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May 2003
VOLUME XXVII ISSUE 11
Contents . . .
Grand Knight's Message
May, the month of our mother Mary. We are winding down the fraternal year, and things are looking great. We have more than enough activities for our Columbian award, and have submitted a few activities for competition in the individual activity award groups. Hopefully our convention attendees will come home with their hands full. Innocent I hope your arms are strong.
I am proud to announce that this year is special in another way as well, we have two brother knights whose service and example outshine all the rest. One is very new to the council, not even a year yet, the other is a longer term member. Both stood up and took the reigns for successful programs. Each of these men brought a sense of service and charity, which brought renown to the council from far and wide. Their efforts opened our council to more people and men than anything else this past year. I am proud to present Brother Knights Ben Santaiti and Bill Gulban as our Knights of the year. They will be recognized at our reunion picnic on the 3rd of May.
Ben's "mustard seed" has grown from a couple of frames saying "CHOOSE LIFE" in Olney to a national effort. Promoting the sanctity of life in all stages from conception to natural death. And all it took was a couple of hours a week!!!!
Bill Gulban is one of the most dedicated and focused Knights in our council. His Church programs at St. Patrick parish have become events to look forward to. From communion breakfasts to devotional hours to our Queen Mary, Bill has been the architect of all our successful church and faith based programs.
Thanks again to Bill and Ben. I hope to see all of you at the reunion.
Pas Christos et Salve Regina,
Rick Allison
Notice from the Grand Knight
After discussing our meeting schedule and activities at the executive meeting this evening, I am placing the following initiatives into action.
(Contacts Rick Allison, Innocent d'Almeida and Paul MacFarlane)
Chaplain's Message
He is Risen! He is truly Risen! This is the traditional exchange between Christians during Easter Season. The Resurrection of Christ is the center of our faith. It is what most distinguishes us from other faiths. We do not simply follow the teachings of a holy man or try to follow the example of some wise man. Our lives are joined with that of the Incarnate Son of God who has conquered sin and death.
In May we celebrate the one person who shares perfectly Christ's life, his Blessed Mother Mary. There is an old tradition that says that the Risen Christ appeared first to His Blessed Mother. This makes perfect sense since she was the one who suffered most by seeing his crucifixion and death. She is also the one who would have recognized him immediately because of their intimate relationship. Imagine the joy she would have felt after the suffering she went through. We who have suffered with Christ in recalling His Passion and Death and in joining sufferings to his, can now rejoice with Mary in His Resurrection.
During this month of Mary in this year of the Rosary, pray the Rosary every day. Mary is the patroness of the Knights of Columbus. Turn to her every day this month and for the rest of your lives.
Have a Blessed Easter Season,
Fr. LaHood
Membership News
by Homer Chen
Let's extend our sincere congratulations and warm welcome to Rev. Father John R. Clark who joined our Council by taking the first degree during the November 25, 2002 meeting and Frank S. Debole, William J. Ostrum, Jr. and Antonio B. Pereira who joined our Council by taking the first degree during the January 27, 2003 meeting. Warm welcome is also extended to Andrew J "Hi" T. Kim, Dale P. Park, Daniel W. Russell and Russell J. Tucker who joined our Council by taking the first degree on April 21, 2003 during a special meeting.
As of April, our Council has recruited a total of 14 new members. With a loss of 3 members, the net gain is 11 new members. Although we are picking up our momentum in recruiting, we still need 11 more new members to meet our quota of 22 for the council year that ends June 30th. Let's continue our effort and try hard to invite our friends, family members, fellow parishioners and co-workers to join us. For membership information and application forms, please call Bill Ketter at 301-570-8959 or Homer Chen at 301-460-0580.
Insurance Article
by Rick Morin, FICF/LUTCF Your K of C Insurance Agent 301-384-7627
Have You Given Your Universal Life Policy An "Interest Check?"
Many years ago when interest rates were very high, projections of cash accumulations were quite aggressive. Rates of 10% - 12% or even 14% were common.
Have you reviewed your interest rates recently? With lower rates, what has happened to your Universal Life policy? Will it perform as projected? Will it terminate, unless more premium deposits are made?
Those lower interest rates may require more premium deposits. However, that may not be your only worry.
If you counted on those policy proceeds to be left on deposit for your loved ones, consider that a $100,000 death benefit will produce $10,000 a year at 10%. Unfortunately, at today's lower interest rates, a $100,000 death benefit may not even produce $5,000 a year.
What about your retirement plan? How have these lower rates affected your projected income? Isn't time you had an "Interest Check?"
Call your Brother Knight and council's field agent today.
District Deputy Article
by Joe Feakes, District Deputy #1
The month of May is filled with many "special" events. You may have a birthday, an anniversary, or a wedding. There are, however, three very significant days this month. May 11th is Mother's Day. It would be impossible for me to over-emphasis the importance of this day. This is a special opportunity to honor those special women in our lives who have given us so much. It probably wasn't always perfect (do you remember what soap tastes like?), but the memories and love will always be with us. Please take a few moments to remember Mary, Queen of the Knights. Perhaps you could recite the prayer. Ask for her help, her blessings, and her intercession. Pray the rosary.
