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

 

Blessed Michael McGivney, pray for and guide our Knights!

 

 

____________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

     OUR CALENDAR OF ALL PARISH EVENTS: 2024-25

 

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________

 

November 25, 2024
DISTRICT 14 MEMORIAL MASS FOR DECEASED MEMBERS AT ST. AGNES

   

All six Councils were well represented with many Brother Knights in attendance, Priests, Council Chaplains and Deacons assisting with the Mass;  our Brother 4th Degree Knights in the Honour Guard and Knights serving and assisting with the Mass; as well as many Family members and Friends of our Deceased Knights.

The list of deceased members were read out for each Council:

1130       Ignit Stetsko       Severino Maronese      Edmund Ferris     Michael Chocla

1447       Arden Cariato    Romano Taddeo

7332       none

8602      Cyril Cano            Peter (Dick) Cahrbonneau

9295       Vilvergo Lanquibo            Lawrence Skunta              Rev. Henryk Augustynowicz

15995    none

Please continue to pray for our deceased Brother Knights throughout the year.

 

 

November 23, 2024
4TH DEGREE EXEMPLIFICATION FOR THE FR. BAXTER ASSEMBLY

The Exemplification ceremony took place at the Columbus Centre.  Five new Sir Knights were welcomed into the Assembly.
Pictured (from Left to right in the last photo) are Sir Knights Pierre Fortin, Chris Price, Father Doug McClure, Bill Vass Faithful Navigator, James Matejesic, Dan Bortolussi,  and his brother, Ron. 

Thanks to Bill Vass, F.N., Deacon Derek West and Louis Romito for the photos.

 

 

 

 

November 17, 2024
OUR CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE SPONSORED ‘COOKIE WALK’ & ‘MITTS AND GLOVES’ APPEAL
and …
OUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MINISTRY WEEKEND

From the Cookie Walk Team:
A very big thank you to all who made delicious cookies and treats for this weekend’s 2nd annual cookie walk.  We were so excited and grateful.  Thank you as well to all who came and assisted the team at each Mass.
Plus the Cookie Walk Team thanks to an anonymous donor was able to provide two grocery bags of bagged cookies for the Dew Drop.  

From the Mitts and Gloves Team:
It was overwhelming to see the generosity of parishioners. We were able to fill eight fabric grocery
bags overflowing with mittens, gloves and hats…from baby to adult sizes, hand knit hats and mitts/gloves as well as store bought ones.

St. Pat’s CWL is amazed by our parish community’s generosity!!!! Thank you, thank you!

___________________________________

Our Sir Knights of the Father Baxter Assembly ministered at our Masses and the Grand Knight of Fort William Council 1447, our own Sir Knight, Mike Spivak, spoke at our Masses about joining this worldwide Catholic Organization of the Knights of Columbus. In attendance at our 10:30 am Mass was our District 14 Deputy, Sir Knight, Bruce Sutton.

 

 

 

 

November 16, 2024
OUR KNIGHTS AT THE CHRISTMAS PARADE 2024
First Set of Photos: Roy Hagel …

 

Second Set Of Photos: Juliano Brusadin

   

The six councils of the Knights of Columbus, lead by Fort William Council 1447,  banded together to place a float in the 32nd Annual Rotary Santa Claus Parade that is viewed by 20,000 spectators.
The theme of our Knights’ float was“Keep Christ in Christmas” and it included a Nativity Scene of Baby Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph watching prayerfully over the Child with the Wiseman bearing gifts and animals looking on.  Special Olympic Athletes rode along in the Float giving Christmas Cheer to the spectators!!
The weather was perfect for a Christmas Parade!!….. The sun was shining at times, the temperature was very good for this time of year, no snow or ice.
We had a good turnout of some great volunteers that did a fantastic job in building the Float on Friday and then walking with the Float on Saturday.

Many thanks to Brother Knight, Roy Hagel for providing us with these photos and descriptive article and to Brother Knight, Louis Romito for sending them to us for this website.

 

 

 

November 11, 2024 – Remembrance Day
SIR KNIGHTS ATTENDING AND PRESENTING A WREATH AT THE FORT WILLIAM GARDENS

Father Baxter Assembly’s Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Bill Vass and the Assembly’s Faithful Commander, Sir Knight Larry Pankuch both attended the Remembrance Day  Ceremonies at the Fort William Gardens on November 11th and presented a wreath to mark the solemnity of the occasion.

