Pennsylvania State Council Knights of Columbus Editor and Distribution: Rick Terroni FSS Volume # 60 - Issue # 3 June 2016 Immediate Past State Deputy Message Stanley Glowaski As you read this edition of the Keystone Knight, our administration has come to a close as of June 30, 2016 and a new slate of officers has been elected and installed in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. The Fraternal Year of 2015-2016 has been another exciting year for all of us. Our jurisdiction again reached its Round Table goals and as of this writing acquired 90% of its membership. This was the largest gain in many years with over 100 councils achieving 100% membership. Many councils showed that with determination, effort and dedication, goals they felt were out of their reach could be attained. Hundreds of our councils received either the Star Council, McGivney, Founders and Columbian Awards. There are also councils that achieved Triple or Double Star. How exciting for everyone! The council names and numbers will be shared in later editions of the Keystone Knight. Immediate Past State Deputy Report continued on Page 5 Shown in the picture second row left to right are the new State Officers, Membership Director and Program Director for the 2016-2017 Fraternal Year. Pictured in the second row from Left to right: Frank J. Rozzo, State Warden; Thomas E. Hathaway, State Program Director; Michael J. Kish, State Advocate; Charles J. Vagnarelli, State Deputy; Paul J. Sharum, State Secretary; Jeffrey C. Blaze, State Treasurer; Theodore R. Zajac Jr, State Membership Director. Pictured in the first row left to right are Constance Hathaway, Colleen Kish, Jean Vagnarelli, Sherry Sharum and Deborah Blaze. Missing is Rev. Lawrence W. Sherdel, State Chaplain.
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 2 2016-2017 STATE FAMILY STATE CHAPLAIN Rev. Lawrence W. Sherdel Lancaster, PA 717-872-2166 frisherdel@hbgdiocese.org STATE DEPUTY Charles J. Vagnarelli (Jean) Jessup, PA 570-876-4524 charliejv@netzero.net STATE SECRETARY Paul J. Sharum (Sherry) Petersburg, PA 814-667-2595 pjsharum@yahoo.com STATE TREASURER Jeffrey C. Blaze (Deborah) Mercer, PA 724-662-2391 Blaze50@verizon.net STATE ADVOCATE Michael J. Kish (Colleen) Downingtown, PA 484-678-0530 Mjkish@verizon.net STATE WARDEN Frank J. Rozzo Pittsburgh, PA 412-885-1799 frank@kofc491.org IMMEDIATE PAST STATE DEPUTY Stanley Glowaski (Anna Marie) Bentleyville, PA 724-239-3673 sdglowaski@gmail.com ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT James S. Bailoni (Rose) Mount Carmel, PA 570-339-0484 kozbee@verizon.net STATE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Theodore R. Zajac (Pat) 215-453-7453 tedzajac@comcast.net STATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR Thomas E. Hathaway (Constance) 570-226-8729 hawleykid43@gmail.com MESSAGE FROM THE KEYSTONE KNIGHT EDITOR Brother Knights: I wanted to let you know of the distribution changes that will take place this year for the Keystone Knight. This is a result of an issue that occurred in late February where the second issue of the Keystone Knight for the last fraternal year was never delivered to any of the recipients. I am not sure what the reason was but the newsletter was printed and taken to the post office. What happened after that is only speculation. I spent the month of March and April trying to contact various departments of the US Post Office. Finally I was told to write a letter asking for a refund which I did but at the time of this printing I have received no information on this. The only way you can see this edition is on the State Council web site. Postage for the newsletter is significant and since I can not be sure if it is being delivered, I am suggesting the following for the printing and delivery of the Keystone Knight for the upcoming fraternal year. This issue is considered to be Issue 3 for the last fraternal year. That is why we recognize the officers for that time period but we also want to let you know about what is going on for the upcoming fraternal year. This issue will be given out at the DD seminar in mid July 2016 and the district deputies will be giving each of their Grand Knights a copy. Articles for the next issue are due by December 10, 2016 and the copy will be given to the district deputy at the January DD seminar. Articles for the next issue will be due March 15 and copies of the newsletter will be given out at the 2017 State Convention. Please note the Keystone Knight is available to view on the State Web Page. My objective as Keystone Knight Editor is to show all that our Councils, Districts, Chapters and Assemblies are doing in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. membership statistics, incentives and programs. Please give your Councils the recognition that it deserves and forward this information to me using the email address below. I look forward to hearing from you! Vivat Jesus! Rick Terroni FSS rickterroni@comcast.net Keystone Knight Editor The Keystone Knight is a publication of the Pennsylvania State Council, Knights of Columbus, which is solely responsible for its contents. Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of he editor or the State Council. The Keystone Knight will be published three times a year. Articles will be printed as space allows. The Keystone Knight can be viewed on the State Council Web Page! It will be given to State Officers, State Chairman, District Deputies and Grand Knights. Send articles and digitized photographs to rickterrroni@comcast.net or call 610-717-7554
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 3 \ FORMER STATE CHAPLAIN REPORT FATHER BUD Dear Brother Knights, This is my last message to all of you as you State Chaplain since my term of office expires on June 30th and I want to spend most of this missive sharing my experience of the past two years. As the old saying goes: Time Flies when you are having fun and these two years flew right by. It was so great meeting many of you at the District Deputy workshops as well as the Free Throw finals in Harrisburg, the two Columbus Day Dinners in different locations throughout the State, the two State Conventions and the Supreme Convention in Philadelphia. From all of these interactions, I experienced a great fraternalism and a love and support of our Catholic Faith/Church that gives me great confidence as I continue my ministry at my parish, my Knights Council and the Mid Mon Valley Chapter. Add to this, my opportunity to meet and enter into friendly casual conversations with some Bishops of our State was surprising for me as a Lowly parish priest, but maybe the Clout of being State Chaplain of the Pennsylvania Knights of Columbus, opened up a few doors that never would have opened other wise; for that I am grateful. The final highlight of my term was the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015. The Knights of Columbus offered me superb seats at the Papal Concert (third row center) and the Papal Mass (fifth row center) and I opted out of concelebrating Mass because I couldn t have gotten any closer to Pope Francis than where I was seated. As an added perk to the Papal events was my 15 seconds of fame when I was seen on TV (CNBC and Fox News) by friends or parishioners, either at the concert or receiving Communion. Gentlemen, Thank You doesn t seem adequate for the memories that my association with you these past two years have given me, but for now, please accept it with all the sincerity that it brings. Know that I won t forget my time as State Chaplain of the Pennsylvania Knights of Columbus and hopefully I will see you again at future State Conventions. On a Spiritual note, last June I reminded you that with the summer comes the temptation of slacking off on our practice of the Faith, but being Catholic (the term meaning Universal) means that it isn t hard, no matter where we travel, to find a Catholic parish and a convenient time to attend Mass and pray in thanksgiving for our safe travels, pray for a restful and enjoyable vacation and pray for a safe return. All we need to do is ask or look around and we will find a church and thus have the best of both worlds (Jesus and Vacation) that will make our rest all the more worthwhile. Be assured of my continued prayers for all of you and please pray for all of our new State Officers who are coming down the Pike who will continue the positive works and activities that make the Knights of Columbus in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the awesome organization that it is. Vivat Jesus! Fr. Pierre Bud Falkenhan Former State Chaplain
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 4 THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE K OF C IN THE JURISDICTION OF PA! As Editor of the Keystone Knight I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the Knights in the State of Pennsylvania to say THANK YOU to the former state officers and directors shown above Thank You for all the work they have done over the past two years to keep the K of C in the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania growing. They are pictured above Immediate Past State Deputy Stan Glowaski, Former State Chaplain Rev. Pierre M. Falkenhan Father Bud, Former State Secretary Jim Bailoni, Former State Treasurer Richard Corriveau, Former State Advocate Ken Grugel, and Former State Warden Fran O Hara. Thank you to our Former State Program Director Gary Damich and Former State Membership Director Jim Maochi. And Thank You to our Former Administrative Assistant and Former State Treasurer Ger Andrews for seeing that everything was working as scheduled!
