Grand Knight's Column
Do
you remember the expression ”You are what you eat”? It basically implies that if you make healthy choices and eat
properly that you will be a healthier individual, probably happier, and may
even live longer. And of course if you don’t, the feeling is that the opposite
of this is true, too.
Eating is only one aspect of this philosophy.
We are all products of our environment. There are many things that influence us
but perhaps the most predominant are other people’s actions and words. Take for
example driving habits. While going down a familiar stretch of road if everyone
is speeding, eventually we will notice that we are speeding, too. Or if we
witness enough people slowing down instead of stopping while making a right
turn on red, after a short time we start doing the same. We truly are
influenced by the world around us in a variety of ways of which we are not
always aware.
Repeated
practice is one of the most basic principles by which we learn something. Whether it is playing ball, or memorizing a
prayer or a speech, the key to success is practice, practice, and more practice. Since the old expression is true that
practice makes perfect, it then makes sense to be careful of just what we
practice. Practicing positive things that can develop into good habits makes
sense. For example, find ways of practicing being just a little bit kinder each
day; hold a door open, compliment someone, or let the guy in the car in the
other lane cut in front of you. By themselves they are all small acts, but when
consciously and consistently practiced these small acts transform you into a
kinder, nicer person. So choose a quality that you wish to bring forth in
yourself: patience, compassion, understanding, or whatever you wish to improve
upon, and then practice, practice, and practice. Just as in sports, you will
start out a little rough and most likely be disappointed in the early results.
But in time, and with practice, you will turn into the real “pro” that you want
to be in this area.
Rick
Noe
Grand
Knight
Next Meeting: First Degree
The next meeting of Council 10243 is scheduled for Monday,
November 20. The meeting will be
preceded by the exemplification of the First Degree at 7:00 PM and the meeting
will follow at about 7:40 PM. (The
Degree will take place even if there are no candidates.) Please come early enough to observe the Degree
and re-live the experience. Also,
because of the construction, please check to see which entrance is easiest to
use.
Second and Third Degree
About
fifty men took part in the exemplification of the second and Third Degree in
Green Bay on Sunday, November 5. The
exemplifications were presented at Ss. Peter & Paul Church. From Council 10243, we welcome the following
men to the ranks of Full Knighthood in the Third Degree:
Tom Caldie
Bill Griesbach
Mike Vanden Busch
Robert Wozniak
Also
attending as observers from our Council were state Secretary Richard Rebman, Chaplain Father Al Lis and Financial Secretary Jim Barnett. At the conclusion,
Father Al was presented with a certificate noting that he was the Honoree for
this exemplification. Coordinator Ray Dufano and Conferring Officer Tom Della made the presentation. Several District Deputies were present as
was another State Officer, Advocate Wayne
Wood. The next local
exemplification of these Degrees should be on Palm Sunday, April 8, 2001.
More Changes at State Office
William Brosius, Administrative Manager at the State Office in Madison, has
presented his resignation to take another job.
Bill has been on the job for just a couple of months. State Deputy Carl Templin is confident that another will be found to fill the
office soon. Best wishes to Bill!
Chaplain's Column
Many
things come our way in the month of November--from remembrance of the deceased
to Veterans Day to Thanksgiving to Family month. November also usually brings to a close the Church's liturgical
year and begins a new year with the First Sunday of Advent. Advent begins on the Sunday that falls on,
or closest to, the Feast of St. Andrew, November 30. Throughout the last couple of weeks of the old year and
continuing through the first part of Advent, one of the prevalent themes in the
readings is Judgment. The Christian
faithful are reminded, sometimes starkly and forcefully, that there is going to
be an accounting and it is a part of our faith to believe that no matter how great
a job we are doing in living a gospel lifestyle, we all are in need of
continued conversion to the Lord. As
often happens when the civil year changes on January 1, it might be a good time
to take a look at where we are in our living of the faith and what areas are
especially in need of a change. It is a
good time for 'new year resolutions.'
Before the rush of preparing for Christmas is upon us, it might be a
very opportune time to take a little break and assess our lives and our
faithfulness to the gospel we profess.
