Knights of Columbus

Knights of Columbus located in Union, NJ. We support charitable organizations as well as St. Michael's and Holy Spirit churches. Eugenio Gonzalez Grand Knight " Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” – Mother Teresa Knight Digest I couldn't figure out why the baseball kept getting larger. Answer The Nominating committee for 2026 / 2027 officer positions will be comprised of GK Gino Gonzalez, John Bashaw, PGK – Phil Cababe and Bill Young. Please reach out to anyone on the committee if you wish to be nominated for an officers position. The IDD Drive collections will be held NEXT weekend 5/1 and 5/2 at both St. Michael's and Holy Spirit - after ALL masses. Your participation by volunteering to collect donations for our charities at the conclusion of the mass you attend would be greatly appreciated. The collection boxes will be available in the vestibule of both churches. 2026 Convention - (May 15th - May 18th) See Mike Peter to reserve room s . Banquet Hall Rental Looking to rent a hall for your next celebration, meeting event or social get-together? Be sure to click the button below, enter your details, and someone will get back to you about the availability and further details. Banquet Hall Rental Request

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Learn about the Knights of Columbus About the Knights of Columbus VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND INSURANCE As the Order has grown, its benevolence has multiplied. The Order continues to break all previous records for charitable contributions and volunteer service. In the past decade, the Knights donated nearly $1 billion to numerous charitable causes and nearly 400 million hours of volunteer service. In 1998 alone, the Knights donated an all-time high of more than $110 million and 55 million volunteer hours to charitable causes. Father McGivney's founding vision for the Order also included establishing a life insurance program to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members. The Order's insurance program has expanded substantially to serve more effectively the Knights' growing membership. Year after year, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest possible quality ratings for financial soundness from A.M. Best and Standard & Poors. The Order provides the highest quality insurance and annuity products to its members, along with many other fraternal benefits. CHARITY, UNITY, FRATERNITY, AND PATRIOTISM Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today. If you want to join this great organization of Catholic men, it is likely that there is a local council near you. There you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order: striving in charitable works; serving the Church and unified in following its teachings; supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs; acting for the good of their country; and giving aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor. This is Father McGivney's dream, echoing across the century, and living today in the hearts of his brothers and all of those they touch. The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church. The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents, and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement, and aid to those in need. As recently as 1992, Mother Teresa of Calcutta praised the Knights in a speech on the occasion of her reception of the first Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award. Thanks to the inspired work of Father McGivney—as well as that of millions of other Knights over the past century—the Knights of Columbus now stands at its pinnacle of membership, benefits, and service. Currently, there are over 1.6 million Knights of Columbus—more than ever before in our Order's history. Together with their families, the Knights are nearly 6 million strong. In addition, from the first local council in New Haven, the Order has grown to more than 12,000 councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Each year, the Order continues this strong growth.

