Supreme Master

Michael McCusker

 suprememaster@kofc.org

Supporting our Country, Community, and Church

 With Respect and Honor

Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree

October 2024

Supreme Master's Message

I am excited to share with you that the registration site is up and running for the Fourth Degree’s 125th Anniversary Celebration to be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Click HERE for more information. Sir Knights and Knights from around the world are encouraged to attend this historic event. Just last week, I was at the cathedral to study plans for the exemplification, which will be the premiere of the Revised Patriotic Degree, which was formally adopted by the Supreme Board of Directors on October 11th in San Juan, Puerto Rico. More exciting is that for the first time, the degree will be open to family and friends to learn the great Catholic history of the United States and to see their loved one swear an oath to serve our nation as a devout Catholic and Sir Knight. With the completion of the United States degree, we now turn our focus to our international jurisdictions to begin revising and updating their patriotic degrees.

February 22nd will be an incredible day. In fact, it is the exact same date that the Fourth Degree was first exemplified in New York City in 1900. Joining us will be the Supreme Officers and Directors, as well as the Vice Supreme Masters. In 1900, they had a class of more than 1,000 candidates. Our goal is to come as close to that number as possible to increase enthusiasm and energy for the Fourth Degree as we begin our next 125 years!

So please make plans to attend the exemplification and the Anniversary Mass that will follow and will be concelebrated by our Worthy Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori, and His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York. A banquet will follow the Mass at the New York Hilton – Midtown Manhattan.

ONE FINAL NOTE: This past weekend, I met a Sir Knight who is also a veteran of the Vietnam War. He is an active member who was participating in an Honor Guard. To my surprise, he had not heard about the ongoing Fourth Degree census of brother knights who served in either the Korean or Vietnam Wars. That speaks to the lack of good communications from the top down. Please increase your efforts as we approach Veterans Day by reaching out to our brothers who served in these wars so that we may record their service. Click HERE to register. Please share with your assemblies and councils!

Supreme Master Michael McCusker was honored to join the Calvert Province on Monday, October 14th in Washington D.C. for the National Christopher Columbus Association’s (NCCA) Columbus Day Celebration. The event, held annually since 1989, was held at the Columbus Memorial in front of Union Station beginning at 11 am. This year, the program was led by NCCA President Tim Saccoccia, a brother knight who also serves as the Assistant Supreme Secretary of the Order. The Calvert Province consists of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. and is led by Vice Supreme Master Fritz Leach. Every district in the province was represented at the event. Joining the program were several state deputies and Supreme Director Steve Kehoe (VA). Also in attendance were Rev. Dr. Margaret Kibben, Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Jeffrey Reinbold, the National Park Service’s Superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, Alessandro Gonzales, Italian Ambassador to the United States, and H.E. Angeles Moreno Bau, Spanish Ambassador to the United States.

In his remarks, McCusker spoke on the significance of Columbus’ contributions to mankind noting “as we celebrate Columbus for his courage to dare to dream in the face of ignorance and short-sightedness, let us recall that this holiday was established, more than a century ago, not so much as a celebration of one man or of one race, but as a recognition of the value of all people who braved the tides to journey here so that they might embrace the inalienable rights of man, and in doing so, joined indigenous people to intricately weave the beautiful tapestry of our democracy.”

At the 1912 dedication of Washington’s Columbus Circle statue, more than 1,000 Fourth Degree Sir Knights participated. 

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, council members from Vincent T. Lombardi Council 6552, in Leonardo New Jersey along with Sir Knights from Bishop McFaul Assembly 646, in Monmouth County, New Jersey were joined by the Middletown VFW, government officials, and American Legion representatives for a candlelight ceremony honoring those who selflessly gave some and those who gave all.

Assembly 646 presented the colors, performed flag salutes, led the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Both the council and assembly presented wreaths with the assistance of the other groups, which were provided by six organizations and reverently placed around the Missing Man Table.

Every attendee was asked to place two dog tags on the Tree of Light which represented each Garden State native POW/MIA who are still unaccounted for at this time. 

The ceremony recognized the sacrifice of all missing or unaccounted for service members from World War I forward. A POW/MIA flag was presented while the four groups pledged together to hold this ceremony every year until every single member is accounted for and sent home. All in attendance prayed that this would be the last candlelight ceremony. VFW and American Legion representatives came from across New Jersey, as in previous years.



