Allentown Diocese Knights of Columbus

Opening Ceremony for Special Olympics Bowl Thom

Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America

Color Guard Salutes 47 new Deacons in Allentown Diocese

Allentown Diocese Color Corps

Allentown Diocese Color Corps

Allentown Diocese Color Corps

2015 Archbishop Mokrzycki Mass

2015 Archbishop Mokrzycki Mass

2015 Archbishop Mokrzycki Mass

2015 Archbishop Mokrzycki Carring 1st degree relic of ST. John Paul II

2015 Bishop John Barres and Archbishop Mokrzycki Mass

2015 Bishop John Barres receives 1st degree relic of St. John Paul II from Archbishop Mokrzyckip

2015 Archbishop Mokrzycki Mass

2015 Archbishop Mokrzycki Mass

2015 Archbishop Mokrzycki Mass

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner Bishop John Barres, Bishop of Allentown, PA

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner

133 Supreme Convention States Dinner

Bishop Barres w/ Fitzpatrick's & Mueller's at Supreme comvention

Bishop Barres (far right) with Michael J. O’Connor (left) and Archbishop William E. Lori of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Honor Guard at 133 Supreme Convention

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History of the Knights of Columbus in the Lehigh Valley

The Knights of Columbus began in the Lehigh Valley just sixteen years after the Order was founded by the Venerable Servant of God, Father Michael J. McGivney. Founded in 1896, Trinity Council 313, Bethlehem, and Union Council 345, Easton were two of the earliest councils in Pennsylvania. Calvary Council 528, Allentown, followed shortly thereafter. These councils became the backbone of fraternal and charitable activities for Catholic men and their families in the Lehigh Valley. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith. Patriotism was added to the three principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. Lehigh Valley Knights demonstrated their patriotism, proudly served their country during World Wars I and II. In between the wars, the Knights continued to grow as new councils formed in Bangor, Northampton, Nazareth, Emmaus and Bethlehem. Trinity Council hosted the Knights of Columbus State Convention in 1940 on the Southside of Bethlehem. Conventioneers swelled the hotels of the Bethlehem, Allentown and Easton areas. The Lehigh Valley hosted another convention in 1970, when the Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Emmaus Councils jointly hosted a convention at the George Washington Motor Lodge in Allentown. The 114th Annual State Convention will be held this year back in the Lehigh Valley at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, Fogelsville. The focal point of the council for conducting business and sharing fellowship was the council home. The homes also served in the time of need. During the flood of 1955, the Union Council Home was used as a temporary housing for those displaced by rising flood waters. Also during the mid 1950’s, two Knights of Columbus Assemblies, Lehigh Valley Assembly 931, Bethlehem, and Pope Pius Assembly 941, Easton, were formed. Assembly 931 changed its name to Bishop Thomas J. Welsh Assembly in 2010 in honor of the departed bishop. These assemblies provide Honor Guards for a number of funerals, confirmations, ordinations, and parades. In 1974, Art Yohe Jr, Calvary Council became the first Lehigh Valley Knight to become Pennsylvania State Deputy, the highest elected Knights of Columbus official in the state. F. Parker Lessel, Queenship of Mary Council, Northampton become the area’s second state deputy, serving from 1990 to 1992. In 1976, the Knights of Columbus held a Bicentennial celebration to recognize that the United State was founded 200 years ago in an atmosphere of respect for God. The event was spearheaded by Trinity Council; the Mass and festivities at Allentown College involved 11 Councils and 2 Fourth Degree Assemblies. The Lehigh Valley began to grow in the early 1990’s as new businesses and homes were built. The Knight’s presence began to grow as well. In 1992, new parish-based councils were formed at St Joseph the Worker, Orefield and St Paul, Allentown. A few years later another council formed at St Ann, Emmaus. Parish based councils offer a permanent presence and made the “strong right arm of the Catholic Church” within reach of the local pastor. In the last ten years, the expansion of parish-based councils has accelerated with new councils at St Rocco’s, Martin’s Creek; the Cathedral of St Catharine of Siena, Allentown; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown; Sacred Heat, Bath; St Joseph, Limeport; Assumption BVM, Colesville; St Theresa, Hellertown; St Anne, Bethlehem; and St Thomas More, Allentown. Most recently, the 4th Degree Cathedral Assembly was formed in 2010, along with Bethlehem Catholic High School Squires Circle 5528, a youth organization affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. Today, the Knights are the largest Catholic fraternal service organization in the world. Locally, what began as just 3 Lehigh Valley councils has grown to 19 thriving councils with over 2500 Catholic men. These councils support their priests, parishes and communities with many hours of charitable service and generous donations. They coordinate vocations support and have donated tens of thousands of dollars in the last several years to help young men become priests and young women pursue their vocation to religious life. The Diocese Pro-life Essay Contest was started by local Knights councils and assemblies. Knights of Columbus councils support Catholic schools, as well as a variety of charitable organizations. These include: Ecumenical Soup Kitchen, New Bethany Ministries, Caring Hearts, Habitat for Humanity, Mercy Special Learning Center, ARC of the Lehigh Valley, Special Olympics, Mary’s Shelter, the Veterans’ Sanctuary, and countless others.
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Allentown Diocese Chapter

MEETING LOCATION: MAP
Saint Christopher Catholic Newman Center
15207 Kutztown Road
Kutztown19530, PA 19530 US

Diocese of Allentown

To Catholic Diocese Site

Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert


Bishop Alfred A. Schlert was born to Alfred and Marylou Schlert in Easton on July 24, 1961, and was educated at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Elementary School, Easton and Notre Dame High School, Easton. He prepared for the Priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, the Pontifical Roman Seminary, Rome and St. John Lateran University, Rome. He was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown on September 19, 1987 by The Most Reverend Thomas J. Welsh, Second Bishop of Allentown.

He served as a Parochial Vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Allentown, as a Professor at his alma mater, Notre Dame High School, Easton and as the Catholic Chaplain at Lehigh University, Bethlehem. During his years at Notre Dame High School, he resided at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Easton, St. Bernard Church, Easton and Sacred Heart Church, Bath. He completed graduate studies at the Pontifical North American College, Rome and the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome where he received a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1992.

He was named Vice Chancellor and Secretary to Bishop Welsh in 1997 before being named Vicar General of the Diocese by The Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, Third Bishop of Allentown, in 1998. As Vicar General, he oversaw the coordination of all administrative offices of the Diocese. From 1998 to 2008 he was in residence at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown. While still serving as Vicar General, he was appointed Pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, Hellertown in July 2008. Upon the Ordination and Installation of The Most Reverend John O. Barres, Fourth Bishop of Allentown, he was reappointed as the Vicar General of the Diocese and resumed full-time service as Vicar General in February 2010, with residence at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown, until his Ordination as the Fifth Bishop of Allentown.

Pope St. John Paul II named him Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor in 1999. Pope Benedict XVI named him a Prelate of Honor, the second highest rank of Monsignor, in 2005.

Bishop Schlert served as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference and as a member of its Administrative Board. He also served on the Diocesan Council of Priests, the Diocesan Finance Council and the Diocesan College of Consultors. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of DeSales University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania.

He was appointed the Fifth Bishop of Allentown by Pope Francis on June 27, 2017. He was ordained a Bishop and installed as the Fifth Bishop of Allentown on August 31, 2017.

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