Knight Digest Knight Digest Knight Digest Knight Digest Council #4504 1034 Jeanette Avenue Union, New Jersey 07083 (908-686-4504 Join our mailing list Email* Subscribe The Nominating committee for 2026 / 2027 officer positions will be comprised of GK Gino Gonzalez, John Bashaw, PGK – Phil Cababe and Bill Young. Please reach out to anyone on the committee if you wish to be nominated for an officers position. The IDD Drive collections will be held NEXT weekend 5/1 and 5/2 at both St. Michael's and Holy Spirit - after ALL masses. Your participation by volunteering to collect donations for our charities at the conclusion of the mass you attend would be greatly appreciated. The collection boxes will be available in the vestibule of both churches. Knights convention in Wildwood, NJ May 14-17. $130 per night $50 one time payment for Hospitality Room – See Mike Peter or Anthony Spina. Sir Knight Raymond Gora, PFN Recipient of The Chapel of Four Chaplains Award On February 1st, Sir Knight Raymond Gora, PFN was honored with The Chapel of Four Chaplains Award, presented in recognition of extraordinary service to community, country, and faith. He was nominated by the Vietnam Veterans Association for his lifelong commitment to helping others. Military Service Ray served in the United States Marine Corps (1967–1969), including 16 months in Da Nang, Vietnam. His distinguished service earned him numerous honors: Nomination for Marine of the Month Combat Action Ribbon Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V” Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1969 device Meritorious promotion to Sergeant He later received the State of New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal and the Vietnam 25th Anniversary Commemorative Medal. From 1968–1975, Ray sponsored an orphan, Nguyen thi Cong, at the China Beach Orphanage—an enduring act of compassion that reflects his character. Faith & Ministry Ray has been a lecturer at St. Adalbert Church in Elizabeth since 1984. He taught catechism for 10 years, preparing students for Confirmation. He has also served as a substitute chaplain at: Martland Medical Center (now UMDNJ) Presbyterian Hospital, Newark Whenever the full‑time chaplain was unavailable, Ray stepped in to provide spiritual care and comfort. Humanitarian & Community Service Ray’s service extends far beyond his parish: International Mission Work He volunteered in Bolivia (13,000 ft elevation), providing medical care with supplies from the Catholic Medical Mission Board. His work included treating: Wounds and infections Intestinal worms Tuberculosis Yellow fever Hospice & Local Aid Served 15 years on the Board of Trustees of Hudson Hospice, Inc. Helped distribute 7.5 million pounds of food to 53,785 households across multiple New Jersey communities Supported events offering free COVID‑19 testing and vaccinations Public Service From 2008–2023, Ray served as Senior Program Development Specialist for Union County’s Department of Human Services, managing $65 million in HUD grants to support homeless disabled individuals, families, and veterans. Knights of Columbus Following in the footsteps of his father, Thaddeus, Ray joined the Union Council: 3rd Degree – 11/24/1976 4th Degree – 4/22/2012 He immediately joined the Color Corps, faithfully attending wakes, Masses, and parades. His dedication has earned him: Knight of the Year (Council level) Senior Citizen of the Year (State level) As Faithful Navigator (2024–2025), Ray introduced Adoration before each meeting, strengthening the spiritual life of the assembly. He continues to support the assembly generously, including providing dinner after meetings. A Life of Service Ray’s life reflects the very ideals honored by the Chapel of Four Chaplains—selflessness, courage, and unwavering devotion to others. A heartfelt thank‑you to his wife Lilliama and his family for sharing Ray with the community, the Church, and our country. Congratulations, Sir Knight Raymond Gora, PFN. Your example inspires us all. Honorary & Honorary Life Memberships The Supreme Council recognizes Brother Knights who have reached 25 and 50 years of continuous service by granting Honorary and Honorary Life status. Eligible members receive special membership cards acknowledging their dedication to the Order. Honorary Membership Brother Knights are designated Honorary Members when they meet the following criteria: Age: 65 years or older Membership: 25 consecutive years in the Order Honorary Members are exempt from general fund charges, except for State and Supreme Council per capita assessments. To cover the New Jersey State Per Capita charge, Honorary Members are assessed $10.00 per year in dues. Honorary Membership cards are mailed each December to qualifying members along with their annual dues notice. Honorary Life Membership A Brother Knight is designated an Honorary Life Member when he meets either of the following: Age 70 with 25 consecutive years of membership 50 consecutive years of membership, regardless of