Member Interviews

Why did you join? My wife and I moved back to the area in 2005 (we both grew up locally) and enjoyed being part of St. Al's community. Originally we had volunteered for various church functions and even assisted teachers in the CCD program, but I was looking to further my role in the parish. Since the CCD program wasn't really my cup of tea, I decided joining the knights would be a good opportunity to become regularly active in the parish.

How did you become a member? Since joining the parish in 2005, my wife and I had witnessed the knight's honor guard leading mass processionals during special occasions. Even before I considered joining, I thought the honor guard added a special dignity to the mass, which has always impressed me. While my wife and I were members of a local health club, one of the long time members of the knights started talking with me about the organization and I also got to know another knight while working at bingo once a month. After several months of casually talking with these two knights and getting to know them, I decided to join. Once I got Father Larry’s blessing to join, I was installed into the commandery.

One concern I had prior to joining was that, being a men’s organization, I would be doing all these activities with the knights on my own without my family. Well, I came to find out that family members are encouraged to attend many of our activities to either be a part of or be a guest at. So, shortly after joining, my wife, son and I got to know the rest of my brother knights’ families and enjoy their company.

What do you do as a knight? For the first year I attended our monthly meetings and was able to vote on various motions made at the meetings. I also started working at the various functions that the knights sponsor or help out with, the first being the 2009 Boiler Brunch that the Alter and Rosary Society sponsors. I also turned out at some of our processional turnouts as a non-uniformed knight. At first I was planning on just being a member of the civil order of our commandery, but about half way through my first year I decided to join the military order and was fortunate enough to be outfitted with a used uniform from one of our past knights. Once I was outfitted I joined my fellow knights at turnouts as a uniformed member. Starting this year, our commandery nominated and elected me secretary which involves taking minutes at each of our meetings and assorted correspondence duties.

What do you like about the knights? First, as I mentioned above, it gave me and my family a chance to be more active in St. Al's community. Also, I enjoy the fellowship of the organization. I remember the first meeting I attended, as soon as I walked in the door (with a handful of strangers in the room), the guys made me feel welcome. Yes, there is a bit of an age difference between myself and most of the other members, but there was never a stigma of "hey, lets kick the new, young guy around a bit". From day one, my fellow knights treated me with the same respect they gave each other.






							*Sir Knight Rob Roth* When did you join the knights? Spring 2009 Why did you join? My wife and I moved back to the area in 2005 (we both grew up locally) and enjoyed being part of St. Al's community. Originally we had volunteered for various church functions and even assisted teachers in the CCD program, but I was looking to further my role in the parish. Since the CCD program wasn't really my cup of tea, I decided joining the knights would be a good opportunity to become regularly active in the parish. How did you become a member? Since joining the parish in 2005, my wife and I had witnessed the knight's honor guard leading mass processionals during special occasions. Even before I considered joining, I thought the honor guard added a special dignity to the mass, which has always impressed me. While my wife and I were members of a local health club, one of the long time members of the knights started talking with me about the organization and I also got to know another knight while working at bingo once a month. After several months of casually talking with these two knights and getting to know them, I decided to join. Once I got Father Larry’s blessing to join, I was installed into the commandery. One concern I had prior to joining was that, being a men’s organization, I would be doing all these activities with the knights on my own without my family. Well, I came to find out that family members are encouraged to attend many of our activities to either be a part of or be a guest at. So, shortly after joining, my wife, son and I got to know the rest of my brother knights’ families and enjoy their company. What do you do as a knight? For the first year I attended our monthly meetings and was able to vote on various motions made at the meetings. I also started working at the various functions that the knights sponsor or help out with, the first being the 2009 Boiler Brunch that the Alter and Rosary Society sponsors. I also turned out at some of our processional turnouts as a non-uniformed knight. At first I was planning on just being a member of the civil order of our commandery, but about half way through my first year I decided to join the military order and was fortunate enough to be outfitted with a used uniform from one of our past knights. Once I was outfitted I joined my fellow knights at turnouts as a uniformed member. Starting this year, our commandery nominated and elected me secretary which involves taking minutes at each of our meetings and assorted correspondence duties. What do you like about the knights? First, as I mentioned above, it gave me and my family a chance to be more active in St. Al's community. Also, I enjoy the fellowship of the organization. I remember the first meeting I attended, as soon as I walked in the door (with a handful of strangers in the room), the guys made me feel welcome. Yes, there is a bit of an age difference between myself and most of the other members, but there was never a stigma of "hey, lets kick the new, young guy around a bit". From day one, my fellow knights treated me with the same respect they gave each other.