The Desert Knightline

Transcription

1 ISSUE March 2015 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER The Desert Knightline Schedule and Events This Issue Grand Knight s Corner P.2 Chaplain s Corner P.3 Family of the Month P.3 Lecturer Article P.4 Deacon Ed s Article P.6 Schedule of Events P.11 Knight of the Month P.12 Council has several Venerable Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney important upcoming events that all members are invited to attend for an evening of fun and fraternity. Please contact the Brother Knight indicated to make your arrangements to attend these events. Please try to attend at least one Council meeting during this KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Deacon Raphael (Ray) Longpre Council Chartered July 3, 1990, Tucson, Arizona fraternal year. If you need a ride to the meeting, call GK Alex Wright at Dress is Tucson Casual. See Page 11 for Schedule Grand Knight ~ Alex Wright Deputy Grand Knight ~ Pat McMahon Chancellor ~ Gabe Guerrero Recorder ~ Bill Neer Treasurer ~ Allan Reith Warden ~ Bart Pemberton Inside Guard ~ Jeff Kennedy Outside Guard ~ Bill Lake-Wright Financial Secretary ~ Larry Lewis Advocate ~ Randy Hannon Insurance Field Agent - Von Clarke Chaplain ~ Fr. Chris Corbally, SJ Lecturer ~ Marty Ronstadt 1 Year Trustee ~ PGK T K Mohr 2 Year Trustee ~ PGK David Orr 3 Year Trustee ~ PGK Tom Metzger Newsletter Editor ~ Tony Kenon Meetings Second Thursday of the Month Officers ~ 6:45 p.m. All Knights ~ 7:30 p.m.

2 March ~ Members Birthdays Eugene L. Baker Manuel G. Bracamante Fedele Colosino Thomas D. Horvath Dean A. Maas Patrick H. McMahon L.M. (Mel) Pollard, Jr. James W. Sislo Gordon I. Wardell Bradley L. Wentz Robert L. Wenzel Major Joseph L. Wypych Humberto Zamudio March ~ Wives Birthdays Ivonne Aguirre Linda Armijo Peg Kennedy Mary Komadina Sue Lewis Laura Lee Wenzel Jennifer Lake-Wright Colleen Wypych March ~ Wedding Anniversaries Mary & Chris M. Cooper Monika & Troy A. Cox Maria & Philip S. Garcia Mary & Richard C. Juergens LaMarchell & David Karnas Joan & Sidney B. Lang Molly & David Ramsower ~ Grand Knight s Corner ~ Alex Knight I was outside recently and noticed that trees were budding once again. Yes, the trees in my yard have figured out that spring is here. Spring, the time of renewal after the winter has come and gone. The trees are budding out, the flowers are blooming, and the desert comes alive to remind us that God s handiwork is all around us every day. But renewal just doesn t have to be limited to nature. We humans can experience the renewal of faith, the renewal of spirit that God intended for us this time of year. It is no coincidence that one of the two most important times of the Christian calendar, Easter, the time of spiritual renewal, coincides with spring. I ask you all to participate in your own spiritual renewal this year by attending daily and Sunday Mass, and reading the telling of Jesus sacrifice for all mankind in the Bible. I also encourage each of you to attend the St. Thomas Lenten Mission the week of March 9 th through the 12th - it will be so worth your effort to do so. And one last thing take the time to open the Bible to Chapter 3 of the book of John. Please read that entire chapter, but pay close attention to verses 16 and 17. I am sure it will help you fully understand the meaning of God s sacrifice for all mankind For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. I also ask all of you to renew your commitment to your families, your friends and to your Brother Knights. There are so many things we can do to help one another, but I want to remind you of just one in particular: Keep your families first in mind when thinking about the future. Last summer a friend of mine who was not a Knight passed away and left behind a wife, three children and six grandchildren. He also left behind a mountain of debt without having sufficient insurance to eliminate that debt. His situation, and now that of his family, got me to thinking how fortunate all of us Knights are in that we have the opportunity to use our Fraternal Benefit programs, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, to position our families and loved ones so that they will never have to worry about being straddled with debt when we pass on. I urge you to review your personal estate planning program, and make sure that you have provided for all your family. If you discover that you are lacking in any area, contact our Field Agent Brother Von Clarke, and investigate if he has a product that might fill out your portfolio. I am sure that the offerings he has just might be what you need. Remember, helping others, including our families, is what we Knights do best. Vivat Jesus, Alex Page 2

