2009 Outstanding College Council Trophy comes to Harvard


The 2008-2009 Knights of Columbus College Council Conference, New Haven, CT.
(Left to right: Peter Halabu, Treasurer and Graduate Membership Director of the Harvard Council; Michael Brewer, College Council Coordinator at the Supreme Office, 2006 Founding Grand Knight of the Harvard Council, and 2006 President of the Harvard-Radcliffe Catholic Student Association; Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Order; Juan Carmona, Grand Knight of the Harvard Council; Christopher Oppermann, Undergraduate Membership Director of the Harvard Council, 2010 College Council Conference Coordinating Committee, and Harvard-Radcliffe Catholic Student Association Leadership Team; Fermin Mendez, Deputy Grand Knight of the Harvard Council; and Jim Ritch, Warden of the Harvard Council.)

Dear Brothers and Members of the Harvard Catholic Community:


It is with tremendous pleasure that we announce that the Supreme Office of the Knights of Columbus has selected us as the recipient of 2008-2009 Outstanding College Council Trophy. Over 140 student delegates, from 65 colleges and universities across the globe, competed for various honors at the international 2009 College Council Conference in New Haven, CT, from October 2nd-4th.


“While many college councils demonstrated impressive achievements this year, to be named Outstanding College Council is an exceptional distinction. This year’s winner demonstrated a strong commitment to community service, social justice activism and spiritual formation,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.


Indeed, our Council’s activities span volunteer work at Vernon Hall Nursing Home to catechesis through our St. Joseph Society. We are a group of men deeply committed to Christ, Holy Mother Church, and each other's spiritual formation—diligently building up the Kingdom of Christ one man at a time.


“To put it plainly, being a Knight has changed my life,” said former Grand Knight John A. Dunn. “My involvement with the Harvard Council taught me how to live as a Catholic devoted to serving my community. The Knights have deepened my faith, strengthened my values, and made me a better man.” We welcome everyone to explore our rich history and brotherhood at Harvard, comprising both undergraduate and graduate men, from all academic disciplines.


The Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world. In 1882 the Venerable Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney founded the order to unite Catholic men under the values of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Since then, the Order has grown to include over 14,000 Councils.


“Knight of Columbus councils throughout the Order are called to work as ‘the strong right arm of the Church’ and continue the legacy started 127 years ago by [the] Venerable Father McGivney. An outstanding college council not only knows and accepts these challenges, but faces this task with a sense of dedication and determination that elevates the entire Order and promotes a new Catholic evangelization on their campus,” said Supreme Knight Anderson.


The John Paul II Council at Harvard University is proud to pursue this task in the service of Holy Mother Church and the Catholic community here.


In Christ,


Juan Carmona, Grand Knight

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