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The election of officers brought choice of
Edward A. Winter of New Orleans Council No. 714 as State Deputy; Frank S.
Foret, Alexandria Council, State Secretary; Dr. Irving G. Gross, Gramercy
Council, State Treasurer; J. Bradford Lancaster, New Roads Council, State
Advocate; Louis L. LeBlanc, Ascension Council, State Warden. The Insurance
delegates elected were Frank S. Foret and L. Paul Amiss, and the
associate delegates Edgar A. Coco, Joseph A. Cefalu and Albin Andre. |
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With the Alexandria 1946 convention, Columbianism in
Louisiana plunged forward on a wave of renewed enthusiasm, activities on a
large scale, and a general, awakened interest among Catholic laymen,
especially returned veterans, in the order and its ideals and movements.
The war was over and the Columbian revival was on in earnest!
WITH THE END OF THE WAR and the return of men to
civilian life, interest in the order mounted. There was evidence on all
siaes a deeper interest in the Church and a desire to participate actively
in her work. Noted also was readiness to labor together as a result of
team work learned through service in the armed forces. For many young
Catholic laymen, eager to increase fraternal bonds, to devote their
energies to worthwhile activities, and to carry out religious duties with
fellow Catholic men, the Knights of Columbus seemed to offer the most
promising field. Here they sensed kinship on many points. Here they
could collaborate in activities and had opportunities for leadership. For
such reasons many joined the order.
During the war years older men had prevailed in
council and state leadership.
But with the advent of younger men in increasing numbers, a spirit of
enthusiasm and desire for activity surged through the order, replacing the
more conservative view. The urge for action, which had budded earlier in
the 1940's, came into full bloom after 1945. Columbian ideals were still
foremost the principles of charity, unity, and patriotism, the dedication
to service of God and country but now Columbianism was going into action!
This forward looking spirit was increasingly evident
in the administrations of State Deputies Edward A. Winter, Frank S.
Foret, and Charles C. Jaubert, covering a period from June, 1946, to July,
1952. Activities in the civic and religious fields were undertaken or
developed in addition to increased projects within the order. Interest and
enthusiasm aroused by the manifold activities were reflected in the record
number of members for this period and the establishment of 34 new councils
throughout the state. Of these, 12 were initiated in Mr. Winter's term,
nine under Mr. Foret, and 13 in Mr. Jaubert's tenure. Not since the time
of the first State Deputy, George Young, in whose administration 16
councils were instituted, had so many councils been established
in one State Deputy's administration.
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