Knights of Columbus Council 6793

Here we go again with another busy month. We start off with Breakfast with St. Nick at St. Peter's; followed by a joint communion breakfast with our Brothers at the Montgomery Council; then a fun social evening at the Olney Theatre with Peter Pan; then we have our Christmas Party at St. Peter's; then on to Montgomery General; Hospital for caroling for the patients; another Christmas Party with the Sullivan Brothers Assembly (4th degree); and finish the month entertaining the residents at the Marian Assisted Living Facility for their Christmas Party. With all this fun we shouldn't forget the reason for the season and thank God for the gift of His Son. We should also keep those less fortunate in our prayers especially during these trying times. Have a Merry and Holy Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

December is here and the fraternal year will be at the halfway point on December 31st. Have we reached the goal that we planned to attain at the beginning of July? If the answer is yes, you are to be congratulated. The rest of us still have another six months to get our mission accomplished.

Nancy and I along with Jack and Phyllis and our families wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with blessings. God bless us all.

We can all remember the story of Scrooge and his failure to believe in the spirit of Christmas. To all but the Scrooges of the world, the celebration of the birth of Christ brings with it a warm feeling of family ties, a joy and pleasure that out faith brings to others.

That same warm feeling comes from owning life insurance. Just knowing that, because of what you have planned, your loved ones will have joys and comforts for years to come if something should happen to you.

I don't think Scrooge would have believed in life insurance either, but men of good will do. And the world is a better place because of them. Through life insurance, they know that comfort and security will not be only for one day, but instead, a gift that will provide for their loved ones for years to come.

All Knights and their families are invited to join in singing Christmas carols for the patients at Montgomery General Hospital on Wednesday, December 17th.

We will meet in the lobby of the hospital at 6:45 PM and then sing carols on the floors from 7:00 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.

Keep Christ in Christmas this year! Send religious Christmas cards and support a good cause. The Knights of Columbus invite you to call Marc Long on (301) 208-7134 to see our beautiful selection of religious Christmas cards. The proceeds from this year's sale benefit our Council's charitable programs.

Christmas is a time that evokes feelings of peace, joy, serenity, love, beauty, goodness, and hope. We are very familiar with the story of Our Lord's birth, especially as related in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke: the census, Mary and Joseph's trip to Bethlehem, the rejection at the inn, finding room in the stable, the angelic hosts, the guiding star, the shepherds and wise men, and most of all the babe lying in the manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. That Holy Night was the beginning of the redemption of man.

As you anticipate the Lord's arrival, think of the thousand years that the Jewish people had waited for the coming of the Messiah. Remember what the Lord had said through the prophets, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." Join in the prayerful plea in the 12th century hymn: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear... O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny, From depths of Hell Thy people save, And give them victory o'er the grave... O come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery."

Accompany the three visitors from the East following a star in search of the newborn king, when it stops over the house where the child resides. Pause and listen to the words of the 1847 hymn, "The First Noel": "They entered in these wise men three, Full reverently upon their knee, And offered there, in His presence Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Then let us all with one accord, Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, Who hath made heaven and earth of nought, And with His blood mankind had bought."

Dwell on the delight of reconciliation, regeneration and the expectation of things to come that Our Lord's birth brought about, as described in the 1847 carol, "O Holy Night": "Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!...Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace."

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 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.

Would you consider receiving only our electronic newsletter at www.kofc6793.org and, thereby allow us to save the expense of mailing a hard copy to you each month? This can also be used to issue prayer requests or changes /notices to events in a timely manner. Please reply to Grand Knight John E. Moore (jem1234@verizon.net) (301-77-9260) or Don Hemke, Financial Secretary (gumpermd@verizon.net) (301774-7511). Thank you.

Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus! Guess who is giving us a Christmas Party! No not the Pope, it is Father Maher Council Knights of Columbus. They are coming to our dining area and we will have some refreshments, a sing along, and Santa will pass out gifts to us. It will be on December 21 from 2 to 4 PM. Isn't that wonderful? I can't wait. I heard that if any of the Council members want to donate small gifts such as tooth paste, tooth brushes, hand lotion, or a large box of tissues, they can call Barbara and Bob Mazonkey at (301) 253-6274.

I know I won't be able to sleep a wink until then. Virginia... Virginia... I guess she fell asleep.

The following note appeared for the last two months with very disappointing results; not one Brother has accepted the "challenge."

A very generous Brother Knight in our Council, who wishes to remain anonymous, would like to challenge his Brother Knights 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. This challenge will be separately recorded and the results will be reported monthly in the Knightly News. Send all donations directly to the Grand Knight, John E. Moore, 4500 Prestwood Drive, Olney, Md. 20832.

