Knights celebrate with annual awards banquet
OGDEN —Many projects undertaken by the Knights of Columbus in Utah were highlighted at the annual state convention, held this year May 7-8 at the Marriott Hotel in Ogden. For example, Utah State Deputy Ray Lopez announced that, for the first time, each of the diocese’s seminarians is supported by at least two Knights of Columbus councils. The Knights also presented $10,000 to the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, for various programs. The Knights take very seriously Christ’s message about contributing their talents to the community, Bishop Wester said in his comments at the awards dinner. He added that he is very impressed by the sense of camaraderie and fraternity among the Knights, and how they affirm their brother Knights’ worth. "What you do in our Church is valuable, it’s appreciated, and I want to thank you very, very much for what you do," he said. Likewise, Pope John Paul II applauded the Knights in a message to them about 20 years after Vatican II, said Supreme Director John Wainscott in his comments."Pope John Paul II made it clear that he regarded the Knights of Columbus as the prime example of how the Catholic laity can and should engage the world around them. He believed that when we Knights are at our best, we embody the ideal that was established at Vatican II." Although the Knights are well-known for the breakfasts and dinners that they sponsor, "we are not just another social group," Wainscott said. "Our identity at the core must always be that of Catholic men and their families being witnesses to Christ. Charity is the first lesson that you learn when you become a Knight. Ideally, it should be the first thing that people hear about whenever they hear the term ‘Knights of Columbus.’ It’s evidence of our Christian love for others, it elevates us even as it benefits those who we help… Our lives of charity must be matched by our lives of faith. Taken together, these two pillars can enable us to change the world." Excellent examples of the Knights’ charity were given during the awards presentation. Recipients of the various awards follow. To Be a Patriot Award: Father Dominguez Assembly #1144, Tooele/Wendover, which, in conjunction with Taylorsville City, supports a program at the Freedom Shrine Park that retires old or damaged American flags. Church Activity Award: Bishop Hunt Council #5214, Kearns, for its Eucharistic Adoration activity at St. Francis of Xavier Parish, which has shown the various language groups in the parish the Knights’ commitment to the reverence for the Eucharist. This has marked an increased participation of the Spanish-speaking community, resulting in several Spanish-speaking men joining the Knights. Community Activity Award: Mother Teresa of Calcutta Council #12181, Draper, for the Brian Holst Golf Tournament, which raised funds to help a Draper City police officer who suffered a stroke after heart surgery. Council Activity Award: Vic Giasson Council #10733, St. George, for raising more than $13,800 to rebuild Saint Peter Church in San Vicente, Philippines after it was devastated by Typhoon Ketsana. Family Activity Award: Saint Martin de Porres Council #10304, Taylorsville, for the Altar Server Award and Parish barbecue, which presented parish altar servers with certificates of appreciation and movie tickets during a barbeque; the council also used the opportunity to bring the parish and council families together as members of the Catholic community. Youth Activity Award: Corpus Christi Council #6966, Sandy, for the Substance Abuse Poster Contest, which partnered with the children of Blessed Sacrament School, having 182 children participate in the contest. Pro-life Activity Award: Father Joseph Valine Council #11246, Cedar City, for the "If you build it they will pray" project, which installed a monument to the unborn; more than 100 parishioners join Monsignor Mike Winterer, the Knights and the Ladies at the end of each month to pray for the unborn. Family of the Year award: the Jess and Bernie Shackleford family of Corpus Christi Council #6966, Sandy. The couple has been married for 32 years and have nine children. Since moving to Blessed Sacrament Parish 12 years ago they have been mixing family traditions with church service, including decorating the parish Christmas tree, helping with booths at the Fall Festival, and cleaning up after the annual CCW garage sale. All of the older children have been members of the youth groups and have served on the youth council. Jess Shackleford is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and has held a variety of parish offices, including serving as parish president. He also is a trustee for the Catholic Foundation of Utah. Bernie Shackleford teaches 6th-grade religious education and rosary to the RCIA. The family recently became members of the parish Refugee Resettlement Ministry at Blessed Sacrament. Knight of the Year: Karl VanMaren, Mother Teresa of Calcutta Council #12181, Draper. According to Lopez, VanMaren "humbly exemplifies the character of a model Knight. He is always there when needed and often taken for granted, but sorely missed in those rare occasions when he cannot make it. This Knight routinely picks up the slack, taking on the jobs no one else wants sacrificing himself for the greater good. He works tirelessly at virtually all council activities. In the parish level he is a hinge pin, having served on the RCIA team and has been a sponsor since 2001. He assists the ladies’ association with numerous events. Currently he works tirelessly with the youth in his parish. This Knight is known as a bridge between the Knights and numerous other ministries in his parish. Finally, this Knight has been key in the operation of the State Council, taking the minuets at all state meetings, and setting up the Utah Knights group, which is key in providing information and events to all the members in the state."
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