Jul 23, 2010

Brother Knights,

I hope every one is having a good summer and enjoying their vacations.

There are a number of thing we having going on in the up coming months.

For those of you who where not at the last couple of meetings, I have a few things I want to mention.

The council will be funding a Devine Mercy artwork to be hung in the North Narthex. It will be one large piece of the Divine Mercy and two smaller pieces. This was at the request of Father Joe, and we are waiting his input on some of customizing of one of the smaller pieces. It will take about 6 weeks for these paintings to be made. Updates to follow as to when they will be delivered.

From the fourth or July parking fund raiser we, once again, donated 10% of the proceeds back to the Lion’s Club to help offset the cost of the fireworks.

Please stop by and donate blood the weekend. You can still make a reservation, or just walk up. (Reservations will take priority over the walk ups.) Reservations can still be made on the Indiana Blood Center web site, www.donorpoint.org Also, by making a donation, you will not only be saving a life, but you will also be entered in a drawing for a free 1 week vacation donated by RCI. Details are on the Indiana Blood Center web site.

We will have a special guest at the beginning of our next meeting. Heather Danda will tell us a little bit about herself and the order in which she is joining.

Officer Installation will be on July 27 following the 6:00 PM Mass. Anyone and everyone are welcome to come and observe.

Also, if anyone is interested in being one of our activity directors, please contact me, we still have a couple of openings, or a couple of guys which would be pleased to give someone else the opportunity to serve the council.

Upcoming Events

Jul 25	10:00AM - 2:00PM	Blood Drive at Church
Jul 27	6:30PM	Officer Installation in Church after 6:00PM Mass
Aug 6	6:30PM	First Friday Rosary at Bell Tower or Chapel at old Church
Aug 9	6:30PM	Annual Seminarians' Cookout at Noll Hall and Shamrock Field
Aug 10	6:30PM	Annual Family Pitch-In at Noll Hall and Shamrock Field

First Friday Rosary - This is a monthly event where Knights and families meet at the old church and pray the rosary. We are praying the Rosary to end abortion. It only takes about a half hour and it is a great way to start the weekend. If poor weather, we normally use the Chapel at the old Church.

Seminarian Cookout - This has become an annual event which the Seminarians look forward to each year. This event takes place during a retreat for the seminarians, prior to them returning to school for the year. It makes for a great break for them, and an opportunity for the Knights to show their support. The entire family is envied to come. The main course and drinks will be provided by the council, so please bring a side or a desert to share. For information or to RSVP, please contact Mike Worden or Tony Shriner tony.shriner@att.net.

Annual Family Pitch-In / Cookout - This award winning event is great time for the council to get back together prior to the start of school. There will be events for the kids, but there are also games for the adults to play. It is fun for all ages. Friends and Family of any Knight are welcome to attend. This is also a good opportunity to introduce possible candidates to other members of the council. The council will be providing Hamburgers & Hotdogs and drinks. Please bring a side and/or desert to share. For Information and to RSVP, please contact Kevin Coleman or Tony Shriner tony.shriner@att.net.

Christmas – Beef and Boards - A group will be going to the Christmas show at Beef and Boards. The show is “White Christmas” and will be November 20th, doors open at 6:00 PM. Steve has some tickets reserved for the show, but to save those tickets please contact Steve Sauer at 272-4801 catsauer@att.net. Tickets are $53.00 for adults and $46.00 for children. Steve will need payment by October 4th. If you are planning to go, please let Steve know soon, as these shows sell out quickly.


God Bless!

June, 2009

Reverend Father, Brother Knights, Friends and Family. Thank you all for being here this evening. Before I get started, I’d like to offer thanks to several people in particular.

Our forty day journey of prayer, self-denial, and charity has begun. Our Lord Jesus Christ wants to mold our hearts so that we become as He is, more devout, temperate, and generous. Prayer, penance, and almsgiving will lead us to a greater likeness of Jesus Christ. Lent is a time of conversion for us, a time to turn back to God, to nourish ourselves spiritually and as Jesus said, on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Father Dan, thank you for the years of spiritual leadership, complete support of our Council and for promoting us a part of the parish family. Know that wherever you go, no matter what your new assignment might be, the Knights at St. Malachy will always stand behind you and will provide any form of support you may need. We will only be a phone call or a few keystrokes away.

