Knights of Columbus - Father Joe Lauro Council 6398

Father Lauro Council was founded in 1972 through the efforts of the members of Assumption, St. Augustine, and St. John parishes. "It is named after Father Lauro, who was known as the Action Priest.
"Born on the South Side of Chicago in 1912, Joe Lauro had one ambition, and one only-to become a priest. But because of an ironic circumstance, he was to be thwarted in this ambition for years. Finally, in 1940, with all avenues to the priesthood seemingly closed, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was given command of a Wellington Bomber and flew 58 missions over Sicily and Italy. After that tour of duty he transfered to the American Air Force and commanded a B-24. In all, he had flown no less than 80 missions before he was returned to the United States. One of his many decorations was the Distinguished Flying Cross, with which he was invested by George VI at Buckingham Palace.