Bishop Dennis Sullivan celebrated the opening Mass for the Knights of Columbus State Convention on May 17 at St. Ann Church, Notre de la Mer Parish in Wildwood. Above, second graders from Cape Trinity Catholic, who recently received their first Communion, stand in front of the altar with Bishop Sullivan and Deacons Richard Kenton, from the Diocese of Metuchen, and Deacon Joseph Pierce, from St. Ann Church, after the crowning of the Blessed Mother.
WILDWOOD — Bishop Dennis Sullivan was the principal celebrant for the opening Mass of the 2013 Knights of Columbus New Jersey State Council Convention on May 17 here at the Church of St. Ann, Notre Dame de la Mer Parish.
Held from May 17-May 19, the 117th annual convention brought together Knights from all over the state.
Concelebrating with Bishop Sullivan were retired Bishop Charles J. McDonnell, state chaplain, of Newark; Msgr. Michael Mannion, associate state chaplain and director of Community Relations for the Diocese of Camden; and Father Michael Field, pastor of Notre Dame de la Mer.
In the day’s Gospel, from John, congregants heard the words of Jesus, asking Peter if he loved him, and telling the apostle to “Feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed my sheep.”
“Peter is saved, loved and given a mission by Jesus,” Bishop Sullivan told the worshippers.
“Just like Peter, we are given a mission by Jesus,” he said. “The Knights of Columbus is given a mission to follow Jesus.”
During the Mass, Knights who died between last year’s convention and this year’s, were remembered, with church bells tolling for each of the deceased.
Some 4,000 knights and families attend the annual convention.
Elected as State Deputy at the convention was Andrew E. Lipenta of St. Peter Parish, Merchantville. He succeeds Dr. Daniel Rossi, outgoing State Deputy from Hamilton Square.
Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights in 1882. The group has members throughout North and Central America, the Philippines, Guam, the Caribbean islands and Poland. The Knights recently announced its membership had topped 1.8 million.
Today the international organization is involved in many charitable works and is a strong supporter of traditional marriage, religious liberty and the culture of life.
Last year, after conducting its Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity, the organization announced total charitable contributions reached more than $158 million. Volunteer service hours to charitable causes grew to more than 70 million hours.
In the previous decade, Knights contributed $1.4 billion and 653 million volunteer hours to charity, they reported.
Charitable activities include local, national and international projects, including the Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Missions, and Habitat for Humanity on a global scale, Food for Families and Coats for Kids on a national level, and Elijah’s Promise, Visitation Home, Lyons VA Hospital, and Deborah Heart and Lung Center on a local level.
The New Jersey Knights also were involved in Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. Since the storm hit, the Knights have raised $300,000 to help victims.
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