THE OBSERVER Publisher Faithful Navigator Editor S.K. Robert E. Zeigler Volume 12 December 2017 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF CARDINAL GIBBONS ASSEMBLY 15O 4TH. DEGREE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEETS 1ST. MONDAY OF EACH MONTH 7 PM AT HOLY FAMILY PARISH HALL, RTE. 4 & GENDER ROAD NEWARK DELAWARE ADVENT TO CHRISTMAS Some Trivia, Some Fact There is no Latin word for Advent. The closest connection is adventus, AD=toward and venire =to come. Nobis was once used to mean Christmas. However Festum Navivitatis Christmas was used in the Middle Ages. Over the years, the word Christmass was shortened to Christmas. The 4 weeks called Advent are preparatory for the event of the Nativity [Christmas] and the readings during Advent warn the world of the coming of Emmanuel, the Savior. The Church exhorts us to watch, wait and prepare to receive the Christ Child. When the Jewish lady called Mary and her husband Josef settled down in humble surroundings and the Christ Child was born, who knew then what was to come over the next 33 years in that region and who knew then of what the next 2,000 years would bring. Cardinal Gibbons Assembly Officer s Roll Fraternal year 2017-2018 The following Faithful Sir Knights Michael Handlin TBA John McCormick Rev. Indongesit Etim Thomas Green TBA Lawrence Maguire Christopher M. Green Navigator Captain Admiral Friar Pilot Scribe Comptroller Purser William Lawler Trustee 3 year James Gardner Trustee 2 year Gerald Safranski Trustee 1 year William Marino Edward Godsell Albert Ware Inner Sentinel Outer Sentinel Commander CC Councils OFICIALLY affiliated with Assembly 150 4548 St. Michaels 6768 Coffee Run 11469 Our Lady of Fatima 11796 St. John the Beloved 12104 Holy Angels 12842 St. David s Notes From The Navigator The Best Tribute! This column in the Observer has been dedicated to showcasing the Cardinal Gibbons Assembly, and Recruitment. We have been fortunate with success, and I want to share the story. Knights may belong to any Council or Assembly! You are not held to a parish or geographic alignment. The key to membership is the Exemplification or partaking in the ceremonials of the 4th Degree. The candidate makes a decision, really two decisions. The first decision made is to want to be part of the Patriotic Degree, the second is to select the Assembly that is a fit for your interests. I just want to Crow! A little bit of Peter Pan! I want to shout it from the roof tops. WE HAVE NEW MEMBERS! November 11, 2017 at the Double Tree in Wilmington was the appointed day of the Ceremonials for the 4th Degree, the Patriotic Degree. Thirty men were part of the FORTY FIFTH Exemplification class, for the year 2017. Gibbons gained three new members! I am proud to announce: from St. Michael Council (4548) Joseph Salvato, from Coffee Run Council (6768) Stephen Halley, from St. John the Beloved Council (11796) Joseph Koskol. Men. WE welcome you! 1st
4th. Degree VA Bingo schedule for News Castle County Assemblies Participating January 2018 to December 2018. This schedule is repeated in the December 2017 Observer. Please alert your teams that Bingo begins at 2 PM at the Elsmere VA Hospital. January 13 February 10 March 10 April 14 May 12 June 9 July 14 August 11 September 8 October 13 November 10 December 8 Fitzmaurice Assembly Cardinal Gibbons Mardaga Assembly Fitzmaurice Assembly Cardinal Gibbons Mardaga Assembly Fitzmaurice Assembly Cardinal Gibbons Mardaga Assembly Fitzmaurice Assembly Cardinal Gibbons Mardaga Assembly Editor s Comment Regarding Christmas & Questions and strong opinion. Keep Christ in Christmas? Why not? Why do many institutions, governments and other groups want to penalize persons who actually utter the word Christmas? In many places children in schools may not be exposed to the idea of Christmas as being a religious holiday. Why is the word Christmas printed on calendars? Who appeared on this earth to offer eternal salvation? Was is Santa Klaus or Jesus the Christ? What does Santa offer? Material goods! What does the Christ offer? Some place where the soul can enjoy paradise forever! What would you prioritize? The shopping mall cannot compare with a manger. Go to the manger and you will find humility. Go to the Mall and you will find convoluted priorities. People rushing about eager to give their money for material goods. There were 3 men who went to a manger with very little to offer except to render their love to God. No malls in Bethlehem! The secular media tells us that Christmas is the most stressful time of the year. Why so? In reality it is the most peaceful time of the year. Humans will make it stressful for the most stilly non-reasons. The Jesus child brought peace not stress. If we can all recognize the Nativity has real meaning for this world then we can accept the idea of eternal salvation. SHALOM! Cardinal Gibbons Color Corps Participation for November 2017 [aside from other Assemblies C.C] Nov. 2 Visitation & Mass of Christian Burial for S.K. Lewis Jordan at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church T. Godsell, T. Green Nov. 5 Memorial Mass for deceased members of Holy Angels Council 12104 at the Church J. McCormick, T. Godsell, T. Green, A. Ware Nov. 11 Multi-Function CC supporting 45th. Exemplification of Delaware District 4th. Degree J. McCormick, T. Godsell, T. Green, A. Ware Nov. 15 Morning-Visitation & Mass of Christian Burial for S.K. Thomas Skelly at St. Peters Church, New Castle J. McCormick, T. Godsell, T. Green, A. Ware Nov. 15 Evening-Memorial Mass for deceased members of St. John the Beloved Council 11796 at the Church J. McCormick, T. Godsell, T. Green, W. Marino, W. Matt, A. Ware Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Morning, Memorial Mass at St. Helena Church W. Marino, A. Ware 2nd
