By Jon Perez

The Saskatchewan State Council of the Knights of Columbus recently held an annual District Deputies organizational meeting to discuss plans to further grow the organization in the province and other goals and priorities for the next two years.

The province’s state and district leaders, program directors and chairmen attended the three-day event, held from July 12 to 14, 2o24, at  St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish in North Battleford, SK. It was the first meeting under the leadership of recently-elected State Deputy Marte Nogot and was hosted by Hamelin Knights of Columbus Council 5878.

“This gathering is not just an event; it’s a milestone in our ongoing journey of growth and achievement. We gather to discuss important matters, share insights and collaborate on shaping the future of our organization,” said Nogot in his opening remarks.

“Let’s develop a culture of invitation. Let’s create a fresh membership acquisition strategy that will allow us to move forward with intention. We will embark on this journey together, fostering collaboration, innovation and positive changes.”

The message of State Chaplain Fr. Ed Gibney of Biggar/Landis, SK, can be summarized in one word: “Trust.” Gibney noted that few men may hear God’s voice calling them to serve the Church, but just the same, they are called — whether through the faithful lives of those around them, or through the example of others’ charitable and self-giving lives.

Supreme Regional Growth Director Ryan DeHaan was the guest representing the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council at the Saskatchewan gathering. DeHaan said the leadership role has always struck him as a way for ordinary people to “step up.”

“We have been asked to step up to a specific bar to be the leaders of the future legacy of the jurisdiction of Saskatchewan, just like I do with all the jurisdictions in Canada. We are asking everyone to lead by example,” said DeHaan. “We, as leaders, need to make sure that we are making a purposeful reason for what we are doing for the betterment of the legacy of Saskatchewan. Not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

DeHaan emphasized that the role of every Knight is to lead men to grow deeper in their Catholic faith, an initiative that the Saskatchewan State Council plans to implement based on Supreme goals, reiterated by DeHaan.

State Membership Director and Past State Deputy Chris Bencharski outlined this fraternal year’s state membership plan, the target quota, the church drive and the importance of recruitment in the Saskatchewan jurisdiction.

Resource persons and Knights of Columbus members — led by State General Program Director John Marshall, Community Director Keith Byers, Faith Director Adrien Piche, Family Director Jeff Krasowski, General Agent Mark Lewans, State Public Relations Chairman Lance Lacroix and others — spoke about the values and the importance of helping the community, parishes and those in need. They noted that having the right vision for the future of the State is a must.

In his new title as Evangelization and Faith Formation Director, Cor Chairman Blake Schneider explained the Knights of Columbus Cor initiative, noting that some councils in the province gradually started to run Cor gatherings in their councils.

According to the kofc.org website, the mission of Cor is “to refocus Catholic men on Jesus Christ and to form and strengthen them in faith and virtue through a brotherhood committed to prayer, formation, and fraternity. The goal of each Cor gathering is to provide the opportunity for men to encounter Christ, to pray together, to be formed in their faith, and to strengthen their bonds of brotherhood, preparing them for courageous leadership and the mission of evangelization.”

The Saskatchewan gathering heard how Cor is a new approach open to any priest, any member of the Knights of Columbus, or any man in the parish and the community—and should be considered as a faith-building opportunity. Cor is Latin for “heart” and is the root word for “courage” — the title is also grounded in the imagery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Young Adult Chairman Matthew Parker described new generations, comparing how the Knights of Columbus performed and recruited in the past with possible new approaches to recruit “young blood” in new generations. He reflected on the differences between nature and where young men focus today.

Mass was celebrated by the three state chaplains and attended by all the delegates and wives. State Deputy Marte Nogot installed State Chaplain Fr. Ed Gibney, State Associate Chaplains Fr. Bernabe Millan Sajonas and Fr. Warren Dungen, and board officers State Secretary Greg Dozorec, State Treasurer Agnel George, State Advocate Dale Meier and State Warden Thomas Schwab. All of the District Deputies were also appointed by the representative from Supreme Council. It was a grand ceremony, with members escorted by representatives of the Saskatchewan District Simon Fraser Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, led by Bencharski.

Past State Deputy Denis Carignan served as MC at the banquet.

In his closing remarks, Nogot observed that being a Knight was challenging as men volunteer service and talents to help the community, parishes, or to assist with any occasion or event a council might organize.

“To be a Knight, one must act with nobility, courage and generosity of spirit. The Knight does not seek fame but the honour of serving others. Chivalry is not a cloak a man puts on and off at will. It is a part of him, like the heart of a true Knight. Today, we are in a new generation. We have no blade forged in iron,” said Nogot.

“Today, for some, knighthood became only a title. However, knighthood is not a title, but a state of mind. Our worth must not be measured by the number of successes but by the strength of our will to be honest in serving people, our communities and parishes, to be honest in defending our faith.”

He added that a Knight must have a heart animated by the shining light of chivalry.

“Courage may define us, but compassion shapes us all. A true Knight must be rich in kindness, and his wealth must be measured in deeds, not coins. We are still on the battlefield of life,” he said. “Be a Knight and stand with honour and integrity. We don’t always need to shine, as most battles today are fought in darkness, and our only greatest glory is never failing but rising higher with each fall.”

 

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Jon Perez is a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.