Grand Knight's Report:

Dear Brothers:

From the messy, cluttered desk of your Worthy Grand Knight                                                                                                    

Greetings, Brother Knights and faithful readers…

I’m getting a little concerned… for the second consecutive month of this new year, we have lost another member of our Council. John Olszak passed away in early February. John was another of those Brother Sir Knights that may not have made a  lot of meetings, not that having 10 children and over 30 grand and great-grand children would take up a lot of his time!!!!! But John and Angie were always at Mass and always at the 5^th Sunday Council Memorial Masses. And the Breakfasts. And most special dinners. In other words, while John’s life was so full, he supported our Council, physically and financially and in his thoughts and prayers. Steve Bright is in Arizona these days, but he immediately sent me an e-mail asking me to remember him to Angie, because he and John where close. Tim Hicklin was sick the night of the wake and the 4^th Degree Honor Guard, but also asked the I pass along his condolences to the family. And of course, there where a number of Brother Knights in attendance who were not part of the Honor Guard. Such was the friendship that John had with so many. Yet another Brother Knight that will be missed. So let me ask all of you… PLEASE do what is good for you… and your family and your Brother Knights… take care of yourselves!

With that , the year is progressing along from the Council stand point. We are still looking at some other fund raising events, under DGK Vince’s leadership, Angie Krambeer has again gotten the 3^rd Tuesday Night restaurant tours under way, with the first one of the year taking place a few days ago and Buffalo Wild Wings. Please keep an Eye out for future announcements and let’s fill up these places where we are welcomed for who we are and what we do, and these wonderful business people, even, or especially in these difficult times are helping us to help the less fortunate by sharing some of their profits.

Which brings up another topic here. Last Tuesday, February 16^th, at the monthly social Meeting, we welcomed some new members into the Knights and our Council. You should be reading more about that from the Membership Director in the following pages. We also had am Officer’s Meeting directed by DGK Vince and Treasurer Wyman where we addressed the critical issues of the current and forth coming budget of the Council. As you know if you are attending the meetings, money is always a critical topic at them. We have a lot of money, if you just look a the numbers. But you must also look at the fact that we are generating less and less money these days. Just rereading that, I sound like a Pastor… preaching from the pulpit that we need to give (in our case, generate) more money. But that is an very important part of being the Grand Knight. We have been working on, finalized, voted upon, and written a number of large checks to disburse some of our profit. That is one of the goals of this Council.. not only budget money for those in need, but to distribute what we can. But we must always be sure that we retain enough for any and all contingencies. That is what Vince and Bob led us through. We visited the spreadsheets, and set budgets for what is needed, we eliminated some items that do not belong there, and we created some new ones. Like everyone else, we need to tighten our belt. Can all of the scholarships we having been issuing these past years be continued. Some are funded by contributions made on behalf of departed Brothers. Some with on-going funding, but some with a one time donation. We are very close to a good, new budget and more importantly, budget process, that will carry us forward. But we also have other outside factors to contend with. Occasionally, either the State Council or Supreme will issue a mandate that we need to contribute x number of dollars per member for some fund… be it a Right-to-Life push, and emergency disaster fund, such as for Katrina or Haiti, or something of that nature. It may only be a dollar or two, but when you have over 300 members, that adds up. Oh, yeah… when we have Brother Knights that do not pay their dues annually… sometimes year after year, and will not respond to our calls, cards and letters, they are still active, because we can not just remove a member. So that could be another 1,2 or 300 dollars we are paying out with no income from them. You know what? Bottom line, your $25.00 annual Go To Page 3   dues barely (if at all) pays for our ‘dues’ from Supreme and State, which I call a head tax, which makes a lot of top Knights cringe at the term. But there it is. So we will be talking at future meetings about these costs, and these expenditures, and what happens to the can we pass around??? So, don’t make this cause you to shy away from coming to meetings, just the opposite, let it make you WANT to come and get involved.. or at least hear first hand what it sit heat I am always ranting about… please!

And like me at meetings, THIS has gotten long. But it is important to the health of the Council..

Our council … the greatest Council in the Knights of Columbus!! Come and be proud…let’s help each other help everyone else!    

Peace and see you around.      

Vivat Jesus! 

John Stefani
Grand Knight,
Fr. McCormick Council 3880
GrandKnight@kofc3880.org

Deputy Grand Knight Report:

Dear Brothers:

From the wandering mind of the DGK.

