Knightly News. Knights of Columbus Council Grand Knight s Report Faith in Action. Merry Christmas. Inside this issue:

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Knightly News Volume 13, Issue 12 December 2012 Contact the Editor: gnelson8156@earthlink.net Knights of Columbus Council 8156 www.kofc8156.

Pro Life Director 5 Don't Rob Me Rob My Neighbor! 3 4 Back Cover The Season of Faith in Action Brothers, the Blessed Christmas Season is upon us once again.

Christmas with all of its anticipation, celebration, and glory can also be a source of tension and worry for many our neighbors, acquaintances, and community members.

Many in our parish and our community are struggling to make everyday ends meet. The added burden of the holiday makes this struggle even greater.

1 Knightly News Volume 13, Issue 12 December 2012 Contact the Editor: Knights of Columbus Council Inside this issue: Grand Knight s Report Faith in Action Insurance Agent 2 Membership Knight & Family Funding Approval 2013 Dues Notice Men s Conference. Pro Life Director 5 Don't Rob Me Rob My Neighbor! 3 4 Back Cover The Season of Faith in Action Brothers, the Blessed Christmas Season is upon us once again. It is a time for thanksgiving, worship, family, and friends. It is also a time for reflecting on those most in need of help during this holy season. Christmas with all of its anticipation, celebration, and glory can also be a source of tension and worry for many our neighbors, acquaintances, and community members. The needs are always great but especially are accented during this time of year. This is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and put our faith into action by sharing with others. Many in our parish and our community are struggling to make everyday ends meet. The added burden of the holiday makes this struggle even greater. Our council strives to lighten this burden through our donations and our gift of time, with Christmas baskets for St. Vincent DePaul, Christmas trees for St. Louise House, helping to provide toys through Brown Santa, and donating to Abiding Love Food Bank. Many of you may personally know a family that could benefit from a kind deed this year. Please keep them in mind when doing your own gift and grocery shopping. Sharing the life, hope, and word of Jesus can help to bring joy to those who need it most. Our annual family Christmas Party will be held in Johnson Hall on Saturday, December 1 after 5:00pm Mass. All Knights and their families are invited to attend. Please check your mail for your invitation and further information. Santa will take time out from his busy schedule to pay us a visit and bring presents for the children. Let s join together in making this a fun-filled celebration. Merry Christmas Our council will be sponsoring a Major Degree ceremony on January 5, 2013 at St. Catherine s. I ask that all 1st Degree Knights consider making their 2nd and 3rd Degrees at this time. There is no additional cost. You have already paid for it when you joined the order. Receiving your 3rd Degree will enable to you hold an office within our council. There will be Brother Knights from throughout the state of Texas at this exemplification. We have an opportunity to lead the way with a large number of candidates from our council. Wishing Christmas Blessings to you and your family. Vivat Jesus, Eddie

Page 2 Knightly News Birthdays Mark Armatta Ronald Buys Earl Carter Eric Churchill Ronald Crain Steven Daigle Trevor De Martini James Gereszek David Gossett Chris Grahmann Alejandro Gutierrez Jr.

