Knights of Columbus recognize Knight, Family of the Year

IC photos by Marie Mischel

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The Reuben and Bea Manzanares family (with State Deputy Charles E. Dover in the background) from St. Martin de Porres Council were named the Knights of Columbus Family of the Year during the State Convention on May 1.

Jesus calls his Church to be a people of love, and the Knights of Columbus exemplify this commandment, said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, during the Mass that preceded the 103rd State Convention Awards Banquet May 1.

"As Knights, the Church calls us to lead exemplary lives," Bishop Wester said. "To live lives that others can emulate, to be people that others can look up to."

Also, they are called to be mentors, to help others to live the Christian life; and also to be loyal friends. "This is what it means to put our love into action," he said, adding that it's particularly important to do this for the youth of the Church. "Our youth today have a lot of challenges, a lot of different paths that they can take, many of them not good at all. Many of them even leading to death. So it's important for the Knights of Columbus ... to continue to be role models, mentors and friends of youth, to be with them, to spend time with them, to be there for them. You don't even have to say anything, sometimes."

After the Mass, Bishop Wester had another commitment, so Father James Blaine, deputy state chaplain for the Knights, represented him at the awards dinner.

"It was through a simple request by Fr. Jim that our prison rosary ministry was created," said Charles E. Dover, Jr., state deputy. "We now supply hundreds of rosaries to the jails and the prison throughout the year."

The prisoners appreciate the rosaries, Fr. Blaine said. "You'd be surprised how many, even the non-Catholic ones, want to say the rosary. Many of them, that might be the only source of prayer they get."

The banquet was highlighted by the presentation of the Knight of the Year and Family of the Year awards.

Steven Cross, the 2009-10 Knight of the Year from St. George Council, is happily married and the father of two children and the grandfather of four, Dover said. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Cross flew more than 300 combat missions in Vietnam between 1968 and 1972. He is a cancer survivor, a retired branch manager of the banking industry, a 17-year member of the Knights; a Fourth Degree Knight; the Color Corps commander, the chairman of the fallen Knights Memorial Mass, and one of the planners of the Bishop Scanlan Center. He oversees 155 volunteers as the thrift store manager; in 2006-07, under his guidance, the store generated $200,000, Dover said. "The store further generated $300,000 under his management to help pay an $800,000 loan off in one and a half years; under his guidance approximately $20,000 is generated each month. Our knight is a retired banker who is still overseeing the bank roll. The number of persons assisted through this man's efforts is now countless. His dedication and service has reached out throughout his parish and his entire community. He has assisted single mothers, Indian Reservations in Arizona and New Mexico, two protestant groups, four community groups and countless others. This is a man who is filled with the spirit and truly practices charity."

Similarly, the family this year has been involved for many years with the Knights and in their parish, Dover said before presenting the award to the Reuben and Bea Manzanares family from St. Martin de Porres Council in Taylorsville. "They have raised their children in the faith and sent each of them to parochial schools. Together this family has a long history of involvement and continue to be very active in all events of the parish and council."

The various awards categories were open to all of the Knights' Councils in the state. The winners will be entered in the international competition. The list of winners follows.

Church Award: "Keeping Christ in Christmas in Rural Utah," Father Valine Council of Cedar City. "The intent was to make Christ the focus of the city's tree-lighting ceremony," Dover said. "Each year the priest or the deacon reads from the Christmas Gospel, followed by an invocation and public blessing for the season and the Christmas tree."

Community Award: "Charity in Action." St. Martin de Porres Council of Taylorsville. "The purpose of this project was to reach out to those in need," said State Secretary Ray Lopez. "Due to the economic downturn and loss of jobs, families were in dire straits. The Knights stepped in to provide food, clothing, furniture and appliances. Nearly 650 miles per month for every month since the last state convention, brother Knights have provided thousands of dollars, tons of food and truck loads of furniture and appliances primarily to the people of Wendover and two other parishes in Utah."

Council Award: "Church Flag Poles." Bishop Hunt Council of Kearns. This activity raised more than $10,000 to install three flag poles at the parish, one for the United States, one for the state of Utah, and one for the papal flag, said State Treasurer Robert Masse, Jr.

Family Award: "Maryn's Hope" Mother of Teresa of Calcutta Council of Draper. This fundraising effort assisted a 3-year-old girl needing medical treatment for a brain tumor, said State Advocate Ray Folks. "Through the efforts of the Knights and the community, $12,219.55 was raised for the treatment," he said.

Youth Award: "Substance Abuse Poster Contest." Corpus Christi Council, Sandy. This activity promoted awareness among young people about alcohol and substance abuse, said State Warden Jerry Hanten; 182 children participated in the council poster contest.

Pro Life Award: "Vigil for Life." Father Thomas D. Kraft Council 14764, Salt Lake City. "Beginning with the "Forty Days for Life" in the fall of 2009, the council has provided intercessors to spend an hour in vigil in front of the abortuary in Salt Lake City. The intercessors bear signs showing their support of life. They pray the rosary as they stand vigil. This has continued each and every Saturday since the project began. Only on two Saturdays has the council missed the vigil," Fr. Blaine said.