The Explorer. VOL. 16 NO. 6 July 2012 STATE DEPUTY S MESSAGE

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1 The Explorer A Publication Of The Kansas Knights of Columbus VOL. 16 NO. 6 July 2012 What a fantastic year we just completed. Please read PSD Mark Roth s column for the details. The achievements are part of a team effort across the state of Kansas. All who contributed deserve the honors. Let us continue to work together this new fraternal year and build on those efforts. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson recently stated that if the Knights of Columbus were an Army, we would be one of the largest in the world. Gentlemen, we are an Army; an Army of Volunteers dedicate to the protection our Catholic values and morals. This year s membership theme is Grow in Faith Grow the Order. The satisfaction of being a Knights of Columbus member is a reward that all Catholic men should experience. Family and family values are at the forefront of our Order. We must protect and promote these values in our society. Last, but not least we are a fraternity. We are support for one another, especially in time of need. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson has also stated: The best is yet to come. The strength of our Order gets better every day with every new member. We can make a meaningful difference in the world by giving each Catholic man the opportunity to do something on a concrete level to benefit his family, parish and community. Our mission is not accomplished unless every eligible Catholic man is given that opportunity. This not only means recruiting new members, but getting them active as well. With each fraternal year, new goals and incentives are announced. We will share these with District Deputies at the Installation Meeting on July Regional meetings will be held the following two weekends and all councils should be represented at these meetings by their Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Membership Director, and other interested members. Your attendance is vital to the continued success of the Order in Kansas. Our Founder the Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney wanted an organization with a strong spiritual base dedicated to service of others. Leadership guided by Faith is the key to our success. Thank you for your support and prayers. I look forward to a fantastic year. Scott Maurath State Deputy STATE DEPUTY S MESSAGE PAST STATE DEPUTY S MESSAGE We just completed a tremendous fraternal year. You, my Brother Knights, truly demonstrated the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism and worked together to show, We are our Brother s Keeper. Our net intake for the year was 856 members. Although Kansas did not reach the coveted Supreme Council Circle of Honor Level because of a high number of suspensions, our total intake of members for the year was in line, or above other years. As of June 30, membership now stands at 36,781. The Order is alive and well in Kansas. I thank each Grand Knight, council membership director and recruiter for the efforts in recruitment this year. To State Membership Director Jim Gerber, and his dedicated team I say, Thank You for a job well done. As witnessed at the state convention in Topeka, new records were set this year in many programs. Most notable accomplishments were the Pro Life Donations, Commitment to Humanities and Adopt a Seminarian programs. I thank State Program Director Dale Weber and his team for their commitment. Records, however, are meant to be broken and I look forward to seeing new ones being set Ṫhis issue of The Explorer marks the end of my term as your State Deputy. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for the honor and opportunity to serve you these past two years, Lila and I thank each of you for the hospitality shown us as we traveled throughout this great state. You have touched our lives in a very special way. The vision of our founder, the Venerable Michael J. McGivney, remains alive and thriving in the great State of Kansas. God Bless each and every one of you. Vivat Jesus Mark W. Roth Past State Deputy

2 CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 1 Report of Officers (Form 185) due at Supreme State Officer & District Deputy Installation Meeting at Wichita 15 Distribution of Applications/Reply Statements & Tickets for Religious Education Fund Drawing to District Deputies Regional District Meetings (See enclosed schedule) Regional District Meetings (See enclosed schedule) 31 Deadline for DD s to distribute Religious Education Tickets to Grand Knights AUGUST 1 Service Program Personnel Report (Form #365) due at Supreme (REQUIRED FOR STAR COUNCIL AWARD) 4 Columbian Squires 87th Anniversary th Supreme Council Meeting in Anaheim, CA th Annual State Golf Tournament Salina Municipal Golf Course 11 4th Degree Exemplification in Wichita 12 Venerable Michael McGivney 160th birthday! 12 Major Degree at Lawrence # K of C Family Week nd Anniversary of the death of Fr. Michael J. McGivney 15 Semi-Annual Audit Report (Form #1295) due at Supreme 16 Deadline for ordering Soccer Challenge Kit from Supreme 21 Deadline receipt of articles for the Knight s Lite 31 Deadline for ordering Tootsie Rolls DID YOU KNOW? The Kansas State Knight of the Month is Lee Breidenstein Council 1029 Junction City. Family of the Month Winners of a Holy Family Plaque from Supreme were: Pat & Cheryl McAfee Council 834 Horton, John & Michelle Moshier Council 1521 Hoisington, Jerrold & Cindy Pauly Council 2937 Garden Plain, John & Donna Gibsib Council 9242 Galena Baxter Springs. STATE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR S MESSAGE The start of a new fraternal year is always exciting for me. It is an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and begin again, often with new ideas and a fresh perspective. While it is an opportunity to begin again, it is important to thank those who have gone before us for paving the way, and to remember that we build upon their successes, hard work and dedication. I want to thank Immediate Past State Deputy, Mark Roth, and former Membership Director, Jim Gerber, for their support and advise; and State Deputy, Scott Maurath, for his faith in appointing me as Membership Director. One of the new beginnings this fraternal year from a membership perspective is the introduction of the concept of regionalizing the state to take advantage of the uniqueness of the various areas of the state. This year the state is divided into three regions - East, West and South. With this change comes the appointment of Regional Membership Chairmen. These men will work with one of the three regions in the state to plan strategies for growing membership, reducing suspensions, finding opportunities for new councils and in developing current councils. In addition the State Deputy has appointed a Hispanic Coordinator who will concentrate on attracting Hispanics to the Order and in helping to ensure their success Membership Team Bob Hall - Regional Membership Chairman - East Bruce Luehring - Regional Membership Chairman - South Marvin Kaiser - Regional Membership Chairman - West Dean Haselhorst - Regional Membership Chairman - West/South Ron Zishka - Retention Chairman Mario Perez - Hispanic Coordinator As with any enterprise it is important to get off to a great start. Recruiting members right from the start of the fraternal year sets a positive tone for the year and the expectation of even greater things ahead. To get off to that great start it is important that Councils have their membership teams in place working their membership growth plans immediately. An organization s greatest asset is a strong, enthusiastic and growing membership, and membership teams keep this important goal at the forefront of the Council s mind. To reward getting off to a great start an incentive for Councils called Credit the Five will run July through September. With this incentive a council is credited the state per capita of $5.00 on all members brought into the Order in July, August and September. To be eligible these members must be recorded at Supreme and included on month end report results. The Membership Team is excited about the potential for membership growth that exists in the state and looks forward to helping you execute your plans. Look for additional information from the Membership Team in the coming months. Vivat Jesus, Michael J. Grothoff - Membership Director PAST MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Hello Worthy Brother Knights, I am writing to tell you the results in membership of the last fraternal year We bought in 1325 new memberships to our order here in Kansas. We didn t quite may our goal of 1425 but we were close. I would like to thank all of the councils who continued to keep working on membership though the month of June. We had 43 councils who met their membership numbers and 9 districts that met their membership numbers. Here are the councils who finished in the top of their division.

