from the State Deputy

Transcription

1 from the Texas State Council Volume 8 Issue 10 Publication of the Texas State Council Knights of Columbus NOV 2013 STATE DEPUTY Jim Collins (Duchess) (cell) jcollinskc@comcast.net STATE CHAPLAIN Most Reverend Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller MSp.S San Antonio (office) STATE SECRETARY Terry Simonton (Estelle) (cell) simon@vvm.com STATE TREASURER Doug Oldmixon (Jo-Dee) (cell) doldmixon@austin.rr.com STATE ADVOCATE Diego Pena (Pia) (cell) djpena57@me.com STATE WARDEN Rudy Escamilla (Amy) (cell) rudy_242@hotmail.com IMMEDIATE PAST STATE DEPUTY Tony Herreth (Marty) (cell) therreth@att.net from the State Deputy WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! Texas is On the Rebound We Are Now The Largest Dear Brother Knights, Jim Collins STATE DEPUTY WOW!!! Texas is on the rebound!!! We not only reached 100,000 plus members, but we are now the largest jurisdiction in the Americas and among the top jurisdictions in membership recruitment this fraternal year. The bar has been raised with improved communications at all levels that will take this state to a successful fraternal year. The expression that is the way we have always done it must be a thing of the past if we are to succeed year after year. Meet with your Pastor to implement a recruitment drive plan and reach out to the parish community to achieve your new member goal. Looking back at this fraternal year we will see leadership that has been outstanding, while others still need that extra push and assistance to understand the leadership responsibilities to make it happen instead of waiting for something to happen. We need an overall change in our commitment at the council level that will continue the recruitment success we have experienced since July. If your council has not recruited a new member this fraternal year, please take a look at your council growth plan for new membership. We will not experience long term growth if the elected and appointed council leadership does not require a level of commitment that includes success. For this to happen we need to RAISE THE BAR for all councils to experience a Star Council fraternal year. A council goal should be an objective the membership can rally around, so let s start with One Member - Per Council - Per Month. The Supreme Council is reporting 406 councils in Texas without any recruitment this fraternal year. If your council is in that statistic, you should ask why and step forward to implement a change. On the upside, Texas has many council s that I will call the best of the best year after year promoting the principles of the order with continued growth in membership, charitable giving, and continued on page 2 FINISH LINE 1

2 SUPREME DIRECTOR Javier Martinez (Marietta) (cell) ASSOCIATE STATE CHAPLAIN Most Reverend Bishop George Sheltz (office) ASSISTANT TO STATE CHAPLAIN Deacon Mitch Chavez EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Mike McLaughlin (Dawn) (office) STATE ADMIN ACCOUNTANT Kari Jordan (office) outstanding programming. This just does not happen. It is called committed leadership that is a standard progression to the council officer level. It is not those councils that have a group of knights rotating the chairs of grand knight and other key officer positions. This level of leadership has proven overtime to be detrimental to the overall success of the council, and a contributing factor for loss of members to inactive status and those leaving the Order. As state deputy I look to you as an individual to energize those that have not personally taken the initiative and commitment their elected council office mandates. The path to success does not just happen. We all must contribute to be part of the overall team effort. When the leadership gaps start to show it is your responsibility as a council member to move this council back on the track to success. We must move forward as a team to oversee what is happening today and tomorrow -- not next month or next year! The prestigious achievement of the Supreme Circle of Honor is not just words or a few councils and districts of a jurisdiction! It is a team effort with a majority of districts, councils, and members across this state coming together as one. With your personal commitment, Texas is poised to achieve this Honor in 2014 and beyond. Vivat Jesus! Jim Collins, State Deputy The First Thanksgiving --- Was it in New England or in Texas? STATE ADMIN COUNCIL RECORDS Kathleen McLoughlin (office kathleenm@tkofc.org STATE COUNCIL OFFICE 6633 Highway 290 East Suite 204 Austin, TX (office) (fax) FINISH LINE Editor Bobb Mahrer (cell) r-mahrer@geusnet.com continued on page 7 Copyright 2013, Knights of Columbus, Texas State Council, Austin, Texas The FINISH LINE is published monthly by the State Deputy and electronically posted on the tkofc website by the Editor. This publication is a running outlook of the activities, events, award criteria, and due dates for the next days. Specific questions about Membership, Charities, Programs, Council Development, Communications, and the specific subjects therein should be directed to the appropriate State Director. [Bobb Mahrer, Editor] FINISH LINE 2

