The Explorer. VOL. 23 NO. 3 March 2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTS STATE DEPUTY S MESSAGE

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1 The Explorer A Publication Of The Kansas Knights of Columbus VOL. 23 NO. 3 March 2019 March is Founder s month, and March 29, in particular, is Founder s Day. Don t forget that our founder, the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, wanted our Order to be a society of Catholic men, established in every Parish, that would support and defend our Priests, but also provide a financial safety net for Catholic men and their families. For 137 years, the Knights of Columbus have been doing just that. Let prospective members, especially young family men, know what the Order can provide for them. If they joined the Order because of the fraternal benefits, encourage them to join in the works of the Order in support of the Church. If they joined the Knights of Columbus to participate in the works of the Order, let them know about the fraternal benefits that membership avails them, including the Order s solid insurance and financial programs. Everyone joins for a reason. We simply have to let our members and prospective members know what we have to offer! We are now in the last third of the fraternal year and four very busy and important months remain. During this time, we will start our Lenten journey that begins with Ash Wednesday, March 6th. We will be preparing for the state convention in Manhattan, May 3-5. And we will be recruiting and holding major degrees to bring new knights into the Order to experience the benefits of membership. There are eight major degrees currently scheduled for March, and four more scheduled for April. I d suggest that you schedule an Admission Degree in your area, and then advance these members to a major degree in an area near you as soon as possible. From time to time, a knight s member, a district deputy, a grand knight, a financial secretary, will ask why our Order puts so much emphasis on bringing in new members. To date since July 1, 2018, Kansas has brought in 597 new members lost 228 to suspensions and 306 to deaths and transfers leaving a Net/Net increase of 63 members. As you can see if our focus loses site of maintaining a high gross number we could easily slip into to a negative Net/Net position. Kansas can boast that we have one of the highest, if not, the highest percentage of knights per Catholic population in the United States. While this is good, it means that we must work even harder to grow the Order. The easiest members have already joined. What is left to recruit from is the guys who will join but will require more effort. Don t be afraid to make that effort! I would also like to address a very important issue that we all have been fighting since That is abortion in our country. I had the opportunity to view a movie that is coming out to combat against abortion. Archbishop Joseph Naumann along with many leaders of different organizations were present at the viewing of the movie Unplanned. The archbishop has given his full support of this movie and asks for the Knights of Columbus to help in promoting the movie that will come out March 29th. STATE DEPUTY S MESSAGE The movie is very powerful in promoting pro-life. It exposes what really happens in Planned Parenthood clinics and the actual process of abortions. This movie left nothing to the imagination. Considering some of the actions from politicians such as Virginia Governor Ralph Northam suggesting that unwanted children can be terminated shortly after birth and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a state law to allow abortion up to the time of birth, I feel it is time to act to combat such evil. The state officers of Kansas all agree that this is the tool to do just that in these extraordinary times. It is very important that all of us go out to see the movie March 29th or within the first week or two of opening. These weeks weigh heavily with the movie theater whether they will continue to show the movie. Let s show the world that we as Catholic Americans do care about putting an end to the evils of abortion. In summary for the month of March, I ask you to focus on your Lenten Journey, prepare for the state convention, and conduct a successful spring membership drive. Let s meet our membership goal! Don t be afraid to share what you do so that others can also enjoy the many benefits of membership. You might just find your next grand knight, your next district deputy, or even your next state deputy. Mostly, don t be afraid to put your Faith in Action by Welcoming one another as Christ has welcomed you. Vivat Jesus, Dale A. Weber, State Deputy CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH: th Annual Men s Bowling Tournament in Wichita (3rd weekend) 3 State Free Throw Contest in Salina 10 Deadline for Council Knight of the Year to District Deputy 10 Deadline for Council Family of the Year to District Deputy 10 Major Degree: Council 796 Fort Scott 10 Major Degree: Council Wichita 10 Major Degree: Council 3273 Larned 15 Deadline for Council Vocations Poster Contest winners to District Deputy 17 Major Degree: Council 1743 Hanover 17 Major Degree: Council Topeka 20 Deadline for District Knight of the Year to Diocesan Judge 20 Deadline for District Family of the Year to Diocesan Judge Special Olympics Basketball/Cheerleading Tournament in Hays Special Olympics Basketball/Cheerleading Tournament in Topeka 24 Major Degree: Council Scammon

