One hundred years is a long time for any organization.
That is why the Humboldt Knights of Columbus took the opportunity to celebrate 100 years in Humboldt with their November 2017 celebration.
Humboldt Counil #1886 formed on Oct. 8, 1917, was just the fifth council to form in Saskatchewan. This would also be the starting point for many of the other local Knights of Columbus groups, including Muenster, Pilger, Watson, Englefeld,
Cudworth, and Lanigan, says Humboldt Grand Knight Fred Staniec.
The organization itself was formed in New Haven, Connecticut as a way to provide support during times of heavy unemployment and suicide.
The parish priest at the time was looking to do something for the widows and families left behind since there was no insurance back then, says former Humboldt Grand Knight, Nestor Trach.
The idea spread, including to Saskatchewan, and is still the goal today in helping out in the community.
“That’s how come we started and that’s basically what we’re about today is to help first of all ourselves, our brothers, our community, our church. In so many ways, we’re still trying to do what he (the priest) set out to do.”
And 100 years of community work has meant a long list of organizations helped, including their first project in 1920: helping build St. Peter’s College. The group even contributed to funding army huts during the Second World War.
For the work they have been able to do, the Knights have recorded giving over $1.1 million to local and provincial health, education, and sports and recreation organizations.
Having a hundred years under their collective belt, Trach says they have been fortunate to have strong leadership throughout the years.
Trach himself has been a knight for almost 60 years and looking back on his time, the friendships and camaraderie was also an important part of being a member of the organization.
An important highlight for him was the return of Emmett Hall, Supreme Court of Canada judge, Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench for Saskatchewan, and former Humboldt Knights of Columbus Grand Night, for a meeting in 1983.
Hall called it his homecoming, says Trach.
“He spoke to the Knights and talked about Humboldt in his early years. He attributed some of his success as a lawyer here in Humboldt to become Chief Justice.”
Staniec has been a member since 1971 and since then has been given many opportunities to meet new people through the organization.
