Fr. Raho Council #4194
616 W. David St.
Morton, IL 61550
309.263.1211
https://www.facebook.com/people/Knights-of-Columbus-Morton/100087161724679/
INTERNATIONAL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
5 STAR COUNCIL
2022-2023 2023-2024
1968-1969 1972-1973
1979-1980 1980-1981
1999-2000 2002-2003
2005-2006
St. Joseph and Baby Jesus returned to the Blessed Sacrament altar on St. Joseph’s Day, March 19, 2024, thanks to the efforts and financial contributions of the Fr Raho Council #4194.
PLEASE VISIT OUR EVENTS PAGE
{Everything subject to change without prior notice.}
Brother Knight. Larry Thompson (standing) is ready to serve them. Our Council is too!!!
Father Adam Cesarek, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Morton, Illinois, deliberates prior to answering a trivia question during Father’s fundraiser for diocesan vocations.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal family service organization. The Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 to provide a means by which Catholic men could support the Catholic Church, provide financial protection to protect their families, and engage in works of charity to benefit the less fortunate.
The Knights of Columbus, Fr. Raho #4194 Council, was founded in March 1956. Presently, there are over 200 men in our Council. Our Council Hall is owned, debt-free, by the Tazewell Columbus Club (TCC). Any practicing Catholic male 18 years of age or older is welcome to join our Council.
To become a Knight in our Council, please use this QR Code:
Knights of Columbus Council Officers
July 2024 to June 2025
| Chaplain | Fr Adam Cesarek | Associate Chaplain | Deacon Kevin Zeeb |
| Grand Knight | Terry Cochran | Deputy GK | Larry Thompson |
| Chancellor | Nathan Hastings | Recorder | Dave Greving |
| Financial Secretary | Chris Lang | Treasurer | Cooper Kraft |
| Lecturer Emeritus | Louie Hofer | Advocate | Gene Brandt |
| Warden | Al Martos | Inside Guard | Mike Naab |
| Outside Guard | Dave Stuart | 1 year Trustee | Dennis Corrigan |
| 2 year Trustee | John Zdanowski | ||
| 3 year Trustee | Ralph Mattia |
Tazewell Columbus Club Officers
July 2024 to June 2025
| TCC President | Carnicle JR., Donald |
| TCC Secretary | Kraft, Cooper |
| TCC Treasurer | Lang, Chris B |
| TCC Vice President | Naab, Michael A |
| TCC Board 1 | Carnicle JR., Donald |
| TCC Board 2 | Brandt, Gene A |
| TCC Board 3 | Cochran, Terry E |
| TCC Board 4 | Thompson, Larry R |
| TCC Board 5 | Corrigan, Dennis R |
| TCC Board 6 | Greving, David G |
| TCC Board 7 | Hastings, Nathan E |
| TCC Board 8 | Kraft, Cooper T |
| TCC Board 9 | Lang, Chris B |
| TCC Board 10 | Meier, Lawrence H |
| TCC Board 11 | Naab, Michael A |
| TCC Board 12 | Roberts, Phillip E |
Fr. Raho Council #4194’s
2023-2024 Award Winners
Dale Barlow Memorial Knight of the Year:
Chris Lang
Louis Hofer Volunteer of the Year:
Don Carnicle, Jr.
Council Family of the Year:
Ralph and Gail Mattia plus
Alex, Kylie, and Tinely LeMasters
Saint (Joseph) Barnabas Award (Son of Encouragement):
Dennis Corrigan
Saint Peter Award (Cornerstone of the Church):
Rick Barbour
Father Finnell Family of the Year:
Chris, Dianne, Logan, and Sammy Lang
Blessed Sacrament Woman of the Year:
Sue D’Amore
Knights of Columbus and TCC Meeting Schedule
All Members of the Knights of Columbus (in good standing) are members of the TCC.
All Members of the TCC (in good standing) are members of the Knights of Columbus.
Every member is invited to attend any meeting.
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BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE FUND (MAY 2019)
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.
Blessed Sacrament School Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund — Morton Community Foundation
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OUR MISSION
To empower Catholic men to grow closer to Christ by living their faith at home, in their parish, at work, and in their community.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A KNIGHT
We are Catholic men who lead, serve, protect, and defend. We share a desire to be better husbands, fathers, sons, neighbors, and role models.
