Texas State Convention Draws Record Crowd, Supreme Knight, Cardinal DiNardo

Delegates from throughout Texas gathered for the 104th State Convention in Dallas, May 1-4.  Keynote speakers included  Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, from the Diocese of Galvaston-Houston,  Supreme Knight  Carl Anderson, and a record-setting attendance in numbers of convention delegates.  In the only contested election of State Officers for 2008-2010, Jim Collins was elected State Treasurer. New members to the State Council include Douglas Oldmixon, of Austin, State Advocate, and "Little" Joe Lopez,  Warden, from San Antonio.  Bishop Placido Rodriguez, from Lubbock, will be the State Chaplain, and Msgr Peter J. Flood, from San Antonio, will be the associate State Chaplain. Javier Martinez, from Missouri City, is State Deputy, and Tony Herreth from Houston, State Secretary.  Pictured below is Cardinal DiNardo with Bishop Emeritus Tom Flanagan and Carlo Escamilla.  Escamilla. Escamilla, son of Knight Joe Escamilla in St Brigid Council 11596, accompanied Bishop Flanagan to the Convention and will soon become a First DegreeKnight.

Vatican Approves Decree of 'Heroic Virtue'

Pope Benedict XVI Saturday approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. The pope’s declaration significantly advances the priest’s process toward sainthood and gives the parish priest the distinction of “Venerable Servant of God.” If canonized, Father McGivney would be the first American born priest to be so honored.

“All of us who are members of the Knights of Columbus are profoundly grateful for this recognition of the holiness of our founder,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “The strength of the Knights of Columbus today is a testament to his timeless vision, his holiness and his ideals.”

Worried about the religious faith and financial stability of immigrant families, Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus with the help of several men of St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven in 1882 to help strengthen the faith of the men of his parish and to provide financial assistance in the event of their death to the widows and orphans they left behind. He was also known for his tireless work among his parishioners.

Born in Waterbury, Conn., Aug. 12, 1852, Michael Joseph McGivney, was the first of Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney’s 13 children, six of whom died in infancy or early childhood. His parents, natives of Ireland, had immigrated to the United States during the 19th century. Patrick was a molder in a Waterbury brass mill, where Michael himself worked for a brief time as a child to help support the family.

From an early age, however, he realized a calling to the Catholic priesthood. After studying in several seminaries, he was ordained in that Baltimore’s historic Cathedral by Cardinal James Gibbons Dec. 22, 1877.

He took up his first assignment, as curate at St. Mary’s Church, New Haven, Conn., Jan. 2, 1878. Father McGivney was named pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, Conn. in 1884. He became seriously ill with pneumonia in January 1890, and died Aug. 14, 1890 at age 38.

The cause, or process, for Father McGivney’s sainthood, was opened by Hartford Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, in December 1997. The cause was presented to the Vatican in 2000, where it has been under review by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. With the pope’s recent decree, and the authentication of a miracle at Father McGivney’s intercession, the priest could be beatified. A second miracle would be required for canonization.