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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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This past June, the Fourth Degree experienced incredible growth. In fact, in one month we doubled our growth from the previous June 2024. As we begin a new fraternal year, it is time to focus on how to maintain the momentum that the Fourth Degree has enjoyed over the past few years.
The key to our continued success is simple. Every assembly, a star assembly. If we focus on what is possible on the local level, then in the aggregate, we will achieve tremendous growth, excellence in programming, and a reinvigorated esprit de corps that will propel the patriotic arm of the Order into our next one-hundred-and-twenty-five years.
Membership growth is meaningless unless it works to benefit the Fourth Degree at its very roots where dedicated Sir Knights continue to serve as the visible arm of the Order day in and day out. It is not the Supreme Master or his Vice Supreme or District Masters who keep the Fourth Degree going. No! It is the everyday Sir Knight.
Earlier this month, I had a chance to collectively visit the assemblies that comprise the Diocese of West Tennessee, including my own assembly, which is Lee R. Hurst Assembly 2183. It was a bittersweet occasion because it marked the end of my nearly thirty years in Memphis, as my family is preparing to move to Connecticut next month.
In recent years, the Fourth Degree has struggled in West Tennessee. A dedicated Faithful Navigator, Mike Esposito, saw this collective gathering of assemblies as an opportunity to reinvigorate the Fourth Degree in the area. It is bold initiative such as this that makes the difference between an assembly and a star assembly.
So, as we begin a new fraternal year, if you are in a great assembly, make it even greater. If you are in a struggling assembly, be willing to challenge yourselves and to take bold initiatives to promote, build and grow the Fourth Degree. Whether or not you become a Star Assembly this year depends on one thing alone – your courageous willingness.
As the Revised Exemplification of Patriotism emphasizes, there are many great moments in time, but the greatest moment is the time allotted to us by God; the time in which God has placed you to make a difference. So, I encourage each of you to plan accordingly, dare boldly, and demonstrate a willingness to be open to God’s plan for your assemblies in this our 125th year! If you do, then the star you see rising on the horizon will be your own!
Vivat Jesus!
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Membership Goals and asking yourself "Why wait?"
Membership goals help ensure that the Knights’ legacy continues to flourish and that its charitable mission reaches new heights. However, as with any thriving organization, growth and renewal are essential. But in an era where many hesitate to commit, the question that often arises is: “Why wait?”
This theme is not only relevant but vital in understanding and achieving our membership objectives. As Knights we must recognize that our strength lies in the collective commitment of our members. Membership growth is not pursued for numbers alone, but for what those numbers represent: more hands to serve, more voices to advocate for good, and more hearts united in faith.
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- Strengthening Parishes and Communities: Every new Knight brings unique talents and perspectives, reinforcing the organization’s ability to support parish initiatives, charity projects, and outreach programs.
- Ensuring Sustainability: By continuously inviting new members, the Order secures its ability to serve future generations and adapt to changing times.
- Expanding Charitable Impact: More members mean greater resources—time, skills, and donations—to support initiatives like food drives, disaster relief, scholarships, and aid for the vulnerable.
- Fostering Brotherhood: Growth creates opportunities for fellowship, mentorship, and spiritual enrichment, ensuring a vibrant, supportive fraternal experience for all.
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Our membership goals for the Knights are both ambitious and attainable. They are designed to inspire action at the Assembly, District, and Provinces levels. As I have discussed before, setting clear, measurable goals helps your Assembly’s, Districts and Provinces stay focused and accountable.
One must ask oneself “Why are my Brothers not joining the 4th Degree?” This hesitation can stem from a variety of factors:
- Lack of Awareness: Prospective Brothers may not fully understand what we 4th Degree Knights do or how membership could impact their lives.
- Misconceptions: Some believe that the time commitment is too great or that they must already have an understanding on proper sword etiquette.
- Uncertainty: The fear of stepping into the unknown or joining a “different” group can be intimidating.
- Procrastination: With busy lives, it’s easy to put off the decision until “someday”—a day that often never arrives.
The “why wait” philosophy is a direct challenge to our hesitation. By asking now, one can immediately begin to:
- Make an Impact: Every day presents new chances to help others, support the Church, and live out one’s faith through action.
- Grow in one’s Patriotism: The Knights offer a wealth of resources to gain awareness and understanding--all accessible from the moment of initiation.
- Build Lasting Friendships: The bonds of Knighthood continue connecting members to a vast network of support and camaraderie.
