november 2016 council newsuknight.org/councils/nov2016(2).pdf · pgk sam derose grand knight dan...
TRANSCRIPT
Father Paul Wattson 8919
November 2016
COUNCIL NEWS Council Executive
Chaplain Father Rob Rocheleau PGK Sam Derose Grand Knight Dan Pergolesi Deputy GK Sam DeRose Chancellor Keith Campbell Treasurer Dan Dumouchelle Financial Sec Bob Cayea Warden Vincent Buglisi Recorder Frank Cicchello Advocate Paul Ratko Lecturer Mike Charbonneau Trustees Dave Orosz John Sabga Jerome Laforet Guards Tom Becksmith David Hodgeson Leo Viselli
Meetings:
General 1st Tuesday
Executive and Charities
4th Tuesday
Dear Brother Knights: As we begin the month of November, we are reminded of our call to pray for all our deceased loved ones who have gone before us. As we reflect on the Solemnities of All Saints and All Souls, we realize that we belong to a large family of faithful disciples. We are joined to those who have gone before us through faith and in our belief in the resurrection to new life. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. This month also brings to a close the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis has invited us this year to reflect on the Father's merciful love for His children. A love that is unconditional and always present in our lives. Make the most of these last few weeks to pray about being merciful and engaging in the works of mercy. We will conclude the Year of Mercy on Sunday, November 20th with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the 10 am mass until 3 pm. We will pray the Rosary at 2:30 pm and then finish with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 and Benediction. Plan to come and spend some time in prayer that day. Peace Fr. Rob
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Denis Boivin 1942 - 2016
He was a Past Grand Knight of the Fr. Paul J.F. Wattson Council 8919 Knights of Columbus and was a Past Faithful Navigator of the Rt. Rev. W.J. Langlois Assembly 1789 Fourth Degree.
Denis was a long time member of the Knight’s Choir
Jack Oslovcan (1940-2016)
Jack was the ideal Knight. A member of the Knights for 31 years. Jack was the guy who would help out in any situation. Always had a laugh about any situation.
Moreover Jack was a member of the Knight’s Choir, sitting next to the musicians in order to correct their version of the music they played.
Ben was a friend and comedian, a Ben was a friend and comedian, a family member who inspired others in family member who inspired others in many ways. Ben knew how to be a many ways. Ben knew how to be a husband, how to be a father, how to husband, how to be a father, how to fix anything that needed fixing, how fix anything that needed fixing, how to host a party, how to play cards, to host a party, how to play cards, and how to be a gentleman.and how to be a gentleman.
May they rest in Peace (Momento Mori)
Chancellors Report
No reports of any one ill at this time. However keep all of our members in your prayers
Keith Campbell Chancellor PGK FDD
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Worthy Brother Knights,
In 14 short years it will be 2030, and you are now asking yourselves what has the date have to do with my council? Well let’s see if I can show some light on this.
Today and for most council’s in District # 76 everything is in place, and the council is moving along all under control, following the plan laid out by the Executive, and should be maintained for at least 4 more years to 2020. Here is where things might start to change because who will be the Council leader (any thoughts) from this point on and what plans are in place to move the council forward, making it secure for 2030. Sounds easy? I wonder.
One of the answers that will be stated is well it will be someone else’s decision so I do not need to think about it, and anyway I have no idea where I shall be in 2030.
Let me now ask another question? Will you still be a Council? Will you have grown? Or will you be a smaller council? For some of you this might happen, but let’s hope not. I say this because Supreme wants all councils to be Parish councils, but you all know that the Diocese is thinking of clustering Parishes because of Priest shortage, and it will without doubt affect the Knights. Will it affect you?
This all must sound like doom, but not really, we must think realistically that we do not know what the future is going to bring. So holding that thought maybe we should start making plans and start having open discussions at council level with all members searching for input, and suggestions of how to plan for 2030 and ask ourselves “ Where will our Council be? “
In the beginning I stated that we are safe for at least the next 4 years with our leaders because that is already planned, but the 14 years before we reach 2030 is about 6 or 7 Grand Knights so who will be the next 4 or 5 leaders?
I do believe this is something that you must think about because we will shortly be starting 2017, as I said it would be 2030 before you realize scary, right.
I must say that when I sat down to write this report this thought hit me and got me to wondering, yes, where will we be in 2030? Where will my own council be? I do not know so this must also be something that will be faced by all councils so I thought well it is time to bring to the councils in District 76. I hope that this will make you put on your thinking caps and have plans in place in readiness for 2030.
Alan Sims, DD # 76.
