Knights of Columbus. Patriots for God and Country

Knights of Columbus Patriots for God and Country Next Meeting Saturday, Sept 29, 2012 Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Michigan Center Inside Masters Rpt 1 Next Meeting 3 Ladies Corner 3 Provincial 4 Membership 5 Souvenir Book 5 Color Corps 6 Former Master 7 Contacts 8 Newsletter Editor: SK Ken Watterson aarrdy@sbcglobal.net 517.881.0812 Volume 1, Issue 1 September 2012 Masters Minute Worthy Brother Sir Knights and Ladies of Michigan District II It is with great humility and awe for my predecessors that on September 18, 2012 I accepted the honor and privilege of serving as your Master. Michigan District II has a strong legacy of outstanding leadership, and while that has certainly helped, it is the Brother Sir Knights and their Ladies by their side that have made our District the very best in the Province. Lady Vicki and I are excited, and somewhat nervous as we take the helm and promise you that we will do our very best to live up to the challenge at hand and those we will face during our term as Master for the District and First Lady of the District. Many are probably wondering what the change in regime will mean, and will I follow through on what I have said over the past year. I can assure you that there will be some changes, but these changes will be apparent only on the surface as I believe if something is not broken, do not fix it. Master Henderson and his Staff worked very hard the past four years and many have asked to be allowed to take a step back and take a well-deserved rest. As a result one change will be many new faces on the staff, and some familiar faces in different roles. As to other changes, you are currently reading one change and the first installment on my promise to publish a District Newsletter every other month. Will there be other changes, most likely as I live up to my word. I will be visiting your Assembly at a regular meeting this year, and will let you know ahead of time when I will visit. We will hold Officer Training once things ease up a tad and we get things in order. Another change will be the location of our District meetings, as they will move to Our Lady of Fatima in Michigan Center. But these changes are superficial and should not affect what has made our District simply the very best; that being what the Brother Sir Knights do each day to live their pledge to be Patriots for God and Country and live in the Shadow of Father McGivney. Like every year at this time there is much to do and so little time to make everything happen, we have the Hennepin Province Annual Meeting coming up the first weekend in October, followed a couple weeks later by the Michigan District II 64 th Exemplification of the Fourth Degree. Then it will be Thanksgiving opening the door to Advent and Christmas, and the New Year. To help us get ready we will have a District meeting at Our Lady of Fatima on September 29 th. Directions and a map of how to find Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Michigan Center are included in this newsletter. All mail for the Master is to be sent to: SK George Walrath, MFD 7045 Country View Boulevard Jackson, MI 49201-9218 There are times when I will not be able to answer my home (517-536-7251) or cell (614-216-5673) phone, please leave a message and I will do my very best to call you back within 24 hours. When I am out of town for work, I am often in a manufacturing environment where cell phones are not allowed, and often I work very late into the evening; given this, please, as a part of your message, let me know how late I can return your call. Or if appropriate drop me an e-mail at george.walrath@saint -gobain.com and I will respond when I get back to the hotel. Over the duration of my term as your Master our District Slogan will be Patriots for God and Country. Over the next few weeks you will be hearing more on this and what it means. However with this slogan in mind as a final thought I offer the following: As your title of Sir Knight is not just a title but an Honor, Voting is not just a right, it is the moral duty and responsibility of every American Citizen of age. As a true Patriot for God and Country you have a duty not only to vote yourself but to assist others who find it very difficult or near impossible to perform their duty, to do so. May our Great God Bless you always! Your Brother in Christ, George

2 Brother Knights and Ladies of the 4th Degree, Vivat Jesus! I am Fr. Tim MacDonald, the new Faithful Friar for District II, serving under Worthy Sir Knight George Walrath. First off, I wish to congratulate Sir George and Lady Vicki on their appointment and thank them for asking me to serve with them. I am honored to succeed Msgr. George Michalek and I thank him for his service to the Church and the Order. A Flint native, I am now pastor at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church in Jackson and Our Lady of Fatima in Michigan Center and a priest of the Diocese of Lansing since the year 2000. I have been a member of the Knights since 1993, shortly after I joined the seminary. I joined the 4th Degree a decade later in November 2003 and I served as State Chaplain for the Michigan Council from 