NORWALK—Norwalk’s Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council 14360 has many traditions but helping veterans and children in need is at the top of the list.
The council began the Holiday on Thanksgiving Eve by leading the Rosary during the 24 hours of adoration then they celebrated Mass on Thanksgiving Day at the Parish in full regalia as well as members of the council who also were in the procession along with other ministries and organization of the parish. The Council as well as the Catholic Daughters of the America’s St. Matthew Court 2640 provided and delivered a full Thanksgiving meal for the residents of Homes for the Brave for the 6th consecutive year. In addition, Grand Knight Scott Criscuolo, Past Grand Knight George Ribellino helped serve the meal along with George’s wife Heather and daughter Mia. “Our men and women both loved the food and we could not be more appreciative. What a blessing St. Matthew Council #14360 and Catholic Daughters Court 2640 have been to us. Your Thanksgiving visit and the meal you delivered was a wonderful blessing,” said Homes for the Brave CEO/Executive Director, Vince Santilli.
The day after Thanksgiving has become known as “Black Friday”, with many shoppers rushing about in search of the best deals on everything from clothing to televisions. This Black Friday for the fourth consecutive year, some members of Knights of Columbus Council 14360 spent part of their day helping those with limited funds to stay warm and happy this winter along with Brother Knights from Norwalk Council 46 and New Canaan Council 2287 and Westport Assumption Council 3688. In addition, K of C Bishop Fenwick 4th Assembly 100 joined forces to supply coats.
Brothers handed out coats for children in need at St. Joseph Church in South Norwalk as part of the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids initiative. The coats were purchased by the four K of C Councils and 4th Degree Assembly with money generated from the council’s respective fundraising activities.
The Knights of Columbus launched the coats initiative (designed to keep kids warm in harsh winter climates) in 2009. With many families with young children struggling in tough economic times, there was a clear need to provide warm winter coats to children in their communities. And so, the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program was born.
Since the program’s inception, the Knights of Columbus in the United States and Canada has given around 500,000 coats to children in need. Last year over 5,000 coats were distributed in various areas in Connecticut. Approximately 2,000 local Knights of Columbus councils have participated in their communities around the world. “This is the fourth year that local Knights councils collaborated to give away coats. This year we gave over 150 coats. It is an honor to help children keep warm this winter,” said Council 14360 member and CT State Knights of Columbus District Deputy George Ribellino. In addition, 2 cases of coats were delivered to the Open Door Shelter in Norwalk.
The Council wrapped up the long weekend by helping deliver a donated freezer to Malta House in Norwalk and stringing the lights on the St. Matthew Church campus. “It’s great to see Knights and parishioners help decorate our beautiful parish grounds for the season of Advent,” said Council 14360 Grand Knight Scott Criscuolo.
The goals of the Knights of Columbus Council at Saint Matthew Church in Norwalk are 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. Council members work together to foster the founding principles of our order; Charity, Unity, Fraternity & Patriotism. Our goal as a council is to continue to identify specific needs in our community and muster support and help to alleviate these challenges and hardships to the best of our abilities and resources.
For more information, please go to www.saintmatthewknights.com.
