The upcoming beatification of American Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, to Blessed, is a time for celebration and reflection among Knights worldwide.
The America priest founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882, with an eye towards providing spiritual aid to Catholic men and financial help to the widows and orphans of its members. Today it is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization, with close to two million members worldwide.
Father McGivney will be elevated to Blessed on Oct. 31, 2020 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut.
Pope Francis approved Father McGivney’s first miracle in May 2020, and appropriately an ultrasound machine was at the heart of that case. The miracle involved an unborn child in the United States who was healed of a life-threatening condition in utero in 2015 after his family prayed for Father McGivney’s intercession. Following his elevation to Blessed, Father McGivney’s cause for sainthood will require one more authenticated miracle before he can be considered for canonization.
In the Diocese of Venice, two Knights have taken their time to share their thoughts on this important moment for not just their founder but the Knights of Columbus as a whole.
Alfred A. Connizzo, Past Grand Knight, Past District Deputy, Past Director State of Florida KoC Charities, and member of St. Joseph Council 5604, said it is fitting that a Parish priest who dedicated his life to helping families would have the miracle leading to his beatification be one surrounding helping a family.
“The story of this family is one of great faith, their devotion to Father McGivney is inspiring to all of us,” Connizzo said. “His legacy is one of serving, the Knights he started have helped to protect thousands of families, through his intercession Knights have placed 1,000 ultrasound machines worldwide, and 100 in Florida.”
Continuing, Connizzo said “It is an honor to be a Knight and to serve God’s people. Every Catholic man should read about the life of this Parish Priest and follow his example of service, as he followed the example of the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Charles P. McLaughlin, Immediate Former Master of the Fourth Degree for the District of Florida who is a member of the San Antonio Council 12456 in Port Charlotte, reflected on the beatification noting that it is an example of “Local Boy Makes Good.”
Noting the hardships Father McGivney faced, McLaughlin said Father overcame adversity in his life to make “an impact that is still felt today, and still shows us the immense power of God’s love. God has shown us, time after time, that adversity can move us to excel – and to show the world that God is with us. The inspiration within Father McGivney to see the possibilities and potential in a respectful, charitable collaboration between laymen gathered for a single purpose, under the guidance of a spiritual leader, was the foundation on his building the Order of the Knights of Columbus.”
As noted earlier, among the requirements need to be elevated to Blessed, as Father McGivney will be, is verification of a miracle must be attributed to the candidate for sainthood. It is not until a second miracle is confirmed that sainthood can be considered. In McLaughlin’s opinion, Father McGivney’s opening the hearts and minds of a group of men who gathered in the basement of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven in 1882 to start what was to become the Knights is itself a miracle.
“With God’s blessing, and the continued support of our founder, this miracle of what became the Knights of Columbus will continue and expand to keep us all together and active in Charity, Unity and Fraternity,” McLaughlin said.
The Mass for beatification of Father McGivney will be streamed live at 11 a.m., Oct. 31, from St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford, Connecticut.
To watch, you can visit the Diocese of Venice go to the Diocese of Venice Facebook page www.facebook.com/dioceseofvenice, the Knights of Columbus YouTube page, or follow this link https://www.kofc.org/en/events/father-mcgivney-beatification/index.html.
Rick and Paula Hellenbrand from St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral organized the first 40 Days for Life fall campaign in Fort Myers in 2011 and have been leading the campaign ever since. This year marks their 10th fall campaign. The award was presented to the Hellenbrand’s at the opening Vigil of the 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign on Sept. 22, 2020, in lieu of a personal presentation at the Conference.
While the honor as Diocesan Volunteers of the Year was special for the couple, Rick Hellenbrand concluded by saying there is an ultimate goal to this effort. “It is with much appreciation that this award is received, and with hopes that the efforts of all volunteers together we will soon win this battle to end abortion forever.”
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass for the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on Oct. 27, 2020 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. The annual Mass is held as close as possible to the Order’s Patroness Feast Day, Our Lady of Palestine, which is Oct. 25 and was approved by the Holy See in 1933. Following the Mass, two Knights and two Dames were presented with honors from the Order by Bishop Dewane. The Feast Day asks all to join in praying to the Virgin Mary for special protection of Palestine and the holy city of Jerusalem. The Equestrian Order is the only lay institution of the Vatican State charged with the task of providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and for all the activities and initiatives which are necessary to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The Order is present in nearly 40 countries worldwide.
Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities is looking for people who want to make Christmas special for single mothers and their babies by providing gifts from their wish list. If you are interested in adopting a family for Christmas or want to donate a gift, please contact Rita Millner, Case Worker for Our Mother’s House at 941-485-6264, or email 
In that time, the group has made and distributed nearly 2.5 million rosaries, said Sandy Turner, President of the St. William Rosary Makers. In 2020 alone, more than 50 dedicated rosary makers at St. William have made some 50,000 rosaries. In addition, there are some who make rosaries on occasion while still others who provide support for the overall effort.
Be assured, I continue to listen to public health data and hear from Priests and Parishioners about the experiences of our Parishes. The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass has been extended until Nov. 27, 2020, and depending on conditions, perhaps longer. At the same time, I wish to invite the Catholic Faithful who are able, to return to their Parish for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. How good it would be to see more join their fellow Parishioners who have already returned to Sunday Mass.
The youth were from St. Michael Parish in Wauchula, San Alfonso Mission in Zolfo Springs and Holy Child Mission in Bowling Green.
The alternate location was used to ensure that not only the youth and their sponsors could attend, but also family members. The facility is also used for the annual celebration of Our Lady of a Guadalupe.
