Monsignor Malone, Bishop Taylor, and Father Bieberle.

Founder’s Day (March 29) and its 20^th Anniversary (January 1) were celebrated on Thursday evening, April 15.  The event began with a 5:00 pm mass celebrated by Bishop Anthony Taylor and concelebrated by Monsignor Malone and Father Bieberle.

Mass was followed by a social period and dinner for 106, including knights, wives, and guests.  The dinner, catered by Home Plate, consisted of a salad, a combination of steak and chicken, broccoli and carrots, twice baked potatoes, and turtle cheesecake for dessert.

Deputy Grand Knight Bill Welch served as master of ceremonies for the program.  A 15-minute video covered the life and contributions of Founder Father Michael J. McGivney.  It was followed by a prayer for his canonization.  Bill then presented the book, Parish Priest about Father McGivney’s life, to the bishop and the two priests.  Bishop Taylor was also given a monetary gift, and Monsignor Malone and Father Bieberle were each presented with a certificate commemorating the Year of the Priest, which concludes on June 19.

Of the eighteen grand knights who have led the council in its twenty-year history, six were present and recognized: Tom Ament, Ron Boudreaux, Al Kuhn, Ed Miller, Bill Patterson, and Emile Plaisance.

The council was chartered with 56 knights in 1990, and the following six attended the celebration: Bernie Bauer, Lee Borne, Floyd Garrot, Al Kuhn, Ed Pilarski, and Elmer Steger.  Each was presented with a certificate honoring him as a charter member.   In addition, both Bernie Bauer and Lee Borne were given a plaque in recognition of their outstanding service to the Knights of Columbus.  The charter members shared some of their memories of the early years of the council.

The celebration concluded with a short talk by Bishop Taylor and a closing prayer for Pope Benedict XVI.