3 STATE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Terry Fruge (Beth) (cell) STATE RECRUITMENT CHAIRMAN Jack Gunn (Lori) (cell) STATE ALL COUNCILS ACTIVE CHAIRMAN Tom Watters Sr. (June) (cell) STATE MEMBERSHIP 365 CHAIRMAN Carlos Martinez (Rosamar) (cell) STATE COLLEGE COUNCILS CHAIRMAN Tony Gutierrez (cell) STATE CEREMONIALS CHAIRMAN Clarence Fey (Helen) STATE RETENTION CHAIRMAN Ed Glisky (Karen) (cell) MEMBERSHIP You Guys Rock 1st Quarter Best Ever Terry Fruge, State Membership Director Terry Fruge Greetings My Brother Knights (from Jack Gunn, State Recruitment Chairman) WOW to quote our Worthy State Deputy, what a start to this Fraternal Year. We successfully served as the Host State Council for the 131st Supreme Convention in San Antonio and celebrated with our Brothers and their families the storied history of the Knights in Texas and the untold accomplishments throughout the prior year. From a membership perspective, you guys ROCKED the first quarter it was our BEST EVER! We surpassed our WSD s goal of 100K Brothers in this great state and we continue to grow! At this writing, we are all part of an organization which is at 100,238 members (10/25). We ve recruited 1,419 new Brothers thus far this year against our goal of 4,600 (30.8%). We re on a roll and gaining momentum! So my plea to each of you is to continue doing what you are doing! Ask practical Catholic gentlemen to join our worthy cause! Educate yourself and speak to them with confidence about what we as Knights do! As I contemplated what to pen for this article, I was drawn to the word thanks. It is a word I hope will characterize much of what we do and think about this month of November. THANKS T Take your prospects from the October blitzes to a First Degree as soon as you are able. Encourage their proposers to accompany them. H Host or participate in First Degrees as often as your Council is able. A Attend First Degrees and Major Degrees to welcome our new Brothers and encourage them as they move to full Knighthood! N OK I had to Google some ideas for N and I noticed Narthex! The entrance area to a church. Our challenge is to be the Narthex to the Knights, opening the door to the Knights to our friends, acquaintances, and stepping out of our comfort zones to ask other practical Catholic gentlemen be to a Knight! K Kick back and enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday. Reflect upon and be grateful for the blessings in our lives and remember Charity begins at home! S Socialize with your family and friends. Reach out to and invite our Brothers who we haven t seen for a while to join us. Many councils have holiday events coming up, a great opportunity for outreach. As a reminder, there is a great recruiting incentive program in place from Supreme for those councils who lead by example and each officer recruits a new member. If accomplished and reported by December 31, 2013 the continued on page 11 FINISH LINE 3

4 STATE CHARITIES DIRECTOR Mark Evans (Mary) (cell) STATE FUNDRAISING CHAIRMAN Bill Elliott (Karen) (cell) STATE SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHAIRMAN Jack Harvey (Jerre) (cell) STATE INFIRMED PRIESTS CARDINAL MEDEIROS CHAIRMAN Paul Fehmel (Mary) (cell) STATE CHARITY REPORTS HISTORICAL DATA CHAIRMAN David Zwingman (Barbara) (cell) STATE CHAIRITIES BOARD Boyd Burris (Patricia) (cell) Bobb Mahrer (Glenda) (cell) Joe Picard (Jeanne) (cell) John Regan (Collen) (cell) CHARITIES Charity is the Very Essence of Who We Are Mark Evans, State Charities Director My Brother Knights, Mark Evans What is the most spiritual thing you own? Your home? Your car? Obviously not. Maybe your books? Perhaps your rosary with which you take and use to disconnect yourself from your everyday existence to commune with a higher reality? Open your wallet. Take out a single dollar bill. Place it on the table in front of you. Take a long, contemplative look at it. In many ways, this is the most spiritual thing in your possession. But first we should explain what we mean by "spiritual." The definitions of "material" and "spiritual" vary, of course, by the context in which the terms are used. But a fairly common definition would be that the material things are concrete, while the more abstract a thing is, the more spiritual it is. What, in essence, is money? It is the ultimate abstraction of the human product. One person expends his time, energy, and talent baking bread. A second writes poetry. A third makes furniture and a fourth and fifth grows tomatoes and writes legal briefs. Others drive trucks, teach schoolchildren, manage sales crews, pour steel, concoct medicines, repair power lines, or debate philosophy. Each of these things, on its own, is concrete amd confined to itself. A page of poetry will not produce a loaf of bread, and a bushel of tomatoes will not light a road at night. But the human being has found a way to take all these things and create a common item money. Money can be transferred, bartered, or converted. Look again at the piece of paper on the table in front of you. What is it? It's a loaf of bread, a minute of wisdom, a dozen kilowatt hours of electricity, half a glass of wine, a tenth of a toy, a twenty-thousandth of a car, a three-hundredmillionth of a Van Gogh. It is a piece of human life that can be folded and put in your pocket. But there is also another definition of spirituality: that which brings you closer to God. In this sense, too, money can be the most spiritual thing you possess. Spiritual in the sense that when we give a coin to charity, we give our very lives. Because with this coin, we could have purchased the piece of bread that holds body and soul together. And to earn this coin, we devoted our entire being. Every time we give to charity we connect to God with something -- with our mind, our stomach, our home. With acts of charity, we ourselves become the connection. Charity is the very the essence of who we are. Fraternally, Mark Evans Do you have your Charity Pin? FINISH LINE 4

