Knights of Columbus Council #5811 Family of the Month for January 2009 - Brother Steve Zalewski and Family

The “Brotherhood” associated with Knights of Columbus rings true for Steve Zalewski and his family, wife Kathy, sons Ben (19), Mark (16), Matthew (13), and daughter Devanne (11).  Steve, a Past Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and Recorder, transplanted from Nashua, New Hampshire and Redmond, WA to Pleasant Hill for his job with Kaiser Permanente.  Since moving to the Bay Area seven years ago, the Zalewski’s have likened the Knights, their wives, and their children to an extended family.  “For our children, social events with the Knights are like family gathering with grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins”, Steve says, as he talks about the pancake breakfasts, Easter Egg Hunts, St. Patrick Day Dinner, Sausage Night and other Knights activities in which he and his family participate.  “Our family is all back on the East Coast”, says Steve, so council events are a great way for the Zalewski family to enjoy some fun and camaraderie with others, while giving back to the community.  “The kids enjoy participating”, says Steve, adding, “their participation allows them to see brother Knights as good role models demonstrating sharing, caring, responsibility and charity; important life lessons to learn in their preparation for adulthood.”

An active family, the Zalewski’s are also busy with school, scouting, and sports.  Steve is a Committee Chair for the Boy Scouts and active with Matthew and Mark’s scouting, which allows them to camp and hike together- while learning Scout values such as honesty, good citizenship and outdoor skills.  As the oldest, Ben is busy balancing school and work, while Devanne is the “athlete of the family”, participating in basketball, softball and soccer.

On top of the daily hustle and bustle, the Zalewski’s stay connected.  A typical weekend includes Steve cooking a family meal and others helping out, including the boys taking on an interest in BBQing.   Family trips are common as well.  In November, the Zalewski’s took advantage of Devanne’s club-soccer tournament in Huntington Beach, CA and extended it into a family vacation.  They rented a beach house and got to enjoy some time to relax and connect with one another. 

With everything going on, Steve and Kathy try to find a few minutes each day to spend with each other. When asked about hobbies, Steve laughingly replied: “With four kids, this (the family) is my hobby”.  How do Steve and Kathy make it all work?  We have a “commitment to the family and being Catholic,” says Steve.  “We accept the challenges and the rewards that God gives us and we make it work; faith is an important part of day to day life.”

As a leader within our Pleasant Hill council over the past five years, Steve has most enjoyed the opportunity for him and his family to participate and contribute.  “I’m proud of having a small part in helping the council grow and get stronger.  The council is healthy and vibrant and gaining increased visibility within the parish community as the membership grows and brings in younger members and new ideas.”  As a leader, Steve has helped develop an environment in our council where being a Knight is something fun, giving both our members and their families, a place to contribute to both the church and the community while enjoying the brotherhood of the Knights.