To Brother Gene Barnard, thanks for setting the bar SO high! We will do everything in our power to keep the standards you’ve help establish to an equally high level. Just as importantly, thank you for being a wonder mentor over the past few months, and more importantly, for being such a good friend.

To my children, thank you for letting me be your Father. I am truly blessed.

To our new KofC officers, thank you, in advance, for giving of your time and talents to help guide our Council throughout the upcoming year. And a special thank you to your family’s who have agreed to share you with us all.

Driving home from celebrating Father’s Day with my family in Ft. Wayne last Sunday, trying desperately to come up with something meaningful to say tonight, I found myself focusing on what a Knight of Columbus really is. After all, how can you provide leadership to a group without first defining its members.

First and foremost, he is a man of faith. A Knight is a man of prayer, trying to live his life according to the Gospels, and dedicated to the traditions and teachings of the Holy Catholic church. He is dedicated to the Blessed Mother.

He is a devout family man, trying to raise his children in the faith and dedicated to the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of those he loves most.

He is a man who stands beside the priests, deacons, sisters and all who are called to God’s work here on Earth. He is ready help with the needs of the parish, standing firm behind the words and action of our priests, Bishops, and our Pope. He prayerfully supports those young men and women who have been called to religious life and will become the future leaders of the Church.

He is most certainly, a man of action. He can be found handing out candy at local businesses each year for donations which are given to help the developmentally handicapped of our community. He raises money to fund high school and college scholarships for the youth of our parish and participates in events to raise money to combat illnesses and disease. He takes the Faith to those who have been imprisoned. He builds homes for those in need , particularly those who have lived through natural disasters. He helps feed and clothe the homeless. He conducts events in order to raise money for our brothers and sisters in St. Margarette, Haiti.

Finally, he is a man who believes firmly in the Gospel of Life. Whether it’s a letter writing campaign to legislative leaders who are trying to pass laws that would promote the use of embryonic stem cell research or the cloning of human tissue, standing against physicians who believe they should be able to terminate a human life before the state of natural death, or persuading a major financial institution that it really isn’t in their best interest to financially support businesses that promote abortion, he is at the head of the fight. He can be found praying for the day when the death penalty will no longer be imposed at prisons such as those in Michigan and Terre Haute, or standing in silent vigil, sometimes in snow and in the rain, at 81st and Georgetown Road praying for the day when the doctors at that facility, and thousands like it throughout our country, will put down their surgical instruments and cease the senseless killing of God’s unborn children. These are Knights living the Faith, being an example.

For these and many other reasons, I am proud to be a Knight of Columbus. And the thing that makes me most proud of being a member of our Council is that we have done all these things I’ve mentioned within our Council. One Council, in tiny Brownsburg, Indiana…….

Brothers, we have been given the charge by our fellow Council members to provide leadership and direction in the upcoming fraternal year. If we all hold closely to the basic truths of who we are as Knights at the center of all we do, I am confident that all our Council activities that take place during the year will add greatly to the legacy that has been established in our Council’s first ten years of existence.

March 1, 2009

Worthy Brother Knights,

Our forty day journey of prayer, self-denial, and charity has begun. Our Lord Jesus Christ wants to mold our hearts so that we become as He is, more devout, temperate, and generous. Prayer, penance, and almsgiving will lead us to a greater likeness of Jesus Christ. Lent is a time of conversion for us, a time to turn back to God, to nourish ourselves spiritually and as Jesus said, on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

During Lent there are numerous opportunities for us to make this a reality. Every Sunday we can participate in Eucharistic Adoration from the conclusion of noon Mass until evening prayer at 6pm. To pray in the presence of the exposed Eucharist is a wonderfully spiritual experience. The Rosary will be prayed at 2:30pm and the Stations of the Cross at 4:30pm.The Stations will also be prayed every Friday at 6:30pm.

It is good for us to remember that Lent should be more than a time of fasting from food! Let us also fast from judging others, from anger, from hostility, from worry and from gossip. Let us focus on love, forgiveness, humility, patience, and charity. Lent prepares our hearts and our souls not only for Easter but for eternal life.

