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MY FAVORITE PRIEST
Yes, Father was big in every way, but is remembered mostly because he was big in heart and love for all who came under his care. Children really loved him, even after receiving a punishment from him. His voice, like his size, made him stand out in any group; parishioners, other priests, civic groups, etc. You name the group and if Father was there, no one missed him. He dominated every assembly, and few there were who did not listen when he spoke; even those who did not always agree with him. No matter what problem arose, parishioners knew they could turn to Father for advice, comfort, help, guidance, and support. Parents turned to him for help in family problems; teenagers for guidance in daily life situations; school children thought of him first when in any kind of trouble. Father Knue could be stern when necessary and those involved knew the problem would be handled in a straight-forward, just and honest manner. Everyone knew about the “big paddle” Father mentioned as being in his rectory, but no one ever recalled seeing it. Once when taking a culprit to the rectory, all those waiting outside knew this was surely the time “that paddle” would be used. They waited for the screams they knew would soon come forth; but they waited in vain. When the subdued, well-chastened and chastized culprit came out from the rectory, all his friends waited to hear about the paddle. With relief and disappointment, they were told Father could not find the paddle. Father once explained to a friend that his size was really his cross. He could never attend any kind of meeting or gathering and just blend in with the others. His voice could not be counted on to whisper; whatever he said was heard by all. Most, on first meeting Father, considered him a loud blustery fellow, but in short time, almost all changed their opinion to one of respect and awe. Most children, sent to the rectory by a teacher or for any kind of trouble, went in fear and trepidation. But nearly all returned in fullest admiration for Father’s gentleness and kindness. He was found to be the same on the ball field, where he was usually umpire. Once hearing some really out of place language being used, Father just yelled, “Halt!” Everyone in the game stopped dead. Father walked across the field, picked up four boys by the belts of their pants and carried them beyond the playing field, where he dropped them on the ground. He then returned to the ball field, with the command, “PLAY BALL!” The game continued as if nothing had happened. An unforgettable memory of those who witnessed the event, was the death of the father of a young family who died of spinal meningitis and had to be buried the same day. Father convinced the health authorities to bring the coffined body in a hearse to the school playground. There he ordered the hearse to be opened so children assembled inside the school at every window could thus attend the funeral service Father conducted from inside the church. Because of his voice volume (there were no mikes in those days) Father could be heard by all. The man’s family was quarantined at home, but must have been comforted later when they learned their father had not been buried without the blessing of the Church. Father Knue was really just an ordinary Roman Catholic priest. He was unusual in that he never wanted for a way to help everyone who came to him. He always found a way to help wherever he was needed. Nothing ever seemed impossible for him. No measure was ever too great for him to perform if it helped another human being. Parishioners knew they could call on him at any hour of the day or night. They knew he would help, if help was possible. Even though Father has been dead for more than fifty years, his name still calls forth memories told as if the event just happened yesterday. In his places of ministry, Father served in any way needed: as musician, baseball coach, stone mason, carpenter, bus driver, carpenter, concrete finisher, stone quarrier, etc. He seemed to have every skill that was needed at any time. Because his mother was not as strong as she would have liked to be, it was her oldest son, John (later Father John Knue) who learned many skills that served him well in later life—bread maker, gardener, family tailor, house cleaner, etc. That early John washed and ironed the family laundry, cooked meals, canned fruit, raised chickens, milked the cows, made and baked bread, churned butter, raised pigeons and still managed to keep up with his school work. At the time of the stock market crash in the early 1930s Father’s keen business sense made him aware of the coming tragedy. (Father was then pastor of a church in Louisville, Ky.) Just a few days before the actual crash, Father withdrew all the parish money and investments from the local bank and thus saved the parish from bankruptcy. One can only describe this great man as one of invincible faith and courage. He died in 1945, but as stated in the opening paragraph, Father still lives in the minds and hearts of all who knew him.
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