The Explorer The Monthly Newsletter of Fr.A. Leo Abendschoen Council Overlea/Rosedale, MD Knights of Columbus June 2010

Transcription

1 The Explorer The Monthly Newsletter of Fr.A. Leo Abendschoen Council Overlea/Rosedale, MD Knights of Columbus June 2010 Grand Knight s Message Brothers, It is hard to believe that two years have passed since I was first elected Grand Knight. Looking back over the last two years, it is clear to see that our council has grown in both membership and activities. The growth that occurred over the last two years would not have been possible without the support of many people. First, I want to thank all of the officers of our council for the dedication and professionalism that they consistently demonstrated. The officers of this council have been an invaluable asset to me and I appreciate their wise guidance. I also want to thank all of my brother knights in this council. It is truly the work of the membership as a whole that makes all of our events and successes possible! I encourage everyone to remain active in our council in the coming months and years. I truly feel that the best days of our council are still yet to come. I want to thank my Deputy Grand Knight, Michael A. Schleupner, for the support that he has provided to both me and the council over the last year. Our council chose wisely when they elected Mike as our next Grand Knight. I wish him all of the best as he takes over the position of Grand Knight. I want to thank Deacon Frank for accepting the role of Associate Chaplain during this fraternal year. His spiritual guidance was well received by the members of our council. I also want to thank my wife, Jennifer, and my three daughters, Amanda, Natalie, and Sophia for their support during my time as Grand Knight. It is not easy being away from home for the amount of time that is needed to be Grand Knight, but each and every one of them sacrificed a little and made it possible. (continued on page 2) Associate Chaplain s Message Dear Brothers in Christ, Three events take place in the month of June that should be of interest to us. June 20, Father s Day; June 19, Closing Ceremony for the Year of the Priests and June 12, Ordination of Deacon Greg Rapisarda. Father s Day was established for us to remember all fathers, living and deceased, their accomplishments and their love of family and country. Hopefully, all will concentrate on the good and the importance of the role of the male figure, the father figure in our society. Many fathers gave their lives in defense of this great country and families were forced to move on with just memories. Consider all of the great things fathers have done from baiting our first fishing hook, and providing a soft lap for us to snuggle in at the end of their hard day at work, to sending others into space. Our fathers have been our guides through life and into adulthood. Lacking an instruction manual, they gave their best to help us get where we are today. We may disagree with them in some respects but our experiences, as fathers should help us understand their wisdom and their difficulties. Happy Father s Day! The closing ceremony on June 19, will bring to a close the Year of the Priest, a time when priests were remembered and supported in many prayerful ways. Such support for these men, our fathers in the Church, our Priests, is still necessary for them to continue their ministry. Take a few moments to consider what they do for us each day and in the middle of the night at the hospital. They have given their lives to our Lord in service to us. We are their families and they are our fathers. We help our fathers and so should we help them in whatever ways we can. We offer advice to our sons as they consider a career. Have you encouraged any young men to join the priesthood? The ordination of Deacon Greg Rapisarda to the (continued on page 2)