3 1). #13550 Wichita- San Patricio % - ( Highest Percentage) 2). #14218 Fort Riley 150% 3). #8505 Hiawatha 180% 4). #12546 Wea 200% 5). # Fort Leavenworth % 6). # 3146 Basehor 200% 7). #5328 Augusta 120% 8). #2408 Bonner Springs 200% 9). #4708 Atchison 227% 10). #10932 O.P. Ascension % - (Highest Gain 39) I would like to thank all of the state officers and my membership team members for helping me these last two years. The recruiting efforts of the Councils and District Deputies have made this a great two years for membership in Kansas. Let s keep building the momentum in recruiting and continue it through this next fraternal year. Vivat Jesus, Jim Gerber, Past Membership Director STATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR S MESSAGE July 1st is the start of a new fraternal year! It is time to make plans for some new major accomplishments. One important goal should be for your Council to attain the coveted Star Council Award and deadlines are fast approaching. The first goal is the completion and transmittal of the Service Program Personnel Report Form # 365 in the Council Report Forms Booklet. This must be received at Supreme prior to August 1, 2012 in order for your Council to remain eligible for the Star Council Award. If you haven t already submitted it, please do so right away. If your council has a new Grand Knight for this fraternal year, it is the new Grand Knight s responsibility to appoint these directors and chairmen and submit the report by August 1. Be sure not to confuse this report with the Report of Council Officers (Form #185) which was due at Supreme on July 1. Steve Abels, Athletic Events Chairman, reminds all interested golfers the 13th Annual State Men s Golf Tournament is scheduled for Aug 4-5 in Salina at the Salina Municipal Golf Course. Rod Hoffman, Youth Activities Director, invites all Councils to participate in this year s Soccer Challenge. Grand Knights are asked to reserve a date for the event in Sept. or Oct. All kits will need to be ordered by July 31. While they are ordering they can also order the kits for the Free Throw contest. One activity to promote relationships between Knights and future Knights is for Councils to hold a Teens vs. Knights Softball game and picnic. If you have other ideas to share for Youth Activities send photos and stories to Rod at youthactivitydirector@kansas-kofc.org. Jamey C. Roth State Program Director Religious Education Raffle It is time to kick off our annual Religious Education Program Raffle for Your council s financial support of this raffle is vital to the continued success of this program. Without each councils and assemblies support the Kansas Knights would not have been able to raise $170,000 and donate grants to over 250 catholic education programs across Kansas. Councils and Assemblies, you will soon receive your Religious Education Tickets. Please start soliciting donations for this very important fund immediately. There are many ways you may promote and participate in this program; you may advertise in your parish bulletins, council newsletters, speak to other organizations about sharing the purchase of a ticket, parish events and mostly by sharing the good this program does with friends and family. What better investment can each one make then helping educate and share the Catholic Faith with our future. Tom Schmeidler Religious Education Fund Chairman Regional District Meetings have been scheduled for the last two weekends of July. These meetings are important for a successful kickoff to our new Fraternal Year. Every council should plan to have the following members in attendance: Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Financial Secretary and the Program & Membership Directors. All members are invited. Please refer to the following schedule for the meeting in your region. Location Date Time Meeting Place Districts Attending Salina pm St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton 1000 Burr Oak 26, 27, 28, 37, 38 Hiawatha :30pm St Ann s Parish Hall, 508 N 9th St. 1, 2, 4, 21, 22 Dodge City pm K of C Hall, 800 Frontview 47, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55 Wichita :30pm St. Peter School Schulte1100 SW Blvd. 29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36 Pratt pm K of C Hall, 1223 N. Main 39, 40, 41 Topeka pm St Matthew s, 2700 SE Virginia Ave 3, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25 Oakley pm Farmers State Bank 100 Center Ave. 51, 52 Shawnee pm Good Shepherd, W 75th 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Parsons pm K of C Meeting Hall, 1723 Main 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Victoria pm Knights of Columbus Hall 503 Main 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48

