JEFFERSON — On the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4, Knights of Columbus of St. Francis of Assisi Council 16839 officially became the newest council in North Carolina.
District Deputy Bob Hall, assisted by Field Agent Bill Matthews and Past Grand Knight of the Boone Council Matt Bagley, established the new officers at an installation ceremony at St. Francis of Assisi Church Oct. 10. Father James Stuhrenberg, pastor, blessed the jewels of office, which were then presented to the following: Father Camilo Cardenas Bonilla, chaplain; Bob Breton, Grand Knight; Luis De La Cerda, Deputy Grand Knight; Ramiro Palacio, Chancellor; Rick LaBonte, Financial Secretary; John Pokorney of St. Frances of Rome Mission, Recorder; John Esser, Treasurer; Patrick Hession, Lecturer; Bob Murphy, Warden; James Bieber, Inside Guard; Patrick Bieber, Outside Guard; Paul Baschon, 3-year Board of Trustees; Lenny Andreucci, 2-year Board of Trustees; and Dr. Robert Grajewski, 1-year Board of Trustees.
Following the installation, refreshments were served in the parish hall, followed by the first official meeting of the new council.
— Patrick Hession, correspondent
SYLVA — Father Joseph Matlak will present “Breathing with Both Lungs,” about how the Church’s different ways of worship inform and illuminate one another, from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva.
Father Matlak is a bi-ritual priest who offers Mass in the Eastern Catholic (Byzantine) rite as well as both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Catholic rite. The program is being presented by the Smoky Mountain Regional Office of Faith Formation.