The Families Secret Guide to the Knights of

ColumbusFor Wives, Families & Friends of Knights in the Father Howard J. Lesch, Council Number 7667

Niceville, Florida

August 8, 2017

Does the following sound familiar to anyone? Many times, it’s not just the new Knights that are a bit confused but also the older ones who were really never briefed properly or maybe they just plain forgot.

Husband: Honey, I've been asked to join the Knights of Columbus.

Wife: What’s the Knights of Columbus?

Husband: Well, all I really know is that it’s a men's group that helps the church & community, I'll be taking my 1st Degree next Monday.

Wife: What's a First Degree?

Husband: Well, frankly I don't know. But when I find out, I won't be able to tell you.

Wife: So, you're joining a group of men that supposedly does good things and you can’t tell me anything about it? Well, please don't forget that you have a wife and a family!

Husband: Well, I’m told, that it’s a FAMILY oriented organization!

Wife: And how do your wife and kids get involved and what kinds of family activities do the Knights put on?

Husband: Well, I'm not sure, but I'll find out

3 months later.....

Young Child: Mommy, where’s Daddy going again tonight?

Wife: He’s at another Knight’s meeting Sweetie.

Young Child: Mommy, what does he do at Knight's meetings?

Wife: Well, Honey, I’m not really sure. Why don’t you and I ask him tomorrow night!

When your husband, father or maybe your brother joins the Knights of Columbus, he is joining the largest Catholic, family, service fraternity in the world.

What does all that mean?" Simply put, he's doing a good thing! This organization is Catholic and supports our church. This group of men believes in the family, and need their family's involvement and support. The Knights is a

service organization that also supports the community. With these as its high ideals, it is the responsibility of the local council that he will join to run programs and activities that support church, community, family, youth and the needs of their local council.

But let's get back to the sample dialogue above. It could represent what happens to many new knights and their families. Unfortunately, and often unintentionally, many families are kept in the dark about the Knights.

Councils are encouraged to provide the ladies and families of new knights with orientation sessions at the time he joins. It is also a great idea to invite families of knights that have just moved into the area to give them some insight as to what your council does and how they can be involved. And thus, the intent of this brief guide is to further help make you more knowledgeable about the organization that he and your family are joining.

First of all, let’s clarify an incorrect belief about the Knights of Columbus. While Knights keep secret their degree ceremonials, it is NOT a secret organization! If your Knight (husband, father, or brother) isn't sharing with you everything else, then ASK HIM! Make him explain to you and his family about his Knights involvement. What happened at the last business meeting; what activities, events and programs are being planned by the council; how is the council meeting the needs of the pastor and (parish community where you go to church): what family and youth events are coming up and what the officers and directors are responsible for in his council. And for any other question you may have, simply ASK HIM! He should welcome your interest and involvement! If he does not know, encourage him to ask one of the officers of the council.

Secondly, it is a FAMILY oriented organization. A Knight's wife and family should always be involved in the programs and activities of his local council. If the local council is not sponsoring enough family and youth events/activities, your Knight has the right and responsibility to step forward and initiate them. Your involvement is critical to the success of his local council and the needs of its church and community!

Finally, the more his family knows about the Knights, the more likely they will share and support his involvement. So with this in mind, below you will find a number of terms, titles and expressions that will hopefully make it easier for you and your kids to talk about and understand what your new Knight is involved in

The Knights are a FAMILY oriented, Catholic, Service fraternity Nothing is secret about the Knights, except their degree ceremonials Degrees

A man enters the Knights when he takes his Admission Degree (1st Degree) (like a Page of Old).

As he learns more about the Knights, he takes his Formation Degree (2nd Degree) like a Squire of Old.

Finally, when his council feels he is ready, he will take his Knighthood Degree (3rd Degree) and becomes a full Knight, like a Knight of Old.

First and Second Degree Knights cannot hold a Council Officer position but, can serve as a Council Director or Chairman to a Council Activity.

A Third Degree Knight can hold a local Council Officer position or a State Officer position and can serve as a District Deputy.

. Councils are expected to run Church, Community, Family, Youth and Council Activities and Programs. Any knight, whether 1st, 2nd or 3rd can chair and run an event or activities with the support of his council.

Knights also sponsor Ladies Auxiliaries, and the Columbiettes (The Columbiettes, an organization of Catholic women dedicated to our Patronesses, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Theresa the Little Flower and St. Joan of Arc, are comprised of affiliated Auxiliaries of the Knights of Columbus Councils).

