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Knights Of Columbus Local Council Embraces And Enhances Stewardship At Our Parish
For decades, the Knights of Columbus have been well-known for the good work they do in the local community, across the nation and around the world. Founded in 1882 by Fr. Michael J. McGivney, the Knights of Columbus serve as a way for men to grow in fellowship and fraternity with others who share their Catholic values. Here at Annunciation and Ascension Mission, a group of Knights — who currently belong to the council at St. Michael the Archangel — hope to establish a new council of their very own.
Parishioner Devo Voss first became aware of the Knights during his childhood, growing up in Ohio.
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“I was born in Hilo and my mother’s family is all from Hilo and Samoa,” Devo says. “My father was in the Navy and my mom met him in Pearl Harbor during the Vietnam War. We moved to Ohio where my father was from, so when I was young, I’d go back and forth between there and Hawaii. All my friends there were Catholic, and all their fathers were in the Knights of Columbus. I remember going to events that the Knights sponsored, such as fish frys, pancake breakfasts, and sports games.”
Living in Hawaii once again as an adult, Devo began to wonder about the Knights and whether there was a council in Waimea. Although there wasn’t a council in the nearby area, he nonetheless started to research and learn about the organization.
“Then a few years ago, Joe James, the Grand Knight at the council at St. Michael the Archangel, came to speak at Ascension Mission,” Devo says.
“He explained what it was and asked if anyone was interested. My wife and other parishioners knew it would be perfect for me, so they encouraged me to get involved.”
Soon after, Devo became a first-degree Knight as a member of Council #13227 at St. Michael. Just recently, he completed formation as a fourthdegree knight. Devo is active in a variety of parish ministries, and found the stewardship focus of the Knights to be a perfect fit.
“The Knights of Columbus are able to have fundraisers to help the parish and local communities,” he says. “For example, if a person’s family needs help, or a school is having some issues, the Knights can put together an event and earmark the proceeds specifically for those causes. They do it on a very local community level, and it allows everyone to help out in some way and increases the camaraderie amongst parishioners and others in the community.”
Devo also enjoys the fellowship with other faithful Catholic men.
“What’s unique and good about the Knights is that the club is focused on God, and Mary, and our Catholic faith,” he says. “It’s so gratifying to hang out with other men who are into their religion and God as much as you are. All the guys I’ve met so far with the Knights are so involved, pray their Rosaries, and prioritize Mass. It’s a big part of their lives already, so when they come into the Knights of Columbus, they are able to connect with men who all feel the same way.”
Since becoming a Knight, Devo has enjoyed sharing his experience with his friends and fellow ministry members at the parish — as a result, many others have also been inspired to become Knights. They recently hit a milestone of 20 new members and, in turn, are hoping to establish their own council at the parish. By establishing this council, they will be able to more directly help those here in the Waimea and Waikoloa communities.
“Joe James from Kona will help us form leadership, elect officers, and provide a lot of support material,” Devo says. “Once we set up the council, we want to start a routine of meeting for fellowship, a way to get the guys together and relax, but also to talk freely about our faith. “Once the pandemic situation allows us to do so, we also want to have our own charity events to raise money for local needs,” he adds. “The parish can find out and let us know who needs help, and we can then set up fundraisers for that. It’s such a big part of stewardship — it’s always better to give than to receive, and you really can see the blessings that come from that.”
Through the Knights, Devo’s faith has been enriched, and he hopes that the parish having its very own council will inspire even more men to get involved.
“Within the Knights, everyone strengthens everyone else in their faith,” he says. “We can all share with each other, and everyone brings something different to the table. You get to learn a little more about everyone’s devotions and it really does help your faith to expand and grow. It’s truly a stewardship organization, too, so it’s great to be around other guys who dedicate their energy and their time and their treasures.”
If you would like more information about the Knights of Columbus, or to get involved, please contact Devo Voss at devo@thesonsofmary.com or 808-345-3409.
Devo Voss enjoys sharing in camaraderie and fellowship with other faithful Catholic men as a member of Knights of Columbus.
