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FR. MAHER'S KNIGHTLY NEWS
'Help Us Help Others'
June 2008
VOLUME XXXII ISSUE 12
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Newsletter Contents:
Grand Knight's Message
by Harry F. Bushar, Grand Knight
Thank you for your confidence in me to lead us through what is now a rapidly fading old fraternal year. It certainly has been my pleasure to serve you and I will continue to serve our Council as Trustee.
Thanks to all my Brother Knights, their wives, and their children, who gave of their time and energy to work diligently, tirelessly, and selflessly in order to complete all of our Council’s good works. I am proud to have worked with all of you in successfully carrying out all of our many high-quality and fun Church, Community, Council, Family, and Youth activities.
You did "Help Us Help Others" by all of your participation and recruitment activities.
A special ‘thank you’ to my wife, Grace, for her love, support, advice, and encouragement, which helped to hold at least some of my mistakes in check.
We now must turn our attention and support to the soon to be elected new officers for our quickly dawning new fraternal year. Please give your undivided support to our new Grand Knight and his Chair Officers. Your dedication and enthusiasm for our Council will serve us all well as we start our new fraternal year.
District Deputy Message
by Ernest Harley, DD
We, the Councils in District 11, still have a month plus to obtain Star Council, especially with those potential candidates that signed Form 100 and cards of intent during the recent blitz. Many Councils are having First Degrees within the State that your potential candidates can participate in. Most of you Worthy Grand Knights are very close to that very important goal, obtaining Star Council.
Let us not let up in the remaining portion of the Fraternal Year to increase our membership not only for the Council, not only for the State, but for the Order. The strength of the Order is in its membership. New members increase the Councils’ ability to participate in many Surge for Service programs. Volunteers are needed to assist those Knights that regularly give of their time and effort to put on those programs in support of the Council and the Church.
A massive amount of time is still available to make our recruitment quotas, and that goal of Star Council.
Chaplain’s Message
by Father David Wathen
Doubting With Trust and Wonderment
During the month of June, we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist. The story of John’s birth begins with an expression of doubt. Zechariah is visited by an angel who informs him that he and his wife will have a son whom they are to name John. They were an older couple who were childless and Zechariah found this news difficult to believe. The result of his doubt was the loss of his voice.
Contrast Zechariah’s response to Mary’s response. When Gabriel announced to her that she was chosen to be the Mother of our Divine Savior, Mary asked how this was possible (since she did not know man), not out of doubt, but out of trust and wonderment. She later went on to give voice, in one of the most beautiful hymns found in the Scriptures, - the Magnificat - to how God had done wondrous things for her.
Mary shows us how we can be open to the divine presence in our own lives, even when that divine presence seems somewhat hidden from our view. She shows us how we can respond to God’s presence by giving our own voice over to praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done in our lives. Mary shows us how we can say to God: "Thy will be done."
Future Council Electronic Mail Implementation
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. Each member of the Council is asked to provide an email address to the Financial Secretary with the payment of 2008 dues and/or issuing 2008 membership cards. PLEASE DO IT NOW!
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. The Council will keep everyone informed on email implementation plans. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Don Hemke (301-774-7511), the Council Financial Secretary.
Fraternal Benefits
by Rick Morin, FICF/LUTCF Your K of C Insurance Agent (301) 384 7627
If you are between the age of 60 and 75 -- why would you need insurance protection? Let me suggest a few reasons why many Brother Knights in this age bracket utilize our protection:
Call me today, for your free Family Needs Analysis.
Bits and Pieces
Nomination Report
The Nominating Committee submits a revised nominations of new Council officers for the fraternal year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009. The nominees are as follows:
| Grand Knight | John E. Moore, Sr. |
| Chaplain | Appointed by Grand Knight |
| Deputy Grand Knight | Paul D. McFarlane |
| Chancellor | Joseph F. Krempasky |
| Warden | Andrew P. Colliton |
| Financial Secretary | Appointed by Supreme |
| Treasurer | Joseph M. Feakes |
| Recorder | Charles W. Cozad |
| Advocate | Eugene I. Kane, Jr. |
| Lecturer | Appointed by Grand Knight |
| Inside Guard | Nick J. Padams |
| Inside Guard | Frederick E. Boland |
| Outside Guard | James N. Padams |
| Trustee (1 year) | Innocent P. d.Almeida |
| Trustee (2 year) | Jack Giacalone |
| Trustee (3 year) | Harry F. Bushar |
| Convention Delegate | Paul D. McFarlane |
| First Alternate | Jack Giacalone |
| Second Alternate | Robert M. Mazonkey |
The election is scheduled to be held during the June 11, 2008 meeting. The nomination will still be opened until the time before the election.
Council Shirts Now Available
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.
Click here to view a color photo of the shirt.
Silver Knight Award
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The Silver Knight Award is available to a 3rd Degree Knight who recruits 2 new members, participates in 3 council programs, and attends 3 Business Council meetings. |
Council Pot Luck Social, Scholarship Award Presentations, & Spring Raffle Drawing
We will hold our Annual Scholarship Awards & Spring Raffle at our final Social Meeting of this fraternal year on Wednesday, June 25, 2008.
We will hold a Pot-Luck Dinner at St. Patrick's Parish Center starting at 7 PM. Pot-Luck assignments are as follows:
A-G: Entrée; H-R: Dessert; and S-Z: Salad.
(Please bring sufficient food to feed 10 people.)
To facilitate planning, please confirm your participation with Harry Bushar at 301-929-1425 or by email at harrybushar@verizon.net by Sunday, June 22.
THANK YOU
Where Is Everyone?
You have seen the revised 2008 Council budget in the January 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 new Fraternal Year (1 July 08 – 30 June 09).
Is this asking too much to help us keep our promised support of the Catholic Church and charities in the Community? How many 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?
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. 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.
Fraternally yours, Don Hemke - Council Financial Secretary
Knight and Family of the Month
We congratulate each Knight and Family of the Month for this fraternal year through April 2008.
| Month | Family of the Month | Knight of the Month |
| July | Innocent & Donna d.Almeida | Joe Krempasky |
| August | Bob & Barbara Mazonkey | Homer Chen |
| September | Charles & Beth Bieberich | Bill Kollins |
| October | Bill & Paula Thewes | Jack Giacalone |
| November | John & Pat Moore | Bill Gulban |
| December | Steve & Marilyn Goldhammer | Joe Feakes |
| January | Dick & Barbara Sherbert | Tim Boland |
| February | David & Alice Chang | Paul McFarlane |
| March | Jack & Phyllis Giacalone | John Moore, Sr. |
| April | Chuck & Mary Cozad | Innocent d.Almeida |
Council Conducts Annual Charitable Fund Raising Raffle
In order to meet our budget and to continue our community service and charitable programs, we need everyone's help to raise approximately $1,000. A raffle is one way for EVERY member to support the Council. The Spring Raffle will be held at our final Social Meeting of this fraternal year on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at St Patrick's Parish Center beginning at 7 PM, (See "Council Pot Luck Social - Scholarship Award Presentations & Spring Raffle Drawing" article in this newsletter.)
The Council will conduct a 50/50 raffle for the Following Prizes:
First Prize – 25%; Second Prize – 15%; Third Prize – 10%. The tickets are $5.00 each.
You should have received a letter with your raffle tickets, which we sent to all Council Members in late April. Included in the mailing is a return addressed envelope. We need the support of each member to make our raffle a success.
Thanks in advance, Bill Kollins, Chairman (301-774-2942)
REMEMBER: THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF OUR ORDER IS CHARITY.
