If there’s any one group in Highlands that goes out of its way to make everyone in the Bayshore feel warm, friendly, and loved, it’s the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus. The Council, part of the international organization of Catholic men, was started years ago at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and has grown in leaps and bounds since then. The Knights don’t restrict their kindness and goodness simply to those who go to church, or are Catholic … they reach out to help others, to invite others to events, and in general, just to try and make life a little better for everyone.
This Sunday’s Breakfast, a special on the second Sunday of every month, was the perfect example. Anyone who attends these monthly events knows that Tom Snow and his dedicated crew in the kitchen put out the best eggs, meats, and everything else, while the entire Council turns out to serve, set up, clean up, and get a huge amount of help from the Columbiettes, the woman’s auxiliary to the Council.
But St. Patrick, especially for the Irish, puts an extra shamrock or sparkle in the air.
Knight Kevin Connelly is head of the planning for the monthly breakfasts, and he involved his entire family in spending a few hours at OLPH Saturday afternoon to decorate the hall for the Sunday event.
Of course Sunday morning there was Irish music, scones, “Irish Toast” Irish soda Bread, an Irish flavoring for coffee to accompany all the regular pastries, fruits and everything else for breakfast. The Leusen family was elected as the Family of the month and honored for how they greet life and the rest of the world every day.
But the Breakfasts decorations were akin to a major St. Patrick’s Day event in color, beauty and perfection.
Each of the tables was topped with very Irish tablecloths and matching napkins … charming prints, not simply green and white … and included green beads, gold and silver coins, even miniature buckets filled with mints that proclaimed the blessings of being Irish. There were tee shirts on Knights proclaiming the wonders of the Irish, and downright friendship, laughter, and meeting new friends all around.
In truth, that’s what these breakfasts have come to be. It isn’t people who go to Mass every Sunday, it isn’t Knights who give up their own time to present a wonderful event for others; it isn’t folks from town to come up simply for a great meal, it isn’t the Columbiettes, most of whom are wives of Knights who are there to help in every way they can to make it a special event for attendees; it isn’t even the great food that always comes out of that kitchen.
It’s simply an informal time for friends and strangers to get together, to meet each other, to thank the Knights for a meal they enjoy whether they give a donation for it or not. And it takes all of those folks doing all they are doing to make it that happy morning it always is.
The next breakfast is April 12 That’s the Sunday after Easter. But early reports from the Knights indicate it’s OK to celebrate that glorious feast even a week later, so Easter will be the theme of the décor, and we suspect, lots of colored eggs and Easter bunnies will be on the scene.
And keep in mind breakfasts aren’t the whole thing these Knights do with perfection. Look for more news on their weather-delayed but nonetheless spectacular and memorable celebration not only of the borough’s 125th birthday but also of the day the Pledge of Allegiance was recited publicly for the first time. The event happened at the Twin Lights and the Knights plan on keeping that memory very much appreciated and alive in observances next month.
And look for more information on their Country Hoedown. That one is set for April 25, and tickets are already selling out quickly for that. There will be a buffet dinner, a dessert table, plenty of soft beverages and an invitation to bring your own specialties, plenty of music, a dance caller and even lessons to enjoy a Hoedown properly, and yes, even some prizes. All for $35 a head. Check out some of the local businesses that help the Knights make this all possible at such a reasonable price, and plan on having an evening of fun, camaraderie, great food and community spirit. Call 732-915-2104 to ticket reservations or more information.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
breakfast
