Knights of Columbus Celebrate a Year of Significant Accomplishments

California Knights of Columbus Celebrate

By Jean Gatan-Liwanag     

For the Columbian Year of 2021-2022, the Knights of Columbus (KofC) California State Council is represented by Dr. Noel Panlilio, State Deputy, a parishioner of St. Anne Church in Union City and a member of the St. Anne Council #8627.

The KofC had celebrated the 120th Annual State Meeting/Convention in Sacramento from May 19 to 21. The outgoing California State Deputy, Dr. Panlilio, had a challenging year but had fruitful services during his term.

The keynote speaker at event,  Supreme Council Senior Vice President Mark McMullen said that Dr. Noel Panlilio was the right guy at the right time to lead the California jurisdiction. He also said that Dr. Panlilio had a can-do attitude and always with a smile.

In addition to all the installations of the new officers and many meetings in 16 Diocesan Chapters that the Panlilio family had to attend, the state of California jurisdiction supported charitable programs by donating $6 million  and 1.5 million charitable hours.

 Out of 1,500 ultrasound machines from all the states given to pregnancies centers, 136 machines came from California. The California district was first in the coats for kids program, helping 4,500 children in need. In addition, $37,000 disaster relief program assistance and  423 hours in support of Special Olympics  were contributed. California was fourth out of 76 jurisdictions in helping the seminarians.

The State Chaplain, Father Antony Vazhappilly, pastor of St. James Parish in Fremont, who was awarded this year's Priest of the Year, was very thankful to Dr. Panlilio for choosing Our Lady of Perpetual Help as his inspiration and strength.

Father Antony promoted "Maria, Mater Dei Familias" (“Maria, Mother of All Families”) and also had challenged all members of KofC with their families to pray the rosary daily.

The icon for the year was created by Deacon Bernard and Jean Liwanag. There were two icons developed with the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. These icons have traveled to the dioceses in California. As these icons traveled, faith-driven testimonies of spiritual healing and devotion to our Mother were made. 

The State Chaplain  also incorporated the Adoration and Holy Hour at meetings on a state level. With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Father Antony wrote a poem entitled “Knights, We Shall Rise Again,” which later turned into a theme song, making this year not only successful in all of KofC activities but also spiritually.

While Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, opened the KofC convention by celebrating Mass on May 20, Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ of Oakland, celebrated the Mass to close the convention.

Bishop Barber praised the members of KofC by telling a story during his homily. He said that 19 years ago, as a chaplain of the Marine Corps in Iraq, he was going to celebrate Mass for 3,000 Marines but didn't have any supplies. He was asked by the military what he needed. He said that it will be nice to have tents, table with tablecloth, chairs and fans.

Twenty-four hours later, Bishop Barber saw all these in the campsite. He then asked the military, what gave you the right to acquire all these? The response was, "It's easy Father, we are members of Knights of Columbus."

The bishop also requested during his homily that in addition to all of what they (KofC) are already doing, the Church need them to defend life.

The convention also included a Cultural Night Celebration, presenting the different kinds of food and costumes. It also had an Elvis Night for an entertainment, giving awards, celebrating accomplishments of different councils, districts and chapters and it concluded with a State Dinner of 400 attendees.

We congratulate this year's State Officers for a job well done and more. A special thanks to State Deputy Dr. Noel Panlilio and to lovely lady, Fannie, along with their daughters, Stefannie and Dianne, in making this year a fruitful year and for their hard work.

Photos by Jess Gomez


Dr. Noel Panlilio and Fannie Panlilio

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ celebrated the convention’s closing Mass. With him is Father Antony Vazhappily, State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and pastor of St. James the Apostle Parish in Fremont.
California Knights of Columbus  celebrate

By Jean Gatan-Liwanag     

For the Columbian Year of 2021-2022, the Knights of Columbus (KofC) California State Council is represented by Dr. Noel Panlilio, State Deputy, a parishioner of St. Anne Church in Union City and a member of the St. Anne Council #8627.

The KofC had celebrated the 120th Annual State Meeting/Convention in Sacramento from May 19 to 21. The outgoing California State Deputy, Dr. Panlilio, had a challenging year but had fruitful services during his term.

The keynote speaker at event,  Supreme Council Senior Vice President Mark McMullen said that Dr. Noel Panlilio was the right guy at the right time to lead the California jurisdiction. He also said that Dr. Panlilio had a can-do attitude and always with a smile.

In addition to all the installations of the new officers and many meetings in 16 Diocesan Chapters that the Panlilio family had to attend, the state of California jurisdiction supported charitable programs by donating $6 million  and 1.5 million charitable hours.

 Out of 1,500 ultrasound machines from all the states given to pregnancies centers, 136 machines came from California. The California district was first in the coats for kids program, helping 4,500 children in need. In addition, $37,000 disaster relief program assistance and  423 hours in support of Special Olympics  were contributed. California was fourth out of 76 jurisdictions in helping the seminarians.

The State Chaplain, Father Antony Vazhappilly, pastor of St. James Parish in Fremont, who was awarded this year's  Priest of the Year, was very thankful to Dr. Panlilio for choosing Our Lady of Perpetual Help as his inspiration and strength.

Father Antony promoted "Maria, Mater Dei Familias" (“Maria, Mother of All Families”) and also had challenged all members of KofC with their families to pray the rosary daily.

The icon for the year was created by Deacon Bernard and Jean Liwanag. There were two icons developed with the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. These icons have traveled to the dioceses in California. As these icons traveled, faith-driven testimonies of spiritual healing and devotion to our Mother were made. 

The State Chaplain  also incorporated the Adoration and Holy Hour at meetings on a state level. With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Father Antony wrote a poem entitled “Knights, We Shall Rise Again,” which later turned into a theme song, making this year not only successful in all of KofC activities but also spiritually.

While Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, opened the KofC convention by celebrating Mass on May 20, Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ of Oakland, celebrated the Mass to close the convention.

Bishop Barber praised the members of KofC by telling a story during his homily. He said that 19 years ago, as a chaplain of the Marine Corps in Iraq, he was going to celebrate Mass for 3,000 Marines but didn't have any supplies. He was asked by the military what he needed. He said that it will be nice to have tents, table with tablecloth, chairs and fans.

Twenty-four hours later, Bishop Barber saw all these in the campsite. He then asked the military, what gave you the right to acquire all these? The response was, "It's easy Father, we are members of Knights of Columbus."

The bishop also requested during his homily that in addition to all of what they (KofC) are already doing, the Church need them to defend life.

The convention also included a Cultural Night Celebration, presenting the different kinds of food and costumes. It also had an Elvis Night for an entertainment, giving awards, celebrating accomplishments of different councils, districts and chapters and it concluded with a State Dinner of 400 attendees.

We congratulate this year's State Officers for a job well done and more. A special thanks to State Deputy Dr. Noel Panlilio and to lovely lady, Fannie, along with their daughters, Stefannie and Dianne, in making this year a fruitful year and for their hard work.

Photos by Jess Gomez


Dr. Noel Panlilio and Fannie Panlilio

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ celebrated the convention’s closing Mass. With him is Father Antony Vazhappily, State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and pastor of St. James the Apostle Parish in Fremont.