Supreme Knight, St. Juan Diego postulator in San Antonio for book signing
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Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, postulator of the cause of St. Juan Diego, signed close to 500 books on Oct. 10.
Jordan McMorrough | Today's Catholic |
SAN ANTONIO • The Knights of Columbus demonstrated their solidarity with and dedication to the Catholic Church Oct. 10 with a pair of events involving priests and parish.
On Saturday morning, the Archdiocesan Knights of Columbus presented more than a dozen wheelchairs to members of the clergy living at Padua Place, an assisted living residence for retired clerics. A Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Honor Guard was on hand to greet Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, along with three retired members of the archdiocesan hierarchy on hand at the ceremony — Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores, retired Auxiliary Bishop Bernard F. Popp, and retired Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Flanagan.
Also present at the event were two members from the Knights of Columbus Supreme Headquarters in Connecticut. Members of the Knights Board were in San Antonio for a national gathering and Supreme Advocate John Morella and Vice President for Media and Development Andrew Walther were able to witness the special day.
Archdiocesan Deputy Sam Szalwinski presented the wheelchairs to the residents of Padua Place on behalf of the 90,000 members of the Knights of Columbus from throughout Texas. “All of our clergy have dedicated their lives to taking care of God’s people,” he said. “We want them to know that the Knights of Columbus are in solidarity with all of our priests.”
Szalwinski also said that this was the first time in the United States that the Knights of Columbus have made such as presentation to retired clergy.
That evening, at St. Matthew Church, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, postulator of the cause of St. Juan Diego, signed copies of their New York Times bestseller Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love.
Hundreds lined the McDonald Center for a chance to greet the co-authors and have them sign their books.
Prior to the book signing, Msgr. Chavez concelebrated the 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Matthew’s. In comments before the conclusion of the liturgy, the priest said the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe is for our day. “Lay men and lay women, it is our time in the church,” he told the congregation. “Do not be afraid.”