March 24, 2010

State deputy reflects on the 'Knight-life'

By John Gleason

Foster J. Sauter is a busy man.  In addition to raising three children with his wife Betty, the wheat farmer from Hoyt, Colo., devotes a great deal of his time to serving as state deputy for the Knights of Columbus.  And at this time of year, that means getting ready for the annual State Convention, which will be held next month in Colorado Springs.

“There’s a lot going on this year,” he said, about the convention set for April 15-18 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  “We’re planning on a good turnout.”

Elected to a two-year term as state deputy a year ago, to some it might seem that Sauter’s path to this office was preordained.  Born in Denver in 1952, his father and grandfather were both Knights and a brother who became a priest served as the New Mexico state chaplain for the Knights.  During his 40 years in the organization, Sauter has helped start councils in Wiggins, Byers and Wray, and a fourth-degree assembly in Fort Morgan.  He held the state offices of warden, advocate, treasurer and secretary before taking over as state deputy.

“I joined the Knights at the age of 18 with the urging of my father,” he said.  “I joined because it was expected of me.”

He has remained in the organization for four decades because he believes in it. It’s an integral part of who he is.

“It’s simply a way of life,” he said.

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest fraternal organization.  It was founded in 1882 in New Haven, Conn., by Father Michael McGivney as a mutual benefit society. The Knights of Columbus sought out those households where the primary breadwinner had died, and made it their mission to see insurance was provided for the widows and orphans left behind.  Today the organization, which boasts 1.7 million members and more than 15,000 councils worldwide—in Colorado there are 141 councils with 15,682 members—continues to help those who need it.

“Working for insurance for those in need is still the backbone of the Knights,” Sauter said.  “Charity is one of the four principals of our organization, the others being unity, fraternity and patriotism.  Through our charity we fundraise with many events during the year, the one that most people are familiar with is the annual Tootsie Roll sale for the mentally handicapped.”

Besides selling candy, the Knights get involved in service projects, sponsor pro-life dinners, encourage vocations and award scholarships.  In the 2008-2009 academic year, 687 students received more than $1.5 million in scholarships thanks to the efforts of the Knights. Another project the Knight’s support is Special Olympics, which received more than $32,000 from the Colorado councils alone.

“In Colorado, almost $1.5 million was raised for different charities,” Sauter said.  “That comes to just under $100 per member.”

Turning his attention back to the State Convention, Sauter said that the event is an excellent forum for brainstorming.

“The committees meet on financial and resolution issues,” he said.  “But something else that we come away with is ideas.”

Convention members from across the state attend to build camaraderie, discuss projects local councils are working on and problem solve.

“A while back, a council in California worked on a project to get wheelchairs for people who need them,” he said.  “It became a state-wide project.  That’s the Knights of Columbus at work.” (See story above related to local efforts.)
Another event Sauter is excited about is the return of the Colorado Knight’s retreat set for Oct. 29-31 at Sacred Heart Retreat House in Sedalia, Colo. He hopes it will be a success.

“Years ago we used to hold retreats at Sacred Heart Retreat House,” he said.  “Since that time Knights have participated in many retreats but none that were wholly sponsored by us.  We’re hoping that many Knights will want to be part of this event.”

According to their mission statement, the Knights of Columbus strive “to achieve excellence in all programs which assist our diocese, parishes, missions and communities in providing support for Catholic values and teaching.” 
Sauter said the Colorado Knights will play host to the organization’s international convention next year.

“The Colorado Knights will be hosting the Supreme Convention in Denver the first week in August of 2011,” Sauter said. “It will be the 129th annual supreme convention. Roger Muller, our state secretary, is the Supreme Convention chair. This convention will bring the whole order of the Knights of Columbus worldwide to our doorstep.”

Information on the Knights of Columbus or on the Ladies Auxiliary can be found by checking with your parish or by calling 303-657-2910 or visiting online at www.coloradokofc.org.

State Convention:

When: April 15-18
Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2886 S. Circle Drive, Colorado Springs
Information: e-mail paul patricca@comcast.net or call 303-933-8479