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. Both as Knights of Columbus and as followers of Christ, “Catholics must be committed to the defense of life in all its stages and in every condition” (St. John Paul II, 1995). The Knights of Columbus defends the dignity of each human being at every stage of life. Knights work together to build a culture of life and a civilization of love. Your council should stand ready to assist any pregnant woman in need, care for the elderly, aid the handicapped, empower those with special needs to realize their full potential and bring attention to the injustices of abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Novena for Life

Lead your community in the spiritual fight to establish a culture of life in our nations. The protection of life is a sustained prayer intention of the Church, and in particular of the Knights of Columbus. Knights remain firmly committed to defending the right to life of every human being — from the moment of conception to natural death. To commemorate and bolster this important cause, councils will promote a novena, nine days of sustained prayer, to build up a culture of life in our parishes, homes and wider community. Knights and their families will come together in both public and private acts of prayer to promote the protection of life. Council participation in novena for life is required to qualify for the Columbian award.

Marches for Life

Show public support for the right to life. The Knights of Columbus encourages others to choose life through public support of the pro-life cause. Knights can organize and participate in local/state/province/regional Marches for Life and/or organize participation of Knights/parishioners/students/etc., in bus trips to the national marches in Washington, D.C., Ottawa, Mexico City, throughout the Philippines, or in other countries. Showing unwavering public support for the right to life. Councils are encouraged to participate in or sponsor local, state/province, regional or national Marches for Life. Councils that coordinate at least 50 participants or who organize a local March for Life will receive credit for this program. a featured program, Marches for Life counts for two credits toward the Columbian award.

Special Olympics

Celebrate the intrinsic worth and dignity of every single human being through the Special Olympics. The Knights of Columbus has a unique partnership with the Special Olympics and has helped disabled athletes train for and compete in games around the world. Knights of Columbus councils have assisted with all aspects of the program from fundraising to feeding the athletes, organizing and judging events, and providing equipment and awards. without the support of the Knights, participants would not be able to train for the events that they love. Work with Special Olympics affiliates to determine how best to fund, sponsor or volunteer for events in the local community. Featured program credit is awarded to councils providing at least $2,000 in donations or 200 service hours in a fraternal year. as a featured program, Special Olympics counts for two credits toward the Columbian award.

Ultrasound Program

Save lives by helping each abortion-minded woman who visits a pro-life pregnancy care center to choose life by viewing her unborn child on an ultrasound machine. This initiative is funded by state and local councils and matching grants from the Supreme Council’s Culture of Life Fund. The Knights of Columbus works together to purchase ultrasound machines for qualifying pregnancy centers. After the state and/or local council raises 50% of the cost, the Supreme Council will provide the other 50% to complete funding for purchase of an ultrasound. Or, if the council raises 100% of the cost of a vehicle outfitted to serve as a mobile medical unit for a pregnancy center, the Supreme Council will provide 100% of the funds for an ultrasound machine to be used in that vehicle. A featured program, Ultrasound Program counts for two credits toward the Columbian award.

Christian Refugee Relief

Help save persecuted and at-risk Christians facing genocide all over the world, particularly in the middle east. Knights of Columbus are called to bring awareness and support to those who have suffered for their faith through various parish-based programs and fundraisers. The Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund, which has provided humanitarian assistance, primarily in Iraq, Syria, and the surrounding region. Councils will aid this cause by collaborating with their parishes to spread awareness and raise funds to help these Christians and those in their care. in particular, councils are encouraged to utilize Solidarity Crosses as a fundraiser and prayer campaign in their parishes.

Silver Rose

Share the message of our Lady of Guadalupe and promote respect for life by participating in this meaningful pilgrimage. The Silver Rose Program demonstrates the unity between Knights of Columbus in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, through a series of prayer services promoting the dignity of all human life and honoring our lady. Each year, from early march through mid-December, silver roses are stewarded by councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of our Lady of Guadalupe.

Program overview

Life Resources

Guide Sheet

Poster

Service Booklet

Silver Rose Schedule Kansas 2023

Silver Rose Kansas Map 2023

History of the Silver Rose




Mass for People With Special Needs

Welcome individuals or families who might not normally feel comfortable participating in a regularly scheduled mass. People with special needs resulting from physical, emotional, mental or cognitive conditions are all around us in society, at school, at work and in our families. It can be challenging for these important members of our society to participate in church due to physical and social barriers — or even family member anxiety. Councils will sponsor a distinct mass, conducted annually, for people with special needs. Celebrating a mass for People with Special Needs can be the first of many steps toward integrating them into regular weekly or even daily mass — and more deeply into all of the sacraments and other aspects of parish life. Holding this mass sends the message that all of God’s children are welcome under the parish roof and that every person is an integral part of the parish family.

Pregnancy Center Support

Change the hearts and minds of society about abortion by showing that we love both mother and child before and after birth. More than three thousand pro-life pregnancy centers now operate in jurisdictions throughout the order. By the very nature of our founding, Knights of Columbus are called to care for the widow and orphan. Abortion vulnerable unborn children and mothers experiencing unexpected pregnancies certainly fall within our mandate. with our aid, pregnancy centers can offer support to help them choose life. Councils can provide material, financial, labor and other support to pro-life pregnancy centers that help pregnant women during pregnancy and following the birth of their newborn children. Councils can “adopt” a pregnancy center and provide material, labor, and spiritual support throughout the year.

We are working on the full list of area pregnancy centers in Kansas and it will published here soon.

Life Activity of the Year

The Life Activity Scrapbook Award will be given to the council which has the best Life Activity Project. Each Council should prepare a scrapbook. Start saving your pictures, articles, notes and a detailed description, and send in scrapbook form NO LATER THAN APRIL 1. The State winner will be forwarded and entered in the Supreme Service Awards Program.