octoBER 2011 - Knights of Columbus, Supreme Council

KNIGHTLINE
o c t o B E R 2 0 1 1 ✦ V o l u m E 2 8 ✦ N u m B E R 1 0 ✦ w w w . k o f c . o R g
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In Service to One. In Service to All.
N E w s f o R k N i g h t s o f c o l u m B u s l E a d E R s ✦ 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
A JOYOUS ATMOSPHERE
Knights Bring World Youth Day to English-speaking Pilgrims
Joy and hope. These words characterized the experience of hundreds
of thousands of young pilgrims in Madrid as they participated in various
liturgies, celebrations, catechetical programs and other World Youth
Day activities.
As they arrived in Spain for World Youth Day 2011 Aug. 16-21, many
many pilgrims found a home away from home at the Palacio de Deportes
sports center. The arena, located in the heart of Madrid, was the site of
the Love and Life Centre, an official catechesis and youth festival site for
English-speaking pilgrims that was hosted by the Knights of Columbus
and the Sisters of Life. The site was co-sponsored by Holy Cross Family
Ministries, Salt + Light Television, the Fellowship of Catholic University
Students (FOCUS), the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on
Marriage and Family, the Apostleship of Prayer, and World Youth Alliance.
Leading up to, and organized around, the major World Youth Day
SEE Center, PAGE 4
Fourth Degree Reports Growth, Program Winners
Three assemblies that conducted outstanding
patriotic programs were honored at
the Supreme Assembly meeting, and delegates
to this annual gathering voted to take a leadership
role in raising funds for the new military
chaplain scholarships that have been established
by the Order.
Held in Denver following the Supreme Convention,
the Supreme Assembly consists of the
supreme knight, the supreme secretary, the
supreme master and 20 vice supreme masters
of the Order.
Supreme Master Dennis J. Stoddard reported
on membership and new assembly growth, and
announced the addition of an optional lapel pin
to the Fourth Degree regalia, along with the
winners of the To Be A Patriot Award and the
appointment of new district masters. As of June
30, membership in the Fourth Degree had
grown to nearly 323,192 — an increase of more
than 5,000, and 54 new assemblies had been
added.
SEE supreme assembly, PAGE 6
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson with Supreme Master Dennis J. Stoddard
(left) and former Supreme Master Lawrence G. Costanzo.

YOUTHFUL WITNESSES
World Youth Day Speakers Challenge Young
People to Follow Christ and ‘Live Differently’
The Love and Life Centre, hosted by the
Knights of Columbus and the Sisters of
Life at the Palacio de Deportes, regularly served
a capacity crowd of English-speaking pilgrims,
as more than 10,000 young people gathered for
Mass and catechesis, dynamic panel discussions
and keynote addresses, musical performances
and a eucharistic healing hour. These events
were held prior to the start of WYD events.
Curtis Martin, president and founder of
FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University
Students), was one of the presenters at the site,
and gave a keynote address about the “universal
call to holiness.”
He pointed to the significance of the words
that Pope Benedict XVI spoke to youth at the
conclusion of his inaugural homily in 2005: “If
we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing,
nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life
free, beautiful and great.”
“The challenge is that you can’t become great
and remain comfortable,” Martin said. “You
have to live differently — above the world, not
being drawn down into the things of the
world.”
Martin encouraged his listeners to have an
eternal perspective about time, to surrender to
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson participated in a
panel discussion on a Civilization of Love.
God’s will, and to recognize that they were
made for a higher purpose than just “having
fun.”
Among the panel discussions held at the site
was one on religious freedom, featuring Arch-
SEE speakers, PAGE 3
Knights Join Thousands in Welcoming Pope to World Youth Day
On Thursday, Aug. 18,
hundreds of thousands
of World Youth Day
pilgrims welcomed Pope
Benedict XVI in the Plaza de
Cibeles in Madrid. Excitement
filled the air and music
filled the streets as volunteers
and police directed the growing
crowd.