2008-2010 under past State Deputy John R. "Bob" Moody. My association with the Knights has always been a source of great pride and joy for me and I look forward to working with all of you in the coming years at various events held throughout the District. It is my firm belief that the work the Knights do on behalf of vocations and the unborn, the widow and the orphan is more necessary now than ever before. I will be praying for the Knights and ladies of our various assemblies and I ask you kindly to do the same for me. God bless you, Fr. Tim MacDonald Remember to VOTE As Patriots for God and Country we have the responsibility to cast an informed vote on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 and to assist others in casting their vote as best we can. To accomplish this we must first inform ourselves as to who the candidates are for Local, State, and Federal Office, and where they stand on the issues. Further we must also research and fully understand the other issues that will be on the Ballot, such as school levies, amendments to the Local Charters, or the State and Federal Constitution, and any other such items. Once we have this knowledge we must weigh the facts against our personal, moral, and religious beliefs. Then as Patriots for our God and Country we need to assist others as needed, informing them of the facts and assisting them as needed, so they may cast their informed vote also. This may mean giving them a ride to register or vote, or helping them sort through the facts, BUT NEVER influencing another s vote by slanting the facts or telling them to whom to vote for. In this way you will have met your obligation and proven you are truly a Patriot for God and Country. May our Great God Bless the USA

Saturday, September 29, 2012 Michigan District II Assembly Meeting 9:00am Start Time Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Michigan Center 3 Our District Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00am. Navigators, Comptrollers and Commanders should arrive early (8:30ish) to have your picture taken for our District Directory. Those we do not get taken before the meeting we will take following the meeting. We will have a lunch and I promised Lady Vicki that we would be walking out of the Church no later than 12:00pm. (To assist with the cost of the lunch please plan on a donation of $5.00 per person) In order that we can hit this timeline and still insure everyone has all the information they need to be successful this fall, much of the information that will be needed is in this newsletter and/or on the District Website (www.michigandistrict2.org), thus at the District meeting we will just address the highlights and tie up loose ends. For those who arrive early we will have coffee and some munchies. The Sir Knights will meet in the Gym and the Ladies in the Parish Center. As a reminder the District Meetings are mandatory for all Navigators, and the Chair Officers including the Comptrollers and the Commanders are also strongly encouraged to attend. (There will be a breakout session for the Comptrollers and Commanders at each working District Meeting. Commanders should bring their Swords, Sword Baldric, and Chapeau.) Directions to Our Lady of Fatima From the North, East, West Take I-94 to Exit 142 (Route 127 South) to Exit 38 to Page Avenue. Take Page Ave East (left off the exit) to 5 th Avenue (Traffic Light) Make Right onto 5 th Avenue and then go over Railroad Tracks to Traffic Light and make a left onto Broad Street. Keep to the Right onto Napoleon Road follow Napoleon Road to Our Lady of Fatima on the Right (Be careful as you make the turn onto Broad the speed limit is 25 mph and it is watched!) From the South Take Route 127 North to Exit 38 to Page Avenue. Take Page Ave East (right off the exit) to 5 th Avenue (Traffic Light) Make Right onto 5 th Avenue and then go over Railroad Tracks to Traffic Light and make a left onto Broad Street. Keep to the Right onto Napoleon Road follow Napoleon Road to Our Lady of Fatima on the Right (Be careful as you make the turn onto Broad the speed limit is 25 mph and it is watched!) Or just use your GPS to 913 Napoleon Rd Michigan Center, MI 49254 (517)-764-2088 Hello Ladies, Ladies Corner My name is Vicki Walrath and as the Master s wife, I will be writing a column called the Ladies Corner in the District 2 bi-monthly newsletter. Our past First Lady Maxine started an activity that will continue and that being the Circle of Friends at our exempts. Lady Maxine also started inviting of all Ladies to the District 2 meetings and I will also continue this invitation. The next District Meeting is on September 29 th and I hope to see many of you Ladies at this meeting so I can formally introduce myself. Also, I hope to see some of you Ladies at the October 5-7 th Hennepin Provincial meeting in Sterling Heights at the Best Western. Lady Connie Dann presents a great Ladies Program and one that should not be missed. Our fall exempt is on October 27 th and I will inform you all of the important details at our District Meeting. I will try to make all our meetings informative but also fun and enjoyable. As the summer ends and the fall season begins, so does my new term as your First Lady of the District 2 and I wish to be of service to all you Ladies of the District. This also means that I am available to all Ladies and you may call me at any time. God Bless Vicki Walrath First Lady, Michigan District II

