Grand Knight's Message. Guest Seminarian to Speak

Transcription

1 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL NEWS Monsignor Thomas M. Wells Council Volume 7, Issue 2 #13008 Silver Spring, MD August 2008 Grand Knight's Message Grand Knight John O Donnell Worthy Brothers All: The month of July has passed so far we have had 2 meetings a business and a social. At business meeting in the for the good of the order I presented Randy Paushes Last Lecture. If you missed the presentation please go to and view the presentation it is very powerful. Over the last few months Randy Pausch captured the attention of much of the world as he had captivated his students for years. Pausch, an extremely popular Carnegie Mellon University professor of computer science, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. While that would be devastating news to anyone, you would expect it to be particularly excruciating for a 46-yearold father of three children (aged 5, 2 and 1). Given a prognosis of a few months to live, Pausch responded with inspiring, even unnerving optimism. He decided to give his students a real last lecture not a hypothetical what I would say if I knew I was going to die lecture, but a lecture from a man who knew he had a very limited time to live. I doubt anyone could watch Randy Pausch s last lecture and not be moved and, changed, by it. Randy was a sort of 21stcentury, high-tech Renaissance Man, with multi-faceted interests and a charismatic, engaging personality I am sorry to report that Randy died this last week please keep his family in your prayers. We had our installation on the 19th followed by the pot luck supper thanks to all who came. My favorite times are breaking bread with follow knights. Thanks to all who helped in the preparations, especially PKG Dave. Our July Social meeting was directed to the presentation by Guy Dodd on mentoring youth. As a high school language arts teacher in Brainerd, Guy received the highest award that the education profession offers: he was chosen from more than two and one-half million teachers as the 1986 National Teacher of the Year for the United States of America, and was honored at a ceremony at the White House by then President Ronald Reagan. Guy Doud s message dealt with those things that are basic are about life: love, family, relationships, success and dreaming dreams. I promised you that each social meeting will be just that -- a social meeting and open to all adults. This month, August, we have something special planned. Our summer Seminarian will give a talk beginning at 8:30 PM on life in Rome and the seminary. We are going to use it as a farewell and thank you event for him as well, so bring some fellow parishioners and a snack or drinks to share with others. We will start at 8PM and the talk will begin at 8:30PM when he arrives. Father Gregg has been doing a great series of lectures at Friday Adoration please come at 7PM and spend an hour in the presence of our Lord. August is the month we begin ticket sales for the car raffle. Please come to the back of the church and help sell tickets. Bill Bolin has agreed to head up this activity. Please step up and sell tickets after each Mass; at work; etc. This is our major fundraiser. 60% of the funds collected go right back to the parish to support the many activities we are asked to participate in. We will not be mailing tickets to you this year as too many were not returned in the past. The council is held accountable for missing tickets and the residual cost. Our Goal is to sell 2000 tickets, which seem like a lot but if each Knight sells 20 tickets we are 3/4th there. I will be out of town from the 6th to the 22nd so Proper will be covering the meetings. When I return we will begin our planning for our big service event in October. More on that in next month s newsletter. Finally our new activities chairman will contact you to help with our programs. Pick the ones you feel strongly about and step up. Vivat Jesus John.* Guest Seminarian to Speak Anthony Lickteig has agreed to speak at our August Social meeting on Aug 27 approximately 8:15 / 8:30 on his experiences as a seminarian studying in Rome. We appreciate the opportunity to have Anthony come to speak with us. Knights Of Columbus 1

2 Monsignor Wells Message [From the Pastor s Desk, Spiritual Reflections by Monsignor, Thomas M. Wells] With His Help I Can Do Anything August 4, 1996 For several years back in the eighties I served as Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese. In that capacity, I was responsible for the training of deacon candidates and personnel matters for the ordained deacons. I mention this because one of the things that surprised me in this job was the number and quality of deacons who had in common their membership in Alcoholics Anonymous. It has been said that Alcoholics Anonymous and the various "twelve step" programs that have sprung from A.A. comprise the greatest spiritual movement of the twentieth century. Its principles are deliberately non-religious in the sense that A.A. espouses no specific creed, but many commentators have remarked on the similarity of its principles with various Catholic spiritual traditions. Most parish priests work closely with people active in A.A. - and not a few are active in priesthood because of the help they find in twelve step programs. Put into Christian or Catholic terms, what A.A. recognizes is the inability of a person to survive without the help of God and community. While the program speaks of a "higher power," a Catholic recognizes Jesus in the principle that says that a person "came to believe in a power higher than myself who could restore me to sanity" and twelve step literature continually speaks of fellowship of people who band together to help each other to sobriety. Only a fool would under-play the hell that is alcoholism or drug addiction, but it is also true that like any other cross, these can be the routes whereby individuals recognize their need of salvation. As concerns those wonderful deacons who are members of A.A. I began to understand that it was their experience that God really will save us that led them to seek a way to share the Good News. And because they also had experienced that they could not begin to recover from addictions without the help of God as they found Him in others, they recognized a call to serve in the community of faith. Twelve step programs have recognized what the has always known: we cannot grow, apart from God and community. Sin leads us to believe we can "stand alone." Ultimately, life, God or experience will teach us that by ourselves we can do nothing of lasting value.* 126th Supreme Convention The 126th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus was recently held at the Quebec Convention Center Quebec, Canada, Aug. 5-7, Anderson Calls on Knights to Live Faith in All Aspects of Their Lives Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson s annual report, delivered Tuesday at the 126th Supreme Convention, highlights achievements and calls on Knights to live out their faith in every aspect of their lives. Resolutions Passed on Life, Marriage Issues Delegates to the 126th Supreme Convention Aug. 7 adopted resolutions calling for legal and constitutional protection for the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others and opposing any governmental action or policy that promotes abortion, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, euthanasia, assisted suicide and other offenses against life. Pope Benedict XVI Sends Greetings to Knights In greetings to the 126th Supreme Convention, Pope Benedict XVI urged the Knights to be a leaven of evangelical renewal in the and society. The new challenges facing the world, Pope Benedict said, are a call to the Knights to remain faithful to its high ideals. Knights Of Columbus 2

3 C O U N C I L #13008 OFFICERS: Chaplain Chaplain Emeritus Associate Chaplain Grand Knight Deputy Grand Knight Chancellor Warden Recorder Financial Secretary Treasurer Advocate Lecturer Inside Guard Outside Guard Trustee(3) Trustee(2) Trustee(1) CHAIRMAN: Program Director Activities Dir. Community Activity Dir Council Activities Dir Family Activities Dir Youth Activities Dir Membership Director Vocations Chairman Recruitment Chairman Retention Chairman Tootsie Roll Chairman Pro-Life Couple Health Services Public Relations Chairman Newsletter Editor Webmaster Msgr. Michael Mellone Rev. Joseph Kennedy Deacon Kevin Mukri John O Donnell Prosper Youm William Taylor Harold Tarver Werner Moeller Paul Sanneman David Keefe Thomas Murphy Deacon Michael Bond Sean Hardman Thomas Devlin III David Czarnecki, PGK Wayne Miller, PGK William Bolin, PGK Prosper Youm Deacon Michael Bond Harold Tarver David Keefe Willaim Taylor Wayne Miller, PGK William Bolin, PGK John O Donnell Dave Czarnecki David Keefe M E M B E R S H I P M E E T I N G S All council meetings are held in the Teachers' Lounge of the school. Officer s meetings are held at 7:30 on the first Wednesday of the month. Business meetings are held at 7:45 on the second Wednesday of the month. Social meetings are held at 7:45 on the fourth Wednesday of the month. August Meetings August 06 Officer s meeting August 13 Business meeting August 27 Social meeting 7:30 PM 7:45 PM 7:45 PM August Birthdays Brother David Peterson on the 3rd; Brother James Fahey on the 9th; Brother George Gillespie on the 12th; Brothers Michael Aitken and Tony Gentilcore on the 17th; Trustee PGK Wayne Miller on the 17th; Brother Diego Vaca on the 22nd; and, Brother Joseph Delaney on the 25th. Also, Karen, wife of Brother George Hardman on the 10th.* August Anniversaries It was too hot for Knights to get married in August.* Meetings in August Our Business Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 13, and the Social Meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 27th. Both meetings start at 7:45 and are in the St. Andrew Apostle Teachers Lounge. If you have not attended a meeting recently, please consider coming to one. You will be welcomed! The Social Meeting will feature a guest speaker on The Life of a Seminarian. * 39th Annual Car Raffle Underway This Month The Maryland State Car Raffle gets started this month. Council members are needed to sell tickets after Masses on the weekends of August and August Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. This is an important fundraiser for the activities supported by our council. If you attend Mass at St. Andrew Apostle, please consider taking 10minutes to sell tickets after Mass. Respond to Bill Bolin s , or contact Bill at wbolin@hotmail.com or (301) The raffle will be held on October 12 at the Columbus Day Ball and First Prize is a new car.* Council Members Assistance Requested Volunteers to sell tickets after Masses this weekend are needed. If you attend Mass at St. Andrew's, this weekend (Aug 16 and 17) please come to the back of the and sell tickets. It takes only 10 minutes after Mass Knights Of Columbus 3

