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Good of the Order - Virtues and Values Leadership

Virtues and Values Leadership
Joseph L. Gubasta, Ph.D.
Good of the Order Presentation, Cincinnati Chapter Knights of Columbus
(May 3, 2012)

Introduction
As brother Knights we face many challenges and opportunities the most important of which is saving souls, beginning with our own.

We are a fraternal organization called to do good works (charity), promote unity, and work together to serve and support of our church and country (fraternity and patriotism).

During our lifetime we’ve seen and been affected by the ever increasing advance of secularization and anti-catholic sentiment among many people especially people in leadership positions and those in the public eye.

Unfortunately, many people in these leadership positions exercise their power and authority outside the framework of Christian virtues and values. As a consequence we’ve witnessed in our lifetime decay and moral decline throughout our nation in all aspects of our society. At present, and from a human perspective, it appears this downward trend will continue unless we as individuals and collectively as catholic Christians and Knights do our part.

Furthering the Kingdom
In this context I suggest doing our work as we have in the past may not be good enough. As council leaders, active Catholics in our various parishes, and members of other social systems throughout the area and region, we have many opportunities to honor our triune God by furthering God’s kingdom here and now.

How can we do this? First, let’s keep in mind who we are and who we are serving. The ways we live our lives and fulfill our roles in the “Order” need to reflect the reality that we are in a spiritual (not economic, political, or class, etc.) war. Our heritage and destiny are linked to Jesus Christ and it’s from Jesus and the Holy Spirit that we draw our courage and strength.

In addition, to be victorious in the spiritual battles facing us we also need to be obedient to the king of the universe, not slaves to our own passions or subjects of the leaders who are instruments of the prince of this world. To be victorious in the war against evil we need to be virtuous and value centered role models.

Brothers, we are all gifted by our creator in ways we often don’t recognize or appreciate. This observation applies to our self awareness and recognition of our brother Knights. As Catholic Knights of Columbus we have the opportunity and responsibility to act in faith when striving to carry out our mandate to be charitable, promote unity, work fraternally, and defend the Church and what it stands for.

Food for Thought
As Council leaders, I suggest we challenge ourselves and exercise our leadership responsibilities in somewhat different ways. For example:

  • Through ongoing prayerful reflection as a leadership team let’s try discerning God’s will for our Council and its roll here at St. Gertrude Church. Jesus is quoted as saying: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these because I am going to the Father.” Jn. 14:12. If we believe this let’s live it.
  • Begin to prioritize our use of time and resources in response to these discernments. Maybe it’s time to allocate and/ or reallocate our resources in ways that will “move mountains.”
  • Identify our human and spiritual gifts and employ them to the work we are called to do.
  • Make it a priority to identify and invite Catholic men to join the Knights and become men for others. Let’s identify and implement additional ways and means to increase membership.
  • Incorporate these and related suggestions into the mainstream of the Council’s monthly meetings and activities.
  • Seek “synergism” where human will and the Holy Spirit work together to bring about spiritual regeneration and salvation. Let’s make synergism a measure of our success.

Let’s pray
Merciful Father, look with favor on us as we strive to honor you in fulfilling our roles as Knights. The time is now to live our lives according to the virtues and values proclaimed by your Word, our Lord, Jesus Christ. We ask for the grace and gifts of the Holy Spirit to live in faith, hope and love. May our lives dispel the darkness that surrounds us. As always, we pray this in the name of your Son and through the intercession of your Blessed Mother. Amen