Since the 19th century, the Knights of Columbus have promoted the principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
A significant gift from the Bentleyville Ellsworth Council 5826 demonstrates how they live out those beliefs.
The Knights have donated their council hall in Bentleyville to Ave Maria Parish through Our Campaign for The Church Alive! The building will be expanded to provide space for faith formation, receptions for baptisms, first Holy Communions and weddings, parish dances and dinners, and help promote evangelization in the community.
“The Knights have a long history of supporting all the Catholic parishes in our region, and this generous gift is another example,” said Father Edward Yuhas, moderator of team ministry for the Catholic Communities of Southeast Washington County. “It will help our ministries grow and flourish.”
Bishop David Zubik recently presided over groundbreaking ceremonies for the two-story, 3,600 square foot addition to the Knights of Columbus hall.
The new space will be used for a daily Mass chapel, religious education classrooms for children, teens and adults, new offices and a conference room.
The Knights will continue to have use of the hall for their meetings and activities. The addition is expected to be ready next summer.
“This donation is another way for us to help build the faith,” said Stan Glowaski, Grand Knight and State Deputy for the Knights of Columbus. “We also hope the community will use the building.”
Ave Maria Parish was established in 1994 as part of the diocesan reorganization and revitalization program. The parish was formed through the merger of St. Clement in Ellsworth, St. Joseph in Cokeburg and St. Luke in Bentleyville.
Chartered in 1882 as a fraternal benefit society, The Knights of Columbus was founded to provide financial aid to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Fellowship is promoted through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare and other relief efforts.
The Knights note that our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love they neighbor as thyself.” Members live out this principle of charity by conducting food drives, donating the items to local soup kitchens and food panties, volunteering at the Special Olympics, and supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies.
In promoting unity, the Knights state that “none of us is as good as all of us. Together we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually, so we support one another.” Knights encourage each other as they work to make life better in their parish and community.
The Order has become the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society, counting nearly two million members in the United States and 16 other countries. The Bentleyville-Ellsworth Council was founded in 1966. Their hall, adjacent to the former St. Luke church, was built in 1983.
In advance of the campaign, the parish formed a needs assessment committee which helped develop a pastoral plan and led to discussions with the Knights of Columbus.
“This donation is a win-win for the Knights and the parish,” Father Yuhas said. “They will continue to have a home, and parishioners will have a gathering space for our ministries and fellowship.”
