By: Joe LaFuente, Diocesan Deputy Diocese Of Amarillo

 Since 1882, the Knights of Columbus have upheld the four pillars of our Order; Charity, Unity,
Fraternity, and Patriotism, impacting communities and serving as Christ’s hands and feet in
councils around the world and within our own Diocese. Most of our Councils goals typically
involve activities that help support our parish community.
 I believe that I have more directly been able to understand not only my Catholic faith but the
proper way to appreciate what we have and to be thankful for what we have in our lives. Christ
died for our sins, and we can all participate in a blessed eternal life, but we must choose. The
Knights of Columbus carry that message each and every day by the acts we perform and the
example we show to Christ’s family here on earth.
 Charity is the first principle of our Order, We Knights, being followers of Christ and men of Faith
must exercise this principle. As St. James reminds us, “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is
dead.” Therefore, as Knights we are committed to charity, easing the plight of the less fortunate.
The Texas State Knights of Columbus Charity Board has surpassed its goal of $807,825.00 in
charitable donations. As of April 1, 2025 we are at $817,243.35 total contributions for Charity.
While this is a very lofty goal which we have surpassed, we are not resting yet. We are aiming
for a goal of $1,020,000.00 total in charitable donations from our Councils around the state, we
are at 80.12% of the way there with still 3 more months till the end of the fraternal year.
 Seventy Percent of our State Charity contributions come right back to our Diocese for the
Bishops Charity of Choice. I am proud to present Biship Zurek with a check totaling $11,095.00
for Fraternal year 2023-2024 charity contributions as a donation from the Amarillo Diocesan
Knights of Columbus to his Charity of Choice.
 This year I have the honor of presenting the Quick Start Honor Roll Award for Fraternal Year
2024-2025 to several councils in our Diocese. This award is presented to councils meeting the
State Charity goal ahead of schedule. Congratulations to the following Councils and their Grand
Knights:
Council 2778 St. Anthony’s, Hereford – WGK Mack Nielsen
Council 15782, Holy Angel Catholic Church, Childress – WGK Lorenzo Ramirez
Council 7840, St. Ann’s, Canyon – WGK Rudy Fuentes, Jr.
Council 2776, St. Anthony of Padua, Dalhart – WGK Chase Graham
Council 8938, San Jose, Hereford – WGK Edward Fuentes
Council 2654, Holy Family Catholic Church, Nazareth – WGK Steven Birkenfeld
Council 4621, St. Thomas the Apostle, Amarillo – WGK Mark Ebenkamp
Council 1450, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Amarillo – WGK Jason Yarbrough
Council 12534, Church of the Holy Spirit, Tulia – WGK Jimmy Basaldua
Council 16205, St. Hyacinth, Amarillo – WGK Shayne Dorotik
Council 12563, St. Francis, Amarillo – WGK Elliott Hussing
Council 2767, St. Vincent de Paul, Pampa – WGK William Weiman
Council 3558, St. John the Evangelist, Borger – WGK Bradley Taylor
Council 5061, Sts. Peter & Paul, Dumas – WGK Miguel Nevarez