“It is absolutely unbelievable.
There are people everywhere,”
said Brent West, a
member of Illini Council
2782 at the University of Illinois
in Champaign. “There
are so many different flags
from so many different countries.
We’re just excited to see
the Holy Father soon.”
A total of 24 college
Knights of Columbus, who
had been working as volunteers
at the Love and Life
Centre, arrived early enough
to get a good spot near the parade route and close enough to see the stage
from which the pope would speak.
“It’s just amazing. There are so many people crammed into this place,
all of the young Catholics together. It’s great for the future of the
Church,” said Joseph Chelak, a member of Father Justin Cunningham
Council 11324 at the University of Virginia. “We’ve been up for countless
hours, working long days, but there’s still so much excitement and so
much energy here.”
Upon his arrival, Pope
Benedict XVI greeted the
cheering masses in various
languages before giving an address
in Spanish. To Englishspeaking
pilgrims, he said,
“May these days of prayer,
friendship and celebration
bring us closer to each other
and to the Lord Jesus. ... Let
us pray for one another, so
that we may be joyful witnesses
to Christ, today and always.”
In his address, Pope Benedict
observed that when a person’s
life is not rooted in faith
in Christ, it is easy to get lost
on “other paths ... which leave
emptiness and frustration in
their wake.”
He encouraged his young
listeners to seize the opportunity
“to know Christ better
and to make sure that, rooted
in him, your enthusiasm and happiness, your desire to go further, to
reach the heights, even God himself.”
The Holy Father further described how a life characterized by moral
relativism contrasts with the Christian vocation.
“Indeed, there are many who, creating their own gods, believe they
need no roots or foundations other than themselves,” he said. “They take
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd from his popemobile as he arrives for a welcoming celebration
as part of the World Youth Day festivities in central Madrid Aug. 18. The pope arrived
earlier that day in Spain’s capital to spend four days with hundreds of thousands of young
pilgrims. (CNS photo/Susana Vera, Reuters)
SEE pope, PAGE 4
2

COLLEGE KNIGHTS AT WYD ’11
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson addresses college knights on the opening day of World Youth Day.
For the college Knights of Columbus,
World Youth Day in Madrid was an experience
of service and growth.
During World Youth Day, they served as
volunteers at “Love and Life: A Home for English-speaking
Pilgrims” sponsored by the
Knights of Columbus and the Sisters of Life at
Palacio de Deportes. (See article on Page One.)
Prior to their week of service, 24 college
Knights participated in a pilgrimage to holy
sites around Spain including Zaragoza, Manresa,
Monistrol de Montserrat, Burgos and
Caleruega.
“Each of these cities was chosen for a reason,
to offer our pilgrims a historical and spiritual
context for World Youth Day in Madrid”
said Michael Brewer, supervisor of Young
Adult Outreach. In Zaragoza, he added, college
Knights visited the Basilica-Cathedral of
Our Lady of the Pillar. The apparition of
Nuestra Señora del Pilar dates to the apostolate
of St. James in the first century; and devotion
to Our Lady of the Pillar also has special
historical significance for Americans and the
Knights of Columbus — Christopher Columbus
discovered the New World on her feast day
(October 12, 1492).
The Knights also followed in the footsteps
of St. Ignatius of Loyola. They visited the
Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat where
St. Ignatius of Loyola offered his military uniform
and equipment before the image of the
Virgin of Montserrat and Manresa where the
Spiritual Exercises were composed. Additionally,
they also visited Burgos, a major crossroads
on the Way of St. James and Caleruega, the
birthplace of St. Dominic.
This pilgrimage prepared the Knights to administer
to the thousands of pilgrims who visited
the Love and Life site during the week of
World Youth Day.
“The first principle of the Knights of
Columbus is charity, and these Knights will
have the opportunity as volunteers to offer hospitality
to pilgrims from the United States,
Canada, Australia, Africa, the Philippines, and
all around the world,” Brewer said.
speakers, FROM PAGE 2
bishop-designate Charles J. Chaput of
Philadelphia; Supreme Knight Carl A.
