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September 18 Press Release
St. Marys Knights of Columbus Council Announces Vocational Fund in Honor of Local Priest
ST. MARYS -- Vocations to the Catholic priesthood will be supported through a fund initiated by St. Marys Knights of Columbus Council 1592 and named in honor of Father James O. Byrne, Pastor Emeritus at Holy Rosary Church, St. Marys.
"We are looking to support seminarians from our community, our area and throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati by beginning this effort," said Grand Knight John Andreoni, the leader of the local organization. "We value greatly the contributions Father Byrne has made to our parish and community. The membership felt Father would appreciate this gift more than any thing else we could possibly give him."
The official announcement was made during a 'surprise' reception sponsored by the Knights and the Holy Rosary Altar Society in observance of Father Byrne's 90th birthday on Sunday, August 26th. Eight 4th Degree Knights in full regalia from St. Gaspar del Bufalo Assembly, Minster, provided an escort for Father during the Mass and from the church to the reception in the K of C Hall.
Council 1592 made a contribution of $250 in Father Byrne's name to begin the fund and will send a letter to all members seeking additional contributions. Already more than $700 has been raised allowing Council 1592 to apply for additional dollars through the national organization's Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) when seminarian funding exceeds $500.
Public contributions are being accepted and can be sent to the attention of the Father James O. Byrne Vocations Fund, c/o Dave Helmstetter, 5421 County Rd. 33A, St. Marys, OH 45885. Checks should be made payable to St. Marys Knights of Columbus Council 1592.
Council organizers say one of the goals for the Father James O. Byrne Vocations Fund is not only to provide financial support to seminarians, but increase the awareness of vocations to the priesthood on the local level. "In the future, we hope to have the recipients of this funding speak before the local council and our parish about their experiences," says Helmstetter.
"We are looking to make this an on-going campaign on behalf of vocations. As members of the Knights of Columbus, we need to show our support for vocations especially those to the priesthood," says Andreoni.
The Knights of Columbus is Catholic family, fraternal service organization made up or more than 12,000 councils and 1.6 million members in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Phillippines. The local council has more than 285 members primarily from Holy Rosary, St. Marys, and St. Patrick, Glynnwood parishes.
For more information, email Dave Helmstetter.
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