Knights show appreciation, support for clergy at annual dinner

SOMERSET — Two groups of men integral to the life of the Church of the diocese — its priests and members of the Knights of Columbus — expressed their mutual admiration and respect Sept. 9 at the annual “Pride in Our Priests” dinner at The Imperia.

The crowd of more than 400 included Bishop James F. Checchio, active and retired clergy from throughout the diocese, Knights and their guests.

During the cocktail hour and dinner, priests and Knights renewed old friendships, forged new ones and hailed the importance of each other’s charitable actions in their parishes and the community at large.

“I feel it is paramount that we as Knights of Columbus show our support for our spiritual leaders,” explained Scott C. Williams, a member of St. Cecilia Parish, Monmouth Junction and State Warden of the fraternal organization. “[Priests] do so much for the parishioners, councils and community. Our priests, especially during these uncertain times, need to know they are appreciated and supported… we are proud of them and their work.”

“The name of the dinner, ‘Pride in Our Priests,’ says it all,” said Mark Mazur of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords. “We value their Catholic lives and spiritual outreach to the community.”

James Fidacaro, of St. Ann Parish, Raritan Borough, agreed, noting, “Priests are the spiritual leaders of the diocese. We have this dinner to show thanks for all the work they do for God’s people.”

“It is very important to keep this [dinner] going to show the priests and clergy and Church we support them,” added Gerard D’Ambrosio, a Knight at St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge.

Clergy blessed with strong and active Knights councils in their parishes described their many philanthropic deeds.

Father Michael Krull, pastor, Our Lady of Peace Parish, North Brunswick, expressed his gratitude for the works of the Knights at his parish’s council, noting their invaluable help to the community after the town’s food pantry flooded due to Hurricane Ida.

“The Knights are a mainstay in the parish,” Father Krull said. “They are my right arm.”

“Family life is key,” said Msgr. John Gordon, pastor.  St. Joseph Parish, Carteret. “The Knights of Columbus are dedicated to family life in the parish.”

 

in the parish.”

Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski serves as the Knights’ State Chaplain and extolled the value of the Knights at St. Catherine of Siena, Pittstown, where he is in residence. “They are very supportive at the parish, do lots of manual labor and run different events,” he said.

“The Knights of Columbus are an organization of Catholic men committed to the mission of the Church, and, on the local level, the backbone behind the scenes,” said Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville. “They assist all the other ministries and the infrastructure of the Church. They make things happen.”

According to statistics from their 2020 annual report, Knights of Columbus worldwide donated 1,400 ultrasound machines to pregnancy centers and clinics; made more than $150 million in monetary donations and performed more than 47 million hours of service.

Officials from the Knights of Columbus New Jersey State Council presented Bishop Checchio with a check for use in his charitable works. The bishop expressed his gratitude for all the Knights did for the diocese and the people of the Church of Metuchen, especially in the grip of the ongoing pandemic.

“I see you everywhere I go,” Bishop Checchio said, “and I am so grateful for you. You were so helpful to your priests over this last year and a half, they told me. You are known for your support of life, of priests. Thank you.”