The Christopher Council of the Delaware Knights of Columbus, which serves Holy Rosary Parish in Claymont and St. Helena Parish in Bellefonte, celebrated its 75th anniversary on Jan. 20 with a Mass at Holy Rosary, followed by a banquet at the Claymont Ballroom.
Bishop Koenig presided at the Mass, where he was joined by the pastors of the two parishes, Father John Gayton and Msgr. Stanley Russell. Also concelebrating were Father Donald VanAlstyne, a Marian of the Immaculate Conception who has provided pastoral ministry at Holy Rosary and is a chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Elsmere, and Father Brian Lewis, who is the pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Lewes. Father Lewis grew up a member of Holy Rosary Parish and began his tenure as a Knight of Columbus in the Christopher Council.
Neal Potts, a member of the council, said about 200 people attended the anniversary Mass and banquet. Christopher Council, he said, has more than 300 members.
At the banquet, the council received tributes from the Supreme Knight and the state deputy. New Castle County executive Matt Meyer was there, and county councilman John Cartier presented a proclamation from the county. State Rep. Larry Lambert read a presentation from the state of Delaware, according to Potts.
During the anniversary celebration, the council presented Father Gayton and Msgr. Russell with checks for each parish, and the bishop received one as well for Catholic Charities. In recent months, Christopher Council also has given to the Mary Campbell Center, Bayard House and the Mary Mother of Hope House, Potts said.
Charlie Schiliro is the current grand knight for the council. Mike Panfile is the state secretary, and Rick Johnson is the immediate past state deputy.
Johnson presented the Star Council award, which Christopher achieved last year. The evening finished with special recognition of Jack Raughley, who has been a member of the council for 58 years.
Christopher Council was chartered as the St. Helena’s Council No. 3182 on Sept. 29, 1948, according to a history of the council. There were 44 founding members, including Father Thomas Reese, who was the first chaplain. Joseph Phelan was the first grand knight.
Renamed in 1954 to Christopher Council, the number of members expanded to 123 by August 1955. It has often been the largest in the state.
According to this history, Christopher Council has been an active fundraiser from the beginning. The money raised has supported both parishes and many community organizations. Those activities will continue in the coming months with a fish fry on six Fridays during Lent and the annual St. Patrick’s Day party. The council also is participating in the annual Souper Bowl food collection that takes place on Feb. 11, Super Bowl Sunday.
