Knights honor Bishop O’Connell at Appreciation Dinner
October 19, 2019 at 7:21 p.m.
Several hundred members of Knights of Columbus councils from around the Diocese, along with their spouses, gathered Oct. 18 to recognize Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and all he does in shepherding the Trenton Diocese.
Photo Gallery: Knights of Columbus Appreciation Dinner
The biennial Bishop’s Appreciation Dinner, held in Dentici Hall of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, was an opportunity for the Knights “to come out in force and honor the Bishop and show our appreciation for what he does for us as members of the Knights of Columbus and as Catholics,” said Jeff Bourne, president of the Knights’ Trenton Federation, which hosted the dinner.
Bourne, a member of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, and the Lawrence Council, Knights of Columbus, said the federation, which was established about eight years ago, holds the Bishop’s Appreciation Dinner in a different county of the Diocese every other year. A highlight of the event is when each council presents a monetary gift to the Bishop to be directed to the charitable organizations of his choice.
In remarks after dinner, Bishop O’Connell acknowledged the work of the Knights of Columbus and the contributions they make “both behind the scenes and at the forefront” in service to the Diocese and the Church at-large. One area where the Knights are staunch is in their support and visibility in the pro-life movement. “We have to keep fostering the awareness of life” in all its stages, the Bishop said.
Noting that next year marks the 10th anniversary of his being named bishop of the Diocese, Bishop O’Connell admitted that the time has “quickly passed.” He added that he has been inspired by the priests of the Diocese and “I thank them for all they do to serve our Church and to serve us,” he said.
Bishop O’Connell described the humbling experience of depending on the assistance of others – both priests and laity – in carrying out his many responsibilities. “And the Knights of Columbus have been a great part” of that assistance for which Bishop O’Connell said he is very grateful.
Bishop O’Connell fielded a series of questions from the dinner attendees on such topics as the future of Catholic education in the Diocese, the progress of the Faith In Our Future (pastoral planning) initiative and the impact that dwindling number of vocations to the priesthood and decline in Mass attendance have had in parishes and ministries around the Diocese. He reviewed the progress of the Faith To Move Mountains $75 million capital campaign, expressing how pleased he is that the campaign has received $73 million in pledges and of that, $50 million has been collected to date. He also noted the ongoing need to support the Annual Catholic Appeal, which benefits the day-to-day operations of the Diocese, and expressed great concern about the recent Pew Research survey that indicated only one-third of U.S. Catholics believe in the True Presence of the Eucharist.
Reiterating his appreciation to the Knights of Columbus, Bishop O’Connell thanked them for their service and said “You are a source of great pride to me.”
Knights in attendance were equally pleased to be present for the event which honored Bishop O'Connell.
"We enjoy the opportunity to participate as a family and positively effect our Catholic Church and community," said John P. Dzikowicz, a member of St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro, and member of the Bishop John C. Reiss, Council, Knights of Columbus, noting how meaningful it was for him to join the Knights in 1969 and be part of an organization that would benefit him, his family and his Catholic faith.
Dzikowicz acknowledged in having attended many Knights of Columbus events over the years "and to see so many clergy, brother Knights and their wives attend to show their respect and honor to our Bishop is simply beautiful and heartwarming. We love our Bishop and support him and the Diocese 100 percent."
As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Mark Spychalski of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, and the Burlington Council,has participated in his share of functions over the years and has "made many new friends that I never would have without the Knights.
"These friends are true friends," he said, then noted how the Appreciation Dinner "was a great way to thank the Bishop for being our spiritual shepherd here in the Diocese of Trenton.
"I believe that this leaves a lasting impression in Bishop O'Connell's memory and love of the Knights of Columbus," said Spychalski, who is a past grand knight of the Burlington Council. He is also a past chapter president of the Burlington County Chapter and a past federation president of the Trenton Diocesan Federation and a former district deputy.
"We in the Knights of Columbus are proud to have Bishop David O'Connell as our Bishop here in the Diocese," said Spychalski, who is currently a trustee for the Burlington Council and the information officer for the Burlington County Chapter.
