The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-06-07
from PageD
K. OF C. HOME DEDICATED

After selection by the Glee Club
composed of about thirty members of
the Council under the direction Of Pro-
lessor Bruenner, DR.. Buckley intro
duced Supreme knight Flaherty with
whom he has been intimately associ-
ated for twelve years, as the noble,
kindly, Christian gentleman who is the
official head of the Knights of Column
bus.
Address OF the Supreme Knight.
When the Supreme knight rose to
deliver his address he received an
ovation from the audience which he
gracefully acknowledged. He spoke of
the pleasure which he derived from
this, his first official visit to st. Paul.
May the magnificent new home which
you dedicate tonight, he said, last a
long time as a stone-written record of
your generosity and an abiding monu-
ment to the integrity and loyalty of
the Knights of Columbus of st. Paul
1t is fitting that you are honored by
the presence of your Most Reverend
Archbishop, for the Knights of Column
bus are nothing if not Catholic. After
thirty years of growth the Order has
attained commanding position in
this country. This has not been &C.
complished without a struggle; and
during all these years it has had a
loyal friend in Archbishop Ireland,
and l wish to make public acknowl-
edgment of the obligations which the
Order is under to him, and, on it's
behalf, to pledge that it will continue
to merit his appreciation. At the pres
ent time the Order has a membership
OF 100000. 1t is established in every
State of the Union, in Canada, New
foundland, Mexico, Cuba, Porto Rico,
and the Philippine Islands. Little did
it's founder, Father Mckinney, dream
of the power and influence it would
attain in such a short time. This
was made possible because the Order
is animated by a vital purpose. 1t
has taken part in many projects of
interest to the Church. 1t established
a Chair of American History in the
Catholic University and has pledged
half million dollars as an endoW-
ment for that institution. Of this
$459,OOO has already been paid and
before the end of the year the whole
fund will be completed.
In many places the local Councils
of the Knights of Columbus have
homes of their own, but nowhere is
there such magnificent building as
this devoted to the purposes of the
Order. The gymnasium and athletic
department is a most admirable fea-
ture because it affords our Catholic
young men an opportunity such as
they have sought under the auspices
of the Y. M. G. A., with detriment to
their faith. The main purpose of this
home, however, is to keep the knights
informed in regard to the activities
of the Church and enable them to dis
Ollie standpoint. This is part of the
educational campaign which the Or
der is carrying ON and which has
already enabled it to place copies of
two of DR.. Walsh's most important
boOks-"The Popes and Science" and
"The Thirteenth, the Greatest of Cen
turies,' in the hands of it's members
at nominal cost The committee
on Catholic literature is now consid-
ering the advisability of issuing a
series of pamphlets bearing on ques-
tions of the day. Individual Councils
have taken up special lines of work
and much good has resulted from
their activity. This new home is
pledge and a guarantee that st. Paul
Council will be among the foremost
of the Order in furthering the interest
of religion in this community.
The Archbishop's Address.
When the Most Reverend Arch
bishop was introduced the audience
rose in a body and greeted him with
prolonged applause. The pleasure
which he always derives from meet
ing the Catholics of st. Paul was en-
HANGED on this occasion, he said, by
meeting Catholics who, like the
Knights of Columbus, aim high and
act nobly. | am charmed with this
building and it's possibilities, delighted
with what it is today and what it will
be tomorrow. The material structure
is beautiful, it is true, but not more
so than the Catholicity of the mem
bers who fill it tonight. | ask you,
Supreme knight, to tell the members
Of this organization throughout the
country that there are on the banks
Of the Mississippi true knights and
loyal sons of Holy Church.
saw the log chapel of which men,
ton has already been made; 1 have
seen the two Cathedrals that sue
ceeded it; and l pray that 1 may see
the cross raised above the lofty dome
Of the new Cathedral that crowns
yonder hill. The material growth of
the Church shown in these structures
Is only a symbol of the growth of
true faith and deep devotion in the
souls of Catholics; and my prayer is
that they may ever be the best and
most loyal under the flag of the United
States.
I compliment this great Order on it's
growth. l have a claim upon the
Knights of Columbus in America.
There was time when its purposes
were not properly understood and