“Catholics must be committed to the defense of life in all its stages and in every condition” (St. John Paul II, 1995).
The urgency of the threat to a culture of life in our world cannot be misunderstood. The Knights of Columbus vigorously defends the dignity of each human being at every stage of life.
Councils and parishes can work to build a culture of life and a civilization of love through these important programs.
The Supreme Council provides elements of the Life Program area which are noted here:
The elements of the Life Program area which are noted in the Columbian Award application and the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity forms are:
- Special Olympics
- Marches for Life
- Ultrasound Program Initiative
- Pregnancy Center Support
- Christian Refugee Relief
- Memorials to Unborn Children
- Silver Rose
- Miscellaneous Life Activities
- Mass for People with Special Needs
- Novena for Life (which is a required program)
Our Council Life Programs and Projects are shown below:
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Pro-Life Booth at Cochise County Fair
BSC runs the Pro-Life booth each year at the Cochise County Fair with Brother and family volunteers who display stages-of-life models of the developing baby in the womb. Pro-Life literature, pins and Rosaries are given to passers-by and those who ask questions about the materials on display.
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Support for Care Net Pregnancy Center of Cochise County
Care Net Pregnancy Center of Cochise County is a faith-based, non-profit organization. The Care Net ministry is dedicated to helping women and couples who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Care Net provides a list of free counseling and support services. Care Net Pregnancy Center staff requires assistance with qualified volunteers performing Ultrasounds for pregnant mothers. Additionally, collection of supplies for expectant mothers and mothers of newborn infants are among the volunteer support activities that are needed. Brothers and their families support the annual Care Net Banquet by coordinating attendance and publicity.
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Pro-Life Display at the Coffee and Donut Sunday’s
BSC supports the Pro-Life display table at the St Andrew the Apostle Parish Church after Sunday Masses several times throughout the year. Brothers and family volunteers display stages-of-life models of the developing baby in the womb. Pro-Life literature, pins and Rosaries are given to parishioners who ask questions about the materials on display.
BSC supports the Tucson March for Life in January by arranging volunteers, banners and placards for participants in the march. Transportation to the Diocese Cathedral for the kick-off Mass and the March led by the Bishop is also coordinated.
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Novenas for Life and for Our Blessed Mother
BSC will lead the parish in the spiritual battle to establish a culture of life, primarily by praying and promoting a novena (nine days of sustained prayer) with the parish, families and the wider community. A weekly Friday Novena established by the USCCB will likely coincide with this program. Additionally, council and parish members may be involved with the 54-day Novena to the Blessed Mother which culminates on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
BSC hosts the Silver Rose for a Mass and Prayer Service. Knights receive a Silver Rose passed in custody from Councils in Canada then throughout the western States and finally to Mexico where the Silver Rose is delivered to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterey Mexico in time for the Feast of OurLady of Guadalupe. The prayer service utilizes Knights of Columbus prayer booklets designed for this occassion, obtained by the Council. The Silver Rose is then passed to another council which organizes similar prayer and devotional services to Our Lady of Guadalupe in promoting the sanctity of life.
