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3 Knight Life
JUNE-JULY-AUGUST- 2020
110 years of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism to our community!
Volume 92 Knights of Columbus Council 1453 WINDSOR ONTARIO Number 6
c/o 1520 Chandler Road, Windsor ON N8Y 4P7
Grand Knight’s Column: GK Michael Harrigan
Brothers:
Due to Covid -19 State has obtained permission to extend the 2020 Ontario Charities Lottery draw from May 29th to October 30th. This will allow councils a longer time to sell tickets. If any one has sold tickets or knows of some one who has bought one please advise the buyers to hold onto their tickets. Anyone selling tickets please print in the new draw date on buyers stub.
On June 3rd, 2020 the District Deputy, Jesmond Tabone, set up a meeting for our Council via telephone. This was our election meeting and emails were sent out to the members. All that one had to do was to dial in a provided phone number and PIN number. Given how easy it was to attend I must admit I was somewhat disappointed that only ten people attended and that includes the District Deputy and District Warden. Fortunately we had just enough for a quorum. Only one of the attendees wasn’t a member of the executive.
The election results are published elsewhere in this newsletter and as you can see we have a few positions left unfulfilled. If anyone is interested in a position or would like more information as to what each entails please let me know.
I would like to sincerely thank Bro. Jesmond Tabone D.D. for making this possible and he has offered to set up more meetings like this. When we do this again emails will be sent out and I am sure Bro. Ray will post on it the website. Please feel free to join in as it is quite easy and doesn’t hurt at all.
I know the pandemic has caused a lot of confusion and worry for everyone. As you know we are an older council and it has been difficult for many of us. If any Brother Knight is experiencing extreme difficulties please let me know and I will see what the council can do to help.
On a happier note I hope you have all heard the good news on the Beatification of our founder Father Michael McGivney. He is now one step away from full sainthood. Please continue to pray that this will be achieved.
I would like to close by thanking the executive for all their support and efforts over the past year. I would like to congratulate the incoming executive and am looking forward to working with them. Of course this should be easy as we have been working together for several years now.
Last but not least I hope everyone has a safe and joyful summer.
“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference.” St. Maximilian Kolbe
Exercise daily, walk with the Lord. Anonymous
“The Lord measures out perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them.” St. John of the Cross
Keep Safe and May Christ be with you
Bro. Michael Harrigan GK.
Page 2 Knight Life June-July-August ‘20
Deputy G. K. Notes: DGK Albert Decaire, PGK
You can receive Knight Life in full colour via e-mail and save the Council the cost of postage. It’s easy, let the editor know or email me at [email protected] or [email protected]. You would also receive it sooner and on your pc. Or phone me at (519) 253-5465.
From the Chancellor: Chancellor Robert Burns PGK
Greetings Brothers:
First I must apologize for the tardiness of this issue. I did wait for the election results, then some arti-cles, some online items too. Then I had a few personal distractions, and fighting software stubbornness. Alas, finally we accomplished a pretty good final result, I think!
There are no events planned due to covid 19 rules. You will be notified of any changes by email or check our website.
I hope we settle our meeting arrangements before September. and can restart some social life too. We will wait and see. We wish you all a safe, healthy, and active summer. Have fun, but keep safe.
I do hope everything is normalizing and we can resume our charity and fraternal activities by then
Anyhow, enjoy your summer, and hope to see every one back in September.
\God Bless all, Vivat Jesus
Bob Burns, Chancellor
Brothers:
Summer is just about here, and our Council Summer event, our annual golf outing, has been put on hold, possibly until more favourable conditions permit it to happen. In that case everyone will be notified by website and email.
I want to take this opportunity to explain my absence from our virtual election meeting. I tried several times to sign in but each time was notified it was a wrong mailbox, I was using the number given to us. Thanks to GK Mike and Chancellor Bob for giving me the opportunity to serve another term as Deputy.
I wish all FATHERS, a Happy Fathers Day, have fun and enjoy your families, but Be Safe, and not sorry.
We wish everyone a happy, healthy and enjoyable Summer. Thank You.
DGK Bert pgk
REMEMBER OUR DECEASED FAMILY
We have lost four members since our last KnightLife, Brothers Gary Jubenville, SK Roger LaRochelle, pfn , a senior member and once very active; Bro. Larry Staszuk , a recent transferred member; and Bro.David Pare, formerly a long time officer and member here; No public prayers or visitation for any of them yet, and no family or friends since the last KL, that I am aware of, but let us pray for those that did.
Page 3 Knight Life June-July-August ‘20
INVITE SOMEONE TO JOIN US NOW !
Worthy Brother Knights,
Nobody joins a council with the intention of leaving, they join because of the sense of community and lifelong relationships they will find at the council. Members leave a council because they never feel the club is a vital part of their life.
