Officers for Fraternal Year 2025-2026

We had a combined installation of officers with the Fr. Thomas Price Assembly 3952 from Hampstead on Thursday, June 26, at All Saints Catholic Church.

2025 Deanery Scholarship Winners

The Cape Fear Deanery and Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Msgr. Christopher Dennen Assembly 2017 will be awarding $4,000 Gold award, $3,000 Silver award, and $2,000 Bronze award scholarships to Catholic students enrolling for the first time in a university or community college beginning Fall 2025. The winners chosen are as follows:

Winners

Congratulations to all the families for encouraging their student’s participation in this annual program.

Memorial Day 2025

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 213, significantly reduced because some major funeral homes did not provide counts as they had in the past.

The 2025 ceremony featured retired USMC Sergeant Major Robert Tellez as the guest speaker. His speech was short, but to the point.

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

Passing of the Colors at Saint Mark Catholic School

The annual recognition ceremony was held on May 20th for the 64 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 Faithful Navigator Frank Bio, Larry Greer, George Schadt, Bob Gabel, Joe Damitz and Greg Decker. The audience for the ceremony was the Seventh 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 Rev. Spencer and assisted by SK Deacon Jolly, and the lapel pins were 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.

Photos courtesy of SK Bio

Passing of the Colors at Saint Mary Catholic School

The annual recognition ceremony was held on May 13th for the 24 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 five 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 teacher Mr. Price 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 SK Bio and assisted by teacher Mrs. Smith, while the student names were announced by Mr. Price, and the lapel pins were presented by Principal Poletti.

Principal Poletti praised the ceremony as yet another "tic box" as the students near their departure from Saint Mary and better prepared for the world.

Divine Mercy Devotion at Saint Stanislaus

The cape Fear Deanery's Divine Mercy Devotion is held annually at Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church. We had a good showing of sir knights in full regalia. Leading the devotion was Rev Sir Knight Roger Nyimi.

Saint Mark Family Picnic

The Fourth Degree Assembly was asked to raise the flag for the opening ceremony of the St. Mark Family Picnic. It was a breezy day and we needed to lower the flag to half-staff in recognition of Pope Francis' death. Doing the honors were Past Faithful Navigators Bobby Philips and Greg Decker and current Captain Larry Greer.

Click image for larger version.

Honor Flight 2025

On hand to greet the returning Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area on April 26 were members of our assembly (Larry Greer, John Bolger, Tim Ludgate, Cary Newman, John Danchisko, Charlie Backes and Greg Decker) and a Third Degree member of 12017, Steve Simms. We particularly honored two of our own veterans that were on the Honor Flight: Navy veteran Sir Knight Joe Pulawski (pictured below) and USMC veteran Sir Knight Ken O'Leary.

Cape Fear Museum

On Wednesday six intrepid souls ventured out under threat of severe thunderstorms to visit the Cape Fear Museum in the morning before venturing further downtown to have lunch at the Copper Penny.

Via Cruces

On Wednesday of Holy Week we had our first Stations of the Cross at Saint Stanislaus' Via Cruces. It was a beautiful sunny, temperate day - perfect for quiet reflection on Jesus' journey that fateful day. Besides members of our assembly and wives, we were joined by members of other councils, other parishes and the Legion of Mary. The women sang verses of Stabat Mater as we went from station to station.

What a gem we Catholics have here nestled in the trees in Castle Hayne!

Exemplification Upcoming

The next exemplification to the Fourth Degree will be held on Saturday, June 7, at Saint Peter Catholic Church in Greenville, North Carolina. This special exemplification will honor the 125th Anniversary of the Fourth Degree. Information about this exemplification and the application process can be found here. A blank Form 4 can be found here.

Azalea Festival Appearance

Saint Mark Catholic School was selected as the Azalea Festival school for 2025. Attended by the entire Azalea Festival entourage, the Our Lady of Victory Activity Center was filled to capacity.

We were asked to provide a Color Guard and post the Colors at the beginning of the ceremony on Thursday, April 3. After a day of practice (and a few more dry runs the morning of the event), the team (Bobby Philips, Greg Decker, Larry Greer and George Schadt) exceled under the leadership of Past District Master JP Horvat.

We got mentioned in the NC Catholics online magazine -- "The Knights of Columbus presented the flags of the United States and North Carolina, and student Dayla MacDonald sang the national anthem. Student Wylie Smith introduced the 2025 Azalea Festival president." -- and even appeared in two photos albeit one from quite a distance!