PORT EWEN —  On Saturday, May 11, 2024, Council #275 of the Knights of Columbus, which represents the Knights of the area of Kingston, New York, held an awards ceremony for the winners of the council’s essay contest for children and youths on the theme of what the Catholic faith means to them. 

The awards ceremony was hosted by Immaculate Conception parish, Kingston, whose pastor, Father Miroslaw Pawlaczyk, was present, and presided by Robert Santiago, Grand Knight of Council #275. The District Deputy, Matthew Susman, and Thomas Lonergan, Warden of the Council, were among the dignitaries present from the Knights of Columbus.

Of the seven winners of the essay contest, three came from Presentation-Sacred Heart Parish: Darrenae Coq (fifth grade winner), William Coq (sixth grade winner), and Salvatore Marchese (third grade winner). Their pastor, Father Arthur F. Rojas, beamed with joy at the ceremony over the contributions of these three children.  

“The essays written by our parish winners as well by winners from other parishes prove what can happen when our parents and parishes work together to instill Catholic consciousness from a young age, both at in the family and in our churches,” said Father Rojas, who added his congratulations to the winners from other parishes such as Immaculate Conception (Kingston), St. Joseph’s (Kingston), and St. Mary-St. Andrew’s (Ellenville).  “Furthermore, thanks to our local Knights and to Fr. Pawlaczyk’s parish, respectively, for sponsoring the contest and hosting this ceremony as part of our cooperation in the Kingston cluster of parishes,” added Fr. Rojas.

Presentation-Sacred Heart Parish serves the Catholic faithful of the Town of Esopus, which includes the hamlet of Port Ewen. The grounds of Presentation Church at Port Ewen are home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Hudson.  

In honor of Our Lady in the month of May, a May Crowning will be held on Sunday, May 19 after the 9 a.m. Mass on the grounds of Presentation Church. Families and individuals of good will are invited most cordially.