K of C Member Holiness is a Leadership Responsibility
Joseph L. Gubasta, Ph.D.
Good of the Order Presentation, Cincinnati Chapter Knights of Columbus
(October 5, 2011)
Introduction:
What’s good for the order is our holiness. Considering the demographics of our membership many of us are living the last half of our mortal lives. This suggests we are nearing the time when our new lives will begin for eternity. Therefore, as Catholic Christians and members of the Knights of Columbus, our focus needs to be on saving souls, starting with our own and the people we serve. As Council and Chapter leaders we have opportunities to encourage and help our K of C brothers grow in holiness. To the extent we do this our membership will grow. Both of these outcomes, holiness and membership growth, is for the good of the order.
Presentation:
Our active participation in the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Church is of critical importance to our salvation. The Knights offer us opportunities to live a Christ-like life in society. Our participation in the Knights offers us a variety of ways to live in charity, unity, and fraternity. Doing so is one path to holiness. Doing so in the name of Christ and our founder, the Venerable Michael McGivney, is for the good of the Order.
Since our Church calls us to further God’s Kingdom of unconditional love the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council invite and challenge us to do this through good works. However, good works are good but if they don’t further God’s Kingdom they may be irrelevant. If our good works don’t offer opportunities for us to use our God given graces and gifts we aren’t able to glorify God as God intends. We honor and glorify our triune God every time we exercise our human and spiritual gifts. In doing so, we also strengthen our Church and the Order of Knights.
So what are the implications of these remarks for us as Council and Chapter leaders? By exercising our leadership rights and responsibilities, in ways that encourage and affirm the holiness of our council and chapter brothers, we will be honoring God and furthering God’s Kingdom. We will also help guide our brother Knights on their paths to eternal salvation. These two things, holiness and saving souls, are stepping stones on the path to furthering God’s Kingdom and are encouraged through the exercise of five leadership responsibilities or “rights” that I offer for your consideration. These “rights” include: 1) doing the right things; 2) for the right reasons; 3) with the right people; 4) in the right ways; and 5) at the right time. To exercise these responsibilities for the “good of the order” requires prayerful reflection and discernment. For example:
Leadership Rights & Responsibilities:
Doing the right things, requires that we address the issue of “good works,” and good works implies effort and activities that build God’s Kingdom here and now;
The right reasons addresses issues like motives and morality surrounding the “things” and opportunities facing each council and the Chapter;
Selecting the right people raises issues addressing each brother’s giftedness and level of participation. This implies we know their human and spiritual gifts, talents and skills;
In the right ways highlights outcomes. Our goal is to strengthen the Order and Church through our Christian witness of charity, unity and fraternity as our expression of selfless love;
At the right time relates to setting priorities plus considering resource requirements.
Leadership Implications & Action:
Is it necessary to fine-tune the way we do council and chapter business?
Concerning membership
How do we perceive and involve our members?
What do we have to offer prospective members?
How can we become a magnet to attract new members?
How do we define charity (i.e., good works) and how do they further God’s Kingdom within our parishes, communities, Chapter and State?
Are we interested in building huts or high rises; filling trenches or moving mountains?
Summary:
Our individual and fraternal journey toward holiness will benefit us and the Order.
How we perceive and practice charity may be irrelevant unless it furthers God’s Kingdom of selfless love.
Recognizing and using our human and spiritual gifts honors God our creator.
Exercising our leadership rights and responsibilities as outlined is of strategic importance to the Order’s good and our salvation.
Food for Thought:
What can we show and tell Catholic men that will interest and attract them to our fraternal way of life, strengthen their faith in God and the Church, affirm them as Christian leaders in their families and society, and invite them to become Knights?
Let us Pray:
Holy, almighty and immortal God we ask you to bless and affirm leaders at all levels of the Knights of Columbus here and around the world with the gifts of your Holy Spirit. This we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ and through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. Amen!
