Oklahoma State Council
of the
Knights of Columbus
|
From the State Chaplain's Desk July 16, 2007
Greetings to all Knights, family members, fellow priests and friends of the Knights of Columbus: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fr. Jim Caldwell, Associate Pastor at St. Pius X Church in Tulsa, and the new State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus. It will be a pleasure and an honor to serve the Knights of Columbus in this capacity. Allow me to share with you a little bit of my history with the Knights. I knew of the Knights growing up in a Catholic School, but it was not until I became a seminarian where I came to know and appreciate the great work the Knights do for the Church. My Knight career started in Pennsylvania while I was in the seminary. I joined the Knights of Columbus in Bentleyville, Pa, Council 5611 in 1997, and achieved my 4th degree in 1999 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Since then, I have been involved with the Knights in many ways. I currently am the Chaplain for Council 4721 and while at Christ the King, was the Chaplain for Council 1104. I am proud to be part of a group of men, and their families, who actively profess their love for the Church, as well as their country and community. At the State Dinner this past July, I had the opportunity to hear many talented people speak about their goals for the coming year as members of the State Council. Among the goals mentioned included membership, increased awareness of the Insurance policies the K of C carry, and continued visibility of the 4th Degree in many facets of Church life. Our State Deputy, Paul Wiegl, in his opening remarks mentioned that the Knights of Columbus is truly an experience of a lifetime. This thought combined with the understanding that the K of C stand behind their priests and the Church, especially in difficult times, led me to believe that we are truly in historical times. It is very true that the K of C is an experience of a lifetime. It is an experience in which we can be the faith filled people we are all called to be. It is this experience that I wish to invite each and every Council to strive for. If we want people to know who we are and what we stand for, we not only have to actively participate in the K of C, we need to live out the founding principles of K of C, which is our faith. In the Gospel message of the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus calls us on a mission: to proclaim the Gospel of truth and love. We can do this together as a family, organization, community and Church if we believe that our faith can be the experience of a lifetime. Putting this in a different way, we can live our faith as Catholics with a capital ?C? instead of in name only. What this means is this: membership can increase, and the image of the K of C can increase if we put our faith into action. We can lead others to know what being a Catholic is through our profession of faith. This is the mission of Christ, and the mission of K of C.
I think it would be great to start a new tradition at each council meeting. At some point, either at the beginning, or the end, if each council would pray one decade of the rosary together, for an increase in vocations to priesthood, religious life and married life, as well as the intentions of the council, I believe we can and will notice people being drawn to the Knights of Columbus. We will truly succeed in the mission of Christ, which is to proclaim the Gospel message of love and peace. We will truly be rooted in living our faith as Catholics with a capital ?C.? Lastly, as the K of C continue their celebration of the 125 years of existence, let each council show off its support for the priests of the diocese and archdiocese by their commitment to asking a priest to celebrate Mass, and then serve them a meal K of C style. This will drive home the point that we are all on a mission to love and serve the Lord through the sacramental life of the Church and through prayer. Please be assured of my prayers for you and for your families, as well as all the K of C councils. May God continue to bless, protect and keep each of you safe! May the Holy Spirit enkindle in your hearts that fire and gift of his grace and love!
Vivat Jesus! Archives of Father Jim's Previous Letters | ||
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