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 5 CONTINUATION OF IMMEDIATE PAST STATE DEPUTY REPORT This year also had the jurisdiction hosting the Supreme Convention, World Meeting of Families and the visit of the Holy Father. The state was up to the challenge and with many dedicated knights participating made these a success. As State Deputy I hoped to increase communication and partnership throughout the jurisdiction and I believe we are on the right track and that some of these goals were achieved. We still need to continue our efforts to assist councils that have not recruited a new member and strengthen their programs. This past year about 160 councils did not recruit a new member. I am quite sure that many tried, but due to certain factors were not successful. My belief is they will achieve that success this coming year. There are so many people to extend my gratitude for an amazing year. To my fellow State Officers, State Directors and Chairman, District Deputies, Grand Knights, Council Officers, General Agents and Field Agents, brother knights, lovely ladies and so many others, for your dedication, support and especially friendship. My wife Anna Marie and I thank you. Know that you all will be in our prayers. My congratulations and support to our new State Deputy Charles Vagnarelli and his administration. Being the State Deputy has been a humbling experience for me, but also one of great satisfaction and enjoyment because of the people we have met and the belief that we as an order can make a difference in the lives of so many people who need us. Let us go forth and continue the work started by our founder, the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney. Vivat Jesus, Stan Glowaski Immediate Past State Deputy Pennsylvania Sir Knights of Mater Dei Council Lead the St. Pius May Procession he The Fourth Degree Knights of Mater Dei Council 4129 were asked to lead the Saint Pius X Parish May Procession. Pictured at the altar are the following Sir Knights: Charlie Waldecker, Grand Knight; Len Gliwa, Deputy Grand Knight; Jata Ghosh PFN, Advocate; Jason Colflesh, Chancellor; Bob Barson, Past Grand Knight; Jim Kraus, Treasurer; Mike Vogel, Trustee; John Kozul DD, Past Grand Knight; Rev John Weber, Chaplain; Rick Terroni FSS, Financial Secretary.
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 6 FORMER STATE ADVOCATE REPORT KEN GRUGEL My Brothers, It is really hard to believe that two years have gone by since I first became the State Advocate for the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. They say that time files when you are having fun. All in all, it has been fun and my pleasure to serve you. There have been some bumps in the road with a few of our members, and a few incidents with home associations; but the majority of our membership are sound, moral, practicing Catholic gentlemen who take being a Knight of Columbus very seriously. When I first became a State Officer I was somewhat unsure what the job would entail but learned rather quickly what being one was all about. There is much more to it than just attending more meetings each year or sitting on the top row of the Diaz. You become responsible for the welfare and administration of a jurisdiction which encompasses more than 61,000 members. A responsibility not to be taken lightly. I encourage any of you who desire to rise through the ranks to avail yourselves of every possible training opportunity which comes your way. There is always something new which you can learn and which you may be able to use someday down the road. Attend Grand Knight and officers training sessions as well as Financial Secretary training. Find out what you need to know to step into those positions when called upon to do so. Work closely with your District Warden and District Deputy so that you can fill their shoes quickly. It is all so very important to learn as much as you can about our jurisdiction and our Order. Once again, allow me to thank you for allowing me to serve as your State Advocate under the Stan Glowaski administration. It is a memory which I will never forget. Vivat Jesus! Kenneth E. Grugel FSA Honor Flight Philadelphia takes WW2 and Korean War veterans to Washington, DC On May 21, 2016, Honor Flight Philadelphia took 138 WW2 and Korean War veterans to Washington, DC to see their memorials at no cost to the veterans. Upon their return, a reception was held at St. Kevin's Church in Springfield, PA. Among those present to greet the returning veterans, which included one local member of the Knights of Columbus, were 16 Color Corps members from 5 Philadelphia Assemblies and one member dressed up as a WW2 Military Police Officer. The group showed the power of fraternity while exemplifying the principle of patriotism in honoring these veterans as they lined up along the red carpet and saluted each vet as they entered the hall. Afterwards, the Knights posed for a collective picture inside the reception hall. Submitted by Neal Pizzano Faithful Navigator Cardinal Dougherty Assembly pictured in World War II Uniform.
