Category Archives: Programs

Growing Our Own

22 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by in Assembly News, Chapel Hill Knights of Columbus Assembly, Programs

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Leaders aren’t born. You may have read this quote or heard about it. It goes on to say that leaders are made. Do you know who said these words?

Hint… He was a famous Catholic, too.

He was Vince Lombardi. Here is a quote about him. “The three constants throughout Lombardi’s life were his Roman Catholic faith, his family, and football. His father was a daily Communicant throughout his life and his mother’s favorite picture of Vince as a child was on his Confirmation…” Read more

He was playing football before World War II. Many of our younger Knights got their start in life maybe 40 or more years later. “Back in the day….” Vince was our Coach K.

So, where is this writer going with the tale? He is approaching his 8th decade and he is trying to come up with something that rocks the ground under our Council and Assembly to create an awareness that nothing happens without a spark. A spark from a driven Knight to assume a training leadership role this year so that as our older members “age out,” they have an opportunity to pass on their skills to our newest members. He may also be the new Knight that you encourage to join our Council.

“What got into Lee?,” you ask? Well this writer was recruited by Gene Drogos, Jerry Pilarski, and Thomas Chegash. (They not only recruited me for the new Council, but as a member of our church and three veterans groups…not to include joining the Fourth Degree.” We lost two of these Knights this past year and one is now in Hospice. Tom’s story will be shared with you soon….

Each of these guys were on active duty. Two World War II (Army and Navy) and one was Korea-Vietnam era Navy. All three were recruiters and not because of the office they held, but because of a deep love for their Church and taking responsibility for its success. All three were founding members of Council 10910.

Your new officer team, led by Chris Kremer, and assisted by the Durham Assembly, is eager to energize the Knights. We are now Post-COVID and ready to get busier to help our parish and Catholic community. So remember, time flies…. “TEMPUS FUGIT, MEMENTO MORI”

by Lee Heavlin

Seminarian Receives Award

24 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by in Seminarians

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Divine Mercy Assembly 3005 had a very successful Christmas Raffle to support local seminarians in the Raleigh Diocese.  This year the Assembly selected Tyler Sparrow as the 2019 Award Recipient.

Faithful Navigator Bill Jackson, joined by Mike Pacilio, presents award to seminarian Tyler Sparrow.

Seminarian education is funded by the diocese, but personal disposable income is at a premium.  The Assembly’s cash award of $500 is sure to be a highlight during the Christmas holiday and Spring demister for Tyler.

The Knights of Columbus, through its local councils and assemblies, has been and continues to provide financial and service assistance to the many seminarians across our nation and foreign lands.  In addition, the Knights of Columbus, headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut, provides partial matching funds to promote support of seminarians.

To learn more about the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh’s seminarian program, click here.

Learn more about our seminarian.

Edelen Funeral Set

20 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in Assembly News, Chapel Hill Knights of Columbus Assembly, Programs

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Tom Edelen

Tom Edelen

We have lost a long time member of the assembly, John Thomas “Tom” Edelen, Sr. , age 93, of Chapel Hill, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2013. Tom was not only a strong advocate for the Knights, but a deeply religious man who loved the Rosary and made it his mission to repair the many rosaries of parishioners at no cost.  Read story

He was a World War II Navy veteran, who served in the South Pacific.  He was passionate about his country and an avid volunteer for the Republican party. He was also a founding member of the Durham chapter of SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. He was an Honorable Elder of Kiwanis and a volunteer at the Eno River Association; instrumental in the re-building of the Mill at West Point on the Eno.

Tom was an active member of St.Thomas More Church and the Knights of Columbus. He loved to tell stories, especially if he could make you laugh; he knew no strangers.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Chapel Hill, on Saturday, Dec 21, 2013, at 11:00 am.  Tom’s inurnment will be at he church columbariun immediately following the mass.

Military funeral honors will accompany the inurnment and all council and assembly knights are encouraged to attend.  Fourth Degree Knights will form for honors in social regalia (tuxedo and gold name badges).  Knights are asked to be at the church by 10:30 am.

We salute Tom Edelen as a Knight in Shining Armor for his faith, his church, and his community.

Holy Cross Event – Oct 6th

09 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by in Assembly News, Chapel Hill Knights of Columbus Assembly, Holy Cross Durham NC, Knights of Columbus Honor Guard

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Holy Cross Church, Durham, will hold its annual African Diaspora celebration and mass on Sunday, October 6th at 10 a.m.

Durham Assembly members will join our knights for a join Color Corps for this very special day.  Si Knights without full regalia area asked to wear social regalia with assembly name tag.