July 25, 2008

Brother Knights,

As we just experienced the ordination and first Mass of Rev. Mr. Dan Collier, I thought it an appropriate time to educate ourselves on the role of Deacons in our Church.

The role of what is called the ‘permanent’ deaconate is all too often misunderstood. A Deacon is ordained to the first rank of Sacred Orders, not to the priesthood. He is no longer a layman, but a member of the clergy.

The Catholic Church restored this sacred order as a permanent way of serving the Church (and not just a transitional order for men on the way to priesthood) well over 40 years ago.

Today we still distinguish between ‘transitional’ and ‘permanent’ deacons. However, this distinction does not create two ranks of deacons, but clarifies the direction in which the deacon is headed. The ‘transitional’ deacon is simply on his way to priestly ordination.

It is important to note that although the ’permanent’ deaconate has been opened to married men of mature age it is also open to and encouraged as a permanent rank of orders for celibate men.

The decision for marriage or celibacy is to be made before ordination to the order of deacon. If a married deacon loses his wife, he pledges to remain celibate. In fact, he could then consider a further call to priesthood if God so moved him.

In addition to this important witness, the deacon is distinct in his secular vocation. Often engaged in works of social justice or charity, he is a clergyman in the midst of the secular world. He goes from the altar to the world in a prophetic way, bringing Christ to those for whom He gave His life.

Customs have developed which reflect the deacon's role as distinct from both priest and lay minister. For instance, proper liturgical dress for a deacon is an alb, a cincture, a diaconal stole and a dalmatic. He is authorized to wear a cope at baptisms, weddings, or while presiding over the exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Just as we call a priest ‘Father’, and should not presume to call him by his first name, a permanent deacon, like a transitional deacon, should be called ‘Deacon’. In formal writing a deacon often uses the title ‘Reverend Mr.’, reflecting in a unique way both his clerical and secular role.

All of us - whether bishops, priests, deacons, the lay faithful, or the consecrated religious - are a part of the one mission of the one Church. Each of us, though all equal in the sight of God, play vitally important, but different roles in the Body of Christ.

Let us pray for each other that we may all remain faithful to our individual vocations. Let us pray that all deacons - this order of clergy set aside for Word, service and Sacrament - will flourish in this New Millennium of the Church.

June 24, 2008

Brothers,

The Knights of Columbus have been called “the strong right arm of the Catholic Church”. That’s quite an endorsement! But who is the heart of the Church? Our priests! We sometimes forget that our priests are human, they are going to make mistakes, or have opinions that we don’t agree with. But we must remember to always respect them and support them. How many times have we spoken ill of our priests or stood by while someone else did and said nothing? Our support of our priests should not be contingent on whether we agree with them or not. It should be 100%, all the time. Fr. Dan, you have 100% support of your Brother Knights. We are in service to you and to this parish. Whatever you ask of your Brother Knights, it will be done.

This is a very exciting time to be a member of the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner at St. Malachy Parish. Our founder Fr. McGivney was declared Venerable by the Vatican. We are days away from the permanent deaconate ordination of our Brother Knight Dan Collier, one year away from the ordination to the priesthood of our seminarian Sean Danda, and a few months away from the dedication of our new beloved St. Malachy home this November. I cannot think of any place I would rather be or anyone else I would rather share these things with than my Brother Knights and my parish family.

I have always considered it an honor to wear the emblem of the order and to stand beside you as brother Knights. The love that I have for this council is not heightened by a particular title or role that I may carry. I consider myself a servant of this council and I am proud to serve it in any way that is asked of me. I ask for your patience as I learn the role of Grand Knight, for your forgiveness when I make mistakes, and as always I ask for your prayers.

May 2008

Brothers,

A couple years ago I chaperoned my daughters and several St. Malachy youth at a retreat down in Columbus Indiana. The retreat ended with a concert from a band named Ceili Rain, a very good Christian band that plays Irish themed music. During the concert, there was a Ceili Rain song titled "That’s all the Lumber" that I really liked. The song is about a guy (let’s call him Fred) who dies and meets up with St. Peter. Fred is all fired up to see the beautiful house waiting for him up in heaven. St. Peter walks him down the road to his home in heaven, and they start by passing beautiful mansions. As they continue to walk, the houses keep getting smaller and smaller. Eventually St. Peter stops in front of Fred’s house, a little two room shack.

