La Voz Católica
The Southwest Kansas Register
January 17, 2010 Page 9
‘Quince Años’ tradición que celebra el don de la vida
M
ientras más se acercaba el día, más
nervioso estaba José Franco, de 15
años; primero sería la Misa durante la cual
el tomaría parte en ceremonias tradicionales
frente a decenas de personas; y allí sería la
recepción, donde el tendría que bailar el
Vals en el centro bajo las luces ante todas
las miradas sobre él.
Por lo menos, él no estaba solo. Junto
a él en el evento del 14 de noviembre,
estaban Mario Espino y Luis Fernando
Espino, quienes, igual que José, estuvieron
celebrando sus quince años, un rito del
camino para los chicos y chicas de 15 años.
Mientras la celebración ha venido a ser más
popular entre las chicas y chicos de 15 años
de edad, el evento nunca ha sido relegado
a un sólo sexo; siempre se ha ofrecido a
ambos grupos de ambos sexos. Los chicos
son llamados quinceañeros mientras las
chicas son llamadas quinceañeras. También
con cada uno de ellos estaban sus invitados
especiales las damas de honor para bailar el
Vals con ellos.
La hermana Angela Erevia, MCDP, ha
pasado más de 35 años ayudando a la gente
joven, las familias, y parroquias para preparar
a los chicos y chicas para esta antigua tradición
cultural. Ella ha tenido éxito en poner esta
celebración en un contexto espiritual, en vez
de ser un evento meramente social. En esta
celebración los quinceañeros y las quinceañeras
son acompañados por otros jóvenes y mujeres
conocidos como damas y chambelanes. La
Hermana Angela introdujo la idea de llamarlos
compañeros de la fe, a ponerlo en un contexto
original de la fe.
“Cuando celebramos la Misa, es lo mismo
para jóvenes de ambos sexos, explicó la
Hermana Angela. Es realmente una Misa
de Agradecimiento [puede notarse que en
algunas parroquias, como en la Parroquia
Príncipe de la Paz en Great Bend, el evento
es una ceremonia de bendición, y no una
Misa, y esta no incluye la Comunión], para
dar gracias a Dios por el don de la Vida, y
por una oportunidad para la gente joven de
renovar sus promesas bautismales ante la
comunidad. Algunos símbolos cristianos
representan el don de la vida, bautismo y
confirmación son presentados al frente y su
significado son explicados a la asamblea
mientras los símbolos son colocados sobre
la mesa del santuario.
“Después de la homilía, la joven o el
joven renueva sus promesas bautismales,”
dijo la Hermana. “Luego ellos hacen su
Profesión de Fe. Después de la Comunión,
sus nombres son llamados para que pasen
adelante frente al altar. Se les da una rosa
y juntos rezan un acto de consagración a
Nuestra Santa Madre. Mientras aún se
mantienen frente al altar y antes de la última
bendición del celebrante, se les pide a los
padres o guardianes que
pasen adelante para bendecirlos. Acompañados
por sus padres o guardianes, ellos ofrecen la rosa
a Nuestra Santa Madre
como una familia.” La
Hermana también
agregó que la fiesta
tendrá la extensión
de la Eucaristía
que continuará
para darle gracias
a Dios y para celebrar el maravilloso
don de la vida con la
familia y amigos.
José, Mario, y Luis
son a manos llenas,
algunos de los chicos
en Great Bend que han
tomado parte en la celebración. La idea fue
promovida por Mario,
quien asistió a una celebración de quinceañera,
como “invitado de honor”
de una chica de 15 años, el Mario Espino, Jose Franco, y Luis Fernando Espino
cual requería que el tomara
parte en el ensayo del Vals. Cuando sus colonia y ropas. Luego comimos nuestro
padres le hablaron sobre tener el evento para pastel. Fue muy divertido. Todos teníamos
él mismo, Mario les preguntó si pudiera nuestros invitados de honor, un padrino, y
conseguir “un par de amigos para hacerlo docenas de amigos y miembros de la familia
conmigo. Esto suena bien divertido”.
que tomaron la sala del baile más tarde en
Cuando le preguntaron si el tenía los mis- la noche.
mos nervios como José, Mario respondió, La Parroquia Príncipe de la Paz ofrece
“Eso es muy estresante. Tuvimos que los retiros de Preparación para los Quince
practicar y practicar el baile. Y teníamos Años tres veces al año.
también niñas pequeñas en el baile. Eso De acuerdo con Mercedes Helms, minisfue duro para ellas. Las niñas pequeñas son tro pastoral de la Parroquia Príncipe de la
miembros de la familia que también toma- Paz, “para poder celebrar los Quinceaños,
ron parte en los bailes, los cuales fueron Luis Fernando, Mario y José cumplieron
parte integral de la recepción
con los requisitos de la Parroquia, que son
Cuando preguntamos que pensó la mamá entre otros: ser miembros registrados de la
de José sobre su hijo, tomando parte como Parroquia, asistir a las clases de Educación
un quinceañero, ella contestó en Español Religiosa, y asistir a uno de los talleres ofreque ella estaba muy contenta y luego agregó cidos durante el año en una especie de retiro
algo que dejó a los chicos con risas. “Ella con sus padres. Los tres participaron con
dijo que ella sabía que yo me divertí porque mucho entusiasmo e interés al último retiro
yo bailé toda la noche,” sonrientemente efectuado el primero de agosto del 2009,
tradujo José.
aprendiendo sobre la moralidad, liturgia,
“Antes yo pensaba que sería vergonzoso, tradición, desarrollo de una relación más
pero cuando estuve allí, no me avergoncé,” sólida con sus padres, un momento de cateagregó José.
quesis, y mucho más con mucha diversión.
“Después del corto baile, Luis explicó, Helms coordina y presenta las clases con
“nuestros padres tuvieron un baile sorpresa la asistencia de Ana Martínez.
para hacernos bailar la canción que ellos Mientras las raíces de esta celebración
decidieron. Tuvimos el baile al comienzo se remontan en México, esta no es solo
y otra que nosotros escogimos y otra que para aquellos de herencia Mexicana..“En
nuestros padres escogieron y que nosotros efecto, muchos grupos indígenas alrededor
no conocíamos.
del mundo han y continúan teniendo la
Después de eso, ellos tuvieron a una iniciación de los ritos de pubertad,” dijo la
persona que trajo un regalo sorpresa. Yo Hermana Angela. La tradición de los quince
recibí una pelota de balompié (soccer), años se originó con los grupos indígenas de
Línea especial para
víctimas de abuso sexual
Si usted, o alguien a quien usted conoce ha sido víctima
de abuso sexual por algún clérigo, o cualquier empleado
de la Diócesis de Dodge City, por favor comunicarse
con el Sr. Dave Snapp, Fitness Review Administrator:
(620)225-5051, o (620)225-2412, o al correo electrónico
dsnapp3@starrtech,net. Conserva siempre su derecho
de comunicarse directamente a Social Relief Services,
1-800-922-4453.
Sesiones de Conscientización
La Diócesis requiere a todos los empleados y voluntarios que trabajan con menores a asistir a las Sesiones
de Conscientización.
Estas sesiones de Conscientización están disponibles
en ambos inglés y español. Son conducidos por gente
de nuestra Diócesis especialmente entrenadas como
facilitadores. Las sesiones se publicarán en las parroquias, escuelas, el períodico Southwest Kansas Register
y la página electrónica de la Diócesis. www.dcdiocese.
org/protectingchildren.
México de acuerdo a los informes de los
historiadores. La Hermana Angela dijo que
mientras trabajaba en la Arquidiócesis de
Omaha, ella asistió a una celebración en la
cual entre la docena de niños Mexicanos,
había un Anglosajón y chicos de Vietnam
y Sudán Otras comunidades Cristiana,
están usando materiales preparados por la
Hermana Angela para la celebración.
La Hermana Angela es la autora de
“Quince Años: Celebrando la Vida.” En él,
ella enfatiza 15 razones para la celebración.
Entre ellas está: “Es una ocasión para catequizar a la juventud y sus familias…Es una
ocasión para compartir la responsabilidad
y el privilegio de construir la Iglesia El
Cuerpo de Cristo….Es una ocasión para
unirse a las familias en agradecimiento a
Dios por el don de la vida de la juventud
in nuestra comunidad..”
Como todas las fiestas (festivales), la
celebración de los quince años para chicos
y chicas son finalmente una “expresión
de gratitud de nuestro amado Padre, el
Dueño de nuestra vida,” dijo la Hermana
Angela.
La Hermana Angela quien sirve como
Directora del Ministerio Hispano para nuestra Diócesis de Dodge City, está disponible
para entrenar a los líderes de parroquias o
grupos para preparar a la gente joven, sus
familias, y sus compañeros de fe para sus
quince años. Contacte a la Hermana Angela
al (620) 227-1542 o por correo electrónico:
[email protected].