age Honorary Life Members are fully exempt from: Council dues State and Supreme Council per capita charges All assessments Additionally, all priests and members of religious communities automatically receive Honorary Life status upon taking their First Degree and are permanently exempt from dues and assessments. Honorary Life Membership cards are mailed to each member as soon as they are received by the Financial Secretary. Intellectual Disabilities Drive Intellectual Disabilities Drive Intellectual Disabilities Drive Intellectual Disabilities Drive The Union Knights have begun this year’s Intellectual Disabilities Drive, and we are grateful for the generosity shown by our parish communities. To date, we have held three drives—one at St. Michael’s and two at Holy Spirit—collecting a total of $2,000.00. Our Goal We aim to donate $1,000 each to the following four Union County charities: Community Access Unlimited ARC of Union County Camp Fatima Crossroads of Opportunities These organizations provide essential support and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Supporting Special Olympics To fully meet our goal, we must collect an additional 10% beyond the $4,000 total. This extra amount will help support the New Jersey State Knights of Columbus Special Olympics Program. Across the state, Knights volunteer as: Coaches Timekeepers Trainers Cooks and servers during events Every council in New Jersey participates in this effort, and your support strengthens these statewide initiatives. More Drives Coming This Spring We will continue our fundraising efforts with additional drives in the spring. Your participation—whether through volunteering or donating—helps us reach more families and expand our charitable impact. How to Donate If you would like to contribute to the Intellectual Disabilities Drive, donations may be sent to: Knights of Columbus (Include your council name in the memo line) Your generosity directly supports individuals and families in our community. 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 Ministry Our council supports a year‑round food drive to assist needy parishioners at St. Michael’s Church and Holy Spirit Church. This ongoing effort also benefits senior citizens in Union, as well as the St. Michael’s (Union) and St. Joseph’s (Elizabeth) Food Pantries. Your generosity helps ensure that families and seniors in our community never go without essential food items. How to Help If you would like to donate non‑perishable food or volunteer in this ministry, please contact: Chuck Cababe 📱 908‑868‑8114 (call or text) Roses for Baptisms Our council celebrates the gift of life by presenting roses to the newly baptized and their families at St. Michael’s Church and Holy Spirit Church. This joyful outreach takes place on the second Sunday of each month, and occasionally on additional Saturdays and Sundays as needed. This simple gesture brings warmth, welcome, and encouragement to families beginning their child’s journey of faith. How to Serve If you would like to participate in this beautiful ministry, please contact: Chuck Cababe 📱 908‑868‑8114 (call or text) 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. Knights of Columbus / 4th Degree Apparel........... If any one is interested in purchasing Knights of Columbus or 4th Degree Apparel, please contact Michael Peter at 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 Program Through a special program offered by the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, our council is able to purchase brand‑new winter coats for children in need within Holy Spirit Parish and St. Michael’s Parish. These coats are distributed directly to families who need help keeping their children warm during the winter season. How You Can Help A box of 12 new coats costs $285, which is less than $25 per coat. Your support—whether large or small—helps ensure that every child has a warm coat this winter. We gratefully accept donations of any amount, but we encourage those who are able to consider donating $25 or more to cover the cost of one brand‑new coat. How to Donate By Mail Send monetary donations to: Union Knights of Columbus 134 Jeanette Ave Union, NJ 07083 Attn: Steve Nagy, PGK Please make checks payable to: Union Knights of Columbus Write “Coats for Kids” on the memo line. In Person Cash donations may be given to Steve Nagy, PGK at the Council meetings. Parish Designation If you would like your donation to support a specific parish, please indicate: Holy Spirit Parish, or St. Michael’s Parish If no parish is specified, your donation will be split evenly between both. More Information For questions or additional details, please contact: Steve Nagy, PGK 📞 (908) 967‑9060 📧 toys4504@aol.com Help Us Make a Difference Your generosity helps us provide the gift of warmth to children who need it most. Thank you for helping us make a meaningful impact this winter. 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. 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.

