More >>>
Up • Jul 2010 • June 2010 • May 2010 • Apr 2010 • Mar 2010
Grand Knight's Report:
Dear Brothers:
From the
messy, cluttered desk of your Worthy Grand Knight…
Greetings, Brother Knights and faithful
readers…
Greetings, Brother Knights and faithful
readers…
Wow, just thinking… the fraternal year is
drawing to a close, only a couple more months and Vince gets this spot… and I
get a mini-vacation each month, as I’ll only have to write the 4th
Degree and Breakfast articles! But, in the meantime…
I have been getting a lot of calls and questions about the Annual
Appreciation Dinner.. well, even though there has been a date in the calendar on
the back page of the
Knight
Life
saying it is May 8th, that is not the case. One, it is the night
before Mother’s Day so not good timing..
also, I have not gotten any arrangements made. We have been going back and forth
with the Parish on a date for our Major Degree
that we hold annually. As you should all know, that is now going to be on
Sunday, May 23rd. So that is taken care of. Then we were working with
our District Deputy PGK John Orso to
bring the K C Academy
to our Council. Well, we have that set, and it is this Saturday, April 24th,
as I sit and write this, although it will be over and done with when this is
published (and the fact I am writing this a couple of days past the deadline is
not helping any!)
So many things going on, and a few got lost in the shuffle. But,
thanks to the help of Worthy Financial
Secretary Steve Haugh, we are working on that. We have contacted several
places so far, including last year’s venue. The tricky part now is getting
dates. Many have Saturday June 5th open, but that of course is the
Annual Polish Dinner. Can’t mess with
that! So, keep tuned, and we hope to have an e-mail blast going out soon with
that date, place and time.
In the meantime, there is SO much happening… May 21 and 22 is the
first annual Ladies
Auxiliary Garage Sale. Look for more info inside. Then the
Major Degree on May 23rd,
which requires a lot of help.. Saturday afternoon set-up at the School, the
Degree itself Sunday at noon, with 2nd and 3rd following,
and of course the dinner after all of that in the Community Center. (oh, yeah,
guess I better plan a menu for that one!) then on the weekend of May 28-30,
DGK Vince and
WFS Steve will be going to lovely
downtown Peoria for the K of C State Convention. Also on May 30th,
St. Thomas the Apostle will be holding their Confirmation, so the
4th
Degree Assembly Honor Guard will be there. Oh, Gee!!! That is also the
5th
Sunday Memorial Mass.
The month starts fittingly on the 1st with the
Business Meeting for the Election of the new Officers. Then followed up quickly
with the aforementioned Polish Dinner
(have YOU called the Worthy Warden / Chairman
Mike Jasinski to let him know when you will be working for him that day??
His number is listed on page 2 along with that of all the Officers. The 15th
is the Installation of the new Officers and the Dinner. A few days later is the
Annual Clergy
Appreciation dinner hosted by Brother
Mike Chmiel. This has always been well received by the Clergy of our
Deanery, and I encourage ALL Brother Knights and spouses to attend. It not only
is a great show of faith to our clergy, but the more that attend the better off
financially for us. Mike always does a great job, but with more of us attending,
and maybe sponsoring a member of the Clergy,
it helps the bottom line.
Just like attending the Major Degree. Are YOU a First or Second
Degree member? Then why not attend and go up that next level or two? Or come to
the dinner, to work or to attend. Or, just come and sit through the Degrees. How
long since YOU made your First? Or Second? Or Third? Did you know that they have
been changed? What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.. re-visiting our
commitment to the Knights and to our Council. And to show all of the candidates
a lot of support from the current, active members. See you then? Let
Membership Chairman Rick Kendzior know.
3880
… 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.
Peace, and see you around.
Vivat Jesus!
John Stefani Grand Knight,
Fr. McCormick Council 3880
jstefani44@aol.com
Deputy Grand Knight's Report:
Dear
Brothers:
As I sit and write this article I have just
returned from determining the winner of the Marian Central scholarship. Every
year the council gives a $1500 scholarship to incoming freshman.
open to all 8th
graders who will be attending Marian Central the next fall. The scholarship is
awarded based on why a Catholic education is important to that student. They
write an essay and also meet with the scholarship committee for an interview;
this year’s winner will be announced at the July business meeting.
April is ending with a KC Academy and Illinois state convention.
We’ll have details of the council golf outing coming up at the May business
meeting.
Just as a reminder September 17th
and 18th will be our
annual Intellectual Disabilities Fund Drive.
