Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford to receive Knights of Columbus award

The Knights of Columbus award “recognizes individuals or organizations who have made significant humanitarian, civic and social contributions to their state, church or country."

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford will be one of three recipients of the Blessed Michael McGivney Award from the Connecticut State Council of the Knights of Columbus, a spokesman said.

The award “recognizes individuals or organizations who have made significant humanitarian, civic and social contributions to their state, church or country,” according to a statement from the Council.”

The awards are be presented at the council’s annual banquet on March 24 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

“We are deeply honored to be a recipient of this award,” said Marek Kukulka, CEO of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford, in a statement.

The organization serves people in need in Hartford, New Haven, and Litchfield counties.

“We share many core values with the Knights and are both devoted to providing help and creating hope for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, so it is gratifying to know that our work is recognized,” Kukulka said.

Also being honored are the Catholic Charities agencies in Fairfield County and the Archdiocese of Norwich.

The work of the nonprofits provides services to all communities in Connecticut and “have been ministering to our neighbors as a foundation, helping the needy and most vulnerable to improve their lives,” according to the Council statement. “Catholic Charities is well known; however, at times its efforts go unnoticed.”

The council noted that the award was established in 1975 to honor Father Michael McGivney, a Waterbury native who became a priest in 1877, founded the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, and was beatified by Pope Francis and declared “Blessed” in 2020.

McGivney was an assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven when he founded the Knights of Columbus as a mutual aid society to help needy families. It is now one of the largest Catholic fraternal services organizations in the world.

For more information about Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford, visit www.ccaoh.org.
For information about the Connecticut State Council or the March 24 banquet, visit  www.ctstatecouncil.org.