4 JULY/2012 EXPLORER INSURANCE REPORT 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: John C. Mahon wrote $3,118,500 in life insurance protection on members and their families in May. Central Kansas Agency: Wade Greif wrote $1,176,981 in life insurance protection on members and their families in May. Western Kansas Agency: Darin Reed wrote $870,000 in life insurance protection on members and their families in May. The three agencies combined to write a total of $46,427,843 in life insurance during the month of May. Please join us in congratulating the following men for their outstanding performance. These men lead the state for the Knights of Columbus insurance program in May of Darin Reed J.J. Deges Donald Goode Marty Gerleman Gary Johnson Wade Greif David Soukup Aaron Johnson Kirby Schmelzle Dan Reed Luke Henry Seth Ritter Jaime Cunningham Joe Cummings Adam Bruna R.J. Meyer Mike Ronnfeldt If you or someone you know would like to join our winning team of Field Agents please call for more information. Patrick Winchester State Secretary 510 Jones Street LeCompton, KS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED FIRST CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID AXTELL KS Permit No. 9 I Am My Brother s Keeper

5 Worthy Grand Knights; Great News! On June 19 th, 2012 Most Reverend Michael Jackels, Bishop of Wichita, blessed our 4 th ultrasound machine that the Knights of Columbus have placed in Kansas. The Machine has been placed at A Better Choice clinic in Wichita and it is saving babies as you read this letter. I extend heartfelt thanks to each and every council and Brother Knight who has helped in raising funds or donating to this very worthwhile project. But we are not done yet. We will join Most Reverend Joseph Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas, on September 8 th to dedicate our 5 th ultrasound machine at Mary s Choices clinic in Topeka. We also have three more clinics that are in the process of being certified as sites for an ultrasound machine. Our portion of the cost of one of these machines is approximately $25,000. Currently we have slightly over $18,000 in our fund to place the next machine. I would ask that your council consider holding fund raising events on a regular basis to help with this worthy cause. If your council has pledged or set aside funds for this program and have not sent them in, I would invite you to forward these funds to State Treasurer Dale Weber and we will continue to accumulate these funds, in a separate account, toward the purchase of the machines. Please be sure to notate on the memo line of your check that it is for the ultrasound machine program. Supreme Council has not set a limit on the number of machines that we can request matching funds for, so the State Officers feel this program should be continued. As you may recall, recent studies show that up to 90% of women who are considering abortion choose life after seeing an ultrasound image of their child. We must continue to fight for the unborn and do our best to appeal to these mothers to give life to their unborn child. Many children will be saved from the hands of abortionists because of your hard work and generosity, and you are to be commended! Isn t it a great feeling to be part of such a life-saving program! In the meantime, I again extend my thanks to you and invite you to continue to send funds toward the purchase of additional ultrasound machines. May God bless you all and the great work you do through the Knights of Columbus. Vivat Jesus! Fraternally, Scott A. Maurath State Deputy

6 DEDICATION OF THE 4TH ULTRASOUND MACHINE State Deputy Mark Roth presents the check for the ultrasound machine to Mark Arnold, Chairman of the Board for A Better Choice clinic in Wichita. Presenting the check for the ultrasound machine was State Deputy Mark Roth. Accepting the check for A Better Choice was Chairman of the Board Mark Arnold and Director Valleire Eades. Also pictured (L R) Immediate Past State Deputy Francis Drouhard, State Chaplain Rev. Kenneth Schuckman, State Deputy elect Scott Maurath, State Advocate elect Vince Melvin III. (Second row) State Treasurer elect Dale Weber, Pro Life Director Ron Zishka, Program Director Jamey Roth, State Secretary elect Pat Winchester. The 4th degree Honor Guards are Bruce Luehring - Regional Membership Director, Tony Duran, Tom Schmeidler Religious Education Fund Chairman and Ed Mendoza. Most Reverend Michael Jackels, Bishop of Wichita, attended the dedication of the 4th ultrasound machine to be placed by the Kansas Knights of Columbus. The ultrasound was placed in A Better Choice clinic in Wichita. Assisting Bishop Jackels in the blessing of the ultrasound was State Chaplain Reverend Kenneth Schuckman. Also pictured were members of the 4th Degree Honor Guard Bruce Luehring, Regional Membership Director, and Tony Duran.