Principles | Tazewell Columbus Club | BSS Tuition Assistance Fund | Awards and Recognition

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A KNIGHT

We are Catholic men building a bridge back to faith.  There is much work to be done in this world. Good work. Necessary Work. And that’s what the Knights do. Every day.

Assisting the sick and disabled. Protecting those who can’t protect themselves.  Whether they are next door or halfway around the world.  This is the journey we are on. Our path.

We do it to be better husbands, fathers, sons, neighbors and Catholics.  We invest our time, our effort and our resources into our values: Charity. Unity. Fraternity. Patriotism.

We come from many places, backgrounds and stages in our lives. But we are all of one faith.  A fraternity of men striving to better ourselves and our world.  

It’s one thing to say who you are.  It’s another to live it.  To put your values into action.  That’s what we do at the Knights of Columbus.

That’s who we are.

 

God       Family       Charity       Community

Our Council proudly supports a wide range of charitable and community efforts. We provide financial donations to Community Harvest and the Midwest Food Bank, as well as contribute to the “Coats for Kids” program in Tazewell County. We support the Morton and Memphis–Peoria St. Jude Runners and actively assist local sports programs in Morton, including MHS Girls Basketball’s “Pink Strong for Cancer Awareness” and Boys Basketball’s “Game Ball Run” benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Through our annual “Tootsie Roll Drive,” our Council supports the Illinois Special Olympics and other local organizations that serve individuals with intellectual disabilities. We also support—both spiritually and materially—mothers who choose life for their babies. While space does not permit listing every organization we assist, our commitment to service remains unwavering.

Finally, our Council gratefully supports our Chaplain and Parish Priest, Father Adam Cesarek, in his call for parishioners to Grow as Disciples, Evangelize, and Serve Others. As Knights, we recognize that our mission and faith in God compel us to action. There is no greater way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need—a call we answer every day.

Principles

Knights of Columbus Principles

All the good work we do is formed by our four core principles:

 

CHARITY – Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself”. Members of this Council of Knights of Columbus show love for their Parish by supporting various activities at Blessed Sacrament Church, School, and Community. 

 

UNITY – None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that together we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So, we stick together…we support one another. That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that – as a Knight of Columbus – you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.

 

FRATERNITY – The Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to aid the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died – often prematurely. The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do individual Knights, who last year gave more than 10 million hours of their time to assist sick and/or disabled members and their families. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.

 

PATRIOTISM – Members of the Knights of Columbus are patriotic citizens. Many of our members are military veterans who served our country in distant lands. We are proud of our devotion to God and country.

 

Tazewell Columbus Club (TCC)

 

The Tazewell Columbus Club is our local entity for the Knights of Columbus in Morton, Illinois, serving as a Catholic fraternal organization for men, we own and operate our council hall, focusing on charity and community service, particularly supporting recreational activities and local needs in Tazewell County. We are a registered non-profit 501(c)(8), known for community involvement, promoting catholic initiatives and providing a way for Catholic men to engage in faith-based service.

 

Tazewell Columbus Club Officers

July 2025 to June 2026

President Donald Carnicle JR.
Vice President Michael Naab

Secretary / Treasurer Chris Lang

Board Members

Larry Thompson
Nathan Hastings
Dave Stuart
Lawerance Meier
Gene Brandt
Dennis Corrigan
Chris Rika
John Replogle
Terry Cochran
David Greving
Scott Homa
Steve Hillamn

Cooper Kraft
Marty Messineo

BSS Tuition Assistance Fund

BLESSED SACRAMENTSCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE FUND

This Designated Fund was established in May of 2019 by the Knights of Columbus Father Raho Council #4194 in Morton, IL. The purpose of the Fund is to provide support for Blessed Sacrament School students in grades K-8 with tuition assistance.  Grants will be sent to Blessed Sacrament school and recipients of tuition assistance shall be determined by Blessed Sacrament School’s financial needs-based program.

Please click on the link below to find out more and to support 

Blessed Sacrament School Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund — Morton Community Foundation

 

Awards and Recognition    

The Knights of Columbus offer numerous awards recognizing council, family, and individual achievements in faith, membership, insurance, and community service, with top honors including the Star Council Award (for overall council excellence) and state/local Knight & Family of the Year awards, alongside specific recognition like the Shining Armor Award for individual engagement and the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal for chaplains. Awards highlight performance in the Faith in Action program, insurance promotion, and growth, with distinct recognition for college councils and special services.

Father Raho Council #4194 Awards and Recognition

International Recognition

INTERNATIONAL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

STAR COUNCIL

The Knights of Columbus Star Council Award recognizes local councils for overall excellence in membership growth, promoting fraternal insurance, and conducting outstanding faith, family, community, and life-oriented programs

DOUBLE STAR 2024-2025

2002-2003, 2022-2023, 2023-2024

1999-2000, 1980-1981, 1979-1980

1972-1973, 1968-1969

 

State Recognition

2024-2025 Gold Council Charitable Contribution Goal Attainment

1st in State Membership Net Attainment: 34 new members

1st in State Membership Percentage Attainment: 242.8% growth

2023-2024 Faith in Action – Family Award

2022-2023 State Family of the Year: Gene and Kathy Brandt

Local Recognition

FR. Raho Council Awards 2025

Dale Barlow Memorial Knight of the Year:

Dennis Corrigan

Louis Hofer Volunteer of the Year:

William Shipton

Council Family of the Year:

Chris, Dianne, Logan, and Sam Lang

Saint (Joseph) Barnabas Award (Son of Encouragement):

David Stuart

Saint Peter Award (Cornerstone of the Church):

Ralph Mattia

Father Finnell Family of the Year:

Ralph and Gail Mattia plus

Alex, Kylie, and Tinly LeMasters

Blessed Sacrament Woman of the Year:

Sue D’Amore

 

All Time Greatest Knights of Columbus

Recognized for their impact in faith, service, and leadership

Religious & Spiritual Leaders

Military & Heroes

  • Daniel Daly: Decorated U.S. Marine Sergeant Major.
  • Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.: Navy Commander, POW in Vietnam. 
  • Gen. Ferdinand Foch: French Supreme Allied Commander during the First World War.

Political & Public Service

  • John F. Kennedy: 35th U.S. President, a member since 1946.
  • Sargent Shriver: First Director of the Peace Corps, Ambassador to France.
  • Ray Flynn: Former Mayor of Boston, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
  • John Volpe: Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Governor of Massachusetts. 

Sports & Athletics

Other Notable Figures