The Knights of Columbus Council 1412 recently received the title of Canadian Missionary Ambassadors for their contributions of over $5,000 during the past year to The Catholic Church Extension Society of Canada. The award came "out of the blue," said the director of church activities, Tom Vella-Zarb. The donations, which were not given out indiscriminately said Vella-Zarb, funded the building of a day care centre, re-furbishing of a church and various other missionary projects in northern Canada. "We prioritize what (groups) we help and try to help the neediest first," said the Grand Knight, Leo Soudant.
The Knights became involved with The Catholic Church Extension Society partially due to their patron, Christopher Columbus, who did missionary work in the new world. The Catholic Church Extension Society has been providing services in the impoverished and remote regions of Canada since 1908.
Father Timothy B. Coughlan awarded the Chatham Knights with the title due to their generosity and the generosity of, other service groups from across Canada which provided the society with over, $35,000 in 1994. The Knights, who provide services for people of all religions, said local charities are their priority and they try to insure money raised in Chatham will remain in the community.