Author: Greg Searle

Squires’ Impact is Felt

“From a mustard seed…”  Our Squires were years in formation.  A lot of work went into it and they are now in their second year.  Do you know all of their stories of success and contribution to the St. Thomas More Church community?  Did you know that their efforts continue to generate good outside of […]

“From a mustard seed…”  Our Squires were years in formation.  A lot of work went into it and they are now in their second year.  Do you know all of their stories of success and contribution to the St. Thomas More Church community?  Did you know that their efforts continue to generate good outside of our parish community?

Their efforts to raise money last year for the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA, is just one story, but it is a gangbuster.  One squire, Garcian D’Cruz  was inspired by what he saw and heard that he came home and led the Squires through a project that brought recognition not only to them, but also greatly benefited the memorial and Chapel Hill High School.

Today, Garcian’s Honors English teacher, Tom Stanfa, was selected as the Feb 2, 2012, Hometown Hero and winner of the Village Pride award.  Mr. Stanfa was also just selected Veterans of Foreign Wars, North Carolina Department, Teacher of the Year (grades 9-12).  All this was the result of a squire trying to make a difference in our community.  A squire on a quest, seeking Knighting.  Read story

We never know where the paths we chose will lead us, but the path we took to support a Chapel Hill Squires Circle was one of our best decisions.  Thank you Jim Orbich, Ron Patterson, Drew Melvin, Jerry Pilarski, Dario Sena, Gil Montoya, John Felten, and others for nurturing these young men and future Knights of Columbus.

Free Throw Competition Set for Feb 11th

David Peters, council Free Throw Competition Chairman announced today that he has scheduled the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest at St. Thomas More Church for Saturday, February 11th at 9:00 a.m. It will be held in the School Gym. This is open to not only St. Thomas More School students, but all students within […]

David Peters, council Free Throw Competition Chairman announced today that he has scheduled the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest at St. Thomas More Church for Saturday, February 11th at 9:00 a.m. It will be held in the School Gym.


This is open to not only St. Thomas More School students, but all students within the area.  This program was started by the Knights of Columbus in 1972 and has served our youth for forty years.  Many parents were themselves in the contest early in their life.  The contest is open to all boys and girls ages 10 to 14.


To view a short video of Bishop Barres discussing the virtues of both the Free Throw Championship and the Soccer Challenge, click here.


For member knights, we ask that you share this information with your friends and family.  The more students that participate makes for a more exciting event for all.  Winners in each age group go on to district and state competition.  


Volunteers are needed to help with score-keeping and running the event in general.  David states that he  could use up to 10 helpers.  If people could please contact David for more details or to volunteer, email David.  


Drew Melvin – Irene Brriggaman Lifetime Achievement Award

Where there is work to be done, Drew is first to help! A message to all parishioners from Fr. Scott: Please join me in congratulating long time parishioner Drew Melvin who recently was selected to receive the Irene Briggaman Lifetime Achievement Award. This special award for service, named in honor of its first recipient, is presented to individuals who have demonstrated […]

Where there is work to be done, Drew is first to help!
A message to all parishioners from Fr. Scott:

Please join me in congratulating long time parishioner Drew Melvin who recently was selected to receive the Irene Briggaman Lifetime Achievement Award. This special award for service, named in honor of its first recipient, is presented to individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime of exceptional public service and volunteerism in the greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro community in multiple capacities with different organizations. This special honor is awarded when a nominee’s consistent volunteerism and service have made a profound impact on our community over the long term. Drew is very deserving of this award for his life time of selfless service to our local community. St. Thomas More has greatly benefited from Drew’s service and example and it brings great joy to us that he was chosen for this award. Drew will receive the award on December 13th during a 6:30 PM ceremony at University Mall.

Be sure to join him at University Mall (at the stage near Dilliard’s) on Tuesday, December 13th for the award ceremony.  It starts at 6:30 p.m.  There are other awards and the ceremony will last until about 8 p.m.  Come early, stay late. 

Council Gathers for Christmas Dinner – Dec 3rd

Our council along with the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) is hosting a family Thanksgiving/Christmas party on Saturday, December 3 at 6 PM.  It will be in the old gym in the lower school.   Turkey, ham, salmon and non-alcoholic beverage will be provided.  People are welcome to bring beer or wine if they like. […]

Our council along with the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) is hosting a family Thanksgiving/Christmas party on Saturday, December 3 at 6 PM.  It will be in the old gym in the lower school.  


Turkey, ham, salmon and non-alcoholic beverage will be provided.  People are welcome to bring beer or wine if they like.  We are asking each family to bring a salad, side or dessert.  There will be no other charge.  