3 ~ Chaplain s Corner ~ Fr. Chris Corbally Again, I want to present both of the Pope s intentions for our prayer this month. I think they are related. There has traditionally been a dearth of women scientists, and this, despite the famous contributions of, say, Marie Curie in radioactivity, or Celia Payne-Gaposchkin in astrophysics. I remember Vera Rubin telling me about her struggles to get accommodation in the strictly male Monastery at Mount Palomar, and yet she was the one who discovered dark matter in galaxies. Things are changing, if slowly. At current astronomy meetings there is an increasing percentage of young women participating and presenting papers. They face the challenge of raising families, as did Vera, but the trend is good. Why? Because women, more than men, tend to see the whole human person and this is an important aspect of their unique contribution both to science and to the Church. Regularly praying for this double intention, for scientists and for women s contribution, could be your Lenten resolution. Whatever extra practice or denial you have chosen for Lent let it be something that brings you closer to God. That is the whole point of the exercise! A blessing on your Lent, so that you will be well prepared for Easter. Chris Corbally, SJ Universal: That those involved in scientific research may serve the well-being of the whole human person. Evangelization: That the unique contribution of women to the life of the Church may be recognized always. Pope Francis, prayer intentions for March. ~ Family of the Month ~ TK and Laura Mohr are the Council Family of the Month. TK and Laura are dedicated supporters of Council and the Knights of Columbus. TK, a PGK and Honorary Life Member, has been a Knight of Columbus for over 50 years, and Laura has been with him every step of the way. The two of them are valued members of the Council and St. Thomas the Apostle communities. Thank you TK and Laura for everything!

4 P ~ Lecturer Article ~ Marty Ronstadt Knights Round Table ~ The next Round Table will be on Saturday, March 7th at 8:30 a.m. in the parish library after the 8:00 a.m. chapel mass. Coffee and pastries will be available for all. Our discussion will be The Message of Mercy by Walter Kasper taken from the September 15th 2015 issue of America magazine. Fathers Chris Corbally and Paul Gabor will be our moderators. Our April meeting will be overseen by Father Paul as Father Chris will be traveling. Father Paul has selected an article from the December 1st, 2009 issue of First Things titled Three Precisions: Social Justice by Michael Novak. As always, Knights, spouses and guests are urged to attend these discussions. All are welcome! Red Cross Blood Drive ~ Our drive for March will be on Sunday, the 8th. Sign-up sheets are in the narthex of the church and all are encouraged to sign up there. If you forget and are at home, call and you will be signed up! Thanks to the efforts by the parish office and Fr. John and the other priests, pleas at the 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 masses, we made over quota with 46 pints total. It is walk-ins after mass that offset those who have signed up and can t be present to donate, for one reason or another. What is most important is to pick a time and sign up in the narthex of church! BE A DONOR AND SAVE A LIFE IT COULD BE YOURS! Pancake Breakfast ~ Our last breakfast as reported by Chairman Lloyd LaComb served 27 at the 7:30 mass and 112 at the 9:00 mass. He states the line went out the door. One hundred and fifty breakfasts were served. A total of $418 was transferred to the council general fund, which included both January and February profits. Our workers were: Kelly Bequette, Ray Bruns, Charlie Farnsworth, Ron Gretka, Bob Gonzalez, Randy Hannon, Jeff Kennedy, Bob Kopas, Lloyd LaComb, James McKearny, Tom Metzger, TK Mohr, Alan Reith and Larry Rylance. March s breakfast will be on Sunday, March 1st. Father Greg Adolf Mass and Morning of Recollection ~On Saturday, April 18th Father Greg will say the 8:00 a.m. chapel mass and deliver the homily. Following we will meet in Classrooms 4 and 5 (parish hall) for coffee and pastries. Father will begin his talk about 9:00 a.m., which will be in the chapel, after which we will have a social break back in the classrooms. Father s second talk will be again in the chapel. Father will conclude at about 11:30 a.m. after which we will have a light lunch in the classrooms (parish hall). Father comes to us from his parish in Sierra Vista, St. Andrew the Apostle. Fr. is a frequent presenter at St. Thomas and around the diocese, and is considered by his peers as one of the best of presenters. Those of us who have heard his talks will testify to that! Fr. Greg is a Knight of Columbus and his council s chaplain. In keeping with our council tradition, this event will embrace knights, spouse and guests. There is no charge for attendance and anyone may attend, but in order to get a head count, please call Marty Ronstadt at or Tom Metzger at with your name and the number attending. All are encouraged to attend this the second of two presentations to further the social and spiritual development of our council members and their spouses. Look Ahead Plan to Attend Mark Your Calendars Now! Page 4

5 ~ First Degree Ceremony ~ ~ Award ~ PGK Brother Tom Metzger, Membership Chairman, congratulates newly exemplified Brother Jerry Sayre after his First Degree ceremony at Council 1200 on January 21, Brother Jerry is a long time member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. ~ Award ~ Brother Tom Shelby is presented the Family of the Month award for February 2015 by Grand Knight Alex Wright. Brother Tom and his wife Gail were recognized for their continued dedication to the Knights of Columbus and to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. Grand Knight Alex Wright presents Brother Allan Reith with the Knight of the Month award for February 2015.