5 Charity Standings by Diocese (as of November 1, 2013) DIOCESE PERCENT STATUS OF COUNCILS Amarillo % 8 of 20 councils are at 100% Austin % 26 of 85 councils are at 100% Beaumont % 12 of 26 councils are at 100% Brownsville % 5 of 36 councils are at 100% Corpus Christi % 5 of 51 councils are at 100% Dallas % 13 of 52 councils are at 100% El Paso % 4 of 27 councils are at 100% Fort Worth % 15 of 55 councils are at 100% Gal-Houston % 37 of 114 councils are at 100% Laredo % 2 of 20 councils are at 100% Lubbock % 6 of 17 councils are at 100% San Angelo % 7 of 31 councils are at 100% San Antonio % 23 of 91 councils are at 100% Tyler % 13 of 28 councils are at 100% Victoria % 15 of 32 councils are at 100% Promote Patriotism DFW AIRPORT: Members and their families from many of the councils in the Dallas and Fort Worth area gathered at DFW airport on October 25 to lead a prayer and national anthem before the World War II veterans depart for their trip to Washington, DC.to view the World War II memorial monument. FINISH LINE 5

6 Gerald Ford signed into public law the return of the observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11th. Veterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living veterans. It is marked by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half mast. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am. Veterans Day is officially observed on November 11th. However, if it falls on a week day, many communities hold their celebrations on the weekend closest to this date. This is to enable more people to attend and participate in the events. Veterans Day November 11, 2013 World War I, known at the time as The Great War, came to end when an armistice, an end to the hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany, went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in On November 11, 1919, President Wilson proclaimed this day as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country s service and with gratitude for the victory In 1954, Congress passed a bill that was signed by President Eisenhower proclaiming this day as Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor America s veterans for their patriotism. On June 28, 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill was signed with the intent to insure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington s Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would be will received. However, many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th due to its historic and patriotic significance to a great number of Americans. So, on September 20, 1975, President FINISH LINE 6

7 The First Thanksgiving --- Was it in New England or in Texas? THE FIRST THANKSGIVING: In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is commonly, but not universally, traced to a poorly documented 1621 celebration at Plymouth in presentday Massachusetts. The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest. Pilgrims and Puritans who began emigrating from England in the 1620s and 1630s carried the tradition of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving with them to New England. Several days of Thanksgiving were held in early New England history that have been identified as the "First Thanksgiving", including Pilgrim holidays in Plymouth in 1621 and 1623, and a Puritan holiday in Boston in However, the traditional representation of where the first Thanksgiving was held in the United States is now a subject of debate, though the debate is often confused by mixing up the ideas of a Thanksgiving holiday celebration and a Thanksgiving religious service. These claims include an earlier religious service by Spanish explorer Juan de Onate and his expedition in Texas at San Elizario (near what is now El Paso) on April 30, Juan de Oñate was a member of a distinguished family that had loyally worked for the Spanish crown. His father had discovered and developed rich mines in Zacatecas, Mexico. Oñate, himself, had opened the mines of San Luis Potosí and performed many other services for the Spanish king. But he wanted to carve an unquestioned place in history by leading an important expedition into unexplored land. He was granted land in the northern Rio Grande Valley among the Pueblo Indians by the viceroy of New Spain. The viceroy moved to a new post, however, and his successor was slow to grant Oñate permission to begin his expedition. Finally, in 1597, approval came. To reach his new holdings, Oñate chose to bypass the traditional route that followed the Rio Conchos in present-day Mexico to the Rio Grande and then northward along the Rio Grande into New Mexico. In the summer of 1597, Oñate sent Vicente de Zaldívar to blaze a wagon trail from Santa Barbara in southern Chihuahua, along which could be found adequate water supplies. Zaldívar underwent many hardships, including capture by Indians, in carrying out his instructions. No mention of the hardships was made, however, when he made his report to Oñate. (The trail blazed by Zaldívar has become the route of the modern highway between Chihuahua City and El Paso.) By early March 1598, Oñate's expedition of 500 people, including soldiers, colonists, wives, and children and 7,000 head of livestock, was ready to cross the treacherous Chihuahuan Desert. Almost from the beginning of the 50-day march, nature challenged the Spaniards. First, seven consecutive days of rain made travel miserable. Then the hardship was reversed, and the travelers suffered greatly from the dry weather. On one occasion, a chance rain shower saved the parched colonists. Finally, for the last five days of the march before reaching the Rio Grande, the expedition ran out of both food and water, forcing the men, women, and children to seek roots and other scarce desert vegetation to eat. Both animals and humans almost went mad with thirst before the party reached water. Two horses drank until their stomachs burst, and two others drowned in the river in their haste to consume as much water as possible. The Rio Grande was the salvation of the expedition, however. After recuperating for 10 days, Oñate ordered a day of thanksgiving for the survival of the expedition. Included in the event was a feast, supplied with game by the Spaniards and with fish by the natives of the region. A mass was said by the Franciscan missionaries traveling with the expedition. And finally, Oñate read La Toma -- the taking -- declaring the land drained by the Great River to be the possession of King Philip II of Spain. After the celebration, the Oñate expedition continued up the Rio Grande and eventually settled near Santa Fé. When Jamestown and Plymouth were established early in the 17th century, they were English attempts to gain a foothold in the New World. Santa Fé was but one of hundreds of towns the Spanish already had established in the New World. Historically, most Americans view Thanksgiving as Continued on next page FINISH LINE 7

