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Christ
On the Mountain Council 7640
Lakewood,
Colorado
Henry Ford once
said, "Coming together is a beginning... keeping together is
progress... and working together is success."
The future of the Knights of Columbus in Lakewood, Colorado began
in the hearts and minds of dedicated men in mid 1980. These men,
living in the local area and belonging to existing councils outside
the area, began to dream of a council of their own, a council of
their friends and neighbors; banded together in common fellowship
and purpose, working for church, community, family and fellow man
in this expanding area along the foothills of the Rockies.
With the encouragement and aid of the State Council, District 15,
Metro Denver Chapter, Councils 3799 and 4844, and after having received
the blessings of the pastor, Ronald R. Day, Patrick L. Barrett and
James J. McCullough began a membership drive on July 12, 1980.
Initial
response from the men of the parish and their families led these
men to a redoubling of their efforts. As a result, twenty-two new,
eighteen rejoins, and twenty transfers constituted the charter members.
The first
of four weekly organizational meetings was held on July 29, 1980.
During these meetings the council name was chosen, an initiation
fee and dues established, meeting day and time chosen, election
of officers held and institution of the council planned.
While
the council was being organized, two requests were brought forward
and approved. First, that the Rosary is prayed before each regular
business meeting as a continuing honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
our patroness, as a demonstration of our faith. Second, that our
council name includes Christ's name to signify the desire to "keep
Christ in our hearts and minds." As a result, the council name
selected was "Christ on the Mountain."
Charter
Officer
|
Rev. Joseph
J. Raffa -- Chaplain
|
John R.
Danielson -- Advocate |
| Ronald
R. Day -- Grand Knight |
Ronald
R. Greene -- Warden |
| James J.
McCullough -- Deputy Grand Knight |
William
J. Basbagill -- Inside Guard |
| Patrick
A. Hurley -- Chancellor |
Frank R.
Hough -- Outside Guard |
| Edward
J. Obechina -- Recorder |
Patrick
L. Barrett -- 3-Year Trustee |
| Dale S.
Culuris -- Financial Secretary |
Richard
R. Schaefer -- 2-Year Trustee |
| James T.
Weiland -- Treasurer |
Richard
L. Kasel -- 1-Year Trustee |
| Robert
W. Gonring -- Lecturer |
|
Christ on the Mountain Council 7640 was instituted August 24, 1980
at Christ on the Mountain Parish, 13922 West Utah Avenue at Alameda
Parkway, with 60 charter members.
The Admission
(First) Degree was conferred by Southwest Denver Council 4844 Degree
Team; the Formation (Second) Degree by District 9 Degree Team; and
the Knighthood (Third) Degree by Colorado (District 1) Degree Team.
The Fourth
Degree Honor Guard was provided by the Color Corp of John H. Reddin
Assembly 0087.
The Charter
Institution class of 46 members honored Father Richard B. Ling,
pastor of Christ on the Mountain Parish.
Dignitaries attending included: State Deputy Jack J. Knudsen, State
Secretary Sandy Lenzini, Jr., State Warden Patrick L. Barrett, Past
State Deputy David L. McKinney and wife, Anna Mary, State Ladies
Auxiliary President, District Deputy 15 Richard H. Hewitt, and Fred
J. Gould and G. Thomas Harding, Jr. of State Council's New Council
Development Team.
This council
became the 62nd active council in Colorado jurisdiction of the Knights
of Columbus.
The Englewood-Littleton
Ladies Auxiliary hosted ladies' entertainment during the conferring
of degrees.
A Ladies
Auxiliary of Christ on the Mountain Council 7640 was also instituted
at this time.
The Mass,
to include Knighting Ceremony of all new Knights, was celebrated
by new Knight and Council Chaplain and Associate Pastor of Christ
on the Mountain Parish, Reverend Joseph J. Raffa.
Charter Members
| Richard
W. Adams |
Ronald
R. Greene |
Henry E.
Nieto |
| Paige J.
Baker |
Donald
F. Hanak |
Robert
J. O'Connell |
| Patrick
L. Barrett |
Edward
L. Hernandez |
Edward
J. Obechina |
| William
J. Basbagill |
Edward
E. Hollop |
Cesar M.
