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The Frank and Susan Arlinghaus family, winners of the International Family of the Year, are pictured with Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly and his wife Vanessa, during the Supreme Knight’s Awards Session at the Supreme Convention in Denver, Colorado, Aug. 3, 2026. From left are Frank and his spouse, Theresa, and their child Frankie, 2, Theresa, Patrick and Vanessa Kelly, Frank and Susan Arlinghaus, Peter, Mary, Elizabeth and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori. (Photo by Paul Haring)

Clarksville parishioners named Knights of Columbus International Family of the Year


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Knights of Columbus, Local News, News, Respect Life

Parishioners of St. Louis in Clarksville have been named the Knights of Columbus International Family of the Year, an honor recognizing their decades of service to the church, their community and the pro-life movement.

The Arlinghaus family includes Francis A. “Frank” Arlinghaus; his wife, Susan; their children, Francis J., Theresa, Elizabeth, Peter and Mary; daughter-in-law Theresa; and grandson Francis M.

Frank Arlinghaus has been a Knight for 36 years and has served in several leadership positions with St. Louis the King Council 11898, including grand knight. Two of his sons, Frank Jr. and Peter, are also Knights. Frank Jr. serves as the council’s chancellor and helps lead the parish’s Cor group, “Men of Virtue.”

The family’s service extends throughout the parish and community. They devote hundreds of volunteer hours each year to a White Elephant fundraiser that generates about $70,000 annually. They also support the council’s concession stand at Baltimore Ravens games, organize Food for Families drives, assist seminarians and contribute to the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Susan, Elizabeth and Mary Arlinghaus also organize the parish’s Advent Giving Tree, which raises more than $20,000 each year for families in need and charitable organizations.

The family’s commitment to pro-life ministry has also been a defining part of its service. Frank and Susan Arlinghaus have served as the Maryland State Council’s Pro-Life chair couple for the past six years and have led their parish Respect Life group for even longer.

They also volunteer with the Maryland March for Life. Susan serves on the event’s steering committee and organizes buses for the pastorate, while Frank coordinates council support. Frank has testified against pro-abortion legislation in Maryland, and Susan and daughter Theresa serve on the boards of local pregnancy help organizations.

Faith formation is another hallmark of the family’s ministry. Several family members participate in Bible studies and eucharistic adoration. Frank, Susan and Theresa have taught confirmation classes, while four family members have served on a combined 14 ACTS retreat leadership teams.

Susan also founded and leads a monthly Holy Hour of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and, as a member of a Seven Sisters group, prays a weekly holy hour for the parish’s associate pastor. Frank has also led a large volunteer effort for the Maryland Men’s Catholic Fellowship Conference.

The family’s spirit of service extends into their professional lives as well. Frank and Frank Jr. both work for the U.S. Department of Defense. Theresa is an emergency room nurse at a Catholic hospital and teaches clinicals at The Catholic University of America, while Elizabeth teaches at a Catholic school.

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