God Family Charity Community
Knights of Columbus Principles
All the good works we do are informed 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 Athletic Department. Our Council donates money to Community Harvest and Midwest Food Bank. Our Council donates “Coats for Kids” in Tazewell County. Our Council supports the Morton and Memphis-Peoria St. Jude Runners. Our Council supports sports programs in Morton plus the MHS Girls Basketball “Pink Strong for Cancer Awareness” and Boys Basketball “Game Ball Run” (Children’s Hospital of Illinois). Through the “Tootsie Roll Drive” our Council supports the Illinois Special Olympics and other local groups that assist those with Intellectual Disabilities. Our Council supports, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. (Space does not allow for the listing of all the groups our Council supports.) Finally, our Council appreciates and supports our Chaplain and Parish Priest Monsignor Ward’s desire for our parishioners to Grow as Disciples, Go Evangelize, and Serve others. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need a call we answer every day.
Brother Knight Deacon Kevin Zeeb always helping others.
Deacons Michael Harris, Rick Miller, and David Steeples are also Brothers.
Grand Knight, Terry Cochran, and Trustee, Dennis Corrigan, present the TCRC with a check from the “Tootsie Roll” Drive.
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.
2022 Morton Church League Softball Tournament Champions
Team members include (from left, front row) John Alderson, Johnny Nguyen, Bryan Koch, Colin Roche, and Jason Vallar;
(from left, back row) Casey Kraft, Steve Koch, Mike Kraft, John Kuchinski, Cooper Kraft, Kevin Baughman, and Adam Turner.
Not pictured: Joseph Wizieck
Brother Knight Nathan Hastings is proud of our Food Pantry
We are very proud of our 3rd place finisher, Alyssa VanMeenen, at the 2024 Knights of Columbus State Finals free throw contest. She made 20 of 25 shots. The winners tied with 21. Note the Caitlin Clark T-shirt and smile.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS AT THE PARISH HALL
Join the All-Time greatest Knights Of Columbus
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen—“Thanks” Archdiocese of New York for delaying his Canonization.
John F. Kennedy—35th U.S. President
Ferdinand Foch was a French general and military theorist who served as the Supreme Allied Commander during the First World War.
U.S. Navy Comdr. Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.
On July 18, 1965, U.S. Navy Comdr. Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., was shot down while leading an air attack on a military installation in North Vietnam. Captured by the North Vietnamese that day, he remained a prisoner of war for seven years and seven months, enduring years of solitary confinement and brutal mistreatment.
On May 2, 1966, as part of a propaganda campaign, the North Vietnamese arranged for him to be interviewed for television by a Japanese reporter. Asked about his views on the actions of the U.S. Government, he strongly affirmed his government’s position, in defiance of his captors’ instructions; he prepared himself for a torture session that was sure to follow.
While speaking on camera, he blinked in Morse code the word “T-O-R-T-U-R-E.” Eventually, the videotape was widely circulated and reviewed by U.S. Naval Intelligence. Denton’s one-word report, delivered in Morse code, was the first clear confirmation received by U.S. Intelligence that American POWs were, in fact, being tortured.
Vincent Thomas Lombardi was an American football coach and executive in the National Football League. Lombardi is considered by many to be the greatest coach in American football history, and he is recognized as one of the greatest coaches and leaders in the history of all American sports.
Babe Ruth–Baseball player who liked to eat not cheat.
Join the All-Time greatest Knights Of Columbus
2024 KC Award Winner
Thomas Couri from St. Philomena.
Pictured (L-R) Coach Billy Seghetti, Mother Amy Couri, Thomas Couri and BSS AD Jeff King
This award is presented annually at the 8th grade boys KC tournament to the student athlete who exhibits the principles of being a Knight (Unity, Charity, Fraternity and Patriotism). The Staff at BSS determine the winner of the award from essays submitted by the coaches.
…While diminutive in stature, Tommy has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever coached. The captain on our state championship team, Tommy did a great job leading by example. He leads us in prayer before every game and even cites bible scripture when it is applicable to portions of our season. Tommy participates in every extra-curricular activity available at St Phils, oftentimes two sports at once…. You won’t find a happier kid in the locker room after a win.
Tommy loves to be involved in everything. Besides athletics, he is a regular in our school plays, various non-athletic school events, and is a well decorated Boy Scout as well….Every team is better to have Tommy Couri on it…. It is not uncommon to see Tommy as an altar server at mass. He has been excused from practice to serve at a funeral mass. It was a personal request from the grieving family. Tommy is truly beloved in the St Philomena community and I cannot think of someone better suited to win this award.