Madrid parish forms new KC council

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Oct. 25, 2007

MADRID - The newly formed Knights of Columbus Council # 14393 in Madrid has taken the name of former St. Malachy pastor Msgr. Louis Kollasch.

"Monsignor was very well-respected here in the parish," said Father Brian Danner, pastor at St. Malachy Parish in Madrid. "He was very well accepted. He was a very compassionate man who related the church and its teachings to his parishioners very well."

The topic of having the council named in Msgr. Kollasch's name was brought up at a recent meeting.

"They overwhelmingly approved naming the council in his memory for his service to the parish and love and dedication to the Knights over the years of his priesthood," said Father Danner.

Grand Knight Jerry Loew said he talked to someone who went to Msgr. Kollasch's wake service and found out that monsignor's casket was draped with his Fourth Degree Knight cape and hat.

"When I heard that he was already a Fourth Degree Knight, that's what affirmed to me that he was a good candidate," said Loew.

On Oct. 21, a memorial service was held at St. Malachy's in remembrance of Msgr. Kollasch who died Oct. 8. Msgr. Kollasch's family joined St. Malachy parishioners for the service, which included Scripture readings and songs.

"As opposed to preaching a homily during the service, I invited several parishioners to share memories and thoughts of Msgr. Kollasch with the assemble. The family thoroughly enjoyed the time the parishioners spent sharing their stories with them," said Father Danner. "Each of them praised and honored Msgr. Kollasch for his ability to relate to people and support them."

At the end of the service, Loew presented a certificate to Msgr. Kollasch's family naming the newly formed Knights council in his memory - The Msgr. Louis Kollasch Council of the Knights of Columbus. Msgr. Kollasch served at St. Malachy's from 1993 to 1998.

The four principles of the Knights are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. These principles were included on the certificate.

"Listening to different people at the memorial talk about how he was so easy going, he had his own way of leading. He was a gentle, compassionate leader," said Loew.

Informational meetings were held during the spring of this year for men and their wives to attend and learn more about the Knights of Columbus.

"I challenged the men to actually make a decision about whether or not we could form a council," said Father Danner. "We do have more than enough now to comprise our own council here at St. Malachy's."

The Knights of Columbus organization requires 30 members to make an individual council. The St. Malachy's council now has more than 30 members.

There had been a Knights of Columbus council at St. Malachy's about 20 or 30 years ago, but since it had been so long, they had to form a new council.

Loew was elected the Grand Knight and Greg Grimm is the Deputy Grand Knight for the next two years. Other officers were elected at the September meeting.

The Madrid council just finished the Tootsie Roll Drive. Plans for the future include reorganizing the church since it was recently renovated. They will soon be transforming the bingo room at the church into the Knights of Columbus room.