All parishioners are invited to join the Knights of Columbus for a special Fraternal Benefits Night. Learn how the Knights support Catholic families through faith-based financial programs, including life insurance, retirement planning, and long-term care.

This informative presentation will be led by a certified Knights of Columbus field agent and will include time for questions.

Date: Wednesday May 20th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Saint John Baptist de LaSalle (Church Hall)

Light refreshments will be provided. All are welcome—members and non-members alike.

For more information, please contact Don Granata 412-215-3473 granms@outlook.com

Knights of Columbus Field Agent

Trip to St. Anthony Chapel

St. Anthony Chapel.

A huge thank you to all the Knights of Columbus brothers and their families who attended the mass and tour at St. Anthony Chapel. The overall feedback was extremely positive and well received by all who attended.

If you took the bus, we had an exciting and entertaining journey through the Troy Hill neighborhood. Kudos to our bus driver who managed, with only inches to spare on each side of the bus due to the narrow streets.

Thank you to all who worked so hard on planning this event.

Don Merola

Manordale Valley Council

70^th Anniversary

A big thank you to all who worked so hard on planning for our Council’s 70^th Anniversary. The day started with 11am Mass at St. John’s in Delmont with Fr. Dave as our presider. At the conclusion of Mass Fr. Dave imparted a special blessing on all brother Knights and their Families. The event continued at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Delmont with a wonderful dinner followed by desert. Thank you to all those who attended making this to be a very special day for our Council.

Diocesan Men's Ministry Team

The Diocesan Men’s Ministry Team at the Diocese of Greensburg is dedicated to supporting men of all ages in their faith journey. They organize various ministries and events, including prayer gatherings and conferences, to foster community and spiritual growth. The team is led by Jarod Trunzo, who has been instrumental in developing and expanding the ministry’s reach. The team’s initiatives aim to connect men and with like-minded individuals, provide guidance and support, and encourage them to share their faith with others.

Next event is in 2027, but quarterly Transformation gatherings will be held, stay tuned for more information.

Catholic Men's Fellowship of Western PA

CMFWPA – Chuck Bell of our council is co-hosting a new YouTube channel, the first recorded episode “On This Rock” should be uploaded sometime this week.  Please check it out, subscribe to the channel to support Men’s Ministry in Western Pa. YouTube.com/@cmfwpa.

STAR COUNCIL STATUS

4226 is Close to becoming a Star Council & we need your help

Brothers, we are very close to achieving Star Council, we only need to have a Fraternal Benefits Night that is scheduled for Wednesday May 20^th at 7:00 Pm at Saint John’s Church Hall. Please see information in the Newsletter or the Church bulletin. This is open to all parishioners

Achieving Star Council is one of the highest recognitions a local council can receive. It means the council has successfully fulfilled key goals in membership growth, insurance promotion, faith and charitable programs, and reporting requirements during the fraternal year. To earn Star Council, a council generally must achieve these major benchmarks:

1. 1. Membership Growth Goal-Your council must meet or exceed its assigned membership quota from Supreme. This includes Recruiting new members, engaging inactive Catholic, Conducting Church drives, COR, parish outreach, and evangelization efforts For a council
   2. Fraternal Benefits Requirement-The council must meet the required number of Fraternal Benefit Seminars/Nights and insurance promotion goals with your field agent. These help Catholic families understand:
   3. Programs Requirement (Faith in Action)-The council must be active in all required program areas: Faith, Family, Community, and Life Programs lAreas that also help achieve Star is COR, Eucharistic devotion, men’s formation, family rosaries, support for seminarians, food drives, pro-life activities, and parish service all help.
   4. Completion of all required forms

Your council must meet or exceed its assigned membership quota from Supreme. This includes:

• • Recruiting new members
  • Engaging inactive Catholic men
  • Conducting Church drives, COR, parish outreach, and evangelization efforts

For a council like 4226 Murrysville, this means building a culture where men feel invited into faith, fraternity, and service—not just signing members up.

It also sends a message to the pastor and parish that the council is a strong partner in evangelization and parish life.

For your work in evangelization and COR, Star Council can become a natural outcome if men are being formed and invited intentionally. COR, Sacred Heart devotion, and men’s discipleship can help create the kind of engaged Catholic men who eventually become active Knights.

A good way to explain it to Brother Knights is:

“Star Council is not about a trophy—it is about becoming the kind of council Father McGivney envisioned: faithful Catholic men growing in holiness, serving families, and inviting other men to Christ.”

Would you like a simple Star Council roadmap for Council 4226 that shows monthly actions to achieve it?

Men's Renewal Group

The Mother of Sorrows Men’s Renewal Group meets weekly (Saturdays) at 9am in the MOS Lower Narthex, or in the Ave Maria Room. Contact Dan McDermott at mdcermdj@outlook.com to get on mailing list. Current topic “Fulton Sheen”. All are invited.

Every 4th Thursday the Men's Renewal Group will sponsor a Rosary during the 6pm hour at Adoration in Mother of Sorrows.

St. John/St. Mary

Catholic Men's Fellowship Group

St. John/St. Mary’s CMF meets weekly (Saturdays 7am at the St. Mary’s Social Hall in Export & via Zoom). More info or to get on mailing list can be found. Current topic: Catechism. All are invited.  here: https://StJohnStMaryParishes.flocknote.com/CMF

Fishing Outing

The Friends to Friends organization supported by the Knights is having their annual family fishing outing. The fishing outing is on Saturday May16th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at Keystone State Park, Pavilion #1, in New Alexandria, Pa.

If any Knights are interested in attending and providing support to the kids/families during the day's activities, please contact Don Merola at don.merola@gmail.com.

Habitat for Humanity

• Work is continuing on the home started several months ago. Progress photos will be shown here are the various milestones are reached.

For those who may be interested a group of volunteers meet every other Wednesday to assist several other volunteer groups in this very important project. Please contact Jim Snitger at jsnitger@hotmail.com or at 412-334-4932 for more details.

Thank You

Jim

Sacred Heart of Jesus Pilgrim Icon

Monsignor Michael has approved an icon program for our parish. Chuck Bell plans to help schedule a program June 23, 2026. Stay tuned for more information. Prayer service at St. Mary’s @ 7pm.