When marchers in 2011 Bronx Columbus Day steps off, many will have already met their Sunday religious obligations and been served breakfast thanks to the generosity of a local organization.
The Knights of Columbus, Mary Queen of Peace Council # 4521 will be sponsoring a Mass and continental breakfast for parade participants beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Church at 1739 Unionport Road. The parade itself steps off at noon on Sunday, October 9 from the corner of Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road, and marches up to Williamsbrige Road, following the same route as in 2010.
The mass will include participation of fourth-degree knights from the Archbishop Hughes Assembly of the Fourth Degree # 691 as an honor guard, and the knights will also march in the parade, said Queen of Peace Council past grand knight Al Corcillo. Father Robert Badillo, pastor of Our Lady of Solace-St. Dominic parish, will celebrate Mass.
“The Mary, Queen of Peace Council has been sponsoring the Mass and breakfast for the past 15 years,” Corcillo said. “It is important to have the mass before the parade for the marchers who are Catholic and have to meet their Sunday obligations. It is a good start to the parade.”
Members of the Mary, Queen of Peace Council, based in Morris Park, have been glad to be a part of the parade since its founding 34 years ago in 1977, Corcillo said.
“We have participated in the Bronx Columbus Day Parade for all of these years and consider it a tremendous plus for the community,” Corcillo said. “We congratulate the parade chairman Tony Signorile and the Bronx Columbus Day Parade Committee for all of their successful service through the years.”
Any civic groups, fraternal organizations, or school that wishes to march in the parade should be in touch to make their reservations, Signorile said.
Tickets are also still available for their 2011 Bronx Columbus Day Parade Dinner Dance at Maestro’s beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 23. The event includes live entertainment by the Bronx Wanderers.
For more information about marching in the parade, or for tickets to the dinner dance, which cost $80 per person, please contact Tony Signorile at (917) 715-2210.
