St Matthew Knights Spruce Up Playgrounds at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy
NORWALK—Summer is usually a time for rest and relaxation but need knows no season so that is why the St. Matthew Knights of Columbus make sure to help whenever it is needed.
On Saturday, August 8th the council hitched up their work boots, grabbed their rakes and wheel barrows, and went to work on beautifying the ground of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy. The Knights, parents and students spread over 70 yards of mulch for their playgrounds and gardens. As schools prepare to come back in person after three plus months of distance learning and summer break it is important to spruce up the grounds for the children and make the school a welcoming and warm place.
“Anything we can do to help make the return to school even a little bit better especially during these unpredictable times is a great thing,” said Council Grand Knight Anthony Armentano.
It was a large job made much easier by a large turnout from the Knights, who assisted some parents and students from OLF Catholic Academy. St. Matthew Knight’s member AJ Cossuto of AJ’s Landscaping Service, LLC donated his equipment to help move the mulch to the two playgrounds. “We are so thankful for Brother AJ’s generosity in donating his time and equipment to this project, said Council Past Grand Knight and project chairman George Ribellino.
This is the third year Council 14360 has assisted Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy and has become an annual council event Carmel Bowron, one of the parents at OLF Catholic Academy, reached out to the St. Matthew Knights in 2018 since she was familiar with their work at St. Matthew Church, All Saints Catholic School, Notre Dame Health and Rehabilitation Center and Malta House. Ribellino went on to say, “Our council loves to help the local community and we are always ready for put ‘Faith in Action’ and assist those in need.”
Grand Knight Anthony Armentano praised his brothers for their efforts. “I am so proud and thankful of my Brother Knights for always answering the challenge by helping those in need. They never back down from a challenge big or small.
The council uses the various talents of the members to take on large cleaning, repair and landscaping projects including remodeling a chapel, painting of rooms at Malta House and the mulching/landscaping projects at the local Catholic Schools and Notre Dame Health and Rehab Center. The Council just finished a major painting project at Regina Pacis Academy in Norwalk.
“Catholic Schools are struggling financially and have limited budgets so if we can provide labor to help save on costs, we are honored to do it, “said Ribellino.
The Council is planning to help paint the office at the school in the next few weeks.
“It’s what Knights do, Leave No Neighbor Behind,” said Armentano.
The mission of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy is to provide, in a creative atmosphere, a child-centered education of academic excellence for our students from Preschool through 8th grade. It is based on Catholic principles and traditional Christian values supported by strong family commitment. For more information go to olfacademy.org.
The goal of the Knights of Columbus Council at Saint Matthew Church in Norwalk is to perform acts of charity, providing those in need with a range of support from financial to tactical help in dealing with a wide variety of challenges.
(For more information, visit saintmatthewknights.com.)
