COUNCIL NEWS Chaplains Message Council Executive Dear Brother Knights: Chaplain PGK Father Rob Rocheleau Sam Derose Quickly the New Year had brought us into preparations for the Season of Lent. These 40 days are given to us each year as a time of intense spiritual renewal. By praying, fasting and engaging in works of mercy (especially apt during the Year of Mercy) we grow in our discipleship. Do not put off caring for your soul. Each day is a grace and needs careful attention. In the midst of our busy lives, time for prayer and simple reflection is essential. Take advantage of opportunities to grow in faith. Our Adult faith Formation program is a great way to learn more about our Catholic Faith. Over 4 Wednesdays, we will discover more about the teachings of the church. Come and join us and educate yourself more about the great mysteries of our faith. In preparation for Easter and to mark the Year of Mercy, set aside the days for our Lenten Mission with Fr. James Carruthers CSB Feb. 27- March 2. Fr Jim will preach the weekend and then lead us in a Mission Reflection Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7 pm. The theme is the Face of God in Jesus. Because of the Mission, the general meeting Tuesday, March 1 st will begin at 8 pm in order to allow all of you the chance to participate in the Mission. May God bless our days with many moments of love, peace and joy. Fr. Rob Grand Knight Dan Pergolesi Deputy GK Chancellor Treasurer Financial Sec Warden Recorder Advocate Lecturer Trustees Guards Gaetan Pleau George Lewsaw Dan Dumouchelle Bob Cayea Vincent Buglisi Tim Law Paul Ratko Mike Charbonneau Dave Orosz Eugene Trepanier Jerome Laforet Tom Becksmith David Hodgeson Jeff Lewsaw Meetings: General 1 st Tuesday Executive and Charities 4 th Tuesday
Grand Knights Report Greetings Brother Knights, I trust all were able to enjoy a spiritual, peaceful Christmas season with family and friends this past month. As we embark on the second half of this fraternal year, I would like to call upon those who may not yet have had time or opportunity to become involved in our various programs or church ministries, to consider giving some of their time as we are always in search of assistance in both parish and council organizations. Our calendar in these remaining months is quite full with events, as you will notice from the attachment below. I would like to highlight just a few, in addition to the inclusions of our Directors and Chairs. I extend an invitation again to our entire membership to attend our February meeting, as on this day we will be officially welcoming Fr Matthew Durham as a member of our council. Fr. Matt is the Director of Community Engagement with Hospice of Windsor, and though he has been a member of our council for over a year, he has not had an opportunity to attend a meeting. On this day we will welcome Fr. Matthew, and through the generosity of Br. Mike Agius and his wife Rita, we will have a social event following the meeting. Please make an effort to attend. Our Annual Lenten Fish Fry is quickly approaching. Our Cooking team is always is search of additional members. This is truly one of the highlights of our fraternal year, and is one of the most look forward to events, not only for the meal, but as a means for the team to engage in lighthearted comradery. A quick note, due to the Parish Mission in March, we have been asked to push back the start time of our General Meeting to 8:15 PM on March 1 st please mark this on your calendars, and I promise to make this as short a meeting as possible, to allow us to close it at a reasonable hour. We are still in need of leaders within out council, open positions include Charities Raffle Chairman, Habitat for Humanity s Chair, Blood Donor Chair, Wheel Chair Program Chair. If any of these are of interest to you, or if you may have another program not mentioned or which you would like to see established, please contact me to discuss. As mentioned previously, if you should need to contact me for any reason what-so-ever, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at: dan.pergolesi@gmail.com or by phone at (519) 735-6253. Fraternally, Dan. 2
District Deputy s Report Six Months Remaining in Fraternal Year Dear Brother Knights; As the Christmas Season flows into the New Year with its accompanying personal introspection of the past year s goals, successes and shortfalls, as well as our hopes and prospects for the coming year, it brings with it the appreciation and giftedness of our faith. Unlike the agnostics, atheists and those promoting the secularization of Christmas, we have the benefit of faith to mold and help us attain our goals and resolutions as many like to focus on at this new beginning. This past Holiday it was poignant to see the signage at Riverside Drive and Lesperance, in front of the former cycle shop with the wording Merry Christmas.. Say it loud and proud! What a fine message, that seems to be counter- cultural in a society