 

 

 

November 17, 2024
OUR C.W.L. SPONSORED ‘COOKIE WALK’
AND OUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MINISTRY WEEKEND

This weekend our Catholic Women’s League sponsored another very successful Cookie Walk, before and after every Mass in the foyer of the Church.  Thanks to Crystal Tustian, to all her helpers who hosted the event and to those who baked and donated the cookies.  A special thanks as well to Sean Murphy for taking these photos of the event.

Our Knights of the Father Baxter Assembly ministered at our Masses and the Grand Knight of Fort William Council 1447, our own Sir Knight, Mike Spivak, spoke at our Masses about joining this worldwide Catholic Organization of the Knights of Columbus. In attendance at our 10:30 am Mass was our District 14 Deputy, Sir Knight, Bruce Sutton.

 

 

November 13, 2024
FORT WILLIAM COUNCIL 1447 DONATION

Our Council donated a box full of adult winter jackets  to the Salvation Army.  Pictured (l. to r.) Grand Knight Mike Spivak, Gail Kromm, Cathy Oleschuk and Deacon Derek West.

 

 

 

November 9/10, 2024 – ALL MASSES
OUR PARISH REMEMBRANCE DAY WEEKEND

At all our Masses on his special weekend, we remembered and prayed for all who lost their lives in armed conflict or were injured physically and emotionally, for their grieving families, for our veterans and for those who are now serving in the military.  Above all we prayed for peace in our families and in our world.

We thank our parishioners, George Romick for laying the wreath at our cenotaph and for both he and Larry Pankuch for standing guard as we sang the national anthem .  Thanks as well to Erick Villanueva and Cheryl DeLorenzi for preparing our cenotaph and Sean Murphy for providing us with these photos .

 

 

 

October 26, 2024 – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
OUR KNIGHTS CONDUCTING THE ‘DEW DROP INN’ FOOD DRIVE

 
Here, collecting donations at the entrances on  the 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm “shift” are Stan Kwaka, Vince Stilla, Mike Boyechko and Rob Popien.           …. Photos by Louis Romito

The Knight volunteers from Council 1447 and the Fr. Baxter Assembly  and friends, manned the entrances  at the Metro Grocery Store on River Street last Saturday.   They were: Mike Spivak, Deacon Derek & Linda West, Patrick Klug, David Gaudino, Larry Pankuch, John Baker, Mike Posmituk, Juliano Brusadin, Peter Sabourin, Mike Boyechko, Stan Kwaka, Vince Stilla, Rob Popien, Matthew Covino, Robin Rickards and Louis Romito, all taking “shifts” at the doors at different times during the day.

 

 

October 21, 2024
OUR KNIGHTS REFURBISHING ST. BENEDICT’S CHAPEL

Mike Spivak, Deacon Derek West and Chris Price have been helping Father Doug McClure with the refurbishing of St. Benedict’s Chapel on Hwy. 61!

 

 

October 18, 2024
LOYAL TO THEIR GENEROUS PLEDGE

The second “fundraising phase” of our roof project continues to gain momentum, thanks to the generous support of our parishioners, of the public and of our Knights and League Members. Here, Msgr. Pat accepts a donation of $1,000. from Bill Vass, Faithful Navigator and Louis Romito, Faithful Purser of the Fr. Baxter Assembly.
It represents a portion of their pledge.

 

 

October 10, 2024
KNIGHTS’ COUNCILS: INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

     

We gathered at St. Andrew’s Church in Thunder Bay, North for the installation of Officers of all the Knights’ Councils of Thunder Bay.  Father Berchmans, Chaplain of K.C. Council 1130 and Pastor of St. Andrew’s, celebrated the Mass of “The Blessing of the Jewels” with Msgr. Stilla,  concelebrating and Deacon Joey Terlhijan assisting.   District Deputy, Bruce Sutton presided at the Installation together with past State Deputy, Joe Salini, distributing the jewels.  These photos show the Officers of our own Fort William Council 1447 receiving their Jewels of Office, with our Chaplain, Fr. Doug McClure and our Grand Knight, Mike Spivak, leading.
Many thanks to our parishioner and brother Knight, Juliano Brusadin for providing us with these souvenir photos.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________________

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.

 

 

 

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 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