By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 9/16/04)

When one parish is made up of three separate communities that celebrate Masses in three different locations, how do you unite them and make them feel like one parish?

For Father Joseph Biniek, the solution came in the form of the Knights of Columbus.

St. Stephen the Martyr Council No. 13468 was formed this year to unite the South Riding, Haymarket and Middleburg communities.

"We needed more opportunities for Catholics to interact with each other," Father Biniek said.

James Green, council chancellor, described the Knights as the glue of the parish. "The Knights help pull together and support three separate faith communities so they all work together," he said.

The first Knights council meeting was held in March with 30 charter members. By their most recent meeting, they had grown to nearly 50 men.

The group is a fairly young group. Green estimated the average age is about 35, most of them with young families.

The Knights are working to involve parish families in their activities. At their May meeting, families of the Knights were encouraged to attend to suggest programs and set goals to better help Catholic families.

"They’re an outstanding group of men, just a very inspiring group," Father Biniek said. When a child in the parish became very ill this year, the Knights made themselves available to help.

"Whenever we need something done, they’re there to do it," Father Biniek said.

Coffee and donuts have brought the entire parish together because "people hang around after Mass," Father Biniek said. It has also increased the visibility of the Knights at the parish level.

The Knights are also creating a presence in the larger community. Through one of their first projects, KOVAR (Knights of Virginia Assisting the Retarded), the Knights sold Tootsie Rolls outside local businesses. They hope to join in the Adopt-a-highway program.

Now that their goals are evolving and they are looking forward to providing more services for the Church and their community, fundraising is becoming more of a necessity.

In the months leading up to the Christmas season, they plan to sell "Keep Christ in Christmas" cards.

Green said that proceeds from their fundraising will help them in future outreach efforts; parish and family events; "Anything where we can achieve the original goal of bringing the parish together."

In the Diocese of Arlington, there are more than 50 councils of the Knights of Columbus.

For more information on the Knights of Columbus go to www.kofc.org, or for the St. Stephen the Martyr Council go to www.Kofc-13468.org or call 540/687-6433.