June 2023 – Men’s Retreat
October 2021
Star Coucil Award
Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity, Knighthood Degree at St. Joseph Church
June 2021
Our Lady of Guadalupe 2020
December 2020
Flag Presentation to Fr. Rafal
November 2020
Christmas Tree setup for 2020
November 2020
Veterans Day Flags
November 2020
26th Annual Captain Robert O’Neill Military – Patriotic Ball
November 4th, 2017
Hawaiian Polynesian Luaua
Our very own Council Knight Chris Taulli treated us to a Hawaiian Polynesian Luau! Saturday night, 13 February, in the parish center was a presentation of South Pacific Polynesian culture including Hawaii, Samoa, and Tonga. We were treated to a presentation of the various greetings, dances, and cuisine from Polynesia. The food was delicious, and plentiful, and the performances were truly relaxing, entertaining and representative of these island cultures.
Our Brother Chris was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and he did a great job describing each part of the show. He explained how important it is to keep the Polynesia culture alive for future generations to practice and enjoy. A young and vibrant cast did a great job!
A Knight of Rock
Sincere thanks to all the volunteer Knights who participated in the recent Knight of Rock event at Mixon Farms. All of the knights who showed up and helped with Parking, Entry control, Light and Sound, and of Course Peg Cotter with Autographs, made this event possible. The cold and windy weather sure did hamper our efforts to fill the coffer but the event was set up for, and could have easily handled upwards of 800 or more guests, thanks to you the volunteers! And, thanks to all the Knights who showed up as spectators! Thanks for your support. Our Grand Knight, trustees, District Deputy, and many others braved the cold, thank you.
Our Grand knight will be working on a committee to discuss the event and possible plan for another annual Knight of Rock. This committee should be comprised of Knights from all of our manatee county area council’s because proceeds of this event serve families throughout Manatee county. Also, the planning and activities required to gain adequate community support will require the dedication of many Knights to reach out to are business and organizations that wish to help and cloth the needy families around us. If you wish to be part of this follow up, and future event planning committee meeting, please speak directly with Grand Knight Jim Vanderhorst. Or, pick up your sword and lead this fight yourself, with GK Jims Blessing of course. This could be the start of a strong program of community charitable work, but not without adequate number knights from our area councils to make it happen.
There were many extra event programs listing all of our supporters. They’ll will be available in the council hall for members to review, take home and see who made donations as a sponsor directly to catholic charities.
Catholic Charities was a key player with excellent Public Relations support, along with graphic art professionals to put together the programs, event banner, and a variety of other related PR products. A special thanks to Peter Routsis-Arroyo, Judy Bokorney, and Linda Whitacre, the CEO and staff there at Diocese of Venice.
Youth Basketball Free Throw Competition Report
Men’s Retreat a success and popular event
There were about sixty men from a variety of parishes that attended the Mens retreat conducted by Father Paul DeAngelo. The topic of the event was St Peter and a varity of period catholic artwork was on display and used for lecture and discussion. Confession and mass followed for participants. This was truly an enlightening and wonderful day for all who attended. Thanks to Fr Paul and Council Chancellor Charlie Mucciarone for all the hard work.
Special Olympics are recognized by our GK and other Fourth Degree Knights.
Area 9 Special Olympics Bowling on Saturday, September 26, 2015, at the AMF Bowling Alley at 43rd. and Cortez in Bradenton. The event started at 10.00am. with 548 Special Olympians bowlers from 6 counties. half in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. Knights of Columbus 5604 had 10 Knights and couple wives and 4 Color Corps. The winners will be going on to the Special Olympics State Competition in Orlando in Nov.
Council Officer installation
As you can see in the photos, this years officer installation conducted by District Deputy Chris Treston was a joyous occasion. Not only was Jim Vanderhorst officially installed as GK, his wife Ruth Anne is finally up and about!
Council donates funds for Parish Center furniture!
Council Grand Knight James Vanderhorst and Council Advocate Tom Flynn present a donation in the amount of 1500 dollars to Father Tom Zalewski for the purchase of some new table’s and chairs to be used in the Parish Center.
Soccer Challenge is Underway!
About 25 young men and women mainly from St Joseph school participated in the Knights of Columbus 2015 Council Soccer challenge, and some will move up to the District and eventually the state competition! Thanks to the Knights and wives who helped with the setup and scoring!
Brother Mike Cotter is Knighted in the Fourth Degree!
