Grand Knight’s Message

St. Monica’s Knights of Columbus Council #11529 December 2015

Your Council Officers (2015-2016)

CHAPLAIN Fr. ALEX ENRIQUEZ

CHAPLAIN Fr. TOM PETRILLO

GRAND KNIGHT ROBERT GUIMARAES

DEPUTY G.K. ROBERT MARAS

CHANCELLOR VINCENT DiGIOVANNI

RECORDER RAYMOND SMINK

FIN SECRETARY ERIC PERUCKI PGK

TREASURER MIKE HINTENACH PGK

LECTURER BOB PURCELL

ADVOCATE DEACON GENE MOIR

WARDEN MICHAEL FISCHER

INSIDE GUARD CHRIS ALTHAVER

INSIDE GUARD JON TVAROHA

INSIDE GUARD MICHAEL SEILER

OUTSIDE GUARD JAMIE CLAUDEO

OUTSIDE GUARD WAYNE CALSETTA

OUTSIDE GUARD MARK HOFFMAN

1 YR TRUSTEE GUY OKULEWICZ PGK

2 YR TRUSTEE RON BORRELLO PGK

3 YR TRUSTEE CHESTER BORROUGHS PGK

Contact Grand Knight Rob Guimaraes at guimaraes.robert@yahoo.com or 732-278-9406

FIELD AGENT/BENEFITS – SHAWN RENALES

srenales@gmail.com (Home) 732-251-2035 (Cell) 732-977-3481

tinman1017@optonline.net 732-713-8841 For all newsletter information.

To request a name be added to the Good of the Order email: Goodoftheorder11529@gmail.com

Upcoming Special Events 12/03/15 – Council Meeting 7:30 PM 12/08/15 – Immaculate Conception* 12/10/15 – Christmas Social 7:30 PM 12/12/15 – Breakfast with Santa 9AM 12/25/15 – Merry Christmas* 12/27/15 – Rosary Sunday 01/01/16 – Solemnity of Mary* 01/01/16 – Happy New Year! 01/14/16 – 1st Degree at St. Monica 01/21/16 – Blood Drive 01/28/16 – Council Meeting 7:30 PM

Dear Brothers, As we enter this Christmas Season, I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please be safe in your travels.

Our Christmas Tree Sales has begun, we are open every day and I want to thank all of the brothers that are volunteering their time to setup, unload and sell trees. If you have not been out to the lot, please consider coming out and helping with this event, you will not regret the time you are there. The hours you are there will build camaraderie between you and your fellow brothers. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Claudeo (732) 616-7003

The annual Christmas Social will be held on Thursday December 10th at 7:30PM at Saint Monica. So far we have 30 yes responses, if you have not responded, please do, we always have a good time and it’s a good opportunity for our families to meet. We will need some help setting up at 7:00PM. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Maras (732) 616-2044 or Scott Rusbarsky (203) 648-1067

Breakfast with Santa will held on Saturday December 12th at 9:00AM at Saint Monica. As always we will need help setting up starting at 7:00A. If you have any questions, please contact Ron Borrello (732) 713-8841

We are going to hold the Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest, which will include 3 age groups for the children of our parish. The winners will compete with other council entries. I am hoping we get a good number of children to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Althaver (732) 691-5461

To stay up to date with our councils events, visit our calendar online. http://kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/events.asp?CNO=11529

Vivat Jesus! Robert Guimaraes, Grand Knight * Denotes Holy Day of Obligation

Fr. Tom

Fr Tom’s Christmas Message My dear and precious relatives and friends:

Here we are on the threshold of 2016, and once more recalling God’s love in sharing His only Son with us through Our Blessed Mother. I want this message to be a source of inspiration from a priest who has been around for a long time and hopefully has learned how to achieve a sense of contentment and peace. The advanced years can be difficult at times, but I have never felt more at peace. This morning (Thanksgiving Day) in my prayers I encountered the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Romans and I share them with you as inspired by God:

“The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of justice, peace and joy that is given by the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ in this way pleases God and wins the esteem of men. Let us, then, make it our aim to work for peace and to strengthen on another.”

