Council Free Throw Competition. Grand Knight's Message

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1 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL NEWS Monsignor Thomas M. Wells Council Volume 8, Issue 8 #13008 Silver Spring, MD February 2010 Grand Knight's Message Grand Knight Prosper A. Youm Worthy Brothers All: Reverend fathers, reverend deacons, brother Knights, ladies and all parishioners of Saint Andrew the Apostle Church, In this New Year, there have been several major events that have occurred in the world and we will have special thoughts and prayers for all of the women, men, children, and aid workers in Haiti as they continue to help the people in this dire time of need. We will also have special thoughts for the poor, the needy, the homeless, the persecuted, the suffering, and those who hunger and thirst. On Saturday January 30th, 2010, despite the snow continuously falling throughout the day, we had a special dinner honoring Saint Andrews' priests, past and present, including our Pastor Monsignor Michael J. Mellone, our Associate Pastor Father Andrew Morkunas, and our Associate Pastor of some years ago, Father Beaubien. Council Free Throw Competition The Monsignor Wells Council (St. Andrew Parish) Knights of Columbus held its annual Free Throw Competition on Jan. 25th and 27th at Briggs Chaney M.S. and Strathmore E.S. There were two dates in order to accommodate those who had a confirmation related activity on the 25th. The participants were 22 boys ages 9 through 14. This was a lot of fun," stated parents after they watched the youngsters compete. The parents did indeed appear to have fun interacting with each other and with the younger siblings of the participants. After the competition on the 25th, the participants played a basketball game and were excited to compete with each in an actual game. All participants received certificates and the Council winners were awarded certificates as Council Champions. Tee shirts will be provided later. The Council winners who will now advance to the District competition are as follows: Robert Boies, 10 y.o. Micky O'Neill, 11 y.o. Marco Patzy, 12 y.o. Stephen Smith, 13 y.o. Evan O'Neill, 14 y.o.** Despite the inclement weather conditions, many parishioners, brother Knights and families, and friends came to the event to celebrate and show our deep gratitude and appreciation for the Saint Andrew's priests. It was a splendid evening filled with laughter, fun, love, enjoyment, and of course great food. We kept all of those who could not make it in our hearts and minds. I thank all of the families, friends, and brother Knights of our Parish for coming to participate in this evening and making this event a success, even with obstacles such as the inclement weather. A special recognition is due to brother John O Donnell, who demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment in organizing the event. Thank you John and thank you to all the brothers who lent hands to John in so many different ways. This month, we are entering the blessed season of Lent. Gentlemen, this is a good time to participate in a retreat where Knights Of Columbus 1

2 Grand Knight Message continued from page 1 we can sit back and reflect on our busy life. Please look for the invitation to the Loyola Retreat and sign up. This is also the time when Our Archbishop will call on us to be generous in supporting the Works of the Church in our area. Brother Knights, please mark your calendars for the upcoming events: on February 19, there will be a Third Degree at Holy Family Council, Saint Camillus Church and the Archdiocese of Washington Fourth Degree Exemplification will be held on April 18, In my last address I asked for your prayers for my country. Thank you for your response. To give you an update, let me inform you that the Confrence of the (seven) Bishops of Senegal held a special meeting and were received by the President. They reiterated Archbishop Theodore Adrien Cardinal Sarr s statement of December 30, 2009 that all the members of Senegal s Catholic community and their Pastors were pained and humiliated by the unacceptable and unbearable statement made by the highest authority of the Senegalese government. In response, the President expressed regret. Bishops and the President agreed that close dialogue was needed to maintain understanding and avoid risks of violence and instability. The Church will continue to grow serving its schools, medical facilities, charities and all people without distinction as no other has ever done or will ever do! Brother Knights, our Council is launching a Food for Families program, which will enhance our Parish support to help the hungry. Please bring non-perishable food and help take it to the needy. Dear parishioners, come to the Knights of Columbus, after Mass, with your views and suggestions for activities of interest to you. We, the Knights of Columbus, are called to serve, and we wish to serve our Parish community. God bless you all.