TREE OF LIFE FOUNDATION

The Tree of Life was displayed in the National Headquarters of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. until it was damaged by the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It is emblazoned with name plates affixed as leaves. The Tree of Life appeared on the wall facing the entrance of the National Headquarters at 1825 Orleans Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tree is in the process of being restored and we prayerfully hope it will be completed soon. Nonetheless, contributions are still welcomed and encouraged. Leaves are sold at $50.00 each.

The Tree of Life Foundation was adopted at the 1987 National Convention. The purpose of the Foundation is to aid the relief and cure of persons with Alzheimer to enhance and increase religious vocations at all levels.

The Tree of Life offers an opportunity to memorialize deceased family members, friends, and loved ones. This special tribute can also commemorate service to the organization, as well as note the establishment of a Council or Court.

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND (UNCF) PROGRAM

OUR MOTHER OF AFRICA CHAPEL

The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. donated $100,000.00 toward the construction of Our Mother of Africa Chapel in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Council and Courts contributed toward this donation. Other Catholic organizations, religious communities and dioceses also made extraordinary sacrifices to contribute to this monument of African American Catholic faith. This chapel was dedicated at the Closing Liturgy of the 8th National Black Catholic Congress in August 1997. It represents African American history and its deep root in Catholicism. It speaks of the dreams and hopes of our ancestors, ourselves and our descendants.

As the largest predominately African American Catholic organization in the world, we are proud to take our rightful place in this magnificent Shrine, which is dedicated to our Mother.

KPC VOCATIONS PROGRAM

The National Vocations Committee of the Knights of Peter Claver and Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary was founded to encourage vacations in the African-American Community. The fertile will be the Junior Knights, Junior Daughters and any Ministry to youth within the confines of the local parishes and wider community.

The organization will be structured similar to the National Federation of Youth Ministry but the focus will be on vacations for the ordained, religious and lay ministry. The target group will be the Jr. Knights and the Junior Knights Daughters, Youth Ministries, Young Adult Ministries, Altar Servers and Acolytes.

Recruitment is essential and can be done successfully by the target group. Youth moderators, Clergy, permanent Deacons and Laity. It must be the personal responsibility of all involved to seek out potential candidates who must be nurtured. Outreach is a necessity.

Activities will be well planned to foster interest in vocations. They should be well rounded. They should include catechizes, formation, workshops, retreats, annual conferences, community services, recreation, frequent visits to seminaries and religious houses of formation, and spiritual direction, a foretaste of what is accomplished.

We will not aspire to be an island unto self. Support groups such as other parish ministries, parish adoptions, campus ministry along with the Knights of Peter Claver and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary are essential. Clerical support, the African American Bishops and those Bishops who show interest in the outcome, Seminarians, Permanent Deacons and the concerned Laity should be encourage to support this noble cause.