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FR. MAHER'S KNIGHTLY NEWS
'Come Grow With Us In This New Year!'
January 2006
VOLUME XXX ISSUE 7
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Father Maher's Knightly News is published monthly by Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council 6793 of the Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 570, Olney, MD 20830. Please e-mail your articles in WORD format by the 20th of each month to: editor6793@yahoo.com |
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Contents . . .
GRAND KNIGHT'S MESSAGE
New Year's Resolution
With 2005 behind us we have some time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to 2006. As I look back upon my 1st six months as Grand Knight I am proud of what we have accomplished as a Council, and of the people who have helped us get there. We set an aggressive calendar for the fraternal year 2005 - 2006 and thanks to our dedicated group of hard working Brother Knights and their wives, who constantly make us look good, we were able to accomplish what we set out to do. However, not all of our efforts met our expectations; the Dinner Dance Silent Auction did not meet our financial or attendance objectives. Our November Spaghetti Dinner had to be cancelled because we could not get enough volunteers to ensure a quality event. The Living Rosary in November was attended by 3 Brother Knights and 2 wives. In almost every Newsletter we ask for volunteers to help out with upcoming events or activities or to fill a council position. These requests usually go unanswered. I could go on, but the message is clear and has not changed; we need more Brother Knights to step up to the challenge and "Get Involved".
The good news; we have 6 more months to go and plenty of work to do. All we ask is that you volunteer for one activity a year, that's it, what a great New Year's Resolution. Pick an event or activity from the calendar (in this newsletter) and give us a call to volunteer or come to a meeting and find out what else is going on in the Council. You might be surprised. You have heard this from me before and I will continue to encourage our members to actively participate in our Council. I believe in what we are about and what we can accomplish as an organization, but we cannot do it alone; we need your help. If we can get a few more to do just a little more we will be successful, continue to grow, become more visible in our community, and reaffirm what the Knights of Columbus can truly accomplish.
If you have any questions comments, suggestions, or want to volunteer, I can be reached at 301-774-6338 or jgiacal@verizon.net, thank you... Come Grow with us...
DISTRICT DEPUTY'S MESSAGE
by Kevin Jeffords, DD
Time has really flown. It is January 2006 and we are halfway through the fraternal year; Ernie and I hope that all had a wonderful Christmas. This month, all the Grand Knights and Deputy Grand Knights will be attending the Mid-Term meeting and Pro-life Mass on Saturday the 7th. We also have the 16th Annual Pro-Life Kickoff Rally to be held on January 8th at Fr. Rosensteel Council starting at 2:30 pm. The March for Life is January 23, 2006 in Washington, DC and St. John the Baptist Council will hold the Mass of the Innocents at 7:30 pm on January 23 at St John the Baptist Church in Silver Spring.
The Maryland State Scholarship applications must be in to the State by March 1, 2006. The information has been published so if you need it, see your Grand Knight or check out the State Web site at http://www.kofc-md.org/pages/Committees/scholarship/scholar.htm
We are now into the free-throw competitions and the District finals will be held in late February with the State finals in early March at Mount St. Mary's College. We will have directions to the College for the winners at the District finals. We hope to have the dates for the District and State finals by the February Newsletters.
Please don't forget to recruit a NEW member this month. The best way to do this is to carry a Form #100 with you and ASK someone to join. Also remember what I wrote last month about giving a membership to someone, whether it's a NEW member or someone in need. It's the right thing to do.
Finally, the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree is coming up quickly. If you would like to become a member, contact your Grand Knight, a 4th Degree member of you Council or myself and soon.
Please remember to pray your Rosary.
BREAKFAST WITH SAINT NICK
by John Moore
On a cold and blustery day, on December the 3rd, at 5:00 am, a band of elves, better known as Knights (and one Lady), descended upon Saint Peter's Parish Hall to support their annual Breakfast and Christmas Bazaar. This merry crew prepared and served some 650 breakfasts, not counting second helpings; and after cleaning up, departed some eight hours later. Special thanks for all who contributed to a successful endeavor go to: Bob Caron, Andy Colliton, Innocent D'Almeida, Tim Harrell, Joe Krempasky, Bob Mendoza, Jim Murray, Jim O'Brien, Pat Moore, and Mike Tock.
FRATERNAL BENEFITS
YOUR BUSINESS BELONGS HERE
Do you know that the Knights Of Columbus can offer you IRA's and Keogh Plans (U.S.), as well as RRSPs (Canada)? Do you know enough about them to decide whether or not they fit into your financial picture?
I would like you to answer three questions:
If your answers bother you, I would like the chance to sit and talk with you (and your wife, of course) about our alternatives - annuities and tax-sheltered savings at highly competitive interest rates. You need not look anywhere else but your own Order for your financial needs. Other institutions bombard you with ads for business this time of year. We just keep doing what we have been doing since Father McGivney founded the Order - taking care of our members and their families.
Wishing you a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Fraternally, Rick Morin 301.384.7627
AMERICAN CELL PHONE DRIVE
Brother Bill Homick has begun a project to collect inactive, unwanted cell phones as a fund raiser for the Council. Cell phones collected will be turned over to the American Cell Phone drive and they will pay cash for them. All moneys collected will be donated to the Gabriel project (www.gpscl.org). A collection box is located on the covered deck at the Cottage. Please help support this project and the Gabriel project.
REPORT ON 2005 CHRISTMAS PARTY EVENTS
The Christmas 50/50 raffle was drawn at the annual Christmas party and the winners were:
In addition, $500 Stipend's checks were or will be presented to 8 seminarians this year, one more than last year. Brother James Boccabella, a Knight in our council, was among the recipients.
