In a world in need of confident witnesses to Jesus Christ, authentic brotherhood, and holy husbands and fathers, Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Assembly #5 hosted a Men’s Prayer Breakfast under the banner, “Come and Have Breakfast” (John 21:12).
Serving as the official launch of St. Joseph Assembly’s 100th anniversary year celebrations, the June 20 event at St. Andrew’s Centre drew 150 men and boys from across the Archdiocese. Attendees represented a wide range of ages and backgrounds, including father-son pairs, clergy, seminarians, high school students, non-Catholics, a family of five, and a grandfather-father-grandson trio.
This pre-vacation spiritual pit stop offered men a fraternal setting away from the noise of the world while embracing the Knights of Columbus’ core principles and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Priorities:
- Refocus Catholic men on Jesus Christ
- Formation for Confident Witness
- Formation for Eucharistic Worship
- Formation for Service to Families & Marriage
Blending faith, fraternity, and patriotism, the morning began with an opening prayer and blessing by Fr. Carlos Nunez, Faithful Friar of Assembly #5, followed by the singing of the Canadian national anthem led by the Boys’ Choir of The Gregory the Great Institute.
As part of the Knights of Columbus Pilgrim Icon Program, a reproduction of Pompeo Batoni’s renowned 1767 image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was displayed for veneration and devotion. Blessed by Pope Francis, it is one of 300 icons currently traveling throughout the world.
All young men under the age of 18 were invited to escort the icon, leading the procession of attendees into the church nave for the liturgical celebration.
In addition to Holy Mass, the Holy Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and a hearty hot breakfast, attendees heard two keynote addresses.
I Saw You (John 1:48): Evergreen Catholic Schools chaplain Mike Landry reflected on the parallels between Jesus’ call of Nathanael in John’s Gospel and his own faith journey, illustrating how Jesus guided him through life’s twists and turns into 29 years of service to the Church and youth ministry.
Evangelization Intelligence: Boats On Fire Catholic Ministries founder Kevin Philip delivered an inspiring talk on God’s love, rooted in each person from before birth, and connected it to the call to discern how, when, and where to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus in keeping with the Archdiocesan priority of becoming a “Confident Witness.”
“What stood out most was the impact it had on my son,” said Blake Stubbington, who attended with his father and his son. “On the drive home, he asked questions that he normally wouldn’t have asked, and the three of us were able to have a meaningful discussion that probably wouldn’t have happened otherwise. That alone made the event incredibly special.”
“The event fulfilled its purpose thanks to the enthusiastic participation of the attendees, the fervor of the speakers, the generosity of our sponsors, Fr. Carlos’s spiritual guidance, and, above all, the presence of the Holy Spirit,” said Mike Daley, Faithful Navigator of St. Joseph Assembly #5.
—Mike Daley, Faithful Navigator of St. Joseph Assembly #5
