History & “Reflections”
Henry J. Knott, Sr., was a Baltimore-born, Roman Catholic businessman and philanthropist who was a firm believer in the value of Catholic education. In 1981 he and his wife Marion set in place a program that would encourage academically talented Catholic students to attend Catholic schools located in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford and Howard counties in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Working with Catholic educators, they developed the Marion Burk Knott Scholarship Fund. Its purpose was, and still is, to award full tuition scholarships to Catholic parish elementary schools and Catholic high schools located in the areas mentioned above, and to the three Catholic colleges in Maryland, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Loyola University Maryland, and Mount Saint Mary’s University. As a past academic record is part of the basis for awarding these scholarships, the decision was made to permit students to be considered for the scholarships at three points in their schooling, grade 4, grade 8, and grade 12. In 1997, through another gift of Mr. and Mrs. Knott, additional funds for secondary scholarships and partial college scholarships became available through the Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Scholarship Fund. Both of these Funds now function under the name of the Knott Scholarship Funds. For a full history of their generosity, please look at our booklet “Reflections.”
Through June 2016, 195 students have completed their college education under the auspices of the Marion Burk Knott Scholarship Fund and 278 students have graduated as Marion I. and Henry J. Knott College Scholars. On the secondary level, 240 students have graduated as Marion Burk Knott Scholars and 220 as Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Scholars. On the elementary level, 456 students have completed the last four years of grade school as Marion Burk Knott Scholars. In the 2016-2017 school year, there will be 28 Marion Burk Knott Scholars in elementary school, 16 in high school and 12 in college. The Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Scholarship Fund will have 40 scholars in secondary school and 40 college scholars. It was Mr. and Mrs. Knott’s hope that receiving a strong Catholic education would help these scholars develop as the future leaders of the Archdiocese. They also hoped that the students who have received this gift of a Catholic education would in turn give back to the Church and the community by sharing their talents in whatever forms possible.
I recall how my religious education started. Everyday at six a.m., Daddy would bellow, “Up and at ’em, we are leaving for church in thirty minutes.” This was a daily ritual from the time we were out of diapers to past our sixteenth birthdays. Ten minutes later he is back with more instructions, “Wash your face, brush your teeth, and say your prayers.” From another room my sister Lindsay is faking an illness. “Dad I have a headache and cramps, I can’t make it.” My brother Jimmy and I mouthed his response to each other, “Can’t means you don’t want to. Are you telling me that you don’t have anything to thank God for?” We shook our heads and were joined in laughter by a few siblings walking down the hall. Twenty minutes later Lindsay jumps into the back seat of the car while still buttoning her school uniform. No one was spared daily attendance at Mass including friends who spent the night. Daddy’s devotion to God was unwavering.
The echo of “And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,” brings me back. I stare at the coffin and ponder, “How can the little redhead be dead?” Just seven days ago, I was standing by his hospital bed telling him jokes and asking him if he and Mother would come to our house for dinner as the doctor said that he would be released in two days. With that old glint in his eye, Dad gave a wry smile. He could not wait to get home. Dad hated hospitals. He had told me that, “Most people who go into a hospital come out in a box.” That is a strange comment coming from a man who gave Hopkins Hospital half of the land it now occupies.
Pneumonia set in the next day. It is difficult for an eighty-nine year old to recover from aneurysm surgery and near impossible when the patient contracts pneumonia. I glance back to the foot of the altar, the calla lilies that drape the mahogany casket in which Dad rests remind me of the Easter lamb, with its ever-present lilies, signifying Christ, the Lamb of God.
Our family lived on a small farm. During the spring lambing season, every morning before attending church, my brothers and I would walk the fields to see if any of our sheep were having trouble with labor. One day we espy one of our prize ewes bleating loudly and struggling to remain on her feet. Upon investigation it was clear that the lamb had not crowned. Attending to her could wait until after Mass.
