Welcome to the NE 4th Degree Home Page - everything at your fingertips!
Follow us on Facebook & X
Mission: To foster the principle of Patriotism. We encourage active participation by exemplifying our love of country to all members, their families, church, and community.
A Message From District Master Matt Richardson (PSD)
Dear Sir Knights and Brothers,
I am both honored and humbled to be Nebraska’s District Master. I want to express my gratitude to Former District Master Mark Borytsky for his vision to move Nebraska’s fourth Degree forward. I am grateful to District Marshall and Captain Shawn Wilke, to our Diocesan Marshals, and to the exemplification team for their tireless efforts to improve the experience each time.
To each Sir Knight and family: Thank you for your continued effort. It is your dedication, patriotism, faith, love for the Catholic Church, and love for our communities that is responsible for the success of the Knights of Columbus.
I would like to share the framework which will allow us to continue serving you as we work together in 2026-2027:
1. Continue 4th Degree meetings at our three state business meetings: I want to thank our state deputy and officers for their support in adding this meeting to the agenda, it’s been a success.
2. Continued submissions of state forms and awards: I look forward to seeing another increase again this year.
3. Nebraska will continue to have seven additional marshals along with our district marshal who will support assemblies in and out of their diocese.
4. Exemplification Kits: Nebraska will continue to have three Exemplification Kits for the state to utilize ensuring each diocese can have simultaneous Exemplifications.
5. Augmenting Exemplification Team with hosting Assembly SKs will continue: Working with our state Exemplification Team Captain SK Shawn Wilkie we are now able to have, and have had, more Exemplifications in our state north, south, east, and west.
6. Continuously update our Web Site and Facebook page: The Web Master will continue to be Brother Mike Vaughn. Brother Mike, myself, Connie Richardson along with FDM Borytsky and his wife Audrey will collectively work together to continue providing real time information and resources to our assemblies.
7. Work to increase our presence on social media. Nebraska assemblies will be asked to send pictures of events and projects along with verbiage to share with the state.
As Nebraska looks toward 2026-2027, Continue our momentum with enthusiasm and joy. The future holds exciting challenges and opportunities, and I am confident that together, we will continue to accomplish great works in our parishes, assemblies and councils.
Vivat Jesus,
Matthew R. Richardson, PSD
Nebraska District Master
State Officers Meet with Archbishop McGovern
Informational and spiritual meeting with the Most Reverend Michael McGovern Archbishop of Omaha
Pictured: State Chaplain Fr. Bill Cremers, State Deputy Mike Schaeffer, Archbishop McGovern, and District Master Mark Borytsky. Not pictured: District Friar Fr. Josh Brown whose pastoral responsibilities kept him from joining us.
We had a wonderful conversation informing the Archbishop of our state council and 4th Degree current status and future goals. The Archbishop gave us his experiences of being a Knight with valuable recommendations moving forward. Archbishop McGovern is looking forward to attending as many state events as his schedule will allow.
Upcoming Exemplification
St. Mary’s Cathedral Square
112 S Cedar St.
Grand Island, Nebraska
Charity, Unity, and Fraternity Exemplification and 4th Degree Exemplification
WALK-INS ARE WELCOME!
Where: St. Mary’s Cathedral Square,112 S Cedar St.,Grand Island, Nebraska
When: July 18th; CUFF at 11:00 AM; Exemplification at 1:00 PM
Info: Snacks Provided
Host: Assembly 601
- Any questions please contact District Master Mark Borytsky, PSD at 402-212-9612.
Future Events
Greeting Sir Knights,
We will be having a training session for the Honor Guard on July 25th from 9am-11am at St. Columbkille Church at 200 E Sixth St. Papillion, NE. If you are not a member of the 4th degree, you may attend, it is a great way to learn about the 4th degree. If you are a member of the 4th Degree and don’t have the uniform, you are still more than welcome to attend and learn what the Honor Guard is all about. For those with a uniform we would like you to bring your Beret, Sport Coat, gloves, sword and baldric. Our District Master Mark Borytsky, will be covering how to present the Colors, Visitation and Cemetery Services. We will also be discussing if you have a tuxedo how you can participate with the Honor Guard. If you could RSVP to me by the 20th of July that would be great or showing up the day of would be fine. If you have questions, please contact me at davidwvarney@yahoo.com or 402-350-4922.
Vivat Jesus,
David W. Varney
Diocesan Marshal
Other Events
July 19, 2026/St. Patrick Catholic Church/3400 E. 16th St., Fremont/4:30 PM
August 16, 2026/St. Columbkille, McWilliams Parish Center /200 E. Sixth St. Papillion/2:00 PM/Host: SK Dale Sorge
Contact District Master SK Mark Borytsky to plan an Exemplification at 402-212-9612 or mborytsky@cox.net.
A Celebration of Catholic Patriotism
The Knights of Columbus celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Fourth Degree and the ideals of faithful citizenship. Click the link for more.
