Four generations of family members enjoy pancakes, eggs and bacon together at the Knights of Columbus community breakfast including Blaise Rodriguez, Chubba Rodriguez, Rocco Rodriguez, Vegas Rodriguez, Seaira Rodriguez, Ashley Hight, Cruz Rodriguez, Jerry Ficter and Teri Ficter.

 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The first Sunday of the month brings an opportunity for the community to join the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Council 12527, for a tradition that goes back so far that many aren’t sure when it began.

The community breakfast, held from 7-11 a.m., is a fellowship event that draws not only members of the church, but residents from Biggs, Live Oak and Gridley.

Members of the Knights and Sacred Heart Parish, including members of its Live Oak mission, don yellow shirts and fill the kitchen of the parish hall to prepare the hearty meal. Guests are served a traditional menu of eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and pancakes, including their choice of a hot or cold beverage, for $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Knights of Columbus cooks have fun while serving breakfast to the community. Funds raised help support the church and local service efforts.

Local Knights leader Raul Leanos said funds raised go back into the program and help the organization support local service initiatives, including the community and parish.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in June, followed by a change in local leadership. July 1 marked the beginning of Father Joyle Martinez’s tenure, replacing Father Roland Ramirez, who served the area for 10 years from 2016-2026.

Leanos said a portion of the funds raised at the breakfasts helps support Martinez’s tenure, as he has quickly become loved by the congregation.

Leanos also said the parish hall, which hosts both the Knights’ monthly breakfasts and the St. Vincent de Paul Community Food Closet, urgently needs electrical upgrades. The Knights are raising money through the breakfast and other events, such as the upcoming Sacred Heart Harvest Festival, to help cover the costs.

Aside from the fundraising efforts, the breakfast provides members of the community, parish and Live Oak mission an opportunity to fellowship with each other, enjoying a simple Sunday morning visit with family and friends for a good cause.

Gridley resident Teri Ficter was happy to let the Knights handle breakfast for her as she attended with her family.

Gridley’s Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Council 12527, serves a community breakfast on the first Sunday of each month

“We have three generations here,” said Ficter, seated next to her mother, former Gridley Mayor Jerry Ficter. “We are waiting on the fourth.”

Indeed, the Ficters and their family members did have four generations present, with family members slowly trickling in along with other groups and individuals.

Regardless of how many generations are in a party, the Knights of Columbus invite the public to attend their next scheduled breakfast Nov. 1 from 7-11 a.m. at 1561 Hazel St. in Gridley, across the street from Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Following the Nov. 1 breakfast, the Knights will help host the Sacred Heart Harvest Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Gridley Moose Lodge, 1533 Highway 99 in Gridley.