Annual "Keep Christ in Christmas" Card Fundraiser 2023

Each year, the Knights spend a weekend at all of our churches to sell Christmas Cards, Car Magnets and Advent Calendars to promote Christ and the Holy Family as the central figures during the Christmas season. The 2023 sale dates are:

Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12
following ALL Masses at each of our churches

Proceeds support KofC programs, such as: Wreaths Across America,  Bible Schools, Church Service Awards, Culture of Life and the Youth Free Throw Contest.

If you would like more information on the Knight of Columbus, visit www.kofc9275.com or email them at  knights9275@gmail.com

Annual Diaper Drive

Each year, the Knights accept donations of diapers and formula in support of the Pregnancy Care Center and The Wish Project.
The 2023 collection dates are:

Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26 following ALL Masses at each of our churches
PLUS a 2 pm drive-thru drop-off on November 26th at St. John

If you would like more information on the Knight of Columbus, visit www.kofc9275.com or email them at  knights9275@gmail.com

2023 The Holy Rood Collaborative Family of the Year...
Pictured left to right:
​​​​​​​Louis Soracco (KOC), Katie Melville, Evelyn Melville, Fr. Colletti, William Melville, Deacon John, Nico Melville, Alex Melville, Paul Sidari (KOC)

The higher purpose of the Family of the Year Award is to stimulate and support the development of strong and vibrant families. Although there are many families within The Holy Rood Collaborative that fulfill this very description, I am proud to announce that after review the members of the Bishop Ruocco Council have chosen for the 2022/23 year, Knights of Columbus Family of the Year, the Melville Family; Alex, Katie, 10-year-old Evelyn, 8-year-old William and 5-year-old Niko.

Katie describes herself as a cradle Catholic, which is defined as one who is born and raised in the faith and continues to live their sacramental life today. Alex followed his love for Christ and converted into the Catholic Faith in 2013. Together, they formed a loving and faithful matrimonial bond which provided the foundation for their beautiful family. By example, they have taught their three children to follow in those same faithful footsteps.

A brief outline of the family’s ‘Faith in Action’ within the parish of St. Mary, amongst all of us within The Holy Rood Collaborative,
and within their daily life at home, is listed below:

Lector, Cantor, Choir Member, Cantor, Leader of the Children’s Liturgy, singer at the 50’s Sock Hop Ministry Fair and other
Collaborative music events, Sang in NE District Treble Chorus, Member of Clark Hill Band that performed at Belmont Porchfest,
takes drum lessons; Chelmsford Youth Soccer Intramural director, basketball coach, plays soccer, hockey, lacrosse and baseball,
school track team, runs the Harpoon 5-miler in Boston; The Wish Project volunteer, Precinct 10 Town Meeting Rep, talented artist with multiple displays at our public library; member of the Girl Scouts, plays piano, writes own piano songs, attends Vacation Bible Fun, participated in Angel Alert-a Christmas Musical, Altar Server; prays together before dinner and bedtime, family movie nights,
family bikes and hikes, reads the Action Bible before bed, lights Advent wreath with nightly readings, displays religious art
including the crucifix at home, and last but not least, prays and attends Mass together as a family.

Thank you, Melville Family, for living by example for all of us, but mostly for your outward dedication to our faith and our Lord Jesus Christ.
 

2022 The Holy Rood Collaborative Family of the Year...

The Bishop Ruocco KOC is pleased to announce that the Tweneh family was awarded with the title of Family of the Year for the year 2022.

This is a family that lives their faith... a faith of action; a faith of family and love of God. Dad, Augustine, and mom, Juliana, have both prevously served on the Parish Council. Juliana, with Augustine by her side, has been the head of the African Community for many years, and helps teach in our Faith Formation Program. Augustine has volunteered in the past with our summer mission trip, the well loved Catholic Heart Work Camp! James and Ann have both been altar servers, and play an active role in the weekly African Mass. This is a family faithful to the call of God to build up community and lend a helping hand wherever needed. 

Pictured left to right: Adam Whitehouse (KOC), Augustine Tweneh, Deacon John, Juliana Tweneh, Ann Tweneh, Fr. Ray, James Tweneh

2021 Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative Family of the Year...

The Bishop Ruocco Council of the Knights of Columbus is pleased to announce that the Walsh Family has been chosen as the 2021 KOC Family of the Year. This is a family that lives their faith; a faith of action, fueled by the love of family, and more important, by the love of God so very present in their lives. Dad, David and Mom, Kristi have 3 sons—David, William, Jack—and daughter, Ava.

