Wong to head Alberta K of C

State deputy to lead province's 16,000 knights

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Spruce Grove

"I'm really happy and glad I have the support from the membership," Wong said April 27.

"My main goal is to continue to support and be in solidarity with our bishops and our priests. That's the most important thing that we have to do."

Wong, who replaces St. Albert's Mickey Casavant in the position, was state secretary before being elevated to leader of Alberta's almost 16,000 knights.

The father of three is a member of the Matteo Ricci (Chinese) Council 10119 and works as patient care information systems analyst with the Calgary Health Region. He says his wife Shirley, who accompanied him at the convention, and his children, Teresa, Rebecca and James, support all his endeavours as a knight.

"You have honoured us, Shirley and I, and I can't think of a higher honour than such a vote of confidence," Wong told the 200 convention delegates following his election.

"My main goal is to continue to support and be in solidarity with our bishops and our priests." - Peter Wong

An active and united fraternity with close to 16,000 members can move mountains, Wong told the delegates. "It can create acts of patriotism, generosity and charity."

Wong was one of the founding members of Matteo Ricci Council and served as the council's charter grand knight in 1989 and grand knight from 1990 to 1993. He has also served as trustee and as membership director for the Matteo Ricci council for many years.

Wong has also served in many offices in the fourth degree Father Naphin Assembly and the Calgary K of C Chapter. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Alberta/NWT state technology committee, serving as chairman since 1998.

Wong was the jurisdiction's state secretary, state technology assistant chairman and state scholarship chairman before his election as state deputy for the next year.

"Peter will be an excellent state deputy," commented Casavant, the outgoing leader. "He is a very committed knight. He and his wife and his children are all very dedicated to the mission of the Knights of Columbus."

Serving along with Wong on the state board will be Archbishop Thomas Collins, the honorary state chaplain, Father Henry Rosenbaun, state chaplain, Casavant, immediate past state deputy, Wally Streit, state secretary, William J. Smith, state treasurer, Neil Gannon, state advocate, and Gary Johnson, state warden.

At the convention the Knights also presented several awards. The Family of the year award went to the family of Ed and Loretta Miller of Fairview Council 3131. The Knight of the Year Award went to Jim Myhre of Olds. The Fraternal Council of the Year award went to Brother Anthony Council of St. Albert for the second year in a row.

Edmonton's Nazareno (Filipino) Council was awarded the Council of the Year award. The district deputy of the year award went to Joe Faubert of Calgary and the Grand Knight of the Year award was given to Ludwig Daubner of St. Charles Council.

Aravind Ganesh, a Grade 10 student from Notre Dame High School in Red Deer, received the top speaker award at the convention for delivering a great speech promoting respect for all life.

He had competed against six others students at a provincial competition held previously in Edmonton. Casavant, the outgoing state deputy, presented a plaque, a trophy and a cheque for $500 to Ganesh.

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