Welcome
Welcome to the Ocean County Chapter of the Knights of Columbus. With 18 member Councils throughout the County, we represent over 4,000 brother Knights and their families.
Our Chapter meets at 8:00pm on the 2nd Monday of each month, we have a “traveling gavel” to enable the Chapter officers and the representatives from each Council to visit the other Councils throughout the County.
The Chapter serves as a clearing house for Councils to discuss their various programs; to offer support to member Councils; to coordinate various Degrees and events; and to serve as a forum for member Councils to discuss their particular needs.
The Councils in the Ocean County Chapter host a very diverse array of Programs throughout the year. Please check the Calendar area to see what events are upcoming.
Message from an Insurance Agent
Hope all are enjoying the summer of 2010. As a Field Agent, over the past 3 years I have discussed with some of you the importance of life insurance on your children or dependent grandchildren. An article from this past weekend's Wall Street Journal highlights another good reason that is new to me.
For the entire text of this message, please go to: Knights of Columbus - Message from Micahel Permuko, F.A.
St Patricks Parade
The constituent Councils of the Ocean County Chapter marched in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Seaside Park, on Saturday, March 20. The Councils, Assembly's and Color Corps Members marched up the Boulevard in Seaside Hts. Brother Knights, their family and friends joined in the parade.
The day began with a Mass celebrated at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Seaside Hts.
Papal Documents
Follow the link to Papal Documents and Encyclicals stored on the Vatican Website
www.vatican.va/offices/papal_docs_list.html
Phone Cards for Hospitalized Vets
Give back to those who have been wounded defending freedom.
Prayer List
Prayers are requestd for the people on this list. Everyone on this list is in need of Prayers, either for medical or Spiritual reasons. Please include the people on this list when you make your intentions during prayer.
Catholic Issues
The media is attacking the very tenets of our Religion, act now!
K of C Night at the BlueClaws
The annual "K of C Knight at the BlueClaws" is being held on Thursday, September 2, 2010. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. The Color Corps will present the Colors on the field before the game, during the National Anthem.
Contact James Stoever for ticket information
News from Supreme Convention
State Deputy Herb Meyer lead the New Jersey Delegation of 80 people to the 128th Annual Supreme Council Meeting, this year in Washington D.C.
The Opening Mass was held Tuesday morning at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
During the opening session, open to the public, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, gave his Annual Report of the Supreme Knight. In the Report, he announced that the Board of Directors has voted to provide every child in Haiti that lost a limb in the aftermath of the earthquake a few months ago, will recieve the prosthetic device they need. "Each and every one of these children will receive a new start in life, thanks to the Knights of Columbus."
The complete report is available by clicking: Supreme Knight's Report.
Different areas of the Convention may be viewed by clicking: Knights of Columbus
2010 - 2011 Slate of Chapter Officers
The Ocean County Nominating Committee has met and put together their recommendation for the 2010 - 2011 Slate of Officers. This report was read at the July 12 Chapter meeting, and was voted upon and approved.
Below is the List of Officers for 2010 - 2011
| Chairman | John Castle, P.G.K. 8160 |
| Vice Chairman | Rick Clary, P.G.K. 4969 |
| Recorder | Albert DelTufo, P.G.K., F.S. 3826 |
| Treasurer | Santo Cultrara, D.D. 29 |
| Warden | Jack Vasarkovy, P.G.K., F.S. 4969 |
| Advocate | John A. Gazis, F.D.D. 7926, P.C.C. |
| Guard | James Mlodgenski, G.K. 8603 |
| 3 Yr. Trustee | Wilson Cruz, P.G.K. 8160, P.C.C. |
| 2 Yr. Trustee | Edward F. Kelly, K.H.S., F.D.D. 3826, P.C.C. |
| 1 Yr. Trustee | Frank Kearney, D.D. 28, P.C.C. |
Respectfully submitted by the Nominating Committee:
Al Chrobocinski, P.G.K., F.D.D., F.M., F.S. 836, Chairman;
Frank Kearney, P.G.K.;
Edward Kelly, K.H.S., P.G.K., F.D.D
Pope Benedict names new Bishop of Trenton Diocese
Pope Benedict XVI has named the president of the Catholic University of America in Washington to become the next Bishop of central New Jersey. Father David O'Connell will serve as coadjutor Bishop of the of the Diocese of Trenton until the Pope accepts the resignation of Bishop John Smith, who must resign when he turns 75 on June 23.