2 Grand Knight s Message (continued from Page 1) It has been an absolute honor and pleasure to serve our council and I thank each and every one of you for the opportunity that you give me. Vivat Jesus! Vivat Jesus! Jason Karolkowski Grand Knight Council Programs Upcoming Meetings Officers Meeting Monday, June 7th at 6:30 pm in the Annunciation Parish Hall.. General Meeting Mondays June 14th and 28 th at 7:00 pm in the Annunciation Parish Hall. Upcoming Ceremonials The following ceremonials will take place within a 45 minute drive from Annunciation church: 1 st Degree June 9th Cardinal Gibbons Council Fullerton June 16th Fr. O Neil Council Lutherville June 21st Fr. Maurice Wolfe Council Abingdon 2 nd Degree June 2nd Patapsco Council Catonsville 3 rd Degree June 11th Patapsco Council - Catonsville Anyone wishing to take a candidate to a Degree on one of these dates, must contact Financial Secretary Joe Schaum, Jr. at , so that the proper paperwork can be prepared and the hosting Council can be notified. In addition, an officer of our Council must accompany the candidate to the degree ceremonial. 2 Associate Chaplain s Message (continued from page 1) Priesthood on June 12, 10:00am, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen is different and somewhat unique in that Greg is the father of Father John Rapisarda who is a Catholic priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middle River. Greg, a former practicing attorney, after raising a family, being ordained a deacon, seeing his son become a priest and losing his wife after an illness will be ordained to the Priesthood. Greg is the Associate Chaplain at the Knights of Columbus, Council 4714 in Belair. The ordination of a priest is always an important event, well attended by the Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Archdiocese. A large turnout of Brother Knights for the ordination would be a great show of support for our clergy. Hope to see you there. God bless you, WxtvÉÇ YÜtÇ~ Free Money - Wish You Were Here! As far back as we can remember, this was the first time that we had two attendance winners in one month. Our attendance prize winner for the May 10 th meeting was PGK Walt Wankowski, and our attendance prize winner for the May 24th meeting was Bob Rogers. Both went home with some extra cash in their pocket! Why not try to make every meeting you can? It could prove profitable one day. With only 94 members on our roster, your odds of winning are extremely good. The Explorer Published monthly by the Fr. A. Leo Abendschoen Council # of the Knights Of Columbus Meeting on the 2 nd and 4 th Monday at 7:00 pm at the Church of the Annunciation 5212 McCormick Road Baltimore, Maryland Grand Knight: Jason Karolkowski Editor: Walt Wankowski wwanko@comcast.net Associate Chaplain: Rev. Mr. Frank Zeiler

3 Happy Times The following members of our Council family are celebrating Birthdays in June: 12 - Janet DiCocco 15 - Ronald J. Gutowski & Dolores Sigwart 19 - John A. Baranowski & Linda Dau 20 - Mary Katherine Thomas 22 - Michael G. Witemore 23 - Stephen W. Gionta 28 - Rose Mary Welk 29 - Jason Karolkowski ANNIVERSARIES 11 - Joseph & Helen Bachike 15 - William & Margaret Huth 18 - Lynn &Patricia DiGennaro 25 - Alfred & Lynn Hilditch 26 - Gerard & Anne Dirscherl 28 - Jason & Jennifer Karolkowski If you have Happy Times you would like published in the next issue of the Explorer Graduations, Retirements, Awards received, etc., send them to wwanko@comcast.net. Sick & Shut-In Please remember Brothers Jerry Dolivka, Phil Giannino, Henry Gurski, Alex Kallay, Robert Priller, Bob Rogers, and sisters Phyllis Giannino, Nancy Pierce, and Margaret Wyatt in your prayers. If you know of any other brother or sister who is sick or a shut-in, please notify Walt Wankowski at or wwanko@comcast.net. Kudos to Our Council! At the 112 th Annual Convention of the Maryland State Council of the Knights of Columbus, our Council received the following awards: Best Council Newsletter (Division C)- 1 st Place Partnership with Special Olympics 2 nd Place Senior Citizens Essay Contest 1 st, 2 nd & 3 rd Place Election Results Elections for the Fraternal year were held at the May 24 th General Meeting and here are the results: Grand Knight Michael A. Schleupner Deputy Grand Knight Adam Kolb Chancellor William Hodges Financial Secretary Joseph D. Schaum, Jr. * Treasurer James E. Pierce, PGK Recorder Gregory Fischer Warden Patrick Saladini Advocate Michael N. Schleupner, Jr. Lecturer Walter Wankowski, PGK * Inside Guards Joseph D. Schaum III & Wayne Ciampaglia Outside Guard Jonathan Saladini 1 st Year Trustee Frank Charvat 2 nd Year Trustee Bob Loman 3 rd Year Trustee Shawn Ruby *Appointed Installation of Officers The installation of council officers for the fraternal year will take place immediately following the 4:00 pm mass at Annunciation Church on Saturday, July 11, Dinner will follow in the parish hall. All Brothers and their immediate families living in the same household are invited to join us for this joyous occasion, but reservations are required. To reserve your seats, contact PGK Walt Wankowski at If you get an answering machine, leave a message and Walt will call you back. You do not have a reservation until you receive a return call from Walt. Reservations MUST be made by July 1 st. Web Site Remember that our Council web site has lots of information about we have done recently and what we are planning to do. Just log on to 3

