Knight Digest
Council #4504
1034 Jeanette Avenue
Union, New Jersey 07083
(908-686-4504
Message from the Pastor
Message from the Grand Knight
Worthy Brothers, Families, and Friends,
As we enter the month of December, we find ourselves surrounded by the spirit of Advent — a time of joyful anticipation, reflection, and renewal. It is a season that invites us to slow down, look inward, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Amid the busyness of our daily lives, the shopping lists, the events, and the noise of the world, let us not forget the true center of this season: the gift of our Savior, born in a humble manger, bringing hope and salvation to all.
Looking back over the past year, I am filled with deep gratitude for each one of you. Our council has continued to embody the principles that define who we are as Knights — charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Through your dedication, generosity, and faith, we have supported our parish, aided families in need, and strengthened the bonds of brotherhood that make Council 4504 such a special part of this community. Whether it was volunteering at our events, attending meetings, lending a hand to a brother Knight, or simply offering a prayer for someone in need, your actions have truly made a difference.
This month, as we celebrate Christmas, let us remember that charity begins at home and extends outward. There are so many around us who may be struggling — families facing hardship, seniors who feel forgotten, and neighbors who need a reminder that they are loved and cared for. I encourage each of you to look for opportunities, big or small, to bring light into someone’s life this season. A kind word, a warm meal, a visit, or a simple act of kindness can mean more than we can ever imagine.
The New Year also gives us a moment to look ahead — to renew our commitment to our mission as Catholic men of faith and action. Let us continue to strengthen our council by inviting new members to join our ranks, by deepening our spiritual lives through prayer and sacraments, and by standing together in service to our Church, our families, and our community. Each of us has a role to play, and together, we can continue to build upon the strong foundation laid by those who came before us.
To our council officers and all those who volunteer their time behind the scenes — thank you. Your leadership, organization, and willingness to serve often go unnoticed, but your efforts keep this council moving forward and thriving. To the families of our Brother Knights — thank you for sharing your husbands, fathers, and sons with us. Your patience, encouragement, and support allow us to carry out our mission with strength and purpose.
As we close out 2025 and prepare for the year ahead, let us do so with hearts full of faith and gratitude. May we continue to walk proudly in the footsteps of Blessed Michael McGivney, inspired by his vision of brotherhood and service. May the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones throughout this holy season and into the New Year.
On behalf of the officers and members of Council 4504, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year filled with joy, health, and hope.
Vivat Jesus!
Eugenio Gonzalez, Jr
Grand Knight, Council 4504
Honorary & Honorary Life Memberships
Our Supreme Council recognizes Brother Knights who have been members of our Order for 25 and 50 years of Continuous Service with Honorary and Honorary Life status and issues special membership cards to them.
Honorary Membership
Members who have attained the actual age of sixty-five years and who have been members of the Order twenty-five consecutive years, shall be designated as Honorary members and shall be exempt from general fund charges, except payment of the sum of State and Supreme Council per capita charges and levies.
These members are still charged a $10.00 per year membership dues to offset the NJ State Per Capita charge that our Council is charged by the NJ State Council.
The Honorary Membership cards will be mailed out in December for those members who qualify with their annual dues notice.
Honorary Life Membership
Members who have attained the actual age of seventy years and who have been members of the Order for twenty-five consecutive years, and those who have been members of the Order for fifty years regardless of age, shall be designated as Honorary Life members, and shall be exempt from further payment of dues, per capita charges and assessments. All priests and members of religious communities, upon taking the First Degree of the Order, shall automatically be designated as Honorary Life members and thereafter shall be exempt from further payment of dues, per capita charges and assessments.
The Honorary Life Membership cards are mailed to each member upon receipt of them by the Financial secretary.
On Wreaths Across America Radio, Michael W. Hale chats with Leonard J Komar Jr. a Wreaths Across America volunteer at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery of Elizabeth, NJ.
Intellectual Disabilities Drive
The Union Knights has begun their Intellectual Disabilities Drive. To date we have had three drives. One at St Michael's and two at Holy Spirit. So far, we have collected $2000.00.
Our goal is to give $1000 to 4 Union County charities:
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Community Access Unlimited,
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ARC of Union County,
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Camp Fatima, and
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Crossroads of Opportunities
We are planning to have more drives in the Spring. For us to fulfill this amount we will need to collect 10 percent over in order to assist the New Jersey State Knights of Columbus with Special Olympics. Each Council in the State of New Jersey is also assisting with this fund. There have been members from other Council to volunteer as Coaches, Timekeepers, Trainers and also assist with cooking and serving throughout the event. If anyone would like to make any donation towards this, you can do so by sending it to Knights of Columbus.
1034 Jeanette Ave
Union NJ 07083
C/O IDD Chairman
P.S. On memo line please put Intellectual Disabilities
Food Drive & Roses for Baptisms
Food Drive
Our council has a food drive throughout the year for needy parishioners at St. Michaels Church and Holy Spirit Church. It also benefits senior citizens in Union and St. Michael's (Union) and St. Joseph's (Elizabeth) Food Pantries.
If you would like to donate non-perishable food or serve in this ministry, please text or call Chuck Cababe at 908-868-8114.
Roses for Baptisms
Our council celebrates life by giving roses to the newly baptized and their families at St. Michaels Church and Holy Spirit Church on the second Sunday of each month and sometimes other Sundays and Saturdays.
If you would like to serve in this outreach, please text or call Chuck Cababe at 908-868-8114.
Knights of Columbus / 4th Degree Apparel...........
