Knights of Columbus Council #15294 / Facebook
CV NEWS FEED // Several Knights of Columbus (KofC) councils received recognition for their dedication to the Catholic faith, family, community, and culture of life at the Supreme Knight’s Awards Session on Aug. 4.
According to The KofC, five recipients of the International Program Awards were selected from the State Council Program Award winners across the Order. There was one winner for each of the four Faith in Action categories. A tie occurred in the Family category.
In the Faith category, St. Thomas Aquinas Council 15294 at Southeastern Missouri State University was recognized for the organization of a week-long Eucharistic Pilgrimage that drew over 600 participants. The idea originated from the realization that the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage would not pass through their area. The Council’s pilgrimage visited 22 parishes in the diocese, promoting Eucharistic devotion through all-night adoration, holy hours, and 13 Eucharistic processions.
“Jesus doesn’t need money or large numbers to work great things through us,” Grand Knight Alex Harold said. “I hope our winning this award — with just a few guys and no budget — inspires other young Knights to step up and think outside the box and do big things in the name of the Lord.”
In the Community category, Pope Pius XII Council 5295 in Narragansett, Rhode Island, was honored for its seven-year partnership with Jacob’s Ladder, an orphanage in Jamaica. Since 2017, the council has supported the facility, run by the nonprofit Mustard Seed Communities, by sponsoring mission trips to assist children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Pope Pius XII Council 5295 has given Jacob’s Ladder nearly $500,000 in aid, including shipping containers of goods, water heaters, and other supplies.
In the Life category, Pope St. John XXIII Council 15968 in Spokane, Washington, was honored for its support of Maddie’s Place, which is one of only three facilities in the United States that offers a prenatal substance exposure recovery program for newborns. The Council contributed 450 volunteer hours and $6,500, which included $2,200 that it raised through parish fish dinners, to fund essential baby supply backpacks.
There was a tie in the Family category between two impactful projects. The first honoree was Our Lady of Guadalupe Council 17913 in Lviv, Ukraine, which launched a program to support children in a foster home in the village of Bortnyky. This council provided winter jackets, multi-season shoes, and food, while also offering spiritual and psychological support through Mass and fellowship.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Council tied with Mason (Mich.) Council 9182, which, after the sudden death of member Jason McMahon, rallied to support his family by assisting with farm work and fundraising for his children’s education. Over 500 people attended their pig roast fundraiser, which raised $30,000 for the McMahon family, honoring Jason’s deep involvement in his parish and the K of C.
“He was a devoted family man, and he raised his kids to be very involved in the parish and with the Knights of Columbus,” Grand Knight Charles March said. “He was devoted not only to his family but to the family of the Church.”
