Knights of Columbus from across Virginia were encouraged by Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde to follow the example of Jesus by showing compassion and love toward those God entrusts to them on a daily basis in their families, parishes and communities.

In the Gospel reading during Mass, Jesus showed compassion, not correction, toward St. Peter, Bishop Loverde said. An important lesson to learn from this, he said, is that Jesus is always there, even when we have not achieved what we want.

“We just have to wait for his very presence, which is always in the Eucharist,” the bishop said.

“Another lesson is that no matter how down we may be spiritually, we can pray, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.’ It’s a beautiful way of living the Christian life.”

Bishop Loverde said we can be witnesses of love by the way we face accomplishments and tragedy, by the way we counter illness and by the way we treat one another.

“The way we love involves a trust in Jesus,” Bishop Loverde said. “Jesus says to us, ‘Follow me.’ That is what he tells us tonight.”

Bishop Loverde, who serves as state chaplain for the Virginia Knights of Columbus, was the celebrant and homilist at the Mass offered May 4 during the annual state convention. Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knesout concelebrated, along with Father Salvador Anonuevo, associate state chaplain from the Diocese of Richmond.

Father Joseph D. Bergida, parochial vicar of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton, was master of ceremonies. Deacons David M. Maurer and Scott A. Ross assisted at the altar.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge joined the other two bishops in attending the convention banquet Saturday evening.

Prior to the start of Mass, Richard G. Head, executive secretary of the state council, read the necrology for the past year, which included Bishop Antons Justs, bishop emeritus of Jelgava, Latvia, and Msgr. Frank E. Mahler, founding pastor of St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Clifton.

The offertory collection was donated to the Little Sisters of the Poor who staff St. Joseph’s Home for the elderly in Richmond.

The three-day convention, which was held at the Hyatt Regency Dulles in Herndon, also included a golf tournament Friday morning at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Clifton and a tour of St. John Paul II Shrine in Washington.

The new officers for the Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus for the 2019-2020 fraternal year are: State Deputy Robert J. Szerszynski (Montclair); State Secretary Brian M. Ripple (Roanoke); State Treasurer Mark S. Janda (Fredericksburg); State Advocate Patrick A. Rowland (Virginia Beach); and State Warden Hampton H. “Trey” Hart III (Richmond).