Michael J. O’Connor, a parishioner of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Frackville and the Supreme Secretary of the Knights of Columbus has been named a Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by Pope Francis.
The Order of St. Sylvester, one of five pontifical knightly orders, was founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1841. Those named to the order are actively involved in the everyday activities of the Church. Membership signifies recognition from the Holy Father himself for exemplary service rendered to the Church.
O’Connor is an attorney who has been very active in the Church in the Diocese of Allentown. He has been a member of the Independent Review Board, the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Catholic Charities Board of Directors, the Diocesan School Board and President of the St. Thomas More Society in Schuylkill County.
O’Connor has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1986 and has held local and national leadership positions in the Knights. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Knights since 2007 and is currently the Knights’ Supreme Secretary.
O’Connor also assisted with the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia where over one million Catholics and members of the Christian community gathered with His Holiness Pope Francis to strengthen the bonds of family life.
Diocese of Allentown Bishop Alfred Schlert said, “The honor bestowed on Mr. O’Connor is well deserved. He has generously used his numerous gifts and talents to serve the Universal Church and the Church in the Diocese of Allentown.” The Bishop also noted, “In bestowing this honor on Mr. O’Connor, Pope Francis has also honored the Diocese and the faithful who live and worship here.”
The honor will be conferred on Mr. O’Connor at a ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena in Allentown on Sunday, October 18 at 3 PM.
