Kentucky's Knights of Columbus Gather in Bowling Green Kentucky

Knights of Columbus members representing Kentucky's 64 councils from across the state gathered in Bowling Green on 17, 18 & 19 May celebrating the 99th year of the Order's presence in Kentucky. On Saturday, the Knights were greeted and addressed by Bowling Green mayor Sandy Jones. The Keynote speaker, Kentucky speaker of the House Jody Richards (House District 20), addressed the Knights detailing the current state of affairs and ongoing legislative actions within the commonwealth and was followed by the Order's New Haven, Connecticut Supreme Secretary, Mr. Charles Foos, who entertained and inspired convention goers with information and details concerning the order and its future.

Other Convention highlights included activities for the ladies, a Saturday evening Mass and formal banquet. Grand Knight Lowell Hatfield from Bowling Green welcomed the banquet attendees followed by the evening key note speaker, Supreme Secretary Charles Foos, who addressed recruiting and retention within the Order. State Deputy Gene Roberts then presented the Kentucky Knight of the year award to Larry Moore from Elizabethtown, the Family of the Year award to the Brian Holland Family from Calvert City, and several other special state deputy awards for outstanding service. The annual Respect Life Award went to Theodore Amshoff, Jr., from Louisville.

Elections capped off the convention on Sunday morning. Kentucky's new State officer slate includes: State Deputy elect Gary Berkemeier, State Secretary Elect Gerald Roof, State Treasurer Elect Dannie Harris, State Advocate Elect Steve Teasley and State Warden Elect Billy Hancock. Dennis Longwell will be assuming the duties of Executive Secretary to the State Deputy. These men will lead Kentucky's 9000 plus members of the Knights of Columbus for fraternal year 2003 beginning 1 July 2002.

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic Service organization, with more than 1.6 million members in nearly 12,000 local councils. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community, families and young people. In 2000, the last year for which figures are available, the Knights of Columbus at all levels of the organization raised and distributed a record $110 million to charitable causes and volunteered 56 million hours of service.