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June 26, 2025Seventy years can seem like a lifetime, a well-spent life, spent raising kids and helping with grandkids, preparing a new generation of family.
At the parish level, 70 years can represent community, an opportunity to make a difference in not only the parish, but for those who live outside the church. So it is with the Knights of Columbus at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Newkirk, celebrating a 70th anniversary, a period that’s seen not only as celebrating a thriving membership, but ways to carry out new work in Newkirk and the larger Kay County.
The Saint Francis of Assisi Knights Council was formed May 19, 1955, with 36 charter members under Father J.L. Walch. Today, the number remains strong with more than 40 members. And they remain committed to carrying on a theme of service.
“As a rural parish,” said Deacon Bill Horinek, “we have continued to enable our parish family to remain vibrant and active in the church through social functions in our day-to-day parish life.”
A favorite parish event is the turkey bingo and chili fundraiser, which brings out not only parishioners from Saint Francis of Assisi, but also Saint Mary Catholic Church in Ponca City, as well as community supporters outside the Catholic Church. The program is held in the church gym ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, with a “bingo” securing a family a turkey.
The organization also has a big program in its 40 Cans for Lent drive, which sees non-perishable food items donated across Kay County.
“Typically, we gather 400-500 pounds of food,” Horinek said. “This year, a portion is going to go to New Emergency Resources Agency (NERA), Ponca City and a portion will go to local food pantries in cooperation with several churches.”
The work of the Knights stretches outside the parish and into other organizations, not just NERA, but also Living Hope Pregnancy Center in Ponca City. In a way, it comes full circle as many of the founding council members and their families were those who were agricultural producers, families who made their livings in the landfill. Families with members still today, including the Schiebers, Vaps and Horineks.
“A lot of our council members were farmers, and we still have a few farmers today,” Curtis Vap said. “Nine of our current members are sons of charter members.”
The goal of the Saint Francis of Assisi Knights is to support the parish behind the scenes, supporting parish activities any way it can.
“We support the social and Liturgical life of the parish,” Horinek said, “and we promote families within the parish community, and through our work we help support the clergy.”
Everett Brazil, III is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: The Knights of Columbus at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Newkirk recently celebrated its 70th anniversary as a council, featuring multiple generations as members. Photo Everett Brazil, III/Sooner Catholic.