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 Activities Center and manning a concession stand 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...
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.
The Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest was a community success with 80 posters being turned in from students throughout the parish. Whether home schooled, public schooled, or via OLVS it was a fantastic representation of how are students from K-8 show their love of Christ and the important of Keeping Christ in Christmas
The Pregnancy Resource Center received many fantastic gifts as a result of the Knights District Deputy Meeting that took place at the Penn Stater in December. The donations were delivered to the PRC and received by Jenny Summers the Executive Director and Dana a Parent Education Associate. the PRC also received a check for $100 from the Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) program for a donation earlier in the year.
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).
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).
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!