|
Supreme Master
Michael McCusker
suprememaster@kofc.org
| | |
Supporting our Country, Community, and Church
With Respect and Honor
Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree
| | |
As September ends, we pause to remember those that we lost twenty-five years ago on September 11. Here in New Haven, the anniversary was observed with a beautiful memorial Mass at St. Mary’s, where our Order began in 1882. It was a most appropriate setting to remember the forty-six Brother Knights who lost their lives that terrible day. The service was elevated by the presence of an outstanding Fourth Degree Honor Guard, composed of Sir Knights from around the world in town for the Supreme Council’s annual Evangelization and Faith Formation Training, which combined with the McGivney Fellowship this year.
Throughout September, I have found myself increasingly contemplative over the hours that followed that tragedy, now so long ago. I clearly remember the events of the day it happened, and I find myself thinking back to that night. Exhausted by the coverage, I turned off the T.V. and sat quietly in my living room. My wife, Theresa, was asleep in our room, our first-born child growing in her womb. I wondered what kind of world this child would be brought into in just a few months.
The realization that I might not even be around when the baby was born hit. At that point in my life, I was a young prosecutor, but also a national guard officer. As it turned out, I was home when Madeleine arrived, but before she could begin rolling over, I was gone for the next year on deployment. In fact, the next five years would take me away from home on two deployments – one of which was in Afghanistan.
| | |
That night, as I tried to wrap my mind around the terrorist attacks on the United States, I realized how foolish I had been a decade earlier when I bellyached over missing the Gulf War. It was apparent now that this ridiculous comment was about to come back to haunt me. And yet, I knew I could not fear what was coming, but only accept the reality of it. I stood, whispered a prayer, and headed upstairs to bed – trusting God to lead me where I was needed.
Several times this month, I found myself listening to Green Day’s Wake Me Up When September Ends. That song was sort of an anthem for me during my tour of Afghanistan. I often listened to it to pass many hours of boredom and have listened to it many times since I came home. I realize that for many of us, September never ended. It stays with us even now.
As haunted as I am by those dark times, I am reminded to be thankful to God for bringing me through. I pray increasingly for those who did not survive September 11, and for all those afterward who went to war and didn’t come home. I am reminded that each of us, not just the veterans, but each of us who love our nations, have one absolute duty in keeping the memory of all those who were lost. Simply put – to live our lives as true patriots, we must wake up every day committed to living lives worthy of their sacrifices.
Vivat Jesus!
Michael McCusker
Supreme Master
| | Message From Fourth Degree Director of Training | | |
Using our Honor Guards for Membership Growth in the Fourth Degree
Unity with the Councils attached to your assembly
Faithful Navigators should be reaching out to each of the Grand Knights of the councils that make up their assembly and secure a list of upcoming Exemplifications of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity that the councils have scheduled.
Offer to field an Honor Guard for the CUF exemplification, and to stay after Mass to support our new brother Knights as they go through the exemplification. This gives the new members a full house of observers for their CUF Exemplification.
Ask the Grand Knight for 1 minute to speak to the new members at the end of the exemplification. Have a list of programs that your Assembly performs ready (from memory is best), and tell them when the next Fourth Degree exemplification is planned. Afterwards, distribute a flyer to each of the new members which includes all this information, plus your contact number and email address.
| | |
Follow up with these new members later to secure their form 4’s.
Practice your Honor Guard members prior to the exemplification so you can show the candidates what they can participate in once becoming a Fourth Degree member.
Remember, all our Exemplifications of Patriotism will take place in either our local Cathedral or Parish church. We are to show all parishioners what we commit to as members of the Knights of Columbus: the commitment to our Faith, the support of our clergy, the love of our country and those who served.
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 Ceremonials | | |
I just participated in the Calvert Province Provincial Assembly. It was a great meeting. I presented items related to Ceremonials and it reminded me that it would help all of us to review previous Supreme Training items in this area.
