KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Bishop Roger L KafferAssembly #3232 THE EXECUTIVE Officers For 2014-2015 Faithful Friar-Fr. Matt Pratscher Faithful Navigator- Bob Skidmore Faithful Captain- Eddie Collins Faithful Admiral- Fred Kunst Faithful Pilot- Bob Martin Faithful Comptroller-Mike Herbst Faithful Purser-Brian Jadzak Faithful Scribe-Joe Kunst Faithful Inner Sentinel-Ton Kager Faithful Inner Sentinel- Bob Quinn Faithful Outer Sentinel-Darek Pikul Faithful Outer Sentinel-Dan Wascher Faithful Outer Sentinel-Russ Johnson Faithful Trustee (1st-yr)- Dan Pratscher Faithful Trustee (2nd-yr- Bob Cozzi Faithful Trustee (3rd-yr)-Kevin Fischer (815) 609-8077 frmattpratscher@gmail.com (630) 660-8923 bskidmore@openrule.com (614) 312-3247 illinoiseddie@yahoo.com (815) 254-7123 fkunst@att.net (815) 372-2917 rm7@aol.com (815) 436-7999 fightingirish48@comcast.net (???)???-???? thebaseballcardking@comcast.net (815) 260-0600 joseph.kunst@att.net (630) 553-6476 kager610@comcast.net (815) 955-0006 qrobert@sbcglobal.net (815) 439-7966 darek.pikul@yahoo.com (630) 803-2766 dwascher@comcast.net (815) 439-1912 rwolf@comcast.net (815) 886-6623 cmp1959@sbcglobal.net (815) 436-3229 cozzirl.ill@comcast.net (815) 439-1197 kfischer122647@prodigy.net Color Corps Commanders Honor Guard Senior Commander Kevin Fischer (815) 439-1197 Commander Michael Herbst (815) 436-7999 Commander Bob Martin (815) 372-2917 Commander Charles Jump (630) 554-8337 Color Guard Commander - Alan Urban/815-722-7646
WHO CAN BECOME A FOURTH DEGREE KNIGHT? The Patriotic Degree Fourth Degree eligibility in the Knights of Columbus is open to any Third Degree member in good standing. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. NOTE: Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing. Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus organization. Overview of the Fourth Degree The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus was built on the principle of Patriotism - love for and devotion to one's country. The most visible aspect is the Color Corps. At a National Council meeting in 1899, it was determined that an additional ceremonial degree was needed that would represent patriotism. The initial Exemplification, as the initiation ceremony is called, was held on February 22, 1900. It was scheduled to be in the Astor Hotel; however, when the class reached in excess of 1,100 candidates, it was moved to the Lenox Lyceum, a temporary wooden structure. Members were originally part of local councils, but in 1910 a restructuring of the order separated them and called the groups assemblies. In 1997 with a view toward the formation of more assemblies, the Supreme Council determined that there should be no more than eight member councils per assembly. The Chain of Command is similar to that of the lower degrees, but with different titles. At the Supreme level, the top man is the Supreme Master who wears navy blue Cape and Chapeau. Administratively, the Fourth Degree is divided into areas called Provinces. A Vice Supreme Master is appointed by the Supreme Board of Directors for each of the Fourth Degree Provinces in the Order. At the present time there are 20 Provinces in the Order, with 14 being in the United States, 4 in Canada, 1 in Mexico, and 1 in the Philippine Islands. The state of Illinois is within the Marquette Province, which is comprised of the states of Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Vice Supreme Master is the head of all Fourth Degree matters within the Province and exercises general supervision over all Masters and assemblies located in the Province. The Vice Supreme Master is responsible to the Supreme Master and the Supreme Board of Directors. The Vice Supreme Master is distinguishable at Fourth Degree functions and turnouts by the light blue Cape and Chapeau which he wears. Each Province is divided into Districts. Districts are placed under the leadership of a Master. SK Paul Isherwood is the Master of the Illinois District 1 of which the Bishop Roger L Kaffer Assembly is a member. The Master is identified by the gold Cape and Chapeau and is often accompanied by a District Marshall who wears a green Cape and Chapeau. Districts are made up of assemblies similar to councils in structure and operation. Many are named after patriots, war heroes, etc. The Presiding Officer of the assembly is called a Faithful Navigator, who wears a white Cape and Chapeau. He is assisted by a Faithful Captain and a Faithful Pilot, which are similar to the offices of Deputy Grand Knight and Warden on a council level. The fourth Chair Officer is the Faithful Admiral, usually the immediate Past Faithful Navigator. At a council level officers are referred to as Worthy, while at the assembly level officers are referred to as Faithful. The other officers are similar to council officers and include: the Faithful Friar, the Faithful Purser, the Faithful Scribe, the Faithful Comptroller, the Sentinels (Two or three in number), and the Trustees (Three in number).
