September 2017 FR. O KEEFE ASSEMBLY 1162 4 th Degree Knights of Columbus Volume 1, No. 3 Norfolk, Virginia-Assembly 1162 Fr. Matthew J. O Keefe Assembly No. 1162 COMING UP AT ASSEMBLY #1162 September 4: LABOR DAY September 7: Meeting at OLPH (7:30 PM) September 8: Chaplain Miller s Retirement (NOB) September 11: PATRIOT DAY November 11: 4 th Deg Exemplification (Portsmouth) Renaissance Hotel Faithful Navigator s Message Worthy Sir Knights, Families, and Friends, As we have all heard, The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, Bishop of Richmond passed away on the evening of August 17 th. The following was posted from the Diocese of Richmond: With great sadness, I announce The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, Bishop of Richmond, died at St. Mary s Hospital, late last night. He was 75. He was a faithful servant of the Church for 49 years and a Shepherd of the Diocese of Richmond for 13 years. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bishop DiLorenzo, for his family and friends, and for the people of the Diocese of Richmond. Without going into too many details (see pages 3-5 of this newsletter), Supreme has provided some details concerning the new 4 th Degree uniform and the bottom line is that we will be changing to the new uniform. I know that this does not set well with a lot of you but let me remind you that a uniform does not define the good works that we do. As I stated at last month s meeting we do not have to purchase this new uniform, we will just not be able to participate in any Supreme or State sponsored events, but we can continue to support our community. Please read the insert provided in this newsletter and hopefully it will provide you with the rational from Supreme for this change. Faithful Navigator s Message, cont, I encourage each of you to think long and hard before making an emotional decision about leaving the 4 th Degree due to this change. Again we can continue to support our community as an Assembly, just not in the prescribed uniform. I am not sure if this will ease the anger/disappointment but we as Assembly 1162 will continue to wear the traditional regalia until the mandatory switch date of July 1, 2018. So what does this mean, we will wear regalia to events that we support in the Norfolk area. If you have any questions concerning this issue please do not hesitate to call me. Hope everyone has a great and safe Labor Day. Continue to pray for our brother Sir Knights that are in need and especially for Bishop DiLorenzo. Patriotically Proud, Steven W. Kocurek Faithful Navigator Knights of Columbus, Assembly #1162 meetings are held the 1 st Monday of each month on a rotating basis from Councils 367, 3548, & 10601 beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m. Council #367 Council #3548 Council #10601 (JAN, APR, JUL, OCT) (FEB, MAY, AUG, NOV) (MAR, JUN, SEP, DEC) The Fr. Matthew J. O Keefe Assembly #1162 is published by and for the membership of Knights of Columbus, Norfolk, Va. Assembly 1162. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of the Knights of Columbus. It is published monthly to inform the membership on issues of concern. The publication is emailed monthly to 1162 members. Comments may be mailed to: John Person, 1162 Editor, 5201 Kennebeck Ave., Norfolk, VA 23513 or emailed at jperson415@cox.net.
2 Comptroller s Report Worthy Sir Knights, Be sure to like Father Matthew J. O'Keefe Assembly No. 1162-4th Degree, KOC on Facebook to keep updated on Assembly events and news. The Assembly now has a web page also, kofcassembly1162.org, check it out and give some feedback. Please share the newsletter with those that do not have email and ask them to get an email account and register it with the Assembly as the newsletter will only be sent out via email. Vivat Jesus, Mike Atkinson Faithful Comptroller COMING UP AT COUNCIL 367 THE FIRST COUNCIL IN THE SOUTH September 6: Business Meeting 7:30 PM September 8: Friday Night Social 6:00 PM September 10: Knights United Mass at CTK September 13: Officers Meeting 7:30 PM September 17: Fabulous Family Breakfast 9- Noon September 20: Social Meeting Admin Deg 7:30 PM September 24: Family Picnic 12 5 PM September 25: 120 th Fraternal Year for Council 367 AYCE Fabulous Family Breakfast includes bacon, link sausage, ham, scrambled eggs, eggs to order, fried potatoes, biscuits & gravy, waffles, pancakes, French toast, grits, toast, & fresh fruit. $8 for Adults, $4 for children ages 5 12, free for 4 & under. Adult price also includes a Mimosa. 