Knights of Columbus Council 6793

"As Knights we are constantly observed, our faith judged, and our order appreciated."

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:
editor6793@yahoo.com

Good Brothers and Gentle Ladies: October will be an extremely busy month for us! Between now and our celebration of Christmas it’s “all downhill” so, get ready to enjoy the ‘slide!’ You are asked to be active Goodwill Ambassadors between October 24 and November 1 as we run our 2009 Tootsie Roll Program to benefit people with developmental disabilities. Call me (301-570-5508) to help at one or more of our store locations. A great way for us to be ‘observed’ is by stationing ourselves outside local merchants!

Our 10th Annual Halloween Festival at Inwood House to benefit their residents will be on Saturday, October 24th. Please call Bill Gulban (301-774-0424) or me to help with this gratifying event!

There’s still time to participate in the Maryland State Council Charity Fund. Owing to the current economic downturn, many more Brothers and their families are turning to this fund for assistance. Call me if you need an envelope or the address: 301-570-5508.

Jesus and Satan had an on-going argument about who was better on the computer. They had been going at it for days, and frankly God was tired of hearing all the bickering. Finally fed up, God said, “THAT'S IT! I have had enough. I am going to set up a test that will run for two hours, and from those results, I will judge who does the better job.”

So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away. They faxed, e-mailed, e-mailed w/attachments, downloaded, did spreadsheets, wrote reports, created labels and cards, charts and graphs, did some genealogy searches; they did every job known to man!

Jesus worked with heavenly efficiency and Satan was faster than h*ll. Then, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course, the power went out! Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld. Jesus just sighed. Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted their computers. Satan started searching frantically and screamed. “It's gone! It's all GONE! 'I lost everything when the power went out!'”

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly began printing out all of his files from the past two hours of work. Satan observed this and became irate. “Wait!” Satan screamed. “That's not fair! He cheated! How come He has all his work and I don't have any?” God just shrugged and said, “Jesus saves.”

October is a beautiful month and is one of the busiest for the Knights of Columbus. The State Council Fall Meeting in Hagerstown is on October 24th. The Fall Blitz scheduled for September and October should be in place on the Council calendars. We need to encourage all families to become members of the Knights of Columbus and serve our parishes, pastors and our communities and take advantage of our Fraternal Benefits offered as soon as they become a First Degree Knight. All Knights should take advantage of products to protect the security of their families. There will be an Information Program for all Knights or prospective Knights in our District on October 18th at Montgomery Council Hall beginning at 2:30 pm. Information will be geared toward programs in each of our councils and how you can help if you so desire.

October 10, 2009 is also the date for the Columbus Day Ball at La Fountaine Bleu in Glen Burnie. I hope we will have a large number of Knights and Ladies from our District attend and have a great time. The affair is well attended by a couple of our councils and not so well supported by others. Details for the event have been forwarded to our Grand Knights or if you wish you can give me a call. Monday October 12, 2009 is the celebration at Union Station where hundreds of Knights gather to honor Christopher Columbus. This starts at 11:00 am and is convenient because the Metro stops at Union Station.

Tootsie Rolls will be the order of the day for most if not all weekends in October. All councils in Montgomery County really work hard during the campaign to support our brothers and sisters with Intellectual Disabilities. We all should give a little time to this very important and worthwhile endeavor.

There will be one 1st Degrees in the District in October. Tuesday the 6th a degree will be held at Montgomery #2323. The Second Degree scheduled for October 17th will be held starting at 2:00 pm. All first degree Knights in District #30 should plan to be there. The degree is the only business of the day followed by refreshments.

On Thursday, October 15, 2009, at 7:00 PM the Sullivan Brothers Assembly will conduct a Flag Retirement Ceremony at Montgomery Council, 17001 Overhill Rd, Derwood, MD 20744. The Assembly will collect flags to be retired. Tattered or worn flags can be brought to the assembly on meeting nights (1st and 3rd Thursdays) or bring them with you on the 15th. The flag retirement ceremony is an emotional and moving experience that you will never forget. You do not have to be a 4th degree Knight to attend the ceremony or the Ice Cream Social that follows. Spouses are certainly welcome. If you have any questions please contact Jack Giacalone, Faithful Navigator at 301-774-6338. Hope to see you there!

