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April 2002
VOLUME XXVI ISSUE 10
Contents . . .
Grand Knight's Message
Dear Brother Knights & Ladies: We're getting into an exciting time of the fraternal year now. The weather is starting to warm up and many activities and events are being planned by our Council and by the State Council. There is bound to be something that nearly everyone can participate in. Please take the time to thoroughly read our newsletter so that you can be an informed Knight.
Our Knight of the Month Award for March is being bestowed upon Bill Gulban. If you were in attendance at our Communion Breakfast held on Sunday, March 10th you would agree that it was an impressive and memorable affair. Bill worked very hard on that successful event and certainly deserves what little reward the Council can confer on him.
Our Family of the Month Award is being presented to Rick and Nancy Allison for the second time this fraternal year, however we cannot overlook all of the planning and hard work that went into conducting the "Irish Evening" that they coordinated on Monday, March 18th. This was an experimental activity to see if Parishioners would participate with the Knights in a Council sponsored event. Not only did they participate but we signed up two new candidates and accepted the transfer of a Knight who belonged to another Council.
By the time you read these words Easter may have passed, but it isn't over. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the unidentified members who throughout the year, give unselfishly of their time and talents to promote the principles of the Knights of Columbus. There are many good men doing many good works on behalf of our Council and the Order, and their good deeds may never receive the acclaim they deserve. May the risen Lord who sees all that you do reward you with blessings in abundance.
Fraternally,
Gerry Becker
Grand Knight
Chaplain's Message
by Father Thomas LaHood
Christ is Risen!
I once heard a story about priests in the Soviet Union in the early days of Communism who were brought together for re-education. They heard speeches about how there was no God and Jesus was just a myth concocted to fool the masses into submission to the wealthy, etc. etc. After spending hours hearing all of this, one of the priests stood up and thanked the speakers for their words and then shouted "But He is Risen!" At which all the other priests stood up and cheered. I can only guess what eventually happened to those priests.
The Resurrection of Christ is the central event of our faith ("If Christ did not rise from the dead we are the most pitiable of creatures"). That Jesus is risen from the dead is a truth that cuts through all the attempts to reduce Jesus to a philosopher, a teacher, a holy man like Buddha or Mohammed, or just a nice guy. No other religion makes such a claim about its central figure. The resurrection of Christ is the definitive act of God in the world. God has now, through Christ, raised the world to glory.
Now, through the risen body of Christ we have access to the Heavenly Places. Our prayers now pierce the clouds and our works of charity now are the very actions of God.
May the joy of the Risen Christ be with you and your families this Easter Season.
Comedy Corner
by Gerry Becker
Irish Dog
Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside with only a pet dog for company. One day the dog died, and Muldoon went to the parish priest and asked "Father, me dog is dead. Could ya' be sayin' a mass for the poor beast?" Father Patrick replied, "I'm afraid not; we cannot have services for an animal in the church. But there are some Baptists down the lane, and there's no tellin' what they believe. Maybe they'll do something for the creature." Muldoon said, "I'll go right away Father. Do ya' think $5,000 is enough to donate for the service?" Father Patrick replied, "Good grief man, why didn't ya' tell me the dog was Catholic?"
Not Inherited
A couple traveled several miles down a country road in silence. An earlier argument left both unwilling to concede their positions. Passing a pasture full of mules, the husband sarcastically asked, "are they relatives of yours?" "Yes", his wife replied. "I married into the family."
The Rabbit is Dead
A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road. He swerves to avoid hitting it but, unfortunately, the rabbit jumps right in front of the car. The driver, a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is dead. The driver feels so awful that he begins to cry. A beautiful blonde woman driving down the highway sees the man crying on the side of the road and pulls over. She steps out of the car and asks the man what's wrong. "I feel terrible," he explains. "I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it." The blonde says, "Don't worry." She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can. She walks over to the limp, dead rabbit, bends down and sprays the contents onto the rabbit. The rabbit jumps up, waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road. Ten feet away the rabbit stops, turns around and waves again. He hops down the road another 10 feet, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves and repeats this again and again and again until he hops out of sight. The man is astonished. He runs over to the woman and demands, "What is in that can? What did you spray on that rabbit?" The woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label. It says... "Hair Spray - Restores life to dead hair, adds permanent wave."
