Knights of Columbus

Dear Brother Knights,

We are coming to the climactic conclusion of Lent with Holy Week and Easter quickly approaching. In our meditations on the Stations of the Cross, we must remember what a cruel and tortuous reality Christ’s passion was. Even so, God’s Son willingly embraced such a death as the sacrifice for our redemption! Thank God for his Son, and thank God for Easter!

The seasons of Lent and Easter are seasons of grace for our families and for our Church. Adults are baptized or received into the full communion of the Catholic Church; children make their first confession and first communion; older children are confirmed. These and all the sacraments are a participation in the Paschal Mystery—the death and resurrection of Jesus for our redemption. In them we encounter the Risen Lord and are renewed in holiness. What a blessing!

This year’s early spring weather corresponds to the Easter gospel of new life. On the other hand government intrusion into areas of religious freedom casts a shadow upon our Church’s ability to practice what she preaches when it comes to human life and human sexuality. The bishops of our country are united in defending our need to practice as an institution what the Church has always taught on these matters. Many who are not Catholic also recognize the constitutional principle being violated here and have spoken in solidarity with the Catholic bishops. Can we do any less?

May God bless you and your families this Easter and always.

-- Fr. Michael Gorman, Chaplain

Dear Brother Knights,

Bishop William Callahan and I traveled to Rome February 6-20 for the bishop’s visit ad limina apostolorum–to the thresholds [of the tombs] of the apostles [Peter and Paul]. We were there with the bishops of Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. Concelebrated Masses were held at the basilicas of St. Peter, St. Paul outside the Walls, St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. Two more Masses were held at St. Peter’s: one at the altar over the tomb of Blessed John Paul II and another at the altar over the tomb of Blessed John XXIII. The highlight of the trip was the opportunity to meet Pope Benedict XVI. After introductions and pictures the priests and seminarians accompanying the bishops were dismissed and the bishops of Wisconsin had a conversation with the Holy Father.

Bishop Callahan meets with Pope Benedict

Another highlight of the trip was the public consistory held at St. Peter’s on Saturday, February 18. During this ceremony thousands of people witnessed the creation of 22 new cardinals, two of whom were from the United States: Edwin O’Brien, the new Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; and Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York and formerly the Archbishop of Milwaukee, and currently the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

All the cardinals and bishops from the United States who were in Rome are worried about the federal government’s intrusion into the Church’s freedom to maintain practices consistent with her moral teaching on contraception and abortion. This is a constitutional matter for which we knights are called to remain in solidarity with our bishops. Please read again Bishop Callahan’s letter on the matter from late January and write letters protesting the ruling. You can find more on this at www.usccb.org.

Have a blessed Lent. May God bless you and your families.

-- Fr. Michael Gorman, Chaplain

Dear Brother Knights,

This past month thousands again gathered in Washington, DC, to march for life, marking the ignominious 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. On January 23 Catholics throughout our nation observed a day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. Several members of Congress who addressed the marchers stated that we are closer to attaining this goal that at any time in the last 39 years. The tide of both public and scientific opinion, I believe, is turning in our favor. Brother Knights, continue your prayers and efforts on behalf of respect for life. Opinion is coming back to the truth of the humanity of the unborn child. This is a fundamental and objective truth,“and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

Pope Benedict releases message for the 20th World Day of the Sick.

The month of February brings us three important observances. The first is the 20th annual World Day of the Sick on February 11. This observance reminds us of the dignity of those who are suffering from illness and the loving care which each one deserves. This is another pro-life cause which we Knights are called to promote. The second observance is Valentine’s Day, which gives you who are married a special day to celebrate your vocation and to show your life’s partner how much she means to you. Marriage is the foundation of family life and of the church family. Finally, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22. Embrace it as a time of prayer and penance for the needs of the Church and the world, especially the causes of justice, peace, family life and human dignity.

Bishop William Callahan and I will be traveling to Rome February 6-21 to report on the state of the Church in our diocese. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels as we will pray for all Christ’s faithful in our diocese at the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul.

-- Fr. Michael Gorman, Chaplain

Happy New Year! The year begins with the 45th annual World Day of Prayer for Peace. The theme of this year’s World Day of Prayer for Peace is, “Educating Young People in Justice and Peace.” In this year’s message Pope Benedict XVI explains why he has chosen this theme: “in the conviction that the young, with their enthusiasm and idealism, can offer new hope to the world.” He addresses several groups who must provide various aspects of this work of educating: parents, families and all those involved in the area of education and formation, as well as leaders in the various spheres of religious, social, political, economic and cultural life, and in the media, and young people themselves. “Young people too need to have the courage to live by the same high standards that they set for others. Theirs is a great responsibility: may they find the strength to make good and wise use of their freedom. They too are responsible for their education, including their education in justice and peace!” The entire message can be found at the Vatican web site, www.vatican.va.(fixed link)

The “Gospel of Life” is based upon the conviction that God is the author of all human life and the dignity of every individual human being. Sunday, January 22, 2012, marks the 39th anniversary of the deception that the “right to privacy” is greater than the “right to life.” The March for Life will be held in Washington, DC, this year on Monday, January 23. This is one area where the young people of our diocese of high school and college age have demonstrated “their enthusiasm and idealism.” Let us pray for and support those who will participate in this year’s March for Life.

Brother Knights, continue to carry the torch in defense of the unborn and of all whose human dignity is threatened in any way! We must also continue to defend the nature of marriage as God has ordained it, and the right of people of conscience to act according to their religious and moral convictions. Many challenges lie ahead. Our Holy Father exhorts young people in his message and all of us “to be patient and persevering in seeking justice and peace, in cultivating the taste for what is just and true, even when it involves sacrifice and swimming against the tide.