El Kansas Rural Family Helpline
E
l Kansas Rural Family Helpline es una línea telefónica
de ayuda sin costo para la población rural de Kansas.
Es un programa de servicio directo dedicado a ayudar con
las necesidades de las familias rurales de Kansas. Este
programa provee ayuda emocional, consejos competentes,
referencias calificadas de manera confidencial directamente
a familias rurales que estén atravesando por dificultades
emocionales, médicas, financieras o legales.
Estos servicios también se encuentran disponibles en
español. Nuestro número telefónico sin costo esel 1-866327-6578.
Official State Publication -- Kansas State Council, Knights of Columbus -- Winter 2010
State Deputy’s Message
“The Year of the Volunteer”
By Francis G. Drouhard, State Deputy
As we progress into the New Year of 2010 we look
to the past to help form a plan of promise for the
future. With the New Year, comes new experiences
and new responsibilities. As we face the new challenges of 2010 let us always face them with our
Catholic faith in mind.
Our membership and program campaign theme
this year is “The Year of the Volunteer”. We need
not look far for ways in which to volunteer. In
these tough economic times facing our nation,
there is a greater need for volunteerism than ever
before in our history. There are many families
with needs in our society and we need but look a
short distance from home to find them. Our membership in the Knights of Columbus is a great way
to see that these needs are being met. To him to
whom much is given, much is expected in return.
This should be the foundation for our work and our
“volunteer spirit” in the Knights of Columbus. We
all have a great deal to be thankful for and we
have all been given a tremendous amount of talents and treasures by our Lord. Now is the time to
volunteer those talents in making better the lives
of those in need around us.
Let us challenge ourselves to find these needs
and then do our best to see these needs are being
met. When we care for our fellow man we are
truly putting forth that great spirit of volunteerism.
Let us also not forget the call issued to the
Catholic Laity and to us as Knights of Columbus
by Pope Benedict XVI only but a year and a half
ago: “Follow Me, Help Us Build Up The Church”.
As we look for ways to build up the church through
our volunteer efforts we can look to our supreme
council and state sponsored programs. You might
find fulfillment in helping with our Adopt-ASeminarian Program or working to provide assistance to our friends with intellectual disabilities
through our Commitment To Humanities and
Tootsie Roll Program. Others might find their
efforts pointing them toward pro-life work through
our various pro-life programs. Still others might
most enjoy working with the youth through our
many youth activity programs. Most likely when
each of us joined the Knights of Columbus we were
looking for ways in which to help our church or
communities. The Knights of Columbus grants us
many opportunities to step forward and help to
create a better world for those around us. When
we help in each of these situations we are helping
to build up the church through our volunteer
efforts.
Our founder, the Venerable Fr. Michael J.
McGivney, envisioned a Catholic fraternal lay
organization founded on the principles of charity,
unity, fraternity and patriotism. These guiding
principles are still applicable today and we are
called to live out those principles every day
through our membership in the Knights of
Columbus. The cause for his sainthood continues
to gather momentum. Let us continue to pray for
Fr. McGivney’s guidance and intercession as we
face the challenges that lie ahead.
The Knights of Columbus in Kansas has a great
history of service to our Church, our communities
and our fellow man. This year two more Kansas
councils will celebrate 100 years of service to their
Church and communities. Let us build on this rich
history of service in helping to “Build Up The
Church”. As we go forth as leaders in our Church
and communities let us be sure to ask every eligible Catholic man who is dedicated to his faith,
family and community to join us in our great
order.
There is much work to do in this “Year of the
Volunteer” as we continue to answer the call of
Pope Benedict XVI to “Follow Me, Help Us Build
Up The Church”. Won’t you join us? For more
information on our programs and service to the
Church, please visit our state website at
www.kansas-kofc.org. Vivat Jesus.
Families receive honors from Knights
By Dan Wimberly
Family Life Director
It is time for each council to
begin thinking about its “Family
of the Year” selection.
This family may be the one
District,
selected
as
your
Diocesan or State Family of the
Year and recognized at the State
Convention.
To begin the process, fill out
the form in the Family of the
Month booklet and mail it to your
District Deputy by March 10.
Each council should continue
to recognize a family of the
month and mail in the form to
Supreme and send a copy to me.
As of October, we have had
over 156 councils participate in
the program with Supreme recognizing 13 families as a “Family of
the Month”. Please keep up the
good work.