The Toothbrush
My son Zachary, 4, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell me he'd dropped his toothbrush in the toilet. So I fished it out and threw it in the garbage. Zachary stood there thinking for a moment, then ran to my bathroom and came out with my toothbrush. He held it up and said with a charming little smile, "We better throw this one out too then, 'cause it fell in the toilet a few days ago."
K of C Supreme Council Eucharistic Congress
by Gerry Becker
Just to keep this event fresh in your mind and on your calendar, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson announced last Spring that the Order will host the first-ever Knights of Columbus International Eucharistic Congress at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on June 22nd & 23rd. Details are still being formulated, but events will include Mass, benediction and adoration of the Eucharist, discussions by renowned speakers on the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation.
What is a Eucharistic Congress? - It is a gathering of the universal Church in particular areas for the purpose of deepening one's understanding of the Holy Eucharist; fostering greater devotion to the Holy Eucharist; and providing an opportunity to proclaim the good News of the Eucharist to the families throughout the Order and the world.
E-mail and the Internet
by Gerry Becker
I am currently maintaining a list of 115 e-mail addresses of council members and ladies. This method of communication makes it extremely easy to quickly notify those with e-mail capability of activities or events that occur between monthly newsletter mailings. It comes in especially handy whenever a member, or relative of a member suddenly becomes ill or dies. This quick notification makes it possible for anyone wanting to make a personal visit to pay respects, or to send a card, to do so in timely manner.
Below are some Internet sites that you might want to visit while you are on the web:
Supreme Council
Maryland State Council
Maryland Right to Life
National Right to Life
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Maryland Catholic Conference
Catholic Information Center
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
St. Patrick's Church, Rockville, Md.
Father Maher Council Charter Dinner
by Gerry Becker
Saturday, April 20th, mark your calendar now! Our 26th Annual Council Charter Dinner will be held at St. Peter's Parish Hall. Doors open at 6:30 pm. A social period with Hors d'oeuvres' will run from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Dinner will follow at 7:30 pm and will consist of two choices: Roast Beef, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables; or Chicken Cordon Bleu, rice and mixed vegetables. Both come with salad, bread & butter and Apple Strudel for dessert. Coffee and tea will also be provided. Admission is by advance ticket sales. Tickets are $12.50 each and can be obtained by sending a check along with your choice of entree to: Gerry Becker, 17534 Gatsby Terrace, Olney, Maryland 20832. Tickets may be HELD, but not sold at the door. Our State Deputy, Romeo Gauthier will be on hand to present the Council with it's 25th CONSECUTIVE Star Council Award.
It's promising to be a fun evening and one you won't want to miss. Order tickets today while it's still fresh in your mind.
First Annual Father Maher Council Membership Reunion
by Gerry Becker
If you can only make one meeting per year, this is the one you will want to make. Hopefully, everybody will be there! The date has been set, it's Monday, June 10th, 8 pm, St. Peter's Parish Hall. We tried to schedule it as close as possible to the longest "daylight" day of the year, the weather should be mild and it doesn't get dark until close to 9pm. There will be ample seating for everyone. Please mark your calendar now so that this date doesn't get taken up by another activity. It promises to be a great opportunity to renew old friendships and meet some of our newer members. We will conduct a short meeting with refreshments and fellowship to follow. Don't forget, with a large attendance chances are very good that someone will win the $200.00 attendance prize drawing. I hope to see you there!
Help Wanted Section
Maryland State Council K of C State Charity Golf Tournament
by Gerry Becker
OK guys, let's get ready for this one, it's going to be held almost in our back yard. This year's State Charity Golf Tournament is going to be held on Friday, June 14, 2002 at Willow Springs Golf Course starting at 8am. It will be conducted in a shotgun start, 4-man scramble format. The cost is $65.00 per person and includes greens fees, cart, beer, soda and lunch. There will be door prizes as well as a prize for closest to the pin. Mulligans will be available for purchase. I will need checks in-hand no later than May 25th. Two Father Maher Council members and a friend are already signed up. There will only be time to advertise this event in one more newsletter so don't delay your decision. Send your check to: Gerry Becker, 17534 Gatsby Terrace, Olney, Maryland 20832. This is so close, you gotta go!
