Msgr. Borusky Council 10243 Green Bay, WisconsinKnights of Columbus
NEWSLETTER
December 1999
Grand Knight's Column
The calendar and my to-do list indicate that the holiday season is here, but for some reason the "feeling" hasn't hit yet. I don't know if it's because we're busy or if the inclement weather is just messing with my mind. Whatever the reason, I feel like the season is sneaking up on me and preparing to blindside me at the last minute. Now those of you who know me well know that I'm not one of those people who plan months in advance to avoid last minute scenarios (In fact Father Al can vouch for the fact that my column is always that last part of the NEWSLETTER to be completed.) I guess that I actually thrive on deadlines and bringing things together at the end. But the holidays are different than a work project or a NEWSLETTER article. To experience and enjoy the holidays, this wonderful season that we are entering into, we have to allow ourselves time. The challenge for my family and me, and I suspect some of you as well, is to use that precious resource of time well. To not spend the entire season in a frenzy trying to find the best deals, the perfect gifts or meeting all of those commercial expectations we have, but rather to make sure that we focus on the things that are really important to us.
As Knights, this season does not bring a lot of Council activities. We only have a couple of activities and our meeting and Christmas social on December 13th. Please use these opportunities to help make your season more fulfilling. And, with these thoughts in mind, I wish you and your families a wonderful and spiritually rewarding holiday season. I look forward to our work together in the New Year.
Randy Barrett
Grand Knight
December Meeting
***One Week Earlier
***Ladies Invited
Please note that the December meeting of Council 10243 will be a week earlier than usual so as not to conflict with the Christmas rush. We will gather on Monday, December 13 for a prayer service (no rosary) at 7:30 PM and a very brief business meeting afterward. Following there will be a social. Ladies are welcome to share in the evening.
Thought for the Millennium
Contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God, the Church prepares to cross the threshold of the Third Millennium. Never more than at this time do we feel the need to make our own the Apostle's hymn of praise and thanksgiving: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time" (Eph 1:3,9).
These words clearly indicate that in Jesus Christ the history of salvation finds its culmination and ultimate meaning. In him we have all received "grace upon grace" (Jn 1:16), having been reconciled with the Father (cf. Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 58).
The birth of Jesus at Bethlehem is not an event which can be consigned to the past. The whole of human history in fact stands in reference to him: our own time and the future of the world are illuminated by his presence. He is "the Living One" (Rev 1:18), "who is, who was and who is to come" (Rev 1:4).
Jesus is the genuine newness which surpasses all human expectations and such he remains for ever, from age to age. The incarnation of the Son of God and the salvation which he has accomplished by his Death and resurrection are therefore the true criterion for evaluating all that happens in time and every effort to make life more human.
John Paul IIChaplain's Column
Much time and effort has gone into preparing our world for the coming of the new millennium. Interest in this special date has ranged from fear of catastrophe to exuberance at an event that none of us will ever witness again. At the very least, it is certainly a milestone in our human experience and will suggest to many people that it is a good time to take stock of their lives. The early part of the Season of Advent brings with it a message of a similar nature: Prepare! So many places are devoting considerable attention to assuring their patrons that they are "Y2K Compliant" and as followers of Christ we should be doing no less. After all, we follow one whose short life had such an impact on our world that we count our years in terms of his birth. Yet, two millennia have now passed and still sin runs rampant in our world. Still there is abuse and hatred and violence among nations and peoples. Still the message of love and compassion delivered from the cross seems to fall on deaf ears. For two thousand long years we have preached to one another about the love that we are to bear for our brothers and sisters, and we still have not found a way of integrating such values into our lives. The stroke of midnight in a couple of weeks will probably not erase most of the problems that we have created for ourselves. A few hours and a few weeks into the new millennium and we may come to the embarrassing revelation that we are essentially the same people that we were as we counted off the seconds to midnight. But, it does not have to be that way. Each year as we approach the New Year many people come up with all sorts of interesting resolutions. Few survive through the month of January. Last year in January I suggested that we each leave out some small reminder of the Christmas decorations which brighten the season for us. Seeing it often enough would give us the reminder that this thing we have come to call the "Christmas Spirit" is to be lived throughout the year. As we again go through the rituals of trying to remember where all the 'stuff' is supposed to go, we could commit ourselves to a deeper living of our faith in this Third Millennium of Christianity. This year 2000 is truly a holy year and a time of jubilee because we recognize once again the fact that we are graced and sanctified and that the hand of God has chosen us. What remains is for the grace of God's Spirit to further ignite that which already burns in each of us. As the Second Millennium quietly fades into history, let it take with it our unwillingness to live as the chosen people we are. I'm betting that, if we were faithful to the Christmas test I suggested last year, we might have found a couple of ways of making our faith come more alive. Maybe the impact of a new millennium will further jolt us into sharing the wonderful gift with those who seek its warmth.
Fr. Al Lis, O.F.M.
