The Tar Heel Knight

It was good to see so many delegates, brothers, and friends at the State Convention in May.  Major “kudos” go out to so many who had a part in the successes of the convention, including our convention chairman, Brian Clark, and his team. Though the convention does include conducting the business of the State, more importantly, it is meant to celebrate your successes.

• Friday night saw the recognition of 84 councils for their accomplishments in Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Membership, and LAMB. We also celebrated our Deacons and Priests of the Year, one from each Diocese and Family of the Year.
• The Saturday Luncheon for Life was no less impressive, with our guest speaker Marsha Hancock of Christian Adoption Services. This was followed by our top program award winners and the Rookie of the Year Announcements.
• Finally, Saturday night brought impactful addresses from Bishop Michael Martin, who celebrated Mass for us, and our Deputy Supreme Knight, Arthur Peters. We also celebrated by announcing the State Officers’ Award, State Deputy’s Award, Knight of Year and Golden Knight of the Year. For the first time in NC State history, special recognition was bestowed on Council 17501 in Charlotte. The NC Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope) Award. The award stands alone in recognizing a legacy of service that is profound and rooted in the mission of Christ’s Church. Such recipients include Mother Teresa at the Supreme level.  

Thank you for attending, and we hope that we will see you in 2026 at the Sheraton Imperial in Durham.
CONVENTION 2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Of the Years:
Deacons of the Year:

• Deacon Charles “Bill Schreiber – Council 6451 Hickory
• Deacon Eric Rosario – Council 6528 Southern Pines

Priests of the Year:

• Rev. James Stuhrenberg – Council 9499 Clemmons
• Rev. J. Victor Gournas – Council 3574 Jacksonville

Family of the Year – Spire Family from Council 3498 Burlington
Rookie of the Year – Jesus Martinez from Council 3574 Jacksonville
Golden Knight of the Year – Tom Dupree from council 9709
Knight of the Year – John Von Achen from council 17125
 
Top Program Award Winners:
Faith – Council 3498 from Burlington for a 46-day Rosary Program beginning October 27^th and concluding on December 12th
Family – Council 15085 from Waynesville for a Trout Fish Dinner serving over 300 meals to those impacted by Helene
Community:

• Council 5487 from Goldsboro for “Operation GameFly” flying in supplies to those impacted by Helene
• Council 13220 from Camp LeJeune for “Bunks Across America”, building 137 bunk beds as part of a nationwide building of beds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Life – Council 11234 from Wake Forest, who conducted an ASAP Collection and Fundraiser supporting the local CPO (Catholic Parish Outreach)
State Officer’s Award – Council 9249 in Thomasville and Council 17125 in Durham
State Deputy’s Award – Council 3498 in Burlington
NC Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope) – Our Lady of Guadelupe Council 17501 in Charlotte
 
2025 SUPREME CONVENTION DELEGATES: Please congratulate your State Delegation going to Washington DC in August for the Supreme Convention

• Sergio Miranda – State Deputy
• Rick Lewis – State Secretary
• Joe McCarthy – State Treasurer
• Tim Kelly – State Advocate
• Chris Kremer – State Warden
• Chris Losack – IPSD
• James Davison
• Mike Spire
• Paul Spire
• Hector Gurerra

 
SHOOTING FOR THE STARS:
Congratulations to the latest recipients of STAR COUNCIL RECOGNITION for March:

• Wilson 4660

 
What an AMAZING JOB! Thank you for your STEWARDSHIP and all you did to achieve this honor. There are a couple more that have been added to the calendar going into April.
MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT:

• Council 6650 for 50 years of service to the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Cary, and the community.

We are now well into Q4.  With less than 1 month to go, are you on track for STAR RECOGNITION for 24/25?

• Are you recruiting new members? Contact your Membership team for help and suggestions.
• Are you current on all your form submissions? Contact the State Warden for possible missing forms.
• Is your council's SAFE ENVIRONMENT compliant? Contact the State Advocate for more information on completing this.
• Is your council conducting and reporting vibrant programs? Contact any of your talented Program Directors for ideas. [Be sure to fill out that 10784 after EVERY program you do]
  • life@kofcnc.org
  • community@kofcnc.org
  • Faith@kofcnc.org
  • Family@kofcnc.org
• Have you scheduled your two (2) Fraternal Benefits Knights? Contact your Field Agent for help and support. If you don’t know who your agent is, you can contact the general agent christopher.mahoney@kofc.org

 
3 MONTH ROLLING STATE CALENDAR:
June:

• ROSARY EVERY SUNDAY EVENING AT 8P
• COUNCIL LEADERSHIP TRAININGS (TBA) – ALL NEW GK, DGK/PROGRAM DIRECTORS AND SITTING FS NEED TO ATTEND
• June 7 –  NEW 4^th Degree Exemplification, GREENVILLE (See Golden Plume)
• June 15 – Submit Family of the Month to Supreme
• June 23 – THK Articles Due
• June 30 – Colombian Award (SP-7 Form) is due
• June 27 - 28 – State Officers Meeting

July:

• JULY 1 - WELCOME NEW COUNCIL LEADERSHIP!!!!
• July 1 – Report of Council Officer Elections due no later than today
• ROSARY EVERY SUNDAY EVENING AT 8P
• July 11 – 13 – District Deputy Organizational Meeting Raleigh
• July 19 – Council Leadership Training Wilmington (East)
• July 19 – Council Leadership Training Burlington (West)
• July 26 – Council Leadership Training Candler (Mountains)
• July 15 – Submit Family of the Month to Supreme
• July 23 – THK Articles Due
• July 30 – Council Program Director appointments due no later than today

August:

• ROSARY EVERY SUNDAY EVENING AT 8P
• August 5-7 – Supreme Convention
• August 20 – First half per capita billing
• August 23 – THK Articles Due