Recruitment Update
by Gerry Becker
Update for Fraternal Year July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002
Original New Member Goal ...........22 Members lost this year ............. 5 Revised New Member Goal ............27 New Members Initiated to Date ..... 13 Signed Form 100's In-Hand ...........2 Additional new candidates needed ...12
In order to attain Star Council Status we need to bring in 14 new members between now and June 30, 2002. There are two First Degrees scheduled between now and the end of the fraternal year. They are April 22nd, and June 17th. We have managed to win this prestigious award for every year of our Council's 25 year existence. If we are to continue this unparalleled accomplishment it will take the effort of every member. It has been proven time and time again, the most effective way to get a man to join the Knights of Columbus is to ASK him.
Knights of Columbus Annual Scholarship Program
by Paul McFarlane
Each year, Father Peter Paul Maher Council 6793, Knights of Columbus offers scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors who have enrolled as full time students in an accredited college or university following their senior high school year. This year, we hope to make awards up to $1,000 to a number of students.
Copies of applications and eligibility requirements may be obtained by calling Paul D. McFarlane, Scholarship Chairman at (301) 570-5508. The deadline for Scholarship submissions is Tuesday, April 30, 2002. Our 2002 Scholarships will be awarded in June of this year.
State Council Sponsored Annual Retreat
by Gerry Becker
The Maryland State Council has established the week-end of May 3-5 as the dates for our annual retreat at Loyola on the Potomac. Loyola is a Jesuit Retreat House in Southern Maryland, approximately sixty miles from Olney. Loyola's mission is to serve men and women who are striving to be conscious of God's action in their lives and world. Loyola's ministry focuses on deepening faith and commitment to justice.
Loyola's retreats, which are normally "silent" retreats offers you a chance to escape the day-to-day demands of living and to examine, through prayer, meditation and the Sacraments, what God intends for you. The Retreat House was built in 1958, and was just recently completely refurbished. It sits on a bluff above a very wide section of the Potomac River. There are 235 acres of woodland, paths, river-front beach, and a view of the sunset over the Potomac River. The two story brick building has seventy-two single rooms, each with a half bath. There is a large lounge with a comfortable atmosphere for reading. Downstairs there is a conference room equipped with slides, video and audio tapes. The main Chapel holds about eighty people, it's quiet, peaceful, and a wonderful environment for spiritual meditation and prayer.
Typically the week-end begins on Friday evening with arrival and registration between 4-7pm. Confessions begin at 6:15 pm in the Chapel behind the Altar. Dinner is at 7 pm. Orientation is at 8 pm. Six meals are provided in a bright and airy dining room during the retreat and midnight snacks are available in the kitchen for anyone waking up hungry in the middle of the night. Throughout the week-end there will be two opportunities for confession, or at anytime by asking a priest, and three opportunities to attend Mass. Loyola suggests $140 for the week-end for those who are able. They ask for a $70 deposit and the remainder upon arrival; however, lack of funds should not inhibit anyone from setting aside a week-end to hear God's message.
If you would like to attend this year's Annual Loyola Retreat please call the Retreat House at 301-870-3515 or 301-934-8862. A week-end at Loyola could be the best spiritual experience you will ever have.
Something New .... And It Worked
by Bill Gulban, Lecturer
OUR MARCH FAMILY COMMUNION BREAKFAST
On March 10 after the 9:30 Mass at St. Patrick's Church Center, 165 people attended our breakfast, catered by the Chesapeake Bagel Bakery of Olney, MD. Tickets were sold to St. Patrick's parishioners after each Mass on a cold rainy Sunday a week before the breakfast. To invite the parishioners to join the Knights and their families for a communion breakfast was an experiment and it successfully worked. Of the total attendees about 100 were member families and the rest were St. Patrick's parishioners. At dessert time the program show included a fantastic story presented by a ventriloquist and Bros Knight, Ted Daigle, who told his interesting story with his puppet about the rosary prayers related to his personal miracle. Twenty-two children sat in a semicircle close to the stage awed by the puppet's talk and actions as well as the rest to the audience. As a memorial occasion after the story, colorful blessed rosaries hand made by a parishioner were presented to each child.
