About Council #9053
Knights of Columbus: A Legacy of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity Since 1882
Thanks to the efforts of venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
From his own experience, McGivney recognized the devastating effect on immigrant families of the premature death of the father and wage earner. Many Catholics were still struggling to assimilate into the American economy so he, with a small group of parishioners, as a mutual aid society, began to provide financial assistance in the event of the men’s deaths to their widows and orphans. The organization developed as a fraternal society. McGivney was also known for his tireless work among his parishioners.
The Knights of Columbus was among the first groups to recruit blood donors, with formal efforts dating to 1937 during the Great Depression.
Officers and Directors
SK John Sharkey
Grand Knight
2025-2026
| OCEAN CITY COUNCIL #9053 | 2026-2027 OFFICERS |
|---|---|
| Chaplain, Father and SK Lance Martin | 410-289-0652 |
| Grand Knight, SK John Sharkey | 610-329-5651 |
| Deputy Grand Knight, SK Chris Bean | 301-440-0865 |
| Chancellor, Frank Gatley | 410-629-9860 |
| Warden, SK John Liddi | 301-807-5096 |
| Recorder, SK Dave Herlihy | 410-292-7845 |
| Financial Secretary, SK Dale Shepard | 952-807-3239 |
| Treasurer, SK Thomas Foglesong | 240-353-0681 |
| Lecturer, David Dancer | 240-506-7857 |
| Advocate, SK Bill Van Horn | 301-461-3660 |
| Inside Guard, SK Richard Thomas | 610-304-9773 |
| Outside Guard, SK Richard Fox | 443-966-2200 |
| TRUSTEES | |
| 3 Yr. Jim Stone, PGK / PFN | 302-436-2623 |
| 2 Yr. SK Ken Hidenfelter, PGK | 410-703-2623 |
| 1 Yr. SK Joe Kostelac, PGK / PFN | 410-726-2126 |
| CONVENTION DELEGATES | |
| SK John Sharkey, GK | 610-329-5651 |
| SK Kenneth Hidenfelter, PGK | 410-703-2623 |
| Alt. Delegate, SK Wayne Straight, PGK, PFN | 302-988-1863 |
| Alt. Delegate, SK Tom Herwig, PGK,PFN | 410-960-9019 |
| Exemplification Team Captain | |
| SK Chris Bean,DGK | 301-440-0865 |
| CHAIRMEN/DIRECTORS/MANAGERS | |
|---|---|
| Bar Manager, SK Richard Thomas | 610-304-9773 |
| Bingo, SK Thomas Anderson | 410-641-5752 |
| Charity Committee Chairman, SK Joe Kostelac | 410-250-5665 |
| Faith Director, SK Steve Mastbrook | 302-604-2694 |
| Community Director, SK Thomas Herwig | 410-960-9019 |
| Computer Specialist, John Rubino | 301-938-9239 |
| Family Director, SK John Sharkey | 610-329-5651 |
| Hall Rental Manager, SK Richard Thomas | 610-304-9773 |
| Kitchen Manager, SK Kevin Hughes | 410-726-8946 |
| Knight Times Editor, SK Thomas Foglesong | 240-353-0681 |
| Membership Director, Jack Kelly | 410-258-5663 |
| Life Director, SK Kevin Hughes | 410-726-8956 |
| Program Director, SK Chris Bean | 301-440-0865 |
| Public Relations, SK Thomas Foglesong | 240-353-0681 |
| Retention Director, Burke Pieper | 410-804-3444 |
| Sick and Distressed, Chuck Lutz | 410-208-3065 |
| Ways & Means Chair, SK Thomas Foglesong | 240-353-0681 |
| Youth Director, SK Eddie Mardaga | 443-220-5286 |
| Youth Director, SK John Sharkey | 610-329-5651 |
Welcome from the Grand Knight...
Weekly Update from the Grand Knight
24 August 2026
GRAND KNIGHT WEEKLY REPORT
Worthy Brothers, Ladies and friends, good Sunday evening wishes to each of you.
Let us continue to Pray for all on our Prayer List, and those Brothers, Ladies Auxiliary members and any family member who need our Prayers. Also pray for any Deceased Brothers, and Ladies Auxiliary members and their Families.
Also please continue to Pray for the people in this country who need to come back to GOD, and who need our help.
** Gerry Truman: On Monday August 17th we lost one of our Brother Knights. Gerry Truman died from a Heart Attack. I can say that we were all shocked about what happened to Gerry. I worked with him 36 hours earlier at St. Andrew where Gerry was an Usher, as well as helping me with last week’s Tootsie Roll Drive. I still can’t believe it. I know we all will die, but it still catches you off guard. I guess we don’t expect it to happen. Gerry was a Great member of 9053. You turn around at a function, and Gerry was there, either working it or attending it. We will all MISS!!! him. Gerry’s Mass was held on Thursday, August 20 at St. Luke Church. Father Ravi, who is chaplain of our 4th Degree Assembly Celebrated Gerry’s Life. St Luke was packed with Family, Friends, and Knights. It was as Big of a turnout for a funeral Mass that I have ever seen. You could see how Loved Gerry was. Thanks Gerry for making 9053 a better place.
