State Deputy s Message

Transcription

1 Volume 1, Issue 2 August, 2001 MY BROTHER KNIGHTS: State Deputy s Message I bring you greetings from the Supreme Council and the Supreme Board of Directors. The national convention was a great experience for everyone in attendance. Supreme Treasurer Ken Ryan was nominated and elected to a third term as Supreme Director, and it was my honor and privilege to give the nominating speech. Brother Paul Devin from Dorchester Lower Mills Council has been named Vice President for Legal Affairs (He may be the next Supreme Advocate). Our current Supreme Advocate, Patrick Cipoillone, has accepted a partnership in the Washington D.C. based law firm where he practiced law prior to becoming Supreme Advocate. Here are the subjects of a few of the resolutions that were passed at the Supreme convention: *Crusade for Life * Education * Support of the Boy Scouts of America (This was a resolution proposed at the Massachusetts Convention it was drafted by John Spillane and passed unanimously) * Decency in the Media *A National Knights of Columbus Day of the Unborn Child. The State Council has been asked by the Ordinaries of four of the dioceses and the Catholic Conference of Massachusetts to assist them with the distribution of pamphlets, concerning the subject of sex education, that will assist parents in every parish in educating their children. These pamphlets will be a tool for religious education teachers in all the parishes in the four dioceses A letter will be going out to all of the clergy from the Bishops in late September letting them know that the Knights of Columbus will be getting in touch with them, and a press release date is being set for the first week in October. We are looking for councils that will act as satellite pickup points. These pamphlets are to be delivered, upon request, to the churches in the area. This is a good opportunity for the councils to meet the priests in the various parishes as we will need to set up distribution points throughout the state. This will be a great service project toward your Star Council Award. Please respond as soon as possible by contacting us at State Headquarters (781) in order to enroll your council in this effort.

2 The State Board of Officers and the five General Agents of the Insurance Program met in conference on August 20th and we have agreed that we will be working closer together in order to serve all of our councils. As a result of that conference we have agreed to the following: Each of the GAs will list the councils that he is responsible for serving. The list will be published on our web page < and will be maintained in the state office. We will ask that all the councils sponsor an information night with the general agent assigned to your council. There are so many new programs and ways that they can help you plan for your future and that of your family. James E. Deneen has been named as Executive Secretary of the Massachusetts State Council. This appointment is effective as of September 10, Jim worked in the defense industry for many years. He specialized in finance, and business and contracts administration. A native of West Quincy, he and his wife Marie live in Scituate. They have two daughters, Kathleen (Kate) and Patricia (Tricia) who are off to college this fall. Jim has been an active member of Scituate Council #3716 since 1978 and is the Treasurer for the 2002 fraternal year. His late father John F. Deneen and his late uncle Joseph F. Deneen were past Grand Knights of the former Ave Maria Council #1535 and former Quincy Council #96 respectively. His brother Joe is a member of Walpole Council #1319. Vivat Jesus Thomas M. Ledbetter State Deputy A New Fraternal Year Rev. Joseph J. Baggetta, State Chaplain Congratulations to the District Deputies and Grand Knights as they begin their new year of leadership. it was a pleasure to meet such dedicated knights at their conference in July. They are truly dedicated to faith, family and fraternity The administrative team and the support staff did a wonderful job in presenting an excellent program of instruction and worked very

3 hard to make this conference such a great success. It was a job well done and we are all proud of you. A leader is one that sets the example by their lives and actions. They willingly listen to the wisdom of others and are not afraid to implement good and reasonable ideas that will effect the goals of the organization in a positive way. Remember: Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the absence of inner conflict. Ninety percent of what you worry about will never happen, and most of the remaining ten percent you can t control...so fret not. May the Lord bless you as you lead your families and council. Sick and Vigil Brother Bob Nichols from LaSallette is recovering from a 4 hour surgery. He is currently at the Ridgewood Court Rehabilitation Home I am sure he would like to hear from his many friends his address is: 22 George Street, Attleboro, MA Past State Deputy John Donovan is home recovering from surgery at the VA Hospital in West Roxbury I am sure John would appreciate hearing from his many friends. His address is: 25 Pilgrim Road, P.O. Box 91, Sagamore Beach, MA District Deputy Paul Ohrenberger is home recovering from a recent illness which required hospitalization. Cards and well wishes may be sent to his home at 50 Woodlawn Street, Dedham, MA Please pray for our deceased brothers and friends particularly:

