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COUNCIL 3444 |
About Council 3444 Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. Council 3444 has a current membership which represents several area parishes; many of the area’s Councils were formed by past members of 3444. This provides a unique connection with the Catholic community of East Bell County. We have a membership of over 300 Catholic gentlemen who serve our clergy, our parishes, Catholic schools, and our community. We have numerous activities during the year that are service and/or entertainment related. A few of our key events are Clergy Night, Law Enforcement Appreciation, Annual Halloween Party, and Family dances. Joining Council 3444 is a great opportunity to be a part of something bigger than just being a member of your parish. If you would like to be a part of the Knights of Columbus and serve your church and community please call or click on “Join Us” for more information. It’s an Opportunity of a Lifetime for you and your family!
The History of Council 3444 Fifty Years of Growth in Temple The First 25 Years: 1951-1976 The history of the Knights of Temple, Texas dates back to the early 1950’s when several Catholic men of the community joined together for a common purpose…to organize and charter a council. It was the desire of these men at the time for the Knights of Columbus to become an active organization within their community. Dr. Louis Malinak, Herman Beach, Willard Green and Vincent Serger conferred with Father Patrick J. O’Reilly, who was the pastor of St. Mary’s church in Temple. They expressed a sincere interest that was felt by many of the men in the parish to establish a local council, and they explained to Father O’Reilly a need for the Catholic fraternal organization. With Father O’Reilly’s approval, meetings began at St. Mary’s with all interested men from the parish invited to help plan and establish a council. From these meetings emerged a group of 41 Catholic men who were to become part of the charter members of the new Temple council and the date was set to officially initiate the charter members into the Knights of Columbus. On Sunday morning, September 16, 1951 the 41 prospective members attended Mass and Corporate Communion as a group at St. Mary’s Church. Following Mass, a breakfast was served at St. Mary’s School and then all of the prospective members boarded a chartered bus to take them to Waco Council 1358 for the conferring of the First, Second, and Third Degrees. Judge Reynaldo G. Garza represented State Deputy David Lambright during the conferring of the Degrees, assisted by District Deputy John H. Coffman. At the end of the day, following a buffet supper served by the host Waco Council, all 41 men returned to Temple, new members of a great Catholic fraternal organization. Ten days later, on the evening of September 26, 1951, District Deputy Coffman called the first meeting of the newly established Temple Council, Number 3444, held in the St. Mary’s School auditorium for the purpose of electing and installing council officers. Dr. Lewis Malinak was elected our first Grand Knight; J.L. Evans, Deputy Grand Knight; John H. Landers, Chancellor; Bernard Lenart, Warden; Roman Bierschenk, Recorder; Willard Green, Treasurer; Henry Kabella, Advocate; Alec Zurovek, Inside Guard; Nick DeMaria, Outside Guard, Herman Beach, One-Year Trustee; Frank Maruna, Two-year Trustee; and L.H Deiterman, Three-Year Trustee. Immediately following the formal instillation of all the newly elected officers by District Deputy Coffman, Grand Knight Malinak appointed Father Patrick J. O’Reilly as the first Council Chaplain and W.J. Parma as Financial Secretary. Other appointments made by the Grand Knight during the meeting were Ed Hess, Sr., Lecturer; J.L Evans, Chairman of the Five Point Program; Albert Mikeska, Council Activities Director; Charles Caughlin, Jr., Publicity Director; Willard Green, Membership Director; J.H. Landers, Catholic Activities Director; and Charles Callaway, Fraternal Activity Chairman. With 64 members present for the first meeting, the stage was set for Temple Council 3444 to go to work advancing the ideas and ideals of the Knights of Columbus. By the end of the year, only three months later, an additional 46 new members had been initiated into the order, and by the end of the first full year, the council had a total membership of 168 members A most interesting note is that at the first meeting it was decided that the permanent meeting nights would be on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. For twenty-five years these meeting dates have remained unchanged. Council 3444 still meet regularly each second and fourth Monday. As the new council began to formulate its own service goals and objectives, many worthwhile activities were started under the Five Point system: 1) A “wheelchair brigade: was started at McCloskey Hospital and many servicemen were served special breakfasts; 2) The council participated in its first Santa Pal Program; 3)The council built and placed literature racks in Temple hotels, bus station, and the railroad station for distribution of Catholic literature to travelers; 4) The council organized and charted a council sponsored Boy Scout troop which is still active; 5) Council members also found time for several family socials. They organized a volleyball team that won the Temple City Championship the first year. On July 27, 1952, the first of the annual K of C picnics was held. Over 400 members and their families and friends attended this Picnic held at Seaton Star Hall. As the membership increased, likewise the activities of the council increased. On August 25, 1952, the first cash donation of $100.00 from the treasury of the council was made to St. Mary’s Church for their expansion program. A sport’s night at McCloskey Hospital witnessed many Knights assisting in the program with the patients who enjoyed the special affair. For the first time locally, Radio Station KTEM carried a series of radio programs on the rosary and the Stations of the Cross, arranged by the council. Bibles were donated to the Temple Public Library and discussion had already begun concerning a permanent home for the council. A car pool was organized to transport soldiers from the Temple U.S.O.to St. Mary’s Church for mass on Sunday mornings. In July 1953, the first council news letter was mailed to all council members, the forerunners of today’s “Knight Letter”. And, from the minutes of August 26, 1953, meeting, it was apparent that obtaining a permanent home for the council was still on the members’ minds. With their second annual just over, the membership voted to start a building fund with the profit from the picnic, $576.22. September, 1953, a council blood donor program was established at the Veterans Administration Hospital. The council, in November, 1953, bought 4.5 acres of land next to the Temple Country Club for $4000.00. A major and important step had been taken by Council 3444 in the acquisition of this 4.5 acres, which is today the site of the present meeting hall. In July, 1954, Building #T-220 at McCloskey Hospital was purchased for $2,400.00 and moved to the recently acquired property. Following repairs and remodeling, the first council meeting in the building was held October 25, 1954. Within a week after this first meeting, the council was also in the rental business. The St. Mary’s Mother’s Club rented the hall for $10.00, which was donated back to the Mother’s Club by the council. For the next twelve years, Building T-220 served the council well as a meeting hall. In late 1954, a council sponsored Cub Pack was established. Ladies’ night and family socials became more regular functions at the new hall in an attempt to give the members stronger ties not only to the council, but to each other. The first of the present annual Memorial Services for deceased members was started in 1953. In the late 1950’s, a state-wide fund raising drive called “Operation One- Shot” was held for the Texas State Council Education Fund. Each knight in Texas was asked to donate $1.00 to the fund, and the Temple Council 3444 was the first council in the state to report 100% participation. In 1960’s, the council gave financial support to the relatively new athletic program at St. Mary’s School and worked more with Temple U.S.O. For the children, an Easter egg hunt was held and our first Clergy Appreciation Night was held February 10, 1964. This event is an annual event with temple Council 3444. An again, with all of the various activities going on and the membership still increasing, it was becoming evident that the present facility would soon be outgrown. In February, 1965, a proposal to build a new larger hall on the existing property was discussed, and in January 1966, following a mid-year State Officer’s Meeting, hosted in Temple by the council, a special meeting of the members was held for the purpose of approving an expenditure of $71,900.00 to build a new hall. The proposal passed and on February 14, 1966, the old building was sold for $1605.50 to be removed from the property to make room for the new building. For the next several months and during the construction of the new hall, business meetings were held at the American Legion Hall in Temple. However, this temporary inconvenience did not prevent the council from continuing its many activities. Following a joint meeting of Knights and Temple Shriners, it was agreed to jointly sponsor a charity ball with the proceeds going to the Boy’s Club. This was held April 30, 1966, and it also has become an annual event to benefit the Bell County Rehabilitation Center. In the fall of 1967, the United Way of Temple received a donation of $100.00 from the council, a tradition that was carried forth each year through 1970. Because the United Way was looking for some means of gathering their volunteer workers together for the purpose of explaining their annual goals and objectives, the council offered to annually host and sponsor a “Kick-Off Breakfast” at no cost to the United Way. This, like most of our annual events, has grown every year. Another important date for the council was February 12, 1968, when during a regular business meeting a motion was made and passed for the council to initiate the organization of and to sponsor a Squires Circle for young Catholic men thirteen to eighteen years of age. Under the guidance of several interested members, Squires Circle #2079 was officially instituted on September 22, 1968 and has grown into one of the leading Squires Circles in the state today. The Fall of 1968 brought our first Law enforcement Night. This event of tribute to all Bell County’s law enforcement officers has been continued each year as an annual council event. In the spring of 1969, construction was completed on a Boy Scout building located behind the main hall as a facility used exclusively for the council sponsored Troop 152. As the membership continued growing throughout the years, ideas for worthy programs and activities increased as well. March, 1969, saw the first Senior Citizen’s Day staged at the hall. Continued annually since 1969, the size and scope of the project has grown. This year’s Senior Citizen Day, held in March, entertained over four hundred senior citizens for more than seven hours on a Sunday afternoon. In May of this year, during the Texas State Council Knights of Columbus Convention