Brothers,

I’m sitting at my desk just after watching everybody bowl a game or two at our annual family bowling outing. There was good and bad news that came with watching our council members roll a few frames. The bad news is none of our members will ever make the pro tour not even as spectators. The good news is the older we get the better we bowl since the best bowler of the day is in his 90’s. We learn a lot form Irv one more thing he needs to teach us is how to bowl.

We have scheduled MH drive benefit nights for our council. We have every 5th Tuesday scheduled for Culvers. This is an easy one for our council. We eat butter burgers and show up at the council member’s house who is hosting the social gathering. The next one is scheduled for March 30th. Details to follow via email from Tim Hicklin.  Others restaurants scheduled include Noodles on Mach 16th and Pablo’s on April 20th.  We’re working on some other restaurants to round out the schedule. Last year we made enough money to have both councils make their goal and not incur the expense of the candy in our drive fund. The kick off meeting for the golf outing committee will be set at the social meeting after our first degree ceremony.  Scott Popp, Bob Newport and I are currently the whole committee along with some of last year’s committee members.

Lent begins on February 17th which of course is Ash Wednesday.  This is as we know the 40 days not including Sundays in that count  (That last part was for Bob Wyman) leading up to the Triduum,  Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday.  This is a time of prayer fasting and almsgiving also a time of soul searching. There will be retreats and reconciliation offered through the parish please take advantage of this much needed time.

Lastly I was watching television over the weekend and happened onto a program about the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre which happened in Chicago in 1929. This of course is an infamous date in history. The happening in 1929 was about bootlegging territories in the city and beyond. This date should be more noted for a different shooting that happened 2 years ago on February 14th on the campus of Northern Illinois University.  While bootleggers knew the business was a rough one the children of our neighbors and friend had no idea that sitting in a classroom was just as dangerous. So let’s not forget the children murdered that day. Always pray for their souls and for strength for their family members who are still with us today.

 Vivat Jesus,

DGK Vince Esposito
VPEsposito@comcast.net

(815) 459-6615
1238 Amberwood Dr.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
 

Membership:

Welcome New Brothers

This month’s social meeting was just that and more. We were treated to a First Degree ceremony where we welcomed three new brother knights into the order, two of our own and one from the Woodstock Council.

Please join me in welcoming Paul Cuchna and Peter Hall to council 3880. We all look forward to having their enthusiastic faces at our future meetings and events.

One of the great things about bringing in new members is witnessing the beauty of the first degree ceremony itself. Our degree team does a fantastic job bringing this together. I would like to thank them for their dedication and teamwork. I also thank all the brothers of our council and from the Woodstock council who came to participate in the event. It was a great turnout. If anyone has not seen a degree ceremony in a while, please make sure to attend one soon. It is a great reminder of who we are, and what we do.

Remember, there are a lot of qualified Catholic men just waiting to be asked to join. Mow is the time to take your first steps forward at offering these men membership in the Knights of Columbus.

For more Membership information please contact Rick Kendzior at membership@kofc3880.org or (847) 669-6780.

4th Degree Update:

Bishop Boylan Assembly 0198 4^Th Degree Update.

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

Once again the Honor Guard of our Assembly was asked to stand for another deceased Brother Sir Knight. On February 6^th, Our Lord called to his side Sir Knight John C. Olszak, of our Council and Assembly. John was that quiet gentleman that always showed up for every Memorial Mass, with wife Angie always at his side, and always with a grandchild with them. John and Angie have 10 children and many grandchildren, in our Parish, and scattered around… but always in their thoughts. It was a large wake with many, many family and friends. It’s the kind you would like yours to be like… because it was so obviously filled with love and many good memories. God Bless you, John, you will be missed for your warm smile and friendly handshake. May we remember you enough to try and be like you.

The Assembly is still running along smoothly and the dues keep coming in. If you have not paid your yet, and have that invoice sitting on your dresser or desk, please take a moment and send it in. As I said last month, we are looking for ways to distribute more of it to those in need, and every $20.00 that comes in helps. But never forget that as economic hardships, and continued belt-tightening happens, the last thing we want is to lose a Sir Knight because of that $20.00. As Comptroller I will gladly waive the dues to keep you in our company. But you have to let me know! I can not assume that you haven’t paid because it is a difficulty. Just drop me a note or e-mail me at   KofC0198Comptroller@live.com and I will see that you get your current 2010 card. Solidarity and Charity. With these two on our side, we can accomplish an awful lot.