We Knights continue to thrive because we never rest on past achievements. Membership goals are not mere targets—they are invitations to build, to serve, and to transform lives. The call to “why wait” is both a challenge and a promise: by joining now, every 3rd Degree Brother can become part of a proud tradition and a dynamic future.
Together, as Knights, we can accomplish more than any one person alone. Now is the time to ask your fellow Knights to join the 4th Degree. Why wait?
Fraternally,
Bret Ladenburger
PSD Wyoming
4th Degree Membership Director
| | Message from the Director of New Assembly Development | | |
My brother Sir Knights,
We have had a great last couple months of new assembly submissions. Our Supreme Board, at their next meeting, will have to deal with a lot of new assemblies to be approved.
We have 44 assemblies approved by the board of directors so far this year and another 23 waiting for approval. That should give us a total of 67 for the year locked in pending approval. I still have 3 more as prospects ranging from infancy to paperwork ready to submit. This is incredible.
As I mentioned in my last report, the Magellan province surpassed their target by a lot. For the North American based provinces, Father Padilla and Desoto provinces are leading the pack. Father Padilla is at 50% of target and Desoto is at 40% with another waiting for approval that would bring them to 60%. Congratulations to all these VSMs for their hard work in putting these assemblies together.
Thank you for all your efforts. Keep that paperwork coming.
God Bless,
Dale Hofer, PSD
Director of New Assembly Development
| | Message from the Director of Ceremonials | | |
Welcome to the new fraternal year! Let’s make it better than we left the last fraternal year.
One way to do this is for the Vice Supreme Masters to work with their District Masters and work for perfection in your inputs to the Fourth Degree Exemplification Schedule Spreadsheet. We, as a Fourth Degree had about a 60% success rate in doing this last year. First, insist that your District Masters inform you of every exemplification that they plan to hold. That way you will have the information on all planned events and can send it to me. If that doesn’t work, then insist that the District Masters send the information to me as soon as they know it. Second, when exemplifications are held, I need to have the information on the number of new sir knights made. If we can accomplish both of these, then we will have the useful tool that the Supreme Master desires and requires. Thank you in advance for your attention to detail in this area.
Remember, if you need some resources for the revised Fourth Degree Exemplification/ Exemplification of Patriotism, let me know and provide me your email address. I will share a dropbox file with you that will provide what you need until the final resources are released.
Thank you for all that you do for the Fourth Degree, the Order, our Church and our Country!
Vivat Jesus!
Mike Thumm, FVSM
Fourth Degree Director of Ceremonials
| | New York Council Introduces 125th Anniversary Commemorative Boxcar | | |
Since 2018, Msgr. Sherman Council 5103 in Queens, NY, has been delighting Knights of Columbus and other Lionel train enthusiasts with an annual “Keep Christ in Christmas” boxcar. It’s the perfect opportunity for hobbyists to add a unique item to their train collection and for council members to spread the message of the true meaning of Christmas.
The program’s popularity led to the production of additional offerings, including a boxcar commemorating the beatification of Knights of Columbus founder Father Michael McGivney in 2020, and another celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Order’s Patriotic (Fourth) Degree. The latter caught the attention of Supreme Master Michael McCusker, a model train fan himself.
While the original 125th anniversary boxcar sold out quickly, the council commissioned a boxcar to commemorate the 125th Anniversary celebration held on February 22, 2025, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, which is available now for preorder. The Lionel O-gauge boxcar measures 11 x 3.25 x 2.25 inches, and features images from the first Patriotic Degree on February 22, 1900, as well as from the 2025 Exemplification in St. Patrick’s.
Whether a collector or simply a member seeking a memento of the historic event to display on a mantle or bookshelf, Council 5103 will be happy to hear from you! Each boxcar is made by Lionel in the USA. The council charges $99 per unit, shipping included. Discounts are available for six or more units. All profits go to Knights of Columbus Charities. Visit kofc5103.org/trains to place your order (USA only). Production is scheduled for the fall with delivery by Christmas.
| | Message From Fourth Degree Director of Training | | |
Upcoming Training and How to Participate
We held Faithful Navigator training on July 21st and Assembly Officer training on July 23rd. If you were unable to attend the scheduled trainings, they are now available to view on demand by clicking on these links:
Faithful Navigator Training - 1727503
Assembly Officer Training - 1727506
In September we will have our first quarterly training of the new fraternal year:
September 22 – Drill Manual update, led by FVSM, and Fourth Degree Ceremonials Director, Mike Thumm.
