Meeting Minutes for Tuesday March 17, 2026

St. Mark’s Parish Hall (1011 Eastwood Rd), Wilmington, NC

Opening Ceremony

• SK Larry Greer opened the meeting at 7:00 pm in the Saint Mark’s Parish Hall, 1011 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC. There were 17 Sir Knights with ID cards and rosaries in attendance.

Call of Officers

Opening Prayer

• Meeting’s opening prayer was led by the SK Deacon George Keenan.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Opening Ode

• The Opening Ode, America the Beautiful, was sung.

Call for the Approval of the Minutes of the Prior Meeting

• Minutes approved as posted on website.

Report of the Faithful Friar – Deacon Keenan

• Stations of the Cross this Friday and the following Friday at noon at St. Stanislaus.
  • This Friday – Mary’s Way to the Cross. Deacon Keenan invites all to attend.
  • See article in North Carolina Catholic on St. Stanislaus Stations, aka Via Curces.

Report of Faithful Comptroller - SK Frank Bio

• Membership number is unchanged at 141.
• Dues – 87 have paid their dues, 23 people have not paid their dues.
• Received Assembly billing statement for March – paid.
• Has checks that need to be deposited for: Dues, Exemplification, RSVP refund, Scholarship donations.
• The financials reported can be requested by contacting the Faithful Comptroller.

Report of the Faithful Purser - SK Tom Sullivan

• The financials reported can be requested by contacting the Faithful Purser.

Report of Committees

Membership Report/ Reading of Applications/ Balloting

• 4th Degree Exemplification will be in Hampstead at All Saints Catholic Church on March 21st. All money was due by March 1 for Candidates and Observers.
• 13 new members will be brought into the Assembly.
  • St. Therese – 7
  • BSSM – 3
  • St. Mark – 2
  • St. Stansilaus – 1

Veterans Committee

• Bi-monthly New Hanover Veterans Council Report – next meeting on March 19.
  • See website under resources for further information as new information will be added following said meeting.

Honor Guard Events

• March 21 - All Saints, Hampstead NC request for the 4th Degree Exemplification
• April 12 – Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Stanislaus at 3 pm

Uniform Reimbursement

• Two available to offset 50% of the cost. Contact Faithful Navigator if interested.

2026 Collegiate Scholarship SK Jack Murphy & SK John Reynolds

• Money is currently being collected for the Scholarship Program.
  • Currently $8,400 funded, need $9,000. Requesting members and church to make additional donations.
• Requests for applications from High School Seniors applying for college.
  • Need to be a registered parishioner in any of the Deanery Parishes.
  • April 30 – Application deadline, winners to be announced in May.
  • Monthly scholarship raffle winners were Cary Newman and Tom Sullivan.

Fraternal Socials

• February 27, 12 pm – Via Cruses Stations of the Cross, St. Stanislaus
  • 15 people showed up in the rain! Led by SK Decker.
• March 27, 12 pm – Via Cruses Stations of the Cross, St. Stanislaus. A different reflection will be used from the one on February 27.

Trustees Report

• No report.

Unfinished/Old Business

• St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Saturday, March 14, 8 Sir Knights were in the Parade; 5 in regalia.

New Business

• April 11 - Bi-Annual Meeting in Greensboro, NC.
  • Approval for the Faithfull Navigator and one additional SK TBA.
• April 18; 9:00 pm – Honor Flight, Wilmington International Airport.
• Slate of Officers for the Fraternal Year 2026-27, due April 21, then vote in May. SK Kelleher will lead the committee.

Report of Third-Degree Councils

These reports are to be forward-looking so that our membership knows what our affiliated councils will be doing over the upcoming month.

• 1074 Wilmington

  • March 19 – The Town Council of Leland will recognize the KoC 1074 Council for their Charity work in the Community. DGK will accept the honors.
  • March 20 – Stations of the Cross BSSM, Meatless Soup at 6:15 pm followed by the Stations at 7:00 pm
  • April 8 – 5:00 pm, Founder’s Day Dinner at Junction 421.
  • April 12, Divine Mercy Sunday, Corporate Communion at ICC. Rosary followed by fellowship breakfast at Beau Rivage.
  • COR continues at ICC the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

• 12017 St. Mark

  • March 20 – Fish Fry, 5 – 6:30, followed by Stations at the Church.
  • March 27 – Stations of the Cross at St. Stanislaus at 12 pm.
  • April 6 – Blood Drive, 11 to 5.
  • April 11 – The Movie “Risen” 6:30 to 9:00 pm.
  • April 13 – Golf Tournament at Castlle Bay.
  • April 14 – Habitat for Humanity Home Build in Castle Hayne.

• 12885 St. Therese

  • March 21 – Exemplification, we have 8 members participating and two observers.
  • March 21 and 28 – Easter Basket Raffle to contribute to the general fund.
  • April 8; 6-8 pm, Knight Out with the Ladies.
  • May 9 & 10 – Mother’s Day Flowers.
  • Our Thanksgiving Turkey Drive for Pete’s sake was selected as one of the top three under the food for Families Programs by NC KofC.

• 11817 Fr. Roland Gross

  • April 12; 3 pm, Divine Mercy Sunday Devotion. Fried Chicken and Fish with sides following. Honor Guard Requested.
  • Started a new program, 40 Cans for Lent. Collecting canned goods to backfill Food Pantry. Will accept cash as well.
  • May 11 to Mid-September – Parish Hall will be shut down for renovations.

Brothers in Need

• Fr. Greg Spencer
• Fred Finkledie
• Kevin
• Valerie Laragy
• Bob Jenski
• SK Richard Nagy (since passed)

Good of the Order – March Reflections

March brings with it the first signs of spring – a season of renewal, of new life, and of preparation. In the Church, it is the heart of Lent, a sacred time when we turn inward to reflect, repent, and renew our commitment to Christ. As Fourth Degree Knights, this season is also a time to examine how we live out our patriotic duty in light of our Catholic faith.

Lent reminds us that sacrifice is the foundation of love. And love of country – when properly ordered – is a noble extension of our love of neighbor. Our service as Sir Knights must always be rooted in truth, dignity, and the Gospel of Life. That means defending the rights of the unborn, advocating for the vulnerable, and ensuring that the values of our faith are not silenced in the public square.

This month we also honor St. Patrick, a missionary and a courageous man of faith who brought the light of Christ into a pagan world. He reminds us that true leadership doesn’t always wear a crown – it often wears chains, hardship, and prayer. As Catholic gentlemen, we are called to be modern-day missionaries – not only in our parishes, but in our civic duties, workplaces, and communities.

March challenges us to be brave, to speak truth with love, and to lead by example. Let us walk the Lenten journey as men of conviction – not merely giving things up, but taking up our cross and recommitting ourselves to the noble values of the Fourth Degree: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.

May this Lent awaken in us a renewed sense of purpose and may the promise of Easter strengthen us for the work ahead – as defenders of both faith and freedom.

Vivat Jesus!

Closing Prayer

• Conducted by SK Deacon Keenan.

Closing Ode

• Sung the Star-Spangled Banner.

50/50 Drawing

• Won by SK Bobby Philips.

Adjourn

• Next regular meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at St. Mark's Parish Hall.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:46 pm.

Minutes submitted by SK Mike Apicella, Faithful Scribe.