Hennepin Province Assembly Annual Meeting The 2012 annual Hennepin Province Assembly Meeting will be held on the weekend of October 5, 6, & 7, 2012 at the Sterling Best Western Inn in Sterling Heights, Michigan under the leadership of our Vice Supreme Master George A. Dann PSD, and Lady Connie. The weekend begins on Friday evening with registration and hospitality. This year the Michigan Masters have again joined forces to host a Hospitality Suite on the second floor of the main Hotel. The Provincial Hospitality Room will be on the second level above the banquet rooms again this year. Bright and early Saturday Morning we will celebrate Mass for our Brothers who were called home this past year. Please take the time to complete the list of our Brother Sir Knights from your Assembly so we may pray for them on Saturday Morning. If a Brother Sir Knight was a PFN, PGK, FDD, FM, Past State or Supreme Officer, or member of the Clergy please indicate that on the form also. Following Mass we again will have Assembly Officer, Commander, and Newsletter/website Training. This year however, our Vice Supreme Master in response to the wishes of the Sir Knights who attended last year has added a second training session after lunch and extended the Comptroller Training to better cover the Member Management Program. Concurrent with the training sessions Lady Connie Dann will host the Hennepin Province Ladies at a Continental Breakfast as a part of the Saturday Morning Ladies Program. The extended training will necessitate an abbreviated business session (Oh Darn) during which the Vice Supreme Master will quickly summarize any upcoming changes within the Fourth Degree and the actions taken at the Supreme Assembly Meeting this past August. Details will be given to the Masters during their Morning meeting with the Vice Supreme Master, and for Michigan District II these will be communicated in the November issue of the Patriot unless timing requires a quicker mode of communication. Following the Annual Business Meeting we will break to allow for all to Dress for the Formal Banquet and evening festivities. At the Banquet again this year the Vice Supreme Master will award the Provincial Awards to include the best Newsletter and the Sir Knight of the year. Last year our own Sir Knight Ken Watterson from Lansing earned the Provincial Sir Knight of the Year Award. After the Banquet you are invited back to the Michigan Hospitality Room for some fraternalism and a nightcap or two. Sunday morning we will gather for Mass in full Regalia. Following Mass we will gather for our annual picture and then all head home. Michigan District II Assemblies should send at least their Navigator, Captain, Comptroller, and Commander to the Provincial Meeting. It would be very good if the Assembly sent all their Chair Officers as with the extended training it will be excellent opportunity to pick up several points to help your Assembly be even better. Assemblies should pay the registration fees for their attending officers and at least one night lodging. When calling the Sterling Inn (586-979-1400) to book your room be sure to mention you are attending the Knights of Columbus meeting to receive the special $94.00 rate. 4 THANK YOU Leadership and legacy are two words that describe our immediate Former Master and First Lady of Michigan District II. Former Master Dennis and Lady Maxine Henderson have led Michigan District II for the past four years with zeal and love for the Sir Knights and Ladies of the District and the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. They have devoted countless hours to insure that Michigan District II is the premiere District in the Province if not the Order. Hours taken to prepare for a District Meeting that would be informative as well as fun especially for the Ladies who make up the Circle of Friends. Hours spent installing the Officers of the District Assemblies. Hours spent preparing eight no nine Exemplifications of the Fourth Degree here in Michigan. This would include premeetings with the host Assembly, meetings with the hotel several times, meeting with the Pastor of the Church where we would celebrate the Exemplification Mass and so many more meetings with the District Staff and Degree team all to insure the incoming Sir Knights and Ladies would have an experience they would always remember. Yes, Master Dennis and Lady Maxine literally have given four years of their lives to us, in doing so they have left behind a legacy. Their legacy includes over 900 new Sir Knights, Operation Patriotism, Assembly 3334, the memorial laying of the Wreath for our fallen heroes, The Circle of Friends, and the active participation of the Ladies in District programs and activities. Yes, Worthy Former Master and Former First Lady, you may take a step back and smile, because by all the hard work and countless hours you did meet your primary goal; that being to leave Michigan District II in better shape than it was four years ago. THANK-YOU!!!

