Color Corps Guidelines

It is with great pleasure that I am witnessing a significant increase in requests for the services of the Fourth Degree at ceremonies and Masses. As these ceremonies and Masses continue to be requested, there have been some questions regarding if/when the District Master should be notified with regard to coordinating such events. As such, I feel this is the appropriate time to communicate my expectations regarding those events and activities, and when the District Master should be notified.

Request from a Priest

If a Priest makes a request of the Faithful Navigator and his Assembly to participate in a ceremony or Mass of the Parish, it is the decision of the Faithful Navigator to accept or decline, based on membership participation for the event. However, we must remember that it is very important to support the wishes of the Priest. In such instances as this, the District Master does not need to be contacted to coordinate this event. However, I ask that you notify the District Marshal {Mark "Chip" Lukitsch (603) 540-2240  }. He is available to assist in any way if requested.

Family Request

If a request comes from a family, due the death of a brother, Fourth Degree or not, this request should be honored. It is also allowed to have an Honor Guard for the deceased immediate family members of a brother Knight. The key word is “IMMEDIATE”. We must ensure that the details are worked out with the Parish Priest. It is also perfectly acceptable to have an Honor Guard for one who will be interned in a columbarium.   Again, you must work out the details with the Parish Priest.

Diocesan Request

On the other hand, if a request for the Forth Degree is made at a Diocesan level (usually through the Bishop); the District Master needs to be notified before a commitment is made. To assist me in such duties, I will enlist the help of my District Marshal. When I receive such notification from a Faithful Navigator for this type of event, the Faithful Navigator’s Assembly should assist in coordinating the event and have a high level of participation in the event.  

Installation of Assembly Officers and Renewal of Obligations

The request for installation of Assembly Officers and to do the Renewal of Obligations must come through the District Master. It is his responsibility to either preside at these ceremonies or appoint someone to act on his behalf.

Though I’m sure we want to participate as much as we can, we must also be sensitive to the time sacrifices made by our Sir Knights. It is almost always a good idea to solicit assistance from nearby Assemblies. Let’s work together as a team and support each other.

Color Corps Commanders Responsibilities

If a Sir Knight shows up for any activity involving the Color Corps, not properly dressed, he is NOT to participate.Color Corps Commanders must know and follow the proper Color Corps protocol as currently called out in the Color Corps Drill Manual. The excuse “this how we’ve always done it” is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. There is no excuse for not having access to the Drill Manual. It is on the State website under the “4^th Degree” section and can be downloaded and printed out. It can also be ordered from Supreme.

I would be remiss if I did not close by encouraging you to have in-person contact with your Councils to recruit new Sir Knights. We need younger brothers to assure our future, and to continue the high visibility of the Fourth Degree of our Order.

Please feel free to contact me or one of my Marshal if you have any questions. If we don’t immediately have the answer, we will find out and get back to you as quickly as possible.

Fraternally,

Jay Morris

District Master