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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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Each of us is called by God to give all and, in a sense, that’s a responsibility that you have undertaken by membership in the Fourth Degree. Membership in the Knights of Columbus for most members often ends at the Third Degree, but you have decided that you want something more and are willing to take that next step. The irony to me is that so many men who join the Knights do so because they have seen our Honor Guards in action and think that all members are Fourth Degree. Imagine the numbers we could harvest from new membership if we embraced the challenge to deliver to them exactly what they expected upon joining.
The ability for the Fourth Degree to fully engage in patriotic activities in support of our veterans, active duty, and communities would be immeasurable.
As the current fraternal year winds down, let us shift our focus to the challenge of the 2025-2026 fraternal year. For more than half of next year, we will still be celebrating our 125th anniversary. Continue to engage your Third-Degree members to become Sir Knights during this significant moment in the history of our beloved Order.
In closing, as it is May here in the United States, it is that time of year when we remember those brave men and women who gave the last full measure of devotion in the defense of our country. No doubt, every nation that comprises the Knights of Columbus has a Memorial Day that recalls their sacrifice. Let us take time this month to remember them in our prayers and to give thanks for their love and devotion to dedicating their lives to something exceeding self. Also, please pray for the annual Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage that is taking place this month. Pray for our many veterans who need healing from their physical, emotional, and moral injuries.
Vivat Jesus!
| | A 30-member Honor Guard was present for Chrism Mass in Crookston, MN Diocese. Celebrant was Bishop Cousins. This is in the Marquette Province where WI FVSM of Marquette Province Craig Larson and VSM Brian Heger from the DeSmet Province were in attendance. | | Star Assembly Requirements | | Message From Fourth Degree Director of Training | | |
This past week I had the honor to serve at the wake and funeral for a fallen brother and friend.
Our Grand Knight took a video of a few of our postings and texted them to me. Although I think we did a fine job, there were a few things we really need to work on, and the first thing was keeping in step with your partner.
Our entrance was fine; the departure from the posting with our members who just did a shift is where we got lazy.
When working in pairs, make sure you keep the same pace as your partner, start off the same (left foot), keep in line with your partner, stop at the same time, use your peripheral vision to slow down or speed up, work with your partner after each shift to work out anything you know can be improved.
This should be practiced as much as the proper carry and present sword at a call out. We want to be sure that we honor our brothers and their wives by being as professional as possible at a call out.
At your next Assembly meeting, please take 15 minutes to practice keeping in step with your partner, starting off on your left foot, nice pace at entrance and departure (this is not a race to the back of the room).
Honing your skills as a member of the Color Corps is essential and appreciated.
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 Director of New Assembly Development | | |
My brother Sir Knights,
We are continuing to grow our Assembly numbers every month. While the number of approved Assemblies has not increased since our last newsletter, the number of Assemblies waiting to be approved by the Board of Directors has increased significantly.
We have 44 Assemblies approved by the Board of Directors so far this year and another 11 waiting for approval. That should give us a total of 55 for the year locked in pending approval. I still have 10 more as prospects ranging from infancy to paperwork ready to submit. This is incredible!
I would like to give a big shout out to Ferdinand Magellan province led by Worthy VSM Anthony P. Nazario for their incredible work in reaching 120% of their goal, plus another 30% of their goals waiting for approval. Great work to the province!
Worthy VSMs and DMs, there is still time to get your paperwork submitted for approval this fraternal year, but you need to act soon. I can assist you to populate the forms for submission. Please also include me in your submission of the forms.
We can get this done! Thank you for your hard work on this.
God Bless,
Dale Hofer, PSD
Director of New Assembly Development
| | Message from Fourth Degree Director of Programs | | |
Civic Award Application
With only one month left until the end of the fraternal year and with your Assembly having submitted its Report of Officers form #186, Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity form #1728, and Annual Assembly Audit Report form #1315, having achieved your 7% new member goal, having entered the “To Be A Patriot” competition, and having communicated monthly with your Assembly Sir Knights, now is the time to ensure your Civic Award application is completed for submission. Before sending your application to the Department of Fraternal Mission (fraternalmission@kofc.org) double check the application to ensure that each of the four events meets the Spirit of Patriotism and National Pride. Last fraternal year, the Fraternal Mission received many applications that did not meet this requirement.
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What Qualifies as a Patriotic Civic Award:
Focus on American, Canadian, Mexican, Filipino, French, Polish, Korean, etc., Values and Principles:
- Events that celebrate or promote core American, Canadian, Mexican, Filipino, French, Polish, and Korean values like liberty, justice, equality, democracy, and civic responsibility.
- Activities that honor the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, or other founding documents.
Demonstrated Patriotism and National Pride:
- Events that show respect for the national flag, the national anthem, and other national symbols.
- Activities that honor veterans, active-duty military, and first responders.
- Observances of national holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day.
Educational Components:
- Events that teach the history of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, French, Polish, and Korea, its government, or its people.
- Activities that promote understanding of civic duties and responsibilities.
- Events that explain the importance of the Constitution and the bill of rights.
Examples of Qualifying Events:
- Participation in/or organization of Memorial Day or Veterans Day ceremonies.
- Flag retirement ceremonies.
- Community service projects that benefit veterans or active-duty military.
- Educational programs about the U.S. Constitution or your country’s history.
- Events that honor local first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs).
- Participation in 4th of July parades or other patriotic parades.
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Presentations of the Flag to schools or other civic organizations.
- Working with youth organizations to promote patriotism.
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What Does NOT Qualify as a Patriotic Civic Event:
Purely Social or Recreational Activities:
- General social gatherings, parties, or recreational events that lack a clear patriotic or civic purpose.
- Sports events, unless they include a significant patriotic component (e.g., honoring veterans).
Events with Primarily Commercial or Fundraising Purposes:
- Events where the primary focus is on generating revenue rather than promoting patriotism or civic engagement.
- Commercial promotions or sales that use patriotic themes without a genuine civic connection.
Events lacking a clear connection to American, Canadian, Mexican, Filipino, French, Korean, Polish, etc. patriotism or civic duty:
- Simply attending a local festival, without any patriotic or civic contribution, would not qualify.
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Key Points to Emphasize:
Intent and Impact:
- The event's primary purpose should be to promote patriotism or civic engagement, and it should have a positive impact on the community.
Documentation:
- Accurate and detailed documentation is essential for the civic award application process. This includes event descriptions, dates, and participation numbers.
Clarity:
- When in doubt, contact your District Master to seek clarification if your patriotic event qualifies.
Focus on the Nation:
- The event should be focused on the country, and the values that the country was founded upon.
Date Application is due:
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Please email the Civic Award Application by June 30th, 2025. If the Assembly has completed their four patriotic events on the application the Faithful Navigator can submit it now, but make sure you copy your District Master and Vice Supreme Master.
Ron Boyce, PSD
Fourth Degree Director of Programs
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Thank you for your service to the Order. If you have any questions or suggestions during your term, please email suprememaster@kofc.org
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