5 My Brother Sir Knights: Exemplification According to Webster s dictionary, the word exemplification is described as instruction or showing another by example. Example is described as a pattern or model, as of something to be imitated. Membership In every one of our councils there are men who would like to do more to be a Catholic Patriot. To be more involved in their faith by loving and serving the country that they live in. The gift from God that was blessed by Him for our families to grow and love Him more through life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We, as Sir Knights, have an opportunity. A task, if you will, to be that example. Even as we are called by our Bishop s to go out and evangelize for the faith, we should go out and exemplify what it is to be a Catholic Patriot. To assist us with this, the Worthy Master of the 4 th degree will be hosting the 64 th District II Exemplification in Saline, Michigan on October the 27 th at the historic St. Andrew the Apostle Church. To further edify this experience for our new candidates of the 4 th degree, we will be honoring Father Fortunato Turati at this event. This will be a glorious and memorable one day event. Please get the Form 4 applications from your Grand Knights or membership director. Be sure to have the candidates fill out all necessary information including their membership # found on their membership card and have their council financial secretary sign the application, verifying the candidates membership in the 3 rd degree. Turn these in to the Worthy Comptroller of your assembly as soon as possible. The cost will cost will be $80 which will include Social baldric, pin, class picture and luncheon. There will be a Ladies program and the cost for your Ladies at the Luncheon will be an additional $25. Attire for the candidates is the traditional black tuxedo as described in the handouts. This will be strictly enforced. Ladies should plan on Sunday Mass attire. Arrival time will be at 9:30 am for registration and the day will conclude with a beautiful Mass at St. Andrews at 5:30pm. So brother Sir Knights, Go Forth! And announce the Gospel of the Lord, and strengthen our church with great Catholic Patriots who will become members of the 4 th degree of the Knights of Columbus. We are blessed and fortunate men indeed! Respectfully submitted, SK Gaylend Meeks Membership Director, Michigan District II Exemplification Souvenir Book Ads In addition to providing a way to congratulate our Class Honoree Fr. Fortunato Turati and the new Sir Knights, the Souvenir Book is a remembrance for new Sir Knights of their Exemplification experience. The Souvenir Book also serves as a fund raiser for the District (assisting with the cost of the Exemplification and hospitality events hosted by the District) and potentially for each Assembly. If your Assembly sells between $501 and $1,000 in ads, 40% of the total sales are rebated to your Assembly, while the sales over $1,001 receive a rebate of 50%. As an example, if your Assembly sells $2000 in ads, your Assembly would receive a rebate of $700 (40% for the 501-1000 sold and 50% for the second $1,000 sold). There aren t many easier ways to earn funds needed for the operation of your Assembly, than by spending an afternoon or evening selling ads for the Souvenir Book. Your Assembly, Council, Parish, local merchants, and members with businesses could all benefit from the relatively inexpensive exposure in the Souvenir Book. Advertising Agreements (available on the District website), camera ready ad copy, and payments are due by Friday, October 12 (snail and e-mail instructions are on the Agreement form). Original photos may be submitted for scanning, but should include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like to have them returned. When submitting ads, please be careful not to fold, staple, or paperclip the ad copy, as these may leave marks that will be picked up when the copy is scanned for publication. If you have questions or need any assistance, please contact SK David Buick (dbuick@cablepspeed.com / 517-927-8044) or SK Bill Currie (curriewmm@aol.com / 517-485-5886).

6 Membership and programs - we have heard many times how the Knights need one to grow the other. The result is we need both. The primary program of your assembly, the Color Corps, is a program that affects membership in the entire Knights of Columbus. We have all heard how the Color Corps is the window to the Knights of Columbus. How the Color Corps is viewed is how the Knights of Columbus is viewed. I am sure you have heard a member say he joined the Knights because of the Color Corps. He may have seen the Honor Guard at a wake or funeral Mass of a departed Sir Knight, or at a Corporate Communion, or some civic function. I have heard this from a number of Knights. I also heard one Knight say he did not join the Knights for many years because of the poor impression the Color Corps made on him. He described the Color Corps as ill dressed old men unable to handle their swords, and he was in fear that someone was going to get hurt. This could have been remedied in two ways, (1) recruiting new Color Corps members, which should bring in younger members, and (2) proper training. Both recruiting and training are necessary. The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Color Corps is unique. Its