(304) The 2024 Annual Report and Review of the Knights of Columbus Council 3335 Gallipolis, Ohio

 AMDG

List of Accomplishments

--Our Council continues to promote the Domestic Church, which each father, as lead-er of his family, has the responsibility to maintain in his home.  This kiosk in the Parish Hall has a selection of resources that parents can use to nurture their domes-tic church at home.  More about the knights at their website www.kofc.org. 

.--Organized a Knights of Columbus Sunday Mass with a procession in regalia plus Rosary each Fifth Sunday of the month (four times a year).  Our Chaplain says the Mass and other knights fill the functions of altar servers, lector, Eucharistic Minister, ushers, etc.  A knight and his family usually bring up the gifts at the Offertory.   

 --A knight leads the Rosary before each Mass on the First Saturday and First Sunday of every month.

 --Helped to finance the restoration of the stained-glass windows in the church.

 --Cleared snow from the parish walkways and parking lot.

--Sponsored and operated the Guiding Hand Free Throw Contest for developmental challenged children and adults.  This is a sort of mini special Olympics. 

 --Placed the outdoor Stations of the Cross in a more weather protected area.

--Donated $250 to the Lenten Fish Fry, another annual fund raiser for the parish.

 --Support the underwriting and promotion of the Steubenville Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal.to help the men in their spiritual development (usually the third Saturday of Lent).

--Two of our knights, one a horticulturist and another a landscaper, plant and maintain a flower garden between the church and the rectory with beautiful Spring, Summer, and Fall flowers to glorify God.  They also maintain a flower garden in the church cemetery to honor our deceased loved ones.

--Sponsored the annual First Communicants Breakfast Reception.

--We sponsor and organize an annual brunch to honor mothers on Mothers Day.  We continue to collaborate with the national Knights of Columbus in promoting the Domestic Church with a kiosk of pamphlets on the subject.

--Gave Rosaries to the High School Graduates at the Mass in their honor.

--Awarded a college scholarship for a deserving High School graduate.

--Did the Spring & Fall clean-up of the parish Cemetery and maintained its landscaping. 

--Donated $250 to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Burn Unit in Columbus.

--Donated $1000 to Grace United Methodist Church Food Pantry. 

--Built a wheelchair ramp for a family in need.

--Cleaned the church grounds in preparation for the annual Spaghetti Dinner fund raiser.

--Donated $200 towards the annual parish Spaghetti Dinner for fund raising.

--Purchased missalette book markers for the church.

--Tore down a storage building behind the Church Hall.

--Made a donation to the Parish School of Religion (PSR) Program.

--Sponsored and organized the local Knights of Columbus "Coats For Kids" Winter Coat Drive.

--Sponsored and set up an Appreciation Dinner prepared by a master chef to foster parish community.

 --Set up and managed our annual Christmas Giving Tree in church for parishioners to provide presents for poor children.

 --Published a monthly newsletter as an insert in the church bulletin.  Its goal is to inform the parish of Knights of Columbus activities and to enhance the spiritual development of its members and the parishioners in general.

Comments

    The list of accomplishments is rather impressive.  At the end of the year our council numbered 37 knights and only about half that number are active…..i.e., attend an occasional meeting and participated in a few of the activities above.  Imagine what we can do if we would have greater participation and more new members!  Thus we ask all o our knights to recruit their friends who are faithful Catholics, at least attending Sunday Mass regularly.  Those who might be interested in joining the Knights of Columbus may contact the Grand Knight Michael Dressel at 740-853-1842 or e-mail him at hammer56.mike@aol.com.   

       Many of the knights are very busy with job and family.  However, every knight should at least be able to attend a meeting occasionally and participate in at least one major activity a year.  The dinner meetings provide good food and great fellowship.  

        The KofC insurance is among the very best in the country to protect families.  Any profits do not go to stockholders, but rather for charity and rebates to its policy holders.  

    The input of every knight is most important for the Star Council recognition.  That is our goal!

       In 2024 two of our knights were awarded the prestigious 4^th degree, namely Mike Dressel and Mike Merry.  More knights are invited to apply for the 4th Degree.  Again, please contact the Grand Knight.