that has been encouraged to politically keep faith from the public arena. Just think, that if all brother knights were involved enough in the order and in their council activities, that when the topic of the K. of C. should arise in general conversation, they could spontaneously endorse their membership loudly and proudly. The next six months of the fraternal year offers a great time to seize the opportunity of membership in the Knights and to simultaneously to support one s faith, church and community by taking part in the programs that the K. of C. fosters. Tell your executive that you have a few free hours to volunteer. What can I do for the cause? If you read State Deputy Alain Cayer s article in the January Fraternal Planner, (See it online) you will have learned that Ontario welcomed 196 new members out of a December monthly target of 200. So far this fraternal year, 733 new members were welcomed. This bodes well for a state target of 2,000. Now is a great time to ramp up membership growth. Strong programming will aid retention. Of great importance in Windsor/Essex County is the launch of a concise, three- day church membership recruitment drive that is scheduled for Jan. 15 th, 16 th 17 th, 2016. This new endeavor is being promoted in our area by state along with Bro. Guy Precourt, a Supreme Council Membership Program Consultant. Yes, it s fast approaching but local councils can still get involved by enlisting three top recruiters who wish to take the training on Saturday, Jan. 16 th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 146 Talbot St.Essex. On Friday, Jan. 15 th, a social event (Wine and Cheese) welcoming clergy, deacons and spouses will take place at Cardinal Stepanic Council, 1711 Walker Rd. Saturday evening and Sunday will see teams of knights run church membership drives at other than their own parish. Contact your Grand Knight for details. On the youth programming front, councils participating in the Basketball Free Throw should complete their council level competition by the end of January. District Championship reports are due by Feb. 15, 2016. The Special Olympics Flag Relay is scheduled for District 76 from Jan. 25th to Jan. 31 st. Our councils need to discuss the nature of our event to promote the cause of Special Olympics. Perhaps a public flag raising at a prominent site such as St. Anne Church followed by an information reception would be workable? The next six months should, and with a little planning can be a productive and rewarding time for you council. As you resolve to do something that puts your faith into action, why not choose to do so through the knights? On behalf of my wife Donna and myself, I wish all a meaningful, productive, and rewarding New Year. Jerry Marcotte DD 76 3
Prayer for the Sick: Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore their health once again. Please remember the following in your prayers: Walter Friedl Denis Bovin Gloria Cambell Margaret Hebert Dan Frimer Ted Gervais Continue to remember those who are healing and pray for those who are not mentioned and in need of our prayers. 4
Youth Report Alcohol and Substance Abuse Poster Contest: This year we had 162 entries from both schools 35 from H.J. Lassaline and 127 from L.A. Desmarais. This year s winners are: Lassaline: Alcohol (8-11 Yrs) Drug (8-11 Yrs) 1 st Madelaine Evon 1 st Anna Katkic 2 nd Jade Luong 2 nd Elizabeth Marion 3 rd Emily Hackney 3 rd Fiona Lewsaw L.A. Desmarais: Drug (8-11 Yrs) Alcohol (8-11 Yrs) 1 st Georgina Issa 1 st Brianna Apollonio 2 nd WiktorGajewski 2 nd JomarielEscasa 3 rd KateGagnier 3 rd Randy A Hady Allison Fegali L.A. Desmarais: Drug (12-14Yrs) Alcohol (12-14Yrs) 1 st MsfodpmTphrtd 1 st Elyssa Biscocho 2 nd Mathew Tonkin 2 nd Melinda Yousif 3 rd Reese Mitchell 3 rd Alerie Burton ArmondaDuhanaj Thank you to Brothers Vern Gannon, Keith Campbell, Dan Dumouchelle and Mike MaLellan for assisting in the judging. Youth Director: Eduardo Aguilar 5
Basketball Free Throw Competition: Our Council sponsored Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw Competition was held on January 18 th at Lassaline School. Congratulations to this years winners. 9 yrs. Old: Boys - Masen Showmiski (Lassaline) Girls - Katie Magnante (Lassaline) 10 yrs. Old: Boys - Jaeden Salazar (Desmarais) Girls - Amy Moore (Lassaline) 11 yrs. Old: Boys - Josh Lariviere (Desmarais) Girls - Anna Katkic (Lassaline) 12 yrs. Old: Boys - Nolan Therrier (Lassaline) Girls - Leena Shaya (Desmarais) 13 yrs. Old: Boys - Daniel Richards (Lassaline) Girls - Jackie Lafreniere (Lassaline) 14 yrs. Old: No entries These students will be moving on to our District level competition at the middle of February. Thank you to our council volunteers: Youth Director : Eduardo Aguilar. Goodfellow s Paper Drive Goodfellow paper drive was held on November 26 th, 27 th and 28 th. This year we had 26 volunteers, made up of Brother Knights, their family and parishioners, who manned the fronts of local business in the evenings on Thursday and Friday, and morning on Saturday. Through their combined efforts we were able to collect $ 3800. The funds raised are used to provide food for those less fortunate, especially during the Christmas Season, to allow them to have a nutritious and festive dinner during the holiday season Thank you to all who donated their time and made monetary donations to assist in this program/ Keith Campbell : Goodfellows Chairman. 6
