Monroe Knights of Columbus mark 90 years of service

MONROE - The Monroe Knights of Columbus Council 2079 celebrated its 90 anniversary of service to the community last month, with members taking time to mark the occasion with a party while reemphasizing their commitment the group’s founding principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The national Knights of Columbus organization is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service group, founded in the U.S. in 1882 and named in honor of Christopher Columbus. The group was initially formed to give financial aid to its members and their families. However, educational, charitable, religious, social welfare and other public and civic activities are now among the group’s hallmarks. Membership is limited to “practicing Catholic” men age 18 and older. “We’ve been around for a long time,” said Council 2079 Grand Knight Greg Sobolinsky. “That’s a mark of our success. You’re doing something if you’ve been around for a long time. We’re able to pay our bills and do good things for the community.” Over the years, Sobolinsky estimated between 200 and 300 area men have been members of Council 2079. Together, he added, they “have served the church and done good community work.” Council 2079 aligns itself with St. Patrick’s Church in Highland Mills, St. Anastasia Church in Harriman and Sacred Heart Church in Monroe, he added. People often see the members of the Council 2079 Knights Color Corps — the most visible arm of the Knights of Columbus — in their full regalia. Consisting of a black tuxedo, baldric (a belt worn over the shoulder to carry a sword), cape, white gloves and a feathered naval “chapeau,” members appear at church, community or civic events. These members are Fourth Degree Knights, the highest degree of the Order, and colors on a Fourth Degree Knight’s cape, and chapeau, denote the office held within the Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism and to encourage active Catholic citizenship. By contrast, those First Degree Knights (awarded when men first join) initially focus on the principle of charity. Members involve themselves with work focusing on the Order’s other principles as they advance within the Order: Second Degree Knights (unity) and Third Degree Knights (fraternity), who are then considered full members of the Order and become eligible to join the Fourth Degree. While historical records are limited, Sobolinsky said the original Knights meeting hall, built shortly after Council 2079’s creation in 1919, burned to the ground after an electrical fire. In 1960, a new building was dedicated on Carpenter Place in Monroe and remains the current meeting and social hall for the group. Sobolinsky credited Council 2079’s success to its members and the community which he said has been extremely supportive of the group’s charity work. Council 2079 works the Monroe American Legion Post 488 and the Monroe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8858 in a variety of annual projects and fundraising efforts, including visits and providing meals to Castle Point veterans. “We cooperate with all organizations locally,” Sobolinsky stressed. “It’s nice when you have the support of all organizations working together.” The Council is a co-sponsor for Boy Scout Troop 540 and has many former Eagle scouts as members, according to Sobolinsky. The group issues awards to all Eagle scouts and also provides a meeting location for Monroe Daisy Troop 388. Sobolinsky couldn’t discuss the specific ceremonial or business meeting activities that are restricted to members because of promises all Knights make to not reveal any details except to equally qualified Knights to ensure their impact and meaning for new members. But as Council 2079 prepares for its centennial celebration, Sobolinsky expects to see increased organizational growth . “Join the Knights and give as much as you can or as little as you have time for,” he added. “We have members who we see on occasion and those who are very active. We’re happy to expose you to all the good work we do. Anything good that is going on at any time in the community, we’d like to get involved with as best we can with our resources and manpower.” Monroe Council 2079 Past Grand Knights Hubert J. Goodwin 1920-24 Lawrence A, Bengert - 1924-25 Henry W. Rooney 1925-27 Elmer C. Goodwin 1927-28 Hubert J. Goodwin 1928-29 Frank Stevens 1929-32 Henry W. Rooney 1933-34 Louis J. Doyle 1934-37 John C. Lee 1937-39 Joseph A. Leonard 1939-41 Theodore Calvert 1941-42 Edward J. Bucher 1942-44 Robert T. Oldfield 1944-45 J. F. Moran 1945-49 Gerald S. Henry 1949-50 F. Gessner 1950-51 Philip W. Oddo 1951-53 James Ebner 1953-54 G.R. Wettlin 1954-56 John E. Crozier 1956-58 John Gardephe 1958-59 John A. Schlotter 1959-61 James A. Amore 1961-62 John E. Crozier 1962-63 Vincent J. Hennessy 1963-64 James A. Amore 1964-65 Vincent J. Hennessy 1965-67 Jaques Helfert 1967-69 Owen Ridgley 1969-70 Anthony C. Grasso 1970-71 Frank R. Catania 1971-72 Alfred S. Merenda 1972-73 Thomas J. Boyle 1973-74 James F. Conway 1974-75 Vencent Hennessy 1975 -76 Charles Thomas 1976-77 Charles J. Boelke 1977-78 George Schott 1978-80 John Golembiewski 1980-81 Henry Silva 1981-82 James Farrell 1982-83 James Murray 1982-83 Owen Ridgley 1983-84 Santo DeGennaro 1984-86 Jack Alfano 1986-88 Robert Dembia 1988-90 Eugene Droll 1990-91 Norbert Grunau 1991-92 James M. Amore 1992-93 Francis L. D’Elia 1993-95 Thomas F. Ladka 1995-98 Christopher Clones 1998-99 James Heuberger 1999-00 Paul A. Roman 2001-03 Daniel J. McNatnee 2003-05 John J.Kelly 2005-07 Jerry Albertie 2007-09

Interested in joining?
The Monroe Knights of Columbus Council 2079 is always looking for new members.
To learn how you can join and be a part of the group’s many community and civic activities, call 782-2179.