Each year the Brothers and spouses of Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council prepare and cook mountains of pancakes and sausage to feed the hungry parishioners who attend St. Peter's Breakfast with St. Nick. This year the event will occur on Saturday, December 6 at St. Peter's Parish Hall. There will be 2 servings, one at 8 am and the other at 10 am. The first wave of Knights will arrive promptly at 5 am to begin preparation and we usually finish cleaning up by 1 pm. We need 6 to 8 volunteers for two, four-hour shifts, 5 am to 9 am or 9 am to 1 pm. Spouses are welcome to participate. Please contact John E. Moore at (301) 774-9260 to volunteer.

Father Peter Paul Maher Council and the Montgomery Council Knights of Columbus will be holding a joint Communion Breakfast on December 7th, 2008. Mass will be at the Council Hall at 9:30 am, followed by the breakfast. The Sullivan Brothers Assembly and Color Corps will also be in attendance. Breakfast will consist of sausage, eggs, and pancakes; the cost of which will be $5.00. Come one come all and bring your families, we haven't had a Communion Breakfast for quite awhile so let's turn out. Montgomery Council is located at 17001 Overhill Road, Rockville, Md.

Please call John E. Moore on (301) 774-9260 with how many are coming from your family so we can be adequately prepared.

We are once again offering these great jackets for council members and their spouses. These are excellent quality mid weight Jackets, they are Maroon in color with black fleece lining. The K of C 3rd degree emblem is embroidered the left side with Knights of Columbus Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council, Olney MD, circling the emblem. Your name will also be embroidered on the right side. We have already ordered and delivered over 40 jackets from our previous orders.

Jackets will be approximately $55 each, and the more we order the less they will be. This is not a fund raiser so our cost is your cost. We want to let everyone know that the Knights of Columbus are well and living in Olney.

Please call me to see, try on and order these great jackets. I would like to place our order no later than Friday, December 19th. Thank You, Jack Giacalone – 301-774-6338.

Friday, December 12
Pre-show Reception
Adults $36.00
(Box Office Price $43.00)
Kids* $21.50
(*Kids - 18 and under)

Our Council has reserved a block of tickets for an evening at the award winning Olney Theater on Friday, December 12. The play is Peter Pan, with the wide-eyed Darling children, mischievous Lost Boys, feisty Tiger Lily, swashbuckling pirates, spunky Tinker Bell, and the ultimate young adventurer, Peter Pan. People of all ages will enjoy this enchanting musical production.

The play will be preceded by a complimentary wine and cheese reception (refreshments for all ages) at the theater social room. Tickets are priced at $36.00 per adult, $21.50 per kid (18 and under), including the reception. The reception will begin at 6:45 pm, Peter Pan starts at 8:00 pm. The theater is located at 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road (Rt. 108).

We are not limiting sales to Knights of Columbus. Consider children, grandchildren and friends for this fun evening as part of the holiday season. Our sales will be limited to the number of tickets we have reserved, so make your plans early!

Ticket Purchase Deadline is December 1st

To purchase tickets or for more information, call Chuck Cozad at 301-570-0073.

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

Please call John Moore (301-774-9260) or Innocent d’Almeida (301-871-6156)
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.

Forty years ago the very first Special Olympics was held in Chicago, and the Knights of Columbus was there to help from the very first day. Joining with Knight Sargent Shriver and his wife Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Order helped spread Special Olympics throughout the United States and world with both financial and volunteer support.

The ongoing turmoil in financial markets has left many people worried about their retirement accounts. If you're one of them, it's time for you to take a close look at our annuities! Interest rates on a Knights of Columbus Retirement Annuity are currently 4.50% in the United States. The current interest rate is 3.75% in Canada for new deposits.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson contributed an essay titled National Examination of Conscience to the online "Sins of the Wallet" symposium on the Web site of the National Catholic Register. Through the symposium, Anderson and other prominent Catholics explore the moral dimensions of the economic downturn and the question: "What sins got us into this mess, and what virtues are required to get us out of it?"

December 3	Council Executive Meeting, Cottage, 7:30 pm
December 6	St. Peter’s Breakfast with St. Nick (See Newsletter for details)
December 7	Joint Communion Breakfast, Montgomery Council Hall, Redland, 9:30 a.m.Mass
December 10	Council Business Meeting, OLGC,* 7:30 pm
December 12	Olney Theater Event-Peter Pan (See Newsletter for details)
December 14	Council Christmas Party (Check Newsletter for details)
December 17	Christmas Caroling at Montgomery General Hospital 6:45 p.m. (no social mtg.)
December 18	Sullivan Brothers Assembly Christmas Party, Montgomery Council #2323, 7:00 pm
December 21	Marian Assisted Living facility Christmas Party, 2-4;00 pm

January 7	Council Executive Meeting, Cottage, 7:30 pm
January 14	Council Business Meeting, OLGC,* 7:30 pm
January 25	Basketball Free Throw Contest, Longwood Rec. Center, 5-7:00 pm.
January 28	Council Social Meeting, 7:30 pm, OLGC*

* Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
For additional information or to participate in any of the above activities, contact us at (301) 774-9260

	Knights of Columbus
	Father Maher Council 6793

Council 6793 Home