Also, remember to have your
council complete a family activities scrapbook and send it to me
by April 1.
Thanks to all who helped distribute the three “Our Lady of
Charity” portrait icons last year,
these were given as gifts to past
State Chaplains.
Please call on me if you have
any questions or family activities
ideas.
By Gary Wondra
State Pennies From Heaven
Chairman
The Pennies From Heaven
Program was designed to raise
the
Emergency
funds
for
Disaster Aid Program (EDAP).
EDAP’s mission is to provide
financial assistance to victims of
natural disasters. This year,
funds for Pennies From Heaven
Program are being requested at
two different times.
Earlier this year, donations
were sought to help those affected by tropical storm Kesana.
Once again, Brother Knights
across the state answered the call
with outstanding results. To date,
over $ 9,000 has been collected to
help those who are in need from
the tropical storm. This proves
that the Knights can and will
respond when people are in need.
Councils that donated to this
relief effort will receive credit for
their donations through the
Pennies From Heaven Program.
The second round of fund raising will take place at the State
Convention. Every council across
the state is encouraged to bring
arts, crafts or items to be sold in
the General Store. Some of these
articles will be auctioned off at
the Convention Mixer. Money
generated from the sale of any
items will be credited to the council that donated that item. A raffle and the annual Pennies
Parade will also take place at the
Convention. If a council is unable
to attend the convention, checks
may be sent in advance to the
State Pennies Chairman or State
Treasurer.
Plaques will be presented to
the council with the highest dollar-per-member in each division
and to the District Deputy with
the highest dollar-per-member
per district. All participating
councils will receive a certificate.
I would like to extend a heart
filled thank you to all the councils
across the state that donated to
the tropical storm Kesana relief.
I feel confident that with the generosity of all Knights across the
great state of Kansas, our goal of
$75,000 will be met with additional funds raised at the State
Convention.
Pennies From Heaven Program begins
Larned Council #3273 was awarded fourth place in the Family Activities
section of the Supreme Council Service Awards for their work in the
Clayton Kelty Benefit Fundraiser. Clayton was diagnosed with leukemia
at the age of four and the Larned Council conducted a raffle, silent auction, and a hamburger and hotdog feed with a free will offering. The council raised over $23,000 to help with Clayton’s medical bills. Pictured are,
(l-r) front row, John Roy and Michelle Kelty Family (Clayton in center);second row, Fr. Peter Fernandez, Colleen Wolf, Past Grand Knight Richard
Wolf, Grand Knight John and Mrs. Jane Kelty, Maurice and Rita Schaller,
Fr. Bernard Felix; back row State Deputy Francis Drouhard and wife Lori,
and State Membership Director Gary Hoppe.
Knights contribute to crisis
pregnancy centers in Kansas
By Jim and Theresa Pritchard
Pro-Life Chair Couple
The eleventh annual pro-life
baby shower kickoff was held in
Hutchinson in conjunction with
the Mid-Year District Deputy
meeting on December 5.
Thanks to the generosity of the
State Officers, District Deputies
and their wives, over $1,117 in
donations of cash and baby items
were received. The items were
distributed to Pro-Life Centers
across Kansas.
If your local council has not yet
started their Baby Shower or
Bottles for Life or both, they can
be held anytime. Watch for a
playpen, crib, gift box or someone passing out empty baby bottles for change in your church
and please be generous. All items
and money collected should be
documented then brought to your
local crisis pregnancy center.
After you have completed the collection and have distributed all
items, please report to us as soon
as you can. This will save phone
calls and help us tremendously.
Many of these centers now have
sonogram machines and the
results are phenomenal. Many
young mothers make a decision
to go full term rather than to
abort their pregnancy after viewing the sonogram.
All councils should be working
on the requirements for the
Evangelium Vitae Award that
will be given to the council that
does the most to promote the
“Gospel of Life” in their area.
The four-part plan of this award
is Public Information, Pastoral
Care for any who has been affected by the Culture of Death,
Public Policy Efforts for favorable pro-life legislation, and
Prayer and Worship. At least one
activity is required in each of the
four areas.
Please continue to help us
update our power-point slide
show and scrapbook with the new
digital pictures of your memorials and road signs. Also please
join us in Topeka on January 22
for the March for Life at the State
Capitol. Beginning with Mass at
10
a.m.
at
the
Topeka
Performance Arts Center, located
two blocks east of Assumption
Church on 214 E. 8th Ave. Honor
Guard will meet at Assumption
Church at 9 a.m. The walk will
start at 11:30 a.m. from the TPAC
to the Judicial Center at 8th and
Quincy. Knights of Columbus
Defend Life signs will be available in Topeka.