9 12 every third Sunday. Hope to see you there. KNIGHTS UNITED AT MASS at Christ the King will be at 8:30 AM. 1 st (Admission) Degree, candidates need to be there by 7 PM on Wednesday, September 20 th. Come join us for our Family Picnic on Sunday, September 24 th from 12 5 PM. There ll be a variety of food and price is TBD. Beer/wine is $2 and sodas are $1. Check out our new and improved website at kofc367.org and our Facebook page for events. Faithful Captain Message Worthy Sir Knights, family, and friends, I want to remind all of you about the retirement ceremony for Chaplain Miller at Naval Station Norfolk on Friday, September 8 th, at 1300 (1 PM) at the Protestant Chapel located at 1530 Gilbert Street just inside Gate 2. This ceremony should be interesting and a lot of fun. Chaplain Miller has always been a very strong supporter of the Knights and I think we owe him a lot of gratitude. Please join us at his ceremony. He is requesting Knights in regalia with swords or at least in tuxes with social baldrin. If you are able to attend, please let myself or the Faithful Navigator know. We can also bring you in if you don't have base access. I hope to see a lot of Sir Knights there. Vivat Jesus, Jorge Pousa Faithful Captain COMING UP AT COUNCIL 3548 September 5: Business Meeting 7:30 PM September 17: Sunday Breakfast 9- Noon September 19: Social Meeting 7:30 PM AYCE Sunday Breakfast includes bacon, link sausage, southwestern loaded or scrambled eggs, eggs to order, fried potatoes, biscuits & gravy, pancakes, French toast, grits, & fresh fruit. $8 for Adults, $5 for children ages 6 12, free for 5 & under. Bloody Mary s, Mimosa, & soda available at bar price. 9 12 every third Sunday. COMING UP AT COUNCIL 10601 September 14: September 24: September 28: Business Meeting 7 PM St Matthews Feast Day Social Meeting 7 PM Members attended St. Matthew Catholic School orientation for students and teachers and spoke about the Knights of Columbus and the programs associated with today's youth. 4 th Degree Meeting will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Byzantine Catholic Church located at 216 S. Parliament Dr. Virginia Beach, VA.
Supreme Knight Message (Section addressing new uniform) Worthy Sir Knights, The convention was also the occasion for a historic announcement: the introduction of the new uniform of the Fourth Degree. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors took this action motivated by the best interests of the Order as whole and of the Fourth Degree in particular. The new uniform is part of a comprehensive and necessary effort to keep our Order relevant and attractive to men, particularly younger men. In light of this significant change, I thought it would be helpful to address some of the questions that have been asked about the new uniform. 1. The cape and chapeau, while popular among some Fourth Degree members, have become dated and are increasingly cited as a reason that eligible Catholic men, especially young men, do not join the Knights of Columbus. 2. Today there are nearly 2 million members of the Order, but only 358,000 of them are Fourth Degree Knights less than 20 percent. The old regalia was one reason often given by brother Knights for why they did not want to advance to the Fourth Degree. Supreme Knight Message, cont, We have been testing the new uniform over the past year with key groups of Knights, including those brother Knights who participate in our annual Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage. The feedback we received from these groups has been very positive. During the convention, the Good of the Order Committee spoke in words I wish to make my own: We commend all of the faithful Sir Knights who have proudly worn the Fourth Degree regalia, bringing much respect to the Order. With the new Fourth Degree uniform, recently approved by the Board of Directors, this honor and respect associated with Sir Knights will remain, and it will open the door more widely for a new generation to join their ranks. In a spirit of unity, let us assist with a smooth transition to this new uniform and encourage it to be worn with great dignity and pride. Fraternally, Carl A. Anderson Supreme Knight 3. We understand that some Fourth Degree members are fond of the old regalia. The cape and chapeau regalia will still be allowed, for a time, in those assemblies and districts that wish to use it, though the preference is for the new uniform. 4. Ceremonial swords will continue to be part of the Fourth Degree. 5. The new uniform is designed to be much more versatile than the older regalia and can be worn at a much wider range of functions. 6. Our choice of uniform, while important, has always been ancillary to the work we do carrying out the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, and this should always be the case. 3
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW FOURTH DEGREE UNIFORM Earlier this month, the Knights of Columbus board of directors unanimously voted to adopt a new uniform for the Fourth Degree. The decision was made with the good of the entire Order in mind. While we understand that some members may prefer the old regalia, the supreme master and vice supreme masters urge all Fourth Degree members to put the good of the Order before any personal preference. The board decided to make this move based on the following factors: the aging of our Fourth Degree membership the slow growth of the Fourth Degree (fewer than 20 percent of Knights are Fourth Degree members, and only a fraction of that number even serve as honor guards) consistent reports that the old regalia presented a barrier to Fourth Degree