Previous Month's Knight Writer
For more information please call
Knight Writer - December 2011
Grand Knight Report
Grace And Peace be Yours,
Yes, December and the Christmas season is upon us. Let us not forget the season of Advent. During Advent, we “prepare the way of the Lord” (Is 40:3) as we await His Christmas coming. The culture and the marketplace takes our attention away with sale promotions as Black Friday and Cyber Monday with items and tangible things. Advent from the Latin adventus meaning “coming”. Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25th; November 27th to December 24th is Advent 2011. The Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming of Christ. This Advent we Knights have the following items scheduled: Friday December 2 Fish Fry, Sunday December 4th pancake breakfast, Council meeting Wednesday December 14th for all Knights, and our Senior Christmas dinner on Sunday December 18th. We look forward to more Knights stepping forward to help with our charitable activities. Charity, one of our Pillars as Knights of Columbus. “What so ever you do to the least of my brother that you do unto me”. These words of Jesus Christ can be brought to life as you help participate. Deuteronomy 15:11: “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.” Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives; “Lord, not my will be done but rather thine”.
Praise to Brother Knight Joe Tumeo who is leading Catholic men for the fifth time to the Manressa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan from Friday December 2nd thru Sunday December 4th. This men’s retreat is held every year at this time frame. I went last year and I recommend that every Knight go to this retreat and experience some of the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Capacity is approximately for 75 men. Put this on your commitment list for spiritual growth for next year. Visit: www.manresa-sj.org for more information. Our thanks to Father Randy Giesige for our Memorial Mass Tuesday November 29th for our deceased Brother Knights this past year. “Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock”, Matthew 7:24. This mission is made even more obvious with the new phrases introduced in Advent with the New Roman Missal. “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,” and “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” So go! Announce this gospel of hope this Advent season. Glorify the Lord by your life. Go become what you have received so that the world may know that Christ is not dead and buried. He is Alive! And He is sending out missionaries from every Catholic parish every Sunday to bring his Sacred, loving heart to a hurting world.
A Christmas Blessing to You: May all the days of all the years, That God has still in store, Be filled with every joy and grace, to Bless you more and more, May hope of heart and peace of mind, Beside you ever stay, And that’s the golden wish I have, For You this Christmas Day!
Have a safe and Happy New Year! Offer Catholic men in our Parish and communities a New Year’s Resolution they can keep. Offer them to become a better Catholic Christian Man by joining the Knights of Columbus thru our pillars of Fraternity, Unity, Charity and Patriotism. We offer Prayer, support Families and Practice Charity; yes, charity, charity, and charity.
A heartful thank you to all our volunteers who constantly make things happen as we fulfill our mission here at Council 1039.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Vivat Jesus!
Fraternally yours in Christ,
Grand Knight
Bruce Gamiere
Events coming in January
2 Euchre
4 Officer & Building Board meetings
6 Fish Fry
8 Pancake Breakfast
11 Council Meeting
15 Free Throw Contest
20 Fish Fry
23 March For Life
Fish Fry
The attendance numbers are climbing. We will have fish (and BAKED chicken) only on the first Friday in December as we take our Christmas break. We had the schedule printed on refrigerator magnets, and they were very popular with our customers. Get yours the next time you are there. And of course we can always use more help with this project. Come on out!
Youth of the Month
Luke Anthony Jones, age 8, is a second grade student at Holy Cross Catholic School. He is so excited to be making his First Holy Communion this year at St. John Catholic Church. Luke had a rough start in life and was adopted at age 2 ½ months by his parents, Anne & Steve Jones. Luke has had some struggles in school but overall he is an active and joyful little boy. Luke enjoys playing sports and hanging out with his brothers – Alex, age 22 and Caleb, age 7. Luke loves animals, music and ice cream. His favorite toys are Legos. Luke has great empathy for those who are suffering and he has a huge heart.
Caleb Thomas Jones, age 7, is a first grade student at Holy Cross Catholic School. Caleb spent his first 8 ½ months in an orphanage in Taiwan until he was adopted by his parents, Anne and Steve Jones. Caleb does very well in school although he loves to talk! Caleb loves all kinds of sports especially playing Soccer. His favorite teams are Ohio State (where his older brother Alex, age 22, is a student), Cleveland Browns and Detroit Tigers. He loves to play the drums and his best buddy is his brother Luke, age 8. Caleb can be shy but once he is involved in an activity he gives it his all with great enthusiasm and motivation.
This is what happened on Wednesday, 11-09-11. On November 5, 2011, an amazing young lady from Defiance turned 12. She has been battling cancer for several years and has been a remarkable positive influence on our community. When asked what she wanted for her birthday she asked for people to give gift cards so other children with cancer and in hospitals could have Christmas. Our local radio personality, Rick Small decided to collect donations for Tiana’s Wish. Luke and Caleb know Tiana through McKenna Wagner who also attends Holy Cross and they pray for Tiana every day. When I (Mom) woke up the boys this a.m. I told them we were going to go to Walmart and make a donation before school. I suggested that they might each donate $5 from the money they have been slaving (raking, dishes, etc.) to earn, to buy a Lego Internet membership. At first they weren’t too sure but we talked about how it feels to be a child with cancer and that children who are ill can’t do many of Luke and Caleb’s favorite things. (I was just lobbying for a donation of any kind). Next thing I knew they decided to give ALL their money. Luke had $22 & Caleb had $18. Luke said that he could just start over and earn some more money. Caleb said that he wasn’t sure what he was saving for anyway. I have never been so proud of my little boys. NO regrets. NO tough decision. Just give it ALL like Jesus would do.
(From this my two little boys have received so much affirmation and love. My little boys have learned what a joy and honor it is to give to and love others. But I have to admit I am a bit embarrassed by all this attention.)
Recent Donations
St. John Catholic Church RCIA Program $500.00
Defiance County Law Enforcement Association Shop with a Cop $100.00
St. Mary Food Pantry donation $500.00
TOTAL $1,100.00
Address changes
If your address changes or we have your name spelled wrong, or you want the Knight Writer sent by email, please let us know. Email Terry Murnane at murnanet@copper.net or leave a message at 782-4256.
Pancake Breakfast
Team 3 is on duty December 4, the first Sunday of the month. From 9:00 to 11:30 we will be serving pancakes, baked hash brown potatoes, scrambled eggs, ham, sausage links, cinnamon rolls, milk, juice and coffee. In January, we will move to the second Sunday, due to New Year’s Day holiday. Please tell your friends and neighbors about it and plan to attend. Suggested donation $5/adult.
Team 3 Members: Mike Boff, Rob Carr, Ron Fisher, Juan Palomin, Pete Simonis, Jim & Agnes Timbrook, Ralph Coressel, Ron Drasiewski, Gerry Held, Dave Meyer, Arnold Ruhe, Mark Ryan, Sam & Deb Slusser. If you can’t work on the assigned day, please call another team member and work out a trade with them. Many hands make light work.
New Form 100
Supreme has issued new Ohio Form 100 documents, so please don’t use the old ones. The only change was to remove the 3% minimum guaranteed interest rate quoted on the back of for the annuity program offered new members. There’s an 800 number to call for the current rate now. We have some new forms at the hall.
First Degree
On Wednesday December 7 at 8:00 pm we will have a First Degree. If you know someone that would benefit from membership in the Knights, please talk with him about it and bring him to the hall at 7:30 so we can get the paperwork done.
Senior Christmas Dinner
Sunday December 18 at noon we will be serving ham & turkey with all the trimmings to those who are alone or unable to be with family at this holiday time. If you know Senior Citizens who don’t get out much anymore or otherwise would not have much of a Christmas dinner, please let us know by December 12. Advance reservations are required so we can prepare enough food. Please call Jim & Agnes Timbrook at 899-2959 or Terry Murnane 782-4256.
Card Parties
Come to the Members Room at 1:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month and play some euchre. Everyone is welcome; you don’t even need to bring a partner. Free refreshments. The games continue monthly through May.
Knight of the Month
This month we recognize Terry Murnane as our Knight of the Month. Terry is our Financial Secretary; he’s the numbers guy that keeps track of membership records and dues and records all Council income and expense from fund raising activities and operations. He orders the food and supplies for the fish fry and pancake breakfast, and usually he makes the icing for the cinnamon rolls. The key ingredient is 18 pounds of confectioners’ sugar, blended with enough milk, butter and cream cheese to hold it together. He’s on the clean-up crew for the fish fry, and currently edits the Knight Writer. A member of St. John parish, Terry serves on the parish Finance Council and also helps out with the maintenance committee. He sits on the board of the Defiance Habitat for Humanity chapter, and enjoys playing bridge. Congratulations, Terry and thanks for what you do!
2012 Membership Dues
Statements are soon to be mailed and it’s time to pay your dues if you aren’t a life member. Included with the mailing is a flyer about the Gimme Five program. $5 Donations (or any amount you wish to give) received are used to offset all administrative costs of running the Measure Up program, which aids Ohio citizens with developmental disabilities. If you lost the bill and don’t remember what you owe, or have any questions about your dues, give Terry a call 782-4256.