11th Sunday A
100th Anniversary Bethlehem Knights of Columbus Council #2605
Our Lady of Hope, Dundalk
June 14, 2026
Introduction
It is a pleasure to return to Our Lady of Hope and on this occasion to celebrate with you the 100th anniversary of K of C Bethlehem Council #2605. My special congratulations to the Grand Knight, Tom Tompsett, to the Council Officers and to all the members of Bethlehem Council. And my warmest thanks to you, the wives and families of the Knights, for your support and participation in the mission of this Council.
In today’s homily, I hope to show how today’s Scriptures shed light on the history and mission of Bethlehem Council. But even if you are not as yet a Knight or if your family doesn’t have connection with the Knights of Columbus, I hope these few reflections will be helpful in your spiritual journey.
Choosing the Twelve
And let’s begin with this. In today’s Gospel, we see how Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for the crowds, “because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” What did Jesus do? Having appointed the Twelve Apostles, he summons them and sends them on a mission, a mission to bring healing and peace to the many people who suffering from illness and unclean spirits. Jesus also gave them instructions about where to go and what to say. Above all, he told them to be generous in their love. “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
Reflecting on this Gospel, I thought of Blessed Michael McGivney, who founded the Knights of Columbus. He was a saintly parish priest serving at St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven, CT. His priestly heart, like the Lord’s own heart, was moved to pity at the plight of so many families in his parish. In those days, industrial accidents were common and often the breadwinner died prematurely, leaving behind a wife and children with no means of support. Fr. McGivney also saw that the men of his parish were drifting from the faith. His response was like the Lord’ own response in today’s Gospel. He summoned twelve men to the basement of St. Mary’s Church and founded the Knights of Columbus with charity as its first principle. It was to be a mutual aid society to support families in the event that the husband and father died. It was to be a fraternal society to help men stay strong in their faith, to be better Catholics, husband, and fathers.
It took a lot of courage and hard work to start the Knights of Columbus. But soon it began to spread rapidly through the United States and Canada, and then to many other countries. The Knights received strong support from Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore and his successor, Archbishop Michael Curley. Less than 40 years after the Knights were founded, the Bethlehem Council was established at St. Luke’s Catholic Hall, with J. E. Sullivan serving as the first Grand Knight. This council would grow rapidly and be active in its service to the mission of the Church and the needs of the wider community. For example, this Council started a scholarship program to benefit local Catholic schools. It built a monument to the unborn, bearing witness to the sanctity of life. It participated in the Coats for Kids program of the Knights of Columbus. And it won numerous awards for membership and service – often being designated as a star council.
Charity
So far, I have just scratched the surface. Only the Lord knows how much has been accomplished by the dedication of you, the knights, your wives, and your families. Many have been helped and comforted. Many have been brought closer to the Lord and to the Church. It is a legacy of service to one and service to all, so characteristic of the Knights of Columbus all over the world.
But what is at the heart of this legacy? What prompted Fr. McGivney to found the Knights of Columbus and what has sustained the Knights for more than 140 years – and Bethlehem Council now for a century? The answer is found in today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans. There St. Paul speaks to us about the depth and generosity of God’s love. “God proves his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” St. Paul focuses our gaze on just how much God truly loves us.
Fr. McGivney founded the Knights on the very love we celebrate at every Mass: God’s infinite love which he generously lavishes upon us, a love we did not earn, a love we do not deserve, a love God freely gives. Fr. McGivney wanted the Knights of Columbus to reflect that love and for that reason, he made charity the first principle of the Order. That principle is lived out in many different ways – as the history of the Bethlehem Council illustrates. It is a charity that bears witness to the boundless love that we find only in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today, I want to thank you, the members of the Bethlehem Council, for a century of service, for a century of bearing witness to Christ’s love.
Conclusion
As we mark this anniversary year, let us look forward in hope. Let us imitate the Lord in his concern for those in need. Let us make our own what St. Paul teaches about God’s generous love. And let us follow the lead of Blessed Michael McGivney in living the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, for the glory of God, the good of the Church, and the salvation of souls. And may God bless us and keep us always in his love!