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Several hundred members of Knights of Columbus councils from around the Diocese, along with their spouses, gathered Oct. 18 to recognize Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and all he does in shepherding the Trenton Diocese.
Photo Gallery: Knights of Columbus Appreciation Dinner
The biennial Bishop’s Appreciation Dinner, held in Dentici Hall of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, was an opportunity for the Knights “to come out in force and honor the Bishop and show our appreciation for what he does for us as members of the Knights of Columbus and as Catholics,” said Jeff Bourne, president of the Knights’ Trenton Federation, which hosted the dinner.
Bourne, a member of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, and the Lawrence Council, Knights of Columbus, said the federation, which was established about eight years ago, holds the Bishop’s Appreciation Dinner in a different county of the Diocese every other year. A highlight of the event is when each council presents a monetary gift to the Bishop to be directed to the charitable organizations of his choice.
In remarks after dinner, Bishop O’Connell acknowledged the work of the Knights of Columbus and the contributions they make “both behind the scenes and at the forefront” in service to the Diocese and the Church at-large. One area where the Knights are staunch is in their support and visibility in the pro-life movement. “We have to keep fostering the awareness of life” in all its stages, the Bishop said.
Noting that next year marks the 10th anniversary of his being named bishop of the Diocese, Bishop O’Connell admitted that the time has “quickly passed.” He added that he has been inspired by the priests of the Diocese and “I thank them for all they do to serve our Church and to serve us,” he said.
Bishop O’Connell described the humbling experience of depending on the assistance of others – both priests and laity – in carrying out his many responsibilities. “And the Knights of Columbus have been a great part” of that assistance for which Bishop O’Connell said he is very grateful.
Bishop O’Connell fielded a series of questions from the dinner attendees on such topics as the future of Catholic education in the Diocese, the progress of the Faith In Our Future (pastoral planning) initiative and the impact that dwindling number of vocations to the priesthood and decline in Mass attendance have had in parishes and ministries around the Diocese. He reviewed the progress of the Faith To Move Mountains $75 million capital campaign, expressing how pleased he is that the campaign has received $73 million in pledges and of that, $50 million has been collected to date. He also noted the ongoing need to support the Annual Catholic Appeal, which benefits the day-to-day operations of the Diocese, and expressed great concern about the recent Pew Research survey that indicated only one-third of U.S. Catholics believe in the True Presence of the Eucharist.
Reiterating his appreciation to the Knights of Columbus, Bishop O’Connell thanked them for their service and said “You are a source of great pride to me.”
Knights in attendance were equally pleased to be present for the event which honored Bishop O'Connell.
"We enjoy the opportunity to participate as a family and positively effect our Catholic Church and community," said John P. Dzikowicz, a member of St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro, and member of the Bishop John C. Reiss, Council, Knights of Columbus, noting how meaningful it was for him to join the Knights in 1969 and be part of an organization that would benefit him, his family and his Catholic faith.
Dzikowicz acknowledged in having attended many Knights of Columbus events over the years "and to see so many clergy, brother Knights and their wives attend to show their respect and honor to our Bishop is simply beautiful and heartwarming. We love our Bishop and support him and the Diocese 100 percent."
As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Mark Spychalski of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, and the Burlington Council,has participated in his share of functions over the years and has "made many new friends that I never would have without the Knights.
"These friends are true friends," he said, then noted how the Appreciation Dinner "was a great way to thank the Bishop for being our spiritual shepherd here in the Diocese of Trenton.
"I believe that this leaves a lasting impression in Bishop O'Connell's memory and love of the Knights of Columbus," said Spychalski, who is a past grand knight of the Burlington Council. He is also a past chapter president of the Burlington County Chapter and a past federation president of the Trenton Diocesan Federation and a former district deputy.
"We in the Knights of Columbus are proud to have Bishop David O'Connell as our Bishop here in the Diocese," said Spychalski, who is currently a trustee for the Burlington Council and the information officer for the Burlington County Chapter.