Evangelization and Faith Formation Message July 2026
My Brother Knights,
It is both an honor and a blessing to introduce myself as your new Director of Evangelization & Faith Formation for the California Knights of Columbus. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve our State Family and to work alongside so many dedicated Catholic men striving to live their faith each day.
Like many of you, I am simply a brother Knight seeking to grow closer to Jesus Christ. My vision is to help every Knight in California deepen his relationship with Christ so that we become missionary disciples—men who not only know Jesus but joyfully share Him with our families, our councils, our parishes, our communities, and the world.
I am also pleased to introduce Jim Sandoval, who will serve as our California State COR Chairman. Jim has a deep passion for helping men grow in their faith and has experienced firsthand the transformative power of COR within his own council. Together, we are committed to providing resources, encouragement, and training to help every council establish and sustain a thriving COR group.
The Knights of Columbus has made COR its #1 priority because evangelization begins with a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. COR is much more than another program—it is an invitation for Catholic men to gather in prayer, reflect on Sacred Scripture, build authentic fraternity, and encourage one another to live our faith with conviction. Through COR, we become stronger husbands, fathers, grandfathers, parishioners, and brother Knights. From that encounter with Christ, we are sent forth as missionary disciples, ready to share the Gospel through our words, our actions, and the witness of our lives.
As we enter the month of July, the Church presents us with inspiring examples of faithful disciples. We celebrate St. Thomas the Apostle, whose journey from doubt to unwavering faith reminds us to trust in Christ. We honor St. Benedict, whose life teaches the importance of prayer, discipline, and community. We also celebrate Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, whose faithful example reminds us of our responsibility to pass the Catholic faith on to future generations.
As we begin this new fraternal year, I invite every District Deputy, Grand Knight, council officer, and every brother Knight to prayerfully ask:
How is Christ calling me to become a missionary disciple?
If your council has not yet started COR, make this the year you begin. If your council already has a COR group, invite another brother to join you. Together, we can strengthen our faith, strengthen our councils, strengthen our families, and strengthen the Church throughout California.
Together, let us answer Christ’s call:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” — Matthew 28:19
May God bless you, your families, your councils, and all the work you do in service to His Church. Please keep Jim and me in your prayers as we begin this journey together, and know that we will be praying for each of you.
Vivat Jesus!
Fraternally in Christ,
Vince Vasquez, PGK, PCP Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation (EFF) 2026-2027
