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 Council 14360 make sure to help whenever it is needed. The council has a tradition of assisting local Catholic schools with various projects to get ready for the upcoming school year.
On Saturday, August 7, the council went to work on beautifying the science playground at All Saints Catholic School. The Knights spread over 80 yards of mulch. As schools prepare to come back after the 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.
On Saturday, August 14, the Council 14360 mulching crew headed to Wilton to help their friends at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy in Wilton. It was a large job made much easier by a large turnout from the Knights, along with parents and students from OLF Catholic Academy. St. Matthew Knight’s member AJ Cossuto of AJ’s Landscaping Service, LLC donated his equipment once again 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 fourth 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 parish. “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 has done major projects in the past such as painting all of the classrooms and hallways at Regina Pacis Academy in Norwalk and the renovation of the chapel at the Notre Dame Health and Rehabilitation Center Convent Chapel.
“If we can provide labor to help save on costs, we are honored to do it,” said Ribellino. The Council always tells the schools to reach out if they need help at any time.
“It’s what Knights do, ‘Leave No Neighbor Behind.’ It was a great way to honor our founder Blessed Michael McGivney who’s feast day was on August 13,” said Armentano.
The goal of the Knights of Columbus Council at St. 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 kofc14360.net)
