December 2015 COUNCIL NEWS - Knights of Columbus 893kofcknights.org/Councils/Dec2015(1).pdf · Vocation chair Diocese of London ... again to be promoters of God’s call, ... if your

Father Paul Wattson Council 8919 Windsor Ontario December 2015

COUNCIL NEWS Council Executive

Chaplain Father Rob Rocheleau PGK Sam Derose Grand Knight Dan Pergolesi Deputy GK Gaetan Pleau Chancellor George Lewsaw Treasurer Dan Dumouchelle Financial Sec Bob Cayea Warden Vincent Buglisi Recorder Tim Law Advocate Paul Ratko Lecturer Mike Charbonneau Trustees Dave Orosz Eugene Trepanier Jerome Laforet Guards Tom Becksmith David Hodgeson Jeff Lewsaw

Meetings: General 1st Tuesday

Executive and Charities 4th Tuesday

Chaplains Message

Dear Brother Knights: As you read this, we are in the Season of Advent and preparing ourselves for two events. The first is Christmas, the Incarnation of the Word Made Flesh, Jesus the Son of God. The second is the final coming of Jesus as King of the universe. Both require our attention and careful reflection. We need to prepare prayerfully and with our minds set with full attention to what Jesus is asking of us as His disciples. Each day we are given many opportunities to share in God’s grace. Each day is a gift. We prepare ourselves by being fully attentive to the gifts we have received and mindful of how we are called to live our lives, imitating the example of the Lord. We begin our Year of Mercy, December 8th. We will have all day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 9 am until mass at 7 pm. Pope Francis has given us this wonderful Jubilee year as a way of truly experiencing the Lord’s gift of mercy and love. We are called to engage in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, which help us to become better Christians. May these next few weeks be filled with grace and many blessings. Peace and Joy Fr Rob


2

From Father Patrick Beneteau Vocation chair Diocese of London Dear brother Knights, Advent blessings to all of you! It is with great joy that I begin my regular column in your newsletter, bringing a special focus on how we, as Knights, can promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life. This past year, a “Vocations Handbook” was published by Supreme Council, (http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/vocations/vocations.pdf), encouraging us once again to be promoters of God’s call, in the lives of our young people. I would invite you to use this handbook in your council, as it offers some great advice and ideas for promoting vocations as brother Knights. The time of Advent is now upon us. Each year, the season of Advent, in a very discreet way, reminds us of the person of St. Joseph. St. Joseph is a great example for us Knights, and also shows us how to foster God’s call in the lives of our children, grandchildren and parish families. St. Joseph is noted for having a deep sense of sacrifice and obedience to God’s will. St. Joseph had to set aside his own plans and desires, over and over again, so that God’s plans could be realized, and that Jesus, our Saviour, would be able to respond to His Father’s plan of salvation. Joseph had to leave his carpenter’s trade in Nazareth, for a time, and head to Bethlehem, and then to Egypt, because of bad government decisions. He then returns and lives out his life hidden from the public eye, but ensuring that the Christ-child has all that He needs for growth in faith and love. So often, young men are deterred from considering a call to the priesthood, because their fathers, or mothers, may have other plans and desires for them. If we are ever tempted with such thoughts, let us turn to St. Joseph and ask for his intercession, so that we too may have the same spirit of sacrificial love, so that Christ may continue to be born upon our altars at each and every Mass, through the hands of a Catholic priest. With my prayers, Fr. Patrick Beneteau Director of Vocations and Seminarians Diocese of London