manual of the sword is unique. Procedures at Mass and at wakes are unique. Realizing this, Color Corps members recognize they need proper training in order to properly represent themselves and the Order. As we begin a new fraternal year now is the time to evaluate the assembly s Color Corps and take action to keep it a positive representative of what the Knights of Columbus stands for. SK Bill Currie Senior Marshal Color Corps As we switch administrations here in Michigan District II it is proper to acknowledge and say thank-you to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, those who worked side by side with Former Master Dennis and Lady Maxine. Each District Staff member and his Lady did their part to insure that Michigan District II succeeded in all aspects and in all the undertakings of the Master and First lady. If you catch one of the following Sir Knights or Ladies please stop them and say Thank-you. Reverend Monsignor Sir Knight George Michalek - District Friar Reverend Sir Knight Robert F. Creagan Kalamazoo Diocese Friar Sir Knight William Currie and Lady Cindi Executive Assistant & District Training Marshal Sir Knight William Callahan and Lady Carol Chief Assistant and Lansing Membership Former Master Sir Knight Robert K. Vandesteene Jr. and Lady Cindy District Comptroller In Memorial Sir Knight John Powers and Lady Ann District Membership Director 2008-2009 Sir Knight George Walrath and Lady Vicki District Membership Director Sir Knight Ken Watterson and Lady Sandy Hospitality and Communications Chairman Sir Knight Paul Dorland and Lady Sharon Knights Pride Chairman Sir Knight Patrick Donlon and Lady Sue District Church Director Sir Knight Kent Wiess and Lady Millie Kalamazoo Coordinator & Membership 2008-2010 Sir Knight David Marks - Kalamazoo Coordinator & Membership Sir Knight Dave Lennemann and Lady Betsy District Degree Team Chairman Sir Knight Dan Fell and Lady Laurie District Cuisine Director Sir Knight Mark Curry and Lady Janet Senior District Marshal Emeritus Sir Knight Jeffry Cypher and Lady Theresa Kalamazoo Marshal Sir Knight Phil May and Lady Heidi Lansing and Degree Marshal Former Master Sir Knight Glenn Barry and Lady Sally Senior Advisor Sir Knight Ralph Carle and Lady Jill District Photographer Thank-you for all your efforts on behalf of our District

7 My Brother Sir Knights & Ladies of Michigan District II: There is an old saying, Time & Tide Wait For No Man. That may be true but the 4 th Degree has certainly waited exponentially for the Supreme Master to make the BIG announcement of the new Masters of the 4 th Degree. I am happy that I can now officially say that Sir Knight George Walrath is the new Master of Michigan District II. Leaving the position of Master is bitter sweet. It is sad to realize that I will no longer be the leader, however it is sweet to know that the huge responsibility is no longer on my shoulders. It is also very sweet that one of the very best men that I know was selected. I can now honestly say that Sir George was my choice as the best man in our entire district to lead us at this time. George Walrath is a Catholic Christian man, he is a Patriot who has served our beloved country with pride and honor, he is a most dedicated and experienced Knight, he is a loving father and husband, and most importantly he is willing and anxious to continue to make Michigan District II the best district in the entire province. Lady Maxine and I wish Sir Knight George and Lady Victoria great success during the next four years. I am confident that they will succeed and I only ask that all of you support them, pray for them, and be compassionate. Remember if our Master succeeds, our District succeeds, if our Master fails, so then our District fails. This Is The Day The Lord Has Made, Let Us Rejoice And Be Glad Dennis Henderson, Former Master Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Michigan District II Father Louis Hennepin Province SK Paul and Lady Sharon Dorland 810-499-7474 dorland.paul@gmail.com Hats, Sweat s, Golf Shirts, Jacket s, etc.. "we also sell women's blouses" We sell several styles and colors of golf shirts plus the light blue cotton shirts..in addition we carry sweaters in various colors. They all have the double emblem on the front. We sell them at various functions and the proceeds go to District 2. See you at Provincial..

Michigan District II 7045 Country View Jackson, Mi 49201 Knights of Columbus Hennepin Province This Newsletter is published to our Website at www.michigandistrict2.org by the 1st week of every odd Month. Please contact SK Ken Watterson at aarrdy@sbcglobal.net if you have any problems. Who ya gonna Call?? For questions about Membership: Sir Knight Gayland Meeks at 517-882-0010 or meeksgm@acd.net For questions about our Souvenir Books: Sir Knight David Buick at 517-927-8044 or dbuick@cablespeed.com For questions about the VAVS Program and Honoring our Veterans and serving Military: Sir Knight Gus Groat at 269-781-0008 or jngroat@gmail.com For Questions about the Color Corps: For Newsletter & Website related items: Sir Knight Bill Currie at 517-485-5886 or CURRIEWMM@aol.com Sir Knight Ken Watterson at aarrdy@sbcglobal.net For all other questions, after addressing them with your Faithful Navigator, contact: The Master, Sir Knight George Walrath at 517-536-7251 or george.walrath@saint-gobain.com.