The 25th Silver Anniversary 9/11 Blue Mass and Ringing of the Bell Ceremony was held at Saint Isaac Jogues Parish. The event honored the profound sacrifices and vital work of law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Jointly sponsored by Saint Isaac Jogues Parish and the Saint Isaac Jogues Knights of Columbus Council 13716, this solemn event served as a beautiful, continuous remembrance on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Reverend Monsignor Albin J. Grous, the Pastor of Saint Isaac Jogues, served as the celebrant and homilist for the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice. The event drew a distinguished group of State, County, and Local Officials, including State Representative Melissa Shusterman, County Commissioner Marion Moskowicz, District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, and Coroner Sophia Garcia-Jackson. Reverend Scott Dorsey, Chaplain of the Tredyffrin Police Department, also participated and delivered the closing prayer.

The event honored first responders through a solemn mass, powerful visual tributes, and official civic recognition. Following the mass, a moving Ringing of the Bell Ceremony took place, where a historic fire truck bell tapped out the traditional “Four Fives” signal to honor fallen heroes. Outside the parish, Radnor Fire Company Quint 15 and Paoli Fire Company Tower 3 created a dramatic ladder arch. A large banner American flag was prominently displayed from this arch, serving as a powerful visual tribute. To mark the occasion, the County and the State Representative presented official commendations to thank active and fallen first responders, while formally recognizing the significance of the Blue Mass itself.

This year’s service focused deeply on prayer for the community. Attendees specifically remembered and prayed for fallen Chester County First Responders, as well as the daily sacrifices made by active personnel and their families. Various local elected officials and members of the judiciary stood in solidarity, notably including Federal Court Judge the Honorable John Murphy and Chester County Court of Common Pleas Judge the Honorable Analisa Sondergaard.

These strong community ties were highlighted by the marked attendance and active participation of the following local departments:

• Tredyffrin Police Department
• Radnor Fire Department
• Berwyn Fire Department
• Paoli Fire Department
• Phoenixville Fire Department

There is strength in our Union.  The 9/11 Blue Mass and Ringing of the Bell Ceremony is a powerful testament to the necessary work and sacrifices of our First Responders and the enduring strength of our community in supporting those who keep us safe. By bringing together civic leaders, first responders, and families in a unified circle of prayer and gratitude, the Blue Mass reminds us that the safety and freedom we enjoy daily are bought with a price. On the 25^th Anniversary of 9/11, the leaders of our community and the residents of Chester County renewed a sacred promise: to always stand behind those who run toward danger, to support the families who share in their sacrifices, and to ensure that the legacy of our fallen heroes is never forgotten.

Congratulations to Harry Habbel, the newest Fourth Degree Knight in our Council! Harry completed his exemplification (Patriotic Degree) during a beautiful, moving ceremony on Saturday, June 27th, at Saint Frances Cabrini Parish in Fairless Hills.

The ceremony offered rich historical background on the Fourth Degree, an honor first bestowed upon Knights in 1900. Please join us in congratulating Harry on achieving this prestigious milestone!

Saint Isaac Jogues Knights of Columbus Council sponsored the 23rd annual Blue Mass to remember 9/11 victims and their families, and to honor all the first responders dedicated to keeping our community safe.

We were absolutely thrilled to have more than 20 area law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency responders and community leaders joined us for the Mass, which was followed by a moving bell ringing ceremony and light refreshments in the parish hall.

The morning began with a welcome message from Father Stephen Moerman and remarks from our council’s Grand Knight, Hani Fahamy, who praised the first responders for their dedicated service. During Mass, blessings were bestowed upon all who contribute to our public health and safety, and prayers were offered for those who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Thank you to Father Moerman for celebrating this special Mass and to all who helped make the event a success. And special thank you council Knight Ed Sweeney, who was on-hand to present each of our guest speakers after Mass. Ed is an integral part of this day every year. His contributions and tireless efforts to support this tradition are greatly appreciated by all.

On Saturday, August 24, we held our annual BBQ for veterans at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. This long-standing summer tradition is a favorite council event.

Knights and family members once again had the opportunity to serve a full barbecue lunch of hot dogs, cheeseburgers, baked beans, and salads to over 70 residents. Even better, volunteers had a chance to visit with the residents who attended.  

Our BBQ is yet another great example of Knights in our parish living out their faith and being of service to others.    

For more than a decade, St. Isaac’s Knights of Columbus has held annual school supply drives to help ensure local children get the new school year off to a great start. St. Isaac parishioners are consistently generous and we’re always grateful for that support. This year an added blessing was the efforts of our parish youth group to the success of the 2024 drive.

A mom of a youth group alum suggested the youth group get involved, and boy did they ever! The group delivered big, dropping off a total of 24 backpacks with school supplies inside. The photos below show just some of what was collected, and are a testament to parish youth living out their Christian values.

This year’s donations will be benefiting kids really close to home, as we partnered for the first time with our neighbor, Valley Forge Middle School, to get supplies into the hands of local families who need them.

Thanks so much to youth group, and to everyone who made this year’s drive such a great success!  

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, our council held an Exemplification, a special Knights of Columbus ceremony that advances new and existing members through the lessons of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity.

We were happy to induct James Callaghan, Alex Corridoni, and Eustace DeCarlo as Third-degree members of our council.  It was a touching ceremony with many brother Knights and their families on hand. 

Following the ceremony, everyone enjoyed a wonderful pot luck lunch.  The food was superb, and the company was even better. Other highlights included:

• A talk by Jude Opera and Jacob Lehenky, seminarians at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, who spoke about their path to the priesthood. 
• Current Grand Knight Bill McCann presenting the Knight of the Year award to incoming Grand Knight Hani Fahmy.

We greatly appreciate Father Moerman for leading us through the ceremony. And a special thank you to Bill McCann, presiding officer, and to all the Knights who participated.

This year our Knights council is pleased to once again lend financial support to students studying at Saint Charles Seminary. In 2024, we’re assisting four seminarians:

• Dylan Emerson, Pre-Theology Propaedeutic Year
• Daniel Watson, College, Propaedeutic Year
• Jacob Lehenky, College Propaedeutic Year
• Jude Opara, Theology III

Council funds and a very generous contribution from an anonymous donor have enabled us to extend this assistance. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with these men as they prepare for the priesthood.

When Santa made an unscheduled stop at the St. Isaac Jogues 55 and Up Club, Knights Tom Pietrocini and Russ Hendrickson didn’t miss the chance to pay him a visit. Considering all the good work they do for our council and parish, they’re surely on the “Nice” list!

Our 2023 Stockings for Soldiers parish project, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, was a resounding success! Thanks to the generosity of St. Isaac Jogues parishioners, we were able to deliver nearly 50 boxes of donated items to fill stockings this year.

Stocking for Soldiers is an organization that sews holiday stockings and fills them with special items for the troops. For many troops, this gift is all they receive for the holidays and a reminder they have not been forgotten.

A special thanks to Terry Scott and Mark Saylor for all their efforts this year. Well done!