3

Greeting Brother Knights,

As we enter Advent and prepare for the birth of our Lord, I hope each of you takes the time to step away from your busy schedules and bombardment from retailers, to reflect on the true meaning of this time of year. With 2015 coming to a close and a new year right around the corner, I extend my gratitude to our brothers who have displayed such discipleship in their devotion to our faith, their countless hours to our council, their unending generosity of time and works of kindness to members of our parish and community. Your actions truly reflect the foundation of our order. Thank you all. Looking forward, we have numerous programs on the horizon. I encourage you to keep abreast of the notices in our newsletter, parish bulletin, website and your emails. Our membership is much more than a council or fraternity, it is a family. Continue to do the great works you do, and if you have not been able to participate in the past, or have taken some time away, please do look to rejoining us; your assistance is needed, welcome and always appreciated. This year our council experienced the loss of 4 outstanding Knights: Ray Garcia, Armand Giroux, Gordon Gervais and Paul Bellis. Many of our members also experienced the loss of dear loved ones. I ask that in your time of reflection during this holiday season, you keep these members and their families in your prayers. “They will forever live in our memories and our hearts.” For those whom I will not see between now and the end of this calendar year, on behalf of my family to you and yours, I would like to wish you all a Blessed, Peaceful and Happiest Holiday, and a Merry Christmas.

God bless each of you, Dan Pergolesi - Grand Knight : Council 8919

Grand Knights Report


4

The gathering of Knights, both Third and Fourth Degree along with representation of the C.W.L., Ladies Auxiliary, T.L.C. (Tecumseh Ladies Council) and Vincentians at the regional Remembrance Mass, Parade and Ceremony on November 1st at the McGivney Shrine was a successful example of fraternalism and parish connectedness. About 50 Colour Guard, led by Piper Ryan Burchiel, paraded through the cemetery on that bright and breezy Sunday to be joined by about 200 in the St. Francis Mausoleum. The names honouring the deceased from 31 groups were shared during the uplifting mass celebrated by Fr. Gary Goyeau with the musical accompaniment of Nancy and Stephanie Asciak. It is with great thanksgivings for the involvement and contribution of those so- named in the roll call that leads one to wonder on the future vitality of the various parochially minded groups. It’s obvious to those perusing membership lists, that the average age of members is on the rise. How can younger Catholics be encouraged to take up the ranks? More urgently, how can long-time members be cajoled into keeping up their dues? When one ponders all the good achieved by the K. of C. at the local, State and Supreme levels, why are dues at the maximum of $55.00 (or less for Life and Hon. Members) so difficult to receive? If one views support of the K. of C. as an endorsement of the Catholic faith while at the same time supporting great humanitarian and faith building causes, why are some so reticent? In many parts of the world, Catholics stand up for their faith only to suffer severe consequences and some pay with their lives. Perhaps our faith would be better appreciated if there were roadblocks to it? Where participation of members is in decline, a forward thinking council would comb its lists and communicate with the seldom seen members. Does programming for family and youth need to be stepped up? Does the council need to reach out to its elderly members with a phone call or visit? Congratulations to those councils who have also conducted their church-based remembrance as the surviving families appreciate these. Brothers, as councils of District 76, the programming options are many and the procedure is time-tested! If every member helped with but one project through the year, the entire membership would benefit. Younger families may embrace this season’s Basketball Free Throw, Christmas Poster Contest, Light up for Christ, Essay Contest, family movie nights, and the list goes on! Ask your council what their next project is and if they can use help! As November’s remembrance times flow into December’s time of thanks for Christ’s birth, let us show appreciation and gratitude by council involvement. Members, ask to peruse your council’s Star Council Checklist and see what four events your council is planning in the categories of Church, Community, Council, Culture of Life Family and Youth. As the Christmas Holidays approach may all share some genuine times with your family and extended families. As well, if your council is staging a Christmas Dinner Meeting or other opportunity for members and families to come together, then your taking part will bolster the executive event planners as well as keeping all in touch with one another. The fraternalism of like-minded knights and their families can be a great antecedent benefit to membership. While speaking of fraternalism and as a Third Degree member, why not enhance your columbianism by joining the Fourth Degree? An exemplification in coming in June of 2016 at Cardinal Stepanic Council! So convenient! All in one day! On behalf of my wife Donna and myself, we wish all in our K. of C. family a blessed Christmas. May a personal faith and gratitude permeate all your Christmas gatherings! Jerry Marcotte DD 76

District Deputy’s Message


5

Signs will be available for sale in St. Francis Hall after Mass the weekends of :

