OCTOBER 2025

 

Basketball Free Throw   Bishop’s Burse   C&B Books   Calendar   Coats for Kids   Color Corps   Columbiettes   Day of Caring   Essay Contest   Fourth Degree   Keep Christ in Christmas   Lottery Calendar   Pro‑Life   RSVP   Scholarships   Soccer Challenge   Veterans   Vocations   Wheelchairs

 

Buffalo Knights Newsletter

Click here for the current newsletter

 

In the October 2025 issue:

1.  The Beaded Blade: Prayer as Our Sword
Rosary as spiritual weapon and communal call to action

2.  Christian Persecution in Nigeria Continues
Statistics, martyrdom, and the call to prayerful resistance

3.  Silencing the Shepherds: China's Crackdown on Catholic Priests Online
New internet laws and their impact on digital evangelization

4.  Between Parish and Church: A Moment for Reflection in Western New York
Canon law rulings, parish closures, and spiritual discernment

5.  A Call to Defend Life from Conception to Natural Death
Respect Life Month, Knights’ initiatives, and local witness

6.  Our Lady of the Rosary: Heaven’s Sword in Our Hands
Feast of October 7, Marian intercession, and practical Rosary tips

7.  St. Carlo Acutis: Apostle of the Eucharist
Teen saint, digital missionary, and Eucharistic devotion

8.  St. Ignatius of Antioch: Martyr of Communion
Early Church Father, Eucharistic theology, and unity in suffering

9.  Catechesis: The Rosary as Formation and Doctrine
Rosary as “compendium of the Gospel” and school of prayer

10.   Catholic Comics: Peter the Pious
Lighthearted reflection on prayer and perseverance

11.   Knights of Columbus Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Shrine
Event details, schedule, and RSVP information

12.   Fr. Justin Council No. 5670 – Cheektowaga
Bingo schedule, Justin Hall reopening, and community outreach

13.   Madonna Council No. 2535 – North Tonawanda
Thursday Bingo and parish support

14.   Our Lady of Fatima Council No. 14622 – Youngstown
Pilgrimage leadership and Marian hospitality

 

Contact: buffaloknightsconnect@gmail.com

 

Monsignor William C. Kirby Council #325

Night at the Races

Batavia Downs Gaming

October 3, 2025

 

Chaplain’s Report.  NYS Council has a Catholic School/Religious Education Program Support and Matching Funds Program. The form is available on the NYS Council website under Programs. NYS Council will match a Council donation supporting a Catholic High School or Elementary School or Religious Education Program in a Parish. All the details are on the attached form. If a Council has any questions, please have them contact me.  See RSVP below for information on the NYS RSVP Program.

 

Fourth Degree.  4th Degree Exemplififation for Rochester/Batavia area will be held at Batavia Ascension Church. Date to be announced.

 

Color Corps.  Training sessions are held the 1st Thursday of each month at Father Justin Council. Paul Sawaya encouraged for Assemblies to have their own training sessions. He also reported that Color Corp had one event at Father Millet Cross went well. Approximately 25 men present. Paul also stated that the pilgrimage for the Fatima Shrine will be Saturday October 18, 2025. All Corp men to report at 3:15 p.m.  Text or call at 716-401-4334 or email at rnsawaya@yahoo.com . 

 

Pro-Life.  Each council should select a Brother Knight to lead their Pro Life program. Suggested Pro-Life activities at your council:

·      Schedule Rosary and Divine Chaplet readings weekly or monthly outside abortion clinic Coordinate with local parish if possible

·      Identify and implement fund raising efforts for

1)  ultrasound equipment or

2)  lodging expenses for pregnant mothers at Outreach Centers.

·      Support Outreach Centers

o  Mother Teresa Home, 208 Stanislaus St Buffalo 14212.  This program supports pregnancy, and parenting young people (housing and training).

o  St Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center   780 Ridge Rd Lackawanna

 

ASAP. (Aid and Support After Pregnancy). ASAP is a featured program to support pregnant women, mothers, and their children, both born and unborn, by serving pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes. Through ASAP, for every $500 a council or assembly donates to a qualifying non-profit pregnancy resource center or maternity home (up to $2,000), the Supreme Council will issue a $100 grant to the same qualifying organization. What activities qualify for ASAP? There are a variety of activities you can organize to qualify for ASAP funds – most fall within the categories of financial support and material assistance:

•       Examples of financial support include direct donations, Baby Bottle Drives, proceeds from fundraisers, open houses, etc.

•       • Examples of material assistance include donations of baby items (equipment, food, formula, diapers, wipes), clothes (maternity, baby, infant, and toddler) and other items often listed on a center’s or maternity home’s website.

