Forest City Council #3 Knights of Columbus

06/14/2026

Today we proudly honor the Stars and Stripes, the enduring symbol of our nation's freedom, unity, and the sacrifices made by generations of Americans to preserve it.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the first official American flag, establishing a symbol that continues to represent the ideals of liberty, justice, and opportunity for all.

As Knights of Columbus, we are called to be faithful citizens, demonstrating our love of God and country through service to our communities and support for those who have defended our freedoms.

We encourage everyone to proudly display the American flag today and take a moment to reflect on the blessings of living in this great nation.

God Bless the United States of America, and God Bless Our Veterans, Active-Duty Military, and First Responders.

"One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All."

06/12/2026

Inside Guard Joe Colucci has been an active and engaged member of Council #3 since joining. He has contributed to several parish and Council committees over the past year before stepping into his first official officer role. We are pleased to see Joe take on this responsibility and look forward to his continued growth and future service within the Council.

Outside Guard Nicholas Moran is the brother of Past Grand Knight Anthony Copes and has been a member of the Council since 2023. He previously served as Council Recorder, a role now held by his brother, as well as Council Warden. Nicholas continues to be an active and valued presence in the Council, and we appreciate his ongoing commitment to service.

06/12/2026

Congratulations to all the new State Deputies and the continuing State Deputies including Connecticut's very own Kevin T. Glazier.

Knights of Columbus leaders from around the world have gathered in New Haven, Connecticut, for the annual Organizational Meeting of State Deputies, held June 4-7, to unite in prayer and prepare for the upcoming fraternal year.

On Friday morning, June 5, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly conferred medals of office on 33 newly elected state deputies at the conclusion of Mass at St. Mary’s Church, the birthplace of the Order. Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore was the principal celebrant, with more than 35 state chaplains concelebrating.

Following the installation, the supreme knight and supreme chaplain addressed the state deputies and chaplains during a luncheon, commending them for their accomplishments over the past year and outlining goals for the year ahead. Last year, the Order welcomed more than 101,000 new Knights — the most since the end of World War I, the supreme knight said.

“People often ask me … how are you doing that?” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “The answer, really, is that we’re meeting the moment that we’re in right now, in our culture, in our society. … We’re giving young men a sense of meaning and a sense of coherence and a sense of purpose.”

“This is a powerful moment for the Knights of Columbus,” the supreme knight continued. “We are uniquely positioned to help young men put their faith into action, together with their friends. I think the Lord is opening a door for us at this point, in our culture’s history and in the history of the Knights of Columbus, and now it’s our job to seize the moment and move forward together.”

Featured: Supreme Officers and state deputies gather outside St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., during the Organizational Meeting of State Deputies on June 5. (Photo by Paul Haring)

06/11/2026

Our Council is blessed with dedicated officers who bring experience, leadership, and commitment to their roles.

Chancellor Ken Wallen is a newer but highly active member of our Council. A small business owner in a family plumbing and landscaping company with his son Mick, Ken has served as Chancellor under Grand Knight Christopher Russo and will continue under Grand Knight-Elect Michael Stielau. Ken and Mick represent one of two father-son duos among our officers, alongside Grand Knight Christopher Russo and Past Grand Knight Eugene Russo, reflecting a strong tradition of family service.

Warden Mick Wallen joined the Knights shortly after his father and has steadily grown in responsibility. Also a small business owner in the family trade, Mick previously served as a Guard before being elected Warden. We are grateful to see multiple generations serving together and strengthening our Council.

Advocate Sebastian “Seb” Giuliano brings extensive public service experience as a former Mayor and current Fire Commissioner. He has served as Council Advocate since the administration of his godson, Past Grand Knight Anthony Copes, and provides guidance on parliamentary and legal matters to ensure proper Council procedure.

