News & Announcements

GK Notes for Friday February 27th.

Happy Meteorological Spring!  

Doesn't March always seem like a new beginning! In a week the clocks go forward, the days get longer, and the green for the coming of Patrick's day appears. Lots to look forward to as our weather warms! 

I was proud to announce at our business meeting, our January Knight of the Month Michael Patti, and our Family of the Month, The Chris Shanahan and Mona Herbric family for their many contributions to our council. You can read more about their contributions by clicking on their pictures (blue box) below this article. Their contributions and all previous honorees are in the "Council Recognition" section of our website. 

I am proud to accept the Founders and Columbian Awards on your behalf. Our council met the qualifications for both awards due to your hard work on our programs and events, as well as other compliance requirements.  Thanks for your hard work this past Fraternal year 2024-25. 

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers at the first Fish Fry on February 20th.  Our attendance was a little below the average from last year.  We ask that all those who cannot work the Fish Fries, please consider attending. We had a whole table of Mike and Marie Colby's friends at the last cafe, so please consider bring your friends, families, small christian communities (SCC/GIGs) to share our lenten journey together! 

As we said previously , on Wednesday February 12, brother Leonard Jagielo met our Lord. Len was a Knight for just under 40 years, joining in August of 1986. Len's family has asked for an honor guard for Len's services at Holy Family  on March 14th.  We plan to utilize suits and sashes at Len's services, so any of our brothers can participate, not just 4th degree Knights. Don't be concerned about not having done this before, it's pretty simple, we can guide you. Please contact Greg Flanigan if you can participate.

At the two thirds moment of our fraternal year we are looking for brothers interested in being officers and program directors for the next  fraternal year starting in July. Please contact Frank Biank if you are interested. These officer positions do not take a lot of your time, and they are a great way to share your talents with the group. 

Please pray for those in our Knights Family who are ill, they are listed in our council prayer list. You can access it by Clicking Here.

Thanks for all you do for our Parish, and I hope to see you at the Fish Fries! 

Rick

Leonard S. Jagielo Honor Guard

Leonard S.Jagielo passed away on Wednesday February 12th, he was 82 years old. We pray for his wife Patricia and his family in their grief. Holy Family has his services scheduled for Saturday March 14th, with visitation at 09:30 in the chapel and funeral mass in the church at 10:30.  The family has requested an honor guard, please contact Greg Flanagan if you can participate. We are performing this honor guard in Suits and Sashes, so all can participate, not just uninformed 4th degree members.   If you would like to read Len's obituary CLICK HERE. 

Council Receives Awards for Fraternal Year 2024 - 25

Grand Knight Rick McMahon accepted the Founders Award, and the Columbian Award for our councils performance in Fraternal year 2024-25. These awards were presented by District Deputy Richard Lambke at our February Business meeting.  These awards belong to the Council for our successful programs and compliance to annual reporting. Our Knights Family of Volunteers made this recognition possible! 

 

 

2026 Fish Fries are Starting February 20th

It seems hard to believe that it's almost Lent again.  On February 20th we begin our 5 weekly Fish Fries. which take us to the third week of March. Our Fish Fries require a lot of help, please consider asking friends, family, SCC's/GIG's, or ministry partners if they want to help at the Fish Fries.  You don't need to be a Knight to help at our functions! 

If you want to know what our Fish Fries are like, here is a video link: https://youtu.be/L9NsQ3rzi-w?feature=shared

Please note - the sign up for the fish fries is stacked by date, so please make sure you are signing up for the week you intended to sign up for. 

Click anywhere on the image below to sign up 

Family Faith Thank You Cards and Placemats

Our wonderful 1st through 5th grade family faith classes were focusing on gratitude. They made us wonderful thank you cards and 200 placemats (below) for the February 27th cafe. These were made under the direction of family faith director Karen McHale. Thanks to Family Faith for making such special table decorations! 

 

 

Faith Feeds needs Volunteers!

Many of your fellow Knights are now volunteering at Faith Feeds! We all got used to the monthly Produce Distribution Drives at Holy Family and other Northwest Suburban Parishes.  Faith Feeds gives you the same satisfaction of helping to feed others. Please consider helping at Faith Feeds! 