Location:  2438 South Alston Ave., Durham, NC  27713

The Color Corps uniform is Full Regalia with Manual of the Sword.  Participants should arrive at Holy Cross no later than 9:15 a.m.

The ladies of Holy Cross Parish will serve lunch after the mass.  Please R.S.V.P. to the Faithful Naviagor, Dario Sena or John Marino.

Sharing the Vision

04 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in Caldwell NC July 4th Parade, Chapel Hill Knights of Columbus Assembly, Exemplification, Heroes Homecoming, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, Programs

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The Knights of the Fourth Degree are all members of a local council.  Their assembly is not senior to the council, but an adjunct to the council.  An assembly promotes all things patriotic in the council, church, and community.  We are the Patriotic Degree of our Order.  Learn more

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Knights at Holy Cross Church Mass

This is our mission and it has been our mission for over a hundred years.  We are “Religiously Devoted, Patriotically Proud.”

Our assemblies are in every state of the union and overseas in areas where our military serve or have served.

Assembly members are often also members of other patriotic and fraternal military service groups. Examples are: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled Veterans of America, American Legion, Fleet Reserve and others.  They know the importance of good citizenship, service to our country, and demonstration of our patriotism as Catholic Gentlemen.  

This past year has been a busy one for many of them.  Here are some of their accomplishments:

  • Raised well over $4,500 on Veterans Day 2012 for hospitalized amputees at Camp Lejeune and Ft. Bragg..
  • Visited and entertained hospitalized veterans in hospice and pallative care at the Durham VA Medical Center.
  • Worked with UNC Chapel Hill to collect food for homeless veterans.
  • Provided information to veterans and their families on VA medical care.
  • Provided assistance to veterans with VA disability claims.
  • Provided funeral honors for deceased knights and area priests.
  • Provide honor guards to St. Thomas More Church, as requested.
  • Serve as Honor Guard for Bishop Burbridge’s ceremonials
  • Raised thousands of dollars passing out VFW Buddy Poppies to assist hospitalized veterans and fund in-hospital social events; restore a Carrboro veteran’s home and replace his roof, and assisted returning veterans in need.
  • Assisted an injured and convalescing 92 year-old veteran with home repair needs and arranged for no-cost metal stairwell railings for his home exterior walkways.
  • Led community parades in Rougemont, Timberlake, and Providence, North Carolina.
  • Led the Caldwell, NC, July 4th Parade in full regalia for the last seven years.
  • Raised funds for and obtained the Baptist Health Ministry mobile health and dental care centers for our local Spanish-speaking families.
  • Personally funded programs, events, and services to ensure those in need were served.
  • Promoted Good Citizenship in our Catholic and community schools.
  • Provided household goods, food, services and transportation to brother knights and members of our church and community in need.
  • Provided pig picking equipment, service, and personal time for church events, picnics, and fundraising.
  • Served on church committees and led elements of our new church building campaigns, including design, construction and dedication.
  • Served as leaders in local civic, professional, and military service organizations.
  • Cleaned Highways in Orange County

This list goes on, and on, and on.  In fact, their humility is such that many of their deeds go unrecorded.  What they do is not about them.  It has to do with service to others.

Eighty plus men form our Divine Mercy Assembly.  They are the leaders in our church.  All will be life-long members of our Order.  They are the very heart of the Knights of Columbus.

There are 20 million new Catholics in America.  I would like to think that our Knights of the Fourth Degree motivated quite a few converts through their selfless acts of faith.

How about you?   Why not consider joining these men?  There is no better expression of service than to be a role model for your children and family.  We’ll give you the opportunity to do great things for others.

For information, contact Joe Acciarito our Faithful Navigator.  Email Joe

Serving Our VA Hospital Vets

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in Durham VAMC, Veterans Day

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As we celebrate Veterans Day this year, we are asked to recommit ourselves to the Principal of “Patriotism“, the Principal of the Fourth Degree. The Order needs you, Sir Knights, and our Veterans need you!

Here’s a message from Thomas DuPree, North Carolina District VAVS Representative VA. “When our country needed them our veterans answered the call to serve. Now Members of the Knights of Columbus are being called to serve our veterans through our program: Serving Those Who Served.

Our goal is to have an active corp of Knights serving as Volunteers at EVERY Veteran’s Administration medical facility in the nation. We do this thru the VAVS Program- Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service. The VAVS is one of the largest volunteer programs in the Federal government.

