Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

Squires focus on charity, unity, fraternity

Grande Prairie Catholic youth do everything from cleaning ditches to going on camping trips

GRANDE PRAIRIE - A group of young Catholic boys aged 10 to 18 are working hand in hand with the Knights of Columbus council here to promote the values of charity, unity and fraternity.

They are members of the city's first Columbian Squires circle, which was set up just over a year ago.

The circle invested its first 15 charter members April 24, 2009 and was named after the late Father Claude Lemieux, a local priest who encouraged young people to reach their goals in personal maturity and participation in the community.

Since its formation, the Father Claude Lemieux Columbian Squires Circle 5392 has been involved in a number of activities, from participating in the Santa Claus parade with the Knights and cleaning up after the monthly pancake breakfast at the church, to volunteering for Catholic Family Services and cleaning ditches in the city.

PHOTO SUPPLIED Columbian Squires and brother Knights in the Grande Prairie Santa Clause Parade

"And we've had a few gym nights where we've gone into one of the school gyms and played dodgeball and floor hockey and just had fun," said Rick Davis, youth activity director and chief Squires counsellor for the K of C Council 5341.

Davies, who has three of his five children in the Squires circle, provides leadership and guidance to the Grande Prairie Columbian Squires along with three other counsellors.

As well, a handful of knights attend the circle's monthly meetings and functions "just to help out."

"We assisted Catholic Family Services with their Spring Fling fundraiser in April," noted Davis, 36. "Our guys hauled all of the auction items to the venue and then five of our guys greeted guests and assisted them with their purchases at the end of the night."

On May 8, in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus, the Father Lemieux Squires Circle participated in a ditch cleanup for the city.

On the weekend of June 11 to 13, circle members will go on a camping trip "and we are letting them plan the weekend and the activities."

As part of a recruitment strategy, the squires will be allowed to invite a friend to the camping trip who is eligible to be a squire.

FUN-FILLED INTRODUCTION

Davis said new members of the Knights who have kids are also being asked to bring their boys to the camping trip "so that they can see what the Squires are all about and then we'll try and get them to join in September."

The next investiture for Father Claude Lemieux Squires circle is Sept. 18. Davis hopes the circle will double in size by that time.

Davis described the Columbian Squires as "the official youth group of the Knights of Columbus."

"I guess you can think of a squire as a Knight in training (as well)," he said. "I guess our end goal is to get these guys to join the Knights."

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