The Columbus CrusaderMsgr. Patrick R. Dunigan Council No. 695,
Knights of Columbus
ONE NATION UNDER GOD
COUNCIL MEETING 2ND TUESDAY FOURTH DEGREE 1ST THURSDAYVolume 81,
Issue 4 APRIL 2020
Grand Knight’s Report Vivat Jesus!
THE COLUMBUS CRUSADERPublished Monthly by
Patrick R.Dunigan CouncilKnights of Columbus Council 695
2415 Bagley StreetFlint, Michigan 48504
Address Service Requested
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8
April 2020Calendar of Events
Major Challenge to Faith, Church, KnightsGreetings, Brother
Knights,MAY GOD BE WITH US. What can be said when the challenges to
our Faith, seemingly insignificant here, have suddenly presented
itself with a major challenge. This challenge, this tragic illness
from abroad has affected our lives tremendously. More
significantly, it has affectively hampered our religious
institutions, our Clergy and our very Faith by closing and altering
our religious services and activities. Our resolve is being tested.
Christianity has had many challenges in its history. For example,
in this hemisphere “For Greater Glory,” the story of Chiritiade
(1926-1929). A tragic episode In Mexican history. We are not
challenged to that extreme. We voluntarily avoid religious
gatherings in part, but not our private prayers. Strength in Faith
will get us through the complicated situations before us.
Ultimately, the responsibility rests with us as individuals in our
determination. Unfortunately, our social interactions are seriously
hampered. The fish bake, a Lenten tradition for our council, has
been cancelled for this Lenten season. The groceries have been
donated to the N.E.W. Life Center. Also being postponed by Council
695 is our annual Palm Sunday weekend drive to assist the mentally
impaired. We will reschedule it and ask for you to volunteer to
collect funds when the time comes. Our council received an award
last year for its efforts. The time is upon us to elect new
officers for the 2020-2021 fraternal year. May is election month.
PGK Jack Tylus has a prepared list. We need confirmations and
acceptances and, of course, council members to volunteer and vote
on the slate.
Unless the existing situation deteriorates, we will have our
regular meeting April 14. Ed Warren, our District Deputy, suggests
that we can have a meeting using conference calling. Technology is
here. I’m hoping to be able to have our Corporate Communion at St.
Mary Church on Sunday, April 19. March 29 was Founder’s Day,
commemorating the day Father Michael McGivney started the Knights
of Columbus. I hope you thanked Fr. McGivney for the gift of our
Order. A PRAYER TO FATHER MCGIVNEY IS ALWAYS IN ORDER FOR KNIGHTS.
New exemplifications have been postponed. New members be patient.
Those who have been accepted can attend meetings. Those who were
accepted on line are included. Exemplifications to degree status
will be scheduled later. All exemplifications will be witnessed by
Ed Warren, our DD, or our District Warden. Hopefully we can return
to normal scheduling soon. Last of all, Council 695 extends its
gratitude for all the help it has received during our Lenten Fish
Bakes. We thank the volunteers from Powers Catholic High School and
others for their much-appreciated help. God be with you all.
Fraternally, Mark Davidek. Grand Knight
1 April Fools’ Day 5 Palm Sunday 8 Passover begins at sundown10
Good Friday11 Holy Saturday12 Easter Sunday14 Council 695 meeting,
St. John Vianney Parish Ctr, 7:30 p.m.19 Corporate Communion, St.
Mary Church, 2500 N. Franklin Ave., Flint, 10 a.m.19 Orthodox
Easter22 Earth Day23 Ramadan begins at sundown24 Arbor Day25 Feast
of St. Mark, Evangelist27 District II Exemplification, Our Lady of
Fatima Church, Michigan Center29 Feast of St. Catherine of
Siena
– COUNCIL OFFICERS -AS OF JULY 2015 PATRONS FOR CRUSADER
The Columbus CrusaderOfficial Publication of
MSGR. PATRICK R. DUNIGANCOUNCIL #695
Flint, Michigan 48504Published and distributed free to the
mem-
bers once a month to carry a more thorough report of its
activities. Subscription rates to
non-members is $18.00 per year.PUBLICATION STAFF
Editor...................................... George
JaksaAvertising Manager............ Lawrance MorrisonCirculation
Managers
.....................................Reporters...........................
