KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Santa Anna Council #4461 1618 BLACKROCK RD, SWARTHMORE, PA 19081 SANTA ANNA INFORMER GRAND KNIGHT REPORT DECEMBER 2016 1 As Christmas approaches I would like to remind all that it is the season to be grateful for what we have and the family and friends that are close. I have a small family but I thank God that both my sons are only a half hour away and my brother and his family are in South Jersey. It s not the gifts that are important so take the time to call a few friends that you may not have heard from in a while and just talk to them. We all send out numerous Christmas Cards but they may seem somewhat impersonal. With the advent of social media so many of us have overlooked that personal contact of a phone call or even a short lunch or cup of coffee at a local store with a friend. As we all get up there in age how many have lost family or friends and regret not calling them before God did! I know we are all very busy but please try and attend our December meeting and social on December 1 st. It is earlier than usual this year so please mark your calendar. Stop in and renew old friendships and have a relaxing good time for a few hours and good food. Members have really outdone themselves this year, we have 9 new members scheduled to make their 1 st degree. We are growing! The Christmas tree lighting at St. Cyril s is on December 11 th, if you can, we always need help at this wonderful event. Mike has once again stepped up and is repairing the Merry Christmas lighted sign for Saint Cyril s. Events such as this continue to help the neighborhood stay a joyful and vibrant community..on a personal note on Christmas I attend The Traditional Extraordinary Form Latin High Mass at Midnight at Our Lady of Lourdes 63th and Lancaster around the corner from the Seminary. I find it so renewing as I sit in the refurbished Church and listen to the choir sing traditional Christmas Carols. At the stroke of Midnight a Procession of Altar Boys leads the 3 parish priests into the Church and it takes me back to my childhood to many happy and joyful times. It s a few hours well spent The only thing that is missing is the Snow and one year we even had snow flurries as we left Mass. For me it is very renewing! If you can try and attend and remember! I pray we all have a very Happy and Joyful Christmas Season. Vivat Jesus Terry Gumpper 610-793-2805 tgumpper@netscape.net
RECRUITMENT DRIVE Our Council recently conducted a membership drive. We have 9 candidates who will shortly make their first degree. Thank you to those who spoke from the pulpit, handed out flyers or just talked to the men while having a donut at Marian Hall. GREAT JOB PRAYER LIST SICK: Devin Doyle, Coleen Castellani, Joe Stanton, Dave Doney, Francine Auclair, Alison Auclair, Ken and Patty Forest and Bob Pryor. 2016-17 ACTIVITIES December 1st Regular meeting followed by Christmas social. December 11th Tree lighting 6 p.m. at St. Cyril s January 12 th Regular meeting no social January 14 th Council free throw Marian Hall February 4 th District free throw Marian Hall February 9 th Regular meeting followed by St. Valentine social March 9 th Regular meeting followed by St. Pat s social March??? St. Phils fish fry TBA April 6th Regular meeting no social 4 th degree candidates night May 11 th Regular meeting Nom./ officers June 8 th Regular meeting election of officers for 2016-17 Please hang this schedule in a prominent place in your home. So many times we hear that you just forgot about the meeting. C.O.A.L. and FOOTBALL SWEEPS PROGRAMS My Brother Knights, please return any sold COAL books ASAP. The drawing is on Dec. 8 th. Contact Dennis Schaeffer at xadjk7905@yahoo.com or call and let him know. Make all checks payable to Santa Anna 4461. Football sweeps is in full swing. No winners yet. Thank you for supporting our Council and the Knights of Columbus. Yours in Christ, Dennis Schaeffer, PGK 610-449-5494 COAL and Sweeps Chairman CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTINGS On December 11 th after the Masses there will be a pancake breakfast with special guest, Santa Claus. At 3 p.m. there will be a concert followed by the tree lighting at St. Phils and at St.Cyril at 6 p.m. UPDATE: Saturday November 25. Our Council set up the Nativity scene on St. Cyril s front lawn. In addition to that we installed a 4 x 8 Keep Christ in Christmas sign on the Baltimore Pk. front lawn of St. Philomena s Church. Thank you to all of our regular helpers but a special thanks to Rick Barone who will be making his first degree soon but stepped up to the plate for this event. Thanx Rick