I was just on Facebook (as I often am!), and saw a poster put there by someone with a Fourth Degree Color Corps member in regalia carrying a sword. And I looked at it and the Color Corps member was not carrying the sword correctly. Rather than carrying the sword with a couple fingers, and his arm straight down at his side, he was cradling the sword in the palm of his hand! The result is that the sword was very low at his side, rather than high beside his head. I commented on this in the hope that all seeing it would realize the correct way to carry the sword and if necessary, review it in the Drill manual. In fact, it would be a great idea if we all review before our Color Corps events and perform as shown in the Drill Manual. Look sharp and uniform out there!
| | |
For your convenience, the latest Drill Manual version now resides on the supreme web site! And I will now declare getting to the Fourth Degree resources on the web site as Marine proof! Yes, even I was able to get to the resources just the other day! Please make sure that all who perform Color Corps duties are familiar with the Drill Manual contents, so that we can continue our work towards uniformity in our drill!
We need to make sure that we are always displaying and carrying the flag correctly! I do have some Knights of Columbus handouts on display of the flag that I will provide to the Vice Supreme Masters.
Please get all Exemplifications scheduled now and get that information to me for the Schedule Spreadsheet. And make sure to tell me of the results once the Exemplifications are held. Thanks!
Please let me know if I can assist you with anything ceremonial! Thanks for all your work in these areas!
Fraternally and Patriotically,
Mike Thumm, FVSM
Fourth Degree Director of Ceremonials
| | Membership - Provincial Quotas | | |
Please view the Provincial Quotas as of August 31st.
Keep up the good work!
Click the image to view at full size.
| | |
Alfred N. Nicolas became Supreme Master of the Fourth Degree in 1983 and served in the role until his death in 1987. During his tenure, he increased the Fourth Degree’s involvement in national patriotic projects and assistance to military personnel at home and abroad.
Nicolas was born on October 21, 1924, in Tampico, Mexico, the son of Adib and Badeeha Nicolas. They were Lebanese immigrants who came to Mexico to work before moving their family to Laredo, Texas in 1941, eventually settling in Corpus Christi. Nicolas joined the U.S. Army in 1943 at Camp Wolters in Texas, served through 1945, and became naturalized as an American citizen on March 14, 1944. Following his military service, he earned a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was licensed to practice law in Texas on May 24, 1951. On November 22, 1951, he married Mary Ella Haney.
After serving the Diocese of Corpus Christi for several years-- as a delegate to the Texas Catholic Conference, director and chairman of the Bishop’s Committee for Youth, and member of the Diocesan Council for Catholic Men and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine-- it seemed only natural for Nicolas to continue his service through the Knights of Columbus. Initiated into Corpus Christi Council 1202 in 1959, Nicolas served in several leadership positions within the council, including as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. He eventually rose to serve on the State Council as State Secretary and State Committeeman. Nicolas was also Master and Vice Supreme Master of the Guadalupe Province before becoming Texas State Deputy in 1969, where he notably established an education program for the deaf community.
| | |
Nicolas was later elected to the Board of Directors in 1979, and in 1983, he was elected Supreme Master of the Fourth Degree. Under his leadership, the order’s national profile and civic involvement grew. In anticipation of the Statue of Liberty’s centennial in 1986, President Ronald Reagan formed the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission to restore the landmark and rekindle civic spirit across the nation. It would be the first federal commission to rely on the private sector for total funding. Lee A. Iacocca, the president of Chrysler Corporation, had been selected by Reagan to be the committee’s chairman, and personally asked the Knights for their support in the cause.
By July 24, 1985, the Fourth Degree had raised $230,000 in contributions in a campaign to help pay for the restoration project. Assemblies across the country pledged to raise $1 million by July 4, 1986. The following year, Nicolas had the honor of presenting a check for a million dollars directly to Iacocca, as promised.
Under Nicolas’ leadership, the Fourth Degree was also honored with the George Washington Award by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge for its “Get Out the Vote” campaign in 1985. The Fourth Degree previously contributed $50,000 in 1983 to the U.S. Military Ordinariate for its project to establish a chaplaincy office responsible for ministry to soldiers and their families. Additionally, $20,000 was granted to the Canadian military vicar for ministry programs to military personnel in Canada. Nicolas also introduced the “To Be a Patriot” award, which would be presented annually to the top three assemblies for work that reflected their members’ patriotism.
