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July 2004
VOLUME XXIX ISSUE 1
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Contents . . .
Grand Knight's Message
My Dear Brothers,
I wish to thank all of you for the trust you have placed in me by electing me as your Grand Knight. The faith and confidence you have shown in me and the newly elected officers will guide us in the coming fraternal year. I want to thank all in the council who have served as my mentors since I joined the Knights' family. I hope that you will continue to be with me over the next Council year and beyond. I ask that all Brothers use this upcoming year as a season of renewal. Let us all get involved in the revitalization of our Council by participating in current programs and bringing forth new ideas and a new spirit to put those ideas to work.
Brothers, as we begin a new year in the Council's history, I wish to also thank past Grand Knight Rick Allison for all of his hard work over the past two years. It is my hope that he and his entire family will be blessed with good health and happiness, and that the Knights will continue the good work that he started.
Yours in Christ,
Innocent P. d'Almeida, Grand Knight.
Help Save Babies' Lives
We need someone with modest computer skills to help with our Pro-Life work. Call: Ben Santaiti at 301-774-6636.
Father Lahood's Farewell Message
My Brothers All,
I was planning on continuing as your chaplain for the upcoming fraternal year. Innocent had already asked me, and I had accepted, this opportunity. But there were other plans. Just at the end of May I learned that I would be transferred. I had thought that it was possible, but all you can do is plan as if you are staying. The honor of being your chaplain has been mine for the past three years. As a Past Grand Knight I came here with a love of our Order. I had seen how our Order helps men to grow in their faith by being Knights. In a society of shallow connections and loose commitments, the Knights provide an opportunity for deep fraternal friendships and strong commitments to the Church and our community. I also saw many men who lived out their commitment to the Knights with love and zeal. This has been another privilege for me. I thank the two Grand Knights with whom I have worked these years: Gerry Becker and Rick Allison. We were truly blessed to have these two men lead our Council. We are also blessed to have Innocent d'Almeida as our incoming Grand Knight. Please give him all your prayers and support. Please also remember me in your prayers.
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Thomas LaHood
Greetings From New District Deputy
Welcome to District #11. I bring you greetings from our new State Deputy, Ronald B. White, who's motto is "It is in giving that we receive" My name is Kevin L. Jeffords. I will be your District Deputy. My wife's name is Shirley. I am a PGK from Father Rosensteel Council # 2169, PFN from Cardinal Patrick A. O'Boyle Assembly #386 and was a former District Warden for our district. Our District Warden is Ernest Harley. His wife's name is Marye. Ernie is a PGK from St. John the Baptist Council # 11106 and a PFN of Cardinal Patrick O'Boyle Assembly. We look forward to serving the District in anyway we can.
The first thing I will let you know is at your meetings, I will only have an index card with some notes written on it. I will only speak for what I have written on my card. "Short and sweet" but informative. I will try to keep my articles the same. I will start with an inspirational thought, State information and District information.
I would like to congratulate your new Grand Knight and officers of your Council. You have been chosen by your peers to serve your Council. You will all do a great job.
I would like to thank Former District Deputy Joseph Feakes and Former District Warden Yen Le on the great two years they gave to our district and our State Council. When you see them, please thank them.
On August 14, 2004, the Maryland State Council will hold a testimonial for PSD Dick Sherbert. This is our way to thank Dick for all his hard work and for the many years he has served our order. It will be held at the La Fontaine Blue in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The cost will be $35.00 per person. If you are interested, please contact: Joseph A Sauro, PSD @ 301-879-8384 or Robert Mazonkey, PGK @ 301-253-6274.
Please support your Council by attending the installation of officers. This is your way to show your new Grand Knight and officers that you will be there to help them through their fraternal year.
Don't forget to attend the next Chapter meeting. John A. Fox, a member of Father Rosensteel Council, will be the next President of the Bishop McNamara Chapter of Grand Knights. The next meeting will be July 21, 2004 and will be held at Prince Georges Council # 2809.
Please remember in your Prayers all our men and women who are serving our country.
Knights Killed in Iraq and Afghanistan Eligible for Insurance Death Benefit
An accidental death benefit of up to $2500 is now available to the families of members of the Catholic fraternal order who are killed while in military service, or as noncombatants, in Afghanistan and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Fraternal Benefits
K of C Care Long Term Care Insurance
The Knights of Columbus believes in helping you keep your promises. That's why we've introduced K of C Care Long Term Care Insurance. Long-term care services can devastate a family's finances and seriously deplete funds you've saved for retirement, or for your heirs.
Fortunately, there is a way to help avoid this from happening. Please call me to set up a meeting and learn about this great new product from the Knights of Columbus!
