Monday, January 10, 2011

News from the General Agency

If you were at the last business meeting, you saw some exciting information about the strength and stability of Knights of Columbus insurance program. If you haven't done so, you need to meet with our area agent, Stephen Regan, and let him give you a rundown of your current situation. Learn more about what KofC Insurance can offer in the way of security and peace-of-mind for you and your family. Check out the online Fall edition of the KofC Financial Beacon

Results matter: American Wheelchair Mission and KofC

With a new year comes more opportunity to continue to live up to the charge of the First Degree, that of Charity. Continuing into the new year is the Knights continued partnership with the American Wheelchair Mission. Holy Family Council has been instrumental in moving the statewide program forward to provide wheelchairs for veterans and others who can't afford the necessity of mobility to live as normal a life as possible. Read this article from the Tennessee Register about statewide Wheelchair program to see what's been accomplished so far, and what is coming up. Thanks to everyone who supports the council's Wheelchair Mission through working and supporting our monthly First Friday Fish Fries at OLPH.

Knights of Columbus mourn death of Judge John M. Roll, other victims in Tucson

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson today expressed “profound sadness” at the shooting deaths of U.S. District Court Judge John M. Roll and five others in Tucson on Saturday. He asked the 1.8 million members of the Knights of Columbus and their families to pray for the recovery of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 12 other people who were seriously injured in the attack, and for the repose of the souls of those who died.

Judge Roll, who was the chief judge for the District of Arizona, was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and was a charter member of Deacon Raphael Longpre Council 10441, and a member of Msgr. Hughes Assembly 2392, both in Tucson. He had been a member of the Knights of Columbus for 24 years. Members of the Fourth Degree will provide an honor guard at his funeral next week.

“The senseless carnage in Tucson is a terrible tragedy for the victims, their families, the people of Arizona and people of good will everywhere,” Anderson said. “We feel a tremendous sense of loss at Judge Roll’s death, and for all, young and old, who lost their lives in this attack. We pray for God’s mercy on all who have been touched by this tragedy.”

“At a time like this, it is tempting to respond with anger, and for some, to attempt to use the tragedy to stoke the fires of division. That would only compound the tragedy,” Anderson continued. “As the late Senator Robert Kennedy said following the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘What we need in the United States is not division . . . not violence or lawlessness, but love and wisdom and compassion toward one another.’ Judge Roll, a faithful Catholic who had just attended daily Mass before stopping to greet Rep. Giffords at her community meeting, was a dedicated public servant who understood this very well. Let us honor his life and service by embracing those qualities of ‘love and wisdom and compassion’.”

Video: One year later - Help For Haiti update

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Time to Kick Off Pork Loins for Pro Life

The Pro Life Pork Loin Sale is rolling around again just in time for Super Bowl Sunday! Beautiful, grilled five-pound seasoned pork loins, perfect for your party, are available for sale for only a $20 donation to the council Pro Life Fund. Clarence Bodnar will be in charge of the sale this year. Look out for sign-up forms after Masses at OLPH and St. Stephens, or you can call the hall to order at 899-9989. Also, help will be needed on Super Bowl weekend to season and grill. E-mail Clarence to let him know you can help and when.

Keeping Christ In Christmas

The "Keep Christ in Christmas" campaign this year kicked off with Light Up for Christ at the hall on December 7th. If you didn't make the 4th annual event, check out the pictures here. Nearly 100 folks gathered for a fun, family celebration of the start of Advent and the real Reason for the season. You may have also seen one of the two billboards erected by the council in Brainerd and East Ridge (the one pictured is above the Rib and Loin on Brainerd Road).

Coats for Kids wraps up!

The TV 9 Coats for Kids collection has officially wrapped up. The final numbers are not yet available, but at mid point in November, more than 1,000 coats had been collected! That's great news! Most all councils in Districts 12 & 13 participated in the drive. 16 brothers at 6099 stepped up to cover three Wal Mart locations and five dry cleaners. Thanks to collection team captains Brothers Ray Fox, Roland Lee and Mike Lucas who took charge of the Wal Marts and Brother Ray Bertani who handled the dry cleaner locations. Other participating brothers were: Allen Greenwell, Ken Stroop, Chuck Laplante, Mike Choquette, Moe Rivers, Terry Duffy, Bill Balsis, Rick Powell, and John Ryken. All of these brothers donated a lot of their holiday time to help collect coats! Final numbers will be available soon. Stay tuned!