News & Announcements

Join the K of C online!

There is now an easier and faster way for interested (and practicing) Catholic men to join the Knights of Columbus that we would like everyone to know about. It is hoped that, with this latest way of joining, we can let others know about it and perhaps persuade them to give the KofC a try.

Men can now go to KofC.org/joinus and fill out the short online application. The application will then be forwarded, by the Supreme office, to the appropriate state council (NY State Council, for example) in which the person lives, for processing. A person signing up via the online process, will not be directly assigned to a council.  Instead, he will be considered a member of the state council’s “online member division” and at the earliest stage of his journey in the Knights of Columbus. Once he pays the $30 dues, the online member will then:

• receive an “online division” membership card;
• have access to the online membership portal (net) that contains information about the Order, events and current KofC news items;
• receive Columbia magazine;
• accidental death insurance;
• be eligible to purchase KofC insurance products.

The above described membership program does not eliminate councils, the attainment of “degrees”, or annual council dues. When a non-degree online member is ready to join a council, he can initiate the transfer process to a local council of his choosing. Once the local council is made aware of the online member’s intention, that council’s financial secretary will complete the transfer process and arrange for the transferee to attain his First Degree. The transferee’s dues will be changed to what is charged by the local council.

SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING ONLINE FIRST/SECOND/THIRD DEGREE COMBINATION CEREMONY

• Register for the exemplification of your choice by clicking on one of the dates and hours below;
• Your families are also welcome to observe; 
• Remember to register as a member of Council 2243.

Give a Pint, Save a Life Blood Drive

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of blood drives have been canceled, resulting in a shortage of over 100,000 units of blood. To address this urgent need, Brother Knights and their families who are not already isolated due to illness, age or underlying conditions are encouraged to donate blood. Your donation of a pint of blood is the gift of life so many now desperately need. Give a Pint, Save a Life!

Persons who are over the age of 60, live with someone over the age of 60, or who are otherwise at heightened risk due to illness or underlying conditions should not participate in this activity.

Action Steps

1. Identify and schedule appointments for existing blood drives using the Red Cross Mobile App or by visiting www.redcrossblood.org in the United States (and www.redcross.ca in Canada). If you are a ConnectLife (formerly UNYTS) blood donor, schedule an appointment to donate at one of their local blood centers by visiting https://www.connectlifegiveblood.org/index.cfm or by calling 716-529-4270.
2. Only donate blood by appointment. Do not arrive at donation centers or drives without an appointment 
3. Spread the word to eligible family members, friends, Brother Knights and parishioners to schedule an appointment and donate blood as soon as possible.
4. Fr. Baker Council members should notify Financial Sec'y. John Radwan at jr0410@aol.com (or 716-675-1804) after making each of their blood donations during the year so that the Council can record the number of donors for 2020.                                                                      Donate and save a life!

Cancellation of Area KofC Events

• All Fr. Baker Council monthly meetings until further notice;
• All Fr. Baker Council's Senior Knights Social Club meetings until further notice;
• The 4th Degree Exemplification scheduled for April 18 in Niagara Falls.

NY State Council K of C - High School Scholarship Program and Tuition Grant Program Applications

PURPOSE: To provide Financial Assistance to dependent children, grandchildren and legal wards of Knights of Columbus members for the furthering of their Catholic High School education.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS: Scholarships are awarded based upon the scholastic aptitude of the applicants and their involvement in Church and/or Community activities. The scholarship is awarded without consideration of financial need. REQUIREMENTS:

1. Applicant must be a son, daughter, grandchild or legal ward of a Knights of Columbus member in good standing of a Council located in New York. Children of deceased members who demise occurred while in good standing are also eligible .

2. Application is for 9th Grade applicants planning to enter a Catholic high school only.     

3. Acceptance in a New York State Catholic high school for the school year beginning in September of that year. 

4. A student entering the 9th grade of a New York State Catholic High School may apply for both a Tuition Grant and a Scholarship Award, but may only receive ONLY one or the other.

5.  Completed applications must be RECEIVED by the NY State Council by the new extended deadline of June 1st.

For further information and applications, go to http://wnychapter.org/2020/program-scholarships.html 

CLICK HERE for the tuition grant application

PURPOSE: To provide Financial Assistance to dependent children, grandchildren and legal wards of Knights of Columbus members for the furthering of their Catholic High School education.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS: Scholarships are awarded based upon the scholastic aptitude of the applicants and their involvement in Church and/or Community activities. The scholarship is awarded based on the financial need of the family.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Applicant must be a son, daughter, grandchild or legal ward of a Knights of Columbus member in good standing of a Council located in New York. Children of deceased members who demise occurred while in good standing are also eligible .

