On Sunday evening, the Alleghany Highlands Council 8689 Knights of Columbus hosted area high school graduates from the Class of 2016 for their 32nd Graduation Dinner in the parish hall of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, White Sulphur Springs.
During the business meeting proceeding the dinner, the Knights were informed the Alleghany Highlands Council had won first place in two of the eight state awards programs. The Family Program of the Year award and the Culture of Life Award were presented at the annual state convention of the WV Knights of Columbus held in Wheeling. Mike Williams, financial secretary, served as the delegate to that convention which was also attended by Monsignor Jeremiah McSweeney, former pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Ronceverte, who is retiring from the active priesthood in June. Fathers McSweeney and the late Michael O’Reilly who was at St. Charles Borromeo were the founding priests for the Alleghany Highlands Council.
The council also elected officers for the coming year with Perk Berry of White Sulphur Springs, grand knight; Tom Soper of Ronceverte, deputy grand knight; Thomas Given of White Sulphur Springs, chancellor; Lonnie Withrow, Lewisburg, treasurer; Dr. Craig Bromley of Maxwelton, advocate; Russell Burwell, Springdale, warden; Bruce Neville, White Sulphur Springs, inside guard; Timothy Bowling, White Sulphur Springs, outside guard; and trustees Dr. Lawrence Mussleman, Renick; Clifford Burdette, Maxwelton; and Paul Ciciora of Lewisburg.
Reports were given at the meeting on the plans for the recitation of the Rosary at the seven area Catholic cemeteries on Sunday and Monday, May 29-30; on the business at the state convention; report on the icon of the Holy Family which was circulated to nine area Catholic churches for Masses during May by the Council and possible fund raising activities to help defray the cost of replacing the roof on the parish hall at St. Charles Borromeo.
Chartered in May, 1984, the Alleghany Highlands Council is comprised of members from Alleghany, Bath counties, VA and Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas, and eastern Fayette counties WV and meets twice a month with the Fourth Sunday Social held with the auxiliary and families nearly every month.
For more information on the Alleghany Highlands Council, telephone 304-645-1373.