St Joseph’s Council Knight Mike Cotter participated in the recent 4th degree exemplification in Tampa August 15. Sir Knight Cotter is the Council’s Membership Director and a steadfast usher at the 4pm mass every Saturday. Please congratulate Mike and his wife Peg when you see them.
Grand Knight Presents Council Donation for Joy Program to Father Tom
Grand Knight James vanderhorst presents a check in the amount of $500.00 dollars in support of the St. Jospeh’s “Joy Program” One of the many ministries here at St Joseph’s church. Funds were raised through the annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive. Thanks to all the Council Knights who participated recently to make this happen!
St. Joseph’s Council 5604 Achieve’s Star Council!
With the help of our new field agent Frank Burns, many members provided their families with insurance protection and solid IRA annuities from Knights of Columbus. This recent insurance activity by Frank, helped the council meet the requirements to make Star Council. The photo above shows Frank receiving a recognition award from 5604 Grand Knight Jim Vanderhorst at the recent July council meeting.
Frank Burns, the Sarasota/Manatee area's new Knights of Columbus Insurance agent, recently relocated with his family from the Pennsylvania area. Frank is one of the Knights of Columbus' premier insurance agents having won many awards for his knowledge, professionalism, and courteous interactions with his fellow Knights and their families. Frank is a fourth degree Knight, member of Council 15781 Pius V Council, District 52, Assembly 944.
St. Josephs “Suddenly Seniors” group are greeted by Knights!
The recent Flag Day ceremony for the St. Josephs suddenly seniors group were honored to have the Fourth Degree Knights from Assembly 1860 “Padre De Soto” Color Corps present the colors. As you can see from the photo’s many of the knights are members of Council 5604 St. Josephs Council. Grand Knight Jim Vanderhorst is the Color Corps Commander, and Charles Mucciarone is our Council Chanccelor. Carrying our nations colors is Fourth Degree Knight Tom Hanket. Our District 49 deputy Tom Anzelone with Assembly Navigator Kirk Brown are also present. A fitting event for our 4th degree Knights considering the 4th degree is the Patriotic Degree. Please thank these Knights for making time to provide this honorable service of the Assembly’s Color Corps.
Knights Help Ready The Parish Center Gym For It’s New Floor!
At the last minute request of our Grand Knight, council knights arrived at the parish center Saturday morning at 8am to move chairs, tables, and remove all of the doors in gym to make it ready for the contractor who will install the much needed new Gym floor. A big thank you to all the Knights who showed up to make the job a quick and painless one.
Council 5604 Donate’s 2000.00 to St. Joseph’s Food Pantry!
Grand Knight Jim Vanderhorst presents Father Tom with a check for two thousand dollars for the church food pantry. One of the largest food pantries in the manatee county area, the Knights of Columbus, St. Josephs Council tries to help out the food pantry feeding people in the area. Doing Gods work.
Fourth Degree Knights From St. Josephs Assist Veterans at Bay Pines on Memorial Day!
The Veterans Assistance Council of the Padre Louis De Soto Assembly 1860 Donated items and helped local veterans participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony at Bay Pines Veterans Hospital and National Cemetery this past Memorial Day May 25th. Donations of new socks, T-shirts, and toiletries were delivered to Nathan Witt, Chief of voluntary services to be distributed to needy outpatient veterans. The team of 4th Degree Knights and wives also helped wheelchair bound vets from the hospital to the National Cemetery for the patriotic and solemn ceremony and service dedicated to our fallen veterans. As you can see in the photo’s, many of these 4th degree knights are members of our Council.
Council Awards Received at Florida State Convention,
Grand Knight Jim Vanderhorst with District Deputy Tom Anzelone accepted three awards from Sate Deputy Paul Koppie at the 111th Florida State Council Convention in Orlando May 22 through 24th. The Awards were,
- Public Relations Activities, First Place Division 3
- Youth Activities, Third Place Division 3
- Youth Service Award
Last Family Breakfast of the season held 17 May.
Our last breakfast event of the season was Sunday, 17 May. We had a good turnout of parishioners and all of our three Parish Priest’s were there to visit. Thanks to all the Knights who showed up to help cook and clean. Seventy percent of the proceeds are used for St’s Josephs Knights scholarship program.
Knights of Columbus assist with 2015 Food Drive
Saturday May 9, Knights from our Council, along with Knights from St Peter and Paul Council were present and played key roles with this years Postal drive for the St. Josephs Food Pantry. Knights counted the donations, unloaded trucks, drove trucks, and sorted food items along with many other parish volunteers. An estimated 82 thousand pounds of food were donated to the food bank during this years postal drive. The Knights helping the needy!