November 21/22 November 28/29

Cost: $10.00

For additional information and availability, please contact: Dave

Algudaday : (519) 735-5592 or Gaetan Pleau : (519) 735-6253

Fr. Paul J.F. Wattson Council 8919

Keep Christ In Christmas Lawn Signs


6

Chancellors Report

Prayer for the Sick: Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O’ dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow

with gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your

care and humbly ask that you restore their health once again. Walter Friedl: Nothing new to report on Walter and Virginia’s health at this time. Please keep Walter & Virginia in your prayers. Denis Boivin: Denis continues to make progress and is doing well. His tumors have shrunk considerably. Please keep Denis and Charlotte in your prayers. Gloria Campbell: Gloria is continuing to do well following her surgery. Please keep Gloria and Keith in your prayer. Margaret Herbert wife of Brother Ted Herbert is doing some better but continues to struggle with her illness. Please keep Margaret and Ted in your prayers. Paul Ratko: Paul is doing much better now and he thanks us for our prayers and concern during his illness. Dan Frimer: Dan has been responding well to treatment and is doing much better. We pray that he will continue to heal. Please keep Dan in your prayers. Brother Frank Lachance was supposed to have surgery in London today. I haven’t heard anything yet but we pray that everything goes well for him and that the surgery is successful. Please keep Frank and Corine in your prayers. Bob Cayea: Bob is scheduled to have hip replacement surgery on December 8th. We pray that this surgery goes well. Please keep Bob and Susan in your prayers. In closing, please remember to keep in your prayers all those who are healing but, still in need of our prayers. Georg Lewsaw Chancellor


7

Our Lady of the Atonement Fall Clean-‐up

On Sunday December 15th, Brother Knights Mike MacLellan, Greg Macdonald, Tim Law, Keith Campbell and Michael Agius assisted Fr. Rob and our young Confirmation Candidates in picking up the leaves and other fall clean-‐up duties, around the church and the parking lot.

Michael Agius

Golf The Pastor woke up Sunday morning and realizing it was an exceptionally beautiful and sunny early spring day, decided he just had to play golf. So.... he told the associate pastor that he was feeling sick and convinced him to preach for him that day. As soon as the associate pastor left the room, the Pastor headed out of town to a golf course about forty miles away. This way he knew he wouldn't accidentally meet anyone he knew from his church. Setting up on the first tee, he was alone. After all, it was Sunday morning and everyone else was in church! At about this time, Saint Peter leaned over to the Lord while looking down from heaven and exclaimed, "You're not going to let him get away with this, are you?" The Lord sighed, and said, "No, I guess not."Just then he hit the ball and it shot straight towards the pin, dropping just short of it, rolled up and fell into the hole. IT WAS A 435 YARD HOLE IN ONE! Saint Peter was astonished. He looked at the Lord and asked, "Why did you let him do that?"The Lord smiled and replied, "Who's he going to tell?"


8

Bingo Report My Brother Knights: As many of you know the bingos have been suspended for 3 months, however we are back on track with Bingos starting in November. I have lost a few volunteers due to illness and is in dire need of replacing them. If interested whether it be yourself, your wife, your son or daughter over the age of 18 contact me and I will make sure you are trained, and if you wish can work together as a team. Contact me at 519-971-7555 or e-mail me at [email protected]. -- Paul Ratko: PGK FDD

Financial Secretary's Message

Next month the notice for dues will be sent out again to the membership. Dues are to remain at $48 per year for this year. Not

all members pay dues. Members who are Honorary members, students and those who reach 65 years of age pay a reduced rate ($18

or $25). Honorary Life and Disabled members are exempt from dues. Therefore it is imperative that all dues paying members pay their dues assessment as soon as possible as this is the funds the go into the General Account and the funds used to operate the council.

