Young Catholic Men Undertake Duluth Service Project

DULUTH, MN (June 26, 2004) - The sounds of a wood chipper, saws, and cheerful volunteers rang through the overgrown woods on the property of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in Duluth on Saturday, June 26. On that weekend, the Minnesota Squires, a group of young men affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, held their annual convention in Duluth, Minnesota. Each year the Squires undertake a service project under the direction of the Knights. This year, with the assistance of ten Knights, 36 young men, ages 12 through 17, cleared overgrown brush and dead trees from the Sisters' property.

Brother Leo Maneri, a Franciscan Brother of the Eucharist from Meriden, Connecticut and Timothy Carruthers of Houston, Texas, also participated in the work and joined the Squires and Knights at their evening campfire meeting. Brother Leo spoke to the group about vocations to religious life.
	The Squires customarily mark the places where they perform their service work. For this project, they erected a metal sculpture of the Blessed Mother on the Center property with a plaque commemorating the event. The Sisters are planning to buld a rock and flower garden around the sculpture.