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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 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.

10. 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

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

12. 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”

13. 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

14. Programs as Membership Opportunities

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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.”

26. Programs #1 – Membership #2 – Training/Ceremonials #3
Questions?
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Programs #1 – Membership #2 – Training/Ceremonials #3
kofc.org/DomesticChurch
kofc.org/Surge