International Family of the Year

Larry and Beth Odom and their children were named this year’s International Family of the Year during the Awards Session of the 135th Supreme Council meeting in St. Louis, August 2. The Odoms have 10 children ranging in age from 3 to 28.

Larry has been a Knight of Columbus for 10 years and belongs to St. Catherine of Siena Council 8156 in Austin, Texas. He served his council as grand knight for three years; he has been a delegate to the Supreme convention; he is a past secretary for the Austin Chapter; and he is currently the Church Activities and Vocations Chairman for the Texas state council. Larry also serves as mayor pro-tem for the City of Hays. He continues to be very involved with the Boy Scouts. Larry also donated a kidney to a friend from high school whom he had not seen for over twenty-five years.

Beth Odom is very active in the local home schooling group, taking on leadership roles to keep all members informed of current initiatives and to coordinate various events for the children and their parents. She is very active in the local pro-life community and serves with her husband in the Leadership Circle of their state’s Alliance for Life.

This family has opened their home to those in need, including a family of five who were looking for housing upon their return to Texas after serving in the Army; another family of five whose home had burned down; and another family of three who were homeless and unemployed.

The Odoms have served as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, religious education, liturgy coordination, altar serving, and numerous other parish and diocesan ministries. Several of the children are NCYC ambassadors and DCYC animators.

The oldest son, Alex, has been a Knight for six years, and he is now a seminarian for the Diocese of Austin. One of their daughters is performing mission work while discerning a vocation with the Sisters of St. John in the Philippines.

Just prior to entering seminary, Alex served as chairman for one of the council’s monthly barbecues, helping to direct the proceeds to the seminary. Daughter Sharla founded a pro-life organization in the parish’s youth group. She now brings the group together each month for a pro-life youth rosary. All of the children have been or are presently altar servers.

The Odoms are a model of authentic Catholic family. We congratulate them on this prestigious honor.