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Life Programs

- “Catholics must be committed to the defense of life in all its stages and in every condition” (St. John Paul II, 1995).
  
  Brother Knights,
  
  The Knights of Columbus offers men a place to lead their families and communities in faith and service and put their Faith into Action. Knights of Columbus members, parishes, and families have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through numerous Life Programs. These programs are designed to draw us closer to God and the Church in a tangible and meaningful way.
  
  The urgency of the threat to a culture of life cannot be misunderstood. Respect for the dignity of life demands a commitment to human rights across a broad spectrum. Knights work together to build a culture of life and a civilization of love. Your council should stand ready to care for the sick or elderly, aid the handicapped, empower those with special needs to realize their full potential, assist any pregnant woman in need, and bring attention to the injustices of abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, and assisted suicide.
  
  Additionally, there are many people with special needs living in our communities, and we interact with many of them on a daily basis. The quality of life of every person is very important and how we care for the needs and dignity of each individual may even affect the lives of our family or friends. We need to remember that we are all God’s children and He is the one who gives us rights, dignity, and worth. We must show that life, at any age, can be lived to its fullest, with joy and satisfaction, according to God’s time-table. We are called by Christ through our Catholic Teaching to protect the weak and the vulnerable, to care for the needy, and to treat all persons with respect and dignity.
  
  Please familiarize yourself with these Life Programs so that you can conduct programs to raise awareness and provide prayers and assistance where needed most.
  
  All of the Life Programs, along with detailed information on each of them, can be found in the Grand Knight’s Reference Guide. You can access the Grand Knight’s Reference Guide by logging into “Resources, Manuals and Directories” and then select the “Grand Knight Resources” Tab. There, you will find a wealth of information.
  
  Remember to publicize your program accomplishments for all to see and to submit reports not just for the awards, but to recognize the thousands of hours of hard work and meaningful contributions of our dedicated and valued members. By working together in unity and fraternity with our Brother Knights and families, our faith-filled programs and charitable outreach will bring spiritual growth to each of us, comforting hope to those in need, and immense joy and fulfillment in giving to others.
  
  May God bless you for the important work you do for our Order and our Catholic Church and may your extraordinary and selfless service deepen your faith and bring you closer to our Lord.
  
  Please be aware that Councils must comply with the Knights of Columbus Safe Environment Program qualify for any State/Supreme awards.
  
  Vivat Jesus!
  Fraternally,
  Gary L. Seals, FDD
  Life Director
  New Jersey State Council
  
  Additional Online Resources
  
  K of C Supreme, Culture of Life
  
  USCCB
  
  New Jersey Right to Life
  
  Faith In Action:  LINK
  
  Faith In Action Guidebook:  LINK
  
  Program Report Form (10784):  LINK
  
  Other forms:  LINK
  
  Life Programs and Chairmen
  40 Days for Life                                                 Mark Kiernan, PGK
  Adoption as an Option                                       Enrico Siano, DGK
  Baby Bottle Boomerang                                    Raymond Wuertz, PGK
  Deborah Hospital Support - LINK                       Andrew Julia, FDD
  Diapers for Babies                                             Michael Walter, FDD
  Homes for Mothers                                           James Illo, PGK
  Intellectual Disabilities Drive- LINK                Gary Seals, FDD
  March for Life                                                  Ronald Prykanowski, FDD
  Mass for People with Special Needs -  LINK     Gary Seals, FDD
  Novena for Life - LINK                                     Peter Kueken, FDD
  Polar Bear Plunge - LINK                              John A. Gazis, FDD
  Pregnancy Center Support                               Al Del Tufo,
  Roses for Life                                    James Kukura, FDD
  Silver Rose - LINK                                           Michael Choma, FDD
  Special Olympics -  LINK                                  William Zika
  Support for Persecuted Christians - LINK         Peter Walentowicz, FDD
  Ultrasound Initiative                                       Stanley Hubbard
  Wings for Life                                    Stephen J. Richardson, FM
  
  “Only with prayer—prayer that storms the heavens for justice and mercy, prayer that cleanses our hearts and souls—will the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life."
  —U.S. Catholic Bishops
  
  Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities
  Pro-Life Prayer
  Heavenly Father, source of all life, who desires not the death of Your children, but wishes that they may grow into the fulfillment of the personhood that You placed in them from the moment of conception. Shower Your blessings upon the unborn, protect them from all evil and bring them forth into the world to walk in Your ways.
  Bestow Your particular love upon those privileged by motherhood that they may be supported at this most special time in their lives. Turn the hearts of the fathers toward You that they too may be filled with abundant grace.
  I offer You my special prayer for all Your children, for my life itself, for all the blessings You have bestowed on me, and ask finally to be brought into Your presence when You see fit to end my earthly sojourn. Amen.
  “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him”
  (Dt. 30:19-20).
  
  Life Prayer
  Lord, we rejoice in Your commands!
  You give us the opportunity to freely choose You and serve You!
  Your gift of freedom puts our destiny in our own hands.
  Lord, to choose life is to choose blessing,
  And to choose death is to choose curses.
  We have the power to choose either one,
  But not the power to change the consequences.
  You give us the command
  To freely love the children entrusted to our care
  And to respect their right to life.
  You warn us that to choose abortion
  Means to bring devastation not only on them,
  But on us.
  Your command to choose life
  Is a choice of You, Your covenant,
  The way of Your commands, Your love, Your peace
  And Your gift of salvation and life eternal.
  Lord, we choose life today
  And we pray that all will do so!
  Lord, give us individuals and families who choose life!
  Give us a nation that chooses life!
  Give us a world that chooses life!
  We pray through the One who isv The Way, the Truth and the Life,
  The Resurrection and the Life,
  The Bread of Life,
  The Author of Life and the Conqueror of Death,
  Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
  Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life