This month we move on to the next key:6. Lead by example and effective teaching.

• Knights cultivate reverence and respect for the clergy — respondby providing spiritual leadership and taking seriously theeducational needs and desires of your brother Knights.• Make your views known without trying to take control of councilactivities. Allow the men to respond out of respect for you andyour teaching office, rather than attempting to dominate.

“The Chaplain is to be Father McGivney for the Knights of hiscouncil, helping to bring spirituality to the Knights and their projects.The “Chaplain’s Message” (no longer the “Chaplain’s Report”) is anintegral part of the council meeting, and the meeting agenda can bemodified to accommodate it. The chaplain can help the men besuccessful as Catholic leaders,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said in hisaddress to state chaplains last year in Nashville, Tenn.

It has been said that today’s chaplains are the descendents of FatherMcGivney. What an inspiration and privilege that relationship is for usas Knights of Columbus chaplains. Can you imagine the reverence thepeople of his day had for Father McGivney? During Father McGivney’slifetime, the membership of the Knights of Columbus spread like “wildfire” as candidates witnessed the presence of God’s hand offering thisnew organization through the inspiration of this holy priest. This same

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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In service to One. In service to a l l .

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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.

The effort to legally redefinemarriage and religion

threatens to undermine theChurch’s role in society.

I recently attended a talkgiven by a gentleman who left hislucrative career to devote his talentand energies to defend marriage.

He spoke of a young woman who, in 1970, filed a three-page complaint in aDallas courthouse. At the time, her filing would have seemed inconsequential.Within less than three years, though, the complaint made it all the way to the U.S.Supreme Court, paving the way for the high court’s disastrous decision thatlegalized abortion throughout the nation.

The speaker explained how today, 40 years later, Roe v. Wade is firmlyensconced in the vocabulary of a society that has witnessed the deaths of morethan 55 million innocent, unborn children. This led him to wonder, “What if,in 1970, the Roe complaint had been more vigorously and effectively resisted?”

With critical challenges to religious liberty and the sacred institution ofmarriage fast becoming the watershed moments of our day, he observed, “It’s1970 — again.”

THE ROLE OF RELIGIONVoters in four states — Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington —

are set to vote on ballot questions seeking to redefine marriage, and a SupremeCourt ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act is imminent. We have, indeed,reached another crucial moment in our nation, a moment that will define what

kind of people we are. Just as in 1970, people today downplay the consequence of changing the

law. Those in support of redefining marriage suggest that concerns about thelong-term impact of such a change are, at best, exaggerations or, at worst, a formof bigotry.

But to understand the true implications of redefining marriage, we need tolook beyond the sound bites, slick advertising and clever ballot language. Instead,we need to peer beneath the surface to see what the acceptance of same-sexmarriage as law truly represents: a massive threat to religious liberty.

For years, religion has been marginalized in Western culture, most recentlyby the federal government itself. We need look no further than the narrow,government-imposed definition of religion that emerged in the strugglesurrounding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ contraceptionmandate: In order to qualify for an exemption from having to provide morallyobjectionable services in employee benefit plans, the federal government hasstated that churches must serve mostly their own members, hire mostly theirown members, and exist mostly to propagate their own doctrine.

What role could such a church play in society? How could such a churchserve and promote the common good if it can’t emerge from behind its owndoors? Under this narrow definition, a church isn’t “religious enough” to qualifyfor an exemption, allowing it to provide services according to its own teachingsand values, if it runs a social service agency or a charity that serves or hires peopleof other faiths.

This brings us back to our 1970 moment. The government’s narrow,secularist definition — which seeks to confine the influence of religion on society— is likely to spread through every area of federal and state law. This single

SEE MARRIAGE, PAGE 2

ArchbishopWilliam E. LoriSupreme Chaplain

SEE MEETING PAGE 2

It’s 1970 — Again!

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

Leading By Example

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

SEE LEADERSHIP, PAGE 3

M E M B E R S H I P I N T H E K N I G H T S O F C O LUM B U S is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing)Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of

faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.

MARRIAGE, FROM PAGE 1

definition of “church” will be used by those in government to limit the role ofchurches in education, charity and public policy — a role that has been criticalfor generations. When the Catholic Church engages in those activities, it willbe seen not as acting in the example of Christ, but as doing something secular;it will be told to disregard its own teachings and to “play by the rules” — therules of a government that aids and abets the culture of death.

TIME TO STAND UPLimiting the role of church institutions is also a goal of many of those in

favor of redefining marriage. The Catholic Church seeks to uphold marriage between one man and

one woman because this is the relationship by which children are brought intothe world and are best nurtured. Marriage is the very bedrock of society andessential to God’s design for humanity. The government has no right tocontradict it.