4 BINGO Our next Monthly Cash Bingo will be held on Saturday, June 5 th at 6:00 pm in the Annunciation parish hall. The $500 Jackpot will be played at 51 numbers or less. The Bingo is our major source of income and we would appreciate any of you who could make the time to pitch in and help. Everyone needs to report by 5:00 pm or as close to it as possible. You can also help the cause by bringing family and friends along as paying customers. Admission is $15.00 at the door and $12.00 in advance. Advance sales end at 6:00 pm on Friday, June 4th. Membership We still have two months to bring in a few more and hopefully qualify for that Star Council Award. Remember that new members are the lifeblood of our organization. Every new member that we bring in means more activities that we can get involved in. It also means that we avoid becoming stagnant because new members bring new ideas; and those ideas can improve the way we serve the church and the community. There are a lot of Catholic men out there who are not Knights. You will find them at church, in schools, at community gatherings, at your place of work, in your neighborhood, in your everyday walks of life. Talk to them. Tell them about the benefits of being a Knight the activities, the camaraderie, the networking, the fun and rewarding experiences that you have had. And don t stop there. Explain the opportunities of the Insurance Program and the new Annuity programs. But be sure to let them know that buying into the Insurance Program is not a requirement for membership. And be sure to have a Form 100 and a pen with you. Anyone who does not have a Form 100 can obtain one by contacting Joe Schaum, Jr. at Shining Armor Award This is a reminder to our newest members that there is an award program available to those who bring in new members. The Shining Armor Award is available for you if you can 1) attend three business meetings, 2) participate in three of our activities, 3) meet with your Benefits Advisor, 4) attain your 3 rd Degree, and 5) recruit one new member, all within one year of the date that you took your 1 st Degree. If you accomplish all five of these goals in the required time period, contact Grand Knight Jason Karolkowski at Another Shield You Can Win The Silver Knight Award is available to any 3 rd Degree Knight who 1) attends three business meetings, 2) participates in three activities, and 3) recruits two new members during the Fraternal Year. For more information, contact GK Jason Karolkowski at , or Membership Chairman and IPGK Walt Wankowski at or wwanko@comcast.net. Church Programs Vocation Support Program Keep in mind that our Council is continuously collecting money for the education of Seminarians and women studying for the religious life. These wonderful men and women are the future of our church, and we need to provide them with as much support as we can. You can place your donations into the large plastic jars that sit near the doors of Annunciation Church, or contributions can also be sent directly to Financial Secretary Joseph D. Schaum, Jr., 6152 Radecke Avenue, Baltimore, MD Make the check payable to K of C and put RSVP Donation on the Memo line. 4

5 Community Programs Senior Citizens Essay Contest Believe it or not we did it again! Entries from Fr. Abendschoen Council took 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd Place in the Maryland State Council Judging of the Senior Citizens Essay Contest. 1 st Place went to Lawrence J. Nowicki who received a beautiful Plaque from the State Council and a $50.00 gift card from our Council. 2nd Place went to Walt Wankowski and 3 rd Place went to Frank Charvat. Both Walt and Frank received a Certificate from the State Council and a $25.00 gift card from our Council. Congratulations to all three! Fr. A. Leo Abendschoen Memorial Golf Tournament Monday, June 21, :30 p.m. Shotgun Start Check-In Begins at 12:15 p.m. Captain s Choice Rocky Point Golf Course 1935 Back River Neck Road Essex, MD Cost: $90.00 per golfer Hole Sponsorship: $ per hole Price Includes: Range balls, Round of golf with cart, Pit Beef and Pit Ham Dinner, unlimited Beer, Soda, & Water Prizes for Winning foursome, longest drive and closest to the pin Proceeds to benefit the Knights of Columbus Council Charity & Scholarship Funds Contact either Jason or Frank for more information Annual Crab Feast & Bull Roast Sunday, August 29, :00 pm to 5:00 pm Rosedale Gardens 8037 Philadelphia Road Menu :Maryland style crab soup, Steamed Crabs, Top Round of Beef on Pit, Baked Chicken, Corn-on-the-Cob, Oven Baked Beans, Assorted Cheese and Fresh Vegetable Display, Homemade Cole Slaw, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Breads, Rolls, condiments, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, Watermelon and dessert, chips & pretzels, Draft Beer, Soft Drinks, Coffee & Tea. Tickets are $35.00 each and MUST be purchased by August 22 nd. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR. Tickets will be available for purchase in the Annunciation parish hall AFTER all weekend masses from June 19 th through August 22 nd, or get tickets by calling Walt at Summer 50/50 Once again, in conjunction with our annual Crab Feast & Bull Roast, we will hold our Summer 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 and will be available for purchase in theannunciation parish hall AFTER all weekend masses from June 19 th through August 22 nd, or get tickets by calling Walt at Pro-Life News Pro-Life Rosary All members are invited to join in on the monthly Rosary for Life which is held on the 3 rd Saturday of the month at 9:00 am in front of the Blockbuster video store at 7702 Belair Road in Fullerton. There is an abortion clinic nearby. If we pray hard enough, perhaps we can get it to leave our community. 5

