Volume 94 ō Winter Issue 2010-11 ō www.kofpc.org

The Knights of , Inc.

inside this issue

New Supreme Knight ō New Executive Director ō District News ō Junior Division 2 ClaveriteThe

A Catholic fraternal magazine published by: The National Council Knights of Peter Claver and National Court Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary Approbation The Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond Archbishop of F. DeKarlos Blackmon, Supreme Knight Geralyn C. Shelvin, Supreme Lady Michael J. Taylor, Executive Director Debra Frazier, Assistant Athanase Jones, Publisher Liaison Ann Jacob, Editor KPC Public Relations Group, contributing

The Knights Of Peter Claver Founded in Mobile, Alabama, in 1909 Headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana

All items intended for publication in The Claverite must be submitted by: April 10 for summer issue and September 10 for winter issue. 20 Please send your news items to [email protected], and include a photo. When taking photographs for the magazine, please make sure your camera is set on the highest resolution setting possible. Photographs should be 300 dpi or higher at full size for them to print well. Please provide stories in a Word document and photos as jpg files. Please do not submit any handwritten material or PDF files. “TRUST IN GOD” is our password “ONWARD” is our war cry 3 in this issue Junior Division District news Message from Bishop Perry Message Message the from Supreme Knight Message the from Supreme Lady Meet our new Executive Director 4 8 7 6 28 cover story 10 16 24 13 23 2010 Convention highlights 4 Knights of Peter Claver

Message from the Supreme Knight

F. DeKarlos Blackmon, Obl.S.B., Supreme Knight and Chief Executive Officer

o each of you belonging to the family or promise of the gospel, but also incorporates one into Christ and of Claverism; to you, the People of at the same time into the eschatological community of hospitality.” God; I express my sincere apprecia- He goes on to say that “Baptism into Christ and into his Church implies a bond of unity with all others who likewise have been tion for your prayers, encourage- T baptized into Christ; and his Church,” and “We can only deny this ment, enthusiasm and thoughtfulness. Gracious objective bond of fellowship (koinania) if we radically limit the Lady Kanobia A. Russell-Blackmon and I are implications of baptism to the local Church” (70). indeed humbled by your Christian witness. Baptism into the Church is not just a singular experience be- tween the individual and Christ; nor is it an experience between The Gospel illustrates a challenge and question for Peter that are the individual and a particular culture. Cardinal Walter Kasper relevant in our own daily lives. Jesus asks Peter whether Peter shores up this notion by saying that “... baptism is more than loves him (John 21:17). We, too, are asked the same question daily by inclusion in a local congregation and also more than inclusion in a the Lord: “Do you love me?” The question for Peter is not so much particular confession. Baptism incorporates us in the one and only

t about faith as it is about dedication and fidelity; about commit- body indivisible of Christ” (530). The Christian cannot deny this h ment for each of us. If we truly love the Lord, we must take care bond of fellowship, for through the sacraments of initiation we are

ig of one another – we must love one another. Illustrated throughout all one in Christ without regard to where we are from. n the Gospel by his words and deeds is Christ’s command to “love When meeting with the African-American community of the k one another” (John 13:34). Archdiocese of New Orleans in September 1987, John Paul In order to become a member of the Knights of Peter Claver II called on African-American Catholics to share the giftedness of me and Ladies Auxiliary, one must first be baptized and have received their blackness. He charged, “I urge you to keep alive and active the Holy Eucharist. These sacraments are catalysts of unity. It is your rich cultural gifts. Always profess proudly before the whole pre through our participation in Christian life, through this union of Church and the whole world your love for God’s Word; it is a u

s sacramental life, that we are united to Christ. My dear friends, let special blessing which you must forever treasure as a part of your heritage” (Address 3). In an effort to show that this charge was in no e us be as Christ expects us to be for one another. Let us illustrate

h and express more evidently the familial bond we share in faith and way limited to the African-American community, the pope con- t Claverism. There can be no true Claverism without love. tinued by stating, “It is important to realize that there is no black

m As Catholics, even while we exist in a society in which secu- Church, no white Church, no American Church; but there is and ro

f larism competes with our holiness, we all sit around the eucha- must be in the one Church of Jesus Christ a home for blacks, whites, Americans, every culture and race” (7). The pope was

e ristic table without regard to distinction – nationality, ethnicity,

g age or gender. We are social people. After all, as illustrated by conveying that the Church, the revealed truth, is present in every our Lord’s words and deeds in the Gospel and the Early Church’s human environment.

ssa reflection on the mission, our faith in Jesus Christ is not as much As the largest predominantly African-American association of e about us as individuals as it is about us as a loving family. Christ the laity, the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary must m remains truly present in our world today through the Church. stand as a living testimony of the grace of God in the lives of the We are the Church. Church in America. Together, we, as members of the Church, The Catechism of the emphasizes that we cannot must ensure that the salvific message of the Gospel is a visible sign belong to Christ without being a part of the whole Body of Christ. in the lives of each of us, which becomes a discernible source of Being born again to new life in Christ brings forward a whole compassion, charity, hospitality and hope. While there are many community and family of faith. According to the catechism, influences that shape our lives, we must allow the message of “… faith is not an isolated act … Each believer is thus a link in salvation to help us reorient society to God. the great chain of believers” (166). Hans Boersma, in the Journal for Having heard from Grand Knights and Grand Ladies through- Christian Theological Research, explains well the call to hospitality out the country, I recognize there are significant issues that we in his interpretation of the catechism. As the prime sacrament of must face regarding fulfilling the noble objectives of the Order. initiation, he writes, “Baptism not only signifies the universal call I am aware of the plight of Catholic education, particularly in 5 message from the supreme knight a.

Ecumenical Review New Orleans ...... Cullman, Ala...... Hanceville, Ala. #BQUJTNw ...... Huntsville, Ala...... Huntsville, Ala. PO4IBSJOHJO(SBDFw JUIUIF#MBDL$BUIPMJD ...... ...... Huntsville, Ala...... Miss. Jackson, ...... ...... Miss. Jackson, ...... Atlanta ...... Huntsville, Ala...... Huntsville, Ala. isi Church ...... Ala. isi Church Bessemer, ...... Birmingham, Ala. 8 (2003): 67-77...... Irondale, Ala...... New Orleans . Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1994. City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, . Vatican Center ...... Huntsville, Ala. Center ...... Baltimore seph Church ...... Huntsville, Ala. seph Church Blessed Sacrament ...... AtlantaBlessed Sacrament N Studios C National Office ...... New Orleans C National Office Peter the Apostle Church ...... Chastang, Ala. the Apostle Church Peter ry Star of the Sea Church ...... Isla de San Andres, ope John Paul II Catholic High School ...... Huntsville, IIope John Paul Catholic High School Ala. t. Bernard Abbey ...... Cullman,t. Bernard Abbey Ala. Our Lady Queen of the Universe Church II John Paul Pope School Catholic High .. Residence Hamm-Hall www.kofpc.org www.kofpc.org

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...... Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament ...... Prince of Peace Church ...... Mobile,...... Church of Peace Ala. Prince ts ...... St. Joseph Church ...... Huntsville,...... Ala. Church St. Joseph ...... St. Paul Cathedral ...... Birmingham,...... Ala. Cathedral St. Paul ...... New KPC Orleans National Office As we move forward in faith, let us put aside personal agendas, in faith, let us put forward move As we 52.4 (2000): 526-541. +PIO1BVM**i"EESFTTPG)JT)PMJOFTT+PIO1BVM**w.FFUJOHX 12 Sept. 1987. New Orleans. Louisiana Superdome, Community of New Orleans, ,BTQFS 8BMUFSi&DDMFTJPMPHJDBMBOE&DVNFOJDBM*NQMJDBUJPOTPG Journal for Christian Research Theological Catechism of the Catholic Church #PFSTNB )BOTi-JUVSHJDBM)PTQJUBMJUZ5IFPMPHJDBM3FnFDUJPOT t t t References t organizations such as the National Black Catholic Clergy Cau- Clergy Catholic Black as the National such organizations the National and Conference Black Sisters’ cus, the National Conference. Vocations Religious and the community serve to in order and judgments prejudices the serve as we us that Let us keep before faithful testimony. give be supported our faith must and the world, Church needs of the whole being be a manifestation of theby visible signs. Let our As faith, hope and love. so well: know we theological virtues that be transformed by the graceeucharistic to people, let us be willing the Holy Spirit. Order, As members of our Noble of God through of the faithful who an order are us that we must keep before we intrinsicallyare Catholic. School ...... School ...... Madison, St. John the Baptist Church Ala...... St. Raymond and St. Leo Church ...... New...... Orleans St. Raymond and St. Leo Church ...... Huntsville, Holy Spirit Church Al ...... Council and Cour Winter Issue 2010-11 Winter | ...... BCCC) BCCC) II Catholic High ...... KPC National Office ...... St. Bernard Abbey The Claverite The Claverite ...... Christ the King Church ...... Church Christ the King olemn Dedication of Pope John Paul John Paul olemn Dedication of Pope Bishop Robert Baker and Bishop David Foley ...... St. Joseph Church ...... St.Bishop Robert Baker and Bishop David Foley Joseph Church of the Society of the Divine Savior ...... St. Joseph Church ...... St.of the Society of the Divine Savior Joseph Church Lyke House and college students ...... Atlanta House and college students University Center Lyke Scholarship Gala, New Orleans Coordinating ...... National Religious Vocations Conference Symposium ...... Catholic...... Union Theological ...... National Conference Symposium Religious Vocations One of the major priorities I have set is that of vocations to to set is that of vocations One of the major priorities I have ...... Nov. 12, 2010 ...... Meeting of the board, National Black Catholic Congress ...... Meeting 12, 2010 of the board, Catholic Congress National Black Nov...... Von...... Gala, II John Paul 13, 2010 Braun Pope Catholic High School Nov...... Day Celebration, Council #2 ...... Founder’s 14, 2010 St. Nov. 19-20, 2010...... VisitNov. to Council and Court #382...... Ma ...... Oct. 15, 2010 ...... Dinner with St. Francis of Assisi Court #286 ...... St...... Dinner of Assisi Court with St. Francis #286 Jo Oct. 15, 2010 ...... Mass Oct. 17, 2010 ...... Mass Oct. 23, 2010 ...... Aug. 13, 2010 ...... Meetings with attorney and bank officials ...... KP...... Meetings with attorney and bankAug. 13, 2010 officials ...... Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Aug. 20, 2010 ...... Expansion reception Aug. 21, 2010 Supreme Knight’s Activities Knight’s Supreme ...... Staffinterviews 2010 11-12, Aug. minority communities. The merging of parishes of has and schools minorityThe merging communities. the country. throughout among people relations caused tense remem- not fail to let us indeed unfortunate, issues are While these Christ. with in thanksgiv- Let us praise God ber our relationship as the tasks of those as overwhelming not tasks are ing that our use district/ to endeavor must We much less fortunate. who are to as opportunities and conventions conferences zone meetings, of the Order. for the good collaborate and cooperate communicate, learn and meaningful opportunities to Let these meetings become the name of the Lord. in in our work grow us has a responsibility life. Each of the priesthood and religious an intense people have Because our young vocations. foster to to vocations and cultivate must advance for Christ, we love Joseph with Bishop In my conversations Church. Christ’s serve Chaplain, Bishop Martin Hol- National our well-regarded Perry, superiors, and religious I have other bishops ley and various openly the utmost priority of the Knights of quite indicated unceasingly on behalf work and Ladies Auxiliary to Claver Peter up with various teaming I anticipate vocations. of promoting Oct. 29-30, 2010 ...... MeetingOct. 29-30, 2010 of the Executive Committee ...... Oct. 30, 2010 ...... St. Joseph Church ...... Final Use to Profane of the Church Mass before Relegation Oct. 31, 2010 ...... Solemnity...... 1, 2010 of All Saints Nov. Nov. 6, 2010 ...... Solemn 6, 2010 with Dedication of St. Joseph Church Nov. Oct. 28, 2010 ...... S Oct. 28, 2010 Sept. 5, 2010 ...... St. Peter Claver Celebration ...... St. Claver Celebration Peter Sept. 5, 2010 ...... Meeting Bozeman (N Anthony with Father Sept. 8, 2010 ...... Feast Claver of St. Peter Sept. 9, 2010 ...... Mass for DeKarlos Blackmon of Thanksgiving Sept. 11, 2010 ...... Most...... Most Blessed Sacrament Breakfast Prayer Oct. 2, 2010 ...... Rosary for Life and Vocations Oct. 3, 2010 ...... Saint...... Meeting, Catholic Churches of Ass Consortium of Black Francis of Pastors Oct. 6, 2010 Edward Branch, Father ...... Mass Gregory, Wilton with Archbishop Oct. 10, 2010 Aug. 22, 2010 ...... Mass of Thanksgiving for Donna Williams, Gulf Coast Conf. Pres...... Holy...... Church Ghost ...... Mass Gulf Coast Conf. Pres. for Donna Williams, of Thanksgiving Aug. 22, 2010 ...... Dinner with Bishop RobertAug. 25, 2010 Baker and Bishop Joseph Perry...... Birmingham ...... EWT...... EWTN Pacwa Mitch Aug. 25, 2010 with Father Live ...... Feast...... of the Exultation of the Holy Cross Sept. 14, 2010 P 2010 Sept. 16-18, Nov. 5, 2010 ...... Solemn with the Superior General 5, 2010 Vespers Nov. Sept. 27, 2010 ...... St. Bernard Abbey Benefactors Day ...... S...... St. Day Bernard Abbey Benefactors Sept. 27, 2010 ...... Dinner in honor of the Supreme Lady Oct. 1, 2010 6 Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Message from the Supreme Lady

