On This Date in Nativity History

16 December 1989

In June 1990, the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus approved the change of name of the Nativity Council to Father Vincent S. Sikora Council.  Father Sikora was born in Arnold, Pennsylvania, in 1925 of Polish immigrant parents: Walenty and Rosalia (Zalenski) Sikora.  After service in the army in World War Two, including two years overseas, Sikora attended Mt. Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and graduated in 1954.  He was an assistant pastor at St. Michael’s Church in Annandale, and at St. Charles Church in Arlington.  He was the Founding Pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Annandale in 1966.  He came to Nativity in the 1980s.  He became the Council Chaplain in October 1988, and made an immediate, positive impact on the life and spirit of the Council.  He wrote a column for every Council newsletter, and was a constant fixture at Council meetings and around the Parish.  Fr. Sikora died December 16, 1989.  Since 1990, the Council has honored the memory of Father Sikora every December by saying a rosary at his gravesite.

In the summary of his life prepared by the Council in their application to the Supreme Council for the name change, Father Sikora was described with these words: “Father Sikora was a simple, humble, common servant of God. He excelled, but never raised himself in glory. He would not accept praise, only being the tool of God. He would not accept money for personal use, only giving it away to someone in greater need. He would not show anger or resentment, only the acceptance of the will of God in gladness. … He radiated the love and joy of God to whomever he touched. He was always present when people needed counseling, comfort, and love. … Father Sikora was an example for all of us.”

Our thanks to Mark Sawyer, Jason Hines, and other Nativity Knights for this information.

 


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