Thank you to everyone who
helped with the Silver Rose
Relay. It took planning and effort
from several volunteers and participants either planning the
relay or going to a Mass or
prayer service in your area.
Kansas had a total involvement
of 22 days, 38 stops and 3,756 people that attended a Mass or
prayer service.
Commitment to Humanities Update
The
Commitment
to
Humanities Campaign is on
course to meet this year’s goal
with approximately 73% of the
councils reporting $272,000 which
is 79% of the goal of $345,000.
Commitment to Humanities
Chairman Dale Weber wishes to
thank those who have donated to
this notable charity. Eighty percent of the money raised is put
back into the local communities
for the benefit of organizations
and individuals. The other 20%
will be used to support the
Special
Olympic
Basketball
Tournament to be held in Hays,
March 18 through 20.
Chaplain’s Message
By Rev. David Metz, State Chaplain
There is a beautiful song that comprises the
Advent/Christmas Season titled, “Proclaim A
Joyful Message…” It is a hymn that speaks of
preparation and hope for the Messiah that is coming and it rejoices in the truth that God has taken
on human flesh and dwelt among us.
This is a message that we are called to live everyday of our lives.
Being a messenger of hope and faith is important,
not only for all the people of God, but for the State
Chaplains and Council Chaplains who impact the
lives of the Knights of Columbus and their families.
The main item I took from the meeting that the
State Chaplains had with Supreme Chaplain, Bishop
William Lori, at the Supreme Convention this past
August in Phoenix, is that we need to give a message that the Knights at our meetings can take with
them.
It was even mentioned that the heading should be
changed from “Chaplain’s Report” to “Chaplain’s
Message.” I believe that is very important because
we want to instill a message into our listeners.
Over the last year or so, Bishop Lori has been
exploring the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Each month in the Columbia magazine, Bishop Lori
has talked about a particular topic using the
Catechism and has provided discussion questions. It
was recommended that chaplains use this resource
to proclaim a message of faith and to catechize
their members. I believe that it would be a great
tool for anyone to use as a form of youth and adult
formation. Even if it takes 15 or 20 minutes out of
the meeting time, it is well worth it.
Our journey has taken us into the year 2010. We
do not know what this new year will bring but we
know that we can be a messenger of hope, love,
faith, and life. The world is not only thirsting to
know the good news of Jesus Christ, but even our
own communities. My favorite thought on St.
Francis of Assisi is that he would say, “Proclaim the
Good News at all times and if you must, use words.”
That really speaks to how we are to proclaim a joyful message. Our actions need to speak louder than
words.
We can truly make a difference in the lives of others. Like I heard in a recent movie, “If you make a
difference in the life of one person, then that makes
what you are doing worthwhile.” Of course, we need
to give the thanks to God. It is God who works
through us, in our words and in our actions. Even
though people may give us credit for making a difference, we can only do it with the grace of God.
I mentioned in my last article that I would share
with you what we learned from the State Chaplain
meeting at the Supreme Convention. However, as I
thought about it the only thing that kept coming to
mind was the “message” of it all. The message that
we share is for everyone. Whether we are Knights of
Columbus or all God’s people, we need to share a
message that is fulfilling and life-giving.
May this new year be a blessed one for all of you.
May God grant you good health and a renewed
effort to always live your life of faith and prayer to
the fullest. We are companions on this journey of
faith, let us share and live the good news for all to
see because it is truly a joyful message.
Speakers announced for State Convention
Two dynamic speakers will be
at the Kansas Knights of
Columbus Convention Workshop
being held at the Airport Hilton
Hotel in Wichita on Saturday,
May 1.
Due to an anticipated overflow
attendance for this event, tickets
are required and will be available
free to convention registrants
upon check-in and registration at
the state convention.
Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, postulator of the cause for canonization of St. Juan Diego and the
foremost expert on the apparition
and miracle of Our Lady of
Guadalupe, will speak at the
Saturday afternoon workshop
during the Convention.
He is the first dean of the
Catholic
University
Lumen
Gentium of the Archdiocese of
Mexico, cofounder and dean of
Why Consider Being A Knight?
