Knights Honor Area Priests, Deacons, Religious
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
November 1, 2018
HUNTLEY—The Knights of Columbus, Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill Assembly 2381, held a Clergy Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 19, where it honored area priests, deacons, religious and recognized seminarians supported by the assembly.
The annual event was held at St. Mary Parish in Huntley, welcoming around 250 people for dinner, prayers, recognitions and awards.
Priests, deacons and religious sisters in service at parishes that comprise the assembly were introduced and honored with a gift. Those not present also were named and applauded.
The parishes in the assembly include those in Algonquin, Carpentersville, West Dundee, Gilberts, Elgin, Hampshire and Huntley.
Recognition also was given to retired priests of the area. Photos of seven seminarians supported by the six councils of the assembly were also displayed.
Additionally, veterans were asked to stand and were applauded, as were the widows of Knights from the assembly.
Father Jack Heraty was awarded the Holy Family Award for his many years of service in the Diocese of Rockford. The award is given annually to priests, bishops and sometimes to families who embody Catholic values in inspirational ways.
A keynote talk by Knight David Babicz summed up the gratitude of those present, particularly for their priests.
“We have this one evening to thank you for all you do for us the other 364 days of the year,” Babicz said. “You live your lives as servant leaders, (in) every stage of our lives.”
Babicz named the sacraments given to babies, children, adolescents and adults, calling them “the mysteries of God” that priests bring to their people.
Additionally, he noted, priests are “always there for us” through the “typical joys and sorrows” experienced by adults in life, “always to give us hope.”
At the end of life, Babicz noted, “you come to be there for us ... as Christ’s earthly representative.”
“You chose to say ‘Yes’ ... to a calling ... to serve us, your faith community,” he said.
“For all you have (done), are doing and will do, you are cherished, and you are loved.”