Knights of Columbus hold 2024 winter meeting

By John Fee
The U.P. Catholic

Knights from across the Upper Peninsula gathered at St. Michael Parish in Marquette for their 2024 Diocesan Winter Meeting. The Saturday, Jan. 27 event had Knights state leadership and Marquette’s bishop in attendance.

State Deputy Christopher Kolomjec noted that the date for the meeting was chosen as the bishop was available to attend. “There’s a lesson for you, schedule (events) around your priest.” Kolomjec pointed out that priests have incredibly busy schedules and councils should plan events based on when the priest is available. Informing a pastor after an event is scheduled does not respect his time.

Kolomjec also encouraged the Knights to have some fun, which in turn will help with recruiting. “If you were looking from the outside in, would you want to join? Make special events fun, not just work.”
Bishop John Doerfler also spoke at the meeting. He asked the Knights if they remembered what he asked them to do at his episcopal ordination. Then answered, “Be a friend of Jesus. Make a friend. Introduce your friend to Jesus.”

He noted that the largest “religious group” is now the people who have no affiliation with an organized faith. With that being the case, “We have loads of growth potential in the diocese.”

“Just imagine if our churches were packed on Sunday,” Bishop Doerfler said. “That is possible with the grace of God.”

How can we accomplish that? Bishop Doerfler challenged everyone attending Mass to bring one person to the faith in the next five years. That would double the number of Catholics. If everyone did that again in the next five years and so on, the Church would grow exponentially.
According to Bishop Doerfler, our mission field is our “web of relationships.” These include not only family and friends but also coworkers and people we regularly interact with. Pointing out that many people are unhappy and filled with strife, Bishop Doerfler said if the Knights (and all Catholics) were seen as happy and people of faith and integrity others will be drawn to us.

Bishop Doerfler also encouraged the Knights to implement Cor meetings. The meetings being promoted by the national organization will help men and their families grow in the faith and help them to become more comfortable as missionaries for Jesus.

State Formation and Faith Director Robert Bagley also encouraged Knights to take up the Cor program. He reminded the men that “iron sharpens iron” and Cor “increases our love for Christ and makes us a little more holy.”

State Chaplain Fr. Aidan Logan also urged the implementation of Cor by councils. He said that cor means heart. The heart is the “deepest expression of who we are.”

He pointed to the sad fact that one-third of Catholics never go to confession; one-third go every few years; one-third yearly and 3% regularly. With that in mind he encouraged confession to be available at Cor events.

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