 

Ultrasound. The Knights of Columbus works together as an organization to purchase ultrasound machines for qualifying pregnancy centers Opportunity to view their unborn children on ultrasound machines at pro-life pregnancy centers. This initiative is funded by Knights of Columbus state and local councils with matching grants from the Supreme Council’s Culture of Life Fund. After the state and/or local council raises 50% of the cost, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council will provide the other 50% to complete funding for purchase.

 

Day of Caring.  The Special Olympics Golf Tournament was held at Rizzo’s at Rothland Golf Course in Akron on Saturday, August 16, 2025.  Joe Mead reported that there were 80 golfers in participation. Tim Meyer reported tickets will remain available for $5 until the drawing which will be held at the November meeting. He also reminded us that the certificate is used as a stipend and there will be additional costs involved.

 

Veterans.  The Knights of Columbus proudly stand in support of our military veterans.

 

Lottery Calendar.  Currently looking for a replacement for Lew Herman. Still looking for people to help out. Calendars still available. Read about the Lottery calendars 2026 sales incentive here.  The incentive was put in place to reward those councils that have supported the program for many years.  We also hope the incentive will entice those councils that haven't participated to get involved. 

 

Wheelchairs.  This initiative provides aid to those who lack the freedom of mobility in our communities and around the world. Whether councils are presenting wheelchairs to local veterans and neighbors in need or donating funds to benefit those abroad, mobility brings with it independence and dignity. Obtained at discounted prices, these wheelchairs change the lives of their recipients. We are always in need of wheelchairs at $150.00 each.

 

If your council or assembly wants to donate, please contact Larry Phalzer at Madonna Council 716-868-1218 or Lew Herman 716-984-1983

 

Vocations.  Message from Rev. Michael Johnson (September 2025): The Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) through Knights of Columbus Supreme HQ is a program that all Councils and Assemblies should participate in.  I am very happy to report that 28 of our Councils or Assemblies have told me they want to support our Seminarians and Religious Aspirants with RSVP funds and prayer & support.  This year's support from our WNY Chapter Councils and Assemblies has been outstanding and broken the record of total amount contributed by our Councils and Assemblies through the RSVP Program and has allowed us to support our Seminarians and Religious Aspirants with more funds than ever before!  A special shout out to St Vincent de Paul Council #17883 who is the top donor to RSVP. 

 

 

The Vocations Director for the Diocese of Buffalo is Rev. David Baker.

 

RSVP Links:

 Read more about our seminarians

 Contact information

 RSVP refund application form

 

Scholarships.  All applications for Scholarships and Grants are due April 1 at the New York State Council Offices. The applications are available by selecting SCHOLARSHIPS on the NYS website at www.newyorkknights.com. Eighth graders entering Parochial High Schools are eligible for consideration.

 

Basketball Free Throw Competition.  Tom Castle reported all councils should contact schools in their area to schedule a date. Council contest should be held in December. District contest should be held in January. Chapter Contest will be held the 3rd week in February at Our Lady of Hope Council in Kenmore.

 

Soccer Challenge Contest.  This is a fall event. Be sure and take the online Safe Environment Program now to be covered.

 

Take Note: Anyone running any youth competitions or events need certification by taking the online “Safe Environment Program”/Supreme website. It only takes 45 minutes to complete, and the certification is good for two years.  The training is available here.

 

Coats for Kids.  Please contact Joe Gnojek <st.vincentdepaulcouncil17883@gmail.com> for more information.

 

Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest.  Essay information is available at kofc.org > What We Do > Programs > Community > Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest

 

Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest.  Posters submitted to state for kindergarten, 5-6, and eighth grade came from council 338, 1-2, 3-4 and seventh came from St. Mary’s. Poster information is available at kofc.org > What We Do > Programs > Family > Keep Christ in Christmas.

 

Columbiettes.  Information on the Columbiettes can be obtained by contacting Steven Szumigala <steven.szumigala@gmail.com>.

 Columbiettes Auxiliary # 14687 St. Gregory’s:

  Officers 2025-2026

  Who We Are

  

Bishop’s Burse.

 

C&B Books.  Tim Meyer reported tickets still available. Ticket sales down from previous year. He reminded us of the 1 book per member goal set by Supreme. All monies are used for charity. He also reminded all District Deputies to take booklets back to their councils. The enhanced Bonus Program continues in 2025, to generate more charity money for our key charities.  See the details here.  For tickets, please contact Tim Meyer <tmeyer4654@gmail.com>, 585-689-1353. 

 

 

 

Webmaster: Rick Jachimiak <rjachimiak@gmail.com>