The Formation of the Sts. Andrew and Clare Council

In 1989, Bishop John Keating of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, established a new Parish and named it St. Andrew the Apostle and, at the same time, named St. Clare of Assisi as a mission church affiliated with the newly established parish.  Bishop Keating asked Monsignor John P. Hannan, V.F., to coordinate all of the activities required to establish this new parish, which included the mission church of St. Clare.  This double tasking gave Monsignor Hannan a major undertaking; the building of the Church at St. Andrew and the mission chapel at St. Clare.  Bishop Keating assigned the newly ordained Fr. Francis Peffley as his assistant and together, the two priests took up residence in a rented home just off Clifton Road, near the site of the St. Andrew Church.  The two priests immediately set about forming a parish community.  They said Sunday Masses in the Clifton Fire House and daily Mass in their residence.  Later, they moved the Sunday Masses to the new Centreville High School.  Slowly but surely, the projects moved forward under Monsignor's guidance. 

Richard G. Head, Sr. arrived in the area from New York at about this time and he sought out a Knights of Columbus Council to continue his Knights of Columbus activities begun six years earlier.   The closest Council to his new Clifton home was Fr. Nudd Council at St. Timothy's Parish in Chantilly, and Richie became involved with the Council in the fall of 1990.  Tom Trudeau, the District Deputy at that time, aware of Richie’s experience and dedication to the Knights of Columbus, requested his assistance in starting a new Council at St. Andrew’s.  Richie approached Monsignor Hannan with this idea and sought his support. Since Monsignor Hannan was a Knight, it didn’t take a lot of convincing and the pastor soon agreed to establishing the Council, but stipulated that it should be done only after construction of one of the two church buildings.  Richie was delighted with this commitment, but surprised at the delay, a delay that in retrospect, proved to be a blessing in disguise.  Since the Clifton community and the Parish were both new, the delay allowed for the opportunity to advance the merits and benefits of the Knights of Columbus to the parishioners, their prospective new members, and they used this time wisely. 

The Fraternal year of 1991 brought Jerry Torrey of Manassas into the position of District Deputy.  Richie continued to plan the new Council, awaiting only Monsignor's final approval.  Shortly after St. Clare's Church was completed in 1992, Fr. Peffley gave Richie Head the thumbs-up signal at Mass one weekend and Richie knew that he had the required approval and that he could proceed with the work of founding a new Council.   The preparatory work made possible a rapid start-up and a new Council charter was obtained in record time.  Richie called together a general information meeting of those interested in the new Council at the Priests’ residence.  This meeting brought a much larger crowd than expected, filling the whole lower level of the house to overflowing.  Fr. Peffley arrived near the end of the meeting and pledged his and Monsignor's full support to the new Council.  The Council was  chartered on September 9, 1992 and Richie was elected the Charter Grand Knight based on his efforts in starting the Council and his experience as Grand Knight in New York.   Fr. Peffley suggested naming the Council Sts. Andrew and Clare, after the Parish and mission Churches, and thus Sts. Andrew and Clare Council became the 83rd Council in the jurisdiction of Virginia.  Fr. Peffley became the Chaplain, an appointment he was honored to accept.

Early Activities

The group of Catholic men who started the Sts. Andrew and Clare Council were eager to learn about the Knights of Columbus and to help the new Parish and Churches.  The new membership focused on the five major areas of concentration for all Councils to be successful: support of Church, Community, Family, Youth and Council.   Membership and programs are the lifeblood of any organization and the Sts. Andrew and Clare Council is no exception.  Without Programs, an organization cannot grow its' Membership and without Membership, an organization cannot continue existing Programs or develop new ones. 

Membership Highlights

The Council was "born" on September 9, 1992 with over forty members.  Council membership grew to 100 and today proudly numbers over 200 members. 

Council Program Highlights

The success of the Sts. Andrew and Clare Council is directly attributable to the constant striving for increased Membership and the dedicated and continued involvement with programs.  The following is a listing of the major programs and fundraisers conducted by the Council since 1992.  The list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but merely to give an indication of our activities in each area.

Church:

• Eucharistic Ministers

• Ushers

• Vocations Awareness

• Financial support for parish seminarians

• Prayer group

• Bible study group

• Memorial to the Unborn

• Decoration of the St. Andrew's Sanctuary for Christmas and Easter

• Rosary on 1^st Saturday of each month for the Right to Life Program

• Support for Parish “Time and Talent” Program

Community:

• KOVAR fundraising to assist mentally handicapped citizens.

