October 2026 Meeting Minutes
October 2026 Meeting Minutes
October 21ST 2026
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Grand Knight Michael Sabella.
Warden’s Report
All present were in possession of a current membership card.
Opening Prayer
Opening prayer was led by Deacon Tony .
Pledge of Allegiance
Salute to the flag was led by the council members.
Chaplain report
Deacon Tony was present. Deacon Tony spoke about the Turkey Brook Park Event planned for the veterans that is scheduled for 11/11/2026. He stated that this event will be run by Mount Olive Township. He stated that Charlie Urban will run the event and that John Mania will be honored at this event.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted on a motion by Bob Jacobs seconded by Dan Fuller, approved with a unanimous vote.
Grand Knight’s Report (Mike Sabella)
October, 2026
· Thank you for all those – wives included – that attended the Officers’ Installation.
· Cor is A flexible framework of prayer, formation and fraternity that helps focus men on Jesus through building Christ-centered brotherhood. So…
Why Cor? Through Cor, men will be formed and sharpened as disciples of Jesus, who are committed to serving him and willing to boldly live and share their faith.
So…Consider attending this weekend’s Cornerstone Retreat. It takes place here at St. Jude (not at a retreat house with an overnight stay) on Friday night and all day Saturday.
· St. Carlo Acutis
A program we are running – thank you Sal Ubaldini – in conjunction with a council in Long Island, and importantly, the St, Jude Faith Formation program. We are voting later tonight on supporting this with light breakfast foods (“up to $500).
Faith Formation is cancelling classes in lieu of all students, and at least one parent, attend.
Carlo Acutis (3 May 1991 – 12 October 2006 at 15 years old) was an Italian Catholic teenager known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his use of social media platforms to promote Catholicism. He is known as a “God Influencer”.
· Pride in Priests Dinner, Monday, November 23rd. Sign Up sheet only has 4 names on it right now.
· Wreath Drive – Supports Food for Families. If you don’t want a wreath, in the Christmas Spirit, make a donation.
o Distribution will be November 28-29…please offer help to Gerard
· Blood Drive December 5th – Can you help with:
o Donating; and/or getting family members to donate
o Publicize the event
o Set up on Friday night, 12/4 after Bingo
o Clean Up around 1:30 on Saturday, 12/5
· December 13th…Awaiting a Savior Faith Formation event (formerly Birthday Party for Jesus). We donated “Up to $500” for breakfast foods and will look to do it again.
Mike Sabella suggested we look into obtaining a concrete cross for John mania to be placed at Turkey brook park to honor his life.
Mike wanted to thank everyone who participated in the office’s installation.
In Gerard’s absence Mike is asking that we volunteer at all the upcoming wreath Dr. events. Volunteers will be needed before and after mass at during the upcoming weekends Mike reminded us that we make about 6 $6 per wreath profit Mike also reminded us that we can give directly to the wreath drive in the form of donation and to please consider donating.
Treasurer’s Report (Michael Uszacki.)
The bank statement was sent to trustees. A copy is available upon request..
Financial Secretary’s Report (Gerard Petrocelli)
Financial secretary’s report is emailed in advance to Trustees for approval of expenditures.
Memership Report (All Members) We are all now membership directors due to the passing of our brother chip. Please continue to look for new members within the community and places of business
Program Reports – Led by John Waltral
Bingo (Mike Mallon) Bingo is going well. Mike stated Mike Mallon stated that we have 5 bingo nights this month and all are encouraged to volunteer as much as possible. Mike stated that bingo is going well but we still need work during setup and during cleanup at the end of the night. Mike stated that we will need help during the coming month due to events to be held the day after bingo. Mike stated that we will need help setting up tables for these following day events and that volunteers are needed after bingo ends. Mike stated that Dan fuller will provide a layout of the tables as needed.
Mike Sabella said we would need help in the kitchen and cooks are covered but we need substitute cooks just in case.