It is also very gratifying to see so many Sir Knights who have been in arrears picking up those past dues. One the one hand we say if you can’t afford the money, let us know and we will take care of it. On the other hand, I have sent many dues notices that show last year’s dues had not been paid, and have received so many double payments. So not sure how that is working.. is it just the reminder? But either way, it is nice to see the Assembly still going along. We are over 300 strong now, and each month we see a few more Sir Knights coming to the meetings that have not been there in years. It is a short meeting, generally not over an hour, generally considerably less (okay, so I am NOT in charge and standing up there talking all night!), but meaningful. We conduct our business, talk a few things over, and them stand around and ‘visit’ for a while. What it’s all about… so, got an hour? Second Wednesday of the month at Holy Apostles in McHenry on Bull Valley Road. Come and see what we are about.

Check out the updated webpage when you can.

http://www.maxpages.com/bba198

Give me a call or send an e-mail 815 679-6596  KofC0198Comptroller@live.com  or grandknight@kofc3880.org 

Peace! SK John Stefani,
Faithful Comptroller,
Bishop Boylan Assembly 0198

Pro-Life:

• Senate Democrats are threatening to push through the Senate, on a simple majority vote using a process called reconciliation, the health care bill they previously approved before the conference committee process was to begin.  This could happen only if the House approves the Senate version of the bill with no changes and thus bypass the conference process.  This Democratic strategy is a tall order indeed because the House version, previously passed by the House excluded funding of abortions.  It is doubtful that the Pro-Life Representatives in the house would accept a bill that supports funding of abortion.

• House Republicans have sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking her to disavow the reconciliation strategy described in Item 1, above.  “To ensure we can move forward in good faith, we ask that you publicly disavow these reports and assure the American people that Democratic leadership is not putting together any kind of backroom deal or plotting any kind of legislative trickery to pass the healthcare bill,” wrote John Boehner, Minority Leader.

• Over 106 million Super Bowl viewers saw the Pro-Life ad featuring Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam.  She was in the Philippines as a missionary with her husband when she fell gravely ill.  Her doctor recommended an abortion but she refused and eventually gave birth to Tim.  The ad, placed by Focus on the Family, a Pro-Life group, was hailed as one of the most popular of all the Super Bowl ads.

• The Catholic Campaign for Human Development, an annual fund-raiser sponsored by the bishops of the United States, has been accused of distributing the funds to some organizations that support abortion.  A summary of this matter appears in the following article from the American Life League:

CATHOLIC COALITION PETITIONS BISHOPS' CONFERENCE TO END PRO-ABORTION GRANTS

Washington, DC (11 February 2010) – American Life League, Human Life International, Catholic Advocate, Bellarmine Veritas Ministry and Real Catholic TV, members of the Reform CCHD Now a coalition, launched a petition drive Thursday asking the bishops to suspend United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) grants.

The effort comes after repeated calls over the past three months for explanations from the USCCB in response to the discovery of CCHD money spent to support organizations promoting abortion and same-sex marriage.

American Catholics will be asked to sign the following at www.reformcchdnow.com:

To ensure no more Catholic dollars are spent to support organizations advocating abortion or same-sex marriage, I respectfully request the bishops suspend all national CCHD grants until the grants process has been reformed.

“Transparency and responsible stewardship of the money donated by hard-working American Catholics to further the mission of the Church should be a top priority for those in positions of authority at the Bishops’ Conference,” said Catholic Advocate Vice President Matt Smith.

A copy of the petition will be presented to the following:

• Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development

• Bishop Roger Morin of Biloxi, Mississippi and Chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on the CCHD

• Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas, Texas and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on National Collections

• Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Texas and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities

• Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky and Chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage

    CCHD donations are traditionally collected the weekend before Thanksgiving each year as one of the thirteen funds of the USCCB’s National Collections program. Donations average between $7 – 9 million annually

    Below is a summary of what has transpired since information on CCHD grant recipients first surfaced in August 2009 by the Bellarmine Veritas Ministry.

