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Grand Knight's Report:
Dear Brothers:
From the messy, cluttered desk of your Worthy
Grand
Knight
Greetings, Brother Knights and faithful readers!
This is not getting any better. We lost Dick, as everyone knows. It was very
hard on so many of us, new and old to the Council. In 25 years as the Financial
Secretary, he made oh so many friends. But then again, he really only needed 25
seconds to put you at ease and become your friend. Its been a few weeks now, and
I thought I was doing better, but writing this brings it all back. It is a good
thing he was not at the September Business Meeting, though. When I decided to
change from the usual Grand Knight’s Report and just asked everyone in the room
if they wanted to say a word or two about dick, well, that kind of took over the
meeting. But he would have hung his head and laughed in that way he always did
and walked out of the room. Like the man had a hard time hearing good things
about himself. It was like he could say whatever he wanted about how good you
were for the Council, but he was just doing his job. Yeah, right. The hardest
thing was hearing all of the other Past Grand Knights in the room taking about
all he did for them when they were in office, and knowing I would miss that.
From my very good friend, my right hand, my partner in crime, as the saying
goes.
In this spot in the Newsletter, I should be all about the great things going on…
so I will, because I know everyone who is reading this has that same lump in
their throat and that same broken heart…
We missed the Corn Boil for the first time in many, many years… my call and mine
alone. Just like I cancelled the Breakfast that March a year and a half ago for
Jack. That is what we do.. some of the comments at the meeting was that we need
to become closer with each other.. something that will cause more pain down the
road, I am sure, but the happiness it will bring in the meantime pays for all of
it.
We held the Annual Jack Venezia Memorial Golf
Outing earlier in the month, and Brother Knights
Kampman and,
Kratochvil, with help as always from Brothers
Britton, Artner and
Follmer turned this rain potential day
into a huge success. As Kevin Scanlan did
with the mini-golf a few weeks earlier.
So the ML/RD Tootsie Roll drive is this weekend, before you get this… think of
al the lives we help with the tremendous effort the
Ted, John and
Vince put into this project. If you are
lucky enough to be at the meetings when we hand out the checks, and see the
happiness and thanks and gratitude we get from these people, you KNOW it is a
good thing. We had our first First Degree of the new Fraternal Year at the
September Social Meeting, and it went over great… three more men have joined
us.. Look around for Stanley Kosin, Norman
Giambi and John Ferrero and
welcome them. And Stan becomes the third generation of Kosin’s currently active
in this Council along with his son Robert
and two grandsons, David and
Jonathan. That is carrying the word of
the Knights home!
Then on the 27th of September we will not only be opening up the
Bratmobile for Johnny
Appleseed downtown, but that same night
PKG Steve Haugh will be putting on the
Murder Mystery Dinner and Theater
fund raiser. Worthy Warden Mike Jasinski
will be doing the cooking for that one, while Worthy Chancellor
Tim Hicklin and Worthy Treasurer
Bob Wyman will be doing honors for Johnny
Appleseed. Give these guys all the support they need to make these THREE events
successful!
October will be bringing the Annual Columbus Day
Dinner, so the fun just keeps on rolling along.
Let us grow and bond together and continue doing God’s good works to bring peace
and joy to all in need. Then we will then surely share his blessing.
Peace, and see you around.
Vivat Jesus!
John Stefani Grand Knight,
Fr. McCormick Council 3880
jstefani44@aol.com
Deputy Grand Knight Report:
Dear Brothers:
From the now old mind of the DGK:
As many of you know by now on September 3rd I
celebrated my “cinquanta anno” or 50th birthday. My wife surprised me
with party at the Popp residents on the day of the golf outing. I want to thank
everybody who came to share my half-century of childhood.
Thank you to my wife for her work and also for putting up with me all these
years.
Thank you to Melinda and Scott who really are special to my wife and me.
I probably can use help drinking some of the gifts I received so if you’re in
the neighborhood and seem to be a little parched, be sure to stop by the house.
