News & Announcements
Next Senior Knights Social Club monthly meeting
The next monthly meeting of Council 2243's Senior Knights Social Club will be on Thursday, January 15 2026. It will be held at the Matthew Glab Post of the American Legion located at 1965 Abbott Rd., Lackawanna. Meeting begins at 1:30 PM. Lunch will be provided following a short business meeting. Meeting fee is $6 for lunch and $10 (optional split club drawing). Two (free) drink tickets will be provided to each attendee!
All Fr. Baker Council members, age 55 and older, are invited to join the Fr. Baker Council's Sr. Knights Social Club!
Stop by, chat and laugh with members who you may not have seen in a while!
Contact the Club treasurer, Otto Johnson (716-998-4433), if you have questions.
Monthly Council Meeting - Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM
The next monthly meeting of Father Baker Council #2243 members will take place on Wednesday, January 14th, at our Council's office and will start promptly at a NEW TIME, 6:30 PM. All Fr. Baker Council members "in good standing" are invited to attend to hear the latest KofC and Council 2243 news, including our upcoming events.
Our office is located at 780 Ridge Road in Lackawanna. Please use the parking lot entrance at the rear of the building, on Baker Alley (off of South Park Ave.) or Melrose Ave (off of Ridge Road). Because the building is a secure facility, doors are automatically locked at 4:30 PM. Upon your arrival, look for the glass enclosed entrance with the large numbers "780" above it. Then, contact Glenn Reid (716-830-3993), Neal Goldwater (716-807-2412), or John Radwan (716-597-8893) to alert a Council officer to open the door and escort you up to Suite 205, via the elevator.
Learn about the four principles that the Knights of Columbus is based on. Go to https://www.kofc.org/en/todays-knights/our-principles.html
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ONLINE FIRST/SECOND/THIRD DEGREE COMBINATION CEREMONY
Fellow Council #2243 Members and Candidates for Membership:
We are pleased to invite you to the online ceremony of both "admission" and "advancement."
These ceremonies, known as "exemplifications", are normally done in person. However, because of current social distancing precautions due to the pandemic, we now offer these ceremonies online.
To participate in the ceremony IMMEDIATELY, use the “On Demand” link below and the 30 minute ceremony will start upon completion of your registration information. After the 30-minute ceremony, you will be a Third Degree Knight of Columbus!
On Demand link:
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Interested candidates can now join the Knights of Columbus any time of the day or night, 24/7, at their convenience. And, current First and Second Degree council members can take the next step in attaining the Third Degree! Once you reach the registration page, you should use the “On Demand” link. The 30-minute ceremony will start upon completion of your registration.
The procedure to follow is very simple:
- Register for the exemplification of your choice by clicking on the On Demand link above;
- Remember to register as a member of Council 2243;
- Your families are also welcome to observe the ceremony;
- Anyone having a problem with registering should contact Council #2243 Financial Secretary, John Radwan (716-675-1804) for assistance.
- Council officers are welcome to register for the event as observers.
Christopher Columbus - our Order's namesake
Honoring our Namesake - CLICK HERE
For much of U.S. history, Columbus has symbolized civic unity and the hope of building an inclusive society. Now, when scores of statues of Christopher Columbus have been vandalized or removed around the United States, it is important to remember why those statues were erected. Click HERE to read more
Columbus rediscovered Columbus’ virtues — including dazzling bravery and ingenuous charm — balanced his vices. He was sympathetic toward cultures other than his own, including those of Native Americans. Click HERE to read more
Five myths about Columbus - Claims about Columbus need to be tempered by a sober look at the historical record. Click HERE to read more
Lessons of history - A member of the Osage Nation and past state deputy of New Mexico, Supreme Director Patrick T. Mason explains that righting wrongs against Native Americans must start with a just appraisal of the past. Click HERE to read more
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K of C insurance
Fellow Council Members,
For all of your K of C insurance needs or questions, please call brother, Mike Gruszewski at 716-579-4312. Mike is our council's insurance agent. Mike's 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.
KofC's "Building a Domestic Church" pamphlet kiosk located in OLV Basilica
Fr. Baker Council #2243 has placed a pamphlet kiosk next to the entrance to the Basilica's gift shop. The pamphlets provide parishioners, visitors, and Council members with "faith based" educational materials from the Knights of Columbus' "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 #2243 will resupply the kiosk with the pamphlets, during the year. The pamphlets' topics cover a variety of subjects. We are asking for a donation of only $1 per pamphlet taken.
Two Saints for Niagara?
Fr. Baker Council Members & Friends,
Attached is an article about two priests who attended the former Our Lady of Angels Seminary at Niagara University at the same time (1871-1872). They were the Venerable Fr. Nelson Baker, our council's namesake and Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus. The article highlights their journeys to the priesthood and the histories that they created afterward.
Fr. Baker named "Venerable" on January 14, 2011
In 1987, Father Baker's Cause for Canonization began when he was named a "Servant of God" by the Vatican. In 1998, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome recommended that his remains be moved into the basilica from nearby Holy Cross Cemetery. The next year, on March 10, his coffin was unearthed and re-interred in Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
On January 14, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI named him "Venerable" Nelson Baker. Those connected to his cause remain in close contact with Vatican officials and believe that someday soon Father Baker will be named ''Blessed."
Father Baker's 60 years in the priesthood were spent sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and giving hope to the destitute. His legacy lives on today as OLV Charities and OLV Human Services, which provide many of the same kinds of charitable services Father Baker began decades ago.
Click here to read "Father Baker's Story"
Support our social partner - the Matthew Glab Post
It is important to continue to support our Council's social partner, the Matthew Glab Post of the American Legion. The Council holds its fundraising events at the Post's hall. We are still fortunate to be able to hold our annual Memorial Mass for departed Council members there. And, we able to hold our monthly council meetings there as well!
We encourage our members and friends to dine-in or to call the Post (716-825-3733) with takeout orders from their Wednesdays "Burgers & Wings" menu and Friday fish frys menu (cash only please).
Please support our social partner, the Matthew Glab Post!
Donate to the Ukraine Support Fund NOW
Fellow Council #2243 Members & Friends,
By now, we are all aware of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the refugee crisis that it has created. The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council has committed $1.5 million for immediate distribution to support Ukrainian refugees, including Ukrainian Knights and their families. We will be working with our councils in Poland as well as the Latin and Greek Catholic Churches in Ukraine to provide humanitarian assistance.
Knights of Columbus Charities has launched the Ukraine Solidarity Fund for this purpose, and the Supreme Council will match all funds up to $500,000. To date, KofC members and friends have donated $11,573,436! Please prayerfully consider contributing to this effort.
Fr. Baker Council #2243 along with its members and friends have donated $4,050 to the Ukraine Solidarity Fund thus far!!
Fr. Baker Council #2243 invites all of its members and friends to join the Council in donating to the Ukraine Solidarity Fund by going to https://www.kofc.org/secure/en/donate/ukraine.html
God Bless You for your caring support and generosity! Thank You!
Give a Pint, Save a Life Blood Drive
Give a Pint, Save a Life!
Action Steps
- 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.connectlife.org/donate-blood or by calling 716-529-4300.
- Spread the word to eligible family members, friends, Brother Knights and parishioners to schedule an appointment and donate blood as soon as possible.
- 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 2023. Donate and save a life!
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: https://r716.us/W/Index.html