Knights of Columbus of Wisconsin

Chaplain's Letters

State Chaplain
Rev Peter Renard

It’s about F.A.I.T.H. The theme chosen by our Worthy State Deputy, Roland Ransom is both bold and timely. We find ourselves in a world where faith is more and more disrespected and discarded as an outdated and useless superstition. But in this year of St. Paul so designated by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to commemorate the 2000th birthday of the great apostle to the Gentiles—faith must be our rock, our shelter, and our banner. It’s about F.A.I.T.H. “F.” is for fraternity because if Jesus is our brother then everyone else is a sister or a brother to us. “A.” is for attitude because an attitude of faith changes, colors, and transforms everything into an opportunity to evangelize. Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% our attitude toward it. “I.” is for integrity because if faith is not integrated into all our words and actions then we are less than what we have been called to be: Ambassadors for Christ. “T.” is for truth because truth is the hallmark of the Catholic Tradition that we must faithfully live and hand on to the next generation. This is the task we are all entrusted to carry out by virtue of our Baptism. And “H.” is for honor because it is not about us but about working for the greater honor and glory of our God.

It’s about F.A.I.T.H. because your Faithful State Chaplain and Diocesan Chaplains are all committed to moving forward Resolution #37—2005 “Form and support an on-going State Faith Development Committee within the structure of the State Council on a par with other State Committees.” All the chaplains agree that the best gift we have to offer and what we are all about is ongoing faith development. It is our chosen goal for this fraternal year to develop some “Faith” programs that can be shared with Chaplains and Friars of local Wisconsin Councils and Assemblies so that we are all growing together in F.A.I.T.H. As I write this column for the first time as State Chaplain I remember my gratitude for the faith-filled exemplary service of those immediately preceding me and to whom I am indebted: Rev. James Trempe (2002-2004), Rev. Michael Tupa (2004-2006), and Very Rev. John Potaczek (2006-2008).

Father David Cooper
State Chaplain