Area KCs host state convention

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted May 8, 2003

Knights of Columbus from across Iowa converged on Sioux City for this year's state convention that was held May 2-4 at the Sioux City Convention Center.

According to organizers, the convention attracted more than 700 people - 400-plus Knights and about 300 wives. Joseph McGarry and Mark Nixa served as co-chairs for the event with their wives, Kim McGarry and Donna Nixa, taking on the roles of co-chairs of the women's activities.

"I believe the convention was a success," said Joseph McGarry. "Everyone seemed to have a good time. They all enjoyed the convention and Sioux City." Many commented they would like to come back.

Jerry Reinert, a parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Sioux City and member of the Epiphany Council #743 that is celebrating its 100th anniversary, pointed out that about seven or eight councils helped in the planning of the convention.

Along with councils from Sioux City, councils from districts of 18, 19 and 20 were involved in the planning from communities such as Akron, Le Mars, Hawarden, Moville, Alton/Hospers/Granville, Onawa and Anthon.

For Reinert, his favorite part of the convention was the 4th Degree Exemplification. There were about 75 3rd Degree Knights that were elevated.

After business meetings on Saturday, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo celebrated 5 p.m. Mass with the Knights. The Celebration Choir from Blessed Sacrament Church led the music at the liturgy that was followed by a banquet and an awards ceremony.

"Bishop DiNardo is very supportive of the Knights," said McGarry. "He especially appreciates our stance on the pro-life issues."

The Mass with the bishop was the most significant part of the convention for Stan Rolfes of Akron. He added, "These conventions lift me spiritually."

Marv Japel, one of the organizers of the convention from Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City, pointed out that they received many positive comments about the liturgies.

"There was a level of excellence that councils hosting future conventions will have trouble coming up with," he noted.

Cheryl Paulsen of Granville, who attended the conference with her husband Ron, pointed out that they have been attending state conventions since the 1970s.

"We see people from other parts of the state once a year. They are such a great group of people," she said. "The people really liked Bishop DiNardo."

Paulsen added that a representative from the Supreme Council from KC home base in Connecticut, Lou Barbour, had commended the diocese for having such a wonderful bishop.

Barbour, noted Japel, offered the keynote address at the Friday session and he also spoke on Saturday.

"He gave us some wonderful ideas about recruitment and other council information," he said.

Sunday activities began with the living rosary preceding 8 a.m. Mass that was celebrated by Father Paul Bormann, a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City who serves as the Knights state chaplain. The Jubilation Choir from the Church of Nativity led the music for this liturgy. A third business session followed Mass. Final prayer closed out the convention at about 2 p.m.

Several display and informational booths were set up in the convention center's atrium. One display offered stuffed Knight bears - featuring blue for 3rd Degree Knights and black for 4th Degree Knights.

According to Bob Dimig, the Birthright of Siouxland and Siouxland Right to Life booth featured rosaries donated by the #2839 Holy Rosary Danbury council. These repaired, blessed rosaries were given to the council by Dolores Louis.

The rosaries were offered to the Knights for a free-will offering, noted Dimig, past Grand Knight. About half of the rosaries were given away, raising $120. This money will be donated by the Danbury Knights to Birthright and Siouxland Right to life.

Another booth featured the archives of Epiphany Council #743, in celebration of its centennial year. The council gave away finger rosaries to all attendees.

Throughout the weekend, various activities for women were planned such as a trip to Trinity Heights, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Sunday brunch with entertainment by Nuns on the Run and more.

"It was really a weekend of good information, good talks and good pep-up sessions," said Japel. "This was an off-election year so it wasn't as exciting as some of the other conventions during the sessions but the Masses, banquets and other activities were very exciting."

Knights from Cedar Rapids, where the next convention will be held, told him that "you guys will be a tough act to follow. We put Sioux City on the map as far as how to put a convention on."