8 PRO-LIFE IN TEXAS Brownsville Knights Open New Pregnancy Center BROWNSVILLE: Martin Leal Sr (DD-168) and his son Knight Martin Leal Jr. (right) of Brownsville Council #13978 hold a sign signaling the official opening of the new Gift of Life Pregnancy Center in Brownsville, a project made possible from three of years of funding from the Brownsville Hike For Life. (reported by Martin Leal) See related story in the October 2013 issue of the FINISH LINE. After three years, the dream became a reality Martin Leal, District Deputy 168 It is with great joy that I announce the opening of the Gift of Life Pregnancy Center in Brownsville. Our hours will be limited at first because there is still a need for volunteers. The Center needs Client Advocates and Parent Instructors. The Center will not only provide free pregnancy test, but will provide their clients with parenting classes that are taught using Modules. This Center is about giving a Hand Up not a Hand Out. The Center is the realization of three years of hard work by a group of dedicated individuals and the help of several organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus, especially Councils 13978, 15448, 4779, and The money raised to fund this center was done mainly through Hike for Life Texas. Without the Hike for Life we would still be working to raise the money. I would also like to thank all the individuals who are to many to name who showed faith in this dream, when it was only a dream and worked hard to make it a reality. --- Martin Leal The First Thanksgiving continued a tradition beginning with the pilgrims at Plymouth celebrating their first harvest of the year with the local native Indians. President George Washington proclaimed a National day of Thanksgiving for November 26, 1789 to honor the formation of the United States It was not until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving and Praise in 1863 during the Civil War did the annual tradition take hold in the United States. In 1941 the U. S. Congress passed legislation designating the fourth Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. government. But his effort failed to become an annual tradition.. FINISH LINE 8

9 PRO-LIFE IN TEXAS Greenville Knights and Their Families Turn Out In Force for Pro- LIFE CHAIN GREENVILLE, TEXAS: Greenville Knights and their families of Knights of Columbus Council #7438 turned out in force for the LIFE CHAIN event held on south Wesley Street in south Greenville on the first Sunday of October. Left is member Danny Ferguson, center left is member Emery Ed Edinger, center right is member Gene Nelson and his family Peggy Nelson and Blaze Nelson, right, is member Deacon Lee Davis and Carol Ferguson. Ferguson is the wife of deceased member Jack Ferguson and is a feature writer for the local Herald Banner newspaper. In its 26th year, LIFE CHAIN is a annual peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing for 90 minutes on the first Sunday in October praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills children and that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. From 3:00 to 4:30 PM in each time zone across America and Canada, sidewalks in hundreds of cities and towns proclaim LIFE CHAIN s irrefutable messages, among them Abortion Kills Children, Adoption: The Loving Option, Jesus Forgives and Heals, and Abortion Hurts Women. LIFE CHAIN is devoted foremost to prayer to end abortion. Dallas Knights Present $56.5K DALLAS: Joe Picard, Charity Chairman for the Dallas Diocese, presented a check to Auxiliary Bishop Douglas Deshotel in the amount of $56,500 on behalf of the 10,000 Knights in the Dallas Diocese at the Dallas Chapter meeting on August 29, The funds were generated under the Texas State Charities program and will be used to fund the Deaf Education and Persons With Disabilities Program in the Dallas Diocese. FINISH LINE 9

10 THE ULTRASOUND INITIATIVE from George Hanna, Supreme Warden and Senior Vice President for Fraternal Services The Order s Ultrasound Initiative, since it began in 2009, has enabled the placement of an ultrasound machine in at least one pregnancy care center (PPC) in all 50 states. Several states have placed over two dozen machines in PPCs in their jurisdictions. In total, over 385 ultrasound machines valued at about $20 million have been placed in PPCs throughout the country. After receiving ultrasound machines through the Ultrasound Initiative, many executive directors of pregnancy care centers (PPC) around the country sent thank you notes with comments like these: Being able to have a visual image of the life they are carrying makes all the difference in the world. The ultrasound you helped provide has been a blessing to hundreds of babies! We started offering free ultrasounds to anyone with a positive pregnancy test. The ultrasounds have already made a difference in 52 pregnancies! Women who were on the edge of abortion heard their baby s heartbeat, or saw it on the screen, and immediately changed their mind. Whew and praise God! Through the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative, when a local and/or state council raises funds for at least 50% of the cost of a machine for a qualified PPC, the Supreme Council office provides a matching grant from the Order s Culture of Life Fund for the other 50% of the cost of the machine. Ultrasound Initiative information, including required forms, is available at As an additional incentive for councils to participate in the Ultrasound Initiative, the Supreme Council will count a qualifying Ultrasound Initiative matching grant award as fulfilling all four of the Culture of Life Activities requirements for the Columbian Award. Ultrasound Initiative funds raised and hours volunteered during 2013 should be listed on your council s Annual Survey of Fraternity Activitity (due by January 31, 2014). Details of your council s Ultrasound Initiative participation should be outlined on your Columbian Award Application (due June 30, 2014). Go to for each of these forms. Please contact Bill O Brien, Senior Coordinator of the Culture of Life, Marriage, and Family Values Office at or william.obrien@kofc.org with any Ultrasound Initiative questions you may have. Fraternally, George Hanna, Supreme Warden How Do I Participate in the UI? The Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative (UI) seeks to provide medically certified pro-life pregnancy care centers with modern technology to monitor the health of babies in utero, and to allow mothers to visually experience their development. The sophistication of today s medical technology provides a window on the womb, said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. Even from the early states of pregnancy, a mother can see her developing child, hear the baby s heartbeat, and recognize the miracle of the new life with her. Refer to for information and forms required for the Ultrasound Initiative. In particular, review the Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions. The forms that will be required are the Diocesan Evaluation (#9884) and the Ultrasound Initiative Application (#4886). To qualify for matching funds, a council must: 1. Locate a pro-life pregnancy care center that is prepared to receive, use, and maintain an ultrasound machine. 2. Present a Diocesan Evaluation form to the diocesan Culture of Life Director to recommend whether or not the pregnancy care center may be eligible to participate in the Ultrasound Initiative. The diocesan Culture of Life Director will help the council determine if the pregnancy care center (PCC) will be able to staff and operate the machine. This will FINISH LINE 10

