2019 Supreme Convention
MN KC Blog * Written by Greg van der Hagen
Saturday, Aug 3rd
We arrived Saturday and scoped out the area. All of the MN delegation is staying at the Minneapolis Hilton. The other 2 Hotels that are hosting delegations are the Hyatt Regency and the Millennial Hotel, all within a short walk of the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Minnesota Registration Room and Volunteer Registration Room.
Our display letting people know we had tickets to sell for the Monday Night Welcome Event!
Some of the booths in the Minnesota Country Store.
Some of the prizes for the raffle to be held at the Ladies Luncheon.
Many people enjoyed the Riverboat Tour of the Mississippi aboard the Mississippi Queen!
On Saturday evening, we hosted a Vigil Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary, a short walk from the convention hotels. Con-Celebrating the Mass were Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Cozzens, and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori of Baltimore along with MN State Chaplain Fr Walz and several other Priests. Outside of the Basilica, is a statue of Fr. Louis Hennepin, O.F.M., who named St. Anthony Falls, the origin of the city of Minneapolis. This statue of Fr. Hennepin was erected by the Minnesota Knights of Columbus on the grounds of the Basilica and was dedicated on October 12, 1930. For its 50th anniversary the Minnesota Knights of Columbus cleaned and elevated the statue so it could be seen better and rededicated it on October 12, 1980.
A Men’s Choir sang for the Mass and SD Marc Peters and Sharon as well as Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and Dorian were the Gift Bears for the Mass.
Sunday, Aug 4th
Quite a number of delegates attended the Twins vs Kansas City baseball game on Sunday and were treated to our Worthy State Deputy Marc Peters throwing out the 1st pitch. Click for video of our State Deputy!
A day tour that went to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in LaCrosse, WI, really enjoyed that tour.
Monday, Aug 5th
Started off a very busy day on Monday with the Executive Secretaries/Administrative Assistants breakfast meeting attended by Greg & Linda van der Hagen and State Treasurer Dan & Michele DeCrans.
There were other tours for all of the guests and delegates to partake in again.
There was Honor Guard practice at 1:00pm for those who wanted to participate in Tuesdays Mass.
From 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon was our Open House Hospitality Room in which most of the State Officers and non-delegates had to prepare and work serving all of our guests while the delegates for Minnesota went off to visit all of the other states Hospitality Rooms.
We served Minnesota products, like Pearson’s Nut Rolls, 1919 Root Beer, Carlos Creek wine, and Spam Mousse (recipe here), served on Ritz Crisp and Thins crackers.
Our old friend Chris Lewis, from the Global Wheelchair Mission, stopped by during our Open House.
The Monday Night Welcome Event committee was hard at work setting up for the White Sidewalls Rock ‘n Roll Revue.
Later that afternoon was the pin trading event which happened in the Hilton Hotel upper lobby area.
And at 7:00pm the Welcome Event was held in the Marquette Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel. It seems to have been a huge success as the dance floor was full all night long and all available 400 tickets were sold. And of course we all dressed for the part.
Our Committee before we opened up the doors.
Tuesday, Aug 6th
Today we have the opening Mass of the Convention and there are always plenty of Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Priests there. It is truly inspirational.
State Deputy Marc Peters reading one of the Mass intentions.
In the afternoon, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson gave his Annual Report.
Then in the evening was the Formal States Dinner and the parade of head table guests. They had just over 2000 people for the Banquet.
Followed by the presentation of the Flags of our Nations.
Wednesday, Aug 7th
Wednesday started out with Mass at 8:00am in which the procession included an Indian ceremonial march.
After Mass the business session started in with a role call and election of Supreme Board Members.
The Ladies Luncheon was held in which they had sold 437 tickets and the program included Fr. Kunst from the Duluth Diocese who has the largest collection of religious artifacts outside of the Vatican.
For supper we all were bused to the Knights Event Center in Bloomington for a Prime Rib & Walleye buffet that was very good! Thanks Worthy State Deputy!
And our State Deputy Marc met the Texas State Council Executive Secretary and found out that they both graduated from De LaSalle High School as classmates.
Thursday, Aug 8th
Thursday morning started off with the Memorial Mass and a reading of those Bishops, Former Supreme Board Members State Deputies and Past State Deputies that have passed away this past year. The Relics which were there were processed into the Mass as well.
Toward the end of the final session, State Deputy Marc Peters gave a thank you to all who worked the Supreme Convention especially the Co-chairs Philip Harter, PSD and Craig Larson, PSD and all those who attended and made it a success.
See large media galleries below …
Supreme Convention Vigil Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary
Supreme Convention 50’s Welcome Party
Click below to download photos from the media galleries …
Zip file of photos from the Supreme Convention Mass at the Basilica – part 1
Zip file of photos from the Supreme Convention Mass at the Basilica – part 2
Zip file of photos from the Supreme Convention Mass at the Basilica – part 3
Zip file of photos from the Supreme Convention Welcome Party – part 1
Zip file of photos from the Supreme Convention Welcome Party – part 2
Our gratitude to Manny Leon of Bloomington Council for these photos!