You’re invited to a celebration commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Fourth Degree.



Join us Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City as we hold an Exemplification of the Fourth Degree; dedicate a new statue of Blessed Michael McGivney; and attend Mass concelebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, and Archbishop William Lori, our Worthy Supreme Chaplain and archbishop of Baltimore.

Following the events at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you’re invited to a celebration banquet at the New York Hilton Midtown.

On this milestone day, we will conduct, for the first time, the revised U.S. Fourth Degree Exemplification. This is an exciting opportunity for Fourth Degree members to witness the updated ceremony and for current Third Degree members to take the Patriotic Degree.

Extend this invitation to members in your assembly and help us make this celebration one to remember! In conjunction with your promotional efforts, we’ll email an invitation to all members.

Visit the registration page to sign up and start spreading the word!

You can find more details, including ticket cost and travel information, on this Frequently Asked Questions sheet.

We can’t wait to see you at this historic event!



All Knights are strongly encouraged to celebrate with us. If you’re unable to travel to New York, you can hold a local exemplification in honor of the anniversary on a date of your choosing.

Supreme Assembly Launching Special Program

125 for 125

Special Challenge for the 125th

As we embark on the 125th Anniversary of the patriotic arm of the Order, I wanted to bring to your attention a special program that the Supreme Assembly is launching on February 22, 2025, at the anniversary celebration in New York City. From February 23 - August 31, 2025, our goal is for every District to hold an anniversary exemplification with a class of at least 125 candidates. Since the Supreme Assembly’s celebration will be at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on February 22, 2025, no exemplification should be scheduled for that date.

It is recognized that for some districts a class of 125 candidates will not meet their quota for the year and that other regular exemplifications will be necessary. Likewise, a class of 125 candidates will far exceed other jurisdictions’ quotas. However, all districts are encouraged to accept this challenge. Resources will be provided to all districts to assist them in planning and conducting exemplifications to reach this goal during this historic year.

Additionally, all 125 for 125 candidates will receive a special commemorative certificate, while every District Master who successfully conducts a single exemplification with a total class of 125 Sir Knights or more will be presented with a plaque. Vice Supreme Masters with 100% participation by all districts will also be recognized for their leadership.

I look forward to this being an amazing year as we make history in the Fourth Degree and build for our next 125 years!

Michael R. McCusker

Supreme Master

Missing Man Table Kits Available on Knights Gear

The Missing Man Table is a tradition in the United States and many of its partner countries. The Missing Man Table remembers those who are still missing and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nations. It also represents those who await their return and mourn their loss. This table is displayed in many military, government and corporate establishments. Some state councils, parish councils and assemblies have already incorporated a version of this into their activities and events.

Our Order displayed the Missing Man Table at this year’s Annual Supreme Convention in Quebec, Canada and we intend to display this going forward. Our Missing Man Table which incorporates the four pillars of our order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism, is now available for purchase from Knights Gear. We encourage your assembly to consider purchasing and displaying the Missing Man Table at your assembly’s Knights of Columbus events. You can review the Missing Man Table Kit here.

Message from Director of Assembly Development

As the 125^th Anniversary of the Fourth Degree is approaching, one tool to help hit that target of 125 for 125 is to create a new assembly. This does not mean developing a new assembly just for the sake of creating it. We want quality assemblies. However, if it looks like a viable assembly is in the works, timing could not be better. Create some excitement to recruit new Fourth Degree members for the new assembly. Many men will want to be part of the big anniversary celebrations, so don’t be afraid to ask them to join. If you need any assistance or guidance in getting a new assembly put together, please feel free to reach out to me for help.

Fraternally,

Dale Hofer, PSD

Director of New Assembly Development

250-938-3253

Wearing of the Uniform

I received an email from a new District Master last week. He had a question from a member of one of his assemblies and was unsure how to answer, which was:

Could he wear the Fourth Degree uniform blazer with other slacks and a regular tie when going out with this wife? The answer is: No

Our uniform was designed to be worn complete with the Fourth Degree blazer, official slacks, tie, and official Fourth Degree pin (PG-113). It also requires a white dress shirt with no button-down collar, black shoes, and black socks. However, it may be worn in social settings such as Knights of Columbus events, banquets, exemplifications, meetings, and church.

