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Knights give seminarians the fourth degree
A year after establishing a Knights of Columbus council at Conception Seminary College, eight seminarians received their 4th degree, the highest level of membership in the Catholic fraternal organization, March 11 in St. Joseph, Mo.
Josh Brown, the first grand knight of Conception’s Council #13750, says this is a milestone for the fledgling group that he hopes will promote “charity and generosity” on Conception’s campus.
“There is a way that a Knight is expected to present himself,” Brown notes. “Hopefully, we will lead by setting an example.”
Brown is one of the new fourth degree Knights, along with fellow seminarians Lorenzo Hatch, Gerald Curren, Craig Sanger, Kenney Newville, Richard Hartzell, John Brotemarkle, Max Biltz, and Justin Hartwell.
Under the leadership of senior Patrick Reilley, the recruiting drive has gone well. Nearly half of Conception’s student body belongs to the Knights, although some of those involved were already affiliated with councils in their home parishes.
Nine seminarians have reached the fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus.
Front row, left to right: Richard Hartzell, John Brotemarkle, Max Biltz, Justin
Hartwell and Larry Pearce, the 4th Degree Master for the state of Missouri..
Back row, left to right: Josh Brown, Lorenzo Hatch, Gerald Curren, Craig
Sanger and Kenney Newville.
While somewhat unusual, college councils are a growing trend, Brown says.
“The Knights are trying to promote their organization on campuses,” he says. “They want to get young guys involved at the college level, so when they graduate they are ready to contribute to their councils out in parishes.”
Brown says the chapter began through the encouragement of Mike Grudzinski, the organization’s district deputy from nearby St. Gregory’s parish in Maryville.
“It just made sense,” Brown says. “The Knights of Columbus do so much to support seminarians. We wanted to show our solidarity with them.”
Normally, Knights of Columbus councils center their philanthropy and service around a parish, but Brown hopes Conception’s council will be able to adapt and help the seminary community.
He says they have already raised $3,000 for a seminary emergency fund, money that can be used by seminarians in an emergency, such as getting home for a loved one’s funeral or tuition assistance. The group participated in the annual Knights Tootsie Roll Drive, and has been assisting the St. Gregory’s council with other service projects.
With much of the organizational work out of the way, including the election of new officers for next year, Brown says the brainstorming has begun on finding more projects for Conception’s campus community.
The new officers are: Gerald Curren, grand knight; Anton Bauer, deputy grand knight; Dustin Collins, chancellor; Cory Stanley, treasurer; Neal Hock, recorder; Darrick Van Maanen, advocate; Andrew Kleiner, warden; Alejandro Cornejo, inside guard; Andrew Hayes, outside guard, and Brian Hess, Phil Pattarozzi and Ben Kneib, trustees.
We welcome your comments:
communications@conception.edu
www.conceptionabbey.org
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