Awards Presented at the 2025 Convention

Blessed Michael J. McGivney Award

This prestigious award honors a Knights of Columbus chaplain who embodies priestly zeal and exemplary service in alignment with the values of our founder.  The ideal recipient will be recognized as a teacher of the faith, an apostle of Christian family life, a dedicated parish priest, a model of charity, a promoter of Catholic fraternity, and a role model within your parish community.  The State winner is submitted to Supreme to compete in the Knights of Columbus International Blessed Michael McGivney Award contest.

The deadline to submit your nomination is April 1, 2026.
 

Nominate a Priest

Last year's winner:

REV. RUSTY BRUCE, nominated by Council 8840, Nga Le, Grand Knight.

Father Rusty Bruce is the perfect model of Father Michael McGivney today.  As a young but wise Spiritual Father, he is leading the parishes of St. Hilary of Poitiers in Mathews and St. Anthony in Gheens.  Our parishes are growing in faith and in numbers, thanks to his willingness to meet parishioners at their spiritual level.  He emphasizes the family and establishes the Domestic Church as a framework. 

Father Bruce is a parish priest for two (2) parishes and is the director of worship for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.  Our relationship with our local Good Samaritan Food Bank is growing because of its dedication to serving those in need.  Our Council has grown by ten (10) new members and four (4) transferred members over the past 9 months, thanks to his leadership.  Like Father McGivney, Father Bruce exemplifies the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love throughout his vocation.

Over the last five (5) years at St. Hilary of Poitiers and St. Anthony, our parishes have grown due to the attention to detail and implementation of Faith development programs.  These changes are all credited to Father Bruce’s leadership.

• Strong backing from our council has enabled it to meet and exceed our membership quota for the last five (5) years.  So far this year, 2024-2025, we have achieved 167% growth.
• Established a Domestic Church Kiosk at both parishes, and over 500 books have been distributed in 9 months.
• Developed a Corks and Catholicism program to educate parishioners on a variety of topics of our faith.
• Re-established the youth program after five (5) years of no youth group due to hurricane damage to infrastructure.
• Established Better Together event.  This event is a dinner for married couples to celebrate their Catholic marriage together on Valentine’s Day.
• Established the first-ever Eucharistic Procession at the parishes, which is now an annual event.
• Established yearly Lenten missions at the parishes.
• Increased confession availability at the parishes.
• Established a Grief to Grace prayer group for parishioners going through grief.
• Led parishioners to the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024.
• Increased Eucharistic devotion and adoration at both parishes.
• Established Advent missions at both parishes.

Family of the Year Award

The Louisiana State Knights of Columbus Family of the Year award is a prestigious honor presented annually by the Louisiana State Council to a family that exemplifies Catholic values, faith, and community service.  Selected from local "Family of the Month" winners, the recipients demonstrate a commitment to their parish and community.  The State winner is submitted to Supreme to compete in the Knights of Columbus International Family of the Year contest.

The deadline to submit your nomination is April 1, 2026.
 

Nominate a Family

Last year's winner:

GLENDA AND MIKE SERIO, Council 7557, Broussard.

Glenda and Mike have been married for 46 years.  They have three married sons, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a 4th on the way.  Mike has been a Knight for 34 years, and two of his three sons are KC members as well.  He has served Council 7557 as Warden and is the current Family Director.  He has served Assembly 3362 as Scribe, Sentinel, and is the current Patriotic Chairman.

The Serio family activities within the KCs include helping with the Council’s annual barbecue, clay shoot, donut Sunday, and the parish pro-life walk.  Mike often stands honor guard with his brother, Sir Knights, for wakes and funerals, patriotic holidays, and when called upon for the local Catholic elementary school.  Glenda is a member of the Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary, served as an officer, and led Lenten reflections for the group.

The Serio family activities within the church include serving as Eucharistic ministers, BSA chairpersons and participation as small group members.  Glenda chairs the sweets booth for the church parish fair, serves on the First Communion team, and is the director of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for the school and parish.

The Serio family’s activities in the community include sponsoring and volunteering for the Sgt. Patrick Williamson Memorial Foundation annual clay shoot, supporting, and volunteering at St. Cecilia School.  They also support the Catholic collegiate outreach mission program, FOCCUS, local Honduran missionaries, and needy children through the Unbound program.  Mike and his sons have coached baseball and soccer for St. Cecilia School and for the local recreational organization.

