Fourth Degree Update: June 2025

Supreme Master

Michael McCusker

suprememaster@kofc.org

Supporting our Country, Community, and Church

With Respect and Honor

Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree

June 2025

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Supreme Master's Message

Recently, I climbed Camelback Mountain in Arizona, a 1.47 mile desert trail that climbs from 1,354 to 2,704 feet. It’s designated as extremely difficult, and locals were quick to warn me about the frequent heat related deaths on that mountain.

Progress is measured by trail markers. I only made it to marker 8 on day one. On day two, I made it to marker 21. By the third morning, I reached the point where the summit was finally within reach but getting there would require more climbing than hiking, which time didn’t permit.

On the fourth day, I was determined to reach the summit, which was no easy feat. Below the summit, I reached a jagged ridge where the slightest misstep might result in sliding down the mountain. Continuing on or choosing to turnaround were equally bad options.

God gave me the courage to continue. Progress came slowly as I lowered my center of balance, carefully selecting my path and clutching to any rock with dear life. At the summit, a young man sat enjoying the view. I asked “Am I at the top? Am I alive?” He smiled, answering “yes” to both questions. I rested and collected myself by praying a rosary before starting the harrowing climb back down. In route, my mind turned to the end of this fraternal year and the start of the next.

Each fraternal year is like a mountain that is meant to challenge us to get to the top. The trail is never easy. The trick, just like my climb, is to divide it up. If you try to tackle it all at once, you’ll soon burn out. Without quarterly goals, you’ll soon become incapable of measuring progress. Without an understanding of what must be done and the time left to do it, you will struggle to find the courage and energy to push on when the summit is so close.

My greatest satisfaction came while descending Camelback when I passed marker 8, where I had stopped on the first day, realizing I needed a plan to get to the top. I marveled at how far I had come during the week.

As the new fraternal year dawns, Fourth Degree leaders should look to the heights of potential, and members should commit to making that journey with their assembly, district and provincial leaders. At times, it will be challenging, but the view is worth it, and so is the satisfaction at the end when you see how far you have come.

Vivat Jesus!

Spotlight on Those Who Have Served

Sir Knight Ramiro Martinez, US Army Sergeant Major (retired)

SK Martinez's unwavering commitment to service has been a constant throughout his journey, shaped by profound challenges and resilience. From his early days in the military to his impactful work in the community, he exemplifies dedication, faith, and perseverance.

Ramiro enlisted in the United States Marine Corps out of high school. After eight years of service, he went to college then briefly worked in the private sector before joining the US Army, where he served for 24 years with numerous deployments, eventually retiring as a Sergeant Major. Among his military honors are a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with a valor device, and three Purple Hearts.

In 2005, Ramiro was serving in an Intel role in Afghanistan. While traveling in a convoy that was targeted by a coordinated attack from insurgents and suicide bombers, he was critically wounded, suffering traumatic brain injury (TBI) and receiving burns over his entire body except (miraculously) underneath a wooden cross that he wore. He spent over two years recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio with his wife Mary Jane by his side. He lost part of his skull and brain, which still contains shrapnel, and is paralyzed on one side of his body.

After release, he returned to Pflugerville, where he is a parishioner at St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish, joining St. Elizabeth Council 10373 in 2008, and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Assembly 3229 in 2009.

Ramiro continued to support other veterans in many ways: working with the Wounded Warrior Project, attending military funerals at San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston Cemetery, working through Fort Hood (Cavazos) in Killeen to help counsel soldiers considering suicide, and other efforts. He also travels, making himself available to doctors studying TBI in hopes of learning from his unlikely survival.

Ramiro has served in several Council and Assembly roles, including Faithful Navigator. He has recruited dozens of men to his Council and his Assembly. He is a model for all Sir Knights.

Message from Fourth Degree Director of Programs

Corpus Christi Honor Guard Competition

With Corpus Christi this past Sunday, June 22nd, now is the time to submit your assembly’s video for consideration in the Honor Guard Competition. The objective is to highlight the Fourth Degree Honor Guard’s solemn participation in the Eucharistic procession.

Please see the guidelines below:

Judging Criteria:

The judges will evaluate each video based on the Honor Guard’s performance, specifically assessing:

Proper wearing of the Fourth-Degree uniform
Timing
Movements
Commands (both verbal and silent)
Proper sword control

All judging will be conducted strictly according to the instructions outlined in the Supreme

Sword and Drill Manuals.

Submission Details:

The videos must be submitted to the Office of the Supreme Master at suprememaster@kofc.org.
If the video file is too big, create a video in YouTube and email the link to the email address above.
The submission deadline is July 3, 2025.
In your submission, list the Assembly number, district and province.

We will select the top five Honor Guards in the Order and recognize their District Masters. The

winning District Masters will receive the 125th Anniversary Medallion.

This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the reverence and discipline of our Fourth Degree.

We look forward to your participation!

