The Explorer. VOL. 15 NO December 2011

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1 The Explorer A Publication Of The Kansas Knights of Columbus VOL. 15 NO December 2011 STATE DEPUTY S MESSAGE December is upon us and with it the Advent Season and preparations for the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This is a time for family & friends and showing our love and appreciation for those around us. It s also a time for us to reach out to those in need. I encourage every Council and every Knight to look around your community to make sure that none are forgotten at Christmas. Your deeds may include providing food or clothing to the needy or simple acts such as visiting the homebound, providing transportation for someone to attend Christmas Eve Mass, or just being there as a friend to brighten a life at Christmas time. This season would also be a great time to take part in the Coats for Kids program to make sure the children of your area have a coat to keep warm through the winter chill or provide food to your local food bank through the Food for Families program so all will have plenty to eat this holiday season. Remember, the magic of Christmas does not come in a box, it can t be bought, but it can be given by each and every one of us. Let s remember to Keep Christ in Christmas. As we interact with family and friends this Christmas season, let us keep membership recruitment in the front of our minds. Membership in the Knights is one of the greatest gifts a Catholic man can receive and one which can change the life of a man and his family forever. It s the gift which will keep on giving for many years to come as new members will help to spread the charitable acts of the Knight to others they will come in contact with. Have you encouraged your council(s) to recruit? Have you set first degree dates for your membership to recruit toward? Have you developed prospect lists and made sure all these prospects are contacted about joining our great Order. Have you set major degree dates to give these men ample opportunities to join? If you have answered no to any of these questions then the time to act is now. December is a great time to schedule first degrees or major degrees as family and friends are home from college or on vacation. Many councils and districts have done an excellent job in recruitment thus far, however many others have done little. Now is the time to get the ball rolling in our recruitment efforts. Why not recruit a Knight Before Christmas? New members are our lifeblood and will insure great leadership for years to come. Lila and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Joyful New Year. May the magic of the Christ Child fill your heart with love, happiness and kindness. Vivat Jesus. Mark W. Roth State Deputy CALENDAR OF EVENTS DECEMBER: Keep Christ in Christmas Share the Light of Advent by keeping Christ in Christmas 3-4 Mid-year District Deputy Meeting in Topeka 3 Drawing for Religious Education Fund Prizes 6 Light up for Christ 11 Major Degree at Seneca # Deadline to submit Commitment to Humanities (Tootsie Roll) Reports & Checks to State Treasurer, Vincent Melvin III 23 Deadline for receipt of articles for the Knight s-lite 25 Celebrate the Birth of Jesus with your family JANUARY: Support Pro-Life Activities 1-31 Council Free Throw Contests completed by end of month 1-31 Conduct 13th Annual Pro-Life Baby Shower 9 Major Degrees at Chanute #1046, Oakley #2866, Garden City #2795, Winfield # Major Degree at Hays St. Nick s # th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade decision 23 March for Life Washington D.C. 19 Deadline to file Request to Host Fraternal Year State Bowling Tourney 29 Major Degree at Overland Park Ascension # Deadline--Form #1728, Annual Survey of Fraternal Activities due at Supreme DID YOU KNOW? The Kansas Knight of the Month is Shawn Ketzner from Andale Council #2217. Families of the Month winners of a Holy Family Plaque from Supreme were: Michael & Amy Lett Family of Council #657 St Mary s; Shane & Wendy Sundahl Family of Council #1181 Chapman; Chad & Angela Zimmerman Family of Council #2647 Colby; Michael & Cindy Henderson of Council 6665 St. Francis.