The Color Corps of each Assembly is trained and drilled by a Color Corps Commander appointed by the Faithful Navigator. Large Assemblies may have one or more Vice-Commanders. The Commander is identified by the purple or violet Cape and Chapeau. At District Level events, the District Marshall is in charge of the Color Corps and may be assisted by one or more Color Corps Commanders. Other members of the Color Corps wear red Capes and white Chapeaux. To be eligible to become a Fourth Degree member you must be a Third Degree member in good standing, in the Knights of Columbus for six months and you must be sponsored by a Sir Knight. Exemplifications are twice a year in each district, normally in February and October. As a First or Second Degree member, you are a "Member" of The Knights of Columbus. After the Ceremonies of the Third Degree you are a Full Knight. After the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree you are a Complete Knight and addressed as Sir Knight. Sir Knights are accorded the honor of the Color Corps at their wake or funeral Mass. In addition to this, the Bishop Roger L Kaffer Assembly is one of only a few Assemblies that have a crucifix program. All too often we take for granted that everyone knows what the knights are about. Many of our brothers knights do not take the Fourth Degree because they think to participate they must buy the Chapeaux, Cape, Sword & Service Baldric. Many of our members do not have the regalia, but we all have the same beliefs and that is what we are looking for. Joining the Fourth Degree is a perfect ending on the road to knighthood, a chance to stand up and be seen as a person of faith and dedication to the church and to your country. If you are interested in becoming a Fourth Degree Knight, see your Council Captain for an application and full details. You may also phone or e-mail the Bishop Roger L Kaffer Assembly Faithful Navigator,Fred Kunst or the Faithful Comptroller Mike Herbst. The Bishop Roger L Kaffer Assembly will be hosting an Open House on December 2 nd. Join us that night as we explain the Fourth Degree on the local level, answer any questions you may ask and at the same time enjoy an evening of fellowship with other Sir Knights. Hope to see you in December 2 nd. Additional information on the Color Corps and 4 th Degree emblem is attached. VIVAT JESUS
THE EMBLEM OF THE FOURTH DEGREE The Triad Emblem of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus features: The Dove The Cross The Globe The Dove, the classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and Peace, is shown hovering over the orb of the Earth or Globe. Both are mounted on a variation of the Crusader s cross that which was found on the tunics and capes of the Crusading Knights who battled to regain the Holy Land. Our Honored Order cherishes as its patron Christopher (Christ Bearer) Columbus (Dove of Peace), symbolizing the Paraclete. Spiritually, the sacred symbols on the emblem typify the Union of the Three Divine Persons in one Godhead the most blessed Trinity. The Globe God the Father, Creator of the Universe The Cross God the Son, Redeemer of Mankind The Dove God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of Humanity The colors of the symbols are: A Blue Globe with the lands of the Western Hemisphere in White A Red Cross with gold borders, and gold knobs at the ends of the Cross A White Dove Red, White, and Blue are the colors of the flag of the country in which our Order originated and are used to stress the basic principle of the Fourth Degree: Patriotism
The Fourth Degree Color Corps The Color Corps of the Knights of Columbus are the uniformed members of the Fourth Degree. They are the ones that are most noticeable at church and public functions, parades, etc. They actually consist of two parts: The Honor Guard & The Color Guard Honor Guardsmen are those members who have mastered the Manual of the Sword. Color Guardsmen are those members that carry the following flags: US, State, Order, Papal. The Corps basically follows a naval theme with ranks and insignia. Note that the chapeaux, which are never called hats, are similar to the old naval uniforms. Cape colors are an indication of rank. Vice-Supreme Master Master District Marshall District Commander Faithful Navigator Color Corp Commander Color Corp Member Supreme Masters wear royal blue capes and chapeaux with royal blue plume. Vice Supreme Masters wear blue capes and chapeaux with blue plume. Masters wear gold capes and chapeaux with gold plume. District Marshals (District level Color Corps Commanders) wear green capes and chapeaux with green plume. Faithful Navigators (whether a member of the corps or not) wear white capes and chapeaux with white plume. Commanders wear purple capes and chapeaux with purple plume. All other Color Corps Members wear red capes and chapeaux with white plume. Within the local assemblies, the Master more or less sets the rules. In the Bishop Roger L Kaffer Assembly, the highest ranking Color Corps member is called Commander. Former Vice Supreme Masters, Former Masters, Former District Marshals and Past Faithful Navigators are all permitted to wear their respective capes and chapeaux when they finish their term of office. If you are presently a member of the Fourth Degree and would be interested in joining the Color Corps contact our Faithful Navigator. Fred Kunst or Senior Commander Kevin Fischer.