Knights of Columbus

From State Deputy Gary Wondra

Brother Knights,     

It is hard to believe we have already completed the first four months of our fraternal year. In just six short months, we will gather in Wichita for our 125th Kansas State Convention. This will be a time to reflect on the achievements we have made as we Continue a Legacy of Faith, Family & Fraternity. As we look forward to convention, we must each ask, where will your council stand? Are you on track to earn the Star Council Award? This goal represents excellence in faith formation, charitable works, and inviting new Catholic men into our brotherhood, and it should be pursued by every council across Kansas.

As the pace of summer gives way to the busy months ahead, our activities as Knights begin to intensify. November is a month full of important events and opportunities to strengthen our mission:

• Tootsie Roll Drive: Many councils are now completing their drives and submitting the required paperwork. Thank you for your support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Adopt-a-Seminarian: The list of seminarians is available at www.kansas-kofc.org. Councils should adopt a seminarian and report their pledge. Supporting vocations is vital to the future of our Church.
• Memorial Mass: November invites us to remember those who have gone before us. Work with your pastor to hold a memorial Mass honoring the deceased Knights from your council.
• Religious Education Raffle: Ensure that all sold tickets have been returned to the Religious Education Fund Chairman and that your parish religious education requests have been submitted.
• Voting – November 5: We encourage all members and eligible family members to exercise their civic duty by voting. Freedom is a responsibility we must never take lightly.
• Membership – “Fishers of Men” & Supreme Incentive:
   Our membership theme, Continuing a Legacy of Faith, Family & Fraternity, reminds us that recruitment is not a one-time effort.  Continued recruitment is vital to the growth of the Order. The Fishers of Men initiative encourages us to personally invite Catholic men to grow in faith and fraternity through the Knights.

Additionally, the Supreme “Go For Two” Incentive is now underway. Any Knight who recruits two new members between September 1st and December 31st will receive an entry into a $1,500 drawing.    

All councils in the Dodge City Diocese will soon receive materials for the Bishop Blast membership campaign on November 22–23, 2025. A letter from Most Rev. John Brungardt will be included in the information.   Plan this letter in parish bulletins and read at Mass. Grand Knights will receive instructions to support this united diocesan church drive.

This month we also observe two national holidays:

Veterans Day – November 11

We honor and thank our veterans for their sacrifices and service to our country. Your courage has secured the freedoms we enjoy today. Thank you, and God bless you.

Thanksgiving – November 28

May this holiday be a reminder of the many blessings we receive from God. May your day be filled with gratitude, faith, family, and fellowship.

From our family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving!

Vivat Jesus,

Gary L. Wondra

Haga clic AQUÍ para inglés

We will update Fraternal Benefit Event dates here and the calendar as they become available!

Please welcome our newest Sir Knights from the Schulte Exemplification!

* The 2025 - 2026 Program and Membership Guide is now available - Click Here *

Here is a short message from Bishop Carl A. Kemme (Wichita Diocese) 
HERE IS A SHORT MESSAGE FROM REV. ANTHONY SAIKI (SPANISH)

The Knights of Columbus released "The Magazine and the Miracle: Finding Father Kapaun," a short documentary highlighting the extraordinary life and legacy of Servant of God, U.S. Army Chaplain, and Medal of Honor recipient Fr. Emil Kapaun. To view the video click HERE. 

Membership and Missing Forms Reports

How is your council progressing in its quest for the Star Council Award? The requirements for the Star Council Award are 1) make the membership goal, 2) host two Fraternal Benefit Seminars, 3) complete and submit three forms to the Supreme office. Click on the links below to view the progress your council is making towards achieving these goals. These reports will be updated weekly, so check back often!

Membership Report
Report Summary

The 2025-2026 theme for inviting men to our order this year is “125 Years: Continuing a Legacy of Faith, Family, and Fraternity”. You are encouraged to offer membership to any Catholic male age 18 or older. It’s simple, all you have to do is ask them. 

Kansas Knight of the Month

For the Month of September
The Ted Brock Family
Council #2955, Dodge City

For the Month of August
The John Russell Family
Council #8411, Topeka - Christ the King

Supreme Faith in Action Program

Supreme Council Faith in Action Program information can be found at
https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/faith-in-action-programs/index.html

Safe Environment Program

Our Safe Environment Program safeguards children and other vulnerable persons, assures members and their families that we maintain a safe environment, protects members from awkward situations, misunderstandings, and appearances of impropriety, builds trust with arch/dioceses and parishes, and protects the good name of the Knights of Columbus.

Three training modules are required for members serving in youth leader and certain officer roles: “Meet Sam,”addressing the issue of sexual abuse awareness, “Duty to Report", covering legal reporting obligations, and “Know Your Policies”, a review of Knights of Columbus safe environment policies. We also maintain a youth leader screening process, including background checks, specifically for members who lead Knights of Columbus youth activities.

Please click on link below to access Supreme Councils webpage for more information and what positions are required to acquire this training:
http://www.kofc.org/un/en/members/programs/youth-activities/safe-environment-program.html