Like many organizations, the Knights have a hierarchical structure. The major leadership positions are: Grand Knight - Head of a local council within a town or parish. District Deputy - Supports 4 to 5 councils & works with their Grand

Knights State Deputy - Head of a State Jurisdiction Supreme Knight – Head of the entire Worldwide K of C organization,

Supreme Headquarters are located in New Haven, CT.

Council Officer PositionsGrand Knight (GK) Head of a Local Council

Deputy Grand Knight (DGK) 2nd in Charge, fills in for Grand Knight.

Chaplin Primarily acts as the Spiritual Advisor to the council and their families

Chancellor Recorder Advocate

Gets members active in council activities.

Financial SecretaryAppointed by Supreme, collects dues and handles all membership & council paperwork

Treasurer Responsible for all Council Funds

WardenResponsible for all Council property and for setting up for all Council Meetings

Guards (Inside & Outside) Assist Warden check membership cards

Trustees Audit Council Books on semi-annual basisLecturer Provides entertaining/educational talks to

Council Director Positions

Program DirectorCoordinates programs and activities in one of the 5 service areas (Church, Community, Family, Youth & Council). This position held by the Deputy Grand Knight.

Membership Director Directs all council membership programming.

Recruitment Director

Coordinates council efforts to recruit new members into council. Works for Membership Director (Can also be done by membership director)

Retention Director Coordinates council efforts to win back and Reactivate existing inactive members. Works for Membership Director

Church Director Responsible to the Grand Knight for church related programs

Community Director Responsible for finding ways to help those in need in their communities

Council Director

Responsible for all council related activities, to include fraternal, internal programs to help families and keeping members informed on current council initiatives.

Family Director

Responsible for activities that allow families to spend time together in volunteer activities, faith initiatives and social events. Also responsible for recognition programs such as Knight of the Month and Family of the month.

Culture of Life DirectorResponsible to conduct projects aimed at building a culture of life in their individual communities.

Youth Director

Responsible for sponsoring sports activities and championships, youth groups, educational programs, scholarships, and a variety of other initiatives. Works hand-in-hand with the parish youth director.

Jewels of Office

Each Council Officer position has a metal medallion which is suspended on a colored ribbon and symbolizes its responsibilities. Here are each Officer’s Medallion/Color Ribbon:

GRAND KNIGHT — The Anchor, indicative of Columbus, the Mariner. The anchor has also been a variant form of the Cross for centuries.

CHAPLAIN — Isabella Cross in silver and blue. Self-explanatory.

THE DEPUTY GRAND KNIGHT — The Compass. Also used by Columbus, the Mariner. (The Knights of Columbus Compass is known as the Compass of Virtue, its 32 flame-like rays representing the 32 virtues which may be possessed by men.)

THE CHANCELLOR — The Isabella Cross, with Skull and Crossbones. The cross is self-explanatory while the skull and crossbones are symbolic of man’s mortality.

THE RECORDER — Crossed quills. Symbolic of his responsibilities for letter and document (records) writing and preservation.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY — Crossed key and quill. The key has always been associated with an officer concerned with money, safe-keeping and secrecy. The quill is the symbol of a “scribe” — a record-keeper — one who writes letters, documents, etc.

TREASURER — Crossed Keys. Symbolic of his complete authority over funds (money), particularly responsible for its safekeeping.

LECTURER — Lyre and Scroll. These are traditionally symbolic of music and literature and the arts. Hence the lecturer is in charge of entertainment.

ADVOCATE — The Scroll (legal literature and law) with sword (the power to defend and enforce the law).

WARDEN — An axe bound with rods, known as a fasces, traditionally carried by the guards or protectors of Roman magistrates as a symbol of authority. The warden, ideally, has and exercises that authority.

Guards - Crossed Axes and Key. Key is symbolic of a guardian, secrecy and responsibility for safekeeping and admission. Axe is indicative of authority even to the point of punishment to maintain it. Originally, the axe was symbolic of power over life and death.

