Grand Knight's Report:

Dear Brothers,

Jesus said “Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God.

But I think God will forgive me for briefly expressing my thanks for all of your efforts for the last two years.  Yeah, you!  Thank you, you helped this great Counsel growing.

But the future!!!  All hands on deck for working the GALA.  John Stefani and Jim Punda need you, your spouse and every friend, neighbor or relative to work July 3d-6^th.  We will serve beer, check IDs, sell age identifying wrist bands, sell beer, work with the Gala committee and sell beer.  We have twice the work and challenge at Lippold Park, and 1 extra day.  You know we ran short on our Knights’ relief fund, and couldn’t meet Fr. John’s request from our treasury for the kids’ March for Life project in Washington.  We need these funds desperately.  More importantly, we need to be successful so we can retain this project next year.  You know the Lions Club marches with a 20 X 40 American flag on all the holidays.  This year, however, the Lions decided not to sell the beer.  Very shortly thereafter they were just told that the parade on the 4^th has no room for the Lion’s flag.  We can’t afford to not be at our best and at full strength.  Sign up for several shifts so our chairmen don’t have to guess on manpower.  We may even have a T-shirt for you.

And speaking of shirts, is Jim Skaja getting bipolar?  At the May breakfast he wore 2 shirts, the blue Knight shirt and a Hawaiian shirt over it.  He said he wasn’t sure which crew would show up.

And speaking of the May breakfast, I was bursting with pride when so many Knights jumped into different positions due to missing personnel.  Brother Mike Britton received the Knight of the month for volunteering to move from chopping to serving the potatoes, toast and all 3 meet products per order-one of the most demanding jobs.

I hope you receive this in time to consider the Clergy appreciation dinner.  It is our long standing tradition to try to express our gratitude to our priests and religious.  Please be at Cary County club on June 26 even if you can’t sponsor a member of the clergy.  I’m sure they like to be thanked as much as we did on Father’s day.

With luck, I will try to produce a column on the state convention.  As for here, I at least want to congratulate Br. Dave Mazurk for being one of the top salesmen in the state, and Br. Tim and Wally and crew for the best newsletter in our population division.

Brother Ed Kolodzik passed on recently.  He fell ill before I got to know him well.  He was a young man who left a wife and 5 children.  We must do something for them.  I would not have even known about it except for John Orso Jr.’s call.  Anyone want to help me revive the calling tree?  At his wake I ran into Fr. Max Streidl, who had just been transferred to Lena, as pastor of 3 area churches.  He was as positive and enthusiastic as ever.  Let us keep all 8 of these people in our special intentions.

Interesting recent developments include our new Mary statute and the Rosary walk built by a girl scout near our traditional corn boil.  Get up close and check them out.  Additionally Br Dr Dave Frederick gave me a memorial card with a bonus.  Not only did I discover a nice man now certainly in heaven, but the s rosary card on the back with all 20 decades.  What a great memorial.

At the end of my space here, I still look back with pride at the rows we have plowed.  The future plowing will be even greater, however, as I will admit to being unworthy to wash the feet of the man who follows me.  Heck-I ain’t even gonna try.

Thought for the month:  Give not from the top of your purse but from the bottom of your heart.

God bless you all. 

Vivat Jesus

Steve Haugh,
Grand Knight
k284@mc.net

Deputy Grand Knight's Report:

Dear Brothers:

From the messy, cluttered desk of your Worthy Deputy Grand Knight…

Greetings, Brother Knights and faithful readers!

Well… this is my last article under this heading. Mixed feelings on that, as it’s been pretty interesting sitting in this spot. I have had the pleasure of writing whatever has come into my head, hopefully based on what was going on in the Council at the time. I can think of a few very sad themes, with the loss of a few very special people. But there have been just as many times when I wrote about some great guys that have been here or recently joined us and made an impact.

I also know how easy of a job I had being Deputy to Steve. He actually seemed surprised when I mentioned to him a little while back on just how easy I had it as he has never missed a meeting as Grand Knight. But the ham in me loved it when he started his reign with having me come up and do the committee reports from the front center of the room. So, Vinnie, be ready my friend, you are on notice, that spot is now yours! As is this one! I’m both proud and relieved to know you have my back. I only hope I can do justice to the position after Mr. Haugh (I’m trying to get his name and title in here as much as I can!).

