SHELTON—Knights of Columbus councils are known for serving the greater good of their parishes and local communities, and many times they work as individual councils. Four years ago, Councils 14360 at St. Matthew Norwalk and 11077 at Our Lady of the Assumption Fairfield discovered if they joined together to work on a major project, they could do even more for both of their parishes and communities. This realization led to the two councils hosting a charity golf tournament which started in 2016.
The two councils once again came together to host the 5th Annual Sword & Shield Charity Golf Classic on June 14, 2021. After having to cancel the event in 2020 due to the pandemic, there was a high demand for this year’s tournament as it was a sold-out event. Even though there was a threat of bad weather, the foursomes were able to get in a full 18 holes of golf under grey skies at Brownson Country Club in the Huntington section of Shelton. The golfers enjoyed a phenomenal buffet breakfast before heading out to play and finished the day with and a great buffet dinner which included prime rib, along with awards and raffles, including autographed sports memorabilia, a 65-inch TV and Yankees/Red Sox tickets at Fenway Park. Both councils worked hard for nearly a year to raise funds for the organizations they support.
“Over the past year we have looked for signs of recovery and it was wonderful to see 100 golfers and a few extra friends and family come together all in the name of charity. I am thankful for everyone who made this day happen and I look forward to all we can do as a result of today, ” said Council 14360 Grand Knight Anthony Armentano.
Representatives from three of the organizations were present and spoke about their respective organizations at the event. CEO Vince Santilli spoke about ABRI/Homes for the Brave, which provides safe housing, vocational training and job placement, mental health and addiction services, and life skills coaching to help individuals, especially Veterans, leave homelessness behind. Members of Malta House’s board attended and golfed in the event. Carey Dougherty explained about the mission of Malta House which promotes the dignity of God-given life by providing a nurturing home environment, support services and independent living skills to pregnant and parenting mothers of all faiths and their children. Gerard Agoglia explained that Off the Streets, serves the homeless & at-risk-of-becoming-homeless in Connecticut. OTS provides much-needed security deposits & simple household basics (furnishings & necessities) for eligible candidates that gets them off the streets and into a permanent home.
“It is so nice to see representatives from the organizations that both councils assist every year speak at the tournament and it also informs the attendees on how they are making a difference by having a fun day. It puts everything we do into perspective, said Sword & Shield Charity Golf Classic co-chairman and St. Matthew Council member George Ribellino, Jr.
Father Peter Cipriani, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption and Father Jeff Couture, pastor of St Matthew both took part in the event. Father Peter has a foursome every year and Father Jeff recently named pastor of St. Matthew attended for the first time and joined the golf committee by selling mulligans and raffle tickets.
“We appreciate the support from our parishes and pastors. Father Jeff jumped in right away and had fun selling mulligan and raffle tickets,” said Ribellino.
The Tournament is supported by many local businesses who bought sponsorships including AJ’s Landscaping Services, Financial Advisory Services, MBI Inc and Spotted Horse Tavern (Shelton).
Co-Chairman Greg Matera from Council 11077 was also thrilled with how things went, “I am proud of our committee, volunteers, councils and the many people who work for over seven months each year to put on this event. Even the threat of rain at this year’s tournament could not change the excitement everyone had in golfing and enjoying the day after a long year.”
Since the event was such a success again this year, the Knights Councils will be booking 6th Annual Sword & Shield Classic at Brownson Country Club in Huntington, Conn. in June 2021.
Other organizations the councils help support include Al’s Angels, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Disabled American Veterans, and Family & Children’s Agency. The tournament has raised over $110,000 over the last five years to use for it charitable works.
The goal of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 14360 at St. Matthew Parish and Our Lady of the Assumption Parish 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 swordshieldgolf.com.)
