April 25, 2004

The Philip Paul Breen Knights of Columbus Council recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with Mass and a dinner at its home church of St. Jude in Chattanooga.

Council 8576 has grown from 80 charter members at its founding in February 1984 to more than 250 Knights today.

Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz presided at the anniversary liturgy before a large assembly that included member Knights, their families, and families of deceased members of the council. Concelebrating were St. Jude pastor Father Bob Hofstetter, Father Philip Breen, Father John Dowling, and St. Jude associate Father Augustine Idra.

The names of the 27 deceased council members, who include Monsignor Francis Pack and Alexian Brother Cajetan Gavranich, were read during the prayers of intercession.

Seated at the head table for the dinner at Siener Hall following Mass were Bishop Kurtz, Father Hofstetter, Father Breen, charter Grand Knight John Martin, 1987-88 Grand Knight and former State Deputy Paul Nelson and wife Shirley, current Grand Knight Tom Porterfield and wife Elizabeth, and current State Deputy Bill Gunter and wife Joan. Mr. Nelson served as emcee.

During the dinner an arm bouquet of long-stemmed roses was presented to each family of a deceased council member. Bishop Kurtz and Father Hofstetter presented certificates of appreciation to the children of council members.

Father Breen, the pastor of St. Jude in 1984 and the driving force behind the council’s establishment, thanked members for their service during his years at the parish. He expressed his appreciation for the council’s decision to name itself for his father, calling it one of the most singular events in his lifetime.

Mr. Nelson called on several speakers to present different aspects of what the council’s impact has been on the parish, community, and church in two decades of existence.

Since its founding Council 8576 has been involved in numerous activities and charities, including adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Hurricane Hugo relief, Ulster Project picnics, Notre Dame High School projects, Thanksgiving food baskets, the Knights’ Tootsie Roll drives, the Catholic Charities of Chattanooga bishop’s dinner, the Home Place’s annual dinner, and Dismas House assistance.

The Bishop’s Lenten Dinner for Catholic Charities, hosted by the council, has raised more than $250,000 in 10 years. The food-basket program, a special project of council member Kevin McKenna, presented food to more than 375 area families last Thanksgiving and has provided 8,000 baskets since its inception.

The fourth annual Home Place dinner last fall raised more than $15,000 for the Chattanooga ministry, which provides housing, food, and medical assistance for AIDS patients. The council has raised about $50,000 for the home through the four dinners.

Mr. Martin announced that the council has averaged 27,000 hours of volunteer service per year for a total of 540,000 man-hours, which equals 61.8 years.

Father Hofstetter thanked the Knights for their service, both in the past and in advance for future efforts, and assured them that they will always be called on for help.

Bishop Kurtz concluded the evening by expressing his thanks for the Knights’ continued devotion to the church and for their tireless efforts. He also spoke of the devotion his late brother, George, had to the church and how proud his brother was to be a member of the Knights.