The Reverend Joseph J. Donnelly Knights of Columbus Council #11660, which serves the Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Saint Agnes Catholic Parish has received a its second consecutive “Star Council” award, the international organization’s top honor for local councils.
The “Star Council Award” recognizes overall excellence in the areas of growing membership, promoting Knights of Columbus insurance benefits, sponsoring Catholic Faith formation programs and volunteering time through service–oriented activities consisting of 16 programs equally divided amongst the four categories of Faith, Family, Community and Life.
This year, the Reverend Joseph J. Donnelly Council reached their membership quota with the addition of five newly installed Brother Knights. “We are truly blessed to be able to serve such a vibrant Parish made up of highly supportive, engaged and faithful Parishioners and Ministries,” said Grand Knight Mike Napolitano. “We are also continually blessed by the encouragement of our pastor, Father Jarlath Quinn who is also one of our own Sir Knights and serves as our Council Chaplain.”
Napolitano, who learned of the award from the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, said “I continue to be personally blessed to serve with and learn from the wonderful and growing number of Catholic gentlemen who comprise this Council of Brothers along with our Sisters in the Columbiettes Auxiliary.
” Our Council #11660 achieved its second “Star Council” award by continuing its program with a mix of tried-and-true parish favorites,” the Grand Knight continued. “These include hosting a weekly Rosary Hour, a free monthly themed Pancake Breakfast, the annual Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner fundraising event (now coupled with the Annual Columbiettes Charity Gift Auction.” The Knights also make regular donations to local Food Pantries, local seminarians, and sponsor an Annual Blue Mass and Dinner for First Responders. We also donate to Deborah Hospital, local Pregnancy Centers along with newer initiatives such as creating a Multi-Council Special Needs Bowl-A-Thon, sponsoring a Special Olympics Polar Plunge team, a May Crowning Mass and Initiation Sacraments Breakfast, a Catholic Education Scholarship, the 9-11 Remembrance and Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts,” Napolitano continued.
In addition, the Council conducts its Annual Oktoberfest and Sinatra Night Dinner fundraising events and helps numerous other causes without any recognition.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical, practicing Catholics in union with the Holy See. For information on joining the Knights of Columbus Council #11660 contact Membership Director Dave Convery (Email: david@converylaw.com) or call Grand Knight Ian McGinniss at (732) 500-6706.
Napolitano noted he is the outgoing Grand Knight after serving two years, and Convery has been named the Grand Knight for the next two years,
Knights of Columbus
To learn more about the Knights of Columbus visit https://HighlandsKofC11660.org. The Knights of Columbus is one of the world’s leading fraternal and service organizations with two million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 47 million service hours and $153 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also offers extensive life insurance services to members and their families, resulting in more than $116 billion of life insurance in force. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors offers investment services to individuals and institutions in accord with Catholic social teaching and has over $27 billion in assets under management. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top rated and affordable insurance products to its members, to creating a legacy of giving, the Knights of Columbus have supported families and communities for more than 140 years.