Both Kristi and David assist with ushering duties at St. Mary and volunteer in our Faith Formation Program. Additionally, if help is needed with a St. Mary Parish Center project, they are front and center in the offering of their services. Kristi has assisted our Faith
Formation Team at every family Prayer Journal pick-up and has made hundreds of prayer logs for our First Eucharist children. David has regularly helped with an assortment of basic maintenance concerns in the parish center office, classrooms, parish hall, and parish grounds. David and Kristi also team up as leaders of Boy Scout Troop 77, a troop sponsored by St. Mary Church. All three of their sons are Eagle Scouts, which only 8% of all those in scouting in 2019 attained. Oldest son, David, currently attends The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.. Middle son William executed his Eagle project in town, and youngest son David’s Eagle project can be seen at the entrance of the St. Mary Parish Center. And let us not forget, Ava, who could be seen alongside each of her brothers as they undertook these projects.

Additionally, the family donated flowers and prepared the container gardens in the front of the church this past fall. They assisted with the return of parishioners to Mass and the many concerns related to this. As a family, they consistently practice their faith by attending Mass weekly, and you will often see them—the entire family—at parish sponsored events, helping as needed. As the kids have grown, they have modeled their parents’ sense of service and join to assist. David and Kristi are a beautiful example of what
commitment to the raising and forming of children in the faith and supporting their parish community looks like. 

2020 St. John Family of the Year...

The Drew Family is a refreshing example of living their faith through love and compassion for Christ. Ross & Mary have four daughters: Mara, Sara, Lara, and Clara, who over the years have shared a love for their St. John’s community through service.

Ross has served in many capacities over the years; altar server trainer, Children Liturgy of the Word leader, and Thursday night bingo volunteer. Along with Mary, they have participated in working with adults as they make their journey of entering our Catholic faith through the RCIA program, and Ross has worked with teens as they prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Together, they also help to catechize families as they prepare to baptize their children, and both have served on the Parish Council

Mary plays a key role in our annual VBF week, heading up the group that brings an array of craft activities that help lead the children to learn a lesson of Jesus’ love. And she does this with her daughters by her side! She has also chaperoned the annual summer mission trip, Catholic Heart Work Camp, of which her daughters attended. And on a more personal level, she brings communion to our homebound community, with a smile on her face and a prayer on her lips.

Ross, Mary, Mara and Lara have all served as Catechists over the years at different grade levels, bringing Christ to their students in word and example.

And let us not be surprised that the girls have followed suit in their commitment to Christ and community. All girls served as Altar Servers from the time they received first communion until graduating high school; then all transitioned to EMHCs. Ross, Mary, Mara, Lara and Clara still serve as EMHCs.

Coffee and Donuts anyone? For many years, the family coordinated this Sunday morning post-Mass community gathering, that many have become so very fond of!

This is a family that is always willing to help! 

2020 St. Mary Family of the Year...

The Sidari Family; Paul, Margie and Jessica are living examples of Faith in Action. Paul has been deeply involved in parish life and a great example of a Knight. He has dedicated himself to working with families in planning funerals for their loved ones in the Ministry of Hope. He has organized and carried out many Rosary events including the annual Million Hail Mary Challenge. Paul volunteers as a Catechist to the Confirmation I & II classes, has served on the Collaborative Parish Council and was chosen to be a member of the Cardinal's collaborative writing team which assisted in drawing up the blueprint for plans and activities for St Mary/St John’s Parishes. He has faithfully committed serving Christ with the meaning of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity as he starts his 39th year in the Knights, and this past year has held the position of Grand Knight and has led the Fourth Degree Knights as the Faithful Navigator.

Margie is an accompanist for the Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative Music Ministry. Since 2012, she has been Leader of the Adult Contemporary Choir at St. Mary Parish. She volunteers in the Music Ministry Community Outreach Program, providing music at the Chelmsford Senior Center for the Table of Plenty suppers, and assists in Rosary events by providing music leadership. In 2017 she joined the Prayer Shawl ministry, knitting shawls for families who need a warm hug, and serves the St. John’s Lasagna Ministry by making lasagnas for the homeless of the Lowell Transitional Center. She loves working activities with Knights of Columbus, Soup and Stations and the many Special Olympics events.

Jessica is a young person who is an excellent example to all youth. She has been involved in the music ministry as both a youth and young adult. She joined in 2016 and has also played her clarinet for special masses. She now loves singing with the 11 am Adult Contemporary Choir on Sundays. She is always working behind the scenes; helping at events Paul and Margie are involved in and always works with a smile on her face.