695 MembershipCouncil Phone...................... (810)
235-6333Advertising Phone................ (810) 936-8029
El Toro234-0023Fax 234-3153
2132 Davison Rd.Flint, MI 48506(810) 234-9545
TOM BEAUBIEN, Ownerof Luigi’s and Member of Council 695
Become aColumbus Crusader
Patron
For $12 a year, you can have your name and your wife’s name, if
applicable, listed among those who help underwrite the cost of The
Columbus Crusader, Council 695’s monthly publication which has been
bringing news and advertising to council members and their families
for more than 60 years. To join our family of sponsors, simply
complete the following form and return it to Council 695, 2415
Bagley Street, Flint MI 48504, with your $12 tax deductible
donation.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Name
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Address
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Donation
John, Victor & Louis Anderson & FamilyIn Memory of
Joseph AndroskyThomas & Colleen ArgusPGK Bob & Carmen
BammertIn Memory of PGK Ralph & Velma BartlettHarrold &
Patricia BillsIn Memory of John & Mary BokorIn Memory of PFN
Frank BosakDan & Mary CadyPFN Neil & Elaine CampbellMichael
& Mary ChervenyRichard Chimner**In Memory of Joan
CollinsRichard & Margaret DalyPeter & Linda DauntLance
& Addie DeCaireErnest & Mildred DeiteringPFN Francis &
Camille DohertyIn Memory of PGK, PFN Ken DowningMichael DrevonPGK
Paul & Mary DrevonPFN Jim & Martha DryfuseWalt & Maxine
DucharmeMsgr. Dunigan Council 695In Memory of PFN Lawrence V.
Fisher Sr.Etue FamilyOliver FontaineIn Memory of PGK Eugene
GeorgeJames E. GeorgePFN Norm & Patricia GroshekIn Memory of
Bill HaleyTom & Genora HalliganPGK Orville HawleyLarry &
JoAnne HigginsIn Memory of Mickey HoydicIn Memory of Walter
HultquistGeorge & Esther JaksaThe Joe Jaksa FamilyFred &
Mary JohnsonIn Memory of PFN Jerome JozwiakJoe & Linda
KatoAnthony & Nellie KaczmarekBetty (Galvanek) KarlekIn Memory
of Tom & Rose KayPFN Harry & Sharon KnaskiRobert &
Audrey KraemerPGK William & Marlene KrebsEleanor LaBancIn
Memory of Paul LaBancO.J. & Shirley LaFontaineIn Memory of Don
& Bonnie LawrenceIn Memory of the Maroun FamilyFrank J. Manley
IILawrence & Constance MarxIn Memory of PGK Ed McLaughlinDaniel
McNivenLeo & Lorraine MeagherIn Memory of Ruth Mary
MeuhlenCatherine Muhvic
In Memory of PFN & PGK Stanley F. NemecekDD Cliff &
Barbara Van Overbeke & Paul JamesIn Memory of John O’HaraIn
Memory of Jerome F. O’RourkeRobert Orschell**Paul & Marlene
OsoskiFDD Dennis & Theresa OwensIn Memory of PFN Ignacio
PalaciosJoe Pintar & FamilyDennis & Joan PlamondonGeorge
& Linda PlunkeyPaul PlunkeyBob & Jan RagnoneMarcel
RanvilleIn Memory of Edward C. Reuther***In Memory of William J.
RhyneJohn L. RiegleDorothy RingleinDennis & Teresa
RodgersPatrick & Patricia SavagePFN/PGK James SchillingIn
Memory of PGK John Schilling Sr.Ford & Jane SchooleyIn Memory
of Ray SeidelVince SeidelTerry & Darlene SheehanSteve &
Amelia SimmsPFN, PGK Don & Theresa SimonPGK/PFN Thomas
SkellettBill & Margaret SloserPGK Phil & Gloria SmithHilary
& Barbara SnyderArt & Barb SokolowskiHenrietta SordylIn
Memory of Henry SordylIn Memory of Aleksander SorysRobert &
Michile StoutenburgMaurice & Carolyn StuderIn Memory of Jack
& Eva TherrienRichard & Virginia TherrienArt & Adele
TinettiPGK Jack & Valerie TylusIn Memory of Walter UlanskiIn
Memory of PGK & PFN Donald ValleyEdward & Joan VedockTony
& Cyndi VedockIn Memory of Marianne WalkingtonJoseph & Jean
WargoKen & Dorothy WestTubby & Marge WilliamsIn Memory of
Dan WintersIn Memory of PGK Arthur WrightPGK Welton & Corrie
WrightIn Memory of John & Rose WrocklageRussell & Sue
Yahr
Owner & Operated byRick R. Lamb & Family
(810) 235-2345(810) 694-2345
We’ve set a new standard inFuneral Service to our community.