2 CALENDAR OF EVENTS cont. 24 Major Degree: Council Conway Springs - Wichita 25 Knights of Columbus Day of the Unborn Child 25 Deadline for District Vocations Poster Contest Winners to Vocations Chairman 29 Founder s Day, 137th Anniversary of Knights of Columbus 31 5th Sunday Rosary Prayer Service and or Corporate Communion APRIL 1 Deadline to fulfill Adopt-A-Seminarian Pledge 1 Submit RSVP Refund/Plaque Applications to Supreme 1 Deadline for Diocesan Knight of the Year Winners to Fraternal Chairman 1 Deadline for Diocesan Family of the Year Winners to Family Director 1 Deadline for Scrapbook entries of Best single activity in areas of Faith, Family Community & Life to appropriate Director 1 Deadline to submit Culture of Life Report Form to Life Director 1 Deadline to submit EVANGELIUM VITAE AWARD applications 1 Deadline to submit essay contest winners to State Youth Chairman 6 Patriotic Degree Exemplification in Derby 7 Major Degree: Council Hays 13 Major Degree: Council Overland Park 13 Major Degree: Council Leavenworth 22 World Day of Prayer for Vocations 27 Patriotic Degree Exemplification in Overland Park 27 State Sporting Clay Shoot in Augusta MAY 3-5 The 118th Annual State Convention will be held in Manhattan Congratulations Knights The Kansas Knight of the Month for January is Brother Leroy Funk of Council # 2093 in Nortonville! Supreme Family of the Month winners for January Council 643 Parsons, The Paul Yanez Family Council 2538 Park, The Randy Whittman Family Council 2987 Conway Springs, The Derek Zoglmann Family Council Baileyville, The Dennis Heideman Family Council Olathe, The Matthew Klinker Family Congratulations to all of you and your families! STATE CHAPLAIN S MESSAGE Father Jarett Konrade, State Chaplain Brothers (and Sisters), how important is regular attendance at Sunday Mass for your family? Why would a teacher give someone a bad grade if they choose not to do their homework? Why would a coach cut 2 someone from the team if they choose not to participate in conditioning? Obviously, these are weak comparisons to the importance of the Holy Eucharist, but in these two examples we can see that homework and conditioning are integral to being a successful student or a successful athlete. Thus, it seems logical that there are repercussions to neglecting these things. Moreover, in athletics, when one individual chooses to neglect a responsibility, it can have a negative effect on the whole team. We speak of Sunday Eucharist in a similar way. On Sunday and at every Mass we gather as the Body of Christ, to worship and receive the Body of Christ present in a unique way in the Eucharist. This belief is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. (CCC #2181) When we neglect our membership in the Body of Christ and decide not to go to Mass, even if it is not visibly noticeable, it has an effect on the entire Body of Christ. I have heard some individuals ask why they can t just speak to God as they walk in the woods or spend time in silent reflection on Sunday. The answer is, you can, and you should, but not in place of attending the Mass every Sunday. It would be like an athlete saying, Coach, instead of doing conditioning drills this week, I thought I would just study the playbook. It is a good and important thing to do, but it cannot substitute conditioning. Furthermore, how many individuals who have asked the walking in the woods question have ever actually spent an entire hour walking, praying and reflecting on the majesty and splendor of God? My guess would be very few. It sounds nice, but with all that we have going on in our lives, the likelihood of an individual having the discipline to take an hour on their own to worship God is very unlikely. Thus, we have a convenient set time where we can all come together to worship. Since the early Christian era, the common form of Christian worship looked much like the mass of today. Take for example, this excerpt from St. Justin Martyr from around 150 A.D., not too long after the death of the last Apostle. On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read. When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things. Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves. When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss. Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks that we have been judged worthy of these gifts. When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded 'Amen', those whom we call deacons give to those present the 'eucharisted' bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent. - (Apologia, chapter 67) Does this sound at all familiar? The Mass is not something that was invented in the middle ages so that the Church could take up a collection or just to give people something to do on the weekend. It has been the appropriate and common form of worship since some of the earliest stages of Christianity. When we neglect going to Mass, we are neglecting the most fundamental form of communing with God on this earth and therefore, the Continued on page 3

