Category: News

Passing of Dr. Juan Jose Alva, MD

The Council has lost a founding member and our Founding Grand Knight, Dr. Juan Jose Alva. Juan was a devout Catholic, and his faith was central to his life. He was ordained as a Carmelite of the Third Order and was devoted to the Virgin Mary. His funeral mass is at St. Thomas More Catholic Church […]

The Council has lost a founding member and our Founding Grand Knight, Dr. Juan Jose Alva. Juan was a devout Catholic, and his faith was central to his life. He was ordained as a Carmelite of the Third Order and was devoted to the Virgin Mary. His funeral mass is at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Monday, 26 August 2024, at 1 p.m. Interment follows at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery on Legion Road, Chapel Hill.

We were blessed to have Dr. Alva in our parish and community. He was a quiet, but determined man on a mission to share his life and medical skills with others, especially the immigrants among us and in Argentina. His biography is but a condensed view of his life, mission, and service. His journey was not easy, but his determination to succeed and to make the United States his home is remarkable. It is full of “firsts” as a youth, a student, a medical doctor, an Army Doctor and military conflict doctor, and local family doctor practitioner. But, it is so much more. Here is a link to his story.

We shall miss Juan, but his wonderful wife, Elsa, and family are with us. They invite the parish to join them on Sunday night, August 25th, for the viewing at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, Durham, from 6-8 p.m. The Holy Rosary will be said at 7 p.m.

The funeral mass is on Monday, August 26th, at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, 940 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill. Time for the mass is 1 p.m. Saint Matthews Parish will join us for the funeral mass.

For the honors, the Knights of the Fourth Degree of Durham and Chapel Hill will serve. Members will wear regalia without sword or Baldric. The honor guard teams are requested to arrive at 12:15 p.m. to participate in casket honors.

Read published biography

First Lenten Fish Fry for 2024

The first Knights of Columbus Parish Lenten Fish Fry is Friday, February 16th. That’s right. It is almost Lent with Ash Wednesday coming up fast this month on February 14th.  Once again, we will start the season by having our first annual fish fry!  The first event will be on Friday, February 16th.  Although most join […]

The first Knights of Columbus Parish Lenten Fish Fry is Friday, February 16th.

That’s right. It is almost Lent with Ash Wednesday coming up fast this month on February 14th.  Once again, we will start the season by having our first annual fish fry!  The first event will be on Friday, February 16th.  Although most join us for dinner after the 5:15 p.m. mass, we do start serving at 5 p.m.  Dinner is open to parish members and our Chapel Hill community.  Takeout is also available.  Can we look forward to seeing you? Mark your calendars now!  Share the news with your friends, too.

We are having three events this year.

For those of you who are new to the council or our community, our Knights have held fish fries since about Easter 2000 and we have continued to host them as a parish community and family event.  Like our pancake breakfasts, our goal was to “build church” by giving our parish member families a communal place to gather with family and friends and get to know other parish families.

We have tried different sources over the years for our tasty fish and continue to work to provide the best food and service to our families.  We think we have a winning menu for you and it is affordable, with children’s meals discounted.

Want to get involved?  Our events allow us to demonstrate fatherhood,  brotherhood, and camaraderie as Knights of Columbus.  Talk to one of the Knights.  Ask how you can join.

For more information on joining the Knights, click here.

Council Charter Now Online

Most of our members have not read our actual Council Charter. Your local Historian has located an image of the much larger original and has added to our About Us section. Take a look at it and you will see the names of current members who played an important part it the formation of the […]

Most of our members have not read our actual Council Charter. Your local Historian has located an image of the much larger original and has added to our About Us section. Take a look at it and you will see the names of current members who played an important part it the formation of the Council. Link to Charter

We have thirty years of history of our members “doing small things with great love.”

We’ll be adding back to our website some of our history that includes many “first’s” in Chapel Hill. Our parish men originally were part of Council 3390 in Durham-Chapel Hill. As our then council grew, we gathered to charter Council 10910, and as we continued to grow many of our members gathered to form other parish new councils in Hillsborough and Durham.

Our historical section also include some biographical sketches of current and past members to include member eulogies, where found. Look for an historical list of Grand Knights, too.

There is a Story There

There are well over 100 members in our Council and each one of us is unique. Our family is unique, our history (life’s journey) is unique, and our faith is worth sharing. Yes, there is a story there. One of the things that we seem to have lost during the last century is storytelling. Our […]

There are well over 100 members in our Council and each one of us is unique. Our family is unique, our history (life’s journey) is unique, and our faith is worth sharing. Yes, there is a story there.

One of the things that we seem to have lost during the last century is storytelling. Our local newspapers had a lot of reporters walking their beat looking for a story. Large cities like Philadelphia had four or more newspapers and some had two or more editions each day. Where did it all go?

