Florida Catholic | Knights of Peter Claver

Black Catholic lay group celebrates 10 years of service

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 11.30.07

Members of the Knights of Peter Claver, St. Martin de Porres Council 352, and Ladies Auxilliary, St. Monica Court 352, process in to the Cathedral of St. James in Orlando last January for the Mass honoring Martin Luther King.
VALETA ORLANDO | FC FILE

ORLANDO | November 2007 has been a memorable month for members of the Orlando Diocese’s chapter of the nation’s largest black Catholic lay organization.

Members of the Knights of Peter Claver, St. Martin de Porres Council 352, and Ladies Auxilliary, St. Monica Court 352, gathered Nov. 3 for a dinner and dance in Altamonte Springs to celebrate their 10th anniversary of service in the diocese. The next day members gathered to celebrate their Catholic faith at Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Apopka.

What is Black Catholic History Month in the church and who are the Knights of Peter Claver?

“It’s really nice when people of God can get together to celebrate their service to God and their community,” said Deacon Tommy L. Tate of St. Andrew Parish in Orlando, one of the founders of the local order.

November also marks the 98th anniversary of the founding of the national organization. Additionally, it is National Black Catholic History Month.

Another charter member, former Deputy Grand Knight Johnny Singleton of All Souls Parish in Sanford, explained some of the local history.

“Originally, we were formed in 1997 to have some camaraderie among the members, to assist in any way the needs of the community and to assist the priests in the charitable works of our church. For example, we’ve donated to the building funds at All Souls Parish and St. Andrew Parish in Orlando, to the American Sickle Cell Anemia Association, to the BETA Center in Orlando helping unwed mothers, and especially if somebody requests something or comes to us in need, we step up to it.”

The Nov. 3 celebration included a presentation of the Founder’s Award to Gretchen Demps-Simmons in recognition of her “foresight in bringing Claverism to the Diocese of Orlando.” Immediate past grand Knight and founding member Ludlow Muir of Holy Cross Parish in Orlando said, “At the time, Gretchen was employed by the diocese as program development coordinator for Black Community Ministry and she never stopped until she was able to meet the requirements of 12 men and 12 ladies to charter a council and court. She searched and pulled and as a result, we were chartered as a diocesan council and court on Nov. 22, 1997.”

Grand Knight William Sands of St. Augustine Parish in Casselberry was delighted to be able to provide the big surprise of the evening. “It was a thrilling experience to celebrate our 10th anniversary with the Supreme Knight Gene A. Phillips Sr. of Texas and Supreme Lady Geralyn Shelvin of Louisiana. They were in Jacksonville finalizing arrangements for the 2008 National Convention.”

In addition to congratulating the council and court, Phillips asked for support for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, specifically emphasizing Catholic schools as one source from which vocations come.

Sands was particularly grateful for the support the organization has had from Bishop Emeritus Norbert Dorsey, who originally endorsed the formation of the order in the diocese, and Bishop Thomas Wenski who has not only been an avid supporter, but also “became a brother Knight two years ago.” The organization is open to all Catholics.

Marva B. Muir, wife of Ludlow, is the current grand Lady and is also a charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary, St. Monica Court 352. She thanked the gathered community for their “completing a decade of charitable services,” but she also encouraged them for the future.

“My brother Knights and Ladies, as we enter the threshold of another decade, I challenge each of you to recommit yourselves to the preamble of our noble order and engage a strong recruiting campaign to grow our St. Martin de Porres Council and St. Monica Court,” she said.

Sands recalled, “St. Peter Claver was all about faith. He stayed in the poor neighborhoods and helped people get food to eat, put clothes on their backs and work to support their families. We are here to help our church, to educate our small ones, to care for our sick and those who are down and out. At the end of the day, we are all brothers and ladies in love.”

For more information, please contact Sands at 407-260-8029 or Muir at 407-826-5396.

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Black Catholic lay group celebrates 10 years of service

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