The Explorer A Publication Of The Kansas Knights of Columbus VOL. 18 NO. 11 http://www.kansas-kofc.org December 2014 State Membership Director Bob Duffin has repeatedly told me that we are not where we want to be for Membership. Our Supreme Programming and Membership Consultant, Dannie Harris, has mentioned that we are going to really have to pick it up if our Councils are going to reach their Membership Goals this year. I have assured both Bob and Dannie that our team, the Knights of Columbus in Kansas, is a second half team. Men, it is now time to set up for success and get things lined up for the second half! Let s Light Up The Knights. I have always been an optimist in regards to membership, and, for me, membership is easy: You acquire a prospective member, you ask him to join, you handle objections, you ask for the sale, you invite him to the First Degree, you personally go and pick him up and take him, you explain things to him and mentor him, and then you give him some ownership in the Council- a job, a task, a purpose- and then you let him go to work. My story about being asked repeatedly to join was hard to for me to explain until I finally joined. I tell people that I joined because I was finally explained what the Knights do. I also told people that it gave me a chance to live my faith. The term living living my faith is really a synonym for the Corporal Works of Mercy. The Corporal works are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, harbor the harborless, visit the sick, ransom the captive, and bury the dead. The Knights of Columbus, through our various programs, allow each of us the opportunity to participate in these endeavors. With Advent is upon us, what better time of the year to participate in the Corporal Works of Mercy then now! The Coats for Kids and Food for Families programs are excellent examples of these works, and they are Knights of Columbus programs that are both worthwhile community activities, as well as great programs to get your membership involved and living their faith. We can all understand that there are needy in every community. We can all participate in helping those less fortunate. Remember, the magic of Christmas does not come in a box, it can t be bought, but it can be given by each and every one of us. Let s remember to Keep Christ in Christmas. Of extra special importance this year is an opportunity: The opportunity to install not one, but two new Sonogram machines pregnancy crisis centers in the Johnson County area. The State Council has not had the chance to install a sonogram machine in a few years, and contributions to the Sonogram Initiative have been a little slow. Because of this, the State Council s Sonogram Fund has enough money to purchase one STATE DEPUTY S MESSAGE machine, but not the second. I ask each Grand Knight and each Council to consider making a contribution to this very worthwhile and life-saving cause prior to Christmas. Let us all provide the chance give the gift of life this Christmas. Angela and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Joyful New Year. Vivat Jesus Patrick D. Winchester, State Deputy CALENDAR OF EVENTS DECEMBER: Keep Christ in Christmas Share the Light of Advent by keeping Christ in Christmas 2 Light up for Christ 6-7 Mid-year District Deputy Meeting in Wichita 6 Drawing for Religious Education Fund Prizes 15 Deadline to submit Commitment to Humanities (Tootsie Roll) Reports & Checks to State Treasurer Jamey Roth 25 Celebrate the Birth of Jesus with your family JANUARY: Support Pro-Life Activities 1-31 Council Free Throw Contests completed by end of month 1-31 Conduct 16th Annual Pro-Life Baby Shower 5 Deadline for articles to be submitted for the Knight s Lite 11 Major Degree at Winfield #4713 11 Major Degree at Westphalia #1052 18 Deadline to file Request to Host 2016 Fraternal Year State Bowling Tourney 22 42nd Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade decision 22 March for Life Washington D.C. 22 March for Life Topeka, KS 25 Major Degree at Oberlin # 5387 31 Deadline Form #1728, Annual Survey of Fraternal Activities due at Supreme 31 Deadline Form #4584 Partnership Profile Report due at Supreme DID YOU KNOW? The Kansas Knight of the Month is Steve Sullivan of Council #7318 - Lakin. Families of the Month winners of a Holy Family Plaque from Supreme were: William & Elaine Weber Family of Council #4113 Wakeeney; Richard & Claire Shuttman Family of Council #7485 Andover; Edward & Hilda Hrenchir Family of Council #9535 Mayetta
STATE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR S MESSAGE We are now starting the sixth month of the fiscal year and we have some Grand Knights and District Deputies that have stepped up to the plate, holding degrees and bringing in new members. We have some Council s in the State that have exceeded their membership goals and are looking at becoming a Triple Star council this year. To these Grand Knights and District Deputies: congratulations for getting the job done. On the other hand, we have Councils and Districts that have not held a degree or brought in one new member this year, even after saying that they would hold at least one degree, per district, per month at the District Deputy Training and Installation Meeting in July. I know that in Kansas we have a lot of things going on in the fall months. With harvest over in the biggest part of the Kansas, and with college students coming home for the holidays, it is now time to recruit. Set dates now to host a First Degree in December or early January and recruit to that degree. If you know of a young man that will be coming home, ask him if he would like to join the Knights, and then get him to a degree. There have been Council s that say they are going to wait for the next major degree in the area, and