K of C : Fr. Paul J.F. Wattson - Council 8919 and the Catholic Women s League of Our Lady of the Atonement Parish, invite all parishioners to support our Annual Maternity and Baby Shower, supporting Birthright of Windsor / Essex County. Donations of formula, diapers, baby clothes (up to 6 months), monetary donations and other maternity necessities, are greatly appreciated. for Special Olympics Was held on Saturday January 2 nd, 2016, through the generosity of our council members and parishioners, we raised $140.00 through bottle collections and donations. Thank you to all who dropped off bottles or make a monetary contribution. A special thanks to Brothers Bob Haslam and Vern Gannon who took the bottles into the Beer Store on our behalf again this year. Paul Wattson Council 8919 Annual Council Christmas Dinner Our 28 th Annual Council Christmas Dinner was held on December 5 th, 2015. This year we welcomed 183 guests, the largest attendance on record. Our expert Cooking Team prepared 20 turkeys with all the trimmings, completing the meal with traditional pumpkin pie and cake. The centerpieces were used as the take home prize following a delightful game to wrap up the evening. Through ticket sales and proceeds from a 50/50 raffle, our council was able to raise an additional $1200.00 for our General Account. A tremendous thanks you to all our Cooking Team members and those who assisted in setting up the hall and selling advance tickets. Thank you also to all who attended to make this evening a huge success. See you again next year. Keith Campbell: Council Director. 7
If telemarketers call, ask them if they are interested in joining the Knights. 1 st and 2 nd Degree s Brothers our last 1 st & 2 nd Degree to be held in our Family Center for this calendar year, is scheduled for February 21 st, 2016. We need to strengthen our numbers to supplement the teams we have, providing assistance to so many charities and programs within our community, affecting so many lives. Please reach out to family, friends, coworkers or fellow parishioners, who you feel would make an excellent addition to our fraternity and who could also benefit being a part of our order. Please contact Greg MacDonald Membership Director or Paul Ratko Degree Chairman for further information on filling out a Form 100 (available in the parish foyer) and getting them registered for these two degree s. Greg MacDonald : Membership Director. 8
Father Paul Wattson Council 8919 Windsor Ontario Feb March 2016 The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus, is the visible arm of the order. It is these Sir Knights who bring pageantry and lustre to a large number of functions within our parishes and community. The Exemplification to this Degree will be held in Windsor this year, in June. If you have ever considered joining these men and taking up the sword, please contact FN Art Huggins or PFN Denis Boivin to learn more. Art Huggins : Faithful Navigator, Wilfrid J. Langlois Assembly 1789. Sean is the vicar of a Protestant parish in western Newfoundland, and Patrick is the priest at the Roman Catholic Church across the road.? One day they are seen together, erecting a sign which says: "THE END IS NEAR. TURN YOURSELF AROUND NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE." As a car speeds past them, the driver leans out his window and yells, "Leave people alone, you religious nutters. We don't need your lectures." From around the next curve they hear screeching tires and a big splash.? Shaking his head, Father Patrick says "Dat's da terd one dis mornin'." "Yaa," Sean agrees, then adds, "Do ya tink maybe da sign should just say?bridge CLOSED"?? 9
Bingo Report My Bother Knights: With the extra bingos I have been picking up for the council, it is a must that I get a few more Brother Knights to help with the bingos. This is the only way our council generates funds to support our charities. Please contact me at 519-971-7555 or you can call my cell at 519-560-0075 or you can e-mail me at pjratko@gmail.com, or you can contact our Grand Knight Dan. ViVat Jesus Paul Ratko PGK FDD Bingo Chairperson: Message From The Financial Secretary I am happy to announce that all but 40 members have already paid their dues for 2016. It would be great if we could have all dues collected by the end of January. The winner of the early bird dues draw was Vince Buglisi. Vince immediately donated his winnings back to the council. We thank him for his generosity. If you have not paid your dues yet, please do so as soon as possible as we will save the cost of postage by not having to send you out a second notice. Remember that it is the dues that you pay that keeps the council running and allows us to continue with many of our programmes. You can pay them to me in person or mail them to me at 1843 Trappers Avenue, N8P 1T1. Please send me also the Survey of Fraternal Activities for your activities that you performed in 2015. The results of this survey allows the Knights of Columbus to keep their charitable status. We must submit the accumulated total in by January 31. Bob Cayea 10