Turning 50 is supposed to be life changing. Some men have mid-life a crisis,
which to me is nonsense since most men don’t see their 100th birthday so I’m
past mid-life. So being past mid-life I think more about the future than when I
was on the upside of the hill. I think of my relatives, brother knights and
friends that have touched my life but have now passed away. My father who’s was
a big part of who makes up my thought process, passed away at the age of 65.
That was 22 years ago. I still think of him often. I think of him when watching
one of his favorite movies “The Bridge over the River Kwai”. He was in the
pacific campaign during WWII so guess he felt connected with some of the
characters in the movie. Others who have touched me were both grandfathers who
were WWI vets and of course my paternal grandmother who died only 3 years before
my father. My maternal grandmother died in 1949 and I had no personal memory of
her but my mother still to this day keeps her memories alive. I’ve had relatives
who have passed on that touched me and make up who I am today. Both of my uncles
named Bill, my uncle “Dick” whose real name was Joe (it’s an Italian thing) and
of course my uncle John and his son my cousin Steve. My dad’s sister Madeline
also helped mold me into what I’m today.
I’ve had friend pass away during my life some from sickness others from auto
accidents all touched me in some way or another. Some of my brother Knights who
are now gone being friends with my parents also touched my life. Don Batastini,
Ray Visk along with Leo and Paul Hayden among the few. Dick Campobello of course
touched me. One of many ways is by volunteering his time to charity and
community. I try to do the same thing but I’ll probably not be as good at it as
Dick was. I’ll always remember Mark Allen Jr. and his enthusiasm. In the words
of the Neil Diamond song they were all “done too soon”.
So as I “get older” I hope to touch everybody I know in a way where my memory
may live on just as all the people I’ve mentioned live on in my memory. You see
life marches on and one day I’ll join the party that’s already started I just
hope the wine and beer is the “good stuff”.
Vivat Jesus,
DGK Vince Esposito
VPEsposito@comcast.net
Membership:
‘Follow
Me’ – Join us in answering his call
At the September social meeting we conducted a First Degree ceremony where we
welcomed three new brother knights to our council. Many thanks go out to the
degree team that did a superb job as always. Also, thank you to all the brother
knights that attended the ceremony. It is always a wonderful renewal to witness
this event. Everyone should try to attend as often as they can.
A new website has been launched by Supreme. Take a few minutes to check out
www.fathersforgood.org. The Fathers for Good Web site includes:
• A video message from Supreme Knight
Carl Anderson
• Podcasts by experts on love,
marriage and family life
• Father's Forum for your comments and
questions
• A 'Good for Mothers' section
• A ballot to cast your vote for next
month's topic.
'Involved Father' is the new topic. Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, a Catholic
psychiatrist, explains why fathers must be involved with their wives and
children to fulfill their vocation and achieve personal happiness.
Also featured is a concise article, '8 Habits of Highly Effective Fathers.'
Visit
www.fathersforgood.org today, and tell all your friends about this new Web
site sponsored by the Knights of Columbus!
One last note, our membership BLITZ is coming! We are looking for volunteers to
help organize and staff the BLITZ recruiting weekend, November 1 & 2. Please
contact me at rekendzior@aol.com or
815-245-3854 if you can assist.
For
membership information; please contact Rick at 847-669-6780.
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!
The
big news for he 4th Degree is still the upcoming Exemplification … so
I really hope that all of you 3rd
Degree Brother Knights are reading this. Brother Dan O’Connell turned in
his blue Form 4, reservation form and check to me at the September Social
Meeting, so he will be installed as a 4th Degree sir Knight!
Are
YOU ready to join him? I had a number of 3rd Degree’s talk about it,
but so far he is the only one to ac on it. I have the forms, and am waiting for
you.. Please think hard about this .. it is the
Final Frontier to be truly called Sir
Knight. It is the most beautiful and inspiring ceremony we have, and you
owe it to yourself to take this last step.
If
you have questions, just call and ask me, or any one of the other 40 plus
members of Fr. McCormick who are already 4th Degree. We have the
largest contingent of Sir Knights in the
Bishop Boylan Assembly,
and I certainly want to keep it that way.
We
also have the honor and distinction within our Council of having a Former Vice
Supreme Master of the Marquette Province in our ranks, which is the highest
office you can hold in the 4th Degree other than the Supreme Master.
