Knight Worthy News St. Joseph Council 10627, High Bridge, New Jersey A Catholic men s organization promoting Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Family and Patriotism October 2015 (Area Code 908 unless otherwise noted) Officers: Grand Knight Kevin Loughney 797-0061 Chaplain Fr. Gerard Lair (973) 538-3231 Deputy G. K. Tom Corrado 638-0177 Chancellor Bruce Teeling, PGK 730-7538 Recorder Steve Bauernfeind 638-4285 Fin. Sec. Dennis Noonan 638-9949 Advocate James McCloskey 328-5176 Treasurer Paul Lipani 638-4585 Warden Tom Klawunn 537-6744 Inside Guard Mario Bernardo 638-6318 Outside Guard Jim Codd 892-1089 Past Grand Knight Bill Mahoney Trustees: John Furnari, PGK 693-2782 Bill Cerwinski, PGK (732) 715-0057 Chris Wade, PGK 638-6895 Directors: Program Tom Corrado 638-0177 Church Bill Cerwinski, PGK (732) 715-0057 Community Robert Young 832-2721 Council Tom Klawunn 537-6744 Family Mark Kucharski 638-4577 Membership Mario Bernardo 638-6318 Culture of Life Rich Mirocco 638-4804 Youth Chris Denis 617-5345 Dist. Deputy: Wayne McKay, PGK 328-2979 Ins. Agent (Inter im) Br ian Daly 229-2600 Brian_daly96 @ yahoo.com Website www.kofc10627.org 1
The media have seized upon Pope Francis September 1, 2015 words about forgiveness for a woman who had an abortion as a signal that the Church is softening its stand on abortion. Not true! Did the Pope change the rules? No! In fact, the Holy Father cannot change Canon Law! The Code of Canon Law, c. 1398 specifies: A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication. ( http://www.vatican.va/archive/ eng1104/ p57.htm ) A latae sententiae excommunication is an automatic ipso facto excommunication for committing the act itself. Because it is automatic, it doesn t require a formal action by the Church. C. 1321 describes some situations where a latae sententiae excommunication does not occur when a woman has an abortion, e.g., if she has not completed her 16 th year of age, was ignorant of violating the law or precept, acted under physical force or compulsion of grave fear and in some other situations. But generally speaking having an abortion results in the excommunication of a woman. That s not an opinion, it s The Law, specifically, the Canon Law. Canon Law does provide for other mitigating situations that might not result in excommunication; e.g., under C. 1324, a person who lack(s) the use of reason because of culpable drunkenness or other mental disturbance. Excommunication, does not expel a person from the Church, but he (or she) is forbidden to participate ministerially in the Mass or any other liturgical rite, to celebrate or receive the sacraments and sacramentals, to exercise the functions of any church office or ministry, and to perform acts of church governance. Here s what the Holy Father said in his recent pronouncement on abortion: The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented, especially when that person approaches the Sacrament of Confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain reconciliation with the Father. For this reason too, I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it. In 1983, the Church removed the requirement that only ordinaries (e.g., Bishops and other members of the Church hierarchy) could forgive the sin of abortion. What the Pope did was standardize the practice that has been in effect since 1983 in most of the Catholic world, i.e., that a priest can forgive a woman for the sin of abortion if she is truly penitent. However, until now, the local Bishop had to specifically provide the permission for priests to do so but in some jurisdictions, especially in other countries, the Bishop did not do that. Furthermore Bishops often provided the permission on a year-by-year basis. The Holy Father s pronouncement permits all priests to grant absolution provided the woman seeks forgiveness for the abortion through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It seems to codify the intent of the change made in 1983. The September 1 pronouncement also did not address abortionists those who perform abortions. In fact, in his pronouncement, the