"I am indeed grateful to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for choosing me to serve the people of God in Trenton as Bishop," O'Connell said. Addressing the Priest sex abuse scandal rifling the Catholic faith, O'Connell pledged to assist in healing those who have been hurt."All of us know that this year and the years before it have contained some dark and difficult moments for Bishops and Priest," O'Connell said. "We can never forget or apologize enough for the harm that's been done to those who have suffered so much because of our failures and our sins."
O'Connell, 55, only learned of his appointment two weeks ago and was sworn to secrecy until today's announcement. That didn't stop his mother, to whom he told the news, from broadcasting it during a recent pancake breakfast outing with her son."He's a Bishop," his 84-year-old mother blurted out to a waitress, unprompted, O'Connell said.
Trenton was like a second home when O'Connell was a teenager; he went to high school in nearby Princeton, he said. The Bishop-Eect is a Priest of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission, a group of Priests and Church brothers that ministers to the poor. He celebrates his 28th year as an ordained Priest on Saturday.
The announcement was welcomed news for neighboring Newark Archbishop John Myers, who worked with O'Connell on projects with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops."I have seen firsthand the extent of his educational and administrative talents, and the depth of his caring for the Church and her people," Myers said in a statement.
Before his 12 years as Catholic University president, O'Connell held leadership roles in New York at St. John's University and Niagara University, his alma mater. O'Connell said he asked Smith to preside over his ordination ceremony at the National Cathedral in Washington next month.
Bishop Smith was born in Orange and became Trenton's bishop in July 1997."How blessed the Diocese of Trenton is to receive as coadjutor Bishop, a Priest of David O'Connell experience, scholastic depth, pastoral sensitivity and national reputation," Smith said.
The Trenton diocese serves 830,000 Catholics in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
2010 State Convention
The annual State Convention was held on the weekend of May 14 & 15, and the Ocean County Chapter once again stayed at the Reges Hotel in Wildwood Crest. Daniel Panichi, PGK6522, has taken over the position of Hotel Reservation coordinator this year, and he did a great job of assigning the rooms and making sure all were content in their accomodations. He continued the job as performed by his predecessor, Dave Stoll, whom we all miss dearly.
Al DelTufo, Doug Steinke, Frank and Marie Kearney, and John Castle did a wonderful job with the Hospitality room. Thank you to the Councils that gave their time working in the Hospitality room so others could enjoy themselves. They are: 3826, 4969, 6522, 7926, 8160, 8415, 10022, 12940.
Friday was awards day of the Convention with numerous Councils taking home plaques:
Council 4969 won an Award for Most Pounds of Food Donated to the Needy - Trenton Diocese - 19,500 lbs, as well as for Donating $13,500 for People with Developmental Disabilities;
Council 7926 won the Award for Best Website in the Trenton Diocese;
Council 8160 taking home 2 Awards, one for Letters to Seminarians, and one for donating the Second most money in the State to Deborah Hospital;
Council 8415 won the Community Award for Simon's Kitchen, as well as Best Newsletter in the Trenton Diocese;
Council 10022 won Awards for RSVP Appreciation, as well as for Letters to Seminarians;
Council 14615 won a Faith in Action Award for obtaining 50% of their membership and Insurance goals by December 31, 2008;
Edward Kelly received a plaque for the St. Mary's Third Degree Team.
The complete list of the 2010 NJ State Convention Award Winning Councils is available HERE
Honoring a Fallen Marine
I am proud to pay tribute to Sergeant Christopher Hrbek, a Marine that recently was killed in action in Afghanistan, by cosponsoring legislation to designate the United States Post Office building located at 216 Westwood Avenue in Westwood, New Jersey the “Christopher R. Hrbek Post Office.”
His dedication to his country and fellow soldiers represents his tremendous sense of loyalty and selflessness. Christopher Hrbek is a true American hero. Chris will never be forgotten by his family, friends or the country he fought for.
Sergeant Christopher Richard Hrbek was a field artillery cannoneer with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, stationed in Afghanistan. Hrbek was an active member of his community in Westwood, New Jersey as a volunteer firefighter for nine years. In 2003 in response to the attacks on September 11, 2001, he enlisted with the United States Marines. He heard the call of duty and he answered it.
As a Marine, he served multiple tours of duty which included combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. On December 23, 2009, under enemy fire he saved the life of his sergeant major who stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device. For this he was to be awarded a Bronze Star with a combat “V”. He set the highest example of someone who is willing to risk their own life to save others.
On January 14, 2010, he stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device and died in service of his country.
