Building the Domestic Church through Council Programs Growth, Engagement & Evangelization

Workshop Objectives What is the Domestic Church Initiative? How can it drive growth, engagement and evangelization? Why the need for these programs? Benefits for our councils, parishes, members and families How do we strengthen our families and parishes? Strategies for getting started and implementing programs.

Workshop Objectives Orderwide Objectives & Priority Programs Domestic Church Mission – Family Friendly Councils Faith, Family Life, Community Outreach & Culture of Life Christian Refugee Relief Programming “Best Practices” Partner with Parish Priorities, Measure and Evaluate for Success

Our Mission To Build the Domestic Church and Strengthen Parish Life “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.”

What is Building the Domestic Church? A Guide to council programming A vision that appeals to younger men and family men – towards a “family friendly” council and parish Advances the goals of the parish – renewal of parish life Programs that form our members and strengthen the family

Growth, Engagement & Evangelization Membership Growth – Lead with Faith Young men and young families need this support Our prospects want these types of programs Member & Parish Engagement – Family centered programs We are called to lead a renewed relationship between the Church and the family Charity that Evangelizes – Our Mission As Catholic leaders, our service must be more relevant and effective for parishes

What Does This Mean for Councils? Increased opportunities for Faith Formation for members and their families Engagement with Family Life activities that engage the whole family together in the home and in the parish Community programs that engage our families and the Catholic community

What Does This Mean for Councils? NOT a replacement for successful current council initiatives We are called to do more, not less NOT just a program option to consider We must choose between what is good and what is BETTER NOT just a collection of programs We have a mission to strengthen Catholic men, families and parishes

Getting Councils Started Meet with your pastor. Read or watch the Supreme Knight’s address. Explore the Domestic Church web pages. kofc.org/DomesticChurch Promote the Family Fully Alive program. Start an “Into the Breach” study group. Meet with your pastor. Sit down with your pastor to plan your year. Parish priorities should drive your council’s activity. Read or watch the Supreme Knight’s Domestic Church address. Available online at kofc.org/DomesticChurch. Explore the Domestic Church web pages. There are resources available online to help your council plan activities and to share with your members and families. Promote the Family Fully Alive program. Order copies of the program (#10162) for your members to begin at home. Ask your chaplain or lecturer to incorporate the monthly themes into your meetings. Go to www.kofc.org/familyfullyalive for full details. Start an Into the Breach (#340) study group. Invite all men of the parish to join your council in a study of Bishop Olmsted’s letter. Commit to promoting his Practices of a Committed Catholic Man throughout your council and parish.

Domestic Church Activities Family Rosary Program Holy Family Consecration Family Fully Alive Affirmation of Wedding Vows Family Week Celebration Journey to the Inn Keep Christ in Christmas Spiritual Formation Groups Into the Breach Building the Domestic Church Series Holy Family Prayer Program Food for Families

Columbian Award Requirements Form SP-7 due June 30th Must list 4 major programs in each of six program categories Domestic Church Activities

BUILDING THE DOMESTIC CHURCH Council Action Plan Special council award for 2017/18 Action plan for becoming a “Domestic Church” council Participating councils will receive a commemorative Holy Family icon as recognition for their commitment and dedication to “Building the Domestic Church and Strengthening our Parishes”

BUILDING THE DOMESTIC CHURCH Council Action Plan Organize at least TWO activities from each of these four areas Member Activities for faith formation Family Activities for strengthening home life Parish Activities for Church renewal Community Activities Participating councils receive a commemorative Holy Family icon

Programs as Membership Opportunities

RECRUITMENT Invite a prospect (and his family) to take part in an impactful council program Show him the good that the council does in the parish and community…and that you have fun doing it INVITE HIM TO JOIN THE COUNCIL

RETENTION When recruiting a man to join, we promise him the opportunity to make a positive difference in the parish and community Programs allow us to keep that promise

ENGAGEMENT Solicit and welcome the input of members, parishioners and the community at-large Give all the opportunity to be vested in the council’s success

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Engage your parish community Build up our families Seek to strengthen parish life Serve the greatest needs Engage the entire family Open council “doors” to all parish men

VISION & MISSION A well-rounded slate of impactful outreach programs Makes a positive difference in the lives of people in need in the parish and community Demonstrates to men (and their families) that there is a place for them within the KofC Engages council members and strengthens membership experiences

PRIORITY PROGRAMS Domestic Church Activities RSVP Coats for Kids Food for Families Ultrasound Initiative Christian Refugee Relief Serve to Recruit, Retain and Engage Rooted in our principles of Charity, Unity & Fraternity Committed service to our Families, Parishes & Communities

COUNCIL BEST PRACTICES Meet regularly with your pastor Conduct programs consistent with parish goals Solicit input from a wide variety of sources Plan with the parish and community calendar, not against

COUNCIL BEST PRACTICES Visit kofc.org and state council website Tabulate the “measurables” Dollars donated Hours worked Identify your best programs Evaluate every program

Pilgrimage to Saint John Paul II National Shrine All councils – especially those within driving distance of Washington, DC, are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine A pilgrimage will fulfill TWO of the four program requirements in the Church Activities category if: At least 10 Knights, family members or parishioners take part The pilgrimage includes a Mass celebrated in the Luminous Mysteries Chapel at the Shrine The pilgrims spend a minimum of 3.5 hours at the Shrine

Workshop Review Building the Domestic Church Activities Fraternity & faith formation for Catholic men Mutual support for our Catholic families Strengthening and renewing our parishes Programs as membership engagement and recruitment Councils should collaborate with their pastors and parishes to work in support of Catholic family and parish life.

Our Mission to Build the Domestic Church and Strengthen Parish Life “The ‘content’ of the Knights of Columbus has not changed. What will change is the ‘expression’ of that service so that our work may become even more relevant and effective.”

Programs #1 – Membership #2 – Training/Ceremonials #3 Questions? fraternalmission@kofc.org (203) 752-4270 Programs #1 – Membership #2 – Training/Ceremonials #3 kofc.org/DomesticChurch kofc.org/Surge