Pope specifically said, I think in particular of all the women who have resorted to abortion. I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision. He referenced only women who have procured abortions in that pronouncement, those covered by c. 1398. The sin of abortion and the Canonical crime of abortion are interrelated but are not the same. Only some sinful behavior, the worst sins, are also crimes under canon law. Saint John Paul II addressed the crime of abortion in his 1995 encyclical, Evangelium Vitae. In Chapter 62, he reminded us that the Second Vatican Council (and earlier pontiffs) had condemned abortion. The Council had pronounced: From the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest care, while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes (emphasis added). Any Catholic who substantially assists another in the deliberate sin of abortion is also guilty of serious sin and also incurs a latae sententiae excommunication. That Catholic may very well be guilty of the crime of abortion. Forgiveness and the lifting of impositions upon Catholics who have committed the crime of abortion is a far more complex matter than going to confession and receiving absolution. The offenses committed by a woman under extreme stress of a pregnancy who, sinfully, decides to procure an abortion and the sinful behavior of an abortionist are not the same! Clearly, the abortionist commits the more serious, i.e., criminal, offense. (See http:// www.newadvent.org/cathen/05678a.htm for more information about that!) Nothing in Pope Francis comments addresses the crime of abortion, but the secular media would have us believe otherwise. 2
Insurance Corner We welcomed two men into our council in September who completed their 1st and 2nd Degrees at Our Lady of Lourdes in Whitehouse on September 17. Andrew Kin (left) lives in High Bridge and recently retired. Michael Uss (right) lives in Annandale and is a Physical Therapist. Mike has two children, Jonathan 16 and Daniel 12. Our Guarantees Set Us Apart Knights of Columbus life insurance offers something precious few other financial products can guarantees. As long as you pay your premiums, the policy proceeds will be there for your beneficiaries should something happen to you. That s peace of mind, and that s what we offer with every product in our portfolio. We guarantee the cash value in your whole life policies will be there. We guarantee the rates on your term insurance. We guarantee our retirement products will provide a stream of income when you need it. On top of those product guarantees, I guarantee that I will offer professional, high-quality service that you would expect from our organization. Our Order is among the highest rated life insurers in North America. AM Best has rated the Knights of Columbus A++, Superior for 39 consecutive years. It s a testament to our track record for excellence and security. I would suggest that a principal reason that we were able to achieve those accolades is because we remain steadfastly committed to the vision of Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney by providing life insurance by brother Knights for brother Knights. That commitment is an essential core value of the Knights of Columbus, and our core values permeate all levels of our organization. We pledge to serve our brother Knights, and their families, according to our Golden Rule: In all my professional relationships, I pledge myself to the following rule of conduct: I shall, in light of all conditions surrounding those I serve, render that service which, under the same circumstances, I would apply to myself. Let s talk soon to discuss how our products can bring that peace of mind to you and your family. Fraternally yours, Brian Daly (908) 229-2600 brian.daly@kofc.org 3
2015 Parish Picnics St. Joseph Parish St. John Neumann Parish Thanks to brothers Bill Cerwinski and Tom Klawunn for the photos! 4
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Sunday, October 4, 2015 Flemington Traffic Circle 2 3:30 PM 6