Anderson; Basilian Father Thomas
Rosica, CEO of Salt and Light Catholic
Media Foundation, and Helen Alvaré,
professor of law at George Mason University.
During his opening remarks, Archbishop
Chaput said that in light of “ignorance,
laziness and bias against
traditional Christian belief” that is often
found in the mass media, young people
Singer
Alexander
Acha
must be prepared to be “good apologists, capable defenders of the faith.”
“Each of you, and every young woman and man who belongs to Jesus
Christ, will face opposition, resentment and even persecution from the
contemporary world,” he said. “Our job, and especially your job as young
leaders, is to let God change us, and then through us, God will change
others and the world. We win the world by winning one soul at a time
for Jesus Christ and his Church, starting with ourselves.”
Supreme Knight Anderson observed that Christianity is under attack
by people who think it “is opposed to
human happiness, and therefore want to
marginalize it from society.”
The response to this perception, he
said, may be found in how Christians
witness to the world in their daily lives.
“Christianity promotes human happiness,
and the people who follow the truth
of Jesus Christ celebrate their lives and
live joyful lives. That is what being an authentic
witness means today.”
“Religious liberty goes to the heart of
what it means to be a person. You cannot
be Christians without freedom,” he continued. “If we are to protect our
religious liberty, we have to be a people that manifests our religious faith
and do so in a way that makes people realize its value and truth and the
contribution it makes to society.”
Other panel discussions included a “A Civilization of Love,” Theology
of the Body, Social Communications and New Media, and Faith &
Entertainment. Among those performing at the site were: L’Angelus,
Dana Scallon, Steve Angrisano, Danielle Rose and Alexander Acha.
3

Canadian Pilgrims process into the Love and Life Centre with the official World Youth Day cross and icon.
Center, FROM PAGE ONE
events, the site featured an impressive array
of programs on its main stage, including
morning Masses, catechesis, panel discussions
and addresses, musical performances,
and a eucharistic healing hour. The venue included
chapels for eucharistic adoration and
prayer, rooms for meetings and breakout
talks, exhibition halls, an Internet café, food,
opportunities for confession, and more.
“The beautiful thing about the Love and
Life Centre, an oasis in the middle of this
great city, is that it is a joint effort, and most
of this is being led by young adults who are
the alumni of World Youth Days,” said Basilian
Father Thomas Rosica, the head of Salt +
Light Television.
In addition to the pilgrims themselves and
Knights of Columbus college council members,
48 Sisters of Life were among the 250
volunteers at the site.
“The sisters are here to greet the pilgrims,
to meet with them and to share with them
their own walk with the Lord,” said Mother
Agnes Mary Donovan, superior general of
the Sisters of Life. “Our dream for this site
and our vision is that Jesus Christ and the
love of the Lord will be encountered here by
all of the young people who come. We’re
hoping that the English-speaking pilgrims
from all over the world will come and that
they will feel at home here.”
If the reactions of pilgrims were any indication,
then the Love and Life Centre accomplished
this goal magnificently. In
addition to listening to main-stage talks,
many visitors to the centre spent some time
in prayer at the site’s Blessed John Paul II
adoration chapel.
“Seeing young Catholics from all over the
world inspires me and gives me hope,” said
Jerome Smith, a member of the Young
Order of Malta. “There are a lot of wonderful
people here praying for the needs of the
world. We have been praying for our pilgrims,
who don’t have the same cognition as
you and I, but at the same time, they understand
the love of Christ. ... I felt that this afternoon
— a real acceptance for these people
who often aren’t accepted by society.”
Added Christel Sonnekalb, a regional director
of operations for World Youth Alliance:
“I’m so happy this was organized,
because it gives the English speakers the possibility
to gather at one place.” “So you
might have an Australian sitting next to you,
a Canadian, a South African, a Malaysian.
