2026 Pancake Breakfast

 Our 2026 Pancake Breakfast is Palm Sunday, March 25th.

St Peter Hall - 109 East Main, Torrington CT

7:45 am to 12:30 pm

Tickets  after the Masses starting March 14th or at the door.

$10 Adult Meal

$25 for Family Meals - feeds 3 - 4 people.

Andy Lach

 It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Andy Lach.

One of the original charter members of Council #55, Andy was a spark of energy whenever help was needed.  If he was not in the kitchen helping he was out selling tickets.

He served as a officer for most of his time in the council and joined the 4th degree in 2011.

Condolences to his son-in-law and fellow Knight Matt Mastrogiovanni his wife Cathie (Lach) Mastrogiovanni and the entire Lach family.

Andy's spirit and laugh will be missed.

Service Information

https://www.gleesonryanfh.com/obituary/Andrew-LachJr

2025 Two Hearts Baby Bottle Drive

UPDATE - Our efforts raise over $2000 dollars and with matching funds Two Hearts will probably get over $2500!  Thanks for all who contributed and all those who helped collect the bottles.

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This weekend - Mother's Day, we will start our Baby Bottle Drive to raise money for Two Hearts Pregnancy Center.  The idea is simple.  We will be handing out baby bottles after each Mass and bring it home.  Fill it with lose change or whatever you can give up until Fathers day (June 15th).  Then bring it back to Church for collection in the boxes provided.  The Knights will collect the bottles and give the collection to Two Hearts.  Not here this weekend?  Then ask a Knight or Usher for a bottle, they will available all during this period.

Knights - please check in for the Mass you are going to and help hand the bottles out on Mother's Day.  On Father's Day offer to help collect the bottles.

Ushers - we will instruct you how to answer any questions.  If someone puts it by mistake in the collection basket - please take it out and give it to a Knight or put in the basket separately from the collection so it can be kept in the Sacristy.

Thanks for all your help!

Pancake Thank you

 Thanks to everyone who participated in preparing our Pancake Breakfast and many thanks to all who came to enjoy a delicious meal.

A big thanks to the Kitchen crew of  Knights Mark S, Bryan, Jim, Pete, Greg and Tom along with helpers Don and Kevin, not to mention Holy Name members Mike Y and Mark B.

On the floor we had Bryan's daughter Bridgette a great help with Tim Flynn and several other Knights helping the young men and women from the Faith Formation servine our customers.

Not to forget the john John Swabski did - virtually manning the ticket table all morning.

If I missed anyone, let me know so I can edit this post.

It was a great event and thanks again to those who came out on Palm Sunday for a delicious meal.

Proceeds from the Breakfast will go to the SJPG Faith Formation to help with their trip later this year and also to the Knights Ukraine fund.

Plans are already working for a better event in 2026. 

Joe Kopler Celebration

 

2025 Pancake Breakfast

 It is almost time for our annual Pancake Breakfast.  There are sponsorship options available - contact us at kocsolidarity55@gmail.com if interested in helping out.

March Meeting 3/12/2025

 We will have a light dinner around 6:30-6:45 before the meeting

If you have not already RSVP to Chris - send it so we can plan.  Thanks

Tonight's meeting Postponed!! Meeting Postponed

 Due to illness and weather - meeting is postponed to next Wednesday, Feb 19th

Joe "Taco" Kopler

 Council #55 has lost one of it's most talented and fun members.

Joseph "Taco" Kopler passed away Sunday October 13th, 2024

Besides being our resident artist, Joe was a fount of ideas for projects and fundraising.  

He got us going with our community Tag Sale

He did a print of the Academy to raise money and his "Drop in the Bucket" sculpture 

can still be seen at St Peter and St Francis Churches.  Tim Flynn arraigned the following so he could "give" out bulletins on more time.

We know Joe is at peace with our Lord and probably working on adding his artistic touches to Heaven.