F U N E R A L H O M E
1225 W. Hill RoadBetween I-475 and US-23
& C R E M AT I O N C E N T E R***Expired Last Month
**ExpiresThis Month*Expires Next Month
Chaplain………………...Fr. Thomas FirestoneDistrict Deputy
............ Clifford Van OverbekeFinancial Secretary .........
Robert StoutenburgGrand Knight ....................... Matthew
GeorgeDeputy Grand Knight ............ Dennis RodgersWarden
..............................Michael McCarthyChancellor
...................................James ColeTreasurer
.............................. Joseph GoergenAdvocate
......................... PGK Daniel JordanRecorder
...................................George JaksaLecturer
..............................PGK Paul DrevonInside Guard
....................Thomas Edelen, Sr.Outside Guard
..........................Mark DavidekTown Crier
.................................... Matt OlsonTrustee (3 year)
........................James George Trustee (2 years)
................. PGK Philip SmithTrustee (1 years)
....................PGK Jack TylusVocations Director
...............PGK Dan JordanChurch & Vocations
Directors...............................Mark Davidek (All
Saints),............................... James George (St. Mary),
........................Thomas Skellett (St. Matthew)Public
Relations Director ..........George JaksaHealth Services
................... Dr. Joseph MillerAthletic Director
.......................Steven SimmsYouth Director
..........................Steven SimmsProgram DirectorMembership
Director ......... Michael McCarthyRecruitment Directors. . Jack
Tylus, Matt OlsonRetention Chairman ...............Dennis
RodgersRetention Committee...Trustees PGK Philip Smith, PGK Jack
Tylus, James GeorgeInsurance Promotion…………...George JaksaInsurance
Field Agent .Paul Zuwala, 814-1244
BUILDING COMPANY OFFICERSPresident……………… ........... Matthew
OlsonVice President………… ......... James JacksonSecretary………………….
Michael McCarthyTreasurer…………………… ...... Mark Davidek
BUILDING COMPANY DIRECTORSPGK Daniel Jordan, James Lusty,
Gary Deitering, Bob Ragnone
FOURTH DEGREE ASSEMBLY 0510Faithful Friar……. ......... Fr.
Thomas FirestoneFaithful Navigator ............... Leonard
AccardoFaithful Admiral ........................... Neal
RocheFaithful Captain ............................. Jack
TylusFaithful Pilot ........................ Charles
HeadrickFaithful Comptroller. ................ James RabineFaithful
Purser ...........................Joseph DunnFaithful Scribe
......... ...... ........Michael WilsonInner Sentinel
......................... Steve WestonTrustee (3
years)………............... Paul DrevonTrustee (2 years)
....................... Robert DauntTrustee (1 year)……
.....................Peter DauntFaithful Commander……… Charles
Headrick
The main thing Neal Roche, past faithful navigator of Msgr.
Dunigan Assembly 510, remembers about his mother “is that she never
gave up.” He said despite losing her left arm in a freakish
automobile accident while living with her husband, Cornelius F.
Roche, Sr., in New York City early in their marriage, the former
Joan Beverly Ford didn’t let that stop her from living a full life.
She not only raised five children, including Neal, Jr., but was a
bowler, artist, bridge player, active in her parish and a force to
be reckoned with on the golf course. As a member of Atlas Valley
Golf Course, Mrs. Roche won numerous trophies and inspired others
with her long drives and low scores. Mr. and Mrs. Roche also
traveled in Europe and the South Pacific and later in life split
their time between Michigan and Florida. She died July 25, 2015 at
Genesys Regional Medical Center at age 87. The funeral was held
July 29 in Holy Family Church, Grand Blanc.
