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November 2002 VOLUME XXVII ISSUE 5
Contents . . .
Grand Knight's Message
November is the traditional month for the Knights of Columbus memorial masses for our deceased brethren and widows. These events are important and always bring to mind, "Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori". Here in greater Olney this motto has increased significance this year due to the terror induced by the random sniper. Now that the perpetrator has been arrested and the shootings have ceased, we all breathe a sigh of relief. But, these events underscore that we never know when the end will come. We must ensure that our loved ones are well provided for and that our souls are ready at any time to travel the path to Gods presence. Contact our Insurance representative Rick Morin if you have any concerns about your survivor's financial future.
While we remember those who have gone before, we should also remember those who survive. It is our duty as defenders of life to pray and serve those who are left by those who pass. This is the foundation of our order. If you know of any brother, his family or survivors in need, remember them in your prayers and to the council so we may assist them in any way they need.
Lastly, I know many feel that the snipers must be punished, but it is our duty to forgive and seek to save them. Please remember we as Knights support and value life in all forms and fight against the "culture of death". Pray for the souls of these misguided men that they may see the error of their ways. Thus seeking forgiveness from God and our society while serving the rest of their lives in the isolation and separation of prison, with no chance or consideration of parole.
Pax Chritos et Salve Regina,
Rick L. Allison, Grand Knight
Chaplain's Message
by Fr. LaHood
The July, 2002 issue of Columbia contains a wonderful article about Natural Family Planning called "Are You Man Enough to Take the NFP Challenge?" This article talked about all the advantages of NFP: stronger marriages, deepened faith, greater health advantages, etc. I hope you read this article. If you have not, dig it up and read it.
Bill Gorman, the head of the Natural Family Planning office for the Archdiocese of Washington will speak at Saint Peter's on Monday, November 4th at 8:00 PM in the Parish Hall. He is a dynamic speaker. You can learn much more about this natural, moral way of regulating the size of your family. This talk is open to all. Say not "I am too old." This is something we need to be able to give witness to in our families and communities.
The area of artificial contraception is an issue in which the Church is thought to be really "behind the times." Knowing about NFP will give you the ability to answer how the Catholic Church is one of the few speakers of the truth on this issue, sadly enough even among Christians. Even older people can give witness to their children on this. Please plan to attend. It is sponsored my Magnificat and the Sons of Saint Peter but it is open to all. If you are a husband and your wife is still in child-bearing years, talk to her and pray with her about this and come to the talk. It can change your life!
Insurance Article
by Rick Morin, FICF/LUTCF -- Your K of C Insurance Agent (301) 384-7627
During Thanksgiving, as you are giving thanks for what you have, think about what you are giving your family. I know you are a great provider. You give your family a nice home and everything else that they could need. But what would happen if you were to die unexpectedly? Would the giving end? It would not have to, if you had adequate life insurance protection. Give your family the security that life insurance delivers. Give them protection that will last for a lifetime. Get enough life insurance for yourself .... and your family.
District Deputy Article
Welcome to the season for giving thanks. Do you find that emotion difficult to express considering what is happening in our world, in our nation, in our Church, and in our neighborhoods? I don't. Consider our theme for this fraternal year, "celebrating Faith, Family, and Fraternity". Indeed, we have much for which we should be thankful and much for which we should be proud.
God has certainly been good to us. He has given us his Son, the sacraments, our clergy, religious, and lay ministers. We have the commandments and the gospel to instruct us. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us. We have each other for support. You may have heard me say that before joining the Knights of Columbus you would have never seen me sitting in the lobby of a hotel with 12 other men talking about my religion. Well, that actually happened and I thank all of you, not only for giving me that opportunity to share my faith, but also for the strength and courage to do so.
God has given us the precious gift of family. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. They each have their own personality. They each have unique relationships. I encourage all of you to take a little extra time during these busy days to openly express to those near and dear to you how important they are in your life and how grateful you are for their love and support. Remember in a special way those family members who may have become separated or who have distanced themselves. Please don't forget those deceased.
God has given us the wonderful gift of fraternity. Because of the vision of a young priest 120 years ago, we stand here today as members of the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world. When we read or hear about the hundreds of millions of dollars and hours of service provided by the Knights of Columbus we can be thankful and proud. Thankful for the chance to live our faith through service to others. Proud because we know that in some way we are part of those impressive totals. You may never get a "thank you" note, or a handshake, or see the smile you put on a child's face. However you can be sure that your efforts made a difference.
