St. Aloysius Parish

On October 31, the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, a Connecticut priest who served his flock during the pandemic of 1890, before himself becoming ill and dying of pneumonia was declared “Blessed,” the step just prior to sainthood.

Fr. McGivney is best known for founding the Knights of Columbus in 1882. Nearly a century before the Second Vatican Council, his prescient vision empowered the laity to serve Church and neighbor in a new way. Today, the Knights of Columbus is one of the largest Catholic organizations in the world with 2 million members in North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe.

This is history in the making here in Connecticut and we want you to learn about him and perhaps pray for his intercession in your life -- earn an hour of a Spiritual Work of Mercy by watching the video and writing a one page reflection about what you learned and how you think you might be able to adopt Fr. McGivney's attitude towards service to others. Pope Francis wrote, "Each day we have to decide to be good Samaritans or indifferent bystanders." We know the decision that Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney made, how might he inspire you to do the same?

Counseling the doubtful is a Spiritual Work of Mercy
Everyone has moments of doubt in their faith journey. Nevertheless, we should always remember that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and turn to him along our way.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise" (Prov 19:20)

Has someone asked you for advice? Orient your response to Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Follow Christ with the witness of your life so that others may see God's love revealed in your actions

Accompany a friend who is struggling with believing to join a parish group for service or faith formation, share a book you found useful in dealing with your friend's faith concern, and worship at Sunday Mass

In order to make it a true Spiritual Work of Mercy -- besides writing your reflection and emailing it to youth@starcc.com, do a good deed or tell at least one other person about him and what happened to him on October 31! Then, keep him in your prayers that God willing, he will become a saint!

View video at:https://www.kofc.org/en/events/father-mcgivney-beatification/index.html