2 Page 2 Knightly News Birthdays Mark Armatta Ronald Buys Earl Carter Eric Churchill Ronald Crain Steven Daigle Trevor De Martini James Gereszek David Gossett Chris Grahmann Alejandro Gutierrez Jr. Barry Haygood Michael Hejny Kenneth Kurzawski Douglas Lyon William Mastin Rob Murphy Steven Myers Eric Negron Efrain Ortiz Guadalupe Pequeno Robert Peterson Patrick Reinhart Victor Reyna George Reynes Jr. Benjamin Sander Thomas Sauceda Jeffrey Stovall Ben Truong Insurance Agent Report - Eddie Mazurek FICF LUTCF Four parts of retirement: Phase four Okay, if you ve been following along in my articles, you ve read about the first phases that lead to retirement. Protection and accumulation of savings are the first time, followed by de-accumulation of those funds while making them last. The final phase is care. At some point, at some age (hopefully a very advanced age), you will need to slow down. You will no longer be able to care for yourself. At that point, you will need to have assets available to provide much needed care, either at home or in a care facility. As you probably know, the cost of care continues to rise. I cannot quote you a number here (I could give you specific details in a face-to-face meeting), but the nationwide average grows by leaps and bounds. How do you plan to cover these costs? Government programs might not be available, or might require you to spend down your assets leaving your family with little. The best way to handle the cost of care in the future is to plan ahead today. The Knights of Columbus offers long-term care insurance that can cover at home or facility care costs. And our product is backed by the financial strength of the Order. It has many benefits and our premiums are competitive with any other company. The Knights of Columbus the organization you trust is in a position to help you with every phase. Life insurance, disability insurance, guaranteed retirement plans that turn into guaranteed income streams when you retire, and long term care. There is no reason to go elsewhere as you prepare for the four phases! Contact me today to schedule a meeting. Eddie Mazurek FICF LUTCF 512/ emazu5@gmail.com.

3 Volume 13, Issue 12 Page 3 Membership Director Eddie Mazurek By the time you read this, we will have held our first degree ceremony in November. We have 4 new recruits and 1 readmission that hopefully went through the first degree in November. We continue to get good quality men into our council and this is because of your efforts. We are now approaching our half way point of the fraternal year. Please continue to look for and ask good Catholic men to join us. Also, for all of the first degree members, we will be hosting a 2nd and 3rd (major) degree on Saturday, January 5th. More info to follow, but please reserve that day so that you can attend this ceremony and become a full Knight. Hope all had a great Thanksgiving and wishing you a blessed Christmas. Eddie Mazurek 512/ emazu5@gmail.com Knight and Family of the Month for November Knight Jim Luhrman Jim Luhrman has been selected as Knight of the Month for November. Jim s deep voice makes his proclamation of the Word memorable as he serves St. Catherine as a Minister of the Word. He also helps as an organizer for St. Catherine s Military Ministry. Jim is very involved in the council s Pro-Life activities. In his spare time Jim is an active member of ACTS. Thank you Jim! Family Richard & Beatriz Munoz Richard and Beatriz Muñoz have been selected as November Family of the Month for our council. Richard is the council s Family Director and in that capacity has brought many good ideas to the council. Together with their three girls, they are regular attendees at Sunday Mass. Richard is quick to volunteer in the council s many activities such as the recent corn roast. Beatriz volunteers in the Religious Education program in which their three girls participate. One daughter is studying to be an altar server. Richard and Beatriz are also members of a Monday Rosary group and the Amigos Club. It is for these reasons that our council proudly recognizes the family of Richard and Beatriz Muñoz as Family of the Month. Congratulations Richard, Beatriz and girls!

4 Page 4 Knightly News Funding Approval Vote December Meeting As discussed and voted on at the November Meeting we have a motion to approve $2,500 from the unallocated council account to fund the settlement of our Bingo Lawsuit. This is required and will end once and for all the continuing legal expenses related to the Bingo law suit. This motion needs final approval at the December business meeting to meet the deadline of December 10, Greg Nelson Bingo Chairperson Knights of Columbus Dues Notice Paul Tiley No one wants to talk about bills during the Christmas season, but they will come due. In late December, you will be receiving your dues statement AND the Fraternal Survey form. I will also make the Fraternal Survey form available by Yahoo Group . PLEASE return your completed fraternal survey or me your response as soon as possible. The compiled information is due to Supreme by January 31. If you are paying your dues by check (paper or electronic/online banking service), please make sure your check is made out to Knights of Columbus Council 8156 and that it is mailed to the proper address. I will be including a self-addressed envelope with the dues statement and the fraternal survey, so please use that address. I can accept dues payments at the Business meetings. You can mail your dues to me using the self-addressed envelope or you can drop the payment off at the Church office in an envelope marked for the Knights. Paul Tiley Financial Secretary ptiley@austin.rr.com

