Grotto The Notre Dame

The Newsletter of Knights of Columbus Council 2901 www.KofC2901.webs.com

Home of the Traveling Rosary June 2011 Vol. 56, No. 11

Chaplain’s Corner Fr. Joseph Simmons 410-679-2191, Hspiritchurch@aol.com

District Deputy Report Barry Schech PGK 410-377-0390, bschech@yahoo.com

June is my Gratitude month. I thank the Council, especially the Grand Knight and everyone who supported in any way the wonderful celebration of my 50th Anniversary & I'll never forget it. June 5th is the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord and June 12th is the feast of Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit. That occasion is the birthday of the Church when the Apostles, laity, took over. In our age, we truly see the force and enthusiasm of men and women, and children even, in moving the barque of Peter forward. That's where you, the Knights and Ladies of Columbus, come in. Keep up the good works.

Jesus Lives, Fr. Simmons

I would like to congratulate our two new third degree members, Jake Novicky and Hans Schmitz. My congratulations also go out to George Hollenack, the honoree for this year ,as well as Fr. Simmons, who cele-brates his 50th year of Ordination this year. All were honored at the third degree banquet, May 7th, which was also attended by our Worthy State Deputy, Peter Davio, and Dan Arthur, our Grand Knight, who came all the way from Arkansas. We had a wonderful time, the food was perfect and we were treated to some very impressive speeches by Daniel Mandeville, the “eulogist” for our honoree, who also happens to be his grandson and our State Deputy. A big thanks should also be said to PGK Jim and Kathy Klein, who really helped make sure this event was done with style, and up to the standards that Notre Dame Council is famous for. Jere Danaher cer-tainly made sure the event ran on time and as per protocol while suffering from a last minute sound system failure and other changes up to the last minute. Only a “pro” handles stuff like this and makes the audience un-aware that there even is any problem. If you did not attend, you missed several important presentations. One was the portrait presented to Fr. Sim-mons from the council, done by John and Mary Lou Coyle, and the other was a ceramic mosaic of the “Courage Lion” done by the children who were the recipients of the Grand Knight’s charity this year. Both were re-markable in their own way and each was beautiful. These will be cherished by the council for many years and I am sure given prominent locations for all to see. Next month, a report on the convention. Don’t forget to check the Mary-land State website (http:// www.kofc-md.org) for state trips to Nashville and the Caribbean and the baseball games and rodeo this summer.

As our fraternal year comes to an end, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication to the Notre Dame Council for 2010/2011. We tried some new things and we really had some fun, too. I would like to con-sider this year a success, but that is up to all of you to decide. Ask yourself, did you enjoy yourself when you came to the council home? Did you look forward to coming to meetings and events? If you were like me, then the answer is “yes”. If your answer was anything else, we want your help next year to find ways to find ways to make our events and meetings better. You can make a difference. As our newly elected officers begin their year on July 1, I hope that you will give them the same support you have given to me over this past year. A special thank you to the Past Grand Knights for your guidance and support to help me make the right decisions. Also, thanks to Deputy Grand Knight Carlo Alinsod for filling in for me when necessary these past couple of months. Christi and I have moved due to my job every few years, so we have lived in several different cities and made lots of nice friends. However, Baltimore was different; we met some nice people but became part of the Notre Dame Council family. I knew what I was going to do on Tuesday as I planned my work schedule around Tuesday and I enjoyed working on projects with eve-ryone. Everyone has their own unique personality which made it interesting, but all had the same end goal, success for Notre Dame Council #2901.

I love and will miss you all. God bless you.

Grand Knights Report Dan Arthur GK 410-435-0819, danarthur.kc2901@gmail.com

Program Director Jere Danaher PGK FDD PFN PCP FDW

410-426-8236 danaher2@verizon.net

June, can you believe it! Elections of Officers and a new management team will begin to guide Notre Dame Council once again. God Bless and many thanks to all those men who came forward as chairmen, directors, workers, and officers to conduct our programs of charity and fraternity. From our Chaplain, Fr. Joe, on down you have made a difference in our community! Now, it is time to step up to the plate and begin anew! See the Grotto for June, July, and August Events especially the installation of offi-cers and the Crab Feast.

