January 2023

John Dorsey

John is an engaged Knight, if there is a project to done you'll find him ready to pitch in. John was a force during our food/meal preparations for our Winter Shelter program, his efforts ensured 95 homeless guests were fed a warm evening meal and had breakfast to begin their day.

October 2019

SK Lloyd Knepp

SK Lloyd Knepp is a leader among leaders in our council. He currently serves as our Trustee First Year for a third year in a row when circumstances arose and the council had a need for leader to step forward. The first year was after his term as GK, but then when our Trustee second year suddenly died he remained in place. Finally, his experience was key in elevating our Round Table into a New Council and he stayed to fill in where our Trustee moved on to fill the GK role for the new council. Never afraid to take on a challenge Lloyd took a dormant “Food for Families” Program and infused his energy and led the parish and council to donate over 6,000 lbs of food for those who are in need. He did this by getting pulpit announcements and worked with a local grocery chain to provide brown bags as a visible sign to parishioners that the community requires our assistance. His enthusiasm is contagious and efforts are once again off to great start this fraternal year by already collecting 2,400 lbs and getting cash donations of over $500, what a remarkable feat. Lloyd always makes himself available to serve in any way, by being a welcome face before Mass, assisting with collections and distributing bulletins after. Yorktown Council’s Knight of the Month is a humble leader who makes a huge impact in his quiet selfless manner…

September 2019

SK Harry Knepp

SK Harry Knepp is one of the most unassuming knights you will find, but what he lacks in fanfare he makes up for with impactful actions. He is one of the main Ministers of Hospitality for the early Sunday Mass where greets parishioners, hands our worship aides, collects the gifts, butlers, and passes out weekly bulletins. Harry has a passion for ensuring everyone always have an uplifting bible verse or prayer within reach, so he creates these prayer cards with his own personal funds and passes them out before Mass. Harry also has taken active roles in both council and assembly leadership. For the council he was elected as the Warden and maintains order as well as provides refreshments after the meeting concludes. Harry stepped forward and faithfully fills as Pilot where he fills similar duties and take care of his brother Sir Knights. Harry’s unwavering and dedicated service to the Yorktown Knights, his parish, and community make him deserving of this honor.

August 2019

SK Francis Komornik, PFN

SK Frank Komornik has stanchly served the St Joan of Arc Parish community as a Lead Minister of Hospitality for the past several years. During the discharge of his office duties, he joyfully greets attendees, documents attendance, collects the gifts, butlers’ members to communion, and ensures the infirmed parishioners fully participate in the Mass. A fixture in numerous laity ministries, Frank always leads from the front and sets the example for his fellow brother knights. Most notably when a brother knight needed assistance moving Frank leapt into action soliciting volunteers and led a crew of 12 skillfully packing/unpacking the truck making quick work of the task in half the time. Frank’s efforts not only alleviated the stress for his brother and wife but also demonstrated our first principle of Charity. This servant leader is rightly Yorktown’s Knight of the Month!

July 2019

SK William Garber, PDD, PGK, PFN

William Garber, at the tender age of 90 years young, remains actively involved in Knight activities. Most recently one of our council's big fund raisers was in jeopardy and Bill calmly assumed the cooking chairmanship and turned a disaster into a delicious event. His Taco Knight Dinner was a smash hit for the 80+ attendees who kept coming back for seconds until their bellies could take no more. Turning the evening into a combined benefits night our Field Advisor ended the evening with Income and Investment Strategy discussion with 5 potential contacts. Lastly, when cleanup was done our council raised over $650.00 for our good works charities. SK Garber also managed to fit in the Yorktown 4th of July Parade where he and the Color Corps had the honor of carrying the colors and lead the parade. Men like Bill are examples of servant leadership by continuing to mentor Knights of our council and in our district.

March 2019

Woznick Gregory

SK Greg Woznick is very involved with any aspect of our council and can be found volunteering in some form or fashion for most events we hold. He regularly helps Ministers of Hospitality with the collection of gifts and is there to assist parishioners who require it. Greg stepped up and delivered by serving as the Chairman of the Annual Father-Daughter Dinner Dance held every year. Under his leadership, this event continued to be a cherished parish celebration of fatherhood that all look forward to for the eleventh year in a row. He currently is serving as the Deputy Grand Knight and Program Director. Greg jumped at the chance to assist those displaced in working our council PORT Mission in feeding the homeless in our community. He prepared the dinner and breakfast meals, and then was “the hands of Christ” as he served the meal for 77 of our less fortunate neighbors. This Knight is truly Faith In Action, and deserving of the title Knight of the Month!

