The Knights of Columbus, an organization I’m proud to be a member of, is a staunch defender of the right to life of unborn children. Nationally and locally, the Knights have sponsored many powerful pro-life activities and projects.
One of the Knight’s national pro-life initiatives is their "Memorials to Unborn Children." According to the Knights’ website, "the idea for these memorials grew from a challenge made by the late Cardinal John O’Connor in his homily at the opening Mass of the 110th annual Supreme Council Meeting held in New York in 1992."
Since the program’s inception more than 2,000 monuments have been built around the country (dozens in Nebraska). "These monuments, ranging from simple headstones to elaborate memorials, stand as testimony to one simple fact: Human life is a sacred gift from God to be protected and cherished at all stages from conception to natural death," the website states.
In Nebraska, the Knights’ commitment to the pro-life cause is equally evident. In addition to pro-life activities sponsored by local councils, the state council sponsors an annual pro-life art contest, and co-sponsors (with my office) a state-level pro-life essay contest.
Another significant pro-life contribution the Knights make in Nebraska is the funding they provide to numerous pro-life groups, activities and programs. My office is one of the Knight’s major beneficiaries. Another beneficiary in 2009 was the Collage Center, a pregnancy-help center in Kearney, which got a new 4D ultrasound machine from the Knights.
According to the Collage Center, since getting the ultrasound machine on September 10th of 2009, 83 women took advantage of the free ultrasound service. Out of the 83 women who were able to see their child in their womb, 77 chose to continue their pregnancy to full term. Clearly, this ultrasound machine was a life-saving gift.
Furthermore, several other pregnancy-help centers around Nebraska receive financial assistance from the Knights as does the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha. Equally important is the funding the Knights provide to students wanting to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C. For many students, attending the March for Life is the catalyst for a lifetime of pro-life activism.
The Knights primarily raise funds for pro-life activities through a "Buck a Month" collection among its members and through its annual One Rose One Life collection carried out in parishes.
One Rose One Life (OROL) is implemented at weekend Masses on or around Jan. 22, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s abortion rulings. The OROL name comes from its original activity of distributing paper roses that included a pro-life message to be sent to our Congressmen.
Many years ago, the paper roses were replaced with a prayer card. The artwork for each year’s prayer card comes from the winning entry of the Knights’ pro-life art contest. So in addition to collecting donations for pro-life activities, OROL facilitates the critically important act of prayer for the pro-life cause.
I cannot thank or commend the Knights enough for their extraordinary support of pro-life activities nationally and in Nebraska. Each of us can collaborate with the Knights in supporting pro-life efforts through our generous donations to One Rose One Life. Know that our donations to OROL will benefit many worthy and effective pro-life offices and activities.
-
Youth Protection +
-
Evangelization & Catechesis +
-
Catholic Schools +
-
Youth Ministry +
-
Family Life & Discipleship +
-
News & Media +
-
Directory, Maps & Mass Times +
-
Diocese Home +
