Knights of Columbus
Msgr. Borusky Council 10243 Green Bay, WisconsinNEWSLETTER
April 2000
Grand Knight's ColumnAs I sit down to write this column I notice by my calendar that we are at the beginning of April. The significance of this is that in three short months Rick Noe takes over as Grand Knight. Some of the most important work Rick is to do takes place over the next two months, before he even assumes his new position. In short, Rick needs to make sure that the Council has a group of men who are willing and ready to accept both nomination and election to the various elected positions of the Council. In addition he must also make sure that he has a slate of men willing to assume the Chair positions for the various areas that Council activities are divided, such as Youth, Community, Church, Membership, etc. Rick's success in large part depends on having good and motivated men step forward to these many positions. If you are interested in either continuing in a current position that you fill or if you are able to step forward and assume a new role within the Council, please let Rick know. If Rick approaches you, please listen to what he is proposing, and carefully consider what he asks of you. I assure you that the commitment is not all that time consuming and that you will find your involvement very rewarding.
On a separate matter, the State Knights of Columbus Convention is later this month in Oshkosh. I will be attending as a delegate and Rick Noe and Jim Barnett will be attending as alternates (one of them will sit as a delegate and provide the Council's second vote at the Convention.) In addition, our Chaplain, Father Al Lis and the current State Treasurer Richard Rebman will be in attendance. Richard is running for the office of State Secretary and I am sure that we are all proud to support his efforts. If anyone else is interested in attending the Convention, please let me know and I will provide you with the details.
One final note, please do not forget about the raffle tickets that were sent to you. Our goal is to average ten tickets sold per member; this would result in about $3,000.00 for our charity account. Please do what you can to assist us in theist ticket sales.
Randy Barrett
Grand KnighNext Meeting: A Week Earlier
The April meeting of Council 10243 will be held a week earlier than usual--the second Monday of April, April 10. The Third Monday is already Holy Week, and we recognize the call to hold Holy Week free from any unnecessary encumbrances so that the brothers of the Council may more fully enter into the celebrations of this week.
The meeting on April 10 will begin at 7:30 PM with the recitation of the rosary preceding at around 7:15. As we are moving toward election time in the council, it is important to be present and make your voice heard. Please plan on joining with the Council for the April meeting
New Members
A hearty welcome to the newest members of Council 10243--three men who made the First Degree prior to the Council meeting on March 20. We welcome Robert Agard, (proposed by Jim Barnett;) Dave Doering (proposed by Randy Barrett) and Bob Thut (proposed by Eugene Schmitz.) We pray that the addition of these men and their families to the Council 10243 family will be a source of continued blessings for all of us as we go about doing the work of Christ.
Financial Secretary Jim Barnett noted at the last meeting that even with these additional members we are still three members short of our goal if we want to achieve Star Council once again. Please be on the lookout for more new members--we need to grow in order to have a greater impact on the life of the Church.
Chaplain's Column
Somewhere around this time of the year there sets in a certain impatience with things. The weather gives us occasional hints of Spring and we would like to see the earth burst forth in vegetation one again. For many people whose lives are somehow dependent upon an academic calendar, there is the promise that somehow summer will be a slower time with more time to enjoy life. March seems an enormously long month and now that it is finishes, we feel there is some reward due for making it through. Even those who love the opportunities of winter with skiing and other activities of the cold are thinking that Spring is about due. In some years Easter is already over with, and those of us whose lives are quite busy at this special time of year are also secretly yearning that the rituals were already behind us. It is at this time of the year that the Church invites us to take a bit of a break and really enter into the celebrations into which are about to enter. The central celebrations of the Christian year come during the Triduum (the 'three days') from the evening of Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday. Many people devotedly attend the major celebrations of these days, and many others haven't been a part of them for many years. I would like to encourage and invite all brothers and families of the Council to give serious consideration to being a part of these most important celebrations of our Christian faith. People sometimes wonder, "How long will it take?" It is amazing that such a question comes up in a town where so many take pride in sitting in zero temperatures at Lambeau Field for three hours. The longest of the services of the Triduum takes about half that. Consider making Holy Week and especially the Triduum truly a holy time by refraining from unnecessary activity, shopping and the like. From Thursday evening through Easter the Church remains at prayer; in fact all the Triduum services are one single act of worship. During this time we really don't "go to church" but rather "remain in church and return home for breaks" between the services. Take advantage of the opportunity to simply 'be' with the Lord, keeping vigil over these few days, contemplating his boundless gifts to us. We can't possibly be too impatient to devote these couple of hours once a year to settling into the central events of our faith.Father Al Lis, O.F.M., Chaplain
Prayer
The Holy Father has invited the Church to join him in extending a message of repentance to the world in the name of the Church. Reflecting on our sins during this time of Lent, we may pray the following prayer as we prepare to celebrate Easter.
Prayer for Forgiveness
God of love and mercy,
you have called us as your chosen people
and you have made us vessels of your grace.
You challenge us to forgive one another
as we expect forgiveness from you.
Throughout the ages we have turned from you
and we have sinned as a Church
and as individuals.
