Ampe family named Knights of Columbus Family of the Year

The U.P. Catholic

The Ampe family, parishioners of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, were named the Knights of Columbus Family of the Year on both the state and international levels. Knight Joe Ampe and his wife Tiffany’s family includes four special needs adopted boys: three from Ukraine and one from Texas. “We continue to do aid work in Ukraine, supporting families during these difficult times. We’ve started a non-profit with other Catholic families, to build our outreach in Ukraine,” Tiffany said.

Tiffany remarked that being named Family of the Year both on a state and international level came as a big surprise, and the family felt very blessed to be chosen. “It was a wonderful opportunity to witness to the deep need for Catholics to become more actively involved in the orphan crisis,” she said.

Tiffany said, “While statistics suggest that 37 couples wait for every newborn placed for adoption, this doesn’t apply to special needs infants and doesn’t address the 153 million orphans in the world, or children awaiting adoption from foster care. Adoption needs to be driven by children that need families, not people wanting babies.”

She said that the family has been able to discuss the urgency of creating funding for Catholic families that wish to adopt. “To protect women and children from exploitation and trafficking, there are many necessary costs associated with adoption,” Tiffany explained. “These financial costs are enormous hurdles to the average family.”

Tiffany said that it was a very inspiring experience receiving the International Family of the Year award. “It’s very easy to look around at the enormous problems facing society and feel discouraged. We are certainly troubled every time we visit Ukraine and witness the overwhelming suffering there. Likewise, our involvement in adoption has exposed us to the crushing weight of growing up without a family, that millions of children endure.”

“However, the atmosphere at the convention was one of hope. It was encouraging to be with thousands of people that are driven by their faith and want to actively engage in problem solving. We were grateful to talk to so many people in church leadership and laity, that wanted to partner and collaborate on addressing these problems,” Tiffany said. “That these people are motivated by their Catholic faith, was even more beautiful. We were edified by the encouragement of so many other people. Multiple people talked to us about adoption and have begun their own journeys to provide families for children. Likewise, we were amazed at the incredible ideas people shared for addressing issues we are passionate about.”

Tiffany said that it was exciting for the family to meet so many bishops and cardinals. “To see other families and the clergy living their vocations in such passionate and authentic ways was encouraging,” she said. “We are so grateful for the many clergy members that have heartened us and pray for us. It was beautiful to be able to communicate that thanksgiving.”

Joe has been a Knight for six years and reflected on the impact that the organization has had both on his family as well as the community. “The Knights have been consistently supportive of our family as we went through our first adoptions, and they really stepped up when our family felt the call to bring medical aid to Ukraine,” he said.

“Through this I have seen our community expand. Knights come together from multiple chapters and get behind the mission. Our communities are better because of the Knights and their commitment to improving the world. We are looking forward to partnering with U.P. K of C groups in collecting aid for our October trip to Ukraine,” Joe said.

The Ampes view the Eucharist as the source and summit of their lives. “In everything we do the Mass and Eucharist are the fulcrum. We have been abundantly blessed with the ability to travel and see the Mass in many states and countries,” Tiffany said. “It is amazing that it is genuinely universal and brings together people of various backgrounds and cultures in the love of God. We strive to attend daily Mass as much as possible. Remaining close to Jesus in the Eucharist gives us the strength to live radically counterculturally.”

Tiffany said, “We are always looking for more people to collaborate with. If anyone has interest in helping with projects in Ukraine or special needs or fostering or adoption in the United States, we welcome them reaching out.”

The Ampe family’s advice to Catholics across the U.P. is, “Be bold in generosity. Say yes to God’s call or tug however you feel it. Our country is experiencing difficult times with incredible animosity and conflict between individuals and different belief systems. Catholics have a unique opportunity during these times, to not sit on the sidelines complaining, but to instead joyfully address the many problems we see. We need to live our faith in all of our decisions and actions.”

Watch a video interview from the Knights of Columbus with the Ampe family at https://tinyurl.com/Ampe-KCs.