PFN Roche Remembers his Mother She is survived by her husband,
four of her surviving children, 12 grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren. Like her son, Neal, she wrote poetry. Neal,
Jr., said one day in 1965 she came to Neal and announced: “This is
what I wrote. What do you think?” The family thought so much of
that untitled work that they had it printed on her prayer card at
her death. It reads”
A bit of earth, a treeA stone worn down
Is all that is left of meFor those who come to see
A daughter, a wife, a mother
Known not to the worldLoved only her ownBelongs now to God
And is no longer alone
Share the Good News
About the Knights
of Columbus
Ask a Catholic Gentleman
To Join Council 695The Columbus Crusader
Official Publication ofMSGR. PATRICK R. DUNIGAN
COUNCIL #695Flint, Michigan 48504
Published and distributed free to the mem-bers once a month to
carry a more thorough report of its activities. Subscription rates
to
non-members is $18.00 per year.PUBLICATION STAFF
Editor...................................... George
JaksaAvertising Manager............ Joseph GoergenCirculation
Managers
.....................................Reporters...........................
695 MembershipCouncil Phone...................... (810)
235-6333
– COUNCIL OFFICERS -AS OF JULY 2019 PATRONS FOR CRUSADER
John, Victor & Louis Anderson & FamilyIn Memory of
Joseph AndroskyThomas & Colleen ArgusWilly BartonJames
BeauchampMike Brewer Ed BruffMichael BurnettDan & Mary Cady PFN
Neil & Elaine CampbellMichael & Mary ChervenyIn Memory of
Joan CollinsJim & Barbara ColeJoseph CrimiMarjorie ConleyJoel
CuttittaIn Memory of Dick DalyPeter & Linda DauntErnest &
Mildred DeiteringPFN Francis & Camille DohertyMax Dolehanty,
Jr.In Memory of PGK, PFN Ken DowningMary DrevonMichael DrevonPaul
DrevonIn Memory of PGK Paul DrevonPFN Jim & Martha DryfuseDan
DucharmeMsgr. Dunigan Council 695PGK Thomas Edelen Sr.The Etue
Family John FischerOliver FontaineRichard FoxIn Memory of George
& Helen GoergenJames E. George PGK Matt & Maryanne
GeorgeJoe & Bobbie GoergenLarry HackettEarl & Margo
HagenTom & Genora Halligan Thomas HenthornLarry & JoAnne
Higgins Dave & Paula Hutchins William & Monica HuotJames
& Helen JacksonGeorge & Esther Jaksa The Joe Jaksa Family
Fred Kay In Memory of Tom & Rose KayJerry Kerperien and
sons,Matthew, Christopher and Daniel PGK William & Marlene
Krebs Eleanor LaBancIn Memory of Paul LaBancO.J. & Shirley
LaFontaine Frank J. Manley II In Memory of the Maroun Family Hollis
MassieLawrence & Constance Marx Mike McCarthy In Memory of PGK
Ed McLaughlinDaniel McNiven
Catherine MuhvicJim & Pat Neering In Memory of PFN, PGK
Stanley F. NemecekRev. Doug OsbornPaul & Marlene OsoskiMike
OwensRandall PetridesJohn PlouchaGeorge & Linda Plunkey Mark
PlunkeyPaul Plunkey Joe Pintar & FamilyDennis PlamondonBob
RagnonePeter RagnoneMark RanvilleTom RathsackJohn L. RiegleDennis
& Teresa RodgersRay & Julie RustIn Memory of PGK Samuel
John Sanchez, Sr. Patrick & Patricia SavagePFN/PGK James
SchillingHenry SchowalterIn Memory of Ray Seidel Steve & Amelia
SimmsPFN, PGK Don & Theresa SimonThe James Skellett
FamilyPatrick SkellettTom SkellettBill & Margaret SloserPhilip
& Jeani SmithIn Memory of PGK Philip Smith, Jr.Hilary &
Barbara SnyderHenrietta SordylIn Memory of Henry SordylRobert St.