In the coming weeks and months, it is imperative council are doing everything possible to create a sense of commu-nity throughout the council by connecting their members.
Control what you can and forget the rest. It is a simple saying, but it is not so easy when much of your life’s day-to-day control has been taken out of your hands.
As councils look ahead to the coming days, weeks, and months it is important you remember to invest your time & energy towards things you can control. Things you cannot control operating restrictions placed on your council. Things you can control coming up with creative ways to connect your members. Brother Knights are dying for any distraction from their day-to-day life and your council should serve as a vessel for connecting your membership.
Virtual Programming Toolkit
Communicate Consistently: Each Sunday, send out an update that highlights programming for the coming week. Be sure to provide an easy way to register and log in. We recommend Zoom or Facebook Live.
Have a Plan: Consistency is key when maximizing the reach of your councils programming. Try to have virtual programming take place at the same time each week/month. That way families can plan their day around it.
Two Way Conversation: Rather than having executive members talking the entire time, make it a conversation! Give your members the opportunity to ask questions or give feedback throughout the session.
Create a Discussion: Create a discussion around whatever programming you are offering. If it is prayer service, have your members post pics or videos to your Facebook page. Include everyone that registered in a thread once the session is over to keep the conversation going.
Gather Feedback: Who better to guide programming than your members. Ask your members which virtual pro-gramming they would most like to see and make it part of your offering.
These are different times we are in and we need to do what we can to maintain our sanity and membership. This is also a great way to help recruit new members. We need to look forward in what we do and not backwards.
Stay safe and healthy everyone.
Jesmond P Tabone
District Deputy 39
519.992.2014
Deputy 39
District Report: DD Jesmond P. Tabone DD # 39
Page 4 Knight Life April -May ‘20
Life Matters…
Andrew J. Despins, Knights of Columbus Insurance
Page 4 Knight Life June-July-August ‘20
The mission of the Knights of Columbus today remains the same as when it was founded in 1882: to protect Catholic families financially and to help strengthen the Catholic faith of our members.
While the current medical, social and economic issues we face are unsettling, it’s not the first time we have risen to meet such challenges. Our Order has stood strong through past crises such as the Spanish flu in 1918, the Great De-pression and the financial crisis of 2008.
Just as we stood together during those times, we stand ready in our own diffi-cult times to provide life insurance, annuities, long term care and disability in-surance. Knights of Columbus Insurance agents are fully equipped and eager to help you understand how the current climate may affect your personal finances and how our products can help.
Our agents can meet with you in person, talk to you over the phone (when ap-propriate) or through a virtual meeting using Skype or similar software. Agents are ready to answer questions, assist with service-related issues and help show you how you can reduce your financial risk.
As the Knights of Columbus turns 138 years old, it is an opportune moment to thank our founder, Father Michael McGivney, for his foresight in founding an Or-der that consistently provides reliable financial protection for Catholic families. You do not face the current challenges alone. Our commitment to helping you and your family remains strong.
Don’t forget to LIKE me on Facebook: AndrewDespinsKofC
Page 5 Knight Life June-July-August ‘20
CELEBRATIONS Congratulations and Best Wishes to ALL
Good of the Order Winners
Good of the order Due to lack of a meeting, none was held in April or May or June.
Remembering Our Ill and recovering Brothers
Please pray for PGK Bob Bezaire, Guard Bill Major, Bro. Ron Tousignant and Bro. Ro-land Turpin and Lady Lillian Valvasori and any members or family suffering but not in-cluded here. Please let me know if you or a family member is ill, thanks.
VISIT OUR COUNCIL WEB PAGE @
http://www.kofcwindsor1453.com/
Read your Knight Life there
June Birthdays Marcy Ieraci Diane Tousignant
Robert Bergoine Ivan Marcoux
R.J. Potomski Kenneth Blain
July Birthdays Rose Levis Jeanine Gauvin
Angela Sturba John Haggith
Roland Turpin
August Birthdays Lohnie Williams Roger Stone
Richard Solcz Sandy Rak
Margaret Soulliere
June Anniversaries Gerry & Margaret Soulliere
Larry & Chris Lesperance
July Anniversaries Frank & Marci Ieraci
Jean Paul & Jean Rivard
Bob & Ann Parent
August Anniversaries
Robert & Irene Bezaire
Howard & Rose Levis
Rene & Bernadette Trudell
Mark & Mary Meyers
Steve & Michelle Laforet
Nicholas & Susan Angell
From the desk of the Financial Secretary
Dues are now past due. We ask that you please pay your dues promptly to avoid suspension.
