KOC Holy Ghost Council #4977

03/17/2026

I am deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of Sir Knight Casimir "Cas" Paprocki (91). Cas was a longtime member of Palatine's Holy Ghost Council #4977 with 60 years of continuous service to the Knights of Columbus. Cas was also a 4th Degree member of Bishop Sheil Assembly #2330. Click Here for the Obituary of SK Cas Paprocki.

The Paprocki Family has requested that we honor Brother Cas with a combination 4th Degree Honor Guard and HGC4977 Suit/Sash Tribute Team (all degrees) at both the Visitation and the Funeral Mass.

VISITATION: Visitation is 4:00 - 8:00 PM this Friday, March 20, 2026 at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. Uniformed 4th Degree Sir Knights and the HGC4977 Suit/Sash Tribute Team should assemble at 5:30 PM in preparation for a 1-hour Honor Guard starting at 6:00 pm. Ceremonial sashes will be provided.

FUNERAL MASS: Uniformed 4th Degree Sir Knights and the HGC4977 Suit/Sash Tribute Team will also honor Brother Cas on Saturday, March 21 at St. Theresa Church, 455 N. Benton St., Palatine. Please assemble at 10:30 AM at church. The Funeral Mass starts at 11:00 AM.

Eternal rest grant unto Cas, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Cas' soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
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TIME CONFLICT CHALLENGE: Friday's Visitation Honor Guard for Brother Cas partially overlaps the opening hours of our final Lenten Fish Fry. The Holy Ghost Council needs to manage both events successfully. Brother Dave Tuegel will be contacting essential Fish Fry members to confirm their presence throughout Friday's Fish Fry.

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03/16/2026

I am deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of Vicky Denno, wife of Brother SK Jim Denno and mother to Brother SK Alex Denno.

The Denno Family has requested that we honor Vicky with a combination SK Honor Guard (4th degree in uniform) and HGC4977 Tribute Team (all degrees in suit/sash). Note that the Visitation and Funeral Mass will run back-to-back this Thursday morning, March 19.

VISITATION (note special time): Visitation will be for 1-hour (9:00 - 10:00 AM) this Thursday, March 19 in St. Theresa's Gathering Space, 455 N. Benton St., Palatine. Uniformed Sir Knights and the HGC4977 Suit/Sash Tribute Team should assemble at 8:30 AM in preparation for a 1-hour tribute. Ceremonial sashes will be provided.

FUNERAL MASS (same day following visitation): Uniformed Sir Knights and the HGC4977 Suit/Sash Tribute Team will then honor Vicky and the Denno family at the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM.

CONFESSION OFFERED: A special opportunity for confession has been created on the request of Vicky Denno. Confessions will be heard from 9:00 - 9:45 AM.

Eternal rest grant unto Vicky, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Vicky's soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

SK Steven J Taromina
Grand Knight

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03/12/2026

Our KOC #4977 Holy Ghost Council has the opportunity to assist Illinois Special Olympics Region B again this year with the Region B Spring Games. This year’s competition is being held at Hoffman Estates High School, 1100 W Higgins Rd, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States, 60169 on Saturday and Sunday April 25th and 26th.

As a council, we have been asked to assist with presenting awards to the participants on Sunday, April 26th. Our duties begin at 8:00 a.m. and will last until the games end in the early afternoon.

You and your family members are invited to help – they must be at least 18 years old. Registration is a bit complicated because the SOILL website is difficult to navigate for sign up purposes. Please contact me directly by email or phone by April 6th if you would like to sign up for this event:
Tom Nicholas
tgnicholas@msn.com
847-380-0220

I have attached a flyer that provides additional event specific information.

Our Special Olympics region is also inviting Fourth Degree Sir Knights to participate in the Honor Guard for the opening ceremonies on Saturday, April 25th. Please advise me if you are interested in participating in our assembly with this ceremony and I can provide additional details.

Thank you for generously for volunteering to assist Special Olympics with this event.

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

I am deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of Brother Jim Hauser. Jim was a 3rd degree Knights of Columbus member for 12 years.

The family has requested that we honor Brother Jim with a combination Honor Guard (4th Degree in uniform) and HGC4977 Tribute Team (all degrees in suit/sash). Ceremonial sashes will be provided. Note that the Visitation and Funeral Mass will run back-to-back on Friday, March 20th.

VISITATION (note special time): Visitation will be for 1-hour (9:00 to 10:00 AM) on Friday, March 20th in St. Theresa's Gathering Space, 455 N. Benton St., Palatine. Uniformed 4th Degree and HGC4977 Tribute Team members should assemble at 8:30 AM in preparation for a 1-hour tribute.

FUNERAL MASS (same day following visitation): Uniformed 4th Degree and HGC4977 Tribute Team members will then honor Brother Jim Hauser at the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM.