3 Catholic Church, in its wisdom has stated, to do so, is a serious sin. This consequence is not a slap on the hand from the teacher because of misbehavior it is out of concern for the harm we do to ourselves and our families when we willingly neglect this most important aspect of our spiritual lives. DISTRICT MASTER MESSAGE Scott A. Maurath, District Master - Kansas Derby, Overland Park Ascension and Junction City EXEMPLIFICATIONS There are three Exemplifications of the Patriotic Degree scheduled for this Spring. They are in Derby on April 6th, Overland Park-Ascension on April 27th and Junction City on June 8th. More information on these degrees can be found at kansas-kofc.org or by contacting me. Worthy grand knights please encourage your membership to join the Patriotic degree. Ask them these four simple questions. 1.) Do they support their Church? 2.) Do they support their country? 3.) Do they support life from conception until natural death? 4.) Do they honor their deceased brother knights? All these questions and much more are what the Patriotic degree of the Knights of Columbus stand for!!! Please don t hesitate to contact me if your council would like to start a new Assembly to represent its Parish or would like to host an Exemplification of the Patriotic Degree (as a council or assembly) or has any other questions about the Patriotic degree. STATE SECRETARY S MESSAGE Jamey C. Roth, State Secretary Attention grand knights: You should have received report forms for Credentials, 50-year members and Necrology from State Secretary Jamey Roth. They should be completed immediately and sent back to Jamey as the due date was March 1, District Deputies, please double check to insure these forms are submitted from all your councils. STATE ADVOCATE S MESSAGE Michael J. Grothoff, State Advocate Grand Knights: Don t forget that every council needs to complete and submit the IRS Form 990 so that your council does not lose its tax-exempt status. The Supreme council has provided communication on the subject as follows: As you know, the Knights of Columbus, including all its subordinate councils and assemblies, is a tax-exempt organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a fraternal benefit society under Section 501(c)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code. Notwithstanding our tax-exempt status, each council and assembly is required to file an annual informational tax return (IRS Form 990) with the IRS. In addition to our filing requirement, each council and assembly is also responsible for conducting its affairs in a manner that is consistent with what is expected of tax-exempt organizations. Failure to do so may result in a council or assembly losing its tax-exempt status. Also, we suggest you visit the IRS's home page on tax-exempt organizations. It is an excellent resource for council and assembly officers who have questions or need information regarding their federal tax obligations: Make certain that your council does not become liable to the IRS by NOT reporting! The due date for submitting this form is May 15th! Grand Knights, also remember that your council has until May 1, 2019 to comply with the Order s Safe Environment requirements. Please ensure that you along with your Program Director, Family Director and Community Director have completed the training and that the Family and Community Directors have passed background checks. Eligibility for the Star Council Award depends upon completion of Safe Environment requirements. For additional information or help completing this requirement visit STATE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR S MESSAGE Patrick W. Burnett, State Membership Director Last month the Kansas State Council hosted its second College Conference for college Knights. What an energizing experience it was to see these college Knights come together to share, learn, and continue in developing their K of C experience. These young men are the future husbands, fathers, and Knights that will move the Order in Kansas for years to come. Developing our young adults is an essential role that we as Knights should not take lightly. These young people are targeted every day and their faith is challenged to the extreme limit. We as Knights should take their spiritual development seriously and help them during this time. Not just now, but we should start BEFORE they ever hit campus. It is with great pleasure that I share with you a new program that the membership team has developed to help our young Catholic men. The Seniors to Knights program has recently been implemented in which brother knights from across the state will be introducing the Knights of Columbus to all the Catholic High Schools in the state. This program is designed to educate senior boys about what the Knights of Columbus is and what we do. They will then have the opportunity to join the Knights along with their classmates in their schools. These young men will be joining their local councils at their home