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FR. MAHER'S KNIGHTLY NEWS
'Here I am, I have come to do Your will, O God'
June 2009
VOLUME XXXIII ISSUE 12
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Newsletter Contents:
Grand Knight's Message
by John E. Moore, Grand Knight
This my last Knightly Newsletter article as your Grand Knight. Looking back in hindsight over the past year I believe the Council had a successful year. We were able to accomplish/achieve some new activities; such as the Fashion Show, the ethnic dinners, the Irish Sweepstakes, and the Marian Assisted Living Christmas Party. There were some other activities which I had hoped to do but time was such that we just couldn’t work them in. We didn’t do well in our overall membership goals, although the recruitment numbers were close, the number of withdrawals and suspensions had an adverse effect.
I want to thank all those Brothers their wives and their families who continue to support our Council. I again ask the new members to become active, as their time and obligations allow, and for the older Brothers who haven’t done anything for awhile to call and volunteer for just one event during the next fraternal year. The personal rewards are great and remember you are doing God’s work; so listen for His call and respond “here I am I have come to do your will.”
District Deputy Report
by John L. Durbin, District Deputy
Here we are, nearly at the end of this fraternal year and looking forward to the new one beginning in July. There is still time to bring in those last few members that you need to hit your goal. District Warden Jack Giacalone and Phyllis join us in thanking everyone. A very special “Thank You” goes to Pat McAleer and Rick Morin our two fantastic Fraternal Benefit Advisors for the District. Their hard work and long hours keep our councils in the hunt for Star Council and add to our numbers as they continually recruit new members.
We wish all of you continued success as we move forward and continue to build our councils and our Order.
A very, very special thank you goes to all wives for their support and help with everything that happens in the District. We Need You!
God bless all of you and thank you for a memorable year.
Reflections
by Lawrence P. Grayson
A Life Well Lived: A Remembrance of Msgr. William F. O’Donnell
Msgr. William F. O’Donnell, a man devoted to this nation and resolute in the Faith, led a life marked by heroic virtue. He conscientiously served the country as a soldier, diplomat and lawyer, and served the Church as a priest, editor and pastor. On April 23, 2009, Our Lord called him to account for his life.
Bill O’Donnell, the oldest of ten children, was born in 1922 in Washington, DC. When he graduated from Georgetown University in 1943, America was at war. He went to Officers Candidate School, became a “90-day wonder,” and was assigned as leader of a rifle platoon in an infantry division, which soon was headed for France.
At war’s end, now Capt. O’Donnell had received the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars for heroism, and two Purple Hearts.
When he left the military, Bill O’Donnell proceeded into the Foreign Service, becoming vice consul of the U.S. Consulate in Hamburg. Then, he returned to Georgetown to earn a law degree, clerked for a federal judge, and joined the Department of Justice, where he investigated activities of Communists in the U.S. He also had an opportunity to prosecute a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1957, deciding that the Lord had other things in mind for him, William O’Donnell entered Christ the King Seminary and was ordained in 1962. Two years later, he joined the Knights of Columbus as a member of Rock Creek Council, and for the next 45 years, served as the Council’s associate chaplain, chaplain, and chaplain-emeritus.
In 1966, Father was appointed editor of The Catholic Standard, a position he held for 13 years. In 1973, now a monsignor, he wrote a detailed review from a legal perspective showing the errors in the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe. v. Wade, the decision that made abortion legal in the United States. In 1978, Monsignor was given the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness.
Among other assignments, he served as pastor of St. Hugh’s, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, and director of the Catholic Cemeteries. When he retired in 2006, he was the oldest priest in the Archdiocese still in active ministry. Until his death, he served as national chaplain for the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Association, and in 1984 he was inducted into the Officers Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, GA.
Monsignor, may we never forget you who served so well his God and country.
Fraternal Benefits
WHY BUY LIFE INSURANCE?
Why should you buy life insurance anyway?
Because –
Life insurance is nothing less than an expression of your respect, your concern and your love of your wife and your family. Just ask any widow…
Call me today for an appointment.
Fraternally, Rick Morin, FICF, LUTCF Your Fraternal Benefits Advisor 301.384.7627
Odds and Ends
DON’T FORGET TO SHOW THE COLORS ON FLAG DAY
Council Golf Outing To Support Our Seminarians
** THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED **
At the May meeting of the Executive Committee of the Council it was decided to postpone the 4th Annual Charity Golf Outing at Laytonsville Golf Course from Friday June 19th to a date in October.
