Bishop receives vocation donations from Knights
By Jim Shea
Correspondent
Recalling how much he enjoyed a similar ceremony 20 years ago in which he became a first degree Knight of Columbus, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski urged new members in Chapter Four, St. Andrew’s Parish, Avenel, Oct. 24 to “enter into it and your life will be changed and become much richer.”
Father Randall J. Vashon, diocesan director, Office of Vocations, and Father Jose M. Marcello, extern priest, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, were among those inducted in the first degree ceremony.
In addition, State Deputy Reginald F. Beckett of Haddon Heights presented Bishop Bootkoski that evening with a donation of $1,000 on behalf of the state council for vocations in the diocese, and $1,000 from the National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities for the bishop’s charity.
“God bless you, the 34 new members and two priests who entered our order tonight. Welcome aboard. It’s great to be with you,” said Bishop Bootkoski, who was the honored guest.
“Some of the finest men in our parishes in this area of the state are members of this fraternity. You will meet brother Knights. It’s a wonderful experience to see young blood and old blood mixing together, and really being there for each other. It’s a great fraternity. I’ve really enjoyed it over the years.”
Father Michael J. McGivney helped found the order in New Haven, Conn. The Knights of Columbus was incorporated in 1882 and is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization, according to its archives.
“You have a wonderful priest in your bishop,” Beckett said. “He has been so supportive of the Knights of Columbus over the years. Father McGivney is probably smiling tonight, the fact that we have six priests here. We thank these men for their vocations.”
State Advocate Wayne J. McCormack, a member of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, said, “It’s nice to see priests take their first degree. This hall is filled with Knights of Columbus. I’m sure our beloved Bishop Paul and the priests in attendance know we support you through the charitable work of the Knights of Columbus in our parishes.”
“We need members,” Beckett said, “so we can speak with a bigger voice on issues that today confront our Catholic community: abortion, same sex marriage, vouchers for Catholic schools, etc.”
In addition to local charities, the Knights of Columbus national leaders have pledged $5 million to help rebuild, through Catholic Charities, eight Catholic schools in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
The Supreme Council has pledged $2.5 million has requested local councils to match that total.
The New Jersey council has forwarded $10,000 from its relief fund for the rebuilding and adopted of a school in New Orleans, Beckett said. The goal is for each council in the state to sponsor a student, which would cost $2,000.
The order has been called the strong right arm of the Church and has been praised by popes and world leaders for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law