Page 6 Knight Life June-July-August ‘20
Keep your eyes fixed on Christ crucified From the message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2020 I n this Lent of 2020, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people in the Apostolic Exhorta-tion Christus Vivit: “Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved over and over again. And when you go to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy which frees you of your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such great love, and let yourself be cleansed by it. In this way, you can be reborn ever anew” (123). Jesus’ Pasch is not a past event; rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit it is ever present, enabling us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer. God’s passionate will to dialogue with his children The fact that the Lord once again offers us a favorable time for our conversion should never be taken for granted. This new opportunity ought to awaken in us a sense of gratitude and stir us from our sloth. Despite the sometimes tragic presence of evil in our lives, and in the life of the Church and the world, this opportunity to change our course expresses God’s unwavering will not to interrupt his dialogue of salvation with us. In the crucified Jesus, who knew no sin, yet for our sake was made to be sin (cf. 2 Cor 5:21), this saving will led the Father to burden his Son with the weight of our sins, thus, in the expression of Pope Benedict XVI, “turning of God against himself” (Deus Caritas Est, 12). For God also loves his enemies (cf. Mt 5:43-48). The dialogue that God wishes to establish with each of us through the paschal mystery of his Son has nothing to do with empty chatter, like that attributed to the ancient inhabitants of Athens, who “spent their time in nothing ex-cept telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21). Such chatter, determined by an empty and superficial curios-ity, characterizes worldliness in every age; in our own day, it can also result in improper use of the media. … A richness to be shared, not kept for oneself Putting the paschal mystery at the center of our lives means feeling compassion towards the wounds of the crucified Christ present in the many innocent victims of wars, in attacks on life, from that of the unborn to that of the elderly, and various forms of violence. They are likewise present in environmental disasters, the unequal distribution of the earth’s goods, human trafficking in all its forms, and the unbridled thirst for profit, which is a form of idolatry. … I ask Mary Most Holy to pray that our Lenten celebra-tion will open our hearts to hear God’s call to be reconciled to himself, to fix our gaze on the paschal mystery, and to be converted to an open and sincere dialogue with him. In this way, we will become what Christ asks his disciples to be: the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:13-14)
Pope Francis : Lenten Message to Knights
Leave No Person Behind
Knights of Columbus are called to step into the breach and leave no neighbor behind – especially in this time of crisis. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, our duty is to lead our families, protect our parishes, and serve our communities, remembering always that where there’s a need, there’s a Knight. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson has challenged Knights to take this moment as an opportunity to “deepen our commitment to the very principles which define us: charity, unity and fraternity.” Knights of Columbus Orderwide are encouraged to serve and sacrifice for those around us. Many, including in our own councils and parishes, are isolated and alone in quarantine. Food banks, blood centers, and other essential services have been depleted of their vital supplies. There are many people and places that require urgent help. Knights are encouraged to engage in five types of service activities: 1. Support Your Brother Knights 2. Support Your Parish 3. Sup-port Your Community 4. Feed the Hungry 5. Participate in Blood Drives In the pages that follow, you will find additional details for each of these categories. You can use this document as a foundation for your efforts and those of your council. Where you see opportunities to do more, you are encouraged to do so, always mindful of guidelines and suggested procedures from national and local health experts. Abide by social distancing, selfquarantine, and shelter-in-place orders, where applicable. Do not put yourself or others at risk of infection. For more information on safety measures while participating in program activities, refer to the “Guidance on Safety” section of this Guidebook. Above all else, remember your duty as a Knight of Columbus. When crisis strikes, we respond with care, compassion and charity. It is time for all of us to answer the call – and leave no neighbor behind. As you and your council take specific action to support your parish and community, please let the Supreme Council know. We may want to highlight your efforts. Submit your stories to [email protected]. OVER-VIEW 1. Support Your Brother Knights No council should leave a Brother Knight behind. Through tools including phone trees and daily check-ins, your council can make sure that every Knight has the essentials he needs, fulfilling the vision of charity and unity upon which Father McGivney founded our Order. 2. Support Your Parish In this unprecedented time, your pastor has lost his traditional methods of char-itable and evangelical outreach. He needs help to fulfill the Church’s mission. Councils must reinforce their pastor and show that Knights stand ready to support him and the parish community, ensuring that no member of the parish is forgotten or goes hungry. 3. Support Your Community As a result of quarantine measures, many find themselves cut off and isolated – especially those without family and community support systems. Some needs may be physical, while others are social, emotional or spiritual. Whatever the need, councils are encouraged to assess and creatively support their broader community. 4. Feed the Hungry Since its founding, the Knights of Columbus has donated mil-lions of pounds of food in the effort to end hunger. Now, more than ever, many are unable to provide adequate food for their families. Knights can donate to, and assist with, distribution at local food pantries and food banks so no one in their community goes to bed hungry at night. 5. Participate in Blood Drives Since 1938, Knights of Columbus have mobilized blood donation campaigns on the local, state and na-tional levels, supporting and saving countless lives. As the Red Cross issues emergency calls for donations, those who are not already isolat-
ed due to illness, age or underlying conditions are encouraged to donate blood. Knights can once again lead the charge to give the gift of life.