John Robert & Michile StoutenburgJoe & Mary Lou Sullivan
Steven TeslerRichard & Virginia TherrienArt & Adele Tinetti
PGK Jack & Valerie TylusEdward & Joan Vedock Tony &
Cyndi VedockDoug WagarDale Wangler In Memory of Marianne Walkington
DD Ed & Tamala Warren PGK Welton & Corrie WrightTony
ZochowskiLawrence & Sharon Wyczalek Russell & Sue
YahrCharles Zimmerman Tony Zochowski
***Expired Last Month **ExpiresThis Month*Expires Next Month
Chaplain………………............ Fr. Thomas FirestoneDistrict Deputy
.....................................Edward Warren Financial
Secretary ..........................Joseph GoergenGrand Knight
.......................................... Mark DavidekDeputy Grand
Knight ............................... Dale WanglerWarden
...............................................Robert
RagnoneAdvocate ...............................................Dan
CampbellChancellor
.................................................James ColeRecorder
................................................ George
JaksaTreasurer .........................................Michael
McCarthyInside Guard……………….......... PGK Welton WrightOutside
Guard……………......................... Brian BurOutside Guard
....................................... Brian JohnsonTown Crier
………………..... ...... PGK Jack TylusTrustee (3
years)…............................ Dennis RodgersTrustee (2
years)……….................... PGK Jack TylusTrustee (1
year)…………......PGK Thomas Edelen, Sr.
Vocations Director..............................................
OpenChurch
Directors................................................
OpenPublic Relations Director ........................ George
JaksaAthletic Director .................................... Steven
SimmsYouth Director ....................................... Steven
SimmsMembership
Director............................................Open
Recruitment Directors............................................
OpenRetention Chairman
............................................. OpenRetention
Committee...….....................................OpenInsurance
Promotion……….................. George JaksaInsurance
Agent……..........................Joseph A. Abbott (810)
701-7801
BUILDING COMPANY OFFICERSPresident………………
........................Dale WanglerVice President…………
........................Dan CampbellSecretary
…………………..........Michael McCarthyTreasurer……………………
...............Mark Davidek
BUILDING COMPANY DIRECTORSDale Wangler, James Lusty,
Gary Deitering, Robert Ragnone
Faithful Friar……………………Fr. Thomas FirestoneFaithful
Navigator……………......... Charles T. LoaderFaithful Captain
………………………… Jack TylusFaithful Admiral ………………… Leonard L.
AccardoFaithful Pilot ………………………… David D. PillenFaithful
Comptroller ……………… James R. RabineFaithful Purser ……………………......
Joseph DunnFaithful Scribe. . . .…………………Michael P. WilsonInner
Sentinel ……………………Brian C. HolderieIdInner Sentinel . …………………
Stephen M. WestonOuter Sentinel .……………………… Larry M. PillenOuter
Sentinel ………………. Michael J. Sherman3-Year Trustee ……………………. .
.William T. Dutil2-Year Trustee…………………... Kenneth J.
Pelletier1-Year Trustee . .…………………… Robert A. Daunt
El Toro234-0023Fax 234-3153
2132 Davison Rd.Flint, MI 48506(810) 234-9545
TOM BEAUBIEN, Ownerof Luigi’s and Member of Council 695
Lent is a good time to reflect on your life, habits and renewal.
As Knights, we are members of a giving organization. The main focus
is to give to our brothers in need, the community and, of course,
the Church. There are many ways to give. The simplest is to donate
funds. Another is to give time, your presence and efforts to make a
giving project successful. Both of these giving opportunities are
rewarding, however the gift of time is more so because you get to
actually see the beneficial aspects of your giving. Look at the
Lenten fish bakes for example. It is a fund raiser that directly
benefits the Catholic community of Flint via the church, school,
outreach and food pantry. The cause is good and the need is there
along with the means of giving has several ways of supporting the
Knights and the Flint Catholic community charities. By assisting in
the meal preparation, participating in the
Need for Help by Brother Knights Ongoingmeal, or contributing
financial support you are helping. The dinners usually run from the
Friday after Ash Wednesday through Good Friday but they were cut
short this year by the coronavirus, crimping the council’s ability
to help the organizations we usually support. It’s too late this
year to help with the meals, but not with your financial donation.