TRUSTEE — An anchor mounted on an axe boundwith rods (fasces) over crossed swords. SymbolizesColumbus, authority and the power to defend andenforce the law

Degree Teams - One of the primary purposes of degree ceremonials is to exemplify the principles & lessons of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. To accomplish this, Degree Teams are formed by the

Grand Knight of a Council for the Admission Degree (1st Degree) District Deputy of a district (4 or 5 councils) for the Formation Degree (2nd

Degree) State Ceremonials Director for a State jurisdiction (Like Florida) for the

Knighthood Degree (3rd Degree)

After completing a degree, your new knight is eligible to learn one of the parts of that degree and join that degree team. Degree Ceremonials are the only part of the Knights that is secret to non-members.

Knights of Columbus EmblemA quick glance at the emblem indicates a shield mounted upon theFormee Cross. The shield is that associated with a medieval Knight. The Formee Cross is the representation of a traditionally artistic

design of the Cross of Christ through which all graces of redemption were procured for mankind. This then represents the Catholic spirit of the Order. Mounted on the shield are three objects: a fasces standing vertically and crossed behind it, an anchor and a dagger or short sword. The fasces from Roman days is symbolic of authority which must exist in any tightly-bound organization. The anchor is the mariner's symbol for Columbus, patron of the Order, while the short sword or dagger was the weapon of the Knight when engaged upon an errand of mercy. Thus, the shield expresses Catholic Knighthood in organized merciful action, and with the letters, K. of C it proclaims this specific form of activity.

The Colors of the Knights of Columbus Emblem

Red is the Symbol of faith, of belief in Christ, in the Redemption and in theknowledge and love of Jesus Christ. White is the color of the Eucharistic Host, pledge of God's Eucharistic presence among men, of the infinite love God has for each individual. White is then the symbol of Christ-like Charity. Blue is the color of Our Lady's mantle in which she wrapped her beloved Son, through Whom came salvation to a sinful world. Blue is then the symbol of Hope.

Your Knights in Council Number 7667 from Holy Name of Jesus and St Michael’s Parishes Support the Following:

Charitable Disbursements: Quarterly donations to the church Donations to Religious Education and Catholic Schools Support to Seminarians with scholarships Quarterly donation to Rosary MakersCommunity Activities: Citizens with Disabilities Tootsie Roll Drive Sunland Picnic and Christmas Party Niceville Catholic Outreach Quarterly Donation Niceville Catholic Outreach Thanksgiving and Christmas Food for Families Victims of Disasters, Louisiana Flood Victims Keep Christ in Christmas Billboard, Card and Magnets Sales Niceville Christmas Parade 5th Sunday Rosary Program Church Picnic 40 Cans for lent Necrology/Widow Mass/Dinner Friday Night Bingo Monthly Pasta Dinner Fight the New Drug, Anti-Pornography ProgramCulture of Life Activities: Ultra-Sound machine & training package donation to Ft Walton Beach LIFE

Inc. Niceville Life Runners Baby Bottle Campaign Fund Raiser March for LifeYouth Activities: Scholarships for four High School Seniors Annual Father Daughter Dance Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest Basketball Free Throw Challenge Soccer Challenge Spelling Bee Coats for Kids Weekly Open Court Basketball Games at Parish Life Center

Want to know more about the Knights? Start by sharing with your new knight the information contained in this brief guide.

ASK HIM questions OFTEN, and get involved with him! And finally, we wish to express to you and your family

A Very Warm Welcome to Father Howard J. Lesch, Council Number 7667 and the Family of the Knights of Columbus!

FATHER HOWARD J LESCH COUNCIL NUMBER 7667OFFICERS

Fraternal Year 2017 – 2018

Grand Knight: Matthew A. French CAFEBIENVILLE@GMAIL.COM 850 419-5428Financial Secretary: Ernest B. Martinez EMARTINEZKOC@GMAIL.COM 850 897-2861Deputy Grand Knight: Paul M. Robert PAULMROBERT@YAHOO.COM 850-585-3140KofC Field Agent: Timothy Pugh, FICF, FSCP Timothy.pugh@kofc.org 850 678-0962Chancellor: Franklin N. BevelTreasurer: Paul K. Laird Advocate: Ellis J. Boudreaux Jr Warden: Thomas L. Kraus Inside Guard: James D. Reese Outside Guard: Henry J. Batton One Year Trustee: Mark J. WilliamsTwo Year Trustee: Stephen J. ZajacThree Year Trustee: Thomas F. ElsesserChaplain: Rev Stephen A. Voyt Lecturer: Deacon Louis A. Marini