We seem to have segregated our news to just a few friends on FaceBook or through email. Yet, there is still a bigger story out there.

Our Council gives us the opportunity to reach out to others. First, through our close friends….like the person who recruited us. That opportunity led to a few more friends and maybe their family. Our community service projects (pancake breakfast, fish fry, auctions, raffle, LAMB, etc.) puts our faces before even more people and their stories. It’s like Mass. We gather individually with others of common beliefs to celebrate the Eucharist…and there is always a story there, too.

On a recent excursion, this writer was asked about storytelling, being a storyteller, and how it happened. Why? Well there are stories to be told, to share, and to help us grow. Your story is there also.

If you are working with this writer, your story may end up in a Council or Assembly news story like the one on the right. It is over 15 years old, but Gil Montoya still has it and shared it just yesterday. It is part of his legacy of memories of Dad captured by a fellow knight. Stories are everywhere.

Did you know that if you open the Assembly website you will find in the header NEWS. If you visit that section you will find a treasure trove of memories of our members who made a difference here at St. Thomas More. It covers 15 years (see archive list) Take a look.

The local VA Medical Center has a huge display…(maybe twenty feet or more of glass wall display case over two panels, waist to ceiling). All of it is dedicated to healing. The current topic is, wait for it…. Healing through writing.

There were samples of veteran stories and their journeys through life. I highly recommend you take a look at this project. It has a list of many illnesses that may benefit from Healing through writing.

My Mother used to say, “It’s all in your head.” Now that statement finally makes sense. How we feel mentally impacts our health! Your health! So, I shared the “Why” of my writing. It is truly therapeutic.

The “How” in writing is sharing stories through conversation. Put a pen to paper and say (tell or say) your story through ink. Maybe even joining or leading a group discussion. Our church has over 120 unique groups/ministries that do the “How” in their ministry. In the Knights, we have the St. Joseph Men’s Spirituality Group led by Sir Knight Marc LaClair. They meet each Thursday at 7 p.m. One man, one vision, one group, making a difference through an extension of storytelling. Give it a try. All are welcome.

It is no real secret to storytelling. You just share your time by caring, participating, listening, lifting a burden, or smiling. Hopefully, you will write about life and your part in it. Remember the Knights’ motto, “Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori.” Time Flies, Remember Death.

Lee Heavlin, July 5, 2022

Festival in May 6, 2022

The Paul J. Trageser Council 10910 will be working in conjunction with the Home and School Association at STM to put on our first Festival in 2 years. Please use the link to see more about our exciting Raffle’s and other information.

The Paul J. Trageser Council 10910 will be working in conjunction with the Home and School Association at STM to put on our first Festival in 2 years. Please use the link to see more about our exciting Raffle’s and other information.

Best-Fest-of-All

Clergy Appreciation 2020 – 2021

March 31, 2021 By: James Davisson and Bill Jackson Due to Covid 19 restrictions this past year, Council 10910 was unable to honor and provide a Clergy Appreciation Dinner for our St. Thomas More and Newman Center Priests, Deacons, and other Parish staff. This year Council 10910 provided our Clergy and associate staff with Certificates […]

March 31, 2021

By: James Davisson and Bill Jackson

Due to Covid 19 restrictions this past year, Council 10910 was unable to honor and provide a Clergy Appreciation Dinner for our St. Thomas More and Newman Center Priests, Deacons, and other Parish staff. This year Council 10910 provided our Clergy and associate staff with Certificates of Appreciate and monetary gifts. Hopefully as we move out of this pandemic, we can resume our customary Clergy Appreciation Dinner during the next Fraternal Year. This year PGK Jim Boyd and I presented certificates and gifts to Fr. Scott, Friar Tim, Deacon Bob, Deacon Luis, Deacon Stephen, Pastoral Associate Mary Ellen McGuire, and STM Communications Director Cassie Schutzer. Council 10910 could not function effectively without our clergy support. Many thanks for all they do for Council 10910.

Vivat Jesus

Bill

This year the council donated a combined total of $1,100.00 with the certificate of appreciation:

Fr. Scott McCue – St. Thomas More

Fr. Tim Kulbicki- UNC Newman Center

Deacon Bob Troy – St. Thomas More

Deacon Luis Royo – St. Thomas More

Deacon Scott Yates – St. Thomas More

Mary Ellen McGuire- St. Thomas More

Cassie Schuster – St. Thomas More

Jersey Mike’s Fundraiser Update

By James Davisson Thank you for a success at Jersey Mike’s! Brandon was happy with the increased business. The Paul J. Trageser Council 10910 was able to get $200.31 in total from the event. We look forward to possibly working with Brandon again in the future and possibly other stores within the Chapel Hill, NC […]

By James Davisson

Thank you for a success at Jersey Mike’s! Brandon was happy with the increased business. The Paul J. Trageser Council 10910 was able to get $200.31 in total from the event. We look forward to possibly working with Brandon again in the future and possibly other stores within the Chapel Hill, NC area as a way to support other fundraising opportunities.

