COUNCIL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 The Saint Michaeluknight.org/Councils/Council Newsletter-Dec2020.pdftop tabs, including those from pet food cans, to beneﬁt The Ronald McDonald House

KNIGHTS IN ACTION IN SERVICE TO ONE. IN SERVICE TO ALL 1

HOLY FAMILY15 Gender Road Newark, DE 19713

OFFICERS:GRAND KNIGHTRon Cahill

CHAPLAINFr Mark Kelleher

DEPUTY GRAND KNIGHTPerry Best

CHANCELLORFrank Strawser

RECORDERRick Judd

TREASURERJoe Salvato

LECTURERDeacon Joe Certesio

ADVOCATETed Godsell

FINANCIAL SECRETARYJoe McCann

WARDENGeorge Loyer

INSIDE GUARDJoe Nash

OUTSIDE GUARDSBob Stopyra

TRUSTEE 3 YEARTony Malafronti

TRUSTEE 2 YEARBrian Kunkel

TRUSTEE 1 YEARBill Black

The Saint Michael Saint Michael Knights of Columbus Council 4548

Grand Knight’s MessageWorthy Brothers:

The words we often hear at this time of the year are, as you well know, "Tis The Season To Be Jolly". But this is a very unusual year especially with the terrible effects of the Corona Virus and the resulting sickness and deaths that have taken place. We well know the impact that this pandemic has had on our Knights meetings and other functions as well as the way we attend weekly Masses. My prayer is that this terrible nightmare will soon be conquered and that we will be able to return to socialization once again. However, it is pretty certain that this will not occur before the Holidays this year.

As members of St. Michaels Council let us do all that we can to bring JOY to others during this Holiday Season.

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COUNCIL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020

Brother Knights and Families: This year the seasons of Advent and Christmas will be very different for all of us. We normally would gather with family and friends for holiday parties and dinners, gift giving, and toasting to good health and a happy New Year. It is amazing that a virus we cannot see can alter our lives so dramatically. It goes to show how vulnerable and fragile we really are. We will be separated from loved ones and friends by distance, (whether that is 6 feet or much more because it’s just is not safe to be together), and by the wearing of masks.

I saw a news story the other day that the figures in manger scenes throughout Italy all have masks on them this year. The creche is

supposed to be portrayed within the context of our own times, showing that the mystery of the incarnation is ever-present and in our midst. We need to be aware of that now more than ever.

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Chaplain’s Message



Grand Knight’s Message continued….

We can start with our family members, our fellow Brothers, our neighbors, and all those we come in daily contact with. This will define us as "Knights In Action". May the blessings of this Holiday Season be with each of you and your loved ones.

Vivat Jesus!

Ron Cahill, Grand Knight St. Michael Council #4548

Chaplain’s Message continued…

It may seem that the Christ child is far removed from us as we struggle with this pandemic; but in reality, he has never been closer. He is Emmanuel – God with us – never separated from us by virtue of taking on our humanity and all its bumps and bruises. Perhaps this should be the year when we really put Christ back into Christmas; when we take some time to be quiet and still in the midst of the awesomeness of the incarnation; when we realize that the real “reason for the season” is not about the food or the gifts or the parties, but that its about God and what he has done for us by sending his Son – fully human and fully divine – into our midst so that we humans can become divine. This pandemic will come to an end. What will we be like when it does? Will we have learned anything about ourselves? Will we have gotten any closer to our God, who is closer to us than we are to ourselves? This Advent and Christmas take the time to ask yourselves those basic questions. The answers are what Advent and Christmas are really all about.

God Bless,

Fr. Mark Kelleher Chaplain, St. Michael’s Council

Charity Unity Fraternity

Patriotism


Br. Bill Black:

The Council will be selling Christmas Cards after each Mass for four weekends.

November 28 & 29

December 5 & 6

December 12 & 13

December 19 & 20

Help is needed at each Mass.

We will be selling them from the hall. All must wear masks and stay six feet apart.

Please volunteer if you attend any of the Masses!