That honor goes to Joe Kaltwasser, who
was the Honoree at last year’s Exemplification. Joe was also Past Grand Knight
and Past State Deputy.
So
then, here is a trivia question for you newer guys … what is the difference in
title between “Past” and “Former”?
4th
Degree Sir Knights … find a 3rd Degree Brother and ASK him to be 4th
and Sponsor him!
3rd
Degree Brother Knights, find a 4th Degree and ASK him about the 4th
Degree…
Then
I can see all of you at both the Council and Assembly meetings … boy, doesn’t
that make you want to rush out and join?????????? lol
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
New Projects:
The committee met a few days before the September business meeting. The members
who were present were Steve & Debbie Starr, Bob Newport, Todd Bright, my wife
and me. The meeting was just an idea session with the thought of getting younger
members and the youth of the parish more involved with KofC events. The final
goal of the committee is to take a few of the idea and make new projects for the
council and having a Columbian Squires group as byproducts.
Some of the ideas that were put on the table were having a fund raiser either at
Nick’s pizza or at Chuck ‘E’ Cheese pizza. These two restaurants will donate for
Nick’s 20% and CEC 30% of the proceeds of the evening to the council. This maybe
a great way to start our MH drive goals. All this would include giving out
certificates and getting together with the restaurant on a night to use the
certificate. Then it’s just a pizza party and best thing, no clean-up or cooking
involved just eating and drinking.
Other ideas were to throw a “Parent’s Night Out” party. This would involve using
the school gym or the community center. The council for a small fee will sit for
the children while the parents go out Christmas shopping. The children would
have to be at least toddler age. The youth group can help with this project. The
children will be treated to games and a movie and of course pizza.
An idea to have a “Pack a bag Night” was also put on the table. This would
entail bringing your packed luggage then for a price per couple have a dinner,
draw couple names and when the last couple is left standing the couple and their
family, are on their way for a weekend. I think one of the indoor water parks
would be a good destination. This would involve preparing a meal, bar tending,
50/50 raffle and child sitting while the parents are in one room with the adults
the children are in another room with a movie and the all important pizza party.
By now you guessed the meeting was held at Nick’s pizza. Another idea was to
have a “Parents Church Survival Kit” consisting of coloring books, soft toy all
in a backpack. This would include sales of the backpack. KofC logos prominently
displayed of course.
Other ideas included host the battle of the high school band though I tend to
think the insurance would be a little steep, cardboard cup regatta boats, 80’s
dance, Halloween party, canoe trips, baby races which would be great during
right to life week.
Other ideas included a kids fishing tournament, a formal dance, Turkey Bowl
(flag football or bowling), Oktoberfest.
The committee is still looking for more ideas if you have any just e-mail me or
Steve Starr. Some the event mentioned above will probably become reality sooner
other than later so hold on to your hats you old guys, here comes the youth.
Vivat Jesus,
DGK Vince Esposito
VPEsposito@comcast.net
Boy Scouts:
Several Boy Scouts took part in a religious retreat this past weekend (ark
building was not one of the skills unfortunately) at Camp Lowden in Orgeon,
Illinois. They spent Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning dodging
raindrops to learn more about their Catholic faith. They are on their way to
getting the Ad Altare Dei
medal. The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) program 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. We will keep you posted on their progress on earning this award.
It's popcorn time for the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. They are holding their
annual popcorn sale which is their major fundraiser for the year. This allows
the scouts to go on camp outs, buy equipment and other needed items to get the
full benefit out of scouting.
The Cub Scouts will be manning storefronts on October 4 & 5 and 11 & 12 outside
of Jewel, Joseph's and Sam's Club on Rt 14 in Crystal Lake. If you happen by
one of these stores, please take a moment to see if anything interests you. You
may also see them in your neighborhood.
Boy Scouts will be soliciting door to door as well so you may have a knock on
your door. If you know a scout, this is an excellent way to support him and get
some yummy popcorn in the process. It makes great gifts for the holidays and
will be delivered before Thanksgiving. Please support them if you can.
###
If any questions, please let me know.
Dan |
