St. Mark 50th Anniversary Picnic

The Assembly provided a Color Guard to kick off the event. A beautiful day.

Photos by CiCi Yeager. Click on photo for larger version.

Another American saint?

By McKenna Snow (zeale.co)

Courtesy of the Father Capodanno Guild

Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services is calling for prayers ahead of a key Vatican review of the canonization cause for Servant of God Father Vincent Capodanno, a Navy chaplain who was killed in 1967 in Vietnam.

The Capodanno Guild website states that after a 2022 review of the investigation on Fr. Capodanno’s life, the Dicastery for the Causes for the Saints requested additional information about his life and recommended a suspension in the cause. The upcoming review marks a significant next step after several years of work responding to that request.

According to a March 26 emailed press release from Mary Preece, vice postulator for Fr. Capodanno’s canonization cause, Archbishop Broglio’s call for prayers follows the historical commission’s submission of responses to concerns brought by Theological Consultants in Rome about the advancement of the cause.

The Theological Consultants, representing the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints, will review the responses in May.

Preece said Archbishop Broglio has also approved a novena for the process, available on the Capodanno Guild website.

Preece said the novena’s intention is “Lord, if it be your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno's Cause within your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.”

As Zeale News previously reported, the Marines whom Fr. Capodanno accompanied in the field nicknamed him the “Grunt Padre” because of his unwavering service and care. In September 1967, Vietnamese troops ambushed the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, whom Fr. Capodanno was serving at the time. He cared for the injured and dying, but was injured in the process, losing part of his hand. The injured priest continued dragging wounded soldiers to shelter and administering the Anointing of the Sick.

According to the Capodanno Guild, “During the course of this ambush, Fr. Capodanno ran into the open in order to assist a wounded corpsman. The enemy opened fire upon Fr. Capodanno and he died faithfully performing his final act as a good and faithful servant of God.”

He was declared a Servant of God in 2006 and remains beloved by many who serve in the armed forces.

Preece said that many supporters of his cause for canonization will begin praying the novena on the first day of Holy Week, March 30, because Fr. Capodanno arrived in Vietnam during Holy Week 60 years ago.

The Capodanno Guild also offers several prayers asking to obtain a favor through Fr. Capodanno’s intercession, one of which Archbishop Broglio authored. They can be found here.

Slate of Officers for Fraternal Year 2026-2027

The above sir knights have been nominated for the upcoming fraternal year. If you have an interest in any position, make your desire known to the Faithful Navigator immediately. The election will occur on May 19 with installation in June.

Honor Flight 2026

On hand to greet the returning Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area on April 18 were members of our assembly (Larry Greer, John Bolger, Andrew Duzant, Jack Murphy) and Vicky Kramer and Leland Hyer. We were particularly honored to have two previous Honor Flight recipients welcoming the return veterans: Sir Knight Joe Pulawski with wife, Mary, and Sir Knight Charlie Backes and wife, Mary.

The exemplification raised 56 knights to become Sir Knights. Pictured are all those exemplified as well as the degree team and dignitaries.

For his faithful leadership and dedicated service to the Knights of Columbus, the Church, and his community, Assembly 3952 proudly recognized Sir Knight Gene Ziemba as the Exemplification Honoree for the March 21, 2026 Fourth Degree Exemplification.

Sir Knight Gene has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 17 years and is a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Hampstead, North Carolina, Council 12281, and Assembly 3952. Throughout his years of service, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.

He currently serves as North Carolina Regional District Deputy 1 and previously served the Order as District Deputy and Grand Knight. Sir Knight Gene is also a founding member and Past Faithful Navigator of Assembly 3952, helping establish and lead the Fourth Degree presence at All Saints Catholic Church.

In addition to his leadership within the Knights, he has helped expand membership through Round Table recruitment efforts for Hispanic and Latin Catholic communities at St. Mark Catholic Church in Wilmington, Transfiguration Catholic Church in Wallace, and Santa Clara Catholic Mission in Magnolia.

A graduate of The Citadel, Sir Knight Gene also serves his community as a board member and tour guide for the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington and as an active volunteer at All Saints Catholic Church, serving as a greeter, usher, parking attendant, speaker, and lector.

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Polar Plunge

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SKs John Bolger, Micheal Reyes, Joe Ferro and John Danchisko delivered sixty-odd shoeboxes filled with necessities and niceties to bring joy to the residents of Ashley House.

Wreaths Across America

A beautiful day in the 60s, it was. And there must have been a thousand volunteers out to help. They had wreaths for all 5,172 graves.
Our assembly was represented by FN Greer, SKs Newman, Bolger, Cadden, Pulawski, Ferro and Decker. Brother Tabor from 12017 plus many sisters from the Columbiettes.

Veterans Support Raffle Winners

The raffle drawing for the three checks was held at the November assembly meeting. Thanks to all the councils and assembly members that promoted and contributed to the success of this year's raffle.

SK Bob Gorman did the honors of pulling the winning tickets from 396 entries. The winners are:

Photos from the Veterans Parade and Veterans Day Memorial

The Veterans Day parade came a few days early this year, but what a beautiful day it was!

Check back for more photos of our assembly in action.