Columbian Squires Youth Group Established

Left to right- Matt Jamison, Dustin Bensenhuber, Connor Williams, Andrés Saaverda, Michael Gosnell, Justin Rossi, John Palasky and Thomas Mitchell.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus Council 11680 established a new youth group called Columbian Squires with a formal investiture ceremony at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Hall on Saturday, August 2, 2003.

The new Squires Circle now has 8 members with six more to be invested on August 16, 2003.

On hand at the ceremony were dignitaries, State Squires Chairman- Don Goolesby, State Family Activities Director-Kevin McMahon, St. Petersburg Diosece K of C Charities Director- Ed Gongola, District Deputy 25- Tony Nalli, Grand Knight- Bill Huber and Fr. Joe Pastick. The Investiture Team consisted of Nick France, Joe Beraducci, Matt Higgins, Lou Morganti, Nim Goering, Deacon John Liggin and Joe Schalk. Former Squires Leader, Lee Whitt ran the events food and refreshments with help from his wife Helen, Marie Davidow and the Columbietts.

Columbian Squires is the official, all young men, youth group of the Catholic Fraternal Organization, Knights of Columbus. Over 1,000 Circles exist throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Last year, Circles donated more than $300,000 dollars in charitable contributions and volunteered over 450,000 hours of community service.

The Squires will run activities that center around four major areas, spiritual, service, circle, and membership. In order to assist the Squires in achieving their objectives, the Grand Knight of Our Lady Queen of Peace Council 11680, William Huber has appointed three adult counselors as assistants to Chief Counselor Nicholas France - Joseph Beraducci, Linus Palubinskas, Matt Higgins and the Circle's Father Prior, Rev. Joseph A. Pastick.

The Squires will meet on the third Saturday of each month at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at 5 p.m. Young Catholic men between the ages of 12 and 18, who are interested in joining the Squires may contact Chief Counselor Nicholas France at 848-6457.