On December 3rd, 2024, the Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus held the monthly council meeting where Fourth Degree District Master Mr. Gerald Dvorak passionately invited members to join the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus, shedding light on its significance as a patriotic and faith-driven order.
“To me, it’s about supporting and defending our Catholic faith as first and foremost, as us as Catholic US citizens.”
The Mr. Dvorak opened the discussion by emphasizing that while many believe Catholic representation in the founding of the United States was minimal, the Fourth Degree seeks to educate members about the crucial role Catholics played in the nation’s history. He invited members to explore this rich background and to grasp the importance of their faith in a modern context.
Three main tenets were presented as the essence of the Fourth Degree:
- Defending Catholic Faith: Mr. Dvorak stressed that understanding the foundations of one’s faith is essential for effectively defending it. He noted the importance of the “three-legged stool” of Catholic education: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterium.
- Supporting the Constitution: He urged the assembly to educate themselves about the Constitution, noting a lack of engagement. He stated, “How do we support and defend our Constitution and our country if we don’t know what the Constitution says?”
- Honoring Veterans: A heartfelt recognition of veterans was conveyed, highlighting the obligation to support those who serve. “We should be honoring these gentlemen who go out and fight for our freedom and make sure that we have a country to be free in.”
Mr. Dvorak also announced upcoming events, including a significant exemplification of the Fourth Degree at the State Convention in Sioux Falls, scheduled for April 25-27, 2025. This event celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Fourth Degree, initially established New York City, NY on February 22, 1900, with great emphasis on community involvement.
Encouragement was extended for participation in upcoming meetings and exemplifications, including one at Saint George Parish on January 18, 2025. The District Master concluded with a reminder that while uniforms are highly encouraged for ceremonial purposes as part of the Fourth Degree, they are not required to join.
This presentation reinforced the call to action for Knights of Columbus members to engage deeply with their faith, understand their history, and actively support one another and the Constitution of the United States.