The Future of Our Council
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Grand Knight’s Report
Greetings Brother Knights,
As we enter November, we enter into the Month of Souls in Purgatory. As Christians, we don't travel through this world alone. Our salvation is wrapped up with the salvation of others, and charity requires us to come to their aid. The same is true of the Holy Souls. In their time in Purgatory, they can pray for us, and we should pray for the faithful departed that they may be freed from the punishment for their sins and enter into Heaven.¹
First I want to express my regrets for the absence of our Newsletter these past 6 months. As many of you know PGK Paul Gervais, who is our Newsletter Chairman experienced issues with his eyesight early this year. Paul who does such an excellent job, apparently struck fear in anyone who may have had an interest at trying to coordinate the Newsletter, such that no one stepped forward to even attempt it. I am happy to report Paul is doing much better now and has once again stepped back into those comfortable shoes.
I wish I could say that this was the only reason for the absence, alas I cannot. We had made attempts to solicit articles from various programs beginning in July, but we received lack luster responses. For what we did receive, we felt it was insufficient to distribute. I am happy to see we do have a number of submissions with this latest edition and am encouraged that we will continue to see reports from our leaders as we move forward.
This actually being the first newsletter of this fraternal year, first let me thank those Executive Members who diligently fulfilled the roles of Officers for the 2015/2016 Fraternal Year. Brothers Gaetan Pleau, George Lewsaw, Tim Law, Eugen Trepanier and Jeff Lewsaw, on behalf of your Brother Knights I want to extend our appreciation for the time and efforts devoted to fulfilling the responsibilities of your respective offices, and know each of you served this council with utmost integrity. Thank you gentlemen.
To our new incoming Executive members Sam DeRose (Deputy Grand Knight – yes he is back), Keith Campbell (Chancellor), Frank Cicchello (Recorder), John Sabga (Trustee) and Leo Viselli (Guard), welcome Brothers. I have every confidence in you as you fill the shoes of the worthy Knights you succeed. I encourage you, as well as our returning Executive members to share your insights and be vocal champions, representing our members so as to strengthen our council as we continue to drive forward.
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Our Council grieves, along with the families of three Brother Knights who passed this calendar year: Benoit Marier (May 21), Jack Oslovcan (August 4) and PGK Denis Boivin (August 29), please keep our Brothers and their families in your prayers.
Catching everyone up on programs since the last edition: we held 4 successful Fish Fry’s during lent, raising over $5200 dollars for our General Account. Another great event led by PGK Keith Campbell, with the assistance of Mike Charbonneau and Dave Orosz and the unwavering members of our Cooking Team. We held our annual Roses for Life Campaign spearheaded by PGK Allen Topliffe, raising more than $640.00 which was donated to Birthright. We distributed Carnations to the Ladies of our parish for Mother’s Day under the direction of PGK Paul Ratko. We attended the annual State Convention, where our delegates voiced your position on the resolutions presented this year, making your voices heard. We held our Annual Awards Banquet honoring this year’s recipient’s Knight of the Year : Bob Cayea; Woman of the Year : Carmel Amlin; Family of the Year : Ken and Anne Marie Bondy; St. Joseph the Worker Award : Mike Agius; Pierre Hurtubuise Award : Mike Charbonneau. We were again successful in our Charities Lottery event Chaired by PGK Sam DeRose, raising $850 which will be used to assist Special Olympics and the Arthritis Society. We held our Bi-Annual Bottle Drive for Special Olympics raising $164.60 through donations. Our members also assisted in the annual Family Fun Day sponsored by our parish. We awarded two $500 Bursaries to students continuing their education at St. Clair College and Waterloo. We’ve held three degree’s, two at our Council and one at Good Shepherd. We’ve worked countless Bingo’s, such that our Bingo account is once again healthy. As well as volunteered at the Downtown Mission monthly, preparing and serving hot, nutritious meals to those in our community needing assistance. Recently we held our Council Soccer Challenge (organized by Brother Eduardo Aguillar), a successfully District Coats for Kids event (Chaired by PGK Art Huggins) and attended the annual K of C Hospice Fundraising Dinner (founded by PDGK Mike Agius) – each of these will be discussed in more detail in the body of this newsletter. Looking ahead, we will be participating in the annual K of C Memorial Mass to be held at Good Shepherd to remember our deceased Brother Knights. We will be participating in Goodfellows at the end of November. We will be holding our Annual Christmas Dinner on December 3rd; Substance Abuse and Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest, Light-Up for Christmas, Keep Christ in Christmas Campaigns, in addition to hosting the Relic of the Holy Family in a special mass in December. In January we will have our second Bottle Drive for Special Olympics, hold our Basketball Free Throw Competition, and continue to man Bingo’s and the Downtown Mission. Brothers needless to say, our council is an active Council. I have been approached on more occasions than I can remember by parishioners, people in our community, as well as other Brother Knights from neighboring councils, expressing gratitude and amazement at how much we do and how many people we assist through our efforts. Though for as much as these words of thanks warm my heart, I cannot ignore the fact that much of this work continues to be done by a select group of Brother Knights. Brothers to you who are active in the programs I have mentioned above, as well as those I may have neglected to mention, I say thank you for giving of yourselves, your passion and persistent desire to give of yourselves, dare I say discipleship, is appreciated more than any words can say. To our Brothers who have not been able to participate lately, I invite you – should you be able, to consider donating an hour or so of your time to the vast array
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of programs that we will hold in the months to come this Fraternal Year. If you are so inclined, please do not hesitate to speak to myself or any of our Executive, Directors or Chairs, and we can provide you details of upcoming events and how you can assist. I am including my phone number and email at the bottom of my article, so you have a means of contacting me directly.
