Mainsail Knights of Columbus of St. Mark Parish, Plano Texas Council Calendar for Feb: 10 Monthly Prayer Service 7:00 PM 12 Corporate Communion Wives Appreciation Dinner Safe Environment Training Mid-month Planning and Business Meeting 7:30 PM Ladies Auxiliary TBD Dallas Diocese Deacon s Lunch What s inside: Pg Grand Knight s Message 1 Council Program Activities 3 Pro-Life Program Activities 5 Council Calendar 11 Grand Knight s Message Brothers, Carolyn and I hope that all are having a wonderful New Year thus far. It is hard to believe that one month of 2011 is already history. Winter has reared its ugly head here in north Texas with low temperatures and snow. If winter is here now, can spring, with all its flowers and warmer weather be far away? We welcome two current Knights who transferred into our Council. They are Steve Michlik, our insurance Field Agent, who was in Council 7850 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton and Rick Ouellette, who came back to us from Council 4168 in Medina, Ohio. Steve is a 4 th degree Knight and Rick holds the 3 rd degree. We look forward to both Steve and Rick participating in our future activities especially our fish frys which start in March. Steve s wife and Rick s wife are both named Karen. We participated in several important Pro-Life activities this past month. On the weekend of January 15/16, we held our annual Lone Rose Collection after all Masses and collected over $11,000 in cash and two pickup truck loads of diapers, furniture, etc. The monies and material items donated were equally divided between the White Rose and Birth Choice Crisis Pregnancy Centers. See elsewhere in this issue of the Mainsail for a more complete story with pictures. On January 22, our Council participated in a Mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe memorializing the Roe v. Wade decision that started the legalization of abortions. This special Mass, celebrated by Bishop Farrell of Dallas and Bishop Vann of Fort Worth, prayed for the end to abortions and was followed by a march from the Cathedral to the Dallas Court House. Again, see elsewhere in this issue of the Mainsail for more details and pictures.
Also in January, we finalized the license agreement for our new home with the Diocese and look forward to signing this agreement in early February. A new Council committee was formed to govern the activities anticipated in the new facility named McGivney Hall. The demolition of the old bank facilities is complete and the build-out of our new home has started. We anticipate being able to use the facility in May or June. This agreement has seen extreme interest from the Supreme office of the Knights who identified it as something unique for the Knights of Columbus because of the hall being located on parish grounds. Dues collection for the 2011 calendar year is continuing. Thus far, we only have received dues from about 60% of those who received the notices and second notices have been sent to all who have not responded. If you haven t paid your 2011 dues yet, please note that the Council must pay about $25 in fees to the Supreme and State offices for every name identified as active on our roster regardless of the status of your paid dues. We also must increase our participation in the insurance program of the Knights if we hope to attain the status of Star Council. We are close to reaching the minimum number of new Knights required by Supreme based on our current membership. This quota is 18 new Knights. However, we are far from reaching the minimum increase of insurance members. In order to attain Star Council, we must add a minimum of six (6) new insurance members by the end of May. So far, we only have one (1) new insurance member. Steve Michlik, our insurance Field Agent, will be contacting those who are not current insurance members to ask you to protect your families and to help us reach our quota. Please continue to pray for the sick of our Council, for our troops and all others we mention at our meetings. See you at the February meeting! Vivat Jesus, Paul Krusac Page 2