Fred wasn’t too happy about his eternal accommodations. St. Peter went on to explain that when you do good deeds, you send up lumber for your heavily home. Unfortunately Fred didn’t provide the builder (God) with much material to work with in building his house – thus the shack.

As the song goes on, Fred asks St. Peter if he can go back to earth to start over. If given a second chance, he would love God, be good to his wife, and be a very giving person. In doing this, he would send up a big ole pile of lumber for his mansion.

Now to be honest – I’m not sure about the truth to the lyrics of the song. First of all, my wife says that she wouldn’t want a big mansion (a lot less to clean in a little shack!), and with the Vatican going "green" – I have to think that they are using something other than lumber up in heaven these days (I subscribed to the "Houses made of Marshmallows" theory as a kid)? However there is a good message behind the song - it is good to Love God, to treat people well, and to be a giving person - and the earlier we understand and do this, the better.

I would guess that the majority of you, like me, joined the Knights of Columbus to improve yourself in some manner (to send up a little lumber). We are very blessed to have a wide variety of activities to get involved with in our council that can help with this. There are ways to strengthen your faith, ways to help the people around you, and many ways to give of your time and talent. If you want to get involved – but aren’t sure about taking that first step, please start by attending a couple meetings to understand what opportunities are out there. As you do this, if what you are looking for is missing – please suggest and help drive new activities. With 280 + members, I’m guessing that there will be several other men that are looking for the same thing. By doing this, we as a council and as individuals will continue to grow – who knows maybe we can help each other become lumberjacks!

July 2007

Brothers, there's kind of a transformation that you go through when you join and are active in the Knights of Columbus - I'll share what happened to me, but I believe that this same general experience has occurred with the majority of our active members.

• I joined our council in January of 2000 shortly after we moved to Brownsburg. As a new member in the council and a new member at St. Malachy - I was a little intimidated at first. I headed downstairs after that first meeting for sandwiches and refreshments among all of these guys that I didn't know from Adam.
  
  
• During the subsequent meetings, sign up sheets start to come around for various activities - I felt a little pressure to sign up for something because I noticed that the two guys setting next to me signed up on each of the last three clipboards that came around. So I decide to take the plunge and sign up. Before long I'm wearing a vest and holding a can passing out Tootsie Rolls to folks in front of Kroger. It feels a little strange at first. What is a grown man doing standing in a goofy vest with a collection bucket handing out Tootsie Rolls and accepting donations?
  
  
• Then it happens. A group like Special Olympics comes in to one of our meetings to thank the council for our contribution and support. During the emotional presentation from the athletes, I look around and see all of the teary eyed men standing around me, and then I start to understand the importance of those Tootsie Roll donations. I walk home a little taller that night, because I'm proud to be part of this event and part of this organization. I share this with my wife and kids and pretty soon they start to get interested in what the K of C is all about.
  
  
• Over time I bond with the men at the meetings and I get to know them well. I pray a decade of the Rosary with them each meeting, and if feels great to pray for their family and friends that may need special prayers. During the meetings, I also become educated about important issues in the Catholic Church - such as Pro-Life, and my conviction about my faith grows stronger.
  
  
• I now find myself looking forward to the meetings - because I will help in planning events that make a difference, I will discuss items that are important to me, and I will be getting together with friends. When the activity signup clipboard comes around, I no longer feel pressured to sign up for events. I sign up because I want to, I know that I will enjoy working along with my Brother Knights, and I know that the work that we do WILL make a difference.
  
  
• I start to look for ways to involve my family in the council activities - before long my kids are helping out in a car wash, my wife and kids are completely embarrassing themselves with me while doing a hillbilly skit for our priests at our annual Christmas party, were canoeing with other families, Christmas caroling, planting a garden to support the needy, and now as a family we are proud and excited each year to wear those goofy vests and distribute Tootsie Rolls.
  
