Knights Honor Faithful Servants During Convention

By Steve Gust
For The Sooner Catholic

An Oklahoma Catholic men’s group is in its second 100 years with a mission perhaps as intense and as needed as ever before.

The Oklahoma Council of the Knights of Columbus held its 100th annual convention in April at the Marriott in Oklahoma City. It was hosted by Council 1038 of Oklahoma City - also marking its 100th anniversary. Other councils celebrating 100 years are 916 Guthrie, 949 Ponca City, 965 Chickasha, 1018 Shawnee, 1044 Enid and 1053 Perry The Knights used the three days to review programs, set goals and honor many achievements by those in their group, and others serving the faith. Supreme  Council representative Robert Lane noted that in the 1960s, Pope Paul XI had called the Knights an “immense force for good.” Lane said the Order, with help of a multi-billion dollar insurance program, was continuing its work, through 13,000 councils
worldwide to promote the sanctity of life and protect the institution of marriage.

“We continue to stand in solidarity with our clergy,” he said - drawing a standing ovation.

He also encouraged all Knights and family to become members of the Fr. McGivney Guild, a group attempting to garner sainthood for the Order’s 19th century founder, Fr. Michael J. McGivney.

Knights also raise funds and support for vocations through Pennies for Heaven and the “365 Club.”

The night also saw a full range of awards distributed including Knight of the Year, won by Joel Frisby of Council 3220 in Okarche. Frisby, also Grand Knight, was honored for "unselfish service to family and brothers.”

Family of the year went to the family of Rick and Susan Swyden of Edmond. Nominated by St. Joseph’s Council of Oklahoma City, the family was honored for its hot dog ministry. Rick Swyden said the ministry is now approaching almost 30,000 hot dogs given to homeless and needy in OklahomaCity.

Another highlight was the Malleck Coury Civic Award. That is given to an individual who is judged to have best served their community. It went to Judy Boggs of Choctaw for organizing Compassion Resource Center - a group that has in recent years helped 25,000 people or an estimated 5,000 families. The center, with ecumenical help, does extensive outreach work with the community. It’s also been approved, by the courts, to help offenders serve out their community service.

Some youthful offenders, doing volunteer work for the first time in their lives, are so moved emotionally by what they do, that they stay on and work after their sentences are served.

In addressing the hundreds present, Boggs thanked the Knights and credited her Catholic faith for urging her to get involved and make the difference in so many lives.

Two youth were honored by the State Council, which has an estimated 6,000 members.

Cory Jenkins, a senior at Choctaw High School, was named a winner. He volunteers for many church events and has served as a counselor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Camp. He’s an Eagle Scout, Boys State representative and past captain of his football team. He received a $1,000 scholarship to be used at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Another Eagle Scout, who takes his faith seriously, is Beau Mueggenborg of Okarche. He’s also a brother Knight of Council 3220 and survived cancer as a child. He’s 19 and received a $500 scholarship.

The Knights dedicated the three-day convention to three individuals - Friday, for H. Edward Terrell, a past State Deputy who died the week before the convention; Saturday, to the memory of Pope John Paul II; and Sunday for the success of Pope Benedict XVI.

On Sunday, Father Stasyszen, president of St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, updated the Knights on the progress of the Catholic school - noting it’s on the verge of offering masters degrees for the first time. He then thanked dozens of Knights and others who presented him with well over 100 scholarships - each worth $250.

Paul Martin, scholarship chairman, noted scholarship winners this year - including Bryan Burton of Owasso the Al Wheeler Scholarship winner. Ronnie Helear of Tulsa and Lawrence Wheeler of Muskogee were awarded scholarships. Both attend St. Gregory’s.

Floyd Propps, director of the Center of Family Love, in Okarche, urged Knights and all Catholics to continue to support the work done at the center, which helps the mentally disabled. He said the budget had been challenged in recent years with insurance rates tripling despite never having filed a major claim. That has led to some cutbacks including the popular greenhouse at the center, now closed. State Deputy Buster Fisher of Edmond presented him with two checks, totaling $20,615.

Adrian DeWendt, executive director of the Oklahoma Special Olympics thanked the Knights for their continued support - including the upcoming games in Stillwater - one of the biggest state competitions in America, he said.

A Special Olympian, Jonathan Parkhurst, was also grateful to the Knights, including the Supreme Council. A few years ago, the Supreme Knights donated $1 million for transportation costs to send American, Canadian and Mexican Special Olympians to the international games in Ireland.

In other convention news:

n New officers were elected for the upcoming fraternal year, which starts July 1. That slate of officers includes, State Deputy, Jose Jimenez of Oklahoma City; State Secretary, Paul Weigl of Oklahoma City; Treasurer, David M. Ingersoll of Skiatook, Advocate, David Roewe of Edmond; and Warden, Dan Hogan of Bartlesville.

n Memorial Mass at Our Lady’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City, where names of Brother Knights, who died last year, were read. Archbishop Beltran was the primary celebrant. Later that evening he was given a plaque by Fisher noting the 100th anniversary of the diocese.

n  Council Activity award went to Enid, Council 1044 for putting in funds and 369 work hours to repair a needy person’s home. Work included the eradication of termites and repairing broken windows.

n  The host council, No. 1038, was honored with a Youth Activity award. Since 1918, they have treated mentally and physically impaired children to a day of fun at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City each fall.

n  Perry Council No. 1053 received a community service award. Earlier this year they held a spaghetti dinner, which raised $734 for the Center of Family Love and the 150 clients the CFL  serves. They also did snow and ice removal for St. Rose of Lima parish.