2013 Columbus Day: “Honor the Clergy Knight”

The Knights of Columbus (KC) of Region XI-Davao Province, presently with 14 Districts and 50 councils held its Columbus Day on October 14, 2013 (One of KC’s annual events to commemorate the discovery of the “New World” by the Catholic explorer/seafarer, Christopher Columbus, who also brought the Catholic Christian faith to the Americas) by honouring the different councils and patriotic degree assemblies’ chaplains of diocesan clergy of Davao.
It started with an evening thanksgiving Mass at Sta. Ana Shrine Parish Church presided over by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, archbishop of Davao and a dinner program at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites along Sta. Ana Ave., Davao City. The St. Francis of Assisi 3428 Patriotic Degree Assembly led by faithful navigator Sir Knight Jose P. Delda provided honor guards for the procession during the Mass and entry to the dinner program.
The fraternal affair was graced by the presence of the incumbent Mindanao Deputy, Sir Knight Balbino C. Fauni with a number of Mindanao Jurisdiction C-95 State Officers of the Order, namely: Sir Knights Volmar A.Clavano (Secretary), Juan Abraham O. Abando (Membership Director), Sofronio R. Cruz (Ceremonial and Membership Information/Advancement Chairman and also, the past Immediate Mindanao Deputy), Rolando C. Quidilla (Campaign for Citizens with Mental Retardation Director), Rogelio D. Tadura (Round Table Chairman), Hernando J. Jordan (Program Director) and Adrian B. Boston (Insurance Promotion Chairman).
The incoming Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D. was the guest speaker and was introduced by Sir Knight Gerry T. Mission, the Regional Deputy of KC Region XI.

Abp. Valles reminded and challenged the KC members in attendance both during his homily and after dinner talk, to be “Slave of Christ”, as what St. Paul described himself in his letter to the Romans (the readings of the thanksgiving mass). “With your reputation as the Strong Right Arm” of the Catholic Christian Church since your foundation in the year 1882 by a parish priest, the Venerable Michael Joseph McGivney, the apostle of the youth, protector of Christian Family Life and founder of the Knights of Columbus, you are creative and resourceful group of Catholic lay faithfuls. Always doing good things for the advancement of charitable, united, fraternal and patriotic advocacies in your parishes and communities; specially, defending the family, the unborn child and religious freedom,” Archbishop Valles said.

“You are not only Knights of Columbus, but also the Knights of the Church and specially the Knights of Christ,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sir Knight Fauni in his message, shared the hope of KC’s Suprement Knight Carl A. Anderson; that through the prayers of Filipino Knights the Venerable Father McGivney by God’s divine plan manifest a miracle here in the Philippines and merit the grace of beatification and miracle here in canonization. The Order’s vigorous efforts to have Father McGivney’s
Icon (A sacred image) be brought to the different Parishes in the Philippines is one concrete way to be involved in this endeavor. MD fauni, in behalf of the order, extended our gratitude to Abp. Valles for the support received during the icon’s pilgrimage in the Archdiocese of Davao.
The tribute to the clergy was given by Sir knight Reynaldo G. Sorongon, the immediate past state vocation chairman; and the response for the honorees was made by Msgr. Paul A. Cuison, parish priest of sacred heart of Jesus Parish, Bo. Obrero and the Archdiocesan oeconomus.
Viva Jesus!