Greg’s Blog for 2021 Supreme Convention
Monday, August 2nd, 2021
Even though the Covid Pandemic has eased somewhat in the United States, with international travel to the USA still a problem for all other countries, this year’s Supreme Convention is a virtual convention for the 2nd year. So each jurisdiction was to gather somewhere within their states at a location of their choosing. We arrived in Duluth on Monday, Aug 2nd, to get set up and check over the facilities. We were able to get all lakeside rooms for all delegates and spouses at the Canal Park Lodge in Canal Park.
We had a nice suite to use for hospitality with a good view of Lake Superior. Lots of bikes, electric scooters, segways and horse drawn carriages were traveling by just outside our suite.
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021
State Warden Jesse checking into the hotel.
Delegates and guests watched the Opening Mass of the Convention over the internet.
After the Opening Mass, the Supreme Knight gave his annual report of the Order of the Knights of Columbus. After the Report, our State Chaplain led discussion on the Supreme Knight’s report of all of the good things the Order does and asked us as delegates what we all gleaned from the report.
After the discussion, we all retired to our hospitality room for refreshments and sharing stories.
Wednesday, August 4th, 2021
Wednesday started with breakfast at the hotel at 7:00am. After breakfast at 8:00am Archbishop Bernard Hebda and our State Chaplain, Fr. Marty concelebrated Mass for the delegates and guests in our meeting room. The Business session for the Supreme Convention then started at 9:00am.
Archbishop Hebda gave the Knights a heartfelt thank you for being the great help that they are to all of our Priests. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly did a good job running his first Supreme Convention. The delegates are all watching the business session over the internet.
After a few late nights and early mornings, State Deputy Dave Whatmuff caught me studying my computer very carefully.
After the business session there was a break for lunch and then we watched the Awards Session followed by the Memorial Mass at 2:00pm with our Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori as Celebrant and the reading of deceased Clergy and Past Supreme and State Officers by Deputy Supreme Knight Paul O’Sullivan from this past year.
After our session was over, we rested for a little bit and had a little hospitality before we headed off for our Wednesday evening Delegation dinner aboard the Vista Star. We went under the lift bridge on to Lake Superior and back and then around the harbor as we ate a buffet dinner and listened to Blue Grass music. We couldn’t have had a nicer evening weather wise. We had good escorts with Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Daniel Felton and our State Chaplain Fr. Marty Schaefer. We also had invited the 3 District Deputies from Duluth and their wives to join us for the cruise. All had a great time!
State Advocate Jim Terwedo reenacting a scene from the movie “Titanic”
Arriving back at the dock.
Thursday, August 5th, 2021
Thursday morning all we had left to do was have breakfast at the hotel and then good byes and hopefully safe travels back home for everyone.