Pictured (left to right) are St. Peter’s Mission teacher Sister Barbara Jean; Maynard Iverson, Council 9678 Recorder; Council Financial Secretary John Caravella, and Mission School Principal, Sister Martha Mary.
Maynard Iverson, PR Chair
In early November, Council 9678 provided grocery gift cards for St. Peter’s Indian Mission so that two dozen families could have a bountiful Thanksgiving! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mission School has been shut down since March of 2021, which has seriously affected not only student learning, but also the nutrition of the children and, consequently, their family food needs! The Franciscan nuns who administer the school have expressed concern over this situation and asked the East Valley community to help. Special thanks to Lyne Boucher for calling this need to our attention!
Charity is a central tenet of the Knights of Columbus; thus, Sun Lakes Council 9678 voted to provide funds for helping to feed Mission families! Prior to the pandemic, the SL Knights conducted annual Soccer Competitions at St. Peter’s Mission. These Soccer Challenges gave several hundred elementary students at the Mission School the opportunity to compete and earn recognition for their efforts. Bill Triquart, a “snowbird” member of the Knights, who hails from Tacoma, Wash., has ably coordinated the event for the past decade. When the Mission School re-opens, as planned in late November, the SL Knights will resume the Soccer Challenge. Anyone interested in helping with this event should contact Bill at 480-895-3046. According to School Principal Sister Martha Mary Carpenter, the Mission will soon begin building a high school at the complex, thanks to a grant and a number of large donations. Teachers and volunteers are currently being sought to staff the new school. The Mission School office is located at 1500 N. St. Peters Road, in Bapchule; telephone 520-315-3835.
The Knights of Columbus is an international organization of Catholic gentlemen, which is dedicated to the principles of Unity, Charity, Fellowship and Patriotism. To learn more about the organization, including how to join, contact Grand Knight Ken Ford at 480-216-6808 or [email protected].