At the American Legion National Convention on August 28, the First Liberty Institute honored Petersburg Council #694 with the prestigious Philip B. Onderdonk Jr. Religious Liberty Award.

Since at least the 1960s, Council #694 has held a Mass at the Poplar National Cemetery on Memorial Day to honor fallen veterans. In 2023, the National Park Service denied the council’s request for a permit citing a new policy that prohibited religious ceremonies at national cemeteries. The council fought back and worked with First Liberty Institute to secure its right to hold the Mass. Just days before this past Memorial Day the National Park Service relented and approved the council’s permit to hold the Mass.

To see the entire story and the award representation, check out this YouTube video.

The Virginia State Council congratulates Petersburg Council #694 for this prestigious honor and thanks it for standing up for religious freedom.

Last year, Page County Public Schools in Luray, VA established clothing and hygiene closets at each of the district’s nine schools to serve students in need. When Knights from Msgr. Paul V. Heller Council 8393 learned of the initiative, they coordinated a drive at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church to stock the closets. More than 350 personal hygiene items were collected and delivered to the district in January.

Following are links to the Knights in Action story in Columbia magazine and the Page County Public Schools press release:

• Knights in Action story
• PCPS release

Worthy Brother Knights and Families,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your State Deputy for the fraternal year 2024-2025 as we celebrate the Virginia State Council’s 125th year!  The jurisdiction of Virginia has a legacy of strong leaders who embraced and promoted the guiding principles of the Knights of Columbus: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. I will do my best to follow in my predecessors’ footsteps and continue Virginia’s proud tradition of being the best jurisdiction in the Order.

Lisa and I are very proud to be representing the jurisdiction of Virginia this fraternal year. As we have already attended a few Installations of council officers, it is clear that there is a great deal of positive spiritual energy throughout the state of Virginia. We are so much looking forward to traveling the state and visiting as many councils as we can.

As most of you know “Have Faith and Fear Not” is the theme for this year.

For over 40 years, rooted in words spoken by the Lord Jesus in the gospels, this theme has echoed and re-echoed in my mind and heart.

We know not what the future will unveil for us in our personal lives, within the family, in our beloved church, and in this nation founded on the belief in God with liberty and justice for all. But, whatever comes, we cling to the fact that God is with us and will never abandon us.

Pope Francis has proclaimed this the Year of Prayer. What better way to deepen our faith than to pray to God daily and in every circumstance of life. Prayer is essential because it draws us closer to God, and also leads to enduring faith and hope. When we pray, we are opening our hearts to Him so that He can work in us and through us.

My Brothers, as we begin this new fraternal year, we know not what we will encounter. But this we know with absolute conviction. Our God is with us, made visible through his Son Jesus Christ who says to us: “Have Faith and Fear Not.”

Thank you all again and I look forward to seeing all your councils’ successes and seeing more families joining your council as part of the Knights of Columbus.

May God Bless you, the Knights of Columbus and the United States of America.

Vivat Jesus!

Fraternally,

Bob Jones
State Deputy