Christmas Card Sales

Join the Guild Keep up with the canonization petition of our Founder, the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney:

FATHER MICHAEL J. MC GIVNEY GUILD KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT 06510-3326

CONGRATULATIONS! Family of the Month

October 2020 Robert Hicks



2020 UPCOMING EVENTS LOCATION

November

November 28 & 29 Christmas Card Sales Holy Family Gathering Space

December

December 5 & 6 Christmas Card Sales Holy Family Gathering Space


December 14 Council Business Meeting Virtual - Zoom


December 25 CHRISTMAS

January

January 1 NEW YEARS DAY

January 11 Council Business Meeting Virtual - Zoom

January 25 Council Business Meeting Virtual - Zoom

February

February 8 Council Business Meeting TBD

February 17 ASH WEDNESDAY

February 22 Council Business Meeting TBD

St. Michael Council Calendar

On-Line Exemplifications You now have the opportunity to take your 2nd and 3rd degrees online. The ceremonies, known as exemplifications, are normally done in person. However, due to current social distancing precautions, these ceremonies are now offered online. You may participate in any of the scheduled events. After the 30 minute ceremony you will be a third-degree Degree Knight of Columbus.

Please contact the Grand Knight or Financial Secretary for information and instructions.



What a great day at our 10th Annual Golf Tournament on October 9, 2020 at Backcreek Golf Club!!!! It was all possible thanks due to the foresight of PGK Wayne Wilberding, PGK Rick Johnstone, Fr. Joe and Brother Knight Matt Mitchell (in heaven) who started it in 2011!!!!! Our first tournament was held at Hercules Country Club and Brother Knight Fr. Joe was our first tournament Director.

We had 20 teams play this year!!!

Brother Knight Dennis Skinner's team took first place with a -13!!!!!

Thanks to co-chair Jeff Munsch and all St. Michael Council members who volunteered their time before and during the tournament!!!

I want to also recognize Brother Knight Sam Onesi for donating the sponsor signs and banners & bringing the giveaways to Backcreek during registration!!!

Holy Family Golf TournamentBr. Joe McCann

A beautiful day for the 10th Annual Golf Tournament! Brs. Joe McCann, Rick Johnstone, Joe Wisneiwski, and Wayne Wilberding are shown above.

Pop Top Tabs for Ronald McDonald House Br. Ray Bodnar is shown resting with his friend, Ronald McDonald, after delivering his heavy load of the most recent collection of pop top tabs to the Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington, DE. Ray recently delivered 8-one gallon freezer bags and 4 large shopping bags filled with pop top tabs.

Thanks to all you donated their tabs!

Thanks Ray for collecting and delivering!



A very successful collection was held this year to raise money for the Council’s Coats for Kids initiative. Br. Steve Murray coordinated two weekends, October 18 & 19th and October 24 & 25th, to collect outside Holy Family Church. This year only money and new coats were collected due to the Covid concerns. With the generosity of the Parish members and the Council’s charity fund the Council donated 216 coats. This year the Supreme Council’s matching program made it possible for a total of 432 coats to be donated. Also, thirteen new coats were donated by Parishioners, and were dropped off by Br. Steve Murray.

On November 17th, Br. Joe McCann and his son Brien, and Br. Perry Best picked up 11 boxes (of 12 coats per box) and delivered them to the Ministry of Caring in Wilmington, DE. There are 7 more boxes on back order (84 youth coats).

The Council will also help with the distribution of the coats.

Coats for Kids

Br. Joe McCann unloads some of the 11 boxes of coats from his truck at the Ministry of Caring in Wilmington. More are ordered and on the way!

Our Council collects all aluminum pop top tabs, including those from pet food cans, to benefit The Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington.

Please drop off all tabs in the Outreach Food bin, or give directly to Br. Ray Bodnar when safely able.

REMEMBERPop Top Tabs

Still keep collecting!



Cardinal Gibbons Assembly, 4th Degree K of C, Veterans Awareness

Opera=on Patriot Tree, Help is needed

Many of us, as Sir Knights, members of our Parishes, certainly are aware of Giving Trees in the community, and your Church at Christmas. Somewhere in the Hall, School, Religious Educa=on Building, or central loca=on is an ar=ficial tree with tags that represent families in need for the Holidays. Each tag represents a wish and a Prayer for Christmas, a giK that is needed. Families, Mom, or Dad, whomever are just in need. Their dollars will not stretch any further. Financially struggling, health challenged, they are praying for help. The Veterans Administra=on Medical Center Volunteer Services, under the leadership of Jim Coty as Department Chief, offer a program of Hope =tled Patriot Tree. It is an opportunity to help veterans and their families who are in need, struggling, at Christmas.

