Knights of Columbus navigates the pandemic

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Like every Knights of Columbus council in the world, East Meadow’s Pope Pius XII council has been trying to find its’ way amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Beginning last March, we were forced to cancel all our in-person events for the parish of St. Raphael. We couldn’t hold meetings in our council chamber so we taught each other how to hold our meetings virtually over Zoom. While the council officers all stepped up and learned how to meet virtually in Zoom, it wasn’t really a substitute for meeting in person. So what have we been doing to move forward in Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism in this new normal?

After voting to expand our Council’s Pro-Life initiative, on June 15th, our Brothers gathered to deliver much needed baby necessities to Momma’s House, a Long Island organization that provides housing and support services to young mothers and their babies, helping them to learn how to support themselves and their children independently. Our first donation was over 100 items!

As the seasons moved quickly by and we were able to attend mass in person and even meet back in our council chamber, we continued to do what Knights do and serve our parish. As we moved into the fall, parish projects appeared that needed our help.

Our Council managed the St. Vincent dePaul clothing drive on the weekend of Oct. 17 and 18 and filled the truck! Many thank to the brothers who volunteered to help.

On Oct. 25, we completed our second collection of paper goods to Momma’s House. Among other needed items, over 780 diapers were generously donated. The items were delivered on Oct. 27 with many thanks.

The month of October finished up big with the Beatification of our Founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, celebrated on Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral in Hartford, CT. — an amazing honor for Father McGivney and the Knights of Columbus.

On Oct. 31st at the 5 p.m., mass at St. Raphael's, Father McGivney's beatification was also celebrated with many of our brother Knights in attendance.

Ron Chalmers is a Grand Knight of the East Meadow Knights of Columbus.