Knightly News! The Official Fr. John Howard Council 8500 Newsletter Februar y Birthdays 1 - Gordon Bateman 4 - Mike Cylkowski 4 - Fred Stanton 5 - Thomas Bellar 7 - Ryan McDonald 9 - Robert Maziarz 10 - Lee Osborn 10 - Derek Skurski 11 - Dan Henn 11 - Aaron Van Buren 15 - Frederick Duzzie 21 - Ken Huddas 21 - Ian Luther 23 - Edward Nelson 23 - Jack Shubitowski 24 - Antonio Di Donato 24 - Thomas Obie 26 - Robert D Ambrosi 27 - Michael York 28 - Patrick Morse 28 - Tomasz Strzebonski Daddy / Daughter Dance The third annual Daddy Daughter Dance was held on Saturday, February 11. This years dance was even bigger and better than last year! This is such an important event for fathers to show their daughters that they love them and how they are to be treated and respected as gifts from God. Thanks to Gary Cornellier for all of the planning and preparation, also to the Columbian Squires and Women s Club for helping out with this special event. Knightly News 1
Faithful Woodcutters Below are pictures of the worthy and hearty woodcutters during the cold winter months: Knights award bike program supporters On Friday, February 3, Grand Knight Bob Szymanski had the opportunity to present a Certificate to Matt and Joy of Vincere Cycles located at 236 W. Summit St. in Milford. They have both been a big help in repairing bikes for our program. Knightly News 2
Knights award bike program supporters On Friday, February 3, Grand Knight Bob Szymanski and 4th degree Knight John Litzelman also had the opportunity to present a Certificate to the manager, Laura Hunter, at the McDonald s at Milford Road and M-59 in Highland. Laura has been very helpful in providing the Knights with a place to have our first Knight s Bike giveaway and fundraisers for both the Knights and Men s Club. Got Water? We Do! The Knights with the help of Chairman Gary Cornellier, are off to a great start with the new Got Water program. The program encourages families to put down their technology devices and spend an afternoon together swimming in the pool. The event is free to those who wish to participate, which is sponsored by our Knights council. Knightly News 3
Knight of the Month - January By Gary Bingle Rich Naruszewicz is our Knight of the Month for February 2017, helping support the Knights, Men s Club and Holy Spirit Church. Rich, and his wife Charlene, moved to Highland in 1975 and became one of the founding families of Holy Spirit Church. We can all thank Rich for being one of those in the early days knocking on doors obtaining pledges that helped build Holy Spirit Church. Rich joined the knights in 1998 and is currently a 3 rd degree knight. Rich and Charlene have been married for fifty-one years. They have three daughters. Michele, Jennifer and Rebecca and three grandchildren, 12 year old twins Adam and Samantha and Jack who is 5 years old. Rich helps out whenever needed, with some of his many activities listed below: One of the initial leaders of the Religious Education program at Holy Spirit Holy Spirit Youth Leader under Fr. John Howard Knights Financial Secretary Deputy Grand Knight and Program Director Recorder Chairman Spelling Bee Chairman Scholarship Committee Chairman Special Olympics at Lakeland High School. Christmas in April and Rebuilding Together programs Worked various activities supporting the church picnic Thanks Rich for being a great Knight and member of Holy Spirit Church. Knightly News 4
Knights Bike Update By Gary Cornellier The Knights bike spotlight is shining brightly on Gus La Ruffa, former Grand Knight of the Milford Michigan post. He is an avid helper with our Knights bike program. Gus to date has repaired meticulously 17 bikes! He is also responsible for a $200 donation coming in to Council 8500 on behalf of the bike program! He has also transported bikes from the cycle shop, to his home, then to the Carls Family YMCA and other various places. Gus has outfitted a basement shop where he works on bikes and in his garage there are bikes he has hanging to be worked on. What I like about Gus is he is old school: He does what he says, but he won't say what he will do. Gus is too humble, that's why I would like to shine the spotlight on him and what he does. God bless you Gus La Ruffa, for using your time and talent well in helping others, from our Council 8500, Highland, Michigan. Knightly News 5
From the desk of the Navigator 2017 and Father Time con9nues to march forward. As 9me marches on so do we. Every year a liale bit older and hopefully a liale bit wiser. By the end of this year, I should be brilliant. If I could only remember the lessons I ve learned that make me smarter. Oh well! We are holding the 73 rd Exemplifica9on into our 4 th degree on April 22 nd in Brighton MI. Please start thinking of who might make a great candidate from our 3 rd degree ranks. I will be emailing our members specific loca9ons and agenda 9ming as they are released. December 2016 did not end well. We lost two more brothers just before Christmas, Charlie Cole and Robert Redmond. They both went to the Lord on December 19 th. Please keep their families in your prayers. I would like to throw out a challenge to each of our three councils. Which council will sponsor the most candidates for our April 2017 Exemplifica9on? The council with the most candidates will receive a plaque and have bragging rights. Please don t forget about your 2017 dues. They were due on January 1 st. You can pick up your 2017 membership card at the next mee9ng on Thursday January 19 th. Vivat Jesus Your Navigator, Fenton Assembly No. 2013 Jerry Burke Thought of the day: Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage Knightly News 6
Something to think about But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18: 13-14) As I continue the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, I can put myself in the crowd and see how I react as I read the story. Although the Pharisee comes off as a holy person, I probably don t identify with him. He s too holy and a bit self-righteous. When Jesus describes the tax collector, it s easy for me to place myself in his shoes. And then when I hear Jesus say that the tax collector went home justified, I can say to myself, There s hope for me! Once I recognize that everything good comes from God, then there really is hope for me because, left to myself, I m not that good. I can recite that offhandedly, like one of the truths we re supposed to believe: Everything good comes from God. But it can come off flat. Try this. Take a moment to think of five goods in your life. Then take each one and say, This comes from God. It really is a different way of seeing things. Bishop Ken Untener Calendar - Upcoming Events February 14 - K of C General Membership Meeting (Meal @ 7:30 pm / Meeting @ 8:00 pm) February 16 - K of C 4th Degree Membership Meeting (7:00 pm) (Third Thursday each month) February 18 - Corporate Communion Mass (5:00 pm, Rosary @ 4:15 pm) March 1 - Ash Wednesday / Beginning of Lent Knightly News 7