Knights of Columbus,  St Isaac Jogues

Marv Rusnak, Council Newsletter Editor

November 2022

Newsletter Editor’s Message

With mid-term elections in just a few days, maybe it is time to review how the Knights of Columbus are involved in political activities.  Here is how Wikipedia characterizes it:

The Knights of Columbus were politically active from an early date. In the years following the Second Vatican Council, however, according to Christopher Kauffman, the Catholic anti-defamation character of the order began to diminish as Catholics became more accepted, and the leadership of the order attempted to stimulate the order's membership to become more aware of the religious and moral issues which the Church was confronting. That led to the creation of a "variety of new programs which reflected the proliferation of the new social ministries of the church.
The Knights of Columbus is classified as a 501(c)(8) fraternal benefit society by the IRS. Unlike the more common 501(c)(3) nonprofits, 501(c)(8)s are allowed to engage in limited direct political activities without jeopardizing their tax exempt status. However, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson has said “One of our most important traditions throughout our 125-year history is that we do not, as an organization, become involved in partisan politics.
As a non-profit charitable organization, the order is legally prohibited from endorsing political candidates in the United States, but it is permitted to engage in issue-specific political campaigns. Its political activities are therefore limited to such campaigns, the campaigns typically deal with issues that touch upon Catholic social teaching or insurance issues.
At the 1968 Supreme Convention, Supreme Knight John W. McDevitt posed the question of whether the Knights were conservative or liberal. He answered by saying that the order was "both progressive and conservative and we are neither." The Knights' progressive credentials were rooted in their "efforts to shake the country free from any prejudice ... to create conditions which will give every American a chance to obtain decent money ... to eliminate poverty ... [and to foster] interreligious dialogue and interracial understanding." Their conservative efforts consisted of their promotion of a Judeo-Christian morality, anti-secularism, patriotism, and their loyalty to the pope and the bishops.
More recently, the Knights of Columbus have taken an active stance on social issues and causes, strongly opposing efforts to introduce or promote same-sex marriage, abortion, and mandates that require employers to pay for artificial birth control, even if they violate their religious beliefs. The Order has also taken an interest in the rights of immigrants and refugees, especially those immigrants and refugees who come from Catholic-majority countries.

In 1881, Fr. McGivney, a young Irish priest based in New Haven, Connecticut, explored his idea to begin a new type of fraternal organization. He hoped it would not only bolster the men’s faith at the parish, but also provide financial relief for families stricken with the death or sudden illness of the breadwinner. McGivney knew first hand the effect this had on a family, especially an immigrant family struggling to make it in America. The fraternal groups that, at the time, served as the most common source of life insurance, were closed to Catholics and immigrants.

After much consultation Fr. McGivney started the “Sons of Columbus” in 1882, named in such a way as to “bind Catholicism and Americanism together through the faith and bold vision of the New World’s discoverer.” The word “Sons” was soon replaced by “Knights” to further invigorate the men who would become members.

SK Vincent E Schnell II, District Deputy (33)
[Email: vincenjkofc@gmail.com ✞ Phone: 856-625-0770

Mission of Mercy is well underway. Vineland Council 6531 reports the first 40' shipping containers have been
filled and are being shipped to Poland and Ukraine.
We are now working on the second one. Please
encourage your Councils to take part in this project,
it will be ongoing. The problem in Ukraine will not be
going away soon.
Some Councils have enlisted help from their towns
and communities. They have placed articles and
flyers in their newspapers, online media, and
circulated posters and flyers. These efforts are
having a positive effect. As the donations of
requested items come in, please take them to the
collection locations in your Chapter. If you have
received a large amount, a pick-up truckload or
more, please give John Flynn a call (732-513-0196)
and we can schedule a pick-up.
Burlington Chapter Collection Point - Council 12592,
Hainesport, Christopher Reavy, GK, 201-757-2401,
Chris.resavy@comcast.net

• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• The Country of Ukraine
• Options for Women's Facility
• Good Counsel Homes 
• Social Concerns Ministry 
• Coats for Kids
• Red Cross Blood Drives
• Seminarians (Priests in Training)
• Send a Hero Home
• St. Isaac Jogues Parish/Rectory
• Helping to Organize Food Pantry
• Sunday Dinners for those in need.
• Post Signs - Keep Christ In Christmas
• Bishop Appreciation Dinner
• Repair of the Rectory's Gutters
• Holy Cross Academy High School
• Special Needs Drive & Special Olympics
• 40^th Aniversary gift for Father Pfleger
• Holy Cross Scholarship Program 
• Shield Award–Police Officer of the year
• 1^st Communicant’s books for children
• Roses for Mother’s Day
• Pens for Father’s Day

Are you interested in learning why the Knights of Columbus Life Insurance benefits program is the most highly rated program in North America and what it could mean for your family?  Do you wonder why the Knight's sell Life Insurance?  This was one of our founding principles meant to provide a means of protection for our families in case of tragedy. Purchasing LIfe Insurance is completely optional but is available to all Knight's if desired.  If you are interested in learning more, Call or email Carl Bruno at 
carl.bruno@kofc.org
856-287-3232