Council Meetings
Planning Meeting - 2nd Wed of the month - 7:00pm
Business Meeting - 4th Wed of the month - 7:00pm (preceded by the Rosary at 6:45pm)
NOTE NOTE NOTE: Dec '24 Meeting is 11 Dec' 24 & Jan '25 Meeting is 22 Jan '25
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 $300,000 and over 25,000 volunteer hours to various charities in the last seven years. The major fund raising activities are breakfasts/dinners served at the OLV Activities Center and other small fund raisers.
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...
Ultrasound for PRC:
The Knights support of LIFE comes in many forms. In this case, it is support of the Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC). Through Brother (FS) Dennis Marince's persistent efforts, perhaps the Council's crowning achievement became a reality. He worked with donors, Knights' Supreme headquarters, and the PRC to plan, purchase, and receive an Ultrasound Machine for the new PRC facility in Lock Haven, PA. Though the majority of this effort took place in 2023, and the machine was placed in 2024, the facility is still not yet open to clients. We anxiously await this opening, so that the Ultrasound machine our Council worked so diligently to emplace will be used by expectant mothers to lead them to giving birth to one of God's Children.
Knights held the Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Pilgrim Icon Mass on December 12th. Our Pastor and Brother Knight Fr. George Jakopec was the celebrant and Brother Knight Dcn Dave Lipinski assisted. The readings were taken from the S. Joseph Icon Pilgrim Program as was the litany of St. Joseph done after Mass. The St. Joseph Icon was received from the St. John 23rd Council of Port Matilda (Good Shepherd Parish) and was delivered to the Huntington Council (Our Lady of Fatima).
Knights support of the Red Cross Blood Drives on the OLV Campus begin and end with Brother Mike Berrena. Mike presents a certificate from the Red Cross to the Council for the Knights efforts in supporting the Red Cross Blood Drives. The certificate is a tally from 2023 that shown 289 units collected. The Knights Red Cross Blood Drive team is led by Brother Mike Berrena and seconded by Brother Bill Schiavi. Their coordination and execution ensure that the Red Cross has a safe, well structured, and supported effort by the Knights. Thank you to the whole Knights Red Cross Blood Drive Team: Brother Mike Berrena, Brother Bill Schiavi, Brother Frank English, Brother Mark Golanoski, Brother Mark Thorwart, and others who pitch in when they can.
St. Joseph's Catholic Academy Athletic Director, Bryce King, receives a check supporting SJCA Athletic from the Knights. The check is for $1000 and is in support of Catholic Education, specifically in athletics programs assisting the students in being of sound mind and body. The Knights support Catholic Education and Athletics therein, 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).
Our Lady of Victory School, in the person of the Principal Samantha Weakland, receives four checks from the Knights. A check for Scholarships in the amount of $4,000. A check for the OLVC Preschool for $1,000. A check for the Walk-Thon for $500. 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).
Blessed Michael McGivney's Feast Day was on August 13. The Knights led the Rosary after the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Deacon Dave Lipinski, and fellow Brother, is pictured during the Exposition. Deputy Grand Knight Frank English is pictured with the Blessed Michael McGivney relic in the sanctuary. Grand Knight Brendan Bagley is pictured leading the Rosary.
Our Council held our Annual Awards and Picnic on Friday 9 Aug '24. Due to a visit by Hurricane Debbie tthe picnic was held in the Garner Social Hall in the OLV Activities Center. Our awardees were:
Volunteer of the Year – Roberta Milillo
Volunteer Knight of the Year – Sir Knight Mark Golanoski
Knight of the Year – Brother Steve Milillo
Lifetime Achievement Award – Sam Saxion
Sam also received the 50 year service pin.
Many thanks to the Brothers who contributed to this effort, particularly brother Mark Thorwart.
Boy Scouts of America Troop 245 held a Court of Honor at the American Legion Post 245 for two Scouts becoming Eagle Scouts. Christopher Smerbeck and Eli Zeiders. Christopher's project was a cookbook and Eli's was improving signage at Rothrock State Park. Our Council has supported Scouting in various ways and currently provides name emblazoned bibles to those who become Eagle Scouts. It is great to see these young men excel at Scouting and all the good things that come from their work and example.
