At convention, Knights encouraged to live their faith

Friday, May. 08, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Knights of Columbus gathered for their annual convention May 1-3 in Vernal for a weekend of faith, fraternity and fun. They were joined by Archbishop John C. Wester, administrator of the Diocese of Salt Lake City; and Patrick Maloney, the Supreme Office’s Membership & Programs Consultant.

The Knights of Columbus is an international fraternal Catholic organization with 1.8 million members; there are about 3,400 Knights in Utah.

Archbishop Wester, who has traditionally addressed the annual Knights convention, thanked the men for their work in the diocese, adding that they have been “a great grace for me.”

Archbishop Wester, who joined the organization while in Utah, said that “it’s been a great joy to be a Knight of Columbus and to associate with you so closely.”

The Knights are living out their Sacrament of Baptism, the archbishop said.

According to Mahoney, the Utah Knights last year raised nearly $300,000 for local, national and international charitable needs; and donated 223,000 volunteer hours. 

They also collected $6,293.03 to present to the Bishop of Salt Lake City for vocations and Culture of Life programs. 

“You are living the Catholic faith and you’re serving the Church and you’re proclaiming the Gospel by what you’re doing. Never lose sight of that: That is tremendous work that you’re doing,” the archbishop said.

He asked the men to continue their work in the diocese, particularly their support of vocations.

As part of their farewell, the Knights presented Archbishop Wester with a resolution honoring him.

Former Supreme Director John Wainscott, of Blessed Sacrament Parish, read the resolution, which had a bit of humor at the beginning: “It is customary, when a new bishop arrives, that he knocks on the door of the Cathedral of the Madeleine and asks for admission; and on March 4, 2007, the Most Rev. John C. Wester knocked, and we are grateful that Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald actually let him in.”

On a more serious note, the resolution states that Archbishop Wester “has inspired us not only with his words but motivated us more deeply with his daily work concerning immigration reforms on local, national and international levels.” 

In his keynote address, Maloney not only brought greetings from the Supreme Office but also urged the Knights to continue to be steadfast in their faith.

“It’s through membership and involvement in the Knights of Columbus that we become even stronger, more vibrant and better educated Catholics, and we learn to strengthen our faith and strengthen ourselves in our faith,” Maloney said, adding that the organization is “not just a social group. … Our identity must be that of Catholic men and Catholic families for whom being witnesses to Christ is the core of who we are. … Shouldn’t every person see the Knights of Columbus as good, Catholic men; steadfast in their faith, unselfish in our service to the needs of others; dedicated to being good husbands and fathers?”

During the convention, the Knights also presented their 2015 awards, as follows.

Endowment Scholarship: Alexandra Bowden and Molly Keifer

To Be A Patriot Award: “Veterans’ Fishing Day,” Fr. Escalante Assembly 1146, American Fork

Culture of Life Award: “Baby Bottle Campaign,” Mother Teresa of Calcutta Council 12181, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Draper

Council Activity Award: “Fraternity Within Our Council,” Vic Giasson Council 10733, Saint George Parish, St. George

Youth Activity Award: “Backpack Drive,” Council 13297, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Holladay

Family Activity Award: “Munoz Family Does It All Together” Bishop Hunt Council 5214, Saint Francis Xavier Parish, Kearns

Community Activity Award: “Special Olympian Bowling Tournament,” Council 5502, St. Olaf Parish, Bountiful

Church Activity Award: “Support of the Carmelite Nuns,” Council 11479, St. Thomas More Parish, Sandy

Family of the Year: The Jim and Joan Carney family, Council 11479, Saint Thomas More Parish, Sandy

Knight of the Year: John Wainscott

The winners in each category will be entered in the international competition.