Of late I have been reflecting on the life of one of my heroes, Pope St. John XXIII. He lived to be an 85 year old man. Each year of his adult life, he kept a journal of reflections and resolutions about his life. From his 60

th year onward he invariably writes “I am getting old now.

I must prepare for death. I must simplify my life.” In preparing for death he really was getting ready for life, eternal life with God.

I want to encourage all of you to take some time during your Christmas celebrations to collect some of the events, the people, the places that you remember and are especially grateful for. Celebrate your life with a parade of these memories. This is not a morbid exercise of doom and gloom, but a realistic appreciation of the gift of life. This precious, unique, unpredictable life that is such a gracious gift of God.

The best way to live is living as fully, as lovingly, as joyfully, as unselfishly as we can. We are indeed blessed to have more time on this earth to be grateful for the gift of life and to celebrate that life day by precious day.

Blessed be God who has blessed us so richly with the gift of life, so good that it will never end!

A few personal notes: saw my family at a reunion I initiated 33 years ago. What a blessing and joy. Thank God they are all in good health. I am still working at St. Joseph’s in Toms River with my buddy, Fr. Scott; I continue to moderate the “coffee clutch” at the Senior Center, offering Mass at several nursing homes for St. Luke’s. I visit my brother Jack weekly

God Bless you all with a truly blessed and Happy Christmas and a New Year approached with a positive and optimistic attitude! I Love You.

Knight of the Month

I want to thank Mark Hoffman for helping with events run by the Knights and events run by the Parish. He has been getting more involved and is becoming an asset to our council. He was a big part in making the Parish Bonfire a success, he was there weeks before the event cleaning up, collecting firewood, digging the fire pit, stringing the lights and I am sure I may have missed some of the other things he did. He volunteered to open the tree lot in the early afternoon and being able to have someone man those hours was our biggest challenge. Please congratulate Mark for being Knight of the

Month.

Robert Guimaraes, GK

Some Thoughts….. From Lecturer Bob Purcell

Holidays and What They Mean

The turkey is gone, not a bit of pie can be seen and Thanksgiving is past. NOW we have to get

ready for the “holidays”. I hate the word holiday. The word holiday is so democratic, not to offend

anyone, we have to be all encompassing and forget about what we just celebrated, Thanksgiving,

giving thanks to the Lord for his many blessings. “Holidays” is fine for the Fourth of July, Labor Day

or even ground hog day if you like, but don’t mess with my Christmas. I really don’t care if you have

“Black Friday” (when the stores start to turn profits) or “Cyber Monday” BUT don’t take Christ out of

Christmas, there is just too much at stake. If we let them diminish the true meaning of this feast we

will eradicate the expectations of children, and the joy of waiting for His arrival.

The merchants of the world have turned this special time of “bells of joy” into musical ringing of

cash registers. We do not celebrate the joys of stockholders but rather the kindness of sharing the

“good tidings to all”, because He came on this special day. Yet the modern world continues in its’

attempt to do away with what Christmas is all about.

Now I have a story to tell you about how this elimination of the word Christmas began. During the

Second World War there was a shortage of paint among many other things so when they put

Christmas signs up among other decorations they crossed out Christmas and substituted it with

XMAS greetings. All of a sudden XMAS was the sign of the times. And then… there were Xmas

trees for sale. My dad, who was in advertising for a department store, refused to go along with the

new signage. He said if we are going to lose the war because of those six letters then we are in

worse shape than the government was telling us. The Boston Store in Wilkes Barre, Pa never had

a “XMAS” sign, Christmas was Christmas. Unfortunately to this day Xmas is still being used.

