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November 2003
VOLUME XXVIII ISSUE 5
Contents . . .
Grand Knight's Message
Good Brothers,
November is the month of thanksgiving and we have much to be thankful for. All of us live in peaceful communities, prosperous communities and are in relatively good health with a comfortable lifestyle. But there are many who are not prosperous, or peaceful, in good health or comfortable. We must remember those less fortunate and those who suffer. Take time this November to help those less fortunate through diocesan and parish community programs. A gift basket for the homeless, a meal for SOME, or time spent helping others with their home and living space.
On a personal note of thanks, I want to commend those who put our Garage sale together; John Moore - Knight of the Month for October, Gabriel Francis and his wife - Family of the month for October. It was very nice to see older members, and those whose time has been tight with state activities pull together for this effort.
We also have quite a few Tootsie roll men to thank as well, although the final tally is not in yet, my spot checks revealed that our community is very generous.
Also over the past month we responded to a short notice request for support at St. Peters for the Octoberfest. I am extremely grateful to my fellow cooks and servers.
Last but not least a special thank-you is reserved for Homer Chen and Joe Feakes for the membership drives at St. Peters and St. Patrick's. If the take at St. Peters is any indication we have 10 men to follow-up with for new members, transfers or reinstatements.
Gentlemen for all our service and support I am very grateful, we may not take the big awards with flashy reports, or gain Star Council but we are known for our service, charity, and response to our community. I am proud to be a Knight and especially proud to be a Knight of the Father Maher Council 6793, You should be too!
--- May each of you be granted the graces of the saints, Strength and courage of John the Baptist, Patience and wisdom of Joseph (foster father of Christ), the love and humility of Francis, and the Obedience and Clarity of Gabriel
Rick Allison, GK
Chaplain's Message
The Church has just celebrated two great events: the beatification of Blessed Theresa of Calcutta the twenty-fifth anniversary of Pope John Paul II. How blessed the Church has been in the latter half of the twentieth century to have these two great lights. It is proof that "as sin abounds, grace abounds all the more." This is true even on a worldwide scale. A world so steeped in sin has also been blessed with two great saints.
November gives us an opportunity to remember all the Saints. These are people who are proof of God's love for us. They remind us that God still works in the world through the grace poured out in the Church.
We have access to this same grace. The same Eucharist that sustained Mother Theresa sustains us. The same Eucharist that John Paul II celebrates so fervently and with so much devotion is celebrated by us.
May the same Jesus Christ who lives in these great saints also live in us.
God Bless,
Fr. LaHood
Insurance News
by Rick Morin, FICF, LUTCF, Your K of C Agent 301.384.7627
FRATERNAL BENEFITS -- INSURANCE ODDS ARE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
When the buyer of a new home takes possession of his dream house, the first thing he usually does is to protect his investment with an insurance policy against loss or damage by fire. It's the sensible thing to do, but the homeowner who lets it go at that is making a mistake which could later be a source of great hardship to his family.
Insurance actuaries, the people who calculate the risks and set the premiums, offer statistical evidence that fire is not the greatest hazard to the average homeowner. For every home destroyed by fire, sixteen homeowners will die before they pay off their mortgage.
This means that the homeowner who protects his investment against fire and similar hazards without also protecting his family against his own death, is playing a long shot at sixteen-to-one odds with his family taking all the risk!
The simple and relatively inexpensive answer to this problem is mortgage redemption insurance. This insurance is a guarantee that if the breadwinner dies at any time prior to full payment of the mortgage, his family will inherit their home debt free. Such policies usually become a source of substantial savings.
Call me today for your free analysis.
District Deputy Report
by Joe Feakes
Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard this past month with the Tootsie Roll Drive, special masses, rosaries, ceremonials, membership blitz, and other council programs. You can be certain that your efforts will pay dividends in stronger programs, better participation, and more new members! Thanks to everybody.
We are now in that special time of year when, in spite of our busy schedules, we try and take time out for others. Maybe it is for family, a sick friend, or extra time at church, we don't have to look very far to find an opportunity to share our time. I have often talked about how important family is to the health of the Knights of Columbus. I encourage you to make a special attempt during this holiday season to spend a little "quality time" with those who are so important in your life. Thank them for their love and support.
During this time of the year we receive many requests directly and indirectly for donations of food, clothing, and presents. Be on the lookout for these opportunities to serve. Offer your council's energy to your council chaplain and/or pastor. I am sure they can locate a need for you to fill.
Speaking of needs. Now that the days are much shorter and the weather more severe, many of our older members find it difficult to attend the meetings and participate in council activities. Maybe you can provide transportation for them so they don't get left out of all the holiday celebrations.
We do not live in a perfect world, far from it. There are many people, however, who are trying to make it a little better. Please remember in your prayers the Holy Father, our brothers and sisters in service to our country, brother knights and members of their families, and our priests and religious.
I know that I speak for our District Warden, Yen Le, and our wives Nu and Lynn as I extend to each of you and your families our best wishes for a warm and family-filled Thanksgiving. If you are traveling, come home safely. May God bless you and may God bless America.