  

When we as a council are able to make transformations like this happen for our members and their families within our parish community, we are in line with the intentions of our founder Fr. Michael J. McGivney 125 years ago. I am extremely honored to serve as your Grand Knight for the upcoming year - thank you for giving me this opportunity.

July 2007

I was listening to Fr John Corapi recently on Catholic Radio (89.1 FM) and he talked about how the power of his priesthood didn't come from himself, rather from all the help he had in formation and all the many people who prayed and suffered to give to him. It is similar with the GK position in the KofC. We accomplish so much because of the prayers and work of so many people in this group and I know the success of the last 2 years reflects that as much as it does my leadership. I thank God for the opportunity to get the Experience of a Lifetime.

Sir Isaac Newton said "If I have seen so far, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of Giants." Of course, I wouldn't even be writing this if it was not for the vision and efforts of Fr. Michael J. McGivney. However, I really want to thank all the Past GKs & Officers and Directors of #12540 who preceded me and laid the groundwork for us to build upon, so that each future leadership team doesn't have to begin everything from scratch. We continue to improve the community and to help more people every year because of the work you guys did years ago and the experiences that you have shared. I thank you all.

I cannot possibly thank all the people individually who had significance to me over the past 2 years and longer, because there are too many and I'm already losing your attention. Please don't feel that you didn't matter to me if I don't mention your name here, but I need to do a few. Like thanking Bryon Meunier for those 8 simple words: "Have you ever thought about joining the Knights?" It scares me to think about how vacant my life would be if he hadn't asked. And thanking my late-night email buddy ("Worthy Webmaster" if there was such a title) Rich Mroz, whose unique and humorous way of putting things kept me from being discouraged and gave me a file of a few classic emails to look back on when I needed a smile. (My favorite is still the concern he expressed over his new GK when he found the headline "Big Cat Blamed for Pig Kill Near Bloomington!") Then there's FS Bill Barnes, whose wife started to get jealous about how much we talked to each other. We learned about the position together and I really appreciate all the time, the questions, and the jokes. And, of course, I have to thank my partner and DGK Jeff Gaerke, whose work ethic and dedication to family have not gone unnoticed. Even though I had a couple of years to prepare for it, Jeff helped me to be a better Grand Knight by continuing to ask the "why" questions. "Why do we do that..." and "why don't we try..." questions forced me to really examine our beliefs and practices as a Council and mine as an individual, too. Thanks to each of you guys and the many, many that I don't have room to mention.

I've got to cut this off, but not before I remind you that Abraham Lincoln once said, "My father taught me to work; he didn't teach me to like it!" In this KofC Council, you learn how to do both.

Thanks for putting your trust in me, and never take for granted that you belong to the best Catholic, Fraternal, Service and Family organization in the world!

September 2006

I hope you had an enjoyable summer and were able to accomplish whatever goals you (or someone else) set for yourself. If you did some traveling, I hope you were able to visit a different Parish and didn't miss the chance to participate in Mass with a different community. (No, going to Noon instead of 9:00 at St. M doesn't count!) Although the architecture may look different and the people may talk a little funny, it's always a great feeling to rediscover your "home" while on the road.

Though I'm not a world-traveler, I have been to Mass in big churches in California and DC, beautiful structures in Virginia and Atlanta, historical buildings in Wisconsin and Chicago, and little country churches in Tennessee and French Lick. There was even that one we visited while camping that was so small that the Communion line had to exit the side door and walk outside the building to the main entrance in order to get back to the pews. No matter how different they appear, isn't it great that you know the responses and can immediately participate and fit in?

The traditions of the Mass link you to the Body of Christ no matter where you are. Even in a foreign location where you don't speak the language (and I don't mean Kentucky), you can follow the cadence and know by the gestures exactly what is happening and you are still bound together with the congregation and with God.