The Serio family was chosen based on their commitment to the values of the Knights of Columbus in their Catholic faith and their family.

Past State Deputies Award

The Past State Deputies Award was instituted in remembrance of, and tribute to, all Past State Deputies who served the Louisiana Jurisdiction, Knights of Columbus.  Nominate a Louisiana Knight who has exemplified loyal service to the Church, responsible citizenship to the country, and outstanding dedication to the principles of Columbianism.  That Louisiana Knight must have been a Knight in good standing at the time of the exemplary service.  

The deadline to submit your nomination is February 28, 2026.
 

Nominate a Knight      View Past Award Winners

Last year's winner:

STEPHEN F. HART, Council 12529, Abita Springs

Steve joined the Knights of Columbus in December 1992 as a member of Christ the King Council #6870 in Terrytown.  He was elected Treasurer in 1993 and served as Grand Knight from 1995 to 1997, winning Star Council in 1997.  He served in many other offices and as Committee Directors as well.  He was selected as Knight of the Year twice and Family of the Year once.

At Christ the King Parish, Steve was President of the Dad’s Club, a member of the School Board, a Lector, served on the Pastoral Council, and was Chairman of the Finance Committee.  He was awarded the ‘Order of Saint Louis’ Medallion by Archbishop Francis Schulte in 1998.

In 1996, Charlie LeBlanc invited Steve to join the New Orleans Christ in Christmas committee.  Steve served on the committee for years, becoming Co-Chairman and then Chairman in 2003.  He has been Chairman for the last 22 years.

In July 2000, Steve became a District Deputy and served for four years.  He was then appointed as Area Coordinator ‘A.’  He has served for 12 of the last 13 State Deputies.  In addition to serving as District Deputy and Area Coordinator, he has been the Seminary Mission Fund Chairman, Diocesan Administrator, Faith Director, Retreat Chairman, Family Director, and State Program Director.

Steve has been a member of the New Orleans Metropolitan Chapter since 1995, served several years as Secretary, and was elected President from 2004 to 2005.

After Hurricane Katrina, Steve relocated to Abita Springs and transferred to St. Jane de Chantal Council #12529.  He has held numerous offices and served as Grand Knight from 2018 to 2019, winning Star Council.  Steve is currently the Financial Secretary and Program Director for the Council.  He has been selected as Knight of the Year twice.

Steve has served St. Jane de Chantal Parish on the Pastoral Council and the Finance Committee.  He has been a Lector since 2009 and continues to serve today.

Steve and his wife Connie have been married for 48 years, and together they have two daughters and three grandchildren.

State Council Program Awards

State Council Program Awards are given to councils in the state that have submitted the best program in each category of Supreme’s Faith in Action program.

The Faith in Action model recognizes the changing needs of men in the twenty-first century.  It seeks to balance the key priorities of Faith, Family, Community, and Life.  The simplicity of the Faith in Action program limits the number of required programs to earn the Columbian Award and, most importantly, allows councils to focus on implementing quality faith-filled family programs.  Supreme’s goal is for men to lead their families in service, not to leave their families for service.  Through the Faith in Action program model, every day, Knights all over the world are given opportunities to make a difference – whether through community service, raising money, or prayer.  We celebrate each Knight for his strength, compassion, and dedication to building a better world.

Faith Award - Council 9623 – Michael Abbatt, Grand Knight

• For their service at their Perpetual Adoration Chapel. The Council upgraded the A/ system, replaced both exterior doors and frames, replaced the floor molding, and repainted. They also cleaned and repainted all the statues, refurbished the Eucharistic Monstrance, cleaned the building, and trimmed the shrubs.  

Family Award - Council 2732 – Fred Litchliter, Grand Knight

• For their Toy Giveaway.  They coordinated with others in the parish and collectively gave away 4300 toys, 63 bikes, 140 coats, and 40 pairs of shoes to 700+ Indigent kids.

Community Award - Council 14657 – Robert Lachney, Grand Knight

• For their cooking, serving, and giving away of 100 gallons of gumbo and 15 gallons of hot chocolate annually at the Pineville Christmas Parade.

Life Award - Council 3465 – Lester Madere, Grand Knight

• For their coordinated effort to involve other ministries of the parish in a silent auction to raise funds for special needs. The council raised $38,000 and donated it to St Michael’s Special Needs School.