Between October 24 and November 1, we will hold our 2009 Tootsie Roll Program to benefit people with intellectual disabilities. We have gotten permission from several local shopkeepers to collect funds and hand out as many tootsie rolls as possible. We need every available Knight to take up a post during this event. Call Joe Krempasky on 301-570-4891 to volunteer. This is a great opportunity for we Knights provide a little effort that results in great gains!

A speaker at a meeting of top business leaders asked each to write his or her own obituary. At first each wrote about their impressive business success, how much they had achieved. But then each threw that draft away. Then, they wrote about how they really wanted to be remembered: for being a loving husband or wife, for being a terrific parent, for how much they cared for their family and friends and finally for how fair and honest they were.

In fact, each of us is writing our own obituary every day . . . What we do now is what we will be remembered for. Material success won’t count -- it’s the kind of love we live. Being a good provider is important, but it is the kind of person we are that really matters. Just being a Knight shows we care about our Family, our Church and our Country. And you know, the more active we are the more it shows.

How about what happens to your family after you are gone? You can’t help wondering at the funeral if the family is going to have to struggle, or if the deceased left his family in good shape. Too many guys have some vague idea but don’t make specific plans. And some think friends, relatives or the government will take care of their loved ones. And many depend on their big group term plans; forgetting that it expires after they retire.

As a brother knight, I am trained to be of service to you. Why not take a few minutes to review your financial and life insurance plan . . . so you will be remembered for the wonderful person you really are!

Our Council has been asked to host the Silent Auction at the St. Peter’s Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 7, 2009! Here’s your chance to help your Brother Knights obtain items for the auction and to staff the 9 AM to 3 PM period, while visitors peruse the auction items and bid to win! If you can help to plan and/or run this event and/or have items to offer for the auction, call Grand Knight, Paul McFarlane (301-633-9439) to let him know. Auction proceeds benefit the Parish. Thanks in advance!

Father Peter Paul Maher Council will hold its 4th Annual Charity Golf Outing at the Laytonsville Golf Course, on Friday October 16th at 9 AM. All profits from the event will go to our Council’s Seminarian Support Fund, which offers a $500 stipend to as many Seminarians as we can afford to help. The format will be a four-person scramble and the cost is $75 per person of all skill levels. The $75 includes continental breakfast, lunch from Damon’s, a golf cart, beverages, prizes, and a welcome bag! Prizes will be awarded to winning teams and individual's who record the longest drive and closest to the pin.

Door prizes will also be given, which means we need help in obtaining donations from local businesses. Donations can be in the form of sponsoring a hole or providing advertising items, i.e. logo clothing, golf apparel, golf balls, etc. We would like to provide assistance to a record number of Seminarians this year, so come on out and enjoy a day of fun with friends and family for a great cause! If you do not play golf, but want to participate “Lunch Only” sponsorships are available for only $30 and include door prize chances! Remember, “Charity is our business.” Please contact Marc Long with any questions, to reserve your tee time, to sponsor a hole or to make a donation. Please contact Marc at 301-208-7134 or 301-518-1040 or via e-mail: ramair320_129@msn.com Visit our website at www.kofc6793.org/golf/ to print a sign-up form. Fore!

Speaking of providing assistance to Seminarians, a Brother Knight, who wishes to remain anonymous, has issued a challenge to us! Between October 1st and December 31, 2009, he will match, dollar for dollar (up to $1,000) contributions made to our Council’s Seminarian Fund! This is a fantastic opportunity to effectively double your gift to the fund! Please make your check out to Fr. Maher Council #6793 Seminarian Fund. You may give your contribution to one of our Chair Officers or mail it directly to Paul McFarlane c/o K of C Council 6793, P.O. Box 570 Olney, MD 20830. Please call Paul on 301-570-5508 with any questions. This is not the first time that this generous Brother has done this and we certainly want to make this worth his while as well as the ultimate beneficiaries, our Seminarians! Thank you for your generosity, in advance.

Check out the link on our council website (www.kofc6793.org) and order your freshly printed copy (or copies) of the 2010 Entertainment Coupon Book! They cost just $30! Give a call to Brother Doug Ketter on 301-570-5202 to place your order. Use it to save hundreds of dollars on food and fun! Remember, our Council benefits from each book sale! If there are any left, we’ll be selling the Entertainment Books at the November 7 St. Peter’s Christmas Bazaar; don’t wait, however, as these go fast!

