COLUMBIA—The South Carolina State Council of the Knights of Columbus hosted their 91st annual state convention in April to focus on “Spreading God’s Love.”
Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone attended the opening rosary and spoke to about 250 Knights and their wives about the need for Catholics to live out their faith in daily life, said State Deputy Thomas Monahon of Aiken.
Richard A. Gabriel, a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Goose Creek, was elected as the new state deputy and will begin his term July 1.
Other officers elected were Richard J. Stachelek of Columbia, state secretary; Richard A. Marino of Pawleys Island, state treasurer; Robert J. Cox of Florence, state advocate; and Michael A. Allen of Blythewood, state warden.
Manuel “Manny” Alegria received the Golden Knight Award. He is a member of Council 8790 in Marion/Dillon.
Alegria and his wife Sally have been married for 52 years and are parishioners of Church of the Infant Jesus Mission in Marion.
The Golden Knight is given annually to the person who has shown outstanding service and commitment for 10 years or more.
Alegria said he joined the organization shortly after he moved to South Carolina in 1988.
“I was really surprised, humbled and honored by the award, because I knew there were many Knights
sitting in that auditorium that were just as deserving,” Alegria said. “The Knights is a brotherhood to me. I got more involved in the church after becoming a Knight. It gives you a feeling of wanting to go out and help people, help the church and the community.”
The Knight of the Year was Nicholas “Nick” Hine, a member of Council 1668 in Greenville. Family of the Year went to Bill and Dee Hooks, also of Council 1668.
The Youth of the Year, submitted by Council 13713 of Blythewood, went to Tristan Shelley, 11.