Faith initiative is "Cor" for the Knights of Columbus

September 13, 2023

Faith and charity are the two pillars upon which Blessed Michael McGivney built the Knights of Columbus 140 years ago.
Today, there is renewed emphasis on the faith part.

Parishes across the Des Moines Diocese will start to see this take shape as their councils adapt a new initiative called Cor to their local needs.

“Cor” is Latin for “heart.” 

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly last month unveiled the new Cor initiative and encouraged all Knights of Columbus councils to consider how they might touch the hearts of men – Catholic or not – through prayer, faith formation, and fraternity. 
In Des Moines, the Basilica of St. John is a frontrunner in adopting this new initiative.

Three men heard about the new initiative and brought the fledgling Cor idea to the parish by hosting an evening that included prayer, a faith-based discussion, and an opportunity for socializing to build fraternity. They opened the meeting up to all men – Catholic or not – in August and September and they’re planning another for October.

“I heard about it when it was in its infancy and it was being piloted in other states,” said Greg Waddle, a parishioner at St. John’s and a member of the Knights. “Men need fraternity and brotherhood to grow in their faith. It’s not something that is readily available in society today.”

Deacon Mark Campbell agreed.

“I don’t think we need to shy away from sharing how Jesus has impacted our lives, whether it’s in reconciliation, physical or spiritual healing, or an encounter that led us to a love we’ve never known before,” he said. “It would do the world great benefit to make these stories known.”

Each council’s version of Cor may look a little different. One parish may have a men’s Bible study and another might have some guys gathered in a church basement for coffee and donuts on a Tuesday morning. At the last parish Cor event, a panel of men spoke about the joys and struggles of being a husband and father. 

A parish Cor group doesn’t have to be new; it could be an existing regularly scheduled event as long as it has the three facets of prayer, faith formation and fraternity. 

Waddle said: “It’s easy to get isolated and feel alone if we’re not involved in a community that shares our values.”