Fortunately, right after November comes Christmas, a time where good
will and charity seem a little easier to demonstrate than at other times in the
year. I would suggest that we all take
a bit of time in this month of remembrance to think about the judgment that is
to come. Imagine standing before a
compassionate and merciful God who will have a few questions for us
nonetheless. Imagine what our God might
want us to account for as we come before him and review our lives. In each Council NEWSLETTER and each Council meeting there are opportunities raised
through which we can be of service to the people of God. Taking advantage of some of these
opportunities may be just what we need to round out our Christian lives and
bring them a little closer to what God expects of us. Certainly we are all busy, and at this time of the year that
busy-ness tends to increase. Yet, it is
precisely at this time that the Church invites us to step back and take a good
look at the priorities in our lives.
Are we doing all we can to serve others? An honest assessment will probably reveal that something more can
be done. Take advantage of the
opportunities that the Knights of Columbus offer to set our feet aright again.
Fr.
Al Lis, O.F.M.
Chaplain
Special Days
November 15 - December 15
A = Marriage
Anniversary
B = Birthday
O = Ordination
Anniversary
+ = Date of Death
November
15 B
Clayton Langenberg
17 B
Betty (Joseph) Hoffman
17 B
Debra (Joseph) Sule
20 B
Jerry Ahrens
20 B
Kathleen (Paul) Tilot
21 A
Roger & Lynda Shaha
21 B
Gene Gunderson
23 A
Terry & Kristine Misfeldt
25 B
Mark Keuler
26 B
Weldon Kiernan
29 B
Ken Greetan
December
04 B
Cheryl (William) Brown
05 B
Sean Wright
06 B
Kim (David) Burbach
06 B
Paul VandenPlas
06 B
Mike Worzala
07 B
Nancy (Fred) Grochmal
11 B
Marilyn (Lawrence) Waskosky
13 B
Donald Hoff
13 B
David Reimer
14 B
Ann (Peter) Birdsall
15 B
Lynn (Brian) Katers
15 B
Joseph Raisleger
All Souls
Our
Council helped remember those who have gone on before us in a special Memorial
Mass held at St. Bernard’s Parish on Tuesday, November 2nd. Over a
hundred people gathered for a special mass to honor and remember those who have
died over the past year. Rev. Jerry Pastors presided, with Deacon. Bob
Jacqmin assisting. Grand Knight Rick
Noe read the names of all of those who were remembered, as. Bob Jacqmin lit
a candle for each one. Our Council
sponsored a brief social for all those that attended. Special thanks go out to Gerry and Janet Piontek and Dave Whitton for preparing and serving
the food for this event.
Blood Donors
The
Knights of Columbus are once again called into action. This time the call comes from another
service agency, the Red Cross. They are requesting our help in their efforts to
raise necessary blood donations.
The
American Red Cross collects, processes, and distributes blood products needed
by patients in nearly 100 hospitals throughout our region. To meet the needs of patients in the
hospitals they serve, over 800 people must give blood each day. Please note
that it is only through volunteer donors that the Red Cross is able to provide
this service to area hospitals.
To
help out the Red Cross the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a “One A Week
Club”. What is a One-A-Week Club?
Simply put it, is a group of members (in this case the Knights and their
families) who make a commitment as a group to give at least 52 pints of blood
in one year. Each person can do this on
his own, by simply scheduling a time that is convenient for them or just
showing up at a collection center. After donating the blood donors should stop
and sign the “One-A-Week” club book, to record their generous donation on
behalf of the Knights. It really is that simple
The
Red Cross building is located at 2131 Deckner Ave. Green Bay, WI 54302. Blood
donor hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Thursday noon to
4:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Saturday 8:00 AM to Noon. If you have
any questions contact Rick Noe at
468-3194.
Notes from the Financial
Secretary
Dues: As 2000 comes to a close, we will be sending out the bills
for dues for the calendar year of 2001, which are due January 1st. As part of the First Degree,
"...keeping your dues current." is a part of that degree
exemplification. However, if you are having financial difficulties and cannot
pay your dues, the Knights of Columbus understand, but you need to notify the
Grand Knight, Richard Noe to make other arrangements. Please
make your check out to: Knights of Columbus Council 10243 (or K. of C. Council
10243). A "Late Fee" of
$10.00 will be assessed to those who have not paid by February 28, 2001 unless
other arrangements have been made (voted at the meeting 11-15-1999). If a
"Late Fee" was assessed to the 2000 dues and not paid it will be
added to the 2001 dues.
