Spiritual Reflection: Ven. Fr. Michael J. McGivney (Aug 12th and Aug 14th)

Spiritual Reflection: Ven. Fr. Michael J. McGivney (Aug 12^th and Aug 14^th)

Council Program Director: We are a Catholic Order of Catholic Men started by a Catholic Priest on the path to sainthood (Canonization). His life and legacy answered one question: What is my parish’s (St Mary’s) most pressing need? His answer shaped and directed the K of C of San Salvador Co. 001 to establish an Insurance Program to protect and provide for widows and orphans. It moved his councilmen to feed, house and share with them.

Today that is our legacy and our insurance company still provides for every pressing need directly, it pushes each councilmen to go to their parish priest and ask: “Father, what is our most urgent need today?” “i.e. Help us become saints!”

There are four categories to help our brother knights answer this question: Faith, Family, Community and Life.

We must be men with a deep faith rooted in the love of the Holy Trinity to have a strong Family life rooted in the same love. We must have loving and strong Families to weave the fabric of a strong community. And only a strong, united, and loving community can understand, appreciate and defend human life at every moment and situation from womb to tomb. These are our four categories; and how we answer tonight’s questions will impact which faith in actions programs we excel throughout this fraternal year. These programs will in turn help us answer the fundamental question Fr. McGivney asked all the baptized: How do I get to Heaven if I died today? (i.e. How do I become a Saint?) This lead to his vocation, his parish, and to the Knight of Columbus. This is why we are a Catholic Fraternal Order of Knights. Our battle and noble activity is in our soul, our family, our parish and our nation. Our man-hours, resources and success depend on what our most pressing need is.

Faith

1 What does it mean for me for an ordinary Parish Priest to be closer to Sainthood? 2 What would it mean for the Order’s legacy to be the life work of a saint? 3 What is my most pressing need? 4 How do I get to Heaven today if I died tonight or this week?

Council Program Director: Which Faith Programs do we each need at our parish?

Family

1How is my spouse an example of faith to inspire our children? 2 How are our children examples of faith to their friends? 3 Which is the loudest gospel in our family: Christ, career, commercials, sports, or work? 4 How do we “baptize” them all so they lead us to sainthood? 5 As a family, what is our most pressing need? 6 How do they get to Heaven today if they died tonight or next week?

Council Program Director: Which Family Programs do we each need for our families?

Community

1 How is our parish priest our spiritual father? 2 How does he lead us to heaven, what is his most pressing need? 3 Who in our parish is in dire need? 4 What is our parish’s most pressing need?

5 How can we as a council promote faith, love, and fraternity in our city and school events?7 What is our city’s most pressing need no one else is addressing?

Council Program Director: Which Community Programs do we each need for our parish and city?

Life

1 How does Fr. McGivney’s closer step to sainthood, his miracle, should how sacred life is in the womb?

2 What does that mean for the dignity of others: the elderly, the homeless, uninsured, immigrants, criminals, wealthy, young, strong, and all those around me?(List others) 3 Why would service to get me to Heaven if I died tonight or next week? 4 What is each of their most pressing need? (Make a list for the different categories.)

Council Program Director: Which Life Programs do we each need for our parish and city?

Council Program Director: Brother Knights we have reflected on the legacy of Fr McGivney. We have shared how we can let this legacy take root in our hearts, our families, our community and the world. We now have a plan to let this seed grow and bear fruit in our council. Thank you brothers for your wisdom and input. Thank you for your renewed dedication to Christ as one of his Knights in the World. As we conclude and return home as a family let us pray to Fr McGivney’s Intercession over tonight’s plans and resolutions:

Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney:

God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan,

you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney,

to be an apostle of Christian family life

and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor.

Through the example of his life and virtue

may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely,

fulfilling his commandment of charity

and building up his Body which is the Church.

Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love

so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast.

We humbly ask that you glorify your venerable servant

Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will.

Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (here make your request).

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father …

Hail Mary …

Glory be to the Father, …

Vivat Jesus!

Council Spiritual Reflection Questions

Please answer at least two or more in each category

Faith

1 What does it mean for me for an ordinary Parish Priest to be closer to Sainthood?

2 What would it mean for the Order’s legacy to be the life work of a saint?

3 What is my most pressing need?

4 How do I get to Heaven today if I died tonight or this week?

Which Faith Programs do we each need at our parish?

Family

1How is my spouse an example of faith to inspire our children?

2 How are our children examples of faith to their friends?

3 Which is the loudest gospel in our family: Christ, carrier, commercials, sports, or work?

4 How do we “baptize” them all so they lead us to sainthood?

5 As a family, what is our most pressing need?

6 How do they get to Heaven today if they died tonight or next week?

Which Family Programs do we each need for our families?

Community

1 How is our parish priest our spiritual father?

2 How does he lead us to heaven, what is his most pressing need?

3 Who in our parish is in dire need?

4 What is our parish’s most pressing need?

5 How can we as a council promote faith, love, and fraternity in our city and school events?

7 What is our city’s most pressing need no one else is addressing?

Which Community Programs do we each need for our parish and city?

Life

1 How does Fr. McGivney’s closer step to sainthood, his miracle, should how sacred life is in the womb?

2 What does that mean for the dignity of others: the elderly, the homeless, uninsured, immigrants, criminals, wealthy, young, strong, and all those around me?(List others)

3 Why would service to get me to Heaven if I died tonight or next week?

4 What is each of their most pressing need? (Make a list for the different categories.)

Which Life Programs do we each need for our parish and city?