Two chaplains and five officers of the N.J. State Knights of Columbus were installed for the 2025-26 fraternal year during a Mass rich with pageantry at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson on July 12. Two of the officers are associated with the Paterson Diocese.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass. The liturgy began with Knights from throughout the state leading a procession of clergy down the center aisle of St. John’s, wearing crisp blue uniforms and white gloves and holding ceremonial swords and flags.
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Concelebrants of the installation Mass included Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski of the Metuchen Diocese, who was installed as State Chaplain, and Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic. Also concelebrating were Father Ernest G. Rush, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Lyndhurst, who was installed as Associate State Chaplain, and Msgr. Geno Sylva, rector of St. John’s and diocesan vicar for special projects.
The five newly installed state officers are:
- James P. Sweeney, State Deputy. He belongs to St. Jude Parish in the Budd Lake neighborhood of Mount Olive Township in the Paterson Diocese and is a member of the Knights of Columbus Father Joseph A. Cassidy Council 6100. Also, he sits on the board of trustees of diocesan Catholic Charities.
- Russell D. Petrocelli, State Secretary. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, St. Anthony Council 11585, in Wood-Ridge in the Newark Archdiocese. He is the principal of DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne in the Paterson Diocese.
- Scott C. Williams, State Treasurer, from the Metuchen Diocese.
- Edward V. Michalak, State Advocate, from the Trenton Diocese. He belongs to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Moorestown.
- Christopher A. Tomasello, Sr., State Warden, from the Camden Diocese. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus All Saints Council 6277 of Northfield and Linwood.
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 signifies the commencement of their duties and responsibilities within the organization. The officers’ family and friends attended the liturgy as a sign of support.
Bishop Sweeney blessed ribbons with medals, or jewels, signifying the office of each state officer and district deputy, which were draped around the necks of each of the men. They promised to reinforce the organization’s principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. They also emphasized their commitment to upholding the laws and rules of the order of the Knights of Columbus, founded by Blessed Michael J. McGivney in 1882.
A banquet followed the July 12 Mass.