* District Deputy's Message District Deputy Dr. Celso Barrientos, PGK. PFN Worthy Grand Knights of District 11 and Dear Brothers: Brothers, just five more months to go before the end of the Columbian Year. At this time, we should not only be running, we should be galloping. Please schedule your membership Blitz for March. Talk to the parishes and get the dates firmed for the Blitz. Let me know the dates so that I can report it to the State s membership committee. Continuing on our drive for more members, we had the two first degrees and one second degree last month in our District 11. If we have new signed form 100 we will find the first degree to take the candidates or we will conduct the degree itself in one of our councils. This is so that they can continue in their journey to knighthood in the second degree on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Fr. Rosensteel Council 2169 and then, to full knighthood in the third degree on Friday, February 19, 2010 at Holy Family Council As we have been continually emphasizing, experience has shown that Third Degree members are less likely to drop out of membership. They get more involved and this is better for our Order. Gear up now to bring candidates for our District s Third Degrees. I need your support, particularly Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries, to prepare members to take their Third Degree. Keep track of members progress and inform them of the opportunity for the next degree in their journey to full knighthood. I appeal to all the councils in our District to bring as many candidates to the Third Degree on February 19th. It is important that we have a big class of Third Degree so that the State Council s Degree Team will be rewarded in their magnanimous efforts. In this month for LOVE, we begin the Lenten Season. We should all pause and evaluate our lives on how we are serving our Lord. Lent is the time to give more of ourselves personally or materially to others. Don t forget that we can also offer personal sacrifices for His greater glory! Our Annual Founder s Mass and Banquet will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at 3:00 PM in Annapolis. More details will be available in your councils. Remember that there are still the third quarter activities reports due on April 1, Let s be positive, Spring is coming. Now is the time to plan attending the State Convention in May in Ocean City. We have a lot to do and we can accomplish them all with graces from the Almighty. Remember, We are called to serve. DD#11* I love writing for February since this is the month for LOVE! What can be more inspiring? May all your days be full of love and happiness. 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 Church Activities Dir. Community Activity Dir Council Activities Dir Family Activities Dir Youth Activities Dir Vocations Chairman Membership Director Recruitment Committee Retention Chairman Tootsie Roll Chairman Pro-Life Couple Health Services Newsletter Editor Webmaster Msgr. Michael Mellone Rev. Joseph Kennedy Deacon Michael Bond Prosper Youm Deacon Kevin Mukri Harold Tarver William Taylor William Bolin, PGK Paul Sanneman David Keefe Marc Ramsey Michael Caruso Werner Moeller Marvin Schuttloffel John O Donnell, PGK David Czarnecki, PGK Wayne Miller, PGK Deacon Kevin Mukri John O Donnell, PGK Nicholas Luketic Harold Tarver William Bolin William Taylor Deacon Michael Bond Wayne Miller, PGK William Bolin, PGK Wayne Miller, PGK Paul Sanneman John O Donnell Stephen & Beth Nichols Tony Gentilcore Harold Tarver 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 KoC Meeting Room in the old convent. 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. February Meetings Feb. 03 Officer s meeting 7:30 PM Feb 10 Business meeting 7:45 PM Feb 24 Social meeting 7:45 PM February Knight of the Month William Taylor for is selfless commitment to the promotion of Youth Activities.* February Birthdays Chaplain Msgr. Michael Mellone on the 5 th ; George Hardman on the 6 th ; Carl Stitz on the 9 th ; Dennis Gorres on the 10 th ; Fred Gorschboth on the 14 th ; David Keefe on the 16 th ; and Russell Barrett on the 22 th. Also, Erin, wife of Jeffery Sylvester on the 19 th ; and, Elesa, wife of PGK Wayne Miller on the 25 th.* February Anniversaries Grand Knight Prosper Youm and his wife Josephine celebrate their twenty-fifth on the 9 th.* Knights Deliver 100,000 More Prayerbooks to Military Archdiocese [Reprinted from National web site ] Knights of Columbus, including Military Affairs Director Charles Gallina and DC area college Knights, delivered a shipment of an additional 100,000 copies of the Order's prayerbook for those serving in the American military on Saturday, January 30. This latest printing of Armed With The Faith: A Catholic Handbook for Military Personnel brings the total number printed and donated since 2003 to half a million copies. The version provided to members of the armed forces are spiral bound, printed on special coated stock, and are sized to fit in the pockets of uniforms worn in the field. Another version, printed on regular paper, is offered through the Knights of Columbus Catholic Information Service to the families of service members. Last year, the Knights of Columbus also produced Armour of Faith: A Catholic Handbook for Canadian Military Personnel, and 30,000 of that version have been printed and distributed for Canadian soldiers.* Knights Of Columbus 3

