2024-2025 & 2025-2026 Top Council in the State of Washington
And
2-Time 4-Star Council
Knights of Columbus Council 8297 Newsletter
Upcoming Dates at a Glance
November 6 – Memorial Mass, 11:00 a.m.
November 10 – Membership Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
November 11 – Veterans Day Flag Presentation
November 21 – Thanksgiving Food Drive (Sharenet)
December 6 – St. Olaf’s Pancake Breakfast
December 8 – Membership Meeting
December 19 – Food Drive for St. Vincent de Paul/Fishline
Membership Meeting Reminder
If you would like to help shape the direction of our Council or share ideas that support our mission, please join us for our next Membership Meeting.
Tuesday, November 10
St. Olaf’s Gallagher Center (Basement)
Schedule
- 6:00 p.m. – Light refreshments
- 6:30 p.m. – Officers Meeting
- 7:00 p.m. – Membership Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 8.
We will discuss upcoming events, charitable activities, and opportunities for service. Your ideas, participation, and support help strengthen our Council and our mission.
It Pays to Attend!
Every member who attends a Membership Meeting is automatically entered into our attendance drawing. If your name is selected and you are present when the drawing occurs, you win the pot!
At the last three meetings, Brothers Tom Arnesen, Brian Dougherty, and Max Baumann were drawn but were not present to claim the prize. As a result, the jackpot has grown to $35.
Will your name be next?
Council Officers
Chaplain – Father Albert Arulappan
Grand Knight – Mark Maruda
Deputy Grand Knight – Troy Kelley
Chancellor – Brian Tucker
Advocate – John Rebar
Recorder – Allen Beck
Financial Secretary – Larry Devlin
Treasurer – Roy Behling
Warden – Leo Beer
Inside Guard – Tom Collette
Outside Guard – Vacant
Trustee (3-Year) – David Meier
Trustee (2-Year) – John Wahlfors
Trustee (1-Year) – Alan Arnesen
Lecturer – Gary Fahey
Washington State Council Bulletin:
View the Bulletin
Upcoming and Ongoing Events
St. Olaf’s Monthly Pancake Breakfast
Next Breakfast: Sunday, December 6
Our November 1 Pancake Breakfast was a tremendous success, with nearly full houses following both Masses. We are grateful to the many parishioners who joined us for fellowship and community.
A special thank you goes to the Brother Knights who volunteered throughout the morning, from setup through cleanup. Your dedication continues to make these breakfasts a valued parish tradition. Let’s keep up the great work!
Memorial Mass
Please join us on November 6 at 11:00 a.m. as we remember and pray for the 70 departed Brother Knights of our Council.
Many thanks to Brother John Rebar for his extensive efforts in preparing for this special event and personally inviting widows and family members to attend.
Following Mass and the tolling of the bell, a reception luncheon will be held in the Parish Hall.
All Brother Knights and their families are encouraged to attend this moving tribute to our departed brothers.
Coffee and Donuts at St. Cecilia
Since October 18, our Council has been hosting Coffee and Donuts following both Masses at St. Cecilia in addition to our ministry at St. Olaf’s.
Brother Knights and family members who attend St. Cecilia are encouraged to become involved in this growing parish outreach.
Volunteer Sign-Up:
Sign Up Here
For more information, please contact Larry Devlin or Allen Beck.
Thanksgiving Food Drive for Sharenet
Date: November 21
Location: Kingston Safeway
Our Council will once again conduct a Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit Sharenet in Kingston.
Volunteers Needed
We need approximately 10 volunteers, with 8 spots still available at the time of this writing.
Available Shifts
- 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Volunteer Sign-Up:
Reserve Your Shift
Early sign-ups help our coordinators plan effectively and ensure adequate coverage throughout the day. Thank you for supporting this important service project.
December Food Drive
A second food drive is scheduled for December 19 to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Olaf’s and help stock local Christmas food baskets. Any surplus donations will be provided to Fishline.
Additional details will be announced soon.
Virtus Training Required
Any Council member volunteering in activities involving children or vulnerable adults at St. Olaf’s or St. Cecilia’s must complete both:
- Archdiocese of Seattle Virtus Training
- Knights of Columbus SAFE Training (Praesidium)
These are separate programs, and both are required.
Please create an account and begin the Virtus certification process as soon as possible so we can remain compliant with Archdiocesan requirements.
Begin Training:
Visit Virtus Online
Thank you for your prompt attention to this important responsibility.
KC HELP
Our KC HELP volunteers work tirelessly to provide specialized medical and mobility equipment to those facing the challenges of aging, illness, injury, or recovery. Their efforts improve lives every day throughout Western Washington.