Please plan to come and enjoy the first ever Pro-Life Concert at St. Peter’s Church on Sunday evening, October 25.The evening will be one of praise, reflection, and community building. Through your free-will offerings, we hope to raise money for an appropriate memorial for those who have lost their lives to the tragedy of abortion. The placement of the memorial is yet to be determined. The concert is a joint effort of the Saint Peter’s Social Concerns and Worship departments. We are grateful to our parish's music ministries for lending their time and talent to this important effort. The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude with refreshments at 9 p.m. We hope to see you on October 25 for what promises to be a festive and inspiring occasion! Saint Peter’s is located at 2900 Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 20832. For more information, please call 301-774-0162.

Recruiting Individuals Serves Everyone and Turn All Knights Everywhere into Actively Involved Members!

On Saturday, October 24, 2009, from 6 to 9 PM, Ghosts and Witches will revisit our Council members and the residents of the Inwood House in Silver Spring, MD! This is our 10th annual celebration of the Halloween Festival. Invited are the Inwood House residents, their caregivers, their parents, and Council families and guests. This year, as in years past, over 120 masquerading people will attend the festivities, to enjoy a buffet dinner of pasta and meatballs with salad, assorted rolls, beverages, and desserts all served by Council family members in a festively decorated dining room. After dinner everyone moves to the recreation room where there is entertainment for the audience and the gobbling up of a traditional “Witches Brew” and “Bats’ Blood” punch! This year’s entertain-ment stages a magician and a singing guitarist. Costume prizes, awards, and door prizes will make for an evening of fun for everyone!

Council family members are encouraged to volunteer their time for the party set up, decorating, bagging favors, pumpkin decorating, preparing brew and punch, kitchen help, buffet table serving, and ushering residents to table seating. Volunteers are asked to look through their homes for some little ‘treasure items’ suitable for prizes. We can use wristwatches, jewelry, knick-knacks, etc. This small consideration would provide much happiness to the residents of Inwood House. With your help, we can once again ensure a SPOOKTACULAR SUCCESS! Set up begins at 3 PM, Saturday. Please call Bill Gulban (301-774-0424) or Paul McFarlane (301-633-9439) to lend your support.

The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild maintains the living history of our Order’s founder and promotes his canonization through the simple, solemn act of prayer. Anyone may join the Guild. You need not be a Knight or a family member of a Knight. So please encourage your families, friends, and neighbors to visit the Guild’s website to learn about the Guild and to join. WEBSITE: http://www.fathermcgivney.org

October 7	Council Executive Meeting, Cottage on Marians Grounds, 7:30 PM
October 10	Columbus Day Ball- Le Fontainebleau, Glen Burnie, MD 7:30 PM-12:30 AM
October 14	Council Business Meeting, OLGC** 7:30 PM, Room #120
October 15	Sullivan Bros. Assembly Mtg., at Montgomery Council #2323, 8:00 PM
October 16	Council’s 4th Annual Golf Outing, Laytonsville Golf Course, 9:00 AM
October 18	New Member Orientation at Montgomery Council #2323, 2:30 - PM
October 24	Inwood House Halloween Festival, Inwood House, Silver Spring, MD 6 to 9 PM*
October 28	Council Social Meeting, OLGC** 7:30 PM – Possible 1st Degree (TBD)

November 4	Council Executive Meeting, Cottage on Marians Grounds, 7:30 PM
November 7	Council to Staff St. Peter’s Christmas Bazaar Silent Auction, 9 AM to 3 PM
November 11	Council Business Meeting, OLGC** 7:30 PM, Room #120
November 18	Special Events Planning Meeting, Cottage on Marians Grounds, 7:00 PM
November 19	Sullivan Bros. Assembly Mtg., at Montgomery Council #2323, 8:00 PM
November 25	Council Social Meeting, Cancelled.

* Check for details of this event elsewhere in this Newsletter or on the Council website.
**Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (See Council website for directions.)

For additional information or to participate in any of the above events please call Paul McFarlane, GK on 301-570-5508

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