KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
www.kofcohio.org
Brother Knights,
FEBRUARY 2016
Monthly Publication of the Ohio State Council
just seemed to carry over into January. Although we were off to a slow start we I need to take moment here to thank rallied quickly in the last 10 days and everyone for their prayers and good continue to do a fantastic job with wishes during my bout with pneumonia in membership intake. We finished January early January. I spent eight days in the with an intake of 169 members for a hospital and a good two weeks 7.51% intake. We placed 1st for the recovering at home. I am finally month in Division 1 edging out Texas by beginning to feel my old self again and 0.32% on the last day of the month. This am gaining strength daily. Prayers work. finish should earn us roughly $800.00 in Thank you to all who took the time to bonus money in the Winter Sports remember me in your prayers. Supreme Council Membership Contest. To date we stand at 57.69% of our Becoming ill never happens at a good Supreme Council membership time and my time in the hospital could not requirements. We rank 16th of the 74 K have come but the worst of times. It did of C Jurisdictions worldwide and we rank though, three days before the start of the 1st among the Division 1 State Councils Ohio Charity Foundation Meeting and the slightly ahead of Texas by 0.13% District Deputy Midyear Meeting. Everyone rose to the occasion and took The great news is that we are growing. I to the task in my absence. Thank you to don’t like to get too far ahead of myself State Secretary Kevin Miller, the State but we are at +204 Net/Net (intake less Officers, Directors and Staff for pitching suspensions, withdraws, deaths, and out in and making it a successful weekend. of state transfers) and we are beginning to show new growth in Ohio. This places A little about membership‌ us 3rd in the Order slightly behind The December membership enthusiasm Louisiana and Mexico Northwest. With
another couple of good recruiting months Ohio could be over the 58,000 member mark. Thank you to everyone who is working to make this happen. Grand Knights and Membership Directors please keep membership the foremost priority in every one of your councils throughout this great state of Ohio. We have begun to show an increase in the number of councils recruiting and bringing in new members. To date about 66% of the Council's around the state are carrying the load in new membership. If the State of Ohio is to improve our membership status and grow as a jurisdiction we need the other 34% or roughly 132 councils to step up and begin recruiting. A new member from each of those councils would make a significant impact on our bottom line today. We are all on the same team and all in the game together. I need a firm commitment from all involved to make this happen. We are again looking for some opportunities again in February. There
CHARITY - UNITY - FRATERNITY PATRIOTISM 1
schedule them they will come. If you post All in all we improved in sales. That’s a them others can see them and they will good thing. We are headed in the right are still a lot of prospective members just come too. direction. Even so we still continue to waiting to be asked or need to be leave a lot of money on the table in the contacted. Inspector Membership has Please continue to remind your Football Frenzy Program. There were still some incentives in February for Councils candidates about the proper attire when 21, 800 tickets left unsold. That equates and Brother Knights that bring in new they come to take any of the degrees. A to nearly a quarter million in potential members. Rumor has it that Inspector candidate in t-shirts and shorts is just not bottom line revenue for everyone to Membership has issued an additional an acceptable dress for a candidate share. Special Winter Membership Program making a degree. They should be Contest for February. Watch us on dressed at the very minimum some type I would like to recognize State Fund Facebook or get signed up for our social of Dockers or dress pants and a polo shirt Raising Chairman PSD Gary Eckstein for media blitz for an unpublished or dress shirt. running another successful Football membership incentive. Frenzy Campaign. Few of us know what Again more Squires Congratulations... goes on behind the scenes and what it Supreme Council has announced the Congratulations to our State Squire takes to chair a program of this requirements for earning VIP Bonus Circle. They stand second in the Order importance. I cannot thank him enough Points for the second half of the Fraternal with a percentage net gain of 14.25%. for what he does for everyone at the Year. See your Grand Knight, District They are 5th stateside with a 61 member State Council. Deputy, or State Membership Director intake and a net intake of 55 new Nick Gresko for details. members. Look for some interesting proposals from State Fund Raising Chairman Gary Supreme Knight Carl Anderson by a Culture of Life… Eckstein and myself for future Football unanimous vote of approval from the I would like to send out a special “Thank Frenzy Sweepstakes programs. I may be State Deputies gathered in San Antonio You” to all the Brother Knights, Councils, Ohio’s sleeping giant of a fund raiser. approved the Supreme Per Capita Star and Parishes that braved the elements to Council Incentive Plan for another year. attend the March for Life in Washington Supreme Council Icon Program… Achieve Star Council status at your D.C. council and be exempt from Supreme Per Capita payments for one year. Our Fall Fundraiser the Football Frenzy Sweepstakes… Growth in new membership brings new Brothers the final report is in on the Brother Knights, new