Arkansas State Council Newsletter Knights of COLUMBUS NOVEMBER 2006 State Council Website: www.arkofc.net STATE DEPUTY DAVID E. WITT Why did you become a Knight? This is an interesting question for those who have been a Knight for a long time. I wonder why? Some of us may say that it was their father or uncle who talked them into becoming a Knight. Other may say a Parish Priest who felt strongly about the goals of Father McGivney and what he intended for the Knights to achieve. The stories and reasons are probably as varied as the number of Knights in the Order, but the bottom line appears to have always been a desire for self-improvement in our Catholic Faith and Evangelization. Many Knights take the First Degree and then go home and just stay home and never try to achieve the next level of the 2 nd or 3 rd degrees. Even those who attain the 3 rd degree may simply stop coming to meetings. Why? The answer is simple – in one word- need! I do not feel needed. Maybe it stems from them saying that they offered their help with council activities but were told they did not need or want their help. Some get frustrated when they try to run a committee and then told that someone else has more expertise and they were being put in charge. All of our Knights have a desire to be needed. It is the responsibility of the Council Officers to help nurture that need into productivity. The officers of each council are the one’s who guide their members to achieve more active spiritual physical activities within your council and thus within the Church. We have the Unborn Child, RSVP and a host of other things that our members would want to be part of if they were asked. Think about Free Throw Competitions and the Disabilities Drive (Tootsie Roll). These may not be a part of your regular activities; however, this could be the year to start. Think about it – did you just join to be a joiner or join to participate? Our goal then is to help them- not us! Thank about what your council does for shut-ins and the sick. As a Knight, are you doing your part? Are you carrying a Form 100 with you? Membership Recruitment and Retention is everyone’s job not just the Council Membership Chairman or Council Officers. Now is as good a time as any to put one in your brief case or Knights jacket pocket or the jacket you wear to church, work or leisure. Remember – all you have to do is ask! Ask and you may be surprised at the answer. The one saying yes may be the one who helps out in areas that have not been supported, or may even be one of your next Grand Knights! Search for that new enthusiasm found in new members and help nurture it so the new members become a key member. Once we have a new member keep him involved and interested in your Council activities. The following article may serve as a refresher and provide some guidelines. “Keeping Members Interested” HAPPY THANKSGIVING A SUPPLEMENT TO KNIGHTLINE APRIL 22, 2004 DEPARTMENT OF FRATERNAL SERVICES The key to success in any council is keeping members interested, excited and active. One way you can do this is by encouraging members to participate fully in council activities. Here are some ways to show continuing interest to new and established members alike and to help them become active participants in your council. 1 Telephone members and remind them of meetings. 2 Offer to provide transportation to members who would like to attend council functions, but don’t have the means to get there. 3 Answer questions. Members will ask why council activities are done in a certain way and if things can be changed. Provide them with sufficient information. 4 Inquire about particular interests of the members through membership surveys. 5 Help new members make new friends in the council by introducing them to all fellow Knights. Friendship is a great strength in any organization. 6 Do all you can to help members feel important to the council? 7 Get members’ names in the council newsletter, both when they join and as they begin to take an active role. 8 Be sure members’ names are always spelled correctly, whether in the membership directory, on a nametag at a meeting or in a news story. Establishing caring and concerned relationship among council membership will encourage your members to participate in council activities. By showing interest in the new and old members alike, your council will be confirming its commitment to the membership and will increase their willingness to assist in the programs necessary to help the Church and the community. STATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR BILL WAVERING Here it is November and we’re all getting prepared for the holidays. I just want to cover a few things with all Arkansas Knights. To all Grand Knight’s and Program Director’s; remember to contact the appropriate state program director and/or chairman regarding the programs you are running. Particularly the Membership Director (Art Brannen) with your Blitz results; and the Disabilities Director (Mike Willis) with your Tootsie Roll Drive results. Remember they need to know how your programs turn out so they can assist in making the experience even better in the future. You can find the email links to all Program Directors & Chairmen at the following web address http://www.arkofc.net/ directors.html. I am asking all councils to once again consider participation in the Wheelchair Foundation. For a donation of $75.00 we can get a matching donation and supply a wheelchair to a person in need. Please