Knights of Columbus Council 6793

Father Maher's Knightly News is
published monthly by:

Knights of Columbus
Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council 6793
P.O. Box 570
Olney, Maryland 20830

Please e-mail your articles in WORD
format by the 20th of each month to:
editor6793@yahoo.com

I hope that each of you had a peaceful Thanksgiving with your family. I wish you and your families all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

You have probably heard it said that God will give us the grace to fulfill whatever our particular vocation or mission in life may be. This truth is especially clear to us when we consider the unique vocation our Blessed Mother was called to fulfill.

After our first parents sinned in the Garden of Eden God promised to send a Savior who would deliver us from our sins. His promise was fulfilled when He sent His only Son into the World to be the Savior of all humanity. Jesus, His Son, was born of a Virgin who offered her life in service to God’s plan for our redemption.

But first God prepared Mary for this most blessed vocation by preserving her from all sin-she was conceived without sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church best describes this wonderful plan: "Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, 'Full of Grace' through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception." That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius proclaimed in 1854: "The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin" (no. 491).

When God needed Mary’s consent, Mary responded by saying; "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

May our response to God’s call in our lives be always like Mary’s. Father David A. Wathen

Baltasar Gracian was a 17th century Jesuit priest who wrote the book: "Art of Worldly Wisdom", which contains 300 oracles of teachings and advice. One such oracle contains the wisdom: "It is a great victory to seize the hearts of others."

This oracle challenges each of us to witness Christ in what we say or in what we do for others.

In our words and in our actions, we have great opportunity for others to be moved in their hearts as they see the manifestation of Christ working in and for us.

People have turned towards Christ when their hearts were seized by the positive actions and influence displayed by others.

I am reminded of what Sister Rita said to me in 5th grade: "The fact that you are a Catholic must make a difference in the life of someone else."

So, the challenge for each of us is found in this question: Whose heart will you seize to claim victory for the love of Christ?

All Knights and their families are invited to join in singing Christmas carols for the patients at Montgomery General Hospital on Tuesday, December 18. We will meet in the lobby of the hospital at 6:45 pm and then sing carols on the floors from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The patients really enjoy this and it's a very rewarding experience for all participants!

A singing voice is NOT necessary. Please come and join the fun. Call Steve Goldhammer at 301-570-9613 if you have any questions.

The program for the collection of funds for the mentally handicapped has come to a close. Now is the time to determine how well each Council performed in gathering funds for those whose abilities are not quite equal to ours. The Financial Secretaries must now see to it that the checks are cut and forwarded to the State Handicapped Program Chairman. This must occur before December 15, 2007.

Each individual Council must select those charitable organizations that have created programs to assist those most in need. The Councils must select the recipients of the funds and decide the amount to be allotted to each so that the greatest number of disadvantaged will benefit.

The Grand Knights from each of the Councils will carry the decisions made in their individual Councils to a meeting of all Grand Knights representing all of the Councils in the Districts. At that meeting, a consensus will be reached. From that consensus, a final list of recipients will be created.

The Supreme Membership/Recruitment Blitz is now over. It is time to convert all of those persons that have indicated a desire to be members of the greatest organization, the Knights of Columbus. The individuals that have signed Form 100s, now need to be sent through the admission committees and presented for their First Degree, the initial leg of the journey to Knighthood. That form that offers the list of opportunities to participate in the various Program Areas of volunteer activity, should be strenuously explained in order that the individual understands the advantages of being a Knight of Columbus. Do not allow time to creep in between the interview and the Exemplification of the First Degree for fear of the loss of interest of vital candidates.

Those individuals that have signed cards of interest must be approached with all of the information about the works of the Knights of Columbus. They need to be convinced that they are missing a great opportunity and important times of their lives and should be encouraged to sign a Form 100. Included in this group are the individuals that did not sign a card of interest. If you know the individual, go back and speak to them one on one. Maybe you will stir his interest in signing the Form 100 and in the interview will peak his interest in becoming a Knight of Columbus.

A lot of work went into the various Blitz programs of the various Councils. Now is the time to gain important membership increases from those individuals that were spoken to by members of the Knights of Columbus during the Membership/Recruitment Blitz.

