April 2026 Meeting Minutes

April 20TH 2026

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Grand Knight Joe Tarallo.
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 welcomed everyone and recited a short prayer
Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted on a motion by Robert Jacobs, seconded by
Chip Strum, approved with a unanimous vote.

District Deputy (Les Pappianne)
Les spoke about all the reasons we participate in the Knights of Columbus Organization.
However his main reason for visiting our Council was to explain the Core Program and how we
can implement it and practice it regularly. Les explained that Core is to “Keep the Faith”. He
explained that the Knights spend hours shaking the can and doing all sorts of volunteer work but
our real direction should be how the Spirit lives within us. Les said that Core in Latin means
Heart. He stated that Core started 4 years ago and has been growing ever since. He explained that
his visit to our Council was his 4th stop today and that his 1st stop was at 8:30 AM. Core has 3
parts 1. prayer, 2. formation and 3. fraternity. Part 1 is that instead of counting sheep to try to get
to sleep we should be communicating with the Shepard. Part 2 is to attend Church regularly go to
confession, say grace and be proud of our faith. Part 3 is to break bread with our fellow members
of the Knights, State what is in your heart and that all conversations are private. Core is where
we can talk as Catholics and that we are sworn to secrecy to one another. Core is 1st in Charity
where we must form ourselves before we stand with others. We must do what we do to get
evangelism. Paul Capone asked how we go about forming a Core program. Les stated to 1st get a
director and to be steadfast. Les explained that he is available to discuss in detail the procedure.
He explained that there is a simple form to be filled out with 5 to 10 questions to track progress.
Tony Caroleo explained that he has run 20 minute meetings to bring folks together at his council
and that everything is done in a group. Mike Sabella invited Les to attend one of his monthly run
Cornerstone Meetings held on the 4th Saturday of each month. Les stated that Core Members
must be men but are not required to be members of the Knights of Columbus. Les stated that the
Core meetings are also a great place to recruit more new Knights of Columbus members.

Grand Knight’s Report (Joe Tarallo)

Joe stated that Les Pappianne the District Deputy of Paterson is here at our meeting to talk to us
about the Core Program.
Joe stated that we have the upcoming Annual State Convention on May 18th and that all are
encouraged to attend since they will be honoring our own “Jim Sweeney” at the convention.
Joe stated that the Officers Installation is coming up July 18th and we should mark our calendars
as all are encouraged to attend. There will be 7 Bishops present and it is going to be a wonderful
event to be held at our parish. Additionally all are invited to attend the planned Banquet
afterwards.

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.
Membership Report (Chip Sturm)

As usual Chip is continuously looking for new mebers.

Program Reports – Led by John Waltral

Bingo (Mike Mallon) Mike was away during last week’s bingo night but stated that he knew
everything was ok because no one called him with any problems. Chip Strum stated that
everything went well and that we had a profitable night. Joe Tarallo stated that new computers
are working well.

Soup Kitchen (Lenny Martin) Lenny stated that the soup kitchen held last month on March 31st
went well and that they served 60 in-house meals and 48 takeout meals. Lenny stated that the
meals consisted of Baked Flounder, rice and beans and green beans as well. Next planned soup
kitchen will be in June.

Faith Formation (Mike Sabella) Mike stated that the Faith Formation is being held on Saturday at
8 AM and all are encouraged to attend. He stated that there is a book Kiosk in the Church just
inside the front doors that gets replenished once a year and all are welcomed to take a book.

Intellectual Disabilities Drive (Mike Sabella) – Mike stated the Robert Jacobs put in the most
Volunteer hours during the drive and stayed well past his scheduled posts. Mike said that 31
Knights, 4 Wives, 1 Son and 1 Grandchild that volunteered during the drive. Mike stated that we
collected $3700 for 37 hours of Volunteer work and that it was successful drive.

Blood Drive (Gerard Petrocelli) – Gerard stated that we had another record level blood drive
with 144 people attending. Gerard stated that 165 products were collected including 105 Whole
Products, 29 Double Products and 2 Plasma Products. Gerard thanks everyone who helped with
the drive from setup to during the event to breakdown as the event starts at 4 AM and is over at
2:30 PM. Gerard reminded us that the reason we do these drives is because they save lives.
Gerard stated that we are now in our 10th year and that the collection agencies are grateful for all
we have done over the years. Gerard stated the next planned Blood Drive is scheduled for June
6th 2026.

RTL (Gerry Kaufhold) – Gerry stated that he saw people wearing the blood drive t-shirts during
the intellectual disabilities drive and that they were very happy to help. Gerry sated that we are
now waiting on Supreme to write the 5 promised checks to “Care Net” in Hackettstown so that
they may purchase the Ultra Sound Machine needed for their operations.
Veterans Memorial (Gerry Kaufhold) – Gerry stated that the date has been changed to Memorial
Day at Turkey Brook Park so he asked anyone that already signed up if they could reconfirm that
they are still available on Memorial Day. Scheduled start time is 10:30 AM. We need 8
volunteers to raise flags and we need volunteers to read names of the veterans off of the provided
lists as this is a very long event. Gerry asked us to please sign up on the sheet available on the
back table.

Eucharistic Procession – (Dan Fuller) – Dan was absent tonight so Joe Tarallo spoke on Dan’s
behalf about the program. Joe stated that the event will have to simplified due the no one has
committed to help Dan with the event.