Council Golf Outing to Support our Seminarians
Our Council will hold the 3rd Annual Charity Golf Outing at Laytonsville Golf Course, on Friday June 13th at 9 AM. This event will help us support the Council.s Seminarian Support Fund, which offers $500 stipends to as many Seminarians as we can afford to help. The golf format will be a four-person scramble and the cost will be approximately $75 per man or woman of any skill level. The $75 cost includes continental breakfast, lunch, golf cart, beverages, prizes and a welcome bag. Prizes will be awarded to winning teams and individuals for longest drive and closest to the pin. Door prizes will also be given, which means we need help in obtaining donations from local businesses. Donations can be sponsoring a hole or providing advertising items, for example logo clothing, golf apparel, or golf balls. We would like to assist a record number of Seminarians this year; so come on out and enjoy a day of fun with friends & family for a great cause, remember: "Charity is our business."
Please contact Marc Long at (301) 208-7134, (301) 518-1040 or ramair320_129@msn.com for any questions, to reserve your tee time, to sponsor a hole, or to make a donation. Click here to view a flyer and signup sheet.
News From Supreme
POLL: BIG SHIFT AMONG PRACTICING AND NON-PRACTICING CATHOLICS AFTER PAPAL VISIT
More likely to vote, better understand Church teaching, and say trip met or exceeded expectations.
New polling data released May 8 by the Knights of Columbus shows that Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States in April produced a sharp jump in the proportion of American Catholics with a more positive view of the pope following his trip.
The information provides data specifically about Catholics, and is a companion to the analysis released April 30 about the views of Americans generally. The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion interviewed 1,013 adults nationwide, and the survey results are from an oversample of an additional 502 Catholics nationwide, and are statistically significant at ±4.4 peercent. All polling was done between April 22 and April 29, 2008, immediately following the pope’s return to Rome.
Of particular interest are data showing much more positive views among both practicing and non-practicing Catholics. For example, the proportion of practicing Catholics describing Benedict positively as a spiritual leader went from 70 percent before the visit to 82 percent afterward, a 12 percent jump. Among non-practicing Catholics, the proportion went from 62 percent before the visit to 79 percent afterward, a 17 percent jump.
A majority of Catholics, 54 percent, said they were more in touch with their spiritual values as a result of the pope’s visit, and 41 percent said they were more likely to vote in the November elections as a result. Sixty-four percent of Catholics said they better understand the Catholic Church’s position on important issues as a result of the trip. Among the other key findings:
Also important, half (50 percent) say they are more likely to lead a moral life and make family a bigger part of their lives, while nearly 40 percent say they are more likely to become more active in their community or church.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said that the poll results "show clearly that Pope Benedict has presented the Catholics of the United States with a tremendous opportunity. Americans are a religious people, and they responded very positively to the message of faith, hope and love that the Holy Father delivered throughout his visit. It is now up to all of us in the Catholic community to walk through the door he has opened for us, and work together to build a civilization of love."
June and July 2008 Calendar
| June 4 | Council Executive Meeting - Cottage - 7:30 PM |
| June 11 | *Council Business Meeting - 7:30 PM - St. Patrick's Parish Center |
| June 13 | *Council Golf Outing - Laytonsville Golf Club - 9 AM |
| June 19 | Sullivan Brothers Assembly - Pot Luck - Exchange of Jewels - 7 PM |
| June 25 | *Scholarship Awards & Spring Raffle - Pot Luck - 7 PM - St. Patrick's |
| July 2 | Council Executive Meeting - Cottage - 7:30 PM |
| July 4 | Independence Day - Fly your flag! |
| July 9 | *Council Business Meeting - 7:30 PM - Good Council High School |
| July 17 | Sullivan Brothers Assembly - Regular Meeting - 8 PM |
| July 19 | *Installation of Council Officers - 6 PM - St. Peter's Church |
| July 20 | *Council Picnic - 2 - 6 PM - Marian's Assisted Living Center |
| July 23 | *Council Social Meeting - 7:30 PM - Good Council High School |
| July 26 | *Barbecue for Seminarians - 10:30 AM - 2 PM - St. Patrick's Church |
| * additional information in this newsletter | |