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 7 2016 C.O.A.L. PROGRAM Worthy Brother Knights, The Pennsylvania State Council convention is behind us. The COAL program is off to a better start this year. COAL books have been received and were distributed to the Councils who placed orders. Councils can still sign up by completing the order form on the State Council web site or by calling Joe Caromano at 610-449-4778 or email joecaromano@verizon.net. At the State Convention a drawing was held to present two (2) $50.00 checks to the Councils who ordered COAL books either prior to the convention or at the convention. The winning Councils were 10616 St. Patrick s of White Haven and 15912 St. Richard s of Gibsonia. Each of our participating Councils is asked to sell or buy at least 10 more books than were sold during 2015. By doing so you will help us meet the escalating costs of the prizes and running the program. The sales bonus for increased sales over the previous year will again be $1.00 for each COAL book sold over the quantity sold during the 2015 program. New participants will have a starting point of 50 books. Returning the books stubs by December 1 st will entitle the Council to $.25 per book bonus. This important program funds the scholarships that are awarded each year at the State Council convention. The children of our membership can use all the help they can get to cover their college costs. Please don t cheat them of this opportunity. Fraternally, Joe Caromano FST, COAL Chairman 118th PA STATE COUNCIL CONVENTION HELD IN ERIE On the back cover of this issue is a collage of photographs taken at the PA State Convention held in Erie, PA on May 13-15, 2016. Many thanks to DD Geoff Crowe for doing this. The convention began with the annual memorial mass and formerly opened at 10 PM on Friday with the nomination of delegates and alternate delegates to the Supreme Convention with reports from the various chapters following. The convention continued on Saturday morning with the State Officer Reports, Supreme Treasurer Report, Immediate Past State Deputy Report and Reports from the State Membership Director and State Program Director and their Committees. State Chief Squire Stephen Pater spoke for the PA State Council Squires Circle. He joined the Squires in his freshman year of high school. He spoke about some of the things the Squires do. The Squires have raised and donated more than $ 8,000.00 to St Jude. The State Chief Squire s goal was to increase membership and increase fund raising which was achieved. Stephen will be turning 18 the end of July and will not hesitate to join our Order! FSA Ken Grugel presented resolutions submitted with the Resolutions Committee recommendations for acceptance or rejection. The convention mass was concelebrated by Bishop Lawrence Persico and Bishop Emeritus Donald Troutman along with our State Chaplain and Former State Chaplains. The family of the year was given to Michael and Susan Schweichler at the convention banquet. Michael is a member of Council 6191 Father Simpson and Dwyer in Edinboro, PA. The convention concluded on Sunday with the election of State Officers for the 2016-2017 fraternal year. They are listed with a picture on the front cover. Many thanks to those brother knights from the Central West for sponsoring a great convention!
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 8 A flag from Pope Francis s visit was donated to Fr. Emil Kapaun Assembly #3274 from a family from St. Patrick s parish in Malvern, PA that received it from a drawing after his visit. They saw the Color Corps from Fr. Emil Kapaun Assembly on numerous occasions at St. Patrick s Church and decided to donate the flag to them. They in turn gave the flag to the Daylesford Abbey (their meeting place) for safe keeping. Shown in the photograph to the right is a function that the Fr. Email Kapaun participated in the St. Mary Magdalene May Procession. DONATION TO EMMAUS MINISTRIES Pictured is Ken Grugel,FSA presenting a $900. 00 check to Margaret Kloecker, Administrative Assistant of Emmaus Ministries in Erie Pa. Emmaus is sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. The check represents a portion of the Memorial Mass collection from the State Convention held in May in Erie.
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 9 MESSAGE FROM STATE DEPUTY CHARLIE VAGNARELLI I wish to congratulate our Past State Deputy Stanley Glowaski and his State Officers. They did a great job of carrying our State to great heights. As we began our fraternal year, I would like to congratulate our new State Officers, Program Director, Membership Director, Directors, Chairman, District Deputy s, Grand Knights, and my Brother Knights. We must dedicate ourselves to the great State of Pennsylvania in order to preserve the Knights of Columbus. As our religion struggles with Church closings, decreasing number of priest, Civil liberties, let s turn our struggles into blessings from above and rebound our Catholic Religion. We are faced with many challenges, but I am optimistic our team effort will result in recruiting good Catholic Gentlemen. RECRUIT RECRUIT RECRUIT Vivat Jesus Charles J. Vagnarelli State Deputy Knights of Columbus COUNCIL 4282 Announces 2016 ESSAY WINNERS The Knights of Columbus Council 4282 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Holy Family Parish, Nazareth PA, announces this year s winners of their Memorial Scholarships. Each year the Council runs an Essay Contest for Holy Family School eighth graders heading to a Catholic High School. This year s topic was How do I use the virtue of Mercy in my daily Catholic life The judges choose one Girl and one Boy winner from all the essays submitted. The value of each scholarship is $750.00 and the checks are written to the High Schools chosen by the winners. This year s Girl Winner has had several accomplishments in the eighth grade. She participated in the Academic Bowl, Student Council, Creative Writing Club, Stem Club, Drama Club, Girl s Intramurals, was a Mission Representative and is an Altar Server. Most recently she starred in the Holy Family School 13 th Spring Play Annie Get Your Gun playing the part of Widow Wilson. Congratulations to Ellie Freiss who will be attending Bethlehem Catholic HS this fall. We wish her continued success! This year s Boy Winner also is recognized for his many accomplishments. He participated in Lehigh Valley Hospital s Joy Drive, Safe Harbor Meal donations, Diocesan youth rally, Flashes of Gold Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser and was a youth ambassador. He was also a Mission Representative for the Missionary Childhood Association. He also made a video which won a Bully Prevention Contest". This year s Boy Winner is Michael Irving. Michael will be attending Notre Dame HS in the, fall. The Knight s thank all students that competed in this year s Essay Contest. Council 4282 wishes all of their Holy Family School Graduates the best of success especially the Winners and pray that they will continue to use the virtue of Mercy in their daily lives.
