Steve Smith, Recorder and Faith Director for the Knights of Columbus’ Liberty Council 1910 (Parish of the Holy Cross, Bridgeton), was named the 2020 New Jersey Knight of the Year by the Knights’ New Jersey State Council.
The 25-year member, a father of three and grandfather of two, will receive his honor at the New Jersey State Installation of Officers on Sept. 26 at Monmouth Junction.
Reacting to the award, Smith said he was “humbled and honored to receive this award. I am proud to be a Knight of Columbus and I am grateful that the Knights offer so many opportunities to help others.”
In a press release announcing the news, his council noted that “Smith played a major role in the recent revitalization of Liberty Council 1910,” including the annual placement of crosses on the parish’s church lawns in memory of the unborn lost to abortion, and the Seminarian Letter Program for school students to write letters of encouragement to seminarians studying for the priesthood.
As well, his “hard work and carpentry skills are behind (Liberty Council) 1910’s annual Christmas fundraising project — Nativity Scene lawn decorations” which remind all to Keep Christ in Christmas.
“‘Can’t’ is not a part of his vocabulary,” Smith’s daughter, Kellianne, mentioned in the announcement. “He always finds a way to make something work, and has instilled that quality in his children.”
In addition to his work as a Knight, Smith serves on Holy Cross’ Pastoral Council.
“Steve is truly what it means to be a member in the Knights of Columbus,” said Don Olbrich, 1910’s Past Grand Knight, who submitted Smith’s name to the N.J. State Council for consideration. “He puts in practice daily the degrees of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. Our Council is blessed to have his gifts.”
In the State of New Jersey, there are currently 61,000 Knights of Columbus serving in 373 councils (70 in the Diocese of Camden).
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