6 Family of the Month/Year The Family of the Month program is an excellent opportunity for anyone to recognize a family that seems to set an example of what a family should be and do. We would like to have a nomination to submit every month. If you have a family that you think would be deserving, why not submit them for nomination? And keep in mind that a single person can still be a family; and a childless couple can also be a family. Each family selected by Supreme will receive a beautiful Holy Family statuette along with a letter of congratulations from Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. If not selected by Supreme, they will receive an award from our Council. The following factors should be considered: Family Programs Has the family made significant contributions to the Church, community and/or council? Does the family enjoy one another? Does the family share experiences? Does the family communicate openly and honestly? Does the family pray and attend Mass together? Nominees must be submitted to Supreme by the 15 th of each month. The nominated family does NOT have to have an affiliation with the Knights of Columbus. But in your write-up, we do need to know names and ages, especially of the children (if any). And remember, a single person can be a family. Please forward all nominations to Shawn Ruby, PGK, 1501 Customs Road, Baltimore, MD or via phone at or at sruby98@yahoo.com Youth Programs Scholarship Fund Update The Scholarship Committee has been meeting and has set a deadline of June 28 th to submit a draft of the nomination form and the criteria. This is the newly established Fr. A. Leo Abendschoen Memorial Scholarship Fund that will assist families who are registered parishioners at Annunciation, to send their children to St. Clement s School. We hope to have everything ready to entertain applications by the middle of the Summer. Basketball Hoops at St.Clements For those of you who have not attended a meeting this year, you should know that our council has committed to replacing the basketball hoops on the parking lot of St. Clements. The current setup is in terrible shape and as part of our commitment to the St. Clement s parish community, we agreed to raise the money to donate new hoops. We hope to have this accomplished by the end of July. Chapter News The next meeting of the Baltimore Chapter of Grand Knights will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 8:00 pm at Cardinal Gibbons Council #2521 in Fullerton. All Knights are invited to attend. District Deputy s Message As of press time on May 26 th, there was no message from the District Deputy. Soft Copy Want to be among the first to get this bulletin, and in full color, no less? Forward your address to Walt Wankowski at wwanko@comcast.net 6

7 4 th Degree News Insurance News Congratulations to PGK Walt Wankowski who was elected Faithful Scribe and GK Jason Karolkowski, who was elected Faithful Outer Sentinel for the Fraternal year. The next meeting of the Archbishop Francis P. Keough Assembly will be on Tuesday, June 8th at 8:00 pm at Cardinal Gibbons Council. The annual Navigator s Ball will be held on Saturday, June 12 from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am at Columbus Gardens in Fullerton. Dinner will be served from 8:00 to 8:30pm, open bar from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am, and dancing to the music of the Impacts from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am. Tickets are $25.00 per person. Dress is tuxedo or business suit and appropriate clothing for the ladies. For tickets call Tony Rasinski at You do not have to be a Knight or a member of the 4 th Degree to attend. The Assembly is always looking for Color Corps and Flag Team members to participate in the many church and community events that we are invited to. If you are a 4 th Degree Knight and would like to join the Color Corps, contact Walt Wankowski. The next 4 th Degree Exemplification will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12 th at Cardinal Gibbons Council in Fullerton. Any 3 rd Degree Knight who would like to advance to the 4 th Degree should contact Joe Schaum, Jr. or Walt Wankowski asap. The First Principle Of Our Order It is never too late to donate to the State Council Charity Fund. If you haven t donated yet, please reconsider, and get that donation in. If you would like an envelope, please call Financial Secretary Joe Schaum at Or address any envelope to the Maryland State Council Charity Fund, c/o Patrick Corcoran, 1602 Martha Court, Unit 302, Bel Air, MD And be sure to put Council on the lower left side of the envelope. In addition, if you know of anyone who needs assistance from the State Charity Fund, please contact Joe for information on how to obtain the application forms. 7 Your Shield For Life Since our founding in 1882, the primary mission of the Knights of Columbus has been to protect families from the financial ruin caused by the death of the breadwinner. In the beginning, Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney and his fellow Knights passed the hat to benefit widows and orphans. From that humble start, the Order has grown to include top-rated life insurance, long-term care insurance and retirement products. With more than $75 billion of insurance in force and a full-time field force of more than 1,400 serving our members and their families, we are proudly fulfilling Fr. McGivney s vision. The best way to learn about our products is by arranging a visit with a local field agent. Your agent can custom design an insurance program to meet your current needs, help you plan for the future or simply explain the many fraternal benefits that come with membership. Want to know more? Contact Norman Chuck Teal at Catholic Family EXPO The National Association of Catholic Homeschooler's EXPO (NACHE) is a Catholic homeschooling seminar that provides practical homeschooling advice, curriculum ideas and fellowship through speakers and workshops. The EXPO offers a chance to hear talks by local and national speakers on issues that are important to homeschooling parents while also giving attendees an opportunity to receive the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession. The EXPO will take place June 18 & 19 at the Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City, MD. For more information to info@catholicfamilyexpo.org.

8 State Council News Maryland State Council K of C Family Fun Night Saturday, July 17, 2010 J BAR W RANCH Green Valley Road Union Bridge, MD Gates open at 5 pm Children s Rodeo Main Events start at 7 pm Adults - $10.00 Children Ages 6 to 12 $5.00 Under 6 are FREE Tickets at this price are only available through the State Knights of Columbus. (Normal ticket price is $15 for Adults) For ticket information call Joe Herman at or or jwherman@comcast.net. For event information call or log on to Maryland State Council K of C Christmas in New York Sunday, December 5, :30 am SHOP TILL YOU DROP & SIGHTSEEING Famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree Top of the Rock NBC Studios Saint Patrick s Cathedral Trump Tower, Plaza Hotel, Central Park Maps & Suggested Sites to Visit Climate Controlled Motor Coach DVD Movies Complimentary Continental Breakfast/Beverages Egg Nog / Holiday Cookies on return trip Holiday $65.00 per person Departing from White Marsh Park & Ride Return the same evening. Information or questions contact Patrick / psrbelair@aol.com Checks payable to: Maryland State Council K of C Mail to: 1005 J Running Creek Way Bel Air, MD Confirmation upon payment received, guarantees seating. No refunds after November 28, State Convention Elections Report The 112 th Maryland State Convention took place on May 14, 15 & 16 at the Princess Royale Hotel and Convention Center in Ocean City, MD. The following officers were elected: State Deputy- Peter Davio State Secretary Peter Kuchmas State Treasurer Stephen Adamczyk State Advocate Stephen Cohen State Warden Dale Trott Frankenmuth & Dearborn, Michigan curiosities, cars, n candy canes! 5 Days 4 Nights September 30 October 4, 2010 $ per person (double occupancy) Package includes: 4 Nights Lodging 4 Breakfasts 4 Dinners, including a family-style dinner and Detroit Princess Riverboat Motown Dinner Cruise Bronner s Christmas Wonderland Frankenmuth Village Shops Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Henry Ford Museum Greenfield Village St. Julian s Winery Tasting Longaberger factory Souvenir Gift Luggage Handling Taxes and Meal Gratuities Motor Coach Transportation Donation to State Scholarship Fund Cancellation insurance available upon request For information and reservations contact Patrick / psrbelair@aol.com Checks payable to: Maryland State Council K of C Mail to 1005 J Running Creek Way, Bel Air, MD No refunds after August 30, 2010