4 Reflections Lawrence P. Grayson Community: The Key to a Stable Society The Constitution of the United States, like similar political documents, is of itself merely a set of statements on paper. Its authority and permanence depend on the degree to which it captures the beliefs, customs and aspirations of the nation s people. If it does this well, as the American Constitution has, then it will gain the acceptance and willing compliance of most of the populace. A well-written Constitution not only reflects the ideals of the community, but as future generations are raised under the principles it sets forth, it helps form the community, serving to unite its various segments and regions both in the present and for the future. A strong community, one that connects individual to family, family to group, group to country, is necessary for a stable and just nation. Such a community cannot be built on the drive for individual success, on continual efforts for financial gain, or on a dominant motive for material progress. Rather, as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, we must recognize that all people are brothers and sisters under the fatherhood of God, that we have obligations toward the common good of society, and that we all must strive for that higher, eternal destiny toward which we are called. Since the nation s founding, the American people, as a whole, have held beliefs rooted in Judeo-Christian teachings. These doctrines provided the standards against which the laws and actions of the nation could be judged. Alexis de Tocqueville, in his seminal work, Democracy in America, pointed out that for Americans the ideas of Christianity and liberty are so completely mingled that it is almost impossible to get them to conceive of one without the other; it is not a question with them of sterile beliefs bequeathed by the past and vegetating rather than living in the depths of the soul. The principles set forth in the U.S. Constitution, and thus the cohesiveness of society, have been strained from time to time. The nation has experienced large-scale immigration, massive shifts of population from one region to another, raucous disputes between management and labor, the widescale adoption of technological innovations and the attitudeshifting effects of mass media, as well as protests and rioting over issues of war and discrimination. On numerous occasions, American society might have fractured into irreparable segments or lurched into irresponsible Christian teaching. More recently, however, there has been a general movement to replace long-standing moral precepts that determine how people live and die with values that emphasize secular interests. God has been removed from the public sphere and religion made a private affair. These changes undermine the immutable standards that are necessary for a just and cohesive society, especially one based on the will of the people. A society cannot endure without standards of judgment superior to the mood of the moment. The standards must be rooted in unalterable religious truths, for popular opinion is too tenuous and short-lived to sustain a stable society. Today, too many people are disconnected from any meaningful community. Many do not feel they have roots in their neighborhood, in the nation or in the predominant culture. Paradoxically, the rootless are often found in two societal extremes. There are those who feel financially impoverished or culturally excluded. These people often demand what they believe is owed to them, seeking privileges and gains without making the efforts to earn them. In contrast are those who have achieved substantial material success and work continually to expand their wealth wellbeyond what they need, without accepting their obligations to society or their responsibilities toward others. The people at these extremes exist as atomized units, detached from the larger society in which they live. As children of God, striving for our eternal reward, we have obligations toward one another, toward developing community, and assisting individuals to relate to the group. The views this commitment to solidarity as a social principle because of our common origins and dependence on one another, and as a moral virtue because of the equality we possess before God and Our Lord s exemplification of solidarity when He took on our humanity to redeem us through His death and resurrection. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Papal Nuncio to the United States, explained that Pope Benedict XVI s underlying message during his recent visit to the United States is that the world is in need of a new evangelization, a revitalization which must begin at the core of the itself. Catholics need a clear identity of who they are and a strong sense of belonging to a community of believers. The foundation required to launch the new evangelization, said the Nuncio, is formation in the faith. individualism, had it not been held together by the bonds of Reflections continued to page 5 Knights Of Columbus 4