2 KANSAS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 13TH ANNUAL PRO-LIFE BABY SHOWER PURPOSE: A PRO-LIFE CLOTHING & SUPPLY DRIVE TO BENEFIT MOTHERS-TO-BE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE CHOOSE ABORTION AND TO ALSO BENEFIT THE UNBORN THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO LIFE. WHEN: THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2012 WHERE: AT YOUR COUNCIL S HOME PARISH(ES) HOW TO CONDUCT: 1. Obtain your priest s permission to set up a baby bed or play pen in the entrance or foyer of your church. 2. Find a baby bed or play pen to use. Most councils will have a member who has a used bed in nice condition and no longer in use. 3. Beginning Saturday, December 24, 2011 and continuing throughout January, 2012, ask your parish priest to announce to the congregation, or get permission for one of your council members to announce, that you are conducting a Pro-Life Baby Shower with the proceeds to be given to the Pro-Life organization of your choice. Also place a notice or insert in your church bulletin each week. Ask parishioners to donate new or used baby or maternity clothing, baby and pregnancy supplies, diapers, bottles, formula, etc. Be sure to seed the baby bed with some nice articles of clothing and supplies as this always helps! Make a nice sign to put up, so people who miss the announcements will know what the bed is for. 4. At the end of January take all the items and donate them to the Pro-life center(s) of your choice. 5. Document the items donated along with a fair market value of the items (retail may be used for the new items only). 6. Complete and file the Pro-Life Report Form with the State Pro-Life Chair couple, Ronald and Paula Zishka, no later than April 1, (These donations count toward your council s Pro-Life donations. Awards will be given at the State Convention!) 7. Please conduct this activity in addition to your regular Pro-Life Fund-raisers held during the fraternal year. We would like to see 100% of councils across Kansas participate in this activity.

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4 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR S MESSAGE Hello Brother Knights, How is your membership recruiting going? Have you reached 50% of your pledge goal? With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is easy to let our recruiting efforts take a back seat. We think that we have no time to recruit because of the holidays. I ask you, what better time to ask a good Catholic man to become a Knight. This is the time of the year when families and friends come together and celebrate our Savior. How wonderful it would be to include a new Knight with your brothers in this time of great joy? There really is no greater gift than giving to others. We show our love and compassion towards our fellow man with so many charitable events sponsored by the Knights. How many councils are going to have a breakfast with Santa? How about a food pantry drive? A coats drive for kids or supporting your local homeless shelter? Is your council doing any charitable event where your brother Knights come together for a good cause? Why not invite a potential Knight to go with you to this event. They will see firsthand the good things we do. What better way can we advertise what we are all about and what we do as an organization. Anytime your council has an event you need to let people know who is sponsoring it. If we don t toot our own horn no one is going to do it for us. Another great recruitment opportunity is holiday celebrations and parties; a joyous atmosphere and comradely makes for a welcoming invitation. Does your council have a Christmas party planned? How about considering a holiday breakfast or meal together? It need not be a big or costly event, just an opportunity to share the joys of the season and each other s company. If each member would bring one guest to a celebration, imagine how our membership would prosper. Let s end 2011 with one final push for new Knights. What better way to begin the New Year than with a new group of fellow Knights to support each other and our communities. Vivat Jesus, Jim Gerber State Membership Director STATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR S MESSAGE The fraternal year is nearly half over, but we still have many tasks ahead of us. Many successes have been achieved so far. Has your council been part of them? Has your council participated in state-sponsored programs along with local programs? Your help is especially needed to quickly wrap up the Adopt-A-Seminarian pledges and the Tootsie Roll Drive reports. Refer to the individual sections of this issue for information on these items. Please help our State Chairmen by submitting them today. The Annual Survey of Fraternal Activities, Form #1728, another council requirement for the coveted Star Council award is coming up. Although the deadline for receipt of this form at Supreme is January 31, it would be extremely helpful if you could get the form in by January 15. In doing so, you will save the cost of several phone calls and postage in trying to locate it at the last minute. CHURCH ACTIVITIES Adopt a Seminarian Church Activities Director and Vocations Chairman Mike Johnston remind all that December 6h, 2011 is scheduled for Light up for Christ. We are asked to turn on all house and Christmas lights to share the light of the