Michael Conrad Supreme Director

“Family, become what you are” – Familiaris Consortio

BUILDING THE DOMESTIC CHURCH “Today, the Knights of Columbus is providentially positioned to play a key role in the new alliance between the Church and the family… But for us to do so requires that we adopt new methods.”

Workshop Objectives 1.Understand the initiative 2.Communicate & promote priorities 3.Develop your council action plan

UNDERSTANDING THE INITIATIVE

Understanding the Initiative In the context of: Domestic Church (Home) Family of Families (Parish Life) Our Fraternity

"Families are the domestic Church, where Jesus grows; he grows in the love of spouses, he grows in the lives of children.”

Understanding the Initiative What is the “Domestic Church” Community of Prayer School of Faith and Charity Mission of Evangelization Frequently asked questions

Understanding the Initiative This initiative builds upon our: Missionary service Growth of parish-based councils New Evangelization commitment

Understanding the Initiative Full participation by ALL councils Integrated Parish Life Membership & Programming impact “Signature” Programs

Frequently Asked Questions What is Building the Domestic Church Initiative - Program promoting the new evangelization, stretching our parishes and growing the Order. It is intended to placed focus on the holiness of the universal Church

Questions Continued Why is this being promoted at this time - The Knights of Columbus has always been an organization dedicated to the family. By building upon our programs and encouraging councils to more fully integrate the sacramental and social life of their parish, we hope to strengthen families, parishes and the Order

Questions Continued Will it change our councils - It was designed to change councils but to refocus on the Order’s mission to strengthen families and revitalize parishes

Questions Continued What about the Squires, Boy Scouts - Squires, if you support a Circle continue to do so, if you are looking at starting one please consider the alternative of supporting your parish youth group - Boy Scouts, due to the Court ruling on the definition for “exceptions” the Order does not meet the exception, support the the BSA but through the parish troops

Questions Continued Moving from home-corporation based councils towards parish-based councils - To be in align with the original mission of the Order, to help Catholic men become better husbands, fathers, sons and grand- fahters, while strengthening our Christian families and parish life's

Questions Continued When is it time to move from the home corp to a parish based council - majority of time resources are devoted to the home corp problems/concerns - expenses are burdensome - rental of facility is difficult/minimal - local reputation by non KC rentals - When there is strife/factionalism/conflict

Questions Continued What is the deadline for councils/home corporation to decide - Councils that decide to continue using home corporations should enter into agreements on or before January 1, Likewise, councils that decide to move towards a parish should do so no later than January 1, 2017.

COMMUNICATE INITIATIVE PRIORITIES

“The Church is a family of families, constantly enriched by the lives of all those domestic churches.” -Pope Francis

Initiative Goals Support our Families Strengthen our Parishes Grow Fraternity and Charity PROGRAMS & MEMBERSHIP

Communicate & Promote Service Program model – Surge with Service… Councils need to: Discuss the initiative’s impact on their activity Plan with Domestic Church vision and goals Incorporate new BDC programs

Communicate & Promote Fraternity & Formation – Programs that support the spiritual and social development of Catholic men in our councils and parishes Council Activities Church Activities

Communicate & Promote Family Life Outreach – Programs that promote the family as domestic church and strengthen our parishes through a commitment to “whole family” activities, particularly a commitment of service to Catholic youth ministry Family Activities Youth Activities

Communicate & Promote Parish Community Outreach – Programs where our councils lead parishioners in a “charity that evangelizes” and engages the parish community through a commitment to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy Community Activities Culture of Life Activities

Father’s Day Affirmation of Wedding Vows Corporate Communions Special Ceremony within or after Mass Led by Catholic husbands and fathers kofc.org/DomesticChurch

Consecration to the Holy Family Every parish with KofC presence First Sunday after Christmas –Feast of the Holy Family (most years) School of Faith kofc.org/DomesticChurch

Holy Family Prayer Program Travelling icon with program booklets minute program Community of Prayer kofc.org/DomesticChurch

Journey to the Inn Youth & Family focused Advent program Teaches and transmits the faith Requires early planning kofc.org/DomesticChurch

Family Fully Alive Promoting family prayer Meditations, scripture readings Promote within parish Council participation kofc.org/DomesticChurch

5th Sunday Rosary Kits available from Fraternal Programs 4-5 Sundays a year Community of Prayer kofc.org/DomesticChurch

DEVELOPING AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The family as domestic church is central to the work of the new evangelization and to the future sustainability of our parishes… The Knights of Columbus is providentially positioned to play a key role in the new alliance between the Church and family.”

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN State Council – Chief Promoters Program Directors – Chairmen District Deputies Grand Knights Members

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN EVERY council needs meetings on the initiative Council Assessment Pastor & Chaplain District Deputy

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Parish – Council Assessment What do initiative priorities do you do well? What does your parish need to support families? What activities duplicate or detract from our goals?

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Meeting Agenda Considerations: Youth Family Life Men’s Formation Parish-wide Charity

Resources kofc.org/DomesticChurch

Workshop Review 1.Understand the initiative The Church’s vision for family life 2.Communicate & promote priorities Strong Parishes; Strong Councils 3.Develop your council action plan Leaders in the New Evangelization

Special Considerations Building the Domestic Church is Not a collection of CHURCH programs Not excluding community-based charity Not going away

Knights, become what you are!