Bishop urges Knights of Columbus to recommit themselves to service

Published: 2004-12-03

GREENSBORO, N.C. (CNS) -- Retired Bishop William G. Curlin of Charlotte thanked members of a 100-year-old Knights of Columbus council for their hard work and urged them to recommit themselves to future service in the church. "Today is not just a thanksgiving; let's make this a time of consecration for the years yet to come," he said in his homily during a recent Mass marking the 100-year anniversary of Piedmont Council 939 at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro. The Mass was concelebrated by Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis and other priests. Bishop Curlin, state chaplain to the Knights of Columbus, reflected on how different things were in the country in 1904 when the council was first founded. "We've had many advances and achievements over 100 years, yet we still have so many sorrows in this world," he said. "But rather than be pessimistic, we should look at opportunities to bring Christ where Christ is needed." The Knights of Columbus, an international service organization was founded in 1882 by Father Michael McGivney in New Haven, Conn. Pat Kirwan, a member of the Piedmont Council and a fourth-degree Knight who has belonged to the fraternal organization for 26 years, said founders of the council "marched in parades and showed pride in their faith" during a time when "Catholicism was looked down upon."

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