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Knights Of Columbus Bringing The Faith Alive Through Fellowship And Service
Charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism are the four guiding principles of the Knights of Columbus. Everything that the members of Council #10510 do falls into one of these categories, and they also serve as a strong stewardship example to all of our parishioners.
In our council, Michael Creager is currently serving as the Grand Knight, and Donovan Lempka is the membership director.
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Donovan joined our council more than three years ago — but the Knights organization has been a tradition in his family. Donovan’s late father, Emil, was a Knight in St. Mary, Neb. for most of his adult life. In addition, many of Donovan’s uncles and great uncles were also Knights. So, with some persuasion from a cousin, Donovan finally joined our council.
“I enjoy helping the parish and the community, as a whole,” Donovan says.
Michael had been a Knight in Brighton, Colo. since 2009 and joined our council in 2014.
“What I enjoy most are the brotherhood and fellowship,” Michael says. “I also enjoy interacting with other Knights and their families in a setting that is more relaxed and less formal than being at church.”
Handing out Tootsie Rolls at a recent collection
Both Donovan and Michael enjoy serving for the fundraisers that benefit our parish and community.
Giving back through the Knights has been a big blessing for both. Donovan was part of a group that helped start the Lenten Fish Fry meals, and this is one of Michael’s favorite fundraisers. It not only builds fellowship with other Knights, as Michael says, but it’s also a valuable chance to get to know others in the parish and broader community. The St. Peter Knights do their fish fry dinners a bit different, though — the menu includes parmesan-crusted cod, baked cod, and macaroni and cheese. This unique menu has proven to be a big draw!
For both Michael and Donovan, the camaraderie and friendship with other Knights is just an added benefit to this service organization. In addition to their service in our parish community, the Knights support many organizations throughout Lincoln.
“My fellow Knights give of their time, talent, and treasure for a cause greater than themselves,” Michael says. “Seeing how our fellow Knights give back to the community has helped my faith grow stronger.”
Another one of the group’s projects is the Trunk or Treat event, which takes place around Halloween. This event is hosted for the community and is not a fundraiser. In 2020, this event was even more popular because many other events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before COVID-19, the Knights also held a bike safety rodeo.
Handing out Tootsie Rolls at a recent collection
“I enjoy the events we do that involve our families since I have two young girls,” Donovan says.
The Knights also help with the St. Peter Taste and See event, and they run a Fourth of July fireworks tent, a car show, and Tootsie Roll sale as fundraisers. Some of the main organizations the group supports are the Women’s Care Center, St. Gianna’s School, and the Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children. Along with several other Knights councils, our council helped purchase an ultrasound machine for the Women’s Care Center. The Knights also support our parish with various financial needs.
Donovan enjoys being with the other men in the Knights and appreciates that this gives him an outlet to be more involved than just going to Mass each week.
“Being involved in the Knights helps you become a better man, husband, and neighbor,” he says. “It’s being in fraternity with likeminded guys. That helps you when you have that support.”
Michael and Donovan are grateful for the parish support of the Knights and their fundraising events. They invite any male parishioner to get involved.