in San Antonio, our Senior Citizens’ Day was selected as the “Outstanding Community Project” in the state for the 1975-1976 fraternal year. Always interested in the youth of today, the council was able to establish a “Knights of Columbus Council-3444 Bea Kemendo Charitable Trust Fund in 1970 for the purpose of providing annual scholarships to Temple Junior College. The scholarship goes to a deserving son or daughter of a council member. The trust fund itself is originated through a bequest in the will of Mrs. Kemendo, and the council trustees are responsible for maintaining it through annual fund raising projects. Two years later, in 1972, the council established a second annual scholarship also for Temple Junior College, but not limited to a council member’s dependents. Between the two scholarships, over $3,500.00 in money has been awarded. At the Texas State Council Convention in May, 1970, the council was recognized as a top council in the state and received the Joseph I. Driscroll first place award. The award, given to a council for superior all-round performance during a fraternal year, is commonly called the JID Award. Again at the state conventions in 1974 and 1975, Temple Council 3444 received the same award. In 1976, the council received recognition as third place in JID grading. With over 215 councils in the state this is a record to be proud of. Obviously, time and space does not permit the complete listing of all the activities the council has performed for the Church, community, council and youth during the last twenty-five years. Tens of thousands of dollars have been donated and spent for worthwhile purposes ranging from the Bishop’s Fund to the purchase of a small bell for a non-denominational children’s bible study class in Belton. Likewise thousands of man hours have been given for worthwhile projects. In addition, Temple Council 3444 has received numerous awards of recognition for its outstanding achievements in fulfilling requirements in membership and insurance quotas as set by the Supreme and State Councils. Many letters of appreciation have been received from individuals, organizations and churches in the area in response to the council’s services to and support of the community and the church. The past twenty-five years were not always an easy task for the council. Many times a particular project of service looked too big to overcome. But, by the blessings of the Almighty, in letting us all see the fruits of our labor and in helping us to overcome; in always providing the council with officers and members of extraordinary talent and means, we have been able to move “forward by the rough road if there be no other, but forward”. The Last 25 years…..1977-2001 For the past twenty-five years, Council #3444 of Temple, Texas has continued to be a very active council in Church, community, council, family and youth activities. In each of these five areas, the council continues the traditions of the past and starts some new ones as well. Church Activities- Our council remains in the forefront of the pro-life and pro-family movements; always having an active pro-life chaircouple to disseminate information quickly and accurately. Being committed to the principle of charity, for the past twenty-five years, we have continued to support several local churches with cash donations: St. Mary’s Church $7,634, St. Luke’s Church $3,265 and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church $4,965 for various charity events. Through the Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP), we provide an individual seminarian with meaningful financial and moral support, which in turn encourages direct interaction and gives our members better understanding of men and women who pursue religious vocations. Since the program began in 1988, council #3444 has awarded eight scholarships to seminarians for a total of $8,400. The council continues the tradition of an Annual Clergy Night when we show appreciation to all priests, nuns, and deacons by providing a steak dinner followed with a program. Another annual event is a Memorial Mass at the K of C Hall to pray for deceased brother knights and their families. The name of each Knight who has died in the past year is read and a blessed candle is lit in their honor. Candles are given to the families after Mass. Our council hosts Corporate Communion at St. Mary’s Church at least four to six times a year. The Knights and their wives attend Mass and receive Communion as a unit. After Mass the council provides a breakfast at the KC Hall. In 1993, the Altar Boy Outing was established for the Altar servers from St. Mary’s Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The council provides the funds and food for the Altar Boys Outing Program. Community Activities- Our community offers limitless opportunity for action that can be seen, felt and judged for its true worth. Our council‘s resources have supported. St. Mary’s School with an annual monetary, candy and fruit donation given during the annual School Christmas Program. Since 1977 the council has donated $111,366. Law Enforcement Night continues as an annual event. This year completed 33 years of recognizing the many law enforcement personnel in Bell County. We award individuals who demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism and dedication. Senior Citizens Day continues as an annual event celebrating 32 years this year. The annual United Way Fund Kick-off Breakfast which began in 1970 had continued until 1998 with council #3444 providing food, labor, and hall. In 1999, the event was moved to the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton due to the President of UMHB being in charge. This year 