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Supreme Master
Michael McCusker
suprememaster@kofc.org
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Supporting our Country, Community, and Church
With Respect and Honor
Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree
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Last month, the Knights of Columbus partnered with the Sisters of Life for the fourth annual Life Fest, a morning of prayer, testimony, adoration, and Mass before departing for the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. This year, it was held at the Gaylord National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. In 2027 and 2028, it will be held at historic Constitution Hall just a short walk from the National March.
Most attendees are high school and college age students on pilgrimage to D.C. for the march. A Fourth Degree Color Corps from the Calvert Province participated by standing guard over sacred relics, including Blessed Michael McGivney, by providing an escort for the Eucharistic Procession, and an Honor Guard for Mass. Many thanks to Vice Supreme Master Fritz Leach who organized and led the effort.
The next day on the train home, I noticed a passenger with a KofC hat. We struck up a conversation, and I learned that his name was Sir Knight Bob Jordan, Grand Knight of Council 20 in Farmington, Connecticut. Traveling with him was Brother Ed Gales. Both had been in Washington, D.C. for the march and had been coming there for many years.
Brother Ed told me, “I’ve been coming to the march since the very beginning,” and then he spoke about their advanced age and how young they were when they began attending the march. At first, I thought he might begin talking about how the KofC has aged and needs younger men. Instead, he marveled at how many young people were at the march, calling themselves the Pro Life Generation.
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He explained that it felt like a vindication of all their years of effort, and he took comfort from knowing that the torch had been passed to a new generation.
Each of us have something to contribute in the time that God has given us on earth, and this is especially true in our efforts as Knights of Columbus. Let us continue to be the visible arm of the Order. To provide great programs for our members. To stand for the best aspects of patriotism in all we say and do as Sir Knights.
If we commit ourselves to this and more, then more young men will be attracted to our mission and eager to join our ranks, and together, we will take comfort in knowing that we, too, have passed the torch to a new generation.
Vivat Jesus!
Michael McCusker
Supreme Master
| | Message from Fourth Degree Director of Programs | | |
Patriotic Service Outreach
The latest reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs and HUD reveal a sobering reality: Veteran homelessness increased by 7.5% in 2024, marking the largest surge in 13 years.
In 2024, there were over 32,000 homeless veterans in the U.S. (including 19,000 in shelters and 13,000 unsheltered) and approximately 2,600 in Canada. As Knights of Columbus, we are called to the principle of Patriotism, and there is no greater way to honor those who served in the military than by serving those who have sacrificed their security for ours. Our Assemblies must step up to meet this growing need.
Below is a directory of organizations where our Assemblies can offer their support, time, and resources.
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United States Resources
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The largest provider of services. Contact the Local VA Homeless Program Coordinator at your nearest VA Medical Center (VAMC) for direct assistance with housing and mental health.
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National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV): Connects veterans to a network of local community-based service providers.
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U.S. Vets: One of the largest non-profits focusing on emergency, transitional, and permanent housing.
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The American Legion: Their Homeless Veterans Task Force provides a directory of local resources and emergency assistance.
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Volunteers of America (VOA): Operating in 46 states, they provide transitional housing and employment services.
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Canada Resources
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VETS Canada: Offers a 24/7 line for immediate on-the-ground support, including emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, or groceries.
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The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL): Their "Leave the Streets Behind" program provides immediate financial assistance and essential support.
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Homes For Heroes Foundation: Builds and operates Veterans' Village tiny home communities, providing supportive housing and reintegration support.
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Community Partners: Reach out to the Veteran Homelessness Program (VHP), John Howard Society, The Mustard Seed, or Veterans' House Canada.
Philippines & Mexico Resources
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Philippines: Contact the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). They are responsible for the welfare of Filipino veterans, managing pensions, benefits, and operating veteran facilities.
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Mexico: Contact the Instituto de Seguridad Social para las Fuerzas Armadas Mexicanas for assistance and programs dedicated to Mexican veterans.
Ron Boyce, PSD
Fourth Degree Director of Programs
| | Message From Fourth Degree Director of Membership | | |
Membership Musings
Worthy Sir Brother Knights, welcome to March!
What an awesome time to be planting seeds! Most of you are questioning my statement so let me provide some thoughts behind this statement. It is the dead of winter and not a suitable growing season (outside of those closer to the equator).
A little historical reference, I grew up on a farm and ranch in southwest Nebraska. At a young age, I was helping my mom in the garden and my dad in the fields. In each instance I had to prepare the earth for a proper seed bed. I took the time with my shovel, hoe and rake to prepare the dirt for the potato, corn, carrot and whatever else we wanted to plant in the garden. I rode with my dad in the tractor and learned how to operate it and the disc, the plow or the planter. Everything comes down to this: the soil had to be ready long before anything sprouted.
Now let’s relate this to the Knights. Preparation is key!
In this time of Lent, the Church is preparing the new candidates and catechumens to be accepted into the Church and our parishes. These new Catholics will have fire in their souls, their seedbed, and a start to new life, their seeds.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6, St. Paul writes:
…remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
This passage serves as a foundational scriptural mandate for our commitment to the principles of the Knights: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. In each of the principles we must be preparing seedbeds to grow the seeds of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. We must help our Brothers and Sisters in Christ to grow with us. We must be talking to the candidates and catechumens about the Knights and helping them prepare for their new life as a Catholic and hopefully a Knight.
