St. Patrick's Cathedral

Thunder Bay, Ontario

211 South Archibald Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 1G4
Phone: (807) 622-5389 Fax: (807) 622-1529

The Knights of Columbus

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL

Fort William Council 1447 & The Father Baxter General Assembly (4th Degree)

 

   

“Blessed Michael McGivney, Pray for us!”

 

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October 5, 2024
A COMMUNITY EFFORT!

     

A huge “THANK YOU!” to the Knights of Columbus and Friends who helped move the angel stone from the Rectory parking lot: Mike Spivak, Jeff Collins, Mike Posmituk, Yvonne Begin, Mathew Covino, Pat Klug, Fabio Zorzes and Deacon Derek West for organizing the event!

 

 

September 21, 2024
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS: FR. BAXTER ASSEMBLY 

The Officers were installed in Our Lady’s Chapel after the 5 pm Mass in the Cathedral.

(l. to r.)  Sir Knights Mike Spivak, Faithful Pilot, Joe Salini, Faithful Comptroller, Deacon Derek West, Faithful Scribe, Keith Martinkus, Faithful Admiral, Dick O’Donnell, Worthy Former District Master, Bill Vass Faithful Navigator of the Assembly,  Louis Romito, Faithful Purser, Msgr. Pat Stilla, George Romick, Faithful Sentinel, Terry Doyle, Worthy Former District Master, Brian Smith, Faithful Trustee, Claudio Monteleone, Faithful Trustee, Larry Pankuch, Faithful Captain, and Sam Spivak, Faithful Trustee.   

Missing are Fr. F. Blazek, Faithful Friar and David Turmaine, Faithful Sentinel.
Thanks to Cathy Vass for taking this photo.

 

 

 

September 17, 2024
K.C.COUNCIL DONATION TO THE “DEW DROP INN”

 

       

 

Fort William Council 1447 of the Knights of Columbus recently donated a cheque for $2,950. to the “Dew Drop Inn”.  Accepting the donation from Mike Spivak, Grand Knight (left) and Deacon Derek West is the Organization’s  Executive Director, Michael Quibell.

 

 

 

 

    

 

LATEST MESSAGE FROM OUR FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR, BILL VASS
September 19, 2024

 

Worthy Sirs: 

This is one last reminder of our Mass & installation of officers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral this coming Saturday, September 21 – Mass at 5 p.m. – installation to follow Mass in the small chapel – same as we did last year

Please gather in the foyer of the cathedral around 4:30 & please remember to bring your jewel of office.  I will get them from you and put them in the small chapel prior to the start of Mass.

We will process in as a group (SK’s & ladies) prior to the start of Mass & sit in the two reserved rows on the right hand side at the front.

Dinner following the installation – Lot 88 on Court Street.  It looks like we will have 17 people for dinner. I think that paid parking at the meters on the street is in effect until 9 p.m. so I would encourage everyone to park in their parking lot at the rear of the restaurant.  Our Faithful Friar, Father Blazek will join us for dinner following Mass at his church.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Bill Vass, Faithful Navigator

MESSAGE FROM OUR FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR, BILL VASS
September 9, 2024

Worthy Sir Knights:

We are now into September.  I trust that you all had an enjoyable summer.

Please be aware of the following:

Mass & Installation of Officers – 5 p.m.  Saturday Sept. 21 – St. Patrick’s Cathedral

–  this will take the same format as last year – Sir Knights/ladies gather in the foyer of the cathedral around 4:30 p.m. – we will process in as a group to our reserved seats just prior to the start of Mass

– After Mass we will all move to the small chapel adjacent to the sanctuary – officers will be installed into their respective positions by former Masters SK Dick O’Donnell & SK Terry Doyle.  Officer jewels will be blessed by Monsignor Pat.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR JEWEL OF OFFICE WITH YOU!

– Following the installation of officers, for those who are interested, we will go as a group for dinner as we did last year but this time dinner will be at Lot 88 restaurant on Court Street.  SK Brian Smith had made arrangements for us to dine in a special room, not in the main restaurant.  Each person will be responsible for the cost of their own dinner/drinks.

** I WILL NEED YOU TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE MASS/INSTALLATION OF OFFICER & WHETHER YOU/YOUR LADY WILL BE JOINING US FOR DINNER – I MUST HAVE YOUR CONFIRMATION NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY SEPT. 18.

 

ASSEMBLY MEETING DATES FOR 2024-25 – COLUMBUS CENTRE

Sun. Sept 29/24 – 2 p.m. – start time for future meetings to be confirmed at this meeting

Sun. Oct 27/24 

Sun. Nov. 24/24 

Sun. Dec. 15/24 – Christmas Luncheon – 1 p.m. – Columbus Centre

Sun. Jan 26/25 

Sun. Feb. 23/25 

Sun. Mar. 30/25

Sun. Apr. 27/25 

Sun. May 25/25  (Nominations)

Sun. June 22/25 – Elections

I look forward to working with you all during this fraternal year.  Vivat Jesus.