Geralyn C. Shelvin, Supreme Lady

reetings Fellow Clavers: participation as presenters, and offer special thanks to our National Secretary, Lady DeLise M. Coleman, for her As we approach the beginning of creativity and insight that led to a fun-filled delivery of pertinent information. Our National Lay Board Member, y yet another New Year, let us recall d G Lady Hilda Wiltz, gave new meaning to the position of

a how we prepared ourselves during Advent to

l “roaming reporter” during the workshop presentations. receive God’s greatest gift of love, Jesus Christ. In the last few months, we have hired a new Executive Director, Brother Michael Taylor, and we look forward to me It is my hope that the reception of that gift of love in working with him and the newly elected National Officers e

r each of us will transform our membership so that we truly of the National Council and National Court Board of p become Jesus Christ to each other. May we realize that Directors. u

s loving each other, empowering each other, respecting each We welcome the inclusion of the Knights of Peter Claver

e other, forgiving each other and challenging each other are Ladies Auxiliary in planning and coordinating the future of h

t all manifestations of His love for each of us. our organization. We commend our Most Worthy Supreme I express my personal thanks and gratitude to the Knight, F. DeKarlos Blackmon; under his leadership, the m members of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary National Council Board of Directors has been inclusive and o r

f for the confidence you displayed by re-electing me for my reminded us that we truly are one family.

e final term as Supreme Lady. With your continued prayers,

g support and love, our Noble Order will continue to With a servant’s heart, experience success in all that we endeavor in order to be of

ssa service to those most in need. I again thank the 10th Supreme Lady, Leodia Gooch, me and Sir Knight Theodore Wilson for their enthusiastic coordination and cooperation, which made the 2010 Geralyn C. Shelvin National Convention in St. Louis a most memorable event. Supreme Lady This year, the Ladies Division utilized electronic voting, a long-time vision of mine that has finally come to fruition. I extend thanks to the following Ladies who assisted with bringing my vision to delightful clarity: Mary Robinson, Grand Lady Court #5, Renita Lloyd Smith, Grand Lady Court #162, Barbara M. Murray, Past State Deputy of Texas, and Micaela Leblanc, Immediate Past Western States District Deputy. The delegates and members in attendance at the In All Ways 2010 National Convention also are to be commended for Acknowledge embracing positive change as we continue to move our organization forward. Him and He Shall It was exciting to see committees utilizing electronic media for their presentations to the assembly, with plans Direct Your Path. to outdo themselves at the next convention. The Ladies ,, Workshop was presented in a creative and interactive venue. I again thank the Ladies’ board members for their ‘‘ 7 feature story Past Central States District Deputy Central States Past Garry Bostick 2008-2010 District Northern Deputy States Past Crawford Howard 2004-2010 National Secretary Past Kelley Terry James 2006-2010 National Advocate Past Omar K. Mason 2008-2010 District Deputy States Western Past Micaela Leblanc 2004-2010 Deputy State Texas Past Nan Arceneaux 2004-2010 www.kofpc.org www.kofpc.org

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by Lady Gail Barnesby Lady Gail KPC PR Team Johnson, When Taylor was Taylor When six years, BrotherIn his position as a National Officer for expressed his personal guarantee On a final note, Brother Taylor – approached aboutapproached applying for the position of Executive of the Director at the end 2008 National Convention, it seemed like however, him to begin focusing on applying for the “right time” for time, not that things happen in God’s the position. “I believe ours,” he said. bid was in reference to his unsuccessful This In retrospect, Taylor that year. for election as Supreme Knight the Order as Executive firmly believes that he can do more for Director than as Supreme Knight. feels he gained a broad perspective of how the National Taylor the financial aspect ofOffice operates, and a keen insight into Alabama, he spent in Montgomery, time the organization. The gave him hands-onand New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina office. His businessexperience in the daily operation of the over the 20 years hemanagement skills have been sharpened intends to utilize his Brother Taylor has been a business owner. customer service experience, when and where applicable, in entity. order to make the National Office a member-friendly that the best possible service will be given to the membership. Winter Issue 2010-11 Winter | Eva A. Volter Eva Deputy State Texas Pietre-Williams Sharon District Deputy States Western Outgoing Officers of the Knights of Peter The Noble Order and the Ladies Auxiliary express Claver dedication and for your our appreciation as a National Officer. services rendered Thank you! Knight Supreme Past Gene A. Phillips, Sr. 2006-2010 National Chaplain Past JCL, DD Joseph N. Perry, Most Rev. 2004-2010 District Deputy States Western Past Shaw Anderson F. 2004-2010 The Claverite The Claverite

recently had the opportunity to meet and had the opportunity recently with the newly hired conduct an interview Michael J. Brother Executive Director, & St. Leo Council of St. Raymond Taylor, When asked, “Who#78, in New Orleans.

Executive Director Director Executive Meet Our New New Our Meet Sam Sims District DeputyCentral States Curtis J. Guynn Curtis J. DistrictNorthern Deputy States Gregory Warner District Deputy States Western William T. Everette, Jr. Everette, T. William National Advocate Jamaal Borum Jamaal National Secretary F. DeKarlos Blackmon, Obl.S.B. DeKarlos F. Knight Supreme Newly Elected Officers Knights of Peter of the The Noble Order the Ladies Auxiliary and would Claver 2010 the newly elected welcome like to National Officers.

A number of people in the organization encouraged him A number of people in the organization I to apply for the position of Executive Director because they to apply for the position of Executive Director saw qualities in him that they felt would be valuable in that about first approached seeking the position position. When illness, Taylor during the time of Brother Charles Keyes to relocate from declined because he was not in a position to New Orleans. He had a successful Virginia, Beach, Virginia local community, business and was heavily involved in his both took precedence at the time. of which is Michael Taylor?” he immediately responded with he immediately responded is Michael Taylor?” “I am a 20-year member of thea smile and said, and breathes who eats, Claver, Knights of Peter Claver is in mysleeps KPC ...The Knights of Peter in the roots has family Taylor very being.” Brother originating in the neighborhood New Orleans area, Xavier University. surrounding 8 Message from the National Chaplain

Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, National Chaplain, Knights of Peter Claver

eflections on “What We Have Seen and Heard” – the 1984 Pastoral Letter of the African-American Bishops on Evangelization in the Black Community R – 25 Years Later In 1984, there were 10 African-American bishops and some in the pastoral letter of the black bishops remain with us and, in 300 African-American diocesan and religious priests serving in the some instances, are even more acute. United States. In their pastoral letter of 1984, these African-Ameri- In our urban areas, for example, many of our churches exist as

y can bishops acknowledged that the African-American community islands in neighborhoods of unchurched or hardly affiliated fami- r

r was making its way in the Catholic Church and had a good deal to lies and individuals. The church campuses we have inherited, for

e offer as one among many constituent groups in the broad ethnic the most part, are aged and of a size that matched a much larger P

and racial portrait of the Church in this country. We who were and earlier population of European American Catholics who have

p served, ministered to and evangelized to are now capable of serving, shifted to outlying communities and who seldom, if ever, return

o ministering and evangelizing alongside others in the Church. The to worship in these churches where their families were anointed h African-American bishops wanted members of the black Catholic with the crucial sacraments of initiation and vocation. African- s community to recognize this confidently and see themselves as- American Catholics have expended millions of dollars in their Bi sured in their own blackness and Catholicity, confident to offer their stewardship maintaining these artistic structures. Why can’t these

m time, talent and treasure to the building up of the Church of Christ. same churches, emblems to earlier devout groupings, re-take the

ro The bishops rightly judged that the black Catholic portion of neighborhoods they stand in with an effective evangelization of f the flock had great potential and could grow to be even larger. the unaffiliated? e

g Since then, African immigrants and their clergy have taken what It is with this purpose in mind that we launched an intensive might be judged as a guarded place amongst us with their gifts evangelization for black parishes across the Archdiocese of Chi- sa of Catholicism wedded to their culture – and in certain respects, cago two years ago to re-educate ourselves through a catechesis of

es evidencing a surer footing amidst them. Although their Catholic evangelization and with methods of outreach to our surrounding