So consider sending a check marked Fish Bake donation and we will
see that it goes to a worthy cause. Because of the virus, the
council also has postponed our Palm Sunday weekend collection for
the mentally impaired. When it is rescheduled and when the call
goes out for volunteers please remember your commitment to charity
as a Knight of Columbus. Please consider contributing some of your
time and funds to help share in the goals and contribute to the
success of our council.
Become a ColumbusCrusader Patron
For $12 a year, you can have your name and your wife’s name, if
applicable, listed among those who help underwrite the cost of The
Columbus Crusader, Council 695’s monthly publication which has been
bringing news and advertising to council members and their families
for more than 70 years. To join our family of sponsors, simply
complete the following form and return it to Council 695, 2415
Bagley Street, Flint MI 48504, with your $12 tax deductible
donation.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-----Name
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-----Address
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––------
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––------Donation
By Financial Secretary Joe Goergen
Anniversaries
PrayersRequested
Please remember the following people in your
daily prayers
April Birthdays
Faithful Navigator’s Report --
Msgr. Richard GroshekFr. Stanley Czarnota
Leona Kurbitz (deceased)Allison Sugar-Richvalsky (deceased)
Larry LojieRichard Murdock
Larry StarnesBill Krebs
Joseph UlanskiSr. Judy Blake
Jim ColeJim GeorgeBill Kiev
Jonathan SmithJacob Smith
Dennis RodgersGloria SmithJim Jackson
David HolderiedTerry TremewenNinfa SanchezRobert Smith
David HutchinsEsther Jaksa
Melba BartonCarolyn Anderson
Joe ColeBob Johnson
Roselynn SerraCharles Johnson
David BuickPaul ZuwalaLucas Allen
Vincent PangoriMarge ConleyFerris Williams
PFN Neal RocheBarbara Johnson
Cathy HuberDuane Walters
Family of Bob LobakivichJim Bonner
Don O’BrienDoug McManusDon LaRochelle
Sam & Barb YantaJohn KoszegiChuck Daley
Jo EtueEdmund EvansKen McDonald
David ShawZofia Tylus
Sue Zerweck
Servicemen & WomenOverseas &
The United States
1 Michael Manley 6 Rev. Iosevo Ratiuvere 7 Edmund Evans 8 Rev.
Frederick Taggart, OSA11 Paul J. Drevon11 Douglas Procunier12
Robert Johnson21 PGK Matthew George23 Rev. Timoci Kolodisi24 Gordon
Herman27 Thomas Rathsack28 Joseph Kato29 Mark Plunkey30 Randall
Petrides30 Arthur Tinetti
4 Bill & Marlene Krebs 5 Donald & Karon Thibedeau18
George & Esther Jaksa19 PGK Matthew & Maryann George
Opportunity for Prayer, Reflection My Brothers in CHRIST, in
light of circumstances taking place throughout the world, as well
as here in the United States, Catholics can be more than ready.
This situation allows us to set aside time for prayer and
reflection. After all the Church has been through in recent times,
this can provide both a time of healing and a much needed boost
forward. We know that Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is a
significant Catholic time. Churches were at near Easter, or
Christmas, size Mass crowds even though it was not a holy day of
obligation. While it is true that some Catholics stopped going to
church, “scandalized by the actions of a few,” there is hope that
through prayer and reflection they remember that God is never
finished with us. In light of present day circumstances, I believe
that when Christ calls us to convert our life to his image and
likeness, that call is not for individuals, but also as local,
state, national and international communities. So this as we
continue through Lent “do what the Church has always asked us to
do: Pray, fast and the giving of alms” and in concentrating on
those things, we may well bring people closer to one another and
God. As we move ever closer to Easter we should be personally
preparing ourselves. We should reflect and remind ourselves that
penance is what we do to show sorrow for what we’ve done, while
reparation is what we do to show sorrow for what someone else has
done. This Lent let us ensure we are doing both, personal penance
as well as reparation. In order to live in the spirit of Lent,
there has to be path away from personal and systemic sin.
Reflecting on thoughts and actions which may have led us to this
moment in our spiritual lives, we need to make it a priority to
pray, to listen to one another, and ask how we can move forward in
this environment. Once again, that is where Lent comes into play.