Ron Boyce, PSD

Fourth Degree Director of Programs

Tennessee Assemblies Participated in a Special Wreath Laying

On Memorial Day, twenty-four members of Nashville, Tennessee Assemblies 1081, 1627, 2389, and 2936 participated in a special wreath laying ceremony at the national cemetery in Madison, TN.

Prayers were offered for those who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

Family members of Knights carried the wreath to the main flagpole in the cemetery and taps were played as we silently prayed for our fallen heroes. This has been an ongoing program for over twenty-five years.

Message From Fourth Degree Director of Training

Upcoming Training and How to Participate

As we come to the close of this fraternal year, we have our sights set on next year’s training sessions.

Here are the first three, and I’ll update you each month on the upcoming sessions.

July 21 – Faithful Navigator Training

July 23 – Assembly Officer training

September 22 – Drill Manual update

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 the email, register for the training session. About one week in advance of 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

Bienville Province Honors Priest and Deacon

An honor guard of eighteen members was present for the Priesthood Ordination Mass for Deacon Max Gallegos at the Cathedral of St Paul, Birmingham Diocese. Celebrant was Most Reverend Steven J. Raica. VSM Pete Parrish and Alabama DM Joe Flaherty were in attendance.

A twelve member honor guard was present for the Diaconate Ordination Mass for Seminarians John Paul Stepnowski and Andrew Vickery at St. Francis of Assisi University Catholic Parish in Tuscaloosa, AL. Celebrant was Most Reverend Steven J. Raica. This is in the Bienville Province where VSM Pete Parrish was in attendance.

Blanchet Province Honors Their Archbishop

Knights stand guard during the Funeral for Archbishop Velazny at St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, OR.

Fourth Degree Mourns District Master

Magellan Province District Master 21, SK Ferdinand Meliton Cala, passed unexpectedly on June 11, 2025. He was in his second term as District Master and was enjoying great success with 99% district growth at the time of his passing. Brother Ferdinand previously served as State Warden of Luzon North, and leaves behind his wife, Andreliza R. Cala, and three children: Maria Victoria Bianca R. Cala, Maria Gian Felisse R. Cala, and Fernando Andre R. Cala.

Prayers for Vice Supreme Barton and Family

Alfred Hadley Barton, Jr., father of Desoto Province Vice Supreme Master Daniel Barton, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025. He was 83. A Pennsylvania native, his twenty plus year career in the United States Navy was followed by a second career as a biomedical engineer at the Medical University of South Carolina. He lived a life marked by service, dedication and a deep love of family. Please keep Worthy VSM Daniel and all his family in your thoughts and prayers.

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

Supreme Master Attends Texas 125th Anniversary Exemplification of Patriotism

Supreme Master Michael R. McCusker attended the 125th Anniversary Exemplification for Texas District 3 on Saturday, June 14, 2025, which coincided with Flag Day and the 250th Birthday of the United States Army. McCusker is seated in the front row, sixth from the left. He is seated between Texas State Deputy Ron Alonzo on his right and Supreme Director Alfredo Vela, on his left.

The exemplification was held in honor of Sir Knight Robert “Tommy” Conrad, who passed away at 18 on November 2, 2024, following a brief battle with cancer. At his 2024 exemplification, Tommy wore red shoes, earning the nickname of Tommy Red Shoes. His parents, Robert and Lydia, were in attendance on June 14, with his mother offering brief remarks on his incredible life. Tommy’s story first came to the attention of the Supreme Master in November when it was learned that one of his dying wishes was to cast an absentee ballot in the upcoming presidential election, which he did. The other was to have each of his siblings to crawl into bed with him one last time so he could tell them he loved them. Please pray for the Conrad family and give thanks for the example of Tommy as a devout Catholic and an outstanding Brother Sir Knight.

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.

Fourth Degree Has a New Director of Communications

As I have agreed to take new roles in Oklahoma that will take most of my time. We are pleased to announce that Sterling Roatch has accepted the role of Director of Communications for the Fourth Degree. My father always said, “If you are going to do something be committed to it and leave it better than you found it.” Well since we went from nothing to what we have today, I think I left it in a better state. Seriously, it has been an honor to serve the Fourth Degree Membership. Everything we have accomplished is accredited by all of you sending in information. The Catholic Patriot will be in great hands under Sterling Roatch.

Matthew Maly, PSD, FVSM

Sterling is originally from Lenexa, Kansas and holds bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Theology, as well as an MBA from Benedictine College. He has been employed by the Knights of Columbus since 2020, and currently serves in Fraternal Mission as the Manager of Fraternal Budgets, Resources & Vendors. His past leadership roles within the KofC include Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, and District Deputy. Beyond the Knights, Sterling serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for a Catholic pregnancy center in New Haven and volunteers with prison ministry. He is also a member of the Order of Malta and

the Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

Sterling currently resides in Connecticut with his wife, Jacqueline, and their two young children. In his free time, he enjoys visiting New England historical sites, clay shooting, and playing with his children. Please join us in welcoming him to his new role!

Provincial Intake Quota Standings

AS OF JUNE 1, 2025

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