A Night Not To Be Missed: Prodigal Son Dinner Council 6065 of the Knights of Columbus will hold its annual Prodigal Son Dinner on Monday, March 7 at Razzoo's Cajun Restaurant in Richardson, starting at 7:00 P.M. Every Obese Monday (AKA the Monday of Jimmy Rizzo ), our Prodigal Son Dinner is a grand celebration of camaraderie and good cheer an event that has become a tradition for almost 20 years in our council! In the Mardi Gras atmosphere that Razzoo s provides for us in our own party room, we put on our beads as the evening kicks off with a Happy Hour of just getting reacquainted and enjoying some gator and other appetizers along with the conversation. It s an opportunity to welcome back Brother Knights who might have drifted away over the past months or years. The dinner is also a reward for those Knights who have worked so hard in support of our council's numerous activities all year. It s a wonderful evening of food, friendship, fraternity, fellowship, and while you have to pay for your own alcoholic beverages, the Council pays for your dinner, plus tea and soft drinks. For all Brother Knights who are reading this and have never attended a Prodigal Son Dinner, please consider this a personal invitation to attend. For all the new Brother Knights, this is an event that you ll want to lock in on your annual planning calendar. Just two days before Ash Wednesday, what a great way to prepare for Lent! DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT! Sign Up: We need to get a headcount for Razzoo s. Sign up at the February or March business meeting, or contact Mark Hromalik, the project chairman, at 972-446-6707 or 972-489-4435 (cell). Page 3
Congratulations to Knights Celebrating Birthdays in February 1 Mike Carrell 3 Don Balvin 5 Johnathan Heckmann 8 Wendell Nault 10 Curt Acton 10 John Embry 11 Leonard Stanislav 14 Ben Preboy 16 Bruce Bickhaus 16 Victor Ibewuike 28 Bryan Martin Page 4
Thank You, St. Mark Parishioners! Lone Rose Collections Exceed $11K The annual Lone Rose Sunday drive to support the Pro-Life movement in the Dallas diocese was an "overwhelming success" according to project director Randy LeGrand, as more than $11,000 was raised, with a few more donations still expected. In addition to the cash contributions, parishioners also placed nearly $800 worth of new and used baby items in the crib in the Bethany Narthex. This event, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 6065, benefits the White Rose and Birth Choice women's Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Dallas. Thanks to the support and encouragement from our pastor, Father Cliff, and Father Jack and Father Marco, Brother Knights were able to make announcements from the pulpit prior to the end of each Mass to let the congregation know the importance of this fund-raising drive. As in year's past, the Lone Rose Sunday drive is the single most influential plea the Council makes to the parish in support of Pro Life; and, again as always, the parishioners of St. Mark's demonstrated their compassion and concern for the unborn as the Catholic community continues its drive to end abortions and give women in crisis pregnancy situations an option... to "Give Life a Chance!" Project director LeGrand, in his third year leading this event, repeated his thanks to the parishioners and to the Brother Knights who lent their time and talent to Lone Rose Sunday, many of whom spent most of the day at the church. Pulpit announcements were made by Fred Kuglin, Pete Maurer, Frank McElligott, Mark Hromalik, Carlos Medina, José Romero, Bob Navarrete, Steve Cosgrove, and Bill Ptacek. The collection basket crew included several of the Brother Knights noted above as well as Rudy Profaizer and Jack Hagan. Our spirits were also raised when Ken Leo, who is battling a major illness, was able to hold a basket after the 10:30 Mass. And then there was Jeremy Nelson, who has not yet become a Knight, holding his baby in one arm and a basket with his free hand to assist, all while his wife, Karen, kept their other two children "at bay" until Jeremy finished his work. The Council looks forward to having Jeremy join us formally in the future and we know already that he will be an active Brother Knight when he does. Two members of the Council deserve special praise for their "all-day" effort: Chuck Schumacher and Mike Reisinger. Brother Chuck and his truck were busy as the donations from the Bethany Narthex crib were loaded into the truck and then delivered to a storage area. While all this was going on, Brother Mike was "in the counting room", keeping track of all the cash, checks, and even coins. The Council also wants to recognize and thank Bill and Jennifer Dostalik, who set up the crib and assorted baby items in the narthex the week before and then donated all of it to the centers. Finally, a special thanks to Randy LeGrand for leading this event and to Mike Murray and Mark Hromalik, who have led our Lone Rose Sundays in previous years. Page 5
There were smiles all around and good reasons for them...11,102 to be exact. Father Cliff, pastor at St. Mark, presented checks of $5,551.00 each to the directors of the two Dallas Crisis Pregnancy Centers. The money was collected at Lone Rose Sunday at St. Mark's on Jan. 16th by Council 6065. Shown (l-r) are Paul Krusac, GK of Council 6065, Cristina Caine, director of the White Rose Center, Father Cliff, Fred Fink, director of Birth Choice, and Randy LeGrand, project chairman. But the real reason for the smiles and the thanks go to the parishioners of St. Mark's. Because of their generosity, the fight to protect the unborn will continue. Page 6
Bearing Flags and Swords, Brother Knights March for Life in Dallas At the annual Dallas Mass and March for Life on January 22, Brother Knights from Council 6065 joined thousands of other passionate pro-lifers to pray and march and shout for life. The occasion for this Mass and rally and march: the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe vs Wade legalizing abortion in America, of which 52 million preborn children have fallen victim since that fateful decision. On this somber but hopeful occasion, five Brothers carried large colorful American flags behind a March for Life banner and were followed by an equally impressive sword-flashing Color Corps, of which at least three were also from Council 6065. The five flag bearers included Tom Collingwood, John Krumholtz, Mark Hromalik, Randy Le Grand and Carlos Medina. The three members of the Color Corps included Bill Ptacek, Ron Schoof and Paul Krusac. Numerous other Knights and families from Council 6065 joined the throngs as well, helping make this year's march swell to 10,000 marchers -- not as many as the estimated 400,000 that marched in our nation's capital, but still quite large for Dallas. See the accompanying photographs. What a wonderful statement by our Knights that we will not abandon mothers in need, and we will strive to give life a chance! The Most Reverend Kevin J. Farrell, DD, Bishop of Dallas, leads the concelebrators of the Mass into the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe to begin the Mass in support of the right to life. The event drew thousands of supporters from the DFW area to lend their voices in an effort to "defend life, protect the unborn, and end abortions". Page 7
The Knights of Columbus were a very supportive presence and voice in the Pro-Life activities held on Jan. 22nd. The Color Corps and several hundred Knights from across the DFW area attended the Mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, concelebrated by Bishops Kevin Farrell and Kevin Vann and Auxiliary Bishops Rev. Mark Seitz and Msgr. J. Douglas Deshotel. Bishop Kevin Farrell (center) celebrates Mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in support of the "Right to Life" on Jan. 22nd. More than several thousands attended the Mass and participated in activities throughout the day to raise our voices against abortion. Color Corps members from the Christopher Columbus Assembly, among others, marched in support of the Pro-Life movement held at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Dallas on January 22nd. Representing Council 6065 were Paul Krusac, GK of Council 6065, in the front, and Color Corps Commander Bill Ptacek (right rear). Thirty-eight Color Corps members participated at the Mass, along with the several thousand supporters who took part in the event to end abortions and protect the unborn. Page 8
Mainsail, the Official Newsletter of the Santa Maria Council #6065 February 2011 Roger Scott, Diocesan Deputy, and formerly the District Deputy and dear friend of Council 6065, greets the Bishops at the "Pro-Life" rally held on Jan. 22nd at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Shown (l-r) are Mark Seitz, Kevin Vann, and Kevin Farrell. One strong and united voice expressed the sentiment of the marchers during the "Pro-Life" event held on Jan. 22nd... and the sign above the bishops' heads said it all... DEFEND LIFE. Page 9
Mainsail, the Official Newsletter of the Santa Maria Council #6065 February 2011 Pro-Life voices joined together on Jan. 22nd to march in support of the "Right to Life" and to end abortions. Council 6065 was very involved in the activities. Shown above (l-r) in the second row, carrying American flags, are Carlos Medina, Randy LeGrand, Mark Hromalik, and John Krumholtz. Pro-Life voices joined together on Jan. 22nd to march in support of the right to life and to end abortions. Council 6065 was actively involved and in the photo above, from the left, are Randy LeGrand, Mark Hromalik, and John Krumholtz carrying American flags. Page 10
Mainsail, the Official Newsletter of the Santa Maria Council #6065 February 2011 Santa Maria Council 6065 February 2011 May 2011 Calendar of Events As of February 4, 2011 February 2011 April 2011 01 03 03 10 12 14 TBD Info Night 7:30 PM Library -CANCELLED Business Meeting 7:30 PM POSTPONED -FEB Ladies Auxiliary 7:30 PM - POSTPONED -FEB Monthly Prayer Service 7PM Corp Communion 5:30 - Wives' Appreciation Dinner Valentine's Day Safe Environment Training - 6 PM Community Center Mid-month Planning & Business Meeting 7:30 PM Financial Secretary Training @ #5052 Dallas Diocese Deacon's Luncheon 01 02-03 02-03 05 07 07 08 TBD 10 14 16 March 2011 01 03 03 03 05-06 05 07 09 10 7-10 11 14-18 19-20 25 25 26 26 29 Info Night 7:30 PM - Library Safe Environment Training - 6 PM Community Center Business Meeting 7:30 PM Ladies Auxiliary 7:30 PM - Conf. Room #202 Hand our Fish Fry Coupons after All Masses Greet the Troops at DFW Prodigal Son Dinner - 7:00 PM - Razzoo's Ash Wednesday Monthly Prayer Service 7PM Parish Lenten Mission Fish Fry - 4:45-7:00 PM - Cafetorium & Kitchen Spring Break - St. Mark School Hand Out Fish Fry Coupons after all Masses Montserrat Retreat Safe Environment Training - 6 PM Community Center Mid-Month Planning Meeting 7:30 PM Fish Fry - 4:45-7:00 PM - Cafetorium & Kitchen Mainsail Deadline 3rd Annual Bishop's Knights Mass 10AM Cathedral Bishop's Pro-Life Dinner Founder's Day 21 22 24 30 Gumbo Dinner - Community Center Time TBD Hand our Fish Fry Coupons after All Masses Blood Drive Sign-up Info Night 7:30 PM - Library Business Meeting 7:30 PM Ladies Auxiliary 7:30 PM - Conference Room #202 Fish Fry - 4:45-7:00 PM - Cafetorium & Kitchen Ronald McDonald House Blood Drive -- 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Old Gym Monthly Prayer Service 7PM H.U.G.S. Truck Palm Sunday - Easter Egg Hunt (9:00 & 10:30 only) and Pancake/Taco Breakfast (9:00 & 10:30 Masses Only) Mid-month Planning Meeting 7:30 PM Good Friday Easter Sunday 4th Degree Exemplification - Marshall, TX May 2011 01 03 TBD 05 05 TBD 08 08 08 12 13-15 14 19 20 27 27 30 Divine Mercy Sunday Corp Communion 6 PM Mass Altar Servers Dinner Men's English CRHP Retreat Business Meeting -- 7:30 PM Ladies Auxiliary -- 7:30 PM - Conference Room #202 Texas Hold'em -- 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM Deadline for Ron Fossier Scholarship Award Mother's Day Deadline for Ron Fossier Scholarship Award Monthly Prayer Service 7PM Annual State Convention -- Dallas RoughRiders Game Frisco Bishop Pro-Life Dinner Mid-month Planning Meting -- 7:30 PM St. Mark's School Graduation Mainsail Deadline Last Day of School at St. Mark Memorial Day YELLOW HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS NEW OR UPDATED GRAY HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS CANCELLED Page 11
Mainsail, the Official Newsletter of the Santa Maria Council #6065 February 2011 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 6065 MAINSAIL NEWSLETTER 3614 Tanner Lane Richardson, Texas 75082 MAIL TO: Address Correction Requested Page 12