Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
The Knights of Columbus is one of the oldest international Catholic brotherhood organizations. If you want to join this great organization of Catholic men, the Mantua chapter serves the St. Joseph Parish community. The Mantua K of C’s sponsor a wide range of social and religious activities, including dinners and dances, pilgrimages, and special Masses. In addition, they participate in activities sponsored by the Portage County Chapter Knights of Columbus which may include Toys for Tots, Special Populations Basketball Shooting Contest at Happy Day School, and Portage County MRDD Special Olympics Bowling Tournament. They also offer financial services and instruments, such as life insurance.
In the K of C you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order:
striving in charitable works
serving the Church and unified in following its teachings
supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs
Deacon Gerry Scopilliti (Chaplain) 330-569-4795 |
Donny Sherbondy (Recorder) |
Ed Zwolinski (Grand Knight) 440-413-4246 |
Mike Minor (Chancellor) |
Greg D'Aurelio (Deputy Grand Knight) 330-569-4614 |
Raymond Markward (Inside Guard) |
Doug Szygenda (Financial Secretary) 330-618-2552 |
James Fields (Outside Guard) |
Stan Carlisle (Treasurer) |
John Kruis (Trustee) |
Marvin Litz (Advocate) |
Austin Anderson (Trustee) |
Tim Rooth (Warden) |
Dale Zullo (Trustee) |
Bill Curtin (Lecturer) |
Lonn Safko (District Deputy) |
Don Fleming (Program Coordinator) 205-533-2143 |
Daniel Slattery (Insurance Field Agent) |
K of C Council #3766
7:30 p.m. St. Joseph Church (Rm. #3)
1st Mondays - Business Meeting
(must be a Knight in good standing to attend)
3rd Mondays - Social Meeting
All Are Welcome
Email K of C
Fr. John Cassidy Assembly
of the K of C 4th Degree:
2nd Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Church (Rm. #3)
4th Degree K of C John Cassidy Assembly & Pope Pius XII Assembly at
Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna honoring veterans on 11-13-22
The Mantua Knights of Columbus are hosting a Polish Dinner & Dance on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Join us for 5 p.m. Mass with polka music followed by a 5-course meal in Hughes Hall. Music to be provided by The Don Wojtila Band. The menu includes Golabki (stuffed cabbage), Kotlet Schabowy (chicken cutlet), Bigos - Polish Hunter’s Stew (kielbasa & sauerkraut), pierogi, cabbage & noodles, appetizers, sides, dessert, and beverages. Tickets are $25/person, $50/couple, $10 Children 3-12 years (3 & under free). Ticket sales will be held in the Narthex (dates to be announced) or available through the Parish Office. For tickets or more information, please contact Ed Zwolinski (440-413-4246 or [email protected]).
Celebrating the ethnic heritage of the Polish, German, Slovenian, or Czech people, a polka Mass has all the elements of a regular Mass. The difference is the words of the liturgy and hymns are sung to familiar polka tunes or waltzes. The polka instrumentals are played in a slower, more reverential fashion. Many point to Rev. George Balasko as the creator of the polka Mass in the early 1970s, a time when the Vatican was permitting musical variations on the liturgy. Fr. Balasko, a Youngstown Diocesan priest also known for his contributions to Catholic-Jewish dialogue, re-worked polka favorites of his youth with English lyrics. He was pastor of St. Joseph Church September, 8, 1978 - July 1, 1981 and is now retired and living at the Villa Maria in Pennsylvania.
The Mantua K of C along with St. Joseph Parish will be hosting a Mass for People with Special Needs on Sunday, May 21, at 9 a.m. We all know people with special needs resulting from physical, emotional, mental, or cognitive conditions are all around us in society: at school, at work, and in our families.
Unfortunately, it can sometimes be challenging for these important members of our society to participate in liturgies due to physical and social barriers or even family member anxiety. Celebrating a Mass for People with Special Needs can be the first of many steps toward integrating them into regular weekly or even daily Mass and more deeply into all the sacraments and other aspects of parish life.
Putting their faith into action, the Knights of Columbus are hosting this Mass and hopes to spread the message that all God's children are welcome under the parish roof and that every person is an integral part of the parish family. After attending Mass, everyone is invited to join us for light refreshments in Hughes Hall. The Knights continue to support Measure Up benefiting Hattie Larlham and Maggie's and More Donuts (Maggie's employs people with special needs). For more information, please contact Ed Zwolinski (440-413-4246 or [email protected]) or Don Fleming (205-533-2143 or [email protected]).
Ed Zwolinski, Michelle Ward-Clayton, Bob Zamrzla
Michel Heroux & Ray Markward
Come join the fun on Saturday, August 19, as our parish celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Mantua Knights of Columbus Council 3766 will be serving up a Pig & Chicken Roast from 6 to 10 p.m. Held under and around the pavilion at St. Joseph Church, the event features good food, live music, corn hole tournament and other picnic-type games, 50/50, and fellowship. With food being served at 7 p.m., the menu includes roasted pork and chicken, mac & cheese, baked beans, corn on the cob, pop and bottled water (BYOB). Donations gratefully accepted. Seating will be available in the pavilion but you may wish to bring lawn chairs.
WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS!
The Knights will be holding a Reverse Raffle on Saturday, October 29, in St. Joseph’s Hughes Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. Ticket price of $80.00 per couple or $60.00 per single includes a delicious dinner, beverages and dessert. There'll be an open bar, musical entertainment and dancing, a chance at $1,000.00 grand prize along with other games of chance all with a Halloween theme. There'll be a costume contest with prizes! Tickets and more information will be available by contacting Doug @ 330-618-2552 or Faith @ 216-406-3825.
"The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."
Following the United States Flag Code, Fr. Cassidy Assembly #3034 of the K of C 4th Degree periodically offer proper disposal of worn flags with a Flag Burning Ceremony. The next ceremony will be held June 11, 2023, at St. Joan of Arc Church in Streetsboro (time TBD). Gather your worn or torn symbols of our nation's courage and bring to the Narthex for this reverent disposal (look for the designated box or see any K of C member).
The first Friday of the month, K of C members gather at St. Joseph Church for an hour spent in prayer during the parish's Eucharistic Adoration.
On the third Saturday of the month, members gather at 4:20 p.m. for the Holy Rosary. We thank Brother Mike Minor for chairing.
K of C members join the hundreds of volunteers offering their time for our parish's annual Ox Roast Fair. Set-up, take-down, and the Kiddie Tractor Pulls are just a few of the areas with which they lend a hand.
The Knights of Columbus annually honors people within the Council and in the parish and community at their Founder’s Awards & Dinner. On Saturday, March 25, the following people received recognition:
Religious Award—Tom Smith
Knight of the Year—Don Engelhart
K of C Volunteer—Drake Engelhart
Blue Coat Award—Matt Roosa
Youth of the Year—Lenci Blohm
Woman of the Year—Marcy Fleming
Parish Volunteer—Angie Daczko
Parish Family of the Year—George & Kathi Trares
K of C Family of the Year—Don & Marcy Fleming
In 2022, Founder's Awards were presented after Mass on Sunday, December 4. Congratulations to the following people who were honored:
K of C Family—Pat & JoDee Romano Family
Youth of the Year—Ally Sabol
Parish Volunteer—Andrea Brady
K of C Volunteer—John Lesnak
Knight of the Year—Mel Romanello
Woman of the Year—Kathi Trares
Blue Coat—Brian Curtin
Religious—Jessica Szoka
Parish Family—Doug & Faith Szygenda Family
St. Joseph Church & the Knights of Columbus Father John Cassidy Assembly #3034 & Mantua Council #3766 presents A Celebration of all First Responders & Military Blue Mass on Sunday, September 17, at 9 a.m. Family and friends are welcome as we honor those who have died in the line of duty, veterans, retirees, and those currently serving as first responders and military. It is an opportunity to show our gratitude and to pray for the safety of our first responders, military, and their families. A reception will follow in Hughes Hall. In addition to the K of C, we thank our sponsoring groups including St. Joseph Worship Committee, the Sisterhood of St. Joseph, Scouting BSA Troops #575 & #7575, the PSR programs of St. Joseph Church and St. Ambrose Church. For more information, please contact Ed Zwolinski (440-413-4246) or St. Joseph's Parish Office (330-274-2253).
The 2023 Knights of Columbus Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Sunday, November 19, at 1 p.m. The reservation line will open on November 1. Please call 330-274-4295 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and how many will be in your party. A full Thanksgiving feast is served, entertainment is provided and door prizes are given. This free dinner will be held in Hughes Hall at St. Joseph Church in Mantua (not at the K of C Hall on St. Rt. 44 as in previous years). Reservations are first come, first served.
This new ministry started in May, 2021, provides used homecare equipment and assistive devices to those in need. Donations of items in good condition for the elderly or physically handicapped such as walkers, wheelchairs, bathroom aids, etc., are welcome. If you know someone in need, the Knights can set up a time for pickup or drop off of items. Simply contact or leave a mesage with Greg D’Aurelio (330-569-4614 or [email protected]) to arrange.
Rosary Program
On the third Saturday of every month prior to 5 p.m. Mass), Brothers Don Engelhart and Mike Minor will lead the Rosary and praying the Novena for Life. Members are invited to attend this great time to ask Mary to help pray for us as well as those in our family that need God's grace, strength, mercy, and healing.
Hour of Prayer
The first Friday of the month, members will gather at the church for an hour spent in prayer, 7 to 8 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to take time out and spend some quality time with God. Family members are encouraged to come, too.
Starting November 2021, the Knights will begin collecting canned goods to help those in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons as well as throughout the winter. Members are asked to drop off donations on Mondays or bring to meetings.
Mantua K of C hosts a Free Throw Event in January each year for boys and girls aged 9-14. Participants are eligible to continue to the Regional Event and then State competition.
