2022 - 2023

John and Christiana Stich

Background:
• Members of Prince of Peace Catholic Community for 20-plus years.
• John was asked to serve the Government of Japan (volunteer position) as the “Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Dallas” effective March 2004 until February 2020 (16 years). Part of this selection process was Christiana, since it was made clear that both had to be acceptable to the Government of Japan.
o Top priority was to serve the people of Japan.
o Examples: lost passports, deaths, police issues, stranded.
o Host visitors from the Japanese Embassy and senior officials from Japan.
o Answer visa questions, but not responsible to issue visas.
o Help Japanese companies interested to do business in this area.
o Participate in cultural events involving Japan, sometimes giving comments/speeches.
• Both participated in CRHP. John, CRHP-2; Christiana, CRHP-4.
• John had served on the Pastoral Council for three years.
• Christiana taught yoga at PoP from 2001 to 2019 with the blessing of Fr. Jim and of Fr. Tom.
• John participated on the Sister Parish Steering Committee for close to 20 years.
o John visited El Progresso/Las Mercedes in 2004 to fix the visa problem with the US government so that visitors Las Mercedes/El Progresso could visit PoP in Plano.
o Both visited El Progresso to honor Fr. Ramon’s anniversary of joining the Jesuits.
• John joined the Knights of Columbus more than 10 years ago, and achieved the 4th Degree.
o Established a Knights presence in the PoP weekly Bulletin and made Knights announcements every week for over four years.
o Started discussions to establish a Knights presence on the PoP website.

Update:
• Knights Activities:
o Serve Assembly 3642 as Two-Year Trustee.
o At the monthly Knights Breakfast, set up the waffle and pancake stations, including the pancake and waffle batters. Christiana and John support other jobs at the breakfast, as needed.
o Recommend, prepare, and issue monthly awards for the Knight of the Month and the Knight Family of the Month. Have been doing the Knight Award since 2015 and the Knight Family Award since 2018. This includes uploading the Awards onto the Knights website.
o Organized, planned, and disposed of the Knights Awards on the Awards Wall, keeping records of each award and its distribution. Will propose the new Awards Wall when it becomes available.
o Assist and support fund raising activities:
 American Wheelchair Mission.
 Right to Life and Walk.
 Tamale sales
 Bingo
o Visited Pueblo, Mexico to distribute wheelchairs to needy children through the CRIT.
o Helped to unload the wheelchairs from the truck, both times, in the PoP parking lot.
o Helped at the Free Throw Contest to select representatives from PoP School.
• Other PoP Activities:
o Both are involved members of Honor Our Heroes.
o Both serve as Eucharistic Ministers.
o Both are active in Empty Nesters.
• Dallas Diocese/UTD:
o John has been a Member of the UTD Executive Board for the past 2+ years.
o The Diocese has recently established the “University Catholic Center” adjacent to the university (address is 2105 Waterview). Deacon John O’Leary and Fr. Stephen Ingram have been involved with this project. Fr. Tymo (resident at PoP) is now the Chaplain at this Center.
o The Diocese has established a fundraising committee and I have joined it to help guide this process to raise the $4,000,000 required to buy the building, to modify it and to support the initial start-up costs.
• John received an Imperial Decoration, The Order of the Rising Sun with Gold Rays and Neck Ribbon, in September 2021, in recognition of his years of service to enhance relationships between the people of the United States and of Japan at many different levels.

Please join me in congratulating and celebrating the service of SK John & Christiana Stich, the 2021-2022 Family of the Year.

2019 - 2020

Steve and Kathleen Welsh

Our Knight Family of the Year has been active in the Prince of Peace parish since 1998 and both are Eucharistic Ministers. Our Knight has attained the Fourth Degree, has served as a Council Officer, and has been involved with the Alpha Program. He is a regular in the kitchen for the monthly Knights Breakfast and other Knights dinner events. He and his wife have participated in the Hike for Life, and they have helped distribute wheelchairs to disabled children in Mexico. Our Lady has served on the Parish Council, has taught the first grade Sunday School class, and is a lector. She is a health care professional and is involved with Catholic Charities and the Monserrat Retreat House.

Congratulations to the Knight Family of the Year, Steve and Kathleen Welsh.

2018 - 2019

Ed and Linda Kelly

The 2018-2019 Knight Family of the Year Award was presented to Ed and Linda Kelly. They are most appreciated for their leadership and their activities to serve others.
Sir Knight Ed Kelly joined the Knights in April 2015 and became a Fourth Degree member as soon as he had the opportunity. He immediately took an active role in many areas.
Ed currently serves as the Chancellor for Council 11716 and is the Faithful Purser for the Fourth Degree Assembly 3642. He works at the monthly breakfasts where he helps to set up, and then helps in the serving line, always greeting the attendees with a smile.
He also participates in a variety of ways at the Prince of Peace Catholic Community. He is a Eucharistic Minister. Since he has two grandchildren at Prince of Peace School, he helps as a Eucharistic Minister at the School Mass on Wednesday mornings. In addition he has been the Chairman of the Prince of Peace Finance Committee.
Linda Kelly is also very active in the Prince of Peace Catholic Community. She gives assistance whenever she is asked. When the parish embarked on a comprehensive remodeling plan, she was asked to be the Chairperson of the Building Committee, to lead the parish members in gathering ideas. She is also the Chairperson of the Discipleship Committee and of the Kids Helping Kids Program. And she serves as a teacher for the KidCat program on Sundays.
Both Ed and Linda are in leadership positions in their local community, Frisco. Ed serves as a member of the Frisco Planning and Zoning Commission. Linda serves as the President of their Home Owners Association and is active in other community betterment organizations.
Ed and Linda Kelly are highly deserving of the 2018-2019 Knights Family of the Year Award. Congratulations.

2016 - 2017

Richard and Lorraine Leyendecker

Dick and Lorraine have been involved in many activities at Prince of Peace for many years. Dick is a Fourth Degree Knight and instrumental in the monthly breakfast events. Dick helps with the grocery planning, shopping and is the greeter at our breakfasts. The children love to bring their parents to breakfast to see him and get some fun toys as they pass Dick's table. He also has been a member of CRHP, That Man is You, Saturday morning Men's Fellowship and is always willing and able to assist. Lorraine has helped many people become Catholics through the RCIA program. And this year they demonstrated the true meaning of humanity by assisting on the wheelchair distribution in Puebla, Mexico. There were many smiles, hugs and tears of joy as they helped children into their new wheelchairs!

2015 - 2016

Dan and Monique Stoffel

Dan and Monique are an effervescent couple that are involved in many of the various Knight's events and activities. Dan has served as Fundraising Director, One Year Trustee, Deputy Grand Knight and is planning to be the next Grand Knight. They have been active in the Pro-Life events, Butterfly Garden, Special Olympics, Wheel Chair Mission, Breakfasts, tamale sales, raffles and golf tournaments. Whenever donations are needed for bingo night, Casino Night, golf tournaments or any other event, they always obtain donations from many local, generous and supportive businesses. They are a great asset to our parish, council and community.

2014 - 2015

Ritchie, Julie, Alyssa Schlette

2013 - 2014

David Haney Family

2012 - 2013

Ignacio Romero Family

2011 - 2012

John Mascitti Family

2010 - 2011

Art Amoyo Family