Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Recipients

2023-24 Council #9708 Scholarship Winners

We are proud to announce the winners of the 2023-2024 Knights of Columbus Council #9708 Scholarships!  Through the generosity of James and Elizabeth Witten family, K of C Council #9708 Brothers Tony Ogden and his son Carl Ogden, and K of C Council #9708, we were able to award 6 one-year scholarships.

This year’s scholarships awards total $10,500!

Congratulations to all of our Scholarship Winners.  May God bless you and guide you – and all our graduating St. Clare seniors – in your academic endeavors!

Scholarship Winners & Supporters of the Knights Scholarship Program

From Left-to-right: Elizabeth Selmarten, Christine Varisco, Emily Varisco, Trey Schaider, Michael Yo, Felicity Cabrera, Katherine King, Andrea Salazar, Lacy Duncan, Tony Ogden, Alex Ogden, Lynne Ogden, Carl Ogden, and Luis Zepeda (Council #9708 Grand Knight)

Grand Knight Luis Zepeda awarding this year’s 6 Scholarships

Knights Volunteer at Houston Food Bank 2022 Aug

The Knights and St. Clare Parish had a great turnout at the Houston Food Bank on Saturday, August 20.  Our group of 18 volunteers packaged 13,000 pounds of citrus with several other organizations during the morning shift.  Thanks to our Knights, their families, and St. Clare Parishioners for coming together to help those in need.

St Clare Knights Win 2022 International Life Award

Congratulations to the St. Clare Knights of Columbus who were recently named the Winner of the 2022 International Life Award! The award was based on the Council’s work in expanding the Loving Choice Pregnancy Center by 50% in Spring, TX and Parish wide baby shower drives.

The award was presented to the Council at the 140th Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention (Aug 1-4, 2022) at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.  Countries attending included the US (all states), Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Guam, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and Ukraine.  The Knights thank the entire Parish for their continued support!

Pictured Left to Right: Past State Deputy Alfredo Vela and wife Rosa, Current State Deputy Terry Fruge’ and wife Beth, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and wife Vanessa, Past Grand Knight Bill Hoff and wife Mabel.

Pictured Left to Right: Grand Knight Luis Zepeda, Life Director John Soisson, and Past Grand Knight Bill Hoff

From Awards Guide:
LIFE PROGRAMS
St. Clare of Assisi Council 9708
Pregnancy Center Expansion and Item Drive
Council 9708 provided labor and supplies to help a Catholic pregnancy resource center expand its space by 50%, allowing the staff to accommodate more clients and provide parenting classes and an area for baby supplies and other items.  The Council replaced and upgraded electrical outlets; painted rooms, a hallway and doors; and built custom cabinets.  A member also donated his company’s crew for 2.5 weeks to install flooring, baseboards and extend a wall.  Seminarians also stopped by during the project to assist and offer support.  Along with their work, the Knights donated $2,500 in baby items collected from their parish, and a check for $6,500.  In total, the Knights gave more than $10,000 in donations, materials and labor.

Bill Hoff – Grand Knight of the Year

Congratulations to Bill Hoff – Grand Knight of the Year! Bill was honored as the “Grand Knight of the Year” at the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese Training Conference on Saturday, July 30, 2022.

During Bill’s 2 year term as Grand Knight, the Council won the International Life Award, achieved Star Council twice, and the Texas Lone Star Award with Distinction twice. The Council also received state awards for the Faith in Action Programs including 1st for Family, 1st and 2nd for Life, and 1st for Faith. Congratulations Bill.

District Deputy Joe Kramer (right), presents the Award to Past Grand Knight Bill Hoff

Knights Announce 2022 Scholarship Winners

We are proud to announce the winners of the 2022-2023 Knights of Columbus Council #9708 Scholarship! Through the generosity of K of C Council 9708 Brothers Tony Ogden and his son Carl Ogden, we have added 3 new scholarships to those that were available to this year’s applicants. Seven scholarships were awarded altogether, totaling $12,500 (nearly double last year’s total!). This year’s scholarships were funded by the James and Elizabeth Witten family, the Ogden family, and our Council. Congratulations to all of our Scholarship Winners. May God bless you and guide you – and all of our graduating St. Clare seniors – in your academic endeavors!

 

Picture1
Scholarship Awardees and their sponsors following the St. Clare Graduation Celebration on May 22, 2022.
Picture2
Sara Mitschke receives the James & Elizabeth Witten Scholarship from Kathy Witten Pittman, scholarship sponsor.
Picture3
Madison Thorp receives the Michael Ogden Memorial Scholarship (designated for a student attending Texas A&M University) from scholarship sponsor Tony Ogden, and Grand Knight Bill Hoff.
Picture4
Ryan Nguyen congratulated by Bill Hoff and Mrs. Christine Varisco on receiving the Dr. Al Varisco “Principal’s Scholarship” - designated for a student who graduated from St. Clare Catholic School.
Picture5
Sam Soisson receives the Bo Ogden Memorial Scholarship from Carl Ogden (Bo Ogden’s son) and Bill Hoff.
Picture6
Kaitlin Bernal is awarded a Knights of Columbus Scholarship by Bill Hoff.
Picture7
Jonathon Foltyn is awarded a Knights of Columbus Scholarship by Bill Hoff.
Picture8
Calvin Nguyen receives a Knights of Columbus Scholarship from Bill Hoff.
Picture9
Grand Knight, Bill Hoff.
Picture10
Elizabeth Selmarten, St. Clare Director of Youth Ministry.

Knights Donate Lady of Guadalupe Print

The St. Clare Knights of Columbus donated a digital print of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Casa Juan Diego on July 18,2022.  The Council received the print with their donation to the American Wheelchair Association, an organization the Knights have supported for many years.

These archival prints are donated by a Knight of Columbus who owns the largest gift shop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City specifically to raise funds for wheelchairs. They have been blessed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

This beautiful framed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a digital scan of the tilma of St. Juan Diego, first revealed to the world on December 12, 1531. Cardinal Norberto Rivera of Mexico City authorized the tilma to be removed from the display vault at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and digitally scanned.  These scans are then sent to another Knight in California who donates and frames all of the prints.  Pictured below on the left Louise Zwick and two volunteers; in the center Gordon Ducote, St. Clare Knights of Columbus.

Knights Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity – La Porte TX

On Saturday, May 28, 2022, the St. Clare Knights Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity at a home in La Porte, TX.   This service day was focused on painting the home and storage shed .  Council volunteers pre-washed, taped, and painted mostly exterior surfaces on this beautiful new home.  Great weather, fun, and joy were experienced by all!