Council #5918 Receives Top Award

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2026

Knights of Columbus Robert P. Connelly Council #5918 Receives Top Award

WOODRIDGE, Illinois – Knights of Columbus Robert P. Connelly Council #5918 in Woodridge was awarded the distinction of Star Council, the international organization’s top honor for local councils.

The Star Council Award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of growing membership, promoting Knights of Columbus insurance benefits, sponsoring Catholic faith formation programs and volunteering time through service-oriented activities.

During the 2025-2026 fraternal year, Robert P. Connelly Council #5918 continued its tradition of serving Christ the Servant and St. Scholastica parishes, as well as the greater Woodridge community, through a wide variety of Faith in Action programs. The council supported faith formation by presenting Bibles to Confirmation students, sponsoring parish roundtables, participating in the Bishop Burse Dinner, hosting Stations of the Cross, and conducting monthly Into the Breach discussions. Family-centered programs included Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets for families in need, a Christmas Toy Drive, the Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest, parish picnic support, and council family fellowship events. Community outreach efforts included donating more than 200 coats through the Coats for Kids program, hosting quarterly blood drives, supporting local food pantries, volunteering at parish events, and assisting families affected by tragedy. The council also promoted a culture of life through participation in the Silver Rose program, monthly rosaries for life, support of Waterleaf Women’s Center through the ASAP initiative, Knights on Bridges, and participation in pro-life activities throughout the year. These efforts, combined with successful charitable fundraising, membership growth, and Fraternal Benefits programs, helped the council achieve the Star Council Award.

“Receiving the Star Council Award reflects the dedication, faith, and commitment of our brother Knights and their families,” said John Lausas, Grand Knight of Robert P. Connelly Council #5918.“This recognition belongs to every member who volunteered their time, supported our charitable works, strengthened our parishes, and lived the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity throughout the year. We are honored to serve our community and our Church and look forward to building on this success in the year ahead.”

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. For information on joining the Knights of Columbus click on Membership link on this website.

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