Chapel Hill Columbian Squires – A Quest completed at Bedford, VA

And now the Squires’ journey begins… It’s June 6th and the 67th anniversary of D-Day. The sun is coming up and it is 6 a.m.  Squires have been up for awhile and they are eagerly heading for St. Thomas More Church  to join other squires.    A steady stream of cars carrying veterans, seven students, counselors […]

And now the Squires’ journey begins…
It’s June 6th and the 67th anniversary of D-Day. The sun is coming up and it is 6 a.m.  Squires have been up for awhile and they are eagerly heading for St. Thomas More Church  to join other squires.   
A steady stream of cars carrying veterans, seven students, counselors and teachers from Chapel Hill and Carrboro started loading and departing town.  They have started their three-hour journey to Bedford, Virginia, and a veterans memorial nestled on a hillside.
Included in the travelers are local World War II veterans Jerry Pilarski, 82nd Airborne, Gene Drogos, U.S. Navy air crewman, and Louise Drogos, U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.
They were about to join others from many neighboring states heading to the National D-Day Memorial and the home of the Bedford Boys. 
Their mission is to deliver $1,500 raised by the youth of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. These kids were inspired by one of their members who had visited the memorial on an earlier Chapel Hill High School field trip. Garcian D’Cruz, a 10th grade student, was moved by the memorial and the World War II veterans he met. He was also saddened when he learned of their financial plight. He told his story to other members of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle 5485 of the Columbian Squires.
The kids decided to honor all veterans by raising money for the memorial. They purchased potted plants for resale to members of their church and used money from their other projects. Others donated cash. They raised $1,500.
The National D-Day Memorial Foundation was moved by the Squires’ generosity and patriotism and invited them to participate in the 10th Anniversary ceremony for the memorial. Garcian and Mr. Tom Stanfa, Chapel Hill High School 10th grade teacher, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with D-Day survivors, a congressman, civic leaders and a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient “Woody” Williams, as special guests and speakers.
Garcian told his story to a crowd of over a thousand participants and spectators.  It was a story of local kids making a difference and their efforts to help keep the memorial funded.  Their mission was to help preserve the World War II veterans’ legacy by “keeping their legacy living.”  His remarks moved the audience. His speech served as the inspiring lead-in to a request for audience participation with a donation.  Watch, listen, and be proud.
The National D-Day Memorial is ten years old and was dedicated by then President George W. Bush. It has been hit hard by our current economic situation and is fighting to raise money to keep its doors open.
The last surviving member of the Bedford Boys died in 2009 at the age of 94.  He was Ray Nance. 
Photos by Lee Heavlin

An Awesome Day for the Squires

The Squires, members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle 5485, produced some awesome results this weekend with the fundraiser for the Memorial.  They started with 160 plants.  The goal was to sell 200, but only 160 would fit in Jim Orbich’s truck when the plants were purchased.  By the end of the 9:15 Mass, only 10 plants were left as […]

The Squires, members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle 5485, produced some awesome results this weekend with the fundraiser for the Memorial.  They started with 160 plants.  The goal was to sell 200, but only 160 would fit in Jim Orbich’s truck when the plants were purchased.  By the end of the 9:15 Mass, only 10 plants were left as all of the others were sold.


Plant sales produced $800.00 minus the $340.00 which was the wholesale price paid to purchase the plants.  $460.00 profit from the plant sales. An additional $375.25 was raised from parish donations the Squire’s National D-Day Memorial fundraiser.  The council also contributed an additional $100.
  
The project goal is $2,000 and they are well on their way to making it before D-Day commemoration ceremonies in Bedford, VA.


A huge thanks goes to Tom Stanfa, a Chapel Hill High School teacher.  He was on hand all morning showing a video of the Memorial and the D-Day landing site that he produced along with students from his school as part of at special project they are working on.


June 6th will be here before we know it so make plans to attend the ceremony.  We will have a Squires meeting on Sunday, May 22nd to finalize the trip and work through the final details.  Watch for the meeting time here.


Thanks for all of your hard work!

Squires Raise Money for National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA

Dario Sena with squires Nick Clemmons and Garcian D’Cruz are working on a Squires project to raise funds for the National D-Day Memorial located 120 miles north of Chapel Hill. The squires are going to raise money by selling plants after each mass the weekend of 14-15 May.  They will also work with the Knights […]

Dario Sena with squires

Nick Clemmons and Garcian D’Cruz are working on a Squires project to raise funds for the National D-Day Memorial located 120 miles north of Chapel Hill.

The squires are going to raise money by selling plants after each mass the weekend of 14-15 May.  They will also work with the Knights to collect donations after the  masses, too.