2. Application is for 9th Grade applicants planning to enter a Catholic high school only.     

3. Acceptance in a New York State Catholic high school for the school year beginning in September of that year. 

4. A student entering the 9th grade of a New York State Catholic High School may apply for both a Tuition Grant and a Scholarship Award, but may only receive ONLY one or the other.

5. One tuition grant in the amount of $500 .00 will be awarded for each diocese in the State of New York. Awards must be renewed for each subsequent year the students attends a New York State Catholic High School by submitting a renewal application. Total Award $2000.

6. After the first year, renewal information must be submitted for continuation of the Tuition Grant for each consecutive year (up to a maximum of 3 additional years). 

5.  Completed applications must be RECEIVED by the NY State Council by June 1.

NO BINGO UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Fr. Baker Council's bingo, at the Glab Post, is "on hiatus" until the threat from the Coronavirus is over. Keep your distance; stay safe!

Congratulations to Regional Free Throw Contest Winners!

Congratulations to Ella Biegaj and Cosette Ziolkowski, free throw contest "regional" winners who competed against girls in their age groups from other Western NY K of C districts. Ella and Cosette competed against other girls in their respective age groups at the "local" level sponsored by Fr. Baker Council on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at the Our Lady of Victory Elementary School gym. Upon winning there, they went on to win at the "district" level at the Hamburg Council on January 19 and won there too! Their winning ways continued on March 7 at the "regional" competition held at Our Lady of Hope Council in Kenmore. Their next competition, the "conference" level contests, take place in Syracuse on Saturday, March 21st. If they are successful there, their final destination will be at the K of C's NY State championship to be held at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Good luck to Ella and Cosette! Please keep them in your prayers!

Since 1972, Knights of Columbus councils have sponsored the K of C Free Throw Championship for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to FR. BAKER COUNCIL #2243

Fr. Baker Council Members,

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ALL!!

February 20, 2020 marks the 99th year of the existence of the Knights of Columbus' Fr. Baker Council #2243 (originally called Lackawanna Council #2243) in the City of Lackawanna. That represents nearly 100 years of working together to do charitable works for the betterment of our local community.

Congratulations, brother knights! Continued success during our "Centenary" Anniversary in 2021!!

Sunday, August 23 - K of C Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Special Olympics of NY State

CLICK HERE for tournament and contact information!

The Western Conference of NY State KofC & the Former District Deputy Association is sponsoring the "Day of Caring Charity Golf Tournament" to benefit the Special Olympics of NY State on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at Chestnut Hill CC. Join fellow duffers from councils in Western NY and the Rochester area for lunch, a round of golf, dinner, beverages, prizes, basket raffle and split drawing! This event is open to all adults!

$90.00 Per Golfer
$360.00 Foursome
$30.00 Dinner (only)

Registration, lunch and team photo begins at noon. Shotgun start at 1:30 PM. Dinner at 6:30 PM. Personal coolers allowed.No beverages served on course. After golf, dinner and beverages will be served. Golf prizes: Foursome Rotation Ball, Basket Raffle and Split/drawing will be available.

See the attached flyer to sign up as an individual golfer, twosome or foursome. Also attached is a form to sign up to be an ad sponsor in the event's program book or to be a prize sponsor! Direct questions to:

Lewis Herman: 716-984-1983
Bob LaBarbera: 716-495-2246
Paul von der Empten: 716-525-0258
John Sowinski: 716-570-7427 

FYI - interim K of C insurance agent

Fellow Council Members,

 For all of your K of C insurance needs or questions, please call brother, Mike Gruszewski at 716-579-4312 or 716-625-9684. Mike will be our council's interim insurance agent. His email address is MICHAEL.GRUSZEWSKI@KOFC.ORG.

If Mike is unavailable, contact this area's general K of C insurance agent, John P. Hoolick at (570) 654-3390. His email address is JOHN.HOOLICK@KOFC.ORG.

To view upcoming Degree dates and ceremony locations, K of C events in Western New York, and WNY Chapter meetings, hold the ctrl key and click on: http://wnychapter.org/index.html

"Building a Domestic Church" pamphlet kiosk donated to OLV Basilica

On February 14 with the approval of both Msgr. David LiPuma of OLV Basilica, and Fr. Baker Council, Grand Knight Gene Mendrysa placed a pamphlet kiosk next to the entrance to the Basilica's gift shop. The pamphlets provide parishioners, visitors, and Council members with free "faith based" educational materials from the Knights of Columbus organization's "Building a Domestic Church" initiative. The goal of the Domestic Church initiative is to help strengthen the faith of our parish members and Catholics in general.  Fr. Baker Council will resupply the kiosk with the pamphlets, as needed. The pamphlets' topics cover a variety of subjects.