ideas, and new Football Frenzy Sweepstakes. We sold a energy into your councils. Please get on total of 14,124 tickets statewide. This was track with your councils membership an increase of 25% in ticket sales over program and sign up a new member the previous year. Each diocese was today. If you haven’t brought in a new reported to have an increase in sales. member this year please take a moment Cleveland led the way with a 46% and ask yourself why. increase in sales and was rewarded with an extra $1.00 rebate per ticket sold. Congratulations to the December Toledo was second with a 32% increase Membership Contest winners and all who in sales and was rewarded with an extra brought in a new member that month. $0.50 per ticket sold. Columbus was third Contest winners should be listed in State with a 20% increase in sales and was Membership Director Nick Gresko’s also rewarded with an extra $0.25 per column. ticket sold. (Continued from page 1)
Some thoughts on degree work…and its working! Please continue to schedule frequent degrees. Our requirement is one Admission (1st) Degree per District per month, statewide. I see the results of these frequent degrees already paying off in our membership numbers. Every District Deputy is required to schedule and conduct an Admissions (1st) Degree in his district every month. Please post all (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) degrees on the State Website. The degree posting page should be overflowing with scheduled degrees. There should be a minimum of 80 1st Degrees per month posted on the State Website. If you
Councils throughout Ohio earned just over $41,000.00 in rebates. The State Council also realized just over $48,000.00 in profit after operating expenses, weekly prizes and rebates. A big “Thank You” to everyone who participated in this year’s program. The Top Ten Councils around Ohio in rebates are; 1. Fr. Regan #3269; 2. Mary Queen of Peace #16279; 3. St. Peter #13984; 4. Bellevue #752; 5. St. Charles #16137; 6. St. Joan #15905; 7. Gilmore #310; 8. New Albany #10941; 9. St. Cosmos and Damian #11831; 10. Fr. Maruskin 10936.
The Holy Family Icon Program Books are printed and we have begun the Icon Tour through Ohio. Hopefully the four icons will circulate through the State of Ohio as planned. Look further to the State Website for the schedule and when the icon will come to your district. Please take full advantage of this prayerful opportunity within your council and parishes. State Council Financials… State Secretary Brother Kevin Miller has just issued all of the Football Frenzy Sweepstakes weekly winner’s checks. He has also issued all of the Council rebate (Continued on page 3)
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checks. Those rebate checks were sent to the Councils Financial Secretary of record as of January 1st. State Advocate Brother Mark Siracusa has finalized the 2015 Measure Up Campaign and the 2015 Matching Funds Campaign. Booklets containing the results of these two campaigns will be made available to your council through your District Deputy. On behalf of all the State Officers I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in the Measure Up Campaign and Matching Funds Campaigns. Due to your efforts I believe we showed an increase in donations this year. A little about the Statewide Retreat… Please keep the 14 Brother Knights in your prayers who will make the Ohio State Council Statewide Retreat the weekend of February 5th and 6th. The retreat weekend will be under the direction of Former State Chaplain Rev.
Council, District, Regional, and State Free Throw Contests… Please make yourself aware of the dates for these events in your area. All contest winners advance to the next level of competition. State Free Throw Final will be Saturday, March 19, in Columbus at Bishop Ready High School.
Super Cash Bonanza… The 2016 Super Cash Bonanza Campaign will kick off as usual during two weekends in February. Along with Special Lapel Pin… the presentation of the Super Cash I have been working with Vice Supreme Bonanza I will be introducing a Special Master Donald Hall to produce a special 90 Day Membership Contest to carry lapel pin for any 4th Degree member who Ohio over the top in membership recruitment. It just may be a good idea to brings in a new member and get him through his first 3 degrees. Our 4th have your Council Membership Degree Sir Knights are always looking for Director with you that day. Road Show ways to increase not only their locations are as follows. membership but the State Councils as well. The final details of the pin have Thursday, February 18, 7:00pm, been finalized and are in production. It is Marietta Council #478 an attractive pin that I believe any Friday, February 19, 7:00pm, Msgr. Brother Knight would be proud to wear. Dooley Council #4361 Look for a form here in the “Voice of the Saturday, February 20, 10:00am, St. Spirit” that will enable to you obtain this Joseph Randolph Council #2039 pin provided the requirements have been Saturday, February 20, 1:00pm, met. Garfield Council #4130 Friday, February 26, 7:00pm, Tiffin WWW.KOFCOHIO.ORG Council #608 The State Website is up and running for Saturday, February 27, 9:30am, the first three General Program grading Msgr. Lang Council #1039 periods. Yes we have had some web Saturday, February 27, 3:00pm, Fr. issues but to my knowledge they are Aufderheide Council #12912 minimal. All problems to my knowledge Saturday, February 27, 7:00pm, St. have been worked out with Webmaster Michael’s Council #3382 Brother Gilliland on a person to person Sunday, February 28, 2:00pm, St. basis. Remember our website is only 210 Elizabeth Ann Seton Council #11187 days old or so and it’s just getting up on its feet.
