April 26th Social Meeting - Legion of Mary!! On Thursday April 26th at 7:30pm,Joseph Regan from the St. Raphael's Men Fellowship will discuss the Legion of Mary or-der and how it fits with the mission of the Knights. The Legion of MARY is the largest lay Catholic apostolate in the world. It's founder Frank Duff started the Legion on Sep-tember 7th 1921, the eve of THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY'S birthday. It was no coincidence that this date, which was NOT chosen, would become the beginnings of the most successful lay group of Catholics in the world today. The sole aim of the Legion is the glory of God through sanctification or holiness of it's members. Practically speaking the Legion of MARY objective is to crush the head of Satan with MARY by advancing the reign of Christ through prayer and active co-operation, under the ecclesiastical guidance of the Church. There are 2 forms of membership in The Legion Of Mary - active and auxiliary. Active members attend weekly meetings where prayer and the meeting allow the members to learn The Legion system and work together in the church and the com-munity to support the pastor and win souls to Christ through Mary' most powerful intercession. Works are of 3 types: 1) Conversion 2) Conservation and 3)Consolation. Auxiliary membership is considered the praying wing of The Legion Of Mary and are responsible for supporting the active members through daily prayer. Together both groups are formed after the Roman Legion in it's qualities of loyalty, courage, discipline, endurance and suc-cess, But NOT worldly success, heavenly success.

Brothers, I hope everyone had a good Easter and was able to spend some time in Church and with family. I was a RCIA convert some years ago and after being re-ceived into Church during the vigil mass some years ago, our family has made a point of going to the vigil mass every year since. I was glad to see sev-eral new Knights at the vigil mass for the first time, if you have not gone to one, please do as it is a beautiful mass. Don't forget our 30th year anniversary dinner is coming up on Sunday April 15. This year for a change of pace, we are having it at Normandie Farm, so you must RSVP in order to attend. We have to provide the restaurant with a count and entree selections two days in advance. The first weekend in May we are going to have a recruitment drive at each Mass as the Knights are sponsoring do-nuts that weekend. We need your help to recruit new members to the Council and all it takes is thirty minutes after Mass that weekend. If you can help please let me know!!!! If you have not remitted your annual dues, please do so immediately as we need these funds to operate the Council. Vivat Jesus! GK Michael Watson

GK’s Report

April 2018

Knights Of Columbus Mater Dei Council #9774 http://www.kofc9774.org

The Knights of Columbus and Sodality will host Helen Alvaré

WHEN: Tuesday, April 17th

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

WHERE: Trumpet Room – St. Raphael Catholic Church

All are welcome to hear Helen

speak on: Resurrecting the Family… for the good of all people and the restoration of Holy Families.

Helen Alvaré is a Professor of Law at Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, where she teaches Family Law, Law and Religion, and

April – May 2018 Schedule

Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening at Mater Dei Council over the next two months. Upcoming Events for also be found on the Council Web Site: http://www.kofc9774.org/activities/upcoming.htm

Date Time Day Event Location

April

14, 21, 28 6:30 AM Sat St Raphael Men Fellowship (SRMF) Trumpet Room

Apr 10 7:00 PM Tue Executive Committee Youth Center

Apr 12 7:30 PM Thu Business Meeting—Lite Snacks Duffy Center Rm 4 & 6

Apr 15 7:00 PM Sun Council 30th Anniversary Party Normandie Farm Restaurant Apr 17 7:00 PM Tue Helen Alvaré on Holy Families Trumpet Room

Apr 21 8:00 AM Sat Fellowship Breakfast with SRMF Normandie Farm Restaurant

Apr 26 7:30 PM Thu Social Meeting & Nominations Duffy Center Rm 4 & 6 May

May 1 Blue Mantle Publishes Nominations

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 6:40 PM Thu Rosary Sanctuary

5, 12, 19 6:30 AM Sat St Raphael Men Fellowship (SRMF) Trumpet Room May 5/6 After masses Sa/Sn Coffee & Donut Social / Recruitment Trumpet Room

May 8 7:00 PM Tue Executive Committee Youth Center May 10 7:30 PM Thu 1st Degree Ceremony / Business Meeting Parish Library May 17 7:30 PM Thu GAS Planning Meeting Duffy Center Rm 4 & 6 May 19 8:00 AM Sat Fellowship Breakfast with SRMF Normandie Farm Restaurant May 24 7:30 PM Thu Social Meeting with Fr. Charlie Duffy Center Rm 4 & 6

Property Law. She publishes on matters concerning marriage, parenting, non-marital households, and the First Amendment religion clauses. She is fac-ulty advisor to the law school’s Civil Rights Law Journal, and the Latino/a Law Student Association, a consultor for the Pontifical Council of the Laity (Vatican City), an advisor to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (Washington, D.C.), founder of Women Speak for Themselves, and an ABC news consultant. She cooperates with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations as a speaker and a delegate to various United Nations conferences concerning women and the family.

commitment. AND, it’s fun; just look at Allison and her Mom (at right). Maybe this is something you’d enjoy doing next year.

Basketball Free Throw Contest The Knights of Columbus, Mater Dei Council No. 9774 participated in the Maryland State competition, held at Archbishop Spaulding High School, 8080 New Cut Road, Severn, MD 21144, on Sunday, March 18th, 2018, from 12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM. Four winners from the Council contest, held at St. Raphael, participat-ed. These were, Victoria Colaianni, age 9, Alli-son Risch, age 10, Madeline Watson, age 11, and Santiago Bernstein, age 10. Grand Knight, Mike Watson participated as a hoop tender; and the entire Watson family was in attendance for the afternoon. Event chair-man, Andrew O’Lone set up the participation in the event, but was unable to attend due to a pri-or commitment. Over 100 students from St. Raphael, ages 9 to 14, participated in the 1st round shootouts (School & Parish) at the Church. To put this in perspective, the total contest participation, state-wide, was reported at 300 (+), of whom ninety

(90) participated in the State Shootout on the 18th of March. The numbers don’t tell the entire story. It’s the participation of the Knights, wit-ness our Grand Knight’s hoop-tending, that made this event, with approximately twenty (20) Knights manning the various stations. It was the contestants and their families and friends, devot-ing a Sunday afternoon to complete the circle of

The Watsons at the State Shootout, from left, GK Mike, Niko-las, Kate, our Champion, Madeline, and Mom, Karen.

Knights of Columbus Mater Dei Council #9774 COME CELEBRATE OUR 30th ANNIVERSARY!!!! Join us for dinner @ Normandie Farm on

Sunday April 15, 2018 at 7:00pm

Brother Knights and Spouses to celebrate 30 years as a Council, Normandie Farm restau-rant in Potomac will be hosting us with a three course dinner and cash bar. Please RSVP to the Grand Knight @ mawatson64@yahoo.com prior to the April 13th. Sorry no walk-ins al-lowed.