If you would like to become involved in this rewarding ministry, please contact us at 360-981-3179.
Last 12 Months
- 6,704 items distributed
- 3,632 individuals served
- $1,828,300 in equipment value provided
- $2,445,434 total impact including volunteer hours and mileage
Since Inception
- 21,968 items distributed
- 11,770 individuals served
- $6,356,250 in equipment value provided
- $7,427,510 total impact including volunteer hours and mileage
Over the past five months, KC HELP has consistently assisted more than 300 individuals each month, demonstrating the growing need for this ministry.
The program has now delivered more than $6.3 million in equipment value to our communities. Combined with the savings realized through equipment reuse, the overall community impact exceeds $12.6 million.
Major Milestone
We are pleased to announce that the KC HELP Service Center in Bremerton has been completely paid off after just 18 months of ownership.
This achievement reflects the extraordinary generosity of our communities and the dedication of the volunteers who make this ministry possible every day.
November Birthdays
Happy Birthday to our Brother Knights celebrating birthdays this month!
- Gregory Supancheck – November 1
- Jacob Parmely – November 2
- Terry Dorwart – November 5
- Andrew Harrell – November 5
- Storm Smole – November 6
- Steven Berlage – November 15
- Michael Tomon – November 15
- Christopher Johnston – November 17
- Aidan Ogilvie – November 21
- Eric Huska – November 22
- Kurt Lawrence – November 22
- James Bayer – November 23
- Dean Fujii – November 23
- William Hepp – November 26
- Troy Kelley – November 26
- Michael Haley – November 29
- Daniel Callahan – November 30
- Thomas Harvey – November 30
We wish each of you a happy and blessed birthday.
Knight of the Month
Brother David Lasser
Brother David has been an invaluable contributor to our Pancake Breakfast ministry. He consistently arrives before dawn to help prepare for the event and remains until cleanup is complete.
Despite dealing with ongoing health challenges, David continues to serve with dedication, generosity, and a positive spirit.
Thank you, Brother David, for your outstanding commitment to our Council and parish community.
Family of the Month
James and Danielle Brine Family
James and Danielle Brine and their five wonderful children exemplify faith-filled family life and active parish involvement.
Brother James joined our Council just over a year ago, while Danielle generously serves as a children’s faith formation instructor. Together they provide a powerful witness to the dignity of life, faithful parenting, and Christian service.
Thank you to the entire Brine family for your example and contributions to both our Council and parish.
Assembly 2433
We are working to rejuvenate our Fourth Degree Assembly by welcoming new members and conducting monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Current activities include:
- Learning traditional Fourth Degree protocols
- Honor guard training
- Sword handling instruction
- Building membership and participation
To encourage participation, the Assembly has approved a $200 stipend for the first ten members who join and purchase their Fourth Degree uniforms.
If you are interested in becoming more involved in the Patriotic Degree, now is an excellent time to join us.
Veterans Day Event
Our Fourth Degree members will honor area veterans with a flag presentation at Kitsap Pavilion on November 11.
Fourth Degree Newsletter
The latest Supreme Fourth Degree Newsletter is available online.
Good of the Order
Please pray for the health and well-being of all Brother Knights and their families as our Council continues to support one another through life’s challenges.
We especially ask for prayers for:
- Father Phil Raether
- Father Albert Arulappan
- The family of Peter Okonski following the loss of his son
- Kim Washburn
- Troy Kelley
- Brian Tucker
- David Meier
- Nick Ogilvie
- Tony DeCarlo
- Brian Poppell
- Gary Fahey
- Jim Kellog
- David Lasser
- Storm and Caroleen Smole
- Bob Tomas
- Emily, granddaughter of John Wahlfors
- Bill Moriner
- Nora Bell
- Joe Bell’s wife
- Steve Reichley and his children
- Ellen Strickland
- Mary Therese Bartlett
- Leigh Bartlett
- Julie Beer
- Karen Behling
- Roy Behling’s family
- Jane Devlin
- Gloria Devlin
- Anne Wahlfors
- Robert Miccio’s wife
- Steve Murray
- Nancy Rogers
- Henry and Cindy Huetter
- Our military service members
- Our KC HELP clients
Please also pray for the continued success and mission of KC HELP.
Handy Council Links
Looking for quick access to Council resources from your phone or tablet?
Council Resource Hub:
Open Council Links
Thank you to all of our Brother Knights and families for your continued dedication to faith, fraternity, and service. Together we continue to strengthen our parish, serve those in need, and make a meaningful difference throughout our community.