** Other events from the Past Week
**Seafood Night Number 7 Tuesday August 18th: Kevin, John, Chuck, Kellan, and the Kitchen crew did another excellent job. We had another huge crowd, 131 served. That was a great thing. Revenue was $ 2,170.75 Cost of goods $756.36 profit was $1,261.42. We sold 6 1/2 dozen crabs this week. Even the Bar made $311.00. 2 more Seafood Nights. Thanks to Rich Thomas and Seafood Team 1. Team 2 is on deck. Great job everyone.
** Bingo Friday August 21st: Nice crowd of 91 people, with revenue of $2,477.00. Thanks to Team 3
** Tootsie Roll Drive: St Luke/St. Andrew held their Second Tootsie Roll Drive last weekend. $1,589.86 was raised benefitting WCDC. But the BIG news. There were a couple of news items from last week: 1) Tootsie Rolls actually showed up at Columbus Hall. That means we will have actual KofC Tootsie Rolls for our last Drives at St.Mary Star of The Sea/Holy Savior Churches the weekends of September 12-13, and October 24-25. The 2nd news item was that we had staff and clients from WCDC helping us… it was really cool. Don’t forget we will need help for the scheduled masses at Holy Savior and St. Mary Star of the Sea.
Special Note from the Web and Seafood Night Crew:
On the Council’s web-site, www.koc9053.com, there is a new link posted which gets you to the menu of the council’s seafood night. This site can also be used to pre-order crabs… to eat at Columbus Hall or to Take Home. This link is:
https://koc9053-seafoodnights.square.site/
This is pretty cool as well… remember you always have to pre-order crabs… and you can still do that over the phone… BUT, if you navigate to the site, you can order and enter your credit card info right on-line… and no call is required.
Welcome to the 21st century… ha ha… By the way, visiting the web-site could be a great source of information you are seeking… calendar, contact information, events, etc. Give it a try.
——————————
** This coming Week’s Events
** Tuesday August 25th: Seafood Night number 8 Hosted by Seafood Team 2 from 430PM TO 630PM. Let’s have another Great turnout. Come out and support the council. See above if you wish to order Crabs. If you haven’t come to a Seafood night, you only have 2 more times this year. Before you know it they’ll be over.
** Rosary: Thursday August 27th from 10am to 11am. Come and Pray the Rosary and Honor our Glorious Blessed Mother and her Son Jesus.
** Bingo: Friday August 28th. Doors open at 430pm. It’s a great way to spend a Friday night. Team 4 is on Duty. Tom Anderson can always use help.
**Upcoming Events, just beyond next week:
** Seafood Night Number 9 on Tuesday September 1st. Team 3 will work the season finale.
** Monthly Business Meeting Wednesday September 2nd. Officer Meeting 545pm, Business Meeting at 630pm.
** Assembly Meeting on Thursday September 10th Officer Meeting at 6pm, Business Meeting at 630pm.
Remember that we should be Kind and Loving to Everyone, Everyday. Peace be with you!
Have a Great Week!
God Bless You All
United in Service
Vivat Jesus
GK John
Events for August 2026
Communications
The council meeting minutes are not available for viewing on our website at this time.
The Knight Times is not available for viewing on our website at this time.
◊ Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
● If 3 or more players would like to sit to gather come early
◊ Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.
●Cost to Play $25.00, one card for every game
●Additional games are $1.00 per card 6 cards for $5.00
●There are 26 games
●The $1000 Jackpot is the last game
◊ There are pull-tab games from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at $1 per card
◊ There are 50/50 games from 4:30 p.m. through half-time
◊Prizes are based on:
●Numbers of Players
●Some on sales, some on ball count
●Average prizes each night are over $2000
◊ Food offered/available before and at half-time
◊Bingo night ends about 9:30 p.m.
Upcoming Events
Discover what’s happening in our community! Explore our Events page to discover more upcoming gatherings.
Next Council Meeting
Wednesday September 2, 2026 - 6:30 p.m.
The next council meeting will take place at the Knights of Columbus, Ocean City Hall:
9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Members are encouraged to attend and participate. The agenda and related documents will be available for review via email and the meeting minutes will be available on our website.
Contact Us
We appreciate your interest in our organization and look forward to hearing from you. Please use the form below to get in touch with us.
Additional Contact Information
If you prefer to contact us directly, you can reach us through the following means:
Location
9901 Coastal Hwy
Ocean City, MD, 21842
Phone
(410) 524-7994
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Knights of Columbus: Empowering Catholic Men to Lead, Serve, and Make a Difference
The Knights of Columbus welcomes men from diverse backgrounds, celebrating role models who embody leadership and service. Our organization fosters a commitment to protecting and defending communities in today’s world. Together, we’re empowering Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work and in their community. Join us today and become part of a brotherhood dedicated to making a positive difference in the world!
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