2025 Dallas Diocese Chapter, Council of the Year Award
🛡️ Knights of Columbus Council#12153
2024 - ‘25 Council of the Year
Knights of Columbus Council #12153 St. Gabriel the Archangel Summary
Council #12153 located in McKinney, TX and aligned closely to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Community has about 245 paid members, 50% of which are also engaged in Church ministries (ex. Hospitality Ministry). Historically we have been a consistent STAR Council Award Winner (the past 4 years consecutively). As the result of a very tragic fire, many of the Council records and awards were destroyed. And for the 2024-’25 fraternal year Council #12153 will finish at (or very near) 167% of our membership goal.
🕊️ FAITH
Deepening spiritual life and supporting religious vocations
- Vocations Appreciation Dinner
Council #12153 was honored to host St Gabriel’s first Vocations Appreciation Dinner recognizing 28 honorees (Bishop Kelly, several priests, deacons, a brother, a nun, and several diaconate candidates) and increasing awareness to the need for vocations. Total dinner attendance was 300+, and approximately 38 volunteers (majority were local Knights and Columbiettes). - In the fall of 2024, our Council learned that Father Eygene Okoli, Pastoral Administrator did not have a chalice of his own and we gladly purchased one for him.
- Ride to Mass Program (Monthly)
Coordinated rides for parishioners needing transportation to attend Mass. - CRHP Retreat Breakfast (a 5+ year activity for Council)
Prepared and served breakfast for Christ Renews His Parish retreatants. - Alpha Ministry Support
Cooked and served breakfast to support evangelization efforts.
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY
Strengthening families through parish engagement
- Parish Pancake Breakfasts (Bi-Annual) - serves 300+/event
Free parish-wide event encouraging fellowship and a “Meet Your Pastor” moment. - Lenten Fish Fry Events (March 7 – April 11, 2025) - served 2100 plates this year
Weekly meals serving hundreds; promoting tradition and community during Lent. - Parish Golf Tournament
Organized parish-wide fellowship and fundraising event. - Cheese & Sausage Fundraiser (Bi-Annual)
Council-led event promoting family involvement and community engagement.
🏘️ COMMUNITY
Serving the marginalized and building stronger neighborhoods
- StreetSide Showers – McKinney (2nd Saturday Monthly)
For 5+ years the Council has consistently served meals and provided support to local homeless populations. https://streetsideshowers.com (pdf file attached if needed) - Habitat for Humanity – Volunteer Support
Supplied labor and logistical support for local home construction efforts. - Special Olympics – North Texas
Volunteered at regional events, aiding athletes with intellectual disabilities. One of our Council members won a Bronze Medal in Tennis at a recent event. - Carter Blood Care Drives
Organize, lead, and hosted blood drives to support local healthcare needs. - Parish Mud Slab Cleanup (huge storage area under the Sanctuary)
Knights volunteered time and effort to improve parish facilities. - Safe Environment Committee Launch
Two-pronged effort designed to enhance communication and coordination to meet and exceed Safe Environment expectations of both St. Gabriel’s and the DDC.
❤️ LIFE
Protecting life at all stages with faith-based action
- Respect Life Initiative & Dallas Pro-Life March (Jan. 18)
Members participated in diocesan Pro-Life demonstration and awareness campaigns. - Annual Baby Banks Campaign - raised '$20,000
Organized and implemented a parish fundraiser to support Pro-Life ministries - CANpaign 22 – Veteran Suicide Prevention - generated '$21,000
Organized and implemented a parish-wide fundraiser to combat military veteran suicides. Every day horribly 22 veterans commit suicide. 438 cans distributed by the Council. - Suicide Prevention Committee Launch
Developed a new council and parish committee to address mental health awareness and prevention.
In closing, and while Council #12153 is very proud of all that we have accomplished this fraternal year, our single biggest accomplishment has been the manner in which we absorbed, celebrated, and have grown the from the passing of SK Troy Scheffman. Troy was the “heartbeat” of our Council and Assembly #3004. His life was lost to a tragic home fire and quite frankly, he cannot be replaced. He did however, set a standard of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity that our members strive daily for to achieve and learn how to fill the enormous void left by Troy’s death. We thank the District for the opportunity to share these accomplishments with you. We also appreciate the District’s support this year in all our activities as well as all the prayers, and well wishes that we’ve received with the Troy’s loss