Don’t you dare say Merry Christmas to a clerk or you might get a blank stare back. They are not

allowed to put a religious meaning into a greeting. It might offend someone. I do it with a smile and

I have found that they will return the same greeting. I don’t think anyone has been fired for being

civil… yet.

So my brothers we all have to wage a small battle to help retain the true meaning of this marvelous

celebration. Let us reach out help just one person, any person, for after all… He is on His way with

a wonderful heaven filled with joys we cannot imagine.

Merry Christmas and God Bless

Bob

St. Monica Knights of Columbus Council 11529

Annual Christmas Tree Sale

Christmas Trees All proceeds from the Christmas Tree sales, Wreath,

Grave blanket & lawn decoration sales will benefit:

Local charities and St Jude Children’s Hospital

& other cha

Our Sale location opens starting Nov 27, 2015

and continues until supply is gone

Glory’s Discount Market Parking lot

584 Cedar Swamp Rd

Jackson, NJ 08527-3042

Monday through Friday 2 PM to 8 PM

Saturday & Sunday 10 AM to 8 PM

Fr. Tom

Knights of Columbus Apparel

Knights of Columbus apparel for order are available through Kampus Klothes. Contact Ron Borrello

at tinman1017@optonline.net or (732) 713-8841 to place an order. All prices include shirt and

embroidery (first name & K of C logo). PGK under first name is an additional $1.50 per garment.

Devon & Jones Polo shirt

This shirt will come with our Knights of Columbus logo on the left side and your first name

on the right side of the shirt. The color of the shirt will remain Navy Blue. Shirt prices are:

Price Sizes Chest size Price Sizes Chest size

$25 Small 34-36 $27 2X Large 50-52

$25 Medium 38-40 $28 3X Large 54-56

$25 Large 42-44 $29 4X Large 58-60

$25 1X Large 46-48 $30 5X Large 62-64

Navy Blue Timberland Fleece Size Price

S – XL $40

2XL $42

3XL $43

UltraClub Men’s All Weather Navy Blue Jacket Size Price

S – XL $42

2XL $44

3XL $45

The deadline for this order is January 14th 2016. Any orders requested after this date will be

placed on the next order date later in the year. Payment of apparel must be submitted to Ron

Borrello prior to the deadline date noted above. Payment can either be cash or check. Checks

should be made payable to Knights of Columbus.

Fraternally,

Ron Borrello, PGK

Nylon zipper with storm flap

Elastic cuffs with Velcro

Collar stays

Underarm gusset

Access zipper on inside left chest

Knights of Columbus embroidery with

first name on left side of the fleece

100% nylon shell with fleece lining

Nylon zipper with storm flap

Elastic cuffs with Velcro

Collar stays

Access zipper on inside left chest

Knights of Columbus embroidery with first

name on left side of the fleece

Knights of host Council 6201and their DD, SK Mark Vincent.

Congratulations also to our new Sir Knights Chris Althaver, Lane Morell, Wayne Calsetta & Jon Tvaroha. After the ceremony, we gathered at the Assembly hospitality suite for formal introductions of new Sir Knights and their Ladies, enjoyed some light refreshments and met with Fr. Tom and other Council Sir Knights for a great dinner at Mangia's Restaurant here in Jackson. A wonderful special day.

Attention all Second Degree Knights. An exemplification of the Third Degree will be held on Friday, December 11th at the Home of Council 6201 located on Bartley Road here in Jackson. Candidates must be there by 7:30 PM in proper dress with their Current Second Degree membership cards. All other Third & Fourth Degree Knights are invited to attend in support of our candidates. You must also be in proper dress and have your valid Third Degree membership card. Hope to see many there.

As we close this calendar year, I want to thank all the Brothers who helped with our membership efforts over the past 12 months. We are going to need a special effort to accomplish Star Council this year so please consider joining me to make this happen. Merry Christmas & a Happy, Holy & Healthy 2016 to all.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Congratulations to Brothers Dan Mackay and Richard Wilson on advancing to the rank of Second Degree Knight. Both Brothers were part of a large class of candidates that were conferred in the first ceremony performed by our new Second Degree team. The team performed admirably and was congratulated by many Knights of host Council 6201and their DD, SK Mark Vincent.

