We are men who lead, serve, protect and defend, whether we are giving out Coats for Kids, donating wheelchairs, lending a helping hand in disaster relief efforts, supporting local pregnancy centers or providing top-quality financial products.
On a balmy late June evening in 2025, the Knights of Columbus Council 8157 gathered at Holy Spirit Catholic Church for a Corporate Communion Mass at 5 pm, kicking off the Installation of Officers ceremony with reverence and a touch of divine flair. The congregation, dressed in their Sunday best (and a few in their finest Council shirts), filled the pews reserved for the Knights for this especial occasion, setting the stage for a memorable night.
Following the Mass, the Knights, their spouses, families, and a few lucky tagalongs made their way to the Upper Room dining hall, where the air was thick with anticipation—and the mouthwatering aroma of brisket. Our Worthy District 109 Deputy, Kebran Alexander, took the helm of the formal ceremony with the gravitas of a seasoned maestro, conducting the installation with precision and a hint of swagger. Our beloved Chaplain, Fr. Uche Aladi, bookended the event with heartfelt opening and closing prayers, blessing the officers’ medals with a spiritual radiance that illuminated the sacredness of the occasion.
Our newly installed Officer Team are, Marc Evans, GK; Paul Ryan, DGK; Efrain Ochoa, Chancellor; Dr Robert Nieto, Recorder; Russell Gully, Advocate; Peter Perta, FS; James Smith, Treasurer; Jesse Radillo, Warden; Russell LeRoy, Inside Guard; and Joel Lopez, Outside Guard. Our Trustees are three Past Grand Knights, Mike Fitzgerald, Dan Murphy and Jim Russell.
The evening wasn’t just about pomp and circumstance—there was plenty of heart, too. Four bright-eyed Academic Scholarship Award recipients, Maura Ryan, Jeremiah Navarro, Cooper P. Brandy, and Juan Hernandez, accompanied by their proud families, shared words of gratitude that tugged at the heartstrings and reminded everyone why the Knights do what they do. The room erupted in applause, with a few “Hear, hears!” thrown in for good measure.
And then, the feast! Outgoing Grand Knight Mike Fitzgerald, proving he’s as handy with a smoker as he is with a gavel, served up a spread of tender brisket and pulled pork that had even the most devout vegetarians questioning their life choices. Mashed potatoes, creamy as a summer cloud, and crisp green beans rounded out the meal. The adult beverages flowed freely, thanks to our bartender extraordinaire, Rylee Via, granddaughter of Brother Knight Dan Murphy. Rylee served drinks with the confidence of a seasoned pro and the charm of someone who knows she’s the star of the show.
The night was a perfect blend of solemnity, brotherhood, and just the right amount of fun—like a well-poured pint of stout. As the newly installed officers donned their medals and the crowd raised their glasses, Council 8157 proved once again why it’s the heart and soul of Holy Spirit’s community. Visit kofc8157.org for more on our mission, events, and how to join the ranks of these fine knights!
