Peace through prayer

Knights of Columbus convention maps out group's future

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

"One of the things I'm sure that's going to be a topic of conversation has to do with gambling situations - bingo, casino fundraising and things like that," Don Logan, chairperson of the Alberta-NWT state convention, told the WCR.

Calgary's Bishop Fred Henry made a strong statement about Catholic organizations' involvement in bingo and gambling last month and Archbishop Thomas Collins of Edmonton also expressed his concerns about the matter.

Some of the ways K of C as an organization raises money they give to charity are through bingo and casino.

The election of the new state deputy and other state officers will also be one of the major highlights of the 93rd Alberta-NWT state convention, which banners the theme Peace through Prayer, in Edmonton, April 25-27.

"The state deputy has a lot of influence to the direction the K of C is going for the next couple of years," said Logan of Edmonton Council 1184.

Equally important to this convention are reports from state deputy Klein and from the various state committees and the discussions on some resolutions the state needs to pass.

"We have a number of resolutions that have been put forward for consideration. These are the main focus for the direction that the K of C will be taking in the next couple of years," said Logan.

Some of the resolutions involve the jurisdiction, while others will be passed on the supreme council.

Attending the convention are 220 delegates representing the different councils in the jurisdiction, plus 33 representatives from the district level.

The state deputy will report a summary of what happened the whole year. Every council generates reports that are pieced together to create the picture of what happened in the jurisdiction.

"We generate money and we donate it to different causes that need help." - Don Logan

Each of the state executives will also make a report. Some of the reports are presented orally in the convention, some of them are printed before the convention itself.

They are expecting about 600 people including other guests at the Saturday night for the state banquet.

Many K of C members bring their wives to the convention.

"What we've really worked hard at this year is the ladies' program for the wives of the delegates. They are a very important part of the Knights of Columbus," Logan said.

"If not for them, we'd probably not be doing what we're doing."

So they have arranged trips to the Muttart Conservatory and West Edmonton Mall for the women.

As a chairperson of the convention, part of Logan's task involves organizing, promotion and getting as many persons as possible involved. He believes this is a rare opportunity to serve the order.

Logan's involvement in the K of C dates back to 1990. He started out in St. Charles Council 8325. He joined that council so that they could start a new council in his home parish, St. John Bosco.

For a council to be created they must have a minimum council membership and a sponsor council.

"A bunch of us from St. John Bosco joined St. Charles to learn how to run a council. Once we had enough members, we formed Council 10986 in St. John Bosco."

He was an acolyte in his home parish since a group of men felt the need for a K of C council to assist the priest.

From his perspective, being a K of C involves willingness to help and do things for the Church and community without expecting anything in return.

"A lot of the time we generate money and we donate it to different causes that need help."

Logan is content with just knowing his efforts help others. "If you have a high need for people patting you on the back, thanking you for what you did, this is not the group for you.

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