The OLV parish held a Eucharistic Procession after the Corpus Christi vigil Mass on Saturday June 1st. The clergy of the parish asked the Knights be represented and we certainly were! The Fourth Degree Color Corps had an Honor Guard (with two of our Councils Brothers present: DGK Sir Frank E. and PGK Sir Lionel B). We had eight members of our Council take part (PGK Marty M., PGK Joe C. , PGK/FS Dennis M, John K., Mike D., Jose A., Tres Bob K., and GK Brendan B.) Thank you all!
More photos can be found on the Parish fb site (look for DGK Sir Frank showing his sword to the children):
FB LINK
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).
Boy Scouts of America Troop 245 held a Court of Honor for two Scouts becoming Eagle Scouts. Miles Curling and Travis Bechtel. Our Council has supported Scouting in various ways and currently provides name emblazoned bibles to those who become Eagle Scouts. While the opportunity presented itself, and in an effort to "always be prepared", bibles were also presented to three more Eagle Scouts who were unable to receive their bibles previously. They were Isaac Keim, Josh Bechtel, and Colin Bechtel (Troop 245's first Eagle Scout). The Bechtel brothers received all of the Roman Catholic emblems as a further testament to their Duty to God and Country. It is great to see these young men excel at Scouting and all the good things that come from their work and example.
Penn State held a concert in Beaver Stadium and our trusty crew of Concessions Volunteers was there to answer the call. Once again led by Brother Rodney Hopkins and Brother Steve Milillo the Concessions Stand Team did a remarkable job. THANK YOU ALL for your efforts as we raise funds for our Faith Based Initiatives inclusive of Catholic Education (where most of our funding goes)!
A beautiful gift from the Olivas Family of a painting of Our Lady of Guadeloupe from the Mexico City Shrine, containing a 3rd Class Relic, was presented during the March Business Meeting. Though Brother Miguel Olivas states it is from his wife, it is clear that the Olivas Family is dedicated to our faith and to our Blessed Mother, particularly of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. Thanks to Brother Dennis Marince for ensuring it's proper display in our Fr. O'Hanlon Room.
On Holy Saturday our Parish held its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the OLV school grounds. Several hundred children and parents gathered to hunt for eggs, visit with the Easter Bunny, enjoy snacks and drinks, as well as share in a sense of community. Fr. O'Hanlon Council participated in organizing and running the event in cooperation with the Freeman and Clement families and Boy Scout Troop 245. Special thanks to Brother Mark (PGK) & Patti Thorwart, Brother (PGK) Bob & Mary Hershey, Brother Mark Golanoski, Brother Frank English, Brother Bill Haner, and Brother Marty Mazur (PGK) from the Fr. O'Hanlon Council for providing the refreshments, event setup, and cleaning up after the event, The photos capture the happiness and camaraderie enjoyed by all who attended.
We planned an executed a Spaghetti dinner for catholic education on Wednesday 7 February '24. The event secured over $3000 to support Catholic Education. We had a record 28 Volunteers show up to be of Service to our council and community. This is truly amazing. The committee did a great job - those men are Mark G. (who sold tickets before and after each Mass for several weeks), Steve M., Dennis M., and Bob H.
The Lion's Pantry at Penn State University Park Campus received a check in the amount of $500 from the Council for 2023. The check is being received by Heide Gibson Associate director of Student Affairs and the Lion's Pantry Manager. the Lion's Pantry is a Student Club that does not receive any governmental funding. Hopefully Heide and a student representative will provide a presentation to our council in the coming months. Lion's Pantry site
The Knights of Bellefonte hosted a breakfast for Holy Name of Mary Academy in Ghana (Fr. Ralph's school) and the the Knights of State College lent some helping hands: 24 helping hands in fact. Thanks to our brothers who assisted in this important effort: Steve M, Dave B., Bob H., Paul S., Steve B., Dennis M., Bill D., Mark G., Tom H., Bill S., JR V., and Brendan B. This is what being a Brother is all about.