christ with courage and power. TheApostles imparted the gift of the Holy Spirit tothe newly baptized by the laying on of hands.Bishops, who are successors to the Apostles, con-tinue to do so in the sacrament of confirmation(263).In a sense, confirmation enables the recipient to

share in the mystery of Pentecost. It brings abouta special outpouring of the Holy Spirit in whomwe are “sealed.” We are permanently marked outboth as followers of Christ and as full members ofthe Church. Through this sacrament, the gifts ofthe Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, right

judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe) aredeepened in us. Thus, we are now more able tobear witness to Christ (268). Initiation into the Church is completed

with the reception of Holy Communion,a topic to which I will dedicate my nextcolumn.

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CONFIRMED, FROM PAGE 2

In a sense, confirmation enablesthe recipient to sharein the mystery ofPentecost. It bringsabout a special outpouring of the

Holy Spirit in whomwe are “sealed.”

Encourage Knights to join the Father McGivney Guild at www.fathermcgivney.org