Knights in the News

There's still time to donate to help the Council in fulfilling it's charitable endeavors. Just send a check made out to St. John's Council #1345 to Bridge to Recovery, St. John's Council, PO Box 211, Dumont, NJ 07628.

Thank you to all who donated, and to everyone who supports the Council in any way.

At this time, we have made the difficult decision to suspend our operations at the Council for 45 days beginning today Friday March 13, 2020. Unfortunately, this means our St. Patrick's Day Social on March 13th, the Columbiette 15th Anniversary on March 15th, Irish Night Dinner Dance on March 21st and Deal or No Deal Pasta Dinner on March 27th are all cancelled. Our Deal or No Deal 50/50 Raffle drawing will continue as scheduled, unless the New Jersey Gaming Commission grants an extension which we will be applying for. We feel this course of action is consistent with the unprecedented actions taken by our Federal, State, and local governments as well as the Supreme Council and Archdiocese of Newark.

During this period, access to the Council facility will be restricted. This means all regular and social meetings of organizations which utilize the building, including our Council meetings are suspended. In order to maintain our viability and remain in a position to re-open when this crisis has passed, we will be suspending many of the support operations that are required for occupancy. We will re-evaluate this decision after 30 days and decide whether to begin the necessary steps to re-open, or continue the closure for another 30 days. This was not an easy decision to make, but in this climate and with great concern for our members’ and guests’ health, we feel it is the best course of action.

Finally, if you are a member who becomes ill or needs assistance please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do whatever we can to help ensure you receive the care you need. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Armellino, Grand Knight

On December 3rd, Father Dermot Roach, SMA gathered with his brother Knights to bless the creche that the Council installed at the site of Dumont's Boro Hall on Washington Avenue.

During the Italian Night event in September, attending Columbiettes gathered with their new Chaplain, the Rev. Michael Barone.

Outgoing Grand Knight Steve Martin was recognized for his service to St. John's Council at our anniversary event on June 22nd. Steve reprised his 2008-2009 role as Grand Knight for the Columbian years 2017-2019. Shown on the left is incoming Grand Knight Ken Armellino after presenting Steve with his plaque and jewel. In the photo on the right is Steve with his wife Patty, and children Shannon, Erin and Connor.

Our 2019 Scholarships were awarded on June 17th prior to the regular Council meeting. Seven $1,000 scholarships were presented at this meeting. Dr. Sadock, the chair of the Scholarship Committee presented one $100 award to a Dumont High School student for Exemplary Community Service, making our 2019 total $7,100. Congratulations to all of the winners for their hard-earned work.

We recently hosted our first First Degree ceremony with eight men participating. Our sponsored seminarian, Morris Montoya, along with another seminarian from Seton Hall were inducted into the Order. Our new Knights are flanked by Grand Knight Steve Martin, and District Deputy Chuck Hollis.

Once again, St. John's Council maintained it's presence on Washington Avenue in both Bergenfield and Dumont. Our banners were erected in front of St. Mary's rectory and St. John's parish center. We placed a creche in front of the old Dumont Borough Hall, blessed by Father Moran of the SMA, and we sold car magnets - all to remind us for the reason of the season.

The newly elected officers of St. John's Council were installed on Saturday July 21st at St. Mary's. District Deputy Chuck Hollis and immediate Past Grand Knight Frank Gallacher, who filled the post of District Warden, officiated over the ceremony. Father Michael Barone, also a Knight, celebrated mass prior to the ceremony. The installation was followed by a reception at the Council.

St. John’s Council celebrated their 110th anniversary as a Council on June 30th. In attendance were members of the 4th Degree of the Bishop O'Connor Assembly, State Deputy Bob Hatler and Russ Petrocelli, Master of the First NJ District of the 4th Degree. Pictured above are some of the Past Grand Knights in attendance along with Past Presidents of the Columbiettes. Seated are George DiCostanzo and Lauro Rivera. Standing are John McGill, Barry Bernard, Roberta Elwell, Laura Labetti, Nina DiCostanzo and PGK Frank Gallacher who was also honored for his service in the 2016-2017 Columbian year. Missing from the photo is PGK Ivan Hannibal, who also joined us.

St. John’s Council awarded nine scholarships totaling $8,500 to students for the upcoming 2018-19 academic year. Eight scholarships were awarded to students entering college, and one scholarship was awarded to a student entering Catholic High School in September.

Criteria for the award of the scholarship include a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, as well as a commitment to Community Service, Academic Excellence, service to the Church, and an essay about the students’ future academic and professional development.

The $1,000 college scholarships were awarded to: Venecia Cano (Bergenfield), Adriana DeNoia (Raleigh, NC), Julianne DiCostanzo (River Edge), Colin Hollis (New Milford), Conor Hollis (New Milford), Justin Merkovsky (Dumont), and Steven Mulder (Bergenfield). The $500 high school scholarship was awarded to Seraphina Rossmann (Dumont).

