LANCASTER - The Pennsylvania State Council of the Knights of Columbus 115th annual state convention was opened by State Deputy Eric C. Johnson May 3 at the Lancaster Host and Resort Convention Center. The convention began with the annual memorial Mass for deceased members.
Members of Mount Carmel's Bishop Lawrence F. Schott Council 628 remembered during the Mass were Edward Adzema, Walter Cress, William Dando, William Jacoby, Boris Maksymuk, John Panko, William Schneider, Edward Scicchitano, Walter Tloczynski, Norbert Walsh and Walter Wanzie.
Delegates to the 131st Supreme Convention Aug. 6 to 8 in San Antonio, Texas, were nominated.
During the convention, Johnson introduced Supreme Advocate John Marrella. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson sent a video update from Rome following the installation of Pope Francis. All state officers gave their reports and six new councils were formed during the past fraternal year.
The convention Mass was celebrated by the state chaplain, the Rev. V. David Foradori. Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, who died May 2, had been scheduled to be the celebrant. He was remembered fondly and with sadness. A resolution was passed dedicating the convention to his memory.
Johnson was re-elected as state deputy. Other state officers elected were Sean Petrisko, secretary; John Fitzpatrick, treasurer; Gerald Krall, advocate, and George Beckes, warden. Foradori was reappointed as chaplain.
The state council is made up of 525 local councils. There were 293 voting delegates and 36 non-voting delegates in attendance.
Local Knights attending the convention were David Berezovske and James Bailoni, of Mount Carmel Council 628, and Victor Lisiewski and John Feudale, of Elysburg Council 14161.