Father Aloysius H. Schmitt Knights of Columbus Council 13220

Father Aloysius H. Schmitt Knights of Columbus Council 13220 The Fr. Aloysius Schmitt Knights of Columbus Council 13220 serves the priests and Catholic community aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

To become a member, visit kofc13220.org and click the "Want to Join or Get Info?" button. ABOUT OUR NAMESAKE, FR. ALOYSIUS H. SCHMITT

Father Aloysius H. Schmitt was born Dec. 4, 1909 in St. Lucas, Iowa. At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he had just finished celebrating his morning Mass. This Mass was supposed to have been Chaplain Schmitt’s last service on board the ship. The following week, he was transferring to shore duty. He had gone three decks down for the service and to hear confessions. As the assault on the Navy’s fleet raged, Chaplain Schmitt went to the ship’s sickbay to minister to the injured and dying. When the Oklahoma was struck and water poured into her hold, the ship began to list and roll over. Many men were trapped. Schmitt found his way—with other crew members—to a compartment where only a small porthole provided enough space to escape. Chaplain Schmitt helped other men, one by one, to crawl to safety. When it became his turn, the chaplain tried to get through the small opening. As he struggled to exit through the porthole, he became aware that others had come into the compartment from which he was trying to escape. As he realized that the water was rising rapidly and that escape would soon be impossible, he insisted on being pushed back through the hole so that he could help others who could get through the opening more easily. Accounts from eyewitnesses that have been published in the Arizona Memorial newsletter relate that the men protested, saying that he would never get out alive, but he insisted, “Please let go of me, and may God bless you all.”

Within 20 minutes after the first torpedo hit, the USS Oklahoma rolled over and settled into the mud in the harbor. There were 448 crew members who died with the ship. It is believed that Father Schmitt was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawai in a grave with about 400 other unidentified bodies recovered from the Oklahoma. His name is engraved there in the Courts of the Missing. In October 2016, Fr. Schmitt's remains were positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. His earthly remains were transported to his home in Iowa where he was interred in Dubuque at Loras College's Christ the King Chapel. The Navy posthumously honored Chaplain Schmitt with the Silver Star Medal for “distinguished heroism and sublime devotion to his fellow man. His magnanimous courage and self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service,” the citation said. “He gallantly gave up his life for his country.”

07/31/2026
What an incredible evening! 🇺🇸 Tonight, Knights of Columbus Council 13320 had the absolute honor of hosting a Family Din...
07/31/2026

What an incredible evening! 🇺🇸 Tonight, Knights of Columbus Council 13320 had the absolute honor of hosting a Family Dinner dedicated to the strong, resilient families of our deployed Marines and Sailors.

We welcomed around 60 wonderful guests for a fantastic night of great food, warm fellowship, and community support. It is always a privilege to give back to the families holding down the home front while their loved ones are forward deployed.

A massive shoutout and amazing credit goes to SK Mike Clark for putting this entire event together. Your hard work, planning, and dedication made tonight an overwhelming success! Bravo Zulu, Mike! 👏

Thank you to everyone who came out and shared the evening with us. Please keep our deployed service members in your prayers! 🙏

6 more people sleeping off the floor tonight
07/30/2026

6 more people sleeping off the floor tonight

07/10/2026

Congratulations to our newly installed officers
Grand Knight - Scott Bradley
Deputy Grand Knight - Brian Kramer
Chancellor - Joe Rouil
Treasurer - Jake Stone
Financial Secretary - Tracy Naylor
Advocate - Mike Clark
Warden - Octavian Miller
Inside Guard - John Cassidy
Outside Guard - Jojo Ascone
1 Yr Trustee- Brian Kramer
2 Yr Trustee - Dr Michael Brenyo
3 Yr Trustee - Brenden Green

Congratulations on your installation to leadership for this upcoming fraternal year. Taking on these roles demonstrates your strong commitment to our Council, our parish, and the core principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.

