Lay Apostolate Committee

Chariman: M Alan Ladwig

Information from Supreme for this committee:

• Invite non-Catholics to enjoy a tour of a church in your area. Your council chaplain or pastor should explain such points of interest as the baptismal font, the tabernacle, Stations of the Cross, the sacristy, a display of the vestments and sacred vessels. Ask guests to stay for Mass and dinner or a social event. Encourage an exchange of information between guests and your council chaplain or members.
• Organize a study group to read and discuss Pope John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation on the role of the laity, Christifidelis Laici. Laypeople need to know more about what their role in the Church is. Copies of the text of Christifidelis Laici can be purchased from the Daughters of St. Paul, 50 St. Paul’s Avenue, Boston, MA 02130.
• Work with Project Moses, a non-profit organization striving to restore respect for the Ten Commandments via the placement of Ten Commandments plaques in individual homes and 5 foot 4 inch tall, 900 pound, stone Ten Commandments monuments on parish properties. The sale of these monuments pays for the construction of the National Judeo-Christian Memorial to Moses and the Ten Commandments in Washington D.C. Knights of Columbus councils can spearhead local proj- ects at no cost. For more information review the “Placing A Monument Guide” available for free at http://www.projectmoses.com/pm/contactus/contactform.aspx.
• Spread the good news about the Catholic faith in the community by maintaining a Catholic video lending library for use by parish and council families. Check out local religious materials stores. Also, peruse the Web sites of various video, book and religious suppliers. Check with parish and reli- gious schools for catalogs of available videos. Once the council begins to accumulate a library of videos, offer to lend them to members and their families. Prepare a sign out sheet to keep track of who takes out the videos and to make sure they are returned on time and in good condition. Consider mak- ing the price for renting a video a nonperishable food item that can then be donated to a local soup kitchen.
• Recognize people receiving their First Communion, council and parish families baptizing chil- dren, and individuals receiving the sacrament of confirmation, with congratulations, certifi- cates or special appreciation gifts. Use the new generic certificate (#2898) to design a certificate of congratulations.
• Support your parish’s Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program: embark on a con- certed drive in your council for volunteers to enroll in one of the CCD training courses and agree to donate time as CCD substitutes; extend financial assistance to CCD groups in developing visual aids; provide assistance recruiting discussion leaders, helpers to provide transportation and general assis- tance, and parent educators who foster religious education in the homes of children from preschool through high school ages.
• The council chaplain can provide information concerning Catholic doctrine and liturgy to Knights and their families through a chaplain’s column in the council bulletin. Since not all members are usually present at council meetings, the chaplain’s influence can be expanded by his regularly offering some Catholic informa- tion through this column. The chaplain and council bulletin editor should meet to determine the deadline for copy and the approximate number of words the chaplain should provide for publication each month.
• Encourage council families to set aside time each week for Bible reading and discussions which foster quality family time.