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September 23, 2020The Knights of Columbus recently held their state installation of officers at St. Augustine Parish in Millville, the parish of the new state deputy.Michael Lesperance was installed as state deputy by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson in June. Due to the coronavirus, his installation was held virtually, instead of at the Knights’ headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut. He was chosen state deputy in a virtual election held in May.State deputy Lesperance installed other state officers at an afternoon Mass on Sept. 13 at St. Augustine’s. Installed were: Father Matthew J. Wescott, state chaplain; Thomas M. Butler, state secretary; Robert S. Schwarz, state treasurer; Nicholas W. Melanchook, state advocate, and Eric Oulette, state warden. Paul A. Flanagan, immediate past state
deputy, was also present, as he is still on the state board.
The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, was founded in 1882 in the United States on the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.The state deputy oversees all 40,000 Knights in Massachusetts, their charitable works and the recruiting and retaining of members. He also presides over state meetings.Mr. Lesperance is the first state deputy from the Worcester Diocese in eight years and is expected to be the last for at least 12 years, since no one else on state the board is from the diocese. (The members of the state board each have two-year terms, after which they usually move up to the next position until they reach the two-year term of state deputy.)Mr. Lesperance joined the Knights of Columbus on April 24, 1999 through Millville Council 11020 and chaired many activities through his council.After making his second and third degrees, he held the positions of treasurer, deputy grand knight, grand knight and financial secretary of the Millville council.He made his fourth degree in 2001 through the Edward F. McSweeney Assembly 400, and rose through the chairs in the assembly, culminating in his term as faithful navigator for 2012-2013. From 2011-2014 he was also district deputy for the state.In 2014, he was elected state warden, beginning his involvement with the state board. He rose through the chairs – state advocate, state treasurer and state secretary – before being elected state deputy this year.
Photos by Timothy Ryan
Father Victor Sierra, administrator of St. Augustine Parish, poses with Michael Lesperance, the new state deputy of the Knights of Columbus in Massachusetts.
State Advocate Nicholas and Ashley Melanchook, State Treasurer Robert and Mary Schwarz, State Secretary Thomas and Kerry Butler, State Chaplain Rev. Matthew Wescott, State Deputy Michael and Ann Lesperance, State Warden Eric and Amanda Oulette, Immediate Past State Deputy Paul and Kathy Flanagan.