Treasurer and Past Grand Knight Eugene Russo has been a Knight since the 1990s and has held numerous leadership roles. He is the longest-serving Grand Knight in Council history and continues to provide steady leadership as Treasurer. He has also mentored many leaders, including his son, Grand Knight Christopher Russo, and Past Grand Knight Anthony Copes. We are grateful for his continued service under Grand Knight-Elect Michael Stielau.

We thank these officers for their dedication to Forest City Council #3 and look forward to a successful fraternal year.

06/10/2026

Our Board of Trustees brings together a wealth of experience, leadership, and dedication to the continued success of Forest City Council #3.

PGK Anthony Copes has been a member of our Council since 2020 and served as Grand Knight during a pivotal period in our Council's history. Following his time as Grand Knight, he served as Chancellor following the elevation of Grand Knight Christopher Russo. Since 2025, Anthony has faithfully served as both Recorder and Trustee, continuing to provide valuable leadership and institutional knowledge to the Council.

PGK Joseph Formica is a seasoned Trustee and longtime member of our Council. Although he is not among our most recent Past Grand Knights, Joe has served in numerous leadership positions throughout the years and remains an active and dedicated Knight. In addition to his service to the Council, he also serves as an officer of Bishop McFarland Assembly 98, Fourth Degree.

GK Christopher Russo joins the Board of Trustees following the completion of his two-year term as Grand Knight. Chris guided the Council through a period of growth and renewed activity, building upon years of service as a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus. As is customary for retiring Grand Knights, he will now serve as a Trustee, where his experience and leadership will continue to benefit the Council.

We are grateful for the commitment of these three outstanding men and look forward to their continued service to Forest City Council #3.

06/09/2026

Congratulations to Deputy Grand Knight Michael A. Stielau on his election as Grand Knight of Forest City Council #3 for the 2026–2027 Fraternal Year!

Michael is an accomplished IT professional and a dedicated member of our Council. Since joining, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the principles of the Knights of Columbus. During the 2025–2026 Fraternal Year, he faithfully served as Deputy Grand Knight, while also holding the roles of Program Director and Retention Chairman. In addition, he chaired several committees and has been the driving force behind our Council’s successful recycling events.

Michael's dedication, organizational skills, and commitment to service have made a lasting impact on our Council, and we are proud to call him our Grand Knight-Elect.

While his term as Grand Knight officially begins on July 1, 2026, he will be formally installed by District Deputy Nick Constantino on July 31, 2026.

Please join us in congratulating Michael and wishing him every success as he prepares to lead Forest City Council #3 into the new fraternal year.

06/09/2026

This evening, our Council elected its new officers, who will begin their terms on July 1, 2026.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Nominating Committee for its diligence, dedication, and hard work over the past several months in identifying and selecting qualified candidates for the various leadership positions. The committee was composed of two Past Grand Knights and a current Council member, whose experience and commitment helped ensure a thoughtful and thorough selection process.

A formal announcement introducing the newly elected officers will be shared in the coming days. Congratulations to all those who were elected and re-elected this evening. We thank you for your willingness to serve and look forward to your leadership in the years ahead.

06/07/2026

A Blessed Feast of Corpus Christi!

Yesterday’s Community Bottle and Can Recycling Drive was once again a great success. Following the event, members of the Council visited the Shepard Home to provide a complimentary lunch for the veterans who reside there. It was a meaningful and uplifting day in Middletown for Forest City Council #3.

06/06/2026

Bottle and can drive today at Ace Hardware till noon!

06/06/2026

Forest City Council #3 is saddened to learn that our beloved Parochial Vicar and Council Chaplain, Fr. Juan Aguirre Palacio, will be reassigned to the Joint Norwich Catholic Churches. Although he is a member of the Willimantic Council, he has been a strong and generous supporter of our council and parish life.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his ministry and wish him every blessing in his new assignment. The Parish of St. Sebastian will host a farewell reception this Sunday at 12:00 noon in the Parish Hall. All are warmly invited to attend and offer their personal thanks and best wishes to Father.