Before closing the program event 12 door prizes were raffled off including a fuzzy bunny in an Easter basket and flowers in a basket. Many children are happy having received early Easter baskets. The parishioners are still commenting how welcoming it is to have such a community spirited program.
My congratulations go to the people who helped me make this event so successful. These include for ticket sales, Homer Chen, Sumi Arima, Frank Irons, Gerry Parshall, Anne Schneider, Donna & Innocent d'Almeida, Bill Hammond, and myself. Set up, arranging tables, decorations, were Gabriel Francis, Bob & Barbara Mazonkey, Gerry & Judy Becker, and myself. Special thanks goes to Barbara Mazonkey for procuring and arranging table decorations and raffle gifts and, also to Bob Mazonkey who organized the attendance list, number of children, payment list, etc using our different computers and programs between us. The registration table was governed by Donna & Innocent d'Almeida, Bill Ketter, Homer Chen, and Bob Mazonkey who monitored the flow line. Serving food included Bill Homick, Barbara Mazonkey, Joe & Lyn Feakes, Judy Becker, Gabriel Francis who set up & monitored the coffee urns, and our Grand Knight, Gerry Becker, who monitored the flow of operations. Taking down food, decorations, and cleaning is owed to Rick Allison, Joe & Lyn Feakes, Bob Mazonkey, and myself. For those volunteers who aren't listed here, it is not intentional, I thank you for your help in making our communion breakfast a great success.
Get Your Own Huggable Bear
We still have a limited number of adorable, cuddly bears for you to own! They stand 15" tall and come in Cocoa Brown or Tawny Tan. They are dressed in snuggly white turtleneck sweaters with the words "I Luv To Hug" printed on their tummies. They are manufactured by the "Petting Zoo." After expenses, proceeds from the sale of these $20/each Bears will be deposited in a special fund to assist the future State Deputy (Dick Sherbert) with his administrative costs.
Please call Paul McFarlane (301-570-5508) to buy a lovable Bear.
Insurance Report
by Rick Morin, FICF/LUTCF--Your K of C Insurance Agent - 301-384-7627
Money Back Term Insurance
Sound too good to be true? If it does, it usually is not true.
Many people buy term insurance because it is considered cheap insurance. Unfortunately, when the term runs out, the member continues to need the protection. Now the member is forced to qualify and, if he can, usually pays a higher premium.
Term insurance has its place. It may be used to protect someone for a specific need or for a specific time period. It may be used to provide large amounts of insurance protection when there is a need to divert premiums to everyday living needs.
Unfortunately, it may be the most expensive when the member lives beyond the term period and asks . . . "What is my policy worth?"
A policy should provide the amount of protection that is needed for a specific time. Then the cash values in the policy may be used for other purposes, such as, education funds, retirement income, prepay other obligations or used in the event of an emergency.
"Money Back Term" is a misnomer. However, your life policy can work just like it. Call your Brother Knight and council's field agent today to ask about evaluating your life insurance portfolio.
Financial Secretary Note
by William E. Ketter, PGK
I wish to congratulate the members of Father Peter Paul Maher Council for the excellent way they are paying their dues in 2002. The second quarter dues statements were mailed starting on March 18th and with the excellent way the 2002 dues have been paid, dues statements were sent to only 109 members of which 102 have not paid any dues to date in 2002. Approximately 298 (or almost 300)members have paid all or a part of their dues by March 21, 2002.
Father Peter Paul Maher Council submitted their Ad for the 2002 Convention Program. The Council had 89 patron ads which was an excellent showing for the membership. The priests have again been taken care of by four generous members. Again I want to thank the members that have participated in this activity. The Ad will be reproduced in a later Newsletter.
Health for K of C Membership Longevity
by Bill Gulban
As current Council Lecturer, appointed several times for different KC fraternal years during my almost 10 membership years, I'm focusing into an area that is meaningful to us as members of a great fraternal organization. One of the responsibilities given to a KC appointed position as Lecturer is to endeavor informative and educational programs that will improve members lives and daily burdens by giving them the opportunity to express charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism through programs in which they learn, enjoy, and relax.