We have contributed to hatred and prejudice
and have been intolerant of others.
Make us know the depth of your compassion
and help us to accept the gospel challenge
to mercy and love.
Forgive us for denying the gospel of Christ
and grant us the grace of reconciliation
with you and with all who have suffered
for our sinfulness.
Strengthen that which is weak and sinful in us
and enable us be for the world
heralds of your grace.
Draw us closer to yourself
so that we may carry to your least ones
a message of repentance, peace and grace.
May we enter the Paschal Mystery
with minds and hearts purified
and fortified by your renewed gift of grace.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.Council Picnic
The annual Council picnic has been scheduled for Sunday, May 21. This annual event is a great chance for Knights and families to come together and enjoy one another's company and to relax and enjoy creation. Last year the only creation we seemed to enjoy was God's gift of rain, but a good time was had by all who attended nonetheless. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, May 21 at Preble Park. More information will be forthcoming.
Special Days
April 15 - May 15
A = Marriage Anniversary
B = Birthday
O = Ordination Anniversary + = Date of DeathApril
15 B Gary Nimmer
16 A Eugene & Mae Schmitz
17 B Lois (Al) Greene
18 B Melanie (Dan) Maine
19 A Ken & Jane Delcore
19 B Stephen Froelich
20 B Harris Charles
20 B Jeff Shutter
20 B Jim VanAllen
21 A Jeff & Delores Shutter
23 A Ron & Helen Rentmeester
23 B Marilyn (Tom) Janowski
24 B Denise (Kevin) Beck
26 B Kathy (Terry) Timmerman
27 B Barbara (Thomas) George
28 B Scott Rebman
30 A Jed & Beverly Schatt
May
04 B Carol (Aaron) Naze
05 B Sheila (Leon) Janowski
05 B Stan Waslowski
06 A William & Cheryl Brown
06 B Jane (Ken) Delcore
07 A Clay & Rosemary Langenberg
08 B Lynda (Roger) Shaha
10 A John & Dawn Walczyk
10 O Father Al Lis, O.F.M.
11 A Dan & Melanie Maine
11 B Howard Erickson
13 B Harold Watermolen99th State Convention
In just about three weeks delegates from throughout the State will gather in Convention in Oshkosh to chart the future of the Knights in Wisconsin. The 99th Convention of the Wisconsin State Council will meet in Oshkosh April 29-30. This is an election year and there will be changes in leadership. State Secretary Carl Templin of Middleton is expected to be elected State Deputy, replacing Wenzel Felber from Tomah who will assume the office of Immediate Past State Deputy. Our own State Treasurer Richard Rebman plans to run for State Secretary. As of this writing he is unopposed. State Advocate Richard Ammon from Monroe will be seeking the office of State Treasurer. There are no other candidates at this time. State Warden Wayne Wood from Pulaski will vie with Michael McCormick of Beaver Dam for State Advocate. Edward Vander Bloomen of Two Rivers and Robert Abb of Janesville will be seeking the seat of State Warden. There may, of course, be additional candidates before the election. There will also be the usual work of resolutions and reports, not to mention the Convention Mass with Bishop Robert Banks presiding and the State Deputy's Banquet.
Second and Third Degree
An exemplification of the Second and Third Degree will take place on Palm Sunday, April 16 at DePere. Information has been sent to all First Degree men. Please take the time to encourage the following twelve men of Council 10243 to respond to the summons to full Knighthood in the Third Degree:
Robert Agard
Mike Boudreau
David Doering
Dennis Duckett
Howard Erickson
Al Greene
William Griesbach
Jim Janssen
Mark Keuler
Father Dave Pleier
Robert Thut
Robert WarpinskiObservers are welcome, and proposers and friends of the candidates are especially encouraged to make the time to be present. Contact Father Al (437-1979) for further information or to arrange a lunch ticket. Second Degree will start around 11:00 with lunch at noon. Third Degree follows at around 1:30 PM and should wrap up around 4:00.
Tootsie Rolls
The annual drive is scheduled for May 5-7. Schedules will be mailed under separate cover.