4 Monsignor Wells Message [From the Pastor s Desk, Spiritual Reflections by Msgr, Thomas M. Wells] Lent: This Joyful Season March 3, 1996 One of the prefaces used in Lenten Masses has the line, Each year you give us this joyful season... The first time I used that Preface this year, I chuckled to myself as I recalled my early Lents as a priest. Ordained in 1971, I saw the Church coming through the liturgical changes of Vatican II. I grew up in an environment where the life and traditions of the old Church were pretty much understood and loved; consequently the changes, in mood as well as language were difficult for me to accept. There may have been even a bit of, dare I write it, immaturity in my response. At any rate, the first time as a priest that I read in this Preface about Lent being this joyful season, I reacted with disgust. Say what you will about the Lent of the fifties, joy is not what was emphasized in prayer or practice at least in the understanding of a child encouraged to give up anything that smacked of pleasure. At any rate, as a young priest, I saw the connection of joy with Lent as a way in which the Church was trying to water down the good old fashioned misery and suffering of these six weeks. Imagine this: I may have been wrong. My favorite line in all of Scripture is in John s Gospel (Jn 15:11), spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, the night before He was to die: not, for Him, a joyful time in the usual sense of that word. He said, All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete. What is my joy, of which Jesus speaks? All that I can think is that Jesus is speaking of the joy that is the life of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; that He desires that we know the joy that is God s eternal life. Priest Appreciation Dinner More than 75 guest and honorees braved what we thought at the time was the major snow of 2010 (little did we know what mother nature had in store in the weeks to come). Through the diligent efforts of our Trustee PGK John O Donnell, promoter, cook and roadie, we enjoyed a community spaghetti dinner honoring the priest of our parish (past and present) and recognizing Fifty Years of St Andrews Parish. The dinner was a sell out (150 tickets sold), unfortunately the weather kept many folks at home. The raffle for a basket of wine was won by our GK Prosper Youm. A subsequent ethics investigation verified that everything was on the up and up. Proceeds of the raffle went towards our seminarian fund. Both Monsignor Mike and Father Andrew received a statues as a symbol of our appreciation of their service to the parish. He wants us to know that joy, but because it is interior and spiritual, it is incredibly easy for us to miss it. Prayer, of course, is the first way to put us in contact with the source of our joy, but fasting, self-denial and almsgiving also have the effect of challenging us to go beyond surface pleasure or convenience in an effort to be in communion with deeper spiritual realities. Man is a marvelous mix of flesh and spirit, but it is the spirit that gives to flesh vitality. Our spirit has been enlivened by Christ who is our joy. As we die to the legitimate desires of the flesh during these Lenten days, we are enabled to know more surely the Lord who lives within. Joyful, in the sense of fun: I guess not. But, joyful in terms of coming to know Him who is the heart of our being, surely this is a season of joy.* Knights Of Columbus 4

5 Reflections Lawrence P. Grayson What Does it Mean to be a Catholic? Catholics occupy more positions of influence in every sector of American society than at any time in the history of our country. We find significant numbers of Catholics in leadership positions in all branches of government, in the media, in business and industry, and in non-profit and community organizations. Further, an overwhelming percentage of our population claims to be Christian. Yet, today, our society is more anti-religious in its policies and regulations, its views and attitudes, its behavior and temperament than it has ever been. In What It Means to be a Christian, a recently published book of sermons given before he ascended to the papacy, Pope Benedict XVI explored the idea of Christianity in today s secular world. He wrote: It has been asserted that our century has been characterized by an entirely new phenomenon: the appearance of a people incapable of relating to God. As a result of spiritual and social developments, it is said, we have reached the stage where a kind of person has developed in which there is no longer any starting point for the knowledge of God. Whether that be true or not, we would have to admit that our distance from God the obscurity and dubiousness surrounding him today is greater than ever before. This distance from God has resulted in a divergence between what people profess to believe and how they act. While there are numerous examples of this aberration, it was vividly illustrated in a recent public exchange between Rep. Patrick Kennedy and his bishop, the Most Rev. Thomas Tobin of Providence, RI. The congressman has been a consistent and public supporter of abortion, while claiming to be Catholic. In a letter of October 29, 2009, he wrote, "The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic." Bishop Tobin, in his diocesan newspaper, responded, [W]hen someone rejects the teachings of the Church, especially on a grave matter, a life-and-death issue like abortion, it certainly does diminish their ecclesial communion, their unity with the Church. He asked, What does it mean, really, to be a Catholic?, and continued: [I]n simple terms and here I refer only to those more visible, structural elements of Church membership being a Catholic means that you re part of a faith community that possesses a clearly defined authority and doctrine, obligations and expectations. It means that you believe and accept the teachings of the Church, especially on essential matters of faith and morals; that you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish; that you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly; that you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially. People may claim they are Catholic because they were baptized as an infant, or their family is Catholic, or they were raised in the Faith, or they attend Mass occasionally. This may be a reflection that they were Catholic, but not that they are. The word Catholic is not a sociological label to distinguish one cohort of people from another. Rather, it is a term that designates a body of dogma that goes back two thousand years, and the people who ascribe to those teachings and live their lives by them. It refers to fixed, unchanging beliefs about God, man s purpose in the world, how he should live his life, and his ultimate end. Without adhering to those beliefs, a claim to be Catholic is hollow and does not indicate that one is in communion with the Church. It is common for people to respond to the concerns of this world by focusing on what is materially advantageous or socially acceptable or practically possible, rather than by what is required by the principles of their Faith. They have accepted society as it is, ignoring its aspects that are in conflict with spiritual norms. Rather than using their religious convictions to shape societal practices, they have adapted their beliefs to secular aims, some of which may have worthy temporal ends, although they violate fundamental tenets of the Faith. As a result, too many Catholics have diluted their religious beliefs by ignoring elements of the Faith that they deem obsolete, too rigid or overly constraining. In pursuit of worldly prosperity, acclaim, or social acceptability, their behavior ceases to be regulated by Christian dogma. Large numbers of Catholics have forgotten, or perhaps never learned, the spiritual meaning and end of human existence. It is their personal desires, rather than their Faith, that hold sway over their consciences. This is not a new phenomenon, but one that has been growing for decades. Over seventy years ago, in a book entitled, The Idea of a Christian Society, T.S. Eliot wrote that the conformity to Christian belief and the possession of Christian knowledge can no longer be taken Reflections continued to page 5 Knights Of Columbus 5

6 Reflections continued from page 4 for granted. He continued, In the present ubiquity of ignorance, one cannot but suspect that many who call themselves Christians do not understand what the word means. If people do not understand what the term Catholic, or even Christian, implies, how can they be expected to lead their lives by it? What is required is a reinvigoration of the Faith, a new evangelization, an education of the laity on what it means to be Catholic. Clearly, the bishops and priests have a primary role in this effort. The bishops as stewards of the Faith must assure that the laity are appropriately educated and form proper consciences, so that they can lead lives in conformity with the Faith. But the responsibility goes beyond the ordained clergy. It is the family that is the first and foremost teacher of the Faith to their children. Parents must take this obligation seriously, improving their own knowledge and behavior so they can pass the Faith to their children. And it is the duty of all of us as laity to take action, in our public and private lives, to change society for the better. The Knights of Columbus, as the world s largest fraternal organization of Catholic men and their families, can be a significant catalyst in this revitalization. Supreme is putting forth materials through the Catholic Information Service, Fathers for Good, and similar print, video and on-line means to assist people educate themselves on how to lead Catholic lives. As a grassroots association, however, the principal means to conduct this evangelization must rest with the state organizations and local councils and assemblies to educate, encourage and support their members. Will we, as an order and as individuals, fulfill our responsibilities? We must! If left unaddressed, the ignorance of the Faith among the laity will continue to grow, and lead to an increasing exclusion of Catholic truths from public affairs and to a decline in the values that underlie this nation. Vivat Jesus!* Our Lord entrusted the Church through St. Peter with His teachings Insurance Agent's Message Bob Callaway, LUTCF, FICF Time to take control. By Thomas P. Smith, Jr., Executive Vice President of Agencies and Marketing A statistic I find frightening is this: about 50% of households in the United States and Canada have no individually owned life insurance. We will discuss this number over the next few months as I try to convince you to get out of that group if you are in it.. Note that I said individually owned life insurance. While the number for those with absolutely no life insurance is just as if not more frightening, the 50% does not include those who have some form of group life insurance, usually provided by their employer. This group life issue, which our agents see and discuss every day, is an interesting security blanket. Most times, the amount offered is far from what you need, and the only way to determine what you need is with a comprehensive needs analysis. Your company s human resources or benefits department doesn t do needs analysis. Instead, they apply a formula: you make X amount in salary and the group life is either a flat amount ($15,000 seems popular) or a multiple of your salary (somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 seems popular). Either way, it has nothing to do with the number of children you have, the mortgage balance you carry, or the amount of money your wife would need if you die. It s a completely random number. It can also disappear at any time. All of us know people friends, family members, neighbors who have lost their jobs. When the job is lost, so is the group life insurance coverage. Group life insurance is a great benefit and certainly does help, but it must be supplemented with a personally owned portfolio. We can tell you exactly how to blend your group benefit with your K of C life insurance so things can be in your control. Don t let the feeling of security that group life provides distract you from the real issue: taking control of your family s financial future! Fraternally, Bob Callaway, rjcalla@aol.com * Knights Of Columbus 6

7 St Andrews Men s Retreat February "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" Why do we pray? How is it best done? In this retreat we look to Jesus for insight and instruction in this most fundamental aspect of our Christian lives. Loyola's weekend retreats center on a theme presented by the retreat house staff. Each retreat begins on Friday with an orientation at 6:45 PM and dinner at 7 PM and concludes with lunch on Sunday at 12:30 PM. Mass is offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Saturday and before Mass on Friday, and generous blocks of time are provided for prayer, personal reflection, and the cultivation of a deep relationship with God. The suggested offering for the weekend is $225. To register, simply fill in and mail in a registration form with $110 deposit. For additional information, contact your parish representative = odonnelljohnh@hotmail.com.* Loyola-on-the-Potomac is a Jesuit Retreat House that provides directed, private, and group retreats for men and women. On weekends three-day parish group retreats are scheduled (Friday evening through lunch on Sunday). During the summer, eight-day individually directed retreats are offered; a guided, group retreat is also available. Constructed in 1958, Loyola is situated on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River. There are 235 acres of woodlands laced with numerous paths for all to enjoy. With its woods, riverfront beach, and the spectacular sunsets over the Potomac, Loyola has offered thousands of retreatants the opportunity and means of experiencing the joy and serenity of God's presence. DIRECTIONS from Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and points west: Take I-495, the Capital Beltway, to exit 7A south. This will be Branch Avenue (Route 5). Route 5 will merge with US-301 just north of Waldorf, Maryland. Continue on US-301, passing through Waldorf and LaPlata. Six miles south of LaPlata, turn right onto Popes Creek Road, the first road after mile-marker 9. Continue for one mile to the entrance to Loyola Retreat House on the right. Knights Of Columbus 7

8 February 2010 Monsignor Thomas M. Wells Council #13008 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Officers Meeting 7:30PM Scout Sunday Business Meeting 7:45 PM St Valentine s Day 15 President s Day Ash Wednesday Social Meeting 7:45 PM Mens Retreat 27 Mens Retreat State Free Archbishop Spalding HS, Severn, Md 28 Mens Retreat (Mar) If you have and address, please send it to the editor at: david@czarnecki.com Council Newsletter Msgr. Thomas M. Wells Council # Claybrook Drive Silver Spring, MD Change Service Requested ««AddressBlock»» Zip code not valid! Knights Of Columbus 8