The 133rd Annual Supreme Convention took place on August 4th, 5th and 6th. The theme of the convention was “Endowed by Their Creator with Life and Liberty”. The Kentucky Delegation consisted of SD Frank Shay, SC Fr. Mario Tizzianni, SS Gabe Cabral, ST John McGill, SA Cameron Peck, SW Steve Zanone, ISPD Bill Schmidt, State Executive Secretary Fred Meade and GK Pat Galvin.
At the opening Mass there were over 100 priests including State Chaplain Fr. Mario Tizzianni; over 80 bishops including Archbishop Kurtz and Bishop Gainer former Bishop of Lexington; and also 10 Cardinals.
The Kentucky jurisdiction wore their traditional blue and white to the opening Mass.
During the opening Mass, SD Frank Shay along with all the other State Deputies, carried in Holy Family Icons. These will be circulated throughout the jurisdictions to be displayed during prayer services. Kentucky will have two icons.
At the State of the Order Address given by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, everyone held up crosses made from olive wood to signify our order wide support for Christians that are being persecuted around the world. Click here for the complete story of the annual report of the Supreme Knight. A few highlights are that we as Knights are continuing our charity, with over $173 million in donations and over 71.5 million hours of volunteer service last year.
At the business meeting, the Kentucky jurisdiction had the honor of sitting in the front row directly in front of Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. This was due to Frank Shay’s lucky draw in the seating lottery that took place at the annual meeting of state deputies that took place at the end of the last fraternal year.
On the second official day of the convention all the delegations were invited to a very special Mass. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom was celebrated. There are 23 Eastern Catholic Churches that are in communion with the pope, and 18 of them are established in the United States. The last time the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom was celebrated as a supreme convention was over 20 years ago. The full story can be read here.
The memorial Mass was celebrated by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori. In the sanctuary during Mass were the blood relic of St. John Paul II, contained in a glass ampoule, and a reliquary of Mexican martyrs who belonged to the Knights of Columbus.
During the business meetings two brother knights were elected to the Board of Directors. They are Honorable Graydon A. Nicholas, former lieutenant governor of New Brunswick, Canada, and Ronald F. Schwarz, the immediate past state deputy of Oklahoma. The full story can be read here. Also, the following resolutions were adopted:
- SUPPORTING A CULTURE OF MARRIAGE
- HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
- IN SUPPORT OF A CULTURE OF LIFE
- IN DEFENSE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
- WELCOMING POPE FRANCIS
- IN SOLIDARITY WITH PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
