Hawaii Lady Knights members, back row, from left, Linn Bautista, auxiliary chair Mandy Thronas-Brown, Petra Pombo, Sharon McCartin, Geri Barnes. Front row, from left, Ana Seisdedos, Kim Madix, Jesica Kapika, Essie Arruiza, supreme Alyce Rossi, Merry Lopez, Carol Nacimento, Patricia Manansala, Amy Alvarez and Daina Landeza-Olivier. (Photo courtesy of the Knight of Columbus)
By Robert Camilleri
Special to the Herald
For many years, the Hawaii Knights of Columbus has been known for its monthly meetings, service projects and social events. However, recent years emphasized “faith and family.”
As State Deputy Ryan K. Brown said, “This is not your grandfather’s Knights of Columbus any more.”
Today, Knights and their families participate in Eucharistic adoration, family nights, Corpus Christi processions, family consecrations, Good Friday services, pilgrim icon and Silver Rose prayer services and other initiatives designed to strengthen family and prayer life.
Knights and their families also continue to work on parish, community and pro-life activities.
Knights of Columbus councils are no longer required to hold 12 monthly business meetings a year. Instead, they are urged to meet with family members six times a year for a family or faith activity all can participate in. The other six meetings may address council business but again with an emphasis on faith and family.
In 2019, the Hawaii Lady Knights, a women’s auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, was formed. With 30 members, the lady knights conduct their own meetings and activities and elect officers. They are led by auxiliary chair Mandy Thronas-Brown, wife of the State Deputy. They also have a program to reach out to the widows of deceased knights.
On July 2, Lady Knights joined their husbands for the first time at the Hawaii State Council Organizational Meeting, an annual training and information session for Knights of Columbus leaders. This would have been unheard of five years ago.
These changes are in accord with a new emphasis on faith and family by Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly, who recently wrote, “Building up Catholic families was a primary concern of Blessed Michael McGivney when he founded the Knights of Columbus. Today, we remain committed to protecting families’ financial security, strengthening families in their faith, and coming to the aid of families in times of crises.”
“Our support of marriage and family life through numerous spiritual and charitable initiatives is an essential part of the order,” he said.
The Knights of Columbus will continue to adapt to the changing complexities of modern life while continuing to remain a Catholic, family, fraternal organization in service to the church and community.