Fraternally Yours in Christ

Fraternal Benefits John Sampery, FICF, CSA 410-296-3051

John.Sampery@kofc.org

We Stand Strong on Ethical Ground Some people believe that ethics in business is a contradiction in terms. They think that in order to be profitable, a company and its leaders must abandon morality and embrace the dark, greedy side of capitalism. At the Knights of Columbus, we know this business model is incorrect. As a Catholic organization, we understand the value and importance of our core beliefs and the original mission of Fr. Michael J. McGivney. In fact, much of the strength and financial security we provide to members and their families can be attributed to our ethical, moral standards. These standards are visible throughout the Order, from our fraternal programs and support of the Church to the investment strategy of our assets. “What sets us apart is what Standard & Poor’s refers to as the ‘very conservative’ approach we take in managing our $16 billion in assets,” said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in his 2010 address at the Supreme Convention. “We place a very high value on the society’s reputation.” This means careful planning when it comes time to invest. Our professional staff researches all transactions to insure they fall in line with Catholic values. If a transaction makes them uncomfortable, they don’t make it. “We exclude any company engaged in activity that conflicts with Catholic moral teaching -- companies directly involved in abortion, contra-ception, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, for-profit health care that pays for any of these or pornography,” said the Supreme Knight. “There are many companies in the pharmaceutical and communications industries that would undoubtedly provide excellent returns for us, but which are not in our portfolio because they engage in research and development or program-ming in ways that violate the sanctity or dignity of human life.” Each year we remain profitable, increase our assets and stay dedi-cated to this vision that will keep the Order sound financially for generations to come. “Faithful Catholics have choices when buying life insurance,” said the Supreme Knight. “But they know that at the Knights of Columbus their policy is supplied by an insurer that shares their moral and ethical values and is guided in all of its investment and sales practices by those values.” To learn more about our products, contact me today.

MAY 16th @ 7:30 pm at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Pylesville, MD MAY 29th @ 2:00 pm at Shrine of the Sacred Heart JUL 19th @ 7:30 pm: at 2901: St. Catherine Laboure AUG 16th @ 7:30 pm: at 2901 Fr. McGivney’s Birthday If you are interested in attending or if you would like to become part of the Traveling Rosary Team, please let me know.

Traveling Rosary Report Joseph Sirera PGK, PFN 410-661-4785, jssirera@verizon.net

On May 6, 2011, we had the last First Friday of our Council year. First Fri-days will begin again in September. Before the Mass, there was a short pro-cession with Ralph and Theresa Roos’s granddaughter, Molly Menkley, and Tom and Teresa Antonicci’s granddaughter, Isabell Lawson. Both young ladies wore beautiful white formal dresses carrying bouquets of freshly cut flowers. Teresa Klein carried the wreath of flowers with which she crowned the Blessed Mother. All joined in singing traditional Marian hymns: “O, Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today”, and “Immaculate Mary”. The ceremony was more memorable since it was performed by the youngest and the oldest members of our group. We would like to thank all those mentioned above for helping with the planning and the preparation. It was a truly special moment. We also want to thank PGK Jim Klein, PGK Gere Danaher and PGK and District Deputy Barry Schech for the preparation of our meal which featured roasted pork, potatoes au gratin, corn on the cob and, for desert, éclairs and ice cream with assorted toppings. There was plenty for all and we appreciate all those who stayed to help wash the dishes and straighten up!

Brother Richard and his lady Edie Nieberlein will be assisting Brother

John Butt, the Principal of Claremont School for students with special needs,

with the Family Fun Day and Talent Show on May 13, 2011.

Church & Youth Activities Dr. John Butt 410-532-6713,

Sick, Memorial & Congratulatory Ted Lingelbach 410-882-8976, tedlingelbach@aol.com

Passings…PGK Tom Blair HLM passed away on April 10, 2011 after a long illness. Many brothers and their spouses attended both his Rosary and Funeral Mass…Mrs. M. Doris Kotowski, widow of Bro. Casimer F. Ko-towski, passed away on April 13, 2011. There was no viewing…We were informed that Franciszek Wyroba, father of Maggie Duran and father-in-law of Bro. Mike Duran, passed away.

Sick and injured…PGK Nelson Arnold HLM had an additional medical

procedure…PGK Ralph Roos had cataract surgery…HLM Christine Dana-

her, wife of PGK Jere Danaher, broke her foot while in Rhode Island to

attend her mother’s funeral…Mary Ann Welzant, wife of Bro. Dr. Walter

Welzant HLM and mother of Bro. Tom Welzant, was in the hospital.

Dinner Theatre 2011

I would like to start my report with thanking everyone that was involved with this year’s show, “Steel Magnolias”.

Special Thanks to: Dan Arthur GK and Carlo Alinsod DGK,

Kathy Klein and all the volunteers in the Dining Room, Brother Bill Magers and all the bartenders and any clean up volunteers,

Ron Novak PGK and all the Maitre d’s seating the guests, Jere Danaher PGK, Barry Schech PGK and all the kitchen volunteers,

Brother Fran Wiegmann our ticket Chairman, All the sponsors in the program, Robert Jones the rental manager,

The Phoeix Players members (this year’s cast), Regina Rose, the Director,

Back stage, Mike Franchetti, and Joe Kufera, a Phoenix player’s member, And the faithful guests that have supported our Dinner Theatre

annually for 41 years. Lastly, anyone not mentioned above who provided their time and talent

Again, we have met our expected results for the outcome of the income of our Dinner Theatre. I have asked volunteers and guests to please give our council feedback as to what they enjoyed, and also, what they think may need to be changed next year. At the first committee meeting in 2011, all the suggestions will be read to the committee. In 2012, we look forward to giving our guests another fantastic show and personal hospitality.

God Loves you all and so do I,

George A. Trocki PGK

Notice: Grand Knights Appreciation Party Dear Notre Dame Council Members; After a lot of advice, discussion and careful thought, I have decided to cancel the Grand Knights Appreciation party. I just want to say I really appreciate each and everyone of you and this is a very hard decision. However, I think it is for the best.

Best regards,

Dan Arthur, Grand Knight

June Birthdays June Anniversaries

1. Bro. Johannes J. Schmitz 4 Bro. Walter E. Aycock 5 PGK George A. Trocki 8 Bro. Charles F. Trovato 8 Rev. Joseph L. Kuchar 10 Bro. William R. Levasseur 16 Bro. Edward G. Langmead 17 Bro. Roberto I. Gutierrez 17 Bro. Bernard J. Machovec, Sr. 17 Bro. Robert S. Marlowe, Jr.

19 Bro. Pasquale M. Ercolano 20 Bro. Walter J. Kordecki, Jr. 21 PGK Ralph E. Roos 21 Bro. Maradona M. Sylvester 22 Bro.Robert J. Martel 22 Rev. Joseph K. Mitko 27 PGK John M. Cosaraquis 28 Bro. Edward W. Zelinski, Jr. 28 Bro. David M. Carter 29 Bro. Peter Sylvan

01 Bro. Raymond V. & Mary Beth Infussi III 9 03 Bro. Thomas G. & Deirdre Dobrzykowski 34 03 Bro. David J. & Teresa Hochrein 11 03 Bro. Joseph & Suzanne Verdecchia 44 06 Bro. Ronald J. & Jean Dunaway 52 08 Bro. John J. & Kathleen Erwin, Jr. 48 10 Bro. William F. & Terri Johnson, Jr. 39 10 PGK E. Jere & Christine Danaher, Jr. 39 11 PGK Bernard F. & Ruth Semon 45 12 Bro. Henry J. & Mary Teresa Jerscheid 29 12 PGK Joseph M. & Marlene Olszewski 40 14 Bro. James A. & Ann Boehm 42 15 Bro. Robert & Catherine Martel 54 15 Bro. Jeffrey M. & Paula Vonasek 16 16 Bro. Edward & Virginia Tewey 55 18 Bro. John T. & Jodie Gilmore 6 18 Bro. Michael J. & Kristi Skinner 17 19 Bro. Ernest E. & Michele Ellis, Jr. 29 20 Bro. Kevin D. & Sherry Frick 19 21 Bro. Samuel A. & Leah Culotta 13 23 Bro. John M. & Betsy McGlone 33 23 Bro. Anthony I. & Marie Luica Levero 3 24 Bro. Carl & Virginia Sylvester 39 25 Bro. John L. & Carolyn Conway, Jr. 51 27 Bro. Anthony & Bonnie Montcalmo 41 27 Bro. James B. & Donna Tinker 8 29 Dr. Walter R. & Mary Ann Welzant 48 29 James C. & Donna Gelhard 15