Funeral and Visitation Information

Congratulations to Father Carlos

 Congratulations to Father Carlos

On becoming a 4th Degree Knight

Ministry Expo

 St John Paul the Great is having a Ministry Expo on October 27th at St Francis Church

The Expo will go from 8am to 2 pm and all Ministries will be displayed.

If you want to know what is going on in our parish and meet and hopefully join the people who make it happen - please join us.

Luminaria 2024

Our annual Luminaria event is coming up soon. 

We will be selling bags to be decorated after Mass starting the weekend of October 18-19 

• The price will be the same as last year - $2 for one bag - $5 for 3 
• You can put as many names on a bag as you would like  
• You can specify which of the 2 Churches to be displayed at 
•  You can take the bags home to fill out and return with payment. 

 Display will be All Souls Day, Saturday November 2.

August Meeting and Picnic

Our annual Meeting and Picnic is scheduled for Wednesday August 14, at St Peter Hall - rain or shine.

Note Time - starting at 6:30 pm

 Hamburgers and Hotdogs are on the menu.  If you have a favorite dish you would like to bring, feel free.

Because during the Summer, so many are on vacation, I am asking everyone to RSVP if you think you will be attending, especially if you know you are not.  We will have some guests and if you know someone who is eligible and interested in joining us, bring them along, just RSVP so we know how much food to have.  

Email: kocsolidarity55@gmail.com or call/text 860-3075204

Art Coffill

 Art was a local District Deputy who helped us get Council #55 up and running in 2010.

He passed away June 7th after a long illness.  Here is the information on his services:

https://www.thurstonrowefuneralhome.com/memorials/joseph-art-coffill/5442695/index.php

His energy, dedication and laugh will be missed.

Thank you Art and rest in peace.

 

Kenneth Galitello

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of another member. Ken Galitello was one of the original charter members of Council #55 and has served despite the illness he fought for so long. The funeral is this Saturday at 11am. More information can be found at: https://www.cookfuneralhomect.com/obituaries/kenneth-galitello-jr May he rest in peace.

Sad News for Council #55 - Robert Capitanio

I just found out that Robert Capitanio has passed away. Bob was one of the charter members of Solidarity Council 55 and a active member for many years. He was a family man always attending all of his grandkids sports - and very proud of them! When he moved to Keystone and no longer able to assist the Knights, we voted to cover his dues as a sign of thanks. Visitation is Sunday night from 4 - 7 and the funeral will be Monday at 11pm More details here. https://www.cookfuneralhomect.com/obituaries/robert-capitanio Please keep Bob and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Fraternally, Chris Zarzycki Solidarity Council #55

St Jude Telethon

 This year the Council put in $100. and encouraged individuals to donate in the name of the Knights of Columbus Council #55.  We donated in total over $250 in 2024.

Thanks to

Matt Mastrogiovanni

Bob Severi

Greg Nypert

Mark Sirois

Chris Zarzycki

For their donations.

For 2025 let's see if we can get that up - every dollar helps!

Raymond Birden

I just found out about the passing of one of our members, Raymond Birden.

Ray had not been active recently, but he was in our thoughts and prayers.

https://www.phalenfuneral.com/obituary/Raymond-Birden

Palm Sunday Breakfast Success

 Here are some of the pictures from our pancake Breakfast:

Tables all set up and ready to go

Andy keeping Pete Company - Thanks to Pete for handling the ticket sales - but he must have been camera shy!

Mark organizing the kitchen crew

Bryan making the batter

Kevin flipping pancakes while Don and Tom serve.

Bryan letting us know how Keving is doing.

Thanks to everyone who helped out.  In addition to the Knights, we had help from members of the Holy Name, the Confirmation Students and also some of the students from St John Paul the Great Academy stepped up to help.  We served around 150 meals and raised money for the Academy and also our sponsored Seminarian Nick Chapman.

Father Carlos Life Member

 Rev. Carlos Zapata has achieved Life Membership in the Knights of Columbus.

Here is is presented with his Honorary Life Membership card but the current Grand Knight, Chris Zarzycki.