The Installation of Officers for the 2017-2018 Columbian year was held on Saturday July 22nd at St. Mary's Church, followed by a reception at the Council. The installation was officiated by District Deputy Chuck Hollis and immediate Past Grand Knight Frank Gallacher, who filled the post of District Warden. Also in attendance was State Deputy Robert "Bob" Hatler.

Following our June 19th regular meeting, we invited the winners of the Council Scholarship and their families to receive their checks and enjoy some hospitality. Our winners are flanked by Grand Knight Frank Gallacher on the left, and our Chaplain Father Stephen Carey on the right.

Chief Michael Conner, a 30 year veteran of the Dumont Police Department and the recently installed chief, spoke at the Council Hall on November 7, 2016. Over the course of almost two hours, he held the audience's attention speaking about his new role as the chief. Following his presentation, Chief Conner answered questions that ran the gamut from police tactics and the emergency 911 System, to field equipment and how the Dumont PD interacts with other local departments and the County force.

From the proceeds of officer's installation reception on July 16th, Grand Knight Frank Gallacher presented a check for $1,000 to Donors for Danny in support of the new organ donor initiative originated at St. John's Council with the support of the NJ State Council Knights of Columbus. From left to right in the photo are Grand Knight Frank Gallacher, NJ State Secretary Bob Hatler, Past Grand Knight Phil Fredericks, Karyn & Ray Glover, parents of Danny Glover, Greg Ryan and District Deputy Chuck Hollis. Additional information about the organ donation program can be found below.

On July 16th 2016, the officers for the 2016-2017 Columbian year were installed at St. Mary’s Church. Presiding over the installation was District Deputy Chuck Hollis, and PGK and State Secretary Bob Hatler who filled the post of District Warden. Following the installation, a reception was held at the Council. Proceeds of the event were donated to Donors for Danny, in support of the organ donor initiative started here at St. John’s Council.

College Scholarships:
Kathryn Passano, Sponsored by Jerry Passano
Rhiannon E. Hickey, Sponsored by Tim Hickey
Shannon Martin, Sponsored by Steve Martin, PGK
Alexa Affrunti, Sponsored by Mike Affrunti
Gabrielle DeNoia, Sponsored by Joe DeNoia
Kara Foley, Sponsored by John Foley
Erin Saunders, Sponsored by Norm Saunders

Catholic High School Scholarships
Mary Flood, Sponsored by Gerry Flood
Grace DeNoia, Sponsored by Joe DeNoia

A Special Night!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of This is it!, this year's Special Children's Show. Thanks also to the people who worked in the background - the waiters, bartenders and kitchen crew. And a special thank you to everyone who came out for a great evening of entertainment, dinner and dancing. Proceeds of this event go to support the charities supported by the Council that help those with special needs.

2015-2016 Officers Installed
On Saturday July 18th, the newly elected officers of the Council were installed during a Mass at St. John's Church.

Rest in Peace - Rev. John F. Murray, SMA

On July 9th 2015, Rev. John F. Murray, Chaplain Emeritus of St. John's Council, passed into eternal life. His impact upon our Council is legendary, and his loss profound.

The wake was held on July 14th at the SMA Chapel in Tenafly and the funeral Mass was on July 15th, with internment at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Tenafly. There was a joint Prayer Service at the SMA Chapel with members of St. John's Council, our Columbiettes, a Navigator from Pope John XXIII Assembly, and a representative from the NJ Squires.

From Grand Knight Larry Rivera . . .

Brothers,
I’d like to give my thanks to all of you who went to Fr. Murray’s wake and attended the K of C Wake services. The great attendance from our Council showed how we love and respect Fr. Murray and most of all, showed unity in our Council. I know that Fr. Murray is smiling on all of us.

2015 Scholarship Awards
Over the past year, the Scholarship Committee has run several fundraising events to supplement the generosity of the members of St. John’s Council who have supported the scholarship in various ways. This year, we have awarded a total of eight scholarships totaling $7,000 – two $500 awards to students advancing to the first year of a Catholic high school, and six $1,000 awards for students advancing to the first year of college.

From left: Grand Knight Carmine Grillo, Laura Armellino, Katrina Flood, Andrew Sheehan, Brittany Stuckey, Nicholas DiCostanzo and Eamon Stuckey. Missing from the photo are Morgan Fazio and Emily Pintarelli.

Farewell Father Dominic

Father Dominic, our Chaplain for the last three years, has left St. Mary’s to begin a new assignment, working in a seminary as a formator for future priests.