November 2018

David Young

SK David Young serves as our Worthy Advocate and has been taking on multiple leadership roles for some time now remaining deeply involved in numerous Council activities. In his role as Advocate, he oversaw the well overdue review of council By-Laws (9 years) where his keen knowledge of the Order was vital to 7 policy recommendations being unanimously accepted/approved by the membership. This fraternal year Dave stepped up and added the Chairmanship of the PORT Committee, seeing to the feeding of the homeless in our community twice per year. On Thanksgiving Eve into Thanksgiving Day, he synchronized the efforts of 27 members/171 volunteer hours, who provided a warm dinner meal, overnight-watch as they slept, and a hearty breakfast for 51 of our less fortunate neighbors. Brother Young also added the Council Degree Team Captain for the Admissions Degree Ceremonials to his portfolio in addition to expertly handling the role of Grand Knight. His two professional exemplifications welcomed 6 new brothers into the order. Dave has had a distinctive influence on our Council and our corporal works while keeping Faith in Action.

October 2018

Gary May

Brother Gary May is “Mr. Oktoberfest” and once again kicked the ball thru the middle of the uprights as Chairman for our Annual Parish Community Activity that parishioners look forward to every fall. Gary has served as the Chairman of the Oktoberfest Committee for many years now and when asked why he continues to lead the event, “I love to see the joy the event brings everyone and the smiles on the attendees faces,” truly making a man’s (and woman’s) life better! He and his team sold 106 tickets, offered festive libations, and of course, the standard 50/50 raffle and when all was totalled we raised over $807.00 for Yorktown Council’s generous works. Gary effectively led 16 Knights and 6 Lady Auxiliary members in sharing their talents during 279 volunteer hours. Additionally, he dedicated scarce spare time to travel to parishioner’s homes collecting various scrap metals and turn them in earning over $100 to date so we can better support the community. Brother May is always there no matter what the task with a contagious smile and helping hand making him the perfect choice for Yorktown Council’s October 2018 Knight of the Month!

September 2018

SK John Bryant and Kenny Dale

SK John Bryant and Brother Kenny Dale are daily examples of the K of C principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity by striving to “Change a man’s life.” I understand that this is unorthodox but the actions of these men working together deserve recognition. When a Brother Knight and his wife, who are having some medical issues, needed assistance with heavy yard work after some tree removal these two men plotted a course to rectify the situation. They arrived tools in hand and smiles on their faces and spent the day prepping the grounds where stumps were removed for new growth as well as other miscellaneous landscaping. With their act of true kindness these men “where the helping hands” by making the problem go away! We are fortunate to have dedicated men like these Catholic Gentlemen on our Yorktown Knights of Columbus Team!

August 2018

O'Reilly Tom

Thomas O’Reilly is energetically engaged in several ministries that includes being the Lead of the Altar Server Ministry who monthly schedules 15 adults and 22 youth servers ensuring 12-15 Masses are equally reverent. He further passes on his expertise on, as the author of our Altar Server Guide, to others by providing training to 3 new servers this month. Additionally, he is a Mass coordinator assisting our priest preparing the sanctuary for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass from beginning to end. This past weekend Tom was the committee linchpin for a SEARCH Retreat where 24 candidates built a closer relationship with Christ. He gathered, transported and setup the off-site retreat center and ensured the facility had the proper sacramental vessels for 3 celebrations of Holy Mass. Weekly he serves as the Priest’s assistant during the Wednesday evening Praise & Worship, Adoration, and Mass. During our recent Helping Hands Food Drive Tom collected food donations from parishioners and consolidated them for transport to the local food bank. No matter the event, Tom is a Knight who constantly puts his Faith In Action to serve the community his parish, the Knights of Columbus!

July 2018

SK Jerry Ladnier

SK Jerry Ladnier is actively involved in many Parish Ministries that include being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and assists Ministers of Hospitality with the collection of gifts to name a few. But he stepped up and delivered during three key events held by Yorktown Council in the month of July. First, as the head Chef for our end of fraternal year Spaghetti Dinner where he orchestrated a crew of eight brother knights in nourishing 90 attendees who all left full and raised over $900.00 for Knights charities. Next, he partnered with the American Red Cross in sponsoring our Semi-Annual Blood Drive netting 34 productive live-saving units. Jerry and his team smoothly registered donors and operated a canteen to comfort givers before departing to enjoy the remainder of their day. Finally, Jerry arranged a fitting reception for 46 in attendance for the Chalice Ceremony honoring one of our fallen Council Brother SK Vincent Elia. This moving tribute to our fallen Sir Knight is one of the most profound obligations to our Brothers and their families. SK Ladnier’s steadfast and unceasing service to the Knights of Columbus, his Parish, and community, reflects Fr. McGivney’s vision to Build better lives for those who so desperately need help!