then get them to that degree. As we have seen in the past, this does not always work and we lose the candidate before the degree is held. Today we have many different ways of holding the First Degree, so there is no excuse to not hold a First Degree when you have prospective member. Most importantly, remember that you only need one candidate to hold a First Degree. The State Council is still having monthly drawings for the grilling aprons for Councils that host First Degrees. The winning Council for the month of October is Council #8511 Manhattan KSU. Council #8511 has also been doing a great job in recruiting. This Council has brought in 16 new members this year, which is 320% of their membership goal. Well done! One of Father McGivney s goals was to have a Council in every Parish. The State Council has been active with a new council on the horizon in Maple Hill and Goddard, and Round Tables being set up in councils around the State. Round Tables are a great way to have Knights presence in parishes that might be too small to support a council of its own. The State Council Round Table goal is 50! Councils serving two or more Parishes are encouraged to complete a Report of Round Table Coordinator Form 2629 (http://www.kofc.org/un/en/forms/council/roundtable_coordi nators2629_p.pdf). This form reports your Councils Knights of Columbus presence to the Supreme Council. The Kansas Knights are growing but not as fast as we d like it to! Please be sure you keep recruiting on your minds and ask every eligible man to become a knight. With the efforts of all of our officers and members to ask and recruit we sure have a great year in membership and really LIGHT UP THE KHIGHTS. Fraternally yours, Robert J. Duffin State Membership Director STATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR S MESSAGE It seems hard to believe, but the fraternal year is nearly half over! How is your council doing? Has it participated in a First Degree somewhere in the district each month? Are all of your reports filed? Many councils across the state have achieved programming and membership successes, but there is still more to be done, and more successes to experience. There are still seminarians to be adopted, and Commitment to Humanities Drive reports to be filed. Soon, religious education fund checks will need to be distributed. The holidays will add even more opportunities to our already busy schedules. Continue reading for information from the state chairmen and state directors, and please help them by submitting the requested reports and information as soon as possible. Another deadline will be here soon on January 31, 2015. The Annual Survey of Fraternal Activities, Form #1728, is a requirement to attain the coveted Start Council award. Although the report is not due until January 31, it would help immensely if you would submit it no later than January 15, 2015. This will save the cost of phone calls and postage in trying to locate the report at the last minute. As we enter the holy season of Christmas and celebrate the new year, please take a moment to stop and offer a prayer for all that we have, for those less fortunate than ourselves, for those who are unable to come home for the holidays, for those who have nowhere to call home, for all who are hurting in any way, and any other need or thanksgiving that is on your heart. May God bless us with the strength and courage to stand up for what is right, to continue working to bring the peace of Christ into our world, and be good stewards of all we have been given. CHURCH ACTIVITIES Adopt a Seminarian Church Activities Director and Vocations Chairman Steve Abels reminds all that December 2, 2014 is scheduled for Light up for Christ. We are asked to turn on all house and Christmas lights to share the light of the Advent season. This year s Vocation Poster Contest theme is, We re On a Mission from God. Plan for the vocation poster contest at your council s December meeting so the winning posters can be sent to your District Deputy NO LATER THAN March 15. If your council has not contacted Steve regarding the Adopt a Seminarian program please do so immediately. We have several seminarians that have not been adopted. Steve asks all councils to say an extra prayer for all seminarians during the Advent season. Religious Education Many requests for Religious Education Funds have been received by Fr. Ted Stoecklein, Religious Education Fund Chairman. Money for the program will be dispersed to the Grand Knights in December. He asks that you present the checks quickly so the Religious Education Groups can make use of the money in a timely manner. Religious Education Fund Raising Religious Education Fund Raising Chairman Paul Haverkamp wishes to thank all those who sold tickets, especially those who requested additional tickets over and above their original allocation. The drawing will be held at the Mid-Year DD meeting on December 6-7. Good luck on winning the $25K! YOUTH ACTIVITIES Youth Activity Have you sent in your Soccer Challenge participation form? Make sure copies go to Supreme and to State Youth Activities Chairman Tom Halbleib. Is your council ready for your Free Throw Contest in January? Have you scheduled the gym and ordered your council Free Throw Kit? District Deputies will receive the district medals at the Mid-Year Meeting. Be sure to promote the Substance Abuse Poster Contest and the Youth Essay Contest. All Catholic School Principals have been asked to promote the Essay Contest. If you have questions about these programs, give Tom a call 785-953-0549. Thank you for all you do for the young people of Kansas. Columbian Squires If the Knights of Columbus will take care of the growing boy,