On Sunday May 9th
we celebrate Mother’s Day. Hopefully we honor our mothers every day of the year
but set one day aside for a special celebration. The day started as a religious
based observance with roots back in England then in the U.S. after the Civil
war. It wasn’t until 1914 when it was recognized as a U.S. holiday. The date
was established to honor mother both “living and deceased”. In the days before
women were recognized as “real people” mothers were delegated to the role of
cook, housecleaner, washwomen and nursemaid. Mothers were the forgotten
parent. Father was head of the household and breadwinner. Until the late 19th
century even in this country, wives were part of the husband’s estate. So the
date was set aside to take one day to honor Mother, to go to church with her on
Sunday and make her feel special and not forgotten.
Of course with any good holiday that is observed with religious
ties or overtones, if there’s a dollar to be made and good marketing it turns
into a secular mega-retail holiday. That’s why after Christmas and Easter the
two other religious based holidays; Mother’s day is a cash cow for retailers.
So now we spend money on brunches, flowers, candy, cards, gifts
and until recently big dollars on long distance telephone calls. Instead of
praying for peace and enjoying our mother’s company we spend hours preparing and
fretting about the day. Just think of what the retailers could do if they get a
hold of the solemnities of the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption or the
Annunciation of the Lord. The latter could be tied right into Christmas. Boy how
they can make money with honoring our Blessed Mother.
I can see it now “BVM days” take advantage of the savings now!
Vivat Jesus,
DGK Vince Esposito
VPEsposito@comcast.net
(815) 459-6615
1238 Amberwood Dr.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
Chancellor's Chat:
Only a few days until mother’s day and it’s time to reflect on
our mothers especially our Blessed Virgin Mary.
It’s been almost 9 months since my mother came for a three week
visit. I’m glad that she was here when she became ill and we’re now about to go
to Florida and get her re-settled in her home. It’s been a chore, but also a
truly act of love to be able to be with her tending to her regaining her health.
Does this present a new set of worries? Yes it does, but fulfilling your
mother’s wishes is a duty we must do. They are the ones who led us through our
troubles, relished in our successes and listened we needed someone to talk to.
They were there when we needed them.
So too, was Mary there for Jesus. Even though she had many joys
being Jesus’ mother, she had her heart pierced 7 times...THE FIRST SWORD – THE
PROPHECY OF SIMEON; THE SECOND SWORD – THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT; the third—THE
LOSS OF JESUS FOR THREE DAYS; THE FOURTH SWORD –MARY MEETS JESUS CARRYING HIS
CROSS; THE FIFTH SWORD – JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS; THE SIXTH SWORD - MARY
RECEIVES THE DEAD BODY OF JESUS IN HER ARMS; THE SEVENTH SWORD – JESUS IS PLACED
IN THE TOMB.
But Jesus so loved his mother that he assumed her body and soul
to God’s kingdom.
As we remember our mothers and the joys and sorrows she felt for
us, so should we remember and pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary for our mothers.
As she so loved her son, so she loves us. Pray the rosary to her and pray for
your own mothers.
Happy Mothers’ Day!
Tim Hicklin
Chancellor
Fr. McCormick Council 3880
webmaster@kofc3880.org
Fourth Degree Report:
Bishop Boylan Assembly 0198
4Th
Degree Update.
Bishop Boylan Assembly 0198 4Th
Degree Update.
Greetings Sir Knights and Worthy Brother Knights of Council 3880
and all of our faithful readers!
Well, just to not show partiality, I missed the 4th Degree
Meeting just as I missed the Council meeting in April! But I do have some
updates…
But before I get to that, a big Thank You to Sir Knights Steve
Haugh and Mike Jasinski for performing an Honor Guard on Divine Mercy Sunday at
church for the exoneration of the icon.
At the May meeting, we will have nominations for the Chair
Officers for the next Fraternal Year. Although nominations have been sought and
accepted, and a slate of Officers is in place, nominations from the floor are
always accepted. Same rules apply as for the Council: The person named in the
floor nomination must be present to accept, or a written notice must be
presented, and they must agree that if elected they will in fact serve. Kind of
puts a damper on the old, “Whoever is not here gets elected!” adage!
Once the elections are set, the vote will be at the June Meeting,
with the installation shortly thereafter.
There was a Fourth Degree Exemplification this past Saturday in
Lincolnshire. We didn’t have anyone from the Council there, but there was one
new Sir Knight there from the Spring Grove Council. I am waiting on the final
word, but we have petitioned the powers that be to let the Assembly Host another
Fourth Degree Exemplification at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake in October of
2010. So… if you are stillllllll waiting to do, it, here is a perfect
opportunity close to home. The Exemplification we held there a few years ago was
fantastic for the Assembly, garnering over 30 new Sir Knights, and six new Sir
Knights for the Council, pictured here on the left with the Worthy Chancellor,
Tim Hicklin, and myself. We also added 3 more this past November in Rockford.
