NATCHEZ &045; According to local Knights of Columbus official Larry Gardner, the organization’s weekend convention brought in hundreds of visitors &045; and hundreds of thousands of dollars to state dioceses.

About 470 people, including Knights of Columbus members and spouses from throughout the state, attended the annual convention, which was held Thursday through Sunday at the Natchez Convention Center.

The convention is not only a chance for members of the Catholic group and related organizations &045; the Ladies’ Auxiliary and the Squires’ Circle, for those under age 18 &045; to conduct business.

It’s also a time for the Knights of Columbus to elect officers and make donations to the state dioceses’ Priest Education Funds &045; $210,000 to the Jackson diocese and $120,000 to the Biloxi diocese.

Local councils raise that money through a variety of fund-raisers.

&uot;That’s the largest amount we’ve ever given,&uot; said Gardner, grand knight of the Bishop R.O. Gerow Council 1034 of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition, Natchez area residents have claimed two of the organization’s highest positions.

JoAnn Brumfield has been named president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, while Garrett Mayer was named state chief of the Squires’ Circle, Gardner said.

Gardner praised the convention center’s staff, saying they handled the large gathering quite well &045; including banquets for the entire crowd.