Being Deputy Grand Knight has afforded me the opportunity to see a little more of what it takes for this Council to function. And what I saw was a leader who pretty much made it easy on everyone to get involved. Then the 3880 mentality kind of takes over.. point us and we get the job done… but you have to know how to point, and that is what Steve excels at. And looking over the new slate of officers, I will continue to have it easy, as they are a bunch of guys who get things done. So, all in all, be prepared for another exciting year ahead, as we continue to surge into action, have fun, and most importantly, raise money and spend hours helping those in need. Recent reports from Supreme state that we, the Knights of Columbus of the world, have attained another banner year in giving of our time and treasure to make a difference in this world of ours.

But, onto the here and now… it’s Gala Time! Can’t believe everyone hasn’t heard by now, but we will be doing both pouring the beer and selling the wrist bands and tokens. We will need so many of you to cover all of the hours and all of the spots over the four days. But I know that you will be there. Co-chair Jim Punda has already had Tim Hicklin send an e-mail blast about helping out, and we will have more of those. We have those great new shirts available again, and will stand tall, ringing the bells and having fun, so I know I will see you there.              

Peace and see you around.

Vivat Jesus! 
John Stefani,
Deputy Grand Knight
jstefani44@aol.com

Gala Update:

Crystal Lake Gala!!!

Well, by now you know that we are really going to be working like crazy at this year’s Gala. And in spite of what it said recently in the NW Herald, it is being held at Lippold Park, not at the lake front.

We are really going to need to turn out in droves, since we will be pouring beer from all four sides of the big ten, PLUS manning the nearby Wrist Band and Token booth as well. BUT, we will be making some major money for the Council which we certainly need.

Jim Punda is working on the logistic details of where we can park, how we get in and all of that… so please keep an eye out for upcoming e-mails that Tim Hicklin will be sending. We are looking forward to the normal, great turn-out of Brother Knights and especially family and friends. Over the past several years that we have been doing the Gala, those wives and girl friends and sons and daughters and friends and neighbors have played a major role in our ability to get the job done. When the ladies are up front serving the beer, dancing and singing it just really does make this whole job fun. And if memory serves me, we also had one guy who was a friend of a Brother Knight join in on the singing last year, that added some more hilarity to the occasion. Yes, we DID have FUN!!! Like we always do when the Knights turn out en masse to get the job done. So I want you to be a part of that this year… so give us a call and let us know when you can work… an hour, an hour a day over the four days, ALL HOURS for ALL FOUR DAYS would make you join a handful of us that actually do that. Jim Punda and I have done that over the last four years EXCEPT for when I had that silly surgery a couple of years ago. And Jim was there that year doing double duty to cover for me. Bad back and all, GK Steve Haugh puts in many, many hours. Vince Esposito, Rick Kendzior, John Orso, Scott Popp, John Scott, Kevin Scanlon and many, many more. And most of them bring their wives or girl friends (okay, the single guys bring girl friends!). Why I remember one Brother Knight who said they were done for the night and were going to leave, only to have his wife turn to him and say, “No!, I’m not done yet!” because she was having fun! It’s one of those things that just happen. I remember at one point turning to see my wife pouring beer with both hands, keeping up with some of the guys pouring, and out pouring a number of others!

I’ll have more of those great white tee-shirts available again this year. If you want them early, give me a call, or pick them up when you get there to work. We had wanted to sell them, and will take offerings if you want, or just take one… it is a way of showing the world who we are, and helping us to let them know we are proud of what we do to help those who are less fortunate than we are. It all helps to make the bells ring as we accept tips from the crowd to add to our coffers to continue helping the less fortunate. And THAT is why we are pouring beer….. to raise money to continue doing what the Knights do… taking care of those in need… and your Council needs you!!! See you there! Peace,

DGK John. For questions or to volunteer, 1 815-679-6596 or jstefani44@aol.com

4th Degree Report:

Greetings Sir Knights and Worthy Brother Knights of Council 3880 and all of our faithful readers!

At the June business meeting of the Bishop Boylan Assembly, the elections were held and I am so proud that 3880 now has two Brother Sir Knights as officers for the Assembly. Joining me is Brother, Sir Knight, Mike Jasinski, who was elected to the office of Scribe. Congratulations. Mike!

So, the Assembly is taking the month of July off from the regular Business Meeting, but will have the installation of Officers on July 18^th, in Marengo, the home of Sir Knight Clarence Gburek, our newly elected Faithful Navigator.  We will then meet again for a regular meeting on August 13^th at Holy Apostles in McHenry. So come on out and join us.

In addition to Mike and myself, Brother Sir Knight Steve Bright was again at the meeting, as the three of us welcomed Brother Sir Knight Irv Kemp, who is always there. So, out of the 20 – 25 Sir Knights normally at a meeting, we of 3880 are growing in numbers. And that’s nice to see. Maybe that number will grow again in the coming months of the new Fraternal Year. Hope so. If you have any questions, ask one of us. We would love to see you there!

