The Voice St John the Baptist Council OCTOBER 2010

Transcription

1 St John the Baptist Council The Voice St John the Baptist Council OCTOBER 2010 The month of October is dedicated to the Rosary. Our Lady of the Rosary October 7

2 St John the Baptist Council From the Chaplain s Pen October is dedicated to the celebration of the Rosary in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is an important month for our Universal Church, and because Mary is the Patron Saint of the Knights of Columbus, and of the Americas, a very important month for us. During our First Degree we are instructed to carry a Rosary at all times in our pocket to remind us of the example set by Mary and ever remember that through prayer we gain the virtues of humility, piety, and peace. A professor at St. Thomas University Catholic Studies had this to say. It occurred to me that perhaps some of the strongest resistance to the rosary comes not from its repetition or from protests regarding Mary s role or even from boredom, but from the simple fact that so few of us truly desire humility, piety, or even peace anymore. I know humility wasn t exactly high on my list when I renewed my practice of praying the rosary. I think we have come to see humility as weakness. I don t long for humility the way the saints longed for humility, the way Mother Teresa wore humility, because I believed the lie that we do not need the virtues, especially Humility anymore. The Rosary: A Path to Prayer. Liz Kelly, Loyola Press, 2004, p 172. It is appropriate that during this month of the Rosary we also celebrate LIFE, and dedicate 40 consecutive days throughout the world to Pray the Rosary to end abortion. Every year we hear new stories of women who changed their minds, did not have an abortion, and in many cases returned to their faith. It is exhilarating to know that the prayers of the faithful reach those in need and by the work of the Holy Spirit changes and saves lives. This month, let us each renew our commitment to praying the rosary, seeking the virtues, working for peace and justice, and sharing the importance of the Sacrament of Marriage between a man and a woman for life. Vivat Jesus!! Fr. Michael Skluzacek

3 St John the Baptist Council The Grand Knight s Corner All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles: Charity - Our Catholic faith teaches us to Love thy neighbor as thyself. Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day. Unity None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that together we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So we stick together we support one another. That doesn t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that as a Knight of Columbus you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community. Fraternity The Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died often prematurely. The Order s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do individual Knights, who last year gave more than 10 million hours of their time to assist sick and/or disabled members and their families. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another. Patriotism Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens. Fraternally, Mike Steele

4 St John the Baptist Council The next few months have several functions scheduled and we need help to make them succeed. If a chairman asks for an hour of your time, say yes or, better yet, call and offer your help. Check the calendar of events and pick one. October Opportunities needing volunteers OCTOBER 30/31 Keep Christ in Christmas Book Sale AFTER Saturday -4:30 PM Sunday 730, 930 and 11:15 am Masses. Fifteen Minutes before Mass and approximately 20 minutes following Mass. Contact David or davidstanton1@msn.com OCTOBER 31 2 nd Annual Waffle Breakfast 8:00am 1:00 pm Sunday Contact: Ron Flor

5 St John the Baptist Council The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of October 2010 General: That Sundays may be lived as the day on which Christians gather to celebrate the Risen Lord in the table of the Eucharist. Missionary: That all the people of God, whom Christ has commanded to go and preach the Gospel to every creature, may diligently fulfill their missionary responsibility SELECTIONS FROM: APOSTOLIC LETTER ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF JOHN PAUL II TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY AND FAITHFUL ON THE MOST HOLY ROSARY 1. The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, which gradually took form in the second millennium under the guidance of the Spirit of God, is a prayer loved by countless Saints and encouraged by the Magisterium. Simple yet profound, it still remains, at the dawn of this third millennium, a prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness. of history and civilization turn. (1) The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium. (2) It is an echo of the prayerof Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer. The Rosary is both meditation and supplication. Insistent prayer to the Mother of God is based on confidence that her maternal intercession can obtain all things from the heart of her Son. She is all-powerful by grace, to use the bold expression, which needs to be properly understood, of Blessed Bartolo Longo in his Supplication to Our Lady. (25) This is a conviction which, beginning with the Gospel, has grown ever more firm in the experience of the Christian people. The supreme poet Dante expresses it marvellously in the lines sung by Saint Bernard: Lady, thou art so great and so powerful, that whoever desires grace yet does not turn to thee, would have his desire fly without wings. (26) When in the Rosary we plead with Mary, the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 1:35), she intercedes for us before the Father who filled her with grace and before the Son born of her womb, praying with us and for us. A proposed addition to the traditional pattern