then the boy grown into manhood will not only take care of half way point of the fraternal year. We are excited to report the Knights of Columbus, but the Church and the nation as that we have an application for 2 (TWO!!) ULTRA SOUND well. These young men need your guidance to develop into MACHINES in Kansas. Remember, your fundraisers help our leaders of tomorrow. Join Edwin Schmeidler, Jr., fund these life changing machines. Councils need to check on Columbian Squires Chairman, in assuring the Squires Circles their progress in their selected projects for Culture of Life and grow and flourish in Kansas. Contact him at squires@kansaskofc.org to learn how you can start or reactivate a Squires Shower is scheduled for January, but we will get a jump the Evangelium Vitae Award. The 16th Annual Pro-Life Baby Circle in your council. start at the Mid-year District Deputies meeting in December FAMILY ACTIVITIES in Wichita. Your councils should finalize their plans for the Family Life Baby Shower and/or Bottles for Life fundraiser at your As we enter into the Christmas season, everyone is December meeting. If you find January does not work for your reminded to, Keep Christ in Christmas! As we all know, this parish, an event could be conducted any time before the April is the time of year that Councils and Assemblies call their 1 report deadline. members and families together to hold parties and special December DD meeting: celebrations. This is an outstanding time to select that special Come with a your councils Culture of Life ideas to share Council Family as Family of the Month. As this is a family with others honor, it is not only what the Knight does but what the wife Your councils scheduled events dates and family members do. My wife s continual acts of New or gently used baby items for donation to Kansas volunteerism had our family selected as our Council s Clinics (bring to Mass) Family of the Month for November. Once you have selected April 1 - Deadlines include: your Family of the Month, all there is to do is send the entry Your Baby Shower and/or Bottles for Life form to Supreme, by the 15th of the following month, so the fundraiser results family is eligible to receive one of the Holy Family plaques Evangelium Vitae Award application (see report form for awarded each month. As we reach this year s midpoint, we the 4 categories) will be restarting the Marion Prayer Icons on their state The Culture of Life Scrapbooks travels. More details will be made available soon through this COUNCIL ACTIVITIES newsletter, the state website, and you District Deputy. Council Activities COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES This year s 71st Annual Knights of Columbus Men s Community Activity Program Bowling Tournament will be held at West Ridge Lanes in Suggested activities for your council to participate in include Topeka. The dates of the tournament are February 21-22, Food for Families or Coats for Kids, helping Habitat for February 28-March 1, and March 7-8. An invitation to Humanity or volunteering for Special Olympics. Community participate is extended to all Brother Knights in your Council. Activity Director Bruce Luehring encourages all councils to The tournament is open to league and non-league bowlers. A get involved in area community activities. Your community current membership card will be required when checking in. will benefit immensely from your council s participation in Any Council interested in hosting the 2016 Tournament activities and it will provide visibility for your council. MUST MAKE their request in writing to Michael Grothoff, Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities Council Activities Director, before January 19, 2015. (Tootsie Roll drive) Any Council interested in hosting the 2017 State Golf Early reports from the Campaign for People with Tournament MUST SEND a written request to Michael Intellectual Disabilities indicate we are on track with last Grothoff on or before January 25, 2015. year s results. Has your council submitted its report? Don t Fraternal forget the December 15 reporting deadline. Only councils Have you selected your Knight of the Month? The who submit their report by the deadline will be eligible for Christmas season would be an excellent time to recognize that awards at the State Convention. Send the white copy of the outstanding member. Fraternal Chairman Gary Wondra report along with a check for 100% of the proceeds to State encourages all councils to participate this month. Remember, Treasurer Jamey Roth. Send the yellow copy of the report to it is never too late to begin to participate in this worthy Commitment to Humanities Chairman Bruce Luehring. program. Honor one of your members every month in order to Checks for your designated agencies will be returned from recognize his service to your council and community. State Treasurer Jamey Roth. If you have misplaced your report Applications must be received by the 15th of the following form, a copy can be printed from the State K of C Web Site month to be entered in the drawing for the State Knight of the (www.kansas-kofc.org), or call Bruce as he has extra forms Month. Submit your applications online, via e-mail or through available. Remember to complete Supreme Form 4584, the mail. Partnership Profile Report with Special Olympics. This form Publicity may be found in your Council Forms CD or it may be Have you publicized your council's activities? We need to get completed and submitted online. It is important that all more information to the public so that prospective members councils complete this form and submit it by January 31. can see what the Knights are all about. Publicity Chairman Pennies From Heaven Gary Wondra reminds all Circles, Councils and Assemblies to Pennies from Heaven Chairman Richard Broz reminds submit articles and pictures. Include the information