Advent season. This year s Vocation Poster Contest theme is Created and Called to Serve. Plan for the vocation poster contest at your council s December meeting so the winning posters can be sent to your District Deputy by March 15th. If your council has not contacted Mike regarding the Adopt a Seminarian program please do so immediately. We have several seminarians that have not been adopted. Mike asks all councils to say an extra Prayer for all seminarians during the Advent season. Religious Education Many requests for Religious Education Funds have been received by Fr. Ken Schuckman, Religious Education Fund Chairman. Money for the program will be dispersed to the Grand Knights in December. He asks that you present the checks quickly so the Religious Education Groups can make use of the money in a timely manner. Religious Education Fund Raising Religious Education Fund Raising Chairman Tom Schmeidler wishes to thank all those who sold tickets, especially those who requested additional tickets over and above their original allocation. The drawing will be held at the Mid-Year DD meeting on December 3-4. Good luck on winning the $25K! YOUTH ACTIVITIES Youth Activity Have you sent in your Soccer Challenge participation form? Make sure copies go to Supreme and to State Youth Activities Chairman Rod Hoffman. Is your council ready for your Free Throw Contest in January? Have you scheduled the gym and ordered your council Free Throw Kit? District Deputies will receive the district medals at the Mid-Year Meeting. Be sure to promote the Substance Abuse Poster Contest and the Youth Essay Contest. All Catholic School Principals have been asked to promote the Essay Contest. Five essay authors from each Diocese will be recognized during lunch in the Governor s office. If you have questions about these programs, give me a call Thank you for all you do for the young people of Kansas. Columbian Squires If the Knights of Columbus will take care of the growing boy, then the boy grown into manhood will not only take care of the Knights of Columbus, but the Church and the nation as well. These young men need your guidance to develop into our leaders of tomorrow. Join Edwin Schmeidler, Jr., Columbian Squires Chairman, in assuring the Squires Circles grow and flourish in Kansas. FAMILY ACTIVITIES Family Life Reports show that the Marian Prayer services are well attended. Thank you to all who have kept the Images of Our Lady of Guadalupe moving smoothly.

5 Has your council been recognizing a deserving family each month? If not, choose one this month and see how much the family appreciates the honor you have bestowed on them. Director Greg Lix reminds you to send the entry form to Supreme by the 15th of the following month so the family is eligible to receive one of the Holy Family plaques awarded each month. This Holy Season offers a number of opportunities for your council to host a family activity and remember to Keep Christ in Christmas. COMMUNITY ACTIVITlES Community Activity Program Suggested activities for your council to participate include a food or clothing drive for the needy, helping Habitat for Humanity or participating in highway cleanup. Community Activity Director Gary Wondra encourages all councils to get involved in area community activities. Your community will benefit immensely from your council s participation in activities. Tootsie Roll Update Early reports from the Tootsie Roll Drive indicate we are on track with last year s Tootsie Roll Drive results. Has your council submitted its Tootsie Roll report? Don t forget the December 15th Reporting Deadline. Only councils submitting their report by the deadline will be eligible for awards at the State Convention. Send the white copy of the report, along with a check for 100% of the Tootsie Roll Drive proceeds, to State Treasurer Vincent Melvin III and the yellow copy should be sent to Commitment to Humanities Chairman Gary Wondra. Checks for your designated agencies will be returned from Vincent Melvin III. If you have misplaced your report form, a copy can be printed from the State K of C Web Site ( or call Gary as he has extra forms available. Grand Knights, remember to complete Supreme Form 4584, Partnership Profile Report with Special Olympics. This form may be found in your Council Forms Booklet or it may be completed and submitted online. It is important that all councils complete this form and submit it by January 31st. Pennies From Heaven Pennies From Heaven Chairman Rick Weigel reminds councils to start planning now for items to bring to the State Convention "Country Store" and the "Pennies Auction" next May. The winter months are also a great time to have a fund raiser for the "Pennies Parade" at the Convention. Grand Knights are asked to be sure and have these items on the agenda of your next council meeting. Contact Rick if you plan to bring items. Remember, proceeds from the sale of donated items will be counted toward your council's Pennies From Heaven donation. Pro-Life Update As we approach the halfway point of the fraternal year, it is time to check the progress of our Pro-Life Projects, especially the Evangelium Vitae Award and to prepare for the 13th Annual Pro-Life Baby Shower to be held in January. This program will get a Jump Start at the Midyear DD meeting in Topeka. Your council s planning for the Baby Shower should be finalized at your December