The California State Council is the governing body for the Knights of Columbus in the jurisdiction (state) of California. There are over 700 Councils in California with over 78,000 members. The State Deputy is the chief executive officer for the State Council.
KNIGHTS BRING WHEELCHAIRS TO MEXICO
3/1/2019
(Photo by Randy Hale) Story by Andrew Butler
In Mexico City there is a grandmother who is battling cancer while acting as the sole caretaker for her two teenage grandchildren – one of whom (the granddaughter) has difficulty walking. They live in an area where the average weekly wage is $15 (300 pesos).
This past February, Knights representing the California State Council visited this family and gave the girl the gift of mobility – a brand new wheelchair. That gift, one of many made during the trip that lasted from Feb. 13 to 17, was part of the Knights of Columbus’ Order-wide partnership with the Global Wheelchair Mission.
Since 2009, the Knights of Columbus has partnered with the Global Wheelchair Mission, founded by Chris Lewis – a Knight of Columbus and son of comedic legend Jerry Lewis. Its goal is to provide aid to those who lack the freedom of mobility in our communities and around the world.
In Mexico, the Knights had the opportunity to visit and distribute wheelchairs with Lewis at the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute Teletón (CRIT) center in Hidalgo, a facility that provides care for children and adolescents with physical disabilities through a rehabilitation model centered on the family.
“These CRIT Centers are just totally state of the art,” said California State Deputy Joseph Salaiz. “They rival to our children’s hospitals here in this country.”
Salaiz also described distributing a wheelchair in another, more remote location.
“At one of the other places that we gave a chair, we were up at 9,000 elevation. It was a very remote area on a hill,” said Salaiz. “They just were so happy that we were there, that we thought about them, to present them a chair.”
Participants in the trip included Knights, their wives, two former California state chaplains and Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange. Bishop Vann, a friend of Salaiz’s, was so enthusiastic about joining the Knights on this wheelchair distribution that he canceled other plans so he could participate.
“It was really a blessing that he was with us,” said Salaiz. “Everywhere we went in Mexico, people were coming up to him asking for blessings. It was just tremendous to have him with us.”
Bishop Vann also offered a very special blessing for Knight José “Pona” Magana and his wife, Judy, who were on the trip. The trip happened to coincide with the anniversary of the day they got engaged.
When Bishop Vann heard the Maganas’ story, he suggested they reaffirm their wedding vows. So they did.
“I don’t know how many times we were told, ‘We can’t thank the Knights of Columbus enough for what you’re doing’,” said Salaiz. “It was just a tremendous trip altogether.”
Knights councils around the world participate in wheelchair distributions. Whether councils present wheelchairs to local veterans and neighbors in need or donate funds to benefit those abroad, mobility brings with it independence and a recognition of the dignity of every human being.
‘Unplanned‘ is the inspiring true story of one woman’s journey of transformation.
All Abby Johnson ever wanted to do was help women. As one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation, she was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women about their reproductive choices. Her passion surrounding a woman’s right to choose even led her to become a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, fighting to enact legislation for the cause she so deeply believed in.
Until the day she saw something that changed everything, leading Abby Johnson to join her former enemies at 40 Days For Life, and become one of the most ardent pro-life speakers in America.
California’s #1 Field Agent & Agency
My Brothers,
On December 31, was the completion of the Order’s insurance year. Let us congratulate, Brother Mike Wilson from the Baca Agency, and Brother Ben Baca, for finishing number one in California for the 2018 calendar year.
Brother Mike, is a Past Chapter President, Former District Deputy, Past Faithful Navigator, and a Past Grand Knight, with a heart for membership growth. Brother Mike finished second in the Order, and the Baca Agency finished fifth in the Order for insurance sales. Four of the seven agencies in California finished on the front page of the top list of 24 agencies in the Order. This is out of 124 agencies that is representative of the United States and Canada.
What does this exactly mean my brothers, it means lives changed, with the security and benefits of financial protection for our Catholic families. We should all be extremely proud of all seven agencies, and how we are represented here in California. It will be my extreme honor, to be able to recognize all of the top Field Agents in California, at our state convention in May.
On behalf, of our State Council, I cannot thank our general agents, our field agents, and our professional staff enough, for all you do in protecting our families. You are truly, our everyday heroes, living out your faith in action and the mission of our founder, Venerable Father Michael McGivney.
Sincerely,
Joseph C. Salaiz
State Deputy
Knights of Columbus
California State Council
“Those Knights of Charity” Those Knights of Hope”
WHO WE ARE
Knights are Catholic men, at least 18 years old, who are committed to making their community a better place while supporting their church. Being a knight is being involved with your community, supporting your parish, enhancing your own faith and protecting and enhancing your family life.
Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. You will make lifelong friends.
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- FAITH: Grow in your faith. Support your parish. Help with your parish fiesta. Knights become better Catholics.
- FAMILY: We have many family activities each year such as picnics, council breakfasts, coats for kids and others. Give back to your community. Show your children how to make a difference.
- FRIENDSHIP:You will meet like-minded men and make life-long friendships.
- FUN: Have fun with your family and brother knights. See the smiles on the faces of those we help. Special Olympics, Food for Families, Habitat for Humanity and other activities.
OUR PROGRAMS SHOW THE WORLD WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Our featured programs are:
- Habitat for Humanity
- Global Wheelchair Mission
- Special Olympics
- Coats for Kids
- Food for Families
- March for Life and Ultrasound Program
- Scholarships for seminarians and religious brothers and sisters