BLYTHEWOOD—Ed and Cathy Hogue were recognized as the Knights of Columbus Family of the Year at their annual state convention held April 26 in Greenville.
The award is given annually to families who exhibit outstanding dedication and service to the Church and the Knights.
“Everything they do, they do as a family,” said Robert Wagner, Grand Knight of Council 13713 at Transfiguration Church, where the Hogues are members.
“If you look at any activity the Hogues participate in, almost 100 percent of the time it is Ed and Cathy working together,” Wagner said. “Whatever it is, from Adopt-a-Highway to the Coats for Kids project and other activities, consistently you always see them together.”
The Hogues are also one of the founding families of Transfiguration Church, joining when the parish was first organized in 1998.
Mr. Hogue, who is originally from Alabama, came to South Carolina when he was stationed at Fort Jackson with the U.S. Army. After he retired, the family decided to remain in Columbia.
He joined Council 13713 when it was founded in 2008. He also serves as commander of Assembly 2902, which meets at St. John Neumann Church in Columbia.
Cathy Hogue is a member of the Columbiettes, a women’s organization that works alongside the Knights. The Hogues also have a daughter, Christy, who is an active member of Transfiguration.
Mr. Hogue said he and his wife were surprised to receive the honor, although he had an idea something was going on when other members of his family showed up at the state convention.
“I’m humbled by the fact that we were honored, and my wife is tickled to death,” he said. “I don’t like to be recognized for what I do, but we do appreciate the honor.”
The Hogues take part in a wide range of activities in the parish. One of their biggest efforts is the Knights’ annual fish fry, which regularly attracts hundreds of people on Fridays during Lent.
“We have worked at almost every fish fry for the past 13 years, only missing about three or four of them,” Mr. Hogue said.
He and his daughter both serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and he has trained others who want to take on that important role. The Hogues also help organize the monthly social events, which include a meal, guest speakers and awards. Mr. Hogue often volunteers to cook at the socials.
The couple also chairs the annual Blythewood Christmas Parade, which the Knights have organized for the town for the past three years.
Another activity that touches their hearts are regular visits to the sick and homebound, when Mr. Hogue brings them the Eucharist.
“It’s an honor and a blessing to be able to do this for people,” he said.
Even though their work is demanding, Mr. Hogue said all of it is central to the reason he and his family became active in the organization.
“The best part about belonging to the Knights is being able to offer service to the parish, the priests and to the community,” Mr. Hogue said.
The Hogues were also honored in 2018 by Knights of Columbus Council 13713 with awards for both Knight of the Month and Family of the Month.