The end of Summer also signals a time for changes in our schedules, but you can count on many things remaining the same in your local KofC. We will ALWAYS provide service to the church and to the community and we will strive to be knowledgeable and active in our faith. Throughout this newsletter [mailed to your homes in early September] you can see reports on some of the annual events we recently held, but don't forget that we have many more opportunities to get involved. There are a multitude of ways to help out the Parish at Country Fare, and our monthly KofC Pancake Breakfasts begin in October. Even if you can't work these events, bring your families and friends and spend money to help worthy causes. Of course we continue to hold some traditional events like the Steak Fry, the bonfire/hayride, the Christmas party, Know-it-All, Knight Bowl, the Tootsie Roll Drive and the Lenten fish-frys, but we are also seeing new events like the summer Turkey Run outing and a Habitat for Humanity day (among others).

There's something for everyone in this Council, and it's a great privilege to be a member of this group and a part of the team. We recently received notice that we were awarded Supreme's Star Council Award (for the 7th consecutive time). I can't say whether it will be another award-winning year as far as the State or Supreme is concerned, but I know I'm looking forward to another year of continued growth in membership, service, spirituality, and fun!

July 6, 2006

Effective immediately, please use this address (worden301@sbcglobal.net) for all KofC communications instead of the k12.in.us one. The other email will be down for 10 days and spotty after that, so I will NOT get your messages if you use it. Thanks!

In case you think I'm tardy with an Independence Day message, remember that the first newspaper didn't publicize the Declaration of Independence text until July 6th and it was August before all the signatures were finalized. In fact, on July 4th, only 9 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of the document (2 said no, 1 was undecided, and 1 abstained). I suppose even the best of ideas can be hard to accept in the beginning.

I have always found it interesting how a declaration of IN-dependence for a group so quickly caused the individual members of that group to DE-pend upon each other in the battles. These patriots all gained strength through the reliance on their brotherhood and in their common goals.

Like we see in the KofC, the sum of our efforts can be much greater than our individual work, and volunteering side-by-side makes the experience richer. I hope you continue to appreciate and enjoy the blessings of liberty that we owe in part to that group of men who were willing to take a stand and work together to back it up.

September 2005

This weekend we salute the American Worker--the men and women who build and maintain our planes, trains, cars, & roads for better transportation; those fire, police, & military personnel who protect us and put our safety ahead of their own; the construction workers, whose efforts have produced better housing and some of the sturdiest and most beautiful buildings in the world; the farmers, whose ingenuity and determination provide food to us and other countries as well; those who teach on the job or in classrooms to ensure the future of business and of the country; those in manufacturing or transportation who continue to supply us with equipment, fuel, clothing, entertainment items, and more; those who work in finance to help maintain and improve businesses, government, & individuals; those medical & health workers whose efforts and research have improved our quality of life; those who have retired from these and the many other important jobs that are too numerous to mention here. In short, we salute those workers who have developed this country and who continue to make it the Greatest Nation on Earth! Take time to thank God for these individuals and that you live where and when you do.

See you soon,

August 2005

I’m glad that Supreme decided to stick with that phrase for another year, because it completely reflects how I feel about my association with this organization. I’ve always given time to my church and community, but it was done with a feeling of isolation – like it was my own private cross to bear. My efforts in the church were beginning to feel like work and like they were insignificant. I was introduced to the KofC in my late 30’s and found that this group provided what I had been missing for many years. I discovered a group of men of ALL ages who work hard and pray hard (& play hard!), and I began to feel more connected. The lessons from the 1st Degree about Charity enabled me to change my attitude about how to prioritize my time and my faith. Abraham Lincoln said, ”My father taught me to work, but he did not teach me to love it.” Now I feel that the time I spend at service events must not be work because I have such a good time while I’m doing it.

As valuable as the lesson from the 1st degree is, I have found that it is only a glimpse of what the Knights of Columbus organization is really about – both locally and internationally. Much more understanding was gained as I took my Major Degrees. I find with the strength of Unity, the support of Fraternity, and the pride of Patriotism, I have really gained so much more from this group of men than I could ever hope to give to them. I encourage each of you to find out (or re-learn) all you can by attending the Major exemplifications on October 9th.

I am thrilled with the opportunity to lead the St. Malachy KofC through the coming year. I have plans to see our membership numbers continue to grow by 10% and by 5% in insurance/investment members this year, while doubling (at least) the number of men who really actively participate in the council. The outstanding group of Officers & Directors (see pg 3) has already begun working to find ways to invigorate the membership through a variety of events for individuals, couples, children and families. Yes, we will still conduct Business at our meetings, but look for more opportunities to learn about your faith, each other, and the history and goals of the order, along with just plain fun. We are a Catholic, Fraternal, Family & Service Organization, and I hope you are as proud as I am to be a member of this group. Belonging to the Knights of Columbus really is “the Experience of a Lifetime.”