If you wish to pay your dues ahead of time, you can do so. If payable by cheque, make out it to Fr. Paul J. F. Wattson Council

8919. The fewer numbers of notices that we have to send out saves us the cost of postage. The same goes for mailing out your card after you have paid. If you are having financial difficulty, please contact

the Grand Knight. We are all brother and we want to help. Bob Cayea


9

Membership Getting new members might be as simple as asking. Simply ask the following question: If you’re interested in helping those in need, serving our parish, growing in faith, or obtaining exclusive access to top-rated insurance protection for your family, then joining (Father Paul Wattson Council 8919) of the Knights of Columbus is the organization for you. Simply, again ask a friend. Look around you at Mass and notice those men who are not members and ask them. The best time to ask is just before a membership drive. Don’t just ask them to come to the Drive, bring them. Father Coleman went one step further. He invited the wives.

District Soccer Challenge We held our council elimination for the District Soccer Challenge last October 23, 2015 at H.J.Lassaline School soccer field. All first place winners age group 9-13 from Desmarais and Lassaline School compete each other to determine who will represent Council 8919 to the District competition. Only two councils from District 76 participated in the District Soccer Challenge. Here are the winners from Council 8919 Daria Fachinatto - District champion girls 9 yrs. old group from Lassaline Gavin Pawluk - District Champion boys 10 yrs. old group from Desmarias Olivia Hensman - District champion girls 11 yrs. old group from Desmarais Eduardo Youth Director


10

Alcohol Awareness and Substance Abuse Poster Contest. We will once again be conducting our poster contest with the schools in Forest Glade. The forms/drawing sheets/other material were delivered to each school the week of October 26th. The deadline for the submission of posters is December 7, 2015 while the awards will be sometime in January 2016. Eduardo Aguilar : Youth Director.

Basketball Free Throw We will be holding our K of C Basketball Free Throw Competition at the end of January; we are in need of Knights to assist at the council level competition. If you are available please contact Eduardo Aguilar as soon as possible. Eduardo Aguilar: Youth Director

We will collect bottles for Special Olympics again on Saturday January 2nd, 2016 in St. Francis Hall. Please consider retaining your empty alcoholic beverage containers from over the holidays, and donating them to our drive. Dan Pergolesi : Special Olympics Chairman.

Light-up for Christmas We will be conducting our Annual Light-up for Christmas event following mass on December 1st, 2015. Please plan on attending with your Family and friends as we welcome the Advent season and the birth of our Lord. Mike Agius - Light up for Christmas Chair.


11

K of C Choir Bob Cayea

We are always in search of new members of the choir. Remember that we now sing at the 9 a.m. Sunday mass twice a month and not at the 5 p.m. Saturday mass. We

currently have 14 active members but are always ready to welcome a new voice. Any male parishioner can join us. We practice on some Mondays. We would love to hear from you. Bring a friend or neighbour with you.

Christmas Dinner December 5th 630pm

Turkeys are ready cleaned

and washed Get your ticket now

Potatoes are peeled washed and ready to go

Get your ticket for our Christmas Dinner now


12

Council 8919 Annual Christmas Dinner This year’s dinner will be held on Saturday December 5th, with mass at 5:00 PM, cocktails at 6:00 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $15.00, and will be available after mass in St, Francis Hall the weekends of November 21/22 & 28/29, and in the parish office. Contact Keith Campbell for more details. Keith Campbell Council Director.

Brother Knights I would like to say thanks for your participation in support of our annual Fund raising banquet for Hospice. Once again you have demonstrated your commitment to our community. I continually look forward to this event a truly worthy cause. It is people like you who continue to make this event a success.

The Hospice was originally founded to provide outstanding supportive end of life care in the community, preserving the dignity of the human person and value of life. The Knights have joined the Hospice in guaranteeing every family has access to care when they need it most, at no cost. Your support of this function ensures that families will have someone to turn to in their hour of need. As Hospice celebrates their 35 years in the community I encourage you to continue to support their great work in the community. Michael Agius Event Originator


13

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have

eternal life.” John 3: 16

Merry Christmas

To You and Your Family

Documents

December 2015 COUNCIL NEWS - Knights of Columbus 893kofcknights.org/Councils/Dec2015(1).pdf · Vocation chair Diocese of London ... again to be promoters of God’s call, ... if your