4 Eva Spagnuola, mother of Margaret Healy. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to: F.D.D. Peter and Margaret Healy, 23 Winch Street, Fitchburg MA Former Master John Collins, F.D.D. died August 27th after a lengthy illness. John was a symbol of kindness and Columbianism for all who knew him. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to: 714 Millstone Road, East Brewster, MA Protocol - The Customs and Regulations Dealing with Diplomatic Formality, Precedence and Etiquette F.D.D. Joseph A. Pittello, State Protocol Chairman Whenever we place ourselves before the public as a member of the Knights of Columbus, let it be with dignity and pride and with the resolution to bring nothing but honor to our order, example: at wakes even during the solemnity of the occasion you are noticed and in the public eye. Whether we realize it or not, when we are in the public, we are on display. Everything is evaluated, not as individuals or even as a council, but as an order. It is a well known fact that we receive the amount and type of respect we demand. Casualness and informality are fashionable today, but in observing these fashions we must not sacrifice dignity and respect. Remember, your council is your Home and those you have invited deserve all the courtesies and considerations as distinguished guests. Besides all the considerations and courtesies we extend to our members and guests, there is another area that is sometimes neglected. Each year a new slate of officers is formally installed in our councils. Immediately following the installation much attention is given to the Grand Knight who is the head of the staff who will lead the council for the current year. He is usually given

5 an indoctrination by the State Council and is guided and assisted by his assigned District Deputy, BUT who guides, assists and instructs the other Council Officers? As the chief executive officer of his council the Grand Knight has the responsibility of seeing that his staff of officers are fully aware of their responsibilities and are performing their duties. Local Council/Assembly/Circle News We will be printing articles about local council activities and prestigious events. Our only criteria is that the article must be of at least regional interest. There are several types of events which we will probably not publish such as Knight of the Month recipients, local council social events and ads for bingo etc.. We look forward to receiving your articles and your support of the publishers decision on what to print. The Editor of the News Letter will be F.D.D. Bob Shone and you may send your articles directly to him at 692 Bennington Street, East Boston, His address is Squire s Annual Auction - On Saturday, January 26, 2002, the Massachusetts State Circle of Columbian Squires will be holding their annual auction. Ticket prices will be announced soon, however the location of the auction is once again going to be at Westboro Council. Raffle tickets will soon be available and as usual we are looking for items which can be raffled off. For additional information contact Columbian Squires Chairman F.D.D. Jim Holmes at (508) As it becomes available, further information will appear in this newsletter. Insurance Program Now that those tax refunds of $300 to $600 have started to be distributed why not put that extra cash to work for you. A Knights of Columbus Flexible Premium Annuity is available to members and their spouses. We are currently yielding 5.75% on new payments of $300 to $10,000 received by 9/30/01; 6.0% on new payments of more than $10,000. Interest rates will always be set at the highest possible rate consistent with absolute safety of principal, but in no case less than 3.5%. Our annuities can consist of IRAs, 401 Ks, profit sharing plans, Roth IRAs or simple cash. Knights of Columbus have received the highest ratings possible: AAA (Superior) from Standard and Poor s and A++ (Superior) from A.M. Best, year after year.

6 Installation of State Officers and District Deputies - The installation will be at Saint John Chrysostrom Church in West Roxbury on Saturday, September 22nd at 11:00A.M. All are asked to assemble at 10:15 A.M. in order to robe and form the procession. Attendance is mandatory for all District Deputies and State Council Chairmen unless they are excused by the State Deputy. District Wardens are invited to attend and will participate in the installation. All Council Officers are invited to attend and wear their robes of office. This is a family event and we hope that all will join us for this happy event. Reception will follow at the Holy Name Parish Hall. 12th Annual Pro-Life Mass - Bishop Daniel P. Reilly will celebrate this Annual Pro-Life Mass to be held at Assumption College in Worcester on Sunday, September 23, 2001 at 10:30 A.M. This is a mandatory event for all District Deputies and State Council Chairmen. Please arrive at 10:00 P.M. in order to robe and form the procession. In the past we have not had the kind of attendance that accurately reflects our devotion to the Church and her stand on the pro-life issue so we hope that as many as possible, particularly from the Worcester area, will join us for the procession and celebration. Remember, this event is co-sponsored by the Worcester Diocese and the Massachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus, don t let us down. Star Councils Congratulations to the following Councils who achieved Star Council Status Fraternal Year 2001: Marlborough Council # 80 Indian Orchard Council, Springfield #160 Shawmut Council, Jamaica Plain #170 Webster Council # 228 North Cambridge Council #269 Walpole Council #1319 Fr. Flatley Council, Canton #2095 Bish Ruocco, Chelmsford 9275 St. Mary s Council, Norton #11690 St. Mary of the Hill, Boyl

