A Catholic from the Paterson Diocese led the installation of State officers of the N.J. State Knights of Columbus for the 2026-27 fraternal year on July 18, 2026, during a Mass held at St. Jude Thaddeus Church in the Budd Lake neighborhood of Mount Olive Township, N.J. During the last fraternal year, the N.J. State Knights notched a record, adding 2,754 men to the membership rolls — the best in 26 years.
James P. Sweeney of the Paterson Diocese was also installed for his second year of a two-year term as State Deputy. He belongs to St. Jude Parish in Mount Olive and is a member of the Knights of Columbus Father Joseph A. Cassidy Council 6100. Sweeney also sits on the board of trustees of diocesan Catholic Charities and the diocesan Pastoral Council led by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who was the main celebrant and homilist of the installation Mass.
The following remaining State Knights officers were installed that day: Father Ernest G. Rush, State Chaplain, who is pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Lyndhurst; Russell D. Petrocelli, State Secretary, from the Newark Archdiocese; Scott C. Williams, State Treasurer, from the Metuchen Diocese; Edward V. Michalak, State Advocate, from the Trenton Diocese; and Christopher A. Tomasello, Sr., State Warden, from the Camden Diocese.
During the 2025-26 fraternal year, the State Knights, which oversees 350 councils with a total membership of more than 60,000 Catholic men, also expanded its Evangelization and Faith Formation program throughout the state. This includes Cor program, named after the Latin word for “heart” and the root of “courage,” It features 60- to 90-minute monthly or bi-monthly gatherings focused on three pillars: prayer, formation, and fraternity. Men gather periodically to “discuss their faith and how it impacts their daily lives,” Sweeney said.
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“There has been a resurgence of men in our parishes looking to grow in their faith. The Knights is a perfect place for them. We create a community where men can share their faith and then put their faith into action,” said Sweeney. He continued to say, “We are the right faith organization at the right time, offering every Catholic gentleman the opportunity to become a Knight”.
These young men might be attracted to the Knights because they live their “faith in action” across New Jersey, supporting numerous charities, Sweeney said. Among them are a few in the Paterson Diocese, including the support of the Catholic Charities Department of Persons with Disabilities support through the Intellectual Disabilities drive. They also support the Coats-for-Kids drive, where the Knights in conjunction with the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., give an average of more than 2,000 coats, at the “Bethlehem in Paterson,” an annual Christmas charity event at the Cathedral.
The installation liturgy began with Knights of Columbus Color Corp from throughout the state leading a procession of the NJ State Council leaders and clergy down the center aisle of St. Jude’s Church, wearing crisp blue uniforms and white gloves and holding ceremonial swords and flags.
Concelebrating the installation Mass were Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski of the Metuchen Diocese, who is now State Chaplain Emeritus; Father Ernest Rush State Chaplain; Father J. Antonio Gaviria, pastor of St. Jude’s; Father William Smith, a retired priest of the Metuchen Diocese; and Msgr. Geno Sylva, rector of St. John’s and diocesan vicar for special projects.
The State Knights hold an annual State Officers/District Deputies Installation ceremony to install the newly elected state-level officers for the upcoming fraternal year. The ceremony marks the start of the Columbian Year for the organization. The officers’ family and friends attended the liturgy as a sign of support.
A banquet followed the July 20 installation Mass.