m praxis is usually deemed more conservative than what American communities. Some 200 participants have been routinely faithful black converts have received from the catechesis in the era after to the meetings planned in this regard. And a number of parishes the Second Vatican Council, more firm connections with our have revamped their evangelization teams and strategies to brothers and sisters from African nations must yet take place. implement this program. Clearly, in these times, we must be pre- The summons emanating from the 1984 pastoral letter was a occupied with the topic of growth in our churches. The traditional call to sow the gifts of Catholicism more effectively in the black feeds of infant baptism and workable convert numbers are not so community across the country. Father (1854–97) apparent today as they were two generations previous. Definitely, a was the first to voice that the Catholic Church was the chief means more proactive ministry of neighborhood evangelization is called of spiritual and material advancement for peoples of African for in these times. descent. Tolton’s wise insight remains with us still. The Church is In the Archdiocese of Chicago, for example, our parishes tend to more than just one among many varieties of religious experience be among the smallest in the archdiocese and struggle to pay their for blacks. We black Catholics recognize the unique gifts of Ca- bills. This archdiocese is unique in its benefactions to its parishes, tholicism and its benefits to us as individuals and as families. Our especially with major and emergency repairs. At the same time, apostolic-, scriptural- and sacramental-rooted church tradition the economic downturn has affected the coffers of the archdio- offers the fullness of Christian religious experience for anyone, cese and it is poorer than it was a few years ago, thus lessening black or white or brown, who desires to live the Christian lifestyle. its ability to come to the aid of its parishes. Our vicariate six has In this age of syncretistic allegiance and ecumenism; in this era accumulated the largest debt among the parishes of any vicariate of a renaissance with the traditional and expanded in the archdiocese. nondenominational varieties therein; we still proclaim with faith For these reasons I fear that, without shoring up membership in that the Catholic Church represents the fullness of Jesus Christ the parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the future of these same and his intentions for the disciples he left behind. parishes is not guaranteed. Twenty-five years later, not surprisingly, the concerns enunciated The National Black Catholic Congress, headquartered in Balti- The Claverite | Winter Issue 2010-11 | www.kofpc.org 9 more, reports that it is not easy to survey black Catholics and that in general to choose another Christian faith. to obtain even a somewhat reliable portrait of the black Catholic It is important to note that these results are based only on population requires a specially designed over-sample or a very large 252 randomly selected individuals (N=851 when using the Pew survey, which is often financially prohibitive. Two surveys done in weights). There is a need for a sampling design that increases the recent years, however, are worth studying: “The Religious Landscape number of interviews in future studies for this sub-group of the Survey” by Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in 2007 and the Catholic population to ensure that a more reliable portrait is avail- “American Religious Identification Survey” (ARIS) in 2008. able. Also, both the Pew and ARIS studies are based on question- In the Pew survey, some 35,000 adults were interviewed, of naires intended to be used by people of all faiths. Thus, there is which 252 self-identified as black and Catholic, resulting in a mar- limited content that can speak to issues that are specific to Catholi- gin of sampling error for this sub-group of ±6.2 percentage points. cism. At the same time, these sources represent the best available Of all adults in the Pew survey who self-identified their race as black data to study this sub-group of Catholics. in the United States, 8.2 percent also self-identified their religion as Other recent surveys have tracked the fluidity of church al- Catholic (representing 4 percent of all adult Catholics in the United legiance in these times. The study of black Catholics seems to co- States). Extrapolating the results to the total population in 2010, it incide with the findings of those studies, which cite the following can be estimated that about 3.5 million U.S. residents self-identify as specific reasons for this fluidity, or what some might call “hemor- black and Catholic (this estimate includes adults and children). rhaging” among black Catholics: So, who are the adult black Catholics in the United States today? tFirst, Church teachings on marriage permanence and the Following are some statistics from the Pew survey: inability to validly solemnize another marriage acceptable to the Church following divorce, bringing with it the penalty in which t83 percent indicate that they were raised Catholic and 17 percent Eucharist cannot be received by the unlawfully remarried, remains said they converted to Catholicism at some point after being raised one significant cause of disaffection of black Catholics. in another faith. tSecond, traditional black Protestant churches are attractive in t96 percent say their religion is “somewhat” or “very” important in that they are, in most instances, owned and operated by blacks, their life (70 percent indicated “very” important). were invented by blacks and the traditional churches among them m t40 percent describe themselves as “Charismatic” Catholic and 16 are attached to the Civil Rights struggle in this country and there- ess percent as “Pentecostal” Catholic. fore nurture the black American ethos; whereas in the Catholic t42 percent also self-identified their ethnicity as Hispanic com- Church we lack clergy numbers proportionate to even the small ag

pared to only 4 percent of black Protestants (the non-Hispanic population of black Catholics. e fr black Catholic population represents 2.5 percent of the overall tThird, the Catholic Church, like many other churches of adult Catholic population). European matrix, continue to struggle to effectively evangelize and om t36 percent are foreign born (20 percent are non-citizens). minister to black Americans, notwithstanding the ministries of edu- t46 percent are married (including those married and currently cation and charity that have benefited the black community over B

separated) and 82 percent of these Catholics have a Catholic the last century. Even these have not proven effective avenues for the is

spouse. entrance of black converts since the Second Vatican Council. h t65 percent describe their political views as “moderate” (33 Given the aging process of the religious and civic structures in o p

percent) to “conservative” (24 percent) or “very conservative” our cities, lessened resources and lack of investment, the black Perry (8 percent). Catholic community notices a diminishment of the Church in its t39 percent have attended college. midst evidenced by the closure of churches, schools and other pro- t25 percent make $50,000 or more per year. grams that have assisted the black community in the last half-centu- t30 percent are aged 18 to 30 and 10 percent are aged 65 and older. ry. With rarely anything new replacing the closures, the community is exhibiting a definite closure-weariness, if not an anxiety about The survey notes that a significant number of African Ameri- what the Church means and purports to do among a people who cans were raised Catholic and have subsequently left the faith. The are not of a financial means to create new structures themselves. retention rate for black Catholics is lower than for Catholics overall. At the start of this new millennium, some renewed, as well as new, This rate is the percentage of those raised in the faith who are affili- strategies are needed to gain an effective hold with black Catholic ated with that faith as an adult. Overall, for Catholics in the United youth and young adults for the sake of the future. States, the retention rate is 68 percent. However, among African “What We Have Seen and Heard” still rings loud and effective in Americans who were raised Catholic, only 57 percent remain its message for what the black Catholic community can do to pres- Catholics as adults. Thus, 43 percent of raised ent itself ready-and-willing for service in the Catholic Church, and Catholic are estimated to have changed faiths at some point. what leaders in the Catholic Church can do to assist in the evangeli- Where do these former Catholics go? Nearly two-thirds (64 zation of the African-American community. percent) affiliated with another Christian faith. Three in ten (30 For those interested in more information, the United States percent) either identify with “nothing in particular” (28 percent) or Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Subcommittee on say they are “agnostic” (1 percent) or “atheists” (1 percent). This re- African-American Affairs (SCAAA) the National Black Catholic sult is also different from the overall pattern among adult Catholics Congress (NBCC), and Xavier University’s Institute for Black in the United States who are less likely to adopt another Christian Catholic Studies in New Orleans (IBCS) have additional informa- faith if they leave Catholicism and instead are slightly more likely to tion and resources regarding black Catholics in the United States. identify with “nothing in particular.” Thus, African Americans who Please visit www.nbccongress.org for information on any of these have left the Catholic faith are more likely than all former Catholics groups or to learn more about the Pew survey. 10 y or t s

er v o c

Blackmon addressed the post- The Election of Our convention Board of Directors meeting with the Ladies Auxiliary and said that he brought “a vision New Supreme Knight: that moves beyond the ‘go along to get along’ politics that we have experienced in our Order, and F. DeKarlos Blackmon the rhetoric that divides us.” He continued: “These times demand more than making each other feel unning on a platform of unity and progressive change, comfortable with the status quo. Fredron DeKarlos Blackmon, 33, of Huntsville, Alabama, was I won’t be satisfied until every Knight has a place at the table and elected the Supreme Knight and CEO of our Noble Order at is respected for the talents he can the convention this past summer at the Millennium Hotel in St. bring to the table. I won’t be satis- R fied until a concerted effort has Louis. Blackmon became the youngest Supreme Knight in the history of the Knights of Peter Claver, which many priests and bishops see been employed to effectively grow this organization through recruit- as a sign that God is indeed with us. Blackmon has received numerous ment, reclamation and retention.” pledges of support from presidents of Catholic colleges and major supe- A lay ecclesial minister, Black- riors of religious men and women, including, most notably, the Very Rev. mon is the pastoral associate and Edward Chiffriller, SSJ, the superior general of the Society of St. Joseph of director of liturgy and music at St. Joseph Catholic Church, adjacent the Sacred Heart (Josephites), the order that helped found the Knights of to Holy Family School, in Hunts- Peter Claver in 1909. ville. He holds a master’s degree The Claverite | Winter Issue 2010-11 | www.kofpc.org 11 in business administration also reported on the Mass that in addition to the social with a concentration in public of Thanksgiving at Holy component of the organization, management, and is complet- Spirit Church in Huntsville the Knights and Ladies are com- ing work on his thesis toward a on September 11, where mitted to Catholic action and master of arts in pastoral min- members of KPC joined with apostolic works. He stressed istry from St. Mary’s Universityy students from Pope John Paul the development of youth and of Minnesota. He was assignedd II High School to welcome participation in the community. to Huntsville when he served aass and pray for him. He told the viewers that the a sergeant in the Army, and he On August 25, KPC is rooted in the Lord, and served in Korea as a chaplain Blackmon and his wife, that “Christ is its focus.” assistant. In addition to his Gracious Lady Kanobia Finally, Blackmon feels that military service, he has served A. Russell-Blackmon, in addition to helping and as choral director, pianist, joined Bishop Joseph Per- mentoring youth, the organiza- organist or music director for ry on “EWTN Live.” The tion needs a new emphasis on numerous Catholic and Prot- three KPC representatives evangelism in order “to know estant churches throughout sat down with the host of Christ better and to make him the southeastern United States. the television show, Father better known.” Therefore, his Blackmon considered the Mitch Pacwa, SJ, and message going forward will be priesthood, but chose to work explained the origins of the two-fold: “To be growing in in ministries that support the Noble Order and its pur- faith and getting out there to Church. He is an Oblate of St. pose. Blackmon explained help somebody.” Benedict, which means that he has committed to incorporate Benedictine spirituality into his daily life and strives to live the that during my tenure I will try wisdom of Christ as interpreted to be at each meeting on time. by St. Benedict. Benedictine Ab- I’d hate to disturb everyone bot Cletus Meagher, OSB, of the like that.” But he does want St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, to disturb people enough to Alabama, offered his congratu- nudge them toward being better lations in remarks highlighting servants to their Church and in c o

the bond between the monastic their communities. v community of St. Bernard and Blackmon’s work at Holy Fam- er

DeKarlos Blackmon through ily School and at Pope John Paul s

Benedictine spirituality. He II High School has influenced t ory also recognized Gracious Lady his vision for leading the orga- Kanobia A. Russell-Blackmon nization, and made him realize and spoke of the place the that mentoring youth must be couple has in the hearts of the a priority. As he explained to monastic community. Black- the reporter from the Times, mon met his wife while he was “We need to clearly develop in the minor seminary in 1995, our youth. ... We are losing our on the weekend of the abbot’s inner-city schools all across the solemn abbatial blessing in country. And if the school goes, September of that year. the community goes down.” Prior to his election as Su- Blackmon’s election as preme Knight, he has been a Supreme Knight of KPC was member of the Knights of Peter followed by several media To have achieved this position at such a ‘tender Claver for eight years, starting organizations. In addition to the age’ is an honor for you, your family and the with leadership positions in story in the Huntsville Times, a Diocese of Birmingham. I am sure that with your his local council and moving story appeared in The Catholic to president of the Gulf Coast Review (Baltimore), the Clarion vast experience and knowledge, you will bring a Conference. Now, as Supreme Herald (New Orleans), Catho- fresh vision to the work of the Knights.” Bishop Knight, when Blackmon walks lic San Francisco, the Michigan Baker went on to say, “We are all proud of you into a meeting of Knights, Catholic, the Saint Louis Review and excited for the future of the Knights of Peter the leader of the group will and others. The National Claver. Be assured of our prayers and support. announce: “All rise.” In an inter- Black Catholic Congress sent – Most Rev. Robert J. Baker, STD view with the Huntsville Times out a press release covering Bishop, Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama in August, he said, “I promised the election of Blackmon, and 12 2010 award winners Knights of Peter Claver