CORNY JOKE OF THE MONTH A lady rushes into the veterinarian and screams, "I found my dog unconscious and I can't wake him -- do something." The vet lays the dog on the examination table and after a few simple tests he says, "I'm sorry, I don't feel a pulse, I'm afraid your dog is dead". The lady can't accept this and says, "No, no, he can't be dead -- do something else." The vet goes into the other room, and comes back with a little cat. The cat jumps up on the table and starts sniffing the dog from head to toe. It sniffs and sniffs up and down the dog, then all of a sudden just stops and jumps off the table and leaves. "Well, that confirms it," the vet says, "your dog is dead." The lady is very upset but finally settles down. "Okay, I guess you're right. How much do I owe you?" The vet says, "That will be $340." The lady has a fit and asks, "Why is it so much? After all the vet didn't do anything for the dog." "Well", the vet replied, "it's $40 for the office visit and $300 for the CAT SCAN!" TRINITY CHAPTER Our chapter has two ongoing programs. First, Camilla Hall painting project is on the last Saturday of each month. We need volunteers. Also, the ultrasound program has raised the necessary $11,500 dollars needed for the purchase of a new machine. Supreme Council sent the matching funds the purchase and it will be delivered soon. Possibly a new campaign will begin for a second machine. Contact Joe Paoletti for more info. paolettiproperties@yahoo.com DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Gerry Carmody, Ed Carter, John Chrupcala, Anthony Di Cocinis, Jim Doney, Richard Gevin, Paul Gordon, Terry Gummper, Tony Harper, John Rush, Jim Shirk, Charlie Thorn, and Bobby Woodland. Enjoy your special day. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS INSURANCE Our insurance agent is Jim Siermine. He is well experienced in his field and would love to hear from you, especially if you have a question or concern. 610-497-2299 or james.siermine@kofc.org 3
FREE THROW CONTEST Our 33 nd annual contest will be held at St. Phil s Marian Hall on Saturday, January 14 th. It starts at 9 a.m. As always we can use your help. Last year we were a little weak. So, if you haven t been here before why not step up. All members are welcome to bring out their kids, grandkids, nieces nephews and friends. The contest is held for boys and girls from 9 yrs old to 14. See you there. (see flyer on last page) GOOD OF THE ORDER Past Grand Knight Dennis Schaeffer has been in monthly contact with our sick and housebound. If you would like to talk, give him a call at 610-449-5495 or e-mail him at xadjk7905@yahoo.com. If you know of anyone who needs our prayers just let him know. E-MAIL ADDRESSES We mail less than 25 monthly newsletters at a cost of about $200.00 a year. If you have an e-mail address and haven t given it to me yet, I would be most grateful. A few years ago our yearly cost was over $1,000. I am still shooting for 100% electronic mail. Besides that, you get several updates as they happen during the month. Also, if you would like to be removed from our mailing list, just contact me.. REFUND SUPPORT VOCATIONS PROGRAM Through the Knights of Columbus Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP), councils, assemblies and Squires circles adopt one or more seminarians or postulants and provide them with financial assistance and moral support. RSVP money is used by seminarians and those in religious formation for tuition and books, car insurance and maintenance, travel during vacations, emergency expenditures and other living expenses. Knights provide more than financial support, though. Members write letters to students, sponsor dinners for them, invite them to join the Order and, most importantly, pray for vocations. In the next month or two you will receive your 2017 dues bill. There is a spot where you can donate to this very worthwhile cause. Please take advantage of it. Mike Keller, editor 610-543-5666 keller1618@aol.com
Santa Anna Council #4461 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship Saturday 1/14/2017 9 am til??? St Philomena Parish Marian Hall Boys and Girls 9 years old to 14 years old Age is based on 1/1/17 For more info call Mike Keller 610-543-5666 keller1618@aol.com 5