Palencia |
| Abel A.
Benevidez |
Frank R.
Hough |
Donald
N. Petersen |
| Joseph
B. Bieniasz |
Patrick
L. Hurley |
Rev. Joseph
J. Raffa |
| Michael
E. Commerford |
James P.
Jablonski |
Raymond
L. Richard |
| C. Dan
Conroy |
David J.
Jasko |
Kenneth
D. Riedel |
| Thomas
R. Costello |
Douglas
E. Julian |
William
J. Ross |
| Dale S.
Culuris |
Richard
L. Kasel |
Thomas
K. Ryan |
|
John R.
Danielson
|
Richard
D. Klumker |
Richard
R. Schaefer |
| Ronald
R. Day |
Joseph
J. Koczan |
Robert
L. Silva |
| Ralph A.
Dinkel |
David L.
Lobmeyer |
Quentin
D. Smith |
|
Christopher
P. Dowdell
|
William
D. Longan |
Raymond
D. Stevens |
| Robert
J. Duffy |
Joe V.
Lopez |
Jack H.
Swanzy |
| Julian
J. Duran |
Ronald
D. Matteucci |
Joseph
E. Tritchler |
| Francis
L. Earnest |
James J.
McCullough |
Leo P.
Wackley |
| John J.
Fitz-Gerald |
Norman
F. Miller |
James T.
Weiland |
| John T.
Gargon |
Paul J.
Miller |
|
| Robert
W. Gonring |
Rodert
J. Mulvaney |
|
William S. Whittam On September 30, 1980, a joint installation of
Council Officers and Ladies Auxiliary Officers was conducted. District
Deputy 15 Richard H. Hewitt was the conferring officer for the council
officers and Ladies Auxiliary State President Anna Mary Mckinney
performed the installation for the ladies. Assisting with escorts
were members of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard. The guests' speaker
was State Deputy Jack F. Knudsen.
The large audience of council members, their families, and guests
concluded the evening's ceremony with refreshments and a K of C
emblem decorated cake.Upon the institution of the council, a process
of realignment was begun. The result was the establishment of a
new district, District 21, and the appointment of its first District
Deputy, John G. Simons. Queen of the Holy Rosary Council 3799, John
P. McManamen Council 6905 Christ on the Mountain Council composed
the new district.
If the hosting of the Institution Major Degree is not considered,
the first major program conducted by the council was the hosting
of a state horseshoe tournament on October 5, 1980. This was immediately
followed with participation in the annual Tootsie Roll Fund Drive
to aid the mentally challenged.
The Knights
of Columbus is an international society of Catholic men who have
dedicated themselves to the ideals of charity, unity, fraternity
and patriotism. Our Christ on the Council has received the Star
Council more than other Colorado council and it presently has approximately
140 members plus their families.
This Council
was established on August 24, 1980 with 60 members. The Charter
Chaplain was Fr. Joe Raffa and the Charter Grand was Ron Day. The
Knights have been supporting our parish since its inception. They
donated three lights to our parking lot, helped stock our kitchen
supplying appliances, pots, pans, utensils and the like, worked
on the sprinkler system, cleared debris, landscaped and painted.
The Knights'
ideals of spirituality and service to the Church, country and others
are manifested in many programs and projects that help the needy
and strengthen the parish family. During the last twenty years,
our council has been awarded the "Star Council" award
twelve times. Star Council is the highest award presented by the
Supreme Council. Only about 10% of the councils earn this award
each year.
A few of Council 7640's activites include:
Helping with
the construction of the San Luis Shrine and the Stations of the
Cross
Recognizing
the Youth of the Month with an Award
Participating
in the Annual Tootsie Roll Sales Campaign for mentally challenged
Participating
in Coffee House, an outstanding program for mentally challenged
Providing a
5th Sunday of Month breakfast for parish
Volunteering
at Mother Cabrini Shrine 2nd Sunday of month
Sponsoring the
Basketball Free Throw Event
Preparing and
serving Mother's Day breakfast
Cooking and
serving Lenten Friday Fish Fry dinners
Supporting all
night First Friday Vigils
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