Gold Medal Award of Merit State of Louisiana Council of the Year Brother David Clark Brother Alfred R. Dupree, Sr. Holy Cross, Council #284 Mobile, Council #1 Father John, Council #8 Austin, Texas Mobile, Alabama Opelousas, Louisiana Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry, JCL, DD Brother Rogers M. Jackson, Jr. Grand Knight of the Year National Chaplain, KPC Wilfred B. Ricard, Council #116 Brother Gene A. Phillips, Jr. South Holland, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Holy Cross, Council #284 s

r Austin, Texas Brother Michael R. Jarrett e Silver Medal Awards n Wilfred B. Ricard, Council #116

n 2010 National Claver Family i Central States District Baton Rouge, Louisiana

w Brother Theodore Wilson of the Year State of Texas St. Mary of the Purification d Msgr. John Shocklee, Council #213

r Brother John M. Goodly St. Louis, Missouri Unit #159 a St. Francis of Assisi, Council #231 Houston, Texas w Gulf Coast District Houston, Texas a Brother Thomas P. Grant Brother Bernie Little 0 Recipient of the Gold Medal

1 St. Peter and Paul, Council #313 Holy Cross, Council #284 0 Decatur, Austin, Texas Award of Merit 2 (Non-Member) – Knights & Northern States District Western States District Ladies Division Brother Lloyd Bearden Brother Gerald Derouen Rev. Sebastian Myladiylil, SVD St. Joseph, Council #93 St. Benedict, Council #336 Submitted by St. James Court# 6 Chicago, Illinois Oakland, California Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Atlanta, Georgia

Ladies Auxiliary

Gold Medal Award of Merit State of Louisiana Lady Mary Sias Lady Anita M. Herron Lady Viola Snell Queen of All Saints, Court #138 Immaculate Heart of Mary, Court #134 St. Aubry, Court #119 Houston, Texas Maringouin, Louisiana Chicago, Illinois Western States District Lady Elizabeth Goodwill Lady Michelle Wilson Silver Medal Awards St. Theresa, Court #51 Transfiguration, Court #220 Central States District Crowley, Louisiana Los Angeles, California Lady Beverley A. Cazenave Lady Gloria Ingram Monsignor John A. Shcoklee, Court #213 St. Francis Xavier, Court #12 Court of the Year St. Louis, Missouri Baton Rouge, Louisiana Our Lady of Guadalupe, Court #110 Charleston, South Carolina Gulf Coast District Lady Birdie Harmon Immaculate Heart of Mary, Court #141 Lady Gwendolyn Mcmeans Lake Charles, Louisiana Financial Secretary of the Year St. Jude, Court #148 Lady Cynthia Mczeal-Sinegal Montgomery, Alabama Lady Hilda Charles Cartagena, Court #32 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Court #54 Port Arthur, Texas Northern States District St. Martinville, Louisiana Lady Alice Holmes Grand Lady of the Year Auigustine Tolton, Court #277 State of Texas Lady Carol W. Harris Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Lady Cynthia Mczeal Sinegal Cartagena, Court #32 Presentation/Our Lady of Victory, Court #189 Lady Marie A. Copeland Port Arthur, Texas Southfield, Michigan St. Thaddeus, Court #154 Chicago, Illinois 13 2 0 1 0 c o n v e n t i o n

h i g h l i g h t s 14 2010 convention highlights 15 16 district news 50 years;andLadyEstelleLouiseVincent, 46years. years; LadyEvelyn Warfield, 51years;LadyLoisVincent Jones, C.Freeman, 61 Joseph,42years;LadyRita Brother Gistarve BrotherLeroyCaravanas,42years; membership andservice: tosixhonoreesfortheiryearsof Collins madepresentations live NewOrleansJazzBand. providedbya celebration includedaluncheon withentertainment celebrated85years.The cil celebrated87yearsandthecourt thecoun- Church celebratedtheirfoundinganniversaries: Saints New Orleans,Louisiana Council andCourt#36 Grand Knight HermanVan andGrandLadyFrancine Court The #36ofAll Knights andLadies ofCouncilandCourt Lady Rita C.Freeman Lady Rita district news western western district states state oflouisiana Lady Evelyn Warfield state of texas central statesdistrict

Brother LeroyCaravanas Lady LoisVincent Jones louisiana state of

northern statesdistrict northern gulf coastdistrict Lady EstelleLouise Vincent Brother Gistarve Joseph Brother Gistarve councils orcourts = areas where there are no

The Claverite | Winter Issue 2010-11 | www.kofpc.org 17 Council and Court #49 Court #119 Breaux Bridge, Louisiana Maringouin, Louisiana

Council and Court #49 held their annual Christmas drive Viola Hawkins Snell, a 54-year member of the Ladies Aux- at St. Agnes Nursing Home in Breaux Bridge in December iliary, Court #119, was awarded the Silver Award of Merit in 2009. Pictured (left to right, seated) are: Clarisse Noel, Shirley August. Lady Viola Snell has exhibited distinguished service to LeBlanc, Prenella Celestine and Shirley Guidry. Standing (left St. Aubry Court #119 in Maringouin and has held the follow- to right) are: Grand Knight Joseph Robertson, Verlie Davis, ing positions: Recording Secretary (20 years), Treasurer (10 Margaret Carson, Janet Mercier, Prenella Robertson, Grand years), Financial Secretary (1 year) and, presently, Outer Guard Lady Rhona Wyche and Harold Celestine. (4 years). She also has been a devoted religious education teacher for more than 25 years at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Her enthusiasm and “can-do” attitude continue to challenge the members of St. Aubry Court. She enjoys mentoring the younger members and encouraging them to learn more about KPC and become active members, chairpersons of committees and court officers. A new committee, called the Servicemen Care Group, was adopted out of her prayer group. Through the work of this committee, court members donate items and send care packages to military personnel from the Northern

Iberville Parish Area. d i s t r i District 5 c t

Mansura, Louisiana n e w

The Knights of Peter Claver s welcomed 14 new members on July 24, in Mansura, Louisiana. District 5 Area Deputy Sir Knight Paul Deselle performed the initiation with assistance from Area Deputy Tim Ford.

Court #160 Monroe, Louisiana

The Ladies of Little Flower of Jesus Court #160 in Monroe banded together to form “God’s Little Flowers” – a community resource center that provides clothing and furniture (limited) for new moms who would not have the resources to purchase these items on their own. Items are donated by the membership and Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Church parishioners and through fundraising efforts. The court also participates in the Backpack Buddies program, which is designed to provide tangible support to children by purchasing backpacks and needed supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, crayons, rulers and dictionaries. Little Flower of Jesus Court #160 in attendance at In August, approximately 35 backpacks were purchased and filled by the Junior 17th annual Red Mass. Daughters and Ladies Auxiliary and donated to a designated school. In September, the Ladies Auxiliary participated in the 17th annual Red Mass at St. Matthew Catholic Church. The Red Mass, generally celebrated at the beginning of the judicial year, is the religious observance marking the opening of 4th Judicial District Court. Court judges, lawyers, state legislators, law enforcement officials, schoolchildren and the community filled pews to celebrate this annual Mass. 18 district news The purposeofthe the currentTreasurer ofSt.Henry’s Council#168. Knight andFaithful Friar ofFather Hannigan’s Assembly#6and Biennial MeetinginRichmond, Virginia. Johnisa4thDegree He wassworninforathree-yeartermattheendof2010 ( of theNationalCatholicCommitteeonScouting the Assembly. Award andtheTrumanServices MemorialAward from Stacey received theAward ofMeritfromtheCouncilandSpecial since 1990anda4thDegreemember1995.Hehas JohnhasbeenamemberoftheKnights ofPeter Claver and morethan9,200Catholic-sponsoredunits. NCCS withtheCatholicyouthofournation.The of youthministry ofAmericaprogramasaviableform use oftheBoyScouts New Orleans,Louisiana Unit #267 Lake Charles,Louisiana Council #168 RetiredCol.JohnJ.Halloran,Jr. wasrecentlyelectedChair has oversight of more than 291,000 Catholic Scouts has oversightofmorethan291,000CatholicScouts NCCS is to state oflouisiana ensure the constructive ensure theconstructive NCCS). Chair, retiredCol.JohnJ.Halloran,Jr. oftheDioceseLake Charles. (left)oftheDiocese Fall River,Salvador andNational Massachusetts, by Oath ofofficetaken honored forherhelp inorganizing theLadiesofCourt#267. Council #267,andLadyGussieWebermental informing was was given to thefamilyofJohnO. Ferdinand, whowas instru- Inez Payadue Francis.Specialrecognition andLadyCatherine Council #267),LadyElvinaBeevers, LadyUrsulaAllen, Lady Beevers (firstGrandKnightof members: SirKnightHarry councils andcourts.Awards were given to thefollowingcharter the membersofUnit#267,aswell asmembersfrom other Hampton chaired theevent. Thecelebrationwasattended by Beevers andLadyRachel Orleans SirKnightHarry inApril. versary –and25years –at CelebrationHallinNew ofservice St.JosephtheWorker Unit#267celebrated its25thanni- (cont.) NCCS National Chaplain,Father StephenB. district news 19 The Ladies of Bishop Joseph A. Francis Court A. Francis Ladies of Bishop Joseph The Lady Ida Waters speaks with an interested attendee at Lady Ida Waters Anemia table Cell the Sickle at the Camden County Health Conference. Women’s Court #297 Newark, New Jersey #297 held a fundraiser in August to raise awareness#297 held a fundraiser in August to raise of heart event was held on the lawn disease. The Lady Arnie Pinnix, son of of our gracious host, Mr. the had a good turnout despite Dorothy Pinnix. We torrential rain. Guests were served a healthy lunch and had the opportunity to listen to Louise Ragain, RN, and others speak on preventing heart disease. Ladies continued to raise awareness with a “Walk The for Heart” a donation to help in October and gave thank Grand Lady further heart We disease research. Father Shirley Rush, for her leadership, our chaplain, Luke, and the Ladies of Court #297. www.kofpc.org www.kofpc.org

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Winter Issue 2010-11 Winter | The Claverite The Claverite

In September, Court #386 set up a table for Sickle Cell Anemia at In September, Frank Houston, Jr. Council and Court #251 celebrated Council and Court #251 celebrated Jr. Frank Houston,

The love and support shown by Chicago-area Clavers at Clavers and support shown by Chicago-area The love

Court #386 Camden, New Jersey Eastern High School in Voorhees, New Jersey, for the Camden County New Jersey, High School in Voorhees, Eastern by is sponsored The annual conference Health Conference. Women’s 1,400 guests the Camden County Health Department; approximately sponsors the exhibits, the conference In addition to this year. attended and Too” Stress, “Kids Have as “Smart Eating Tips,” such workshops Prevention.” “Fall

