In memory of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today

3D Animated Flags--By 3DFlags.com

2009

Friday February 13: 6:30 p.m. Pot Luck/Social @ Nativity Church, Social Hall D; 7:30 p.m. 4th Degree Assembly Meet; women meet at same time.

Friday March 13: 6:30 p.m. Pot Luck/Social @ St. Stephen Multipurpose Room; 7:30 p.m.4th Degree Assembly Meet; women meet at same time.

Friday & Saturday April 3 & 4: 4th Degree Exemplification, Tampa Airport Marriott Hotel. All 3rd Degree members who have been Knights for 6 + months are eligible. Contact Ed McNamara (emcnamara48@hotmail.com) for additional information, or visit the 4th Degree website - http://vmfweb.net or http://floridastatecouncil.com.  

Friday May 8: 6:30 p.m. Pot Luck/Social @ St. Clement; 7:30 p.m. 4th Degree Assembly Meet; women meet at same time.

Friday June 12: 6:30 p.m. Pot Luck/Social @ St. Stephen, Multipurpose Room; 7:30 p.m.4th Degree Assembly Meet; women meet at same time.

Friday July 10: 6:30 p.m. Pot Luck/Social @ Nativity Church, Social Hall D; 7:30 p.m. 4th Degree Assembly Meet; women meet at same time.

The Knights of Columbus Assembly 1850 visits the James A Haley Veterans Hospital, Nursing Home, and Fisher House.  

Herbert Swoope VAVS Chairman for the Assembly states the Knights of Columbus are dedicated to the principle of patriotism, and has led the Order in this effort through the "Serving Those Who Served" program.

Our nation was formed for "God and Country".  It is now our obligation to aid these valiant veterans. Our efforts are to maintain contact with active, injured, nursing home residents and retired military and their families. 

 The Order is dedicated to visiting and supplying needed items that are not readily available to them. Our soldiers didn't let us down by serving our Country, and the Knights won't let them down now.

VA Visit, Wednesday, February 18: Please bring books and magazines not older than 3 months.

VA Visit, Saturday, April 18: Burgers and dogs outdoor cookout.

The following article recently appeared in the "Osprey Observer"

KNIGHTS CONTINUE HONORABLE DUTIES

By Carisa Biesecker

     Holding true to its charter of “Patriotism,” the Knights of Columbus Assembly 1850 recently visited Haley’s. Cove Community Living Center, located at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Facility this past Christmas season.

     The group, which is made up of the highest ranked members of the society - the 4^th Degree Assembly, was started locally in 1981, spanning the areas of Brandon, Seffner, Valrico, Riverview and Plant City. With over 190 members, the Catholic-based group constantly seeks out patriotic endeavors which include events related to July 4, Veterans Day and Flag Day while also honoring those deceased through the provision of honor guards and those still alive through Blue Mass and by visiting veterans’ facilities every other month through its Serving Those Who Served program.

     This time, 100 members were able to provide over 120 veterans with gifts they collected earlier in the season. Accompanied by their families, members rallied the spirits of Haley’s Cove residents, whose motto is “The price of freedom is visible here,” singing carols, visiting with Santa and partaking of a smorgasbord of food the group had gathered.

     To be present was to know just how important these visits are to our heroes. No substitute is possible for the giving of one’s time to such a worthy cause,” mentioned Bill Queenan, member. ‘We feel it is the least we can do for our many brave heroes.”

     Having over 13,000 chapters worldwide, the Knights of Columbus was created in order to provide support to members and their families, having been founded by Father Michael J.  McGivney in 1882. According to Sir Knight Edward McNamara, a Valrico resident and the Faithful Navigator of the Assembly, the worldwide organization was able to contribute over $146 million to charities in 2007 while also accumulating 69,000 hours of community service.

‘We are the largest fraternal organization of Catholic men, and still growing, almost 1.8 million strong,” he added.

     To become a member, one has to be a 3^rd Degree Knight in good standing. The group meets the second Friday of each month, varied amongst three parishes which include Nativity Church in Brandon, St. Stephen in Riverview and St. Clement in Plant City.. For more information or details regarding the next meeting, call Ed McNamara at (813)657-7716.

Color Corps Members: