THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Thurs., Dec. 2, 1976
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Knights of the Altar Serve Diocese Altar boys: they come all shapes, sizes and degrees of devotion, from imps who drive curates crazy to youngsters faithful to their commitment all the way from struggling out of bed on wintry mornings to serve early Masses to putting in extra hours at weddings, funerals and special liturgical services. The Fall River diocese has its share of both types but is possibly more blessed than most in its high number of boys who take the job of acolyte very seriously. One such is 14-year-old David Bowlin, a ninth grader at Attleboro High and Supreme Grand Knight of Knights of the Altar (K of A) of St. Joseph's parish, Attl' Joro. Last week he was recognized as one of 12 outstanding Knights in the U. S. and 44 foreign couritries at a glittering award ceremony presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Dailey of Boston. As well as a certificate and medallion from K of A headquarters, David received letters of congratulation from Bishop Daniel A. Cronin, Governor Michael Dukakis, Congresswoman Margaret ~eckler, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, State Sen. John Parker and Attleboro Mayor Raymond Macomber. Asked jokingly, "What about the Pope?" Rev. Normand J. • Boulet, K of A chaplain, admitted that yes, a letter had been requested from His Holiness but that unfortunately it' hadn't yet arrived. The award and th~congratula tory letters recognized the remarkable leadership displayed by David as head of the K of A, a super-active group for which David is the second national award winner. Members have served so many bishops they've lost count, two were in Rome for the ceremonies accompanying the elevation of Cardinal Medeiros, and David was on national television earlier this year when he participated in bicentennial lantern-lighting ceremonies at Boston's Old North Church commemorating Paul Revere's ride. Fun and games are not forgotten either and the Knights participate in splash parties, trips to baseball games, "sleepovers" in St. Joseph's parish hall and frequent field trips to area points of interest. David and his fellow officers are responsible for 57 Knights, ranging from fourth grade apprentices through high schoolers, who graduate into St. Joseph's Junior Corps and become lectors and ushers for the parish. Manual Alphabet The Knights include a deafmute, for whose benefit many boys have learned the manual alphabet, said Father Boulet. o
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were recently instrumental in helping form a K of A unit at St. Ann's parish, Raynham, with Rev. Herbert Nichols as director and Albert P. Ribeiro Jr. as Supreme Grand Knight. As a Thanksgiving vacation project the Raynham K of A 'made a bicycle pilgrimage to La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, a two-hour bike trip from Raynham. Once arrived, said Father Nichols, "the first stop was th(' shrine chapel, where they gave thanks to God for a safe journey." The boys then watched erection of the famous La Salette Christmas lights display and topped their pilgrimage by ascending the shrine's "holy stairs" on their knees. OUTSTANDING KMGHT: Supreme Grand Knight David Bowlin of Knights of Altar, They returned to Raynham by St. Joseph's parish, Attleboro, holds certificate recognizing him as one of 12 outstanding supper time, "a little weary, a Knights in the United States and 44 foreign. countries. With him at presentation ceremony little sore and a little proud," are, from left, Rev. Normand J. Boulet, assistant pastor; Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Dailey concluded Father Nichols. The Raynham K of A proof Boston; Rev. Ernest Bessette, pastor; John Morin, senior acolyte supervisor for parish. gram, expl~ined Supreme Grand (Photo courtesy of Frank Adams, Attleboro Sun Chronicle) Knight Albert, is quite structured, with advancement in rank coming as boys master various aspects of religious study and altar service. Colors of cords worn with the white K of A cassocks indicate a boy's rank, he said. Also proud of an active Knights unit is Our Lady of the Isle parish in Nantucket, where some 16 boys are members, following the ranks and awards program and enjoying such extras as off-island trips to Boston and other points. Supreme Grand Knight for Nantucket is John Topham. Material for the K of A program is available from headquarters in Marseilles, III., but advice and help for parishes wishing to organize K of A is BROTHERS ALL: Some of 11 sets of brothers who serve altar at St. Joseph's parish, as close as Father Boulet, who will be glad to provide further North Dighton, with Rev. William F. O'Connell, pastor. information to questioners. He noted that the boys tradi- have commented that they found ing," he said. He notes that the whole protionally accompany funeral pro- .the solemnity added to the cemTen men form a corps of ac- gram is simply summed up by a cessions to the cemetery after a etery rites by the presence of olyte supervisors, aiding with little prayer card given each boy: requiem Mass. "Many people the robed acolytes very comfort- the many K of A activities. Knight of the Altar serve every - The priest is an East Coast Mass advisor to the national organ- As if it were your first Mass, ization and as such he and Su- As if it were your last Mass, preme Grand Knight David' As if it were your only Mass. ~
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