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 2025-2026 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, Chuck Lutz 410-208-3065
Warden, SK Wayne Straight 302-988-1683
Recorder, SK Robert "Boh" Skalstad 407-221-4261
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. SK Ken Hidenfelter 410-703-2623
2 Yr. SK Tom Herwig 410-960-9019
1 Yr. SK Ron Peters 410-251-7716
CONVENTION DELEGATES
SK Kenneth Hidenfelter, PGK 410-703-2623
SK John Sharkey, GK 610-329-5651
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, John-Paolo Celozzi 443-859-7666
Public Relations, SK Thomas Foglesong 240-353-0681
Retention Director, Jack Kelly 410-258-5663
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

20 April 2026

                     

GRAND KNIGHT WEEKLY REPORT

Worthy Brothers, 

Let us continue to Pray for our Brothers, Ladies Auxiliary members and any family members who need our Prayers. Also pray for any Deceased Brothers, and Ladies Auxiliary members and their Families. Let us continue to Pray for Father Ravi Kumar Voliganti and his Family, Anne Foglesong, Judy Kostelac, Brother Joe Kostelac, Brother John Rubino, Nancy Briggs, Brother Ron Briggs, Jane Bartolomeo, Betty Ann Peters, Brother Tom Pergola, Brother Tom Irwin, Brother Chuck Burnett, Brother Herb Simon, Regina Simon, Jimmy Almater, Jim Holdridge, Jack Wink, as well as any Brother Knights or their family members that you know of who can use our Prayers.
Sir Michael Carozza: We lost a Great Man this past week. Sir Mike Carozza passed away on April 13th. A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life for Sir Mike will be Friday morning May 1st at St. Luke Church. There will be an 11:00am Mass followed by the Celebration of life at Columbus Hall. Please pray for the repose of Michael’s soul and for Peace for Mary Lou and the family.
Speaking Of Sir Mike, Here is a little history from some of the Elders. Sir Mike was a 2 time Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, District Deputy, Trustee, and supporter of all Council and Assembly Functions. Mike was always there, and he will be sorely missed by all Brother Knights. I myself didn’t have as much time with Mike as some longer tenured Knights, but I feel we developed a Good relationship. Rest in Peace Sir Mike.
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**Father Ravi, Our Associate Pastor at St Luke returned from India mid-week. If and when you see him, please shake his hand and welcome him home. Please continue to Pray for Father Ravi and his family.
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**Important Stuff
**Maryland State Picnic: We are now less than one month away to sign-up for the Maryland State Council Knights of Columbus Family Picnic which will be held at Seneca Creek State Park on Saturday, May 16. If interested in going contact me (610-329-5651)
 
For Council 9053 and the Columbus Corp, we are in need of men to sign up for two important roles – if you are interested in filling either of the following two positions, please contact Tom Foglesong and he will get you in touch with the right person:
  1. For the Columbus Corp, we are in need of a Secretary for the business meetings and correspondence
  2. For the Columbus Corp, I believe we are still short ONE DIRECTOR… If you happen to have experience in building management, or property management, you would be great.  If you have an interest in helping us manage our Columbus Hall and keep it ship-shape for our rentals… please let Tom know.
  3. For Council 9053, we are seeking a Webmaster – knowledgeable of Word Press – to take over website duties. 
  4. For Council 9053, we are short two officers for the Fraternal Year 2026-2027:
    1.  Warden
    2. Chancellor
** Nominating of Officers: Great News Most of our present Officer Corp will be returning for the 2026/2027 Fraternal year. We will however need to fill The First year and Third year Trustee positions, which Jim Stone, and Joe Kostelac were nominated and accepted. Thank You Jim and Joe. We also need volunteers for the Warden and Chancellor Positions. We had our first reading at this week’s Monthly Business Meeting. If you are considering stepping up and being an Officer in our great Organization please contact Me at 610-329-5651, Charles Bean 301-440-5007, or Tom Foglesong 240-353-0681. 
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** This Past Week’s Events: 

** Charity Committee Meeting was held on Tuesday April 14th. The Charity Team made decisions on where our Money will go.

** Bingo on Friday April 17th. There were 63 Players with a Revenue of $1,429.00.00. Thanks to Team 1.  Tom Anderson can always use help on Friday Nights.

** Food Drive at St. Luke was held over the Weekend of April 18,19. Ceil and Rich Fox led the Food Drive. We did not have the food donations we had last November, But the money and gift donations exceeded them. Food and some cash donations ($662.00) will be given to The Joseph House in Salisbury,  Gift card donations and cash ($1,581.00) will be given to The St. Vincent DePaul Society. Thanks to Father Jennings for letting us use the Crying Room at St. Luke. And a Big Thank you to Ceil and Rich for running the Drive, and additional Thanks to everyone who came up to help at St.Luke.
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 **Upcoming Week’s Schedule:
** Community Supper: Tuesday April 21st  from 430pm to 630pm a Community Supper will be held at Columbus Hall. It will be a Pot Roast Dinner, and Seafood options. Price $15.00 Volunteers will be needed to help out.  Be on the lookout for the message from Tom F. seeking volunteers – mark your calendar.
Menu
Pot Roast with Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Roll and Butter 
Assorted Desserts
 
Seafood Option
Fried Shrimp
Fried Oysters
Fried Cod Fish Filets
** Holy Rosary: Thursday April 23rd from 10-1100 am. Come out Pray the Rosary to Our Blessed Mother and Her Son. 
 
** Springfest April 23-26 at the Ocean City Inlet. Not a Knights Function, But just thought you might be interested. Food, Music, and Fun. Take the Bus!!!
 
** Bingo Friday April 24th. Team 2 will be on duty. Come out and spend the evening with family and friends. Doors open at 430pm
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**Upcoming Events:
 
** April 27th Blood Drive at Columbus Hall All Day
 
** April 28th Ways and Means Meeting via Zoom at 10am
 
** Wednesday, April 29th, a Ladies’ Bingo Benefitting Joseph House to be held at St Andrew Hall 10am to 3 pm. We will need help with both Players and during the Bingo festivities.
 
** May Crowning Of Mary Monday May 18th at Noon at Columbus Hall: Come out and celebrate with everyone Our Blessed Mother.
 
Let’s work to continue to build our Council, using recent years as a foundation. We need some new ideas on how to raise money for people and Organizations in need. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please bring them to our next meeting or call me (610-329-5651)  or email me, DGK Chris Bean (301-440-0865), and Tom Foglesong (240-353-0681).
 
Remember that we should be Kind and Loving to Everyone, Everyday. Peace be with you!
 
Have a Great Week
God Bless You All
 
Vivat Jesus
GK John
 
Lord, What are We going to do Today
Knight’s Motto: Make a Difference in Someone’s Life
 
 

Events for April 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. 

Friday Night Bingo

◊ 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.

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Next Council Meeting
Wednesday May 6, 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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