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:
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I hope that each of you had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks to you, your wives, and your families for helping us to accomplish all that our Council was able to do during the second half of 2007.

If you’ve not been as active in our Council activities as you might have been, please consider making a New Year’s Resolution now to volunteer to help us with our Council activities for the first half of 2008. Just pick one activity and spend a few hours helping us out. The best way to get started is simply to attend a meeting to see what is about to happen.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions or, if you decide to volunteer, call me at (301) 929-1425 or email me at harry.bushar@fda.hhs.gov.

On Friday December 14th, 2007, Grand Knights from District 3, District 11, and District 18, met at St Raphael’s Church, to decide among the many organizations requesting funds, how the monies collected in this Fraternal Year’s Mentally Handicap Program would be disseminated. With a strong desire, on the part of the many Grand Knights present, to fund all, or nearly all of the requests submitted, the Grand Knights worked well into the evening, making decisions that would ultimately effect the lives of the many, who are unable to help themselves.

The many proposals, submitted by the various organizations, involved in the daily activities to help those , Gods special people, requesting assistance, some with large on-going programs needing funds, while others with very short lists, had the attention throughout the evening, for all of the Grand Knights present.

It was, as always, a rewarding experience for all those present, and especially to me, as District Deputy present, as an observer. When it was all over, all of the monies collected distributed among the submitting organizations, the Grand Knights gave a sigh of well done for another Fraternal Year. Surely, as the Grand Knights returned to their homes, they could feel comforted by the efforts put forth by the various members of their Councils, in this annual undertaking, and to all of them, and to all of you, I would say Merry Christmas.

In 1882, our Order’s founder, Fr. Michael J. McGiveny, had the awesome responsibility of finding a way of providing financial security to the many husbands, widows and orphans of the Catholic immigrants coming into the United States. What Fr. McGivney did was to ask each parishioner to contribute whatever they could toward a special fund that would be used for the benefit of a fellow parishioner who became ill, disabled or died. When the fund was depleted, the "hat" was passed around again. This idea of providing financial security, at a time when it is most needed, was the primary reason for the founding of the Knights of Columbus.

Our Order has never lost sight of this original goal. Today, Fr. McGiveny’s dream is realized through the insurance arm of our fraternity. Our Life Insurance program is the envy of the industry. We have consistently been awarded the highest accolades. Our programs are available to all Brother Knights, their spouses and their children; under the age of 18. Furthermore, a portion of every dollar that is spent on life insurance premiums with the Order is funneled right back into the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus itself.

You joined the Knights of Columbus because you believed in the good works and morality of the Order. Our insurance program is run "by Brother Knights, for Brother Knights and their families." Since everyone has a need for life insurance, why not let the Order you trust -- be your life insurance provider. There is nothing better you could do to protect yourself and your loved ones. Your participation safeguards your family, supports the Order and the ideals you believe in and benefits Holy Mother Church!. What a wonderful fraternal benefit!

Give me a call. I’ll arrange a convenient time to talk about our life insurance, annuities, long term care and retirement programs.

A very generous Brother Knight in our Council, who wishes to remain anonymous, would like to challenge our fellow Brothers to donate to the Seminarian Fund. He will match all donations up to $1000. Please be generous in your donations and know that your gifts will have double the impact.

By the time you read this article, the 2008 Dues letters will have been mailed to you. If you have not yet returned your 2008 dues payment, PLEASE DO IT NOW! Be sure to also include your desire to receive council electronic communications using your email address. Of course, the council will honor all requests to keep current mail service communications where needed and/or desired. The Council will keep everyone informed on actual E-Business implementation plans.

On December 20, 2007, we had two new members who joined our Council by taking the First Degree at Our Lady of Guadalupe Council in Gaithersburg. Let’s give a warm welcome to John J. Creamer, Jr. and Walter J. Otto. Our Council has scheduled a First Degree on January 23, 2008. We expect to have few more candidates at that time but we still need to talk to our friends, co-workers, family members and fellow parishioners, and invite them to join us. For membership information, please call Jack Giavalone at (301) 774-6338 or Homer Chen at (301) 460-0580.

The 2007 Council Family Christmas Party was indeed another great event, with plenty of food, toys and crafts for the kids, and a much-anticipated visit from Santa.

$500 Stipend checks were presented to 6 Seminarians this year, including Brother James Boccabella, a Knight in our Council, Paul Nomsule, Mark Zhi He Xu, Paul Ting Hu Zhang, and 2 other Seminarians.

Each of the following "Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest" winners was presented with a $25 Lake Forest Shopping Center Gift Certificate:

It's not too early to MARK YOUR CALENDARS. On Saturday, February 23, 2008, Father Peter Paul Maher Council along with the LIONS CLUB of Olney, will again sponsor the 32nd 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 Financial Secretary Don Hemke (301-774-7511) or email gumpermd@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.

Program Booklet Ads
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.
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
Two complimentary tickets with each paid ad
Ad deadline: February 13, 2008.
For Ads or to volunteer to help, contact Don Hemke 301-774-7511.

Trophies to winners in each age group...
Winners can compete in District and Statewide competition
If you have any questions please call Jim O'Brien 301-774-3694

The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC), which is the public policy organization of the Catholic Bishops of Maryland that promotes legislation to protect the poor and vulnerable, respect human life and dignity, and protect religious freedom, has asked all Catholic parishes to join their campaign to send "100,000 Letters of Life" to the Maryland State House before March 2008. Both St. Patrick’s and St. Peter’s parishes have agreed to participate and will hold letter writing campaigns after all Masses during the weekends of January 12-13, 2008 at St. Patrick’s and February 9-10, 2008 at St. Peter’s.

Thanks to the efforts of the MCC, the Maryland General Assembly will consider legislation to establish "The Women’s Pregnancy Support Services Program" to help pregnant women in need to receive counseling, pre-natal care, job training, and housing.

The State of Maryland spends nearly $20 million dollars a year on abortions and family planning services, but does not devote funds to help women in crisis pregnancies to choose childbirth. The over 30 crisis pregnancy centers in Maryland that support pregnant women in need receive no state financial support, even though they provide highly specialized crisis intervention counseling not otherwise available.

Here’s your chance to make a difference. Please stop by your parish center after Mass. Your participation will be easy, because letters are pre-written. Volunteers will assist you to locate your District, so that an addressed, signed, and dated letter will be sent to your Maryland State Representative. Thank you in advance for supporting our campaign.

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.

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.

In keeping with changes at the MD State Council Level, our Council continues to evolve to electronic mail for the monthly newsletter. The newsletter is already available on the Council Website (www.kofc6793.org). 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.

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

February 10	*MCC Letter Writing Campaign - St. Peter's - All Masses
February 19	Council Executive Meeting - Cottage - 7:30 PM
February 21	Sullivan Brothers Assembly Meeting - 8 PM
February 23	*Pancake and Sausage Day - St. John's Episcopal Church - 8 AM - 2 PM
February 27	Council Business Meeting - 7:30 Pm - Olney Inn Room

* 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.

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