When we returned home from services, I changed out of my church clothes, rushed down to the field, and gently carried the animal to the barn. The ewe had a breech. The lamb was coming out feet first and had to be turned around while still in the uterus. I was twelve and scared to death. all I could think of was, “is she going to die?” “Knucklehead, wake up and listen to me,” Daddy said. “It’s your turn to learn. I was shocked. Was he really talking to me? Why isn’t Dad calling the vet? He always calls him when this happens.
“Martin you need to learn how to do this.”
“But I am only twelve.”
“Wash your hand with alcohol and let’s go.” Dad helped me lay the ewe on her side. His 140 pounds strained to hold her head and front legs in order to keep the thrashing as a minimum. The smell of the alcohol stuns my nose. It masks the pleasant aroma of fresh hay and sawdust that normally permeates the barn. First, the protruding ear of the lamb had to be pushed back inside of the mother. Being extremely careful not to tear the lining, In inserted both of my hands into the uterus. It felt like warm Jell-O. Then I slowly and gently turned the lamb, so the head would come out first. When this task was just about complete, I felt something move. My body tensed. Fear engulfed me. Perspiration leaped from every pore. I stuttered, “Dad there is somethin moving in her.” He smiled and calmly said, “Don’t worry Martin. You’re doing fine. It’s probably a twin.” The kindness in his eyes kept me from the edge of panic. Twenty minutes later that lamb was out. Within the hour, I had delivered my first two lambs. The mother was fine and they were nursing away. It was an exhilarating feeling. I was euphoric.
We went up to the greenhouse to wash up. The two of us addressed the sink but I hesitated immediately join in this cleansing. There was something mystical about bringing life into the world and I wanted to enjoy it, if only for a brief moment. While scrubbing, my curiosity overcame my pride of accomplishment. I asked him, “Why did you have me do that? Couldn’t we have lost the ewe and the lambs?” Daddy looked at me meekly and said, “Son, God wouldn’t have let that happen. You have to understand, if you take care of God’s creature, he will take care of you.” Daddy always stressed to his children, “Keep your hands and hearts close to the land, that is where you will find God.”
The hymn resounds again, “Bear you on the breath of dawn.” Daddy was always hurrying. As a young unemployed bricklayer during the Great Depression, he had pawned Mother’s engagement ring to buy a ticket to the island of Aruba, where a friend had helped him secure a job laying bricks. Six months later, after working sixteen hour days, he returned with enough money to repurchase the ring and start his own bricklaying business.
Dad worked tirelessly. In four years he had over six hundred men working for him. The desire to achieve and support his burgeoning family never waned. By 9149, twelve of his eventual thirteen children were already born. the family’s growing needs were too much for his brick company. So Daddy branched out into the home building business to accommodate the veterans returning from World War II who were starting their families. Dad’s timing was impeccable and his success was meteoric. He quickly amassed a fortune and began his unprecedented largess.
The Hymn is there again, “Make you shine like the sun.” Patricia finishes her eulogy. She and I stand there in the pulpit for one last look at Dad’s coffin and the crowd. The pungent scent of incense hovers in the air. Cardinal Keeler approaches the bier and suddenly stops. A hush descends upon the entire congregation. For a brief moment the sun started to shine. Through one of the stained glass windows a single beam of bright light casts a beacon over the casket. It was gone in a flash. The morning air returns to a dreary mix of rain and snow. It was as if God had opened up the heavens, reached out his grateful hand, and said, “It’s time to come home, Henry.” My heart sank, I knew he was finally gone but the respect and love emanating from those gathered helps to fill the void. Resolutely I knew my father was where he always wanted to be.
Daddy always told me, “I don’t want some fancy funeral. Just put me in a pine box. The worms are going to get you anyhow.” Today, this pomp and circumstance was not wasted. We are here to pay homage, say farewell, and celebrate Daddy’s life. He had spent it teaching his children and those with whom he came into contact. Today, his unstated lesson for those of us present is, “Do not forget where you came from and never lose sight of God.”
The refrain ends, “And he will hold you in the palm of his hand.”