By Jon Perez, Catholic Saskatoon News
Marte Nogot of Saskatoon has made history as the first Filipino Catholic man to serve as State Deputy for the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus, officially beginning his two-year term on July 1, 2024.
Nogot takes the reins from Larry Packet of Sacred Heart Parish, Davidson, who concluded his two-year term as State Deputy as exemplification celebrations June 30 were hosted by Weyburn Council 1731 and Saskatoon’s Denis Mahoney Council 8215, welcoming a number of new members to the Catholic men’s fraternal organization.
Marte Nogot (second from left) was named State Deputy of the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus at the 102nd Convention held this spring in Regina, officially taking up the role on July 1. (Submitted photo)
Incoming State Deputy Marte Clemente Marquez Nogot says he is committed to continue the Knights of Columbus mission to lead Catholic men closer to God and to do so with passion and dedication.
Elected at the 102nd State Convention in Regina, Nogot’s dedication and leadership is a source of pride and celebration for the Catholic Filipino community of Saskatchewan and for his home council of San Lorenzo Ruiz Council #11429 based at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Saskatoon.
Nogot was born in Mindoro province of the Philippines. His formative years in the Catholic faith were shaped by his grandfather, a devout Catholic who instilled in him a deep faith, setting an example of going to Mass every Sunday.
He received his education at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, a school run by the Divine Word Missionaries (Societas Verbi Divini, SVD) and the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (Missionalis Servarum Spiritus Sancti, SSP).
Nogot became an altar server and aspired to become a priest, but God planned another vocation for him as he met his future wife, Lorelie, and they married in 1990. Both are passionate about helping people in need.
Nogot, a tradesman who worked as a maintenance technician and welder fabricator, arrived in Saskatoon in November 2008. His wife, a registered nurse in the Philippines, followed in 2012 and now works in a seniors’ care facility.
Nogot joined the Knights of Columbus in 2015 and has been an active leader and member of the Filipino community and the City of Saskatoon since arriving in Canada more than 10 years ago. He initiated numerous fundraisers with the support of his council, San Lorenzo Ruiz #11429 and his friends and colleagues. He was also honoured as the 2017-2018 Grand Knight of the Year and was later elected to the State Board.
Members of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Council, Saskatoon, where Marte Nogot (second from right) served as Grand Knight. (Submitted photo)
On the Knights of Columbus Saskatchewan State Board, Nogot served as District Deputy, State Membership Director, and Saskatchewan’s State Cultural Diversity Chairman for five years.
Marte Nogot is now serving a two-year term as State Deputy for the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus. (Submitted photo)
The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council recognized him as one of the top 10 recruiters nationally for the 2019-2020 fraternal year, and his contributions helped the Saskatchewan State win the Circle of Honour and the Canada Cup.
In April 2023, Nogot was also recognized as one of the Top 16 alumni in the community development field by Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy’s Alumni Association during its 75th founding anniversary celebration. In July 2023, Bayanihan Community Services Canada Inc. awarded him for his commitment to community service and charitable work.
He and his wife Lorelie have two sons. The eldest, Jaan, is a senior paleontologist who lives with his wife Cecil and their daughter in the Philippines. Their youngest son, Jose, holds a public administration degree and is married to Kezia. They are expecting a daughter.
Nogot says that he adheres to the passage from Proverbs 3:5- 6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
In a recent interview, he said the passage reminded him that if one follows God’s calling, despite challenges and other obstacles, one can trust that God’s guidance and grace will always sustain one. “The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Embrace challenges not as burdens to bear but as opportunities to strengthen your resilience and fortify your spirit,” said Nogot.
Other members of the K of C State Board beginning new terms:
Other new K of C State officers elected this year include State Secretary Greg Dozorec, State Treasurer Agnel George, State Advocate Dale Meier, and State Warden Thomas Schwab. Knights of Columbus State Chaplain is Fr. Edward Gibney and State Associate Chaplains are Fr. Bernabe Milan Sajonas and Fr. Warren Dungen.
Related items on the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbs kofcsask.com website:
- Outgoing State Deputy Larry Packet – Final Message and Thank You – LINK
- New State Deputy Marte Nogot – Acceptance Speech – LINK
Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Past State Deputy Larry Packet and his wife Judi at a recent appreciation event. (Photo from the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus website: kofcsask.com)
From left to right: Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino, associate pastor at Cathedral of the Holy Family; Marte Nogot, new Knights of Columbus State Deputy; Fr. Arnold Bolima, associate pastor at Saint Anne Parish, Saskatoon; Msgr. Don Vito Pavilando, pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Asquith, and associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Saskatoon; and Fr. Stefano Penna, rector of St. Paul Co-Cathedral in Saskatoon. (Submitted photo)
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Jon Perez is a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.