Details: $45 per person Entree choices: Cod Imperial or Chicken

Piccata or Vegetable Penne Pasta

Mater Dei Officers 2017-2018 CHAPLAIN Rev. David Wells 301-762-2143 dwells@straphaels.org GRAND KNIGHT Mike Watson 301-838-9287 mawatson64@yahoo.com DEPUTY GRAND KNIGHT Daniel Rueda Posada 434-996-7198 danielrueda@yahoo.com CHANCELLOR Antonio Dubravcic 240-888-8774 adubravcic@hotmail.com WARDEN Federico Sologuren 202-438-5071 federico@sologuren.org FINANCIAL SECRETARY John Frey 301-424-3386 kofcfrey@comcast.net LECTURER Rich Meyer 202-365-0913 rsmhome@verizon.net TREASURER Eric Gregrirch 240-778-9299 erickofc@verizon.net RECORDER David Kordel 240-753-5104 dbkst6@juno.com ADVOCATE Matthew Hoyle, PGK 301-943-8126 mwhoyle@yahoo.com INSIDE GUARD Henry Williams 301-279-9112 hwilliamslaw@aol.com OUTSIDE GUARD Damien Alexander 301-762-4173 dvalexander2@gmail.com BLUE MANTLE EDITOR Camille Ng 240-671-2949 cam1000@gmail.com 3 YEAR TRUSTEE Tom Baughan, PGK 240-461-6131 tom.baughan@monster.com 2 YEAR TRUSTEE Pat Degraba, PGK 301-279-2873 pdegraba@comcast.net 1 YEAR TRUSTEE John Hoyle, PGK 301-340-8556 mimipops.hoyle@gmail.com INSURANCE ADVISOR Andrew Pepito 202-744-1143 andrew.pepito@kofc.org DISTRICT DEPUTY Joe Stewart, PGK 301-675-4336 joe@stewart.cc DISTRICT WARDEN Bill Newbrough, PGK 202-862-2264 william.newbrough@cwt.com

BIRTHDAYS In April Brother Day John F. Thomas 2 Damien Alexander 5 Daniel Rueda Posada 5 Gregory J. Daly 8 John Piernikowski 12 Mark Flores 16 John Keating 17 Thomas Shallow 17 Edgel Sereno 18 Deacon Jose Carbonell 19 Scott Graham 20 Brian DeKowzan 22 Marcelino Lopez 26 PGK Thomas Radovich 26 Michael D. Herman 27 Know them? Greet them for their birthday!

Necrology for Current Fraternal Year The following Brothers have passed away this fraternal year. Our prayers are with them and their families always as Fr. McGivney wished when the Knights were founded. Joe Murray Tom Buck Bill Hunter Andy Weiblinger Bill Wilkinson

Did you know on his journey to the founding of

the Knights of Columbus,

Venerable Father

Michael McGivney

was inspired by his seminarian studies at

St. Mary’s Seminary & University right in

downtown Baltimore?

As a seminarian from 1873—1877,

Father McGivney worshipped in the 1808

Seminary Chapel (pictured below), now a listed

National Historical Site open for tours.

Most importantly to the Knights of

Columbus and the millions of those who have

benefited from their generous and selfless endeavors, the young seminarian discerned his

vocation at St. Mary’s, and took the lessons of

the Sulpician Fathers back to New Haven,

Connecticut, where he was ordained in 1877

and founded the Knights of Columbus in

1882.

As an esteemed member of the Knights of

Columbus, whether a Maryland native or

welcomed guest from a visiting council, you are

invited to tour the site at St. Mary’s on Paca

Street, and walk in Father McGivney’s

footsteps!

St. Mary’s Seminary Chapel (1808)

As a seminarian, Michael J. McGivney would

have worshipped in the Upper Chapel.

This perfectly preserved, National Registry-

listed chapel is open for tours today.

St. Mary’s Spiritual Center

& Historic Site, Inc.

600 N. Paca Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

(410) 728-6464

info@stmaryspacast.org

www.stmaryspacast.org

Call or e-mail us today!

Michael J. McGivney

as a seminarian at

St. Mary’s Seminary & University

(c. 1873-1877)

Page 1 of 2

reflections Lawrence P. Grayson

The Battle Over Morally-Offensive, Compelled Speech

On March 20, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra. The issue to be decided is whether the government can compel a faith-based ministry to proclaim a message that is in opposition to its mission.

Compelled behavior and speech have been tactics used by governments, throughout the ages, in many nations and in many cultures, to stigmatize, penalize and suppress minority religious views. In Elizabethan England, Catholics were fined if they did not attend Sunday services in an Anglican Church. Until the 20th century, Muslim nations imposed a jizya or yearly tax on non-Muslims living in the country. In Nazi-occupied territory during World War II, Jews were required to wear a Star of David on their clothing.

