First Spanish-Speaking Knights Of Columbus Council Established In Diocese Of Amarillo

Amarillo—The first Spanish-speaking Knights of Columbus Council in the Diocese of Amarillo is being established at St. Joseph’s Church.

The council has yet to be given an official name and number from the Supreme office of the Knights of Columbus, according to Victor Holguin, Assistant Diocesan Deputy for the Knights of Columbus in the Diocese of Amarillo.

As of Feb. 7, the council has 23 new members and five membership transfers from other councils in the diocese, according to Holguin. The new council will conduct a First Degree Exemplification on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 5:00pm in the Holy Family Room at St. Joseph’s Church.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek celebrated Mass Feb. 12 at St. Joseph’s Church to bless the new council and encourage them as they get this new council started.

In the Nov. 20, 2016 issue of The West Texas Catholic, Javier S. Martinez, Supreme Director/Special Assistant to the Supreme Knight for the Knights of Columbus was asked why it was so important to establish Spanish-speaking Knights of Columbus Councils:

“There are approximately 54 million Hispanics in the United States as of 2013,” he said. “Approximately 14 million speak only Spanish at home. The concern is that Hispanic Catholics were not joining the Knights because they did not speak English and did not feel comfortable belonging to an English-speaking council. With a council dedicated to Spanish-speaking Hispanic Catholic Knights, they would find a common bond of fraternity and unity within the parish. Even if the Hispanic Catholic did speak some English, they felt more comfortable conducting a meeting in their native language.

“Texas, along with California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and a few other states have a very large Hispanic population. It is believed that need for Spanish-speaking councils in these states is greater than in other states. Although, as of today, almost every state in the U.S. has at least one Spanish speaking council.”

“Spanish-speaking councils of the Knights of Columbus can be found in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Cuba, Panama and Guatemala,” said Holguin. “The Order is making every effort to bring the benefits of membership to every eligible Spanish-speaking Catholic gentlemen through our Operation Hispanic Outreach and New Council Development programs.

“The closest Spanish-speaking Council to Amarillo is in the Diocese of Dallas. Other Spanish-speaking councils in the state of Texas are in the Dioceses of Laredo, Brownsville, El Paso and San Antonio.”

For additional information about the Spanish-speaking Council, please contact Vic Holguin at 806-444-6920 or via email, victorholguin3@gmail.com.