9 Maryland State Council Valentine Cruise 12 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Enchantment of the Seas February 7-19, 2011 From $1, to $2, per person based on double-occupancy and include cruise fare, government fees, taxes, and $50 K of C Scholarship contribution. Based on oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added Valid U.S. Passport is required Optional trip cancellation and medical insurance is additional. Insurance is recommended, as most insurance providers do not cover you outside the United States. A deposit of $ per person is due at the time of booking. Final payment is due by November 19, All cancellations must be in writing. Cancellation policy: 70 or more days before departure No Charge days before departure --- Deposit Amount days before departure ---50% of Total Price Within 7 days of departure --- No refund For more Information contact: Mary Ann Caguin, World Travel Service, x 120 Or x 120 maryannc@worldtravelservice.com From the Worthy Lecturer Father s Day A Joke? Sunday, June 20 th is Father s Day. Father's Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting. The first observance of Father's Day is believed to have been held on June 19, 1910 through the efforts of Sonora Dodd from Spokane, Washington. Ms. Dodd thought independently of the holiday one Sunday in 1909 while listening to a Mother's Day sermon at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church at Spokane. She wanted a celebration that honored fathers that were like her own father, William Smart. He was a Civil War veteran. His wife died when Sonora was 16 and he had to take care of all six children. On June 19, 1910, she arranged a tribute for her father in Spokane. She had previously enlisted in 1909 the help of the Spokane Ministerial association, and young members of the YMCA went to church wearing roses: a red rose to honor a living father, and a white rose to honor a deceased one. But, it took many years to make the holiday official. Where Mother's Day was met with enthusiasm, Father's Day was met with laughter. It was the target of much satire, parody and derision, including jokes from the local newspaper. Many people saw it as just the first step in filling the calendar with mindless promotions like "Grandparents' Day", "Professional Secretaries' Day", etc., all the way down to "National Clean Your Desk Day." In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak in a Father's Day celebration and wanted to make it official, but the Congress resisted, fearing that it would be commercialized. President Calvin Coolidge recommended in 1924 that the celebration be held, and a national committee was formed in the 1930s by trade groups in order to legitimize the holiday. Two other bills to introduce the holiday were defeated. In 1957 Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing the congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers. In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson made a proclamation for third Sunday of June to be Father's Day, but it wasn't made an official national holiday until President Nixon made a proclamation in

10 More From the Worthy Lecturer Flag Day What it is and What it isn t In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in Supreme Council News Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Program Assists Pregnant Women Councils Provide Funds to Pregnancy Centers for New Medical Technology In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, though on June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first (and only) U.S. state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, beginning in the town of Rennerdale. Title 36 of the United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, CHAPTER 1, 110 is the official statute on Flag Day; however, it is at the President's discretion to proclaim officially the observance. One of the longest-running Flag Day parades is held annually in Quincy, Massachusetts, which began in 1952 and celebrated its 57th year in The 59th Annual Appleton Wisconsin 2009 Flag Day Parade will feature the U.S. Navy. City of Appleton Wisconsin. The largest Flag Day parade is held annually in Troy, New York, which bases its parade on the Quincy parade and typically draws 50,000 spectators. Perhaps the oldest, continuing Flag Day parade is at Fairfield WA. Beginning in 1909 or 1910, Fairfield has held a parade every year since, with the possible exception of 1918, and will celebrate the "Centennial" parade in 2010, along with some other commemorative events. 10 A new ultrasound machine donated by Massachusetts Knights to Worcester s Problem Pregnancy Inc. was blessed by state chaplain Bishop Daniel Reilly in January. Shown are (left to right) sonographer Kathy Lake, Bishop Reilly, Deacon Joseph Baniukewicz, State Deputy William Donovan and State Advocate Thomas McGinn On January 22, 2009, the 30th anniversary of the Supreme Court s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand, the Knights of Columbus launched a new initiative aimed at providing women considering abortion a new way of viewing the life within them. On that day, the K of C Supreme Council matched funds raised by Knights in Florida and Iowa to provide two pregnancy care centers complete funding for the acquisition of ultrasound machines that will help the centers to provide for the health of both mother and child. Since then, funding has been provided for the purchase of machines in several other jurisdictions, with many other state and local councils launching fund raising campaigns for ultrasound machine purchases in the near future. Ultrasound exams, which are medically indicated throughout pregnancy for a variety of diagnostic reasons, use ultrasound waves to scan a women s abdomen, creating a picture or sonogram of the baby in her uterus. Without K of C support, most pregnancy care centers would be unable to purchase (continued on page 11)