Council and Court #251 and Council Harvey, Illinois northern district states their 25th year under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, under the guidance and their 25th year and Taylor of Grand Knight Edward with the leadership still moving forward. they are Grand Lady Grace Dawson, in Har- at Ascension-St. Susanna Parish Established in 1984 and named after Illinois, Council and Court #251 were vey, and Jr. Houston, Frank the memory of Brother to dedicated accident in 1983. an auto who died in wife Dorothy, deaths inspired Frank and Dorothy’s the time of Brother to work Herndon to and Marcella Deacon Joshua Alves at the parish. unit They became the first establish a Claver the the years, Over Grand Knight and Grand Lady of #251. religious evangelization, ministry, in unit has been active Community Thanksgiving Dinner and the activities such as the Annual community outreach education, and has supported in the organiza- active very also are as the Juniors, of the council and court, as well Members Program. SoaringHigh Tutoring tion at the local, district and national levels. 20 district news by breakfast. opportunities forparticipants,andwasfollowed providing contemplative, meditative andreflective wasindeeda“spirit-led” service morning activity attended byourpastor, Father EdKuczynski.The con BillMayes, deacon,andwas ourpermanent August. Theprayer wasfacilitated service byDea- ofPrayerMorning Renewal in andSpiritual service Thea BowmanCourt#346heldtheirfirstannual Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #346 Council andCourt St.Charles Borromeo Council#346andSr. Committee; Brother Larry Butts,Faithful Navigator; FatherCommittee; Brother Larry award recipients. and pursuetheAmericanDream. In2009,therewere13 communities betterplacesto live,work,practiceourfaith groups, PhiladelphiaKnights andLadies hope tomakeour within ourcommunities.Byrecognizingindividualsand people whostepoutfromthecrowdtodogoodworks covered allyear. media noteditasoneofthemostmemorableeventshad news Black Catholic eventoftheseasonanddiocesan media calledthePhiladelphiaClaverAward Ceremonythe of Claverismand32yearsinthediocese.Localnews Crowne PlazainPhiladelphiatocelebrate100years 2009-10 PhiladelphiaClaverAward Banquet Lady Sandra Layton, President of theCentral Layton, LadySandra toencourage The awardceremony wasestablished InNovember2009,250peoplegatheredatthe northern statesdistrict northern organizations. their parishes,schools, localbusinessesandcharitable given theBodyofChristAward fortheircontributionsto academic achievement. Eightotherrecipientswere religious commitment,community involvementand examples intheareasof recipients areoutstanding Chaplain’s Award Emmons.The byFather Rayford advocate St.KatharineDrexelinthe1890s. religiousorderfoundedbysocialjustice This isthesame program directorfortheSistersofBlessedSacrament. thenationallyknownevangelization Roger Thibodeaux, directed, ledandinspiredthefestivities. Alonza Baker, ChairmanoftheBanquetCommittee Chaplain;andBrother Emmons,Claver Diocesan Rayford In addition,fouryoungpeoplewerepresentedthe The Philadelphia ClaverAward wasgiventoSisterMary (cont.) district news 21 . Committee Chair Lady Since 1995, with the Eugenia (Ginger) Perkins Eugenia (Ginger) Perkins told the gathering that the reception is named for an ex-slave who came to Colorado from Missouri. Although of little means herself, spent her life in Denver working tirelessly with the poor and dispirited of all races. This work and her deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus were recognized by the Upon her death in Church. 1918, her body lay in state in the Sacred Heart Catholic and her in Denver, Church eulogy was reported in the Denver Catholic Register generous assistance of the and Donna Bean Foundation Auguste and David Hayes, the Julia Greeley Scholarship of CourtProgram #261 has awarded more than $50,000 to assist college students in furthering their education. www.kofpc.org www.kofpc.org

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Winter Issue 2010-11 Winter | The Claverite The Claverite

On September 18, the Knights 18, On September The Ladies Auxiliary The of Court to announce that academic scholarships #261 is proud Pictured with their families (front row, left to right) are: Shayla Sanders, Simone Marsh, Dexter Pictured with their families (front row, and C.J. de Dios. Christopher Ennis is not pictured. Turner

central states district states central

Court #261 Colorado Denver,

Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri Council #57 were awarded to five high school graduates at the annual Julia Greeley Scholarship Reception were awarded to five high school Christopher “C.J.” de Dios, five recipients are attending the following schools: The in July. University; Simone Marsh, Colorado State Denver University; Christopher Ennis, Tuskegee Creighton College. University; Shayla Sanders, University; and, Dexter Turner, Denver and Ladies of Council #57, along and Ladies of Council with other parish organizations, of Black Ca- 100 years celebrated of Kansas tholicism in the Diocese at City-St. Joseph. In the photo, right, council members of the build- historic two between stood ings in Kansas City – the newly Church St. Monica constructed (2001) and the original St. Monica and School (1910). The Church originalconstructed building was the Katharine with funds from Foundation. Drexel 22 district news from different gradelevels were honored andgiven certificates Daughter CounseloroftheYear. Barbara Birds received atrophy fortheGulfCoastArea Junior Year Award attheNationalConvention inSt.LouisandLady blessed andwegiveherthanks. inDecember2009.MayMrs.Gordonbe member withus:Mrs.MarieGordon.Gordoncelebratedher100thbirthday Degree andtheCartagenaMedalfor4thDegree. fostered thecauseofbetter humanrelationships. theprestigeenhanced andenriched anddignityoftheindividual contributed toward theadvancement ofmutualunderstanding, any personwhohas,inhisorherfieldofendeavor orindependently, highest award given bytheKnightsofPeter Claver andispresented to to Brother David R.Clark, Sr., from Council#1inMobile.Thisisthe Charleston, SouthCarolina Court #110 Pascagoula, Mississippi Court #4 Claver LadyoftheYear. #110 Lady BeverlyGrant,Court At theGraduate MassinJune, more thanadozengraduates Brother David Clark istherecipient oftheSilver Medalforthe3rd Court#110washonored withthecoveted Courtofthe 1929,andweareblessedtohaveonelivingchartered #4wasorganizedinFebruary OurLadyofLourdesCourt TheGoldMedalfrom the2010NationalConvention waspresented gulf coastdistrict Mobile, Alabama Council #1 Johnson andLadyPatricia Mack. Lady Francena Rogers,LadyArnelleGrant,JuniorDaughterTaná Founder’s Day Honorees(lefttoright)are:LadyVertelle Kenion, Grand (Exemplary JuniorDaughter Award). Lady Kimberly to Jones(Service Youth); and Taná Johnson LadyPatriciaGrant (ActofCharity); Mack(ALaborofLove); Year); Lady Vertelle Kenion (Symbol of Unity);LadyArnelle ideals ofClaverism: LadyBeverly Grant (Claver Ladyofthe andcommitmenttoplaques attheluncheonforservice the and LadyAmeliaTaylor. Thefollowing membersalsoreceived Steplight,Marjorie LadyVera Steplight, LadyIdaPinckney Members: LadyRuthDuncan,Rosalind Martin,Lady Ladies took agreat dealofpleasure inrecognizing theCharter Medal winner, BrotherDavidClark,Sr. Grand Knight AnthonyBurden(left)congratulatesGold on a Journey ofService.”on aJourney The theme was,“Claver Ladies ofthecourt.The formation of the47thanniversary ofthe was heldinMay inobservance McDonald House. Teachers’ ClosetandtheRonald Center foryoung mothers, the Club, theFlorence Crittenton the Shaw UnitBoysandGirls Interfaith Ministries, Crisis providingservice, supportto active withcommunity The Ladiesalsohave been for achievement ineducation. A Founder’s Day luncheon district news 23 www.kofpc.org www.kofpc.org

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In September, Father Patrick Foley, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic pastor Foley, Patrick Father In September, Built in 1891, St. Joseph Catholic Church was the first African- Built in 1891, St. Joseph Catholic Church turn-out at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Plans are being Plans Church. Catholic Peace of Prince turn-out at favorite reci- a cookbookmade to publish of Court #172’s in November Day celebrated Founder’s pes, and the Ladies Cook” activity. with a “Clavers Who Church of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, blessed and Pensacola-Tallahassee, of the Diocese of Church sponsored the church to adjacent marker the new historic dedicated Gracida Council #223. Bishop René Claver, by the Knights of Peter is a Florida Heritage The church Landmark. was a two-story American parish in the diocese. The first church built church, Gothic Revival-style frame building. The present for the needs of Africanin 1894, cared Americans, Creoles, Germans, Italians and Irish immigrants. In the 1920s, Father built and operated pastor, second the church’s Hartkoff, Charles in homeless African-American Orphanage, which took St. Joseph’s boys. St. Joseph High School opened in 1941, and was the only Catholic African-American high school in Florida at that time. St. four chapels while operating Maryall up to Joseph also supported Missions. Negro Grand Lady Constance Taylor and Grand Knight Tyrone Rogers received Tyrone and Grand Knight Grand Lady Constance Taylor Lady Pictured with them are: Supreme the Millennium Hours Awards. Gulf Gene Phillips (center) and Supreme Knight Geralyn Shelvin (left), Past Coast District Deputy Athanase Jones (far right). Winter Issue 2010-11 Winter | Pictured (left to right) working the grill are: Knight John Nicholson, Junior Knight R’Lauren Junior Knight John Nicholson, Pictured (left to right) working the grill are: Knight Ricardo Stallings Robert Knight Grand and Knight Trotter. Knight, The Claverite The Claverite

Knights from Monsignor Walter J. Darcy from Monsignor Walter Knights Members of Council and Court Members of Council the Gulf #172 attended At the National Convention, Grand Lady Constance Taylor Grand Lady ConstanceAt the National Convention, Taylor Council and Court #172 are working to collect non-perish- Council members with Father Patrick Foley in front of historic marker. Foley Patrick Council members with Father Jacksonville, Florida Council #335