It’s just a very exciting experience. It’s the joy
of being all together and remembering that
we are a universal Church.”
For more details on the Order’s involvement
in World Youth Day 2011, please visit kofc.org
and wydenglishsite.org.
The popemobile carrying Pope Benedict XVI makes its
way through a throng of young people as the pope arrives
to celebrate the World Youth Day closing Mass at
Cuatro Vientos airfield in Madrid Aug. 21. (CNS
photo/Sergio Perez, Reuters)
pope, FROM PAGE 2
it upon themselves to decide what is true or
not, what is good and evil, what is just and unjust;
who should live and who can be sacrificed
in the interests of other preferences; leaving
each step to chance, with no clear path, letting
themselves be led by the whim of each moment.”
In this light, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged
the youth to build their lives upon “the firm
foundation which is Christ.” He said that the
freedom found in Christ is the “reason for our
joy” and “the firm ground upon which to build
the civilization of love and life, capable of humanizing
all of us.”
Finally, in anticipation of the Way of the
Cross, which took place through the streets of
Madrid the following day, the pope said, “I
commend the fruits of this World Youth Day to
the most holy Virgin Mary, who said ‘Yes’ to
the will of God and teaches us a unique example
of fidelity to her divine Son, whom she followed
to his death upon the Cross.”
4

SHORT TAKES
Marriage: Unique for a Reason
The Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, a division of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Secretariat of Evangelization
and Catechesis, recently released the second DVD in its series “Marriage:
Unique for a Reason.” The first DVD in this series, Made for Each Other (#50052)
portrays how man and woman complement each other in marriage. The recently
released DVD, Made for Life (#50055), examines the gift of children in marriage
and the indispensible role played by fathers and mothers in marriage and society.
The DVD series is being funded by the Knights of Columbus. These DVDs are
available from the Department of Fraternal Services by calling 203-752-4270.
Please have the title and item number available when calling. Each DVD comes
with a viewer’s guide and resource booklet that can be used when presenting the
productions to groups or students. There is a shipping and handling charge for
each DVD.
Ordering Supplies
To order any of the items mentioned in this newsletter, or listed in the Supply Catalog
(#1264) complete a Requisition Form (#1), have an authorized officer sign it,
and send it to: Supply Department, Knights of Columbus, 78 Meadow Street, New
Haven CT 06519. The Supply Department also accepts fax orders at 1-800-266-
6340. Only orders that are to be charged to a council account are accepted. The
supply department also accepts credit card orders (Visa or Mastercard). All information
must be supplied from the card plus the holder’s name, complete address
and a phone number. Also, credit cards can only be used for orders for a minimum
of $9. Include the council number on all requisitions. Be sure the return address on
the form is written legibly. Do not mail in orders that have been faxed, and be sure
to send in separate forms for promotional, gift and print orders.
Soccer Challenge
The Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge is designed for
players to demonstrate the most exciting of soccer skills —
the penalty kick. The Soccer Challenge is open to boys and
girls, ages 10-14. The contest will take place on the council,
district, regional, state and international levels. The program
is outlined in the Soccer Challenge Kit (#SC-KIT) that can be ordered
by using the form in the Council Report Forms Booklet (#1436)
or at kofc.org/forms. Additional information on this program can be found at
kofc.org/soccer.
Ever Wonder ‘How to ...’
One of the best tools available to help your council with its recruitment efforts is
the “How to ... Succeed at Membership Recruitment” booklet (#2769).
This booklet is a step-by-step manual that lays out the nuts and bolts of membership
recruitment. It provides suggestions for planning and carrying out successful
membership recruitment programs.
