Our Lady of Knock Society
By Suzanne Johnson
Our Lady of Knock Society (OLOK) was organized in January 1996. The Society is named in honor of the apparition of our Lady, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist at the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Knock, County Mayo, Ireland in 1879. The purpose of the society is to promote social, ethnic/cultural, and spiritual awareness of the Irish Catholic heritage. Additionally, the non-profit society participates in outreach programs for worthy causes. The society originally welcomed members of Irish Catholic heritage, but it is now open to all women and men who are interested in OLOK activities.
There were six charter members of OLOK. The first president of the organization was Kathy Davis. Kathy was instrumental in organizing the chapter and making contacts with many philanthropic organizations to which the chapter still donates today. After Kathy’s passing in 2007, the society members unanimously voted to add Kathy’s name to the chapter’s title. Bob Davis, Kathy’s husband, is still a very active member of OLOK and continues to assist in many of the chapter’s activities. The chapter’s current president, Mary Swider, was a charter member with Kathy.
When OLOK first began, the chapter members would hold a monthly meeting at a member’s home. At one time, the members began meeting at the church; but it was soon decided that meetings would go back to a member’s home. It was also decided that the meetings would be held on an “as needed” basis instead of monthly.
OLOK holds an annual card party in November. This is a social function open to the whole church community. Participants look forward to the “military bridge” card game, the beautiful door prize baskets created by the OLOK members, and other door prizes donated by local merchants. In March, the Society assists the Knights of Columbus with the St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance. All monies collected from a 50/50 giveaway at the dinner dance and the card party proceeds are donated to charity. Many members also team up with the Knights in assisting with their community garage sale in the summer.
A donation each year is sent to Our Lady of Knock in Ireland. Donations have been made to Nativity School, the Kathy Davis Scholarship Fund at Nativity School, Nativity’s Starfish Project, Father Wilson’s work with needy children, Knights of Columbus Appalachian Building Project, as well as many other church related needs. Catholic Schools of Ireland, Mission of Mercy, SOAR, Haiti Earthquake Relief, Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, Therapeutic Riding Center, the Lamb Center, and many other worthy organizations have been the recipients of the organization’s philanthropic efforts.
Kathi St. Germain, a member of OLOK, heard of a need for dinners to be provided to the Lamb Center, a daytime drop-in center for the poor and homeless located in Fairfax. One day each month, many OLOK members make a shared recipe which Kathi and others transport to the shelter.
Members also enjoy many social events. Each September an Irish brunch is held. Members bring a dish and spouses are also invited. This traditionally is the event where new officers are installed. Members gather once a year at “Three Fox Vineyard” for mass and a potluck. Holli and John Toddhunter, proprietors of the vineyard, treat members to a wonderful afternoon of spirituality and friendship in a beautiful setting. Other events throughout the year include a proper Irish tea, a Christmas party, and a Bunco game in June.
Members have enjoyed fashion shows and jewelry shows. They have attended Irish themed productions at the Kennedy Center, George Mason University, Riverside Dinner Theater, and Wolf Trap. The Four Provinces of Ireland, an Irish restaurant in Falls Church, has also been the site of many dinners. A mass at Nativity is offered for the members each year on the day when the apparition appeared at Knock on August 21st.
From 1996 to the present, OLOK members have enjoyed their spiritual, cultural, and social activities tied to our church. From a small group of men and women to our ever-growing membership, Our Lady of Knock Society, Kathy Davis Chapter, has been an important participant in the Nativity community. We pray that we will continue to play a role well into the future.
Nativity’s Our Lady of Knock Society ministry dissolved in fall of 2022.