2023 Free Throw Event
Saturday, January 21
1 p.m. @ Crestwood Intermediate School Gym
11260 Bowen Rd., Mantua, OH 44255
Parent/guardian signature is required when registering student on the day of the event. Questions? Please contact Ed Zwolinski (440-413-4246 or [email protected]) or John Lesnak (330-968-8747 or [email protected]). Click here for a flyer.
Special Needs Event
Mantua K of C members help with the Annual Free Throw Contest, hosted by the Portage County Chapter Knights of Columbus (Happy Day) held Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Independence of Portage County, Inc. This contest is for persons eligible for Portage DD services, 10 years and older. Members who are interested and/or would like to carpool are asked to contact Ed Zwolinski.
Local: January 14, 11 a.m. @ Independence Portage County, Inc.
Regional: March 4 in Garrettsville
State: ?
Mantua K of C Council 3766 had one of it’s members, Raymond Markward, won his age group in 2022. Congratulations, Ray!
March For Life
Plans are being made to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on January 21, 2022, to help promote the beauty and dignity of every human life by working to end abortion. We join this rally of people from all across the country to celebrate each and every life, from the moment of conception. We envision a world where every life is celebrated, valued, and protected.
Life Chain
On Respect Life Sunday, in October, a Life Chain is held at the Ravenna Court House to pray to end abortion. Members of the Mantua Knights of Columbus routinely attend this event.
Knights of Columbus councils work closely with Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit Christian organization, to build homes with families in need at substantially reduced costs. Each year, councils throughout the Order donate a considerable number of volunteer hours and dollars to this worthy cause. To satisfy program requirements, councils are asked to donate a minimum of $1,000 or 200 service hours to Habitat for Humanity projects in their community.
Mantua Council #3766 recently took on the project of St. Joe parishioner Fran Strekal’s home. John Lesnak led the whole program securely $6,000.00 from Home Depot. Here are the volunteers that helped make it happen: Bill Curtin, Don Engelhart, John Lesnak, Greg D’Aurelio. Vince DiEgidio and Herb Gieseler (from Our Lady of Perpetual Help K of C Council #14186). Brittany Bradnan, Akela Eggleston, Cole Rausch and Ron Mazurek volunteered from Home Depot. A big thank you to everyone involved—Fran is thrilled!
Portage County Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Portage County.
The K of C will be helping with their bowling competiton to be held at Spins Bowl, 2245 St. Rt. 59 in Kent. Please contact Ed Zwolinski for more details.
For a number of years the K of C has collected food and toys for 4C's. A lot of people need help not only at Christmas time, but all year long. Non-perishable food items, toys, and cash donations are donated.
All children of the parish ages 4 through 14 are encouraged to participate in an annual K of C "Keep Christ in Christmas" Poster Contest. Participants simple take a poster paper (available on table in Narthex and/or school hallway), create a Christmas poster of their own design that shows what Christmas is all about, and submit entry to the PSR or Parish Offices by Friday, December 17, 2021. Prizes will be awarded on Sunday, December 19, at the PSR Cookie Party. All are welcome.
The Mantua K of C conduct a Warm Hearts Warm Home winter gear collection drive. To help area kids stay warm this year, the Knights will be collecting hats, gloves and scarves for kids of all ages. New or slightly used winter coats are also being accepted. This drive is in conjunction with Portage County Catholic Charities. Each year, the K of C and Catholic Charities help hundreds of local families keep warm during winter months.
Mass for People with Special Needs - May 15, 2022
Habitat for Humanity
Global Wheelchair Mission
Pregnancy Center Support
Into The Breach
Family Prayer Night
Consecration to the Holy Family
Knights of Columbus Council #14186 (Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora)
Knights of Columbus Council #11801 (St. Ambrose, Garrettsville)
Knights of Columbus Council #1411 (St. Patrick, Kent)
Knights of Columbus Council #3766 (St. Joseph, Mantua)
Knights of Columbus Council #2039 (St. Joseph, Randolph-Suffield Area)
Knights of Columbus Council #1417 (Immaculate Conception, Ravenna)
Knights of Columbus Council #5173 (St. Peter of the Fields, Rootstown)
Knights of Columbus Msgr. Lavelle Council #4571 (St. Joan of Arc, Streetsboro)
Knights of Columbus Fr. Lambert J. Andrews Council #4433 (St. Michael, Windham)
Pope Pius XII of the K of C 4th Degree #834 - serving St. Ambrose (Garrettsville), St. Michael (Windham), St. Peter of the Fields (Rootstown), Immaculate Conception (Ravenna), St. Joseph (Randolph-Suffield Area)
Fr. John Cassidy Assembly #3034 of the K of C 4th Degree - serving St. Joseph (Mantua), Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Aurora), St. Patrick (Kent), St. Joan of Arc (Streetsboro); meetings 2nd Wed. each month, 7:30 p.m. @ alternating parishes