Please contact Marc Long at home at (301) 208-7134 or cell at (301) 518-1040 or ramair320129@msn.com if you have any questions.
Inwood House Volunteer Appreciation Night
by Paul D. McFarlane, Deputy Grand Knight.
It was a distinct pleasure to represent our Council on Thursday, April 23, 2009 for the 2009 Inwood House Volunteer Appreciation Night event. Our Lecturer, Bill Gulban, joined me. As you know, our Council treats the Inwood House residents to a Halloween party each October. This event was their way of saying “Thanks” to our Council and to nearly 40 other organization representatives who give their time and talent to enrich the lives of Inwood’s residents. As the invitation read, we were treated to “an elegant array of desserts – sweets for the sweet!” Bill and I had our picture taken with Inwood resident, Erin Degnan, daughter of Brother Michael and wife Pamela Degnan. The photo will be sent to our Council to be placed in a specially made frame provided as a “Thank You” gift. Feeling the warmth of gratitude from our Inwood friends should inspire us to keep the tradition of community giving alive.
Nomination Report
The Nominating Committee submits the nominations of new Council officers for the fraternal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010. The nominees are as follows:
| Grand Knight | Paul D. McFarlane |
| Chaplain | Appointed by Grand Knight |
| Deputy Grand Knight | Joseph F. Krempasky |
| Chancellor | Emmanuel Mark Harang |
| Warden | Frederick L. Whitman |
| 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 | Armond Joseph Caron |
| Outside Guard | James N. Padams |
| Trustee (1 year) | Jack Giacalone |
| Trustee (2 year) | Harry F. Bushar |
| Trustee (3 year) | John E. Moore, Sr |
| Convention Delegate | John E. Moore, Sr. |
| First Alternate | Innocent P. D.Almeida |
| Second Alternate | Harry F. Bushar |
The election is scheduled to be held during the June 10, 2009 meeting. The nominations will still be opened until the time before the election.
Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church
Brother Knight, Stephen Monette, under the direction of Fr. Rogers at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, is currently developing a proposal to establish an extended adoration program at St. Patrick’s. The proposal is to be presented to Fr. Rogers in July after he returns from his exams in Rome.
Anyone who would like to help develop the proposal or participate in organizing the adoration program may contact Stephen Monette at (301)384-2595 or jsmonette@verizon.net.
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. |
Annual Spring Fund Raising Raffle
Just a friendly reminder to please fill out and submit your raffle tickets for our last fund raising raffle for this fraternal year; the details of which are as follows:
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 24, 2009 at St Patrick's Parish Center beginning at 7:00 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 is 25%; Second Prize is 15%; and Third Prize is 10% of the total funds collected. A letter with two raffle tickets is being sent to all Council Members; included in the mailing is a return addressed envelope. The support of every member is needed to make our raffle a success. REMEMBER THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF OUR ORDER IS CHARITY.
For any questions or for additional tickets please call Bill Kollins, Chairman, (301) 774-2942 or John E. Moore, (301) 774-9260
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.
June and July 2009 Calendar
| June 3 | Council Executive Meeting, Cottage, 7:30pm |
| June 10 | Council Business Meeting, OLGC,* 7:30pm |
| June 14 | Flag Day -Fly your flag! |
| June 18 | Sullivan Bros. Assembly Mtg., Montgomery Council #2323, 8:00pm |
| June 19 | THE GOLF OUTING HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL OCTOBER (New Date TBD) |
| June 24 | Council Social Meeting, Scholarship Award Pot Luck Dinner, 7:00pm, St Patrick.s Parish Center |
| July 1 | Council Executive Meeting, Cottage 7:30pm |
| July 4 | Independence Day - Fly your flag! |
| July 8 | Council Business Meeting, OLGC,* 7:30pm |
| July 16 | Sullivan Brothers Assembly Business Meeting, 8:00pm, |
| July 22 | Council Social Meeting 7:30pm, OLGC* |
| July 25 | Council support for Seminarian Barbecue, St. Patrick's at Noon |
| July 26 | Council Picnic; details to be in next month.s Newsletter |
| * Our Lady of Good Counsel High School | |