The other components of the uniform are used when participating in our color corps (color guard or honor guard). Those include the official beret with flash representing office (if any), white gloves, a service baldric, a Fourth Degree sword with scabbard. Flag bearers would not wear baldric or sword. (Note that the service baldric is either a general member baldric or else a specific color to indicate your current office held).

So, if you want to show your pride as a member of the Fourth Degree, then wear all the components according to the laws and rules of 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

4th Degree Director of Training 

Message from Fourth Degree Membership Director

Worthy Sir Knights and Brothers all:

Would you like you to know how to achieve your goals at an increased rate of 42%? The answer is simpler than many think, and I will let you in on that answer in a bit. In the meantime, let me share with you some additional thoughts to ponder:

• People setting goals are 10x more likely to succeed.
• People that set action tasks with their goals achieve them 40% faster.
• 9 out of 10 people who set specific and sufficiently challenging goals perform better than those who set easy or no goals.
• Goals need to be measurable and have an end date.

With those thoughts in mind, the answer to the question is this: Develop a detailed plan for attaining your goals and then write it down. This static is according to Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University of California.

So, it’s simple. Grab your pencil and notepad (yes, they are still available at most retailers) and let me assist you in achieving your membership goal.

The leaders in your assembly, district and province already have a simple goal provided to them, which is 6% membership growth. I want to encourage those leaders to utilize this simple way to achieve this goal at a 42% higher rate. Let’s write down the plan to achieve your goal and then work the plan. For example, as a Faithful Navigator part of my plan for achieving my assembly goal will be to attend the supporting councils’ meetings at least quarterly to share the activities. This plan is measurable and has an end date (fraternal year). I now have a measurable action plan for my membership goal.

Consider this quote from Pablo Picasso:

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.”

Writing your goals down is truly just the start to achieving your goal, but it is the most important and easiest to complete. If you are having any trouble completing this important step, please reach out to your District Master or Vice Supreme Master as they will have reviewed their own plans and should be able to assist.

I look forward to reading of your successes that are attained with this practice. Remember to stay positive, not all plans have immediate results.

Vivat Jesus.

Bret Ladenburger PSD

Fourth Degree Membership Director 

All Assemblies should have one common goal as we start the second quarter of the year. The Star Assembly Award should be the basic goal of each assembly. This award says your assembly is achieving the basic principles of the Fourth Degree. Below I have listed the Star Assembly requirements. Please note that the requirement for publishing a monthly newsletter or bulletin has been changed to “demonstrate regular monthly communication with your assembly.

Vivat Jesus,

Ron Boyce, PSD

Fourth Degree Director of Programs

503-730-1986

The Bishop Healy Provincial Meeting was held September 28th in Kennebunkport, Maine at the St. Anthony Franciscan Monastery. Representatives from all districts, including a state deputy or officer from each state, and the Supreme Master were in attendance. You never know who might show up to a meeting when invited!

The Most Reverend Francis C. Kelley Province

On September 11, 2024, Dalton Assembly 1645 in Newfoundland/Labrador, in collaboration with the local Royal Canadian Legion, hosted a Community Wide Prayer Service praying for peace in our world, while thanking and praying for those whom we lean on in times of crisis and when we need help and protection: our military, the Canadian Armed Forces (and Veterans), along with all first responders: police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, search and rescue, hospital personnel and medical professionals, counselors, social workers, and chaplains. The service took place at St. Patrick’s Church in Carbonear and was extremely well attended. 

Anthony Xavier D’Souza

November 18, 1945 - September 7, 2024 

It is with extremely heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sir Knight Anthony Xavier D’Souza -District Master of the McGuigan Province’s Ontario 2 District. He passed September 7, 2024, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 78, and is survived by Lady Euvronia, his loving wife of 54 years.  Anthony was a devoted father to Spinola, Jude and Suzette.  

He will be fondly remembered by the Knights of Columbus and his brother knights, for his tireless good work for the Order.

May eternal rest be granted unto Anthony, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace, Amen.

Administrative Assistant

Justyna Padilla 

justyna.padilla@kofc.org

203-752-4437

Special Projects and Associate Fourth Degree Specialist

Addie Roth 

adella.roth@kofc.org

203-752-4009