Council #223 Pensacola, Florida

Prichard, Alabama Prichard, Council and Court #172 and Council Council #335 recently came out to support at St. and School Festival the annual Church The in Jacksonville. Pius V Catholic Church were responsible for the bar-local Knights beque and received numerous well wishes for their unfailing support parish and of the for their role in the success of the festival. Coast District Conference in Montgomery, Alabama, in May and in Montgomery, Coast District Conference awarded the Certificatethe Senior Division was Participation of and the Certificate to Lady Gwen- of Expansion. Congratulations re-election as Gulf Coast District Deputy. dolyn Lewis on winning Rogers received the Millennium Tyrone and Grand Knight for their volunteer services.Hours Award In addition, Lady the National Junior Daughter Lipscomb received Valencia Award. Counselor of the Year bankable food items to donate to the local food for those who Senior the have been affected by the oil spill. In September, F. Supreme Knight, and Junior Divisions welcomed our new Claver Day with a Peter to celebrate St. DeKarlos Blackmon, 24 district news attached to thisbeautifulResource Center. with thedetails of thededicationreflecting ourbrother willbe young peoplewhofollowed inhisfootsteps. plaque Apermanent adult, to helpframe amore positive approach andoutlookforthe hefacedasanadolescentand young including thediscrimination to usehisowndisabilities andthechallengesofhisownyouth, ontheVolunteerby serving Leagueforyears. SirDawkins chose leadership andcoachingwiththe county’s HeadStartprograms and KnightsofPeter Claver, Council #379,Tampa. Heprovided Peter Claver, St.MartindePorres Assembly#48,Tampa-Orlando, Start andChildCare Licensing. County’s Children’s Head Services, of volunteer to service Hillsborough DawkinsHenry forhismanyyears CampusinhonorofJames Services on theLakeMagdaleneChildren’s DawkinsHenry Resource Center Commissioners dedicated theJames Hillsborough Board ofCounty in both ourparishandcommunity.in both #278arecommittedtotheobjectivesofourNobleOrderandlettinglightKnights andLadiesofPeterCourt Clavers Haitian reliefinFebruary. awarenessofHaitianreliefbydonatingmonthlytothiscau Ourcounciliscommittedtomaintaining #278,receivedascholarship attheBackCourt event. toSchool UniversityandGrandLadyofJunior State Symon M.Jackson, astudentatSavannah ofthe2010Back Celebration. toSchool forthestudentsofparishaspart bags #278topurchasefor ResurrectionofOurLordChurch, book andjoinedwithCourt Boulevard. ofACL program byadoptingaportion King, Jr. Beautiful activewiththeKeep Savannah andstaying Parade inSavannah, #278intheDr.Drive fortheelderlyandhomeless,joiningwithCourt Luther Martin Tampa, Florida Council #379 Sir KnightDawkins wasacharter memberofboththeKnights Our council and court, along with our Juniors, sponsored a successful fundraiser for alongwithourJuniors,sponsoredasuccessfulfundraiserfor Our councilandcourt, The CampaignFundraiser councilgaveitsfullstewardshiptotheParish Capital On September 13, the OnSeptember 13,the Council #278 has been active in the community sponsoring the annual Blanket Council#278hasbeenactiveinthecommunitysponsoringannualBlanket Savannah, Georgia Council andCourt#278 gulf coastdistrict James Henry Dawkins. James Henry Sir Knight Sir Knight as Peter Claverdidthroughout hislife. to thankGodfor showingushowtoworship Christasfaithfully with othersinourparishcongregation, joinedinthiscelebration Mass onThursday, September9.BothKnights andLadies,along “Reflections ofChristianValues: Past, Present and Future.” speaker fortheevent.The themeofthePrayer Breakfast was, esteemed SupremeLady, GeralynC.Shelvin,asourguest in ourcommunity. We werehonoredtowelcomethemost Center, African-American-ownedbusiness awell-established Breakfast inOctoberattheDiamondHallandConvention second SundayofthemonthbetweenMassesinchurch. every continuetopraytherosary addition, thecouncilandcourt Hamm-Hall, GrandLady. Proceeds gotowardparishprojects.In monthunderthedirectionofChefRosalyn Sunday ofevery offer parishionersahotbreakfastbetweenMassesonthe third continueto numerous activities.The councilandLadiesAuxiliary in parish andcommunitythroughsponsorshipparticipation Atlanta, Georgia Council andCourt#376 daughter duo, andsalutes thefamily’s commitmentto Claverism. Daughters. isproud Zone7oftheGulfCoastDistrict ofthismother/ daughter SecretariesfortheLadiesandJunior GulfCoastDistrict Alexis White, from Court #340,have thedistinctionofbeingmother/ Secretaryin May,Coast District sheandherdaughter, JuniorDaughter Atlanta andHapeville,Georgia Courts #376and#340 We St.Peter Claver, honoredourpatronsaint, byattending Members of#376alsopresentedthe7thannualPrayer The Knights andLadies of#376enjoyworkingintheir With theelectionofLadyValencia White, from Court#376,asGulf (cont.) se. Council and se. Counciland hine brightly hine brightly district news 25 the needs #296 www.kofpc.org www.kofpc.org

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Council and Court #296 were asked to participate participate asked to were Council and Court #296 in the episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Robert McElroy, McElroy, of Bishop-elect Robert in the episcopal ordination of Sannewly named 17th auxiliary of the Archdiocese bishop of St. Mary at the Cathedral Assumption. The Knights Francisco, in full regalia this most important event and Ladies attended Ken as Knight Rev. as well Noble Order, our great represent to Ned, Cathedral Chaplain) and Knight James (WSD Westray in the were and his wife, Mary, Ned James Council #136. Knight of the African-American Catholics of as representatives procession of and Lady Kathryn Parish-Reese the San Francisco Archdiocese, and wine along with three the gifts of bread Court #296 presented Catholics in the lay believes McElroy others. Bishop-elect Robert not only in revitalizing play to an important role have archdiocese Area. but also the public life of the Bay the inner life of the Church, Council and Court and Court Council CaliforniaSan Francisco, Winter Issue 2010-11 Winter | The Claverite The Claverite

Grand Lady Vivian Sneed and members of Court Sneed Grand Lady Vivian held a breakfast attended by their priest, parishioners #32 During the Texas State Conference in May, in May, Conference State During the Texas The courtThe raise money for an educational fund at Sacred also hosted a meal at the end of 2010 to help Heart-St. Mary in Parish Lady Jones’ campaign vision was, “We Are All Are Lady Jones’ campaign vision was, “We and other guests who wished to share their favorite Scripture prayer, favorite book of the Bible or own spiritual story. The The book favorite story. of the Bible or own spiritual favorite Scriptureand other guests who wished to share their prayer, spiritual relationships with one another. purpose of the breakfast was to help strengthen will raise enough money to support pray that we ministries also will participate in this project. We Other church Port Arthur.

of the Church. Court #98 Texas Crosby, Court #32 Texas Port Arthur, state of texas western district states Grand Lady Keema Volter-Jones and Lady Eva Volter-Jones Grand Lady Keema Court #98 of St. Treasurer, Volter, win state to team became the first mother/daughter Vice and national offices. Lady Jones was elected for the Ladies Division and Lady Volter President Deputy of Texas. State was elected that our Noble because she believes One Family,” maintain to as a whole in order must function Order campaign vision Lady Volter’s another 100 years. because she Continues,” was, “The Movement direction in a forward move must that we believes membership and and increase retain to in order our Noble Order. strengthen 26 state of texas

Court #138 Houston, Texas

Queen of All Saints Court #138 was honored at the 2010 Texas State Conference as the Court of the Year. Some of our many activities include the parish Mother/Daughter Breakfast, coordinating the parish picnic, coordinating the Senior Luncheon and host- ing spiritual retreats. At the National Convention, Court #138 was pleasantly surprised to take home a Silver Medal for one of our longtime members, Lady Mary Sias. Lady Sias is a Claver legacy who joined the Junior Daughters in 1969 and then transferred from the Junior Division in 1978. She has served her court in many positions, and is currently the Lecturer and Awards Committee Chair. Court #138 works hard to prepare our young girls through mentoring and sup- porting their projects. In recent years, several Juniors have transferred from the Junior Division to our Senior Court, and we recently initiated five Ladies, including a Junior transfer. We are proud of Lady Ebony Graham, a former Junior, who is the National Emerging Leader Co-chair. In addition, we are honored to have Lady Leesha Miller, who transferred to us from Court #182 and is the Texas State Chair for the Emerging Lady Mary Sias, Silver Medal Award Leaders-Ladies Division. winner at the National Convention. s w e n

Unit #159 t

c Houston, Texas i r t

s St. Mary of the Purification Unit #159 won the 2010 National Family of the Year Award. Our Claver family is involved in many aspects of St. Mary of the Purification Church, such as the Fall Festival, Spring Fashion Show, Liturgy di Ministry, Eucharistic Ministry, Church Finance Committee and Pastoral Council. Our Juniors participate in the Fall Festival by providing baby-sitting services. Each month, the council and court sponsor a “Feed the Homeless” event. Hot meals (for at least 100) are prepared and donated to the needy in downtown Houston. In 2009 and 2010, Council and Court #159 issued scholarship awards through our Lloyd and Bernice Bourda Scholarship Fund. In addition, our Knights and Ladies raised funds for the Houston Inter-City Councils and Courts (HICC) Mardi Gras Contest, and the 2010 HICC Mardi Gras King and Queen are from Unit #159 – Deputy Grand Knight McKinley Johnson and Lady Nedra Jackson. In March, our unit celebrated its 40th anniversary with a banquet at the Marriott Hotel.

Council and Court #222 Houston, Texas

In an effort to honor and promote clergy relations, Grand Knight Omar E. Jones and Grand Lady Barbara M. Murray of St. Philip Neri Council and Court #222 presented our deacons, who are members of the council, with the KPC stoles. Pictured (left to right) are: Grand Knight Omar E. Jones, Deacon Orrin D. Burroughs, Deacon Ronald Simon, Grand Lady Barbara M. Murray and Deacon James Brooks. The Claverite | Winter Issue 2010-11 | www.kofpc.org 27

Council #231 Houston, Texas

John M. Goodly, Junior Knight Commander at St. Francis of Assisi Council #231, was awarded the 2010 Silver Medal of Merit Award at the convention in St. Louis. Brother Goodly was recognized for his outstanding contribution to the Junior Knights Division for the past 10 years, as well as outstanding service to his parish and community. During his tenure as Junior Knight Commander, Brother Goodly has grown Branch #231 into the largest branch in Texas. The branch is well-known for its consistently high turnout of Juniors at local, state and national events. Under his leadership, the members of Branch #231 have won numerous state and national awards (including four Most Outstanding Junior Knight Awards), held state and national offices and donated time and money to the parish and community. In d

addition to giving his time and sharing his resources i s

with the parish, community and the Junior Knights, t r

he is a hard-working role model who cares deeply i c

for the youth. The council congratulates Brother Pictured (left to right) are: Past Supreme Knight Gene A. Phillips, Sr., Silver Medal t

Goodly, who continues to lead and inspire our youth. Award Recipient John Goodly and Grand Knight John Mathis. n e w s Council and Court #284 Austin, Texas

