THANK YOU!
We just want to offer a huge Thank You to all those that helped make this year's Joseph D Tomlinson Memorial Golf Tournament a success! Thanks to our sponsors, donors, teams, and volunteers, we held our largest tournament yet.
With the addition of this year's proceeds to our JDT Memorial Scholarship fund, we provided six students with scholarships totaling $5,500. In addition, we have endowed a permanent scholarship in Joe's name at Saint Francis University where students from Bishop Guilfoyle will continue to receive financial support to further their education.
Once the scholarship is in place, donations can continue to be made to it enabling it to grow and provide larger support to students. Information to make donations will be provided in the next few weeks.
A Message From Your KofC Insurance Field Agent - Michael McAndrew
August 2022 Council Meeting Message
As I write this, we have scores of people in the Supreme Office and around our jurisdictions who are
preparing for the Supreme Convention. It’s an exciting time because many accomplishments of the past
year will be recognized. All of you, the members of this council, and the members of the other councils I
serve, can take great pride in playing a part of these successes. I congratulate all of you for your
dedication to our first principle, charity, and reaching so many in need both here at home and around
the world. While we have helped many right here, you have responded generously to help our brother
Knights and their families in Ukraine and our brother Knights in Poland who have been critical in
providing for so many refugees.
Our Order, started by a simple and humble parish priest, who is on the path to sainthood, was to provide for both the spiritual and temporal needs of his flock. You are helping to do that today. When people in the local community think about the Knights of Columbus, they may have some general notion about all these good works we do and the Order’s amazing impact around the world. But to the local parish and the community, you represent the Order. When you are volunteering at a Special Olympics event, when you are visiting the sick, helping your pastor, handing out coats for kids, selling Tootsie Rolls, raising money for a charitable cause right here in your own backyard—this is what people see, they see you; to them you are what it means to be a Knight of Columbus.
When you lead with faith, protect your family, serve others, and defend your values, you are a witness inspired by our founding principles. I look forward to next month when we can see the actual impact as outlined in the Supreme Knight’s Report at the convention. But even with a report of all that has been accomplished, let’s not lose sight that our work is not done. We have challenges every day and I am pleased to be assigned to this council and help further the vision of Blessed Michael McGivney.
Vivat Jesus!
Father McGivney's Path to Sainthood
Beatification of our Founder, Father Michael McGivney
On May 26, 2020, Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Father McGivney and opening the way for his beatification. On Oct. 31, the Mass for Beatification was celebrated in the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, Conn. An Apostolic Letter was read from Pope Francis that declared Father McGivney would now have the title of Blessed Michael McGivney. He is the third priest born in the United States to be raised to this honor, and the first priest to be beatified who spent his whole priestly ministry in a US parish.
The pope’s Apostolic Letter stated that Blessed Michael McGivney’s “zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel and generous concern for the needs of his brothers and sisters made him an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.”
The Cause for Canonization for Father McGivney was opened in the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1997, when he was given the title Servant of God. On March 15, 2008, his heroic virtue was recognized by Pope Benedict XVI, and Father McGivney was given the title Venerable Servant of God. This important step occurred after years of careful investigation of Father McGivney’s life, spirituality and holiness by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The declaration of Venerable confirmed what those who knew him in life, and others who call upon him since his death, have believed about Father McGivney: He lived a life of heroic virtue with an extraordinary love of God and neighbor.
Having been raised to the honors of the altar, Blessed Michael McGivney has an annual feast day of Aug. 13, the day between his birthday (in 1852) and the he passed into eternal life (in 1890). His cause has now entered the final phase toward canonization or sainthood. One more confirmed miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney is needed for him to be declared saint.