Eternal rest grant unto Jim, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Jim's soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

SK Ronald E Willer

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03/11/2026

** Correction ** on Friday March 27 , Stations of the Cross at St Thomas of Villanova. If you are able to attend, please wear your GREEN Knights shirt for the Stations of the Cross. This will make it much easier for all. We will not have a formal Honor Guard or Tribute Team. Please try to attend this new event for us. Sorry for the confusion.

Thank You
Jim DeGiulio
847-494-3521

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03/06/2026

On Friday, March 27 at 6pm we have been invited to lead the Stations of the Cross at St Thomas of Villanova. A uniformed 4th degree, Honor Guard and a 4977 Tribute Team (Suit and Sash) will assemble at 5:30 for instructions. We could use 2 readers at the Ambo, and a Cross Bearer. We will walk along the inside of the church at each station. It normally takes about 40 minutes.

On Thursday, April 2 at St. Thomas of Villanova , a uniformed 4th degree Honor Guard and a 4977 Tribute Team will again participate in the Mass at 7pm. After the Mass we will process with the Monstrance to the Adoration chapel to stand in prayerful guard with our Lord until 12 Midnight. We can rotate Guards every few minutes until Midnight. This was a beautiful ceremony last year and very appreciated by our Pastor and Priest and congregation. Please consider trying to attend for any time you can attend, even for a few minutes.
Sashes will be provided. Any questions, please let me know.

Please let me know if you can participate in either Lenten ceremonies.
Thank You so much
Jim DeGiulio
Past Grand Knight
847-494-3521

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02/24/2026

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the Knights who generously volunteered this past weekend. We had a lot of events going on and your time and effort made them all a great success.
• Friday: Fish Fry
• Saturday: Basketball Free-Throw Competition & Farmer’s Market
• Sunday: Pancake Breakfast
To all who volunteered, your commitment to serving our parish and community does not go unnoticed. These events are only possible because of the dedication and hard work of Knights like you.

Whether you helped cook, serve, set up, clean up, score, attend, or just show support, every contribution made a difference.
Thank you again for your generosity and dedication—it truly makes an impact.

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02/14/2026

Just a reminder to please wear your green Council shirt to Mass this weekend — the first weekend following our Membership Meeting.

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02/05/2026

"Worthy Brothers. The next two recruiting weekends are key to the Holy Ghost Council achieving the 2025-2026 Star Council Award. More importantly, recruiting creates the opportunity to share our personal fraternal experiences and blessings with other like-minded Catholic men. I encourage each 4977 Knight to support the 2 Weekend Membership Drives by inviting others into our Council and sharing your experiences." Grand Knight Steve Taromina

Brother Knight. Your help is needed! Please push yourself to recruit along with your fellow Knights at 1 or more masses over the next 2 weekends. Your individual approach can make all the difference for that Catholic man who has been considering the Knights but wondered if it is the right time and decision for him. You testimony to the rewarding good works of the Knights of Columbus can make the difference for him!

We are recruiting at all weekend masses as follows:
• St. Theresa - weekend of Feb 7/8
• St. Thomas of Villanova - weekend of Feb 14/15
I sincerely hope to see you there. Vivat Jesus!

SK Robert J Novak
Membership Director

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02/03/2026

SAT., FEB 14,10:00 AM ST. THERESA CONFIRMATION HONOR GUARD!
PLEASE PARTICIPATE!
ALL HGC4977 MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ST. THERESA CONFIRMATION HONOR GUARD!

BOTH 1) Uniformed Sir Knights (4th Degree Members) and 2) HGC4977 Suit/Sash Tribute Team (All Degrees) are requested to participate in this Honor Guard to celebrate our newest confirmands in this most sacred Sacrament. Please assemble at 9:30 AM in the St. Theresa Narthex.

Wear either 1) a full 4th degree Sir Knight Uniform with Sword or 2) a Dark Suit, White Shirt, and Tie (ceremonial gold/white sashes will be provided). Note - no tuxedos.

Note: Different from recent years, only one (1) St. Theresa confirmation mass will be celebrated in 2026.

SK Robert J Novak
Advocate

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01/22/2026

Dear Brother Knights,
Saturday Jan.24 at St. Thomas of Villanova there will be a Memorial Mass at 5pm.

Immediately following the Mass, the lights will dim and 248 candles will be carried lovingly to the alter.

Each candle is a personal memorial for one specific child who lost their life to abortion in Illinois.

We will observe 248 seconds of silence symbolizing the voices silenced that day.

KNIGHTS -PLEASE JOIN THE UNIFORMED SIR KNIGHTS AND THE HGC4977 TRIBUTE TEAM ( SUIT AND SASH TEAM ) TO HONOR ILLINOIS ABORTED CHILDREN .

Jim DeGiulio
Past Grand Knight

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