Fraternally,
Rick Morin, FICF/LUTCF Your K of C Agent 301.384.7627
Be An Apostle For Life
by Ben Santaiti, Pro-Life Chairman; 301-774-6636
WHAT: "You are called to stand up for life! To defend the lives of the unborn babies. You are called to WORK against abortion".
Pope John Paul II (Homily in New York City)
HOW: CHOOSE LIFE auto tag frames are an easy and effective way to proclaim the Pro-Life message everyday.
Install them on your car/s.
WHAT: "Above all, the right to life (is) the most basic and fundamental right."
Pope John Paul II; 1988
"Anyone who thinks it is acceptable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion is in very great error, puts his or her soul at risk."
Bishop William K. Weigand, Sacramento, CA
("Columbia Magazine",June 2003)
HOW: "Pro-Life" is the pre-eminent issue to consider when voting for any politician. .......Always VOTE for LIFE.
Charter Dinner Recap
On Saturday Jun 12, 2004 Father Peter Paul Maher, Council 6793 held it's annual Charter Dinner at the St Andrew Kim parish center. The event was a potluck dinner and there was plenty of food for everyone. Master of ceremonies Bob Mazonkey took to the podium and introduced our special guests, Fr La Hood, Monsignor Kane, Deputy Grand Knight Innocent d'Almeida and his wife Donna and Bob's wife Barbara. In addition, Bob also introduced the Past Grand Knights and Charter members in attendance. At this point the Buffet was open for business.
After dinner Bob introduced Bill Gulban who presented yellow roses to the five widows in attendance and they were also given their Knights of Columbus widow identification cards. Deputy Grand Knight Innocent d'Almeida then presented several awards. Bill Gulban received an appreciation award for his timeless efforts in helping our council achieve its activity Goals. Phyllis Giacalone and Grace Bushar were recognized with a "Lady of Chivalry" certificate and John Moore was the surprised recipient of the honored "Knight of the Year" for his unselfish and undying contributions to the council.
At this point Innocent announced that Fr La Hood would be leaving his position at St Peters and as Council Chaplain at the end of June and beginning a new assignment in Camp Springs Maryland. Fr La Hood was presented with a prayer wheel, certificate of appreciation signed by several members of the council and a Hecht's gift certificate. Fr. La Hood addressed the attendees and received a standing ovation.
Bob Mazonkey closed the program and Fr LaHood led the closing prayer.
Spring Fund-raising Raffle Results
THANKS, THANKS, THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Spring Fund-Raising Raffle was a success thanks to the support of 45% of the membership. To ALL who helped in any way, THANKS!
The lucky winners were: First Prize: $500- Annette Stevens; Second Prize: $100- T. J. McManus; Third Prize: $50- Bruno & Deborah Porfiri. Congratulations to all the winners.
As a result of the continued support of the membership the Council was able to add over $1000 for use in our community service and charitable programs. This represents a significant increase over last year. Special Thanks to all those members who contributed over and above the donation for the raffle tickets. WELL DONE! (Chairman- Bob Caron, PGK)
State Deputy Richard L. Sherbert Testimonial
August 14, 2004
La Fontaine Blue
7514 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, Maryland
The evening will begin at 7:30 pm with an open bar followed by dinner at 8:00 pm, a short program, and dancing till 11:30 pm. The cost is $35 per person.
Black Tuxedo Requested
For Reservations Contact:
Joseph A. Sauro, PSD
13704 Stoner Road
Silver Spring, MD 20904
(301) 879-8384
Robert Mazonkey, PGK
28704 Greenberry Dr
Gaithersburg, MD 20882
(301) 253-6274
Cardinal Patrick A. O'Boyle Assembly #386
Installation of Officers Sunday July 18, 2004
4 PM at Old St. Johns Church
This is one of the most important days for your officers. Please come and support them!
(Dinner is only $15 per person)
For reservations contact:
Pat Sharkey at 202-497-1559 or 301-570-5574
Knights Hail Outcome of Pledge Case
The U.S. Supreme Court decision erased a controversial 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that challenged the constitutionality of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. The court held that Michael Newdow, an atheist who challenged the phrase, did not have legal standing to file the suit. Read the friend of the court brief, filed by the Knights of Columbus on the Supreme web page at www.kofc.org.
Announcements From the Chancellor
Prayer remembrance. The names listed in this newsletter were offered in prayers lead by Chaplain Fr. LaHood during the general meeting on June 9th. As you know, Fr. LaHood has been reassigned from St. Peter's Parish to St. Philip, Camp Springs, MD as parochial vicar. Our Council and parish friends will miss him very much. As a reminder, any person related to our Council whether family member or friends may call the Chancellor requesting prayers for family members, relatives of friends who are ill or deceased and their name will be offered in prayer when Council members gather at monthly meetings or individually by readers of this newsletter.
Nametags for new members and wives are requested for ordering. Those not having them are asked to call me or complete the form following below, cut it out, and send it to the Council at P.O. Box 570, Olney, MD 20830. Your preferred name, nick name, abbreviated or formal name can be inscribed on the nametag. The prepaid charge is $5.00. Members can order a nametag for their wife to wear at KC functions or social events. The cost is $ 3.00. There is no charge for name tags for Widows of the Council. Please order your nametags by sending the completed form to the Council.
---------------------------------------------------------- MEMBER NAME TAG ORDER FORM Preferred name ____________________________ $5.00 Wife's name ____________________________ $3.00 (print exact spelling how you want it to appear on tag) ----------------------------------------------------------
Health for K of C Membership Longevity
by Bill Gulban
I was pleased to learn at the recent Charter Dinner that so many of our KNIGHTLINE readers enjoyed the health related articles that have appeared here in the past. We have published previous articles on Statins, however this one offers some additional information. Statins prevent first stroke and they may improve the chances of recovery after a stroke. Lipid-lowering drugs Statin drugs are known to ward off heart attacks, but their effects on stroke risk haven't been completely fleshed out. Now a study in March Lancet suggests that statins can prevent ischemic strokes (the type caused by blocked head or neck arteries) in people who have never had a stroke. Meanwhile, two other studies indicate that statins protect against the damaging effects of strokes in people who do have them.
The Lancet study involved 3,280 people with cerebrovascular disease, meaning that they had a history of "mini-stroke" or ischemic stroke or that they had undergone a procedure to unclog their neck arteries. It also involved another 17,256 people who did not have cerebrovascular disease but did have diabetes or some other form of cardiovascular disease (such as clogged heart arteries). The average level of LDL (bad) cholesterol among people in both groups was about 132 millgrams/deciliter.
Researchers advised participants to make healthful lifestyle changes, and then randomly assigned them to take simvastatin (Zocor) or a placebo, daily, for five years.
At follow-up, the average LDL level had dropped to 89 mg/dl among simvastatin users and to 127 mg among placebo users. Among those without cerebrovascular disease, 4.8% of placebo-users had a stroke. This 33% reduction in the risk of stroke was attributable to a reduction in ischemic strokes only, because simvastatin had no effect on hemorrhagic strokes (the type caused by bleeding). Among those with a history of cerebrovacular disease, simvastatin did not reduce the overall number of "vascular events," which include heart attacks, strokes, death, and the need artery-clearing procedures.
The other studies, one in the May Stroke Publication, the other in the March 22 BMC Medicine, respectively followed the recovery of 167 and 433 people hospitalized for stroke. In both studies, people who were taking a statin when hospitalized had a better chance of complete or near complete recovery after the stroke than those not taking a statin.
The studies on the role on recovery after stroke are small and too preliminary to change physician practice but are very encouraging and warrant further study. In fact, none of the findings justify a sweeping change in how statins are prescribed, so doctors should continue following the existing guidelines. And even though statins can help protect against strokes, patients must do their part by exercising, eating right, controlling their blood pressure, and not smoking.
This article is supported by Health News, publishers of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Council to Hold Installation of Officers
On Sunday, August 22, 2004, Father Peter Paul Maher Council No. 6793, will hold the Installation of Officers for the 2004-2005 Council Year.
We will begin the ceremony at 3:00PM with the Celebration of Mass at the St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Church, (Old Baltimore Road at Rt. 108) Olney, Maryland. Installation of Officers will follow Mass, with a reception and dinner to follow in Cardinal McCarrick Hall.
Please join us in celebrating the beginning of our new Council year. Your presence will signify your support for the Council and its newly elected officers. In order to plan for food and refreshments it is respectfully requested that you R.S.V.P. to one of the following by August 10, 2004. (Please do not assume that because you have been to other Installations that your call is not needed. We do not want to embarrass the Council by not having adequate seating or food).
Innocent d'Almeida 301-871-6156
Jack Giacalone 301-774-6338
Bob Mazonkey 301-253-6274
Bob Caron 301-774-6951
We hope you will be able to join the Council Family in this celebration on August 22, 2004.
Please reserve this date. More information to follow.
Please Keep This Date Open!
Saturday, November 13, 2004 -- From 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m
A Dinner Dance and Auction To Benefit the Community Support and Charitable Programs of
Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council 6793 of the Knights of Columbus
McCarrick Hall-St. Andrew Kim Parish Center
(Corner of Old Baltimore Rd. & Rt. 108)
Buffet Dinner, Dancing and DJ
Live and Silent Auction
Donations are needed for the auction:
Gift Baskets, Collectibles, Services, Gift Certificates
Get-Away Vacation Opportunities, etc.
For further information contact:
Jack Giacalone at 301-774-6338
Innocent d'Almeida at 301-871-6156
More details to follow