​‘Knights with Seminarians’ raises funds for educational support

‘Knights with Seminarians’ raises funds for educational support

Knights of Columbus Council 4183 held its annual Knights with the Seminarians’ Dinner recently at the KC Hall in New Braunfels, with all monies received from ticket sales allocated for seminarian financial support.

The dinner, held the last Saturday of February, is preceded by a liturgy which is known as the “Seminarian Mass.” The event is attended by numerous clergy and brothers and seminarians in formation. For the past two years, the Knights of Columbus State Deputy has been in attendance.

For the past several years, neighboring Knights of Columbus Councils have assisted the event through monetary donations. Council 4183 has matched the funds dollar for dollar.

This year, the recipient of monetary donations were the Mission of Divine Mercy, Assumption Seminary, Missionaries of the Holy Family, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Apostles of the Dominicans Deaf Ministry, and Knights of Columbus Pope John Paul II Council 13523. Each group was given $3,000 apiece.

The February gathering featured two special moments. The first was a presentation of four chalices to the Dominican Deaf Ministry by Knights of Columbus Assembly 1791. The presentation was made possible by the assembly and the families of Knights who have recently passed away.

Another highlight was the presentation of a check for $20,500 to seminarian Jason Martini to retire any outstanding education debt. Martini will be ordained a priest of the archdiocese in May.

He is the son of Ray and Bernice Martini, parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in New Braunfels. Jason and Ray Martini are both members of Knights Council 4183.

The funds for the check came from the council and a private individual. Several years ago Council 4183 put a line item in their budget to help raise funds to assist seminarians in their transition to the priesthood. This fund helps to offset any educational debt that may have been accumulated.