At the National Convention in St. Louis, Council #284 received the National Council of the Year Award and its Grand Knight, Gene A. Phillips, Jr., was awarded the Na- tional Grand Knight of the Year. In addition, Knight Bernie Little received the Knights of Peter Claver Silver Medal of Honor Award. During the National Conclave in St. Louis, Assembly #40 of the 4th Degree Division was honored twice. Sir Knight Willie Taylor, who serves as Faithful Navigator, received the Good Neighbor Award, and Sir Knight Gene A Phillips, Jr. was given the Cartagena Award, which is the highest award presented in the 4th Degree Division. The Ladies Division of Court #284 was extremely proud that Lady Jennifer Brooks received the National Junior Daughter Assistant Counselor Award and its Junior Daugh- ters were awarded 3rd place for National Junior Expansion. Lady Linda Ridley serves as Grand Lady for Court #284. Father Michael Ajewole, MSP, pastor of Holy Cross Lady Dean Dorsey received the Inez Y. Bowman Award and Brother Church and chaplain for the council, thanked all the Johnnie Dorsey received the M.M. Hopkins Award at the 2009 Texas Knights and Ladies of Council and Court #284 for their State Conference. They are the highest awards for Ladies and Knights. support of the Church. 28 junior division the Annual Piccolo Arts Festival. the AnnualPiccolo ArtsFestival. munity projects, suchashelping outattheChildren’s Day Program at tivities intheirchurch, theJuniorswere busy volunteering withcom- history can-American andculture inconjunction withtheirfaith. from June23–27.Participants cametogether to celebrate theirAfri- the Archbishop James Patterson Lyke Conference heldinCharleston for theTea. Several oftheJuniorswelcomed theopportunityto attend tended theaffair theirfashionablehatsaspartofattire wearing event. MothersoftheJuniorsandLadiesSeniorDivisionat- fortheHomeless. tries served ahotmealto about100residents attheInterfaith Minis- Crisis and theSeniorCourtTurn-out, andtheJuniorDivisionprepared and Crowning thecelebrationofMass of the BlessedMotherduring Counselor isElviraNarcisse. E.Poter,Mary Aaliyah Reed andAvery Wesley. TheJuniorDaughter CounselorisYolette L.SneedandtheAssistantJuniorDaught Babineaux, AshleyCaddy,Alpough, Amirie Kennedy Ford, King,AsaLewis,Morgan Jacquet, Joe,Camryn Marissa Brionna Phillips, Court washonored byreceiving a2ndplaceExpansionAward atthe2010NationalConvention. Thenewmembersare: Amoni Charleston, SouthCarolina Juniors of#110 Port Arthur, Texas Junior DaughtersofCourt#32 Baton Rouge,Louisiana Junior DaughtersofCourt#12 junior division news junior divisionnews In additionto their roles asaltar servers andassistingwithotherac- The Mother/Daughter Tea heldinJune wasasuccessfulfirst-time InMay, theJuniorDaughters of#110participated intheAnnual TheJuniorDaughters ofCourt#32were reactivated in2009andwere very successfulinbuildingtheirmembership. TheJunior Junior Daughters of Court #12 at May 2010 Installation. #12atMay2010Installation. Junior DaughtersofCourt Daughter Tea. after Massbefore enjoyingfoodandfellowship attheMother/ gatheredonthestepsofSt.Patrickof theSeniorCourt Church #110,theirmothersandLadies Junior DaughtersfromCourt jump rope and a dance contest. jump ropeandadancecontest. races,volleyball, insack while participating andbranches meet Juniorsfromothercourts to the JuniorDaughtershadopportunity Picnic.Atthepicnic, well astheLouisianaState ConferenceinLafayette,as the JuniorState projects. Inaddition,somemembersattended futureservice Beau Rivagetohelpsupport Daughters sponsoredafundraiserbustripto school suppliesforstudents.InJuly, theJunior Bus” initiativeforSt.Francis Xaviertoprovide benefited thechurch pantry, andthe“Stuff inwhichXavier CatholicSchool afooddrive including “Pack forSt.Francis thePantry” projects, innumerousservice have participated received a2ndplaceExpansionAward. They 18newmembers,andrecently #12 installed InMay, theJuniorDaughtersofCourt er er The Claverite | Winter Issue 2010-11 | www.kofpc.org 29

Junior Knights and Daughters of Branch and Court #101 Houston, Texas

The Junior Knights and Junior Daughters of Branch and Court #101 sponsored their first 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Festival in July. It was held at their parish, St. Anne de Beaupre Catholic Church in Houston. Under the leadership of Junior Knight Commander Joe Lewis, three teams and eight vendors combined to make the event most enjoyable. Brother Lewis said, “Although we look for more participation in the future, we are pleased with the effort our Juniors put into this fundraiser. We see how our community and church members can work together to help support our Clavers by donating their time and The teams (from left to right) are: The Celtics, treasure.” Congratulations to our participating teams – The Celtics, Unsurpassable and Status Quo. Status Quo and the tournament champs, Unsurpassable. Junior Daughters of Court #109 Indianapolis, Indiana

The Junior Daughters of Court #109 have worked hard on service activities, including collecting canned goods for the Holy Trinity Food Pantry and working with the parish cleanup. The Juniors participated in Claver Day activities this

year, and also attended a conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our Junior Grand Lady Mya Terrell assisted on the By-Laws r

Committee and Serena and Claressa Starks and Miranda Boler were guards for chambers taking the inner and outer d i password. Some Juniors participated in the talent show and the poetry and essay competitions, and the young ladies v i entered the Banner Contest as a court activity. s io n Junior Knights Branch #167 Junior Knights Detroit, Michigan of Council #54 Two Juniors from Branch #167 were elected to the Northern St. Martinville, Louisiana District States Executive Board during the 2010 Junior Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. Courtney Barlow, Jr. was elected Recording Secretary and Markas Cunningham was elected Treasurer. The two Juniors worked very hard to achieve this honor and the members of Council and Court #167 are very happy for them. We wish them continued success within the organization.

Markas Cunningham (left), Treasurer, and Courtney Barlow Members of the Junior Knights of Council #54 in St. (right), Recording Secretary. Martinville, Louisiana, turned out for Sunday Mass. 30 junior division chaperones at the Jacksonville DistrictConference. #376with their JuniorKnights andDaughtersofCouncil andCourt major companysuchasAT&T, Entergy orAtmosEntergy. BrandonisthesonofLadyShivaran andBobbyScott. University ofArkansas atMonticello, whereincomputer systems. heismajoring information Hiscareer goalsare to beemployed goal isto becomeabiomedicalengineerand/oranorthopedicsurgeon. BlairisthesonofJames Simon. andBrina Scholarship of$3,000.Blairisattending LouisianaTech University inRuston, whereinbiomedicalengineering. heismajoring Cell AnemiaWalk/Run. Thanksgiving baskets,Santa’s helpersandparticipatingintheSickle the SeniorCourtwithseveral projects, includingBackpackBuddies, and membersofthechoir. to Inservice thecommunity, theyassist community. Attheirchurch, theDaughters are altarservers, ushers proud oftheseyoung ladiesandtheirachievements. four hadplacedintheircompetitionofchoice.Court#160isextra Jaevyenne Williams-Taylor. Bytheconclusionof2010conference, Breonda Simmons,Janae Tobias, Tarvie DejaPierre, Wilson and the LouisianaJuniorState Conference withfive JuniorDaughters: Smith, AssistantJuniorDaughter Counselor, traveled to Lafayette for Carla Mercy, JuniorDaughter Counselor, andLadyJannis Guice- units inthestate (eightmembers),butmembersdream big!Lady Atlanta, Georgia Juniors of#376 Knights Daughters Monroe, Louisiana Juniors of#160 junior divisionnews Council andCourt#160are very proud ofBlairandBrandontheiraccomplishments. Brandon ScottofBranch#160wasawarded theLawrence Crayton Scholarship($500)inMay. Memorial Brandonisattending the The JuniorCourtworks hard allyear to inservice itschurch and TheJuniorGrandKnightforSt.FrancisBranch#160,BlairSimon,wasawarded the2010LouisianaState Conference LittleFlower ofJesusJuniorCourt#160isonethesmallest Williams-Taylor andJamiaAllen.(Notpictured:OrleanPatterson.) Junior GrandLadyBreondaSimmons,DejaPierre,Tarvie Wilson, Jaevyenne Daughter CounselorLadyCarlaMercy, DaishaHenderson,Janae Tobias, #160members(lefttoright)are:Junior Little FlowerofJesusJuniorCourt intended toassist withfirst-yearcollegeexpenses. ing Valdosta University. State Bothscholarships are Council’s scholarship awardfor2010 andisattend- Tuskegee University. ReneJohnsonreceivedtheKPC ish Men’s Clubannual scholarship andisattending three newcandidateswereinitiated inSeptember. youth ministerstorecruitadditionalJuniorKnights, and andhighschool worked withourparishelementary the summer, JuniorKnight CommanderPreston Firmin Junior Knight Commanderwhile awayatcollege.Over withtheir incontact have madearrangementstostay for useintheirrecreationroom. ters presentedtheresidentswithaWii gamesystem housing community).The JuniorKnights andDaugh- for theresidentsofSt.JosephPlace(aseniorcitizen parish Family MardiGrasnight andadinnermovie withthe forChristparishactivities,assistance Service Ladies.These projectsincluded fromtheKPC tance projectsduringtheyear,ued theirservice withassis- Junior Knight MarcusPhelpswasawardedthepar- Six JuniorKnights whograduated fromhighschool The JuniorKnights and Daughtersof#376contin- His career His career by a bya The Claverite | Winter Issue 2010-11 | www.kofpc.org 31

Juniors of #284 Austin, Texas

Juniors from Branch and Court #284 braved the heat to march with much enthusiasm and excitement in the annual City of Austin Juneteenth Parade in June. The Texas state holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers landed in Galveston and read the Emancipation Proclamation to Texas slaves, informing them of their freedom. Juniors of #172 ju

Prichard, Alabama n i o r Nine new Junior Daughters were initiated into Court #172 at a Gulf Coast District Zone 1 Cluster Initiation at Most Pure Heart r

of Mary Church in Mobile. The Junior Knights and Junior Daughters work diligently for their church, their community and the Noble d i Order. They turn out at all the designated Masses with the Senior Division and assist the Seniors with their community projects. v i They sponsored a reception for the First Communion candidates and donated canned goods to the Bay Area Food Bank for those s affected by the oil spill. io n In September, the Juniors participated in the St. Vincent de Paul “Friends for the Poor Walk”; in October, they hosted games and booths at the St. James Major Fall Festival and participated in the Inter-Parish Council Revival Youth Night; and in November and December, they sponsored a needy family by donating items for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Branch #278 Savannah, Georgia Antonio Dixon, Josh Flores, Brandon Harris, Robert J. Jones, Jr., Michael Lattimore, Nathaniel Lattimore, Jaquan Manigo, Anthony McNeil and Devon Moore. Within the community, we have volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank and collected toiletries and undergarments for the Old Savannah City Mission. We are proud of our commander, Brother David K. Wilson, on being named Branch #278 won the 2010 Gulf Coast District Junior the 2010 Gulf Coast District Commander of the Year. The Award for expansion. This is our third time to receive this award dedication of Brother Wilson and Darrell A. Jordan, Assistant in the last four years. Nine new members were initiated in June: Branch Commander, are an inspiration to us. 32 junior division sion wasto teach girls Christian howto serve Ladies Embracing God’s Promise.” Themis- Debutante Presentation: “Young Christian Division. ficial rosary beadsusedfortheJuniorKPC created byJazmine Marsaliswillbetheof- dance competition.Inaddition,rosary beads several membersofthegroup placed inthe Branch #325won aParticipation Award and Vice President andTaylor KingisSecretary. is 1stLay Board Member, Tia Flotte is2nd isState Treasurer,Garrison Trenton King Conference inJuneLafayette. Lawrence “represented” well attheLouisianaState New Orleans,Louisiana Juniors of#325 Western StatesDistrictJuniors junior divisionnews In July, Court#325heldits2010Christian St.FrancisdeSales#325JuniorDivision the JuniorSupreme KnightandtheJuniorSupreme Lady. James EllisandEva Volter are theTexas State Deputies,andE.DesmondTaylor Batiste, andBrianna bothofHouston, are them to thehomeless.Thisyear’s onSaturday, occurred distribution September 11,atBread ofLifeCenter inHouston. to theHouston-area homelessasagroup for12years. Theyouth collecttoiletries from theirrespective anddonate parishes to theHomeless Houston Area Youth Celebrate12Years ofDonating TheKnightsofPeter Claver andLadiesAuxiliary, Houston Area JuniorKnightsandDaughters, have contributed the evening. yellow flowers. Theywere escorted bytheirfathers,whowore tuxedos for bouquetsofwhitecesses) andyellow and andcarried (princesses-in-waiting) The girls wore floor-length evening dresses inwhite (debutantes), blue(prin- the universal Church, aswell asto graciouslyempower themastheymature. CJBC gives theJuniorsa voice inchoosingouractivities. The California. Junior BranchesandCourts(CJBC)ofSouthern Commanders andArea Counselors,we created theCoordinating for usthrough hiscreations. With thesupportofourArea tobuilding, andhadtheprivilege God’s fullyexperience love had workshops ontopics suchasrelationships andcharacter games ofvolleyball withthemandto from learn them.We on thesceneandJuniorshadopportunitiesto play afew Hemet afewdays to prior ourvisit,several firefighters were workshop. Sincethere hadbeenafire inthemountainsnear Los Angelesfreeways andMotherNature to gatherforthis Junior Knights,CounselorsandCommandersbraved the Center More than90JuniorDaughters, inHemet,California. Workshop washeldinJulyattheParadise Valley RanchRetreat Thefirst-ever Western States Juniors’Regional District The Claverite | Winter Issue 2010-11 | www.kofpc.org 33 2010 2011 National scholarship Convention winners July 29-Aug. 3, 2011 Los Angeles, California Thomas R. Lee Winners Monique Guidry

