Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly bestowed the St. Michael Award Nov. 7 on four Knights who have distinguished themselves by their exemplary service to the Order. Past Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, who created the award in 2013, accompanied the current supreme knight and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori in presenting it to the following men in Nashville, Tenn., during the closing session of the Midyear Meeting of State Deputies.
Augustinian Father John Grace
A native of Ireland, Father Grace worked as a missionary in Nigeria and Ecuador before moving to the United States and becoming involved in the Knights of Columbus. He served for many years as the state chaplain of California before becoming the Order’s first director of chaplains from 2009 to 2013. While serving in the role he worked closely with Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori to develop the responsibilities of state and council chaplains, and in 2010 led a pilgrimage of state chaplains to Rome for the Year for Priests.
Former Supreme Warden George Hanna
Mr. Hanna served both as state deputy of the District of Columbia (1993-1995) and as district master for the Archdiocese of Washington Fourth Degree District (1996-2000), and began his service to the Supreme Council as a regional program consultant. He later oversaw the growth of Knights of Columbus membership while leading the Department of Fraternal Services and served for a term as Supreme Warden (2012-2014).
Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard
A past state deputy of Florida (1999-2001) who represented that jurisdiction on the Board of Directors for many years, Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard has been an integral part of many important initiatives, from Get out the Vote to disaster relief. He led fundraising efforts for the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and for the Military Chaplains Fund, which benefits the co-sponsored seminarian program of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. As supreme master since 2010, he is the chief administrator of the Fourth Degree.
Col. Charles Gallina (USMC/Ret.)
At the invitation of Past Supreme Knight Anderson in 2006, retired Marine Col. Charles Gallina took on a new position in the Knights of Columbus dedicated to promoting the Order in the military. In that position, he also serves as the Order’s liaison with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and is the principal organizer of the annual Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage. Col. Gallina previously served as state deputy of the District of Columbia (2003-2005).