Sir Knight Thumm will do a general overview of the manual, the importance of regular practice in all aspects of the manual and highlight the major changes that have been made to our Fourth Degree Drill Manual and Manual of the Sword.
Invited to this training are all Vice Supreme Masters, District Masters, Marshals, Assembly officers, and especially Color Corps Commanders.
Here’s how you can participate:
The Supreme office will send a registration email to all listed Vice Supreme Masters, District Masters, and Assembly officers (That’s why it’s important to complete the 186 Officers Report form properly).
When you get this email, register for the training session. About one week before the training date, you will receive a second email from the Supreme office with the link to the meeting.
If you can’t make the night of the training, still register. All those who register will be able to view the training On Demand on the Supreme site. If you don’t register, you will not have that option.
We have some exciting things coming your way for the 2025-2026 Fraternal Year in the Fourth
Degree.
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 Fourth Degree Director of Programs | | |
Corpus Christi Honor Guard Competition Winners
Thank you to all District Masters who submitted their videos for the inaugural worldwide Corpus Christi Honor Guard Competition.
I would like to congratulate the following District Masters, who are among the five winners, on receiving a 125th Anniversary Medallion:
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District Master Peter Wouters – Ontario Eighth District, from the Cardinal McGuigan Province.
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District Master Brian Hallock – Pennsylvania Central Fourth District, from the Calvert Province.
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District Master King Alfred M. Corona – District Five West Southern Tagalog, from the Ferdinand Magellan Province.
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District Master Javier Martinez – Texas Second District, from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.
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District Master Juan Jose Gonzalez Constillo – Mexico Twentieth District, from the San Felipe de Jesus Province.
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The next competition will be a Color Corps Competition on November 11, 2025. This will coincide with Catholic Patriot Day for Provinces, Districts, and Assemblies around the world. District Masters, please ensure your teams are well-trained and prepared to demonstrate their skills! Please stay tuned for more information forthcoming in the next newsletter.
I also want to remind all Vice Supreme Masters, District Masters, and Faithful Navigators that Michael Porter and Michael Thumm will be conducting a training session on the updated Drill Manual on September 22, 2025.
Ron Boyce, PSD
Fourth Degree Director of Programs
| | Father Peter Julia: A Calling Within a Calling | | |
Father Peter Julia serves as the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and Chaplain for the 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Father Peter Julia lived in Holmdel, New Jersey, before his family moved to Southlake, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Fitness from Baylor University. Father Peter later relocated to Colorado and then to Portland, Oregon, where he worked in the bicycle industry and as a professional rock-climbing instructor. He attended Mount Angel Seminary for two years, earning a postgraduate certificate in philosophy. Subsequently, he spent three years at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City, followed by studies at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Father Peter was ordained as a transitional deacon and then a priest for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. He currently serves as the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Portland and as Catholic Chaplain for the 142nd Oregon Air National Guard.
Father Peter holds a unique position serving in the Air Guard. He felt the calling to military chaplaincy during his second year as a seminarian at Mount Angel. He was inspired after reading "Armed with the Faith: A Catholic Handbook for Military Personnel" by Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien. During his time at Mount Angel, visiting Military Chaplains at the Seminary further solidified this desire. He promptly informed his Archbishop of his aspirations to become a military chaplain. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, he returned from Vatican City to Portland to finish his studies, and during that time, he continued to reiterate to the Archbishop his desire to become a Military Chaplain.
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Father Peter initially thought he might never become a military chaplain until he met Colonel Todd Hofford while serving as the pastoral vicar for St. Cecilia. Wing Commander Colonel Todd Hofford asked Father Peter to become the chaplain and sent a letter to the Archbishop requesting Father Peter serve as the base's Catholic Chaplain. After receiving the Archbishop's blessing, Father Peter began his training by attending Officer Training School (OTS) at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. There, he was taught the foundational leadership principles, military management, Air Force customs, military history, and underwent physical fitness training. He built a strong bond with other Military Chaplains from various Christian denominations and those friendships has helped him with his ministry at the Air Base. After Officer Training, he began his work with the rank of Captain as one of the two base chaplains, with the other chaplain being an Anglican pastor. Father Peter also believes he is currently the only active Military Chaplain in Oregon and has received requests from the Army to assist with the spiritual needs of soldiers as well.