Dear Brother Knights, Hosting the Knights Annual Fundraising banquet for Hospice is a worthy cause event. Each year I encourage all councils in Windsor and Essex County to come forward to take the opportunity, and consider hosting the Knights Annual fundraising banquet for Hospice. This year I happy to announce that St Peter's Council #13335 will be hosting the 19 th year Anniversary of the Knights Annual fundraising for Hospice banquet. The Grand Knight of council #13335 is John Swizawski. We are looking forward to all councils to join in by participating and support to help council #13335 make the 19 th year Anniversary another successful year. Hospice Notice; Brothers, I would like to bring to your attention that the following year on the night of Saturday October 28 th 2017 it will be our Council (Council 8919) turn to host the 20 th year Anniversary of the Annual Knights fundraising for Hospice banquet. Plans are in the work. I m sure that all our members proudly would like to participate and support in any way possible. This is a great opportunity for all our members to get involved by participating and support one of the greatest programs of our council. Together, we can help make history once again I will keep you informed. As far as Hospice information I m sure that you are aware that Hospice assisted in the past and continues to assist many of our brother knights and their families with their services. Brothers, your ongoing support ensures that the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. Continues to support educate and empower who are affected by, or caring of a person with a life-threatening illness. If you wish to search more information about Hospice, please go to Hospice of Windsor.com Peace Hospice program originator Michael Agius 11
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Special Olympics Flag Relay On Sunday January 24 th, District 76 held a flag raising ceremony at St. Anne s parish in support of this years Special Olympics Flag Relay. The ceremony included a heartfelt speech by District Deputy Jerry Marcotte, followed by a procession led by members of Wilfrid J. Langlois Assembly 4 th Degree members, from inside the parish to the flag pole, where the Special Olympics Banner was raised below our National flag. The event was attended by members of the community, including Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara. Our council was represented by Brother Tim Markham and his daughter Nicole (pictured above who is a Special Olympian), Brothers Dave Wilbur, Vincent Buglisi and Dan Pergolesi. 13
Life Matters Andrew J. Despins, Field Agent RRSPs We don't have to tell you why it's smart to own a Registered Retirement Savings Plan. Studies indicate that in order to retire and maintain your Standard of Living you will require approximately 70% of your present income. The Knights of Columbus offers an RRSP with a difference. It is truly an "Interest Sensitive" plan, competitive with any RRSP available, but it also offers a number of additional benefits: Each year you will receive a fully detailed statement, which tells you everything, you want to know about your investments. At retirement it can automatically convert to a lifetime pension at no extra cost. In addition to everything else there is the added convenience of dealing with a knowledgeable Field Agent, such as myself, who can provide guidance and honest advice at a time and place convenient to you. So this year, no need to stand in long line-ups waiting to talk to someone who may not have the knowledge, the expertise or the time to answer all of your important questions. Is the money locked up? If so, for how long? What happens if I die? Does the plan allow for rising interest rates?, etc. This year, let me pay you a visit and provide you with all the facts you need to know to make an informed decision. REMEMBER, WE OFFER VERY COMPETITIVE RATES AND QUALITY, AT HOME SERVICE, PLUS: - NO SET-UP OR ADMINISTRATION FEES - YOUR FUNDS ARE NEVER LOCKED IN - TRANSFERS ARE AVAILABLE - FREE CONSULTATION WITH NO OBLIGATION - INSTANT RECEIPTS! - INDUSTRY LEADING PAYOUT BENEFITS Unlike Banks and Trust Companies RRSP's, Knights of Columbus is completely creditor proof...a very important feature in your long range planning. Find out more, call me today. The deadline for contributing for the 2015 tax year is Monday February 29, 2016. Don t wait contact me today. 14