On behalf of our District Warden Yen Le and his wife Nu, my wife Lynn and I wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving.
Vivat Jesus
Joe Feakes, District Deputy #1
Pope To Add New Mysteries To Rosary
Informed Vatican sources indicate that Pope John Paul II will mark tomorrow's 24th anniversary of his election to the pontificate with the release an apostolic letter that will include that adding of five new mysteries to the Rosary.
Leaks from the Vatican, in anticipation of the document's release, suggest the five new mysteries - the "luminous mysteries" - will focus on the public life of Christ. They will be: the Baptism in the Jordan, the temptation in the desert, the proclamation of the Kingdom, the Transfiguration, and the entry into Jerusalem.
The theme of the letter is devotion to the Virgin Mary.
The Rosary is a traditional Marian devotion, popularised at first by St Bernard, later by the Dominican order, and still later by St Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort. It is composed of five joyful mysteries (which are recited on Mondays and Thursdays), five sorrowful mysteries (recited on Tuesdays and Fridays), and five glorious mysteries (Wednesdays, Saturdays, and
Sundays.) The five new mysteries will reportedly be used on Saturdays.
Safety Saturday Event A Genuine Success
by Paul McFarlane
Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council #6793 was invited as a sponsor for this "kick-off" event at Cashell Elementary School on Saturday, October 12, 2002 from 10 AM to 2 PM. The event topped the Maryland Red Ribbon Safety Week 2002 (10/12/02 - 10/18/02) designed to educate elementary school children about health and safety around home and school. Participants learned about fire safety, bike, roller blade and skateboard safety, and how to avoid drug and alcohol use. Local fire
department personnel promoted fire awareness and emergency medical services. Our Council provided, cooked and served hamburgers, hotdogs and soft drinks to participants. As earlier agreed, we are sharing the concession proceeds with the Cashell School Safety Fund.
It is noteworthy that this is event was threatened with cancellation because a rogue sniper, who had shot ten innocent people in the Washington metropolitan area since October 2, 2002, had not been apprehended by the authorities. Because of this, most of the event was moved into the school's gymnasium. Still, nearly 175 community members attended and thoroughly enjoyed the event.
Special thanks go to the cooks, cashiers and servers e.g. Brothers Russell Acosta, Tim Boland, James Bonanno, James Murray, Grand Knight Richard Allison, Deputy Grand Knight Innocent d'Almeida, Lecturer William Gulban, Financial Secretary William Ketter, and Inside Guard James Padams. And two thumbs up to Brother John Neesen for loaning us his spiffy pick-up truck for transporting our supplies to and from the event!
Annual Council Memorial Mass - November 21
by Bill Gulban
On Thursday, November 21, 7:00 pm, at St. Patrick's Church Mass will be offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased members and widows of our council. The celebrant will be Senior Associate Rev. Donald Worch of St. Patrick's Church, the choir of St. Patrick's directed by Mrs. Marion Spahn, and music by Dr. Nicolas Catravas, organist. Members of our council asked to participate as altar servers, and readers.
Everyone is invited to refreshments served after Mass in the parish center. This is but a short amount of time to invest in remembering those who have gone before us. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Marian Hour Of Prayer
EXPECTATIONS FOR MANY, BUT SUCCESS REIGNS
by Bill Gulban
On Friday, October 18, at 7:00 pm, as part of an international "Marian Hour Of Prayer" program, our council sponsored a public prayer service at St. Patrick's Church. The service honored the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of "Our Lady of the Rosary". With the efforts of our District Deputy, Joe Feakes, received from the State a beautiful large copy of the icon of Our Lady of the Rosary and arranged its display with the help of Innocent and Donna d'Almeida at the foot of the altar. Our Chaplain, Fr. LaHood, was Celebrant leading the prayers of the service and saying the rosary on the kneeler before the icon for all who attended. Brother and Rev. Ron Crowley, Permanent Deacon, St. Patrick's lead the singing of music played by Alberta Suggs, organist of St. Patrick's. Bill Gulban gave the reading followed by Rick Allison who said the Responsorial Psalm. Fr. LaHood led the Litany followed by quiet moments.
Our council members and guests who attended has added their voices in prayer to those from around the world in this event of prayer devotion. Fr. LaHood said he would welcome a repeated prayer service program often for our council families and guests.