6 St John the Baptist Council Of the many mysteries of Christ's life, only a few are indicated by the Rosary in the form that has become generally established with the seal of the Church's approval. The selection was determined by the origin of the prayer, which was based on the number 150, the number of the Psalms in the Psalter. I believe, however, that to bring out fully the Christological depth of the Rosary it would be suitable to make an addition to the traditional pattern which, while left to the freedom of individuals and communities, could broaden it to include the mysteries of Christ's public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion. In the course of those mysteries we contemplate important aspects of the person of Christ as the definitive revelation of God. Declared the beloved Son of the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan, Christ is the one who announces the coming of the Kingdom, bears witness to it in his works and proclaims its demands. It is during the years of his public ministry that the mystery of Christ is most evidently a mystery of light: While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (Jn 9:5). Consequently, for the Rosary to become more fully a compendium of the Gospel, it is fitting to add, following reflection on the Incarnation and the hidden life of Christ (the joyful mysteries) and before focusing on the sufferings of his Passion (the sorrowful mysteries) and the triumph of his Resurrection (the glorious mysteries), a meditation on certain particularly significant moments in his public ministry (the mysteries of light). This addition of these new mysteries, without prejudice to any essential aspect of the prayer's traditional format, is meant to give it fresh life and to enkindle renewed interest in the Rosary's place within Christian spirituality as a true doorway to the depths of the Heart of Christ, ocean of joy and of light, of suffering and of glory. The centre of gravity in the Hail Mary, the hinge as it were which joins its two parts, is the name of Jesus. Sometimes, in hurried recitation, this centre of gravity can be overlooked, and with it the connection to the mystery of Christ being contemplated. Yet it is precisely the emphasis given to the name of Jesus and to his mystery that is the sign of a meaningful and fruitful recitation of the Rosary. Pope Paul VI drew attention, in his Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus, to the custom in certain regions of highlighting the name of Christ by the addition of a clause referring to the mystery being contemplated. (37) This is a praiseworthy custom, especially during public recitation. It gives forceful expression to our faith in Christ, directed to the different moments of the Redeemer's life. It is at once a profession of faith and an aid in concentrating our meditation, since it facilitates the process of assimilation to the mystery of Christ inherent in the repetition of the Hail Mary. When we repeat the name of Jesus the only name given to us by which we may hope for salvation (cf. Acts 4:12) in close association with the name of his Blessed Mother, almost as if it were done at her suggestion, we set out on a path of assimilation meant to help us enter more deeply into the life of Christ. From Mary's uniquely privileged relationship with Christ, which makes her the Mother of God, Theotókos, derives the forcefulness of the appeal we make to her in the second half of the prayer, as we entrust to her maternal intercession our lives and the hour of our death.

7 St John the Baptist Council NOW, MORE THAN EVER, we as Knights must live our Order s greatest tradition that of prayerful support and encouragement to our priests. PRAY for: Archbishop John Nienstadt Lord Jesus Christ, You sent Your apostles to proclaim the Good News with Peter at their head and you strengthened them with the Holy Spirit. Remind us that our bishops are appointed by the same spirit and are the successors of the Apostles as pastors of souls. Together with the Pope and under his authority they have been sent throughout the world to continue your work here on Earth. In these trying times when the spirit of the age threatens our Christian Values, grant Archbishop John Nienstedt the wisdom to direct and guide our archdiocesan family in your truth and love. Protect and equip him with the resources he needs to fulfill your mission. Make us Obey his teachings and love him as the Church obeys and loves You. May we remain united with him, grow in faith and love, and attain eternal life with you. Through Christ our Lord, AMEN. Prayer for Our Leaders We pray You, oh God of wisdom and justice through whom authority is rightly administered, assist the President of the United States and all of our nation s leaders. By Your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude, guide them in all they do in the name of our country, that our government might conduct its affairs in righteousness, and be eminently useful to your people. AMEN. Copied from Leaflet Missile , June 30, 2010 Prayer for those in Military Servce Almighty God, we stand before You asking for your divine mercy and protection. Embrace with Your invincible armor our loved ones in all branches of service. Give them courage and strength against all enemies both spiritual and physical and hasten their safe journey back to their homes and families. AMEN. Copied from Leaflet Missile , June 30, 2010

8 St John the Baptist Council INSURANCE CORNER Long Term Care For the Unexpected Record numbers of people are living well into their 80s, 90s...and even past the age of 100. That translates into more time to do the things you want to do, to spend time with the people you love. It also poses new challenges. In aging, you change in some familiar ways and some ways that might be completely unexpected. In your 60s and 70s, tasks and activities that you once performed routinely or with ease might become increasingly difficult. And, over time, you may need more and more assistance with such activities. You might also experience a sudden, acute need for such help after a debilitating illness such as stroke. Everyone is potentially at risk. A 2005 study 1 found that 69% of people turning 65 years of age will need some long-term care before they die. Woman are at a higher risk than men with 79% of women turning 65 years of age needing some long-term care and 58% of men turning 65 needing some long-term care. Among those turning 65 years of age, 44% will need less than 1 year; 30% will need 3-5 years; 12% will need 5 or more years. On average, private nursing home care can cost upwards of $78,000 per year. 2 You may be able to manage with at-home nursing care. Yet this option, too, can be quite expensive: such services can cost over $55,480 per year in the U.S. 3 for eight hours of service, 365 days a year. These figures can be expected to increase over time. 40% of those receiving Long-Term Care services are adults between the ages of 18 and Peter Kemper et al, Long-Term Care over the Uncertain Future: What can Current Retirees Expect?, Inquiry, Volume 42, No.4, Winter 2005/2006, pp Nursing Home Cost Survey, MetLife Mature Market Institute, September Home Health Care Cost Survey, MetLife Mature Market Institute, September Conning And Company, LTC; Baby Boomer or Bust A meeting with your agent is a commitment to your future and your family s well-being. Contact Dale Robinson, General Agent, for further information about the Knights of Columbus programs at

9 St John the Baptist Council Council Officers 2010/2011 Chaplain Fr. Michael Skluzacek ext 1213 Grand Knight Mike Steele Deputy Grand Knight Curt Cooper Financial Secretary Martin Schutz Treasurer Steve Arndorfer Recorder Kevin Griffin Advocate Jeff Davis Chancellor David Drajna Warden Jim Eskolin Inside Guard Jon Moller Outside Guard Ron Flor Trustee 3 year David Stanton Trustee 2 year Alan Gregerson Trustee 1 year Ed Casey Activity Chairmen 2010/2011 Program Director Curt Cooper Membership Bill Gottwaldt Church Pat Rother Pro-Life Mel Brandl Family of the Month Tom Peters Youth Matt Reynolds Pat Hinnenkamp Community Dave Tucci Council Marty Schutz Lecturer Alan Gregerson Round Table Mike Steele Supreme Insurance Rep Dale Robinson Web Master Jared Johnson Editor David Stanton Newsletter input Deadline 22 nd of month prior to publication

10 St John the Baptist Council Spaghetti Dinner, Fridley Council, 5PM-7PM 3 Marathon for Non-Public Education Central Park Roseville 4 Pro-Life Ministries Fund Raising Banquet, 6-9 PM, Earle Brown Center 7 Our Lady of the Rosary October 7 11 Feast of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary October Columbus Day (celebrated) 12 Columbus Day (traditional) 14 Birthright Dinner Holy Name, Minneapolis Council Officers Meeting 6:30 PM, Room 210 General Meeting 7:30 PM Room Dad s Waffle Breakfast, St. Joseph s Hall, 8am-1pm Annual KC Keep Christ in Christmas Book Sale