The Knights for Dads-24 rally held on February 24 ay St. Bridget’s was an outstanding success with 225 men from 41 western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota communities attending, getting inspired by Mark Berchem and Matt Birk presentations on Fatherhood: Man’s Highest Calling, and enjoying a hearty lunch prepared by Kevin/Craig Pechacek and his team. We hope that this rally helps men/Dads take that step up, on their journey toward being great Dads.
The Knights of Columbus would like to thank the following for their significant contributions enabling the Knights for Dads Rally to be a success: River Falls State Bank, First National Bank of River Falls, Westconsin Credit Union, Helmer Printing, Tim Nowak Insurance Agency, The Joany Fund @ St. Bridget’s, Kevin Pechacek Catering, and Lois Cernohous and her fine team for serving lunch. Our deepest appreciation to all people involved in making this a great success!
Thanks to Mike Jilek www.michaeljilekphotography.com/ who took the photography of the event. Photos have been put into a video collage and can be viewed on the KC Youtube channel.
Thanks to the team of KC members Doug Weiss, Dave Andrea, Tim WIlson, Tom Zenk, Russ Jensen, Dustin Dodge, Sue Fritz and Joe Merta for all the hard work in the planning and execution of the event, and to our speakers Mark Berchem and Matt Birk.
Look for follow-up events to be sent out via email and posted on the KC Facebook page.
Knights for Dads24
Fatherhood: Man’s Highest Calling: Every man is called to protect, teach, mentor, support and pray for their children as a father within marriage, as a single person, as a family member, as a priest, as a member of our community. Will you rise to the highest calling in your life?
Join us at St. Bridget’s Church on Saturday February 24, 2024 from 8:30 am – 1:00 PM. Free will offering accepted. Signup here.
Speakers:
Matt Birk – Catholic, Knight of Columbus, Husband, Father, Harvard graduate. 15-year professional football player, NFL veteran and Super Bowl Champion. Matt speaks to a variety of audiences nation-wide, including men’s events. Matt is also very active in the pro-life movement.
Mark Berchem, founder and CEO of the Catholic NET Ministries, Mark is from West St. Paul and seeks to help men dads recognize thier power to affect thier chilfedn’s lives and pass on faith and values. His book “Step Up Dad! Your Children Need You” includes topics such as deciding to be a good father, spending intentional time with kids in ordinary life, communicating well, the “BIG” talk, creating memories and traditions, being a loving spouse, prayer, controlling screen time and finding support from other dads.
Brother Dave Andrea from St. Bridget’s Council 4902 and Brother Russ Jensen, from St. Patrick’s Council 1762 invite you to the Knights for Dad’s Rally 2024. Hear their invitation!
2023 Knights for Dads
As Knights we are called to be fathers to our children. In the society today, it can be difficult when faced with the myriad of influences that our children and families are faced with. The Knights for Dads rally was started in 2023 as an event to reach out to and provide valuable information and tools to the dads we are, but also attempt to reach those in our community who might need additional help and resources.
On February 4, 2023 we held our first, hopefully of more to come, rally to reach out to dads in our local community. We hosted a nationally recognized fatherhood speaker, Bob Kroll, who’s message explained how the relationships between fathers and their children make a major impact on their families in our world. Our goals were to reach out to dads from the River Falls and surrounding communities, as well as provide a non-denominational event for all faiths who wanted to participate could.
This prayer card that was handed out at the Rally. Post it in a place where you will see it often and pray the prayer to help you become a better father and husband.
Prayer was written by Fr. Joseph Stefancin, Pastor of St. Bridget’s Church.
Knights of Columbus Initiative for Dads
Helping Dads become Better Dads
Interactive Catholic men’s/Dads Program
River Falls Options for Women – Contact them for great new Dad’s programs. Mentorship, Earn while you learn, and more.
Empowering Dad’s for positive change
Restore the Glory, Way of the Heart, With All Your Heart *** Podcasts ***
Michael Jilek, son of Tony Jilek who took photos of the event, they can be found here.