July 2005

Brothers,

As you make and discuss plans for cookouts, parades, visiting with friends, traveling, camping, boating, etc. for this big holiday weekend, I hope you will also remember to think about WHY you have so many options on how to spend extra day off. We celebrate July 4th as "Independence Day", but in reality there is a huge difference between declaring independence and earning independence (just ask a teenager). In the case of this country earning it took FIVE more years of battle, effort, and many lives before the surrender at Yorktown. This weekend, remember to fly your flag proudly and make sure you take time to thank God for providing us with many freedoms and the people (past and present) willing to work so we can enjoy them.

May 30, 2002

It is indeed a pleasure to represent the Knights of Columbus here tonight. On behalf of my brother Knights and our families, I would like to congratulate all of our 8th graders on their graduation from St. Malachy Parish School.

This is the 3rd year the St. Malachy Knights of Columbus will award a $500 Catholic Leadership Scholarship to a graduate who will continue their education at a Catholic High School.

Last fall when I was walking through Cardinal Ritter High School, I noticed a poster on a door of one of the classrooms, it read:

• of what is true
  
• of what is fair
  
• and what is right.
  

During your time here you have been exposed to many wonderful examples of leaders.

Your parents have demonstrated their leadership in many ways. One important way has been through their belief in the value of Catholic education. They recognized by completing your education here you would be prepared to move on to high school as leaders - and would not require the time some may feel is needed to be “socialized” into a new environment. This is the truth!

Mrs. McClain, the faculty, staff and many volunteers are leaders who have given of themselves and their time. They have made many sacrifices to give you an education second to none. They have taught you, nurtured you, comforted you, coached you and challenged you to grow. You have been given more opportunities and encouragement here than you could get anyplace else - to learn, to compete and to become the best that your generation has to offer scholastically, socially and athletically. That’s fair for all students!

Our good priests, Father Dan and Father Russ have ministered to you in many different ways. They have been your spiritual leaders here. The spiritual aspect of your education here is what truly makes you different from those who are not graduates of St. Malachy. Fr. Dan and Fr. Russ have given you guidance along your faith journey and shown their love and support for you. Never forget that they are strengthened by your love and support for them too! Our spirituality doesn’t make us right, it teaches us what is right!

On September the 11th, the Knights of Columbus instituted the KofC Heroes Fund. This fund was designated to assist the families of police officers, firefighters and emergency workers who lost their loved ones in the tragic events of that day.

You also felt a need to help and planned an activity to raise money throughout the school. When you heard about the KofC Heroes Fund, your leadership decided to join our council in making a donation. I am pleased to let you know that your donation made it there and is a part of more than $1.3 Million that has already been paid out by the KofC to assist these families.

You have already demonstrated your leadership in many ways. You have exemplified the principles of the Knights of Columbus:

• Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism

You have all been appropriately prepared to be leaders in our community. We need you to take what you have learned here - and become leaders in our community - followers of what is true, what is fair, and what is right!

Now, it is my honor to present the Knights of Columbus - Catholic Leadership Award - to the individual among you, who will join previous recipients Ryan McManus and Zach Koontz - - - Congratulations, Patrick Rodgers!

April 15, 2002

Brother Knights,

I would like to begin today by relaying to you a story that had been brought to my attention recently. This occurred on Easter Sunday as the pastor of a parish was beginning his Easter sermon. The priest invited all the little children to come forward and sit on the steps near the Altar.

One little girl really stood out among the children as she bounced toward the steps in a very pretty and fancy dress. As the priest had been known to do during school Masses, he began his sermon by asking the children some questions.

As the little girl with the fancy dress was sitting down, Father leaned over and said, "That is a very pretty dress. Is that your Easter dress?" The little girl replied, directly into Father's clip-on microphone, "Yes, and my mom says it's a real b**** to iron!"

