Convention celebrates contributions of Utah's Knights

Friday, May. 13, 2016

PARK CITY — Knights of Columbus from throughout Utah gathered May 7-8 for the annual convention for fellowship, education and to celebrate their achievements.

Last year, Utah members of the fraternal Catholic order gave almost 250,000 hours of service and almost a quarter of a million dollars to charitable efforts, said Ken Stockwell, a supreme director on the international Knights of Columbus Board of Directors, who was the convention’s keynote speaker.

“The Knights of Columbus is in a key position to play a role in the true alliance between the Church and the family as called for by Pope Francis. To meet this call from the Holy Father, our councils will have to become even more active in our parish communities,” said Stockwell, a past state deputy of Wyoming, who brought news to the Utah Knights from the international level.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson has announced a new initiative to support Catholic families, Stockwell said, adding, “to accomplish this, the Knights of Columbus and their families must be fully integrated into their parish and the sacramental life of our church.”

The Knights are called to support the programs and initiatives of their home parishes, Stockwell said. “This enterprise is in standing with who we are as Knights of Columbus. We’re a Catholic brotherhood based on the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. We are dedicated to faithful and unparalleled service to the Church.”

In addition, Anderson has called for Knights of Columbus church programs such as the Father’s Day affirmation of wedding vows and the dedication to the family, which is held in October, to become annual events, Stockwell said.

On state and national levels, Knights back political policies that promote a culture of life; they oppose legislative efforts that support abortion, contraception, sterilization, cloning, destruction of embryos, assisted suicide, euthanasia, unjust war and the death penalty, “so we as Knights have got a lot to do,” Stockwell said.

To accomplish this, Knights’ councils need to build membership, and one of the best ways to do that is by setting an example of charity and dedication to the Spiritual and Corporeal Works of Mercy, said Stockwell, who has recruited more than 130 members to the organization. 

“The Knights of Columbus give witness to what it means to be Catholic and to build a domestic Church,” he said.

The Utah Knights’ charitable efforts have included donating $20,000 over the past five years for military seminarians through the national organization. 

In addition, last year they gave about $6,500 to the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City for vocations, local pro-life efforts and efforts of the bishop’s choice; distributed 110 new wheelchairs to military veterans; and raised about half of the $16,000 necessary to purchase a new ultrasound machine to be used for prolife efforts through the Pregnancy Help Center of Park City.

Also at the convention, the Knights of Columbus Utah State Council elected a new slate of officers, who will serve one-year terms with the opportunity for a consecutive term. The list follows.

State Deputy: Andy Airriess, St. Joseph the Worker Council 7961, West Jordan

State Secretary: Rick Kump, St. Martin de Porres Council 10304, Taylorsville

State Treasurer: Greg Keller, St. James Council 9849, Ogden

State Advocate: Alex Guzman, Ogden Council 777, Ogden

State Warden: Nick Nielson, St. Olaf Council 5502, Bountiful