• Fr. Charles A. Ryan Memorial Thanksgiving Food Drive each November

• Participate in “Right to Life” March to the Supreme Court each January

• Blood Drives

• The Habitat for Humanity Project

• Pedals for Progress bike collection for 3^rd World Countries

• Clothing Drives for the needy

• Adopt a Highway

• Visible Pro Life activities and financial assistance for Pro Life facilities

• Coffee & Donuts for Parish Community

Family:

• Pasta Dinners in Parish Hall for families of the Parish

• Family outings to Prince William “Cannons” ball games

• Night at the Races for Parish Members

• Parish Newcomers Receptions

• Annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner

• Sweetheart Appreciation Night (Valentines evening with spouses)

Youth:

• Children's fingerprinting program

• Youth All Saints Party

• Christmas Parties

• Basketball Free Throw Contest

• Poster Contest

• Children’s Easter Egg Hunt

Council:

• Knight of Month/Year

• Family of Month/Year

• Keep Christ in Christmas religious card Program

• Adult Christmas Party

• Past Grand Knight’s Dinner

• Super Bowl Party

• Outings to Atlantic City and Rosecroft Raceway

• Art Auction

• Sponsorship of Cole Brothers’ Circus

• Bowling outings

The purpose of our activities is to serve the Church and Community, not to win awards.  However, awards recognize hard work and the Council membership should be very proud of the awards that have been received. The Sts. Andrew and Clare Council quickly gained recognition at the State and Supreme (National) level and has consistently been recognized for leadership and accomplishments in programs and in membership.  In fact, Sts. Andrew and Clare Council has been recognized as one of the top ten Councils in Virginia on several occasions, and in Fraternal Year 2000-2001, was honored as the Number One Council in the State of Virginia through the Circle of Honor Award Program.  This is a testament to the participation and hard work of every member who leads or participates in one or more of the many programs of this Council.

Past Grand Knights

The Sts. Andrew and Clare Council can be proud of the leadership that it has experienced since our inception, with the following Grand Knights:  Richard Head (1992-94), A. J. Ascone (1994-96), Matt Borkowski (1996-97), Steve Munchak (1997-98), Willie Putnam (1998-99), Al Grimmig (1999-2000), Joe Beres (2000-01) and Paul Bourgeois (2001-02).  The 2002-03 Columbian Year brings newly elected Grand Knight Rich LaRoche to the forefront. 

Each of these Grand Knights has brought a unique leadership style and introduced his own programs.  Our Council is proud of the accomplishments of each of these men and treats them with respect by referring to them by their official title, Worthy Past Grand Knight.

Council Chaplains

The Sts. Andrew and Clare Council history would not be complete without special recognition for the Chaplains who have served so faithfully and have assisted in the accomplishment of so many programs.   The Charter Chaplain, Fr. Fran Peffley, helped the new Council get started and served the Council from September of 1992 until June of 1994 when he was reassigned.   Having completed the building of the two Churches, Monsignor Hannan became our next Chaplain.  Monsignor remained as chaplain until his retirement from active ministry in June of 1997 and was taken to his final reward in August of 2001.  In July of 1997, Fr. Julius Cilinski, residing at St. Andrew's Rectory after his retirement, volunteered to become the Council’s third Chaplain and he continues to serve, providing guidance, support and a very unique sense of humor.  Fr. Julius now resides in an assisted living facility, but continues his very active participation and his full support of the Knights of the Sts. Andrew and Clare Council.

The Priests at St. Andrew's since 1992 have supported the Sts. Andrew and Clare Council throughout the years, even though they were not Chaplains of the Council.  All Council members appreciate their continued support and prayers.  These priests are:

• Fr. Jerome Fasano, Current Pastor

• Fr. Lawrence Violette, Current Parochial Vicar

• Fr. John DeCelles, Current Parochial Vicar

• Fr. Robert DeMartino, former Associate Pastor

• Fr. Edward Hathaway, former Associate Pastor

• Fr. Charles Ryan, former retired resident Priest, deceased

A Council Promise

The Sts. Andrew and Clare Council is committed to providing Catholic men the opportunity to join an organization where religious beliefs can be shared and each member can make a contribution to Church, Community, Family, Youth and Council according to their schedule, keeping in mind that Church, then family, and job always come first.  The Council and its membership invite all eligible men to come and join in this commitment.

It is said often and with repetition, that the main reason eligible Catholic men do not join the Knights of Columbus is that they are never asked.  So ...will you come and join us?  For more information, please contact our Membership Director or any Council Officer.  Their names and phone numbers are posted on this web site.