Building a Better World: The Blog of the Knights of Columbus

Knights of Columbus Mobilize for Oklahoma Tornado Relief Efforts

In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated the community of Moore, Okla., donations for the disaster victims are being collected through Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the damage caused by the tornadoes in Oklahoma,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “We will work with our state and local councils to help the people of Oklahoma recover from this disaster, and we ask all members of the Knights of Columbus to keep those affected in their prayers.”

Led by the state council officers, local Knights have stepped forward to help with the disaster relief efforts. Partnering with Catholic Charities Oklahoma City, Knights are operating at All Saints Catholic School. In addition, Knights of Columbus Council 1018 in Shawnee hosted a community breakfast with their parish community for affected families in Shawnee. Oklahoma Knights are also working out of St. Andrew Church in Moore where they are processing community assistance requests and registering Knight volunteers for the tornado relief effort. On the Friday immediately after the disaster, members of Council 9901 took to the streets of Moore to visit parish families at their homes and assess their needs and share their findings with the parish administration. The Knights also worked with the parish staff to continue to check in with families following weekend Masses to report any needs the residents currently have that are not yet being met.

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Remembering Our Heroes

This Memorial Day the Knights of Columbus honors all those who have served our country in our armed services by recalling President Franklin Roosevelt's prayer to the nation during the Normandy Invasion . We recall his words again today in memory of our most recently fallen heroes.

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Called to Serve

Father Timothy S. Hickey, a former editor of Columbia magazine, was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Hartford at St. Joseph Cathedral May 11. He was ordained with six other men for the archdiocese. He also celebrated his first Mass at the St. Mary's Church -- the birthplace of the Knights of Columbus -- as well as celebrating a Mass for his former co-workers at the Supreme Council office.

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Praying for Boston and Texas

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson issued the following statement: "The thoughts and prayers of the Knights of Columbus are with all of those killed or injured in the terror attack on the marathon in Boston and in the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. May God provide eternal rest to the deceased and comfort to all those affected, and may all of us be inspired by the witness and courage of the emergency personnel and bystanders who rushed to the aid of those who were injured at the risk of their own lives."

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The Pope of the People

In taking his name from St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty,” and identifying himself so closely with the poor by his public acts and statements, Pope Francis has shown himself to be dedicated to charity.  Through humble and loving devotion to God and neighbor, our new pope embodies the Gospel in word and deed, and is truly "The Pope of the People."

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Committed to Charity

In taking his name from St. Francis of Assisi, "the man of poverty," and identifying himself so closely with the poor by his public acts and statements, the Holy Father has shown himself to be dedicated to charity. The Knights of Columbus, whose guiding principle is charity, stands with Pope in this dedication to serving those in need. Throughout the world, Knights of Columbus councils work to serve the poor and needy in their communities.

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The Way of the Cross

Following Jesus Christ on his way to Calvary, a traditional devotion helps us to meditate on the mysteries of salvation. Throughout the years, countless Knights of Columbus units have taken the lead on constructing, restoring or commissioning Stations of the Cross at their parishes or for outdoor prayer walks. As we approach the Easter celebration, it is an appropriate time to mediate upon Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.

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Habemus Papam

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and the 1.8 million members of the Knights of Columbus extend cordial best wishes and prayers to our newly elected pope. The election of Pope Francis - the first pope from the American hemisphere - highlights the fact that America is the continent of baptized Christians, and a place of central importance to the faith today. Pope Francis is well known also for his emphasis on charity - the first principle of the Knights of Columbus. Both in our efforts for evangelization and in our charitable work, we will strive with him to bring the light of Christ to the people of our continent during his historic pontificate.

A Prayer for the Church

The Knights of Columbus is asking its members and all Catholics to pray daily for the pope and the church in anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI's retirement and the election of a new pope. The  campaign comes at a time when Pope Benedict XVI has publicly asked for prayers for himself, his successor and the Church. The Knights are asking people to record their pledge to pray at PrayerfortheChurch.com.

Created Equal

In the early 20th century, the Knights of Columbus took the lead in promoting racial equality. In 1924, Jim Crow laws were still being enforced in many parts of the United States and the height of the civil rights movement was still 40 years away. Yet at that time, the Knights of Columbus commissioned and published The Gift of Black Folk: The Negroes in the Making of America by famous civil rights proponent W.E.B. DuBois. The book presented the varied contributions of Black Americans from the earliest colonial settlements through World War I and the early 1920s.