In October 2015, California passed the Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency (FACT) Act, which requires all pregnancy care facilities to post notification in their waiting areas and in their advertising that the state offers free or low-cost abortions to women who qualify, along with a phone number that provides quick access to abortion clinics. These centers must do so even though they find the government-provided message morally offensive and it directly contradicts the purpose for which the centers exist.

The California law also requires pro-life, non-medical centers to inform clients that they are not licensed medical providers and have no licensed medical provider who supervises the provision of services -- effectively requiring them to advertise what they don’t do or claim to do.

Under questioning from the Supreme Court justices, the California deputy solicitor general admitted that if a pro-life pregnancy center took out a billboard advertisement with the words “Choose Life,” it would have to include in the same size font the 29-word government statement. If the billboard were in Los Angeles, the statement would have to be in 13 languages.

Pro-life pregnancy care centers are virtually the only groups affected by the mandate. Organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, which serve as the abortion providers for California’s Medi-Cali and Family PACT (Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment) programs, are exempt from the requirement. The latter are not required to notify clients about the non-abortion services offered by pro-life organizations, such as prenatal care, material support, and adoption services, or to show ultrasounds to their patients. Thus, the mandate is not designed to make known maternity options, but rather to force pro-life centers to convey the government’s viewpoint and advertise for abortion providers.

NIFLA, on behalf of the 140 pregnancy resource centers in California that are its members, sought a preliminary injunction to prohibit enforcement of the FACT Act, claiming that the law violated their First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, and on November 13, the Supreme Court agreed to review NIFLA’s free speech argument.

Page 2 of 2

Laws similar to California's FACT Act have been enacted across the nation. They have been challenged with varying results. In March 2014, Centro Tepeyac, won a suit overturning a Montgomery County, MD, law requiring pro-life pregnancy centers which counsel expectant women to advise clients to speak with licensed medical professionals; the law did not apply to abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood, even if they offer counseling by non-medical persons.

In June 2014, Austin LifeCare, part of the Care Net network in Texas, won a suit overturning an Austin city law requiring pro-life pregnancy care centers to post signs stating they do not offer abortions or birth control drugs.

New York City passed an ordinance in 2011 requiring pro-life pregnancy centers to provide printed and oral notices that emphasize abortion and encourage women to go elsewhere. After the courts struck down most of the provisions, a settlement was reached in 2016 that frees the centers from posting messages that are contrary to their beliefs.

In July 2017, an Illinois court issued a statewide preliminary injunction against a 2016 statutory change to the state Health Care Right of Conscience Act that would force pro-life medical professionals to refer patients for abortions and to counsel patients on what the legislation calls the “benefits” of abortion.

On January 5, 2018, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns, a pro-life Catholic charity, which had sued to overturn a Baltimore city ordinance passed in 2009. The ordinance, which pertained only to “limited-service” pro-life pregnancy centers, required them to post a disclaimer in their waiting rooms that they do not provide abortion or birth control services. After seven years of litigation, the appellate court ruled that the ordinance violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech because it forced “a politically and religiously motivated group to convey a message fundamentally at odds with its core belief and mission.”

But even as laws are being overturned by the courts, others are being enacted. In July 2017, Hawaii passed a pregnancy center signage law similar to the one in California; pro-life groups have said it will be contested in the courts.

The various signage laws are classic examples of content and viewpoint discrimination in compelled speech. The messages to be conveyed are antithetical to the religious and ideological reasons the pro-life centers exist. The laws should only be sustained if the relevant government body can substantiate that it is meeting a compelling government interest that cannot be achieved in a less restrictive way.

That is why NIFLA v. Becerra is important. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of California, other abortion-promoting statutes will likely follow. If NIFLA wins, but with a narrow ruling, California will not be able to enforce the law, but there will be little guidance for other pregnancy-related, compelled-speech cases pending in the lower courts. A broad ruling could resolve the question of such laws once and for all. * * * * * April 2018