John Paul II Knights of Columbus
Council 12131
Merit Award Application
Charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism—these are the watchwords of the Knights of
Columbus. The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish
priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven,
Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the Knights of Columbus has become the
largest lay organization in the Catholic Church. The Order has been called "the strong
right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world
leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education,
civic involvement and aid to those in need.
Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of
charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is
consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the
Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life,
from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It
was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and
remains true to them today.
The Sacred Heart and Saint Mary’s (SH/SM) Council of the Knights of Columbus has
established two $500 merit awards for students who meet the following criteria:

The student and their family are active members of Sacred Heart
Catholic Church in Walker or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Urbana. One
will be awarded to a student from each parish.

The student will graduate from high school during the 2015-2016
school year and will attend a two or four year post high school program.

Two reference letters need to be provided. The letters need to be
from non-related individuals, and one of the reference letters needs to be from
a current member of the Sacred Heart/Saint Mary’s Knights of Columbus
council.

The student must complete the attached application form and
submit the required essay, providing specific examples of the student’s life
and accomplishments that demonstrate adherence to the four tenets of the
Knights of Columbus.
If all of the selection criteria are not met as requested or if the application is not turned in
by April 15, 2016, the student will automatically be disqualified from the selection
process. The merit award will be paid after the successful completion of the first
semester of the student’s freshman year, provided the student plans on continuing their
education. Updates on the student’s progress at college may be requested from the
recipients to Council 12131.
Sacred Heart/St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus
Council 12131
Merit Award Application
Student’s Name
______
_________
Address
Telephone Number
Parent’s Names
Parish
College
As noted in the overview on the first page of the application process, the four main tenets
of the Knights of Columbus are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Please attach a
typed essay that describes how you have exemplified these traits in your high school
career and personal life, and how you intend to grow these traits in college. Additional
background on these tenets can be found on the Knights of Columbus web site
(www.kofc.org ).
Please be specific with your examples and limit the essay to no more than two pages.
General descriptions of the tenets, definitions of their meaning, or abstract examples of
the student’s application of the tenets are not necessary and will not assist in the selection
process. Also, please attach two single-page typed letters of reference from non-related
adults, one of which may be a schoolteacher and one of which MUST be from a current
member of Council 12131.
Applications are due by April 15, 2016.
Applications can be turned into: the school counselor, in the collection basket at mass,
the rectory at Sacred Heart in Walker, or the current Grand Knight (Mike Aberle)
Mike Aberle
707 Buffalo Ct.
Walker, IA 52352