6 . ~ Goats and Sheep ~ By Deacon Ed Sheffer Prayers for the Sick and Distressed ~ Eileen Baiocchetti Lizzie Bell Ed Brucker Brother Knight Dan Castillo Judd Elliot Lynn Glaspay Barbara Gonzales Mary Momat Chuck Osborne Brother Knight Mike Quigley Molly Ramsower Babs Ronstadt Brother Knight Marty Ronstadt Annabelle Sanchez REV Joseph Terra Julie Vasquez One of the most misunderstood and challenging teachings of Jesus takes place in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verses Spoiler alert: what follows the teaching is the Last Supper, followed by Jesus Passion and Death. Why does Jesus give this teaching just before he takes center stage in humanity s darkest hour? We as Catholics believe that when Jesus blood spilled out it was the ultimate game changer. The truth is God s love is beyond our conception. What does Jesus say the response should be to God s love? The answer is love. The response Jesus is saying to God s love is for you and me to reach out in kindness and mercy. He is saying that to have a loving spirit is to possess the greatest wealth of all. Many don t want to look too closely at this scripture passage because they are afraid of what they think it says. What does Matthew 25:31-46 really reveal? If you want to love me, Jesus says, than you must learn to love in a new and radical way. He is also saying with his examples that there are ample opportunities around you to love and serve one another. We grow as human beings by helping and serving others. We are not meant to exist for ourselves. We grow through others. God uses others to help us grow in holiness. Our charter as Knights is to love and serve, and our Council meets this charter in so many positive ways. Catholic Social Teaching is rooted in Matthew 25: However, there is considerable misuse, misunderstanding, and manipulation in what the Church says about what is socially just. There are seven tenants to Catholic Social Teaching. Here now is what I feel is at the essence of these. One Life and Dignity of the Human Being: Contrary to what some like to say, the Church doesn t teach that any two life issues are identical. For instance, no matter how one might like to use one pro-life issue to argue for another, the one cannot be made into the other. Jesus has made it abundantly clear though that he expects us to defend life in all stages and conditions. The USCCB refers to this as having a consistent ethic of life. When human life under any circumstance is not held as sacred in a society, all human life in that society is threatened. When it is held as sacred, in all circumstances, all human life is protected. A society that fails to protect human life and seeks to provide basic human rights is morally defective. Two We Have a Call to Family and Community: The truth is it s hard to love our own family members all the time, let alone begin to love strangers and, God forbid enemies. Jesus taught through his actions that we don t have to like someone to love them. For instance, what he meant when he said love your enemies is that in loving your enemy you are on the road to becoming the best version of yourselves. God continues to love us even though we distance ourselves from Him. By sending the Son to suffer and die for us reveals that to love at the deepest level is to desire and seek what is of the highest good for another. Three Rights and Responsibilities: Rights and responsibilities come with being human. Laws need to be followed in order to avoid as much chaos as possible. It is essential that we all strive to attain what is right and just for everyone. Page 6

7 Pray for the Repose of the Souls of ~ Brother Sir Knight Larry Wilson Sister Lupita Barajas Four Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: The poor and vulnerable in every society have the single most moral claim on the policies of that nation. God tells us over and over again in the Bible not to look away from the poor and vulnerable, to pay particular attention to their plight. We are called to reach out to them in some way and try to lift their heavy burden. Five Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers: The truth is humans don t exist for work, but rather work exists for humans. Work exists to provide human dignity. The idea Jesus has in mind is that in serving others we too are served. Serving isn t about looking up or looking down, it s about looking into the eyes of one another. Six Solidarity: No matter who we are, no matter what our race, skin color, age, gender, economic wellbeing, or religion, we are all one in the eyes of God. The Cross of Jesus demands this vision too. When anyone s God-given rights are being attacked, we must stand together and defend those rights. Seven Care of God s Creation: God entrusted us with His creation to safeguard and protect it. And when we don t, there are serious moral and ethical consequences. The reality is none of us can do everything that relates to these seven social teachings. One thing we can all do is not let ourselves be influenced by the negative spins offered on Catholic Social teaching. We can and should strive to develop and understand better the moral vision the Church offers. The role we choose to play that reveals kindness and mercy often will relate to how well the teaching has moved from our head to our heart. Spiritually, I encourage you to read and reflect on Matthew 25:31-46 this Lenten season. The greatest mystery of your life and mine is that God accepts us with all of our imperfection. In my Lenten reflection on this Scripture, I have come to realize the Son of God personally accepted the rejection of the world so that we might not any longer reject one another. Pay close attention this Lent and in particular during holy week to Jesus amazing love presented to the Father. See how the Father receives that love with great joy, then let us ask ourselves, Is it my joy to honor Jesus by loving others? Is that joy revealed in all that I do? Judy Bruns Will Chambers Thomas Crowell Helen Davila Charlene DeMartino Ross Estavillo Mark Fay Rose Graziano Jose Guiterrez Don Howard Anna Marie Keim Tim Matthews Gilbert Montonyo Marcy Newcomb Father Richard O Hoolihan Mario Padilla Irene Robles Justice Michael Ryan Tim Staples Mike Thomas Samuel Thompson John Trasaco Robert Traynor REV Kenneth Walker Rick Ward Martha Warren Delia Zoffman