Dexter Uke 2 0 1 Willie L. Polk, Jr. Winners 1 n a

Central States District t i Martilla Davis – St. Louis, Mo. o n

Che’ Andres – St. Louis, Mo. a l Gulf Coast District c The Westin o Alaric Bruce – Columbia, S.C. n v

Brittany Forte – Pensacola, Fla. e

Bonaventure Hotel n Rene’ L. Johnson – Fayetteville, Ga. t i

Devon Narcisse – Bay St. Louis, Miss. o

and Suites n

Northern States District a

Carl E. Wilson – Norfolk, Va. n 404 S. Figueroa St. d

Desiree Lewis – Norfolk, Va. Los Angeles, California 90071 d i

Joslyn Matt – Bellwood, Ill. s Delia Uke – Livonia, Mich. Phone: 213.624.1000 tri c t

State of Louisiana co Alfred R. Sam – Opelousas, La. 2011 District Conferences n f Amistic Fontenette – St. Martinville, La. Central States District Conference Northern States District Conference e r

Tyeka Takela Guidry – St. Martinville, La. Senior 65th State District Conference Senior State Conference, Washington, D.C. e Shanice Durand – St. Martinville, La April 28-May 1, 2011 April 28-May 1, 2010 n ces Kasia Harry – Vacherie, La. Wichita, Kan. Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, Va. Sharnet K. Nixon – Baton Rouge, La. No Junior State Conference in 2011 No Junior Conference in 2011 Cierra Papillion – Church Point, La. Gulf Coast District Conference Texas State Conferences State of Texas Senior Conference Junior State Conference Waylon J. Silverand – Fresno, Tex. April 29-May 1, 2011, Embassy Suites March 17-20, 2011 North Charleston/Airport-Hotel Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Tex. Alyssa M. Adams – Houston, Tex. Christina Gibson – Houston, Tex. No Junior Conference – biennial event Senior State Conference Varah Thornton – Houston, Tex. April 28-May 1, 2011 Louisiana State Conferences Omni Westside Hotel, Houston, Tex. Junior State Conference Western States District March 25-27, 2011 Western States District Conference Tandia B. Elijio – Los Angeles, Calif. Hilton Hotel, Lafayette, La. Senior State Conference Autumn Nailes – Los Angeles, Calif. April 29-May 1, 2011 Senior State Conference The Hilton Hotel Newark/Fremont Lauren Gonzales – Inglewood, Calif. April 29-May 1, 2011 Newark, Calif. Crown Plaza Baton Rouge, La. Junior State Conference – Pending 34 2010-2012 National Council

Knights of Peter Mr. Tilmon D. King Mr. Curtis J. Guynn Director General Jr. Knights Northern States District Deputy Claver 3713 Edgewood Ct. 3024 Sutherland Ave. Avondale, LA 70094 Indianapolis, IN 46205-4633 Mr. F. DeKarlos Blackmon Home: 504.436.3066 Home: 317.920.9617 Supreme Knight Bus: 504.452.4109 Bus: 317.226.6303, Ext. 6305 P.O. Box 231 Fax: 504.436.3954 Fax: 317.226.7308 Huntsville, AL 35804-0231 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Home: 256.885.2586 Bus: 256.534.8459 Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry Mr. Gregory Warner Fax: 256.534.8450 National Chaplain Western States District Deputy E-mail: [email protected] Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago 9222 8th Ave. P.O. Box 733 Inglewood, CA 90305 Mr. Paul Jones, Jr. South Holland, IL 60473-0733 Home: 323.242.9686 Bus: 708.339.2474 Bus: 310.538.2214 il Deputy Supreme Knight

c 3123 Country Club Rd. Fax: 708.339.2477 Fax: 310.538.2342 n Lake Charles, LA 70605 E-mail: [email protected] u Mr. Gene A. Phillips, Sr.

o Home: 337.477.8565

c Fax: 337.477.8565 Past Supreme Knight Mr. Sam Sims

l E-mail: [email protected] 22911 Palomino Creek Ct. Central States District Deputy a Tomball, TX 77375-7198 1508 Dickerson Rd., B15 n

o Mr. Jamaal N. Borum Home: 281.370.1757 Nashville, TN 37207 i t National Secretary Fax: 281.251.7920 Home: 615.262.0741 8550 S. Loomis Blvd. E-mail: [email protected] Bus: 615.532.5039 or 615.253.5165 na Chicago, IL 60620 Fax: 615.320.0698 2 Mr. Oscar J. Benoit E-mail: [email protected] 1 Home: 773.881.7412

0 Bus: 773.960.8493 Louisiana State Deputy 2 201 Rue Des Etoiles Mr. James A. Neal - E-mail: [email protected]

0 Carencro, LA 70520 Supreme Navigator 1 Mr. Philip B. Stiell Home: 337.886.8842 Fourth Degree, KPC

20 National Treasurer E-mail: [email protected] 14210 Torrey Village Dr. P.O. Box 7827 Houston, TX 77014 Spanish Fort, AL 36577 Mr. James Ellis Home: 281.440.9665 Home: 251.621.1009 Texas State Deputy Bus: 713.893.1593 E-mail: [email protected] 7702 Chasecreek Dr. E-mail: [email protected] Missouri City, TX 77489 Mr. William T. Everette Home: 281.437.2136 Mr. Michael J. Taylor National Advocate Bus: 713.824.3521 Executive Director 29 Park Timbers Dr. E-mail: [email protected] 1825 Orleans Ave. New Orleans, LA 70131 New Orleans, LA 70116-2825 Home: 504.251.1354 Mr. Athanase J. Jones, Jr. Bus: 504.821.4225 E-mail: [email protected] Gulf Coast District Deputy Cell: 504.287.8407 11065 Castlemain Circle E Fax: 504.821.4253 Mr. George J. Williams Jacksonville, FL 32256.2894 E-mail: [email protected] Lay Board Member Home: 904.997.0508 828 Latiolais Dr. Fax: 904.997.0508 P.O. Box 1267 E-mail: [email protected] Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 Bus: 337.291.8364 Fax: 337.332.5331 E-mail: [email protected] The ClaveriteThe Claverite | Winter | Winter Issue Issue 2010-11 2010-11 | www | www.kofpc.org.kofpc.org 35 and Court Board of Directors

Knights of Peter Mrs. Diane T. Asberry Ms. Eva Volter Nat’l. Counselor Jr. Daughters Texas State Deputy Claver, Ladies Auxiliary 8253 S. East End 18814 Racquet Ridge Rd. Chicago, IL 60617-1739 Humble, TX 77346 Dr. Geralyn C. Shelvin Home: 773.734.3961 Home: 281.812.9567 Supreme Lady Fax: 773.734.3962 Cell: 713.504.2945 121 Rimwood Ave. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Lafayette, LA 70501.6559 Home: 337.232.8510 Mrs. Mary L. Briers Mrs. E. Annetta Wilson Bus: 337.706.3427 Past Supreme Lady Northern States District Deputy Fax: 337.232.8463 4360 Sunnybrook Dr. 4241 West 21st Pl. E-mail: [email protected] Montgomery, AL 36108-5042 Chicago, IL 60623 Home: 334.281.7316 Home: 773.521.4033 Ms. Yvonne H. Jackson E-mail: [email protected] Bus: 773.542.8634 Fax: 773.542.9817 2

Vice Supreme Lady 0

8921 Shady Bluff Dr. Mrs. Michelle C. Jackson E-mail: [email protected] 1 Baton Rouge, LA 70818-4520 Louisiana State Deputy 0 -

Home: 225.261.0959 2316 13th St. Mrs. Audrey Woods 20 Bus: 225.344.0318 Lake Charles, LA 70601 Supreme Navigator Home: 337.474.6120 4th Degree, Ladies of Grace 1 Fax: 225.346.1317 2

Bus: 337.437.9132 5435 Providence Pl.

E-mail: [email protected] n

1.800.752.6706 Ext. 132 New Orleans, LA 70126 a

Fax: 337.478.7610 Home: 504.304.7677 t

Ms. DeLise Coleman i National Secretary E-mail: [email protected] Cell: 504.304.0381 o E-mail: [email protected] n 2092 Mercer Ave. a

Ms. Sharon Pietre Williams l

College Park, GA 30337 Cell: 404.290.2221 Western States District Deputy c P.O. Box 94244 o Fax: 678.306.0668 ur E-mail: [email protected] Seattle, WA 98124-6544 Home: 206.679.6182 t Ms. Melissa Sias Fax: 310.568.9937 National Treasurer E-mail: [email protected] 124 Castle Row Lafayette, LA 70506 Mrs. Gwendolyn Lewis Home: 337.277.6929 Gulf Coast District Deputy Fax: 337.989.8182 518 Rawls Ave. E-mail: [email protected] Prichard, AL 36610-2049 Home: 251.452.2735 Ms. Hilda Wiltz Fax: 251.441.6486 Lay Board Member E-mail: [email protected] P.O. Box 752 Rayne, LA 70578.0752 Ms. Janice M. Gray Home: 337.393.2080 Central States District Deputy E-mail: [email protected] 20668 E. Hamilton Cir. Wishing you a Aurora, CO 80013 Home: 303.400.8713 Blessed Christmas Cell: 303.475.3315 and Joyous New Year! Fax: 303.400.8714 E-mail: [email protected] – KPC/KPCLA Board of Directors NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 375 SO. FL. FLORIDA

The Claver Prayer

God, our Heavenly Father, You St. Peter Claver, who became have given us life through the an example for us, You showed Death and Resurrection of Your us the Love of God, the light Beloved Son, Jesus Christ; of Christ, and the strength of the Holy Spirit; Jesus, our Saving Lord, You came into a world darkened by We pray now that all we say man’s sin and gave it light and do, in your honor, be a through your teachings; continuation of your work here on earth. Holy Spirit, the Breath of God within us, You guide and enlighten us and give us the St. Peter Claver, strength of our convictions; Pray for Us

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