What would happen if after 75 years you found out you had a brother? Well, Bob Mate found out what is was like to have a brother in a report in 2013.

This is a scaled down version of a story that appeared in the January 2014 edition of the "Columbia" (Knights of Columbus magazine)

It all started in 2013 when Bob's daughter Julie Ann contacted the Foundlng Hospital in New York City and obtained a 111 page report. The Foundling Hospital could not send this report to Julie so the hospital sent to report to Bob instead. It was while reading this report that Bob learned he had a brother, and his name was Charles. Charles had been adopted by a family in the Bronx and Bob had been placed in a foster home on Long Island.

Both brother's were seperated from birth and yet both share a lot in common that includes the following: Both went to college, got married and had children (Charles's wife had passed away), drive the same beige Ford Fusion and served in the military. Charles seerved in the Navy for 20 years and retired as a Commander while Bob served in the Air Force for 4 years as a Staff Sargent, E 5. As brothers, they also got involved in the Knights of Columbus. Bob joined the Knights in 1962 when he was in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Bob has since joined St. A's council 6345 where he was Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator, District Deputy, State Deputy and a Vice Supreme Master. Bob is still an active member of the council. Charles, was ordained a priest (since his wife died he was allowed to become a priest) July 12, 1986 which happened to be Bob's 50th birthday. Charles became a member of the Ascension Council 7902 in San Diego, California in July of 1992. Charles later became the State Chaplain for the California Knight's of Columbus.

If the saying "paths do come together" is true then these brothers have proven that saying. It all came together in October of 2013 when brother Father Charles did a mass at St. Augustine (The picture below was taken in the church) and at the same mass brother Bob was the lector.

Knights material provided by Michael Hart