parishes. For those councils without a Catholic school I encourage you to contact myself or your Regional Chairman about bringing the Seniors to Knights program to your council. Take action now and Welcome One Another As Christ Has Welcomed You. Vivat Jesus! STATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR S MESSAGE Gary L. Wondra, State Program Director How is your council progressing in its quest for the coveted Star Council Award? The four requirements for the Star Council Award are 1) achieve the membership quota, 2) achieve the insurance quota, 3) complete and submit three forms to the Supreme Council office, 4) council must be compliant on the Safe Environment Youth Protection requirements. Two reports are available now on the home page of the state website to track your council s progress and status. These reports will be updated on a regular basis, so check back often! The Annual Survey of Fraternal Activities (Form 1728) is one of the most important documents a council can pre- Continued on page 4 3

4 pare each year. The Supreme Council needs this report from every council in order to document our tax-exempt status. A big thank you is extended to all councils who have filed this form in a timely manner. To finish out the fraternal year there is one remaining form that is required to qualify for the Star Council Award. The form is the SP-7 Columbian Award Application. Has your council implemented any of the new Faith In Action programs? It is not too late, but you must act soon. To receive the Columbian award, councils must complete one required activity in each of the four (4) programming areas Faith, Family, Community and Life. You will find examples of potential activities in each programming area inside the back cover of the Program & Membership Guide and on the Faith in Action page on the Supreme website. Information on the new and required programs is also available in the Faith In Action guidebook. All councils should have Form SP-7 completed and submitted to your district deputy prior to the state convention. DD s are requested to bring these to the convention. If possible, councils should also submit this form to Supreme thru your Officers Online account before the convention. Your council s Knight and Family of the Year should have been chosen by now, as these need to be submitted to your district deputy by March 10, It is very important we recognize those chosen for this exemplary title. Be sure to submit your entry to your district deputy on time. District Deputies, please be sure to complete the lists of Council Knights & Families of the Year and submit to the Family Director and Fraternal Chairman by March 20, All scrapbooks should be in the finishing stages and need to be received by the appropriate State Director before April 1, All reports required by Directors and Chairmen with an April 1 deadline must be received prior to April 1, 2019 to be eligible for awards at our Convention. FAITH John Schulz Adopt a Seminarian Faith Director John Schulz advises all councils to fulfill their seminarian pledges soon. All councils must report their pledges for the Adopt a Seminarian program to John. There are still seminarians in need of additional financial support. If your council has pledged at least $500 to a single seminarian, please complete the RSVP form and submit it to Supreme to receive your $100 refund. In addition, continue to give moral and prayerful support to your adopted seminarians. This is truly Faith in Action. Vocation Poster Contest Come Follow Me is the theme for the Vocations Poster Contest. All councils should involve their youth by sponsoring this contest. Winning council level posters in each division must be submitted to your district deputy by March 15th. Guidelines for this contest may be found on page 28 in the Program and Membership Guide. All guidelines must be followed to prevent a poster from being disqualified. Spiritual Reflection Program Do not forget about fulfilling the mandatory requirement program in the Faith Category: a Spiritual Reflection Program. You can find out more information on page 27 of the Program and Membership guide and online at 4 Just search for Spiritual Reflection Program. FAMILY- Paul Haverkamp After your council has selected a family, complete the "Family of the Year Awards Entry Form" and submit it to the appropriate district deputy. Your council's "Family of the Year" will then be eligible for the district, diocesan, and state Knight of the Year honors. Winners will be recognized at the state convention. Nominations have already started rolling in so pick a FOY from one of your monthly family nominations and submit to your DD before March 10. Finally, the scrapbooks need to be submitted to me by April 1, All councils are encouraged to prepare a scrapbook containing photos and a detailed description of a favorite family activity. Three scrapbooks will be chosen from the entries to be recognized at the state convention. The one judged best will be forwarded to Supreme for consideration in international awards. Don t miss your opportunity to participate! For any questions or help, please give me a call and or me with any questions or even better, just to say hello, Paul Haverkamp, Family Life Director, at family@kansaskofc.org or (913) Council Activities- Athletic Events - Tom Smith Council Activities All Councils are encouraged to be creative in planning council activities. Make sure your activities promote participation and the principles of unity and fraternity. Athletic Events - Tom Smith The 2019 Knights of Columbus State Sporting Clays Shoot will be held Saturday, April 27, The tournament will be hosted by Clonmel-Schulte Council 3114 at The Lynbrooke Sporting Clays park at 1419 SW 120th St in Augusta, Ks. If your council is interested in hosting the 2020 Sporting Clays Shoot, your request must be to me no later than December 21, 2019 The 2019 State Golf tournament will be played July 27 and 28, 2019 at the Salina Municipal Golf course and will be host by Salina Council 601. The request to host the 2020 tournament were to be to me by January 21, If your council is interested in hosting the 2021 tournament that request should be to me no later the January 21, If you have any questions, contact Tom Smith at or council@kansas-kofc.org COMMUNITY - Doug Wietharn March 1 is International Wheelchair Day. Encourage your council to hold a Wheelchair Sunday at your parish to collect funds to provide people in need with a wheelchair. For more information about Wheelchair Sunday visit American Wheelchair Mission s website at Use this opportunity to change the lives of people with disabilities. The gift of a wheelchair will answer the prayers of those in need. As a featured program, a Global Wheelchair Mission activity will count for two credits toward the Columbian Award Webmaster - Doug Wietharn It is vital that we keep the website information as current as possible. This insures that state, council and assembly officers have access to the most current details. It enables us to share Knights of Columbus events, news items and plans with our membership. The Webmaster

5 reminds all councils, assemblies and members to send him updates as soon as possible. We are still in need of many of the grand knight s addresses in order to send them important notices. Please forward these to Webmaster Doug Wietharn at webmaster@kansaskofc.org as soon as possible. Youth Activities - Kevin Baalmann Youth Activities Chairman, Kevin Baalmann, would like to thank all the members across the state that helped at the council, district, and Regional Free Throw Contests that have taken place to date. This contest would not be possible without the continued support of its volunteers. Don t forget to file your report #FT-1 with Supreme and send a copy to our State Deputy. All are invited to the Sacred Heart high School gym on March 3rd at 1:00 to watch some of the best shooters in the state as they compete for the top spot in the state in their respective age groups. Best of luck to them all! Pennies from Heaven - Dustin Hern Pennies from Heaven Needs You Help!!! Pennies from Heaven Chairman Dustin Hern needs your donations for the Country Store and Auction at the State Convention. Dustin would like at least one item donated from each of the 57 districts. Call him right away at or to pennies@kansas-kofc.org to confirm an item for the auction or store. Has your council s Pennies from Heaven Fund reached its full potential? There is still time to hold a fundraiser to support this important program that helps families in their time of need. Remember: Pennies from Heaven money needs to be turned into the Country Store by noon on Saturday May 4th. There will also be some great raffle items available. A feature item that will be available for sale in the Country Store is the book The FRATERNALIST, The Remarkable Life of Virgil C. Dechant, the 12th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. LIFE - Matthew Micek This past month, I was walking with a group in Louisville, Kentucky when a building caught my eye, EMW Women s Surgical Center. I didn t think much about it until I passed by again and noticed the business next door, A Woman s Choice Resource Center. On the sign, they advertised Post-Abortion Counseling, Free Pregnancy Tests, and Free Ultrasounds. At that moment I realized the significance of this place. Being from a small town in western Kansas, I had never been at the doorstep of an abortion clinic before and for a moment it consumed my attention as our group shuffled along. I prayed for all the babies that night who lost their lives at that place and wondered how often we walk with our noses down and ignore the significance of the things around us. Let that never be said of a Knight of Columbus! Brother s there is always something YOU can do to help. Whether it be donating to a LIFE cause or simply speaking with your children or grandchildren. Stay alert, keep your head up and charge forward! Our fraternal year is quickly passing by and with it, the ability to procrastinate any longer on getting your programs planned and completed. Council's should be working diligently for the Columbian Award this year. The Novena for Life program is required for councils to qualify for the Award. Anyone needing more information can access program materials at