What happens, though, if the government does so? In some places wheresame-sex marriage is legally accepted, the Church has been forced out as aprovider of social services because Church teachings are deemed discriminatory.Since the government has the power to license and regulate social services andeducation, it has the power to marginalize the Church’s institutions.

In some places, the government has deemed Catholic Charities unfit toconduct adoptions because of its reasoned and faith-based conviction thatchildren are best served in households where a mother and father are present.If the Defense of Marriage Act is repealed or struck down, or if states endorsea change in the law, there will be far-reaching consequences. The Church couldbe forced to decide whether to continue providing many social services —services that rely on government support in order to serve the common good— or to abandon its own teachings, which inspire such compassionate worksin the first place.

This isn’t 1970 — it’s 2012. Now is the time for us to understand deeplywhat the Church teaches about religious liberty and marriage; to accept thatteaching in our lives to the point of being willing to stand up for it; and toadvocate for that teaching among our families and friends and in the publicsquare.

Knights Sponsor Guadalupe Relic Chapel at L.A. Cathedral

Archbishop Gomez blesses the new chapel.Archbishop Gomez with the tilma relic.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and representatives from the CaliforniaState Council took part in the ceremonies dedicating the new chapelhonoring Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angelsin Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 2. Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angelespresided over the celebration.

The chapel’s construction was made possible by a grant from theKnights of Columbus. It will be the permanent home of the relic of SanJuan Diego’s tilma — a small piece of his cloak on which the image of OurLady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted in 1531. The relic in LosAngeles is the only known piece of the tilma in the United States. TheKnights cosponsored the tour of the tilma relic throughout the UnitedStates in 2003 and also brought the relic to Phoenix for the 2009Guadalupe Festival.

Just last month, the relic was prominently featured at the GuadalupeCelebration held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Posada is a traditionalChristmas celebration that

Franciscan missionaries developed inAmerica with the goal of introducingthe faith, and it continues to bepopular throughout the southwesternUnited States and all of LatinAmerica. Councils can order the booklet ThePosada: An Advent & ChristmasCelebration (#9898-E, S) from the

Supply Department. Through distribution of this booklet the Orderhopes to bring the rich Posada tradition to all Knights and their familiesas a way of encouraging a sharing of cultures in the Americas around thecelebration of the birth of our Savior.

This booklet provides all that is needed to conduct a ChristmasPosada with your family and your Knights of Columbus council.Councils may wish to discuss with their parish pastor the possibility ofmaking this a parish program. Copies of the booklet (#9898-E, S) areavailable for $1. Please work with your council grand knight or financialsecretary to order a copies by using a Requisition Form (#1) and mailingor faxing it to the Supply Department.

‘The Posada — An Advent and Christmas Celebration’

reverence still remains as an integral part of the Knights of Columbustoday. To us as individuals, it may seem embarrassing at times, but it ispart of the culture of being a Knight.

The California State Convention was held in Fresno in 2002. Thatwas not a good year for the Church due to the turmoil over the “scandals.”In those troubled times, priests were very self-conscious as they dressed inclerics, but as I walked into the hall where the convention was takingplace, I beheld a sight that brought joy to my heart and uplifted myspirits. A drape hung across the whole front of the stage with the message“In Solidarity with our Priests,” written in large, bold letters. Ten yearslater I don’t remember much of the proceedings of the convention, but Iwill never forget that statement from the Knights. Members of our Ordercultivate reverence and respect for the clergy, and I’m sure you have all hadfirsthand experience of that.

During a general audience in May 2012, Pope Benedict XVIencouraged the faithful "to be aware of the great gift that priests representfor the Church and the world. Through their ministry the Lord continuesto save mankind, to make Himself present, to sanctify. Give thanks toGod and above all remain close to your priests with prayer and support,especially in moments of difficulty, that they may increasingly becomepastors in keeping with God’s heart."

Yes, we are grateful for the stance the Order continually takes on ourbehalf. Following on that, we come to the response by the chaplains.Our first item on this sixth key asks us to “respond by providing spiritualleadership and taking seriously the educational needs and desires of yourbrother Knights.” The desires of our fellow members may not always bewhat we might envisage as being their educational needs. In theirenthusiasm some may tempt all council members to follow an individual’spersonal convictions. However good these may be, at this stage of ourdirect involvement in the faith formation and spirituality of the councilmembers, we need to focus on a basic and true following of all Churchteaching.

