2018 Supreme Convention
MN KC Blog * Written by Greg van der Hagen
Saturday, Aug 4th
Arrived Saturday, Aug 4th in Baltimore and got into our hospitality room in the afternoon and this was the view out the hospitality room window/deck. Too bad the Orioles are playing away games until Friday when we leave.
From there we had the opportunity to go to Mass late Saturday afternoon at the Basilica of the Assumption which was the first great Cathedral built in the US after the signing of the Constitution. It happens to be where the Order’s Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori has his See and it is also the place where our beloved founder Fr. Michael J McGivney was ordained to the Priesthood on December 22, 1877 .
This history of the Basilica can be found here.
Sunday, Aug 5th
Sunday came and more of our Minnesota delegates arrived and got acclimated. There was registration to pick up and shopping to be done at the Knights Gear Store and the Maryland Store.
Delegates attended a variety of tours. Bou & Loretta went on a tour of Fort McHenry. Fort McHenry is primarily known for the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, when American troops stopped a British invasion. The battle inspired Francis Scott Key to pen what would become the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” – originally entitled “Defense of Fort McHenry”.
and Dan & Michele went on a tour of John Paul II Institute.
A bunch of us went over to “Sliders” a bar/grill across the street from the Hilton to sample the local fare.
After supper, we all gathered for an evening of fun.
Monday, Aug 6th
Monday started off with the Executive Secretaries/Administrative Assistants breakfast meeting for SD Marc and Sharon and Greg and Linda van der Hagen. This year’s guest was Mark McMullen, Senior Vice President of the Fraternal Mission Department who addressed those in attendance.
After that everyone gathered in our hospitality room to prepare for our Open House from 3 to 5pm. We served MN products, 1919 Root Beer, Lefse, Spam dip on crackers, and wines from Minnesota.
We always make sure to have the new attendees in the group take part in the annual pin exchange which gets to be a great way to meet people.
On Monday evening many of us enjoyed the sounds of the Fabulous Hubcaps, who put on a great show for those in attendance.
Tuesday, Aug 7th
Tuesday started off with all of us attending the Opening Mass of the Convention with Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori as the main celebrant. There were 10 Cardinals in Attendance along with 100 Archbishops & Bishops and many Priests.
Immediate Past State Deputy Bob & Peni Penas were among the Gift Bearers.
After lunch we attended the Opening Session in which the Supreme Knight gave his annual report of all the good things the Order has been doing. Ukraine is no longer a Territory as it has been granted a State Council status now and the Order has officially declared South Korea the newest Territory of the Order.
After the days business session, we attended the annual States Dinner with everyone in formal attire and had a great time as we always do. A very festive occasion for all.
The Keynote Address was given by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyc and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
After that was over was the late night caucus for the delegates and then a little hospitality back in our suite.
Wednesday, Aug 8th
Wednesday started off with a Concelebrated Mass with His Eminence Gerald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix as the Principal Celebrant and His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan as the Homilist.
“You are here today on a very historic day. With Cardinal Lacroix as celebrant of this Mass and myself as Homilist, it’s probably the only occasion in which you have the two chubbiest Prelates in the College of Cardinals offering up this Mass”
In attendance at this Mass was our Archbishop of Minneapolis/St Paul Bernard Hebda,
and our State Chaplain Father Jeff Horejsi.
After the conclusion of the Mass there was a procession in which the State Deputies were presented with the new Icon titled “Our Lady of Persecuted Christians” which will be used with the Marian Hour prayer program for the coming year.
The next business session started at 11:00 am and went until 12:30pm consisted of nominations to 8 positions on the Board of Directors.
Board Member Paul Lambert from South Dakota thanked the delegates on behalf of those reelected and elected to the Board.
Then there was a break before the Awards Session at 3:00 pm. At that session, Immediate Past State Deputy Bob and Peni Penas were presented with their Past State Deputy Award.
In the evening all of the Minnesota Delegates were taken out to dinner by the State Council to Sabatino’s in Little Italy.
We ended the evening with some more hospitality up in our suite.
Thursday, Aug 9th
Thursday started off with the annual Memorial Mass in which we remember all those who have passed away since last year. The names of Cardinals, Bishops, Former and Present Supreme Officers and Board Members, Past and Present State Deputies, State Officers, District Deputies names are read.
This Mass was blessed to have the Relics of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Jean Marie Vianney, St John Neumann, The Mexican Martyrs, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II.
After Mass the last session was held to act on the Resolutions that were forwarded on from all of the Jurisdictions. The morning everyone was saying good-byes to old friends and new ones made during the week.
Towards the end of the session the Maryland State Deputy got to talk about their hosting of this convention and challenged us to do better than them and put up a can of clam chowder for the bet.
Then it was our State Deputy Marc Peters turn to present Minnesota as next year’s host.
And he bet them we would indeed do a better job and put up a can of Spam for the bet.
And then gave them to the Deputy Supreme Knight to hold.
After the session was over we had our crew handing out Minnesota information and mini Salted Nut Rolls.