Andrew J. Usmiani

2019-2020 was an interesting, successful but also a challenging year. It began with the loss of our beloved Chaplain Rev. Jay Bowden and later the loss of our brother, Deacon Neil Pirozzi.  Some new initiatives were introduced such the Mary in the Grotto program, Our Lady of Guadalupe 5-mile procession in Trenton, partnership with The Jerricho National Golf Course and a partnership with the Poor Clares Sisters Monastery for daily prayer intercessions of the council. We then entered uncharted waters through the changes brought by the pandemic. We did this with brothers on the Emergency Response Team, Leave no Neighbor Behind Program, numerous special food collections for El Centro and area food pantries, a partnership with Notre Dame HS and Unplanned Movie showings. By the end of the Columbian year, we held the Council’s first digital and remote meetings to move the Council through the Covid-19 lockdowns. Overall, we increased Council participation and attendance through monthly dinner meetings, a renovated ECenter kitchen and an enhanced Council Lounge that was appropriately renamed in memory of Fr. Jay. Finally, we ended on a high note when the council was able to achieve Star Council Award along with the Father McGivney, Founder’s, and Columbian Awards.