Bill Vass, Faithful Navigator

August 20, 2024
K.C. COUNCIL 1447 DONATION OF $5,000. FROM BINGO PROCEEDS
 

Fort William Council 1447 of the Knights of Columbus recently donated $5,000. to our St. Pat’s Hat Roof Fund.  Here, presenting the cheque to Deacon Derek West, Chair of our Roof Replacement Committee and Msgr. Pat Stilla, is Council 1447 Grand Knight, Mike Spivak.  The funds were raised at the “Superior Shores Gaming” Bingos, held recently.  Thanks to all the volunteers and to Josie Spivak for taking this photo.

 

Council 1447 – Supporting our Thunder Bay Border Cats

Enjoying the baseball and joining our local team mascot Boomer are Mike Spivak, G.K., Mike and Lisa Posmituk, Josie Spivak and Linda and Deacon Derek West.

 

MESSAGE FROM OUR FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR, BILL VASS
August 20, 2024

Worthy Sirs:
Please be aware that plans have been finalized for the Mass & Installation of you, the officers of the Father Baxter Assembly.  We will follow the same format as last year:

– Attend the 5 p.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday Sept. 21st.
Father Blazek, this will conflict with your Mass but we hope you will join us for dinner as outlined below;

– following Mass – installation of officers in the small chapel – Former Masters SK, Dick O’Donnell and SK, Terry Doyle will install the officers, Monsignor Pat will do the blessings;

– following the installation for those who are interested – dinner at Lot 88 on Court Street. They have a private room at the restaurant which has been reserved for us. A reservation has been made for us for 7:30 p.m.

As we get closer to the date I will send out a reminder/update.  Please mark the date in your calendars.  I look forward to seeing most of you there.

Bill Vass, Faithful Navigator

 

 

 

 

July 14, 2024
Knights of Columbus Gift Presentation to Bishop Colli at His Final Mass of Thanksgiving

… from Faithful Navigator, Bill Vass and Past State Deputy, Joe Salini and the Father Baxter Assembly of the Knights of Columbus:

 

See all photos of the Mass under the “Recent Events Media” tab to the left.

 

 


June 21 2024
K.C. Mass for our Deceased Priests at St. Anthony’s Church

 


Thanks to our brother Knights for sponsoring this Mass for our priests each year!

Thanks also to our anonymous brother Knight photographer

 

 

 

 

May 25. 2024
Another Successful “COR” Gathering at the Columbus Centre

 

 

April 27, 2024
Cleaning up the Vandalized Wall


The damaged wall before and … after all the hard work!

 

   

Unfortunately, the wall across the street from the Cathedral was vandalized over the last several weeks!  Deacon Derek West organized a cleaning up volunteer team with Knights of Columbus and students from St. Patrick’s High School and despite the rain and the inclement weather, the crew did a tremendous job, cleaning up and storing the salvageable stones!  We thank Deacon Derek, Mike Spivak, G.K. and the Knights who volunteered and Tom Joseph, V.P. of St. Patrick’s High School and the student volunteers.  As you can see from the before and after photos above, everything now looks awesome!

 

April 10, 2024
Three New Knights of Columbus Initiated

New Knights:
Leon Vaillant (Council 8602); Ivan Colmenares and Vince Stilla (Council 1447)

 

Exemplification Team (l.to r.)
Deacon Derek West, Msgr. Pat Stilla, Mike Spivak (G.K. of Council 1447), Louis Romito, John Guthrie (G.K. of Council 8602), David Gibb, Bruce Sutton (D.D.), Jamie Matijasik and Gaetan Fournier.

 

 

 

    

‘COR’ : A NEW PROGRAM FOR MEN SPONSORED BY THE KNIGHTS

Families need strong husbands and fathers, and the world needs courageous witnesses to Jesus Christ.  Through this new Program, ‘Cor’ (Heart), the Knights of Columbus seek men who are committed to serving Christ and willing to boldly live and share their faith, to be formed and empowered as disciples of the Lord.

This district wide Program is open to all Knights and any male friends they wish to invite. Our first ‘Cor’ meeting took place at the Columbus Centre on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 9:00 am., with gatherings
planned every 2 weeks.  If you would like to join our Program or if you need more information about it, please speak with Fr. Doug McClure or call Deacon Derek West (807-577-7467).