Faith Feeds has work on Thursdays unloading and sorting food delivered by the Chicago Food Depository. They are located at 1545 N Rand Road in Palatine ( right next to the Walmart).  They also have shifts on other days of the week distributing food at local apartment complexes. We also have shifts on the third weekend of the month collecting food at Holy Family after the masses. 

Again - Please consider Faith Feeds!

You can look for volunteer opportunities by clicking the Faith Feeds  image below.   

For Holy Family Mass collection shifts, click the Holy Family image below. 

 

 

 

Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration 
March 5th and 6th
First Friday of every Month
 
From PGK Glenn Yamamoto: 
Let me ask you a question: How would your life change if you spent an hour each day before the Blessed Sacrament? I realize for most people this is not possible, but consider it for a moment anyway. How would your life change?  Now consider this, "What is possible"? One hour each month, for most people that would be doable.  Spending time in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist transformed me and my life in ways I could not even begin to imagine.  I believe that by spending time in the presence of Jesus, in the Eucharist, we  become more like Him.  Mother Teresa was quoted as saying, "If I can give you any advice, I beg you to get closer to the Eucharist and to Jesus.  We must  pray to Jesus to give us the tenderness of the Eucharist."
 
At Holy Family we Knights sign up for monthly 1 hour time segments for First Friday Adoration.  We serve from from 7pm on the Thursday to 6pm on Friday.  I encourage you to consider our one-hour adoration opportunities. 
 
Please contact brother Glenn Yamamoto if you have questions or to participate. (Click on Glenn's highlighted name to send him an email) 
 

Welcome to our New Knights 02/11/2025

It is wonderful to announce that we have five new brother Knights!  On Wednesday February 11th, our Council held an Exemplification in the Holy Family Chapel for our new brothers pictured below.  They are ( from the left ) Herb Reisel, Rick Banas, ( GK Rick, Deacon Bob) Sean Halloran, Gerry Koser, and Senoy Kavalackal. On behalf of the Council, welcome to our Knights Family Gentlemen!  Thanks so much to our Exemplification team of Jim Posch, Glenn Yamamoto, Ron Wojewoda, Greg Flanagan, Deacon Bob Lanigan, and our District Deputy Richard Lambke. 

February 8th Blood Drive

Vitalant Thank You Note
 

Thanks to Katy and Dan Ostermeyer for another successful Blood drive. 33 amazing donors provided 29 lifesaving pints,  including 2 new donors. These donations have the potential to help up to 87 hospital patients in their recovery!  See the attached thank you note above from Vitalant.

 

 

Archdiocese Chapter Newsletter

Click to open latest newsletter
 

Click Link Above ↑

 

Please click on the most recent edition for the latest Archdiocesan news.  Note our January 25th Breakfast is advertised. 

Council Donation to Stepping Stones Foundation 1/28

Thank You Note
 

Our council Meeting we presented $500 tot he Stepping Stones Foundation from the proceeds of our January Café. In the photo at right,  Financial Secretary Dan Tokarz is presenting the $500 check to Ken Aman and Glenn Yamamoto who are Knights as well as  Board Members for Stepping Stones. Stepping Stones provides medical and logistical support to the area of Bunnamweri in Uganda.

Please click the  PDF button above to see a wonderful thank you note from one of the students helped by our donation.  

Stepping Stones is having a Luncheon to celebrate their 16th anniversary! This is also to raise money to fix an emergency vehicle used for medical transport. Click anywhere on the image below to learn more or buy luncheon tickets.

2025 Intellectual Disabilities Drive Donation to Little City

Thank You Note from Little City
 

Our Council is proud of our partnership with Little City.  Little City does so much to build confidence and independence among those with neurologic challenges, and they are located right here in our Parish.  Between our hours outside of Jewel,  at the intersections, in the church narthex, and our online contributions, we were able to  donate $8432.75 to Little City. The check was proudly presented to Little City's Theresa Fifarek by Father Terry, Community Director Mike Colby, and Rick McMahon at our January 25, 2026 Café. 

Thank you to all our volunteers for your long hours and sore feet, You made a difference! A special thanks to Community Director Mike Colby for his enthusiasm and extra effort with online and business donations. 

Picture Below - Mike Colby, Rick and Theresa Fiferek from Little City, and Father Terry with Theresa's Family. 

