Initiation

Knights of Columbus from throughout the region gathered in Putnam, to initiate three men into the Catholic, fraternal organization. New Knights, left to right: Jack Rup Jr. of Willington, Tony Falzarano of Cargill Council 64 of Putnam and Thomas Sinkewicz, of Plainfield, surrounded by ceremonial team members dressed in their robes. Photo by John D. Ryan.

   

 

PUTNAM — Knights of Columbus councils in Plainfield, Ashford and Putnam, respectively, each welcomed a new member last month at the Cargill Council 64 Hall on Providence Street.

The three new Knights are Thomas Sinkewicz, of St. Francis of Assisi Council 6999 of Plainfield, Willington resident Jack Rup Jr., of Father William J. Dunn Council 6934 of Ashford and Putnam resident Tony Falzarano of Council 64.

The team which conducted the ceremony is based in Putnam, but regularly serves candidates for membership from the nine local K of C councils throughout Windham County.

“It’s always good to see candidates come from throughout the area,” said Cargill Council 64 First Degree Ceremonial Team Captain Carlo P. Lombardo of Putnam.

The 26-year-old professional actor has run the ceremonial team for the last five years. As captain, he’s in charge of recruiting and training the other five team members, rehearsal, dealing with equipment and transportation, conducting the ceremonies and scheduling candidates.

“We’re here to give every candidate who comes to our ceremonies a good start on their first day as a Knight,” he said.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the founding of the team in February, 1982.1 The team’s record includes an average of five initiation ceremonies performed every year since it started.

At the moment all six team members are from Cargill Council, but down through the years they’ve come from all the councils in the local area. Because northeastern Connecticut has a relatively low population, more than three decades ago Cargill Council volunteered to sponsor and host a ceremonial team to serve the region.