FACEBOOK @FLORIDACATHOLIC | Nov. 20-26, 2020 FLORIDACatholic PALM BEACH DIOCESE VETERANS REMEMBERED Members of local councils of the Knights of Columbus from throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach salute the American flag while “Taps” was played on the trumpet. (PHOTOS BY CECILIA PADILLA | FC) Faithful plant flags in honor of those who served CECILIA PADILLA of the Florida Catholic staff JUPITER | More than 200 local faithful arrived at River- side Memorial Park Cemetery in Jupiter, Nov. 15, 2020, to plant American flags at the gravesites of veterans buried in the Gar- den of Valor and Garden of Honor cemetery plots. Organized by the Florida State Council Knights of Colum- bus regional administrator, Bill Sodan, the event was well-at- tended despite it being postponed from the previous weekend due to Tropical Storm Eta. “I’m thrilled that it’s a lovely day today and that the change of plans didn’t hamper everyone’s enthusiasm to honor our vets,” Sodan said. The flag planting memorial opened with a prayer and a sa- lute to the American flag raised above the cemetery grounds. Paul Davisson, a Knight of Columbus, played “Taps” on his left, Andrew Vodopija and his grandson, Lawrence, trumpet during the salute. Knights handed out more than right, plant flags for veterans. Andrew shared that 3,000 miniature American flags, the cost of which was gener- Lawrence dressed up as a soldier for Halloween and he The Connolly and Burkly families volunteered to plant ously covered by Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery. wanted to “dress up like grandpa.” flags in honor of deceased veterans. Supporting those who serve and those who have served has been a long-time effort of the Knights of Columbus. Ac- her son, Lawrence, and her father, Andrew. Rachel shared that John Webster. Both were encouraged to volunteer with plant- cording to the organization’s historic overview, a number of being in the armed forces “runs her family”—her boyfriend ing flags through their youth group leader at St. Jude Church the founding members of the Knights of Columbus were veter- is a marine who recently returned from deployment and her in Tequesta. ans, making acts of patriotism and maintaining close relation- father spent 37 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy. “My grandfather joined the navy after he went to college. ships with both active-duty personnel and veterans of mili- Andrew expressed that he was “grateful to be able to spend I’m lucky that he survived and came home safely to start a tary service an important cause for the Catholic organization. the day with my daughter and grandson honoring those that family. My life could have turned out a lot differently,” said Overseas military councils are in countries where the United came before me.” Danny. States has a long-established military presence, including He continued, “Planting flags at each veteran headstone The Connolly and Burkly families, also from All Saints Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea. not only honors those who sacrificed for our country but, School, joined the memorial together in hopes of instilling a New military councils were recently established at Fort Bragg, also serves as an example for my grandson of what patriotism spirit of support for veterans in their children. North Carolina and Fort Carson, Colorado. In each location, means.” Victoria Burkly, an elementary school student, indicated the Knights of Columbus work in close cooperation with the Leeann Hinds, an audiologist at the West Palm Beach VA with a wide sweep of her hand at the number of headstones Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Since before World Medica Center, encouraged her daughter Adriana, a student with a newly planted flag. “There are a lot of people who War I, the Knights have provided for the spiritual and tempo- at All Saints School in Jupiter, to volunteer for the flag planting worked in the Army.” She then shouted across the field, ral well-being of military personnel, and that work continues memorial. “Thank you!” n today. “Every headstone tells a story,” said Leeann. “It’s important Among the various volunteer groups present at the flag to teach our children—the next generation—what these indi- To learn more about the Florida State Council of the Knights planting memorial were members of local Boy Scout troops, viduals sacrificed for us to live in a free country. Working at the of Columbus and its Diocese of Palm Beach parish affiliations, juniorettes from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, VA, I meet so many people that have served us with honor. It’s visit floridakofc.org. Follow the Diocese of Palm Beach online Knights from local parish councils and families of current ser- an honor to give back to them today.” at diocesepb.org and Facebook @DiocesePB to stay updated vice members and retired veterans. Rachel Vodopija, a young Danny Kleisley, a junior at Cardinal Newman High School on special events and volunteer opportunities in our commu- woman from Stuart, came to the flag planting memorial with in West Palm Beach, came to the memorial with his classmate, nity. 2 YOUR PALM BEACH COMMUNITY Facebook @FloridaCatholic Nov. 20-26, 2020 Box of Joy a continued success locally STAFF REPORT The Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens col- lected 500 Boxes of Joy for Cross Catholic Outreach’s yearly minis- try project of assisting the poor in struggling countries. Thanks to the leadership of the parish’s Women’s Guild and the collaboration of vari- ous parish ministries, the cathedral parish was able to order an addi- tional 500 boxes that will be filled this month. Susan Melillo, one of the lead organizers of the Box of Joy drive, said, “This is the first time the ca- thedral parish has participated in this ministry and the response has Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito blessed the Boxes of Joy collected by the The pile of Boxes of Joy collected by the Cathedral of St. Ignatius been just overwhelming. We could Pastoral Center staff. Each box contains a sweet treat, small toys and Loyola continues to grow. More boxes will be filled in the coming not have accomplished this without useful items for families in poor countries. (CECILIA PADILLA | FC) month. (COURTESY) the encouragement of Father Gavin Badway and the ministries at St. Ig- ter employees, have participated in ries, and other useful items. These Haiti. The goal of the ministry is to love.” To learn more about Cross natius.” this year’s Box of Joy ministry, col- gifts will then be given to families bring “hope to children in devel- Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy ef- Many parishes and schools lecting small gifts of toys, school in countries such as the Bahamas, oping countries, providing them forts and how to join the ministry at throughout the Diocese of Palm supplies, hard candies, personal Guatemala, Nicaragua, the Do- memorable Christmas gifts and a a local parish or school, visit cross- Beach, in addition to Pastoral Cen- hygiene products, apparel, accesso- minican Republic, El Salvador and much-needed reminder of God’s catholic.org/box-of-joy. n Catholic Schools honor veterans STAFF REPORT “My favorite part of the day was singing patriotic songs,” said fourth Many schools in the Diocese of grade student Diego Thompson. Palm Beach organized activities to “I’m a new student and I’m glad that celebrate and learn about Veterans we can do things to celebrate our Day, Nov. 11. Students at Sacred school and our community.” Heart School in Lake Worth cel- “Our singing honored the men ebrated Veterans Day by gathering and women who sacrificed for us on the school field to sing patriotic to be free,” said sixth grade student songs such as “The Star Spangled Johnathan Lopez. Banner,” “Proud to Be an Ameri- To honor those that have kept can,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” the U.S. as the land of the free and Sacred Heart School students spread out on the school field for a day of patriotic songs to honor veterans, and “God Bless America.” The stu- home of the brave, students and Nov. 11. (COURTESY) dents practiced these songs with faculty members dressed in red, direction from music teacher Jane white and blue and waved Ameri- our performance and all the other vall. “This has not been the typical about Sacred Heart School, visit sa- Beraha. On that day, the school can flags. Caroline Guthrie, a sev- students.” school year, but our students and credheartschoollakeworth.com or also held Student Council elections enth grader, said, “We worked very “I’m proud of our students and faculty members are working as one call 561-582-2242. Follow the school as a way to encourage students to hard on this assembly, and it was faculty for their hard work and ded- for the greater good of students and on Facebook @sacredheartschool- be educated and practicing voters. great to see everything work out for ication,” said principal Tricia Du- our small school.” To learn more lakeworth. n Sign-up for our Marcia J Mills, Attorney PLLC Exclusive Licensed FL MD DC NY online newsletter William E. 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