Middle Atlantic

Fourth Degree Knights provide an honor guard at a Mass honoring Servant of God Father Vincent Capodanno Sept. 3 at the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. More than 40 Knights from area councils attended the Mass, which was sponsored by Catholics in the Military. Father Capodanno, a U.S. Navy chaplain serving with the Marines, was killed while ministering to soldiers in Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA)

Father Andrew White Assembly in Ridge provided an honor guard for Auxiliary Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Washington, D.C., as he blessed boats and attendees at the area's annual blessing of the fleet. The bishop and Knights boarded a working replica of HMS Dove, which carried them to St. Clements Island, site of the first Mass in Maryland, celebrated by Father White in 1634. Bishop Knestout is a member of Father Rosensteel Council 2169 in Silver Spring.

Father Horace B. McKenna Council 11024 in Germantown supports Mother Seton parish by selling car magnets urging prayers for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's intercession. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized. The car magnets read "St. Elizabeth Ann Seton — 1st American-Born Saint — Pray for Us" and feature an image of her.

St. Mary's Council 2346 in Nutley held a dance for area fifth- and sixth-grade students to benefit cystic fibrosis research and a local food pantry. The event raised $450 and three boxes of nonperishable food items.

The 2009 Joseph A. Cleary Golf Tournament, sponsored by Ocean City Council 2560, raised $23,400 for two charitable organizations. The funds were split evenly between the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and K of C Charities.

Father Patrick F. Pindar Council 3962 in Ramsey honored their pastor, Msgr. Lawrence Cull, on the occasion of his 40th ordination anniversary. Msgr. Cull is also a member of Council 3962.

Blessed Mother Seton Council 5410 in Flanders hosted an Italian dinner-dance at St. Lawrence the Martyr Church that was attended by more than 125 people. Proceeds from the event were added to the council's charitable fund.

Joseph F. Lamb Council 5510 in Oak Ridge hosted a baby bottle fund drive that raised $2,500 for Birth Haven, a shelter for women in crisis pregnancies.

Greg Gibson prepares to throw his horseshoe during a tournament hosted by Ramapo Valley Council 5846 in Oakland. More than 120 players competed in the day's competition, which also included food, beverages and raffles. In total, the tournament raised $12,700 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Father Joseph A. Cassidy Council 6100 in Budd Lake raised $4,000 during the council's annual fund drive for people with intellectual disabilities. The funds were distributed among several local organizations.

Cristo Redentor Council 7814 in Mount Holly hosted a baby bottle drive at Christ the Redeemer Church that raised more than $1,800 for the Choices of the Heart Foundation. The foundation provides ultrasounds to women in crisis pregnancies who may be considering an abortion.

St. Bernadette Council 8478 in Parlin hosted a pizza party for 19 parish altar servers and their families. Knights congratulated the young people and presented each with a certificate of appreciation.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 10206 in Wayne held its annual drive for Alzheimer's research Oct. 15-18. A total of 20 Knights collected $2,000 over the four-day period.

Sancta Familia Council 11498 in Blackwood donated $1,500 to St. John of God Community Services at a meeting honoring the organization's employees. St. John of God Community Services provides special education, vocational and habilitative services for people with disabilities in southern New Jersey. Since their partnership began, Knights have donated more than $18,000 to the organization.

Mary Immaculate Council 12769 in Secaucus volunteered at the parish picnic hosted by Immaculate Conception Church. Knights and their families worked every facet of the event, which raised more than $500 for the parish. The council also organized a life chain on Oct. 4, Respect Life Sunday.

The Knights of Columbus Suffolk County Chapter raised $7,500 for the Stony Brook University Medical Center during the Knights' annual fund drive. The donation is specifically earmarked for the center's "Sunrise Fund," which provides aid to children with cancer.

Members of Father John M. Grady Council 503 in Port Chester and their families participated in a rosary procession Oct. 4. After the procession ended, council members enjoyed a fraternal lunch together.

Monroe Council 2079 held a pasta dinner that raised $450 for three Eagle Scout projects undertaken by Boy Scout Troop 540, which the council also sponsors.

Father Joseph O'Connell Council 3481 in Oceanside hosted a benefit gala that raised $24,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs and services to severely injured soldiers and their families while they transition back into civilian life.

Precious Blood Council 5147 in Bath donated $3,500 to its parish youth group to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City.

St. Anastasia Council 5911 in Little Neck hosted its annual fund drive for people with intellectual disabilities. Proceeds from the drive were donated to New York Special Olympics.

St. Paul the Apostle Council 6802 in Brookville held its annual AutoFest car show. The event attracted nearly 500 classic and custom cars, along with approximately 1,000 spectators. Knights raised more than $10,000 for charity and honored Julius "JT" Freeman, an original Tunskegee Airman, who was presented with a special plaque.

Hampton Bays Council 7023 sold roses after Mass at St. Rosalie's Church, raising more than $1,300 for Birthright of Peconic. The council also held a carnival for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. More than 250 people attended the event.

Members of St. Jude the Apostle Council 10758 in Rochester designed, purchased and constructed an outdoor Stations of the Cross at their parish.

Mother Marianne Cope Council 14260 at Syracuse University co-sponsored a lecture by New York Times and Washington Post national religion writer Gustav Niebuhr for the students of the university's Catholic campus ministry program. Niebuhr gave a lecture titled "Catholicism and the Modern Media: The Church in the Era of Instant Information" at the Alibrandi Catholic Center Sept. 30.

Knights Ron Cubbage (left) and Fourth Degree Master Gordon A. Jeffers look on while Cardinal Justin F. Rigali of Philadelphia blesses a series of St. John Vianney reliquaries and icons. Knights will transport the icons and reliquaries to 269 parishes and 45 high schools and universities throughout the archdiocese during the Year for Priests initiated by Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Rigali is a member of Bishops Council 10490 in St. Louis, Mo. Also pictured is Msgr. John McIntyre, secretary to the cardinal. (Photo by Sara Webb, courtesy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia)

Middletown Council 3501 held its first parish crab festival. Knights worked alongside the parish youth group to serve crab cakes, corn on the cob and refreshments to nearly 100 guests. The event raised $1,000 for the council's charitable fund.