REMEMBERING OTHERS---GIBBONS ASSEMBLY 150 A PERMANENT PAGE For the ill, deceased, members of the Armed Services, public servants to include law enforcement, medical emergency personnel, government and all other personal intentions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Pope Francis 2 Bishop Malooly 3 Priests, Deacons, religious Brothers, Sisters of the Diocese and all the Church 4 Men & women serving in ALL branches of the Armed Forces 5 The President of the United States 6 Men & women peace officers, EMT s 7 The intentions of each member of Cardinal Gibbons 8 IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL INTENTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT REZ38@COMCAST.NET TO ADD THEM 9 Peace in the Asiatic Rim 10 Diane Lawler 11 Ann Gardner 12 Ann Diamond 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 In your heart and mind please pray for all the intentions on this page. 3rd
A Little Bingo! THE EYE OF THE NAVIGATOR Shhhh, it is a secret! Bingo at THE LITTLE SISTER S ACTIVITY OF CALENDAR THE POOR every FOR Thursday DECEMBER night 2017 at 7PM. 15 to 20 residents assemble in the common s area to the sound of B-7. Yes, Bingo on a Thursday & January evening 2018 conducted by 4 to 5 members of the St Michael Council and the Gibbons Assembly, Knights of Columbus. Carmelo Palazzo would like one or two more Knights, of any Degree or their Spouse, to help at Bingo on a rotating basis. Bingo at the LITTLE SISTER S is pretty normal as the game goes, it is traditional Bingo. A Calendar of Events December 2017 few Knights can handle the floor; they just need helpers to lend a hand on the evenings they have other commitments. Carmelo will tell you it is a hoot participating; the women will tell you to speak louder, slow down, speed up, or shake them up, or YOU Do not forget BINGO at the Little Sisters of the Poor 6:50pm 2 more helpers needed. Contact Carmelo Palazzo, his email is: palazzocj@gmail.com didn t call my number! If you can help, Carmelo s email is: palaz@comcast.net Dec.4 Social and Business meeting. Holy Family Church. 6pm A little different- Social to greet the new members will begin at 6pm. The Business meeting will begin at 7pm..Please RSVP Dec. 7 & 8 Vigil and Observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Holy day of Obligation...Please remember to attend a Mass. BINGO At the Little Sisters of the Poor, begins at 6:50pm. Contact Carmelo Palazzo, new faces always needed! Dec. 9 State Christmas Party at St Joseph in Middletown. Please check the State Calendar for more information. Please RSVP!! Dec. 15. BINGO at the Little Sisters of the Poor, 6:50pm. Contact Carmelo Palazzo to help, a few more helpers appreciated. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve! Dec. 25 Christmas! MERRY CHRISTMAS, OUR SAVIOR IS BORN! CELEBRATE THIS JOY RIGHT TO LITTLE CHRISTMAS! Dec. 26 THE CELEBRATION OF KWANZA Dec. 31 NEW YEAR S EVE- CHECK WITH YOUR PARISH FOR MASS SCHEDULES SEE PAGE 5 TO CONTINUE 4th
2018 THUS FAR. Jan 1 NEW YEARS DAY. CHECK WITH YOUR PARISH BULLETIN FOR MASS SCHEDULES. Because of the holiday, we may not have a Business meeting in January. If we do, it will be January 15- which is also a holiday. We will notify you! JANUARY 4-11- 18-25 THERE IS BINGO AT THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR, 6:50pm. A few new faces are needed at Little Sisters contact Carmelo at: palazzocj@gmail.com FEBRUARY AND MAY A look ahead February 10 and May 12 2:00pm - VA Bingo with the Veterans at the VA Hospital in Elsmere Contact Al Ware at: ALWARE302@AOL.COM $2.00 Campaign Men of the Assembly! Sir Knights, Brothers All! Can you imagine coming home from Deployment, serving your country and looking at a stack of bills. Your job was protected but not your paycheck. Your family in need to pay utility bills. Will you help them? Just $2.00 dollars or more. We are hoping that each Brother will help with a check for $2.00. The Assembly has decided to add another Veterans Patriotic campaign for 2017. The Delaware National Guard has a program to help those returning from Deployment. It just always needs money. The fund can only be used by those military returning from Deployment. Are you willing to write a check for $2.00? If so, make the check payable to CARDINAL GIBBONS ASSEMBLY. Mail the check to Holy Family Church- Cardinal GIbbons Assembly, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE, 19713. THANK YOU! 5th