2001, United Way Fund Kick-off Breakfast will be back at our KC hall. The Knights of Council #3444 has an annual Canned Food Drive at Christmas time for the benefit of local shelters (i.e., Martha’s Kitchen, Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter). In 1997, we started offering our hall rent free to the Temple firemen for their Annual Appreciation Dinner. Council Activities- Council #3444 continues an active Fraternal Program for the sick and deceased members of the order. The Fraternal Program provides prayer and get well cards for the sick. It also provides prayer, Masses, and Sympathy cards for deceased members and their families. Our Council #3444 has a annual Christmas Party for Knights of Columbus members and their wives at the KC hall. A new tradition began in 1987 with the first Ladies Appreciation Night. We felt a need to express our gratitude and thanks for their loyal support to the council for the numerous activities we are involved in. The Council #3444 continues to have an active Athletic Program by hosting the State Golf Tournament in Temple, Texas in 1999/2000 and by hosting the National Golf Tournament in Houston, Texas in 2000/2001. Additionally, our council continues the tradition of having a member Bowling Team and participates in the K of C State Bowling Tournament annually. Every fraternal year, thousands of councils throughout the Order qualify for one or more awards given out by the Supreme Council for outstanding achievements in programming, membership, recruitment and retention and promoting of the Order’s insurance program. The most prestigious of these awards is “Star Council”. These awards are eagerly sought by our council and council #3444 has achieved “Star Council” eight times in the 50 years since being chartered. The Star Council years are 1952/53, 1957/58, 1960/61, 1974/75, 1975/76, 1993/94, 1994/95, and 2000/01. Family Activities - Today’s society makes it hard to be a family. It is under heavy attack. To survive, the family needs support and our organization can help substantially. We continue the long held tradition of hosting an Annual Awards Banquet to recognize Family of the Month, Family of the Year, Knight of the Month, and Knight of Year, plus Appreciation award certificates to other individuals who throughout the year went of their way to make a difference for the council. We continue to host an Annual Christmas Party for the children with council #3444 donating the candy, fruit, and arranging an appearance of Santa; an Annual Halloween Party and Easter Egg Hunt at the KC Hall for the children and their families. Our major fund raiser, the Annual Picnic was replaced with a Reverse Raffle. Since 1999, we have added a new found raiser called the Annual Chili Supper & Raffle. This enables our council to include the family once again since the Reverse Raffle is limited to adults only. Youth Activities- As Knights of Columbus, it is our responsibility to provide youth with the means and the opportunities to become personally committed and involved in meeting the challenges of our times. To that end, council #3444 continues to support Boy Scout Troop 152, and, since 1977, we have donated $10,827. In addition, the council donates the hall, Bar-B-Q pit, and labor to troop 152 for their annual fund raiser of Bar-B-Q Chicken. Our council has been sponsoring the Free Throw Contest for Girls and Boys between the ages of 10 &14 for the last twenty-five years. Since 1977, council #3444 has donated $20,390 to various youth organizations. Our College Scholarship Program continues, and since 1977, council #3444 gas awarded $12,800 to 28 recipients. The Bea Kemendo Scholarship since 1977 has awarded $17,300 to 37 recipients. Temple Council #3444 is composed of men who are giving unselfishly of their time in talents and service of God and their country. By these blessings we have been privileged to make many donations these past twenty-five years: to the Austin Diocese-Cedar Brake in 1979 and 1994 a total of $7,850; from 1977 to 1996 to the Bishop’s Burse, $18,805; and to the State K of C Deaf Program 1977 to 1989, $18,978. From 1990 to 2001 our council has donated to K of C State Charities $39,497. Council #3444 was #1 in the Austin Diocese for the year 2000 for the amount paid to State Charities from a single council. This year, 2001, we were #2 in the Austin Diocese for the amount paid in State Charities from a single council. In summary, during these past 25 years, Council #3444 has given cash donations to various charities in excess of $300,000. As with the first twenty-five years, the last twenty-five years experienced some rough times as well. But for men in every walk of life, the name of the Knights of Columbus engenders the image of a united organization, efficiently going about its tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood. With the guidance of the Almighty, our efforts have brought forth abundant fruit. We have been fortunate to have had leadership of strong Officers and exceptionally talented members. As our new Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson was quoted when he assumed his position, “challenges and opportunity await us. Some of these challenges may be monumental and will call for new levels of commitment and involvement from each of us. Others may be only slightly less ambitious but are no less important if our Order is to remain the strong right arm of the Church; valued from the Vatican to the parish.” Yes, our council has had many triumphs these past 50 years and let us pray for the ability to do what we can and, more importantly, what we must do in the next 50 years! |
Council 3444
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