There were 139,383 volunteers on the rolls during FY 2012, with 83,648 active VAVS volunteers contributing a total of 12,207,443 hours. The FY 2012 total VAVS hours equate to 5,869 full-time employee equivalent positions. The current monetary value of the 12,207,443 hours from all VAVS volunteers is over $266 million based on the 2011 Independent Sector’s formula of $21.79 per hour. VAVS volunteers and their organizations contributed over $87 million in gifts and donations in FY 2012 for a total value of $354.6 million in volunteer giving.

It is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that these VAVS volunteers provide to Veteran patients. VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to the Nation’s Veterans and to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

QUESTION? Have you done your part in serving our Veterans? The possibilities are limited ONLY by the imagination and the needs of the veterans. PLEASE contact me for opportunities! Email me or call me at 919-577-6901.”

Divine Mercy Sunday at Holy Cross Church

17 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Holy Cross Durham NC, Knights of Columbus Honor Guard

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We just completed a very inspiring event Divine Mercy Sunday event at Holy Cross Church in Durham.  There were 15 Sir Knights in attendance, with 12 in full regalia.  The service was followed by a delightful lunch provided by the ladies and men of Holy Cross.

On the road to Holy Cross

Parishioners from neighboring parishes and St. Thomas More Church were in attendance.  Holy Cross also introduced a new framed icon for use on a permanent basis at the church.  It seems that one member of the church has been holding Divine Mercy Sunday events in her home for several years.  This was the first event at the church.

Activities started promptly at 2 p.m. and included an hour of information and the history of Divine Mercy Sunday and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  The Chaplet recital started promptly at 3 p.m.

A special thank you goes to Ron Patterson for bringing this event to Holy Cross and for Tom Chegash and Joe Accierito for efforts in support of Holy Cross’ first Divine Mercy Sunday.

View photo album of event

VA BINGO night

11 Saturday Feb 2012

Posted by in Bingo at the VA hospital, Durham VAMC

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Assembly members host a Casino Night table at the VAMC

One of the most rewarding things we do, as Knights of the Fourth Degree, is to visit with our hospitalized veterans at the VA Hospital in Durham.


At a funeral of a Chapel Hill veteran, a brother knight heard a family member.  The son told the story of his father that included his dad’s long term care at the VA Hospital.  The son said that his father enjoyed the times when he got to play bingo and win cash prizes.  He enjoyed the small victories and the “winnings.”  It made his stay less confining and he loved spending his winnings in the hospital canteen.  Our visits do make a big difference, and they are appreciated.




The Assembly will be sponsoring Bingo at the VA hospital on Wednesday night, February 15th at 6:30 p.m. You are invited to help with the games. We will gather at the Community Living Center on the second floor of the Durham VAMC.  Abena Jones-Boone, who works at the VA hospital, usually calls the games and we help the patients with their Bingo cards.  Mike Memrick will have the prize money for the winners.  


Mike says,”I would like to see our regular volunteers and any new volunteers who may be interested in serving our veterans.  The veterans are very appreciative of our presence and they have a good time.  Looking forward to seeing you there. You may park in the front parking lot of the medical center.”  Let’s give Mike and his team our support and overwhelm them with Knights.


Directions to Durham VAMC

Holy Cross Celebrates 72nd Anniversary

30 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by in Holy Cross Durham NC

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Holy Cross Catholic Church is celebrating their 72nd Anniversary this weekend. As in the past, they are inviting the Assembly Color Corps to join them in that celebration at their Sunday Liturgy, Dec. 4th, at 10 a.m.
Color Corps members should be at the church in full Regalia.  If you’re able to join us please try to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. The church address is: 2438 South Alston Avenue Durham, NC 27713-1302.
Thanks for your support and participation.

Assembly Supports Homeless Vets

12 Friday Nov 2010

Posted by in Homeless Veterans

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New Parkas

The call came from the Durham VA Medical Center for help for our homeless veterans.  Winter nights are here and the temperature is dropping.  Our assembly responded immediately by funding five insulated parkas with hoods. 

The VA asked many local Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh area veteran volunteer groups to help them obtain 100 coats. Our five coats were the first from Chapel Hill. 

Many of our members are also members of Veterans of Foreign Wars C. V. Cummings Post 9100 in Chapel Hill.  They, too, took action and obtained 12 more winter coats.  All of the coats were delivered last week just as the first freeze of the year arrived. Mr. Dave Grupy, VA Volunteer Service Office was elated to receive the our joint contribution of brand new parkas and down-filled coats.

We thank all assembly members for their support of our local veterans, especially the homeless.

Story Postscript:  St. Matthews Church, Durham, knights got together and raised enough money for three more coats.  Then, Holy Cross Church, also of Durham, raised more money, too.  This added four coats.  Our assembly total is now 12 coats for homeless veterans.