Annual Summer Fair for Kids with Special Needs

Our local Knights of Columbus Council runs this annual rain-or-shine event that is free to kids with disabilities and their families. The typical age that attends is 5 – 30. The fair includes 17 fun games, craft making, parachute activities and prizes for all.  This event is held each year at The Paul Center, 39 Concord Road, Chelmsford. The grounds are wheelchair accessible.

The 2023 event will be held on...

9:30 - 11:30 am | Sunday August 13 | The Paul Center (39 Concord Road, Carlisle)

 This Fair is free to kids and young adults with special needs and their families.
Interested families are asked to register by contacting Matt Bartos at mdbartos@gmail or (617) 650-2187 by August 1.
 

If you would like more information on the Knight of Columbus, visit us as www.kofc9275.com.

KOC District Deputy Installation

Adam Whitehouse and Paul Sidari, members of St Mary Parish and the Bishop Ruocco Council Knights of Columbus, were both installed at the MA State K of C Leadership Conference on Saturday July 15, 2023, as District Deputies. Their duties will include the oversight and guidance of five state councils respectively and to ensure communications from the Supreme Council and State Deputy are conveyed to each council.

We congratulate them and wish them well on their new endeavor!

Knight of the Year

On May 25, 2023, the Bishop Ruocco Council Knights of Columbus held an anniversary dinner in honor and celebration of 37 years of dedicated service to church and community. At this event, Grand Knight Lou Soracco presented the Knight of the Year Award to Adam Whitehouse, for all his outstanding work over the year. Join us in congratulating Adam, a faithful St. Mary Parishioner , on this recognition of his dedicated and selfless service.

A Gift to our Churches

Our local Bishop Ruocco Council Knights purchased and delivered new wheelchairs  to bothSt. John's and St. Mary's. This is part of a Knights of Columbus  international program that encourages Councils to provide these expensive items for our Parishes to ensure their availability when necessary.  
 
If you have occasion to require use of these wheelchairs, we ask that you please ensure that they are returned to these permanent storage locations.

The Way of the Cross

Our Council Knights from St. John's Parish responded to the call from Ministry leaders of the Friday Evening Stations of the Cross during Lent. When invited, 16 of our Brothers joined as a team to lead the congregation in reciting the Knights of Columbus recommended:  "The Way of the Cross Meditations adapted from Saint Alphonsus Ligouri's version" on March 22nd.

Grand Knight Ubaldo Mendes welcomed our parishioners, and opened with a prayer while our 14 Knights followed to "Proclaim His suffering" at the individual Stations. Sir Knights Dick Curtis and Joe Molligi served as Station Honor Guards and Augustine Worae-Tweneh bore the Crucifix throughout the journey to Calvary. Ubaldo and Augustine both had the added joy of having their sons, Ethan and James, join us as Candle Bearers for the prayerful passage. We also had superb vocal accompaniment from Marciana Ataarems and Hailey Mann, who led us in memorable verse after each Station.

Numerous attendees thanked us and commented on how inspiring it was to witness such men as our Knights come together in this special prayer and ceremony during Lent.

Knights of Columbus 9275

  The Knights sponsor and annual "Keep Christ in Christmas" Poster Contest
  All children, 5-14 years of age are eligible to enter the contest!

STAY TUNED FOR 2023 DETAILS...
 
Rules and Regulations

• Poster must be on 11 x 17” paper
• If pastels, chalk or charcoal are to be used, poster must be laminated or covered in clear plastic
• Poster must reflect the theme of Keep Christ in Christmas
• Only one submittal per contestant
• Poster must be accompanied by entry form, signed by parent/guardian
• Name and age of contestant printed on back of poster
• Each poster is to be original work, including concept, layout, slogan and any visual images
• Poster MUST BE RECEIVED BY 2023 DATE TO FOLLOW
• Please mail completed Poster along with Application Form to James Barrows, 1521 Gorham St, Lowell MA 01852

• A winner from each age group will be awared $50 and advancement to the next level of competition.
• The top three winning designs will be made into a Christmas Card to be sold the following year by the Knights of Columbus Council 9275.
• Proceeds from these cards will go to the KOC Charity Account for their charitable works.