8 ~ Live On or Leave On Money ~ As your working life progresses, your priorities will likely shift. Many major life events (weddings, births, education costs for children, etc.) are probably behind you. Your focus shifts to those golden retirement years when you can enjoy your hobbies, grandchildren, travel or simply relax at home. During my career as a field agent, I ve had members ask me what they should do with a sum of money they are looking to dump somewhere for safe-keeping. First, I tell them that there is no safer place to put their money than with the Knights of Columbus. No one has ever lost money using our retirement products. There are no risks assumed by you, the members. Second, I ask the member a question: Is this money to live on or leave on? I ask this because the answer makes all the difference. If you want a guaranteed flow of cash in retirement, one of our annuity options might meet your needs. If this money is intended as a gift for grandchildren, to assist your wife in the event of your passing or to give to your favorite charity, a Single Premium Whole Life policy might be the best product. When it comes to decisions about your finances and your family s future, don t leave things to chance. Discuss the options with a brother Knight who knows how to help someone who s helped many other Catholic families not too different from yours, and someone who can offer you life insurance, long-term care, disability income, and retirement products backed by the strength and security of an insurance provider rated among the top in the industry. Call me today to set up a time to meet. You ll only regret that you didn t call sooner. Von Clarke, FICF Field Agent 1503 E. Fort Lowell Road, Apt. F Tucson, AZ (520) Cell (520) Office von.clark@kofc.org (My Field Agent Site) Page 8

9 ~ Free Throw Championship ~ The St. Thomas the Apostle participants are pictured with District Deputy Tom Bayham during the District Free Throw Championship at Immaculate Heart School on February 21 st. Four of the St. Thomas participants advanced to the State Finals. ~ The Coffee and Doughnuts Crew ~ The February Coffee and Doughnuts crew, from left to right: Brothers Randy Cross, Larry Lewis, Bob Gonzalez, and Bill Neer. 5

10 ~ Upcoming Events ~ There are several upcoming events in March that everyone needs to be reminded of: 1. Don t forget that the March Council business meeting has been changed to Thursday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. 2. The St. Thomas the Apostle Lenten Mission will take place March 9th through the 12th at St. Thomas the Apostle. You can attend either the morning or evening sessions. Please refer to the bulletin or the web site for details. 3. The next 2 nd /3 rd degree will be on Saturday, March 14th at St. Rita in the Desert in Vail. Show time is 9:00 a.m. for Candidates. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. It will be over by 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Council has one member scheduled to attend already. If interested, please contact GK Alex Wright at (520) , aviatorknight@yahoo.com, or Membership Chairman, PGK Tom Metzger at (520) , tgmetz@comcast.net. 4. Soup and Bread Suppers take place every Friday in Lent beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. 5. The Council St. Patrick s Day Spring Fundraiser is Saturday, March 14th at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Please get your tickets ($25 per person) now so we can have a head count for the caterer (Trattoria Pina) as soon as possible. Proceeds go the Benedictine Sisters and other Council charities. ~ The Ten Commandments ~ I recently went to Brother Ken Wolfe s Second and Third Degree Exemplification and was quite moved by the entire ceremony. As I sat there listening to it I thought that we could all use a bit of refreshing of our Catholic beliefs. So for the next few months I will have an article with the basic tenants of our Catholic Faith. The perfect place to begin is the Ten Commandments. 1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me. 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 3. Remember to keep holy the Lord s Day. 4. Honor your father and your mother. 5. You shall not kill. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor s wife. 10. You shall not covet your neighbor s goods. Vivat Jesus, Alex Page 10

11 ~ Schedule of Events ~

12 Knight of the Month Brother Bill Neer is the Knight of the Month for Council for March Brother Bill serves us faithfully as the worthy recorder. His fulfillment of his recorder duties is without equal. Brother Bill continuously volunteers to assist the Knights of Council in all of their endeavors. The Desert Knightline ~ March 2015 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Knights of Columbus Deacon Raphael (Ray) Longpre Council # N. Valley View Road Tucson, Arizona 85718