By Tom Kalchik, Deputy Grand Knight
The St. Elizabeth Seton Knights of Columbus (K of C) Council 12144 has enjoyed two successful years under the leadership of Grand Knight Robin Clark. During his tenure, the Council has been recognized as the outstanding Council in the State of Arizona, it has received two Double Star Awards (meaning it recruited more than two times the number of new Knights as its assigned quota), it started the Car Seats for Christ program which is now a state-wide program and possibly national program, and many other programs too numerous to detail here.
More significantly, the Council has provided over $55,000 of financial and material support to charitable organizations over the last two years. One of these programs was the used luggage collection drive to support youth who are in the foster care system. Without this support, the youth who leave the system must put all their belongings in a black plastic garbage bag. The used luggage donated by the St. Elizabeth Seton parishioners allows them to have the dignity of placing their belongings in clean, secure luggage. Thanks to the St Elizabeth Seton parishioners, over 280 pieces of luggage were donated to Council 12144 for the foster care system.
(Pictured above) Over 280 pieces of luggage are waiting to be loaded in an OCJKids van to help youth transition out of the foster care system.
(Pictured above, left to right) Deputy Grand Knight Tom Kalchik, Outside Guard Jim Kramer, Grand Knight Robin Clark, and two representatives from OCJKids loaded over 280 used and new pieces of luggage into a OCJKids van on July 8, 2025 to help youth who are transitioning out of foster care.
Knight’s Council 12144 provides all men of St. Elizabeth Seton and St. Clement’s parishes the opportunity to meet Christ’s challenge, “Whatever you did for the least of my people, you did for me.” The Council will be holding a membership drive on the weekend of September 6 and 7 at St. Elizabeth Seton. Watch for more information in the next few weeks.
Knights can meet Christ’s challenge with only a few minutes of charity, such as:
- Sign up donors for our blood drives – 15 minutes after a weekend Mass
- Collect car seats and other donations for Car Seats for Christ – 20 to 30 minutes after a weekend Mass in December
- Collect used luggage – 20 minutes after a weekend Mass
- Serve donuts and coffee – 20 to 30 minutes after a 3rd Sunday weekend Mass
- Serve as ushers, Eucharistic ministers, or lectors at Mass
- Distribute baby bottles to support First Way Pregnancy – 15 minutes after a weekend Mass in the spring
- Help at the K of C Golf Tournament – 2 to 3 hours on a Saturday in March
- Attend COR sessions – 1 hour on Saturday mornings at 6:30 am
- Attend the monthly Council meetings – 1 ½ hours on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM (Rosary preceding the meeting)
There are a variety of ways the Knights can help you attain your Heavenly goal. The time commitment can be minor but the reward great. If you are not already a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12144, pray and seriously consider joining at our next membership drive or at any other time by talking to a member.