Activity Survey: The 2000 Survey of Fraternal Activity individual member
worksheet will also be sent which is due back to me by 1-10-2001 in order for
me to tally the totals. Remember that you need to take credit for all of your
activities: serving as an usher and/or distributing Holy Communion at Mass;
youth activities such as coaching; helping a neighbor or fellow Knight to paint
their house etc. If you help anyone it those hours can be counted. This is
important for the Knights of Columbus to maintain their charitable status for
tax purposes. If you have questions, ask me.
E-Mail: E-Mail addresses are being asked for again as some may have
changed and some may have been added during the past year. We will include an envelope addressed to the
Financial Secretary for your convenience to return your dues and your survey.
If you mail it be sure to put a stamp on the envelope, or give it to me at the
December meeting.
Thank
you for your cooperation.
Jim
Barnett
Financial
Secretary
Fourth Degree
About
fifty Sir Knights gathered in Oshkosh on Saturday, October 28 for the meeting
of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
The meeting, called by Past State Deputy and Eastern District Master Erv Jankowiak, was for Officers of the
Executive Committee, Area Coordinators, Navigators, Comptrollers and
Commanders. Erv explained the changes
that had been made in the number of Assemblies that each Area Coordinator was
responsible for and some information on the upcoming exemplification in
Appleton on April 21. He also spoke
about the importance of an Assembly NEWSLETTER
and noted that all Third Degree Council NEWSLETTERS
were supposed to have on-going information about the Fourth Degree and its
activities. There were also
presentations on membership, the upcoming exemplification and on the Honor
Guard. Of the twenty-one Assemblies in
the Eastern District, our Marquette Assembly 1197 probably had the largest
representation with seven men taking part.
Among those attending from Assembly 1197 were Council 10243 members
Father Al Lis (District Friar) and Larry Ziarnik (Faithful Navigator).
Landing Day Banquet
A
total of about eighty-five attended the Landing Day banquet for District 13 on
Sunday evening, October 22. The
gathering was held at Humboldt Haus, and the program included a talk by State
Secretary Richard Rebman and remarks
from Father Al. District Deputy Gene Remaker's son Bruce was visiting from New York.
Bruce is a professional singer and as a special treat performed The Lord's Prayer by Malotte. Attending from Council 10243 were State
Secretary Richard & Janet Rebman,
Grand Knight Rick & Mary Noe,
Financial Secretary Jim & Marilyn Barnett, Chaplain Father Al Lis and Ray Demerath. Council 10243
picked up the Columbian Award for excellence in programs and Jim won a prize
for having a Form 100 with him. Thanks
to Ss. Peter & Paul Council 10552 and Grand Knight Joe Lemens for hosting the event.
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
will made at the November meeting for continued support. Last year the Council contributed $300 to
this cause. The following letter, dated
October 18, was received by Father Al:
Dear Father Al,
The committee members of the Shop with a Cop met two weeks ago to start planning for this year's
event. This will be our 6th year for Shop with
a Cop program. Last year over 140
kids throughout the county shared this special day with a Law Enforcement
person.
The committee, after contacting Mrs. Paoletti, will again
dedicate this event in Officer Paoletti's name. It is hard to believe Mike has been gone from us 4 years. We will continue to keep his name connected
with this wonderful kids program for many years to come.
Last year's donation from the Knights of Columbus was used
for the same programs as in the past:
·
Shop with a Cop
·
Christmas hospital
visit
·
Winter caps for needy
kids in the community
As a member of the Green Bay Police Department and committee
member of the Shop with a Cop, I would like to thank the
Knights of Columbus Council 10243 for their continuous support of our programs.
Sincerely,
David R. Byrnes, Director of Crime Prevention
Green Bay Police Department
Anderson Appointed Thirteenth Supreme Knight
The
Supreme Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus has appointed Carl Anderson from the District of
Columbia 13th Supreme Knight. He
succeeds Virgil Dechant of Kansas
who has been Supreme Knight for the last twenty-four years and is retiring at
age 70 in accord with the Knights of Columbus retirement policy. Anderson, 49, has been Supreme Secretary
since 1999. A considerable change in
leadership positions resulted from a meeting of the Board of Directors in New
Haven in September. In other changes, Jean Migneault (Quebec) who had been
Supreme Treasurer, was elected Deputy Supreme Knight. Charles Foos (Illinois) was elected Supreme
Secretary. He had been serving as
Supreme Master of the Fourth Degree.
Replacing Foos as Fourth Degree Master is Nestor Barber (California).
Kenneth Ryan (Massachusetts)
who represented Supreme at the last Convention of the Wisconsin State Council
in 2000 was elected Supreme Treasurer.
Remaining in office as Supreme Advocate is Pat Cipollone. After his
appointment Anderson said,
The Knights of Columbus will be dedicated to unswerving
support for our Holy Father, our bishops and our priests; to the honorable and
determined execution of our commitments to our members and their families; and
to the fostering of a culture of life.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus will continue to be a great way
for Knights and their families to deepen their Catholic values--through
concrete opportunities for fellowship with one another and for service to the
Church, the community, youth, the sick or disabled and the needy.
Our
prayerful best wishes are extended to Supreme Knight Anderson and the other top
Officers. Thanks also to Virgil Dechant for his many years of
dedicated service.
Millennium Crystal Angels
Our
Council will once again be selling the New Millennium Crystal Angels. Last year
this turned out to be a good fund raiser for us and we were able to help the
Saint Bernard’s Social Concerns group by providing a turkey for each of the
many Thanksgiving food baskets that went out into our community. Hopefully with
a successful sale this year we can do the same. We will be selling the angels after all masses on the weekend of
the 11th and 12th. These angels make a very nice
Christmas gift, or would also make a nice Confirmation or First Communion
remembrance. Support your council with your word of mouth advertising or by
buying a pair of angels for your own use. The selling price for the crystal angel
and the lighted base that it stands on, is the same as last year: $26.00.
Prayer
November is Family Month in the
Church. Let us remember our own
families and ask God's special blessing upon those who support us in love.
Prayer for Families II
Loving
God,
source
of all goodness and grace,
you
formed men and women in your own likeness
and
you willed that they should come together
in
love for one another.
I
thank you for the gift of my family
and
I ask your special blessing upon us
as
we seek to serve you
and
follow in the footsteps of Christ, your Son.
May
we be concerned with one another's welfare
and
may our love and care for one another
grow
in the image of Christ's love for his people.
Grant
that our joys may be many
and
that our sorrows may be few.
May
our disagreements be faced with love.
Allow
us to be for the world
a
sign of the perfect love
that
you have shown to your chosen ones.
We
ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Once
again we are taking part in the annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing. We will be 'ringing in' the holiday season
on Friday and Saturday, December 1-2 at Cub Food East. Anyone interested in taking part may contact
coordinator Ian Forbes
(406-8088). There will also be a chance
to sign up at the next Council meeting on November 20. Consider making this a family event by
signing up with your spouse and children, or team up with a friend from the
Council to cover one of the two-hour shifts.
Thanks to all who have supported this special holiday event in the
past.
Three States and a Pew
At
St. Mary's Church in New Haven, each jurisdiction in the Order is asked to
sponsor a pew. Jim Barnett received this e-mail from his daughter-in-law Regina describing a discussion of the
matter where Kevin and Regina are a
part of Council 9830 in Eagle River, Alaska.
Thanks to Gina for the unique description!
I just came home from the Founders Day dinner for our
Knights council. Kev is playing a pay gig in Palmer so I went stag. Our State
Deputy, who is from our council, was the speaker, and he talked about going to
some Supreme Worthy something or other in New Haven. There was talk about the
pews...apparently each state has to buy one if they want one. Well, Alaska
didn't have one, and couldn't afford one, so the state dep from S Carolina
stated that their state would help out. Then, our state dep related that Carl
Templin (I recognized the name before our SD told where Carl was from) offered
to do the same. Our SD thanked them, but said he'd have to find out the total
cost so he could see if AK K of C could cough up the rest. Well, at the
Convention in Boston this past June, both men presented him with a check, but
said that they had made the checks out to the supreme whatever so that the AK
folks couldn't mess with the money. They handed the checks to Carl Anderson (I
think that's the Supreme head honcho), but our SD said, wait a minute, I don't
know how much AK can come up with. The Supreme Grand Poobah looked at the 2
checks and said, don't worry about a thing. It's all been taken care of.