SHARE

Norwalk Knights Of Columbus Council Receives Order's Highest Award

NORWALK, Conn. -- Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council 14360 of Norwalk has earned the distinction of Star Council for the 2015-16 fraternal year, according to an announcement by the organization’s headquarters in New Haven.

Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council 14360 of Norwalk has earned the distinction of Star Council for the 2015-16 fraternal year.

Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council 14360 of Norwalk has earned the distinction of Star Council for the 2015-16 fraternal year.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The Star Council Award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of membership recruitment and retention, promotion of the fraternal insurance program and sponsorship of service-oriented activities. The award was presented to the membership by State Deputy John Macari at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven at a special ceremony Nov. 5.

“Please accept my sincere congratulations upon attaining this prestigious award. Your dedication to the order is seen in the high standard of excellence you have received," said Carl Anderson, chief executive of the organization. 

"At the same time, I encourage you to carry forward this enthusiasm to meet challenges that will face the Knights of Columbus in the years ahead. May this award be a reminder and inspiration to the members of your council to continue to promote the ideals of Columbianism for the good of the Church, your community, and the order.”

The goals of the Knights of Columbus Council at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk is to perform acts of charity. Providing those in need with a range of support from financial to tactical help in dealing with a wide variety of challenges, the council members work together to foster the founding principles of their order: charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism and independent living skills to pregnant and parenting mothers and their children. 

Over the past year, the council has conducted food drives for St. Matthew Food Pantry, hosted youth activities for the parish and Family & Children’s Agency, assisted Al’s Angels and conducted painting and remodeling projects for Malta House and Notre Dame Convalescent Home. The council also provides a Thanksgiving meals to veterans at Homes for the Brave and coordinates a supply drive with the council and local Norwalk schools. 

In addition, the council donated $20,000 to local charities, including Homes for the Brave, Malta House and Notre Dame Convalescent Home.

"All of us at Homes for the Brave have been incredibly blessed by the remarkable support and assistance that the Knights of St. Matthew Council 14360 routinely provide. They support all of our events and have even created some of their own to help us better serve the men and women, primarily veterans, that reside with us,” said Homes for the Brave CEO/Executive Director Vincent Santilli.

“I am very humbled by receiving this prestigious award for all three years as grand knight, but to be honest, the best reward is seeing the smiles on the faces of those we help. I am so blessed to be surrounded by my brothers who are great men of faith in action. Each and every member of the council helped make an impact in our parish and local community. I also want to thank the great parishioners of St. Matthew parish for their continuing support,” said past Grand Knight George Ribellino. Ribellino led the council as grand knight from 2013-16.

The council is poised to continue its work in the community under newly elected Grand Knight Scott Criscuolo. 

“This is a great finish to a tremendous three years with George as grand knight. I just hope I can keep the tradition going of sustained success in this council,” Criscuolo said.

For more information, visit saintmatthewknights.com.

to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE