Knights of Columbus Council 6793

Father Maher's Knightly News is
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Knights of Columbus
Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council 6793
P.O. Box 570
Olney, Maryland 20830

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Just when it looked like we were going to have a quiet month March came in like the proverbial lion or did it go out as a lion. We had in addition to our usual meeting; an Irish dinner, the State Basketball Free-throw contest, a membership drive, a first degree, and a Lenten Fish Fry. I invite all you Brother Knights whom we haven't seen for awhile to come out and join us in working on some of these activities.

You will find a great deal of personal satisfaction and you will be doing God's work. If you are hesitant because you are not sure what is involved or you fear that once you show up we won't let you go, fear not just give a Brother who is involved, a call or better yet call me. You can give as little or as much time as you or your situation dictates. You won't be sorry!

April is here! Our Spring Membership Blitz is complete and we now look forward to welcoming our new brothers into our Councils and the Order. Grand Knights, Membership Directors and Brother Knights should encourage all new members to take advantage of the Fraternal Benefits offered by the Order. That is Father McGivney's dream that all families be provided for in the event of loss of income by either/or both parents. Providing income for those we leave behind is a SELFLESS act of love that provides us with peace of mind and at the same time allows our Order to provide marvelous benefits to our Church, Holy Father and to many other activities around the world, some of which are catastrophic. All of us should do our part. Become an Insurance Member of the Order.

If we need to schedule more first degrees in the District let me know so they can be set up for the convenience of everyone. We are now in the final three months of this fraternal year and all councils in the District with the exception of Our Lady of Guadalupe are far from the goals set at the beginning of the year. Do not be discouraged! There is still time to add to our number and make our councils grow.

Please continue with the outstanding "Surge with Service" programs you have planned. The reports for this fraternal year ended April 1, 2009 but the activities from April 1 through June 30 may be reported by the next Grand Knight and his officers. On behalf of Nancy, Jill and Jack and Phyllis, I wish all of you and your families a very Blessed and Happy Easter from the District staff.

This month, I chose to pass up the opportunity to use the old cliché about two things we must do, although the timing should certainly bring it to mind.

This season, in most homes, is financial accounting time. I'd like to wager that, at some point in the process, someone will ask (probably you!) "Where did all our money go?" Surely all of the money we earn finds a home somewhere the grocer, the mortgage, the tax man. Very little, if any, is left over for a personal bank account or other investments. Most of us consider ourselves fortunate if we've managed to pay our bills! Folks usually save what's leftover and for most folks, that's nothing.

The point is, whatever the amount earned, chances are good that it is spent providing for and rearing a family. Think about that for a minute. The needs of that family continue to need food, shelter, clothing... Even if the breadwinner suffers an untimely death.

So what does income tax have to do with insurance? Simply this…it can serve as a reminder that protection for dependents should include an estimate of the current needs for money. While it may be convenient to say "I can't afford it," that's probably not accurate. Especially, when you consider that your family will be without any income should you die.

With this in mind, your Order has designed a plan which guarantees to continue income to your family for as long as they will need it. What's more, this plan will enable you to systematically save some of those dollars so difficult to account for at tax time.

On the Sunday after Easter, the Catholic Church commemorates Divine Mercy. In one sense, this is a recent devotion, having been established by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, the same day he canonized Sister Faustina Kowalska as the first saint of the Great Jubilee Year. St. Faustina had visions of our Lord, who revealed to her His desire for people to turn to and trust in His Mercy..

The early church celebrated the Resurrection, the clearest manifestation of the Divinity of Jesus, with eight days of commemoration, which St. Augustine referred to as the "days of mercy and pardon." The octave began with Easter Sunday and concluded with Dominica in Albis, or Sunday in White, which Augustine referred to as "the compendium of the days of mercy."

Divine Mercy is the result of God's love for us extended in our time of anguish or adversity, whether caused by sin, suffering or the death of another. Pope John Paul II, in his 1994 Regina Caeli Address, rhetorically asked: "What is mercy if not the boundless love of God, who confronted with human sin, restrains the sentiment of severe justice and, allowing himself to be moved by the wretchedness of his creatures, spurs himself to the total gift of self, in the Son's cross?"

As a visual reminder for us, our Lord asked St. Faustina to create an image of Himself, standing with mercy radiating from His heart as two large rays, one of red and the other pale, symbolizing the blood and water He shed for us. The image is to bear the words, "Jesus, I trust in you." The image, the chaplet, which repetitively requests God's mercy and is said on the beads of the Rosary, and the commemorative Sunday are means for us to personally recall and proclaim the love of God.

