Knights of Columbus

The Monsignor Guenther Seminarian Scholarship was established in December 2006 by the St. Elizabeth’s of Hungary Knights of Columbus Council 13678 in honor of our Chaplain, Monsignor Donald E. Guenther, under whose direction and spiritual guidance our Council was founded in December 2004.  The scholarship is awarded by the Council to a worthy recipient who is undertaking studies at a Catholic seminary in preparation for entering the priesthood.  The scholarship is a tangible representation of our Council’s commitment and support of our Catholic Faith, the Holy Catholic Church, and our priests.

About Monsignor Guenther

At the time of the formation of the scholarship, Monsignor Guenther serves as the Pastor of St. Elizabeth’s of Hungary Catholic Church in Wyckoff and as a charter member and Chaplain of our Knights of Columbus Council 13678.  Msgr. Guenther has been a dedicated and loyal Knight since 1972, having attained the fourth degree.  His loyalty to the Order has been demonstrated in many ways during his tenure with the Knights of Columbus, but none more powerful than the fact that he has been responsible for the charter formation of 2 new Knights Councils and the reinvigoration of a third Council at parishes where he was the pastor.  In addition to our own Council formation, Msgr. Guenther formed a new council at Immaculate Conception Parish in Secaucus and led a group of Knights who re-energized the Council at St. Joseph’s in West Orange.

Msgr. Guenther was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1962 by Archbishop Thomas A. Boland.  He was born on December 30, 1936 in Long Branch, and raised in East Orange and Newark with seven brothers.  He was educated at Seton Hall Prep (1954), earned his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University (1958) and completed his theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary (1962).  Msgr. Guenther served in a number of parishes over the ensuing 40 plus years.  In 1987, Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick named Fr. Guenther Director of the Vocations Office and in 1990, Pope John Paul II elevated Fr. Guenther to Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor. 

Knights of Columbus

Our Order was founded by Fr. Michael McGivney in 1882 with the hope that Catholic men, banded together, could aid one another and their families in times of need, strengthen themselves and each other in their Faith, be strong pillars of support for their priests and bishops, and be of service to the Church and community.  There are now over 1.7 million men in the Knights of Columbus in over 12,000 local parishes in 13 countries striving to live out the ideals of the Order:  Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.  

Supporting seminarians is one of the many programs that Knights around the world pursue.  In addition to financial support to alleviate the fiscal burdens of studying for the priesthood, the Knights provide moral support, write letters, sponsor dinners and invite seminarians to join our Order, and to participate in our programs.  The Knights are the strong right arm of the Catholic Church, and endeavor to support seminarians in multiple ways as they make their way to priesthood.  Over the past 25 years, the Knights of Columbus have contributed over $35 million to support for priests and seminarians, including gifts to nearly 57,000 seminarians, postulants, and novices.

St. Elizabeth’s Knights of Columbus 13678

Our Council was formed in December 2004 to serve the church and community of St. Elizabeth’s in Wyckoff.  We are an active and vibrant Council with a growing roster of Knights.  Our program and event calendar has continued to expand to include a number of service projects to help those in need, to support Council activities and youth programs, to demonstrate our Patriotism and support of our troops, and to support the Church and her activities.  Our Council continues to be open for all practical Catholic men.