I do have one Brother Knight who is a First Degree right now, but
will be going through his Second and Third Degree at our Council’s Major Degree
in May, who wants to go up to the Fourth. Anyone else?
Other than that, the Assembly Honor Guard will be present at St.
Thomas for our Parish’s Confirmation on Sunday, May 30th, to escort Bishop
Doran.
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
Membership Report:
The Major Degree is Coming
On Sunday May 23, 2010 our Major Degree Ceremony will honor one
of our own. This year we have named the ceremony the Jerome J. Mayer Major
Degree. Jerry was our last living charter member and an inspiration to many of
us who had the pleasure of knowing him.
By now all brothers that have not yet made their 2nd
or 3rd degree should have received their invitation via snail mail.
Please take this opportunity to make that next step toward knighthood. We are
looking for a good representation of our council among all the other councils
that will be attending.
The Major Degree is a wonderful way to bring a new brother into
our council. A new member can participate in the 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd degree ceremonies all in one day. There is a wonderful
feeling given off from a room full of candidates taking their degree.
Not only do we need candidates, we need volunteers! This is one
of our most intensive events with crews needed for setup the night before, the
ceremonies at the school and the dinner at the community center following.
There will be signup sheets at our next business meeting. Please offer some of
your time. Thanks in advance.
Remember, there are a lot of qualified
Catholic men just waiting to be asked to join. Now is the time to take your
first steps toward 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.
Pro-Life Report:
Pro-Life
Tidbits:
• The Catholic
Archbishop of Brazil had to issue a “clarification” regarding his ambiguous
comments he made regarding an abortion performed on a ten year old girl living
in his diocese. She had been raped by her stepfather. The Archbishop’s April
10th comments seemed to justify the abortion on medical grounds, despite the
Church’s condemnation of all direct abortions and indicated simply that the
decision was for the parents and doctors to make, and not the Church. In his
clarification he said he wholeheartedly supports the Church’s teaching that all
life is a gift from God, and only He can eliminate it. He added, “There are
many families available that would adopt the baby and offer it affection and
dignity.”
• Tim
Tebow, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and Pro-Life celebrity, recently
told a sold-out audience crowd at Lipscomb University “multiple companies told
him before the Super Bowl that they could not let him represent their products
if he went ahead with his Pro-Life commercial at the Super Bowl ,” according to
the Palm Beach Post. Nevertheless, Tebow went ahead with the commercial
saying that, “Losing sponsors was a small price to pay for the ability to spread
his message about family and faith.”
• Eight
Pro-Life students at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada faced with
possible expulsion for their activism, issued a simple message to the university
at a press conference: “Do unto us whatever you desire, punish us however you
wish; but our convictions shall not change, and we shall not alter our actions
based on intimidation.” These students had put up a Genocide Awareness Project
display, which compares abortion to past historical atrocities through the use
of graphic images.
• Mental
health risks are becoming increasingly associated with women who had an
abortion. According to Dr. D. Reardon, director of the Elliot Institute, a
number of studies indicate an elevated risk of suicide following abortion.
“About one-fourth of women who report having negative reactions to abortions
will also report that they attempted suicide at least once, and thoughts of
suicide are even more common.”
Phil Weyna
Pro-Life Chairman
Ladies Auxiliary:
Good afternoon Ladies,
Our last meeting was again not well attended. Kathy Esposito, Pam
Wyman, Ann Bransley, Yvonne Scott, Gail Gebert and myself. First things decided
were the next meeting will be on May 20, 2010 at 6pm at Pam Wyman's house 135
College St. Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Which we are to bring our garage sale items
to and we will start placing and tagging these items then. The Garage Sale will
now be held at Pam Wyman's home May 21 & 22. Tables, tents etc are needed,
please let me know if any of these items can be borrowed . Help is needed for
these two days please let me know ASAP if you can give an hour or two on or more
of these days. Please try and attend the next meeting with your items. The
more ladies the easier and more fun we can have.
As states in the newsletter last month we have procured a spot at
the Johnny Appleseed festival for Sep 25. All we need now is our homemade
crafts. Please try and work on these and let me know any ideas you have so we
have an idea on what we have to sell.
The last item was the Family picnic which will coincide with the
Family golf outing in July 25 at Lippold park. We will golf then each family
will bring their own picnic basket and we will find a spot in the park and sit
and enjoy the summer day.
Thanks,
Melinda
Boy Scouts:
Going Green in the Community
April has brought beautiful weather and the trees are in bloom.
The grass is green and the flowers are sprouting and blossoming. Therefore,
that means spring clean up. Both the Pack and the Troop are participating in
projects to help spruce up after the winter months.
The Pack is going to be working at the Nature Center at Veterans
Acres to remove dead and overgrown brush that has accumulated. They will be
doing general clean-up of the area while they are at is as well.