May 26th is Memorial Day. We have much for which to be thankful, and many to thank. To all veterans, current members of the Armed Forces, and to your families I offer my sincere gratitude for all that you have done to make America the great country it has become. Certainly, this day takes on special significance this year. I ask all to join me in expressing the Knights of Columbus commitment to Patriotism. ONE NATION UNDER GOD!
Finally, I want to remind you that May 29th is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord. Make plans to attend Mass as a Council. After all it is a Holy Day of Obligation. Six times a year the Church requires us to make a special effort to celebrate God's gift of his Son. That's not too much to ask. Certainly we all have much for which to pray.
With only a few weeks left in the fraternal year there is not much time left to focus on programs and membership. NOT!!!! District One has been the location of many exciting and unique events this year. Keep up the momentum. Membership is never over. Please keep the "Celebration" going.
Thanks to everyone who has made this fraternal year a success so far. I encourage every member to become involved in at least one activity every quarter. Your council will be the better for your efforts and you will be surprised how good you will feel. In fact, the more often you participate the easier it becomes to find the time. I hope to see you at a council meeting soon.
Vivat Jesus
Health for K of C Membership Longetivity
by Bill Gulban
Jean Carper, a leading authority on health and nutrition who has been reporting on these topics for 30 years and she authored several books on the rain, aging, and miracle medicines. Some extractions from her writings are what I will discuss in the following. Diet to build up your brain power. Scientists used to think that the brains we are born with are the ones we are stuck with for life. But astonishing new research reveals that the brain is a growing, changing organ. Through your diet, you can change the brains' structure, wiring and functioning for maximum achievement. Here are the most critical foods and supplements for boosting your brain power.
Fruits and vegetables. Brain cells are prime targets of free radicals-compounds that destroy cells in the body, leading to disease and premature aging. Free radicals are the by-products of metabolism, physical stress and exposure to environmental pollutants, such as cigarette smoke. Antioxidants-compounds that occur naturally in fruits and vegetables-neutralize free radicals to keep brain cells healthy and they memory and intelligence. Example: In a study done at Tufts University, researchers fed rodents large amounts of antioxidants from birth. These rodents were consistently smarter and experienced less memory loss as they than did similar rodents fed a low antioxidant diet.
The highest antioxidant foods: Prunes...raisins...blueberries...blackberries...kale...straw-berries...spinach...raspberries. Important: Eat five daily servings from the list. Three prunes, two one-half cups of berries and one-half cup of spinach a day will satisfy your antioxidant needs. Red wine...One or two glasses of red wine or purple grape juice provide a rich supply of polyphenols-antioxidants that protect brain cells. French studies show that red wine drinkers have significantly lower rates of dementia as they age...and less apt to develop Alzheimers disease than nondrinkers. Caution: Drinking more than two glasses a day may actually kill brain cells.
Tea... Tea provides an antioxidant boost...and black tea has a slightly higher antioxidant level than green tea. Tufts researchers suggest drinking three glasses per day. Steep one tea bag in five ounces of boiling water for five minutes. Drink tea with meals to neutralize the free radicals created during the consumption of food. Caution: Herbal tea, commercial bottled tea as well as powdered tea do not contain antioxidants. Decaffeinated green teas and black teas slightly less antioxidants than the regular versions.
Omega-3 fatty acids... Your brain needs some fat to thrive. The best kind is the omega-3-type fish oil. Failure to get enough fish oil in the early stages of a child's development has been shown to result in a lower IQ later in life. One component of fish oil, DHA, can enhance memory and learning. It also may help prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease. Eat a six-ounce cold-water fish a week of salmon...mackerel...tuna...or other cold water fish. Or take 300 milligrams (mg) of fish supplements daily. Avoid saturated animal fat, found in hamburgers and other meats. Lab animals fed diets high in these "bad" fats are less intelligent and have poorer memories and less capacity to learn than other animals. Avoid polyunsaturated fat, such as vegetable and corn oils, and trans-fatty acids found in margarine and fried foods. Both are detrimental to brain cells.
This article is supported by Bottom LineBoardroom, Inc.
Secular Franciscan Retreat at Marian Cottage
Our council is hosting the 3rd Order Franciscans on June 14th. We are providing grilled Chicken and hamburgers for lunch, they will be bringing side dishes and salads.
As the hosts we should have at least one Knight available as an onsite contact both during the morning and afternoon sessions. We will also need about 6 others to set-up, cook and clean-up.
Please contact Paul McFarlane and John Devine for details.
St. Peter's Living Rosary and Lenten Meal Report
by Bill Gulban, Church Activities
On Thursday, April 10, 8:00 pm, our Council held the second living rosary and a potluck Lenten soup. This event occurred at St. Peters' parish hall. Again, the Council is grateful for the leadership of Brother Roberto Parris and his wife Delores from Holy Family Council for introducing and leading the living rosary. Following the prayers participants enjoyed a Lenten soup. Members brought vegetables, some precooked or pre-steamed, to add to the vegetable stock broth and the flat bread and hot drinks completed the meal.
For Sale
Available from a Brother Knight: Free tuxedo, size 44 Regular, with trousers waist 37-38" with adjustable tabs X 29 1/2" inseam. Pant hem can be lengthened 3 1/2 " and sleeve hem can be lengthened 2 1/2 inches. White Tux shirt, large 32-33, available also.
Call Bill Gulban 301-774-0424.