Knights of Columbus Council 6793

Father Maher's Knightly News is
published monthly by:

Knights of Columbus
Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council 6793
P.O. Box 570
Olney, Maryland 20830

Please e-mail your articles in WORD
format by the 20th of each month to:
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I mentioned last month about how many events we had in December; well, we somehow worked them all in. I want to thank the Brothers who volunteered for Breakfast with St. Nick; it was a long day but a fun time. The joint Communion Breakfast with the other District Councils was a moving affair with the Color Corps but wasn‘t well attended by our Council. The evening we spent at the Olney Theatre for the Peter Pan Show was exceptional and many thanks go out to Chuck and Mary Cozad who made all the arrangements and put on an impressive reception; and a good time was had by all who came. The number of tickets sold exceeded our wildest expectations.

The information regarding our annual Christmas Party is addressed elsewhere in this Newsletter. The Newsletter has to go to press early again this month due to Rock Terrace School closing for the Christmas Holiday vacation; so we’ll have to report on the Montgomery General Hospital caroling and the Christmas Party for the Marian Assisted Living Facility next month. Pat and I want to wish all a very Happy, Healthy, and Holy New Year for 2009.

The house is really staring to look good for when family and friends stop by. Ok what’s missing? I’ve done all the preparations so far. I am on my game. So what’s next?

Sound familiar? Each year we go through the same type of preparations for the Christmas season but we often miss the whole point for the season. Yes, Christ is the reason for the season but we often tend to put the true meaning of Our Lord’s birth on a back burner so we can attend to the "fluff’ of the season. What kind of preparations should we really be making?

OK it’s good to provide Christmas meals for those in our communities who are without. And yes it is good to visit those homebound and show that you care. And of course it’s good to spread the joy of the season through caroling and acts of kindness towards others. These are all good ideas and points to the manifestation of Christ working in and around us

But there is still time to make the best of preparations to receive Our Lord. Each of us has an opportunity to take hold of ourselves and turn to the sacraments that are available to us. If we are truly going to decorate the exterior of our homes and clean house to receive guests into our home then why not do some deep cleaning and invite the greatest guest into out hearts by making a good and sincere sacramental confession. If we have been away for a while, now might be the time to come home and be with Christ this season and a great start for 2009.

Imagine the good example that each of us can make for our children and grandchildren to follow by redirecting the true meaning of Christmas and to prepare for the coming of Christ into our hearts and into out families. May we take this time to prepare, in our hearts, a place for Jesus to dwell this and every day. And may the true reason of Christmas live in our families, our community, and in our world, forever.

Individual member 2009 Council Dues ($45.00) are due in 2009. Each member should have received a dues bill from Don Hemke, the Financial Secretary. You are encouraged to pay your dues obligation as soon as you receive the initial bill in December or early January 2009. Members will also get notice of a one-time $3.00 assessment from the Supreme Council for the "Culture of Life".

Don’t let the dues bill get lost in the post-Christmas-New Year’s holiday mail. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

In 1882, our Order’s founder, Fr. Michael J. McGiveny, had the awesome responsibility of finding a way of providing financial security to the many husbands, widows and orphans of the Catholic immigrants coming into the United States. What Fr. McGivney did was to ask each parishioner to contribute whatever they could toward a special fund that would be used for the benefit of a fellow parishioner who became ill, disabled or died. When the fund was depleted, the "hat" was passed around again. This idea of providing financial security, at a time when it is most needed, was the primary reason for the founding of the Knights of Columbus.

Our Order has never lost sight of this original goal. Today, Fr. McGiveny’s dream is realized through the insurance arm of our fraternity. Our Life Insurance program is the envy of the industry. We have consistently been awarded the highest accolades. Our programs are available to all Brother Knights, their spouses and their children; under the age of 18. Furthermore, a portion of every dollar that is spent on life insurance premiums with the Order is funneled right back into the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus itself.