Attention all First Degree Knights:

2015

Fraternally, Jim Mastrian PGK, PFN

December Birthdays Fr. Alex 12/1 tom chiaravalotti 12/21 Shawn renales 12/3 bob dippold 12/24 Greg Feret 12/8 lane morell 12/26 Michael hintenach 12/11 richard hyjack 12/30 Andrew myhal 12/11 ron serrano 12/30 Billy feiss 12/16 john staiger 12/30 Richard wilton 12/20 peter Finnegan 12/31

Congratulations to our newest Sir Knights and their Ladies! Achieving their 4th Degree

Exemplification are SK Jon Tvaroha and Lady Mary Ann, SK Wayne Calsetta and Lady Theresa,

SK Lane Morell and Lady Bettina and SK Chris Althaver and Lady Eleanore

l

COOKS FOR ST. MARTHA

Cooks for St. Martha (The patron saint of cooks) are needed. Though I have a group of cooks already, I could really use more so as not to continue calling the same people and wearing out their good nature. A handful of them are Knights and their wives, however, they are only a handful. We like to help people just coming out of the hospital or who are going through treatment (usually cancer). We bring meals for the first week home for a new mother and father or it could also be someone who is recovering from surgery. There might be a family with someone in Hospice. These meals are meant to be temporary until these folks are on their feet again. A fresh meal will be cooked for the whole family or a single person if they live alone. The meals are delivered to their home ready to eat. As I tell everyone in my message in our Sunday bulletin, "We are many and wish only to serve." If after prayerful thought and discussion you decide you and your wife would like to be part of Saint Martha's Cooks, please call me, Gloria Carlon at (732) 961-7535 to give me your name and phone number.

Thank you and God Bless you.

Gloria Carlon

Good of the Order

t Allen Caldwell t Andy Yglesias, PGK t Lucille Ferrero t Jack Purcell t Jackie Wilson t Bob Wilson t Chris McEntee t Amado Enriquez

In Memorium

t Larry Ferrero Andy Feitzinger t Joseph Casper Jean Colbert

Remember…. if you know someone in need of our prayers and would like to add them to the Good of the Order list you can now do so via email. A special address has been set up at Goodoftheorder11529@gmail.com for you to add to the list. Names will stay on for 3 issues unless otherwise requested. Or you can always contact me with your request. Ron Borrello (tinman1017@optonline.net)

Activities for

The Women of St. Monica Sunday, December 6th 12:00 pm

Monthly Meeting (Little Church)

All women are invited to join us:

Sunday, December 13th 12:00 pm to decorate the outside of the Church for Christmas.

Sunday, December 20th 5:00 pm to decorate

the inside of the Church for Christmas.

ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH CHRISTMAS

CAROL CONCERT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 AT 7:00 PM

Bring your family and friends and enjoy

this evening filled with festive

Christmas Carols.

685 Hooper Ave, Toms River

Tool Time Auto Service, LLC

HAMILTON 1061 Whitehall Mercerville Rd Hamilton, NJ 08610

609-581-0355 TOMS RIVER 2109 Whitesville Rd Toms River, NJ 08755

732-886-6678

www.tooltimeauto.mechanicnet.com

740 Brewers Bridge Road Jackson, NJ 08527

(848) 222-4332

Michael Carle (732)928-8592

Michael Seiler

(732)770-8865

www.pinballsales.com

www.Firstchoicecaterer.com

http://www.wallsofwonder.net

www.PinballSales.com

www.Wallsofwonder.net

Come visit us on the Web

http://kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/?CNO=11529

For God and Country

St. Monica’s Knights of Columbus, Council 11529

679 W. Veterans Highway Jackson, New Jersey 08527