Captain John’s Fish Fry Update

By James Davisson Captain John’s first week of lent was a success! John would like to thank all that came and supported both his restaurant and the Paul J. Trageser Council 10910. He was able to bring in the first week $700.00 in profit and the council will receive $70.00 for our shared success. John […]

By James Davisson

Captain John’s first week of lent was a success! John would like to thank all that came and supported both his restaurant and the Paul J. Trageser Council 10910. He was able to bring in the first week $700.00 in profit and the council will receive $70.00 for our shared success. John said this was the busiest week he has had in months and he wanted to say thank you for the support.

Please remember that the next week will start next Tuesday March 9, 2021 and go till Sunday March 14, 2021.

Check the fundraiser page for Captain John’s for more details.

Details

Fish Fry Fundraiser Week 1

This is the first week of three weeks Captain John’s Dockside is offering a percentage of sales to our council. For more information about our event please use the link provided to check out the page with all the details and menu. 10% of sales of orders over $20.00 qualify! Don’t forget to mention “KNIGHTS” […]

This is the first week of three weeks Captain John’s Dockside is offering a percentage of sales to our council. For more information about our event please use the link provided to check out the page with all the details and menu.

10% of sales of orders over $20.00 qualify!

Don’t forget to mention “KNIGHTS” when you place your order.

Details

40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life is an innovative pro-life campaign that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and 40 days of grassroots educational outreach. The 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history where God brought about world-changing transformation in 40-day periods, for example: […]

40 Days for Life is an innovative pro-life campaign that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and 40 days of grassroots educational outreach. The 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history where God brought about world-changing transformation in 40-day periods, for example: Jesus in the desert, Moses on Mt. Sinai and Noah after 40 days of rain. It challenges everyone to ponder the meaning and value of the inalienable right to life from the prenatal period to the elderly, those with disabilities, the impoverished, and the underrepresented factions of our North Carolina communities. Since the first coordinated campaign in 2007, 40 Days for Life has reached 950 cities in 64 countries. 2021 marks the 10th year that a spring campaign for 40 Days for Life has been held in Chapel Hill.

The 40 Days for Life started on February 17, 2021 and will go until Sunday March 28, 2021. This will be daily from 7am to 7pm outside the Planned Parenthood. Please park along Cosgrove Avenue off Sage Rd. across from the entrance to Lowe’s and UNC Health Care. Be aware of No Parking signage. Parking at the Grace Church is allowed anytime from 7am to 7pm except on Sundays and after 5:30pm on Wednesdays.

Planned Parenthood

1765 Dobbins Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Grace Church

200 Sage Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

If you want to participate note the following restrictions:Invite a friend or family member to spend a few hours each week praying in front of Planned Parenthood.

  • To get directions and schedule time on the vigil calendar, register on the local website:
    40daysforlife.com/chapel-hill. You can also get more information about the national campaign, daily
    intentions, devotionals, and daily updates at the national website: https://40daysforlife.com/.
  • Signs displayed can be no larger than 24 x 24 inches.
  • In Chapel Hill, you do not need a permit to pray in the public right of way. However, the Chapel Hill Police
    Department (CHPD) asks to be notified if 10 or more folks are there at the same time. Please notify CHPD Watch
  • Commander at (919) 612-8240. For problems while praying in front of Planned Parenthood do not hesitate to
    call 911.
  • Remember the vigil is not a protest but a peaceful, prayerful presence to end abortion and protect the right to
    life of the unborn. We are advocates for the unborn and not protesters. For more information, see the
    “Statement of Peace”.

Statement of Peace

(all participants must agree)

I, _____________ , I testify to the following:

  • I will only pursue peaceful solutions to the violence of abortion when volunteering with the 40 Days for Life campaign.
  • I will show compassion and reflect Christ’s love to all Planned Parenthood Clinic employees, volunteers, and customers.
  • I understand that breaking the law or acting in a violent or harmful manner immediately and completely disassociates me from the 40 Days for Life campaign.
  • I am in no way associated with Planned Parenthood, its affiliates or any abortion provider.

While standing in the city right of way in front of Planned Parenthood, Chapel Hill:

  • I will not obstruct the driveways or sidewalk while standing in the public right of way.
  • I will not litter the public right of way.
  • I will closely attend to any children I bring to the prayer vigil.
  • I will not threaten, physically contact, or verbally abuse Planned Parenthood Clinic employees, volunteers, or customers.
  • I will not damage private property.
  • I will cooperate with local authorities.
  • If I am a minor, I will participate in 40 Days for Life only in the presence of or with the written permission of a parent or guardian.

For questions and to get updates and notices about the Chapel Hill campaign email:

Submit a form.