Page 7 Knight Life June-July-August ‘20
2020-2021 Executive Officers Council 1453
Chaplain Vacant to be appointed by GK
Grand Knight Michael Harrigan 519-739-1249
Deputy G K Bert Decaire, PGK 226-348-2824
Chancellor Bob Burns, PGK 519-253-5465
Lecturer Vacant to be appointed by GK
Warden Fredrick Littlejohns 519-974-7159
Financial Secretary Ray Dupuis 226-676-0199
Treasurer Larry Tremblay 519-839-4805
Recorder Roy Renaud, PGK 519-825-8078
Trustees 1 year Paul Chesnik 519-977-5053
2 year Vacant to be appointed by GK
3 year J. P. Rivard
Guard I Vacant to be appointed by GK
O James Zacher 519-966-6068
Advocate Vacant to be appointed by GK
Page 8 Knight Life June-July-August ‘20
A Commitment of the Heart Supreme knight tells state leaders that the Knights of Columbus’ strength comes from commitment to principles of
Charity, Unity and Fraternity
Amidst economic and societal hardships not seen in nearly a century, the Knights of Columbus has not only been able to “withstand the challenges,” but also grow in mem-bership and charitable giving, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson recently announced dur-ing the annual Organizational Meeting of State Deputies, which was held virtually. “Membership in the Knights of Columbus is not a casual commitment. But it is a com-mitment that cannot be measured entirely by attending meetings or paying dues,” Su-preme Knight Anderson said. “Rather, it is a commitment that goes beyond such quan-titative measures. Ultimately, it is a commitment of the heart and of the will because it is the commitment to be a brother.” “I am pleased to report, that according to our 2019 Fraternal Survey, our brother Knights gave more than $187 million to charity and volunteered more than 77 million hours of service,” Supreme Knight Anderson said. Both marks surpass totals from 2018. Knight Anderson credited this generosity in part due to the Order’s changes to its oper-ations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past several years, the Supreme Council has restructured the IT department and reorganized the insurance field force, as well as solidified the financial strength of the Knights.
“But more importantly, we have the fraternal strength to do the great works of charity that the times demand,” Su-preme Knight Anderson stressed. This strength is reflected in the new exemplification ceremony — combined ceremonials of charity, unity and fraterni-ty — because it gives a clearer vision and understanding to Catholic men that membership in the Knights of Columbus isn’t merely an invitation to volunteer, but to be more committed to Catholic teachings. “We want all of our members to have a better understanding of how charity, unity and fraternity come together to form brothers in the Knights of Columbus,” Supreme Knights Anderson said. “This new ceremony provides a gate-way to inspire the next generation of Knights.” It is also applicable in an age of social distancing as exhibited by the first virtual online exemplification ceremony hosted by the Supreme Council, in which more than 2,000 men joined the Order. Since the beginning of April, more than 23,000 men have participated, bringing the total membership in the Knights of Columbus to over 2 million. “The more men who join, the more lives we will transform and communities we will serve,” Supreme Knight Ander-son said. “The more men we have, the more we will do for our parishes and the more Catholic families we will strengthen.” Some of the men who joined during the online exemplification ceremony were inspired to do so after witnessing the Knights of Columbus’s initiatives during the pandemic, which included a $100 million church loan program to assist parishes facing financial struggles, donations to food banks throughout the U.S. and Canada, and the launch of the “Leave No Neighbor Behind” program. Supreme Knight Anderson called upon the state deputies to continue the “Leave No Neighbor Behind” initiative. He also announced that the Supreme Council’s suspension of per capita assessments to help alleviate financial burdens of local councils. “We are committed to leave no neighbor behind during this pandemic,” Supreme Knight Anderson said. “Let’s also be committed to leave no brother Knight behind because of the hardship of unemployment.” The supreme knight reassured the state deputies that even as communities are beginning to lift pandemic restrictions and precautions, the Knights are uniquely poised to approach the new normal by adhering to the “spiritual genius” of the Order’s founder, the soon-to-be-beatified Father Michael J. McGivney, because Knights are brothers committed to faith, conversion and self-sacrifice. “My hope is that, amidst all these challenges, we grow closer to one another, and that each of us will live more pro-foundly our principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity,” Supreme Knight Anderson said. “And that because of our efforts, the Knights of Columbus will emerge from these circumstances stronger and more vigorous than ever.” Share your story of how your council is helping strengthen people’s faith and offering support during this time. Email [email protected] or [email protected].
By Andrew Fowler 6/12/2020
