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Knights Of Columbus
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Knights Of Columbus
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From the Grand Knight Rick Broderick When does it end? When does it end? I was asked this question recently as relates to why we should continue to help Haiti and was very upset as I didn't have a good an-swer. Then from some fellow Knights came two answers that made me proud: it ends when Christ returns and when the world ends so there is no more suffering, came from one very well intentioned Knight with what I think may be more profound than he realized at the time. The other answer was Mathew 25; 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' This made me realize that we all have a long way to go to know who Jesus meant as the least of our brothers. Right now some in Haiti may actually be the ones that look at us as the least – let's work hard to help and be the solution or at least try. Can we fix all of Haiti's problems – no. Can we do out part to make it better – yes! By the way one of the first countries to give money to New Orleans following Katrina was Bangladesh, the poorest country in the world. Wow did they do for the least of their brothers! I think now that I'm done with that thought I'll take a different approach this month to the newsletter. It's lent so let me start by saying – what is lent? Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is a period of 40 days of repentance, with prayer, fasting and abstinence, and Confession. There are many important dates during lent which include: Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 17, 2010), First Sunday of Lent (Sunday, February 21, 2010), Second Sunday of Lent (Sunday, February 28, 2010), Third Sunday of Lent (Sunday, March 7, 2010), Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) (Sunday, March 14, 2010), Feast of Saint Patrick (Wednesday, March 17, 2010), Feast of Saint Joseph (Friday, March 19, 2010), Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passion Sunday) (Sunday, March 21, 2010), The Annunciation of the Lord (Thursday, March 25, 2010), Palm Sunday (Sunday, March 28, 2010), Holy Thursday (Thursday, April 1, 2010), Good Friday (Friday, April 2, 2010), Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 3, 2010), Easter (Sunday, April 4, 2010). Some really important dates and some that you may not have thought that much about. The most special I believe is the Feast of St. Joseph. I believe St. Joseph is the most important of all the saints, being the quiet Foster Father of the Son of God. I believe we should all follow his example and be a lot less concerned with our own self but rather more concerned with how well we do teaching and helping others (least of my brothers). Imagine trying to teach and raise the Son of God – what a challenge. Mary was just plain good all around and chosen by God himself. But Joseph had to put all his trust in Mary and also what he believed in. He was and is the man we should all say special prayers to so we can be more kind and understanding of others. St. Joseph pray for me a sinner and a Catholic wanting to have your purest faith and trust. Yes, he is the Foster Father of Jesus and someone we can ask for his special help and courage – even devotion! I think he may even like hearing from us as most of us probably skip over him and go right to Mary or Jesus. St. Joseph hear my prayer and make me a better man. Now let me mention things that we're working on: First the Tootsie Roll Drive – done and with all of your help and especially help from Aaron Royer in organizing this effort we‟ve made over $6100. Great take for our local handicapped charities. Next the Lenten Fish Dinners – Please both be there to eat and also to help with the event.. We have agreed to help the HNJ Building Fund with the first $7500 from this event. With our past experience and our enthusiasm I believe we can have the best outcome ever. Also the Golf Fundraiser - Pat Cass needs some new Knights to help make this a major success at HNJ. Any volunteers??? John Torres did an outstanding job presenting his recent trips to Haiti and the plight of the people there. Thanks as that's what it means to be a Knight "In Serve to One – in Service to ALL". Let me also share with you the prayer entitled the Litany of St. Joseph: Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, God, the Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, Illustrious Scion of David, Light of Patriarchs, Spouse of the Mother of God, Chaste guardian of the Virgin, Foster-father of the Son of God, Watchful defender of Christ, Head of the Holy Family, Joseph most just, Joseph most chaste, Joseph most prudent, Joseph most valiant, Joseph most obedient, Joseph most faithful, Mirror of patience, Lover of poverty, Model of workmen, Glory of home life, Guardian of virgins, Pillar of families, Solace of the afflicted, Hope of the sick, Patron of the dying, Terror of demons, Protector of Holy Church, pray for us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. He made him lord over his house, And the ruler of all his possessions. Let us pray. O God, who in Thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for an intercessor in heaven, whom we venerate as our protector on earth. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. Just Before Press Thank you to all who contributed to the Tootsie Roll effort this year. We had some very tough Knights and their ladies stand in cold, cold, winds for two to four hours. We raised over $6100.00 which I believe is the highest in our District. We had some very high achievers this year. The best was "Little Miss Tootsie Roll". Brian Martin's daughter, Danielle, age 9 who collected over $100.00 by herself. Dale and Sue Saunders were the high collectors for their shift, (186.16 and 15 Costa Rican centavos) Joe and Carol Nepi were the second high collectors (181.15) Thanks again to all for a great job. We will vote during the March business meeting on how to distribute these. For the Good of the Order If any brother Knight is
homebound
and would like a visit from his Brother
Knights... Vivat Jesus! Rick Broderick Grand Knight + + + + + +
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From the Desk of the Chancellor Phil Gerace A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 After our February Social Meeting I began to think about something said by a former Knight who drifted away from The Knights because his local Council was not placing enough emphasis on good works and outreach. He is now interested in rejoining us because he has observed our actions and likes what he sees. He has ob-served us at work in our many programs, specifically mentioning our "Right to Life" pro-grams, among others. I then recalled several other candidates who decided to join us because they have observed our efforts to help our brothers, our Parish, and our Community. Many of these men were watching us for some time before deciding to join. I believe they decided to join us because our good works have been like the light Matthew was talking about. March is when the Knights of Columbus place especially strong emphasis on recruitment. Recruiting is a challenge and I have heard some Knights express discomfort at doing it, but we have an advantage. Day in and day out, week in and week out, month in and month out and year in and year out I believe Council 5845 is setting a standard at doing what Jesus taught us to do. I also believe that many if not most Catholic men would like to do more to follow this example but aren't sure how. This is where we come in. Our Council provides a way for men to do what they already know they should do, what they want to do more of. We don't expect members to do a "sales job" to convince a Catholic man to join us, just to do as Jesus would do…..present a simple, loving invitation to join our brotherhood. It need not be more than that. During the weekend Masses of 3/6 and 3/7, we will combine the Fish Fry Ticket Sales with the Membership Information table in the Atrium. We are in need of 1 or 2 additional volunteers for each of those masses. A Membership Information Night will be scheduled for the second week in March and a First Degree to follow before the end of March on an evening, or even a Saturday morning that suits the needs of the candidates. I have been passing out new Form 100's. Now is the time to use them. Give someone you know that invitation. Let's make this the best March recruiting drive ever and give the First Degree Team more than 3 candidates to exemplify. Please bring completed Form 100's to the March Business Meeting so we can vote on them. Also, please insure they are signed and all required questions have been answered and contact information included. Good luck.
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