11 How Do I Participate continued ensuring that the center: is properly licensed under state and local laws and regulations to operate an ultrasound machine. is affiliated with a medical doctor who is willing to oversee the ultrasound machine operations. will be staffed with licensed and experienced ultrasound machine operators. has adequate insurance for operation of the machine. is not anti-catholic in any way (for example, some centers has individuals who have attempted to lead Catholic women away from the Church). does not distribute nor refer women for birth control nor perform or refer women for abortions. Once a positive Diocesan Evaluation form has been submitted to and acknowledged by the Supreme Council office, the pregnancy care center should contact manufacturers to choose an ultrasound machine that will meet the center s needs. The pregnancy care center should get a quote for the purchase price of the machine (not including sales tax, shipping charges, maintenance agreements, or other add-on costs. If the council accepts the challenge of raising 50% of the cost of the machine, fundraising can then begin. The council must be actively involved in raising the funds for half of the purchase price of the ultrasound machine. The council should designate, or open, a council bank account to receive the funds, which should be kept separate from any fraternal funds, to assure tax deductibility of donations. Donated checks should be made out to Knights of Columbus, not to the pregnancy care center, to assure that all donations are counted towards the council s share of the funds to be raised and matched. While the pregnancy care center may certainly assist in fundraising, if the pregnancy care center raises the funds predominately on its own, without ongoing and significant involvement of the council, the pregnancy care center will not be eligible for matching funds from the Supreme Council office. Once the funds for not less than half of the purchase price of the ultrasound machine are raised, the Ultrasound Initiative Application (#4886) should be completed, signed by the state deputy, and submitted to the Supreme Council Office. Once the application has reached the Supreme Council office and has been found to be complete, figure on about one month, give or take a couple of weeks, for processing and approval of the matching grant. Funds from the state or local council s campaign and matching funds from the Supreme Council office should be presented to the pregnancy care center, which should be a 501c3 charity. To assure the tax deductibility of donations, the pregnancy care center, not the council, should receive the funds, and order and pay for the machine. Finally, plan a check presentation or ribbon cutting ceremony to be held when the ultrasound machine is delivered or is ready for operation. For complete guidelines for participation in the Ultrasound Initiative, refer to the Guidelines for Participation in the Ultrasound Initiative and the Frequently Asked Questions, available at EVERY PROGRAM REPRESENTS A MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITY State Membership Director continued Council will be awarded 52,000 VIP points. If accomplished and reported by the end of the Fraternal Year, the council will be awarded 26,000 VIP points. The following is quoted from an article published by the Knights at kofc.org. It is about Navy Captain Francis X. Castellano who commanded the USS Bainbridge that was at the center of the rescue of Captain Phillips of the Maersk Alabama during 2009 and the topic of a current major movie release. The following quote from Captain Castellano presents a great challenge to each of us in our daily lives. Not all men can be sea captains, but can all men be heroes? Captain Castellano: I think all fathers are heroes to their families. Their children and their spouses look up to them. I think our call to heroism every day in our lives is to be continuing members of the community, to stand up for what we believe in, to be role models as parents, and role models in the community, helping the less fortunate, and giving our time back. We live in a great country, with a lot to give. You don t have to be a captain of a naval warship or the president of a company or anything else to be a hero. Every day we can do something little by little, to go ahead and show heroic traits, and just be who we are, be Catholic men of faith. FINISH LINE 11

