Knights of Peter Claver Inc.: Northern States District

Here is the link for reserving a hotel room in Bloomington, MN for the Northern District Conference 2014. Copy and paste. More information to come. http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/bloomington/mspia/hoteldetail?qAdlt=1&qChld=0&qRms=1&qIta=99801505&qGrpCd=PC4&qPSt=0&qSmP=3&qWch=0&qSHp=1&qBrs=6c.hi.ex.rs.ic.cp.in.sb.cw.cv&qSrt=BRAND_SORT&qRpp=25&qRRSrt=rt&qFRA=1&srb_u=1&icdv=99801505

In the Garden State.....     A beautiful mass was celebrated followed by a luncheon that royalty would have enjoyed. Knights and Ladies of the Order were in attendance. The newly initiated Lady Michelle Brooks-Bey, Lady Courtney Curry- transfer from Junior Division-and Lady Yvette Hall (of many years returned to the Ladies) were present. Grand Lady Shirley Rush and the other 15 Ladies were present. We were extremely proud to represent our order on Sunday.    We celebrated St. Peter Claver Day in New Jersey at St. Peter Claver Parish, Montclair NJ, a landmark parish in New Jersey for Afrcan Americans more than 50 years ago.  We were welcomed by the new administrator, Fr. Zephyrin Katompa, and all the parishioners.        

Last month, Council and Court 297 welcomed several members into Claverism.   The Knights of Peter Claver: St. Martin De Porres Council #297 and Ladies Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Francis Court #297 of The Archdiocese of Newark had a 3rd Degree Turnout on Sunday, August 11th, after 10:30 am Mass at Christ The King Church, Jersey City.     Rev. Stephen Giorno, Pastor of Christ The King (who was initiated as a Knight August 10th), celebrated the Mass.    In all, three men were initiated into CN #297 by Area Deputy Larry Butts and Initiating Team on Saturday, August 10th at St. Athanasius Church, Philadelphia, PA.  Northern District Ladies Auxiliary Area Deputies Claire Potier and Rosalind Cobb initiated 12 Ladies (10 from CT #297 and 2 from CT #229[Brooklyn]) on Saturday, August 3rd.   It is nice to see the Northern District growing!!   The pictures and descriptions are courtesy of Grand Knight Charles Brooks #297.

As St. Peter Claver Day approaches, I am reminded of a vignette that I saw a few years back about out patron saint. It reminded me of the miracles attributed to Peter Claver. I was able to track down the transcript of the vignette that I witnessed about our patron saint: ...In a few days, I - Vincenzo Luigi Pecci also known as Pope Leo the 13th - will announce the canonization of three remarkable entities in our Catholic faith, one of them being Peter Claver. Every since 1878 when I took over for Pope Pius the 9th, I have made great strides to increase Catholicism world wide. This month, I will do just that again. For some time now I have been reading information, testimonies on Peter Claver and the things he accomplished in the Americas with the Negro Slaves. For over thirty years, Father Claver alleviated the pain and suffering the Africans from the Ivory Coast region experienced during the slave trade in Cartagena, Columbia. Thousands of slaves would come each month and, he w

From July 4 to July 7, 2013 - KPC Inc. hosted the Junior National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana (in the Northern District). There were many members of our august order present.   Above are the National Knights and Ladies Board Members with the newly elected Junior National Knights and Ladies Board Members.   Here are the Junior National Knights and Ladies Board Members. There are several from the Northern District.   Above are some awards winners from the Northern District: Jr. Starling - Presidential Award Winner, Jr. Hale III, Jr. Cunningham - 2nd Place in Talent Show, Jr. Bradfield II - 2nd Place Poetry and Kn. Bradfield Sr.-Northern State Director, Kn. Pichon- Texas State Director with Junior Commander Grace Cn 176.   Above is Jr. Kn. Bradfield II Cn 176, Kn. Bradfield Sr. - Northern District Director, Lady Kemp - Northern District Directress, & a friend.   Included in the four day convention were many events designed to enhance the organ

On Saturday, June 8 - Council and Court 90 celebrated 70 years of existence. The unit is from Flint, MI centered at Christ the King Parish. Below are some of the members in attendance to the amazing celebration: the Ladies National Treasurer, Ladies Northern District Deputy, the Grand Lady of Court 90, the Ladies Northern District President, and another member of Court 90.   The fourth degree sir knights also turned out for this special occasion. There was plenty of food for all to enjoy.     Below are some Detroit folks that attended this special event.             

On June 1, several brothers were initiated into the brotherhood. Members from council 71, 90, 247, 299, and 303 participated. Michigan Clavers are gearing up for the 70th anniversary of Father Duckette Council and Court 90 on June 8.

The evening began with the board members and the National Officers (that were present) enjoying drinks and appetizers.   Knight's President & the Local Grand Knight    National and District Board Members enjoying appetizers.   National, District, and Local Officers just before the banquet.   Members sitting down for a buffet style banquet.   A view from the dais to the buffet area.     Northern States Grand Lady of the Year Award   Northern States Court of the Year Award   President and Hosting Grand Knight for the Conference     Raffle Ticket winners and Committee Chairpersons   Clavers doing the Hustle!

On April 13, 2013....we did many things at the conference. The day started with a Prayer Breakfast. The meal was buffet style.   A priest from the area was the speaker. He talked about having faith. Afterwards, some of the National Officers: the Supreme Lady and Vice Supreme Lady took a picture with the Northern District Vice President. After the Prayer Breakfast, the membership went straight into chambers to handle business. We met and reported on the various committees: Time and Place, Junior Commander, Scholarship Raffle, and more. Then, we took a break for lunch. We met some more and got ready for the banquet. More to come tomorrow about the banquet and scholarship winners!

At the conference, the Emerging Leaders did a service project at a New Jersey Elementary School. They read some storybooks to students. The Emerging Leaders are a group of young Claver adults (18 to 35) that are the future of Claverism in the Knights of Peter Claver Inc.   Back at the Hilton Hotel, Clavers are checking out local vendors, participating in the health task force and attending committee meetings before the business sessions begin for the Knights and Ladies.   The Scholarship-Raffle Ticket Committee     Local New Jersey Vendors     Health Fair     Here are two board members and another knight preparing for the opening business session.        Later in the day, knights and ladies enjoyed music and dancing at the Back To The Future Dance.

On Thrusday, April 11th Clavers from all over came to Parsippany, NJ to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Northern States District. The pre-conference session was a card party for fun and fellowship. After the drive from the Newark Liberty International Airport, early attendees enjoyed some snacks and drinks before business the following day. Members of the district board and national officers played Bid Whist, Spades and more.