This Christmas, give your family a gift that they will cherish. It is a gift that shows that you truly love your family. Life Insurance. When you purchase life insurance it is not just for yourself. It is for your entire family. Life insurance does two things. Firstly, it can provide for you and your wife with an income during your retirement years. It enables you to live and not worry about money. You may go and do what you want. Secondly, it does protect your loved ones if you were to die prematurely. It gives your family financial protection, so that they may live with dignity, in your absence. It can be nearly impossible for a family to live without life insurance, when the breadwinner dies.

Be a real Saint Nick and get the life insurance you and your loved ones need .... today!

Council shirts are now available for $20. They are Maroon in color, Gildan Ultra Blend, 6.5 ounce, 50/50 cotton, poly pique knit sport shirts for men and women. The K of C insignia is just above the left pocket. We currently have all sizes available, medium, large, extra large and 2 extra large. To order your shirts please call Jack Giacalone at 301-774-6338. Thank you…

The holiday season is just around the corner, and yes that means Breakfast with S.t Nick at St. Peter’s on Saturday, December 1st. So once again we are looking for volunteers to help us cook sausage and pancakes for hungry parishioners. So help us make this another successful breakfast and volunteer to give us a hand. As usual we will have 2 shifts, the first from 5:30 am to 9:30 am and the second from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Please call Jack Giacalone at 301-774-6338 to volunteer. Thanks

This year’s Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, December 2, 2007, in the Devine Mercy Chapel at the Marian Assisted Living Facility at 19109 Georgia Ave., Brookville, MD. Our deceased Brother Knights will be remembered during the 10:30 am Mass. All Council members, their families, and widows are encouraged to attend to honor the memories of our departed Brother Knights.

Following the Memorial Mass, widows and their family members, as well as all interested Brother Knights and their families, are invited to the Mannequin Pis Restaurant (near the corner of Georgia Ave. and Rte 108; detailed directions will be available) for brunch. Most light fare will be in the neighborhood of $7 to $10.

If you are interested in attending, please call John E. Moore, at 301-774-9260, to say how many will be attending.

In keeping with changes at the Maryland State Council Level, our Council continues to evolve to electronic mail for the monthly newsletter. The newsletter is already available on the Council Website. Each member of the Council will be asked to provide an email address to the Financial Secretary with the payment of 2008 dues and/or issuing 2008 membership cards. There will be some brothers who do not or cannot use electronic mail. These members will continue to receive the monthly newsletter by US Post Office Mail. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Don Hemke (301-774-7511) the Council Financial Secretary.

Our recruitment of new members has been great since July 1 of this fraternal year. We have eight new candidates who want to join our Council. However, we only have two who took the First Degree on October 24. Let’s welcome Samuel A. Rivera and Dr. Walter Fred Taylor.. By the end of year, we expect to have 10 new members. To meet our net goal of 18, we need to try harder. Let’s all talk to our friends, co-workers, family members and fellow parishioners, and invite them to join us.

For membership information, please call Jack Giacalone at 301-774-6338 or Homer Chen at 301-460-0580.

Sunday January 27th at Longwood Recreational Center from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Open to boys and girls 10 to 14 years old.

Trophies will be presented to winners in each age group, who will then be eligible to compete in our district and statewide competitions. If you have any questions please call Jim O'Brien at 301-774-3694.

6 and under Boys – Brian Depman
7 & 8 Boys – Michael Depman
11 & 12 Boys - Rico Lizbinski
13 & 14 Girls – Noel Kane

Soccer Shoot-Out winners were presented with certificates and medals. Congratulations to all of our winners!!

Keep Christ in Christmas this year! Send religious Christmas cards to support a great cause. To view the real beauty of these cards in color, and for ordering information, please see the flyer posted on this site. The proceeds from this year's sale benefit the Gabriel Project. Please call Marc Long at 301-518-1040 or mail your order to Marc at: 9201 Tulip Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.

The Silver Knight Award is available to any 3rd Degree Knight who recruits 2 new members, participates in 3 council programs, & attends 3 business council meetings.

Father Peter Paul Maher Council #6793 will provide Seminarian support to both Mr. Boccabella and Mr. Nomsule again this year. The Council supported a total of six Seminarians last year. We fully intend to match or increase that support again this year, dependent upon funds available.

This holiday season; give the gift of Art and the gift of charity. As you look for the perfect gifts this holiday season, why not give the gift of art? Art makes a wonderful gift providing joy and beauty for years. And this holiday Marlin Art has extended a wonderful exclusive offer that I want to share with you.