From Fr. Dominic's final message as Chaplain . . .My hope is that as members of the Knights of Columbus, you stay faithful to your constitutions. Be proud of your Catholic faith, stay active in your parishes, be good Christian role models, go to Sunday Mass and be faithful to the Catholic Church and the Holy Father. You do all this, then you truly are KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS! It’s what Fr. McGivney wanted and envisioned!!

Grand Knight Reunion
On June 15th 2015, many of our Past Grand Knights gathered for the annual PGK Reunion Dinner. This dinner is traditionally held on the evening of the last meeting of the Columbian year.
Back Row: Grand Knight Carmine Grillo, and Past Grand Knights Lou Pidi, Tom Trank, John McGill, Phil Fredericks, Chuck Hollis DD, Bill Bochicchio and Matt Hayes. Front Row: Past Grand Knights Dave Benson, George DiCostanzo FS, Bob Dondero and John Dillon.

The Knights and the Giants Fundraiser - A Success
On August 23rd 2014, St. John's Council and the Giants of Generosity jointly hosted a fundraiser for Brian Dimetres, a brain tumor survivor who needed help to get life-saving treatment in a clinical trial.
From left, front: Grand Knight Carmine Grillo, Treasurer William Horn, Chancellor Frank Polise, Stephanie & Brian Dimetres, Jane Albanese of Giants of Generosity and Inside Guard Ken Armallino. Standing tall in the center rear is Deputy Grand Knight Larry Rivera.

Grand Knight Reunion
On June 16th 2014, many of our Past Grand Knights gathered for the annual PGK Reunion Dinner.
From left back row: Steve Martin, Phil Fredericks, Lou Pidi, GK Chuck Hollis, Don Winant, Bill Connington and Bill Gilligan. Front Row: Bill Bochicchio, Dave Benson, John Dillon, John McGill and Tom Trank.

Installation of 2013-2014 Officers

On July 20th 2013, the new officers of St. John's Council were installed during Mass at St. Mary's Church.

Grand Knight Reunion
On June 17th 2013, many of our Past Grand Knights gathered for the annual PGK Reunion Dinner. Special thanks to Randy Dunkin and Lou Pidi for their help in making the PGK Dinner an enjoyable evening.
From left back row: Grand Knight John McGill, Bill Gilligan, Don Winant, Ivan Hannibal, Bill Connington, Phil Fredericks. Front Row: Tom Trank, George DiCostanzo, Fr. John Murray, SMA, Bill Bochicchio, Dave Benson and Bob Dondero.

2013 Scholarship Winners Announced

From left: Thomas Formoso, Chairman George DiCostanzo PGK, John O’Donoghue, Katelyn Arbadji, Grand Knight John McGill, and Joseph Fredericks.

We are happy to announce the winners of the 2013 schlarship awards. For attendance at a Catholic High School, $500 goes to John O’Donoghue, grandson of James Kelly Sr, who was accepted to Don Bosco Prep. There were three College scholarships awarded at $900 each. The winners were Joseph Fredericks, son of PGK Phil Fredericks and accepted to Rutgers University; Thomas Formoso, son of Tom Formoso and accepted to Montclair State University; Katelyn Arbadji, granddaughter of deceased member George Coberg and accepted to the College of New Jersey. Congratulations to all the winners and a very special THANK YOU to all of our members who made a donation to this year’s scholarship fund. Brothers, these are your dollars at work.

Application forms for the 2014 scholarship will be available in the spring of next year.

If you would like to be a sponsor for our Scholarship Fund Program, you can make a donation that will help a student entering Catholic High School or College with their tuition expenses. No donation is too small, and any amount will be gratefully appreciated. You can send your donations to Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 211, Dumont, NJ 07628.

Father Murray Honored

At the January Scholarship Dance, Fr. Murray was honored for his years of service to St. John's Council. Shown along with his family are Vince Montagna representing Bishop O'Connor Assembly, Fr. Brendan Darcy of the SMA, Grand Knight John McGill, William "Bill" Bochicchio, past Grand Knight and chairman of the Father Murray Scholarship Fund and Monsignor Richard Arnhols, pastor of St. John's Church.

Troop 1345 Continues to grow!

Troop 1345’s growth continues to be strong as they have just their 5th year at the end of March, and embark on the beginning of year #6 in April 2013. The troop has a very strong showing of scouts, backed by an equally strong contingent of adult leaders and committee members.

Dondero Fundraiser Proceeds Distributed
At the Italian Night dinner dance in October 2012, Bob Dondero was presented with a $12,000 check as a first payment from the fund-raising event we hosted for him. “When you have a group of men that works together to accomplish an end, it just works. It gives you that common sense of purpose.”
From left: Bill Bochicchio, Grand Knight John McGill, Bob Dondero, Ginny Dondero and Phil Fredericks.

