Caption: Went to nearby Niagara College campus Sunday on a search for signs of fall. The annual outing was richly rewarded with hues that wooed the eye and warmed the heart. Gadabout Gardener is a recurring feature on the blog, this entry ends the season. Hope to see you in the spring. /Joe Barkovich photos.
The view from Woodlawn Bridge as we crossed the recreational waterway headed for Merritt Island Friday morning, October 13. The water looked pristine. /Joe Barkovich photo. View From The Bridge is a recurring feature on the blog
Annual Welland Food Drive aiming to help agencies meet increased demand
WELLAND — On Saturday, Nov. 4, the community of Welland will rally together to stock the shelves of The Hope Centre, Open Arms Mission and Salvation Army food banks.
This community-led food drive has been taking place in Welland for over three decades on the first Saturday in November. This year, food banks in Welland are seeing alarming numbers of visitors that are struggling to feed their families.
“More people than ever are facing food insecurity in our community with close to 1 in 10 Wellanders accessing our food bank in the past 12 months. We are making every effort to keep food on the shelves” said Jon Braithwaite, CEO of The Hope Centre.
We are helping people who have never before struggled to feed their families, here are examples; Janice, a mother of 3 children, works a full-time job and finds it difficult to put gas in her car to get to her job and buy food to feed her family. Joe, a father of 4 children, sacrifices the time that he spends with his family to work two jobs so his family can eat three meals a day.
The Welland community and many communities in Ontario are dealing with a food security crisis and local agencies are grappling to keep food on their shelves in order to meet the increasing demand for emergency food.
“We recognize that everyone is feeling the pressure during these challenging economic times”, said Daniel Harrison, executive director of Open Arms Mission. “We will only make it through this together and we ask those who are able to give to maximize their giving this year.”
“The Welland community has always answered the call and I have no doubt that everyone in Welland will do what they can to help feed our neighbours in need”, said Monique Finley, Welland Food Drive planning committee chair.
How Can the Community Help?
Welland residents and businesses are invited to participate by donating online or donating food at their doorstep. Online donations will go towards purchasing of food items to help fill food bank shelves. To donate online visit http://www.wellandfooddrive.com
Food donations can be made on Saturday, Nov. 4 when over 400 volunteers will be scouring the streets, collecting food donations door to door. Welland residents are asked to put their food donations at their front doors by 10 a.m. The food donations will be brought to Auberge Richelieu on River Road for sorting and distribution.
All donations will be distributed to Hope Centre, Open Arms Mission and Salvation Army to help stock their food bank shelves so they can feed our Welland neighbours for months to come.
Attribution: Food drive committee media release
CAPTIONS: Left, Bishop Gerard Bergie speaks during the anniversary Mass; top right, proud leadership trio Patrick Rothwell, Dan Toneguzzi and Tom Higginbotham; bottom right, from the archives: Knights and members of Columbian Squires youth group wrap Christmas gifts for children from needy families in 1965./ Joe Barkovich photos
By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large
A Catholic fraternal organization in Welland celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday, September 16, three years late.
Council #2146, Knights of Columbus, had its start in 1920 when it was based at St. Mary Church, Hellems Avenue. The 100th anniversary celebration had been planned for 2020 but had to be postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The council is now marking 103 years service in the community.
In observance of the anniversary, Bishop Gerard Bergie of St. Catharines Diocese celebrated Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul parish where the Knights are now based. A reception followed in the adjacent parish hall.
Bergie said the anniversary was a joyous, significant milestone.
“Today, we give thanks for 100 years of fidelity, witness, faith and sacrifice,” he said in his homily.
Turning to the Gospel from that day’s Mass, Bergie referred to its parable about two men who built houses: one on rock which provided a deep, solid foundation and the other on less stable ground, perhaps sand. The house with the deep foundation was able to withstand a flood but the other could not and was swept away.
“Lately, we’re seeing how floods can cause a great deal of damage,” Bergie said about current times.
He drew a comparison with our own personal circumstances: “Our faith is the rock solid foundation on which we build our lives.”
With it, he said, we weather storms because our faith is rooted in Christ, our foundation.
Bergie applied this to Council #2146’s legacy: “For 100 years you have been a positive example, not only to each other but to the community. Your example is found in your faith. You have weathered the storm, you are still standing. You have produced a great deal of good fruit over the 100 years, you have done more good than you can imagine.”
But he also left them with a challenge: the Knights need to attract more members, Bergie said. New members are needed to ensure their good work carries on.
Patrick Rothwell, Grand Knight, referred to some of the work by Council #2146: partnering with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to provide winter coats for children from families in need, fundraising for Special Olympics and Harvest Kitchen initiatives in Welland and for North of Sixty, an outreach working in a community in Nunavut. Others are scholarships for high school graduates and church breakfasts.
In an interview, Rothwell said the council has about 75 names “on the books” but 20 to 25 active members. Taking Bishop Bergie’s word to heart, he said the membership would be discussing recruitment strategies in their meetings.
Tom Higginbotham, Deputy Grand Knight, said helping the community is one of the reasons he has been a Knight for 25 years.
“We do as much as we can to help people in need,” he said, “that’s important to me.”