If only that were the most embarrassing thing that we had to deal with these days!

When I addressed you the very first time as Grand Knight back in July during the installation of officers, I commented on Fr. Dan's remarks during his sermon at Mass the previous Sunday of the trend on TV and in society toward eliminating the weakest link. As Knights, we look to our members as individual fibers, that united together, form a strong unbreakable cable. I reminded you - "... that is exactly what we need to be."

I am reminding you of that again today!

Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has referred to the Knights of Columbus as the "strong right arm of the Church."

• We must continue to take this responsibility seriously.
  
• We will defend our faith!
  
• We will promote vocations!
  
• We must and will support our priests and seminarians!
  

Unity in support of priests and seminarians is once again imperative upon us and our families. By supporting our priests we will continue to defend our faith and promote vocations as well.

I assume that many of you have been asked your opinion on the scandal in the Catholic Church today.

I have been. Most recently a friend who is not Catholic said to me, "I am only asking you this because it's been all over the news. What's your opinion on this mess with the priests? Don't you think that the celibacy thing is a big part of this problem?"

Boy was I glad that I attended the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral on Tuesday during Holy Week! Archbishop Beuchlein challenged the media present at that liturgy to tell the whole story . . . that 98% of pedophiles were married men. He also asked those attending the service to think back to some point in time when they, or someone they knew, were in need and found strength, courage and comfort from a priest. Within seconds, I was in tears.

Now I ask you to do the same - think back to some point in time when you, or someone you know, were helped by a priest.

Right now, maybe more than ever, they need our support. We will be there for them!

With regard to my friend:

• I told him that, yes, what has happened is a very sad and horrible thing.
  
• I told him that 98% of pedophiles are married men. (I have since been made aware of various studies that support this with percentages consistently over 90%.)
  
• I told him that the Catholic Church, like all faiths, is subjected to the same human frailties.
  
• I also told him that anyone who commits a crime against a child deserves to be punished to the full extent of the law while those who have been wrongly accused should be exonerated . . . "with liberty and justice for all."
  

Now at a loss for words, my friend turned to a beautiful framed portrait on my desk and asked, "Who's that?" I told him, with tears suddenly welling up in my eyes, "That is Fr. Stanley Milewski, a dear friend and an incredibly holy and pious Catholic priest! In addition to being the major influence on the formation of my faith, he was a major influence in the development of my character. He passed away from us and into the arms of our Lord on February 15th."

Brother Knights, pray for all of those who have been affected by the events that we are hearing so much about. Pray for the victims, their families, those who committed these acts, those who hindered swift justice (whether by accepting payments or transferring the problem), those who may be wrongly accused, those who now must carry the burden of embarrassment that others have placed on them and those who continue to serve us as priests. Pray for an increase in vocations and pray that young men considering the priesthood be given the strength, courage and comfort to follow their call.

Yours in Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism and Support of the Priesthood,

October 30, 2001

Worthy Brother Knights:

I have just been advised of a contribution that will be made in conjunction with our Sunday, November 4 pancake breakfast to benefit the Knights of Columbus Heroes Fund.

Janet Clements, St. Malachy School librarian and Student Council moderator, has informed me that the Student Council will contribute the money that they are raising, with the help of all St. Malachy School students, to be joined with the proceeds from our breakfast.

The students are currently guessing the number of seeds in a pumpkin to win things like casual day passes and other small, but often appreciated, classroom "perks."

Mrs. Clements estimates that this contribution should be in the range of $100-$200!

The students had been expressing a desire to contribute to the relief efforts of the September 11 attack and planned this contest. They were then trying to determine where to send their contribution when they noticed our bulletin insert advertising our upcoming breakfast.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Mrs. Clements, the St. Malachy Student Council and all of the students at St. Malachy School for their generosity in assisting all of the families of firefighters, police officers and emergency workers who have lost their loved ones. The Knights of Columbus Heroes Fund will provide each family with $3,000 to help them with immediate funds in order to attempt to maintain some order in their lives.

I would also like to invite Mrs. Clements and the Student Council Officers to attend our meeting on Monday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Family Room so that we might be able to personally thank them for their thoughtful contribution.

Sincerely,