In recognition of his dedication to the Church, Nicolas was invested as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. He passed away on January 23, 1987, in Alexandria, Louisiana.
– Based on newspaper articles, obituaries, census and immigration records, and Patriotism and Fraternalism in the Knights of Columbus- a History of the Fourth Degree.
Cecelia Puckhaber
Senior Fraternal Resources Associate
| | Message from the Director of Communications | | |
This September, the Church celebrates a moment long awaited by Catholics across the United States and the world: the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
For members of the Knights of Columbus, there is particular reason to rejoice. Archbishop Sheen was not only one of the great Catholic voices of the twentieth century; he was also a brother Knight whose life demonstrated what can happen when a Catholic man lives his faith publicly, joyfully, and without apology. As we celebrate his beatification, Sir Knights might consider three virtues from his life particularly worthy of imitation.
Devotion
Long before Fulton Sheen entered a television studio or stood before an audience, he knelt before Our Lord. Central to Sheen’s priestly life was his devotion to the Eucharist. He famously maintained the practice of spending a daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. His tremendous apostolic activity flowed from that encounter with Christ.
There is an important lesson here for every Sir Knight. Meetings, programs, charitable works, and the responsibilities of family and professional life can easily consume our days. But Catholic action must begin with Catholic prayer. Sheen reminds us that if we desire to become better husbands, fathers, Knights, and citizens, we must first become men of prayer.
Courage
Fulton Sheen understood that the Catholic faith was not something to be confined to the walls of a church. Through radio and television, he spoke to millions about Christ, morality, suffering, marriage, communism, and the meaning of human life. He did not dilute the Faith to make it acceptable. Instead, he found compelling ways to proclaim timeless truths to the modern world. That kind of courage remains necessary today.
The Fourth Degree calls its members to patriotism, and authentic Catholic patriotism requires Catholics willing to contribute to the moral life of their country. Not every Sir Knight will preach to millions, but every Sir Knight has a place where his witness matters: his home, parish, workplace, and community. Sheen teaches us to have the courage to be recognizably Catholic in each of them.
| | |
Zeal for Souls
Sheen never forgot the purpose of his extraordinary gifts. His intelligence, education, eloquence, and fame were ultimately placed at the service of bringing souls closer to Christ.
There is something deeply instructive in that example for the Fourth Degree.
We rightly honor our traditions, participate in patriotic observances, and serve our parishes and communities. But these things should always point toward something greater. Every act of charity, every public procession, every patriotic ceremony, and every simple act of fraternity offers an opportunity to show the world what a Catholic man looks like.
Sheen understood that evangelization requires us to go where people are.
So must we.
The beatification of Fulton J. Sheen is an occasion for celebration, but beatification is never merely about honoring the past. The Church raises up holy men and women so that we might imitate them.
Sheen lived in the world without becoming worldly. He loved his country without placing it above his Faith. And amid an extraordinarily public ministry, he understood that everything depended upon his relationship with Jesus Christ.
That is a worthy example for every Sir Knight.
Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us.
Sterling C. Roatch
Director of Fourth Degree Communications
| | Fourth Degree Across the Order | | Members of the Blanchet province carried the US Flag during the local Harvest Fest Parade. | | Members of Blanchet province, along with local Police, Fire, State Senators, and American Legion members held a ceremony dedicating a memorial to those killed on 9/11, including the display of a piece of the twin towers. | | Members of the Simon Fraser Province gathered to provide an Honor Guard at the funeral of a departed member. Requiescat in Pace. | | Brother Knights of the Fraser Province provided an Honor Guard at Mass for the Feast of St. Padre Pio. | | Cardinal McGuigan Province | | Members of the Cardinal McGuigan province in Ottawa, Ontario participated in an Honor Guard at the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church for the Feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta. | | |
Would you like to see your Assembly featured here?
Email photos and a brief write up of events to CatholicPatriot@kofc.org!
| | | | |