My intention is to promote healthy habits among the membership and their families. I believe that God's intention is maintaining our efforts as a fraternal organization of Catholic men who joins together in family, religious, charitable community and youth activities. To carry out our Founding Father, Fr. Michael McGivney's aims we can encourage ourselves through mindful practice not only spiritual activities but also to endeavor maintenance of our bodies. If we don't keep up a healthy mind and body we shorten our time to endure God's work. It is not too late to include a New Year resolution to eat nutritious foods, reduce junk foods, and exercise more often.
One idea of mine to improve member's lives is to initiate articles in our monthly newsletter on the subjects of longevity. There are thousands of marketers who want to sell tasty foods, weight reduction pills, and exercise devices, but how would you know what was approved by medical and approving authorities. Shocking data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicate that our fruits and vegetables are nutritionally deficient, by as much as 50 %, due to a "loss in the content of various nutrients (e.g., vitamin A, riboflavin, calcium, and niacin) over the past 25 years in the U.S."
My articles will come from reliable sources, such as Harvard Health Watch, Wellness Letters of Nutrition, Fitness, and Self-care, from University of California, and Tufts University, and National Institute of Health studies and findings.
Let research results guide your decisions on antioxidants. Vitamin C--recommended dietary allowance: Men, 90 milligrams; women, 75 mgs. Upper level: 2000 mgs. Higher amounts could lead to G.I. disturbances. Research at N.I.H. shows that the body's tissues become saturated with vitamin C at about 200 mgs a day--an amount easily attainable by anyone who eats the recommended 5 to 9 daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Taking more is like "pouring water over an already-soaked sponge." I hope you will read my next months' articles.
Supreme Council News
Knights of Columbus Chief Executive Attends Vatican Meeting on Life Issues
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson takes part in Pontifical Academy for Life meeting on contemporary challenges to life
New Haven, CT - Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson took part in a Feb. 25-27 Pontifical Academy for Life meeting in Rome on the "Nature and Dignity of the Person as Foundation of the Right to Life." Pope John Paul II appointed Anderson to the academy in 1998.
"The Knights of Columbus has for decades now championed respect for the life of every human being from conception until natural death. We stand in solidarity with the Holy Father on life issues and will continue to witness to the sanctity of life through our programs," Anderson said.
Annually, members of the 1.6 million member Catholic lay organization report raising and donating more than $4 million for pro-life causes. On March 25, the Knights of Columbus will observe its first annual Day of the Unborn Child. Members and their families are being urged to gather to pray the rosary for pro-life intentions on that day.
Maryland State Council Message
What the Knights are all about
The Knights of Columbus is a lay Catholic family fraternal service organization. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to all practical Catholic men in communion with the Holy See, age eighteen and above. The term practical Catholic implies that a person accepts and abides by the Commandments of God and the precepts and tenets of the Catholic church.
On October 2, 1881, Father Michael J. McGivney, 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, brought together a group of laymen with whom he discussed his dream for a Catholic fraternal benefit society. It not only would assist widows and orphans of deceased members through its life insurance program, but also would boost members' sense of pride in their Catholic religion, then frequently challenged in the anti-Catholic climate of 19th-century America. Father McGivney and his associates met several more times over the next several months to continue planning, and the new organization --the Knights of Columbus -- was formally launched in early February, 1882.
The officers of the new Catholic organization chose the name 'Knights of Columbus' to honor Christopher Columbus, the Catholic discoverer of America. The word knights is also significant. We are ever mindful of the knightly qualities of spirituality and service to church that is embodied in the Knights of Columbus. The Order has evolved into a service organization with a strong family orientation. By the end of 1897 the Order was thoroughly rooted in New England, along the upper Atlantic seaboard and into Canada. Within the next eight years it branched out from Quebec to California, and from Florida to Washington.
The Knights of Columbus remains headquartered in New Haven, but is now present with nearly 12000 Councils in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, and several other countries.
One of the primary missions of the Knights of Columbus is to support local charities. The Knights are a familiar sight around town during the annual Tootsie Roll(r) drive, which raises funds for charities that support the retarded and handicapped. We also support other fund raising drives to aid local parishes and charities.
The Knights of Columbus promotes family values by providing numerous activities throughout the year that the entire family can participate in. Additionally, the organization provides an opportunity to ensure that a knight's family is provided for in the event of his death.
Here is short list of reasons why men join the Knights of Columbus: