THE NAVLOG. February 2013 Volume 1 Issue 8. Faithful Navigator s Message

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1 THE NAVLOG Rappahannock Assembly 1613 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus February 2013 Volume 1 Issue 8 Two-Time Winner To Be A Patriot Award & Faithful Navigator s Message Worthy Brother Sir Knights First and foremost, Rosalia and I wish to thank all of you who sent condolences and cards in memory of Rosalia s departed sister Mary Straubhaar. They were and remain a source of comfort to us as we reflect on the life of Mary. We are deeply touched by your kindness and your prayers. I also appreciate your understanding that I was not able to be present at the Religious Freedom Day activities on Sunday, January 13 th. You were in my thoughts every minute of the day. I knew that I could count on all of you involved in the planning and execution of this important event to ensure that the 2013 Religious Freedom Day would be viewed and recorded as a resounding success. From the reviews I received it is clear that you excelled in every respect. A total of 40 Sir Knights in regalia from our Virginia Assemblies participated in the parade and ceremony. For the first time in recent memory, we were joined by the Hibernians, Squires and Squire Roses. Once again the Boy Scouts, led by Brother Gary Domaleski, were prominent participants as well. Please review the list of other participants and Assembly members who worked long hours in support of this memorable day under the superb leadership of our Assembly Religious Freedom Day Coordinator Sir Knight Richard A. Reschick. A special note of thanks also goes to Sir Knight Robert E. Jankovits who played a key role in the planning and execution of the tasks as he represented me at this event. I was thus very proud to present an Award of Merit to SK Rick Reschick and SK Bob Jankovits at our January 16 Assembly Business Meeting for their singularly magnificent performance in managing the myriad of tasks that led to a remarkably outstanding conclusion of this most important event. If you participated and I failed to mention your name in this edition, please accept my apology. I would further like to share the contents of an eloquent with you, written by our very own Past State Deputy William J. Bill McCarthy (please be sure to read it on page 4 of this issue), complimenting all who worked diligently to ensure the success of the Religious Freedom Day activities. I share his sentiments completely and am exceedingly grateful and proud of each and every one of you! Another note of thanks is in order to all of you who braved the cold temperatures and participated in the March for Life on Friday, January 25 th. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori, Supreme Advocate John Marrella, and Assistant Supreme Advocate Michael O'Connor joined members of the Knights of Columbus and several college councils for the 39th March for Life. Take a moment and visit the Supreme website to view the pictures taken at the event. 1

2 With the May 18, 2013 Fourth Degree Exemplification at Fairfax drawing ever closer, I invite and encourage you to contact all Third Degree members of your Councils and enjoin them to take their Fourth Degree. I am especially asking all Grand Knights to take the lead on this initiative. This exemplification being in Fairfax, it is as close and convenient as it will ever get. For current Sir Knights, I encourage you to make plans to attend as observers or to serve as candidate escorts. Be sure to remind candidates with special needs (candidates in wheel chairs/with disabilities) that they can take the Degree by observation. Make every effort to attend the Color Corps Certification on February 2, 2013 at the St. Jude Catholic Church Activity Center starting at 9:00 AM. Plan to arrive by 8:30 AM. Dress for the certification is casual. Sir Knights who own regalia should bring white gloves, service baldric, and sword. For Sir Knights without regalia, extra service baldrics and swords will be available. Finally, our Assembly will host a Renewal of Obligations Ceremony starting at 7:30 PM on March 20th, just prior to the start of our normal business meeting. Our Worthy District Master of the 4 th Degree, Isaias Cy Alba and members of his staff will officiate at the ceremony. Dress for this occasion is tuxedo with social baldric or dark business suit. This is a members only event and I do hope that we will have a great turnout. Fraternally, Loui Stevens, PGK, FDD Faithful Navigator Catholics in the Public Square and Challenges to Religious Liberty "As our country's founders affirmed, religious freedom is our first freedom. As Virginians and Americans, we must recall this history and defend this freedom with renewed vigor." "I am absolutely convinced that an unprecedented and very dangerous line has been crossed that goes to the heart of the freedom of religion, and that this action does intolerable violence to our First Amendment rights." (Most Rev. Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington) 2

3 Sir Knights with Birthdays in February May God bless you on this special occasion with a day you ll love to recall a day filled with sunshine and laughter your very best Happy Birthday of all! James M. Hoffnagle 1 James S. McCormick 1 John R. Ruppert 1 Loui J. Stevens 1 David M. Medosch 2 Paul A. Bruner 5 Thomas H. Tharp, Jr. 5 Deacon Alberto G. Bernaola 6 Paul Cartoski 7 Faithful Comptroller s Corner Thomas R. Johnson -- 7 Kenneth J. Conlan 9 Richard T. Salazar 10 Albert F. Fehrens 12 Robert F. Wallach, Jr. 12 Ralph E. Beck, Jr. 15 Joseph P. Daley 15 Neil J. Buttimer 17 Leo J. Zerhusen 17 James S. Hanson 19 Edward L. Kessler, Jr. 21 Kenneth A. Malinowski 23 Stephen B. Wilson 23 Laverne B. Hodapp 24 James H. McMorrow 24 Mario Figueroa 25 Robert A. Fitzgerald, Jr. 26 Raymond N. Zogran As the weather warms up, we will be marching in HAC golf shirt, HAC and HAC name badge. If you would like to order a HAC shirt, baseball cap, or badge, please contact Rich LaRoche at stone48@verizon.net or HAC shirts cost $20.00 (S-XL), $23.00 (XX), and $26.00 (XXX); baseball caps are $15.00; and name badges are $ Assembly Membership Dues Update Honor America Corps Uniform Items It s not too early to think about ordering Honor America Corps (HAC) uniform items. The Blue & Gray Brewing Co. s annual St. Patrick s Parade is coming up next month. We currently have 5 baseball caps in inventory for that event. They will be available on a first come, first served basis at the February 20 th business meeting at a cost of $ Second dues notices for the 2013 billing cycle were issued on January 15 th. As of that date, 59% of the Assembly s dues paying membership had paid their dues. At the same point last year, 56% of the membership had paid their dues. has proven to be effective and a significant cost savings to the Assembly. If you have paid your dues, we thank you for your payment. If you have not paid your dues, please remit your dues payment as soon as possible. Final Dues Notices will be issued on February 15 th. 3

4 As a reminder for those who have not paid yet, the billing notice includes a dues assessment of $25.00 and a $10.00 optional assessment for the Assembly s regalia raffle. Members do not need to purchase raffle tickets. Conversely, members who want raffle tickets can purchase them for $5.00 each or $10 for each set of three tickets. If you have any questions regarding the billing process or need to update your mailing address or contact information, please contact Faithful Comptroller Rich LaRoche at stone48@verizon.net or Review and Scenes from the Religious Freedom Day, January 13, Compliments Expressed by Past State Deputy William J. McCarthy, PGK, PFN, FDD, PSD Quote Worthy Faithful Navigator, It is my considered opinion that PFN Bob Jankovits and SK Rick Reschick performed magnificently in planning for and adjusting to challenges that could have had a deleterious effect on the highly successful RFD ceremony conducted in Fredericksburg yesterday afternoon. They are to be commended for their performances! Faced with an unexpected change in venue for the reception and the cancellation of the two scheduled speakers due to weather only two hours before the start of the ceremony, they reacted with calm professionalism and resolved the issues swiftly. When an emergency medical situation occurred with two Knights collapsing, they could not have handled it better. Both men were treated immediately and with positive results. You have every reason to be extraordinarily proud of them and the members of the Assembly who were involved. Each one of them demonstrated superb teamwork in carrying out the logistical and operational aspects of the event from planning through execution. My admiration is extended, without reservation, to all Knights and their Ladies who participated in the day's events from other assemblies and councils. Collectively, all involved made a strong, positive statement for religious freedom and unequivocally demonstrated --- in the public square --- our unwavering commitment to the principle of Patriotism and the Constitution of the United States of America! I am proud to be a member of an Assembly which has proven time and time again that they are not only among the best in Virginia but in the entire Order! Respectfully, Bill McCarthy Past State Deputy Jurisdiction of Virginia Knights of Columbus End Quote 4

5 2. Assembly Sir Knights Who Marched in Full Regalia: David Case David Chichester Ralph Cruise Wayne Cushing Jim Driscoll Ron Drew William Gilhooly Rusty Hopp Gary Jourdain Curtis Klugh Rich LaRoche Tommy Lyons Roman Marciniak Harry Pelto Andy Taylor John Trammell Mark Sewell Tony Spehar John Zawora 3. Following Assembly and Council Members (and wives) Participated in the Activities Shown: DRIVERS Jeremy Bolich - #13599 Jim Tetor - #10246 Kevin Jankovits - #13599 PHOTOGRAPHER Warren Kimmerly - #4034 HAC FLAGS Frank Connors - #10246 George Johnson - #4034 MUSIC Greg Gordon - #10246 SINGING Rick Dowsett - Assembly #2518 BARRICADES Martin Cousino - #12434 Charles Cloniger - #12434 Gary Rolla - #4034 FOOD & SET UP OF STUDENT CENTER Dennis Ryan - #10246 Bill & wife Pat Phillips - #10246 John Belrose - #10246 Joe & wife Grace McEuen - #10246 Lenny & wife Elly Supchak- #10246 Dwight Fisher - #10246 Paul Gerrick - #10246 Mike Pulice - #10246 Deacon Bill Pivarnik - #10246 IN CHARGE OF THE WREATH David Chichester - #10246 SET UP OF THE STAGE AT THE MONUMENT SITE Joe McEuen - #10246 Rick Reschick - #4034 GREETERS Robert Jankovits - #4034 Dick Salazar - #4034 John Wilkes - #4034 (UMW CSC and the stage seating director / usher at the monument site ) PASS OUT RFD FLIERS TO WASHINGTON AVENUE RESIDENTS Curtis Klugh - #4034 Steve Young - #4034 Rick Reschick - #4034 PASS OUT PROGRAMS AT THE MONUMENT SITE Gary Rolla - #4034 Jack Rosner - #4034 Rick Reschick - #4034 LINEUP DIRECTION AT MONUMENT SITE FOR THE MARCHERS Henry "Hank" Domingue - #4034 Thank You Worthy Sir Knights! 5

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10 Purpose of the Color Corps When knighthood was in flower, knights carried the sword to defend their God, their Church, their country and their fellow man according to the code of chivalry. Today, Sir Knights wear regalia and carry the sword to honor Christ and His apostles, especially on religious and civic occasions specified in this manual. Hence, the primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to encourage active Catholic citizenship and foster the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large. The Color Corps members exemplify all the principles of our Order: Charity -- by the gift of their time and energies necessary to practice, perfect and perform the ceremonials and sword drill; Unity by the united efforts of Sir Knights to practice and perfect a coordinated drill for the good of the Church and the Order; Fraternity by expressing an Esprit de Corps, sharing a common desire for drill excellence and camaraderie; and Patriotism by performing precision drill as a salute to God and to country and visually exhibiting a love for both. The public appearance of Fourth Degree Knights as a Color Corps at religious and civic functions is an important activity of each assembly. Their colorful capes and chapeaux add dignity and the pride of Church and country to any event. By these public demonstrations their loyalties bring credit to themselves and to the Knights of Columbus Inner Sentinel s Message Greetings to all my Brother Sir Knights, As the Inner Sentinel, all I do is follow directions and support the Faithful Pilot in his duties. This year has truly been an honor to be involved with our Assembly, getting to know more of our Sir Knights, following the order of the meetings, observing, and learning what it takes to be a Sir Knight. The Assembly s leadership, from the Faithful Navigator, the Trustees, Admiral, Captain, Pilot, Purser, Comptroller, Scribe, and Friar the Ground work has been laid. However, it takes more than the leadership to be an Assembly; it takes all Sir Knights to make our Assembly special. Fraternally, Rusty Hopp Inner Sentinel Thank You to all our Knights for the Fellowship, Guidance, and example you have provided me to follow. Catholic Men s Conference The fourth annual Diocesan Men's Conference will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at St. Joseph's Parish Hall, 750 Peachtree St., Herndon, VA. Please note that, a bit ahead of schedule, the 2013 Catholic Men s Conference with Dr. Peter Kreeft and Fr. Thomas Joseph White is open for registration! To register today or for more information see the conference website. 10

11 This year s conference entitled Fact or Fiction: Knowing & Loving Your Catholic Faith will feature Dr. Peter Kreeft and Fr. Thomas Joseph White exploring commonly misunderstood aspects of the Catholic faith. Breakfast, lunch, and Mass with Bishop Loverde will be included. Join your brothers in Christ for a day of prayer, learning, and fellowship in the Lord. Early bird registration (Dec & Jan) is $35; regular registration (Feb & March) is $45. Save $10 by registering today! May God bless you all, men. Tom O'Neill, Assistant Director Office for Family Life; ; toneill@arlingtondiocese.org Sir Knights of the Month for January 2013 Congratulations It should come as no surprise that our two Sir Knights of the Month for January 2013 are none other than SK Richard A. Rick Reschick and SK Robert E. Bob Jankovits. These two Brother Sir Knights have managed the annual Religious Freedom Day activities for a number of years. This year s event truly put their expertise and skills to the test when a last-minute change in venue and cancellation (due to weather) of our two keynote speakers threatened to wreak havoc with our scheduled events. As our Worthy Past State Deputy Bill McCarthy pointed out, both Bob and Rick reacted calm professionalism and resolved both problems to save the day. I am still not sure how in the world they managed to come up with no less than four outstanding speakers who clearly held the audience captive. In fact, I received comments to the effect that this year s event was one of the best to date. Please be sure to congratulate and thank both of these great Sir Knights for their magnificent performance. We are indeed blessed to have Sir Knights of their caliber in our Assembly. I salute you Worthy Brother Sir Knights!! Captain s Column My Dear Brother Sir Knights February 13th, Ash Wednesday, will mark the beginning of Lent. The forty days of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday are the centerpiece of our Catholic religion. Lent is a time for penance, sacrifice, and charity. We will make resolutions. We will fast and abstain. Others will attend daily Mass. Some will give up sweets or alcohol but no matter what we do, it should represent a true sacrifice for you. Ask God what you might do to become closer to Him this Lent. As an update to the Assembly Corporate Communion which will be on February 10th at the 8:30 AM Mass at St. Mary's in Fredericksburg, I am sorry to report that I have only heard from 10 of you who plan to attend. Please review your schedule and try to make your Sunday obligation with your fellow Sir Knights at this Communion. Bring the family and if you like, join us for a breakfast gathering afterward. At this time, the consensus for breakfast appears to be the Country Cooking which is on Rt. 3. I am still looking for suggestions but need to make the reservation a few days before the event. Call me at or 11

12 if you plan on attending. Dress is normal Sunday Mass attire unless you plan on being part of the Honor Guard. Your Faithful Captain, Bill Phillips Honor America Corps Commander One of the Honor America Corps major yearly events is coming up towards the end of March 2013, i. e., the opening ceremony for the Virginia Commonwealth Special Olympics Basketball Championship Tournament. We have routinely turned out over thirty Knights to participate in this event. Please watch for the as we get closer to the date. For further information on the Honor America Corps, contact the Commander, Frank Connors at: Fraternally, Frank Connors, HAC Commander Color Corps Commander Worthy Sir Knights No one of the 50 stars in the blue canton of our United States of America flag represents a particular state of the Union. During the Civil war, it was considered to remove a star from the flag for each of those states that had seceded from the Union. Our president at the time, Abraham Lincoln, made the decision that no star would be removed. The Confederacy was dissolved on 5 May Trivia question of the day: Who was the Vice president of the Confederacy under Jefferson Davis? Ans. Alexander Stephens served January Activities Religious Freedom Day was our only event in January. We were superb in our participation and performance for the event. With a larger turnout of the many groups participating, your Rappahannock Assembly Color Corps set the mark for all participants, with 19 Sir Knights from the Assembly marching in full regalia accompanied by Sir Knights from other areas of the District of Virginia for a total of 40 Sir Knights in regalia overall. Our performance was recognized by a visit of our Worthy District Master Isaias Cy Alba to both the Assembly Color Corps and to our Color Guard. Thank you to all Assembly Sir Knights who took part as listed below. Activity Date Sir Knights Supporting Religious Freedom Day, Color Corps and Color Guard January 13 David Case, Ralph Cruise, David Chichester, Wayne Cushing, Ron Drew, Jim Driscoll, William Gilhooly, Rusty Hopp, Gary Jourdain, Curtis Klugh, Rich 12

13 LaRoche, Tommy Lyons, Roman Marciniak, Harry Pelto, Tony Spehar, Mark Sewell, Andy Taylor, John Trammell, John Zawora Upcoming Events Our event for February is to provide an Honor Guard for the Assembly s Corporate Communion Mass scheduled for the 8:30 am Mass at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church on Sunday, February 10. I you can participate, please mark your calendars. I will be sending a request for support soon. Color Corps Certification in Fredericksburg Now is the time to seriously consider your readiness to participate as a qualified member of our Color Corps. Our Color Corps Certification sessions in Fredericksburg area are scheduled for February 2, 2013 at St. Jude Activity Center. Certification is required every two years for those who plan to participate in Color Corps events such as Honor Guards at Mass, wakes and funerals, and other activities. Many of you completed certifications more than two years ago, so it s time to consider recertification. I hope this session is convenient for you and that many will take the opportunity for the refresher. Dress is casual, but participants should bring chapeaux, gloves, service baldrics and swords if you have them. If not, swords and baldrics will be available. The morning session for Color Corps begins at 9:00 am. Coffee, juice and doughnuts will be available at about 8:30. Color Corps Commanders session participants should also bring their purple capes. Attention all Sir Knights who have been exemplified in the last two years. This is an opportunity for you to learn all about Color Corps procedures and ceremonies. Please come out and find out what the Color Corps is all about; even if you are not ready to participate routinely. You never know when an event will be scheduled that tweaks your interest in participating. If you have been certified, you will know all you need to know to participate with confidence. David Case, SK, Commander Why Should I Join the Fourth Degree? Because the Fourth Degree: Is a group of outstanding Knights of Columbus dedicated to promoting patriotism enlightened by the Catholic Faith. Works for the application of Christian principles in all levels of democratic government. Calls upon its members to distinguish themselves with heroic deeds for God, for Country and for our Order. Supports such religious, civic and charitable causes as are consistent with its high ideals. Opposes the institution and development of forces inimical to good Christian government. Educates its members and the world at large to be defenders of our democratic institutions. Is the highest degree in the Knights of Columbus, giving a greater knowledge and appreciation of our Catholic heritage. As mentioned previously, your next opportunity to advance to the Fourth Degree is on May 18, 2013 at Fairfax, VA. Do not delay, submit your application to our Worthy Faithful Comptroller, SK Rich LaRoche now. 13

14 Assembly Activity Calendar FEBUARY Feb Color Corps Certification St. Jude Catholic Church Activity Center 9:00 AM and Commanders Certification at 12:00 PM 10 Feb 4th Degree Annual Corporate Communion St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 8:30 AM Mass, breakfast to follow, place TBD 13 Feb Ash Wednesday 14 Feb Valentine s Day 18 Feb Presidents Day Parade St. Mary s Lyceum, Alexandria, VA, 11:30 AM assemble, start at Noon 20 Feb Regular Business Meeting Fredericksburg Council Home, 7:30 PM. (Holy Trinity Council 7812 Host) -- Color Corps Practice 6:30 PM 20 Feb Presidents Day Federal Holiday 22 Feb Washington s Birthday MARCH Mar VA State Council Quarterly Meeting at Richmond, VA 2 Mar Diocese of Arlington Men s Conference -- St. Joseph s Catholic Church Banquet Hall, Herndon, VA, 9 AM to 11:30 AM. 10 Mar Daylight Savings Time Begins 20 Mar Regular Business Meeting and Renewal of Obligations 4034 Fredericksburg Council Home, 7:30 24 Mar Palm Sunday 31 Mar Easter Sunday TBD PM (St. Jude Council Host) Special Olympics Opening Ceremony Mountain View High School 14

15 Assembly Officers Navigator Loui J. Stevens, PGK, FDD (540) Friar Rev. Donald Rooney (540) Captain William J. Phillips, PGK (540) Admiral Robert E. Jankovits, PGK, PFN (540) Pilot Francis S. Connors, PGK, FDD (540) Comptroller Richard R. LaRoche, PGK, PFN, FDD (540) Purser Andrew P. Taylor (540) Scribe John M. Troillett, PGK (540) Inner Sentinel Richard W. Hopp, PGK (540) Outer Sentinel Joe T. McEuen, PGK (540) Outer Sentinel John LoBuglio (540) Year Trustee Mark W. Sewell, PGK, PFN (540) Year Trustee John C. Grey, PGK, PFN (540) Year Trustee Richard T. Salazar, PGK, PFN, FDD (540) Color Corps Comdr David R. Case, GK (540) HAC Comdr Francis S. Connors, PGK, FDD (540) The NAVLOG is published by Rappahannock Assembly #1613. Views expressed in the newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the Assembly or the Knights of Columbus. Editors: SK Loui J. Stevens, FN, PGK, FDD (540) or SK Rich LaRoche, PGK, PFN, FDD (540) or Distribution: SK Neil Buttimer, PGK (540) or (Mail) SK Joseph T. McEuen, PGK (540) or ( ) Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, you are the refuge of sinners and the comfort of the afflicted. Look with mercy on us. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes you gave the world hope. Your Son has healed many, thanks to your compassionate intercession. Therefore, I come humbly before you to ask for your motherly intercession for all who are sick in body, mind and spirit. Holy Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of death. Amen. (Source: Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate) 15

16 The NAVLOG Rappahannock Assembly #1613 Post Office Box 7905 Fredericksburg, VA