K of C hosts dinner at Toyota Events Center in Princeton

Father Gary Kaiser, standing at podium, welcomes everyone and offers a prayer before dinner. Father Gary, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Princeton and Holy Cross Parish in Fort Branch, served as master of ceremonies. Seated at the table are Father Tony Ernst, left, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vincennes and St. Philip Neri Parish in Bicknell; Bishop Joseph M. Siegel; Father Tyler Tenbarge, diocesan director of vocations; and Ryan Borden, state advocate for the Indiana State Council K of C. The Message photo by Megan Erbacher

About 200 Knights of Columbus members, their families and other supporters gathered March 14 at the Toyota Events Center in Princeton for an evening that included dinner and keynote speakers. Phil Perry, diocesan chairman of the Indiana State Council K of C, said the fundraiser was the first of its kind aimed to benefit the Indiana State Council K of C, as well as the Diocese of Evansville. Perry said discussions and planning for an event began two years ago when the state council created the diocesan chairman program.

The evening included an explanation of the Knights from Father Gary Kaiser, as well as keynote addresses from Bishop Joseph M. Siegel, Father Tyler Tenbarge, Father Tony Ernst and Ryan Borden.

Father Gary is a Fourth-Degree Knight who joined with the encouragement of his dad. He said, “We gather to celebrate the efforts of the Knights of Columbus. … Our founder, (Blessed) Father (Michael) McGivney, saw as a parish priest the struggles parishioners and families were facing. His vision was to support the families, strengthen the church and build community through fraternal organization. The K of C was formed to fill that need.”