5 Reflections continued from page 4 As Knights of Columbus, fraternity, which is a way of exemplifying the principle of solidarity, is one of the four guiding tenets of our Order. Our fraternity is built on love of our fellow man. It incorporates charity in words, actions and deeds toward others. Through the unity of our Order, we build a community of like-minded men. We strengthen that community through the programs we conduct. We must not forget, however, that while we construct social bonds with other Knights, we also have an obligation to help each other develop a strong formation in the faith. Through this social and spiritual fraternity, we can serve our brother Knights, our Order, and our nation. We can be among the vanguard of the new evangelization. Insurance Agent's Message Bob Callaway, LUTCF, FICF Our Evolution When our organization began, in order to help each other, our members "passed the hat" to assist families of deceased members. Soon, however, this became impossible, as the number of our members grew. Vivat Jesus! * Knights Attend Program and Chairmen Training Several members of the council attended the annual Program and Chairmen Training workshops at Good Counsel High School. The workshops present ideas in all program areas and membership. The Knights program areas are:, Council, Community, Family, and Youth. * Adopt a Road Clean Up in September Mark your calendars! The next Adopt a Road Clean Up will take place on Saturday, September 13. Meet in the St. Andrew s parking lot at 9:30 AM and bring gloves. The Council will pick up trash along Arcola Avenue between Kemp Mill and Georgia Avenues. This is also an opportunity for students to get student service learning hours and family members are welcome. * Out of this simple process, we've evolved into a modern, dynamic insurance organization, and offer a wide variety of products to suit virtually everyone's needs. Permanent Plans - Policy lasts as long as you live, premium stays the same. Term Plans - Policy ends at end of specified term: renewable or convertible. Annuities - Provides an income that is guaranteed for life. Long Term Care - Provides funds for long-term, out-of-hospital care. Visit the KoC Supreme web site ( ) to find additional information and to hear audio or read the transcript. Fraternally, Robert J. Callaway, FICF, LUTCF Knights of Columbus Insurance, Fraternal Benefits Advisor (301) (Office), (301) (Cell) rjcalla@gmail.com * Knights Of Columbus 5

6 Aug 2008 Monsignor Thomas M. Wells Council #13008 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 3 Red Cross Blood Drive Officers Meeting 7:30PM Father McGiveney s Birthday 17 Raffle Ticket after the Masses 13 Business Meeting 7:45PM 14 Death of Father McGiveney Raffle Ticket after the Masses Raffle Ticket after Masses State Picnic: Patapsco State Park Social Meeting 7:45PM Life of a Seminarian in Rome If you have and address, please send it to the editor at: david@czarnecki.com 30 Raffle Ticket after the Masses Council Newsletter Msgr. Thomas M. Wells Council # Claybrook Drive Silver Spring, MD Change Service Requested ««AddressBlock»» Zip code not valid! Knights Of Columbus 6