 

 

 

 

February 21, 2024
CELEBRATING MASS WITH THE CHALICE GIFT FROM THE KNIGHTS

   

Each month, Fr. Doug McClure visits Roseview Manor on the City’s North Side to celebrate Mass for the residents in the facility’s  gathering space.  The space is usually filled with the grateful residents.

Father McClure is grateful to the Father Baxter Assembly of the Knights of Columbus for their gift of the memorial Chalice, which he regularly uses when he celebrates the Eucharist.

 

 

 

February 11, 2024
OUR ANNUAL ‘MARDI GRAS’ SUNDAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST

     

On behalf of the Parish Council and Knights of Columbus Council 1447 we would like to thank all the Brother Knights and Volunteers that worked both Saturday and Sunday to make the Pancake Breakfast a rousing success. We especially thank our own Parish Council Chair, Taran Campanotto, not only for her support and assistance, but also for the fantastic decorating she did, with the assistance of David Ronchi. Thank You also to all the Parishioners who attended the event. This could not have happened without You.

Peace and Blessings.
Linda and Derek West

…(Thanks to our photographer who wishes to remain anonymous)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 28, 2024
NEWLY PRODUCED VIDEO OF FATHER DOUG McCLURE’S ORDINATION ONE YEAR AGO ON JANUARY 28th!

 

Father McClure is the current Chaplain of our Fort William Council 1447.  Our best wishes to him and to Lesley on this first anniversary of his ordination.

Many thanks to the producer who wishes to remain anonymous.

 

 

F. W. COUNCIL 1447  ‘NIGHT CAP’ for January 2024

 

 

January 23, 2024
THE DECEASED KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS (at St. Peter’s Church)

  

Many attended the Mass at St. Peter’s Church at 7 pm which was celebrated in memory of the Knights of Columbus of all six City Councils who died in 2022 and 2023.  Con-celebrating the Mass with Bishop Colli were Msgr. Stilla, Fr. Arockiam and Fr. Berchmans.  Assisting at the Mass were Deacon Michael McBride and Deacon Joey Terhljan.  The Father Baxter Assembly provided the Honour Guard and the Grand Knights of all the six Councils read the names of the deceased Knights.  Sir Knights Bill Vass and Larry Pankuch lit the memorial Candles as the names were read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Father Baxter Assembly: 2024 Winter Newsletter

 

 

 

 

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December 29, 2023
DONATION OF $5,000. FROM BINGO PROCEEDS 

 

Fort William Council 1447 of the Knights of Columbus donated $ 5,000. to our St. Pats Hat Roof Fund. Here, presenting the cheque to Deacon Derek West, Chair of the Roof Replacement Committee and Msgr. Pat Stilla, is Council 1447 Grand Knight, Mike Spivak.  The funds were raised at the ‘Superior Shores Gaming’ Bingos held recently.  A huge thanks to all who recently volunteered their time to work at the various Bingos and thanks to Josie Spivak for taking this photo.

 

December 2023
The Knights helping with Hogarth Riverview Manor Bingo


       

The Knights of Columbus hold a monthly bingo at Hogarth Riverview Manor for the residents. In December, Councils 1447 and 8602 also have a Christmas singalong after the bingo. During the singalong, that “Knight” from the North,  Santa George arrived at Hogarth and presented all the residents with a gift. A big thanks goes to David Gibbs for providing the music.

 

 

December 13, 2023
The Knights helping at Christmas Cheer

 

 

 

December 10, 2023
A Chalice from the Knights to Honour Fr. Doug

   

During the 10:30 am Mass the Sir Knights of the Fr. Baxter Assembly gifted Fr. Doug McClure with a beautiful Chalice.
Front (l to r): Sir Knight Bill Vass, Faithful Navigator of the Assembly, Fr. Doug and Sir Knight Larry Pankuch, Captain of the Guard.
Back row (l to r): Deacon Derek West, Sir Knight, Joe Salini, Sir Knight, Mike Spivak,  Grand Knight of K.C. Council 1447, Sir Knight, Brian Smith and Msgr. Pat Stilla.

 

 

 

December 8, 2023
“Keep Christ in Christmas”


We thank the Knights of Columbus for their annual reminder campaign to “Keep Christ in Christmas”.  Installing the sign on our Parish Grounds are (l to r), Fort William Council 1447 Grand Knight, Mike Spivak, Deacon Derek West and Fr Baxter Assembly Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Bill Vass.

 

An very large number of Knights of Columbus of all four degrees joined more than 200 parishioners of the Cathedral and of other City  Parishes to bid a last farewell to Sir Knight Wayne at his Funeral Mass celebrated in the Cathedral on February 23rd.  It was clearly a visible sign of the respect and affection that all of us have for this Catholic gentleman and good friend to so many!