Our council hosted our 8th Annual Soccer Challenge Tournament on September 19. Participation was better than ever with the support of the High Bridge Youth Soccer organization. Brother Dave Kinsky coordinated the event with the aid of several Knights. Next stop for winners is the 2015 Regional Tournament!! 7
2015 winners and runners-up with Grand Knight Kevin Loughney and event coordinator Dave Kinsky: l-r: Daniel Kuffo, 1st place age 10 boys; Ben Smith, 2nd place age 13 boys; Skylar Swain, 2nd place age 10 girls; Manny Marquez, 2nd place age 12 boys; Miranda Corley, 1st place age 10 girls; Liam Boyle, 1st place age 12 boys*; Alex Kinsky, 2nd place age 9 boys; Kali Torkildsen, 1st place age 12 girls*; Carly Krushinski, 2nd place age 11 girls; Annika Oliver, 2nd place age 9 girls; Sofia Desire, 1st place age 11 girls; Josh Kinsky, 1st place age 13 boys*; Maya Wurst, 1st place age 9 girls. (Not in photo: Michael Bradow, 1st place age 9 boys; Ricky Strange, 1st place age 11 boys*; Bennet Garvey-Blackwell, 2nd place age 11 boys and Christian Lillo, 1st place age 14 boys.) *Kali, Liam & Ricky each won their 2nd consecutive challenges, Josh won his 3rd consecutive challenge! 8
Happy Birthday! Therese Maretta October 3 Dave Ongaro October 3 Denise Guaimano October 10 Rev. Abraham Orapankal October 11 Bruce Teeling October 12 Dean Rapp October 15 Charles Bruton October 16 Dawn Simila October 17 Mario Bernardo October 18 Eric Blasic October 19 Lori Beth Santillo October 19 Ron Dietrich October 20 Ben Guaimano October 23 Brian Teeling October 25 Rev. Maurice Carlton October 28 Joe Labuta October 31 Happy Anniversary! Greg & Pam Springstun October 2 Ben & Denise Guaimano October 2 John & Deborah Gearity October 9 Ken & Ann Whalen October 10 Manuel & Mary Garcia October 11 Hunt & Linda Patterson October 16 Jon & Cheverly Richardson October 18 Alan & Shari Schultz October 20 Sean & Caryn McKay October 20 Dave & Barbara Kinsky October 21 Ron and Mary Ann Meola October 23 Dennis & Julie Noonan October 30 Lyons Masses October 11, November 15, December 27 Food Pantry Appreciation Dinner (Califon) Thursday October 1 Life Chain Sunday October 4 Luncheon Veterans Haven North Sunday October 11, 10:30am-2:30pm Dinner Social Saturday October 17 Regional Soccer Challenge Saturday October 24 Spaghetti Supper Saturday November 14 5th Sunday Rosary Sunday November 29 Chapter 4 Degrees First: Thursday October 1 Avenel; Sunday October 4 Martinsville Second: None Third: TBA Whitehouse Station Fourth: Sunday November 22, Fiesta Hotel, Wood Ridge See latest statewide information at: www.njkofc.org/start/degrees/degreeinformation/scheduled-degrees/scheduledfirst-degrees.html All the News That Fits. Knight Worthy News is published monthly and distributed via E-mail. Submit comments to: gaboyle1 @ comcast.net Find St. Joseph Council at: www.kofc10627.org 9
~ October 2015 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 Life Chain Flemington St. Joseph Parish Membership Drive 11 Lyons Mass Veterans Haven North Picnic Respect Life Month (Display signs at St. Joseph Church) 5 6 7 8 1 World Vegetarian Day Food Pantry Appreciation Dinner Califon Council 2 3 (Charitable Service Week Begins) St. Joseph Parish Membership Drive 9 10 12 Columbus Day 13 14 15 16 17 Dinner Social St. Joseph Church Hall 18 19 20 21 22 25 Day of the Unborn 26 4th Degree 23 24 United Nations Council Day Regional Soccer Challenge 27 28 29 30 31 Halloween 1 Daylight Saving Time Ends All Saints Day ~ November 2015 ~ Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 All Souls Day 3 Election Day 4 5 Council (Note Date Change) 6 7 8 9 10 11 Veterans' Day 12 13 14 Spaghetti Supper Thanksgiving for Needy Collection St. Joseph Parish 15 Thanksgiving for Needy Collection St. Joseph Parish 22 Lyons Mass 4th Degree Exemplification Wood-Ridge 16 17 18 19 Great American Smokeout Council (Note Date Change) 23 4th Degree 20 21 24 25 26 Thanksgiving Day 27 (Charitable Outreach Day) 28 29 First Sunday in Advent 5th Sunday Rosary follows 11 AM Mass at St. Joseph Church 30 Keep Christ in Christmas Program and Sign 2016 First Membership Dues Notices (Supreme deadline is December 15) 10