Knights of Columbus are recognized for their service

Intermountain Catholic

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Andrew Airriess reads the certificate he received from former President George W. Bush and the Points of Light Foundation for his hours of service to the community as his wife Giselle looks over during the Knights of Columbus exemplification banquet March 28. A total of twelve knights were recognized with various awards depending on hours of service. IC photo by Priscilla Cabral

SALT LAKE CITY — Twenty-seven Knights of Columbus were installed as new candidates into the fourth degree during an intimate ceremony at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Salt Lake City, March 28.

"Through their leadership and dedication, fourth degree knights have earned their place atop the order as the patriotic degree," said Charles E. Dover Jr., district master, during the banquet that took place after the exemplification ceremony and Mass.

For the Knights of Columbus in the fourth degree, love for country and love for God go hand in hand. The United States is a country founded by people who believed in freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. The constitution, even our capital’s architecture reflects that God is all over the blueprint of our nation.

"With all the uproar about removing the Ten Commandments from government buildings and the removal of prayer from our schools, I believe this is an interesting point worth a moment of your time," said Dover.

"On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. are displayed two words: Laus Deo" which mean, "Praise to God."

"These two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words are out of sight and, one might think, out of mind; but, are very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world," said Dover.

The solution to our troubled economy might be found in prayer, he said.

"We are reminded in scripture that ‘unless the Lord builds the house, its builder’s labor is in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.’"

However, prayer incites action.

In 2002, then President George W. Bush called Americans to dedicate 4,000 hours or two years of service to help their neighbors, communities, and nation. Members of the Knights of Columbus were quick to answer this call and were recognized during the banquet with lapel pins and certificates from the former president and the Points of Light Foundation for their efforts to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility.

Frank J. Becker, Richard A. Kane Jr., and Edwin R. Schulfer – the only vice supreme master in the 100-year history of the Knights of Columbus in Utah – were recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Henry C. Carlson, Rholand E. Lange, and L. Wilson Thomas, were recognized for attaining the Gold Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award, which required 500 or more hours of service. E. Ray Folks, Frank Torina, and John P. Wainscott, attained a Silver Level award for 250 to 499 hours of service. And Andrew Airriess, Arthur Grant, and Joseph Vrazel attained the Bronze Level award for 100 to 249 hours of service.

Torina was also recognized as class honoree for his constant dedication in raising funds for various charity projects and his volunteer service for the Carmelite Monastery and the Ombudsman Program, which helps seniors in assisted living centers and nursing homes. He was named Volunteer of the Year and was presented an award from former President Bush for his outstanding service in the Ombudsman Program.

Torina has been afflicted with cancer for several years, but "this has only slowed him up a few times. He hasn’t let it stop him from being who he wants to be: a simple, warm, caring, loving, Catholic man of Italian decent with enough love to go around for everyone and with a strong faith in God to help him cope," said Dover.

In his remarks, Father Robert Moriarty, pastor of Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Kearns, said the knights should continue to encourage their notion of visibility and "show we’re citizens of this country and state, and that we are members of an ecclesiastical body."

Jerry O’Connor echoed the same thought during his supreme greetings when he said the Knights of Columbus represent the Catholic Church and inspire others to get involved. He then said the words in Matthew 5: 14-16 to remind the knights of who they are and their potential: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."