5 Volume 13, Issue 12 Page 5 Men s Conference February 16 Pro-Life Ed Empero WHERE IN THE BIBLE.? Parish Men Invited to the February 16th Catholic Men's Conference Matthew Kelly featured Speaker It has been six years since Bishop Gregory Aymond gave his support to the formative activities creating the "Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men" (CTFCM). Perhaps the memory-defying acronym is one reason that some of us are just hearing of CTFCM, but both its formal organizational efforts, and the individual and collective dynamic ministry of its participants have played a significant role in the area success of two highly visible and extraordinary blessings to this parish -- i.e., ACTS and That Man Is You. It appears that CHRP and even Knights of Columbus membership in several Councils have benefited directly and indirectly from its diocesan-wide activities aimed at inspiring men's spirituality. The First Annual Central Texas Catholic Men's Conference, on February 16th, looks like the first event in which CTFCM will publically introduce itself to all men across the entire diocese. Bringing in celebrated Catholic Author Matthew Kelly should accomplish that. The theme of "Passion and Purpose" is intriguingly described further as showing how to "apply the genius of Catholicism to our everyday life." Brother Knights Eric Churchill and Ray Wilson have been named as co-captains for our parish's participation in the conference. They may be contacted for tickets ($39 each) and Council assistance for individual need is currently under budget consideration. Their goal is ambitious men from St. Catherines-- but it is exciting to think of the possibility of this parish entering Lent with that many men sharing a freshly inspired vision of Passion and Purpose. Christmas is right around the corner. It is a good time to mention Life of Our Lord in the Blessed Mother s Womb. For the Pro-Choice advocates, it is clear and right to say that Human Life starts at conception, period! Even secular science confirms this! When you are confronted with this issue by pro-choice advocates, please go and read the following in the Holy Bible: Isaiah 49: 1, 5 / Hear me, coastlands, listen, distant peoples. Before birth the Lord called me, from my mothers womb he gave me my name. Luke 1: 39-44: / When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit. And there are additional readings: Isaiah 44: 2, 24 / Ecclesiastes 11:5 / jeremiah 1:5 / Jeremiah 20: / Hosea 12: 2-4 / Sirach 49:7 / Nehemiah 8: 4-12 / Wisdom of Soloman 7:1-3 What lies we are told that the life in the womb is not human until..? HUMAN LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION! BROTHERS, GOD BLESS YOU WITH MANY BLESSINGS. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

6 Knights of Columbus Council Convict Hill Road Austin, TX Phone: x44 Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. Come see just what we are all about by calling the Grand Knight. Knights In Service to All From the Editor Contact List Ed Kruczek, GK eddiekruczek@gmail.com Jerry Guajardo, DGK jggg1029@sbcglobal.net Paul Tiley, FS ptiley1@austin.rr.com Jim Brewer Chancellor jbrewer@gaiaustin.com Eddie Mazurek, Treasurer emazu5@gmail.com Other Officers Advocate Mathew Wade Lecturer Bob Stuifbergen Recorder Chris Annoni Warden Ronnie Gallagher Inside Guard Jim Hogg Outside Guard David Caldwell 3-Year Trustee Larry Odom 2-Year Trustee Greg Nelson 1-Year Trustee John Massey Fundraising Directors Lloyd Monroe Greg Nelson Chris Annoni Submit articles for the January Newsletter by December 21 Future Cutoffs For Newsletter Dated December 21 January 2013 January 14 *** February 2012 February 22 March 2013 March 22 April 2013 April 19 May 2013 *** Early Deadline Required Important Dates for December December 1 Christmas Party, 6:00 pm December 5 Mass, Business Meeting, Dinner, 6:30 pm December 5 John Paul II Benefit Gala, Let Freedom Ring, 7:00 pm December 6 Sort St. Vincent de Paul gifts, 4:00 pm December 7 Move St. Vincent de Paul gifts, 9:00 am December 8 Deliver St. Vincent de Paul gifts, 10:00 am December 8 Hang Christmas lights at St. Catherine, 10:00 am December 11 First Degree, St. Ignatius, 6:30 PM December 14 BBQ Prep, 12:30 pm December 15 Blood Drive, St. Catherine, 9:00 am December 15 KOTT Blue Santa,?? December 16 BBQ Cooking and Sales, 4 am and after Masses December 16 New Member Information Meeting, 7:00 pm December 19 Planning meeting, 7:00 pm December 20 First Degree, St. Paul, 7:00 pm December 25 Christmas Day January 1 Mary Mother of God, Holy Day of Obligation January 1 New Year s Day January 2 Mass, Business Meeting, Dinner, 6:30 pm January 5 Major Degree at St. Catherine, 8 am