7 Is your council here, why not? All it takes is a LITTLE HARD WORK. Columbian Award + McGivney Award + Founders Award = Star Council Award. COLUMBIAN AWARD - One program each in Church, Council, Community, Family and Youth. McGIVNEY AWARD- Achieving the assigned quota in membership. FOUNDER AWARD - Achieving the assigned quota in insurance. Your council can achieve this and you know it. Get beyond the I can t and get to the can do. Lead by bringing in new members, contact that field agent and volunteer to serve on one of the programs. If you re a former something or a past something then its time to become a present leader. If your sick of hearing about the old days then get up and do something to make them talk about these days. Parish Roundtable is one program you can use to complete the Church requirement for the Columbian Award. In the Grand Knight Kit there is a brochure that sets guidelines for establishing a Parish Roundtable. This is a really easy program to set up so go for it. You are on the road to Star Council, congratulations. NEWS Currently, the state Directory consists of 379 addresses. The advantages to being a part of the state network are significant. All illness and deaths will be reported out of State HQ as soon as they are received. This newsletter will be sent out over the network on the last Friday of each month and of course all time sensitive material will be sent immediately. If you have not given your address to State Secretary Richard Guerriero you should do so ASAP. REMEMBER, it is your responsibility to notify Dick whenever there is a change in your E- mail address. Send your address to Dick or to the State E- mail address at < Open to any and all members.

8 New Council Developement There is an application for institution of a new council at St. Joseph s Basilica in Webster filed by District Deputy Tom McGinn and District Deputy Frank Cote is not far behind in creating a new Spanish speaking Council in Springfield. Congratulations to the District Deputies and to N.C.D. Chairman Chris Conrad. Chris is off to a fast st PER CAPITA BILLS The Per Capita Bills from the State Council have been mailed out. Unfortunately the bills were delayed in being prepared since there was a minimal office staff while we were searching for a new Executive Secretary. State Treasurer Vincent Rumasuglia asks that the Councils send in their payments as soon as possible. Any problems with these bills should be addressed to State Headquarters immediately. CHARITY, CHARITY, CHARITY Kindly remember the MASSACHUSETTS STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION when writing your will. All monies will be designated for the Knights of Columbus charitable and religious causes. Congratulations to our Council leaders for July New Member Recruitment. Fairview Council # Stoughton Council # Elder Council #69 8 Mount Pleasant #98 4 North Reading Council #4544 3

9 Massachusetts State Council presents A Trip to Hawaii August 11, 2002, immediately after the International convention of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus at Anaheim, California, we are going to Hawaii. The outline for this trip is as follows: We will fly from either Boston or Anaheim to Honolulu, Oahu, where you will board the Norwegian Lines Cruise Ship The Norwegian Star for a seven day cruise of the Hawaiian Islands. This ship features Freestyle Cruising which is much more laid back and casual than any other cruise you may have experienced. There will be many excursions available for additional fees which you may choose or ignore. You can also arrange for pre and post cruise hotel packages on the islands. There will be many extras included in this tour and we hope you can join us in this dream vacation. Costs-Prices Range from $ per person plus port charges and any optional Cruise insurance you may wish to purchase. This includes Charter flight from Boston. Add $70.00 per person for stopover flight to Anaheim. This price is for an inside cabin and is based on two (2) persons per cabin. Other cabins are available at increased prices. All cabin availability is on a first come first served basis and a deposit will be require to confirm your reservation. Other conditions maybe imposed. by the Travel Agent!