One-year anniversary of the death of Bishop Paul Sirba
MN KC Blog * Written by David Whatmuff
Dear Friends and Brother Knights,
Tuesday, December 1, will mark the one-year anniversary of when we heard the shocking and sad news that our beloved Bishop Paul Sirba had passed away while walking to church to celebrate the Sunday liturgy. Several of us have been trying for the past few weeks to arrange a memorial mass to remember our friend and brother knight, unfortunately because of COVID it is not practical or prudent to hold a fitting memorial at this time. However, COVID cannot stop us from remembering Bishop Sirba as a dedicated servant to our Lord, His church, and the Knights of Columbus.
I invite you to join with your friends from December 1 through December 5, the date of his funeral, in saying an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be in memory of Bishop Sirba. Knowing the Bishop, he would probably be embarrassed by us paying so much attention to him; please consider dedicating the Our Father for the Bishop, the Hail Mary for our Catholic church and the Glory Be for the Knights of Columbus.
I had the privilege of having then Father Sirba serve as the Minnesota State Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus during my term as State Deputy. Since the day I met him I always felt he was very much in the mold of our founder Blessed Father Michael McGivney. When I read “Parish Priest – Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism” I kept thinking of how much these two priests were alike. I like to think of them enjoying each other’s company in heaven along with all their brother Knights.
In preparation of Fr. McGivney’s Beatification on October 31, 2020 the Order prepared A NOVENA BEFORE THE BEATIFICATION OF MICHAEL MCGIVNEY. While this document contains dates in October, I believe the prayer and messages are pertinent at any time. I have attached a copy of this Novena to this message. Please join me in saying this Novena to Blessed Michael McGivney over the nine days from December 6 to December 14, the 11th anniversary of the ordination of Father Paul Sirba as a Bishop of Duluth.
To honor the Bishop’s hard work and dedication for vocations the Minnesota Knights Foundation, Inc. (a 501(c)3 charity) has established a special Bishop Sirba Fund for Seminarians. Each year scholarships will be awarded to selected seminarians studying at Minnesota seminaries. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to this fund please send your check to Minnesota Knights Foundation, Inc. at 115 South Broadway Suite 100; Jordan MN 55352.