Monica Council 11529 is a vibrant and active group making its home at the Church of Saint Monica in Jackson, N.J. We strongly support our priests and their ministries, we are family focused, and we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission so that all our members can enjoy the benefits and fraternity of being Knights of Columbus. Monica Knights of Columbus was chartered on March 24, 1995. The counci
ls Founding Grand Knight, Jack Guarnieri led the council for the first two years (1995-1997) under the spiritual guidance of Father Jack Dwyer who is a fourth degree Knight. Our council continued to grow under Grand Knight Len Abline (1997-1998) and a new spiritual director Father Neil Saller who became a first degree knight with our council. Since our inception we have received the Star Council award every year since 1995 and most recently in 2004 under Grand Knight Mike Hintenach. Grand Knight John Kaba (1998-1999) led the Council as we received a new priest Father Bob Schultz who divided his time between ministering St. Monica's and Chancellor of Prison Ministries in New Jersey. In addition to the arrival of Father Bob, St Monica's and Assumption Church in New Egypt received a new pastor, Father Joseph Farrell. Grand Knight Greg Ferret (1999-2000), who led us into the millennium, helped to move our council forward by bringing back inactive members to our meetings. Our meetings normally average 15 to 20 percent of the membership! During the tenure of Grand Knight Ed Thompson (2000 -2001) the council continued to grow both in membership and programs of service to others with the development of a Good of the Order Committee to assist families in need, the implementation of a First Degree team and the expansion of the Wreath & Grave blanket fundraiser to include Christmas trees which gave the council needed funds to expand programs. In 14 years since our charter, our council has done a great deal. Our council members are very active in the growth of our church, participating in various Ministries such as Eucharistic, Lectors, Music, Core Committee, Parish Council and Social Concerns. Our fundraising has raised thousands of dollars for organizations such as St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Special Olympics, and Handicapped Children. Our yearly fund raisers include: Our annual Rubber Duck Race, St. Patrick's Day & Halloween Dinner Dances, Breakfast with Santa and the Easter Bunny, Christmas Tree/Grave Blanket/Wreath Sales, Golf Outing and our annual Tootsie Roll Drive and many more. Our council activities we participate in throughout the year are: Free Throw contests, Blood Drives, Columbus and Jackson Day Parades, Dinner Cruises, Council Picnic and the St. Monica Parish Festival etc.