The 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard consists of 1,400 Airmen, with approximately one-quarter of them being full-time Airmen assigned to a 24-hour alert mission daily. They have 18 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets and the 125th Special Tactics Squadron on the base. While on base, Father Peter provides Mass, confessions, baptisms, wedding preparations, and counseling for Catholic Airmen. However, his work extends beyond Catholic Airmen; he also offers counseling to non-Catholic Airmen, including pilots, maintainers, and medical staff. Father Peter feels that being a priest is a significant advantage because Airmen are more likely to seek his counsel due to the seal of confession, a right held exclusively by chaplains, and priests are known for their empathetic listening. When on base, he actively engages with the Airmen to continue building relationships.
The base always seems to have some type of function occurring, whether it's a retirement, change of command, promotions, awards, or graduation ceremonies. Father Peter is frequently asked to offer an invocation for these events. For example, during one three-day drill, there were nine events, and he needed to write a prayer for each. Luckily, he was able to share responsibility with the other chaplain. During these events, he will be dressed in his dress blues, but on more casual days, he wears either his OCP (operational camouflage pattern uniform) or his clerical clothing. When asked about deployments, Father Peter indicated he has not been deployed yet. The 142nd Oregon Air National Guard does have a deployment scheduled for 2027. He is a deployable Airman and would be able to share the deployment with the other chaplain.
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Advice for Aspiring Military Chaplains:
What advice does Father Peter have for seminarians or priests who would like to become a Military Chaplain? He stresses that seminarians need to first inform their bishop of this calling to military chaplaincy. It is crucial to always be on the same page as one's bishop. Father Peter refers to it as "a calling within a calling." He emphasizes maintaining open communication with their bishop as they progress within their vocations. Military chaplains will be ministering to an entirely new group of people who need spiritual guidance.
Being an Air Force Chaplain is tough but extremely rewarding. Like many Airmen, Father Peter also maintains a full-time civilian role as the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, guiding and counseling twenty-seven seminarians for the Portland Archdiocese on their path to becoming priests. Being terribly busy with his job at the diocese, he sometimes needs to celebrate Mass and fulfill other prayer commitments at 4:00 AM so he can complete his physical training and other obstacles that the Air National Guard presents during the day, such as maintaining certifications. While busy and at times tiring, it is very fulfilling, and it has taught him to pray anywhere. It always falls back to prayer. Support our future military chaplains by donating to the Blessed McGivney Scholarship Fund Here.
| | Marquette Province Honors Cardinal Burke on His 50th Ordination Anniversary | | 18 Sir Knights presented an Honor Guard at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, WI on June 28 in honor of His Eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. A full to capacity chapel attended at Mass that was concelebrated by Cardinal Burke and 3 Bishops. Seminarians, Deacons, Priests and Bishops of the diocese were in attendance, as well as Knights and Dames of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. | | Cardinal McGuigan Province Patriot Day Parade | | Assemblies of the Cardinal McGuigan Province were joined by Knights of the Fr. Hennepin Province in Windsor, Ontario to Celebrate Canada Day in a Patriotic Parade. Knights built a 19.5’ float, displaying the flags of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories, carried a 10’ Canadian flag in procession, and provided a colour guard to lead the parade. | | | Saint Junipero Serra Province Knights Celebrate Independence Day | | Members in the Saint Junipero Serra Province gathered at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church in Freemont, CA for the celebration of Mass on Independence Day, reflecting on the values of patriotism and our Catholic obligations. | | | Cardinal McGuigan and Ferdinand Magellan Provinces Cooperate to Distribute Aid | | |
The Cardinal McGuigan Province has a new program called the Helping Hands Philippines Relief Program where assemblies, and their councils, collect food, clothes, toys and toiletries to be sent to the Philippines. The Knights in the Ferdinand Magellan Province distribute these items to people in need.
The past fraternal year, the Manitoba District, with the help of District Master S. K. Guy Precourt, has sent over 100 boxes to the Philippines with the latest shipment of 22 boxes of clothing and food having arrived recently at the Knights of Columbus office in Manila. The boxes were turned over to Luzon South State Deputy Danilo Sanchez who in turn donated the relief goods to Rev. Fr. Allan Lopez O.P., Chairman of the Ministry of Social Services and Development, Diocese of Kalookan; Caritas Caloocan. The relief goods were then distributed to the fire victims in the Diocese of Kalookan.
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The Revised Exemplification of Patriotism for use in the United States has been uploaded to KofC.org. The Script, PowerPoint, and Song Book can all be found at this link. Districts can order copies of the Script and Song Book from Supplies Online. The page can be accessed here: Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus | Knights of Columbus
Sterling Roatch
Director of Communications for the Fourth Degree
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