St. Clare of Assisi Coucil12851
Surprise, Arizona
COUNCIL HISTORY
Charter Members:
1. Father John Coleman** 22. Jeffrey A. Kanig**
2. James H. Acker** 23. Robert J. Kriz
3. Richard B. Balboa 24. Robert R. Kunesh
4. Michael Bandrowski, Jr. 25. Bert C. Lindquist
5. David E. Barko 26. John Lobdell, Sr.
6. David M. Bernier** 27. Felix Maccagnano**
7. Robert F. Berra 28. Harold F. Madden**
8. Valentino D. Bianchini 29. David J. Mandraes
9. Jules A. Bilodeau 30. Richard P. Mandraes
10. Robert G. Bluhm** 31. James F. McDonald
11. Glen E. Booke 32. Anthony D. Messina**
12. Gerald J. Collins 33. Stanley V. Mucha
13. Frank T. De Mello 34. Leo A. Murphy
14. John R. De Simone 35. Joseph S. Pipitone
15. Philip Derrig 36. Americo Posillico
16. Larry J. Des Jarlais 37. Louis H. Proski
17. Richard D. Devenuti** 38. Byron B. Scanlon, III
18. Donald D. Diroll 39. Donald J. Slattery**
19. James W. Freeman 40. Thomas J. Spigelmire**
20. William G. Gilmore** 41. John Tenuta
21. Arthur P. Gratton** 42. William J. Van Sciver*
* Charter Grand Knight ** Charter Officers
St. Clare of Assisi Parish was founded in July 2000. The first Pastor was Father John Coleman. Mass was held in the Kingswood Elementary School. In October, 2000 Brother Robert Bluhm, PGK, FDD joined the parish and inquired about a Knights of Columbus Council. Father John said there was no Council, but the time was right to form one. Brother Bluhm contacted State Deputy Larry Costanza, who arranged a meeting with District Deputy Ron Roth. Just after Thanksgiving Robert Bluhm, Ron Roth, and Arizona New Council Chairman Stan Schroder took Father John to lunch. Father John was asked if he wanted a Council and the answer was an enthusiastic YES! It was decided to do nothing during Advent, so on the first Sunday in January, 2001 Brothers Bluhm and Roth were on hand after each Mass recruiting new members. In less than six weeks there were enough men to form a Council. On March 31, 2001 the charter officers were sworn in at a ceremony presided over by Larry Costanza, SD and Ron Roth, DD. There were forty-two Knights listed as Charter members of the council. Brother William (Bill) Van Sciver was elected as the Charter Grand Knight.
In March 2001, the first edition of the St. Clare of Assisi Council 12851 monthly newsletter was published.
Since the parish had no buildings of their own, the first council meetings were held at Father John's home. In the summer of 2001, St. Clare of Assisi Parish received two temporary buildings from the Diocese of Phoenix and they were erected on a 14 acre parcel purchased for the new parish. The council meetings then moved into the parish.
A short time after the council was chartered, Brother Jim Acker felt the parishioners needed a means to socialize and get acquainted. Jim purchased lattice work to surround the patio area, coffee pots, tables and supplies. This was the beginning of the Knights of Columbus Sunday Coffee and Donut Social after Mass. Jim even went as far as to purchase all the donuts until the weekly donations became sufficient to cover the costs. Jim later passed the torch to Brother Bill Harrington and the tradition continued. The Knights of Columbus Coffee and Donut Social is held each Sunday after Mass from October until May, when the temperatures go over the 100 degree mark .
On November 25, 2001, the council became involved with the Knights of Columbus Free Thrown Competition and Brother Don Slattery (RIP) organized a council event for the parish youth. Over the past few years the council competition has grown and in March 2007, the council placed six local youth, in six age categories, in the State Championship finals.
On February 10, 2002, the council held their first Knights of Columbus Corporate Communion, followed by a "Sweetheart's" breakfast. The council corporate communions are held each quarter at the 11:00 AM mass in January, April, July and October.
In July 2002, Brother Brian Byrnes became the council's second Grand Knight, a position he held until June 2004.
As the membership grew, the council was able to conduct more activities. The parish was involved in a major campaign to raise funds to build a new church and parish buildings. In February 2003, Brother Don Slattery (RIP) organized our first large parish social function. The Knights of Columbus sponsored a dinner and dance attended by 260 persons. The dance was held at Prince of Peace Social Hall in Sun City West. The profits from the dance were donated to the parish building fund. The dinner and dance have since become a very popular annual event for the council and parish with the profits going to aid the building fund. Prince of Peace continues to support our efforts by allowing us the use of their social hall each year, free of charge.
In March 2003, Brother Frank Smitka inaugurated the council's first golf tournament. Again, the event was a great success and the profits were donated to the building fund. The golf tournament has continued each year and in March 2007, the fifth annual tournament was themed "Build the Church' by the committee.
To date, the council has donated over $25,000 to the St. Clare of Assisi Parish Building Fund Campaign.
The council supports 5 seminarians each year. Many of these seminarians have since been ordained and now serve in parishes worldwide.
In July 2004, Brother Russ Hill became the council's third Grand Knight, a position he held until June 2006.
In December 2004, the council launched their own website, www.kofc12851.org. The website provides a means of not only communicating with our council members, but our Brother Knights across the United States and overseas.
In the years since the council began, members have volunteered their services to numerous community projects, such as helping with a City of Surprise Waste Recycling Program; installing fire and safety devices in the homes of seniors; helping at Surprise Stadium during Spring training and many other services in their various residential communities. Each and every year the council volunteer hours increase significantly.
In July 2006 Brother John Finan became the council's fourth Grand Knight. In July 2007 he was reelected for a second year.
Some of our Brother's have advanced from their council duties to higher positions in our State organization. Brother Brian Byrnes, our second Grand Knight went on to become District Deputy and is now President of the Board for St. Joseph's Youth Camp in Arizona. Brother Mike Mc Nee another council member is our current District Deputy.
Even with our limited resources and a lack of permanent facilities, St. Clare of Assisi Council 12851 continues to grow each year and the members continue to support their parish and the local community. We all look forward to the construction of our parish complex, scheduled to begin in the summer of 2007.
Vivat Jesus.
