Knights of Columbus Founder Michael J. McGivney

Michael "Mike" Vasaturo is a graduate of St. John's University in New York and has worked for New Haven Terminal in Connecticut since 1989. Mr. Vasaturo currently serves the company as vice president and CFO. Beyond his work responsibilities, Michael Vasaturo is an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

Out of a growing hostility toward Catholic immigrants and unsafe factory working conditions, Father Michael J. McGivney and a group of elected officers launched the Knights of Columbus in 1882. At the time, Father McGivney was 29 years old and served as an assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. The goal of the Knights of Columbus was to unite Catholic men and provide financial support to families of deceased members while emphasizing church, virtue, and community.

The child of Irish immigrants, Michael McGivney was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1852. He attended school in a working-class neighborhood, but at the age of 13, left to work in a brass factory. 

Three years later, McGivney left the factory and traveled to Quebec with his pastor to prepare for seminary admission at the College of Saint-Hyacinthe. McGivney later attended Niagara University and St. Mary's College. 

Beginning his ministry on December 25, 1877, at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Father McGivney provided pastoral care and service to the community until his untimely death in 1890. McGivney's funeral service is thought to be one of the most attended in the history of Waterbury, Connecticut.

Why Swimming Is Unlike Other Exercises

New Haven, Connecticut-based Michael “Mike” Vasaturo has years of experience in business administration. The former vice president of Logistec USA, Inc., he currently functions as vice president of New Haven Terminal. In his free time, Michael Vasaturo enjoys staying in shape by swimming and running. 

Time Magazine recently released an article about the benefits of swimming in comparison to other forms of exercise. Unlike other activities, swimming submerges the entire body in water, eliminating the stress or limitations that come from working in gravity. This makes swimming an especially good option for athletes who have osteoarthritis or experience other body aches and pains. It is also good for those who cannot handle load-bearing aerobic exercises, such as those trying to lose a great deal of weight. Swimming also can lower blood pressure for those with hypertension and decreases arterial stiffness.

While this may make swimming sound easier, it is not. Water is denser than air, which puts more pressure on the limbs as swimmers force their way through. Also beneficial is the fact that the pressure is uniformly distributed, meaning it doesn’t impact any one part of the body like other exercises can.