In annual report, the supreme knight urges members to respond to their baptismal calling and advance the Order's mission, pointing the world to Christ
8/3/2023
Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly delivers his annual report at the opening business session of the 141st Supreme Convention in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 1. (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly delivered his annual report to the 141st Supreme Convention in Orlando, Fla., on Aug. 2, praising members for their work around the world and announcing new initiatives to help Knights grow closer to Christ, as the Order strives to be “First in Faith and Charity.”
“It’s a pleasure to celebrate another great year. We had a year of faith in action and heroic charity,” the supreme knight told the more than 2,300 Knights and their families, members of the Catholic hierarchy and special guests in attendance at the convention’s opening business session. “We stepped up in so many ways — all 2 million Knights of Columbus.”
Noting that Knights served 49 million volunteer hours and donated more than $185 million to charity in 2022, he continued, “I’m grateful to God for the way he has worked among us and through us, and as we look back at the past year, I am confident Father McGivney is proud of us.”
FORMING MEN IN FAITH
Supreme Knight Kelly reminded convention delegates and guests that Father Michael McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus with one mission: to follow Jesus Christ.
In the face of growing threats to the family and the Church — “the two institutions that are most essential to human flourishing” — the supreme knight challenged Knights to remain committed to the Order’s mission and point the world to Christ.
“In this new era, forming Catholic men must be our top priority,” he said. “If we get the man right, we get everything right — the marriage, the family, the parish, the community. We need men who say ‘yes’ to their God-given vocation.”
To help Catholic men grow in prayer, faith formation and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus has launched an initiative called Cor, Latin for “heart,” which the supreme knight described as “a game changer.”
“Young Catholic men, in particular, are hungry for faith and fraternity. Cor gives them what they’re looking for. And it opens their eyes to everything we offer,” the supreme knight said. “After a very successful pilot program in 21 jurisdictions, we’re preparing to roll Cor out to the entire Order. Every Knight and every Catholic man, of any age, can find value in Cor. I encourage you to make it a priority and invite the men of your parish.”
Supreme Knight Kelly also announced two new resources that can be used within Cor meetings. The first is a Bible study for men called Men of the Word.
“This Bible study will bring Scripture alive, and it has the power to transform our lives,” he said.
The second is new five-part video series called Into the Breach: The Mission of the Family. A follow-up to the Order’s popular Into the Breach series about the vocation of men, The Mission of the Family proclaims the truth and beauty of the Catholic vision of marriage and family life. Episodes examine the place of the Catholic family in a post-Christian culture; the nature of marriage; the gift of children, forgiveness and healing in family life; and how to raise a faithful family.
“A relationship with Christ is the greatest gift we can offer the next generation,” said the supreme knight. “The Knights of Columbus has a duty to help parents grow in their faith and pass it on to their children. Our new video series will help.”
‘NEW HEIGHTS OF CHARITY’
Growing closer to Christ will only strengthen Knights in their already robust charitable work, the supreme knight emphasized.
Delegates to the 141st Supreme Convention, along with family members and special guests, listen to the supreme knight’s annual report during the opening business session Aug. 1. (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)
“Reaching new depths of faith will take us to new heights of charity,” he said. “Father McGivney showed us the way. His love for Christ led him to care for widows and orphans.”
Supreme Knight Kelly then highlighted some of the Knights’ key charitable endeavors from the past year:
• Donating more than $5.3 million to help people affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes Fiona and Ian.
• Marking the 20th anniversary of the Order’s partnership with the Global Wheelchair Mission.
• Giving more than $3.7 million in scholarships and support for priests.
• Contributing more than $21 million and countless volunteer hours to Special Olympics.
• Giving coats to children in need through the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program; Knights are on track to donate the program’s one-millionth coat this winter.
• Supporting the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in welcoming Pope Francis to Canada in order to foster healing and reconciliation with Indigenous people.
Supreme Knight Kelly also provided an update of the Knights’ largest-ever relief effort — the Ukraine Solidarity Fund — which was established within 36 hours of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Today, the Ukraine Solidarity Fund has raised over $21 million to assist Ukrainian refugees — mostly women and children — and their families. With support from the fund, more than 9,000 Knights in Ukraine and Poland have distributed 7.2 million pounds of food, 3.6 million pounds of care packages, 85,000 pounds of medications and more to those affected by the war.
PROTECTING FAMILIES
Supreme Knight Kelly congratulated the achievements of the Knights’ insurance division, which has been integral to the Order’s mission since the beginning.
“As Catholic men, we all have a duty to protect families,” he said. “Father McGivney built the Knights around this truth. And he charged us with caring for widows and orphans through our life insurance program.”
Knights of Columbus Insurance continues to earn superior ratings from AM Best (A+) and Standard & Poor’s (AA+). And, for the second consecutive year, Forbes has recognized Knights of Columbus Insurance as one of America’s best life insurance companies.
At the same time, the Order is taking “our founding vision into bold new territory,” the supreme knight said, by “empower[ing] Catholics to invest in line with their faith.”
Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors today manages more than $2.3 billion for Catholic families, religious communities and dioceses. Additionally, individuals and families have entrusted more than $100 million to the Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund that allows people to support charitable causes with investments that fully uphold the Catholic faith.
BUSIER THAN EVER IN A POST-ROE WORLD
The past year also witnessed many accomplishments as the Knights continued to build a culture of life after the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2022.
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly describes the Order’s support for pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes during his annual report at the 141st Supreme Convention in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 1. (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)
“Now that Roe has been overturned, some fear that the pro-life movement is losing steam. But the opposite is true,” Supreme Knight Kelly said.
Last year, the supreme knight announced a new pro-life initiative called ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) and challenged Knights to raise $5 million for pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes.
“We didn’t meet that goal — we exceeded it, by more than $1 million!” the supreme knight announced.
Additionally, the Knights have now donated 1,745 ultrasound machines to pro-life pregnancy centers through the Ultrasound Initiative, helping mothers see their babies and choose life.
Supreme Knight Kelly also acknowledged the 50th anniversary of the national March for Life in Washington. This year, the Knights co-hosted an event before the March with the Sisters of Life that drew more than 4,000 high school and college students.
“As I marched with my brother Knights in January, I felt a renewed sense of hope,” said the supreme knight. “It came, in large part, from the people who filled the streets in every direction. Our movement is young and passionate and filled with energy. And we have justice on our side. My hope hasn’t dimmed since then. In fact, it’s grown even stronger.”
Supreme Knight Kelly reminded Knights that the overturn of Roe v. Wade does not mean the end of the pro-life movement. The fight for the defense of life is far from over and will now continue in the states.
‘A NEW ERA OF IMPACT’
Noting the Order’s more than 2 million members around the world, the Supreme Knight Kelly applauded the Knights for reaching new generations and setting the stage for a “new era of impact.”
“Why do we continue to grow? Why, at a time when the Catholic Church faces serious demographic challenges, is the Order expanding year after year?” the supreme knight asked convention delegates. “I believe the reason is simple. In this age of mediocrity, the Knights of Columbus invites men to greatness; to sacrifice themselves for the good of others; to commit to a higher call with a band of brothers; and to stand strong in the breach, side by side, instead of being swept away by the culture, one at a time.”
He concluded, “When Father McGivney created the Order, he called us to this life of service. Catholic men rallied to the cause in his time. And in our time, we will inspire a new generation of men on a mission — first in faith and charity.”