DALLAS — A Ugandan priest's ministry to his largely rural parish of 26,000 Catholics has become easier thanks to the Knights of Columbus in Danville, Ky. A charity golf scramble organized by the Knights raised $11,000 that was donated to Father Paul Kkonde to purchase a car. Father Kkonde's situation came to the attention of the Knights during the priest's visit to the United States last year. Most travel in Father Kkonde's parish is on bicycle or motor scooter.

The members of Father Thomas J. Malloy Council 6317 in Danville received the Knights of Columbus international Church Activity Award for this act of global charitable outreach. James McGrath, grand knight of the Danville Knights, accepted the award on behalf of his council at the Knights' international convention in Dallas, Aug. 4.

Father Kkonde sent the Knights a photo of the car he bought along with a note of thanks. "The vehicle has made my movements easy, especially pastoral work in the villages. It has made my parishioners happy," he said.

There are nearly 10,000 Knights in Kentucky. In 2003 they reported raising more than $700,000 for charity and volunteering nearly 488,000 hours of service.