7 Don't Rob Me; Rob My Neighbor! by Ray Wilson (Note: Ray is a former police planner) You have all seen the "Operation Identification" stickers in front doors warning that all valuables on the premises are marked for ready identification and not worth stealing. Implied is that the neighbors might be better targets. It works. Data shows that homes without the stickers get hit more often. My neighbor's front door has an image of a revolver muzzle, a finger on the trigger, and the message that "Nothing in this house is worth dying for." Homes and cars in my old Italian neighborhood had "Under the protection of ma fia" signs, and thieves were disinclined to test the claim. There are always alternative targets. Likewise, "Neighborhood Watch" signs in neighborhoods say this whole neighborhood is on guard, and that even a clearly empty home may be surreptitiously watched. This neighborhood; five minutes away is a neighborhood where no one is on guard. It works. The toughest predators in the world always choose the most vulnerable and defenseless targets. One hiker tells his companion, "I do not have to outrun an attacking bear; I just have to outrun you." Appear fast, appear strong, lock your doors, keep purses close. In the moment, the other person will be the target. Not you. In the moment. The trouble is that weak targets all around you attract more predators. Personally ready or not, once sharks scent blood in the water, you can get caught up in the feeding frenzy. Thus, crime maps show burglary and larceny "outbreaks" victimizing even the strong in their paths. In the long run, the "personal, appear strong," defense is far from fool-proof. The good news is that the "community, act smart," defense does indeed work, and in both the short and long runs. The key is recognizing that predator instincts indeed respond to the prey's behavior. In terms of real self interest, petty thief and burglar are not among the brightest career choices, and their behavior is largely instinctual. As a rule, they are -- well -- unwise. Once we have them responding to what we do, then we strategically control the interaction of stimulus and response. Civilized community has the ability to organize around problem-solving mind-sets -- for which instinctive predator pack mentalities are no match. In recent decades, professional community crime prevention strategies have been developed, tested, and implemented; and they do work. This is a news article, not an operational manual; so here's the summary, not the detail. Target hardening (including locked doors, and "go next door" incentives) slow perpetrators down and increase their visibility, watch increases detection and evidence gathering, response increases apprehension risk (real & perceived). Increase the visible Crime Watch in some neighborhoods, use CompStat crime mapping to watch the activity shifts and be waiting with police and handcuffs. Real dents get made in the general opportunity for success in this career choice, and motivation comes down big time. As effective as community crime prevention is, its biggest obstacle is the persistent myth that there is no such thing. It seems like "common sense" that little things like signs, or even door locks, cannot stop determined criminals. The reality is that there is simply far more to it than that. For individual communities, including specific neighborhoods and institutions (like business areas and parishes), being aware of the process is important. So is simple ongoing vigilance, good personal security habits, and the readiness to move into dynamic crime watch activity when crime mapping shows the trend moving our way. Here at St. Catherine's we see the trend and we are ready.

Knights of Columbus Council 8156 4800 Convict

8 Knights of Columbus Council Convict Hill Road Austin, TX Mailing Label Here

Knightly News. Knights of Columbus Council Grand Knight s Report Faith in Action. Inside this issue:

Knightly News. Knights of Columbus Council Grand Knight s Report Faith in Action. Inside this issue: Knightly News Volume 13, Issue 11 November 2012 Contact the Editor: gnelson8156@earthlink.net Knights of Columbus Council 8156 www.kofc8156.org Inside this issue: Grand Knight s Report Faith in Action