Family of the Month
The Family of the Month for June 2024 is the Brian & Amy Hegarty
This family is involved in many aspects of the church. Brian is a Knight and also an usher. He is also part of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Amy is also active in the church. Amy’s full time job is designing commercial kitchens. When the new kitchen project started, Amy was there to help design and build a wonderful new kitchen for St. Mary’s. We thank this family for putting their Faith into Action.
Knight of the Month
The Knight of the Month for June 2024 is Dan Dupont
This Knight always seems to be in the background, but boy is he an asset to the church and the Knights. He is a Eucharistic Minister and is always a helping hand on the Culinary Team. This gentleman organized the new kitchen pantry, created manuals for all the equipment in the new kitchen and also complete cleaned the Community Life supply closet (what a mess it was). Thank Dan Dupont for putting his Faith into Action.
Family of the Year
The Family of the Year is Bob Rosbaugh and the Council Culinary Team
Bob Rosbaugh is truly a family man. We know this as wife is critical and a central part of his life. He also cares about his extended family. With that said sometimes the nominee spends a significant time with another family the “Council Culinary Team.” Bob is the leader of the sixteen Knights who are the Council’s Culinary Team (Family of Men) which are bonded in faith, fellowship and the dedication to create meals that generate fundraising for the Councils charities.
Chef Bob and his team work tirelessly throughout the year to support the church and the Council with delicious meals at fundraisers. Each major dinner event takes between 50 to 80 man hours to prepare. This year this family of men will have served over 1,000 breakfast sandwich after Mass and cooked five major ethnic dinners serving over 1,400 guest of the parish and the members of the community.
Bob created the idea for French Night and cooked original Chef Paul Elbling recipes at French Night and served this special meal to honor past parishioners (husband and wife) called to heaven who had served the church and community with kindness and generosity. Chef Bob and his family of men provided meals for all residents of a Catholic retirement home on four occasions.
Chef Bob gathers his team to pray before each meal is served to their guests. This family of men raised the most money for the Council’s charities with over $14,600 in profits this year for the Council. Chef Bob and his family of men over the past five years has help raise over $70,000 in profits which is by far the major funding for the Council’s charities.
This family of men led by the Chef Bob has created a bonding catholic fellowship which inspires the Council and continues to grow as we gain new members.
Knight of the Year
The Knight of the Year is Matt Lomaka
Matt is a well known member of our parish who serves publicly as an Usher at Mass each week. He is also a member of parish’s Christmas Decoration Setup/Take-down Team.
Matt’s involvement in the Knights of Columbus includes serving as an officer this past year and working four major fundraising dinners doing set up, take down, and bar ministry. He has helped raise funds for both KOVAR and Special Olympics. KOVAR awarded a grant of $10,000 to the Next Move Program in Matt’s name. Matt is on the cover of the KOVAR Annual report.
Matt is also very involved in serving the community. He is a member of Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR) recently re-launched as Virginia Down Syndrome Association (VDSA). He has been asked to play his saxophone at many events related to the intellectual disability world - He played the National Anthem at the Robins Center at UR at the 2012 opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games. He participated in the 2013 Special Olympics Torch Run Ceremony. And at some of the Central Virginia (ASA) Softball Hall of Fame Banquets and Events, he has performed songs such as the National Anthem, God Bless America, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, and more.
Matt was chosen as the Knight of the Year because he has been a real inspiration to all members of the Council this year as he has been a leader by example. His actions speak louder than any words. He showcases his talent and inspires people. He has been the rallying person for the two major Virginia fundraisers that support the Intellectual Disabled. Leading the collection efforts after Mass and at ABC Store collection sites Matt has helped raised over $4,000 for KOVAR. He was the Polar Plunge Captain and Ice Bucket Challenge dunker 2024 and raised over $4,700 for Special Olympics. His video of dumping two buckets of ice on him for the challenge went viral on Facebook. No single person on the Council has helped raise more money for the Intellectual Disabled then this nominee.
In Matt’s words, "I have a disability called Down Syndrome but that doesn't stop me from having fun! I have been doing music all of my life and love being a Knight". We need to advocate for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down Syndrome.