The Troop has a couple of projects going on. They just completed
a multitude of tasks at Hannah Beardsley Middle School (HBMS) that including
spreading four truckloads of mulch; painting picnic tables; removing and
replacing shrubs; policing the litter as well as some inside tasks. A white oak
tree was also planted to commemorate 100 years of Scouting. Ron Ludwig, HBMS
principal, seemed to have a never-ending list of things to do but we
accomplished most of them with the help 20+ scouts and several parents and
family members joining in.
We are also scheduling an outdoor clean up at St. Thomas and are
working with Dan Diamond to determine a date in early May. We want to have it
looking ship shape for the Confirmation coming up on May 30th (Sir
Knights – reserve the date).
Service to the community is just one of the many values Scouting
instills in these young men. Cub Scout Pack 127 and Boy Scout Troop 127 would
like to thank Father McCormick Council 3880 for their continued support in
building solid citizens for the future.
Wally's World:
• A German submarine
sank the passenger liner Lusitania in World War I, May 7, 1915.
• Harry
S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States, was born in Lamar, Mo., May 8,
1884.
• Mother's
Day became a public holiday, May 9, 1914.
• First
transcontinental railway completed in Promontory, Utah, May 10, 1869.
• Irving
Berlin, American songwriter, born May 11,1888.
• United
States declared war on Mexico May 13, 1846.
• Lewis
and Clark began trip up Missouri River, May 14, 1804.
• U.S.
began first regular airmail service May 15, 1918.
• William
Seward, American statesman who arranged the purchase of Alaska, born May 16,
1801.
• John
Hopkins, American philanthropist, born May 19, 1795.
• Homestead
Act signed by President Abraham Lincoln, May 20, 1862.
• Amelia
Earhart began the first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic Ocean May 20,
1932.
• First
Democratic National Convention held May 21, 1832.
• Clara
Barton founded what became the American Red Cross May 21, 1881.
• Charles
Lindbergh finished first transatlantic solo flight May 21, 1927.
• First
permanent English settlement in America established in Jamestown, VA., May 24,
1607.
• Brooklyn
Bridge opened to traffic, May 24, 1883.
• Constitutional
Convention opened in Philadelphia with George Washington as president, May 25,
1787.
• Ralph
Waldo Emerson, American essayist and poet, born May 25, 1803.
• Julia
Ward Howe, American poet who wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", born May
27, 1819.
• Patrick
Henry, American statesman and orator, born May 29, 1736.
• John
F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, born in Brookline, Mass, May
29, 1917.
• Christopher
Columbus began his third voyage May 30, 1498.
• U.S.
Copyright law enacted May 31, 1790.
Clergy Night:
Clergy Night 2010 is scheduled for Thursday, June 24, 2010, at
Benedict’s La Strata. The Clergy Night
2010 Committee is still being formed, with Mike Chmiel again serving as Chair.
The work of the Committee will involve the coordination of the event,
acquisition of door prizes, and gathering of sponsors.
The end of June works to provide a thank you and farewell for
clergy prior to moves to new assignments. Also, the timing serves to welcome
clergy who have been newly assigned to the McHenry Deanery.
The event will be similar to before, with the new venue of
Benedict’s La Strata at 40 North Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake
offering a change of pace. Our hosts, John and Sara Pilafas, will provide a
sit-down dinner with three menu choices in the relaxed atmosphere of Benedict’s,
the inside of which will be reserved for this event. As before, those who
attend will be eligible for door prizes, including books, beverages, gift cards,
and the like.
Clergy Night 2010 will begin with a reception at 6:00 p.m.,
followed by introductions at 7:00 p.m., dinner at 7:15 p.m., and door prizes at
8:00 p.m. The price will again be $30 per person.
The Clergy of the McHenry Deanery - the priests, sisters, and
deacons of the Deanery – will be the honored guests, along with the spouses of
deacons of the Deanery, Bishop Doran and his staff, and the statewide officers
of the Knights of Columbus, and will be invited personally as guests of the
Council through the mail. Others will receive invitations through the next
newsletter.
Sponsors of the clergy, the bar, wine for tables, and door prizes
are welcomed. Once again, the other councils of the McHenry Deanery are also
being invited to attend, as clergy from throughout the Deanery are being
invited. To the extent any other council or person sponsors or donates any
item, that council or person will be noted as a sponsor at the event.
If you would like to join the Clergy Night 2010 Committee, or if
you would like to offer any comment, suggestion, and question, please contact
the Mike Chmiel at
chmielmike@aol.com or Post Office
Box 2425, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60039-2425. Or, if you would like to donate or
sponsor something for the event, please contact Matt Walker at
mwalker@telecomsys.com or (815) 922-5347.
|