Recognition for the hard work of Assembly The Forty Fifth Exemplification on November 11, 2017 brought the Assembly new members and recognition. It was wonderful to know that three Knights would make the conscious decision to just do one more and receive the Patriotic Degree. Joe Salvato, Stephen Haller, and Joseph Koskol have joined the ranks of 4th Degree Knights of the Cardinal Gibbons Assembly. We welcome them. Great news did not end with the news of the newest three. Cardinal Gibbons Assembly earned recognition! Recognition came at the dinner. John McCormick was honored as Sir Knight of the Year. The Assembly earned two Awards: The Philip Siry Assembly of the Year, and the Civic Award. Sir Knight of the Year is a competitive honor amongst all the Assemblies. John McCormick is very deserving of the award and recognition. John is very involved in his Council - Coffee Run, and his Parish- St. Mary of the Assumption. His work at the assembly level is varied. John is has been the Admiral for two years, Past Faithful Navigator, very active in the Color Corps, and distinguished himself as Chief in Charge of the Installation for the Northern Assemblies, and is quite involved with the many Veterans programs. Recognition continued for the Cardinal Gibbons Assembly, as the Assembly received the Civic Award. The Civic Award requires participation in all least 4 Patriotic activities in the course of a year. The men of the Gibbons Assembly are proud of their work with the Following Programs: Socks for Soldiers, which had over 60 percent participation by the Assembly, VA Giving Tree to help veterans at Christmas, Participation at the VA Carnival in May. Each year, the Sir Knights volunteer as escorts for the veterans at the hospital in Elsmere. They run a few games and help the vets participate in the games. The Sir Knights of the Assembly continue their work with the Veterans at the Hospital by sponsoring a few vets to attend a Blue Rocks game. Our Sir Knights assist the vets during the game, act as Color Corps, and support them as needed. The surprise recognition was the awarding of the Philip Siry Assembly of the Year Award. The award is named for our past Faithful Friar Reverend Philip Siry. This is another Competitive Award requiring participation in various patriotic activities, and a detailed end of the year report of all activities of the Assembly. The Gibbons Assembly is responsible for the Bell and the Award Plaque until the next Exemplification. CONGRATULATIONS SIR KNIGHTS OF THE CARDINAL GIBBONS ASSEMBLY! 6th
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A thought for December! Or better titled Fr. Hanley, Christmas, Scrooge The Exemplification Liturgy was powerful. Father Hanley, the District Friar gave a unique Homily. He challenged us to pray for the person who was an itch, a curmudgeon. You know, that person on a given day we just do not like, no matter what. Father gave a tough challenge, a homework assignment. Now, we enter Advent, the perfect time to reflect on preparation and prayer. How are we doing with caring for our fellow man? The joy of our Savior s birth is on the way. Enter Scrooge! Charles Dickens created a character that is perfect for Christmas. Father Hanley would want us to pray for that Scrooge. The character that is so closed to Christ s birth he dares to question, are there no prisons, are there no workhouses? Father asked us to pray, pray for the person that is hard for us to like. The subtle, not spoken trick behind the request of Father Hanley is, on some days we might be that itch. Dickens created a character that, in the beginning we like and feel sorry. He is the Young Scrooge. He does change. Tiny Tim does exactly what Father Hanley asks. Tim prays for Scrooge at the meal. A special day, Christmas, and Tim asks for blessings on Scrooge. Even Cratchett raises a toast to him! Now, we go to Christmas, and our Savior. What better to see positive change in a persons life. The spirit of Christmas motivating a person to make the changes needed. To be that better person, to be the best and have the true meaning of Christmas in their heart each day, but especially on Christmas. Scrooge made that transformation. Scrooge came back to a loving person, giving person, a generous person, not just with money. We enter a time of reflection on our Lord and Savior s birth. We enter a time of rejoicing, celebration, and a time for prayer for our fellow man. We enter a time of need. A time to reflect upon the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy and how they help us in our dealings with mankind. Scrooge, made a change, Scrooge found love in his heart, he made the change to help his fellow man. He Helped a little Child, the same child that prayed for him. I do not ask you to accept Scrooge as I do. I pass on to you the message of prayer, prayer as given to us by Father Hanley. Pray for that person, that special itch. Pray that the love of Our Lord will enter his life, pray that Our Lord will be for ever in your life. Merry Christmas!! Free Offer of Salvation 8th