CONTACT US Phone: 908-212-1593 1034 Jeanette Ave. Union, New Jersey 07083 Have Questions or Suggestions? Success! Message received. Send If you are inquiring about our Hall Rental , please submit the following form: https://www.kofc4504.org/hall-rental

Swim Club Swim Club Officers Michael Harms, President Michelle Schultz - Treasurer Marisol Harms - Assistant Treasurer Frank Santangelo - Comptroller Allen Pascullo - Recorder Board Members Ann Hart Phil Cababe Jason Hamilton Jim Deluca Membership Michele Schultz Marisol Harms Council Representative Phillip Cababe, GK Columbian Club Representative Alex Rivera 2023 Pool Information https://www.uniontownship.com/970/Columbian-Swim-Club

Bowling Union Council #4504 Bowling League Location: Linden Lanes Day: Thursdays Time: 6:00 P.M. On behalf of the Program Director, there is a league that meets every Thursday from September 8th to May 18th. at Linden Lanes with 6 pm Practice, and bowls three games of 3 man teams or women or mixed. At the moment we have 13 teams. It would be great to have a 14th. The League is a 90% Handicap. 36-week season, $25 dollars a week. The prize money will be distributed at the end of the season which is half of the money collected, Please contact Michael Peter if interested in joining. Dd18kofcmwp@gmail.com Anyone interested in bowling should contact Mike Peter 908-759-3588 or d18kofcmwp@gmail.com

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Council 4504 History Special THANK YOU to Tim Leary and Maureen Leary Wabnitz, son and daughter of Howard Leary, for preserving this piece of Council 4504 history.

* Denotes Deceased PAST GRAND KNIGHTS 1957-1959 - Howard Leary * 1959-1960 - John Zimmerman * 1960-1961 - Thomas Crimmins * 1961-1962 - George Arnold * 1962-1963 - James Confroy * 1963-1964 - William Taylor * 1964-1965 - Frank Dickerson * 1965-1966 - Warren Hehl * 1966-1967 - Walter Wasowski * 1967-1968 - J. Russell Coen * 1968-1969 - Henry F. Skarbek, Jr. * 1969-1970 - Julian "Jules" Pruszkowski * 1970-1971 - Robert Armstrong * 1971-1972 - Dominick Clementoni * 1972-1973 - Barney Capriglione * 1973-1974 - Michael Tomko * 1974-1975 - John Winters * 1975-1976 - Andrew Popp 1976-1977 - James Moran * 1977-1978 - Kenneth Pinney * 1978-1979 - Roy Trupiano * 1979-1980 - Julius Kiss * 1980-1981 - James Johnson * 1981-1982 - Roger Schur 1982-1983 - Henry Mey 1983-1984 - Thomas Hornig * 1984-1985 - Lonnie Pannucci 1985-1986 - Michael Ward 1986-1987 - Thomas McGarvey * 1987-1988 - Paul Sandy 1988-1989 - Michael Carr 1989-1990 - Michael Gasser 1990-1991 - Robert Pfarr * 1991-1992 - Donald Pfarr 1992-1993 - James O'Connell 1993-1994 - Raymond Fluet 1994-1995 - Robert Wozniak 1995-1996 - Ernie Santorelli 1996-1997 - Raymond Pruszkowski 1997-1998 - Lawrence Killmer 1998-1999 - Richard Esposito 1999-2000 - Kevin Collins 2000-2002 - Clarence Cunningham 2002-2004 - Michael Cavallo 2004-2005 - Joseph DeMarco * 2005-2006 - Harry Lupo * 2006-2007 - Buddy Cotter 2007-2008 - Andy Schopfer 2008-2009 - Mike Peter 2009-2010 - Robert Salvatore 2010-2011 - Joseph Burlew 2011-2012 - Andy Schopfer 2012-2013 - Alex Costa 2013-2014 - Steve Nagy 2014-2015 - Ed McCormick 2015-2016 - Greg Henn 2016-2017 - Giftus John 2017-2019 - Michael Willemse 2019-2020 - David Wozniak 2020-2021 - Leonard Komar Jr. 2021-2022 - Phillip Cababe 2022-2024 - Gerry Aponte * 2024-2025 - Joseph Burlew

Brothers in Service In 2010 the Council gathered together any member who served in World War II. They were asked to bring a service photo with them. Below is a montage of these photos. WWII Service