I cannot stress this enough my Brothers, when you were asked to join the Knights it was not because we wanted meet a quota in membership for the year, or hit a target for insurance. Someone saw in you something they believed qualified you to be a member of our Order, our Council and deserving of being our Brother. I encourage you to look deep within yourselves, find that talent, niche or special something and share it. We need you. We know the demands of work, our families, and other personal commitments – we ask only that you consider donating a couple of hours over the course of this year, to one of the many programs we are committed to. Is that really too much to ask? Brothers I am not looking to shame or insult anyone. It is my attempt to encourage or enlist assistance to those members who are devoting so much of their time. Three of the four principles of our order are Charity, Unity and Fraternity. Please help us, as we look to help those in need.
In closing I want to challenge each of you to look about, find one, two or more individuals you believe will strengthen our Order. Let them know of the programs we support, the needs we fulfill, the lives we have and continue to touch. Ask them if they have this desire to help, to be these disciples which our faith compels us to attain. Ask them to become a Knight of Columbus, our Brother.
Fraternally,
Dan Pergolesi, Grand Knight Council 8919 [email protected] (519) 735-6253 ¹ The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory : Prayers for November by By Scott P. Richert
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Council Director’s Report The dates for this years Goodfellow’s paper drive are Thurs. Nov. 24th. Fri. Nov. 25th. and Sat. Nov. 26th. Please come out and volunteer some time to help out an excellent cause to help the community. This years annual Christmas dinner will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3rd. so Please plan on attending to support our council. Fr. Rob told us that we could hold six weeks of fish fries instead of the four that we now do if we wanted to do them. It would help to enhance our councils general account but we need more council members to join the cooking team. In doing so we could put two teams in place and would make less work for all of us. Please consider joining the cooking team. Keith Campbell Council Director
Financial Secretary's Message Looking at the telephone list, it has occurred that some of the addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are not up to date. If your information has changed, please let me know so that I can upgrade the records. It is important that if you have an e-mail address, that you send it to us in order to keep you better informed of what is happening in the council.
At the beginning of November, the first notices will be sent out to all the membership for dues. These are the general funds by which your council operates. Please be prompt in paying your dues on the first notice as it saves us postage by not having to send out second and third notices. At a cost of about $1 per mailing, this begins to add up. You can help us to operate more efficiently. If you pay your dues before December 31, 2016, your name will be entered into a draw with the winner receiving their dues back as the prize.
At the Ontario State Convention in April 2016, the Ontario State Council passed a resolution raising our State Per Capita by $2 per member. It is very difficult to absorb the increase cost year after year. It has been a while since we raised our dues. I will put a motion before the council at the next general meeting that we raise our regular membership dues from $48 to $50 which will just cover this increase. Please support this motion so that we can continue to operate in an efficient manner.
