Catholic Fire

Pope Francis sent a message to the Knights of Columbus to mark their 132nd International Convention in Orlando, Florida. The message was sent to the Knights in a letter sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. The Pope expressed his gratitude for their service in contributing "to the mission of the Church at every level” especially their work in charitable activities. The Knights of Columbus set a record in donations in the past year, donating more than $170 million to charities. He also called on them to defend religion’s "proper place in the public square and to encourage the lay faithful in their mission of shaping a society which reflects the truth of Christ.” The letter was read to over 2,000 members of the Knights of Columbus attending the conference. ~ Via Rome Reports.

Rome, Italy, Nov 20, 2013 / 12:02 am (CNA).- The Knights of Columbus' new documentary on the life of Pope Francis and his election to the papacy will be available on DVD starting Nov. 20. “This documentary arrives as the world realizes that a very special man has assumed the leadership of the Catholic Church, and this begins – but does not end – with his gestures of humility and care for everyone,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus, an executive producer of the documentary. “Still, what remains largely unknown to the public are many details of Pope Francis’ life, the work he has done and the ways in which he has defended the voiceless and Catholic principles. This documentary delves into those stories,” Anderson said. The hour-long documentary, “Francis: The Pope From the New World,” has been broadcast on the Fox Business Network and CNBC. Continue reading.

Rome, Italy, Oct 14, 2013 / 07:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A new documentary produced by the Knights of Columbus traces the background of Pope Francis, offering insight into his life and thought through the words of those who knew him best. “This documentary introduces people to Pope Francis in a very accessible way,” said Andrew Walther, one of the documentary’s executive producers. “Most people know something about our Holy Father,” Walther told CNA, “but through his own words and the interviews with those who worked with him in Argentina, as well as with key Catholic figures in the United States, this film will help give viewers an in depth understanding of the pope's thought, life and work.” Entitled “Francis: The Pope from the New World,” the hour-long program will air on the FOX Business Network on Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Read more.

(Romereports.com) Pope Francis issued a message to the Knights of Columbus in light of their 131th Supreme Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The letter is directed to Carl A. Anderson, who serves as the Supreme Knight. In it, the Pope expressed his appreciation for the “ideals of faith and fraternity embodied by the Order, its commitment to the Church’s mission, and the many works of charity and evangelical witness.” Pope Francis also highlighted the role the Knights of Columbus play in helping Catholics as “protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.” He urged each Knight to “bear witness to the authentic nature of marriage and the family, the sanctity and inviolable dignity of human life, and the beauty and truth of human sexuality.” He also expressed his gratitude for the clear example of Faith the Knights of Columbus show each day.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church, we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI and the selfless care with which he has led us as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth. Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church on the rock of Peter’s faith and have never left Your flock untended, look with love upon us now, and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity. Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us, a new Pope for Your Church who will please You by his holiness and lead us faithfully to You, who are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen. Pledge to Pray here.

Fr.McGivney , the founder of the Knights of Columbus, has been one of my main intercessors during these challenging economic times, so I am happy to hear that his cause for sainthood is advancing. Via CNA: The Knights of Columbus announced today that officials from a supplemental tribunal of the Archdiocese of Hartford –of which Fr. McGivney was a parish priest- formally sent a new report to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The information gathered by the tribunal included testimonies from witnesses to the supposed miracle as well as the statements of several medical doctors about the circumstances surrounding the reported miracle. Snip  The submission of the new report “marks an important step forward. The Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints will now have valuable additional testimony that clarifies and adds significantly to the original submission,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said. “Father McGivney’s beatification would be an important...

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 23, 2009 ( Zenit.org ).- The Commission of Cardinals, which oversees the activities of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), has renewed the membership of the Board of Superintendence of the Institute. In a communiqué sent today, the institute, chaired by Benedict XVI's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, named among the new members Carl Anderson, the supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, and a regular columnist for ZENIT. Click here to read the rest of the story.

Today is the anniversary of the death of Fr. Michael McGivney , the saintly founder of the Knights of Columbus who was declared venerable last year by Pope Benedict XVI. Read the full story and view the video at Padre Steve's.

CNA reports: The former director of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives for the governor of Ohio was arrested Wednesday for his involvement in an online prostitution ring. Eric McFadden, who has also formerly served as the president of the organization Catholics for Faithful Citizenship and spokesperson for Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good , will face seven prostitution-related charges tomorrow in court. Eric McFadden , 46, the former head of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives for Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, was arrested this morning and faces two counts of promoting prostitution, two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, two counts of pandering obscenity involving a nude minor and one count of compelling prostitution, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien told the Springfield News-Sun.....According to NBC 4 in Columbus, Ohio, detectives suspect McFadden was involved in a “hooker-review” site that led to the creation of a Brewery District brothe...

Fr. Jeffrey, Catholic priest in the Society of St. Paul, embraces the holiday traditions surrounding Christmas but reminds the viewer to also embrace the Holyday essence of this great feast. The Knights of Columbus share some great ways to keep Christ in Christmas here. Internet Padre has a wonderful site here.

Knights of Columbus spot features beating heart of 10-week-old unborn child A 30-second radio spot encouraging people to “vote pro-life” in the November elections began running on radio stations around the United States Sept. 23 It will continue to air until the Nov. 4 election. The ad features the sound of an unborn baby’s heartbeat at 10 weeks, and the voice of a woman saying, “Listening to this makes me wonder – why would anyone question that her life has begun?” It concludes with the words, “Vote your heart. Vote Pro Life.” “The fact that the child whose heartbeat we hear is alive is simply a matter of science,” Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said in announcing the beginning of the ad campaign. “We believe that it is vital that America’s pro-life community make it clear that they will reserve their votes for candidates of either party who are committed to protecting life from conception to natural death.” A similar ad is planned for broadcast in Canada, where general elections...

Members of the Knights of Columbus Catholic organization have taken out ads to appear today in USA Today, the Washington Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and Delaware News Journal asking Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden to correct his statements about abortion. Reminding him that under Catholic teaching, "abortion is a grave sin to be avoided at any time during a pregnancy," the organization attributes to Biden a "unique responsibility" to be correct when making public statements about the faith. "Sen. Obama stressed your Catholic identity repeatedly when he introduced you as his running mate, and so your statements carry considerable weight, whether they are correct or not. You now have a unique responsibility when you make public statements about Catholic teaching," the letter says. The issue of abortion has become a flashpoint in the 2008 presidential election for the Democratic nominees, Sens. Obama and Biden, at least in part because Obama i...