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The officers and delegates of the Louisiana State
Council of the Knights of Columbus, together with visiting and local
Knights, formed a procession in front of the Courthouse at Franklin, La.,
on Sunday, May 16, 1937, and headed by the band from Hanson Memorial High
School, marched to the Church of the Assumption for the opening Solemn
High Mass for the 32nd Annual Convention of the order in the state. Rt.
Rev. Msgr. J. J. Rousseau, local pastor, was celebrant. Bishop Jeanmard,
Past State Chaplain, presided and in an impressive address urged the
Knights to bring to successful conclusion their drive for the Catholic
Student Centers. The sermon for the occasion was delivered by the State
Chaplain, Father Schexnayder.
One of the striking events of the Franklin meeting of
the State Council was the participation of a large delegation from New
Orleans, which came by special train. Included was the noted uniformed
band of New Orleans Council No. 714. Heading the delegation was Grand
Knight Edward A. Haggerty of that council, son of Dennis B. Haggerty,
second State Deputy of Louisiana.
The first session opened in the auditorium of
Hanson Memorial High School, at the call of District Deputy E. L. Chaney.
Rene Himel, first Grand Knight of Franklin Council, welcomed the assembly.
Then State Deputy F. Xavier Mouton took over. In his report that followed,
Mr. Mouton stated that he had retained in office all 10 District Deputies,
had visited 38 Councils, deplored the many suspensions for non-payment of
dues and assessments, strongly urged adoption of a budget by every
Council, called attention to the need for members to wear the emblem, and
suggested that the honorary degree be conferred wherever it is proper. Mr.
Mouton emphasized the need for more publicity, recalling lack of reports
in the press on the widespread Columbus Day observance by Councils. During
the year previous, there had been 16 first degree exemplifications, and
eight for the second and third degrees, and 442 admissions, including 128
re-instatements. As of March, 1937, Louisiana stood seventh among 50
jurisdictions for the amount of insurance subscribed during that month.
Mr. Mouton reported that "great interest has
been manifested by the Councils in Boy Work, and today we have 18 troops
sponsored by the order." Touching on the Fourth Degree, he stated:
"Past State Deputy Cliffe E. Laborde has been
appointed Master of the Fourth Degree for the States of Louisiana and
Mississippi. Through his efforts there has been a revival in interest in
this degree of the order. The Assemblies in the Dioceses of Alexandria and
Lafayette have been re-organized, officers elected and they are now
functioning organizations."
The State Deputy spoke forcefully on the project
of fund‑raising for the Catholic Student Centers, recalling to the
Grand Knights and delegates "this work was undertaken at the specific
invitation of the hierarchy of Louisiana. It is certainly our bounden duty
to complete the task with the least delay possible." An urgent and
emphatic letter from His Excellency, Archbishop Rummel, in regard to the
Knights' campaign for the Catholic Student Centers, was received by Mr.
Mouton only after the convention had adjourned, but it was included in the
printed proceedings.
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