12 NOVEMBER 2013 REMINDERS q November 1, All Saints Day Remember our deceased brother Knights with a special prayer service or memorial mass during November. P R A Y q November 1, Free-Throw Contest Kit Order Form Councils must submit their order for the Free-Throw Contest Kit from the Supreme Council supply department no later than November 1 st. Note that this event may be reported in the Youth Activities section of the Columbian Award application. q November 2, All Souls Day CATHOLIC q November 5, Local Elections Election day in the United States is always on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Texas has several amendments. VOTE CATHOLIC! q November 11, Veterans Day World War I, known at the time as The Great War, came to an end when an armistice, an end to the hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany, went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of On November 11, 1919, President Wilson proclaimed this day as the first comemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with the solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country s service and with gratitude for victory In 1954, Congress passed a bill that was signed by President Eisenhower proclaiming this day as Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor America s veterans for their Patriotism. Councils hosting a patriotic community event may report the event in the Community Activities section of the Columbian Award application. q November 15, America Recycles Day Since 1997, communities across the country have come together on November 15 to celebrate America Recycles Day (ARD). More than a celebration, America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the United States. Through ARD, Keep America Beautiful, and Keep Texas Beautiful, in partnership with the State of Texas Alliance of Recycling, organizations like the Knights of Columbus are able to inform, educate, and support their local communities. Plan a community activity that may be reported in the Community Activities section of the Columbian Award application. FINISH LINE 12

13 NOVEMBER 2013 REMINDERS continued q November 15, Family of the Month (Form 1993A) Due Form 1993A is due to the Supreme Council office by the 15th of the month for the immediate past month. Two families are selected from each jurisdiction each month to represent the Supreme Council and those families receive a small statue of the Holy Family in recognition of their selection. Participation in the Family-ofthe-Month will count for one of the requirements of the Youth Activities section of the Columbian Award. A council that participates at least eight times in a timely manner during the fraternal year will be recognized with a special certificate from the State Council. The Family of the Month for October is due NOW. q November 24 30, National Family Week National Family Week in the United States takes place during the week of Thanksgiving and was first proclaimed by Ronald Reagan on November 19, The main purpose for the observation is to celebrate the contribution that families make to the fabric of American society, and second to distribute resources to the needy. Plan a family activity event that may be reported in the Family Activities section of the Columbian Award application. q November 28, Thanksgiving Day Plan a community activity, such as a soup kitchen for the unfortunate and needy, that may be reported in the Community Activities section of the Columbian Award application. 53rd Running of the Silver Rose q November 3, Transfer of Silver Rose from OK to Texas The transfer of the Silver Rose from Oklahoma to Texas is scheduled to occur on November 3rd. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose Program began in 1960 as a project of the Columbian Squires of North America to honor the Blessed Virgin under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The program has continued since then as a project of Squires Circles, Councils, and Assemblies. In 2001 Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson expanded the program by beginning the Running of the Silver Rose from the 119th Annual meeting of the Supreme Council in Ontario, Canada to Monterrey, Mexico through the United States. The Running of the Silver Rose is a perfect program for the Knights of Columbus, said Supreme Knight Anderson. Through it we honor not only Our Lady of Guadalupe and express the Unity of the Order, but we also reaffirm the Order s dedication to the sanctity of human life. It is to the Blessed Mother that we turn in prayer as we work to end the Culture of Death that grips our society. As we think in terms of One Life, One Rose, it is most appropriate we turn to our Lady of Guadalupe who made known her will through Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses. The Silver Rose program features a sculpted silver rose carried by Knights from Canada through the United States to Mexico, bringing he Culture of Life message on its journey. The silver rose is received by councils and parishes along its journey, and Masses and prayer services are offered. Special border ceremonies with the Fourth Degree Honor Guards are held the rose is transferred from one state to another and one country to another. Silver Rose The transfer of the Silver Rose (La Rosa Plata) from Texas to Oklahoma during the 53rd Running will take place in November. Last year s route took Hwy 77 south from Marietta OK to Gainsville TX with a special mass at St. Mary s Catholic Church in Gainsville, TX. FINISH LINE 13

14 q December 1, Order Membership Cards Financial Secretaries and Comptrollers are reminded that it is time to order Membership Cards for Year 2013 from the Supreme Council Supplies Department. q December 6-7-8, 2013 Mid-Year Meeting The Mid-Year meeting for all District and Diocesan Deputies will be held the weekend of December at the Omni Houston Westside Hotel near Katy, Texas. q December 1, Advent Begins December 1st is the First Sunday of Advent, signifying the beginning of Advent. All Catholics are encouraged to set an Advent Wreath in their homes. Councils, assemblies, and circles are encouraged to have a ceremony with the blessing of an Advent Wreath by their chaplain and the lighting of its candles. q December 3, Light Up for Christ The Supreme Council has designated the first Tuesday of December of each year as the day for Light Up For Christ. On this day, councils and assemblies and circles are invited to turn on a switch and light a Nativity scene, and/or Christmas Tree at 8:00 pm local time. A Lights Up for Christ poster (#2757) is available from the Supreme Council Supply Department. q December 7, Pearl Harbor Day Plan a patriotic community activity that may be reported in the Community Activities section of the Columbian Award application. q December 12, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Plan a pro-life activity in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, and report it in the Pro-Life Activities section of the Columbian Award application. q December 15, Family of the Month (Form 1993A) Due The Grand Knight of each council should appoint a Family Activities Chairman and Select a Family of the Month each month. Form 1993A is due to the Supreme Council office by the 15th of the month for the immediate past month. Two families are selected from each jurisdiction each month to represent the Supreme Council and those families Receive a small statue of the Holy Family in recognition of their selection. Participation in the Family-of-the-Month will count for one of the requirements of the Youth Activities section of the Columbian Award. A council that participates at least eight times in a timely manner during the fraternal year will be recognized with a special certificate from the State Council. The Family of the Month for November is due NOW. FINISH LINE 14

