April 2019

Greetings…

The Lenten Season ends soon and Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 14th.  I encourage you to attend the Sacred Triduum beginning with Holy Thursday.  Good Friday attendance has been typically low, but the Knights of Columbus can help bring families into more robust practice and better understanding of the Catholic faith and the Easter services by encouraging all to attend Good Friday services. 

Many of our Indiana councils are conducting Faith activities that are making a difference in the faith lives of our councils and parishes.  Here are just a few:

1. Batesville, #1461…Held a fundraiser (dinner) to raise monies for the St Louis & St Anthony Parishes sister parish in Haiti. The Parishes mission team goes on a trip twice a year to Haiti to help those in need. They take much needed supplies for those who have health issues.
2. Indianapolis, #3228…hosted an eight week Lenten Prayer group for several parishes on the Eastside of Indy led by the council Chaplain. 
3. Greenwood, #6138…Corporate Communion @ the 5:30 mass where our council members were Lectors, Ushers, Eucharistic ministers, as well as attended. After Mass the Knights and their Families gathered with the Chaplain, and Deacon for prayer reflection and dinner. 
4. Evansville, #7544…Building Domestic Church; Installed Kiosk in the back of church according to directions from Supreme. 
5. Muncie, #560…The council sponsored/purchased/prepared 600 Advent Reflection booklets for St. Mary’s parish.

The recommended Spiritual Reflection Program is suggested during Spring and what a better time than the Lenten or Easter season.  (Please note a Spiritual Program can be held at other times during the fraternal year.)  The Spiritual Reflection program is required to earn the Columbian Award.  (At least 10% of membership or a minimum of 10 Knights should participate to count as a qualified program). But more important, what a way to grow the council spiritually as we all strive to be the Catholic Man/Holy Man that God wants us to be.  Several councils have submitted their program which include a Men’s Conference, or a council retreat.  

The following are some examples of programs that qualify:

1. St. Mary of the Woods, Terre Haute, has an awesome customized program available to the Knights. Follow these links for the FLYER and an AGENDA.  Contact Zach Pies (812-535-3131) if you are interested.
2. Ask your Chaplain, a Priest or Deacon, to lead a retreat for your council…a chance to take time with prayer and discernment to improve your council.  The program, could include Mass and/or Reconciliation.

The Knights of Columbus sponsored Race for Vocations is fast approaching – May 3rd & 4th.  Consider participating and attending this event, which supports all Vocations (Priesthood, Married Life, Single Consecrated Life and Marriage Life), in front of over 30,000 people at the Mini Marathon, Indy. Please ask your Grand Knight about the event and then complete the Council Participation form and submit it to me.  The greatest needs are volunteers for the water station located on the course, and council or individual monetary sponsorship for all activities.  Click HERE for the participation form. (Participation/monies are due March 31st) Also, contact Ed Waldschmidt (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or myself to discuss the Race for Vocations, and check the Race for Vocations page on the State website which includes: why Race for Vocations; the schedule, and how you/your council may help. 

Reminder: Many councils completed a qualified RSVP program but have yet to submit their forms.  The RSVP counts as two activities, plus your council receives a $100 refund for each Seminarian cash gift of $500 or more.  Please submit those as soon as a possible.

For questions about Supreme Faith programs, please check the Faith in Action Guidebook.  

Supreme Recommended Faith Programs

              (*RSVP counts as two activities)

If you need help or have any questions about the Knights, especially the Faith initiatives of the Knights of Columbus, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Also, there are a couple of brother Knights who I work closely with: State Vocations Chairman Ed Waldschmidt (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), State Sacristan Charlie Dispenzieri  (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), and Marian Hour Chairman Jim Recasner (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).  The four of us are the Indiana Faith team.

  Vivat Jesus and God bless you!

Larry Kunkel

Faith Director