By Ron Kuzlik
NORWALK – The Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick 4th Degree Assembly 100 held its 6th Annual Patriot Dinner April 13 at the Great Room at St Matthew Church in Norwalk.
Over 150 guests attended the event, including Brother Knights from Assembly 100 as well as St. Matthew parishioners and members of the American Legion posts from Norwalk and Stamford.
Guests of honor included Knights of Columbus District Master for Connecticut Kevin Donovan, Vice Supreme Master Duane Belanger from Bishop Healey Province, Susan Cavanagh from House of Heroes Connecticut and Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100 Chaplain Fr. Reggie Norman.
Other clergy present were St. Matthew Pastor Fr. Frank Hoffman, Parochial Vicar Fr. Ignacio Ortigas, and retired Msgr. John Sabia.
Assembly Chaplain Fr. Reggie Norman said the opening prayer.
Featured speaker was retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Jeff DeWitt who currently serves as the First Vice Commander for Frank C. Godfrey American Legion Post 12 in Norwalk.
“The Knights of Columbus have chosen to embrace the Order’s fourth principle of Patriotism,” DeWitt said. “The Knights embody the Catholic faith and citizenship in a proud way.”
Chaplain Norman, along with Faithful Navigator George Ribellino, presented a check for $2,000 to House for Heroes CT (HOH CT).
House of Heroes CT Executive Director Carol May explained, “The mission of House of Heroes is to recognize, honor and serve military and public safety veterans for their sacrificial service to our country.”
House of Heroes CT focuses on those that are disabled, living on a fixed income or facing other physical/financial challenges.
According to May, 227 veterans’ home repair projects have been completed since its inception in 2012.
“We do this by completing one day no-cost home repairs to keep veterans safely in their own homes.”
Dinner was prepared by Brother Knight Jetmir Daka of Leonardo’s Pizza in Norwalk.
The menu consisted of garlic knots, penne vodka, meatballs, chicken cutlet parmigiana, eggplant rollatini, desert and a cash bar.
Faithful Navigator George Ribellino expressed his appreciation to the two dozen Brother Knights from Assembly 100 that assisted in the set-up, cooking, serving and subsequent clean-up.
“I am so thankful to my Brother Sir Knights for helping make this dinner a success,” Ribellino said. “It takes a great team to make an event like this so successful.”
The event was made possible by donations from Riverside Cemetery (Gold Sponsor) and B.J. Ryan’s EAST Restaurant (Silver Sponsor) in Norwalk.
“The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus does a lot of charitable work,” St. Matthew Pastor Fr. Hoffman said.
“Events like this are important because it’s a part of how the Knights of Columbus contribute to the parish and the community in general.”
For more information on Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100 go to: http://www.kofc46.org/fourthDegree.php and for more on House of Heroes CT go to: https://www.hohct.org/