To mail dues: Robert Cayea 1843 Trappers Avenue Windsor, Ontario, N8P 1T1 E-mail: [email protected]
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White Elephant in the Room
Brothers as mentioned in my report above we are just 4 months into this fraternal year, and as you read on you may question why bring the following up now. So without further ado here goes: as you know the term of Grand Knight has traditionally been limited to two (2) years. This now my second year, would dictate I hand over the gavel to our next upcoming Grand Knight, who typically would be our sitting Deputy Grand Knight. With personal and other commitments to the Knights, I too am looking to honour our tradition. Unfortunately in speaking with Sam DeRose our current Deputy Grand Knight, and also immediate Past Grand Knight, has told me he is not seeking to step back into the GK role. This leaves us with a bit of a dilemma. We need to begin our search for our next Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight. So Brothers, if there is someone who has considered stepping into these roles please do not hesitate to reach out to myself, or any of the members of our current Executive. Or if you should know of a Brother who you think would excel in either of these positions, please first talk to him and then pass along their name yourself, or together. (I do ask though that you do discuss this with that individual first so as not to catch them off guard or create a long list of candidate who may really not be interested.) I cannot lie, both of these roles are time consuming and will require dedication to the position(s), but the rewards yielded within far surpass all stress and time requirements. You will have the opportunity to share your talents and grow as a leader and as a Catholic gentleman. You will have the opportunity to meet and interact with executive and members of other councils within Ontario and beyond, to share our history and story and learn from them, all to help us become a more enriched council, a greater presence in our community and stronger Disciples of Christ. Now you may ask, ‘Why bring this up now?’ Well, we have 6 months until the election of the succeeding Executive, and to say the least, there is much to learn with these two positions. We want these individuals to have all the tools and knowledge at their disposal before assuming the positions. We have a very active council – the sitting Executive, Directors and Chairmen have a wealth of knowledge and experience, not only in their current roles, but in the rules and proceedings of the Knights. In so saying, they will be a tremendous support to whoever steps into either of the aforementioned positions. As well, thirteen of our past Grand Knights (not counting myself) are still active within our council and our parish, and are available to assist and share their experiences. Brothers, we need your help. Please look within, or around, and let us prepare properly for the continued success of our council. Vivat Jesus. Dan Pergolesi, Grand Knight. Brother in Christ.
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September:
This Brother Knight has been a member for over 6 years. He is married and together with his wife and 3 children are active participants in our parish. He is an Executive member of Council 8919 and also a 4th Degree member of the RT. Rev. Wilfrid J. Langlois Assembly, where he too is an Executive member. He devotes countless hours of his time to St. Vincent de Paul, the Downtown Mission, Bingo’s, as well as Ushering at the Sunday mass. It is with great pride I name Vincente Buglisi, Knight of the Month for September.
October:
This Brother Knight has been a member of our order for over 35 years. He is a constant presence at our Sunday mass, as one of our Usher Captains. He is also a vital member of our Council Cooking Team, who not only devotes endless hours in the kitchen during our many functions, but also spends additional time procuring the necessities for those meals and striking bargains where possible to help with our bottom line at the end of these events. This year his sauce drew great raves from patrons of our Coats for Kids Pasta fundraiser. I am delighted to name John Sabga Knight of the Month for October.
Knight of the Month
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Dear Brother knights,
This Annual Knights fundraising for Hospice by the Knights is without a doubt is a worthy cause event. Although every fundraising is important I’m confident that you are aware of how significant this annual fundraising banquet is to Hospice. Each year for almost 20 years, I had the privileged to witness’ many of our local Knights of Columbus councils in Windsor and Essex County to unite and enthusiastically and proudly they are ready to support and participate this event. Brothers Knights on Saturday October 28th 2017 it will be our Council’s turn to host the banquet for Hospice. I welcome your participation and support so once again we can make our council proud and deliver yet another success for a good cause.
Our Council welcomes each and everyone your assistance is needed, join us and help our council (your Council) make history once again.
I look forward to see all our members proudly and willingly ready to get involved and land a hand. Your involvement would help make this special 20th Anniversary the best ever, mark down the date.
Stay tuned from November 1st 2016 till the banquet night on Saturday October 28th 2017 I will keep you informed.
Information about Hospice;
I’m sure that most of you are aware that Hospice assisted many of our brother knights and their families and still ongoing with their services. Your ongoing participation and support ensures that Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. Continues to support, educate and empower who are affected by, or caring of a person with a life-threatening illness. Reaching out to help supporting this vital Event for our 20th Anniversary of the Annual Knights fundraising for Hospice banquet is the right thing to do. Thank you kindly
Brothers, you all know that our job on earth isn't to criticize, reject, or judge. Our purpose is to offer a helping hand, compassion, have mercy and serve the lord. We are to do unto others as we hope they would do unto us.
God bless
Mike Agius
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Local Politicians take part in our Hospice fund raiser.
MPP Percy Hatfield spoke in Commons about this event
Sponsoring Councils for Hospice 2016
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Community Directors Report: This past September our Council once again participated in the Coats for Kids program. This year however, per suggestion of our District Deputy Al Sims, the pasta fundraiser was held as a District Level program, jointly with all 6 councils of District 76. Together we served 251 meals, devoted over 300 man hours and raised over $4700, to purchase new warm winter coats for students in our local schools, who are in need. As well we will purchase coats that will in turn be donated to the Unemployment Help Center and other local organizations, for distribution to children whose parents may not have the means to provide. We extend our thanks to all Brother Knights who devoted time in making this event a success. We would also like to thank all our members who came out to patronize the event. All monies raised will be used to assure children in our area stay warm this winter.
Al Menzies : Community Director.
Youth Director Report: This year between the L.A. Desmarais and H.J. Lassaline, we had 50 students participate in the
Soccer Challenge at the Council Level. The top scorers from each school then attended the District Level Competition on September 24th .
On that day we held a kick off between these winners so only one would participate at the
District Level, against the champions from Stepanic Council. On this day, Six of our students advanced at the District Level to participate at the
Regional Level. Of these students 5 advanced by winning at the Regional Level and have had their names forwarded to State for comparison to other Regional winners to determine State Champions. Congratulations to all the winners.
Thank you to all Brother Knights who came out to assist at both L.A. Desmarais and H.J.
Lassaline.
Our next event will be our Alcohol and Substance Abuse Poster Contest to be held in December.
Eduardo Aguillar : Youth Director.
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The Huggins Family
The Huggins family have lived in Forest Glade for many years and have been loyal members of our parish since 1998. The Huggins family is very dedicated to our church and our council activities. Arthur and Sylvia Huggins were both born in Trinidad, where they met in 1960, and were married in 1966. Arthur came to Canada in 1969 and Sylvia joined him in 1970. Art and Sylvia had four children – Arthur Gregory - Richard Gerard – Jason Christopher (born in 1975 Art served our council as Grand Knight from 2011 to 2013. He has served our council as Community Director, Chairman of the Downtown Mission and Coats for Kids Programs; he is an active member of our council Cooking and Bingo Teams. Presently he is proudly serving as Faithful Navigator of the RT. Rev. Wilfred J. Langlois Assembly, of the Fourth Degree. Art has served our parish as an Usher, Eucharistic Minister, Choir member, Chairman of the Ushers’ Bingo Group, a member of the Parish Advisory Board, and still participates as a member of the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society. Congratulations to the Huggins family. Michael Agius: Family Director.
Family of the Month September 2016
Installation of officers
Council 8919
September 2016
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Bingo My Brother Knights: Bingos are doing very well. I must say a big Thank-you to all the hard working volunteers that donate their time for us. With that said, I'm still looking for a few more volunteers to join our hard working group. Due to illness, working schedules, senior members, sometimes it is hard to commit workers to assignments. Brothers, this is our MAIN SOURCE of income for our charities account. Charity is our GOAL. Without your help we cannot SCORE. Yours wives, sons/ daughters over the age of 18 or more than welcome to join our hard working team. Please CALL me at 519-971-7555 or Drop me and e-mail at [email protected] Our Bingo Deposits area s follows: June $2667.77 July $341.79 Bingo Dates: Aug. 18 @ Saturday Sept. 03 @ 12; 45pm Sun Sept 11@ 12; 45 pm Tuesday Sept 20 @ 12:45 pm Paul Ratko Bingo Chairman: Degree Teams: Our next Set of degrees will be held on Sunday Oct 16 at Good Shepherd Parish:. There have been changes to the degrees. They are no longer called 1st, 2nd or 3rd. First degree is now called ADMISSION DEGREE: Second degree is now called FORMATION DEGREE. Third is called DEGREE OF KNIGHTHOOD. I will not go into detail regarding the changes, If you want to see them please attend the next set of degrees. You will like the changes.
Paul Ratko PGK FDD
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Life Matters…
Andrew J. Despins, Knights of Columbus Insurance
Think You Are Too Old for Coverage? Maybe Not. You are never too young or too old to consider purchasing life insurance. If you have a financial need for coverage, or will in the future, a permanent life insurance policy can be just the thing you need. When you are young and presumably healthy, coverage will be very inexpensive when compared to purchasing the same policies when you are older. If you’ve put off purchasing coverage, or you realize that you may need additional insurance, the Order may still be able to help you, even if other companies cannot. In fact, in 2012, the issue age of our permanent life insurance products was extended to age 80, and in 2014, the issue age of our term insurance was extended to age 70. Naturally, your health, and whether or not you smoke, will be taken into consideration, so underwriting standards for risk and age apply. But, the extensions are a great blessing for me – and it could be for you too. Now I can help members that I couldn’t help before. Are you or one of your brother knights one of those members? Whether you’re 18 or 80, the Knights of Columbus has products that will work for you and your family. I look forward to discussing coverage with you. Andrew Despins, Field Agent 519-979-0899 [email protected] mykofcinsurance.com