Reverend SK Bob Kus, RIP

It is with great sadness that a long-time member and Friar of this assembly passed into glory today. It was announced on Facebook in the Basilica of St Mary Wilmington NC group.

"It is with great sadness, yet with hope in the Resurrection, that we announce the passing of Fr. Bob Kus. Fr. Bob served as pastor of the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary for 12 years before retiring in 2018. Following his retirement, he dedicated himself to missionary work in the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, serving at San Francisco de Asís, the Basilica’s sister parish in Honduras. Fr. Bob’s faithful priesthood and love for the people he served have left a lasting impact on our parish and beyond. He will be deeply missed, and his legacy will continue to be felt for many years to come."

Here is the obituary. This is the most recent posting on Facebook.

Vigil for the Deceased (bilingual): Monday, Aug. 31st at 2 pm, followed by silent vigil with the body throughout the day and night, concluding 9 am Tuesday Sept. 1st.
Funeral Mass (bilingual): Tuesday, September 1st at 4 pm, Very Rev. Michael Burbeck V.G. Principal Celebrant, Fr. Ryszard W. Kolodziej, Homilist.
Reception: Tuesday, September 1st 5:30 pm, Tileston Upper Room.
Rite of Committal: at a later date, near his family in Ohio.

We are not aware if an honor guard will be required for either the visitation or funeral.

Photos from the Flag Instruction at Saint Mary Catholic School on August 28

The entire Eighth Grade of the Saint Mary Catholic School attended the Flag Instruction. The instruction was held at the Upper School flagpole. We began with a pprayer for our country supplied by Mr. Price.

This year's instruction spent additional time regarding flying the flag at half-staff as this was in honor of Dolly Parton.

Officers for Fraternal Year 2026-2027

We had a combined installation of officers with the Fr. Thomas Price Assembly 3952 from Hampstead on Thursday, August 27, at Saint Mark Catholic Church. The Msgr. Christopher Dennen Assembly 2017 officers installed were:

Many thanks to SK John Clyatt for preparing a scrumptious meal.

Photos in order of installation are shown below including officers of both assemblies.

Saint Mark's 50th Anniversary Celebration

On Thursday, July 16, the Saint Mark parish marked its 50th anniversary with an evening Mass presided over by Bish Luis Raphael Zarama. Our assembly, buttressed by assembly 3952, provided an honor guard of fourteen sir knights.

SK Gilbert (Gil) Hirscher, RIP

Our brother Sir Knight Gil Hirscher passed away on April 1 at the age of 87. Gil served for many years as the Financial Secretary of council 12017 instilling the virtues of sound financial management. Please take a moment to read Gil's obituary.

Unfortunately, it was until now that we became aware of his passing. Let's not lose touch with our elder brothers.

Passing of the Colors at Saint Mary Catholic School

The annual recognition ceremony was held on June 2nd for the 15 students in the Eighth Grade class of Saint Mary Catholic School. We recognized those students for their role in having the US flag properly flown throughout the school year. The ceremony also symbolically transfers that responsibility onto those who will take their place in the coming school year (the current Seventh Grade students).

The Assembly was represented by four Sir Knights. The audience for the ceremony which took place in The Upper Room was the Seventh and Eighth grade classes. Our Color Guard conducted the Passing of the Colors and ceremonially folded the flag as teachers Mr. Price and Ms. Frelke read the story about the folds of the flag. As recognition of the Eighth Grade students, each student was awarded a certificate and a US flag lapel pin acknowledging their service through the year. The certificates were distributed by principal Mr. Poletti and assisted by Omeed Huemiller, while the student names were announced by Mr. Price.

Photos by St. Mary Catholic School. Click on photo for larger version.

Memorial Day 2026

The Wilmington National Cemetery is the setting for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony sponsored by the New Hanover County Veterans Council. While the ceremony fits with the motto "Some Gave All, All Gave Some", the solemn part of the ceremony is the reading of the names of New Hanover County veterans that died in the past year. That number this year was 127, significantly reduced because some major funeral homes did not provide counts as they had in the past.

The assembly placed a memorial wreath among those of other patriotic, veteran, and service organizations.

2026 Deanery Scholarships

Here are the three winners of the 2026 Deanery Scholarship.

Stephen P. Drescher is a Parishioner at All Saints Catholic Church in Hampstead. He will be graduating from Topsail HS and will be attending the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in the fall where he will pursue a dual major in Business Administration and Journalism/Media. His Saint essay was on Saint Augustine of Hippo.

Isabel G. Layton is a Parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church in Wilmington. She will be graduating from North Brunswick HS and is her school’s Valedictorian. She already has an Associates Degree and will be attending the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in the fall working towards becoming a Physician’s Assistant. Her Saint essay was on St. Luke the Evangelist.

Evan C. Lang is a Parishioner of St. Therese Catholic Church in Wrightsville Beach. He will be graduating from Laney HS and will be attending North Carolina State University in the fall where he will major in Engineering. His Saint essay was on St. Patrick.

The Knights of Columbus Msgr. Christopher Dennen Assembly 2017 acknowledges and thanks the Cape Fear Deanery parishes for their supporting role in encouraging research into the lives of Catholic Saints via the 2026 Deanery Scholarship program.

Passing of the Colors at Saint Mark Catholic School

The annual recognition ceremony was held on May 8th for the 61 students in the Eighth Grade class of Saint Mark Catholic School. We recognized those students for their role in having the US flag properly flown throughout the school year. The ceremony also symbolically transfers that responsibility onto those who will take their place in the coming school year (the current Seventh Grade students).

The Assembly was represented by six Sir Knights: Past District Master JP Horvat, acting Corps Commander Bob Philips, and Color Corps made up of George Schadt and Greg Decker. The audience for the ceremony was the Sixth through Eighth grades. Our Color Guard conducted the Passing of the Colors and ceremonially folded the flag as teacher Mr. Kobosko read the story about the folds of the flag. As recognition of the Eighth Grade students, each student was awarded a certificate and a US flag lapel pin acknowledging their service through the year. The certificates were distributed by Chaplain SK Deacon Jeff Jolly and assisted by Assistant Principal Paul LaSorsa, with the lapel pins presented by Principal Chris Kloesz.

We want to thank Dean of Students Christine Quinn for the fine job of organizing so this ceremony proceeded with all the dignity it deserved.

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.