use this link to find out more about the program. http://www.arkofc.net/ Wheelchair_Program.pdf. Send your donations directly to the Wheelchair Foundation, but please make me aware of your contribution so we may track participation and give kudos where they are due. All Grand Knight’s and District Deputy’s; Now is the month to order your Free Throw kits! I pray that each of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Vivat Jesus Bill Wavering State Programs Director STATE WARDEN MARK L. MORGAN Gentlemen, the updated State Council Directory is available and complete as of today, in order to receive your copy you must email me at mlmorgan@morgancomputers.net and I will email the file to you. The reason for this is to update our email addresses and to make the directory accessible to more members. Hopefully by publishing quarterly updates we can keep communications flowing between the councils and the members. Please be sure to order your copy of the update today, when you request your copy be sure to include your name in the email I will not send it if I can not verify that you are a Knight. Also if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made please notify me at the above email address. Fraternally Mark L. Morgan, State Warden YOUTH DIRECTOR CLIF QUICK HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Our councils should have completed their soccer contests. This is a contest we need to put on our council calendars and in the next few years get one or two interested brothers assigned to it so it will begin to grow in popularity in our state. I need your local council or district winners into me by the end of November so I can compile their scores, get our state winners and send them into Supreme for the international competition in early December. Next up is our Essay Contest this month (November) and Substance Abuse Poster Contest December and then council-level free throw contests in January with the State Free Throw Championships in Conway on March 10 th , 2007. Last year we had an international winner representing Mountain Home’s Council. It would be great to have a winner two years in a row, if we can get our councils interested in getting out in the public to our schools and asking them to do these contests. Although I had been informed last year that a new topic was going to be selected in the essay contest, it is again this year, “The Responsibility of the Catholic Citizen in a Free Society.”I might suggest a bit of a variation of, “The Responsibility of a Catholic in America Today,” or “The Responsibility of a Catholic Person in the World Today.” As Supreme does not choose an international winner, we can vary the topic - hold your essay contest in November or December and have your winning essays sent in to me by the end of January or have your Grand Knight or District Deputy bring your winning posters and essays to me at the mid-winter meetings, if they have been completed. The holidays are coming. Find the time to spend with your family and with the Lord and have a safe Thanksgiving. Peace, Clif COLUMBIAN SQUIRES DENNIS CALAWAY We need Knights in any council that formerly sponsored a Columbian Squire Circle to check and see if you have a set or partial set of Squire Investiture Ceremonial Robes. 4 If so, would you be willing to donate or loan them to one of our active circles or to the state circle to be used around the state? The new State Circle is planning to hold it first ever State Convention during the Spring of 2007. Any council that is willing to sponsor this historic event, please contact the State Squires Chairman, Dennis Calaway. The first state officers of the Arkansas State Circle of the Columbian Squires: State Chief Squire – PCS Sean Calaway of Circle 3678; State Deputy Chief Squire – Dale Moore, formerly of Circle 3678 but now at Subiaco Circle 5073; State Notary – Chase Sanders of Circle 3678; State Bursar – PCS Tony Esposito of Circle 4939; State Marshal – Joseph Thomas of Circle 5073; and State Sentry – CS Jem Wray of Circle 5071. We will be planning on making the Annual Bishop’s Pro-Life Mass and March a state-wide Squires event an opportunity for the four circles to come together for fun, food and fraternalism. Make plans now to attend. The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will be sponsoring a YOUTH 2000 weekend retreat at St. Peter the Fisherman Parish in Mountain Home in March, 2007. Make plans now to attend. We’re still working on the institution of a new circle in Russellville and look forward to sharing that good news with you soon. Recently Conway Council 4143 expressed an interest in reactivating their Columbian Squires circle. Please keep the growth and success of the Squires program in Arkansas in your prayers. If your council isn’t sponsoring a Squires circle, you and YOUR YOUTH are missing out on a fantastic program. Please contact me (ssc@columbiansquires.org) if your council has questions or needs additional information about the Squires program. You can also visit the Jonesboro circle website at http:// www.columbiansquires.com MEMBERSHIP ART BRANNEN Use this list to describe the many benefits and opportunities that K of C members and their families can enjoy. Columbian Magazine – Free subscriptions to the Order’s monthly magazine examining issues of concern to the Knights, Catholics, and families. K of C ROSARY – Blessed by the Supreme Chaplain, which is presented during the First Degree Exemplification. DAILY