News & Events in Oregon
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Astoria Knights get national honor
August 25, 2010
The Knights of Columbus from Astoria Council 1307 won the International Youth Activity award this month for aid and outreach to youth.
The recognition came during the national convention of the Knights of Columbus,
an event attended by 2,000 Knights from nine countries.
The Astoria Knights got the kudos for raising the floor of a parish auditorium
by three feet, bringing it to street level so disabled students at the parish
school and others could access the space easily. The auditorium is used every
day by the students while also serving as the primary activity center for the
parish.
It's a spot for breakfasts, luncheons, socials, dinners, receptions and Bingo.
It's now on level not only with the street, but with the adjoining kitchen,
cafeteria and rest rooms.
Over a four week period a year ago, the Knights took on the massive project to
help people and to save the parish some money. More than 50 members spent a
total of 900 man-hours on the job. It involved installing concrete base walls,
floor joists, sub floors and floor tiles.
The cost of the materials was provided via the estate of a council member
— the late Bill Leahy. A lifelong member of the Knights, Leahy's father
and uncle were charter members of the council in 1908.
Former students of the school also donated to the project. By performing the
work themselves, the Knights saved about $30,000 in labor costs.
The Astoria Knights count almost 170 members, making it one of the larger
councils in Oregon. The council began in 1908.
It averages more than a dozen projects and activities each month, most of them
without fanfare. The council also raises $1,000 to $2,000 each month and
donates to 10 or more different causes each year — Star of the Sea School, St.
Vincent de Paul, Special Olympics, the local pregnancy resource center, Boy
Scouts, typhoon victims in the Phillipines and hurricane victims in Mexico are
a sample.
Read more about the project and award on the council website: http://www.astoriakofc.org/untitled5.html
2010 State Convention Highlights
The 2010 State Convention was held in Gresham the weekend of April 30th - May 2nd. The function was a great success. Here are some highlights from the proceedings. Check out the "press releases" page for more convention information. Look for complete coverage in the June-July Columbian newsletter, now available here.
4th Degree Honor Guard presents the colors during the opening ceremony
State Chaplain Father Terry O'Connel addresses the delegates and State Deputy Wayne Clemmer presides over the convention.
The "notorious" Portland Mafia makes a formal appearance at the convention. They are (L to R) District Deputies Tom Smith, Sid Thiel, Jim Petrie, Tom Morgan, Verne Whaley, and Jesse Villareal. They cheerfuly (?) donated to the Pennies for Heaven fund - with pennies!
Bishop Connely and Archbishop Vlazny attended the convention, and were warmly received.
Delegates listen to Supreme Director Fred Abrahams as he addresses the convention.
The Annual Memorial Mass was held on Saturday evening; State Deputy Wayne Clemmer greets Archbishop Valzny after the Mass.
Sir Knight Jeremy Young receives the colors at the opening of the formal banquet on Saturday night.
Memorial Mass for Marine Cpl. Matthew Lembke
A Memorial Mass was held at Resurrection Parish in Tualatin, OR on November 8th, 2009 by the Knights of Columbus. Grand Knight Laurens Johansen of Tualatin council 13851 and Past Grand Knights Steven Call and Roger Helbling presented a chalice to Claudia and Dale Lembke in honor of their son, Marine Cpl. Matthew Lembke. Cpl. Lembke died on July 10th from wounds sustained in Afghanistan in June, during his third tour of duty. Dale Lembke is a charter member of Tualatin Council 13851. Matthew was posthumously merited as a 3rd degree Knight of Tualatin council and a 4th Degree Sir Knight of the Most Rev. Wm. H. Gross Assembly 2251 in Milwaukie.
