Eunice Knights to commemorate 100 years of service

Over 100 years of service projects, fundraisers and family gatherings will be honored this Sunday as the Knights of Columbus Eunice Council No. 1745 commemorate the presence of this worthwhile organization in the City of Eunice for a Centennial celebration.
Members of the Knights of Columbus Eunice Council No. 1745 will host a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 22nd at 11:00 a.m., in celebration of the 100 years of service in the community of Eunice with a reception following at the Knight of Columbus Hall on Second Street.
“Celebrating 100 years of service to the community of Eunice is a great accomplishment for our council,” said Dr. Zeb Stearns, Grand Knight, “and with a resurgence in interest we are looking forward to celebrating many more years of service to the Catholic community of Eunice.”
Established on June 14th, 1914, the thirty-eight charter members who instituted the Eunice Council 1745, represented a desire to help build the Catholic community of Eunice. Those members include Grand Knight George T. Guillet, Rev. Celestin Chambon, DeJean Ardoin, Abraham Boudreau, Numa Boudreaux, William R. Belton, Joseph E. Chaumont, L.M. Couvillion, Thomas A. Doubourg, Dr. J.A. Duplechin, Charles H. Dupre, Sullivan Fruge, Theogene Fruge, Athanas Fuselier, Avie Fuselier, C.E. Hebert, Jr., Joseph C. Keller, Joseph Klein, Leonard Klein, Peter Klein, Jr., Henry LaFleur, Robert C. LaFleur, Leopold LeJeune, J.B. Lewis, Aaron F. McGee, Magnus J. McGee, A. Orillion, J. Fred Pecot, Oliver Reed, Angelo Senac, Laurent Siffert, Joseph L Stagg, Charles Veldekins, Homer Vidrine, Rev. August Viel, Henry C. Voorhies, Andrew Wilfert and John Wilfert.
“The Knights have established a legacy of Christian discipleship unparalleled in our area,” said Msgr. J. Robert Romero, V.E., pastor St. Anthony of Padua Church. “We are grateful for their love of God and Church.”
In the beginning, members of the Knights of Columbus were instrumental in service projects ranging from raising funds to build a new church (St. Anthony of Padua Church,) assisting the Marianite Sisters in rebuilding their convent, and reaching out to area communities in order to expand the Order in Louisiana.
Through the years, membership in the organization grew and with this growth the level of participation in the community of Eunice became more pronounced. In time, Council 1745 would become engaged in the Youth Expansion Program which contributed funds to the Catholic Student Centers throughout Louisiana, including the Catholic Student Center at LSU-E. Local projects like the “Tootsie Roll Drive” in which all monies raised would aide the Guillory Day Care Center along with sponsorships of baseball teams and baseball tournaments, Boy Scout Troops and even a War Bond drive during the 1940’s, proved that the Knights of Columbus Eunice Chapter 1745 would be a driving force in proclaiming the organization’s four key principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
Although membership in the organization has risen and fallen through the years, Knights of Columbus Council 1745 has remained steadfast in promoting the welfare of those around them. Recently the organization donated funds to aide in construction of the new gymnasium at St. Edmund Catholic School, they provided support to seminarians sponsored by St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, namely Rev. William Schambough and recently ordained Rev. Matthew Barzare, and members are ever present in the community to lend a helping hand to those in need.
For more information on joining the Knights of Columbus Eunice Council 1745, information can be obtained from St. Anthony of Padua rectory.