Chaplain
Special Day
December 15 - January 15
A = Marriage Anniversary
B = Birthday
O = Ordination Anniversary
+ = Date of Death
December
15 B Lynn (Brian) Katers
15 B Joseph Raisleger
18 B Rick Pigeon
19 B Donald Schneider
19 B Lucille (Robert) Warpinski
20 B Charles Rademacher
21 B Kristine (Terry) Misfeldt
25 B Terry Timmerman
26 B Lee Ann (John) Laurant
27 B Marianthe (John) Hale
28 B Connie (Richard) Rosin
29 B Dorothy (Cliff) Gigot
30 A Donald & Colleen Hoff
30 A Robert & Pat Massart
January
04 B LouAnn (Scott) Rebman
06 B Timothy Conroy
08 B Dave Whitton
10 B Tom Janowski
13 B Lee Maccoux
15 B Edith (Weldon) Kiernan
+Rosella Johnson
We were saddened to learn of the death of Rosella Johnson back on February 25, 1999. Rosella was the widow of Brother Knight Stan Johnson who was the first member of Council 10243 to pass to the Lord in September of 1994. Stan served as Grand Knight of Msgr. Broen Council 2478 in Sturgeon Bay from 1963-65 before transferring as a Charter Member of Council 10243 in 1990. Rosella had been living at McCormick Home. May the Lord grant them both peace and rest in his presence.
Green Bay Police
For the last several years our Council has covered some of the costs encountered by the Green Bay Police in their visits to hospitalized children at Christmas. The Police bring gifts to children who will not be home for the holiday, and deceased Council member Mike Paoletti was a part of this program. We have also contributed toward the Shop With a Cop program during the holiday season. A request was made at the November meeting for continued support, and the Council contributed $300 to this cause. The following letter, dated November 2, was received by Father Al and read at the November meeting:
Dear Father Al,
This afternoon is our first meeting for the "Shop with a Cop" program. This will be the 5th year for the event and the 3rd year we are dedicating the event in Mike Paoletti's name.
Money received this year from the Knights of Columbus was used for several events:
Shop with a Cop programPurchase Packer winter caps for needy kids & Hospital Christmas visit
Kids after school program (purchase materials needed for 4 low income kids)
Mike was one who believed in helping kids in the community by getting involved, teaching skills and providing for those who needed assistance.
The Green Bay Police Department will continue to share Mike's ideas and beliefs. We will also continue to make sure that future donations are used to help, comfort and delight the youth in our community.
Thank you and the Knights of Columbus for helping to keep Mike in our thoughts and prayers
/s/ David R. Byrnes
Director of Crime Prevention
The Council's contribution of $300 was delivered on November 23 by Chaplain Father Al Lis and State Treasurer Richard Rebman and accepted by the Police by David Byrnes, Director of Crime Prevention.
Notices for the payment of Council dues will be in the mail on or around December 1. All brother Knights are encouraged to help the Council out by promptly handling this matter. Remember that a late fee of $10.00 will be assessed to those who have not paid by the end of February to help defray the extra costs.
Where do the dues go?
Brothers are asked to pay (Annually):
Dues 26.35
PKD 3.65
TOTAL: 30.00
Money is used for (Annually):
Supreme Per Capita 3.50
State Per Capita 6.30
PKD 3.65
Catholic Advertising .80
NEWSLETTER publication 9.00
Postage 4.62
Average supplies/member 7.04
TOTAL: 34.91
The relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux came to Green Bay November 11-12. Several Brother Knights and families took part in ceremonies at the Cathedral and at the Chapel in Robinsonville. A Fourth Degree Honor Guard was present at the Cathedral, led by Eastern District Master John Hanlon and Marshall Don Bettine. Richard Rebman was photographed standing guard over the relics and the photo was published on the front page of the News-Chronicle. Thanks to all who expressed their faith by taking to time to venerate the relics. St. Thérèse, also called the Little Flower, was a Carmelite nun who died in 1897 and was canonized in 1925. She is one of about forty Saints to hold the title Doctor of the Church, one of only three women so honored. She is, with St. Francis Xavier, Patron of the Missions.
Father Al Installed as Pastor
Chaplain Father Al Lis was formally installed as Pastor at St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Green Bay by Regional Vicar and one of the newest members of Council 10243, Father Dave Pleier. Several members of the Council 10243 family took part in the Mass on Sunday, November 21 including Richard & Janet Rebman, Jim & Marilyn Barnett and Tim Conroy. Seventeen members of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard were also present.
Prayer
Brother Knights and families should not fail to consecrate some time in the first hours of the Third Millennium giving praise and glory to God for graces received.
Prayer in Anticipation of the Third Millennium
God of all the ages,
from the dawn of creation
you have called a people to yourself
and formed us
as your own dear and special possession.
When the earth had grown full and abundant
you sent your Son Jesus Christ
as our Redeemer and Lord;
and even today
you continue to grace your Church
by the outpouring of your Spirit.
As we prepare to cross the threshold
of the Third Millennium,
make us messengers of your grace
and signs of hope to all the world.
You who clothed all creation in splendor
have chosen us to be clothed with your love.