If any one is interested in purchasing Knights of Columbus or 4th Degree Apparel, please contact Michael Peter 908-357-5673 or dd18kofcmwp@gmail.com
The store will open for the Knights of Columbus merchandise on the second week of February until the final week of February. The store will open for the 4th Degree items to be processed at the end of February to have at our meeting in March. If there are any questions, please contact the above information.
Coats for Kids
Through a program with the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council we are able to purchase new winter coats for children for both Holy Spirit Parish and St. Michael’s Parish to distribute to children in need of a winter coat.
The cost for a box of 12 new coats is $285 which is less than $25 per coat. Please consider helping our us to purchase new winter coats for those children in need of a warm winter coat this season.
Monetary donations can be sent to our Council home at 134 Jeanette Ave, Union, NJ 07083 Attn: Steve Nagy PGK.
Checks should be made out to Union Knights of Columbus and write Coats for Kids on the memo line.
Or cash donations can be given to Steve Nagy PGK at the December and January Council meetings.
We are accepting donations of any amount that you can send us but please consider donating at least $25 or more to cover the cost of a brand-new coat.
Please indicate if you want your donation to be applied to either Holy Spirit or St. Michael’s Parish. If no Parish is specified, the donation will be split between both Parishes.
For more information, you can contact Steve Nagy PGK with the Union Knights of Columbus at (908) 967-9060 or toys4504@aol.com.
Please help us make a difference in some children's lives this winter with a gift of a warm coat.
Open Position – Financial Secretary
Due to personal commitments our current Financial Secretary Stephen Nagy PGK with not be accepting another three-year appointment. As of June 30,2026, he will vacate his position and our Council will be in need of a replacement for him. Any Third Degree Knight presently in the Union Council that is interested in this position should contact the Grand Knight and Trustees about their desire to be considered for the position of Financial Secretary.
Below is a description of the duties of the Financial Secretary.
Financial Secretary
· Upon recommendation of the grand knight and the trustees, the financial secretary is appointed for a three-year term that is approved by the supreme knight.
· The prospective financial secretary must also complete and submit the Application for Appointment as Financial Secretary.
· Under Section 130 of the Laws of the Order, the financial secretary is automatically bonded in the amount of $5,000. Additional bonding may be provided at a cost of $7 per thousand by contacting the supreme secretary’s office.
· Collects money, in the form of dues, from members. Responsible for sending billing notices and initiating retention measures by providing a list of delinquent members to the grand knight and membership committee to prevent members from being suspended for nonpayment of dues.
· Ensures that the council membership records are updated and that new members sign the constitutional roll.
· Files various reports and membership/ insurance transactions with the Supreme Council Office.
· Responsible for completing and submitting the IRS form 990 for the council (U.S. only).
· Keeps the seal of the council and affixes the same to membership cards, resolutions and other official documents as necessary.
Fraternal Benefits Presentation
At the conclusion of our January Council meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026, our Insurance General Agent, Joseph Donlon, will present a brief presentation on the Fraternal Benefits offered by our Supreme Insurance company and on changes and updates to current policies and offerings to help you protect your future and your family's future. Please plan to attend if you have any insurance-related questions.
JFK Fourth Degree Assembly # 0666
Greetings to readers of this publication.
I have been invited by the publisher to report on News of the JFK assembly 0666. I am Andrew WNUKOWSKI, (Hard to pronounce), Six time Grand Knight of the Hillside JFK council , and currently the Faithful Navigator, (CEO, to those uninitiated) of our assembly, which encompasses, the councils of Union, Springfield, and Hillside. Our Officer staff is composed of Sir Knights belonging to Hillside and Union councils. We hope to include some from Springfield in the future.
The mission of the 4th Degree is support of patriotism and the military and veterans.
Examples of our activities include:
Ceremonial presentations of American flags, as replacements for those worn out or damaged, to Catholic schools and other entities, participation in religious ceremonies of note, in ceremonies celebrating Veterans, deceased and living, seeking funding for and implementing placement of wreaths and flags on veteran’s graves, funding for unidentified and unclaimed deceased veterans, and on and in.
We are pleased for this opportunity to submit our cause to this publication.
May You all have a Blessed, safe and Wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.
2026 Dues Notices
The 2026 Dues Notices will be mailed out starting December 15, 2025.
Member's prompt remittance of their 2026 dues will help save our Council the added expense of having to print and mail Second Notices, Knight Alert Notices and Intent to Retain Notices.
Please note that failure to pay dues for two or more years can result in a member being transferred from Union Council 4504 to the NJ State Affiliate Council.
Officer Installation
Congratulations to the newly installed Officers of Knights of Columbus Council 4504!
On November 16th, at St. Michael’s Church, our council came together for the Installation of Officers ceremony. Surrounded by family, friends, and brother Knights, each officer proudly accepted the responsibility of serving our parish, community, and council with faith, unity, and commitment.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this meaningful event.
JFK Fourth Degree Assembly Flag Presentation
On Friday November 7th, Sir Knights of the JFK Assembly held a Flag replacement ceremony at St. Michael School in Union to retire it's worn Flag. Sir Knights and community members gathered together at 9am. Our Faithful Friar Fr. John Gordon blessed the new flag with the following groups present. The JFK Assembly Color Corp with acting commander SK Raymond PFN and SK Ralph Genova. The Union Fire Department. They were happy to assist in dislodging the old Flag last month, so we were able to replace. Thanks to Filomena Zalewski the School Secretary for organizing the school children to be present and part of the ceremony. Thanks to SK Steve Nagy PGK PFN for organizing this event and for the photos. The old Flag will be properly retired by the VFW Kelly Post Union NJ. God Bless America.
