Former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Calls for a New Catholic Political Movement

Special to the Catholic Business Journal
By Thomas Loarie
May 28, 2013, (Danville, CA)   Raymond Flynn, former Ambassador to the Vatican, three-time Mayor of Boston and popular author, called for a new Catholic political movement in the United States while speaking on a five-city swing through northern California. Flynn says that Catholics feel disrespected and believe powerful, secular special-interest groups and money have too much power and influence in American politics today.
Read the full story here.

Knights of Columbus Mobilize for
Oklahoma Tornado Relief Efforts

Following a devastating tornado in suburban Oklahoma City, Okla., the Knights of Columbus has initiated local disaster response efforts to help those affected.
The Knights of Columbus Oklahoma State Council has begun organizing relief efforts in and around Moore, Okla., to assist those displaced or otherwise negatively impacted by the storm. In addition, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council sent an initial donation of $10,000 in support of the Oklahoma Knights’ response.
Read the whole post here.

Two students award Notre Dame Scholarships from Council 6099

Knights of Columbus 6099 Holy Family council is proud to announce that two Notre Dame High School Scholarships were awarded this year, each to a student in the OLPH Eighth Grade Graduation Class. Congratulations to Margaret Coles, daughter of Brother Chris Coles, and James West, son of Brother Bill West were each awarded a scholarship in the amount of $4000.

The scholarships are merit-based, with factors relating to grades and involvement in church and community being considered. They are awarded to the children of Brother Knights who are members of Council 6099 in good standing. Thanks to all who contribute to the scholarship fund, so Council 6099 can continue to make Catholic education accessible to as many families as possible.

6099 takes 9 awards at 110th State Council Convention

If the awards are any indication, 6099 has had a great year of service in 2012-13.  The council won 9 individual awards at the 110th State Council Convention, held April 26-28 in Franklin, Tennessee.

These awards are a testament to the high level of work accomplished by our members.  The awards were:

• Membership Awards:  Most Knights recruited in the STATE this year! (21)/High score in the State Bowling for Members competition
• State Deputy's Award:  For complete Council administration (note only 33 of 95 councils received this award).
• Chaplain's Award:  For outstanding vocations and religious programming (2nd highest award given by the state. 15 of 95 councils received this award)
• Bishops' Award:  For overall outstanding council programming (the State Council's highest award. Only 8 of 95 councils received it).
• MR Foundation Awards:  Top $$ producer in the state ($22k+), 4th place, amount raised per member
• Charity Activity Award:  Awarded for the outstanding charity project in the state for Southern Brewers Festival event.

Click here to see pictures from the convention (and who's that with the tumblers on the page banner?)

Officer Nominees for 2013-14

It's that time.  New officers for the 2013-14 fraternal year will be elected at the June business meeting.  Please consider these names, then show up to cast your vote.

If you're interested in pursuing one of the elected offices, please contact a member of the nominating committee.  The committee members are Victor Williams, Clarence Bodnar, Ronnie Schleifer, Corky Evers and Wayne Collins.

The nominees are:

Chaplain: Fr. Bartholomew Okere
Grand Knight:  John Vannucci
Deputy Grand Knight:  Tom Smelas
Chaplain:  Rick Powell
Warden:  Craig Bodnar
Recorder:  Steve Horton
Financial Secretary:  Ron Schleifer
Treasurer:  Earl Reike
Advocate:  Ray Fox, Jr.
Lecturer:  Jim Costello
Guards:  Roland Lee, Mike Doyle, Jr., Chris Schleifer, Craig Romanauski
Trustees:  Wayne Collins (3yr), Corky Evers (2yr), Victor Williams 1(yr)

How Can You Help the Families and Community Involved in the Texas Fertilizer Explosion?

Following the terrible blast at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, Texas, the Knights of Columbus is accepting donations to help those in need.
In addition, Knights of Columbus Council 2305 in West, Texas is working with local groups and the authorities to assist with disaster relief. The council is particularly well positioned to help since it counts more than 500 members in a town of fewer than 3,000 people.
Donations to assist in relief efforts can be made to Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. online at www.kofc.org/texas
Read more here.

Cardinal Seán O'Malley's Response to the Boston Bombings

"We Must Build A Civilization of Love, Or There Will Be No Civilization At All"

Closing out a week that saw his appointment as the lone North American on Pope Francis' eight-member "governing council" suddenly eclipsed by the brutal horror of Monday's bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon and its aftermath, following is the homily given by Cardinal Seán O'Malley at a Mass for the victims – four dead, over 170 injured, and a still-reeling region beyond – this morning in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross....
Read the whole post here.

Be "unabashedly Catholic"

Sister Mary Anne Walsh of the U.S. Conference for Catholic Bishops gives us something to keep in mind as Ash Wednesday approaches:

"The sacramentals feed that emotional side. Ash Wednesday does so especially. We can feel a little funny with ashes on our foreheads, but for Catholics, that’s how we mark the start of Lent. Ashes don’t say we’re holy. They say we’re sinners. They don’t say we’re perfect, only that we’re willing to try. They don’t say we’re models of religiosity, but they do say we belong. In today’s world of loners and isolates, that says a lot."

Read the whole post here.

It's Fish Fry Time at OLPH!

Lent is here, and that means KofC Friday Fish Fry is in effect starting February 15 and every Friday through March 8.  Get Chef Steve's outstanding fried fish dinner and fixin's, plus other tasty entrees.  All you can eat is $6/person.  Buffet is open from 5:30-7pm. You can even go to Stations of the Cross at 5:30 and join us afterward!

All proceeds will benefit the OLPH Home and School Association and the council's SOS (Support Our Seminarians) Fund, which provides $3,600 funds each year to help defray living expenses for diocesan seminarians.

A post card from Seminarian Colin Blatchford over Christmas Holidays, who receives $100 in support monthly from our council:

"Thanks so much for the check this month.  I drove home on it"

Catholic education and vocations go hand-in-hand, so please support these worthy causes!

Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori...and Repent!

There is plenty of opportunity for penance in the upcoming Lenten Season.  The schedule for Deanery Penance services is as follows:

2/28 - OLPH, 7:00p

3/4 - Shepherd of the Valley, 6:30p (CT)

3/5 - St. Jude, 7:00p

3/6 - Holy Spirit, 7:00p

3/7 - St. Therese, 7:00p

3/12 - St. Stephens, 7:00p

3/12 - OL of Lourdes, 6:30p (CT)

3/14 - St. Peter & Paul , 5:30p

3/19 - St. Augustine, 7:00p

3/20 - St. Bridget, 6:30p

3/21 - St. Mary, 6:00p

Welcome New Brothers!

Congratulations to our newest Brother Knights who recently took their First Degree.  They are Roger Qualey, Bill Demers, Bill Bates, John Phillips and Terry West.  If you see them around church, the hall or any of our other council functions, please make it a point to welcome them to our ranks!

So far this year, Holy Family Council has added 12 new members, and we're still working toward our goal.  Membership happens because YOU take time to introduce someone you know to the benefits of becoming a Knight!  Help the men you know live their Catholic Faith more fully by asking them to join the Order!  Our next First Degree exemplification will be on St. Patrick's Day, March 17 at 2pm.