You joined the Knights of Columbus because you believed in the good works and morality of the Order. Our insurance program is run "by Brother Knights, for Brother Knights and their families." Since everyone has a need for life insurance, why not let the Order you trust -- be your life insurance provider. There is nothing better you could do to protect yourself and your loved ones. Your participation safeguards your family, supports the Order and the ideals you believe in and benefits Holy Mother Church!. What a wonderful fraternal benefit!

Give me a call. I’ll arrange a convenient time to talk about our life insurance, annuities, long term care and retirement programs.

The 2008 Council Family Christmas Party was indeed another fun event, with plenty of food, toys and crafts for the kids, and a much-anticipated visit from Santa Claus. It’s great to see some of our Brothers and their families which we don’t see as often as we would like. Msgr. Kane was a surprise guest and it was great to visit with him. Father Tom Kalita and Father John joined us for part of the evening.

$500 Stipend checks were awarded to 6 Seminarians again this year. Father Robert Vinetti of the Marians accepted for the three seminarians unable to attend due college finals. They were: Christopher Alar, James Cervantez, and Angelo Casimoro

Our own Homer Chen accepted on behalf of Paul Zhang and Mark Zu who were also unable to attend.

Council shirts are now available for $20. They are Maroon in color, Gildan Ultra Blend, 6.5 ounce, 50/50 cotton, poly pique knit sport shirts for men and women. The K of C insignia is just above the left pocket. We currently have all sizes available, medium, large, extra large and 2 extra large. To order your shirts please call Jack Giacalone at 301-774-6338. Thank you.

Our recruitment of new members near the end of 2008 has been great.. On November and December, we have 5 new members joining our Council. Let’s welcome Jason C. Russell (first degree on November 13), Armond Joe Carson, Stephen M. Ellis, James E. Knoben.( First degree on November 19) and Luis M. Jarquin (first degree on December 18). We also like to welcome new transfers, James P. Crossm, and William R. Strosnider and one Reapplication, Emmanuel Mark Harang. We only reached 50% of our quota. Therefore, we still need to try harder. Our Council has scheduled a first degree for January 28, 2009. Let’s talk to our friends, co-workers, family members and fellow parishioners inviting them to become members of Knights.

For membership information, please call Jack Giacalone at (301) 774-6338 or Homer Chen at (301) 460-0580.

We are once again offering these great jackets for council members and their spouses. These are excellent quality mid weight Jackets, they are Maroon in color with black fleece lining. The K of C 3rd degree emblem is embroidered the left side with Knights of Columbus Fr. Peter Paul Maher Council, Olney MD, circling the emblem. Your name will also be embroidered on the right side. We have already ordered and delivered over 40 jackets from our previous orders.

Jackets will be approximately $55 each, and the more we order the less they will be. This is not a fund raiser so our cost is your cost. We want to let everyone know that the Knights of Columbus are well and living in Olney.

Please call me to see, try on and order these great jackets. I would like to place our order no later than Friday, December 19th. Thank You, Jack Giacalone . 301-774-6338.

Trophies to winners in each age group...
Winners can compete in District and Statewide competition

It's not too early to MARK YOUR CALENDARS. On Saturday, February 21, 2009, Father Peter Paul Maher Council along with the LIONS CLUB of Olney, will again sponsor the 33rd Annual Pancake and Sausage Day. The usual "ALL YOU CAN EAT" breakfast at St. John's Episcopal Church Hall in Olney will provide the Council with the major source of funding for our annual College Scholarship Program.

Two important reminders. FIRST: Council Members will be needed to work the dining room from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. This will be done in the usual two shifts of 7:00 am to 11:00 am, which includes set up, and the 11:00 am to 3:00 pm shift which includes take down and clean up. Many hands will make for light work. Contact Financial Secretary Don Hemke (301-774-7511) or email gumpermd@verizon.net to volunteer. SECOND: A very important source of revenue for the Pancake & Sausage Day is the program booklet. We need as many council members as possible to take out an ad.

