Fr. Dike receives Knights’ chaplain award
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The Missouri State Council of the Knights of Columbus recently honored Father Ernest Dike, canonical administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish in Montgomery City and St. Patrick Parish in Jonesburg, with the Blessed Father Michael McGivney Award.
The award, presented to the chaplain of one Knights of Columbus council in each state each year, honors chaplains for their priestly zeal and exemplary service.
The award is named in honor of Blessed Fr. McGivney, who founded the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut in 1881.
It has grown to become the largest Catholic fraternal order in the world.
Fr. McGivney is under serious consideration for being declared a saint.
“If Fr. McGivney teaches us anything,” Fr. Dike stated, “it is that holiness is found in simple, faithful love — love for God, love for family, love for the vulnerable, love expressed in quiet acts of charity.
“If my life reflects even a small part of that spirit,” the priest continued, “it is because I have been surrounded by people — by you— who live that love every day.”
Fr. Dike is a missionary priest from the Diocese of Orlu, Nigeria.
Immediate Past State Deputy Michael Auchley joined members of the Montgomery City Knights council in presenting the award at a reception July 5.
The reception followed Mass with Bishop Augustine T. Ukwuoma of Orlu, Nigeria, Fr. Dike’s home diocese, who was making a pastoral visit to Central Missouri.
Members of Knights of Columbus Council 2044 Montgomery City council nominated Fr. Dike for the honor.
A committee of the State Council selected him from among all the worthy nominees, based on completely redacted nominations.
He was announced as this year’s recipient at the Knights’ Missouri State Convention in Columbia this April.
Members noted that Fr. Dike promotes the Knights of Columbus in church and the public by distributing pamphlets that explain the Knights’ activities.
He was recently initiated into the Knights’ Fourth Degree.
“All of his actions provide an example for us to follow,” the Montgomery City Knights stated. “He demonstrates Christ’s love in everything he says and does. Our parishioners consider him part of their families, and he returns the love. He puts everyone above himself.”
Fr. Dike received a warm standing ovation upon receiving the award.
“My heart is full,” he said. “I am deeply moved, more than words can fully express.”
He accepted the honor “with trembling humility, because nothing I do in ministry is ever done alone,” he stated.
He said the Knights of the Montgomery City council made all this possible.
“Your faith, your generosity, your willingness to serve at a moment’s notice, your love for the Church and for one another — these are the things that strengthen my Priesthood,” he said.
“You have supported me, encouraged me and stood beside me in ways that only God can truly reward,” he continued.
The priest told his parishioners: “You are my family in Christ.”
The greatest reward
Knights’ state councils have been presenting the Blessed Father McGivney Award since 2023.
Each state honoree will be considered for the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal, a prestigious international honor to be awarded to one chaplain at the Knights’ Supreme Convention in Denver this August.
Bishop Ukwuoma offered hearty congratulations to Fr. Dike.
“And thank you for being a worthy ambassador of our diocese to this diocese,” he said.
The bishop also thanked the Knights officers for finding Fr. Dike worthy to receive this honor.
The bishop shared with Fr. Dike an old bit of managerial wisdom:
“The reward for good work is MORE work!”
The audience erupted in laughter.
“The reward for the good work you have done is to give you more work to do,” the bishop persisted in telling Fr. Dike.
“Keep getting these awards, and eventually, the greatest reward we are going to get is up there,” the bishop said, pointing to heaven. “That’s what we are praying for.”
