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Newly elected Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly gave his first annual report at the 139th annual convention, held virtually for the second time due to the pandemic.
He urged his brother Knights to find creative solutions to adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and other cultural challenges facing Catholics today.
“On every front, the end of the pandemic is an invitation to action,” Kelly said. “Charity is our highest calling, and it demands our renewed focus. Where there’s pain, let us heal. Where there’s grief, let us comfort. Where there’s need, let us meet it, in new and creative ways.”
The theme of "creative courage" is taken from Pope Francis' reflection on St. Joseph, who, he says in that document, responded to difficulties with this characteristic.
“Our growth depends on empowering men to be the husbands and fathers that God wants us to be," Kelly told the Knights. "It is harder than ever, and for that reason, we must push forward as never before. It will require creative courage.”
The day Kelly was installed as supreme knight, his first act was to consecrate his administration to St. Joseph, whom he called “Guardian of the Family” and “Guardian of the Truth.”
A documentary about the life of St. Joseph, produced by the Knights of Columbus, will air on ABC affiliates starting October 10.
Kelly also addressed the Knights’ support for the National Eucharistic Revival currently being organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Working with our bishops and priests, we will strive to renew belief in the Eucharist and build up the Church,” Kelly said. “We are a force for unity, and we will prove it by pointing to the source of unity. As ‘Knights of the Eucharist,’ we proudly proclaim this truth.”
Kelly suggested the other man whose example each Knight should follow is Blessed Michael McGivney, the founder of the Order. Though Father McGivney also lived in a time of families in crisis facing a hostile culture and a Church under attack, he did not shrink from those challenges.
“In the mold of St. Joseph, [McGivney] stepped into the breach, with creative courage,” Kelly said. “Father McGivney listened to the Lord, fought for the family and the faith, and devoted himself to our Blessed Mother.”
McGivney was just beatified last October.
“By elevating our founder, the Lord has called us to greater depths of courage and faith, and greater heights of charity, unity and fraternity,” Kelly said. “In the beatification of Blessed Michael McGivney, the Lord has not only confirmed where the Knights have been in the past. He is showing us where we must go, in the future.”
To see the long list of the ways that the Knights are supporting the Church and the neediest of society, go here.