Vivat Jesus
Are You Pro-Life....Everyday?
Patron Ads
by William E. Ketter, PGK
The Council received requests for 92 Patron Ads compared to approximately 80 patron ads in 2002. There are 26 new patron Ads. The council wishes to take this opportunity to thank every member that placed a patron ad and showed their pride in being members of Father Peter Paul Maher Council No. 6793.
The generosity of the members participating this year was as exceptional ass in 2002 and will allow the Council to pay for the two page Ad and to place ads in other programs. The two page Ad placed in the Columbus Day Ball Program will be reprinted in the November Newsletter.
The Patron ads will remain open for the remaining three programs so members who have not participated to date are encouraged to do so!
Christmas Raffle 2003
The proceeds from the Christmas raffle this year will be used for helping our seminarians. In previous years the proceed were used to start the William J. Polli Memorial, to provide funds for the Kennedy Institute as well as to finance the Seminarian Fund.
The Christmas raffle tickets will be sent out by October 25th and the drawing will be at the Council Christmas party as in years past. The Raffle ticket will each cost $10.00. The raffle will be a true 50/50 raffle in that one half of the proceeds will go to the Seminarian Support Fund and one half will go toward the raffle prizes. Probably no more than 400 tickets will be sold.
Watch for the letter which will be sent with one raffle ticket as it will contain much more information. We hope the members will participate and be generous as in years past.
Attic-to-Garage Sale
by Bill Gulban
A couple of months ago a report of our council finances dipped into the red and some activities were curbed. One idea I had for fund raising was a sale of donated items from community attics and garages. With a short time frame to schedule before the holidays arrived this season a team of ambitious members and their wives helped plan this fall event.
Public ads in local newspapers, articles in surrounding Church bulletins, and posted notices started the donators to move their "stuff" to the collection points. With John Moore, "a truckin and going" to people's houses collecting used or almost new items mainly from parishioners of St. Patrick's Church and our council families we filled up a two car garage at the Marians and a room in my house. Pricing of all sorts of would-be treasures during sunny days took many people-hours of time. Then it was time for "truckin and moving" the collections to St. Patrick's parish center1 1/2 days before sale day, October 18.
The night before the sale, classroom tables were arranged and items were sorted by categories on the tables. On sale day, at 7 am, a cool day it was, tables and boxes from the Center was hurried out to the parking lot in designed layout fashion. With Lynn Feakes coffee "a brewin", stations were manned, the public demons following Gabe Francis's crafty sign were coming "over the hill". I met the first man who came down from a big trash truck looking for thing to buy. I told him we are still setting up and he asked, "When are you starting?" I replied, "At 8 am". We both looked our watches, and he said," it's 8:05 now. Within a minute he bought a softball.
November Family Communion Breakfast
by E. J. Cummings, Dir. Church Activities
Our Council is inviting family parishioners and guests of St. Patrick's Church together with our Council family members to attend our Communion breakfast held at St. Patrick's Parish Center on Sunday, November 2. The catered breakfast will begin at 10:45 am after the 9:30 am Mass. Brother Knights are encouraged to arrive to Mass early, and sit with your families close to the front of the church (however, pews will not be reserved).
For breakfast the seating is limited to anyone having a reserved ticket, therefore, the closing deadline date for RSVP is October 28, in order to give the caterer adequate notice of head count. Walk-ins are not urged on breakfast day. Tickets will not be sold at the door. The program includes an interesting puppet show with a return engagement of Ted Daigle, a Brother Knight and ventriloquist featuring his personal miracle story related to his rosary prayers. The catered starting menu is juices, milk, coffee, tea, and rugala. The main menu is hot scrambled eggs, sausage links, hash brown potatoes, and assortment of bagels with butter, cream cheese and jellies. The cost is $7.00/person for ages 12 and up; $3.00/person for children ages 3-11; and free for children under 3 years. A "Family" ticket can be purchased for $25.00. Payments are due in advance. For early reservations and information please call E.J. Cummings at (301) 260-2846 or Bill Gulban (301) 774-0424. If you get a recording, please leave a message giving your name, telephone number, and the number of adults and number of children attending.
Cancelled -- 1st Annual Fall Dinner Dance - November 8th
Good Brothers I must let you know the dinner Dance ha been cancelled for November. I didn't get replies to my calls (via email) for assistance. There is not enough time to plan this event. We will try again in the spring.
--- Rick Allison
Christmas Raffle 2003
by William E. Ketter
The Christmas Raffle letter was mailed out the week of October 20th. When you receive this letter please read it carefully because the raffle this year is being run by the Fr. Peter Paul Maher Knights of Columbus Charity Corporation. By running the raffle under the auspices of the Charity Corporation it allows us to make one half of the ticket price deductible on your income taxes. Also any donations which are made by the members are also deductible. The Charity Corporation hopes that the members will be generous!
Elsewhere in the newsletter we have printed the Ad that the Council placed in the Columbus Day Ball Program!