Using this booklet is simple. Review the programs outlined. Pick three or more
programs that your council is interested in and can implement between now and
the end of the fraternal year. The areas covered include:
Organizing your membership
committee
Building a prospect list
Recruiting using the 2-on-1
team concept
Holding a church drive
Conducting an open house
Organizing an in-house open
house
Conducting a membership invitation
program
Recruiting former members
Promoting insurance
Using an Admission Committee
Scheduling and conducting First
Degree exemplifications
Recognizing council recruiters
Ordering supplies and membership
videos
Describing the benefits of membership
Although this booklet maps out the steps to successful recruiting, it cannot go out
and get the members for you. It is a tool for you to use. It’s up to you and your fellow
council members to provide the enthusiasm and work needed for a successful
membership recruitment campaign. An electronic version of this information is
available under the “Recruitment Strategies” heading at kofc.org/membership.
Honoring the Third Degree Ceremonial Teams
In recognition of the outstanding service provided to the Order and
its members by Third Degree ceremonial teams, delegates to the
129th Supreme Convention passed a resolution acknowledging the accomplishments
of these teams in learning and utilizing the new Third
Degree Ceremonial. As part of this recognition, each Third Degree Ceremonial
team member in good standing will receive a printed copy of the
resolution below and a specially minted medallion commemorating their
team membership.
RESOLUTION HONORING THE ORDER’S
THIRD DEGREE CEREMONIAL TEAMS
WHEREAS, from its earliest days the Knights of Columbus has been blessed
with dedicated and devoted Ceremonial Teams which have given freely of their
time and talents to teach and exemplify the important virtues of Charity, Unity and
Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, their selfless service has advanced the goals and mission of our
Order; and
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Knights of
Columbus adopted a new Third Degree Ceremonial designed to modify the way in
which it presents the instruction on the principle of fraternity and to focus a candidate’s
attention on his Catholic faith; and
WHEREAS, the beautiful and historic Ceremonials of our Order are only words
until they are given life in the actions of our brother Knights;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the delegates and members
attending the 129th Annual Supreme Convention assembled in Denver, Colorado,
acknowledge, praise and honor the dedication and fraternal efforts of the
Third Degree Ceremonial Team members for their service to exemplify the principal
tenets and true spirit of Columbianism; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that each Third Degree Team member in good
standing be given a specially struck medallion in recognition of his contribution to
the Ceremonial life of the Order; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that each Third Degree Team Member in good
standing be given a copy of this resolution in further recognition of his contribution
to the Order.
5

A Fourth Degeree honor guard at the
129th Supreme Convention in Denver.
supreme assembly, FROM PAGE ONE
In an address to the assembly at an Aug. 4 banquet, Supreme Knight
Carl A. Anderson thanked the Fourth Degree for pledging support for
the new scholarships for military chaplains. A shortage of Catholic chaplains
has meant that too many Catholic military personnel go to the
frontlines without the chance of seeing a priest, he noted. Helping to
provide Catholic chaplains will be “a great service to the country, the
Church and the Order,” the supreme knight said.
The military chaplains scholarships will be reserved exclusively for seminarians
who will, once ordained, serve both their home diocese and the
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
Supreme Master Stoddard also announced the three winners of the
2010-11 To Be a Patriot Award. Developed in 1985, the award annually
recognizes the top three single-best patriotic programs. The 2010-11 international
awardees are from New Jersey, Alabama and Illinois.
monsignor anthony J. stein assembly 645 in Woodland park, new Jersey
(st. Isaac Jogues province), knights of Columbus tank pull 2010 — The
mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to raise awareness and enlist
the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, and to provide
unique programs and services for wounded soldiers and veterans. Members
of the Msgr. Stein assembly assisted them by organizing a tank pull,
where teams of Knights and others competed to pull an 80,000-pound
tank 12 feet in the fastest time. Twenty teams raised more than $80,000
in support of the Wounded Warrior Project, and garnered significant
publicity for the Order in the process.
Holy spirit assembly 2527 in tuscaloosa, alabama (bienville province),
mass Initiative for 117th air refueling Wing and 99th air squadron —
When the members of Holy Spirit Assembly learned that no Catholic
Masses had been celebrated for nearly three years at the Birmingham
117th Air National Guard Refueling Wing, they knew they had to act.