The Knights try to provide faith, charity and fraternal opportunities not only to members but also in the community, something it has been doing for more than a century “and that’s something to be proud of.”
Dan Toneguzzi, Past Grand Knight, said he belongs to a fraternal organization that has helped him in his home life and his community.
“It’s called giving back and it is so enriching. It’s the camaraderie that impresses me, the charitable work and the fraternity.”
Knights follow the guiding principles of Father Michael McGivney who started the fraternal organization in New Haven, Connecticut in 1882. Toneguzzi said the principles are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.
Welland mayor Frank Campion presented a certificate and plaque on behalf of the city. Other presentations came from the provincial and federal governments. Members of Chevaliers de Colomb from Église Sacré-Coeur, Welland and from the provincial-level Knights of Columbus attended the Mass and reception.
Recognizing the significance of the milestone anniversary, here are names of executive members who attended:
Fr. Miroslaw Olszewski – Chaplain
Patrick Rothwell – Grand Knight
Tom Higginbotham – Deputy Grand Knight, MC for the anniversary program
Joe Caruso – Chancellor
Carlo Esposito – Financial Secretary
Mike Dinga – Financial Treasurer
Dan Toneguzzi – Recorder
Gary Graziani – Warden
Clem Raby – Advocate
Bob Grand -Trustee
Dan Piagno -Trustee
Kerry Stockford -Trustee
Jesse Lepere – Lecturer
WELLAND – The 12th annual Zombie Walk (WZW) happens this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 7, rain or shine. Plans in place in case of rainy weather, and fun will be had by all.
More than $2,000 in costume prizes, goodie bags for the kids, and music and entertainment from Toad Stool and The Ghouls, as well as a zombie wedding.
Join us for a spine-chilling, undead celebration as we gather to witness the union of Steve Lambert and Amber Williams in unholy matrimony. Yes, you read that right – it’s a Zombie Wedding!
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Welland Market Square
Dress Code: Zombie Chic (Come in your best undead attire or don’t)
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable ceremony as our zombie couple exchange vows that will send shivers down your spine. Dance the night away to haunting melodies and join the couple as they lead this year’s walk through downtown Welland.
We encourage you to release your inner zombie and get creative with your makeup and costume – the more gruesome, the better!
Accept this invitation if you dare, and come celebrate love amongst the walking dead.
Don’t forget, this is all about having fun while helping out: supporting The Hope Centre and Pets Alive Niagara by collecting non-perishable food and pet food items.
Watch for updates for the event at the Welland Zombie Walk FB page.
Attribution: WZW releases
Please support this outstanding community event
‘For me, my job is truly a blessing….’: Belcastro
Caption: John Belcastro, right, with Niagara University President Father James Maher, C.M. (Congregation of the Mission) /Niagara University photo
Niagara Catholic District School Board is proud to announce that John Belcastro, principal of the Board’s Continuing Education and Alternative Learning programs, received Niagara University’s prestigious Ozanam Medal during its annual Vincentian Heritage Week celebrations.
Belcastro received his award during the university’s annual convocation in the Alumni Chapel September 28. The Ozanam Medal is one of four awards presented during this event and is given in to individuals who exemplify the mission and charity of its patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul.
In its newsletter spotlighting the 2023 honourees, Niagara University noted that Belcastro, a graduate of Notre Dame College School in Welland, ultimately returned there after a short stint teaching in Bowmanville. Prior to assuming his leadership role at the Niagara Catholic virtual secondary school during the COVID shutdown, Belcastro was vice-principal at Saint Michael Catholic High School, Saint Paul Catholic High School, Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, and Notre Dame College School. During this time, he forged connections with students entrusted to his care.
During the pandemic, he guided teachers and students through the uncertainty of online teaching and learning and found ways to unite communities spread across the Niagara region.
In his current assignment, Belcastro oversees Niagara Catholic’s Continuing Education program, as well as the Board’s Pope Francis Alternative Learning Centre, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha elementary and secondary schools for Indigenous students and the Board’s Soaring Eagles program. These alternative learning programs support the Board’s most vulnerable students, including those who are challenged to attend school in a mainstream classroom and young parents.
Belcastro said he was humbled to learn of his nomination and to be a recipient of the award.
“I am very honoured to be just considered for such a prestigious award and this is a reflection of the great work of my colleagues in the Niagara Catholic Continuing Education and Alternative Learning programs,” said Belcastro. “While many days are challenging, these are far outweighed by the reward of helping others. In the words of St. Vincent de Paul, We must love our neighbour as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love. For me, my job is truly a blessing, for in each student that approaches our programs for assistance I see the face of Christ and I am able to help each one through the grace of God.”
Niagara Catholic Director of Education Camillo Cipriano said Niagara University made an excellent choice in selecting Belcastro for the Ozanam Medal.
“John Belcastro is an outstanding administrator and example of our calling as Catholic educators to encounter souls and open minds each and every day,” said Cipriano. “He works with students with some of the greatest challenges, meeting them where they are on their journey, and makes personal connections with them to support them to reach their goals. On behalf of all of Niagara Catholic, I am pleased to congratulate John for this wonderful and deserving recognition.”
Attribution: Niagara Catholic media release
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