Fr. Ron Williams.
Please be patient with us. If you have any issues please address them to me and I'll get with you and Brother Bob to get them resolved.
State Convention 2016… Grand Knights and State personnel be on the lookout for the 1st call to convention. I will try my best to get it out a little early and by March 15th at the latest. The 117th State Convention will take place the weekend of May 20, 21 and 22 a week prior to Memorial Day weekend at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio.
With this said and confident in the working of the Website thus far Brother Gilliland has given District Deputies the ability to view all of their respective councils programming. Brother Gilliland is also working on the State Chaplain’s Page, the State Deputy’s Page, links to video productions on the Supreme “Town Hall” Meetings… Website, State Council Website tutorials, The “Town Hall” meetings are over for and better information to our Membership In closing… this fraternal year. The meetings Inquiry Page. May God continue to Bless you as you throughout the state have been very well attended. There has been excellent We have added the ability of the District continue to the work you do in Jesus name. Dedicate everything you do for dialogue and debate among myself, other Deputies and Grand Knights to use a Him to the honor and glory of God and State Officers, State Directors and the fillable 450 and 450C Degree Report see what changes it will make in your life. Brother Knights in attendance. These Form on the Website. Filing of this form meeting are a great place to learn about on the State Website will generate a copy Bob Collins the working of your State Council, the to the Supreme Council, State State Website, State General Program, Membership Director Nick Gresko, and to State Deputy Church Drives, and membership me. Look for this form under the “Forms recruiting. Look for another round of Tab” at the top of the Website page. If “Town Hall” meetings to begin this this proves successful and reliable it is August sometime after we return from the just a precursor to a fillable From 185 Supreme Convention. and Form 365 this June. Council Audits and Fraternal Survey… Form 1295, Councils Audits, for the 1st half of the Fraternal Year and Form 1728, Fraternal Survey are now overdue to Supreme Council. Please make every effort to complete this task.
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Reflections from State Chaplain Father Edward Janoch, State Chaplain As I write this reflection there are plenty of stories on the Internet and Facebook about the issues of LIFE. What I find interesting in the Internet stories is the callous attitudes a number of people have towards LIFE. Here a just a few of the headlines of articles on the Internet: “Abortion Activists Upset Democrat Debate Didn’t Promote Aborting More Babies,” “Doctors Said Our Son’s Life Wasn’t Worth Saving Because He Has Trisomy 18,” “Though African-Americans are 12.6% of the Population, 30% of Aborted Babies are Black,” “Her Parents Abandoned Her After Birth Just Because She Has Very Wrinkly Skin,” and “Planned Parenthood Abortionist: ‘I Follow My God-Given Calling’ to Kill Babies in Abortions.” There are; however, some promising stories out there that give hope that the tide is turning. Here are a few of these headlines: “KENTUCKY: Panel Passes Pro-Life Bill to Help Women Find Better Alternatives to Abortion,” “Catholic University Students Will Lead March for Life Showing How Millennials Oppose Abortion,” “American Families are Adopting ‘Unadoptable’ Children With Down Syndrome From China,” “OKLAHOMA: Judge Upholds Oklahoma Pro-Life Law Requiring Abortion Clinics to Help Stop Child Rape,” and “Mother Rejects Abortion After Seeing Baby’s Smile in Ultrasound.” It just does not comprehend in my mind how there are people who reject LIFE. Some will even say that they are “good” Catholics or that they are “Christians,” yet they see no problem with taking the life of a human being. Some believe that there can be some exceptions for an abortion to be done. In the case of Rape, Incest, or to save the life of the mother, an abortion can be done. However, an innocent life is still lost. The children conceived in rape or incest did not make the choice on how they were to be conceived; given life, but yet they were given life. Many will say that the woman should not have to carry an unwanted pregnancy or that she should not have to be reminded by the child of the rape or incest that took place. Yet we say that
the ultimate act of love is dying to self and giving our self to another; in this case the child in the womb. Why should the woman who was an innocent person who had an evil act done to her now be the one to perform an evil act unto another innocent person; the baby. This does not make sense. Besides, the woman is going to remember the rape or incest no matter if there is a child or not. Unless she has lost her memory of the event; she will remember it for the rest of her life. In the case of the life of the mother, all possible means should be taken to save both lives. Yet there are cases where both die, one lives and one dies, and where both live. We do not use abortion as the means to end the innocent life of the child. Modern medicine and science has advance to the point where very premature babies have
a better chance of living then they did just five years ago. A child could be delivered early and have a chance to live. The child may die, but the procedure was being done to give both the mother and the child a chance to live.