2025 Christmas Eve Parking Volunteers

Thank you to Mike Colby, Bob Vanselow, Greg Flanagan, Bernie Rupe, Jim Posch, Dan and William Ostermeyer and Grand Knight Rick. We worked for 2.5 hours helping the over 2000 attendees of the 3pm and 3:30pm Masses, get into church on time! 


A Sunday In Bethlehem December 21st

Special thanks to the Hospitality Crew, Deano Dalaly, Sharyn and Mike Gilbert, Dan Tokarz, Ken Aman and Irene Pezdirtz and Rick.  Our Set-Up Crew of Greg Flanagan, John Baruch, Dave and Carol Piasecki, and Rick. 


2025 Keep Christ in Christmas

On Friday December 12,  we selected our winning pictures for the "Keep Christ in Christmas" poster contest. Art Teacher Jamie Schnell again did an incredible job getting 100% of her art classes involved! We are fortunate to have such great support from Holy Family Catholic Academy!
It was very hard to select winners from all of the great "Masterpieces". The winning drawings are posted on the pillars in the Church Narthex for the Christmas Season, and you can see more in our Photo Gallery.  Thanks to Jamie Schnell and Mike Colby for all their hard work!
Click anywhere on the image below to see the Photo Gallery of our winning artists   
 
 

2025 Academy Christmas Appreciation Breakfast

Our Academy Teachers Christmas Appreciation Breakfast, the Knights 3rd annual participation.  We are proud to offer our assistance to honor the Teachers who give so much to our Academy students.

Thanks  to Mike Gilbert, Greg Flanagan, Mike and Marie Colby, Lou Rundio, David Piasecki, Bob Vanselow, Frank Biank, John Posch, and Rick McMahon for their food preparation and presentation!  

Click anywhere on the image below to see these photos ( and more) in our photo gallery 

 

Our December 7, 2025 Holy Family Blood Drive!

On a very snowy morning - we still were blessed at Holy Family with 26 volunteer donors!  Thanks for giving the gift of life! 

Thank You Notes - Coat Drive

Last year (2024) before Christmas,  the Knights purchased new coats and through the Welcome a Stranger ministry we were able to donate directly to a family.  It was a Christmas blessing to be able to see how quickly these coats made a difference in the lives of the Amos  family!  (Pictured - Bottom Photo) 

This year (2025) we are again very happy to help another family through the Welcome a Stranger Ministry, just in time for some cold December weather. Pictured below (top photo) is the Burgos family. Our efforts will keep a family warm, who are not accustomed to winter weather.  What a blessing to have the opportunity to help!

Some additional coats were purchased this year (2025) and were sent to an organization in Waukegan, we hope to have more photos when those are distributed. 

Council makes a $500 Donation to the Little Sisters of the Poor

Thank you note from the Little Sisters of the Poor.
 

Grand Knight Rick McMahon, presenting a check for $500 to Liz Rahimi from St Joseph's Home. The Knights make annual donations to St Joseph's home, this donation came from the proceeds of our November Cafe. 

Lawrence (Larry) Szmurlo

Szmurlo Family Thank You
 

 

Our Brother Larry Szmurlo met our Lord early on Sunday October 5, 2025, he was 74. Larry bravely fought glioblastoma for most of this calendar year, only in the last couple of months opting for the peace of hospice care. 

See the PDF above for the Family Thank You Note. 

Larry has been entered into the "Knights in Memorandum" section of this website.  CLICK HERE to goto his entry. 

 

Bernie Rupe - Honored with the ChristiFideles Award for 2025

 
Congratulations to Bernie Rupe!
We are excited to share that Bernie Rupe has been honored with the Christifideles Award! This award, given by the Archdiocese, recognizes lay men and women who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Church, living out their baptismal call with faith and dedication.
Bernie's  generosity, commitment, and tireless service to our parish youth is an example Christ’s love in action. We are so grateful for all he does, and we celebrate this well-deserved recognition with him.
Please join us in congratulating Bernie on this special honor!

Military Outreach Donation Follow Up

At our August 2025 Cafe we highlighted the Military Outreach organization's Veterans Exiting Homelessness Program.  Our council donated $500 from the Cafe Proceeds. ( Graphic below from the FridayBLAST 09/26/25)   Below is PGK Glenn Yamamoto presenting a check to General Jim Mikoyama. 

