DIOCESAN NEWS
06/08/07
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Madison Knights of Columbus reap stellar awards
By Joe Lee
       MADISON – Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the word stellar as outstanding.
Knights of Columbus Council 9543 in Madison was named Stellar Council at the state convention, which took place at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi last month.
       “The Stellar Council award is based on the council meeting certain goals in activities, membership and insurance,” said Grand Knight Larry Roberts. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to work with, and leading this council has been the most rewarding experience of my 25 years as a knight.”
       Council 9543, headquartered at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, was also named Most Outstanding Extra Large Council in the state of Mississippi.
Philip Jabour was named District Deputy of the Year in his first year at the helm of District VI. He oversees councils in Madison, Brandon, Pearl and Gluckstadt.
“Council 9543 has done a really good job overall, especially Larry Roberts,” Jabour said.        “He had a lot of experience from his days in Louisiana and hit the ground running.”
The council was also honored with the Top Gunn Award for meeting their membership quota, as well as a certificate for the highest percentage net gain in membership for extra large councils.
       This made Deputy Grand Knight Charles Wilkerson very happy.
       “It’s a wonderful organization,” said Wilkerson, who was honored with a handsome Knights of Columbus jacket and a framed certificate for his leading role in the substantial membership increase from year to year.
       “We added 18 great new knights during our annual membership blitz in February, fine men who’ll carry on the tradition of excellence in Council 9543 for years. I’m proud to serve with them and encourage all Catholic young men once they turn 18 to consider joining.”
       Council 9543 also claimed awards for Best Vocations Activity and Best Pro Life Activity in the state. They won the Keep Christ in Christmas Award for Christmas card sales and landed second place showings for Best Family Activity and Best Church Activity.
       During the Gray Daniels vehicle raffle, Council 9543 was the single largest contributor to priest education in the Jackson diocese with a total contribution of $10,414. That’s a third of the total amount raised within the diocese, and the generosity of the council’s members and St. Francis parishioners resulted in a $20,000 payout to Council 9543. A committee was formed to determine where that payout will be headed.
       Their commitment to St. Joseph Catholic High School in Madison continues with the implementation of a $1000 scholarship for a senior this fall.
       The annual Tootsie Roll drive raised several thousand dollars for the special education department, Special Kids Program, at St. Richard Elementary School in Jackson.
       Cajun Fest celebrated its 20th year with live music, fun kid activities and a mouth-watering menu served up by Chris Manning and the other master chefs of Council 9543. The afternoon-long celebration raised much-needed funds which will be put back into St. Francis Parish.
       “We badly need a new roof at St. Francis,” said Denise Rotenberry, Cajun Fest coordinator and wife of Council 9543 knight Kenny Rotenberry. “But the money we raised from Cajun Fest this year will also go in large part toward outreach. Our campus, as people all over Mississippi discovered in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, is utilized by many non-parishioners as well as everyone who attends our parish.”

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