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Colorado Knights of Columbus will see changing of the guard next month
By John Gleason
In 2011 the Knights of Columbus will see two conventions in Colorado. In August, the Knights prepare to show off the Centennial State as they play host to the annual Supreme Convention, which will be held in Denver. But next month, Knights representing the 138 councils in the three dioceses in Colorado will gather in Colorado Springs for the annual State Convention.
The State Convention allows Knights to come together in fellowship, renew friendships and take stock of what the organization has accomplished in the past year. Events include a chaplain workshop, clergy appreciation dinner and, of course, taking care of organization business, according to outgoing State Deputy Foster Sauter.
“We have housekeeping items to take care of, “he said. “That includes installation of new officers, review of district reports on what their respective councils are doing and recognition of councils which have excelled in the areas of community, council, family, youth and pro-life. It’s a full schedule.”
A member of Council 12426 in Wiggins, Sauter called the last year a banner one, crediting the help he received from Knights from across the state for the year’s success.
“This job has allowed me to meet with men from all over, in some cases places I never would have had the chance to go to,” he said. “Part of me is sorry it’s over.”
Sauter points with pride to the ultrasound project as one of the successes in the past year. In January, an ultrasound machine was donated by the Knights of Columbus to the Alternatives Pregnancy Center in Aurora. The machine, the first of three the Knights will be giving to clinics in Colorado, gives doctors and parents a look at the child in the womb. The $54,750 cost of each machine was split between the Colorado councils and the Supreme Council.
“Our plan is to have two more in place by the end of the summer,” he said. “This has been a great project.”
Roger Muller is a member of Father Bud Raney Council 2160 and has been a Knight for 22 years. He currently serves as state secretary for the Knights. Next month, he will likely be elected state deputy. If so, items he would focus on would be to rejuvenate councils and reactivate members who have become idle, and to encourage the organization to better promote itself.
“We have 138 councils in the state and membership continues to increase,” he said, “but we want to make sure everyone remains involved in their councils at the parish level. I want to make sure that people are aware of the Knights and what they do as an organization; we can always market ourselves better and let people know that we’re a faith-based organization that is hard at work in the parish and state levels.”
Neither Sauter nor Muller ever thought when they joined the Knights that they would end up serving as state deputy, but both say their membership is enriching.
Sauter said one of the most engaging qualities about the organization is its emphasis on the Catholic faith.
“Hey, we’re all on the road trying to get into heaven,” he said, “and to do that we simply have to help each other.”
Muller said that promoting vocations in the parish and working with Special Olympics are two of the most gratifying experiences he has enjoyed as a Knight. For him, Knights membership is a tradition in his family.
“My dad was a Knight and so is my son,” he said. “This organization has a place for everyone.”
The Knights of Columbus State Convention will be held April 28-May 1 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs. Details, including registration information, are available online at www.coloradokofc.org or call 303-933-8479.
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