We in Maryland should be especially compliant. Our State Deputy, Richard Siejack, has dedicated his Administration to fostering an awareness of and a devotion to Divine Mercy. Of even greater moment, the final miracle that elevated Sister Faustina to sainthood occurred in our State. Father Ronald Pytel, the now-deceased pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Baltimore, had a very serious and worsening heart ailment that even made it difficult for him to mount the steps of the altar. Through the intercession of Sister Faustina, he was miraculously cured, totally and rapidly, without medical intervention Holy Rosary Church now contains a shrine to Divine Mercy that is well worth visiting at any time, but especially on Divine Mercy Sunday. This month on April 19, with well over a thousand people expected to be in attendance, Color Corps from Maryland will participate in the church's liturgical celebration. This is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to express your gratitude for God's love.

On Wednesday evening, April 22, 2009, Family Social Night, our Council will host a professional speaker from the Alzheimer's Association on Memory Loss. The discussion will focus on the difference between normal forgetfulness and memory loss. Memory loss that disturbs everyday life is not a normal part of aging. It may be a symptom of dementia, a gradual and progressive decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, a disorder that results in the loss of brain cells. The speaker will talk about the different kinds of dementia and how to seek advice for diagnosis and treatment when faced with memory loss. Learn about the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Members, their wives, friends, and guests are all invited to attend this worthwhile health and wellness talk. Please bring a guest. Speaker's time is scheduled at 7:30 pm, at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Olney, 17301 Old Vic Blvd. (across from Olney Theatre).

Refreshments will follow the program. For further information please contact Bill Gulban (301)774-0424.

Knights of Columbus, Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council # 6793 is pleased to announce that we will once again offer scholarships to deserving high school seniors who have been accepted as full time students to an accredited college or university following their senior year. Under the "Fr. Canice Treacy Memorial Scholarship Fund" any graduating high school senior (Catholic or non-Catholic) is eligible to apply for a grant. The deadline for application submissions is Friday, May 8, 2009. Scholarships will be awarded on June 24, 2009, during the Council Social Meeting.

For more information, please contact Kevin Kennedy at 301-774-5014, or see the announcement and application form at www.kofc6793.org/scholarship.php.

It is that time again to accept the nominations for the council officers of the coming fraternal year beginning July 1, 2009. Any third degree brother knight of this Council is eligible to be nominated for any position of the officers. You can also nominate yourself if you wish.

For information or nominations, please contact any member of the Nominating Committee. They are: Chairman Homer Chen at (301) 460-0580, Bob Mazonkey at (301) 253-6274 and Innocent D'Almeida at (301) 871-6156. The election is scheduled to take place at the June 10, 2009 meeting.

If you are not interested in serving as a Council Officer, there are still many other opportunities available for you. Please consider getting involved.

If you have been reading medical articles of late you've probably noticed an increase in people's ages due to where they are living longer. In the same vein there is an increase in problems of the mind and memory encountering dementia. At the same time that one has a physical or mental problem, there's a supplement out there claiming to fix it. The woods are full of people selling remedies for those occasional memory lapses that plague older people. You run into somebody and cannot think of his name; you start to recommend a film you saw six months ago and can't come up with the title; or you have the classic car-keys event (that is, you can't find the darn things). Of course, these lapses happen to juniors as well as seniors, but older people experience them more often and get more upset about them. This kind of memory malfunction, although a nuisance, is part of normal aging. The older brain does not always retrieve stored information quickly.

Enter "Senior Moment," surely the most heavily advertised of the so-called memory enhancers. The formula is a mix of omega-3 fatty acids from algae (DHA—one of the omega-3s that fish get from algae) and certain fat molecules (from pig brains). These omega-3s and other fats are necessary for brain function, and indeed are the major structural fats in our brains. Fish consumption does seem to go along with high mental functioning in older people, but it's possible to function at high levels without ever eating fish. There is no evidence that consuming these fatty acids in a supplement has any effect on human memory.

The manufacturer of Senior Moment claims its ingredients have been shown "in many studies" to overcome mild memory loss; but no published study has ever been found using this supplement specifically, nor convincing evidence that any one supplement or food can maintain or improve memory. A healthy diet with adequate vitamin and mineral intake will probably help the elderly stay sharp longer, and controlling high blood pressure also promotes good mental functioning. Senior Moment costs about $20 for 30 capsules, and the label suggests you take up to six a day to enhance your memory. The ads solemnly state that Senior Moment should be taken on a "continual daily basis" for maximum effect. That could cost you $4 a day for the rest of your life! (They wish!) Working on crossword puzzles, playing bridge, or enrolling in a course will do more to help your memory—and will cost less. Spend the $28 a week on fish and other good foods.

This article is supported by the Wellness Letter of the University of California. All readers are invited to refer to my notice article and flyer on memory loss elsewhere in this newsletter.

Our Council had one of our best years conducting the Knights of Columbus State Free-throw Contest. I want to thank Brother Jim O'Brien for all his time and efforts in conducting this program. Winners at the Council level competition held in the Good Counsel High School gym on January 25, 2009 were: Sean Hymel; Daniel Love; Andrew Martin; Casey Bulik; Eric Mendelson; Marley Burgess; Halle Burgess; Jenny Kentor; and Tori Hymel. Congratulations to you all!

At the K of C District level held at the Mother of God School, Gaithersburg, Md., we had three winners; Jenny Kantor; Daniel Love; and Eric Mendelson. Congratulations to you all!

The K of C State competition was held at the School of the Incarnation, Gambrills, Md., on March 8, 2009 and we had two of our boys finish in second place out of all who competed in the State. Congratulations again to Daniel Love and Eric Mendelson.

As proud grandfather I have to mention that my grandson (John "Jack" Moore) happened to be also competing at the State level, but from another K of C District, and tied for third place (11year old) in the State. He had to leave to go to another basketball game and was unable to participate in the shoot-off to break the tie. Congratulations to Jack.

Once again the Peter Paul Maher Council of the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring an Hour of Prayer to be held on Divine Mercy Sunday. This will occur on April 19th at 3:00 pm at St. Peter's Church. The significance of this particular feast was so important to our late Holy Father John Paul II, that he has attached the opportunity for a Plenary Indulgence for all those who participate in its observance. All Brother Knights and their families are encouraged to attend. Additional details will be forthcoming in on-going parish bulletins.

For additional information please contact Joseph Krempasky at jfkrempasky@gmail.com or via telephone, at 301-570-4891.

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.

On Saturday, April 4, from 10:00am to 12:00pm, our Council will host its 4rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children 10 and under. The event will take place on the grounds of the Marian Assisted Living Facility, off of Georgia Avenue in Brookville. Just follow the signs once you turn onto the grounds. Prizes will be awarded to children for finding the specially marked eggs. All children will receive a bag of Easter candy and there will be Cookies and punch for everyone. So come join the fun, I know the kids will love it.

Important note: So that we may better estimate the number of participants, and not disappoint any child, please contact the Grand Knight, John E. Moore at (301) 774-9260 or jem1234@verizon.net to let us know how many children and their ages that you will be bringing. In the event of inclement weather, the Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Sunday April 5th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

The following note has appeared for the last six months and another generous Brother responded in March. We now have four Brothers out of almost 400 having responded to date with donations. Let's see who else will step up to 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.

For further information, Please call:
Bill Gulban 301-774-0424
John E. Moore Sr. 301-774-9260

Fried Cod, Fish Sticks, French Fries
Apple Sauce, Salad, Bread
Beer, Wine, Soft Drinks, Coffee/Tea

For further information, Please call:
Innocent d'Almeida 301-871-6156
John E. Moore Sr. 301-774-9260

For further information, Please call:
John Krempasky 301-570-4891
John E. Moore Sr. 301-774-9260

April 1	Council Executive Meeting, Cottage, 7:30 pm
April 3	Lenten Fish Fry Dinner, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, St. Patrick’s Parish Center*
April 4	4th Annual Council Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 am -12:00 pm, *
April 8	Council Business Meeting, OLGC,* 7:30 pm
April 12	Easter Sunday
April 16	Sullivan Bros. Assembly Mtg. Montgomery Council #2323, 8:00 pm
April 18	Spring Mulch Sale, St. Patrick’s Parking Lot, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm*
April 19	Divine Mercy Sunday, 3:00pm, St. Peter’s Church*
April 21	First Degree, Montgomery Council, #2323
April 22	Council Social Meeting, (Guest Speaker), 7:30 pm, OLGC*

May 6	Council Executive Meeting, Cottage, 7:30 pm
May 13	Council Business Meeting, OLGC,* *7:30 pm
May 21	Sullivan Bros. Assembly Mtg., Montgomery Council #2323, 8:00 pm
May 25	Memorial Day Ceremony at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery
May 27	Council Social Meeting, First Degree (Members Only) 7:30 pm, OLGC**
May 30	33rd Annual Charter Dinner, Event/Site/Time TBD*

* Check the Newsletter or the Council’s website for details
** 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

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