Stations of the Cross (Lenny Martin) Lenny Martin stated at a meeting tonight we are moving along with the stations of the cross project. Lenny stated that he has contacted a concrete company that’s willing to give us free concrete due to the fact that John mania worked at this company for many years. We will need to pay for the dye in the concrete to give it a color and that cost will be about $300. Lenny stated that we for recognition of donors and That there will be gold silver and bronze level labels provided.
Soup Kitchen (Lenny Martin) Lenny stated that at the previous soup kitchen that we gave out 62 in house meals along with 53 takeout meals and that this number is unusually low. Lenny stated that the meal consisted of baked fish corn vegetables and rice and that the recipients were very happy.
Right to Life March (Gerry Kaufhold)- Gerry stated that the recent March to life event in Trenton that the bus had 25 attendees however only three were from our parish. This event was held last Thursday and was a success as the weather was good and the speakers were exceptional.
Canonization (Sal Ubaldini) Sal stated that there will be a display of Saint Carl Acutis and it will be available for viewing in our parish center on November 1st 2026. Sal stated that he will help with the setup and return of this display and that all are encouraged to come view it as it is a extraordinary piece of artwork. Sal stated that this St. Carl was only 15 years old when he passed away but had already devoted his entire life to Jesus. Sal stated that his body is on display in a spirit outfit because he was a young person who died and his own mother was very proud of him as he became a St. Period
Diaper Drive (Gerry Kaufhold) Gerry stated that the next diaper drive has started and we’ll be on from October 23rd until November 1st. Jerry stated that all donations can be played placed in the Narthex of the church. Jerry also stated that he needs volunteers to help hand out the right to life raffle that weekend and that there was a sign up sheet on the back table.
Church Lights (Joe Tarallo) Lights Joe stated that all the materials are in for the church lights and that tonight we have a second motion for the funds needed to complete this project. Joe stated that this upcoming Wednesday we would take down lights in a daily Chapel with the lift in order to retrofit them for reinstallation inside the main church.
Charity Mania (Tom Rohe) Tom stated The last charity mania drive sold 268 tickets resulting in a $2884.84 profit. All the proceeds will be used to benefit veterans events. This upcoming Saturday there is a pasta dinner to be held at Saint Jude’s church in Hopatcong. The cost is $20 per adult $8 per kid and kids under 6 eat for free. You can bring your own wine and drinks. This is an all you can eat event and there was a flyer on the back table describing the event. Deacon Tony stated that he has been doing pasta dinners for approximately 40 years now and he can remember in the beginning the giant cans of sauce that would be served at the events.
Soccer Challenge (John Waltral) John stated that the soccer challenge was held on October 3rd and even though there weren’t enough volunteers he was able to help run the event. Jerry Kaufhold helped during the event. There were seven boys who participated in the event and it was held at Turkey brook park.
4TH Degree (Tom Rohe) Tom stated that the 4th degree exemplifications are coming up in December. Tom wanted to thank Mike Jim Jerry as they were a few of the members that helped during the event. This was for the pasta dinner that will be held on October 24th.
Wreath Drive (Gerard Petrocelli) – In Gerard’s absence we need to be reminded that he needs volunteers to help with selling the products before and after mass during the upcoming weeks..
Squires (Tom Rohe) Tom stated that tomorrow night there will be a meeting to discuss the Christmas at paragon event planned for this year. Meeting will be held at the Meeting House just adjacent to the Flanders Fire House.
Eucharistic Minister (Paul Cappone) Paul for this second meeting in a row presented a short portion of a documentary video explaining the church and the mass and all its functions. Paul also explained that he has obtained father Antonio’s approval to mention chip Sturm at 4 masses in the upcoming month. These will be the noon masses that chip served as a Usher.
Paul Cappone (Cornerstone) Paul also stated that we need to know by tomorrow night if any additional members will be joining the cornerstone retreat to be held this weekend. The event will start Friday at 5:00 PM with dinner and then prayer services afterwards. On Saturday the event will be held from 7:30 AM until 7:00 PM mass. Paul stated that the last video he showed was about the baptism and that this week it will be about walking into church and kneeling down. Paul also stated that the state retreat was held last weekend. Hey I want to
District Deputy Report
Greetings From Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, and State Deputy James Sweeney.
