The Knights of Columbus strive for leadership in our Parish and in our community through our programs under the banners of Faith, Family, Community and Life. At St. Mark Council, we work to conduct programs in each of these areas, every year! If you are interested in assisting with any of our programs, or have an idea for another council activity, please contact us.
2025-2026 Activity
“Share the Warmth” winter clothing drive
Once again, Council 9276 is “Sharing the Warmth”. During the months of October and November, 2025, the parishioners of St. Mark Parish are generously donating winter clothing for delivery to the Salvation Army. On October 9, Brother Paul Enticott made our first delivery, with all the generous donations made to date.. We know that there will be more to follow.
“Share the Warmth” winter clothing drive
Installation of Officers for the 2025 – 2026 Term
We welcome the new Executive for the 2025/2026 Term and thank all those who served for the 2024/2025 year. We are excited to welcome many new members onto the term this year and the fresh ideas and energy they can contribute.
Executive and Attendees at the 2025/2026 Installation of Officers, with our honored Knight of the Year, Larry Loth. (from left to right, back row) Patrick Drohan (DGK), Mike Szabo (DD), Fr. Roque Concepcion (Chaplain), Mike Serres (GK) (from left to right, front row) William Sawarna (HL), Jim Flanigan (FS), Paul Enticott (Recorder), Charles Palafox (Chancelor), Larry Loth (OG and Knight of the Year recipient)
Patrick Drohan and Larry Loth presented with Knight of the Year award. Mike Szabo (DD) and Fr. Roque Concepcion (Chaplain) in back. Larry was recognized for his outstanding service in fund raising and membership morale boosting, organizing a trivia “knight” for us and running the annual Poinsettia Sale during Christmas.
2024-2025 Activity
Pancake Supper – February 2025
The Knights of Columbus once again hosted the St. Marks Annual Pancake Supper for the lucky 100 or so people that bought tickets. Along with pancakes, we served delicious sausages and finished it all off with ice cream and cookies. The Knights also sold locally sourced maple syrup to enjoy at home!
Our many thanks to all those who helped and attended the function. We contributed the proceeds to the Church to help defray the costs of hospitality supplies, Food for Kids and the Foodbank of Waterloo Region.
Hello Nicholas
It was my pleasure to meet you today. Thank you so much to the Knights of Columbus for your generous donation.
86% of every dollar donated to Food4Kids Waterloo Region goes directly into the work we do – which is feeding hungry children in our community. We currently serve 1258 children in 116 Waterloo Region elementary schools each week. We provide food bags for them to take home each weekend and once summer comes, we’ll deliver larger food hampers directly to their homes. There are almost 300 children still on the wait list. Since we are not funded by the government, we rely fully on donations, just like this one.
We appreciate your support.
Take good care,
Carrie Gusé
Community Engagement Coordinator
Tel: (519) 576-3443, extension 2 Cell: (519) 500-5528 10 Washburn Drive, Unit 4 Kitchener, ON N2R 1S2
Thank you for your generous donation to Food4Kids Waterloo Region!
Your gift will make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable children living with chronic hunger in our community.
Because of donors like yourself, this allows our mission to become a reality for local children in need dealing with chronic hunger. You are helping to make our community a better place for everyone to be and for that, we are truly grateful.
On behalf of the children we support, thank you for your financial gift. With this, we will be able to provide nutritious food to children who have little to no food on weekends and school breaks.
Please find attached your official donation receipt for income tax purposes.
Together with you and our community, we fight hunger, feed hope, and build healthy futures for vulnerable children in our community.
With gratitude,
Faune Lang,
Executive Director
Potato Blitz – February 2025
Once again we gave the St. Mark’s Parishioners the opportunity to contribute potatoes for the House of Friendship and contribute they did. We collected over 500 lbs of potatoes for the House of Friendship. In the last six years we have collected over 2 tons of potatoes to help feed our neighbors in the Kitchener area. Great work!
Trivia K’Night
We had an awesome time hosted by Larry (Lawrence) and Ida (Banana Bandana) Loth at our Trivia “K’Night” on February 22 at St. Mark’s. Larry’s commentary follows:
Thanks again everyone for all Fun Knight of Trivia. It was an evening full of great snacks, laughter and Fellowship.
Congrats to Team No “H” Corny Buccaneers with Captain Al keeping things afloat on his team. Ahoy to all his mates!
Team Pirates with Captain MAAAARRRG and wee little mascot Colm made a Valliant effort in securing 3rd spot and no mutinee to worry about here as Captain MAAARRRGG runs a tight ship.
Lastly, The Rum Runners barrel ran dry as Captain Paul’s (Enticott) supply of answers came up short even though his crew of swash bucklers were leading the pack throughout the challenging Regatta.
Anchors away to Fr. Roque whom came up with the 3 Musketeers motto “All for one, One for All”. A wonderful way to say thank you to The Knights of Columbus and to what they represent here at St. Mark’s parish.
Finally, Larry and I, aka The Try-Becks, Mr. Lawrence Welk & Mrs. Bananas Bandana White, are grateful to you all and thankful to host this gathering of Trivia K”nights”!
Love ya all & God Bless
Larry & Ida
Basketball Free Throw Competition
The St. Marks Council once again held our Basketball Free Throw Competition (BBFT) where youth throughout the Kitchener, Waterloo and Elmira area demonstrate their awesome skills at the free throw, a critical part of the game where you line up your shot, shoot and hopefully, get a basket. This competition hosts both boys and girls from the age of 9 all the way up to 14 years old. We had about 60 participants at our district event on February 1st, 2025 at St. David’s High School.
On the 22nd of February we helped out with the Regional Event where we hosted youth from Burlington, Brampton and the winners of the District event as well.
Christmas Poinsettia sale
Larry Loth once again did an awesome job of organizing the Poinsettia sales for 2024. His excellent coordination and salesmanship resulted in a 100% sell-out. Donations will be allocated in the New Year.
Coat Drive
During the month of December St. Mark once again demonstrated their awesome generosity by donating numerous coats and other warm clothing to those most in need during this holiday season. The Salvation Army were grateful for the donations. In these difficult times for so many, the gift of warmth is always welcome. Thanks to Paul Enticott and his elves in getting these collected and down there over a couple of weeks.
Toy Drive
In cooperation with the Waterloo Knights and Kitchener Knights, we were able to collect toys for less fortunate children during the holiday season. Many thanks to all those who assisted and donated.
Christmas Food Distribution
The Knights of Columbus assisted the House of Friendship with Christmas Food Hamper distribution on December 17th.
40 Days of Life
In support of Life, the Knights attended the 40 days of Life vigil outside of Freeport Hospital in Kitchener.
Spaghetti Dinner
November 10, 2024
On a cool Sunday evening we had our annual Spaghetti Supper in support of children’s nutrition and various local charities. We are happy to report that over half the funds have been distributed to local charities to support children’s nutrition.
Bingo at Forest Heights Long Term Care
After a long hiatus we have re-started BINGO at Forest Heights Long Term Care. The first Monday of every month we run the BINGO and help the residents. Please coordinate with John Deneau. 10 members are required to help out.
Knights of Columbus Executive Installation
September, 2024
2023-2024 Activity
Brother Larry Loth organizes and runs the annual Poinsettia Sale program, with assistance from other members. In 2023, $175.00 was raised from the sale. Proceeds go to local charities.
FAITH ACTIVITIES
Novena to our Blessed Mother to end abortion – members were encouraged to participate in the Novena, starting January 16th, 2024 and lasting for for nine days.
Parish Faith activities – in 2023-2024, members of the council participate and support many of the Parish spiritual activities, including That Man is You, Lenten Stations of the Cross, the Alpha program, and more. As well, Knights are active in many ministries, including Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Readers, Choir members, ushers, and more.
Future faith programs include a Knights retreat, family prayer night, rosary night and more. Please watch for updates when dates are scheduled.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Christmas Hampers – on December 15, 2023, the Council worked with the Parish and with the House of Friendship to distribute turkey, ham, chicken and food vouchers to needy families from Waterloo region. During the day, dozens of items were distributed. The House of Friendship expressed their thanks for the generosity of the Parish and the Knights of Columbus council.
Other Family Activities – future plans include a family prayer night and a family movie night. If you are interested in helping organize these events, please contact our Grand Knight.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Winter clothing drive – St. Mark council organizes the annual winter clothing drive in the Parish. Each November and December, parishioners donate winter clothing which is then passed on to the Salvation Army. In 2023, over nine large bags of clothing were donated from St. Mark Parish.
The Parish received a letter of thanks from the Salvation Army.
Re: Share the Warmth 2023
Dear St. Mark’s Catholic Church parishioners,
In the weeks following Christmas, we have been able to take the opportunity to reflect on all of the people who partnered with the Salvation Army’s 2023 Share the Warmth Campaign. You have been among that cherished number who, due to your generosity, allowed us to provide winter wear to struggling families this year. In fact, it is due to the generous support of people like yourself that we were able to provide for more that 750 individuals in the Kitchener Waterloo Area.
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to you, as your donation allowed us to continue to show up and meet the needs of those who need it most in our community.
May the blessing you shared return to you tenfold in this coming year.
With many thanks,
Sandra Aszmies Director, Family Care Centre The Salvation Army
The Council runs an annual Spaghetti Dinner in the autumn. It is always well supported, with proceeds to local charities.
Toy drive – in December, our council supports the Knights of Columbus Waterloo Region toy drive. During three weeks in December, 2023 dozens of toys were donated by the parishioners of St. Mark. A wonderful response!
Spaghetti dinner – another sell out! A great time was had by all at our annual Spaghetti Dinner, held in November 2023. Over 150 attended this event, and the Knights received great feedback from the Parish! $1,000.00 was donated to Food4Kids, from the proceeds of the dinner. Looking forward to the 2024 event!
Basketball Freethrow – Each year, the Council organizes the Basketball Freethrow Championship, involving students from Catholic schools throughout Waterloo region. This year, the council and district event was held on Saturday, February 10th and the regional event was held on Saturday February 24th. Both events were held at St. David’s High School in Waterloo.
On February 24, 2024, Council 9276 helped organize the 2024 Basketball Freethrow event at St. David’s High School in Waterloo. A great family event, with participants from as far away as Burlington and Hamilton.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake and Sausage Supper – was held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. A great success! Over 100 attended, and over $1,000.00 was raised for charity. Proceeds will go to the Waterloo Region Food Bank and Food4Kids. Thank you for your support!
Potato blitz – each year, the Council calls on parishioners to donate a bag of potatoes, which are then donated to the Food Bank. In 2024, nearly 500 pounds of potatoes were donated! Thanks to the generous parishioners of St. Mark.
Bingo at Forest Heights Long Term Care – After a three years absence due to the pandemic, BINGO has returned to Forest Heights Long Term Care Facility on Westheights Drive, being held the first Monday of each month. The great residents of Forest Heights Long Term Care Facility are, once again, coming out to enjoy the fun and challenges of Bingo in their own facility. Several members of St. Mark Parish Knights of Columbus are assisting the folks with this fun game and giving of their time to many older folks, who, ordinarily could not leave the building for such events. As members of the Knights, we are very happy to spend an evening with our fellow citizens who enjoy this change of activities in their lifestyle.
Council members running the Bingo at Forest Heights Long Term Care, April 1, 2024.
2024 Altar Servers Day – Here are pictures of Ernie Miller, Tim and Mike Serres at the 2024 Altar Servers’ Award Day hosted by the Holy Family Croatian Roman Catholic Parish. 47 Altar Servers attended and were very appreciative of the hot dogs, chips and drinks provided by the Kitchener Knights of Columbus council. Tim from Kitchener Council 1504 brought all the food and equipment, Ernie Miller and Mike Serres helped out with setup, cooking the hot dogs and stuffing the buns. A great day!
LIFE PROGRAMS
Rose Sunday – September, 2023 and May, 2024. Watch for updates for the spring date. Novena to our Blessed Mother to end abortion – from January 16th, 2024 for nine days. Rosary for Life – to be scheduled in 2024.
Interested in participating in the Council programs, or have an idea for a program? Please plan to attend a Council meeting, or contact us.
St. Mark Council 9276 