Knight of the Month For July 2022
July 18, 2022
This Brother Knight joined our Order on April 21, 2009. He held the position of Recorder in 2009-2010. In 2010, he became our Council’s Financial Secretary, a position he has maintained for twelve years. His steady hand in guarding our financial transactions over that period has kept the council in good standing and his preparations with the Treasurer have made the annual audits easier than ever. His work on the Affiliate program has reduced our Council’s roles to a manageable number of 131. This number makes our annual membership goals achievable and makes the Supreme and State per-Capita charges equitable for our Council.
In March of 2015, he began co-chairing the blood drives and in 2018 began chairing them by himself. Since he has taken over, his efforts in advertising the drives and proving an excellent experience for the blood donors have proven successful. The average number of donors for each drive has significantly increased. During the Covid shutdown, when blood banks were desperate for donations, St Jude was one of the few facilities large enough to accommodate social distancing needs. Recognizing this need, his efforts did not pause, and the result was that donations came in at record levels.
This brother has also run the annual Christmas wreath fundraiser, mostly single-handed. Last year over $1000 was raised and those funds went to the Mt. Olive Food Bank to help the needy.
He has been an almost weekly fixture in the kitchen for bingo for many years where patrons have enjoyed his burgers, cheese steaks and hot dogs.
In our St. Jude Parish community, he and his family have been active members. He has been an usher at the 8:00 am mass for many years and has greeted parishioners as they enter the church each week. His friendly smile is a welcoming gesture to all.
It is for these reasons that I am proud to declare Gerard Petrocelli the Fr. Joseph A. Cassidy Council 6100 Knight of the Month for July 2022.
Daniel Fuller
Grand Knight
Congratulations Gerard!