Leadership requires time, dedication, and a shared vision. Your brother knights are grateful for your willingness to step forward, guide our initiatives, and strengthen our community.

We look forward to supporting your leadership and working alongside you to make this year a success. Thank you for your service and your commitment to the Council.

Vivat Jesus!

Send a message to learn more

07/10/2026

Congratulations to our newly installed officers.
Grand Knight - Scott Bradley
Deputy Grand Knight - Brian Kramer
Chanceller - Joe Rouil
Warden - Octavian Miller
Treasurer - Jake Stone
Financial Secretary - Tracy Naylor
Advocate - Michael Clark
Inside Guard - John Cassidy
Outside Guard - Jojo Ascone
1 Yr Trustee - Brian Kramer
2 Yr Trustee - Dr. Mike Brenyo
3 Yr Trustee - Brenden Greene

Congratulations on your installation into leadership for this upcoming fraternal year. Taking on these roles demonstrates your strong commitment to our Council, our parish, and the core principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.

Leadership requires time, dedication, and a shared vision. Your brother knights are grateful for your willingness to step forward, guide our initiatives, and strengthen our community.

We look forward to supporting your leadership and working alongside you to make this year a success. Thank you for your service and your commitment to the Council.

Vivat Jesus!

Send a message to learn more

07/08/2026

Prior to our SHP bed deliveries on 6 July, the Commander of the local American Legion Post presented our program a check for a $300 donation. They have decided to continue their charitable efforts despite the total loss of their facility. This is now an annual donation from this wonderful organization. Thank you.

⚔️ Welcome Our Newest Third Degree Knights! ⚔️Please join us in extending a brotherly welcome to the newest members of o...
06/19/2026

⚔️ Welcome Our Newest Third Degree Knights! ⚔️
Please join us in extending a brotherly welcome to the newest members of our Council!
We recently held an exemplification ceremony for two outstanding men, Brian Kupchak and Gauge Fisher. Both are brand new to the Knights of Columbus and have taken their first steps into our brotherhood by being exemplified as **3rd Degree Knights**, dedicated to our core principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity.
We are incredibly proud to have them stand with us. When you see Brian and Gauge at our next meeting or council event, please take a moment to introduce yourself, shake their hands, and welcome them to the family.
Gentlemen, thank you for answering the call. We look forward to working alongside you in service to our parish and community!
Vivat Jesus! ⚓️🛡️

Proud to support our local athletes! 🏅 Knights of Columbus Council 13220 is honored to announce a $4,000 donation to the...
06/04/2026

Proud to support our local athletes! 🏅 Knights of Columbus Council 13220 is honored to announce a $4,000 donation to the Onslow County Special Olympics.

Pictured here is Sir Knight Dr. Michael Brenyo presenting the check and shaking hands with Mr. Ryan Baker from the Special Olympics. We are incredibly proud to back an organization that brings so much empowerment, inclusion, and joy to our community. Thank you to everyone whose hard work and generosity made this contribution possible!

Congratulations to Fr. Patrick Riffle Selection as priest of the Year by the Knights of Columbus
05/16/2026

Congratulations to Fr. Patrick Riffle Selection as priest of the Year by the Knights of Columbus

05/12/2026

A Good Night's Sleep Donation Drive - 250 Works of Mercy at IOP
Let's help provide new bedding for kids in need! The parish is collecting new twin-sized sheet sets and comforters for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed recipients. Our parish donation drive will run May 23-24 and May 30-31. Donations will be collected at the main church entrance or may be dropped off at the food pantry during its business hours. Goal: 50 sheet sets and 50 comforters.

If you would like to help at the next bed-building service day, contact the Jacksonville chapter chair at: [email protected].

Look out for more ways to give, serve, and pray with our 250 Works of Mercy and 250 Hours of Adoration activities from May 23 through July 4th!

Address

PO Box 9215
Camp Lejeune, NC
28547

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