The Cardinal Gibbons Assembly #150 is working with the VA Medical Center, Volunteer Services, to assist the financially challenged Veterans who have been iden=fied by the VA. These men and women are working with the VA Social Services to get on their feet. The Veterans want to be able to give basic giKs of need for their family.

Opera=on Patriot Tree is a golden opportunity to help our veterans at Christmas. They are not asking for the moon. GiKs requested, that represent basic need, have a monetary value of $25 per person on average. Jim Coty requests that the giKs are wrapped just as any other Christmas present would be wrapped.

The Cardinal Gibbons Assembly #150, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, is reaching out to its members and friends to help with this cause in two ways. We want to share the news that veterans, who served this great country need help for Christmas, and will you select a veteran family for Opera=on Patriot Tree.

Jim Coty es=mates that over 75 veterans, served by the Wilmington VA, will need Christmas Help. OVER 75 Veterans, not coun=ng the family members-their spouses, their children!

Will you help? If you can help or want more informa=on about the type of giKs, or the deadline, or the Patriot Tree program contact Jim Coty, Chief of Volunteer Services, Room 189 at the VAMC in Elsmere (302-994-2511 Extension 4545).

Thank You, God Bless our Military and Veterans, and God Bless these United States!



Cardinal Gibbons Assembly, K of C, Veterans Awareness

Feed the Hungry, Help is needed

Covid 19 has made a nega=ve impact in the 21st century. Who could have imagined the year 2020 would have such a global stain because of a pandemic? We have seen the daily count, including the social impact on jobs. Now imagine a veteran dealing with the nega=ves and all other PTSD issues. Men and women figh=ng to hold on or regain their place in their own world. Men and women veterans trying, struggling to lead their family, to keep their family together. Proud men and women now short on money, short on food. Financially struggling, health challenged, and food challenged, family in crisis, and holding out for hope.

The Cardinal Gibbons Assembly #150 is working with the VA Medical Center, Volunteer Services, to assist with the food and financially challenged Veterans who have been iden=fied by the VA. These men and women are working with the VA Social Services to get on their feet. The Veterans want to be able to have a holiday meal with their family. Thanksgiving is not that far away!

The Thanksgiving Program, as iden=fied by Jim Coty, Head of the VAVS Dept at the Delaware VA, is to seek help giving these veterans a $25 giK card to offset the cost of food for the table. The GiK Cards would represent the food stores available to veterans in their community. (Walmart, Shop Rite, Acme, Food Lion, etc.)

The Assembly, K of C, is reaching out to its members and friends to help with this cause in two ways. We want to share the news that veterans, who served this great country need help, and will you help with a giK card dona=on.

The Sir Knights of the Assembly hope you , the Knights of the Council and friends, will donate at least one giK card ($25) to this cause. What are you willing to do for a veteran, who served, and is now on hard =mes? Will you help them with a food giK card to have Thanksgiving dinner? Will you help feed the hungry?

Jim Coty es=mates that over 300 veterans, served by the Wilmington VA, will need financial and food assistance help. OVER 300 Veterans!

Will you help? If you are able to help, send the $25 debit card, from your food store- Walmart, shop Rite, Food Lion- to:

The Cardinal Gibbons Assembly K of C, C/O - Holy Family Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark , Delaware, 19713

Op=on two:

Send any dollar amount in check form to the above address. Check is made payable to CARDINAL GIBBONS ASSEMBLY #150, K of C

The Assembly, K of C, asks you to help with this cause to help feed our hungry vets.

Thank You, God Bless our Military and Veterans, and God Bless these United States!

Grand Knight’s MessageChaplain’s Message

Documents

COUNCIL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 The Saint Michaeluknight.org/Councils/Council Newsletter-Dec2020.pdftop tabs, including those from pet food cans, to beneﬁt The Ronald McDonald House