15 DECEMBER 2013 REMINDERS continued q December 25, Keep Christ in Christmas Plan a church, community, family, or youth activity that may be reported in the appropriate section of Columbian Award application. q December 31, State Council Charity Goal is Due (Early Date Grand Knights needs to make sure their council s Charity Goal to the Texas State Charities is paid by December 31st (early deadline) in order to qualify for the prestigious Lone Star Award with Distinction from the Texas State Council. q December 31, State Council Per Capita is Due (Early Date) Grand Knights need to make sure their council s State Per Capita assessment is paid by December 31st (early deadline) in order to qualify for the prestigious Lone Star Award for Excellence and the Lone Star Award for Excellence with Distinction. First Call for State PER CAPITA CHARITY 100,000 MEMBERS Texas is now the largest jurisdiction in the America s Plan now for a First Degree Nov Veterans Day Family Week Dec Keep Christ in Christmas Jan March for Life!!! Congratulations to our 99,500th Member Candelario Mosqueda of Katy Council #6878 Pope Francis often says that true power is service. FINISH LINE 15

16 JANUARY 2014 REMINDERS q January 1-31, 2014 Council Free-Throw Contests Councils are encouraged to participate in the Supreme Council sponsored Youth Basketball Free-Throw Contest and to schedule their local council contests during the month of January. The contest is for boys and girls ages as of January 1st. Councils should verify ages via a copy of a birth certificate at the time of acceptance of the parent consent form. Councils must also be current with their State Per Capita in order for contestants representing their council to be eligible at the district, diocesan, and state level contests. The State contest will be held at Antonian High School in San Antonio on March 1, Contact Texas State Council Free-Throw Chairman Carl Bernal in San Antonio at (cell) or at chbernsyc@yahoo.com for more information. q January 15, Family of the Month (Form 1993A) Due The Grand Knight of each council should appoint a Family Activities Chairman and select a Family of the Month each month. Form 1993A is due to the Supreme Council office by the 15th of the month for the immediate past month. Two families are selected from each jurisdiction each month to represent the Supreme Council and those families receive a small statue of the Holy Family in recognition of their selection. Participation in the Family-of-the-Month will count for one of the requirements of the Youth Activities section of the Columbian Award. A council that participates at least eight times in a timely manner during the fraternal year will be recognized with a special certificate from the State Council. The Family of the Month for December is due NOW. NVAW is moving to November 2014 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have made the decision to move National Vocations Awareness Week from January to the first week of November beginning in Year The date is set for November 2-8. It is an opportunity to promote awareness of the need for more priests. The Catholic Church invites us to reflect on Jesus mission as our own calling and to pray for all vocations. Ten Things You Can Do To Support Vocations may be found at (note that ideas for Church Activities may be found in the Surge With Service booklet and note how they may be reported in the Church Activities section of the Columbian Award application.) FINISH LINE 16

17 JANUARY 2014 REMINDERS continued q January , 2014 Columbian Squires Mid-Year Convention Squires Circle 5022, in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus Council 9930 is proud to host the 2014 Texas State Columbian Squires Mid-Year Convention in Harker Heights, Texas. The convention will be hosted on January 17-19, 2014 at St. Paul Catholic Church and Hall, 1001 E. FM 2410, Harker Heights, TX Everyone is responsible for their own hotel reservations. A block of rooms have been arranged at the Shilo Inn, 3701 W.S. Young Drive, Kileen, Texas ( When making reservations, please refer to SQUIRES MID-YEAR STATE CONVENTION to get the group rate of $89 (plus tax) for a room with two Queen size beds or a room with two single beds and a pull-out sofa. Remember to bring your circle s or council s tax exemption certificate in order to avoid the tax. Room availability and price will not be guaranteed after December 8, Request registration materials by contacting Edward Repetski, Chief Counselor for Circle 5022 at or him at edward.repetski@gmail.com or State Squires Chairman Larry Prather at (home) or (cell) or him at ldprather@embarqmail.com. There is a $35 registration fee for each Squire ($45 after January 3, 2014). Please make all checks payable to Columbian Squires Circle Registration materials must be received by January 3, q January 22, st Annual March for Life Contact Texas State Council Pro-Life Chairman Tom Clark in the Dallas area at or at tjclark123@comcast.net for more information about Pro-Life Activities, particularly, the ACE Wings program. q January 31, Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity Report Due Councils (and Assemblies and Circles) must complete and submit their 2013 Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity Report (Form #1728) to the Supreme Council by January 31st in order to qualify for the Columbian Award and the Star Council Award. q January 31, Partnership Profile Report Due The Knights of Columbus have always had a close relationship with Special Olympics. To further track local councils involvement, make sure that the councils in your district complete the Partnership Profile report with Special Olympics located in the Council Reports Form Booklet and submit it to the Supreme Council office by January 31st with a copy to the State Council office. The Supreme Council of Knights of Columbus provides funds to support the State Special Olympics activities based on the number of volunteer hours provided by Knights. Councils which report the greatest number of volunteer hours per member and greatest monetary donation per member will be recognized with a special award by the State Council. Form 4584 must be submitted to the Supreme Council office and the State Council office by January 31st. q January 31, Adopt All Seminarians State Deputy Jim Collins has asked that all the dioceses and archdioceses in Texas make certain that all seminarians in Texas have been adopted by a council by January 31st. In addition, councils are encouraged to provide their adopted seminarian with moral support, birthday greetings, funds for personal items, invitations to council functions, and recruit him to join the Knights of Columbus. FINISH LINE 17

