Our goal is to strengthen our men and their families in the faith. This formation goes beyond mere facts or religious practice to an authentic connection with a loving God and his son Jesus Christ. Programs in this category are designed to draw us closer to God and the Church in a tangible and meaningful way — whether through helping the future shepherds of the Mother Church, quiet contemplation in a spiritual reflection program, or honoring Mary, Mother of God. These programs should strive to arm us for the spiritual battle that our men and families face daily.
Spiritual Reflection Program – *Featured Program
The purpose of this program is to create annual opportunities for prayer and reflection as a fraternity. Under the guidance of their chaplain, councils can attend a retreat or day of reflection together or perhaps organize their own event for the men of their parish. Retreats like “Welcome” and “Acts” are just a few examples of the Spiritual Reflection Program events. Councils can order Spiritual Reflection posters at www.kofc.org/reflection. Councils are required to host or attend a Spiritual Reflection that is at least a day long and is attended by 10 men or 10% of your council, whichever is fewer. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.
Into the Breach – * Featured Program
Every Faith in Action program is an opportunity to put your faith into action and step Into the Breach. Stepping into the breach requires Knights to identify the needs around them and respond with action. To that end, every council is encouraged to begin this fraternal year with the new Into the Breach video series program. Rediscover who we are called to be as men of faith and the mission we are called to fulfill as Knights. Councils will institute men’s study groups to read the Apostolic Exhortation Into the Breach and use copies of the Into the Breach Booklet (#340) as a resource. This spring, Supreme produced a video series, which seeks to answer the question of what it means to be a man and how to live as a man in today’s world. There are 13 videos and each video is about 12 minutes long. These could even be shown at a council meeting during the Worthy Lectures report. Councils are required to hold eight sessions to discuss the contents of the videos or the apostolic exhortation (#340). Councils can order additional materials and booklets at www.kofc.org/breach. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.
Holy Hour – *Featured Program
With this program, Councils work with their pastors to organize a regular Holy Hour of Eucharistic adoration. A Knights of Columbus Holy Hour is something that everyone in the parish can participate in and could include a reflection, communal rosary, prayers for intercession by Father Michael J. McGivney or St. Joseph, and various other aspects as decided by the council. The purpose of this event is to encourage deep personal encounter with God. Councils can order the “Prayer time: A Collection of Catholic Prayers” booklet, posters, and additional materials (some at no additional costs) at www.kofc.org/holyhour. A minimum of four Holy Hours (one per quarter) is required to qualify for two credits. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing each program.
Refund Support Vocation Program (RSVP) (*Featured Program)
Alfred Moreno, Chairman
As the strong right arm of the church, Knights of Columbus are committed to providing moral, financial and spiritual support to our future priests and religious at all stages of their formation. Through this program, council and parish families will raise funds to support seminarians or religious in formation, in their area. For every $500 donated to an individual, the Supreme Council will refund $100 back to the council — up to a maximum of $400 (four individuals) per council per fraternal year. Though financial support is vitally important, it is not the only aspect of the RSVP program. Councils are also called to provide their “adopted” seminarian or religious with moral support and prayers for their success. To receive the credit and refund, the council must complete Form #2863 along with the necessary paperwork by 06/30. More information, posters, Vocation handbook, and more can be found at www.kofc.org/rsvp. As a featured program, RSVP counts for two credits toward the Columbian Award when all necessary paperwork has been submitted.
Each Diocese should appoint a Seminarian/RSVP Chairman to coordinate and track this program to ensure that all seminarians are being supported. State Vocations/RSVP Chairman Alfred Moreno is here to help your council get started or answer any questions regarding this program. On the State level, Alfred will be tracking to make sure that all our seminarians are being supported (spiritually and financially).
Marian Icon Prayer Program
Tom Krueger, Chairman
The purpose of this program is to spread devotion to Our Lady through the Marian Icon Prayer Program. The Marian Prayer Program serves as the centerpiece for prayer services conducted in churches and council meeting places. Since its inception in 1979, the Knights of Columbus’ Marian Icon Prayer program has held more than 166,000 prayer services with some 20 million participants.
At the time of this publishing, Supreme will be announcing the new Icon in August. Each Diocesan Deputy should appoint a Marian Icon/Silver Rose chairman who will coordinate the schedule within their diocese. Councils are encouraged to schedule and promote this program within their parishes, catholic schools, and any other location. Additional information, along with Posters, log book, and additional Prayer Booklet (#5050) can all be found the Faith link at www.kofc.org/marianprogram.org. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program. Tom will be requesting updates each quarter, submitting updated reports to Supreme, and will be available with any additional questions.
Rosary Program –
The Knights of Columbus Rosary Program encourages councils to promote devotion to the rosary in our families and parishes by scheduling regular rosary prayer services. This program encourages devotion to Mary, the patroness of our Order, and emphasizes the importance of prayer in community and as a family. The Rosary Program encourages councils to schedule regular rosary prayer services, on any day of the week, at any time of the year, with guidance of their pastor. Kits with rosary rings, rosary prayer guides, and leader books are available for councils to order. Councils can order additional materials and booklets at www.kofc.org/rosary. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.
Sacramental Gifts –
Support families during the most important events in the life of the domestic church: the Sacraments. Councils will play an integral role in these momentous faith events and the lives of our families and parish community through prayer and the presentation of symbolic gifts. Councils can order additional materials and brochures at www.kofc.org/gifts. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.
Building the Domestic Church Kiosk
The purpose of this program is to help strengthen the domestic church (our families) by providing exceptional religious education materials to all Catholics. Building the Domestic Church Kiosks (#BDC-K) contain engaging, faith-based literature and are available for councils to distribute to members, parishioners, and the public. For $150, councils will receive a Building the Domestic Church Kiosk (#BDC-K) and the first set of 225 booklets of the most popular CIS resources, aimed at helping Catholics to live out the Church’s vision for our families. Councils can find more information and order the Kiosk at www.kofc.org/kiosk. Remember to complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) after completing this program.