By Gary L. Hoppe, State Membership Director
A good Catholic man I visited with recently made an interesting
comment, “In our family lifestyle, I just don’t know where I would fit
the Knights of Columbus in.” I replied, “That’s exactly the reason you
and your family should be involved with the Knights.” He looked a bit
surprised at my answer. I said, “Yes sir, sometimes families get going
in too many different directions with very little continuity.” With the
Knights of Columbus we are automatically involved with church, community, family, youth, council and pro-life activities. Oh, I know you
couldn’t or wouldn’t change your family schedule overnight, however
once you experience being a member you would see the many opportunities to make things run a little smoother.
Over 36,000 members in the state of Kansas can’t all be wrong.
There are many reasons the Knights of Columbus is the world’s
largest Catholic Family Fraternal Service Organization. Consider
this, how could all the Bishops in the State of Kansas, stand 4 square
with the Knights of Columbus if there wasn’t something special going
on?
As part of your New Year’s resolutions, we would strongly recommend that you look into what the Knights of Columbus has to offer you
and your family. We would like to invite every Catholic male, 18 or
older, and his family to join our order. Many Knights agree that once
they joined our ranks, they started to become better Catholics, a better father, a better husband and a better person. If you are already
strong in all those categories, then by becoming a member you will
automatically improve the Knights of Columbus. We look forward to
having you join the Order and support our Catholic Church.
“FOLLOW ME, HELP US BUILD UP THE CHURCH” is the request
of Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit to the United States. He
and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, have called the Knights of
Columbus, “THE STRONG RIGHT ARM OF THE CHURCH”. Our
theme this year is “THE YEAR OF THE VOLUNTEER”. What better
way to get more involved in your Church and community than through
the Knights of Columbus. It certainly cannot hurt to check us out, just
fill out the coupon below and we will take care of the rest.
JOIN US!!!!!
The Kansas Knights of Columbus
A Catholic Fraternal Family Organization
Name___________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________
City_____________________________________St________Zip__________
Phone Number___________________________
Send to or for more information contact: Gary L. Hoppe,
Membership Director, 10125 W. May, Wichita KS 67209 316-722-
4008 or 316-304-9263
[email protected]
the
Higher
Institute
for
Guadalupan Studies, and honorary Canon of the Guadalupe
Basilica.
Also speaking at the workshop
will be Fr. John Hotze, a priest
from the Wichita Diocese and the
postulator for the cause of sainthood for Fr. Emil Kapaun, a
priest from the Diocese of
Wichita who died in a prisoner of
war camp in the Korean War.
Special Olympics
need volunteers
Dale
Weber,
Community
Activities Director, advises that
the Special Olympics Basketball
Tournament will be held in Hays,
on March 18, 19, 20.
There are teams awaiting a
sponsor and if any council or
members of your community are
interested in sponsoring a team
contact the Hays Convention and
Visitors Bureau (785-628-8202).
If anyone is interested in volunteering to assist at the
Tournament, contact Dale Weber
620-326-6304.
Knight’s-Lite
The Knight’s-Lite is the official publication of the Kansas
State Council of the Knights of
Columbus. It is published four
times during the 2009-2010 fraternal year in the Catholic newspapers of Kansas.
State Deputy
Francis G. Drouhard, Danville
State Chaplain
Rev. David Metz, Wilson
Immediate Past State Deputy
Donald L. Wagner, Olathe
State Secretary
Mark W. Roth, Liberal
State Treasurer
Ron Zishka, Leavenworth
State Advocate
Mike Baxa, Belleville
State Warden
Patrick D. Winchester, LeCompton
Knight’s-Lite
PO Box 60
La Crosse KS 67548
785-222-3638 or 222-2555
Fax 785-222-2557
Email [email protected]
Knights earn recognition
By Greg Lix, State Fraternal Chairman
Worldwide, the Knights of Columbus is made up of 1.75 million
members who have been called the “Strong Right Arm of the
Catholic Church”. The hard work of members throughout the Order
make our programs successful. Councils have the opportunity to recognize the sacrifice and hard work of select Brother Knights by participating in the Knight of the Month program. These Knights of the
Month Awardees are then eligible for the District, Diocesan and
State Knight of the Year.
The State Knight of the Year will be recognized and honored at the
State Convention in Wichita. The accomplishments of the State
Knight of the Year winners are impressive. Pope Benedict has called
us to “Follow Me, Help Us Build Up The Church.” All Knights have
answered that call with their hard work, which has made our Order
what it is today.