18 STAR COUNCIL Checklist FORM REPORT DUE DATE COMPLETE 185 Report of Officers JUL 01 P 365 REPORT OF PROGRAM PERSONNEL* AUG 01 P 1295 Semi-Annual Audit (ending Jun 30) AUG 15 P SUPREME PER CAPITA* OCT 10 P SUPREME CATHOLIC ADVERTISING* OCT 10 P FT-Kit Supreme Basketball Free Throw Kit NOV 01 State Per Capita (LSAFE w/distinction) DEC 31 State Charities (LSAFE w/distinction) DEC ANNUAL FRATERNAL SURVEY* JAN Partnership Profile Special Olympics Report JAN Semi-Annual Audit (ending Dec 31) FEB 15 State Per Capita (LSAFE) MAR 01 State Educational Grant Application MAR 01 State Programs Award Entries MAR 01 State Family of the Year Entry MAR 01 SUPREME PER CAPITA* APR 10 SUPREME CATHOLIC ADVERTISING* APR 10 SP7 COLUMBIAN AWARD APPLICATION* JUN 30 State Charities (LSAFE) JUN 30 MEMBERSHIP GAIN (7%, minimum of 3)* JUN 30 INSURANCE GAIN (3%, minimum of 3)* JUN RSVP Application JUN 30 *Star Council Award requirement LSAFE Lone Star Award for Excellence requirement FINISH LINE 18

19 MARKET PLACE Donate Now Texas State Charities Texas State Charities has an online donation page on the state council s website to assist generous Knights and others with a paper trail to support individual income tax deductions for donations made to six separate charitable projects. Select the Donate Now button on the main page and you will be linked to a special page with details on each of the six charity projects (1) Bishops Fund; (2) Disaster Relief; (3) Texas Special Olympics; (4) American Wheelchair Mission; (5) Wounded Warrior Project; (6) Frontline Faith Project; (7) West Disaster Relief Fund, (8) Granbury Disaster Relief Fund; and (9) Cardinal Medeiros Fund. Donations may be made by VISA or MASTERCARD to one or more of these state sponsored charity projects with the donor receiving a receipt by return . Texas State Council Charities, Inc, is qualified under the United States Internal Revenue Code as a section 501(c)(3) charity. Donations to it and projects funded through it are tax deductible to the extent allowed by federal law. Bishop s Fund Special Olympics Wounded Warrior West Relief Fund Disaster Relief Wheelchair Mission Frontline Faith Granbury Relief Fund Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Cardinal Medeiros Fund Send donations to: Texas State Council Charities Knights of Columbus 6633 Highway 290 East, Suite 204 Austin, TX ATTN: (Specify Fund) FINISH LINE 19

20 MARKET PLACE K of C Insurance John Regan, General Agent John F Regan, CFP, ChFC, CLU & FIC Texas State Council Insurance Liason General Agent Knights of Columbus Insurance 610 Coit Rd, Ste 100 Plano, TX Ofc EFax John.Regan@KofC.org Now at 909 FINISH LINE 20

21 MARKET PLACE Mark Johnson, Editor Mark Johnson, Website Master Visit us at Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney Aug 12, 1852 Aug 14, 1890 Founder of the Knights of Columbus like us on OUR NUMBERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE Year 2012 sets new records for Charitable giving VOLUNTER SERVICE More than $1.475 billion in charitable contributions and over 673 million volunteer hours have been provided in the last 10 Years CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS 70.1 MILLION HOURS $167 MILLION DOLLARS FINISH LINE 21

22 MARKET PLACE Texas State Charities Donations of $20.00 or higher will be recognized with a State Charities Pin. Make check payable to Texas State Council Charities. Texas State Council Charities 6633 Highway 290 East, Suite 204 Austin, TX Name: Council No. Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone: ( ) - Amount Enclosed $ Presented (Y/N) Mark Johnson, Editor Send articles and photos to: Find An Agent Join The Guild Fr. Michael J. McGivney Guild Editor, Texas Knight 707 Harbor Drive Georgetown, TX mark.johnson@texasknight-news Published 3 times annually KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS C E L E B R A T I N G 131 YEARS OF FAITH IN ACTION Texas State Council Wheelchair Chairman Sam Szalwinski samkc@sbcglobal.net FINISH LINE 22

23 MARKET PLACE Texas State Council Knights of Columbus Contact Duchess Collins at: where good guys wear black Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas For information on the exciting life of the priesthood, please contact the Vocations Office at KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS C E L E B R A T I N G 131 YEARS OF FAITH IN ACTION Send submissions to Bobb Mahrer, Editor r-mahrer@geusnet.com FINISH LINE 23