• In October 2009, Human Life International, American Life League and the Bellarmine Veritas Ministry formed the Reform CCHD Now coalition. Twenty-one organizations are now members of the coalition.

• On Oct. 2 Bishop Morin announced that CCHD grantee groups Young Workers United and the Chinese Progressive Association had been defunded in response to the reports.

• In November 2009 the Reform CCHD Now coalition revealed the CCHD was supporting 31 organizations which are members of a radically pro-abortion, pro same sex marriage organization.

• Also in November 2009 another detailed report was issued by American Life League and Bellarmine Veritas Ministry implicating MIV partners, CA Partnership partners, SFOP, Preble Street, Voces De La Frontera, and many others.

• By Nov. 25, 2009 LifeSiteNews reported that five bishops had decided to discontinue the CCHD collection.

• On Monday, Feb. 1 American Life League and the Bellarmine Veritas Ministry released further information on CCHD ties to the pro-abortion, same sex marriage Center for Community Change. Two top USCCB executives  involved with the CCHD have served on the board of the CCC.

• On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, realcatholictv.com released video evidence that within hours of the initial story breaking, the USCCB and Center for Community Change each removed any reference to the other organization from their respective websites.

• On Tuesday, Feb. 2 Catholic Advocate called upon the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to suspend its grants pending “a complete review of its awards process.

• The USCCB has yet to adequately respond to any of the charges since Bishop Morin’s Oct. 2 memorandum, but has instead attempted to reframe the reports as a personal attack against USCCB employees.

    "We remain hopeful these issues will be addressed, potentially leading to a renewal of the CCHD, and making it an organization that is a source of unity rather than division in the Church," said Human Life International's Stephen Phelan.

    Phelan added, "we respectfully ask the episcopal leadership of the USCCB to consider the petition in good faith."

    American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to natural death.  For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942

Phil Weyna, PGK 

Boy Scouts:

Pack 127 and Troop 127 Scouts
Earn Religious Medals

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts have an opportunity to show their faith in God by earning their religious medals.  For Catholic Cub Scouts/Webelos, it is the Light of Christ and the Parvuli Dei medals.   For Catholic Boy Scouts, it is the Ad Altare Dei medal. 

The Light of Christ medal’s purpose is to help the Cub Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With the parents' active assistance and participation in this program, it is hoped that the Cub Scout will come to see Jesus as a real person and his friend.

The Parvuli Dei (Children of God) medal’s purpose is to help young boys explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the group or community.  

Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) medal’s purpose is to help Catholic Boy Scouts of the Roman Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community.  The program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth. The most important aspect of the program is that the Scout grows in his spiritual experience of his relationship to God and the church.

The following young men were awarded their medals on Sunday, February 7th which was designated as Scout Sunday at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. 

Light of Christ:  Mike Speziale, John Riess, Ben Moscinski, Dylan Krambeer and Bennett Arza

Parvuli Dei:  John Svigelj, Max Striedl and Michael Blake

Boy Scouts were awarded their Ad Altare Dei medal at the Cathedral in Rockford by Bishop Doran also on February 7th.  They are:  Eion Fitzgerald and Brett Collar.

Congratulations to all these scouts who have deepened their faith in God by receiving these religious medals.

Ladies Auxiliary:

A little History on the Ladies Auxiliary that I wish to share and maybe the Brother Knights could share with their wives.

  The Knight of Columbus ladies auxiliary was formed during the summer of 1972, with the help and guidance of officers of the Barrington Auxiliary. Meeting was held on the second Thursday of each month from September through May, with an outing in June and a family picnic during the summer. The first officers included Margaret Bohn, Gerry Reckamp, Margaret Arens, Helen Mayer, Marguerite Tefft, Clara Dier, and Lillian Rancak.

  Goals of the Auxiliary were service to the elderly and mentally handicapped. The Ladies helped out with the Tootsie roll drive, they held an annual bazaar to benefit the Pioneer center. They held a Christmas luncheon and a fashion show luncheon to benefit their charities. They ended every year with an outing like dinner theater, tours of the Sara lee plants etc. they disbanded in 1980 for unknown reasons.

Their goals and outlook are right on par with the newest version, us. May we keep their memories alive in us as we move forward.

Our next meeting is scheduled for March 1, at Kathy Esposito’s home 1238 Amberwood Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Please try and come. We all look forward to getting to know each other and share our gifts.