Sir Knights secured the necessary permissions and facilities, and provided
the funding for monthly Masses on the base. As a result of their efforts,
personnel undergoing weekend training no longer have to choose between
their service to their country and practicing their faith.
Joliet assembly 204 in Joliet, Illinois (marquette province), to Honor and
remember our Veterans on memorial Day — In conjunction with the local
VFW Post, members of the Joliet Assembly perform prayer services at
three cemeteries each Memorial Day. At each cemetery, the names of veterans
interred there are read, followed by a gun salute and the playing of
taps. Flags are presented to the widows of veterans who passed away during
the previous year. The day begins with Mass — for which the assembly
provides the honor guard — followed by prayer services at each
of the three cemeteries successively.
Step by Step: Organizing a K of C Free Throw Championship
First, order the Knights of Columbus Free Throw
Championship Kit (FT-KIT). Use the order form at
kofc.org/forms or in the Council Report Forms Booklet
(#1436), or call the Department of Fraternal Services
at 203-752-4270.
Schedule a date and location for the event. Contact
schools, and community and youth centers to reserve
a basketball court. January is recommended for council
competitions, February for district competitions,
and March-April for regional and state championships.
The Free Throw kit contains two posters (#1596 and
#1686) to help your council promote the contest.
Both include space to list the name and phone number
of the competition’s contact person, and the
competition date, time, location and name of the
sponsoring council. Obtain permission to display
them in schools, youth and community centers, and
churches. Make sure that Free Throw Entry Forms
and Score Sheets (#1598) are also available at these
locations.
Pre-register contestants whenever possible. Enlist help
from schools. Ask school superintendents, principals
and athletic directors to promote your championship.
See if schools will hold preliminary competitions as
part of their intramural or physical education programs.
High school athletes should be reminded to
check with their state high school athletic association
about possible eligibility conflicts. Don’t forget to contact
and invite the recreational and youth basketball
programs in your community.
Immediately following your local competition, fill out a
Free Throw Participation Report Form and either submit
it electronically or print it out and mail it to the
Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Services.
For more information on the Free Throw Championship
go to kofc.org/freethrow.
6

Keeping Christ in Christmas
Though the real meaning of Christmas is sometimes forgotten, it is refreshing to
know that the Order promotes the “Keep Christ in Christmas” campaign to remind
people that Christmas is above all a holy day celebrating the birth of Christ. To
help deliver the “Keep Christ in Christmas” message, the Knights of Columbus offers
these items and suggestions:
❖ There are three posters, “Check the List” (#4554), “Remember, it’s CHRISTmas”
(#4555) and “Keep Christ in Christmas” (#2760), currently available from the
Supreme Council Supply Department. Offer these posters to local parochial schools,
religious education classes and all area Christian churches.
❖ Sponsor a “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster or essay contest.
❖ Send Christmas cards with a religious theme, and use Christmas postage stamps.
❖ Offer to help your parish or a poorer parish prepare for Christmas through cleaning,
repairing or providing decorations or flowers.
❖ Start a letter-writing campaign in November to area churches or local businesses
asking them to construct a Nativity scene.
❖ Urge all members to display a Nativity scene on their properties or businesses this
Christmas season.
❖ Submit a “Keep Christ in Christmas”
advertisement to your church bulletin
or local newspaper. Also include
it in your council newsletter.
❖ Don’t forget to broadcast the
true meaning of Christmas with
the Knights of Columbus television
Public Service Announcement
(PSA) titled “Remember
It’s Christmas.” Personally deliver
it to your local TV station.
Order by calling 203-752-
4044.
❖ Radio PSAs on local stations
deliver the message to listeners.
The Knights of Columbus offers
three PSAs: “Merry What?”,
“Getting or Giving?” and “Need.”