Take $20 off your next purchase of $100 or more at www.MarlinArt.com through 12/11/2007. IN addition, receive FREE STANDARD SHIPPING. To get your $20 savings, at checkout simply enter coupon code: GIVINGSEASON2007. Offer good through December 11, 2007.

We have over 1000 new images on our site- just this week alone! There are limited editions, giclees, serigraphs, and lithographs with all different subjects, style, and themes! Visit our "Special Collections" section today!

For all on-line purchases at www.MarlinArt.com, we will receive a substantial commission. Simply enter 60002 upon registration and a substantial percentage of your purchase goes directly to Fr Peter Paul Maher Council. If you have any questions please contact Jack Giacalone 301 774 6338.

P.S. Order by December 11th to guarantee shipment in time for Christmas. So hurry to www.MarlinArt.com! And have a very Merry Christmas!

The Supreme Knight noted in a recent letter that: "Bella is not only a film with a great message, it is a great film, and has already won the prestigious Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award, often an indicator of future Academy Award winning films."

The star of the film, Eduardo Verastegui, entered the Order in June, and two of the producers of the film - Sean Wolfington and Leo Severino – are also Knights, so this film provides a great opportunity to support brother Knights who are really trying to make a difference in our culture.

You will soon see a revised 2007 Council budget in the monthly newsletter. Council trustees had to restructure the council budget for the remainder of the 2007-2008 Fraternal Year to offset a shortfall in our revenue producing events including the Spring raffle, State Car Raffle, Entertainment Books, Tootsie Roll Drive, Art Auction, and Spaghetti Dinners.

As the Financial Secretary of the Council, I routinely am involved in the financial well being of the Council. However, that is not my primary purpose here. Even more important than revenue $$ to the Council, is the lack of Council membership participation in our many Council events. We aren’t asking for a major commitment like the Council Officers. Rather, we would like you to make an effort to support 2-3 Council activities during the entire Fraternal Year (1 July 07 – 30 June 08).

Is this asking too much to help us keep our promised support of the Catholic Church and charities in the Community? How may of you have ever supported the Halloween Party at the Inwood House? I know many of the long-time Council members have supported the Tootsie Roll Drive in the past, but where have you been lately?

Where has your family been lately? When is the last time you attended a "Communion Breakfast or Brunch"? The role of committed Catholics today is more important than ever before. We need all of our Brother Knights to help us "Live the Faith" in our everyday lives.

We could use your help with our Spaghetti Dinners, and the upcoming Pancake and Sausage Day with the Lions Club in February. While we all feel better, personally, doing good works, we will also be helping the Council continue its vital support of Seminarians for the Church! The more funds available, the more support to the Seminarians is possible.

Will we see your smiling faces again at our future Council events? You won’t be disappointed.

A visit from SANTA and much more
Have your Picture taken with Santa
Christmas Raffle Drawing
Introduction of Seminarians

Please call Harry Bushar at 301-929-1425 no later than December 7th,
to volunteer to help, and to let us know the number of people
in your group and the gender and ages of any Children.

December 1	*St. Peter's Breakfast with St. Nick - 5:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Saturday
December 2	*Council Memorial Mass - Marian's - 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Sunday
December 5	Council Executive Meeting - Cottage - 7:30 PM
December 8	State Christmas Party - St. Pius X Council - 3 - 6:00 PM - Saturday
December 9	*Council Christmas Party - St. Peter's - 3 - 6:00 PM - Sunday
December 12	Council Business Meeting - 7:30 PM - Olney Inn Room
December 18	*Caroling at Montgomery Hospital - 6:45 - 8:00 PM - Tuesday
December 20	Sullivan Brothers Assembly - Christmas Party - 7 PM
December 25	Merry Christmas!

January 1	Happy New Year!
January 2	Council Executive Meeting - Cottage - 7:30 PM
January 9	Council Business Meeting - 7:30 PM - Olney Inn Room
January 13	*MCC Letter Writing Campaign - St. Patrick's - All Masses
January 17	Sullivan Brothers Assembly - Renewal of Obligations - 8 PM
January 23	Council Social Meeting - 1st Degree - 7:30 PM - Olney Inn Room
January 27	*Basketball Free Throw - 5 - 7 PM - Longwood Recreation Center

* additional information in this newsletter

If you would like any information or would like to participate in any of the above activities please contact us at 301-929-1425.

	Knights of Columbus
	Father Maher Council 6793

Council 6793 Home