Hello,
I am the Grand Knight of the Fr. Maurice J. Wolfe Council 11372, located here at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Abingdon. As such I am responsible for all activities of the council, conduct all meetings, appoint special committees, conduct financial audits with the trustees, and ensure the council operates in accordance with the spirit and letter of the laws of the Order. I am the fourth person to hold this title. Ed Colvin was the Charter Grand Knight followed by Ray Traube and Bill Hengemihle.
Our council was chartered on May 3, 1994 and is now six years old. Our council number 11372 means that we are the eleven thousand three hundred and seventy second council of the Order, which now number over 12000 across the US, and nine other countries. Father Tom Phillips was the person who brought the Knights of Columbus to our parish. He was our first Chaplain.
Councils are structured like many organizations. The presiding officer is the grand knight. In all there are 13 officers, of whom 12 are elected annually. The grand knight appoints a general program director, a membership director, and other program directors and chairmen. These men in turn appoint and supervise various committees charged with council projects and membership recruitment and retention. It is the responsibility of the program director and his church, council, community, family and youth directors to provide balanced, attractive, and effective activities for the members.
Our council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Once an applicant has been approved by a vote of the membership, he is initiated trough a First Degree ceremony and then may attend council meetings. To become a full Knight, members need to complete their second and third degrees. The highest rank or degree that any member may hold is that of the Patriotic (or Fourth) Degree.
The Fr. Maurice J. Wolfe Council, with over 140 members, is very active and successful. We continue to win many awards at the annual State Convention. In supporting our parish, we have completed numerous maintenance projects on the facilities including repairs to the roof and renovation of the main hall in Kilduff Hall, repairs and protection of the doors of the chapel, and additional pavement around the Worship Center. We supply manpower support for all Bingo fund-raisers, hold pancake breakfasts and other social functions for the parish, conduct special religious events, and provide financial support for our seminarians. One of our more ambitious projects was the conversion of the old garage structure to a beautiful building used for council functions, and by parish committees and the religious education program.
Our council youth and family programs have included such fun events as an ice skating party for youth, family bowling night, family Putt-Putt golf, ice cream socials, children's Christmas party, teen swim night, and teen dances. Similarly, council activities offer great fraternity such as Monday Night football, council night at the Senator Theater, 5-year anniversary party, council outings to sporting events, and a council picnic and campout.
Our council is especially noted for our service to the community. Regular activities include participation in the Roadside Cleanup program, and financial support for the mentally handicapped through our Tootsie Roll drive. We also provide manpower support to the John Archer School's May Day Festival. Other activities have included support of the Abingdon Fire Department, repairs and materials for a nursing home in Havre de Grace, casseroles for Our Daily Bread mission, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for needy families, and safety stickers for infant car seats. A particularly meaningful project last year was the collection of supplies, appliances, and money, which were personally delivered, in a large truck to an emergency center in North Carolina for victims of Hurricane Floyd. All such projects touch the hearts of council members.
As Grand Knight, I am especially proud of the efforts of the council. Please consider joining with us to continue our mission.
Thank you, Have a great day!