HFCA "Welcome back to School breakfast 08/18/2025

 

Thanks to our wonderful volunteers for the 2025 HFCA "Welcome back to School" Breakfast.  We served approximately 400 Parents and Students. Thanks to the Mike and Marie Colby, Mike and Sharon Gilbert, Frank Biank, Greg Flanagan, Glenn Yamamoto, John Posch, Kent Deener, Rich Surma, Lou Rundio, and GK Rick. 

Recognition for the Veterans Exiting Homelessness drive at Holy Family on August 2-3, 2025!

Military Outreach recognized Holy Family for the Veterans Exiting Homelessness Drive held on the weekend of August 2nd and 3rd.  This drive was held under the Leadership of Glenn Yamamoto, our 11981 Faith director in partnership with Sue Geegan and the Human Concerns Ministry.  Click anywhere on the image below to read the entire newsletter.  Thank you to our fellow parishioners for a job well done! 

Please note - Our August 24th  "Café will donate $500 to Military Outreach's Veterans Exiting Homelessness Program.  

Feed My Starving Children Pack Night 7/15/2025

 

 

Our wonderful "Knights family of Volunteers", joined 85 other volunteers from 5 Knights Of Columbus Councils in the Schaumburg, Hoffman, Palatine and Inverness communities for a Pack Night at Feed My Starving Children. As you can see by the graphic below, it was a productive evening!  We, along with the other Volunteers, packaged over 49 thousand meals!  

The 4 participating councils donated $1555.00 to Feed My Starving Children from our participation in the Lou Malnati's dine to donate events earlier this summer.  Our thanks to all who participated!                                                            

11981 Donates $1000 to TLC Pregnancy Services

Thank You Note from TLC
 

Brother Dan Ostermeyer presented a check to Vivian Maly of TLC Pregnancy Services in Elgin for $1000, on Monday June 2nd.  This money was our planned annual contribution  to TLC. TLC  provides low income Moms with Prenatal care, as well as diapers and formula for the newborn. 

Fish Fry proceeds donated to Teen Ministry and HFCA!

Your Holy Family Knights are proud to announce the proceeds of the 2025 Lenten Fish Fries were presented Sunday May 18th at the 9am Mass.  

The Knights family of volunteers worked over 600 hours in the 5 events, serving over 1000 meals. We raised a total of $7300. The Fish Fries were also successful for creating Community at each event. We Were pleased to bring parishioners together to “grow” and share our Lenten journey - together.   

We are proud to support our youth in ensuring that more teens can afford to attend retreats with a donation of $3650 to the Teen Retreat Fund.  We are equally as proud to give a donation of $3650 to the Holy Family Catholic Academy Tuition Fund, as a part of our council's Neil McManus Scholarship fund. This fund helps families afford the quality education our parish Academy provides. 

Lastly and most importantly, we’d like to thank our fellow Parishioners who supported the Fish Fries allowing us the opportunity to provide these funds! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Good Press for the Fish Fry

Printed Article on HF Fish Fry
 

At our March 14th Fish Fry, we had Multimedia Journalist Karie Angell Luc in attendance.  Karie was invited by Father Terry to document our Fish Fry for publication by the Archdiocese. Karie also made a video of her time at the  Holy Family Fish Fry, interviewing many of our members -  You can read the Article in PDF form above, or Click the Link below to see the video! 

https://youtu.be/L9NsQ3rzi-w?feature=shared

Wheel Chair Donation Thank you!

Our Council made a $200 donation to the Knights of Columbus Wheelchair Mission.  Below is a wonderful thank you card for our donation.  Another reminder of the good work we do as a council!

 

Holy Family 40th Anniversary

On Saturday November 23rd, our Parish celebrated 40 years since the parish formation!  The Knights served in the opening procession. These photos and more are in the website photo gallery.  

 

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How to help us Recruit more Members - Quick and Easy!

How many times have we been asked about joining the Knights.  Were you ready?

Our Website has a button ( on the front page)  that takes you to a page with easy instructions and a link to online sign up.  It costs the person nothing to sign up, all we need is YOU to be ready! 

Please put a 11981 Website Icon on your phone so you are ready to help recruit! See Rick or anyone in the leadership team for instructions on how to do this!