Did you know that St. Thomas More Church members generously donated about $4,900 on Veterans Day last year for active duty amputees who were hospitalized over the Christmas holiday period?  The squires are hoping that this project will draw similar support.

The plan is to travel to the memorial and participate as invited guests on the June 6th commemoration ceremonies.  Their presentation will be during the ceremony.

When Squire Garcian was asked, “Why?”, he told a story of a recent visit and seeing that it needed help financially.  D-Day also just happens to be remembered on its anniversary, June 6th, which is also his birthday.  Garcian said, “They are having a tough time raising funds.  The soldiers died for us on that day.  Without that day (Operation Overlord and invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944), we would be speaking a different language today.”

Garcian may be right.  Many of today’s citizens cannot comprehend what went on during their grandfather’s or even great-grandfather’s time.  Our country mobilized for war and many never returned home. That is why this memorial is in Bedford, Virginia.  Bedford lost two thirds of the men it sent to war.  The museum is now struggling to survive.  It’s location near Lynchburg, VA, puts it off the main tourist paths.  If you have not visited it, it is a good day trip for the family.  Maybe your and your children will be moved as much as Gracian.  Learn more about the National D-Day Memorial

Our squires are an exciting and energetic group.  They have become a vital part of our local council by helping  the Knights at special events and with the Pancake Breakfast.  They are trained to cook and serve food, but, more importantly, they are learning responsibility and gain a spirit of giving back to the community.  And, as seen by this current project, their reach is not limited to Chapel Hill.

The squires are also looking to connect with any parishioner who has served during World War II.  Efforts are now underway to reach out to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion members who served during World War II.  There are quite a  few of them right here in Chapel Hill.  Within the Knights we are honored to have Jerry Pilarski and Gene Drogos, among others.

Want to make a donation to this project?  Contact the Squires.

The Squires are a religious youth group of catholic young men and can be compared to the Boy Scouts.  They are self-governing circle and are guided by counselors from the local Knights of Columbus Council, 10910.

Exploring the Catholic Daughters of America

The ladies at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church are exploring the possibility of starting a Catholic Daughters Court and wish to invite all Catholic women 18 years and older to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 PM in room 108 (new hall).   Founded in 1903 by the Knights of Columbus, […]

The ladies at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church are exploring the possibility of starting a Catholic Daughters Court and wish to invite all Catholic women 18 years and older to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 PM in room 108 (new hall).

 
Founded in 1903 by the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Daughters has flourished under their motto of UNITY and CHARITY.  Today, they are one of the largest Catholic women’s organizations with 95,000+ members in 25 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Virgin Islands. There are currently 16 local courts in North Carolina with nearly 900 members.  The nearest court is in Durham.
 
They are an organization through which today’s woman can create change; make a difference in today’s world; develop friendships and attain personal growth; and serve our brothers and sisters along with serving God, church, and country.
Catholic Daughters of America

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Visits Chapel Hill

We were honored this past Sunday by a visit by Sheila F. Storey, State Regent, and other members of the North Carolina State Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA).  They provided information on the CDA to the women of our parish as part of their quest to build a local court at […]

We were honored this past Sunday by a visit by Sheila F. Storey, State Regent, and other members of the North Carolina State Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA).  They provided information on the CDA to the women of our parish as part of their quest to build a local court at St. Thomas More Church.

The CDA are very similar to the Knights of Columbus.  The CDA is the largest organization of Catholic women and has over 95,000 members.  Their motto is Unity and Charity, and their works parallel that of the Knights of Columbus. Learn more…

The women of our parish have often asked, “What about us?  Can we join the Knights?”  The answer has always been “no,” but they can do similar projects and work closely with the Squires and Knights to build our church family and to help others.

Talk to your spouses and other ladies in your family.  Ask them to participate in an upcoming meeting that will talk more about the CDA.  Maybe we are ready to have a CDA court in our parish.  Contact the State Regent for more information.

For membership questions and to sign up for the upcoming organizational meeting, contact the  CDA First Vice State Regent and State Membership Chairman, Essie Walker.  Call her at 704-577-7436 or contact by email.

St. Thomas More School Knights Bring Home Trophy

Our school team headed to Charlotte to compete in the Shamrock Tournament.  Our school team was one of forty other boys and girls middle school basketball teams from North and South Carolina and Georgia.  They took 3rd Place. The boys team won four games out of five.  They defeated St. Mary Magdalene of Apex to […]

Our school team headed to Charlotte to compete in the Shamrock Tournament.  Our school team was one of forty other boys and girls middle school basketball teams from North and South Carolina and Georgia.  They took 3rd Place.

The boys team won four games out of five.  They defeated St. Mary Magdalene of Apex to take the third-place spot.  Read the full story…

We are very proud of our church school team.  Join us in congratulating them.