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 10 A Message from the Insurance Agency Department We Stand Strong On Ethical Ground! Submitted by Ken Scott, FIC, FICF, General Agent Some people believe that ethics in business is a contradiction in terms. They think that in order to be profitable, a company and its leaders must abandon morality and embrace the dark, greedy side that they see so often in the news and in movies. At the Knights of Columbus, we know this isn t true. A business can be both ethical and successful. We are. As a Catholic organization, we understand the value and importance of our core beliefs and the original mission of Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney. In fact, much of the strength and financial security we provide to members and their families can be attributed to our ethical, moral standards. More than 96 percent of Knights who buy our life insurance keep it, year in and year out. The Order takes this commitment to our members very seriously. This means carefully planning when it comes time to invest. Our professional staff researches all transactions to insure that they fall in line with Catholic values. If a transaction makes them uncomfortable, they don t make it. We exclude any company engaged in activity that conflicts with Catholic moral teaching: companies directly involved in abortion, contraception, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, for-profit health care that pays for any of these, or pornography, said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. There are many companies in the pharmaceutical and communications industries that would undoubtedly provide excellent returns for us, but which are not in our portfolio because they engage in research and development or programming in ways that violate the sanctity or dignity of human life. In the end, the Knights of Columbus investment strategy is motivated by morality, not money. Yet, each year we remain profitable, increase our assets and stay dedicated to this vision that will keep the Order financially sound for generations to come. But don t just take our word for it. In 2016 the Knights of Columbus was named a World s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute for the third year in a row. We were one of only two life insurance companies to earn the honor. Faithful Catholics have choices when buying life insurance, said the Supreme Knight. But they know that at the Knights of Columbus their policy is supplied by an insurer that shares their moral and ethical values and is guided in all of its investment and sales practices by those values. Contact your General Agent or Field Agent to learn more about our products. Your Pennsylvania General Agents are: Art Ardire 814-375-1205 James W. Kearny 570-654-3390 Michael F. Burkitt 304-212-5573 Jack Mitchell 717-737-7808 Joseph M. Grayeske 215-362-2469 Ken Scott 724-719-2324
June 2016 KEYSTONE KNIGHT Page 11 SK WILLIAM M. HARPER S SWORD PRESENTED TO HIS COUNCIL On July 5, 2016 Former State Treasurer, Joe Caromano, State Coal Chairman presented the sword of Former Vice Supreme Master William Harper PSD to Wiley Redding, Deputy Grand Knight of St. Jude Council #4273 (Pictured above left). The picture to the right shows the members of St. Jude Council that attended the Council Meeting. The sword was presented to the Council in Bill s memory. SK William M. Harper was Master of the Calvert Province from 1972-1976 and 1980-1981 and State Deputy from 1978-1980 and Vice Supreme Master from 1981-1987. Bill was also the Former COAL Chairman for the Pennsylvania State Council. KNIGHTS ON BIKES WHO ARE WE? Immediately after purchasing my Harley, I wanted everyone to know I was a member of the Knights of Columbus, So I made a metal plate with the K of C decal and affixed it to my motorcycle. This is what launched the Knights on Bikes in April 2005 and is opened to every member in the K of C! These members are dedicated to improving the biker s image, promoting safety and Christian values. Some of the objectives are raising money for the less fortunate ( Fill the Helmet fund, Benefit Dance, Bike Show, Blood Drives, etc). They also ride in parades, visit nursing homes, and reach out to help those in most need. For more information on Knights on Bikes contact Raymond C. Medina, Founder at (817) 703-8971 or email konb@hotmail.com. The Knights on Bikes enjoy camaraderie with different brothers of all Councils, spreading the faith and word of the lord. There are members in the US and Canada! They are able to visit brother Knights in other Councils, Cities and States. They are being regarded as one of the family! They are men of character and conviction who are driven by faith and conscience to do truly meaningful works! They are a family oriented organization that rides safely while having fun. The qualifications are you must be a member of any Knights of Columbus Council though out the world. You must own a motorcycle of any kind or anticipate owning one in 6 months.
118TH STATE CONVENTION ERIE PA-MAY 13-15, 2016