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Knights to host Supreme Convention in Denver
By John Gleason
The Knights of Columbus in Colorado are preparing to roll out the red carpet when they host the 2011 Supreme Convention Aug. 2-4 in Denver.
Last year’s Supreme Convention was held in Washington. The Convention draws Knights and clergy, including bishops and cardinals, from across the world.
Local organizers said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson will preside over the meetings.
Founded in 1882, the Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization with more than 1.8 million members.
Roger Muller, secretary for the Colorado Council, is chairman of the Supreme Convention committee. He said local organizers are putting in overtime to make sure everything is ready when the doors to the convention open this summer.
“The last time Colorado Knights played host to the event was in 1984,” he said. “Colorado Knights are responsible for entertainment, hospitality and transportation during the convention; we want to showcase the state. This is not just an event put on by the Denver area. We have help from councils from all over Colorado and adjoining states.”
Price Hatcher, co-chair of the Supreme Convention committee, said that Colorado Knights and their families will host, among others, tours of the Air Force Academy, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Stations of the Cross in San Luis and the Cabrini Shrine.
“There will be a benefit golf tournament on the Monday before the convention at the Arrowhead Golf Course near Roxborough Park, so there is fun for all,” Hatcher said.
Muller said the convention is expected to draw some 2,500 Knights.
“It’s not unusual for as many as 200 priests to attend,” he said. “Past events have attracted up to 40 bishops and seven cardinals.”
The three-day event will include Mass, socializing, presentations, elections of officers and other house-keeping activities, according to Muller.
“The agenda includes business meetings to consider any changes in by-laws,” he said. “We’ll have an awards ceremony to recognize the jurisdictions and councils that have gone above and beyond in service to their communities and we’ll be acknowledging individual Knights for their work in the community and parish.”
Muller said that narrowing the field when it comes to councils’ accomplishments can be difficult as no one ever seems to sit on their laurels.
“Every state is proud of their membership and what they do, especially in the pro-life movement,” he said. “Colorado is no exception. The most recent Colorado example was the installation of a new Philips HE11XE 3D4D ultrasound machine at the Alternatives Pregnancy Center in Aurora. With the help of the Supreme Council, which matched the money raised locally, we were able to donate the first of what will be three such machines in the state.”
In 2009, the organization donated more than $151 million directly to charity and performed more than 69 million hours of service.
Although already the largest Catholic fraternal organization, Muller said that Knights membership is on the rise while other fraternal organization’s memberships are shrinking.
“It’s one of the few organizations that has seen an increase in membership every year for the past decade,” he said. “Part of that is generational. There are councils where you have three and four generations of the same family who become Knights. There are many reasons why men join: some are passionate about working for vocations, others in the pro-life area. It’s a chance for men to participate in the many ministries of the Church.”
The Supreme Convention will be held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Online registration will begin April 1, but information is now available at www.coloradokofc.org or by calling Muller at 970-371-6366 or Hatcher at 303-475-3963.
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