Council Meetings
Planning Meeting - 2nd Wed of the month - 7:00pm (New time starting Sep '23)
Business Meeting - 4th Wed of the month - 7:00pm (preceded by the Rosary at 6:45pm)
All Meetings are held in the Fr. O'Hanlon Room in the bottom level of the OLV Activities Center.
Welcome
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, family, fraternal and service organization. The key elements of our Service Program are Church, community, council, family, pro-life, and youth activities. The State College Knights of Columbus council has donated over $250,000 and over 20,000 volunteer hours to various charities in the last five years. The major fund raising activities are breakfasts/dinners served at the OLV Activites Center and manning two concession stands at Penn State football games.
Equally important, these activities provide opportunities for fellowship and social interactions among the State College Knights of Columbus and their families. A complete list of our donations and activities would be difficult to enumerate, but a description of our major and reoccurring activities is below. Please join us in keeping these activities going and help us do more for our Churches and community.
Upcoming Events:
Announcements...
A dinner for Fr. Antony's school in India was held on Wednesday October 4th. With tickets sold and donations provided over $6,000 was raised for St. Mary's. These funds will provide assistance in rebuilding part of the school, including work needed for restrooms. Many thanks to the 15 Knights who participated in some fashion and especially to Brother Steve Milillo for leading the kitchen , Brother Mark Golanoski leading the ticket sales , Brother Bob Hershey leading the marketing, and Brother Dennis Marince leading the coordination.
St. Joseph's Catholic Academy Athletics, in the person of the Athletic Director Dr. Justin Rodkey, receives a check from the Knights for Scholarships in the amount of $500. Student Athletes of the Girls Basketball program are pictured. The Knights support Catholic Education and Athletics monetarily, and the funds are earned predominantly from the Beaver Stadium Concession Stand (so thanks again to the Concession Stand Team led by Rodney and Steve).
Diocesan Award - Ozanam Humanitarian Award presented to Brother Bill and Janet Haner on 8 Oct., '23 at annual St. Vincent DePaul (SVdP ) Dinner.
Congratulations to Janet and Bill Haner (second and third from the left), recipients of the 2023 Ozanam Humanitarian Award in recognition of their selfless dedication to the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. They are surrounded by fellow Vincentians and volunteers at the Society’s dinner where they received the award, at St. Francis University in Loretto on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
Our Lady of Victory School, in the person of the Principal Samantha Weakland, receives three checks from the Knights. A check for Scholarships in the amount of $4,000. A check for the OLVC Preschool for $1,00. And a check for OLVCS Athletics for $500. The Knights support Catholic Education monetarily, and the funds are earned predominantly from the Beaver Stadium Concession Stand (so thanks again to the Concession Stand Team led by Rodney and Steve)..
St. Joseph's Catholic Academy, in the person of the Principal Anna Ruprecht, receives a check from the Knights for Scholarships in the amount of $10,000. The Knights support Catholic Education monetarily, and the funds are earned predominantly from the Beaver Stadium Concession Stand (so thanks again to the Concession Stand Team led by Rodney and Steve).
Silver Rose Pilgrimage to State College. The weekend of 26/27 August the Silver Rose was present in the OLV sanctuary. Brother Lionel Basset (pictured) is the shepherd of the Silver Rose as it comes to and departs from State College - thank him for his efforts when you see him. The Silver Rose is a beautiful story and this link provides you the insight you need to learn all about it SILVER ROSE.
Knights Picnic on Friday 18 Aug. '23 was a success. Thank you to all who attended and especially those who assisted Mark Thorwart in making both the event and the awards ceremony memorable. Awards presented: Non-Knight of the Year '22 - Pat Lutz, Volunteer of the Year '22 - Frank English, Knight of the Year '22 - Marty Mazur, Lifetime Achievement '22 - Dennis Marince. We are truly blessed to have the group of men we do. But we would love to have more. Added - Photos of delayed awards presented at Aug. Business Meeting - PGK Marty Mazur receiving his award jacket and PGK Ed Hughes receiving his award for his contributions to the Council as he soon departs Pennsylvania.
Feast Day of Blessed Michael McGivney was celebrated Saturday Aug 12th at OLV. The 9am Mass was celebrated in honor of Blessed Michael McGivney by Brother Knight Fr. George our Pastor. Immediately following Mass there was a Holy Hour during which the Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney, A Rosary, and the Litany of Blessed Michael McGivney were said.
Voice of Divine Mercy Radio VODMR), in the person of Steve Balkey, receives a check from the Council in the amount of $6,000.0 VODMR provides Roman Catholic programming to the local State College area and Steve's wife, Cheryl, has been involved in VODMR since it's inception.
Blood Mobile/Drive Team
Every six (6) weeks we have extraordinary BROTHERS who step up to ensure the Blood Mobile/Drive is successful each and every time. This month they had to "do a dance" and shift from the Activites Center to the OLV School Gym. The team is led by Mike Berrena and Bill Schiavi but consistent Vols are John Karish, Mark Thorwart, Frank English and Mark Golanoski. This isn't everyone who Volunteers - but most of them were captured in pictures today! Standing - Mike in red, Bill in gray, Frank in maroon, and Mark G. in blue (not pictured John Karish and Mark T.). These Brothers are fantastic! Thank you!
Stated today by Mike "The camaraderie we make as Men of Faith, carries more than we know when the donors give the Gift of Life." Well said Mike!