KOC Holy Ghost Council #4977

10/16/2026

Region B Special Olympics Bowling Competition - We have an opportunity to support Special Olympics by volunteering for the Region B Bowling competition, to be held at Stardust Bowl, 37 E Lorraine Ave, Addison, IL 6010 on Sunday, October 25th. Special Olympics is offering us the opportunity to sign up for a morning shift 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., an afternoon shift 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or to volunteer for both shifts. We are in need of additional volunteers, particularly for the morning shift. Your support of individuals with special needs is great appreciated by Special Olympics Illinois.

Here are instructions for Online Registration:
COE Registration Instructions
Please use the KOC Volunteers tab and the code KOC4977 when you register. Alternatively, please reach me at [email protected], 847-380-0220 if I can help assist you with signing up.

I’ve also attached additional Special Olympics Region B donation and volunteer opportunities.
Thanks, and God bless!

Thomas G Nicholas

10/16/2026

Vocations Raffle Drive - Thanks to all our brothers who contributed to our Vocations Raffle Drive. We have raised over $ 3.800 so far in support of our seminarian scholarships. Our goal is to raise $ 5,000, which will allow us to offer (8) $ 500 scholarships to worthy seminarians. Please let me know if you need additional raffle books. You can mail your donations to me at 188 E. Cedarwood Ct., Palatine IL 60067, or bring your contributions to our next general membership on October 9th. .Our raffle drive concludes on Monday, November 23rd.

10/16/2026

10/09/2026

Dear Brother Knights,
We invite you to a time of shared prayer with fellow Knights prior to our monthly membership meeting.

Our first COUNCIL ROSARY DEVOTION will be this coming Monday, October 12 at 6:00 PM (monthly membership mtg starts at 7:00 PM). Brother Sir Knight Mateo Mejia will lead us in praying the Holy Rosary prior to our monthly membership meeting.

First Council Rosary Devotion details:
• Date & Time: Monday, October 12 at 6:00 PM (prayer concludes by 6:30 PM)
• Location: Teen LIFT Room (Lower Dolan Center)
• Leader: Sir Knight Mateo Mejia

Please note that because the LIFT Room is sometimes used for other pre-meeting opportunities, including new member Exemplifications (in Nov 2026) and orientation meetings (in Dec 2026), this opportunity for prayer is not able to occur each month (we are looking at alternatives - we will keep you informed). We will announce upcoming dates (or changes in venue) in advance and also post them on our 4977 website calendar.

We invite all Brother Knights to arrive early, BRING YOUR ROSARY, gather in fellowship, and offer our intentions together. Vivat Jesus!

10/06/2026

REMINDER ABOUT the LIVING ROSARY THIS WEDNESDAY!

The Knights of Columbus have been asked again this year to pray the LIVING ROSARY together. This event will take place at St Thomas of Villanova Church this Wednesday, October 7th at 7 PM.
Please come and pray together with fellow Knights and parishioners, especially since October is Right to Life month.

Knights - Please arrive about 6:30 PM. Wear your 1) 4th degree uniforms; 2) dark suit (sashes will be provided); 3) council Green Shirt; or 4) come as you are and help us pray together. We can be a bead to start the Rosary. Thank you!

SK Jim DeGiulio
1yr Trustee

10/06/2026

Every weekend, Catholic men walk through the doors of St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Theresa. Most of them are practicing Catholic gentlemen who would make excellent Knights of Columbus—but no one has asked them to join.
I know that approaching another man and asking him to join the Knights can sometimes feel uncomfortable. You may wonder what to say. Being ignored, or even rejected, can be a bit disheartening. But remember: you don't have to give a sales pitch. Your responsibility as a member of the Knights is to simply extend an invitation.
As Knights, we have made a commitment to reach out to Catholic gentlemen and invite them to become part of our fraternity. We cannot leave that responsibility to just a handful of members. Experience shows that it takes at least 10–15 Knights actively asking men to consider joining after each mass for our recruiting efforts to be effective. More is even better! When we have many Brothers participating, the responsibility becomes easier for everyone—and our chances of finding new members increases dramatically.
You don't have to be an experienced recruiter. Just say, “Are you a Knight? We'd like to invite you to learn more about the Knights of Columbus.” That's it. A simple invitation can change a man's involvement in his parish, his community, and his Catholic faith.
Please make a commitment to help with next weekend’s recruiting effort at St. Theresa after the masses (October 10/11). Please make that same commitment to support our St. Thomas of Villanova Recruiting Effort at the October 24/25 masses. [Please put on your calendar]
Your participation truly matters, and together we can build and insure the future of our great council.
Vivat Jesus!

09/30/2026

This is at St. Theresa Church

09/24/2026

Worthy Brother,
You and your wife/friend are invited to our annual 4977 Past Grand Knight Banquet Dinner. This year, we honor the achievements and service of Past Grand Knight Steve Taromina.

When? Sunday, October 25, 2026
Where? At Gianni's Café. 18 W. Station St. in Palatine
Cost? $30 per person (cash bar). Payment is required before reservation can be confirmed.

Reservations and Payment are due by October 16.
Pay in 2 ways:
1) CHECK. Payable to "Holy Ghost Council #4977" and mailed to: Tom Pyra, 253 Aberdeen Drive, Barrington, IL 60010-4018, or
2) ZELLE. Send to Tom Pyra's email [email protected] or to Tom's phone at (847) 650-1779

Doors open at 4:45 PM. Cocktails at 5:00 PM. Dinner at 6:00 PM.
For questions, call or email Tom Pyra @ (847) 650-1779. [email protected]

09/24/2026

Worthy Brothers,
Please help us celebrate and welcome our newest 4977 Brother(s) by attending an Exemplification of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity on Monday, September 28 at 7:00 PM in the Bernardin Room of St. Theresa's Pauline Center. The Pauline Center is the connected building between St. Theresa's Church and School facing Benton Street. Park in the front lot off Benton Street, and enter through Door 1. (See the attached flyer for details).

We will have lite food and refreshments after the ceremony to celebrate our newest 4977 Brother(s). Please REPLY to this email if you plan to attend. Want to get a reasonable count for food planning. Truly hope to see you there! Vivat Jesus!

SK Robert J Novak
Exemplification Ceremony Chairman