Knights of Columbus councils throughout the Diocese of Camden are renowned for their generous and selfless works in parishes, but the fraternal order also spends much time, talent and treasure enriching the lives of Catholic youth.
Fans of education
“We have a great group of guys that want to help,” said Marc Mignano of his fellow Knights in Saint Catherine of Siena Council 6890 in Clayton. “People in the community know to reach out to them.”
The Clayton-based council serves Saint Michael the Archangel Regional School and parish in myriad ways, including faith-based projects with youth in mind. For more than two decades, the Knights have sponsored an essay-writing contest for the school’s outgoing eighth-graders; this year’s two winners were awarded $1,000 toward their Catholic high school tuition and costs. Mignano, who serves as financial secretary of the council, explained, “We need to promote Catholic education.”
The Knights meet with their pastor, Father Michael Goyette, and the school principal to learn what is on their wish list of school supplies. “Two years ago, we purchased soccer nets,” said Mignano, “and last year it was volleyball nets.”
’In any way we can’
In Cumberland County, Knights of Vineland Council 2531 partner with Bishop Schad Regional School to help future Catholic high school students shoulder the cost of tuition, uniforms or books with their annual scholarship awards.
District Deputy Albert Karwowski, who acts as his council’s financial secretary, said that for more than a decade, the Vineland Knights have been awarding two scholarships, one each to an eighth-grade graduating boy and girl. The graduates must be enrolled to continue their education in a Catholic high school. The donation, which this year totaled $1,000, was funded by the Knights’ annual palm cross sale during the Easter season.
The Vineland Knights also participate in Knights of Columbus national initiatives for youth: the “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest designed for students in grades one to six, and a written essay for seventh- and eighth-graders that answers the question, “What does it mean to be a Catholic?”
“It’s important for us to support Catholic education in any way we can,” Karwowski said.
Sweat equity
What inspires Knights from Williamstown’s Our Lady of Peace Parish to spend the dog days of summer wielding paint brushes and rollers in the quest to freshen the walls of nearby Saint Mary School?
“We are a service organization,” explained Joseph Sottosanti, Grand Knight of Mater Christi Council 3352.
Each summer for at least the last dozen years, Knights have volunteered to paint a different wing of the school hallways in order that students and teachers may start the school year on a bright note. The council donates the materials and “sweat equity” for the project. This past July, the Knights painted the school’s eighth-grade wing. Sottosanti revealed both the school and the Knights reap the benefits.
“It’s a bonding time,” he said, “and it makes the principal and pastor happy.”
All for the kids
As do their fraternal counterparts, the Knights of Father Thomas F. Blake Council 2560 in Ocean City are generous with their time, talent and treasure as they endeavor to benefit the local Catholic elementary school community, noted Grand Knight David Yhlen.
“We want to preserve Catholic parochial and high school education and support their initiatives,” he said. “We have seen Catholic schools’ closure over the years. With our support, it can help them stay open and support Catholic schooling.”
Scholarships to two eighth-grade graduates of Saint Joseph Regional School, Somers Point, assist the financial needs of families enrolling in Holy Spirit High School, Absecon; Wildwood Catholic Academy, Wildwood, and Saint Augustine Preparatory School, Richland.
Support of Catholic education also extends to those enrolled in religious education at Saint Damien Parish, Ocean City. With the encouragement of Father Thomas Newton, parish pastor, the Knights assist in the parish’s communion services where children with special needs take an active role as lectors, choir members and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, then enjoy a pizza party. Yhlen noted that the Knights and the parish agree in their desire to be “open to those receiving the Sacraments of initiation, welcome and support.”
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