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.

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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St. Patrick's Day Parade

A beautiful day whether you're Irish or not. Only five SKs in regalia from TWO assemblies! Not pictured were SKs Apicella and Ludgate.

Polar Plunge

Overcast, breezy and cold. Perfect for the Polar Plunge. At least our Faithful Navigator showed up!

Wreaths Across America

January 23th was Wreath Cleanup Day and sir knights, and a grandson, from our assembly lent a hand, or a rake as the case may be. The weather cooperated in that it was neither too cool or too warm.

Shoeboxes to Ashley House

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.