Into the Breach in Illinois
Illinois is rolling out a new program to introduce men and their families to the Knights of Columbus. Read about it here and contact your Diocesan Representative to find out more.
Quest for Circle of Honor 2023
Circle of Honor Goal: 2112
Total Intake YTD: 1230
Percent of COH Goal: 58.24%
The Winter Membership Challenge is underway. Illinois is leading Team Evangelization and the entire order bracket challenge for the second straight month. Into the Breach in Illinois is working, bringing new men into the order and Illinois to the top. Keep up the great work!
Honor Your Council Chaplain
Each council can nominate and submit their chaplain to their state council for consideration of the State Blessed Michael McGivney Award form (SBMMA).
Each state winner will be submitted to Supreme for consideration for the international award, the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal form (BMMM). The winner will be announced at the Supreme Convention.
Important Dates:
State Blessed Michael McGivney Award form (Council Only) – Recommended Due March 31, 2023
Blessed Michael McGivney Medal Award form (State Only) – Due April 30, 2023
Important Update:
The due date for the State Council Service Program Award Winners (SPAW) form has been changed to April 30, 2023.
Program Submissions
State and International Program Awards recognize councils that execute an outstanding program in a Faith in Action program category (faith, family, community, or life). State Award winners are eligible to compete at the Supreme Council level for the International Award.
If you haven’t yet, encourage councils to complete a State Council Program Awards Entry Form for each program category and send it to your State Council Program Director by March 15, 2023
Be sure to include these submissions on your IL-SP7
National Eucharistic Revival
At the 140th Supreme Convention, Bishop Cozzens called on all delegates to be leaders in the National Eucharistic Revival. To stay up to date on all that is happening, locally and nationally, sign up for the Heart of the Revival newsletter here.
The USCCB has also created a Leaders Playbook for Year 1. This playbook offers the “Why” and “How” of the Revival, along with some practical suggestions about “What” might happen. Please refer to this document as your state council continues to support this initiative. We will be sharing this playbook with state program and faith directors as well.
Employment Opportunities
With over 50 departments across three locations, the Knights of Columbus offers a diverse set of opportunities. Click on the links below to find one that matches your skills and goals:
What's News
New CIS Series for Councils
Catholic Information Service will be launching a new series of booklets called the Cor Ecclesiae Series (Heart of the Church). This series will provide small group study guides for the writings of popes on various topics. The first booklet published, With a Father’s Heart, will be on St. Joseph, focusing on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde. The Cor Ecclesiae Series will be perfect for councils implementing Cor Meetings or councils looking for faith formation that builds fraternity.
With a Father’s Heart will be available for purchase through the CIS Online Store beginning Monday, March 20th.
State Convention 2023
April 21- 23, Wyndham Hotel, Springfield
Programming Award deadline March 15 - Forms on Programming Page
Charities Award Consideration deadline March 31 - Charities Page
Rising Star Nomination Information - deadline March 15
Order Vocations Raffle Books for Pickup at Convention - Deadline April 10
Or call the Reservations Desk by Phone at 1-877- 999-3223,
block code is 04207027KN
Together We Are One!
Thank you for your commitment to growing our Order. The State Council pledges to work with you for continued success throughout the remainder of the fraternal year!
Steve Mann
State Deputy
Spring Fraternal Benefit Seminars
New seminars have been posted on the Insurance page. Council participation at these seminars can qualify a council for the Founder's Award.
Newman Update
Keep those Newman Donations coming in. The response has been good, but we can do better! Our goal this year is $5 per member. Don't wait donate today by clicking the button below.
ASAP - Aid and Support After Pregnancy
The Order is more than halfway to reaching its $5 million goal for ASAP this fraternal year! Encourage councils to find resources and submit their applications by visiting kofc.org/asap.
Click here for the Top 15 ASAP rankings.
New Resource Links for Member Recruiting
Knightcast - the video podcast for Knights of Columbus
KnightCast is a groundbreaking video series from the Knights of Columbus with the aim of engaging today's Catholic men in a compelling conversation about the Catholic Faith and their own, personal growth as they lead their families in service to the Church. Featuring host Jonathan Reyes as well as guests and subject matter experts in each episode, KnightCast seeks to cover topics ranging from sports and marriage to evangelization and the Saints.
Watch now at kofc.org/KnightCast.
The prayer below is yours to share. God Bless each of you and remember pray often.
Our Lady, Health of the Sick,
I look to you for the comfort of a mother's love,
I pray to you on behalf of those who are suffering
and for my own healing needs.
Mary, your love strengthens me
and brings me peace.
Our Lady, Health of the Sick,
embrace all who are emotionally and physically ill that they may return to
good health under your tender care. And please intercede for my very
special needs. (mention your needs here).
Mary, your love strengthens me and brings me peace.
** say your intention here***
Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us. Amen.
Building the Domestic Church
Through the Orderwide Building the Domestic Church initiative, Knights and their families have greater opportunities to participate in a variety of activities that promote the New Evangelization, strengthen our parishes and grow the Order. Knights of Columbus has always been an organization dedicated to the well-being and support of Catholic family life. The family is the first and primary place where we experience and are formed in our Catholic faith. By building upon our current programs and activities, the Knights of Columbus continues to promote the family as a ”domestic church” where husbands and wives, parent and children, grow in their knowledge and practice of the Catholic Faith. In order to perform its important mission of evangelization, each family needs to find support in the sacramental life of the parish.
Find the State program activities under Church link or click here.
More information can also be found on the Supreme Council Website by clicking here.
An Illinois Knight's 365 Prayer (2021-2022).pdfUsing Webex for Illinois KofC Meetings
To Join via Computer or Tablet:
After you have registered, download and install the "Cisco Webex Meetings" App from https://webex.com/downloads.html or if you are using an iPad or Android tablet from their respective App Store.
After installing the app, test the installation by clicking https://webex.com/test-meeting.html this will launch the application and connect you to a test meeting to check your audio and video settings prior to the meeting.
At event time, click the green "Join Now" button in the email you received after registering. The application will launch (be patient) and you will be connected to the event.
To Join via Telephone (audio only):
If you do not have a computer with internet connection available, you can join the event via telephone. The email that you received after registering contains a toll-free dial in number. At event time, dial that number.
You will be prompted for a Meeting ID. Enter that with the keypad on your phone. Press # after you have entered the number.
You may be prompted for a User ID. If you received one, enter that number and press #, otherwise just press #.
You will join the meeting with audio only.
If the event allows, you can "raise your hand" by pressing *9. The Host will unmute your phone and call on you to speak. You can lower your hand by pressing *9 again. (The Awards Ceremony probably will not have this feature available)