Many are now provided time to examine where they are personally and
spiritually, but also allows us to question, ‘’Where are we?” as
the Catholic Church in the United States. And no matter where we
fit in our Church, be it a leader, family member, or parishioner,
now is the time when, like the apostles in the upper room, we may
be wondering what we should do next. By trusting our faith in the
resurrection and the Eucharist, the graces God will provide at this
“critical moment” are an opportunity to return to the core of what
we, as Catholics, believe. We also should ensure the need for
Catholics to keep moving forward and to support one another and our
faith community. Remember our motto as Knights of Columbus, ‘in
service to One, in service to All.” In spite of the ongoing
circumstances at this moment in time, we are called to go forth by
the Church, as it is the greatest time of hope for humanity to
bring life to the world through Jesus Christ. I pray that you, your
families, and your communities remain safe! SK Charles T. Loader,
Faithful Navigator
Council Fish Dinners Cut Short by CoronavirusCouncil 695’s
annual Lenten fish bakes were just getting started when a decision
by Bishop Earl Boyea halted most activities in the Diocese of
Lansing because of the Corona virus. The fish bakes were launched
with plenty of non-council help. In the photo at the left, Council
Treasurer Mike McCarthy was assisted in filling orders by two
Powers Catholic High School students, Nathan Bruzewski, a junior,
and Mariah Brenz, a senior.
In the photo at the right, two daughters of Grand Knight Mark
Davidek were on hand to help. Angelina Dobiesz (left) talks with
Council Financial Secretary Joe Goergen and her sister, Twona
Davidek, and Twona’s fiancé, Alexy Kuipers. Photos by George
Jaksa
Excerpts of Message from Supreme Knight Anderson—Coronavis
Disease Not First Pandemic Faced by Knights of ColumbusDear Brother
Knights, As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to
take this opportunity to share with you the actions and responses
taken by the Knights of Columbus. The coronovis disease is not the
first pandemic the Knights of Columbus has faced. In the late
nineteenth century, and again in 1918, the Knights remained strong
and active despite such situations. And together, we will do so
again this time. We know that this period will be difficult in
various ways for everyone, and we want to assure you that the
Knights of Columbus is fully committed to you and your family, and
has taken the steps necessary to continue our important work on
your behalf—from protecting the faith and financial stability of
members’ families, to helping members put their faith into action
by providing important charitable service within their communities
Although to our knowledge (as of this writing), no staff at the
Knights of Columbus Supreme has been affected despite facilitating
large groups of people in close proximity to one another.
Furthermore, our sustainable investment strategy means that our
exposure to current stock market volatility is limited, and we
remain extremely strong financially. With that strength, and the
strength that comes from committed employees, we remain positioned
and ready to serve our brother Knights. Of course, our agents and
our customer service team also remain available to help you with
any insurance or related financial needs that you may have. As
we
implement new systems to serve you and respond to a higher
volume of inquiries than usual during this period, it is possible
that wait and turnaround times may increase. In addition to what we
are doing at the Supreme Council headquarters, many brother Knights
have asked how they can help in their own communities. We suggest
the following: 1. Pray. During this period, we urge every member
and his family to pray the Supreme Council’s novena based on the
prayer of Pope Francis. 2. Help keep yourself, your families and
your communities safe by cancelling all “in person” Knights of
Columbus meetings and activities at the local and state level until
otherwise indicated. 3. Leave no Knight—or neighbor—behind. If
members of your council or community are elderly or have underlying
medical conditions, please ensure that they have enough food. 4.
Give blood. Many communities are facing blood shortages. Those not
being recommended to isolate themselves due to illness, age or
underlying conditions should consider giving blood. As we move
through this pandemic together, you can rest assured that the
Knights of Columbus will be there for you. We will provide regular
updates in the days ahead, and we will remain joined with you in
prayer and in service to our neighbors in need. May God bless you,
and keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe. Fraternally,
Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight
Past Grand Knight Tom Edelen, Sr., was at his familiar post as
another season began in Council 695’s annual fish bakes held in the
cafeteria of St. John Vianney School. It was PGK Edelen’s job to
collect money for a variety of choices for the fund-raising meals.
Photo by George Jaksa