May we bring the message of your compassion
to all those who long to know
the grace and peace of your care.
Walk with us and protect us
so that we may rejoice in knowing
that we are your children, now and always.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Guardian Angel Candleholders
They're going faster than those proverbial hotcakes, but there is still time to take part in a special fundraiser sponsored by the Wisconsin State Council of the Knights of Columbus. These guardian angel crystal candleholders are available at a cost of $26.00 each. The candleholders, which stand 8 inches high, come with a battery powered lighted base, so they may be displayed anywhere. Several Council members who have seen them decided that they would make ideal Christmas gifts. They have been displayed at several Council and Fourth Degree activities recently and have been sold at St. Bernard and St. Mary of the Angels Parishes. Profits from the sales will go to the Council's charity fund. If you're still in need of some Christmas gifts, here is the answer. Contact Richard Rebman (468-8472) for more information.
A Century of Presence…
… A Decade of Service
Some anniversaries of interest to Knights in the Council and the State will be commemorated in the coming years. The formal presence of the Knights in Wisconsin began on June 17, 1900 with the Chartering of Council 499 in Superior. The local presence of Knights began with the Chartering of Council 617 in Green Bay on November 10, 1901. The Wisconsin State Council was formed at Milwaukee on January 15, 1902. Exactly 88 years later on January 15, 1990, the first gathering of Council 10243 was held, and the Council was Chartered the following day, January 16, 1990. While neither the State nor the Local Council's have definitive plans to celebrate their respective Centennial and Decade, it would be good for Knights and families to join in the Eucharist those special days to celebrate the graces God has granted through the Kni
ghts of Wisconsin.First Degree
An exemplification of the First Degree was held following the Council meeting on November 15. We are pleased to welcome three men through the Initiation Degree into the ranks of the Knights of Columbus: Dennis Duckett (proposed by Gene Schmitz), Jim Janssen (proposed by Randy Barrett) and Father Dave Pleier, Pastor at St. Bernard Church (also proposed by Randy Barrett). Welcome to them all, and thanks to all the members of the Council who stayed after the meeting to witness the Degree! We look forward to coming to know them through their involvement in the activity of the Council. Father Dave's entrance makes five priests who are members of Council 10243 Fathers Al Lis, Mike Seis, Doug LeCaptain, Jerry Pastors and Dave Pleier.
State Council History
The Wisconsin State Council will be publishing another 'ten year supplement' of the history of Columbianism in the State. Work will begin in January for this supplement which will cover the years 1992-2002. State Historian and Past State Deputy Erv Jankowiak has selected three men from Council 10243 to assist in the State-wide project: Grand Knight Randy Barrett, Chaplain Father Al Lis and Past Grand Knight (#6568, Madison) Jason Vandermause. We wish them luck in this important undertaking.
Grant's return to Green Bay about a year and a half ago was sort of a homecoming, something he must be quite familiar with given the many years he devoted to coaching football and other sports. Originally from Green Bay, he spent thirty-two years in coaching and has also taught. He decided to go back to school himself and earned a degree in Administration from Winona State and eventually served as an Administrative Assistant, Vice Principal and Principal for twenty years in New Holstein. His coaching specialties include football, basketball and track, and his love for track was so great that even as Principal he continued to coach.
It was Jim Barnett who got him to come to the Council, and for Grant it seemed to be just about the right time. Having gotten a little taste of retirement after his return to Green Bay, he was looking for involvement in some sort of service organization. But, the Knights are not the only area in which he has found involvement. He also works as a volunteer with the Salvation Army. In addition he serves as a Minister of the Word at St. Bernard Parish and a facilitator in the Renew 2000 program. However, the biggest chunk of time and interest is devoted toward serving as a tour guide at Lambeau Field.
Lambeau holds a special place in Grant's heart, and nestled among the pictures of family that adorn his refrigerator there is a photo of him leading a tour at the stadium. The tours are enjoyable for him especially since he loves to meet people. Every group is different and he appreciates the opportunity to meet people from all over the country and all over the world. He can sometimes do his presentation fifteen times a day and the tour season runs from early May through the end of October, but there is also work to be done in the 'off season.' Apparently he is good at what he does since he serves as a supervisor of a growing number of guides at Lambeau.
Still adjusting to his life in retirement, Grant has noticed that it feels strange to be experiencing his first real time away from High School in years. Though he keeps in touch with many friends from his numerous years in New Holstein, he is also making friends in his new neighborhood. He's got a large yard and has given much time to caring for it. He has not decided whether he wants to get back into coaching. Grant and his wife, Joan, have been married for thirty-seven years and have three children, a daughter in Madison and a son in Milwaukee. A third son lives in Florida and has given Grant and Joan two grandchildren. They visit Florida when they can, and also like to travel, having recently returned from a trip to Germany. Joan volunteers with the Green Bay Botanical Gardens and also works with the Literacy Council. Grant came to the Council just a few months ago and recently advanced through Second and Third Degree. We are glad that he returned to Green Bay and we look forward to his presence in Council 10243.
December 1999