Program Booklet Ads
If you own a business, please consider this opportunity to support the Council. Individual members are encouraged to take out business card size ads to support the Scholarship Program.
1/8 PAGE (BUSINESS CARD SIZE) ....$25.00 1/4 PAGE .......................$50.00 1/2 PAGE .........................$85.00 Full page (8.5 by 7 in.).......$160.00
Two complimentary tickets with each paid ad
Ad deadline: February 11, 2009.
For Ads or to volunteer to help, contact Don Hemke 301-774-7511.

The following note has appeared for the last three months and I’m happy to report that last month three Brothers responded with donations. Let’s see who else will accept the "challenge."

A very generous Brother Knight in our Council, who wishes to remain anonymous, would like to challenge his Brother Knights to donate to the Seminarian Fund. He will match all donations up to $1,000. Please be generous in your donations and know that your gifts will have double the impact. This challenge will be separately recorded and the results will be reported monthly in the Knightly News. Send all donations directly to the Grand Knight, John E. Moore, 4500 Prestwood Drive, Olney, Md. 20832.

The Council use of member email address for communication will begin with the new calendar year 2009. Use will not include annual dues billing, but will be used for general dues payment reminders. General use will notify the membership of upcoming Council events and activities.

The Knights of Columbus will hold its First International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe from Aug. 6-8, 2009, following the 127th annual convention in Phoenix. The Congress will conclude with a Guadalupe Festival at Jobing.com Arena on Aug. 8. Nearly 20,000 attendees are expected from throughout the United States and Mexico.

The Knights of Columbus has been working with the Wheelchair Foundation of Camarillo, Calif., for four years, starting with a donation of 2,000 wheelchairs to victims of land mines and war in Afghanistan.

Since then, the Knights of Columbus have distributed thousands more wheelchairs – to veterans in the United States – and to those in need in the Middle East, the Philippines, Poland, Mexico and Ecuador.

The Knights of Columbus has launched a brand-new Internet-based news and information service for Catholics everywhere – Headline Bistro. The new Web site provides a quick digest of daily news of interest to Catholics. Whether it relates to world affairs, politics or news specifically about theCatholic Church, you'll find links to the original sources here. You'll also find video clips, detailed state-by-state information about voting and public policy, and recommended books.

In keeping with a longstanding commitment to build stronger marriages and families, the Knights of Columbus launched a new initiative at the 126th Supreme Council Meeting, called Fathers for Good. The centerpiece of the initiative is an interactive Web site, www.fathersforgood.org. The theme for the launch of the Web site is "A Father’s Identity," which offers men resources on how to build a strong, loving and confident identity in a culture that often does not value fatherhood or masculine virtues.

The Web site also offers sections on male spirituality and building a better relationship with God, topics that are often overlooked on other male-oriented sites.

The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild serves as a source for information about the life, works and spirituality of Father McGivney. The Guild distributes informational materials about him, receives reports of favors granted through his intercession and oversees the distribution of relics.

Guild members receive regular updates on the progress of Father McGivney's cause for canonization and are invited to participate in promoting devotion to this Venerable Servant of God. Members of the Knights of Columbus are not automatically Guild members and must elect to join the Guild. Join the McGivney Guild at www.fathermcgivney.org/mcg/guild/join/register.do

January 7	Council Executive Meeting, Cottage, 7:30 pm
January 14	Council Business Meeting, OLGC,* 7:30 pm
January 22	March for Life; Washington D. C. (See Church Bulletins for details)
January 25	Basketball Free Throw Contest, OLGC* Gym, 6-8:00 pm.
January 28	Council Social Meeting, 7:30 pm OLGC* (1st Degree; Members Only)

February 4	Council Executive Meeting, Cottage, 7:30 pm
February 11	Council Business Meeting, OLGC,* 7:30 pm
February 21	Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, St. John.s Episcopal Church, 8am-2pm
February 25	Council Social Meeting, 7:30 pm OLGC*

* Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
For additional information or to participate in any of the above activities, contact us at (301) 774-9260

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