Fr. Al Lis O.F.M.
In the time that he has been with the Knights, Fr. Al has been involved in more activities of the Council than he can remember. That proved to be quite a surprise, especially to him since he seemed to be the ideal candidate for an inactive member. He joined the Knights in the Fall of 1990, as the Council was still less than a year old, but he wasn't really interested in the organization off the start. So, why did he join in the first place? "Because I was tired of trying to avoid Dave Tlachac." Dave, responsible for more members of Council 10243 than any other person, had wanted to talk to him about membership in the Knights, but hadn't been successful. After signing up and going through First Degree in November of 1990, Fr. Al remembers the Council meetings as being somewhat uninteresting, as the organization was still trying to get things moving. Discussion at some of his first meetings revolved around a calendar raffle, something the Council kicked around for a while in its first year.
Appointed Acting Chaplain for the Council in February of 1991, Fr. Al and Larry Ziarnik made Second and Third Degree the following month and have worked closely together for the Council ever since. Fr. Al has served as an Officer since the time of his Third Degree. A number of new men joined the "founders" in taking office with the elections that Spring and things really began to soar in the Council. That Summer, the Steering Committee developed, and Fr. Al was one of the original ten members of that group. Being deeply involved in the life and the administration of the Council was something he found very beneficial and satisfying, pointing out that he saw the Knights as one of his biggest sources of support and friendship in the time he worked as Vicar at St. Bernard Parish. He has been involved in most of the activities that the Council has undertaken and has worked closely with other officers in the leadership of the Council.
In addition to the establishment of the Steering Committee, he sees the continuing support of the Green Bay Police Department's Teddy Bear Program as a most significant development of the Council. But, for him, it isn't so much the things that are done or money that is raised that is important. "It's the opportunity to work together--cutting vegetables for booyah or trying to plan an activity at a meeting or whatever. I think that's where the real strength of the Knights lies." He notes that this working together has enabled him to get to know many men and families of the Council quite well and "enabled me to do my job as Chaplain a lot better." He also points out that when he was transferred to Pulaski in July of 1993, he took many close friendships with him from St. Bernard Parish, and most of them were with members of Council 10243. In the time he has been with the Council, he followed in Rick Noe's footsteps in becoming the second editor of Council 10243's NEWSLETTER, something he took advantage of in order to learn how to use a computer. He also is responsible for the "Spotlight" articles in this membership insert, something he liked because "It helped me to get to know the guys better since I had to write about them." He has also served as the unofficial historian of the Council and has handled Degree Advancement activities, something he enjoys because again he has the chance to be in contact with many members of the Council.
A native of Chicago, Fr. Al became associated with the Franciscans a number of years ago and was ordained a priest in 1986. After working as a Chaplain at St. Vincent Hospital for four years he was moved to St. Bernard Parish as Vicar (formerly "Associate Pastor") where his involvement with the Knights began. After being appointed Pastor of Assumption BVM Church in Pulaski in 1993, he remained an Officer in Council 10243. Though he submitted his resignation as Chaplain effective July 1, 1994, Fr. Al plans on remaining an active member of Council 10243.
June 1994