Successful Fundraiser for Local Businessman’s Daughter Tops $16K

Shown from left to right: David Benson, Grand Knight; Bill Salisbury Owner Dumont Hardware; Lou Pidi, Deputy Grand Knight and Event Co-Chairman; Bill Bochicchio, Past Grand Knight and Event Co-chairman.

St. John’s Council #1345 Knights of Columbus, Dumont/Bergenfield held a Pasta Dinner fundraiser in the spring of 2011 for Jane Baez, the daughter of Bill Salisbury, longtime owner of Dumont Hardware. Jane suffers from Wegener’s Disease, a rare form of cancer.

Due to the tremendous generosity of friends, customers and local residents, the Pasta Dinner was a huge success, raising over $16,000 to help Jane and her four children. The Knights of Columbus donated and cooked the meal for over 300 guests while live music was played free of charge by Co-Chairman Lou Pidi and Frank Fectmuller, who performed together as “Deuces Wild.” Thank you to all who attended and sent donations.

Dumont Lions & Knights of Columbus hold Breakfast Benefit
On Sunday November 1st, the Dumont Lions Club and St. John’s Council #1345 served over 400 pancake breakfasts for the benefit of Kayla Rose Hannon.

According to Lou Pidi, chairman of the event and a member of both St. John’s Council and the Dumont Lions Club, the breakfast raised over $3400. “Combined with the more than $14,000 that St. John’s Council raised with their recent spaghetti dinner, we have shown what the community can do when they get together to help each other.”

Kayla, a 2008 graduate of Dumont High School, recently underwent an operation to remove a tumor. She continues aggressive therapy to lessen the effects of her treatment for bone cancer. Fittingly, the event was held in the Dumont High School cafeteria.

Shown above are Bill Boccicchio of St. John’s Council dropping the batter while Steve Hugelmann of the Dumont Lions waits to move the pancakes to the serving station.

St. John’s Council, celebrating its 102nd year, serves the parishes of St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield and St. Mary’s in Dumont. The Dumont Lions Club was founded more than 50 years ago. Both organizations raise money for local charities.

Knights of Columbus hold Benefit Dinner for Kayla Rose Hannon
On Saturday September 19 2009, dozens of Knights, and members of the auxiliary organizations of St. John’s Council #1345 – Columbian Squires, Columbiettes and Scouts from Troop #1345, pitched in to serve several hundred spaghetti and meatball dinners for the benefit of Kayla Rose Hannon. Kayla, a 2008 graduate of Dumont High School, recently underwent an operation to remove a tumor. She will continue aggressive chemotherapy, radiation and physical therapy to lessen the effects of her treatment for bone cancer.

Under the direction of co-chairmen Lou Pidi (left) and John Graham, the dinner raised $14,706. St. John’s Council, located in Dumont, serves the parishes of St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield, St. Mary’s in Dumont and the SMA Fathers in Tenafly.

An additional fundraiser, co-sponsored by St. John’s Council and the Dumont Lions Club will be held on Sunday November 1st in the Dumont High School cafeteria.

St. John's Council awards Scholarships
Started in the early 1960s as a single $500 scholarship to a Catholic high school, the Scholarship Program at St. John’s Council #1345 serving Bergenfield & Dumont has made an additional award to a first year college student for several years.

This year, the Council presented two $500 scholarship awards. The recipients are Kaely Marie Walsh, daughter of Kevin Walsh, and William Kenny, grandson of Patrick Kiernan.

Shown above are Grand Knight Steve Martin, William Kenny, Kaely Marie Walsh, and George DiCostanzo, Scholarship Committee Chairman.

Past Grand Knights Gather
Over the 101 year history of St. John’s Council #1345, 85 men have had the honor of calling themselves Past Grand Knights. On June 24 2009, sixteen Past Grand Knights came together for the annual PGK Reunion Dinner hosted by Grand Knight Steve Martin.

Shown from the left -
Back row: Steve Martin, Barry Bernard, Phil Fredericks, Bill Bochicchio, Marty Healy, Andy Connelly, Bob Dondero, Bill Gilligan, Andy Hogh, and Tom Trank.

Front row: George DiCostanzo, Ivan Hannibal, Fred Jacobsen, Frank Messina, Chaplain Fr. John Murray SMA, John Dillon, Joseph Matarazzo and George Olszewski.

Knights raise $2000 at Golf Outing
Under sunny skies, the 14th annual Jim Rush Memorial Golf Classic was held on June 8, 2009 at the Rockleigh Golf Course. Chaired by Mike Cremin, the event fielded 42 players and raised over $2200 towards the Council’s charitable endeavors.

Golf awards were distributed at a dinner, which followed at the Council home.

Shown in the photo is Grand Knight Steve Martin, Mike Cremin and Past Grand Knight Martin Healy. Marty was a good friend and golf partner to Jim Rush, after whom the Memorial Golf Classic is named.