February 2019

Brother Knights of Indiana,

The Pinta state programming award is broken down on the Activity Tracker, please note it has nothing to do with membership.  The State encourages participation in Faith in Action activities and submissions are treated differently from the Supreme requirements.   Simply submit the electronic Activity Form for state credit.  Your council will receive credit towards the Pinta State Program Award.  Any additional forms and requirements by Supreme is for the Supreme awards only, not the State awards.

Remember the new #1728 Fraternal Survey form for Supreme was due by 1/31,  this information provides all the charitable efforts the Indiana Knights accomplish.   The Council Audit form #1295 is due Feb. 15th.  Do you know a Catholic layperson, family or youth worthy of being recognized at our state convention?  The these applications and the Service Program Award nominations (STSP) are due by Feb. 28th.  Each of these is available at the Supreme Forms webpage. When filing activities for the State electronically, go to our state web site, click on "programs", click "program director", and you will see state tracker, activity forms and program guide to choose from.  The best guideline regarding filing forms is on pages 30-33 in our State Program Guide

The activities we engage in, is what defines us as Knights to our parishes and Priests.  Will our programs change lives and save lives?  Here are some great examples of Indiana programs that we are very proud of: 

• Council #1231 Lawrenceburg hosted "Prayer on the Square" with a large crowd at the County Court House with seven speakers - chaired by Worthy Sir Knight Duane Meyer Culture of Life Director
• Council #16440 of North Manchester placed signs with rosaries [CLICK for PIC] at the chemo and radiation oncology centers for patients while being treated - chaired by Joe Accetta. 
• 12 Councils of Central Indiana in the Indianapolis Archdiocese participated in the Crew Car Wash fundraiser raising $23,705.50, add matching funds by Supreme, the total raised was $47,411.  This was enough to purchase an ultrasound machine for The Women‘s Care Center.   The national fall campaign of 40 Days for Life concluded with five mothers deciding not to abort their babies.
• Council #14449 Indianapolis conducted a fourth annual Indulgence Walk at St. Joseph/Holy Cross Cemeteries. [CLICK for PIC] There was around 70 people as the Church Militant praying for the Church Suffering with David Walden chairing the event.  Grand Knight Charles Stevens council also sponsored a parish celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family Dec. 29th & 30th by inviting families to consecrate themselves to the Holy Family.  " We passed out prayer cards a week before hand, to help families prepare for the consecration". 
• Council #16945 Gary Knights, through the generous support of St. Matthias Parish, were able to collect and distribute over three truckloads of food and supplies to the Veterans Village. [CLICK for PIC] This qualifies as a "Helping Hands" community required activity or "Food For Families" a featured 2 credit family activity.  Supreme will reimburse $100.00 for every $500.00 or 1,000 lbs of food donated

Lastly St. Jean Vianney's incorrupt heart from France is touring the country with the Knights of Columbus.   Veneration in Indiana: 

• Some 3,000 people participated at the SS Peter & Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. 
• In the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame a packed crowd [CLICK for PIC], a choir of 60 students singing at the 10:00 a.m. Mass, lastly closing with evening vespers.  What a joy to see Notre Dame students as honor guard adding reverence to such a holy time of veneration to the patron saint of parish priests. 
• The relic will be at St. Meinrad in March.  The complete schedule is on the KofC.org website.  https://www.kofc.org/en/events/vianney.html#/ 

It is the knights "faith in action" by acts of love and works of mercy that is making a difference.  I am honored to be a Knight, may God continue to bless the Knights of Columbus! 

Thank you,

Mark Michuda

State Program Director

260 622-4042