Our council has earned the Columbian Award for our dedication to service and the Founders Award for our support of Knights insurance programs for fraternal year 2021-22.
The Columbian Award is earned by Knights councils that annually conduct and report at least four (4) major involvement programs in each of the sections of our national organization's "Faith In Action" construct: Faith Programs, Family Programs, Community Programs, and Life Programs. All reported programs are tangible actions performed by council that engage the membership base, enhance faith and spirituality, and strengthen family life within the parish. The following specific activities earned the award for our Council:
FAITH CATEGORY
Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP)
We supported a postulant associated with the local Daughters of St. Paul in the boundaries of our parish, thereby participating in our RSVP program with a $500 donation, presenting the check at our June meeting. Our council proactively sought out this postulant in need of support.
HOLY HOUR
Nine of our Knights participate in the 24/7 Adoration Chapel of our parish, 1 hour per week on a weekly basis. Eucharistic adoration in the form a regular scheduled Holy Hour is a simple, direct and meaningful way to support our parish spiritually and our council strives to support the Chapel.
ROSARY PROGRAM
Our council supported Rosary initiatives throughout the course of the year: a “Patriotic Rosary”, three different "Public Square Rosary" events in front of the parish grounds, and well attended council-lead rosaries prior to council meetings which are open to non-Knights as well as members
OTHER – STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Eight Knights and twelve non-members attended the Stations of the Cross on April 1st at our parish church, St. Catherine Laboure. We carried candles and said the appropriate prayers at each station, with Knight Paul Griner carrying the crucifix.
FAMILY CATEGORY
FOOD FOR FAMILIES
Our Council donated $2,100 to the Affton food pantry, meeting the KOC Food for Families refund requirements, we generated 9 cases of food donations for St. Elizabeth's food pantry through a bingo fundraiser, and we donated $1,200 to Forces for Food, a veteran’s-focused food pantry.
FAMILY FULLY ALIVE
Our council collaborated with our parish to conduct a promotional campaign for Family Fully alive, publicizing a promotional message and a link to the Family Full Alive booklet in the parish bulletin for 2 consecutive weeks, strongly encouraging parishioners to review the message and materials.
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
Our council conducted a "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" sign distribution campaign, giving away yard signs with this uplifting seasonal message to parishioners after each mass the weekend before Christmas. The signs were well received by our parishioners.
COMMUNITY CATEGORY
COATS FOR KIDS
We purchased and distributed 4 boxes (48 coats) for our parishioners through the Coats for Kids program. We have done this every year for many years, and it is greatly appreciated by our parish, parishioners and surrounding community members who benefit.
CATHOLIC CITIZEN ESSAY CONTEST
We promoted and participated in the K of C state council’s Essay Contest with our parish school. We had 9 students participate and one winner from each grade was submitted to the State K of C contest, with prizes given to the winner and the supporting faculty member.
UKRAINE SOLIDARITY FUND
A Knight from our council solicited $606 Ukraine donations statewide, and our council supplemented it with $394 such that we could make a $1,000 donation in support of the Ukraine Solidarity Fund. This enables us to claim credit in any program category on the Columbian Award (SP-7) application.
LIFE CATEGORY
MARCH FOR LIFE
Our council materially supported and participated in the annual Midwest March for Life which was held in Jefferson City Missouri this past April, with 10 members of the council attending the bus trip. The Knight of Columbus grilled hotdogs for lunch at the event.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
5 of our Knights spent a weekend selling raffle tickets at a local grocery store to support the Special Olympics Drive It Home Truck Drive. We raised $2,175 for Missouri Special Olympics. We also held an internal fundraiser and donated $200 of proceeds collected to the Special Olympics.
ULTRASOUND PROGRAM
We collaborated w/ other Knights councils to fund an ultrasound placement at a local Pregnancy Help Center, with a $1,000 donation. We also held an ad hoc inter-council fundraiser and donated $800 to our state's Meet Life campaign which supports pro-life activities including ultrasound placements.
NOVENA FOR LIFE
Our council had representation at the Novena for cancer patients and their families for the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney which was held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Springfield, Missouri in mid-June of 2022
