A diverse group of Catholic men, both young and old, recently stood before the altar at St. Joseph Church in Downers Grove to be installed as the first officers of the newly formed Bishop Fitzgerald Council of the Knights of Columbus.

Preparations for the new council began in September 2008 and culminated with the installation ceremony on Dec. 8, 2008.  During the ceremony the elected officers pledged to carry out their duties, each receiving a medallion, known as a jewel, to wear during his time in office. Father Dennis Paul, associate pastor a St. Joseph Parish, offered each man a blessing.

The process of beginning the council began with an informal meeting of parish men followed by several initiation ceremonies for the new members. Fourteen officers and the chaplain were then elected during a separate meeting on November 11, 2008. The charter members of the council had 50 members.

The new council was named after Bishop James Fitzgerald, who served as St. Joseph’s pastor from 1984-1997. In 2002, Pope John Paul II elevated him to auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Joliet. Bishop Fitzgerald died in 2003.