Free Throw Contests begin
Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus
Free Throw Championship for
boys and girls between the ages
of 10 and 14. The championship is
set up to have the contestants
compete within their own age
group. All competition starts at
the local level. Contact a council
near your parish for the date of
their local contest. Entry forms
are available at schools, from
members, or at the competition.
Winners in each age group will
be competing to progress to the
District, then Regional, and on to
the State Championship.
The State Knights of Columbus
Championship will be held in
Salina on March 7.
Last year more than 180,000
young people participated in representing over 3,000 councils in
the International Free Throw
Championship. Although Kansas
did not have any International
winners in 2009, with the heritage
and experience of our young athletes we should be a shoo-in for
international winners this year.
Good luck to all participants and
most of all have fun.
66th Annual Bowling Tournament set
The Knights of Columbus
would like to invite all to the 66th
annual Knights of Columbus
Bowling Tournament at Play-Mor
Lanes in Newton, Kansas. You do
not need to be a league bowler to
participate. This year’s tournament will be held February 20
and 21, February 27 and 28 and
March 6 and 7. All that is needed
to enter the tournament is a paid
up Knights of Columbus membership. Not a member? Want to
bowl? Contact your local council
or parish for information on how
to join the Knights of Columbus.
For tournament entry information contact Dave Janner, 6616
West 69th Street, Overland Park,
Kansas 66204, [email protected], (913) 389-9049.
Any council that would like to
bid to host the 2011 Knights of
Columbus Bowling Tournament
needs to submit a letter to Marcel
Braun, 2112 Seaton Avenue,
Manhattan, Kansas 66502 prior to
January 22, 2010.
Time to compile results
By Scott A. Maurath
State Program Director
Knights of Columbus councils
across Kansas are busy compiling facts and figures from their
charitable acts of 2009 and will
join the councils in all the other
jurisdictions in reporting these
figures to Supreme Council on the
Annual Survey of Fraternal
Activity (Form #1728).
These reports convey to
Supreme Council the amounts of
monetary contributions and volunteer service hours given by
councils to various charities. The
Supreme Council then compiles
all these figures into one report
showing the international figures.
This is such an important report
that Supreme Council has established a deadline of January 31,
2010 for this report to be filed by
all councils, and it must be filed
by the deadline before a council
can be considered for the coveted
Star Council Award.
For the 2008 calendar year,
Knights of Columbus councils
throughout the Order reported
making charitable and benevolent contributions of $150 million
and donating 69 million hours of
volunteer service. This is an
increase of more than $5 million.
Both are record amounts. It also
reported 413,000 blood donors,
more than 5.5 million visits to our
ill and sick. Contact a local council for more information.
Reminder: Make 2010 a healthier year by having your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Everyone is encouraged to maintain a
healthy lifestyle with exercise, eating well and regular visits with
your doctor. And please give blood, it is the eternal gift of life.
Knights promote vocations
By: Vincent P. Melvin III
Church Activities Director and
Vocations Chairman
The Knights of Columbus
believe that supporting religious
vocations is one of the most
important things that we can do
as Catholics. Without our priests
there would be no Eucharist. So
far this year, we have adopted
the seminarians and religious
across the state in the amount
of $168,230.00 with 77% of the
councils and assemblies across
the state reporting. Besides
monetary support the Knights
also pray and correspond by letters and cards with the seminarians to make it a personal
touch.
Every council throughout our
state also helps to promote
vocations through the Vocation
Poster Contest. This contest is
open to all children; grades 1-2,
3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and special education. The theme for this year’s
contest
is
“A
Year
for
Vocations.” Rules for the contest
can be obtained from your local
council. The local council winners for each age group/division
must be submitted to their
District Deputy by March 15.
The overall State winner and
each division winner will be
announced
at
the
State
Convention in May.
Page 12 January 17, 2010
The Southwest Kansas Register
‘Agreement reached’ on Larned hospital Quince Años
The following statement was issued by transaction on or before March 1, 2010.
Catholic Health Initiatives on Dec. 23,
regarding St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in
Larned. At press time, the parties involved
refused to offer any additional comment.
More information will be published when
made available.
LARNED – Dec. 23, 2009 – Parties to the
St. Joseph Memorial Hospital mediation are
pleased to announce that they have reached
an agreement as to the terms regarding the
transfer of St. Joseph Memorial Hospital,
with an anticipated closing date of the
We feel this is a healthy outcome for all
parties and most importantly the Larned
and surrounding communities.
