Fr. Joseph A. Cassidy Council 6100
Council 6100 is one of the more than 13,000 councils in the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society, founded by Blessed Father J. McGivney in 1882 and remaining true to its founding principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity.
Being a Council 6100 Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your local community; it is supporting St. Jude our local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life.
Council 6100 is an order of Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, respect for life and defense of the priesthood.
6100’s hearty appetite for charitable works drives our many fund raisers, most are annual events and include Bingo, Baby Bottle drive, Golf Outing, RTL Rose sale, Drive for Citizens with Disabilities, and we’re always looking for new, creative and fun ideas.
It’s not just about meetings and fund raising. Our members take advantage of and enjoy the many other council activities, some of which include our annual Fishing trip, Communion Breakfast, NJ State convention and retreat weekend.
In addition, 6100 membership have over the years enjoyed many events bringing family and friends together for picnics, social nights, family touch football, family movie nights, Super Bowl parties, holiday socials, and baseball outings with more events always being planned.
Supporting our Catholic Church has been the hallmark of the Knights of Columbus since its founding. Council 6100 works closely with
the St. Jude community to provide not only financial help but time and energy for various projects which have included painting and walkway repairs.
Spiritually our faith is exemplified through our monthly rosary, said ½ hr before each business meeting, our Pro Life efforts in support of the unborn, our seminarian sponsorship program, our participation in the annual Pride in Priests event as well as celebrating in the many religions ceremonies and events of our parish.
We join together to support our community providing financial help for many local organizations through our annual fund drives. We distribute items to the homeless through Operation Chillout, conduct blood and clothing drives and provide friendship and support to the less fortunate at Paragon Village homes.
6100 also sponsors a very active local Squires circle run by and for young Catholic men ages 10 to 18 to have fun, share their faith, help people in need and enjoy the company of friends in social, family, athletic, culture, civic and spiritual needs. Many of our squires have become 6100 Knights.
The Executive For The 2020-2021 Columbian Year
| Grand Knight: Joe D’Anna | Outside Guards: John Watral |
| Deputy Grand Knight: Shaun Mickus | Trustee 3 Year: Tom Rohe PGK |
| Recorder: TBD | Trustee 2 Year: Gerry Kaufhold PGK |
| Chancellor: Pierre Kernizan | Trustee 1 Year: Dan Fuller |
| Financial Secretary: Gerard Petrocelli | Chaplain: Rev. Antonio Gaviria |
| Treasurer: Wally Krake | Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Daniel Staniskis |
| Warden: Michael Mallon | Lecturer: Jack Abbott |
| Advocate: Joe Taralo | District Deputy: Michael Leyden |
| Inside Guard: Steve Sammarco | Insurance Agent: Alexander Johansen |
COUNCIL HISTORY
In February, 1968, a small body of men sat around a table, as did the Knights of Old, and discussed the possibility of forming a Knights of Columbus Council in Mount Olive. With the blessings of Father Leo P. Carey, pastor of St. Jude’s Church, Mickey Callahan, Chuck Digney, Pete Kinsella, Walter Lata, Phil Pelligra, Rich Phillips, Bob Piatt, John Planker, Tom Puco, and Frank Ruggiero held the first official meeting in St. Jude’s Church Hall. July 18 of that year saw the Knights of Columbus Council 6100 instituted with 85 names appearing on the charter. The first Grand Knight was Phil Pelligra and the Deputy Grand Knight was Mickey Callahan. Under the watchful eyes of State Deputy, Patrick O’Reily, and District Deputy Hugh E. DeFazio, the new organization was well on its way to becoming one of the township’s largest with a current membership roll of well over 300 members.
The formation of the Mount Olive Columbian Club became a reality in July, 1970. The Knights now had their own home on Lake Shore Drive in Budd Lake. A Board of Trustees consisting of 15 Knights were elected to have the duty to oversee the operation of the Columbian Club. The first officers were president George Byron, vice-president Bob King Sr., secretary E. Carroll Gagnon, treasurer Mitsie Kruzel, and house chairman Frank Ruggiero. Our Council’s official name is now the Fr. Joseph A. Cassidy Council 6100. The council has been renamed after our deceased former Chaplin Fr. Joseph Cassidy. There was a formal installation of new officers and a renaming of the council held on July 26, 1998.
It was through the efforts of many of the founding members that the Mount Olive Squires were formed. On January 17, 1971 twenty-two young Catholic gentlemen put their signatures on the charter of the St. Jude Columbian Squires 2192. The first members met weekly at the Mount Olive Columbian Club. Their officers were chief squire Steven Phillips, deputy chief squire John Kulawiak, notary Sal Ruggiero, bursar Joe Butrymowicz, marshall squire Jim Butrymowicz, sentries Raymond Phillips and Ed Nicolicchia. The Father Prier was Father Ed Whorlan of St. Jude’s Church. In 2008 the Squires circle was officially renamed the Thomas Christopher DeLalla Squires Circle 2192in honor of it’s past Chief Squire (1999-2000) and former 3rd Degree Council 6100 Knight who, at age 22, was fatally injured in an accident in 2004 while attending the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.