Neil Gannon | State Deputy Profile

Neil, who was initiated as a charter member of the Fort Saskatchewan Council, has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus for over 35 years. Over the years Neil has held all of the positions at the council level and has served as District Deputy, State Public Relations Director, State Warden, State Advocate, and State Secretary. Neil has been married to his lovely wife, Cecile, for 46 years and they have four married children and eight delightful grandchildren all living in Edmonton. Neil has four university degrees including a Doctor of Education degree and has held senior positions in Educational Administration, including School Superintendent for fourteen years and Executive Director of the College of Alberta School Superintendents for six years. Neil and Cecile are active members of Good Shepherd Parish in Edmonton.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fr. Henry Rosenbaum | State Chaplain Profile

I was born on St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6, 1934 in Dortmund, an industrial city that produced coal, steel and beer, in WestPhalia, Germany. My parents were Heinrich Rosenbaum, a steel worker and Anna Rosenbaum nee Nerlich, a housewife. I was baptized Dec. 9, 1934 and was named Heinrich Heribert at our parish church, St. Joseph. I had two sisters’ one older Elisabeth and one younger Maria-Theresia. During my early childhood it was not easy for a committed Catholic family to live a normal life. I started Elementary School in 1941 and received First Communion on May 2nd, 1943. A few days later we lost our home and all our possessions in an Air Raid. All the children were evacuated from the city into the country-side and I spent the rest of the war in an evacuated Catholic orphanage. in Brakel near Höxter. I went back home in the fall of 1945 when the schools reopened. I was confirmed Nov. 14, 1946 by the Archbishop of Palderborn Lorenz, Cardinal Jäger.

I had already felt early in life that God was calling me to the priesthood. So 60 years ago on April 26, 1948, through the mediation of my parish priest I entered the Minor Seminary of the Pallottine Fathers, in Rheinbach near Bonn. After graduation in 1956 I entered the Novitiate and made my First Profession on April 25, 1958. After I completed my Philosophical and Theological studies at the Pallottine Seminary in Vallendar near Koblenz, I was ordained to the Priesthood on July 17, 1962 by Bishop Dr. Stein, Auxiliary of Trier and in January of 1963 I was happy to attend the canonization of our Founder, St. Vincent Pallotti in Rome. After I finished my Theological studies with a Lec.Theol, I was sent to Canada with Fr. Wolfgang Weiss. We spent 3 months in Hamilton, ON. learning English and being introduced to the Canadian way of life. In September we began our studies at the University of Alberta and I received a Bachelor of Arts and Science Degreein 1966 and finished off my schooling at theUniversity of Calgary receiving a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1967. In the fall of 1967 I began teaching at St. Francis High School in Calgary where I taught Latin, English and Religious Studies until 1982. During that time I also helped with different pastoral assignments. Since my High School days I had been involved with music and continued to conduct choirs particularly with those of German background. One should always use the gifts God has given us. After 15 years of teaching and a Sabbatical leave I was asked to shepherd the Parish of St. Columba’s in Swan River, MB. along with Father Frank Feldmann who was the Associate Priest and looked after the Northern part of the Parish. We had 9 Missions and 2 Native Reserves.

After I was appointed Provincial Delegate in 1987 I returned to Calgary in 1988 just after the Winter Olympics. Bishop Paul O’Bryne asked me to re-establish the then defunct DiocesanReligious Education Department where I worked for ten years. As this was only a parttime position I helped at St. Cecilia’s Parish with the R.C.I.A. program and later as Dominical Vicar at St. Boniface. After the resignation of Ludwig Hens in 2001 I was called to be Pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish and held that position until 2005. I was also then appointed Provincial Delegate, a position I held until 2008.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wally Streit | Immediate Past State Deputy

Wally served as State Deputy for two Circle of Honor years (2007-2009) He is retired after working forty – five years in the Banking Industry. Wally and his wife Eileen have three adult children and three grand children.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gary Johnson | State Secretary Profile

Gary was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on July 6, 1946. In 1953 Gary, with his parents and brother left Saskatchewan and moved to Edmonton, Alberta. During his first stay in Alberta, Gary met his future wife Evelyn and they were married in 1972. Gary and his late wife Evelyn raised three children: Michelle, Ann-Marit and Kristopher. In addition to his three children, Gary now has three grand children: Cameron, Bennett and Griffen.

In 1988, Gary joined the Knights of Columbus and became a member of Archbishop O’Leary Council #4570 in Edmonton. By 1989, Gary and Evelyn had moved to Oshawa, Ontario, where they became active in their new council St. Mary of the People #8611. In 1991, the Johnson family returned to Alberta where Gary became a member of Brother Anthony Council #10014 in St. Albert. Since their return to Alberta, Gary and his late wife Evelyn were actively involved with Brother Anthony Council #10014 as well as Holy Family Parish.

Gary has been a member of Brother Anthony Council # 10014 for eighteen years and is currently a member of the council’s First Degree Team and Holy Family Parish choir. Gary is a Fourth Degree Knight and has served the Knights of Columbus as Grand Knight, District Deputy, State Warden, State Advocate and as State Secretary.

As an Advisor and Trainer, Gary is currently employed by the Alberta Construction Safety Association.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phil Birch | State Treasurer Profile

A member of St. Peter's Council 7070 since 1978, Phil is also a 4th degree member. He has served in most council executive positions. He also served as State Church Director for four years. He is married with three children. Both of his sons are also members of the Knights of Columbus.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

William Smith | State Advocate Profile

Bill is a Maritimer from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bill is a university graduate with BComm, BA, BEd, degrees from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax and a MEd Admin from the University of Alberta. He currently works as a Treasury Accountant in the corporate offices of CEDA International Corporation. Bill worked in the education field, teaching in Halifax and Fort McMurray before venturing into the Oil & Gas industry as an auditor. He currently resides in Calgary.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ron Schuster | State Warden Profile

Ron Schuster has been married to Kathy for forty one years. Their family consists of three children, two son-in-laws, five grandchildren. Ron has been involved in various positions since 1974 with the Knights of Columbus. Ron is very active in his Parish/Council of St. John Bosco #10986. Ron is extremely honored to be a Member of the State Board and looks forward to presenting an open door policy to anyone requiring his assistance.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it