Under the terms reached today, St. Joseph
Memorial Hospital would be transferred to
a party designated by the city of Larned and
Pawnee County. The transaction is subject
to the completion of a due diligence assessment process, the parties reaching a definitive
agreement and subject to board, Church,
regulatory and governance approval. Further
information will be released at that time.
(From Page 7)
Sister Angela is the author of “Quince
Años: Celebrating Life.” In it, she highlights 15 reasons for the celebration.
Among them are: “It is an occasion to
catechize the youth and their families….
It is an occasion to share the responsibility and the privilege of building the
Church, the Body of Christ…. It is an
occasion to join the family in thanking
God for the gift of life of the youth in our
community.”
Meet our Priests
Like all fiestas (festivals), the quince años
celebrations for boys and girls are ultimately
an “expression of gratitude to our loving Father, the Owner of Life,” Sister Angela said.
Sister Angela, who serves as Director of
Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Dodge
City, is available to train parish leaders
or teams to prepare young people, their
families, and their faith companions for their
quince años. Contact Sister Angela at (620)
227-1542 or email [email protected].
What I like most about being a priest is
when I’m doing the sacraments, specially
when I’m saying Mass for the people. I feel
like I’m really fulfilling my chosen vocation when I’m in the altar bringing Jesus
to the people.
What has been one of the greatest challenges you face in your ministry?
I would say one of the greatest challenges
I face in my ministry is how to help and
support people spirituality in the midst of
their struggles and problems in day to day
life and let them know that there’s a God
who will never abandon us and will always
be with us.
What has been one of the highlights, so
far, of your priesthood?
When Bishop Ronald Gilmore made me
Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Larned and
St. Bernard, Belpre.
(From Page 1)
What do you like to do in your free
time?
I like to see movies on my free time and
watch TV. I enjoy watching America’s
Funniest Video, news, the Weather Channel
and sports sometimes.
If you could take a vacation anywhere
in the world, were would you go?
Of course home, there’s no place like
home, that’s where I wanna go first for a vacation. But I would take a vacation and visit
“Israel” to see the birth place of Jesus.
What are your hobbies? What books
do you enjoy reading?
I learn playing golf while in Larned,
which I enjoy playing now with my brother
priests. Thanks to Father Tighe for being
so patient giving me golf lessons. I enjoy
playing ping-pong too. Once in a while I
read books about American culture.
Obituaries
Robert Leo “Bob” (Rychlec) Richley,
78, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose,
Great Bend. Survivors include a son, Craig;
a daughter, Vanessa Green; and a grandson,
Nathaniel Green.
Todd Allen Swanson, 41, of Sacred
Heart Parish, Ness City, died Dec. 13, 2009.
Survivors include his wife, Erin Shauers;
his parents, Larry and Gail Swanson, and
Sharon and Calvin McBride; brothers,
Larry Swanson, Rod McBride and Brian
McBride; sister, Sharese Moser; brotherin-law, Chris Shauers; three nieces; seven
nephews; a uncle; and two first cousins.
He was a member of the Hays High Plains
Barber Shop Chorus. After being totally
disabled in a car accident in 2003, Swanson
received compassionate care over the next
six years from medical personnel at several
facilities in Kansas and Nebraska.
Ann Marie Beckman, 77, of Prince of
Peace Parish at St. Patrick, Great Bend,
died Dec. 15, 2009. Survivors include sons,
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Robert and Bill; daughters, Diane Moore,
and Debra Powers; sisters, Marilyn Sydow
and Donna Rae Stone; three grandchildren;
and four great-grandchildren.
Jerome “Jerry” G. Boor, 70, of St.
Boniface Parish, Sharon, died Dec. 16,
2009. Survivors include his mother, Betty
Pulliam; sons, Mark and Brandan; brothers,
Gerald, Dennis, Donald and Robert; sister,
Helen Hawkins; nine grandchildren; and
two great-grandchildren.
Robert J. “Bob” Wondra, 79, of Prince
of Peace Parish at St. Patrick, Great Bend,
died Dec. 19, 2009. He is survived by his
wife, Betty Maneth; sons, Richard, Mike,
and Steve; daughters, Margaret Evers,
Susan Wilson, Debra Allen, and Barbara
Ward; brothers, Arthur, Gerald, and Alois;
sisters, Mary Ann Collins, Margaret White,
Jeanie Hapes, and Rita Legleiter; 22 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Amalio Diaz, 72, of St. Raphael Parish,
(Continued on Page 14)
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