(reprinted from Supreme's web site www.kofc.org)

The Knights of Columbus passed a significant milestone on April 30, 2010, when its membership exceeded 1.8 million. 

At the end of the last day of April, the official tally of Knights of Columbus around the world stood at 1,800,445.

“Achieving this milestone in membership is a testament to the high regard in which the Knights of Columbus is held among Catholic men everywhere,” Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said. “We offer a unique opportunity to serve our church and our communities as one of the most active service organizations anywhere in the world.

“We truly offer the ‘experience of a lifetime,’ to join brother Knights in a common effort to become better fathers, better husbands, better citizens and better Catholics, together with the opportunity to provide financial protection for their families.”

Special Olympics was created nationally in 1968 by the Joseph F. Kennedy Jr Foundation.  Special Olympics Arkansas is a non-profit organization, providing approximately 14,000 individuals with mental or physical challenges the opportunity to excel.  There are 18 area coordinators throughout Arkansas who support all the local coordinators and the activities in their area.

Pictured (l-r) from Sacred Heart of Jesus: Roger and Mary Ann Witcraft, Mike Frantz, Joanne Podraza, Ellie Barker, John Bodensteiner, Lillian Starsiak, and Dub and Geri Green. Mike and Ruth Kerwin were not available for the picture.

In1970, Arkansas held its first Summer Games with 283 athletes competing in various track and field events.  It has grown to a total of 2,000 athletes competing not only in athletics but aquatics, softball, volleyball, unified football, power lifting, bocce, cycling, softball, equestrian, soccer, floor hockey, bowling, basketball, ice skating, and gymnastics.  Certification classes are offered each year throughout the state in all official sports to ensure that the athletes receive the best training possible. 

The Summer Games are held annually in late May on the Harding University campus in Searcy.  The Arkansas Knights of Columbus sponsor the Olympic Village where the athletes can come and relax between their scheduled events.  A variety of games and activities is offered by the knights, their spouses, and friends.

A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS 

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.  Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf:  Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.  Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.  Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.  Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen, and heal us. 

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will. 

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.  Intercede for our priests that, offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

St John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests.

A PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS 

Heavenly Father, Your Divine Son taught us to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His vineyard.  We earnestly beg You to bless our Diocese and our world with many priests who will love You fervently; and gladly and courageously spend their lives in service to Your Son’s Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

We pray that their lives may be always centered on our Eucharistic Lord; that they be always faithful to the Holy Father; and that they may be devoted sons of Mary, our Mother, in making You known and loved; and that all may attain Heaven.  Bless our families and our children and choose from our home those whom You desire for this holy work.  We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen

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John and Carolyn Bodensteiner following the acceptance of the Family Service Award for Council 10208.

Council 10208 won the Family Service Award at the 2010 State Knights of Columbus Convention in recognition of its outstanding Celebration of Life Memorial Mass and Banquet, an event that is held annually.  Special thanks to Family Director Mac Good, Brother Buddy Dixon, Program Director Dick Breckon, and Monsignor Malone as well as all of the volunteers who made this an award-winning activity.

Four members of the  council were in attendance at the 102nd Annual Arkansas Knights of Columbus State Convention at the Crowne Plaza in Little Rock: Grand Knight John Bodensteiner and Deputy Grand Knight Bill Welch as council delegates; Gerald Krawczynski as State Warden; and, Ed Miller as District 10 Deputy.

Everyone is all smiles following the presentaion of the District Deputy of the Year Award by State Deputy Jim Neff to Ed Miller. Pictured are Carolyn and Jim Neff and Ed and Mary Ann Miller.

Ed Miller was awarded District Deputy of the Year at the annual State Convention held April 23-25  in Little Rock.  Ed is completing his first full year of service as District 10 Deputy, a position to which he was named following Newton White of the Hot Springs council.

Ed joined the Knights of Columbus in 2004 and the 4th Degree Assembly in 2005.  He has held the officer positions of chancellor and grand knight, and currently serves as a trustee.  He was the council's Knight of the Year in 2008-2009.  Ed and his wife, Mary Ann, have been named Family of the Month twice and Family of the Year twice.

Ed is an altar server and is a member of the Disaster Response Team in which he serves on the Steering Committee and leads the clean-up crew.  Mary Ann is choir director.  They have five children and 14 grandchildren.

Monsignor Malone, Bishop Taylor, and Father Bieberle.

Founder’s Day (March 29) and its 20^th Anniversary (January 1) were celebrated on Thursday evening, April 15.  The event began with a 5:00 pm mass celebrated by Bishop Anthony Taylor and concelebrated by Monsignor Malone and Father Bieberle.

Mass was followed by a social period and dinner for 106, including knights, wives, and guests.  The dinner, catered by Home Plate, consisted of a salad, a combination of steak and chicken, broccoli and carrots, twice baked potatoes, and turtle cheesecake for dessert.

Deputy Grand Knight Bill Welch served as master of ceremonies for the program.  A 15-minute video covered the life and contributions of Founder Father Michael J. McGivney.  It was followed by a prayer for his canonization.  Bill then presented the book, Parish Priest about Father McGivney’s life, to the bishop and the two priests.  Bishop Taylor was also given a monetary gift, and Monsignor Malone and Father Bieberle were each presented with a certificate commemorating the Year of the Priest, which concludes on June 19.