Judging Schedule

• Posters must be received before 2023 DATE TO FOLLOW
• Council Judging by 2023 DATE TO FOLLOW
• District Judging: 2023 DATE TO FOLLOW
• Regional Judging: 2023 DATE TO FOLLOW
• State Judging: 2023 DATE TO FOLLOW

Each year, the Knights of Columbus Award honors a high school senior who has exhibited outstanding commitment to living the message of the Gospel in the parish and community, and lived as a young disciple of Jesus Christ through service and leadership.
 

Announcing the 2023 Recipients...  

On behalf of the Bishop Ruocco Knights of Columbus, Knight James Barrows awarded the three winners of the Annual KOC Scholarship last weekend at St. Margaret of Scotland Church. Join us in congratulating…
 
Molly Sneeringer of St. Margaret awarded $500
Molly is a 17 year old senior at Chelmsford High School. She will be attending Assumption University in Worcester, MA to pursue a degree in Education. She has worked with students with disabilities in CHS Disability Sports Program.
 
Matthew Harland of St. Margaret awarded $1,000
Matthew is an 18 year old senior at Lowell Catholic. He will be attending St. Anselm College in Goffstown, NH to pursue a degree in Education. Matt was chosen to be a representative of Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools. He helped organize and run a project called Salvation Sandwiches, where many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were donated to Lazarus House in Lawrence.
 
Ryan Clark of St. Mary, awarded $1,000
Ryan is a 17 year old senior at Chelmsford High School. He will be attending Western New England College in Springfield, MA to pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Ryan started a food drive for the Table of Plenty and raised $1,800 in cash and gift card donations. He also arranged a toy collection on behalf of Toys for Tots, where he raised $2,000.  

Previous Scholarship Winners

     Bishop Ruocco Council
      925 Knights of Columbus
      2023 Silver Rose Ceremonty

                             3 pm | Wednesday, August 16 | St. Catherine of Alexandria Church |107 N Main Street, Westford
 
The Knights will be Honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe with a brief history, prayers including the rosary, and conclude with a parishioner photo session with the Rose if so desired (the Silver Rose cannot be held, but rests on a pillow).
 
The Silver Rose program is a KOC sponsored Marian devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and promotes respect for life. All are invited to join us as we promote the dignity of all human life while honoring Our Lady. Each year, from early March through mid-December, Silver Roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

To read more about the Pilgrimage of the Silver Rose, please click below...

Silver Rose

Annual Tootsie Roll Drive 2023

Every year, at each of our churches, you will find our local Knights of Columbus Council colleting monetary donations on behalf of the Annual Tootsie Roll Drive.  This annual charity drive raises funds for special needs children in our community. This money allows us to make purchases such as wheelchairs, ramps and computer speechboards, which improve the lives of those with special needs.  We greatly appreciate your support of this worthy cause. The dates of the 2023 Tootsie Roll Drive are:

Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24 following ALL Masses at each of our churches

It's More than a Tootsie Roll Drive
        an article by Andrew Fowler, content producer for KOC Communications Department
 

If you would like more information on the Knight of Columbus, visit www.kofc9275.com or email them at  knights9275@gmail.com

Annual Youth Essay Contest

All Catholic students in grades 8-12 are invited to participate in the annual Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Students are encouraged to write a 500-750 word essay on a topic to be annouced at a following date!

First place winners at each grade level will receive a monetary award and their essays will be submitted to the Knights of Columbus State Council for additional judging and awards. 
 

2019 Youth Essay Contest Winner

The local Bishop Ruocco council Knights of Columbus announces its winner this year for the Catholic Citizenship Essay contest. This year’s theme was “Discuss the Meaning of Virtue and how you Live and Embody the Virtue of Charity.” Participants in grades 8 - 12 in the four parishes of the Chelmsford and Littleton-Westfordcollaboratives that our council serves were eligible to submit essay entries. We are pleased to announce that the 12th grade winner is a St. John youth parishioner, James Tweneh. In addition to a monetary prize of $100, James’ essay has been submitted to the State Council for judging among participants throughout Massachusetts.

2017 Youth Essay Contest Winners

The local Bishop Ruocco council Knights of Columbus announces the winners this year for the Catholic Citizenship Essay contest. This year’s theme was “The Importance of Religious Freedom.” Participants in grades 8 - 12 in the four parishes of the Chelmsford and Littleton-Westfordcollaboratives that our council serves were eligible to submit essay entries. We are pleased to announce three winners from our collaborative family! Our two 12th grade winners were Anna Mullane (1st place) and David McCarthy (2nd place). Kelly McCarthy was was the first place winner for grade 8. In addition to a monetary prize of $100, Anna and Kelly's essays have been submitted to the State Council for judging among participants throughout Massachusetts.