Greetings Brother Knights:
Some of you may be in the practice of receiving communion on the First Friday of the month. St. Margaret Mary wrote of this devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the abundant grace available to those who persevere through 9 consecutive First Friday's.
This past First Friday's announcement by the Iowa Supreme Court striking down Iowa's 1998 law defining marriage as between a man and a woman seems to present an opportunity to redouble our vigilance to lead a good life and overcome the temptation to give into evil.
Our Iowa Bishops have spoken in response to this ruling. I urge you to read their statement from Friday April 3rd. I also encourage you to read the Bishop's statement on a constitutional amendment.
Last August the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus gathered in convention passed a resolution in support of traditional marriage and pledged our Knightly support to the bishops in their efforts to promote and defend traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
Many of us have heard perhaps of a quotation attributed to Edmond Burke; "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." I trust my brother Knights that we will not be the "Know Nothings" nor the "Do Nothings" but rather take up the obligation to know and to defend our faith vigorously. Moreover do we not have a an obligation to speak out regarding the truths of our faith and the foundations upon which we desire to build a just and loving society? I believe that as Fathers and husbands we are bound to do so for our children's sake.
Some of you may feel called by the Spirit to become engaged in this issue. Avenues exist to contact your elected representatives via the
or at www.letiowavote.org. I ask that all of you engage in additional prayers and perhaps take upon yourselves a commitment to the 9 consecutive Fridays devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
May God's Blessings be upon you!
Patrick T. O'Keefe
State Deputy Iowa Knights of Columbus
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From the State Chaplain
Yes, the Knights should get this [information] from the Iowa Catholic Conference out to the membership so they can send e-mail to their elected representatives. We didn't get here over night, this is 40 years of societal change in the understanding of marriage as a social contract between two people unconnected to the procreation and education of children and the permanence of marriage.
As Knights we need to support our bishops and priests in proclaiming the Gospel with Charity. In doing so we are not attacking any political party or group but rather speaking to the fundamental truths of our faith.
May each of you and your families have a very Blessed Easter.
Fr. Thomas Dooley
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