The Wisconsin Knights of Columbus are approaching the COVID-19 pandemic in a way to ensure no one is left behind.

"Following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the following changes to our normal daily routines such as attending mass, Knights of Columbus meetings, etc.; the Knights of Columbus encouraged an ‘active’ approach to making sure that ‘no neighbor was left behind,'" Corey Christopher Coonen, Wisconsin state deputy, said in the Wisconsin Knights of Columbus Notes newsletter. "Making constant contact with our members, our priests and others in our community to ‘check-in’ to see how they’re doing in this trying time is vital to not only our organization but being the leaders that our community and parishes need. Being a neighbor to someone means that you’re there to help and care for them in times of need."

Coonen relates what the Knights of Columbus are doing back to Mr. Rogers in the movie "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" starring Tom Hanks. Much like many people, the movie showed that Mr. Rogers prayed on a daily basis. But each day he would pray for people he encountered throughout the day, people he knew were struggling and needed the prayers.

"As Knights, prayer is our powerful weapon we have to try and change the world," Coonen said in the newsletter. "Prayer does not ‘hurt’ anyone. Prayer does not ‘dismiss’ anyone or their viewpoints. Prayer does not discriminate based off of race or creed, based off of political affiliations, etc. Prayer helps us along the path to having a better understanding of the struggles others face or are inflicted with."

During the pandemic, many people have voiced their opinions on social media about the situation, Coonen said. He related this to "loving thy neighbor" by quoting John Lestock, a Lutheran pastor from Hudson, who asked what Jesus would do if He were here during the coronavirus pandemic.

"If Jesus were walking our streets today, do you think He would wear a mask in public?" Lestock said to the River Towns Newspaper. "How do you think Jesus would suggest we best ‘love our neighbor?’ Would Jesus be concerned about being uncomfortable or inconvenienced? Would His concern be with His vanity and appearance? Would He insult or make fun of those who were frightened for their lives?"

If Jesus died on a cross for us, it would make sense that He would wear a mask for us.

"So I challenge each of us this next month— love thy neighbor, don’t judge them," Coonen said in the newsletter. "Pray for thy neighbor and let’s build up our community. ‘Our’ neighborhood on earth is temporary; let’s pray for all of ‘God’s neighbors’ as one day they may be our neighbor in Heaven!"