Sept. 29, 2014
The Catholic University of America Knights of Columbus Council 9542 was honored with a top award this weekend when it was named this year's Outstanding College Council during the 2014 Knights of Columbus College Councils Conference in New Haven, Ct. The award, which is given annually, honors a university council for its "exemplary accomplishments and service."According to the Knights of Columbus website, the Catholic University council was chosen for its members' "strong desire to offer public witness to their faith, a commitment to service, and a wide variety of charitable activities.""Being awarded the Outstanding College Council Award is definitely a proud moment for the CUA Knights of Columbus and The Catholic University of America," said Council Grand Knight Joshua Bryant, a senior from Hardwick, N.J. "Receiving this award recognizes what our council strives toward every year, helping young men to be formed as Catholic gentlemen in service to our Church and our community. While this award recognizes our outstanding commitment to faith, service, and fraternity during the 2013-2014 academic year, it also inspires us as Knights of Columbus to continue to build up the Church each and every day through our dedication and commitment to the principles of our order: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism."Rev. Frank Donio, S.A.C., chaplain of the CUA council, said the council members are "outstanding members" of the University community."The members of CUA Council, both students and alumni, are very engaged in the life of the campus community and beyond as true servant leaders," he said. "They do not seek recognition, but the Knights of Columbus through this award is acknowledging their exceptional service and witness in faith and charity."The CUA council's activities include a biweekly discernment group directed by Knights and their chaplain and two "week of service" events during the school year. The council hosted and competed in the annual Knights of Columbus college football game against other local college councils. It also helped to organize and operate the University Relay for Life in April and raised $3,350 for the American Cancer Society. The CUA council members helped to promote a culture of life on campus by volunteering during the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and sponsoring a presentation with Archbishop William Lori, supreme chaplain, titled, "Being Proactively Pro-Life in Today's Society."