Happy June Ordination Anniversary to:

05 Rev. Timothy J. Fell 12 24 Rev. D. Patrick Peach 5 26 Rev. Michel T. Ngantchop 7

The Knight of the Month for June 2011

Jake Novicky

The Family of the Month for June 2011

John & Mary Lou Coyle

Advocates Report James Klein Sr. (443) 255-5356 pgk2901@yahoo.com

Persuant to Article 1, Section 4 of the B-Laws of Notre Dame Council, The annual election of officers shall take place at the first meeting in June. If any brother wishes to run for any office, see the Deputy Grand Knight or myself so that we can prepare for the election, make ballots as needed, etc. The only offices that are not open for election are Chaplain, Financial Secretary, and Lecturer. They are appointed to their positions by the Grand Knight or Supreme. Additionally, according to The Maryland State By-Laws, the delegate to the convention must be a past grand knight.

Financial Secretaries Report Joseph Sirera PGK, PFN 410-661-4785, jssirera@verizon.net

In May, the Council completed two fund raisers simultaneously: the Grand Knight’s Charity “Courage Lion Program” and a Gift for the 50th Anniver-sary of Fr. Simmons. At our 3rd Degree Banquet, a check totaling $2,000 was presented to John Ramming for the Courage Lion Program. A check in the amount of $2901 was given to Fr. Joseph Simmons for his 50th Anniversary as a Priest. Thanks and congratulations to our members, widows, and friends who donated so generously to these special causes.

A LETTER TO TOM BLAIR Dear Tom, It is with deep regret on the passing of your life which leaves a gaping hole in our council. Even at this time you are sorely missed. There will be no Tom Blair getting up on our activities. The council owes a lot to Tom Blair for your many years of dedication to Notre Dame Council and the State Council of Maryland. Your dedication to our council far exceeds what any other member has ever given. At times our council was occasionally called "Tom Blair Council" because of this dedication. You have been an elected officer of Notre Dame Council and in your year as Grand Knight our council was acclaimed number one in the State of Mary-land. When your term in office expired you did not stop thinking and came up with in its' forty second year. This affair will always be known as "Tom Blair's Baby". Aside from all the awards you have earned, your dedication to this council will always be apparent. There will be no Tom Blair to infuse this dedication required to be a true "Knight-Of-Columbus" brother as one must be. You have put pieces of Tom Blair in all of us that have known you that will live with us forever. May God bless you and may your trip to eternal life be a happy one. ( I WISH YOU LOVE ) with remembrance from Notre Dame Council.

PGK. NEAL PRISCO

DEFINITION: DEDICATION SPELLS " TOM BLAIR"

Schedule:

JUN 17th @ 2:00 PM: VAVS Bingo @ BRECC JUN 20th @ 7:30 PM: 375 Officer’s Meeting @ #2901 JUN 27th @ 7:30 PM: Assembly Meeting @ #205

VAVS Program:

Our Assembly hosts a Bingo & refreshments for the veterans

at BRECC every 3rd Friday @ 2:00 PM. Volunteers are welcome.

Fourth Degree Charles Carroll of Carrollton Assembly , No. 375

Knights of Columbus

Notre Dame Council 2901 201 Homeland Ave. Baltimore MD. 21212 Address Service Requested

Time Dated Material

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 1262 Baltimore, MD.

Calendar of Events

June 2011

1. Keswick Bingo 7 PM

7. Council Meeting 7:30 PM

14. Kay Cee Board Meeting 7:30 PM

19. Fathers Day

21. Council Social Meeting 6 PM

“Julia Child Show”

28. Officers Meeting 7:30 PM

KayCee Club Inc. 201 Homeland Ave. Baltimore MD 21212 Robert Jones-Rental agent 410-433-9756 Notre Dame Room (190 people) $730

Marian Room (110 people) $630 Discount available for members.