meeting. If January doesn t work for your council or parish, it can be done at anytime but your Pro-Life report must be in our hands before April 1st, If you plan to conduct the Bottles for Life fundraiser you should have your bottles purchased, labeled and a month chosen to hand them out to your parish. Reminder that we have three more ultra sounds we are trying to fund please hold a fund raiser to help purchase these life saving machines. A reminder to submit Pro-Life Scrapbooks for under the Pro-Life category and not the Community category. For more information contact Pro-life Chair Couple Ronald and Paula Zishka. COUNCIL ACTIVITIES Council Activities This year s 68th Annual Knights of Columbus Men s Bowling Tournament will be held at Mission Bowl, in Olathe, KS. The dates of the tournament are Feb.18-19, Feb , and March 3-4. An invitation to participate should be extended to all Brother Knights in your Council. The tournament is open to league and non-league bowlers. A current membership card will be required when checking in. Any Council interested in hosting the 2013 Tournament MUST MAKE their request in writing to Steve Abels, Council Activities Director before January 19, Fraternal Have you selected your Knight of the Month? The Christmas season would be an excellent time to recognize that outstanding member. Fraternal Chairman, Doug Wietharn, encourages all councils to participate this month. Remember it is never too late to begin to participate in this worthy program. Honor one of your members every month in order to recognize his service to your council and community. Applications must be received by the 15th of the following month to be entered in the drawing for the State Knight of the Month. Submit your applications online, via or through the mail. Publicity Have you publicized your council's activities? We need to get more information out there so that prospective members can see what the Knights are all about. Publicity Chairman, Doug Wietharn reminds all Circles, Councils and Assemblies to submit articles and pictures. Include the information in council newsletters, parish bulletins, diocesan newspaper, local newspapers and the Columbia magazine. We need to tell people about our activities and get the word out about the Knights. Knight s-lite The next edition of the Knight s-lite will be assembled in December. All articles must be received by Program Director Dale Weber by December 23th to make the publication date. History State Historian Stan Krier encourages all councils to continue updating their council history. This information will be valuable to future members wanting to know about past council activities. He also reminds members it is still not to late to order a copy of Fraternalism and Leadership, The Second Fifty Years of the Knights of Columbus in Kansas as a Christmas gift. Webmaster To simplify and speed up communication with Grand Knights across the state of Kansas, all the addresses (continued back page)

6 of Grand Knights that have been collected have been entered into our system. Please note that only 100 out of 264 Grand Knight addresses have been received. If you have not been receiving information from the State Council then we probably do not have your address. To add your address, go to the home page of the state website at and find the section titled, "Sign Up for Communications." Clicking on the link in that section will open a form into which you can enter your information and become a part of the ing list. If you need to change your address, you can do so by clicking on the link found at the bottom of every that is sent out. After you sign up, a confirmation will be sent to the address you entered. You MUST follow the instructions in the confirmation or your registration will be permanently rejected. This sign-up process can be used by anyone wishing to receive s from the State Council. If you have other questions, please contact State Webmaster Todd Bachamp at webmaster@kansaskofc.org. Dale A. Weber State Program Director DEC./2011 EXPLORER INSURANCE REPORT The Knights of Columbus agency department is proud to congratulate the following men for achieving the honor of Field Agent of the Month for their respective agencies: Eastern Kansas Agency: David Soukup wrote $2,225,000 in life insurance protection on members and their families in October. Central Kansas Agency: Chris Wyant wrote $926,000 in life insurance protection on members and their families in October. Western Kansas Agency: Steve Schmidt wrote $983,000 in life insurance protection on members and their families in October. The three agencies combined to write a total of $21,860,373 in life insurance during the month of October. Please join us in congratulating the following men for their outstanding performance. These men lead the state for the Knights of Columbus insurance program in October of J. J. Deges David Soukup Gary Johnson Joe Cummings Luke Henry Darin Reed R. J. Meyer Kirby Schmelzle Bill Roggenkamp Adam Bruna Doug Martinek Wade Greif Shaun McGovern Donald Goode If you or someone you know would like to join our winning team of Field Agents please call for more information. Scott Maurath State Secretary 3511 Cedar Crest Oakley, KS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED FIRST CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID AXTELL KS Permit No. 9 I Am My Brother s Keeper