LAKELAND, FL (Dec. 14, 2017) – Parishioners at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lakeland now have a beautiful grotto dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, to pray and meditate in thanks to hard work and the culinary skills of members of St. Anthony Knights of Columbus Council 11651 and two priests serving the parish.
Located on church grounds, the focal point of the grotto is a statue of Mary
surrounded by colorful flowers, native Florida plants and benches. It was formally
dedicated on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 following a Mass in the church co-celebrated by Father Percival “Val” DeVera, parochial vicar at St. Anthony, and his assistant Father Gabriel Kamienski. A contingent of knights led by Grand Knight Dan Marino participated in the Mass and grotto dedication ceremony.
For Father Val, the dedication fulfilled a “lifetime dream” which began in his childhood days in The Philippines where he cultivated a great love for and devotion to Mary. His dream to honor her in a special way continued into his adult years as a priest and gained impetus when he came to St. Anthony two years ago and cultivated a close relationship with the K of C. The knights enthusiastically embraced his vision for a grotto
devoted to the Blessed Mother and helped him raise funds to bring it to fruition.
The knights raised the $15,000 needed for this project by sponsoring fish fries at the church during Lent and on the first Friday of every month over the past two years. The fish fries were spearheaded by Marino, Past Grand Knight Matt LaLonde, Freddie Sosa, Arnold Saunders and Robert Pezanowski. Many other knights, as well as Father Val and Father Gabriel, pitched in to help by prepping, cooking and serving the fish, side dishes, beverages and desserts.
“This was a real team effort that the Knights of Columbus enjoyed every minute of. We are delighted that we were able to help Father Val realize his dream and by so
doing, give the St. Anthony parish community a beautiful grotto where parishioners and visitors can pray to the Blessed Mother and also meditate each and every day in a
beautiful garden setting,” Marino said.
Marino also thanked members of the St. Anthony and greater Lakeland
communities, including people from churches of other denominations, for patronizing the fish fries. “We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the fish fries. With the support we enjoyed from Catholics as well as members of other faiths and
even non believers, this turned out to be a real ecumenical endeavor,” he added.
Pezanowski said the knights were “elated with the opportunity” to work with
Father Val and Father Gabriel on this project. “They are great guys who are fun to work with and for. They supported this effort every step of the way, including pitching in to cook and clean up after the dinners. This project was teamwork at its best and epitomizes the great things that can be achieved for the church when the K of C and the clergy work closely together to achieve a common goal,” he said.
Adding an element of pageantry to the dedication ceremony was a seven-member Honor Guard from the Frank J. Durbin Fourth Degree Assembly 2608 which draws members from K of C councils 11651 and 7091 of Cypress Gardens. Participating in full regalia were Tom Habina and Chris Eirich, both of Council 7091 and Marino, Saunders, Pezanowski, Sosa and Max Weiss, all of Council 11651.
The grotto was constructed by Segura Landscaping, a local firm recommended to the knights by Regina Davis, who runs the St. Anthony Church gift shop and serves as vice president of the St. Anthony Council of Catholic Women. Fencing was installed by Bo Newman Fencing of Lakeland.
The grotto will be maintained on a perpetual basis by volunteers from the K of C, the St. Anthony Council of Catholic Women and various other ministries serving St. Anthony Church. The K of C will continue the fish fries to raise funds for future needs of St. Anthony Church and various church and community charities supported by Council 11651.