From the Pastor:
On this Columbus Day weekend, or better yet, Columbus Day on Monday, October 11, 2021, I dedicated this short column to an organization that represents the best of our Catholic faith, the Knights of Columbus. They are a Catholic fraternal group of men founded by Fr. Michael McGivney, now Blessed Michael McGivney. The title “Blessed” is used in our faith when referring to those who have been beatified, one step away in the process of being canonized into the Communion of Saints.
Fr. McGivney, an Irish American parish priest from the latter 19th century ministering in New Haven, Connecticut, where the Knights of Columbus headquarters and museum stand today, founded this religious organization as an Associate Pastor of St. Mary’s Church with a small number of his parishioners, dying at the young age of 38 (1852-1890). The original ministering intent of the Knights was to address the financial needs of immigrants and their families as they came to America. The Knights of Columbus has grown into the world’s largest fraternal organization with charitable giving each year that reaches into the many millions of dollars, assisting in the worst natural and unnatural disasters in our nation and throughout the world. And it all began with an idea, a hope, a vision that was small, yet has grown to heights likely unforeseen by Blessed Fr. McGivney himself.
When the good-hearted priest from New Haven set out with his few parishioners to address the local needs of immigrants before them, it’s hard to imagine they could have known the widespread loving effects their organization would go on to have here in America and throughout the world. They are an organization whose goodness in the name of Christ cannot be measured because of its depth and consistency. They never take a day off from their mission. When disasters occur, they respond. This Christian organization fully understands the meaning of Jesus’ words, “You will have the poor with you always.” They understand these words of our Lord in such ways that never cause them to turn their backs on the poor, the immigrant, the struggling and the despairing, but rather toward them. They are a group of Catholic men who walk forward, toward the difficult times and disasters in our midst, caring for all of humanity, from the unborn child to those affected by Mother Nature’s harshest events. When Mother Nature gets angry, the Knights of Columbus become even more compassionate and loving. They are Christ in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty. It is impossible, again, to measure the amount of good this Catholic group of dedicated men has accomplished in the name of Jesus, symbolically and, walking alongside Fr. Michael McGivney and the thousands of other priests and laypersons in their mission.
I believe Fr. McGivney is probably shaking his head in heaven, looking down at the widespread love and goodness that continues to flow from his idea of financial assistance to immigrants, saying, “I never thought it would grow into something this great and good, from our little spot in New Haven. But, as we all know up here, God will take a small idea of love that He sends to us through his grace and turn it into a worldwide cause.” And this is the present-day Knights of Columbus. They are a force of goodness ready to step in first when trouble is at hand. They do not shy away and say, “That situation is too difficult for us to approach or handle. We best stay in the background.” Rather, they are up front and center when natural and unnatural events call for them to take charge and do God’s work under difficult circumstances. These group of Catholic men are much more than a pancake breakfast with sausage and bacon. Although I do like that part myself. They are in persona Christi, they are in the Person of Christ throughout the world, not asking for Catholic identification from those they serve, but rather, they serve anyone without hesitation where help is needed.
Here in our Parish of St. Luke, the Knights of Columbus a couple weeks back held their annual Tootsie Roll Drive to collect finances for children with physical handicaps and others with intellectual disabilities. What began as an organization established for the basic financial needs for immigrants has taken root and, again, expanded into many different ministries both in the Church and in our wider community. Just this example alone of how the Knights of Columbus have spread their wings to bring their compassionate touch to various ministries that help the needy, it makes the heart of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney burst with joy in the Upper Chamber. Could Fr. McGivney have imagined that one day his organization would be making life a bit easier for these children and others who suffer from their physical and intellectual incapacities? Probably not. But this is what happens when a house is built on rock. The house of the Knights of Columbus is built on the rock of Christ, which is why it will always stand and flourish until the Christ himself returns.
Their faith works cannot be stopped. Which is why the Knights of Columbus is such a potent, loving force in the world. One of my better teachers in seminary at St. Mary’s in Baltimore was Fr. Bob Leavitt, who was President-Rector of the seminary during my years there. He became, after his ordination in Hartford, Ct. a priest of the Order of St. Sulpice. As president-Rector, Fr. Leavitt found time to teach a couple classes, for which I am grateful. Learning from incredibly gifted scholars like Fr. Leavitt was an intellectual and spiritual treasure. I mention him here because one of the thoughts he gave our class of seminarians was that of implementing, and allowing to grow, one good idea. Once established, allow the Spirit of God to lead and work through many others over the months and years with that one specific possibility.
A holy example of this would be Mother Teresa, St. Teresa of Calcutta, implementing the idea of working alongside the poorest of the poor in the streets of Calcutta. Over the years, whereas Calcutta remained home base, many other cities throughout the world where the poor were present in droves, including Baltimore where her good Sisters ministered to men with AIDS, these cities became extensions of Calcutta and the work of the Missionaries of Charity. All from one idea and one little Nun less than 5-feet tall. They produce each day a measure of love that only God can measure with accuracy.
This is also the idea of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney and the immigrants he saw firsthand in need of basic services through financial assistance. Fr. McGivney was not looking to make anyone rich in his ministry of service. What he saw in front of him was the face of Christ in need. If any immigrants were to become monetarily rich one day, it would result through their own hard work and ingenuity. Fr. McGivney sought to ease the common burden of everyday immigrants who flooded this country in search for a better life, possibly placing them on the road to the world’s riches, hopefully never forgetting where they came from and who helped them in their early stages of adjustment.
His one idea, like that of Mother Teresa, was built, not on just any rock, but on that of the rock of Christ. This explains the Knights of Columbus’ worldwide arm of charity. Yes, charity begins at home. But when charity begins at home and desires to help those outside the house, then what you have are religious groups like the Missionaries of Charity and the Knights of Columbus. Women and men committed to Christ Jesus and the demands and commands he places on us when he says in Matthew 25, “What you did for the least of my people, you did for me.”
May God continue to bless the Knights of Columbus, their efforts and energy here in our Parish and throughout the world, as we note their work, their talents, and their Christ-centered hearts going out to the needs of all. No Catholic identification required for any of God’s people in need. And may the Lord bring Fr. Michael McGivney to his place in the Communion of Saints where another St. Michael will be added to the ranks of the heavenly inhabitants.
Fr. Riley