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has stated this on manyoccasions as we prepare to enter into the Year of Faith. Very recently hestated: “It is necessary, on one hand, to remember that, ‘the specificmission of the laity is Christian action in the public sphere, where they

act on their own initiative and in an independent manner, in the light offaith and the Church’s teaching.’ On the other hand, full fidelity to thedeposit of faith taught by the true Magisterium and professed by theentire Church must be maintained.”

Last month ushered in two major events, the Synod of Bishops andthe Year of Faith. As priests, we will be totally immersed in theseproceedings and enter in with all our spirit to what is being offered andwhat is being asked of us. To help us on the way, let us remember thatin the Motu Proprio, or Apostolic Letter, of our Holy Father PopeBenedict VXI, where he proclaimed the Year of Faith to begin onOctober 11, 2012, he stated: “Religious communities as well as parishcommunities, and all ecclesial bodies old and new, are to find a way,during this year, to make a public profession of the Credo … We wantthis year to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith infullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.”

The Knights of Columbus must take this exhortation to heart. Infact we are well poised to take full advantage of this invitation from ourHoly Father: “To rediscover the content of the faith that is professed,celebrated, lived and prayed.” I feel confident in saying that our Knightsare waiting for us to direct them in their formation during this Year ofFaith. We have a golden opportunity offered to us by the councils, so let’suse it. If we initiate serious consideration of Church teaching at thecouncil level, maybe larger groups would participate at parish level. Thisis certainly one way we can offer the Gospel and Church teaching in orderto evangelize in a new way all who have ears to hear but have not reallylistened, and those who wish to know, but know not even how to goabout it.

Pray for us, and guide us, Father Michael McGivney, that we maycontinue to be imbued with your spirit.

God bless and keep you all. Rev. John P. Grace, O.S.A.Director of Chaplain Programs and Developmentjohn.grace@kofc.org(203) 752-4263

LEADERSHIP, FROM PAGE 1

HeadlineBistro.com, the Order’s news website, is nowCatholicPulse.com. Catholic Pulse brings news from around the

world together with commentary from the best Catholic minds,

analyzing today’s most important issues. At CathlicPulse.com you don’tjust get news — you get news from a Catholic perspective.

News With a Catholic Perspective

CHAPLAIN’Sreport1 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 � 203-752-4264 � KNIGHTLINE@KOFC.ORG

The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ brought a great illumination ofhope into the world. Councils, Knights and their families

throughout the Order are invited to help spread the light of Christ onDec. 4, by lighting a Nativity scene and/or Christmas tree at 8 p.m.,local time. The ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree is just part ofthe celebration; other activities can accompany it, such as caroling,collecting clothing and food for the needy, or serving snacks and

refreshments to commemorate the event. If your council has notparticipated in the past, this is the year to start a great tradition and helpspread the joyful tidings of Christmas. This celebration is a wonderfulway to kick off the season and celebrate with brother Knights, familyand friends. A poster is available (#2757) from the Supreme CouncilSupply Department to help promote your council’s event. For details,visit kofc.org/christmas.

Spread the Light of Christ

Though the realmeaning of

Christmas issometimes forgotten,it is refreshing toknow that the Orderpromotes the “KeepChrist in Christmas”campaign to remindpeople thatChristmas is aboveall a holy daycelebrating the birthof Christ. To helpdeliver the “Keep Christ in Christmas” message, the Knights of Columbusoffers these items and suggestions:

There are three posters: “Check the List” (#4554), “Remember, it’sCHRISTmas” (#4555) and “Keep Christ in Christmas” (#2760) that arecurrently available from the Supreme Council Supply Department. Offerthese posters to local parochial schools, religious education classes and alllocal Christian churches.

• Sponsor a “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster or essay contest. • Send Christmas cards with a religious theme and use Christmaspostage stamps. • Enlist volunteers from your council to help prepare for Christmasthrough cleaning, repairing, or providing decorations or flowers.• Start a letter-writing campaign in November to area churches or localbusinesses asking them to construct a Nativity scene.• Urge all members to display a Nativity scene on their properties orbusinesses this Christmas season. • Place a “Keep Christ in Christmas” advertisement to your church bulletin or local newspaper. Also ask that it be included in yourcouncil’s newsletter.• Don’t forget to broadcast the true meaning of Christmas with theKnights of Columbus television Public Service Announcement(PSA) titled “Remember It’s Christmas.” Ask your council membersto personally deliver it to your local TV station. Order by calling203-752-4044. • Radio PSAs on local stations deliver the message to listeners. TheKnights of Columbus offers three PSAs: “Merry What?”, “Gettingor Giving?” and “Need.” Suggest that council members order copiesby calling 203-752-4044.

Keeping Christ in Christmas