Capuchin coat collection (January 18, 2026)1200+ coats and garments

 

The Knight Shield - February 2026

It’s been a busy start to the New Year. Our Council has once again stepped up to serve the Parishioners of St Paul.

Christmas Eve Baby Jesus Procession-The tradition continues with the Knights processing the Baby Jesus in church and laying Him in the crèche outside the Church. The women of Faith processed with the Knights and laid the Baby Jesus in the inside crèche.  Fr Jim started this tradition last year and enthusiastically supported the Knights continuing the tradition.  We are blessed to have Fr Jim!

Coffee and Donuts – We knocked off another coffee and donuts after the 7:45 am Mass. Thanks to our chairman Rick Okerhjelm for setting this up.

Christmas Lights – Thanks to all the guys who took down the Christmas lights in the cold and snow. It took only a little over an hour! Good job

Capuchin Coats Collection Part II – Parishioners of St Paul’s came through again! We packed 7 vehicles to take down to the Capuchin distribution Center! Estimated 800 jackets & 300 hoodies, sweaters, gloves, hats & blankets! Amazing! Thanks to all the guys that helped collect coats at all the weekends. Thanks to the guys who packed the vehicles on a cold morning and drove down to the Capuchins Center.

Scholarship Program – The program initialization is completed. A table will be set up at all the weekend Masses on Jan 31 and Feb 1 to distribute information packets and answer any questions. 

Fish Fry – First fish fry is Feb 20. Council had to pay $1,276 to repair the bad thermostats on the ovens.  It’s kind of amazing we got through last year with those ovens.

Finally, pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the Archdiocesan restructuring. There are going to be changes on how our Archdiocese and Parishes work. Change is always a challenge; however, I’m confident the Knights will continue to support our Priest and Parish in whatever structure is determined.

Upcoming events:

District Free Throw Jan 31

Charity Poker – Feb 9-12

Fish Fry Feb 20 (First one, can you believe it!)

Next Council meeting is Thursday February 12. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

Vivat Jesus!

Gary Skarb

The Knight Shield - January 2026

I hope everyone had a Blessed and Merry Christmas, and I wish you all a Happy New Year! The good work of our Council continues as demonstrated by the following: 

Capuchin Coats Collection – Parishioners of St Paul’s are very generous. We packed 3 vehicles to take down to the Capuchin distribution Center! The Friars were grateful for the coats. The coat racks were empty, and our donations filled them up. Thanks to Dr Rob Amsler and Vince Ursini for heading up this effort, and all the guys who helped collect coats and pack for delivery to the Capuchins. 

Christmas Meat sales and Keep Christ in Christmas signs/ buttons- Sales were down a little this year but not too far off. We made $1,064...not bad. Thanks to Jerry Hund and Ray Coughlin who were at the sales table for all the Masses on both weekends. That’s the first half of the job. Thanks to our “Bag Man” Ted Czarny and his accomplice Sherri Czarny for setting up all the bags and files for distribution. That takes a lot of time and effort. Last, thanks to the guys that hung around the social hall waiting for the delivery truck to arrive so they could separate the orders. You get a couple of pallets of ham & kielbasa and you gotta get that stuff organized!

Christmas Lights Decoration – Once again the guys pitched in to decorate the outside of the Church for the Christmas Season. It was a bit cold but sunny so that helped. Thanks to the inside and outside guys for taking care of business. The Church looks wonderful. 

Cookies with Santa – This is not a Knights function; however, there were Knights assisting. One of the lead coordinators of the event was Knight Vince Ursini and Santa was Knight Phil Mularski. Attendance was down this year...only 33 kids attended, but that didn’t stop the fun. The hall was decorated beautifully and all had a good time. Thanks Vince and Phil.

Exemplification – We had 6 new Knights join our Council at our December 11 exemplification. I wish to welcome Robert Pardue, Luke Pardue, Dennis Kubczak, Chris Rojem and Fred Nienstedt to our Council. They are a great addition to our Council. Next meeting, if you get a chance, welcome them to our Council.

Christmas Party - The Fourth Degree Christmas Party was a success. We had 70 people attend. I thought the food was delicious. The “Sisters Act Out” entertainment was a riot. A lot of good conversation and laughs! Thanks to Worthy Navigator Art Krygowski for putting this together.

Scholarship Program – The program initialization is moving forward. Resolution was read in again at our last Council meeting and a motion was made to establish a scholarship program funded by the St Paul of Tarsus Council using funds raised from the Rosary sales and Charity poker. The Motion passed. The committee members are finalizing the documents and plan to roll this out February 1, 2026.

Upcoming events: 

Christmas December 25 
Christmas Light Removal Jan 4 (Weather permitting) 
Coat Drive for Capuchins Jan 17-18 
Pilgrim ICON – Sacred Heart Jan18-24 
Divine Mercy Chaplet lead by Knights at Adoration Jan 20 
District Free Throw Jan 31

Next Council meeting is Thursday January 8. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

Happy New Year! 

Gary Skarb