We must be preparing the seedbed for the seed to sprout and grow so that when the time has come to reap, we may have a generous bounty.
Fraternally in Christ.
Bret Ladenburger, PSD Wyoming
Fourth Degree Director of Membership
| | Message From Fourth Degree Director of Training | | |
Preparation for a Brother Knight's Honor Guard
A brother Sir Knight and friend passed away this past week.
While he was in the hospital I visited and sat with his wife and after she told me his time was very near, I asked her what she and the family would like us as brother Knights to do for her husband.
She said Dan loved the Knights and wanted an honor guard. I asked if she would like the honor guard for both the visitation and the funeral mass and she said yes.
A few days later at mass I sat with her again and asked about Dan’s final arrangements and she gave me all the information. I later relayed the information to our Faithful Navigator, the Grand Knight of Dan’s council, and our assembly’s communication director.
When a member passes it is a sensitive situation that we all should handle with care and compassion.
My conversation with Dan’s wife went very well, others in the past have not gone that smoothly.
We know with certainty that our mortal lives will come to an end. By planning ahead, and discussing your funeral wishes with your family and assembly, you can ease the demands placed on your loved ones.
This would certainly help when the time comes to be there for our brother Knights and their family members in that time of need.
If you have any other questions on training your members, please email me at MJPKNIGHT9282@aol.com.
Fraternally,
Michael J. Porter, PSD,FM,FVSM
Fourth Degree Director of Training
| | Message from the Director of New Assembly Development | | |
My brother Sir Knights,
I direct this message to all Worthy District Masters. We are well into our fraternal year. How are we doing? Are we looking for new opportunities to form new assemblies? Other than the Philippines, there have been not many assembles formed elsewhere.
On the flip side, I have been quite busy recently answering questions, sending forms, and discussing opportunities with many provinces. That is good news but now let us bring them to fruition. Please send in those forms.
Continue to look for opportunities. As I mentioned last month, a good opportunity may be when a large exemplification takes place, to maybe form a new assembly in that area. Another opportunity may be when a new council is formed, to break apart a large assembly to help service that area more effectively. Work with your State Deputies on this.
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Please continue to reach out to me if you need help or to just discuss opportunities for new assemblies.
Thank you and God Bless,
Dale Hofer, PSD
Director of New Assembly Development
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Please view the District Quotas as of January 30th.
Keep up the good work!
Click the image to view at full size.
| | Dalton Assembly 1645 - Flag Day Canada | | |
On "National Flag Day" as Canadians, we elevate our flag with great pride and acknowledge the rights and responsibilities we share as citizens. We also honour the brave men and women who have secured our rights and freedoms over the centuries through their service to our country at home and abroad.
On February 15, 2026, Dalton Assembly 1645 of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador commemorated the 61st Canada “Flag Day” during the regular Sunday Mass. A Fourth Degree Honor Guard escorted the Canadian flag to the altar area of St. Patrick’s Church in Carbonear, NL at the Entrance Procession. A Flag Day proclamation was declared towards the end of Mass, followed by cutting the flag cake afterwards, as the choir and congregation sang O Canada.
| | Assembly Serves at Veterans Home in Florida | | Members served 170 veterans and staff at the Lassen Veterans Home in St. Augustine Florida, providing a picnic lunch, and for donated items. | | Wisconsin Fourth Degree Assemblies Support "Valentines for Veterans" | | |
Fourth Degree Assemblies from across the Eastern District of Wisconsin participated in the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs “Valentines for Veterans” program this winter.
Among those taking part were Assemblies 1196, 1304, 1307, 3210, and 3316, which worked through parishes, families, and youth faith-formation programs to help create and deliver hundreds of handmade Valentine cards to veterans residing at the Wisconsin Veterans Homes in Chippewa Falls, King, and Union Grove. The effort served as a visible reminder to Wisconsin veterans that their service and sacrifice are remembered and appreciated.
Through coordinated acts of charity, Eastern Wisconsin Fourth Degree Knights demonstrated their commitment to patriotism rooted in faith, family, and community.
| | The Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus co-sponsor LIFE Fest. This year it was held at the Gaylord Convention Center National Harbor prior to the annual National March for Life on Friday, 23 January 2026. Color Corpsmen from Calvert and St Isaac Jogues Provinces participated with the Eucharistic Procession and Mass celebrated by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori. Relics of St Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Pope John Paul II, Saint Carlo Acutis, Blessed Michael McGivney, and the Blessed Ulma Family were available for veneration with the Knights assistance. | | Blessed Michael McGivney Ordination Anniversary Mass | | |
On 22 December 1877, Blessed Michael McGivney was ordained a priest by James Gibbons, then Archbishop of Baltimore, at the then-Cathedral of the National Shrine of the Assumption in Baltimore, the first Catholic Cathedral built in the United States.
Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori began celebrating the anniversary of Blessed Michael’s ordination with a Mass several years ago. It is now the privilege of the Calvert Province to participate annually in this Ordination Anniversary of our Blessed founder, Michael J. McGivney.
| | | If you would like to see your Assembly or Province’s activities featured here, please submit them to CatholicPatriot@kofc.org! | | | | |