Jubilee Pilgrimage to Washington
Thirty-six people from Wisconsin represented our State at the re-consecration of the Order to the Blessed Virgin Mary at Washington, DC on Saturday, April 1. The trip, arranged by State Treasurer Richard Rebman and brother Knight Joe Della of Sunrise Travel in Waukesha. Joe served as Tour Director on the bus trip that departed from Green Bay and Milwaukee on Tuesday, March 28. After a stop at the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Indiana, travel continued to Akron for a night's rest. Wednesday brought us to Alexandria, VA and an evening tour of the illuminated city of Washington. Stops included the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the nearby Vietnam and Korea Memorials. The evening glow gave a special mystique to these distinctive places, moving many people deeply. Thursday was a full day of touring with an early visit to Mount Vernon where the delegation laid a wreath at the tomb of George Washington. Ranking State Officer Richard Rebman spoke for the delegation and State Chaplain Father Jim Jackson from Park Falls led a prayer. Father Raphael Birrenger of Milwaukee and Father Al Lis were also present, as were a few members of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard in uniform. Later we visited the National Cathedral and watched Reunion at the famous Ford Theatre and then headed to Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington a wreath was again laid on the grave of President John Kennedy and a salute by the Honor Guard was given at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Friday was also a day of touring with stops at the Capitol and the White House and a ride through Embassy Row. The afternoon was reserved for visits to the numerous buildings of the Smithsonian Institution on the Mall in Washington. The evening was capped by a performance of Shear Madness at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The point of the trip, of course, was the gathering at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The impressive structure, the largest church in the Western Hemisphere, seats about 6000 and managed to accommodate about 11,000 Knights and friends who descended on it. Four thousand sat outside on a most beautiful Spring day and participated in the ceremonies via televisions. James Cardinal Hickey, Archbishop of Washington, said the crowd was probably the largest gathering of Knights ever, and Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant seemed to agree. The rosary was recited around noon by satellite with the Holy Father in Rome and links to other places around the globe. Other activities included the Sacrament of Reconciliation and tours of the massive Basilica until a Mass in the afternoon. Celebrating the Centennial of the Fourth Degree, about a thousand members of the Honor Guard from virtually every jurisdiction of the Order marched into the Basilica two-by-two. The procession of Honor Guard moved quickly but still took half an hour and included some fifty of the Order's Masters and nine Vice-Supreme Masters as well as the Supreme Master and all the Supreme Officers. Some seventy-five priests, including Wisconsin's three delegates, concelebrated the Mass with about fifteen Bishops. Cardinal Hickey presided and Supreme Chaplain Bishop Thomas Daily, Bishop of Brooklyn, preached. Also present was Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador) to the United States. The Order was again consecrated to Mary and the Gaudium et Spes award of the Order was given to Cardinal Hickey. The massive number of people strained the resources of the huge Basilica, and there were long lines for everything. Friends in the Ontario Delegation gave several members of our delegation sandwiches because the lines for lunch were just too long. After the whirlwind tour we returned to Wisconsin on the evening of Sunday, April 2. All in all, it was an excellent time. Thanks on behalf of the State to Richard and Janet and to Joe Della for taking on the responsibility of arranging things. Representing our area were Richard & Janet Rebman and Father Al Lis. Also present from Green Bay were District Deputy (7) Larry & Mona Solway.
Raffle
As of April 1, sales stood at 921 which means that 339 need to be sold yet in order to reach our goal of 1260 for the bonus from the State. Coordinator Leon Janowski reports that the top seller at the moment is Roger Heesacker with about 190. Each member of the Council is asked to purchase or sell the tickets that were sent to him. Please help the charitable outreach of the State and continue the work of Christ. For information or more tickets contact Leon at 468-7544.Spotlight On…
Father Dave Pleier
When many men decide to become a part of the Knights of Columbus, they confess to knowing almost nothing about the organization, except, perhaps, the memories of the Honor Guard on parade somewhere. It was not quite so with Dave. Having served the Church at St. John the Baptist in Howard, he was quite familiar with the Knights, and remembers them as being a very active Council, with many young men being members. They were always around and were dedicated to their activities. Dave didn't consider joining at that point because he didn't feel he could be very active. It was Randy Barrett who eventually got him to become a part of the Knights at Council 10243.Dave is originally from Kimberly, and his parents still live in the house in which he grew up as an only child. In his younger years, Dave observed the priests who worked in his parish and always thought they had an important job, and they seemed to enjoy it. That gave him the necessary spark to pursue the priesthood himself and he has served the Church in numerous capacities and soon will celebrate twenty-five years as a priest. In addition to his service for the last several years at St. Bernard, he has also served the Diocese as Vocation Director for seven and a half years and worked at Roncalli High School in Manitowoc as a guidance counselor for eight years. All through his work for the Church in offices, high school and parishes, he has always thought that his calling was to be a parish priest. Still, an average day for him at this point may have numerous responsibilities outside the parish. Besides hospital visits, office work and all the other requirements of parish work, he serves on the Board at Notre Dame Academy and the Diocesan newspaper, the Compass. Dave enjoys the variety of being involved in the events of the lives of people at the parish, everywhere from birth to death and all the points in between. St. Bernard suits his since there are a lot of things going on. He also does a good deal of personal counseling and finds that to be rewarding and satisfying. In addition to all this he serves as Vicar for Vicariate VI, which gives him certain responsibilities toward numerous parishes in and neat the city of Green Bay. One of the jobs of the Vicar is to make a periodic visit to parishes and examine the sacramental records, something he recently did at St. Mary of the Angels parish.
For relaxation he likes to golf, but the great joy of his life seems to be travel. He loves to see different places and mentions two recent trips--one, an occasion to be in Morocco last year and shortly after that a holiday with some family members in Scotland. The bad side of traveling, he notes, is that he just got those trips paid off. We are happy to see that his travels have brought him to St. Bernard and to Council 10243, and we look forward to continuing to benefit from his gift of ministry.
April 2000