 Worthy Grand Knight, Our founder will be beatified and declared Blessed in less than seven weeks. Our Order is making life better in our parishes and communities – and easing the suffering of persecuted Christians around the world. When there is a natural disaster – such as the current hurricane along the Gulf coast or the wildfires in the western United States – the Knights of Columbus is there. When a child needs a warm winter coat, the Knights of Columbus is there. For these reasons and many others, now is the hour of the Knights of Columbus! In a recent email I included a link to a condensed version of the Supreme Knight’s message to the Virtual Supreme Convention. This concise summary of the work of the Order will help your council to make a compelling offer to every man on your council’s prospect list to join us. I’ve included a link to it here as well. If you haven’t had the opportunity yet to watch it, I encourage you to do so. I also ask you to share it with every member of your council…and every prospect! I can almost guarantee you that most prospects – and probably most members – will say something like “I had no idea that the Knights of Columbus did all that!” The men of your parish need to know more about your council…who you are and what you do. Give them the opportunity to do that. For me, the line in the Supreme Knight’s message that resonated the most was when he stated that when we invite a man to join the Knights of Columbus, we are inviting him more to “be someone” than to “do something.” The men of your council represent that someone that we’re inviting prospects to be…men of faith who put that faith into action for the betterment of their parishes and communities. As parishioners…as neighbors…as fellow Catholics…we owe them that opportunity. At the bottom of this email I have listed the dates and times of every virtual Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity the Supreme Council will sponsor through the end of October. Please publicize these exemplifications – along with the fact that the exemplification is always available on-demand – on local and state council web sites and newsletters, in parish bulletins, and via your council’s other communications vehicles.Father McGivney’s impending beatification gives us an opportunity to tell our story to an audience of Catholic men who will surely find his story – our story – compelling. Let’s take advantage of that opportunity. Vivat Jesus!Fraternally, Robert J. Ennis Director of Membership Growth CC: State Deputies State Membership Directors Council Membership Directors Exemplification Invitations ENGLISH SPANISH FRENCH On Demand Exemplifications English Spanish French Scheduled Exemplifications English Saturday, September 26, 3:00 PM EDT Tuesday, September 29, 8:00 PM EDT Saturday, October 3, 3:00 PM EDT Wednesday, October 7, 8:00 PM EDT Thursday, October 22, 8:00 PM EDT Spanish Sunday, October 4, 4:00 PM EDT French Saturday, September 26, 4:00 PM EDT Saturday, October 3, 4:00 PM EDT Online Exemplification Procedures The process for inviting candidates to participate remains the same: Councils should forward the downloadable PDF invitation to all eligible prospects for admission and advancement (Click here for English, Spanish and French).Note that they will need your council number to complete the registration.Instruct the candidates to register for the on-demand exemplification by clicking on the “View Now” link within the PDF invitation and filling out the online form.Contact the candidates to guide them through the registration if needed.Candidates then participate in the ceremony, which starts immediately after registering.After the ceremony, councils must process the candidates by submitting form 100s the traditional way or electronically in Officers Online.This invitation is intended for new and advancing members. Existing Third and Fourth Degree members can watch the ceremony at videos.kofc.org/exemplification. Note that candidates for admission must be approved by your council. See the temporary rules for electronic voting (click here for English, Spanish, French). Councils must file a form 100 for all candidates who complete an online exemplification. For clarification on the difference between the On-Demand Ceremony and Online Membership (Online Join), click here. Knights of Columbus | kofc.org |