in councils to start planning now for items to bring to the State council newsletters, parish bulletins, diocesan newspapers, Convention "Country Store" and the "Pennies Auction" next local newspapers and the Columbia magazine. We need to tell May. The winter months are a great time to have a fund raiser people about our activities and the good works performed by for the "Pennies Parade" at the Convention. Grand Knights are the Knights of Columbus. asked to be sure and have these items on the agenda of your Knight s-lite next council meeting. Contact Richard if you plan to bring The next edition of the Knight s-lite will be assembled in items. Remember, proceeds from the sale of donated items January. All articles must be received by Program Director will be counted toward your council's Pennies from Heaven Todd Bachamp by January 5 to make the publication date. donation. History Pro-Life Update State Historian Jim Pritchard encourages all councils and As quickly as the seasons change, we are already at the continued pg. 4
assemblies to continue updating their history. Updated information was emailed to all District Deputies on November 1. Please review the information and try to get reports to Jim by the mid-year meeting. This information will be valuable to future members wanting to know about past council and assembly activities. He has already had several councils and assemblies contact him for information about their history. He also reminds members it is still not too late to order a copy of, Fraternalism and Leadership, The Second Fifty Years of the Knights of Columbus in Kansas, as a Christmas gift. Webmaster For the State Council personnel to enable better communication with all Grand Knights across the state of Kansas, all of the email addresses of Grand Knights that have been collected have been entered into our Contact email system. 152 out of 257 Grand Knights email addresses have been received so far. This is up 20% from last year. If, as the Grand Knight, you have not been receiving information from the State Council via email, then we probably do not have your email address. Please contact your District Deputy or Webmaster Doug Wietharn at webmaster@kansaskofc.org to get signed up for these email communications. Todd R. Bachamp State Program Director DEC. / 2014 EXPLORER INSURANCE REPORT The Knights of Columbus agency department is proud to congratulate the following men for achieving the honor of Field Agent of the Month for their respective agencies: Eastern Kansas Agency: Joe Schutzman wrote $5,713,000 in life insurance protection on members and their families in October. Central Kansas Agency: Adam Bruna wrote $990,000 in life insurance protection on members and their families in October. Western Kansas Agency: Steve Schmidt wrote $1,400,000 in life insurance protection on members and their families in October. The three agencies combined to write a total of $34,336,575 in life insurance during the month of August. Please join us in congratulating the following men for their outstanding performance. These men lead the state or the Knights of Columbus insurance program in October of 2014. Darin Reed Mark Stallbaumer Joe Schutzman Kirby Schmelzle Shaun McGovern Adam Bruna David Soukup Joshua Barnard Matt Rutt Zachary Caro Luke Henry Don Goode Wade Greif Tyler Meyer Mark McKnett J. J. Deges Dan Reed R. J. Meyer Bill Weber If you or someone you know would like to join our winning team of Field Agents please call 1-866-391-8781 for more information. Vincent P. Melvin III State Secretary 6016 S.W. Fairlawn Road Topeka, KS 66619-1910 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED FIRST CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID AXTELL KS Permit No. 9
KANSAS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 16 th ANNUAL PRO-LIFE BABY SHOWER PURPOSE: A PRO-LIFE CLOTHING & SUPPLY DRIVE TO BENEFIT MOTHERS-TO-BE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE CHOOSE ABORTION, AND TO ALSO BENEFIT THE UNBORN THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO LIFE. WHEN: THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2015 WHERE: AT YOUR COUNCIL S HOME PARISH(ES) HOW TO CONDUCT: 1. Obtain your priest s permission to set up a baby bed or play pen in the entrance or foyer of your church. 2. Find a baby bed or play pen to use. Most councils will have a member who has a used bed in nice condition and no longer in use. 3. Beginning December 24, 2014 and continuing throughout January 2015, ask your parish priest to announce to the congregation, or get permission for one of your council members to announce, that you are conducting a Pro-Life Baby Shower with the proceeds to be given to the Pro-Life organization of your choice. Also place a notice or insert in your church bulletin each week. Ask parishioners to donate new or used baby or maternity clothing, baby and pregnancy supplies, diapers, bottles, formula, etc. Be sure to seed the baby bed with some nice articles of clothing and supplies as this always helps! Make a nice sign to put up, so people who miss the announcements will know what the bed is for. 4. Document the items donated along with a fair market value of the items (retail may be used for the new items only). 5. At the end of January, take all the items and donate them to the Pro-life center(s) of your choice. 6. Complete and file the Pro-Life Report Form with the State Pro-Life Chair couple, Tom and Gail Schmeidler, no later than April 1, 2015. (These donations count toward your council s Pro-Life donations. Awards will be given at the State Convention!) 7. Please conduct this activity in addition to your regular Pro-Life Fund-raisers held during the fraternal year. We would like to see 100% of the councils across Kansas participate in this activity.