Your Excellency,
All things have their beginning and their end. We all know and embrace this simple principle of life. Today it becomes most evident in the lives of two Knights of Columbus. The end of Carl Anderson’s ministry, becomes the beginning for you - Patrick E. Kelly.
After your election you said: “I am honored, grateful and happy. I am honored to be called to serve as Supreme Knight. I am grateful to my wife and family, and to my Brother Knights for entrusting me with this honor and privilege. I have been fortunate to work alongside Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, who has done so much to strengthen the Knights of Columbus and fulfill our mission through deeds of love, kindness, compassion and prayer that have helped countless people here at home and around the world. (...) I look forward to continuing Carl’s great work and will strive to lead the Knights of Columbus according to the Principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity as envisioned by Blessed Father Michael McGivney. These principles are as relevant today as they were almost 140 years ago, at the dawn of our establishment. They are a proven way to deepen the Catholic faith and build strong families, strong parishes and strong communities that work together for the common good and recognize the dignity and worth of every human being. I ask for your prayers as I seek to move forward this glorious history and tradition of the Knights of Columbus in service to the Lord, His Church, our brother Knights and their families, and our parishes and communities”.
I quote these words with great joy and hope. They are a wonderful announcement of the continuation of the work of Carl Anderson, whose closest associate and confidant you were for many years. For us Knights of Columbus, it is a very important declaration, one that gives us optimism that the good work will continue to contribute to fulfilling the words of the Lord Jesus: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40).
I firmly believe that nothing in this world is an act of pure coincidence, but a gift of Divine Providence. It is in this spirit that I welcome your election as Supreme Knight and congratulate you from the bottom of my heart. I am aware of the great responsibility you have taken upon your shoulders and I know how much our support will be needed on various levels, especially prayer. You can be confident that there will be no lack of it among the Knights serving God and the Church in Ukraine.
Praying on this blessed day for God’s protection and for the intercession of the saints and the blessed, I hope to meet soon and to continue the cooperation which, for several years now, has been bringing good to our Church and, in particular, to the Archdiocese of Lviv, which was affected by Communist persecution and widespread atheisation.
Together with the Knights of Columbus of Ukraine, I ask the Almighty God to bless you and your entire family, to grant you peace and prosperity, kindness and gratitude from people, so that your good work will not only continue, but will also grow for the greater glory of the Holy Church.
With best regards and fraternal greeting “Vivat Jesus!”
+ Mieczysław Mokrzycki
Metropolitan Archbishop of Lviv
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