Two groups of men integral to the life of the Church expressed mutual respect for each another at the annual Knights of Columbus Pride in Our Priests dinner.
“Without priests, there is no Church, no Eucharist,” said Richard MacDonald, chairman of the event for the past six years. “We are grateful for them.”
MacDonald, a member of Knights of Columbus Council 13259, Woodbury Heights, reported approximately 75 priests and 200 Knights and their guests united to renew old friendships and forge new ones at the dinner held Oct. 12 at Auletto Caterers, Deptford. He noted the clergy “were very grateful and look forward to this year after year. They like to spend time with [the Knights] and see their brother priests.”
The fraternal organization presented a check for $2,500 to be used for vocations in the Diocese to Father Robert Hughes, diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, who accepted it on behalf of Bishop Dennis Sullivan.
MacDonald reflected upon the donation and the many good works performed by the Knights for the Church, saying, “I have been a Knight for 14 years. To do good works by yourself could be overwhelming, but to do things in unity, you can be a force for good in the world.”
Priests agreed that an active Knights of Columbus presence in a parish was important in many ways.
Father Edward Kennedy, pastor of Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Swedesboro, said, “Oftentimes, it is the Knights who get called upon to help start up or promote new ministries, to provide help when there might be parishioners in need, or even just to organize a community-building event. They are also a great example of men who put their faith into action by supporting pro-life activities, Rosary rallies and fundraisers for people with special needs, just to name a few.
“My parish is blessed to have two councils, Saint Francis [7526] and Queen of Heaven [4154],” Father Kennedy continued. “They actively support our parish’s Walking With Moms in Need ministry and the 1st Way Life Center. They organize a number of community-building events such as the Fall Social and Breakfast with Santa, and they even make breakfast for our faith formations families at some of our events during the year. They host different sports challenges, like the soccer shootout and free throw contest for the children of the parish. They are active in supporting our school, Guardian Angels. They host a breakfast during Catholic Schools Week, provide scholarship opportunities for our graduates and hold essays contests. I can’t imagine our parish, or our Diocese, without the Knights, as they are the backbone of our communities.”
Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish also enjoys the benefits of two Knights of Columbus councils – Saint John Neumann 7032 and Our Lady Queen of Peace 6247. Father Allain Caparas, pastor of the Glassboro parish, said, “The councils work for the good of the entire parish. They collaborate on projects; we are doubly blessed.”
He added that the Knights of Columbus is “good for fraternity amongst men in the parish; it helps men to live their Catholic faith and be of service to the community and the parish. They are of great assistance to me as pastor, and a great source of encouragement and support to the priests and deacons in prayer and support of parish. We can always count on the Knights to support endeavors, and when needs arise unexpectedly, they step forward. Like Father Hughes said, the event is about pride in our priests, and pride in our Knights.”
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