MASS OF REMEMBRANCE AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH – Mass for deceased members and their wives, and deceased members of Squires program, at birthplace of the Order. INSURANCE – Portfolio of top-quality life insurance and annuity products exclusively for members and their families. FAMILY FRATERNAL BENEFIT – For eligible families. Pays $1500 for the child who dies before the age of 61 days Pays $750 for the child who is stillborn at least 20 weeks after conception Offers guaranteed issue up to $5000 to any child under age 18 ORPHAN BENEFIT - $80 monthly allotment for orphans of eligible families: up to $7,000 in College Scholarships available. MEMBER/SPOUSE FRATERNAL BENEFIT – Accidental death coverage for member at no cost. NEW MEMBER PLAN – Offer’s one time low cost whole life policy to new members and their spouses. WIDOW BENEFITS – Continues to be covered under the Member/ Spouse Fraternal Benefit 5 May purchase insurance or annuities up to 90 days after insured members death. Receives a free life-time subscription to Columbia Eligible with her children for scholarships, student loans, etc. SCHOLARSHIP – eight different scholarship programs for higher education available to members, their spouses and children. MATTHEW AND SWIFT EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND – Scholarship benefits for the children of members killed or permanently disabled as a result of military conflict or as a result of criminal violence while lawfully performing their duties as police/fire personnel. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – Opportunity to build personal leadership skills. FOURTH DEGREE – Eligibility to join the “Patriotic Degree.” HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP – at age 70 with 25 years of service. MEMBERSHIP CARD – Entitles participation in all Catholic, Fraternal and Social activities in over 11,000 Councils throughout the world. ACTIVITIES – FAMILY/YOUTH/SOCIAL/ ATHLETIC – Participation in a variety of programs and activities conducted by Local Councils. For more information on these benefits contact Knights of Columbus Supreme Council Office 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT. 06510-3326 www.kofc.org Want to review these series of article? Order A Guide to Membership Recruitment” from Supreme. (Bet you thought I knew this material all along!) K OF C INSURANCE FRED WARD GENERAL AGENT By the time you read this Halloween will be gone, Thanksgiving is next with Christmas on the horizon – have you started buying those presents yet? Have you thought about what your family would do for Thanksgiving, and Christmas if you were not there to help, where would the Thanksgiving dinner come from, where would your children’s Christmas presents come from – the welfare league, the church, your Knights of Columbus council? Should you not provide the funds for them by obtaining life insurance - then if you were not there at least the funds would be available to continue on with their lives. At the present time I still have an opening for one more agent in Northeast Arkansas. Should you know of someone who would be interested in a career representing the Knights of Columbus Insurance – please have them get in touch with me by e-mail, Frederick.ward@kofc.org or they can call me at 501-327-3904 HOG ROAST AND DANCE COUNCIL 4143 ROD HARRISON The annual Hog Roast and Dance will be held Saturday, November 4, 2006, at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Admission is $35.00 per couple; $20.00 single. This includes a pork dinner, drinks, and dance. Bob Tyler will play “oldies” from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM and then Barron Productions will play from 9:30 PM till 12:00 midnight. This benefits St. Joseph Church Community Assistance Program and the Endowment Tuition Assistance Fund. The event is co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the St. Joseph School Alumni Assn. Tickets may be purchased from Robert Massery, Cyndi Collins (Public Relations Dept.) or at the door. Take out orders are $8.00. You may send ticket orders to school and we will return your tickets to you. This is a fun event and benefits many. Thanks. FATHER MCGIVNEY GUILD STATE CHAIRMAN MIKE J. MITCHELL FATHER MCGIVNEY, ELECTIONS AND PATRIOTISM As Knights a very important time in our country is once again upon us. It is our national elections. We should all remember to carefully look at the candidates and examine them for good works and values which we as Knights share. Father McGivney was a truly good and compassionate man who gave of himself freely in all that was needed by anyone, anywhere and at anytime. We should honor our founder and examine the true goodness of those who we elect to support our values and our way of life. Father McGivney always worked for a better life for all those he came into contact with. We need to ask if those for whom we cast ballots will do the same? Will they honor our God? Will they honor our country? Will they honor the unborn? Will they honor the needy and the homeless? Will they honor those less fortunate that the majority of people? All of these things are charitable causes for which we stand as Knights. I ask you in honor of our founder to ask yourself if those for whom we vote will honor our values as Knights of Columbus and brothers of our founder Father McGivney. Please vote and also please pray for Father McGivneys intercessions in your prayers and report any positive results to The Father McGivney Guild in New Haven, CT. Remember that every Knight should be a member of this Guild. I urge you to join by filling out the attached membership form and mailing it or join online at www.fathermcgivney.org Signing up will allow you to receive updates on the progress towards Father McGivneys canonization. Mike J. Mitchell State Chairman Father McGivney Guild FAMILY DIRECTOR MIKE KIEFFER I am writing this on Columbus Day and as I write I am waiting for my phone to ring or my computer to announce that we have a winner in the First Baby Contest. I hope to announce a winner in next month’s newsletter. We may even have a picture. The prize money will be awarded as soon as possible after the October 31st deadline for reporting. Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast approaching. We all need to find ways that we can put Christ into those holidays and all our days. What programs can you develop: food baskets for the needy, senior dinners, lighting up for Christ. Please support the “Family of the Month” and “Knight of the Month” programs. Both of these programs help recognize the great workers we have in the Knights of Columbus. Once you pick your Family of the Month take the time to fill out the form and send it to Supreme. Your submission PLEASE ENROLL ME IN THE GUILD Name ____________________________ Address________________________________ City ______________________________ State ______ Zip Code _______________ Mail to: The Father McGivney Guild Knights of Columbus 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT. 06510-3326 7 could win the drawing at Supreme. COMMUNITY AND COUNCIL DIRECTOR CHARLES KUEHL Attention all Grand Knights, District Deputies and Program Chairmen, the contest is on! Become part of history by designing the next State Pin. Each year at the Supreme Convention these State Pins are traded among the delegates throughout the United States and Canada. They are very collectable. Delegates in attendance often wear past year’s pins to the exchange meeting. The Pins reflect the Religious, Civil and Cultural features of the individual States. We would like someone from our State to design a pin that will grab the attention of the whole assembly. Entry into the contest is simple. Include your name, address, council and district along with a graphic depiction of your design. Send all entries to Charles Kuehl at 5214 Moody Drive, Fort Smith Arkansas. Deadline to enter will be December 31 st . 2006. The contest winner will receive $100.00 and be recognized during the State convention with a memorial plaque. If you have any question my home phone number is 479-452-7396. This is a great chance for you or someone you know to become a part of Knights of Columbus History and a chance for Arkansas to shine at next years Supreme Convention. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS RELEASE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SPONSORS “SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE” WITH POPE DURING TRIP TO TURKEY New Haven, CT - Oct 26, 2006 The Knights of Columbus announced today that it will sponsor a “spiritual pilgrimage” with Pope Benedict XVI as he travels to Turkey in late November. Knights, their families, and all Catholics are being asked to pray daily for the Pontiff during the trip, which begins on Tuesday, November 28 and concludes on Friday, December 1. Knights will pray for the pope’s intentions beginning on November 26, the Sunday before the pope departs (the Solemnity of Christ the King). In addition, the Knights of Columbus will print and distribute cards with a special prayer written by the Order’s Supreme Chaplain, Bishop William E. Lori. Knights and others joining in the Spiritual Pilgrimage will say the prayer each day during the pope’s trip. The prayer asks that the pope’s visit will bring about “deeper ties of understanding, cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who profess Islam.” And it asks that “Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a dialogue of faith, reason, and love.” The full text of the prayer appears below. A PDF file of the prayer card can be found at www.kofc.org/ “Only a few Catholics can physically travel with the Holy Father to Turkey,” Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said, “but millions of us can be united with him in prayer during his pilgrimage for peace.” “We will ask Our Lady of Fatima to intercede for the pope during this journey,” Anderson continued. “Mary is regarded with special esteem by people of the Islamic faith, and this is especially true under her title Our Lady of Fatima, since Fatima was the name of the prophet Mohammed’s daughter.” TEXT OF PRAYER FOR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, we humbly ask that you sustain, inspire, and protect your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey – a land to which St. Paul brought the Gospel of your Son; a land where once the Mother of your Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land where faith in your Son’s true divinity was definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father, who comes as a messenger of truth and love to all people of faith and good will dwelling in this land so 8 rich in history. In the power of the Holy Spirit, may this visit of the Holy Father bring about deeper ties of understanding, cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who profess Islam. May the prayers and events of these historic days greatly contribute both to greater accord among those who worship you, the living and true God, and also to peace in our world so often torn apart by war and sectarian violence. We also ask, O Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect Pope Benedict and entrust him to the loving care of Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims. Through her prayers and maternal love, may Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a dialogue of faith, reason, and love. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Prayer composed by Bishop William E. Lori, Supreme Chaplain STATE PRO-LIFE CHAIR COUPLE ROGER M. AND NIKKI KUNZELMANN IMMEDIATE ATTENTION: 1 st - VOTE, VOTE, VOTE It is your duty as a citizen to be informed and consider what is best for our country and Arkansas. Do not vote for a candidate based only a single issue. Voting for a candidate who is pro-life is not justified if he is/she is a poor choice when you consider the poor and the needy, the unemployed, social issues (the definition of marriage), the need for health care, fair and equitable treatment of immigrants, housing, education, foreign affairs, social security, etc., etc. Consider all the issues, pray for guidance, and vote. It your responsibility as a Knight. 2 nd - Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with joy that your parents did not resort to abortion when you were a testament to God’s creation in your mother’s womb. Do something extra for the poor and needy on that day to acknowledge God’s generosity to you. When you give food, drink, clothing, and shelter to the least of our brothers, you give it to our Lord. 3 rd - It is not too early too begin planning for the March for Life in Little Rock to be scheduled January 21, 2007. Councils in Arkansas, and particularly in the Little Rock area, should be encouraged to participate in the March for Life. The 4 th degree Knights have provided an honor guard and nearby Councils have provided a meal for marchers. Other Councils have contributed funds to defray some of the expenses incurred by the Diocese. Begin planning how your District/ Council will participate. 4 th - Plan now to cooperate with your pastor in promoting observance on Monday, January 22, 2007, a particular day of penance - for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer - for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. Councils should assist the pastor in observing this day and Knights and their families should be encouraged to attend Mass and pray the rosary as a group. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has directed that all dioceses in the U.S. shall observe this day by celebrating the Mass for Peace and Justice. Please advise us what your district/council accomplished for Pro-Life since August 1, 2006. We will include your activities and accomplishments in our December report at the State Deputy’s mid-year meeting. Did your district/ council promote a Novena for Life in September or plan, promote, or participate in some activity for Respect Life Sunday on October 1, 2006? ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN GEORGE W. DAILEY This is the time of the year your State Council prepares for it Annual Fund Raiser in support of the Charities approved by the Delegates at our State Convention. Letters will be sent to our Grand Knights and Faithful Navigators on September 1 st requesting a donation from their Council or Assembly. A list of the Charities and their amount will be included in your letters. The cost to mail letter to all our Brother Knights is $2,500.00 to $3,000.00 and is paid for by the generous donations of your Council or Assembly. A donation of $50.00 will provide the necessary funds to continue this worthwhile endeavor and practice the first principle of our Order Charity. For the smaller Council and Assemblies any amount will help defray our costs. Experience has shown that if the Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator make a personal donation to our Fundraising efforts his Council and Assembly normally participate in this annual appeal. If you are unable to make a small donation please promote it in your Council/Assembly Newsletter and at your meetings. The Organizations supported by this drive rely on our donations as a means to carry on their good works. God Bless you and thank you for your generosity COORESPONDENCE ADDRESSES REPORTS DUE 185 Report of Officers Chosen for Term July 1 - June 30 Jul 01 365 Service program Personnel Report for Term July 1 through June 30 Aug 01 TP-1 Select your Council’s “Top Proposer” Aug 15 1295 Semi-annual Council Audit Report Aug 15 2629 Notice of Appointment of Round Table Coordinator Sep 01 CR Official Order Form for Recorded Columbus Day Program Sep 15 FT-KIT Free Throw Council Competition Order Kit Nov 01 FT-1 Free Throw Championship Participation Report Jan 31 1728A Survey of Fraternal Activity Individual Member Report As needed 1728 Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity Report Jan 31 1295 Semi-annual Council Audit Report Feb 15 2630 Annual Report Knights d Columbus Round Table Jun 30 ABC/XXX RSVP Refund/Plaque Application Jun 30 SP7 Columbian Award Application Jun 30 State K of C Business: David E. Witt 2125 Waverly Ave. Springdale, AR 72762-8273 479-756-6010 E-Mail: DvdWitt@sbcglobal.net Newsletter only: John Hollender P 0 Box 2156 Conway, AR 72033-2156 501-327-8734 E-mail: johnh911@conwaycorp.net or johnh911@hotmail.com