membership, especially among younger men The following FAQ should answer many of the questions that have arisen concerning this change. Q: Will the new uniform allow the use of ceremonial swords? A: Yes. Ceremonial swords will continue to be part of the Fourth Degree. When swords are used, gloves should also be used. Q: How will rank be distinguished? A: Colored patches will be worn on the beret behind the Fourth Degree emblem as follows: Dark Blue Supreme Master Light Blue Vice Supreme Masters Gold District Masters White Faithful Navigators Green District Marshals Purple Color Corp Commanders Those not holding office (who formerly wore red capes) will wear berets with no patch. Q: Where can I buy the new unifom? A: www.knightsgear.com Q: Will there be discounts offered on the new uniform? A: Yes. The Order will subsidize the new uniform with a 25 percent discount offered to all members who order the new uniform prior to Sept. 30, 2017. Q: What if a member just purchased the old regalia? A: Any member who purchased the old regalia after May 1, 2017, can submit their receipt along with their member number to regaliacredit@kofc.org. Information will then be sent to that member on how to receive a $200 credit toward the new uniform. 4
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW FOURTH DEGREE UNIFORM (CONT) Q: Is the Order making money on the new uniform? A: No, the uniform is being sold at (or sometimes below) our cost. Q: Was the new uniform field tested prior to its release? A: Yes. The new uniform was field tested by Fourth Degree members attending the Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage. Q: Can the old regalia still be worn? A: Yes, for a time. While the preference is for the new uniform wherever possible, the old regalia can still be worn until the end of the current fraternal year (June 30, 2018). After that date, only the new uniform should be worn. Q: Who made this decision? A: The board of directors made this decision earlier this year after a three year period of testing and discussion. In addition, changing the uniform/regalia was previously discussed with the vice supreme masters at the Supreme Assembly. Q: Did members have input on this? A: For years, supreme officers and directors have received comments from members and prospective members that the old regalia was a barrier to membership overall, or to membership in the Fourth Degree. UNIFORM COST The new dress uniform is priced at $382.50 with the 25% discount. This price is good until September 30, 2017 then it goes up to the regular price of $510. Website to order is http://www.knightsgear.com/regalia 5
Sick and Deceased We pray for those listed below prior to each Council Meeting and ask that each Brother also remember them in their prayers and at Mass: Randy Blair Kenny Brink Louise Cornetta Cynthia DeLucenay Philip Escuadra Bob LaGreca JoeMarasco Hannah Morris Dan Owens Jay Perez Sauda Pousa Patricia Brennan Bill Carr Vincent Cornetta Daniel Dowd Sr Tom Horsch Frank Marasco Jack Michalski J.R. Morris Karen Owens Viola Person We also pray for the repose of the souls of the departed. May they rest in peace. Bishop Francis X DiLorenzo DD24 Jim Glover, PFN Note: If anyone knows of someone who needs to be ADDED or REMOVED from our list, please contact John Person at (757) 675-2107 or jperson415@cox.net. Happy Birthday Sir Knights & Wives Catherine Isajewicz 09-01 Jerome F Kampsen 09-05 Benjamin U Cacapit 09-07 65 Ellen Smith 09-09 Nellie Herring-Webber 09-09 Ramon S Leyeza 09-10 Gilbert Martinez PFN 09-10 60 Robert LaGreca PFN 09-15 Robert M Wood 09-18 Henry Arzadon 09-19 Teresa Klotz 09-19 John F Michalski PFN 09-19 Donald E Moore 09-19 Thomas G Webber 09-20 50 James L Smith 09-24 Linda Pressler 09-27 Pat Trent 09-27 Rodney J Watson 09-24 John P Ruedisueli 09-29 50 Walter C Barrett 09-30 70 Happy Birthday to you all! May you enjoy many more! Happy Anniversary! James L & Linda Pressler PFN 09-01 Junior E & Dena Morris 09-02 Jorge L & Denise Pousa 09-08 Thomas G & Nellie Webber 09-09 Keith E & Cynthia DeLucenay 09-12 Orlando S & Marilou Mina 09-14 Daniel W & Margaret Dowd 09-24 Happy Anniversary to you all! May you enjoy many more Blessed Years Together! 6
F R. M AT T H E W J. O KEEFE AS S E M B L Y #1162 September 2017 4 th Degree Knights of Columbus Volume 1, No. 3 Norfolk, Virginia-Assembly 1162 2017/2018 Fraternal Year Assembly #1162 Officers Navigator Steve W. Kocurek SCOUTINGFAN@yahoo.com 757.407.0074 Captain Jorge Pousa pousa_jorge@hotmal.com 757.339.8568 Pilot Bob Place bob.place@cox.net 757.708.4187 Comptroller Mike Atkinson mike.atkinson13@cox.net 757.681.2679 Scribe Dan Schmidt dantheman102570@gmail.com 757.348.5517 Purser Fredric Vaccarella FVACCARE@yahoo.com 757.486.4606 Inner Sentinel Mike Schmidt juggalo2476@gmail.com 757.470.2086 Outer Sentinel Thomas Horsch hpe.plc@verizon.net 757.623-6364 Admiral John A. Escuadra je2820@aol.com 757.639.5628 Trustee 1yr Guido Escalante varietydoc@hotmail.com 757. 717.9551 Trustee 2yr James. Gagne jessejames73@verizon.net 757.587.8529 Trustee 3yr Jack Michalski jfmkofc@cox.net 757.962-5825 7