He is survived by his wife, Jamie Lynn Wengerter; mother and stepfather, Cheryl and James Hodges; father and stepmother James and Gail Hrbek; sisters and stepbrothers Amy Dellentash, Lori Hrbek, Jim and Beau Hodges.
The entire New Jersey delegation in the House of Representatives is co-sponsoring the bill. I have also coordinated with Senator Frank Lautenberg, who will be introducing the companion bill in the Senate, co-sponsored by Senator Robert Menendez.
Sincerely,
Scott Garrett
Member of Congress
COURT UPHOLDS "UNDER GOD" IN PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA.; March 11, 2010) -- The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that he words "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance "do not violate the Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment to the Constitution. The Knights of Columbus led the campaign to add the words "under God" to the Pledge in the early 1950s, and the trial court agreed to allow the Knights of Columbus to join the present case as defendants when it was originally filed in 2005.
"This decision is a victory for common sense," Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said. "It is also a welcome reversal of the Ninth Circuit's 2002 decision in a similar case that was ultimately thrown out by the Supreme Court on technical grounds. Today, the Court got it absolutely right: recitation of the Pledge is a patriotic exercise, not a religious prayer. Best of all, the Court said that the words 'under God' add a 'note of importance which a Pledge to our Nation ought to have and which in our culture ceremonial references to God arouse.' Every reasonable person knows that, and today's decision is a breath of fresh air from a court system that has too often seemed to be almost allergic to public references to God. This is a very good day for America," Anderson concluded.
In today's ruling, the Court noted that, "Among the 'self-evident truths' the Framers believed was the concept that all people are entitled to certain inalienable rights given to them by the 'Laws of Nature and Nature's God' and that the purpose of government should be to "secure those rights.'" Such beliefs provide the context in which the words of the Pledge must be understood, the Court said.
The Knights of Columbus and several individual Knights and their families were defendant-intervenors in the case, and the court's 2-1 decision incorporates many of the arguments presented to the Court by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a public interest law firm that represented the Knights in the case. Oral arguments before the Ninth Circuit panel had been heard in December 2007. Other defendants in the case included the United States government and a Sacramento-area school district.
2009 Italian Festival and Columbus Day Parade
The Seaside Heights Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival was held on the weekend of October 9, 10, & 11. The Parade, the biggest Columbus Day parade in the State of New Jersey with thousands of marchers and even more people lined along the parade route, stepped off at 1 p.m. on Sunday. This year, the Italian Festival Weekend included an Antique Car Show. The Festival began at 4 p.m. on Friday, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Pictures of the 2008 parade are available at: Knights of Columbus - 2008 Italian Festival Weekend
Message from a concerned Knight
Tom Lorenc
St. Mary of the Lake, Council 11527, Lakewood
Chapter Meeting
The Ocean County Chapter meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 13, 2010, at Msgr John F. Baldwin Council 836, Brick. The meeting begins at 8 p.m.
Password Required
In order to access certain areas, you must be registered, seperately from the NJ State website. Please contact the Ocean County Webmaster, include your name, Council number, Council Office and email address.
2010 Installations
Council Installations are presided over by the District Deputy assigned to the Council. Below is the Schedule of Installations as they have been reported to us. Pictures will be available as they come in to the website.
Assembly Installations are presided over by the Master of the Second NJ District. The schedule for those also appear below
July 17, 2010 - Council 8160
August 7 - Council 7926
August 7 - Assembly 1926
August 14 - Assembly 658
August 14 - Assembly 2143
Free Throw Tournament
Each year, the Knights of Columbus hosts a Free Throw Tournament for children ages 10 -14. It begins with the local Councils, then moves on to the District Round, Diocesan Round and the State Championships.
For more information and pictures, please go to: Free Throw Tournaments
4th Degree Exemplification
The Second New Jersey District will host an Exemplification of the Fourth Degree on Sunday, November 14, 2010, at the Crown Plaza Hotel, on Rt 70 in Cherry Hill.
The Honoree of this Degree will be State Deputy Herb Meyer.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
2008 - 2009 Archived pictures
For pictures of the events from 2008 ~ 2009, please go to: 2008 - 09 Archived photos
2007 - 2008 Archives
For pictures of the events from 2007 ~ 2008, please go to: 2007 - 2008 Archived Photos
2006 ~ 2007 Archives
The Councils in the Ocean County Chapter had a busy 2006 - 07 year
For pictures of the events from 2006 ~ 2007, please go to: 2006 - 07 Archives