WILDWOOD – “There’s a place for us” in the house of the Lord, if one only follows his way, Bishop Dennis Sullivan said to his brother Knights of Columbus and their wives May 13 during a Mass kicking off the fraternity’s annual State Convention.
Referring to the day’s Gospel reading where Jesus tells his apostles that he is “the way, the truth and the life,” Bishop Sullivan explained how “the comforting power” of these words can keep all on the path to holiness.
“When your way gets rough, pray ‘I am the Way.’ When the lies of society, and politicians and the world seem endless and disturb you, pray ‘I am the Truth.’ When your life gets burdensome or … overwhelming, pray ‘I am the Life,’” he preached in Notre Dame de la Mer Parish’s Saint Ann Church.
Calling the Knights “vital to the life of the Diocese of Camden,” building up the domestic Catholic Church as right-hand men to their Bishop and priests, he asked for blessings “on the work of the convention and on the work of the New Jersey Knights of Columbus.”
During the Mass, the Knights also remembered the 48 priests and Knights from New Jersey who have died in the past year, with a reading of their names and a tolling of the bell for each faithful servant. Children from nearby Wildwood Catholic Academy who recently made their First Communion participated in the May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On the Front Lines
The May 13-14 gathering was the first time in two years the convention had been held due to the pandemic. During this time, New Jersey’s Knights of Columbus deliberated on council matters, elected state council officers, and honored and recognized members for work in their local parish communities. Among those present over the weekend was the Most Rev. Kurt Burnette, Bishop of the Eparchy of Passaic.
Daniel Gilliam Jr., District Deputy 51, which covers North Wildwood, Erma, Cape May, Vineland and Cape May Court House, was recognized as the state’s District Deputy of the Year.
As well, he and Albert Karwowski, District 59 – Williamstown, Malaga, Pine Hill, Stratford, Sewell – received the Circle of Honor for District Deputy, given each year to two Knights in each Diocese.
One of the most memorable parts of the weekend, Knights agreed, was a 10-mintue video call with Ukraine State Deputy Youriy Maletskiy, a leader of the Knights in Lviv, who spoke about the realities of the Russian invasion.
Maletskiy shared “that no matter how bad you see [the fighting] is on the news, it’s so much worse in reality,” said Henryk Michalkiewicz, Grand Knight Council 2531, who organized the video call. “It was very impactful, seeing somebody on the front lines speaking with us.”
A native of Poland, Michalkiewicz and Karwowski have been actively engaged in efforts to aid Ukraine for about a month. “Talking and prayer wasn’t enough; we had to get involved,” Michalkiewicz said.
Since then, the two have been in contact with their brother Knights of Columbus in Ukraine and Poland, and have donated financial aid that is used for needed military supplies such as boots, jackets, socks and medical kits.
“When they go to fight, they only go with what they have,” Michalkiewicz explained of the need to provide Ukrainians with the proper gear. He added that Maletskiy expressed thankfulness for the support during the video chat.
Fraternal Bonds
Knights at the convention expressed gratefulness to return after the two-year hiatus. Among them were father and son Michael and Brendan Costello from Gibbsboro’s Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish.
Michael Costello, District Deputy 58, which covers Runnemede, Winslow and Atco, has attended the state convention for 14 years, ever since he became a Knight. “I enjoy celebrating Mass with my brother Knights and meeting those who come from all over the state,” he said.
He has brought his son with him every year to Wildwood, and five years ago, Brendan, 23, followed his father into the fraternity.
In the past year, the council has helped both local and global communities, holding a coin toss collection for those in Ukraine, as well as the residents affected by the tornados that hit Kentucky in December. They also raised $6,000 for National Life Center/1st Way Pregnancy Center in Woodbury.
Brendan Costello says he enjoys the annual conventions, which allow him opportunities to “talk to older Knights, learn from them on how to conduct themselves and how to run a council.” He currently is Pilot for the John Paul II 3804 Assembly, Gibbsboro.
Martin Gottel, chapter president of Burlington County’s Knights of Columbus, felt the importance of returning to Wildwood, not only to be present with fellow Knights, but to remember those who have died since the last in-person meeting.
“We’ve lost people; I’m coming to pray for them, and pray for those still sick,” he said.
As leader of the 15 Knights councils in Burlington County, he has helped organize a recent Christmas gift drive for children in Ukraine and an Afghan refugee drive that saw 2,000 soccer balls go to children.
In their local and global efforts, the 58,000-plus New Jersey Knights from more than 300 councils are strengthening their faith, families and parishes.
“The Knights are united in our works of charity,” said James Stoever, the Knights’ State Deputy. “There’s so much more we need to do, and so much more the world needs us to do. We’ve only just begun.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