Health For K Of C Membership Longetivity
by Bill Gulban
Your comments of appreciation on my health articles are most welcome. This month I think it due time to talk about diets, that is, about the "Lowdown on Low-Carb Diets". There's been a lot of media buzz recently about low-carbohydrate diets, leaving many Americans confused about what they should-or should not-be eating to lose weight. A provocative article in the July issue New York Times Magazine argued that the real cause of America's obesity epidemic might be the medical establishment's advice to eat less fat and more carbohydrates. Instead, the author suggested that a diet low in carbs and high in fat and protein-such as the one championed by cardiologist Robert Atkins, MD-may be a healthier and more effective for weight loss. Subsequently, TV news shows spotlighted the Atkins diet, September issue Time magazine ran a much-discussed cover story on the carbs vs. fat debate and sales of Dr. Atkins' books have soared.
Dr. Andrew Weil, a leading health specialist, found the New York Times Magazine article to be a curious mixture of truth and nonsense. The truth is that the medical profession has long advocated low-fat diets without paying sufficient attention to the role of carbs in weight gain. Dr. Weil's opinion that over consumption of refined carbs-fluffy breads, cookies, cakes, crackers, chips, as well as sodas and sweetened fruit drinks-may be chief dietary culprit contributing to people's waistlines. It's also true that the Atkins' diet and other low-carb diets like the Sugar Busters and Protein Power diets can promote weight reduction, first by water loss and through decreased caloric intake due to the monotony of the diet and the satiating effect of
high-fat meals.
Dr. Weil says it is nonsense to suggest that eating nearly unlimited portions of fatty meats (as the Atkins diet allows) is good for your health. Low-carb diets provide too much saturate fat, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. What's more, they provide too few of the healthful compounds in fruits and vegetables that help protect against cancer and other serious illnesses. Excessive amount of protein may impair long-term liver and kidney function, increase the risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis, and intensify autoimmune disorders. And these diets don't adequately emphasize the role of exercise in weight loss and overall health.
Beyond Low Fat vs. Low Carbs. Dr. Weil says the debate over the issue allows for no middle ground. One side says that all fats are bad, the other says all carbs are bad, when it's clear that there are good and bad fats and good and bad carbs. Rather that drastically limiting either fats or carbs, he advises everyone to eat healthier carbs-whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables-that are lower on the glycemic index, and to rely on healthy fats like monounsaturated fat (found in olive oil) and omega-3 fatty acids (in salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds). He recommends getting about 50 to 60% of your daily calories from carbs, 30 % from fat, and 10 to 30 % from protein. If you want to lose weight, you have to burn more calories by being physically active than you take in through eating.
Bottom Line. Although the Atkins diet and other low-carb diets can help some people shed unwanted pounds, they are not the healthiest strategy for losing weight. Instead, he prefers a lifestyle approach that emphasizes eating a variety of wholesome foods and enjoying regular activity. Dr. Weil's Self Healing Newsletter supports this article.
Membership News
by Homer Chen
Let's extend our sincere congratulations and warm welcome to Edmund A. DiMarzio and Stephen G. Wilson who joined our Council by taking the first degree on Thursday, October 24th at St. John the Baptist Council.
We now have 6 new members since July: a good start of our membership recruitment drive. We still have long way to reach the number of 22, a goal to reach our Star Council Award. We must continue our effort and try harder to invite our family members, friends, fellow parishi9oners and co-workers to join us. Many of them are waiting to be asked.
For membership information and application forms, please call Bill Ketter at 301-570-8959 or Homer Chen at 301-460-0580.
Fourth Degree News
Faithful Admiral's Report
Worthy Sir Knights:
The 33rd Annual Exemplification of the FOURTH DEGREE is scheduled or Sunday, March 16, 2003.
As of the time this report is written we have two applications in the bank. There are four more that I am working on and I pray you are likewise doing some recruiting. The recruiting of new members for the Fourth Degree is NOT a one-man job. The Assembly needs every Sir Knight in its recruiting effort. Please with the recruitment drive or let me know of prospective candidates.
As reported last month, the Archdiocese of Washington District has a new Master of the Fourth Degree. I am sure you have congratulated Worthy Master Ed Srsic and assured him of your support. A fitting exemplification of that Loyalty and Support would be to present him with one or more candidates for the Fourth Degree. YOU CAN DO IT!!! DO IT!!
Joseph J. McNulty, PFN
Faithful Admiral
Charity Corp. Meeting
Please note that there will be a meeting for our Charity Corp at 7 PM on November 18th at the Grand Knight's home at 17830 Shotley Bridge Place in Olney.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
