Special Olympics 2006

Special Olympics is a year-round sports organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. With more than 170 million worldwide (approximately 7 million in the United States), people with intellectual disabilities make up the largest disability population in the world. Intellectual disability crosses the lines of racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic backgrounds, and can occur in any family. Currently, Special Olympics is nearly 2 million athletes strong in more than 150 nations around the world. -- Special Olympics web site

The Knights of Columbus also “crosses the lines of racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic background” in doing what we can to support those in need in our world. In 2005, the Knights contributed almost 3 million dollars to the Special Olympics and over 11 million dollars to people with intellectual disabilities.

The Father Bill Johnson Council takes great pride in sponsoring the District Olympics held in Granville Ohio each year. Some of our brothers have been involved with this event for more than 25 years.

The pictures shown here were taken at Ohio State Summer games for which the Councils of Ohio District 29 pooled their resources and sponsored some of the athletes.

Monument Dedication and Lighting of the Mary Statue
July 2, 2003

The statue of Mary and new Monument to the unborn child The Knights of Columbus, purchased a monument to be placed in front of the Mary statue. The monument commemorates unborn children of the world. They have also placed a light in front of the statue, so that Mary and the monument can be seen at night.

Monument This monument in front of the statue of Mary is for the unborn children of the world.

Honor Guard leads the procession The commemoration service began with a procession of parishioners led by the 4th Degree Honor Guard.

Dedication Fr. Dave dedicates the monument with a prayer.

Ceremony Participants Pictured left to right: George Walrath, Steve DeMers, Richard Reed, Sr. Barbara Catalano, Bill McWilliams, Fr. Dave Orians, Fr. Dean Mathewson, Jim Guinta, Bob Hayman, John Mazzone and Jim Grady.

Honor Guard and Grand Knights Pictured left to right: Brother Grady, Brother DeMers, Brother Reed, Past Grand Knight Guinta, Grand Knight McWilliams, Brother Hayman, Brother Mazzone, and Brother Walrath.

New Light The Knights of Columbus, have installed a new light to shine on Mary and the monument during the night.

The statue at night The statue of Mary and monument to the unborn are illuminated to remind us to pray to stop abortion.