Remember, there are many reports coming due April 1st. Among them are the Life report form and the Evangelium Vitae Award application. Grand Knights can make submitting these forms easy by taking a photo of them and texting them to Life Director, Matt Micek who's contact information is in the form. Commitment to Humanities (Tootsie Roll) - Lino Munoz The Tootsie Roll Drive for 2018 has come to completion, and we have yet to receive reports from some of our councils. There are many organizations which support individuals with intellectual disabilities that depend on these funds that help them throughout the year. This with also supporting the Kansas Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading tournaments. Councils please take time to complete these reports today and send in any outstanding funds to our State Treasurer, Todd Bachamp. I would like to thank everyone who participated in this wonderful program of our Order. I also invite all councils to join us at the 2019 Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading Tournaments. We will have 2 locations for volunteers to assist in. On March 22nd and 23rd in Hays at Ft. Hays State University. On March 23rd and 24th in Topeka at Washburn Rural High School. Vivat Jesus! Fraternal - Heath Ohl All councils across the state should have selected a council Knight of the Year. The deadline to submit the application to your district deputy is March 10. Don t be afraid to ask your Knight of the Year to provide you with as much information as possible and help you complete the application. The state Knight of the Year is chosen from the information provided on the application, so please be thorough and complete. Remember to keep a copy of the application for your council files. District Deputies should submit your District Knight of the Year application to the appropriate Diocesan Judge by March 20. Remember to sign the winning application. I remind all district deputies to send the list of your council and district winners to State Fraternal Chairman Heath Ohl for them to be included in the Convention Reports and for certificates to be presented. Every council should continue to select a Knight of the Month and submit his name to Heath by the 15th of each month for the opportunity of being selected as the State Knight of the Month. In the month of January, 24% of councils sent their Knight of Month to the Fraternal Chairman. If you select a Knight of the Month, but did not send in your candidate for State Knight of Month selection, please send me your councils past Knight of Month winners so I can update my records. Please send any address changes or corrections to State Secretary Jamey Roth in order to keep the state mailing list current. Publicity - Heath Ohl State Publicity Chairman Heath Ohl reminds councils to publicize the good works of the Knights of Columbus. Councils should send or Heath copies of articles on activities and important news worthy events. Utilize your parish Bulletin and local newspapers to publicize your great works! Continued on back page 5

6 Jamey C. Roth State Secretary 1202 Hickory Victoria, Kansas FIRST CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID AXTELL KS Permit No. 9 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED WELCOME ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST HAS WELCOMED YOU. History - Jim Pritchard As State Historian-Archivist, I have been able to provide information to those seeking information or verification about their council and those who have served the Order, but only with the help of the councils who file their annual history update report and other printed material. Several councils in Kansas are now making plans to celebrate their 25th, 50th, 75th, or 100th anniversary and have sought information. Now that the state council has digitized all council history that is on file, it makes it simple to research history. The source of all council information in the Archives is submitted by the council for preservation. Our history is our heritage to the future members of your council. The report form can be found at the Kansas State Council website: The history report can be submitted online. I encourage the council historian to file the report(s) by using and retain one copy for council files. The annual History Update Report for this fraternal year is due July INSURANCE AGENCY MESSAGE 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: Darrell Hinkebein wrote $3,250,000 in life insurance protection on members and their families in January. Central Kansas Agency: Tyler Meyer wrote $1,009,115 in life insurance protection on members and their families in January. Western Kansas Agency: Adam Bruna wrote $1,834,240 in life insurance protection on members and their families in January. The three agencies combined to write a total of $36,487,579 in life insurance during the month of January. Please join us in congratulating the following men for their outstanding performance. These men lead the state or the Knights of Columbus insurance program in January of Tyler Meyer If you or someone you know would like to join our winning team of Field Agents, please call for more information.