- My sympathies for the loss of our 2 Brother; May they rest in peace in the arms of Our Lord.
- You have 6 members awaiting entry into the brotherhood. CUF scheduled 9/28.
- Date for membership drive? Please let me know.
- Bringing men to Christ so they can bring Christ to men. We should each bring 1 gentleman to or Order this year
- Safe Environment – keep an eye on your compliance report – looks like not compliant. This is important – we have many programs where we have families and it’s our responsibility to be trained and aware
- Hold your COR meetings – It’s all about Prayer/ Formation and Fraternity. Frank Memolo is Paterson Diocese coordinator-
- It’s that time of the year: Keep Christ in Christmas Billboards; Coats for Kids; Food for Families
- Officers, Program Directors: Please take the time to read the new Faith in Action booklet – There are changes that need to be integrated into your programs – like reporting , criteria for awards
- Let’s also think about bringing men to the 4th degree – there are over 56,000 Knights in NJ – only about 10% are 4th degree
Unfinished Business
| 2nd READING Donate up to $13,000 to replace the lights in the church and chapel with new LEDs fixtures and bulbs. |
| 2nd READING Spend Up to $1000 for a table at the annual Pride in Priests dinner to be held at the Hanover Manor on 11/23/26. |
New Business
The following motions were made and passed:
| Donate $250 to support “American Heart Association” organization in honor of John Mania |
| Donate $250 to the Sturm Family for an organization of their choice in honor of Chip Sturm. |
| Donate $500 to the San Alfonso’s Retreat House in honor of Father John McGowan (Redemptorist). Father McGowan, who ministered in San Alfonso Retreat House, Long Branch, for nearly 30 years, passed on Sept. 18. In San Alfonso, he was director of the retreat house and a member of the preaching staff. |
| Donate $500 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation honoring firefighter Stephen Siller’s legacy. Foundation supports various programs, such as In the Line of Duty and Homeless Veteran programs. |
| Donate $500 to the 9/11 Legacy Foundation, in honor of the memory of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Fund is dedicated to honoring those lost, supporting 9/11 families and first responders, and educating future generations, funds survivor-story preservation, classroom resources, and commemorative events. |
| 1st READING Spend up to $1,500 for Council 6100 Christmas Party to be held on Saturday, Dec 19th. |
| Donate up to $400 for the band that will be performing at the Council 6100 Christmas Party to be held on Saturday, Dec 19th. |
| Matching donation up to $500 for the Christmas Wreath Fundraiser Drive. |
| 1st READING Donate $725 for Christmas gifts to be provided to the St. Jude Support Staff. |
| Donate up to $200 to Patterson Federation to help with the costs of the billboards for the “Keep Christ in Christmas” program. |
| Donate up to $500 to reimbursh the Paterson Federation Catholic Schools to help with transportation costs for the March for Life event that was held in Trenton |
| Donate up to $500 to provide breakfast foods for the presentation program being done in conjunction with the faith formation for St. Carlo Acutis on Novemebr 1st. |
| Spend up to $500 to cover pulltab prize and deposit to be able to give away a pulltab game on 10/30/2026 in memory of Chip Sturm |
Good of the Order
The Good of the Order was run by Joe Tarallo
Prayer List for Sick and Deceased
Sick
Steve Sabella
Sarabeth Dei
Gregg Buckalew
Elaine Abbott
Steve Magipinto
Jean Magipinto
John Lardieri
Caroline Smith
Mel Kaufhold
Bruce Olsen
Father Dan Staniskis
Nicolas and Frances Tarallo
Jerry Sullivan
Tony Caroleo
Deacon Tony
Pope Leo
Bill Nolan
Deceased
Paul Cooper
Chip Strum
John Mania
Virginia Bellino
Dave (No Last Name)
Andrew Crimi
Esperinor Baptiste
Ginny Nolan
Closing Prayer
Closing prayer was led by Deacon Tony
Attendance: 20 people.
Meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM.