Celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June, Father’s Day is a time when many reflect on the influence of their dad or father figure in their life. Many Catholic families associate their father leading their family in the faith with Christ’s self-sacrificing love.

In Coldwater, Ohio, the Knights of Columbus Council 1991 is made of many fathers, who support both the local churches and community at large. They also pass on the faith to the next generation through their collaboration with the Holy Trinity Squires Circle,  a group of young men in middle and high school who work to cultivate faith through their prayer, fraternity, and service. Members are from the Holy Cross Family of Parishes, with the majority hailing from Holy Trinity, St. Mary, and St. Anthony.

“Parents frequently express appreciation for how the Squires get their sons involved in parish life alongside peers,” said Scott Gels, who leads the Squire program that came under the parish’s auspices in 2018.

The Squires and Knights have a mutually beneficial relationship: the youth help with events and drives, and the Knights help fill the Squires’ councilor positions.

Gels exemplifies how the two programs work together and can be generational. His father, Ralph, was involved with the Knights for over fifty years and led the Squires for decades. Scott grew up as a Squire and leads them today, while also active with the Knights.

“My nephews and my son were Squires,” Gels shared, “and now that my children are grown, I understand the joy my father felt watching these young men develop.”

One of the Knights and Squires’ longest-standing collaborative projects is operating the Sugar Waffles Stand at the K of C and Coldwater Community Picnics. “For at least 50 years, we have made what many consider the best sugar waffles,” said Gels. “People travel for hours to get them.” The Knights fry the waffles as the Squires help bag and sell them. Each year, the recipe and technique are passed down to a new generation.

Every autumn, the Squires and Knights assist at a local corn maze to raise money for the Mercer County Cancer Association. The Squires also gather and load boxes of clothing for a semi-annual clothing drive to help the needy in Dayton, and they hand out water to runners during the Knight’s 5k Run for Vocations race. Both groups are on hand for a number of other events that provide spiritual and material assistance to the parish and community.

The Catholic faith of these fathers and sons lies behind all these good works. Gels believes “the Knights model leadership and faith, showing the boys what it looks like to live their faith both inside and outside the Church.”

Many Squires are altar servers in their local parishes and active in a youth group. With a nod to our Blessed Mother, Gels said, “Every October on Wednesday nights, the Squires will lead the Rosary, [and] 15–20 boys typically attend, with the Chief Squire announcing the mysteries.” The Holy Trinity Squires can boast at least one recent vocation to the priesthood, with another former Squire in seminary formation now.

The relationship between the Knights of Columbus and Holy Trinity Squires has borne fruit in many valuable ways, including the leadership skills passed on through the partnership that plays out in work and family life, building up the domestic church.

“Many former Squires have gone on to meaningful roles in the community and in the workforce,” stated Gels.

From the ranks of the Squires, there have risen many self-sacrificing members of the Coldwater community. Today, they are educators, members of the local government, health care workers, high school sports coaches, and more. Many Squires join the Knights after high school—for decades, a healthy Squires program has helped build a strong K of C Council in Coldwater. Most importantly, these Squires go on to become loving husbands and fathers.

The annual observance of Father’s Day enables us to reflect on the men who helped form each of us in our youth. For the Catholics in Coldwater, it is easy when looking at the Knights and Squires to see how strong values and faith can be lived out and passed down.