The Mass for Sir Knight Wayne Murphy from Council 1447 will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 9:00 am at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 


The Mass for Sir Knight Wayne Murphy from Father Baxter Assembly will be celebrated on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 9:00 am, again at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 

 

 

A Myriad of Colours of Splendour


Many thanks to brother Knight, Sean, for highlighting the colourful beauty of our Cathedral on a sunny afternoon.

 

2022 Columbus Centre Newsletter

 

 

A very timely article sent to us by Bishop Fred Henry on:  January 28, 2022 …

 

Massive Crime or Massive Fraud?
by Tom Flanagan and Brian Giesbrecht

Did church leaders, the federal government, and the RCMP really conspire to keep 50 deaths hidden by destroying the documentary proof, and to prevent any investigation from happening?
 
The only way to know if graves actually exist is by excavation.
GIVEN THE RECENT announcement of unmarked graves at Williams Lake, B.C. it is imperative that the RCMP step in and secure the potential crime scene and conduct a thorough investigation that includes excavation.  Canada is either a country that has committed unspeakable crimes, or a gigantic fraud is being perpetrated. The country is suffering, and has a right to know.
The basic claim is this: Possible gravesites have been found at Williams Lake about two kilometres from the former site of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. The only way to determine if graves actually exist is by excavation.
Williams Lake First Nations Chief Willie Sellars made the emotional announcement on January 25, 2020. He alleged that murder, rape and other heinous crimes — including priests throwing babies into incinerators — were committed at the school, and that the graves contain the bodies of the child homicide victims. But the allegations get even worse. It is alleged that church leaders, the federal government, and the RCMP conspired to keep the deaths hidden by destroying documents that proved the deaths, and prevented any investigation from happening.
The allegations could not be more serious. RCMP procedure is quite clear when a death and secret burial is alleged. They immediately secure the area and begin their investigation. Excavation is the obvious step that must be taken to determine if there are any graves that cannot be explained. If there are, then exhumation and forensic examination must be considered. If no suspicious graves are found, the investigation ends.  The first step is obviously for the RCMP to immediately become involved and secure the area
THE OTHER THING that must be done immediately is to release to the public Whitney Spears’ report. Other anthropologists must be able to examine the report. There is, quite simply, no reason why the report should not be released. Shocking allegations have been made, and the public deserves to see the evidence.
If there were 50 children who were somehow murdered or otherwise “disappeared” at the school, one would expect there to be 50 sets of frantic parents who would have made police reports, and complained in public that their children had gone missing. But we have searched news archives and other sources and found no such missing persons reports, or anything at all to indicate that 50 children disappeared.
The allegations at Williams Lake, if proven, will be the single biggest crime that has ever been committed in Canada. If the allegations are shown to be false, with no crimes committed, this will be the biggest wild goose chase in the country’s history.
A precedent must be set here. Crimes alleged to have been committed on Canadian soil must be investigated in the proper way by the proper authorities. The allegation is murder and mayhem. The principles of justice demand that the potential crime scene be secured, not left in the control of those alleging the crime.
SCEPTICISM IS FURTHER warranted because allegations of priests and nuns killing babies in horrible ways have a long history in North America.  The most famous example is The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk, which caused a sensation when published in 1836. Maria, a young woman from Montreal, claimed that she had lived in a convent where nuns were forced to have sex with priests and the resulting babies were strangled and thrown into a lime pit.
Maria’s book was widely read, but it was soon shown to be a hoax because basic facts in her story didn’t add up.  Nonetheless, such charges against Catholic nuns and priests have circulated ever since in the netherworld of public consciousness.  They are reminiscent of the blood libel, according to which Jewish elders kidnap and kill Christian babies.  The blood libel still feeds anti-Semitism in some parts of the world.
The immediate source of these anti-Catholic stories given currency in Kamloops and now in Williams Lake is unclear.  A book by former United Church minister Kevin Annett, Murder by Decree: The Crime of Genocide in Canada, may have something to do with it; Annett is known to have had contacts with First Nations people in Kamloops.
But knowing the immediate source of the stories is less important than understanding that they are ancient, vicious libels with a high potential for causing violence, as in the torching or vandalizing of 68 churches in Canada last summer.  These libels are so dangerous that reasonable people ought to demand some tangible proof before repeating them, as our mass media are unfortunately doing.

Tom Flanagan is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Brian Giesbrecht is a retired judge of the Manitoba Provincial Court.


This column is exclusive to THE DORCHESTER REVIEW.

 

A WELL RESEARCHED PAPER … (WORTH THE READ)

“Jumping to conclusions without the facts in the Indigenous Residential School Question” … Report by Dr. Scott Hamilton, Anthropologist at Lakehead University: June 21 2021