Another great thing to see is the addition of both Steve Bright and Mike Jasinski now

both having Regalia, and being part of the Honor Guard for the last two events at St. Thomas. For quite a while it has been Sir Knight, Worthy Grand Knight, Steve Haugh and myself out there as an Honor Guard of two for local events. Now we are four, and doubling makes it that much more impressive. It would be great to see that number double again. It is one more way of making our presence known in the parish in a very obvious and exemplary manner.

If you are still a 3^rd Degree Knight and thinking of joining the 4^th Degree, which everyone should, there are always 3 or 4 Exemplifications every year, held in various locations. Based on the success of the one we hosted last year, another Assembly will conduct a 4^th Degree Exemplification in Crystal Lake this fall, in October. So that makes it very convenient to attend. It is a day that you will not forget. So please ask me if you have any questions on joining, and to pick up a blue Form 4. I would be happy and proud to have all of you join us!

Please visit our web-site as well for additional info. http://www.maxpages.com/bba198

Peace!      

SK John Stefani,
Faithful Comptroller,
Bishop Boylan Assembly 0198
JStefani44@aol.com

Chancellor:

By the time you time you read this article the council members will have made it through a happy and blessed father’s day. Also our summer blood drive has taken place on June 21st and clergy night on June 26th.  We can’t forget the 5th Sunday Memorial Mass held on June 30th. We’re looking forward to Gala festivities on July 3, 4, 5 and 6. All hand on deck for this event as the council will be working both the wristband/ token booth along with the beer tent. After that event we will all give a big sigh as we drift into the summer doldrums. The only events schedule between the Gala and Labor Day is two Sunday breakfasts, a mini golf outing on July 27th and a 5th Sunday Memorial Mass on August 31st.

But we’re already looking forward to fall activities. The annual Corn Boil is scheduled as always the Saturday before Labor Day on August 30. Our biggest event of the fall is the MR/LD or tootsie roll drive held September 19 & 20th. This is a family event bring your bride and children to help with this event.

The golf outing is also held in September on the 12th. The third degree of our order is fraternity and what better way to show fraternity than to have some fun with our brother knights. This is the only event where you’re not asked for a few hours to work but a few hours of you time to have fun. I know many of you have reservations about playing golf. Let me assure you that take away the three of four good golfers (Tiger has nothing to fear from these guys) that come to this event the rest of us duffers will be doing our best to make the green before dark. Please sign up for these events at the next meeting in July.

 We all do lead such hectic and privilege lives please remember what the Knights of Columbus is all about and that is charity. All the works we do throughout the year is geared toward one thing raising funds for charity’s sweet sake. Please try to attend as many events as you can. Start out slow as not to get “burned out” form all the events offered by our council. Pick one event a quarter or four events a year usually working 2 hr per event 2hr x 4events/year = 8hr of time per year to help the less fortunate. 

Jesus gave of himself not to be served but to serve.  As Christians we always try to be “Christ like” so try to serve our fellow citizens of the world only if for a few hours taking from your abundant life to give to those whose life is empty or broken.

Vivat Jesus, Vince.

Boy Scouts:

Crystal Lake, IL The 11AM CNW-UP Northwest Line train into Chicago was boarded by the high adventure patrol of Troop 127 to Philmont, New Mexico.  A trek in the planning for the last eighteen months began for seven Scouts and three Scouters, amid the wondering stares of the other riders this Father's Day. In full Scout uniform - Class A - and gear for ten days, they and Troop 158 occupied the rear most car which itself was filled with other riders on the way to Chicago.

Rather than discuss the sights and sounds expected in the Big City, the Scouts reviewed for the ump-teenth time the upcoming 21 hour ride on Amtrak and two hour ride into the most famous Boy Scout camp in the mountains of New Mexico.

Among them was the most newly minted Eagle Scout for Troop 127. His mother rescued the Eagle pin still affixed to the uniform worn at a Court of Honor just forty-eight hours earlier. Secret be told assistance was provided in the packing by other mothers and wives.

It's a back-pack adventure last undertaken by the Troop 127 in 2003 but the stories of that trek seem as new as the gear worn this Sunday in June.

Other Scouts now will tell tales of climbing Mt. Baldy, gaze upon the Tooth-of-Time and purchase the one of a kind patch of the Philmont Bull. As many days ahead exist in these young lives there will be enough stories about the '08 Trek and how it began from Crystal Lake on Father's Day.

"May the great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with you until we meet again."

(Scoutmaster's Benediction)