172 members purchased tickets and 32 members made additional donations of $1,094 bringing the total income to $2,814.
Keep Christ in Christmas Poster contest winners were presented with a $50 bond, a copy of their award winning poster and a certificate of participation. The winners were both from St. Peter's school and are:
Both winning posters were sent to Maryland State Council for entry into the Statewide Competition.
Bob Mazonkey was presented the Honorary Life Membership Certificate and Card.
Pictures of the party can be viewed on the web site: Christmas Party 2005.
POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS
Brother John Austin, a member of Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council, has announced his intention to seek the position of delegate to the Maryland General Assembly representing the 14th Legislative district (Damascus, Olney, and White Oak). The election will be held in November. We wish John well in his endeavor.
RIGHT TO LIFE MARCH
The annual Right to Life March will be held on Monday, January 23, 2006 in Washington, DC. There will be two buses departing from St. Peter's to arrive at the MCI center by 9 am to participate in a pre-march session and Mass; then on to the Ellipse to assemble for the march.
St. Patrick's will also have buses that will be going to the march. Details will be available in the parish bulletin.
Please see the parish bulletins in the coming weeks for updated times and additional information.
NEWS FROM THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
The dues statements for 2006 were mailed in mid-December. Members are requested to pay their dues as soon as possible to save the Council the expense of a second mailing. New Membership Cards will be mailed as soon as payment is received. Any member experiencing financial difficulties should contact the Financial Secretary or the Grand Knight. The Council will make every effort to accommodate special circumstances. We will not suspend a member who has difficulty paying his dues because of financial hardship, but we must be made aware of the circumstances before we can help.
Also included with the annual bill statement was a request for Patron Ad support for the Council Ads in various State Activities. The response so far has only been fair. Please consider taking the Patron Ads when sending in your annual dues. The Council needs your support. If you have misplaced your Ad notice, contact the Financial Secretary for a replacement.
Any member having questions on his bill status or status of his current membership card should contact the Financial Secretary. Bob can be reached at: 17601 Country View Way, Ashton, MD 20861, at Tel 301-774-6951 or email at rrcaron61@comcast.net.
TOOTSIE ROLL AWARDS DINNER
This Year's Tootsie Roll Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 6 pm at the Trumpet Room at St. Raphael (at the corner of Falls Road and Dunster Road in Rockville). Tickets are $20 per person for a sit-down catered dinner and open bar. Any council member and their spouse can attend, especially if you were one of the Tootsie Roll canvassers. This is the perfect opportunity to see the fruits of your efforts. The smiles on the faces of the children we will be helping are priceless. Let me assure you there is not a dry eye in the place.
Please contact me to purchase your tickets: Jack Giacalone 301-774-6338 or jgiacal@verizon.net
FOURTH DEGREE
The Sullivan Brothers Assembly No. 2861 meets the third Thursday of each month at Montgomery Council No. 2323, in Derwood, Maryland. The meeting on 19 January will be the Annual "Renewal of Obligations". All members of the Fourth Degree, the Patriotic Degree, are invited to attend. Fourth Degree Members of Father Peter Paul Maher Council, not currently members, should consider transferring to the new Assembly. Third Degree members should contact any member of the Fourth Degree for an application to take the Degree at the annual Exemplification which takes place on 26 February at the University of Maryland.
For more information contact S/K Robert R. Caron (301-774-6951), S/K Jack Giacalone (301-774-6338), or S/K Joe Feakes (301-774-0137).
PANCAKE & SAUSAGE DAY 2006
MARK YOUR CALENDARS. On Saturday, February 18th, 2006, Father Peter Paul Maher Council along with the LIONS CLUB of Olney, will again sponsor the 30th Annual Pancake and Sausage Day. The usual "ALL YOU CAN EAT" breakfast at St. John's Episcopal Church Hall in Olney will provide the Council with the major source of funding for our annual College Scholarship Program.
Two important reminders. FIRST: Council Members will be needed to work the dining room from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. This will be done in the usual two shifts of 7:00 am to 11:00 am, which includes set-up, and the 11:00 am to 3:00 pm shift which includes take down and clean-up. Many hands will make for light work. Contact GK Jack Giacalone (301-774-6338) or email jgiacal@verizon.net to volunteer. SECOND: A very important source of revenue for the Pancake & Sausage Day is the program booklet. We need as many council members as possible to take out an ad.
See Flyer for additional details.
PROGRAM BOOKLET ADS FOR 'PANCAKE AND SAUSAGE DAY' EVENT
If you own a business, please consider this opportunity to support the Council. Individual members are encouraged to take out business card size ads to support the Scholarship Program. Remember, you will receive two complimentary tickets with each ad.
1/8 PAGE (BUSINESS CARD SIZE)...$ 25.00 1/4 PAGE........................$ 50.00 1/2 PAGE........................$ 85.00 Full page (8.5 by 7 in.)........$160.00
Receive two complimentary tickets with each paid ad!
For ads contact: Jack Giacalon 301-774-6338 or Don Hemke 301-774-7511.
Ad deadline: 3 February 2006.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, January 15 from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm -- Longwood Recreation Center
There are three levels of competition:
The following Link contains details:
http://www.kofc.org/un/news/events/detail.cfm?id=20500
Let your friends & family with children in these age groups know about this. We will be advertising in the Gazette, Church Bulletins, and distributing flyers in early January.
2006 CARDINAL'S CHARITY BALL
The 2006 Cardinal's Charity Ball will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2006 from 6:00 pm until 11:00 pm at the Grand Ballroom of the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC.
Contact Joe Feakes at 301-774-0137 for information.
See flyer for additional details.