Hoops Mania (Tom Rohe) Tom stated that the drive made about 3,000 dollars and that we had 5
local winners. Tom stated that the drive was successful. Tom also stated that he wants the
Council’s input if we want to hold the Football Mania in the fall.

Pasta Dinner (Tom Rohe) Tom sated that the Pasta Dinner was very successful and that there
were 115 people that attended. All proceeds will go to helping Veterans. Tom and Joe Tarallo
stated that the food was excellent. Tom stated that there was a 50/50 and a trick tray held during
the dinner. Tom stated that the Knights and the Squires were there to lean a hand.
Squires (John Waltral and Tom Rohe) Tom Stated that there was a large turnout for the Easter
Egg Hunt and that the Easter Bunny was there. Tom stated that the kids had a great time. Tom
stated that the Squires helped out during the outdoor ‘Stations of the Cross’ and Deacon Tony
agreed that they did an excellent job. Tom Stated that there is an upcoming “Tank Pull” and
encouraged all to attend.

4TH Degree (Tom Rohe) Tom stated that the next meeting of the 4th degree is to be held
tomorrow night in the meeting hall next to the Flanders Fire House on Schmidt Lane and all are
encouraged to attend.

Larry McEntee wanted to thank the Council for all we do since it helped his autistic son
numerous times.

Special Olympics planned attendee Ann Conover attended tonight’s meeting and the Knights
presented her a $1500 check to help fund her upcoming Special Olympics competition. Ann
spoke about how she is looking forward to participating in the Bowling Competition and looking
forward to traveling to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She said she will do her best and that she was
grateful for our contribution. Ann stated that she has been bowling since she was very young and
that she has been competing for 3 to 4 years. Her Mom Joanne said she will send us photos
during the Events that her daughter will be participating in.
Les Pappianne stated that there will be a Eucharistic Procession running from Passiac to Paterson
on Sunday the 14th of June and all are encouraged to attend. Les also stated that there will be
Grand Knights Training on June 27th in Somerset and all Grand Knights and Deputy Grand
Knights should attend.

District Deputy Report
Greetings From Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, and State Deputy James Sweeney.
A short status report tonight
 Refer to report from James Gallonbardo for current (April 7 ) data
 Membership: on track for Star Council; You are at 13 new members completed a CUF.
Your goal is 8 – 163%
 Safe Environment: compliant
 EFF – ok
 Annual Survey of Council Activities (form 1728) is completed
 File 10784’s –
 Required forms: 11077 Fraternal Benefit Events reports 3 events OK;
 SP 7 should start working on it but need 10784 forms to support it. All reports for
Columbian Year 2025-2026 are due by June 30.
 Prepare for election of officers – report results before June 30
 Events:
 April 25 – 4th Degree Exemplification
 May 14-17 Convention
 Your May business meeting – I will be on vacation
 June 14-15 National Eucharist Procession in Paterson

Unfinished Business

$1,500.00
2nd READING Donate $1,500 to the Special Olympics in honor of
Ashly Conover who is a local Mount Olive resident who plans to
compete in the upcoming Games specifically the Bowling Competition
$1,000.00 2nd READING Donate $1,000 to a wife and husband in need,
parishioners of St. Jude Parish, to assist in paying medical bills

New Business

The following motions were made and passed unanimously:
$400.00 Spend up to $400 for puchase of new booklets and kiosk for
the Kiosk program
$250.00
Donate $250 to the Supreme “Pass the Hat” initiative to support the
Aid and Support after Pregnancy program. Check will be
delivered in-person at the State Convention.
$1,500.00 1st READING
Spend up to $1,500 for the 2026 Eucharistic Procession
$2,500.00
1st READING
Spend up tp $2,500 for food and supplies for installation of Jim
Sweeney as State Deputy on July 18
$1,000.00 1st READING
Donate $1,000 to the American Legion Riders in Hackettstown to
support Mission 22 for Veterans suicide awareness.
$250.00
donate $250 to the Celiac Foundation
$250.00
donate $250 to Parkinson’s disease foundation
$250.00 donate $250 to Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Intervention
$250.00 donate $250 to Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
$1,000.00 1st READING
donate $1,000 to Amyloidosis Research Consortium
$250.00 donate $250 to the Market Street Mission
$500.00
provide a matching donation of up to $500 for funds raised by
Squires Circle 2192 on behalf of the annual tank pull challenge
which supports our veterans
$500.00 Donate $500 to the Seeing Eye in Morristown
$500.00 Donate up to $500 to bring the total donated amount up to a round
number for the intellectual disabilities drive.
$83.83 Reimbursh $83.83 for cost of the candy given out at the intellectual
disabilities drive.
NA Motion to participate in the Football Mania Fundraiser for the
schlorship program.

Good of the Order

The Good of the Order was not held tonight due to time constrains.

Prayer List for Sick and Deceased

Sick
Jack and Elaine Abbott
Dottie McDonald
Arlene Lukaszewski
Erica Uszacki
Tom Rohe
Mel Kaufhold
Larry Kaufhold
Gregg Buckalew
Gerard Petrocelli
Tom Rohe
Joe Truhan
Lenny Martin
Bruce Olsen
Nicholas Tarallo
Frances Tarallo
Arlene Lukaszenski
Kimberly Uszacki
All Military Service Members
Deceased
Terry Byrne
Harry MacDonald

Closing Prayer
Closing prayer was led by Deacon Tony

Attendance: 27 people.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.