Order by calling 203-752-4044.
The Knights of Columbus
Museum in New Haven,
Conn., will be featuring the
Christmas-themed exhibit,
‘Christmas Across Africa,’
from Nov. 9 through Feb. 5,
2012.
‘The Posada — An Advent and
Christmas Celebration’
The Posada is a traditional Christmas celebration that
Franciscan missionaries developed in America with
the goal of introducing the faith, and it continues to
be popular throughout the southwestern United
States and all of
Latin America.
Councils can order
the booklet The
Posada: An Advent
& Christmas Celebration
(#9898-E,
S) from the Supply
Department.
Through distribution
of this booklet
the Order hopes to
bring the rich
Posada tradition to
all Knights and their families as a way of encouraging
a sharing of cultures in the Americas around the celebration
of the birth of our Savior.
This booklet provides all that is needed to conduct a
Christmas Posada with your family and your Knights
of Columbus council. Councils may wish to discuss
this program with the parish pastor about possibly
making this a parish program. Copies of the booklet
can be ordered by using a Requisition Form (#1) and
mailing it or faxing it to the Supply Department.
Spread the Light of Christ
The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ brought a great illumination
of hope into the world. Councils, Knights
and their families throughout the Order are invited to
help spread the light of Christ on Dec. 6, 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 of the 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
not participated in the past, this is the year to start a
great tradition and help spread the joyful tidings of
Christmas. This celebration is a wonderful way to kick
off the season and celebrate with brother Knights,
family and friends. A poster is available (#2757) from
the Supreme Council Supply Department to help promote
your council’s event. For details, visit
kofc.org/christmas.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 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.
7

KNIGHTLINE
1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326
Knights of Columbus Insurance: Your Shield for Life.
Doing Things Better
Thomas P. Smith Jr.
Executive Vice President
(Agencies and Marketing)
In my January column, I
wrote about resolving to do
things better in 2011. It’s October and I commend
those of you who have stayed true to
those resolutions and improved your life. If
you’ve forgotten your goals or not made
progress toward them, there is still time. It’s
never too late to start to make your life better,
for yourself or your family.
I also warned against the danger of going
through life with financial blinders on. If you
fall into this category, please take a moment
to ask yourself some of the questions I posed
in January.
Do you know how much life insurance you
and your wife have? If you own term insurance,
do you know when it expires? Do you
know who your beneficiaries are?
Are you prepared for elder care? What happens
if you need nursing home care or athome
care? Do you know what the government
will pay for and what they won’t?
Are you ready for retirement? At what age
will your money run out? How much is
enough? Do you have a defined benefit pension
plan, or a defined contribution plan?
Both or neither? Will your government send
you money every month?
What happens to you and your family
should you become disabled? How will your
income needs be met?
These questions merely scratch the surface,
but you get the idea. A Life Insurance Market
Research Association (LIMRA) study released
in August 2011 found that 34 percent of all
households surveyed would have immediate
trouble meeting everyday living expenses if
the primary wage earner died. Twenty-nine
percent said they would be able to cover expenses
for several months before facing difficulty.
In 2010, more than half the households
in the United States openly admitted that
they do not have enough (or any) individual
life insurance coverage.
Remember, as a member of the Knights of
Columbus, you have a full-time, professional
agent you can call your own. His primary responsibility
is the care and service of your
family’s life insurance, retirement, long-term
care and disability income needs. He’ll answer
your questions because he wants your decisions
to be informed ones. He is well-trained
and will help you come up with a plan that
meets your needs and fits your budget.
When your agent calls for an appointment,
make the time to see him. The knowledge
you will gain about the top-quality products
the Order offers will be priceless. If you don’t
know your agent, look him up at “Find An
Agent” at www.kofc.org.
PUBLISHED 12 TIMES A YEAR BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPREME COUNCIL ✦ 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-380-9995 ✦ 203-752-4264 ✦ KNIGHTLINE@KOFC.ORG