11 Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Program Assists Pregnant Women (continued on page 12) the ultrasound machines, each costing tens of thousands of dollars. Seminary Dedicates Bust of Father McGivney Reports indicate that up to 90% of women considering an abortion choose to have their baby after seeing an ultrasound image. They hear their baby s heartbeat, they see their baby s head and fingers. They know it is a child, not a choice. State and local councils desiring to participate in the Ultrasound Initiative should refer to the Ultrasound Initiative Guidelines for program requirements. Councils must raise half of the funds for purchase of an ultrasound machine before submitting an Ultrasound Initiative Application to the Supreme Council Office for matching funds. The answers to some Frequently Asked Questions provide additional information about the program. The sophistication of today s medical technology provides a window on the womb said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. Even from the early stages of pregnancy, a mother can see her developing child, hear the baby s heartbeat, and to recognize the miracle of the new life within her. The Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative seeks to provide medically certified pro-life pregnancy centers with the modern technology to monitor the health of babies in utero, and to allow mothers to visually experience their development. Articles and photographs for the July edition of The Explorer must be received by Thursday, June 24 th. Send all inputs to: Walt Wankowski 5211 McFaul Road Baltimore, MD Or by to: wwanko@comcast.net Auxiliary Bishop Denis Madden of the archdiocese of Baltimore was the principal celebrant of a Mass associated with dedication of a bust of Father McGivney at Saint Mary s Seminary and University in Baltimore. Earlier in the school year several seminarians at Saint Mary s Seminary and University in Baltimore were reflecting on their own journeys to answering God s call to the priesthood. The one constant that they found was the prayers and support of the Knights of Columbus. In recognition of this, the seminarians decided to commission a $6,000 bust of the Venerable Michael McGivney for the seminary. Whether from the mountains of West Virginia or the northern reaches of Maine, Knights of Columbus councils, large and small alike, were a major part of our vocations and an indispensable source of support, said Seminarian Andrew Nelson, who organized the effort. On April 17, 2010, Knights from supporting councils in 12 states joined the seminarians for the dedication of the bust of Father McGivney (which the seminarians funded). Father McGivney was a member of the seminary s class of The bust was dedicated in honor of the Knights of Columbus for their unwavering support of the Church, her priests and seminarians. Father Thomas Hurst, S.S., president-rector of St. Mary s welcomed all the guests and stated that this celebration of Father McGivney and his inspiring work was particularly appropriate in the Year for Priests. 11

12 Fr. A. Leo Abendschoen Council Knights of Columbus 5212 McCormick Avenue Baltimore, Maryland What s Inside Last Call for the Links Show Up and Win Surf & Turf We Did It Again! And Much more. Calendar Reminders June 5 Monthly Cash Bingo 6:00 pm Annunciation Parish Hall June 7 Officer s Meeting 6:30 pm Annunciation Parish Hall June 8 4 th Degree Meeting 8:00 pm Columbus Gardens June 10 - Baltimore Chapter of Grand Knights Meeting - 8:00 pm Notre Dame Council June 11 A Night with the Birds 7:00 pm Oriole Park at Camden Yards June 12 Navigator s Ball 8:00 pm Columbus Gardens June 14 Flag Day / General Membership Meeting 7:00 pm. Annunciation Parish Hall June 20 Father s Day June 28 - General Membership Meeting 7:00 pm. Annunciation Parish Hall 12