offers other events that could be done by a council. I know that councils have come together to have campaigns to raise funds for an ultrasound machine to be placed in a prenatal facility. Over thirty have been placed in Ohio. More are still needed. One of the encouraging stories listed above mentioned that a woman did not abort her child for she saw the child smile on the ultrasound. If councils are not able to attend the March for Life in Washington D.C. or in a major city in Ohio, why not form a March for Life in your local area. Join councils in your area to have a March. Towns and cities like Mentor, Piqua, Geneva, Bowling Green, Kent, and Athens, just to name a few, could hold a March if they cannot go to ones in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Steubenville or Youngstown. Maybe the large cities dates for their Marches do not fit well with events that may already be planned by councils in these areas. It does not have to be long. One mile or even a-half-a-mile walk can still show people that we are for LIFE. There are many things that we can do. We just have to have the FAITH that we say that we have, and to put that FAITH into action. Where would the Knights of Columbus be if the Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney did not have the faith with the first group of men to found our Order? Keep being men of FAITH and continue to be “merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful.”
As members of the Knights of Columbus, we have been strong supporters for LIFE. When I go to the March for Life in Washington, D. C., I will see a great number of K of C DEFEND LIFE posters. They will be carried by brother Knights or given out to the marchers. We need to find ways to support LIFE. In the next few months, there will be some opportunities to promote LIFE. The “40 Days for Life” will take place during the Season of Lent, 10 February 2016 through 20 March 2016. Councils throughout the State could gather for one day to pray for LIFE and for an end to Vivat Jesus! abortion. The Program Manual also
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Saint of the Month St. Josephine Bakhita February 8th St. Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan in 1869. This African flower, who knew the anguish of kidnapping and slavery, bloomed marvelously in Italy, in response to God's grace, with the Daughters of Charity, where everyone still calls her "Mother Moretta" (our Black Mother"). Bakhita was not the name she received from her parents at birth. The fright and the terrible experience she went through made her forget the name her parents gave her. Bakhita, which means "fortunate", was the name given to her by her kidnappers.
since she was a child. "Seeing the sun, the moon and the stars, I said to myself: who could be the Master of these beautiful things? And I felt a great desire to see him, to know him and to pay him homage...� After several months in the catechumenate, Bakhita received the sacraments of Christian initiation and was given a new name, Josephine. It was 9 January 1890. She did not know how to express her joy that day. Her big and expressive eyes sparkled, revealing deep emotions. From then on, she was often seen kissing the baptismal font and saying: "Here, I became a daughter of God!"
Sold in the markets of El Obeid and Khartoum, she experienced the physical and moral humiliations and sufferings of slavery. In the Sudanese capital, Bakhita was bought by an Italian consul, Callisto Legnani. For the first time since the day she was kidnapped, she realized with pleasant surprise that no one used the lash when giving her orders; instead, she was treated with love and cordiality. In the consul's residence Bakhita experienced peace, warmth and moments of joy, even though veiled with nostalgia for her own family whom, perhaps, she had lost forever. The political situation forced the consul to leave for Italy. Bakhita asked and obtained permission to go with him and a friend of his, a certain Mr. Augusto Michieli. On their arrival in Genoa, Mr. Legnani, at the request of Mr. Michieli's wife, agreed to leave Bakhita with them. She followed the new "family", which settled in Zianigo, near Mirano Veneto.
When Mrs. Michieli returned from Africa to take her daughter and Bakhita, the When their daughter Mimmina was born, latter, with unusual firmness and courage, Bakhita became her babysitter and friend. expressed her desire to remain with the The acquisition and management of a Canosian Sisters and to serve that God large hotel in Suakin on the Red Sea who had shown her so many proofs of his forced Mrs. Michieli to move to Suakin to love. The young African, who by then had help her husband. Meanwhile, on the come of age, enjoyed the freedom of advice of their administrator, Mimmina choice which Italian law guaranteed. and Bhakita were entrusted to the Canossian Sisters of the Institute of Bakhita remained in the catechumenate Catechumens in Venice. where she experienced the call to be a religious and to give herself to the Lord in It was there that Bakhita came to know the Institute of St. Magdalene of about God, whom "she had experienced Canossa. On 8 December 1896 in her heart without knowing who he was" Josephine Bakhita was consecrated
forever to God, whom she called by the sweet name of "the Master!" For the next 50 years this humble Daughter of Charity, a true witness to the love of God, lived in the Schio community, involved in various services: cooking, sewing, embroidery and attending to the door. When she was on duty at the door, she would gently lay her hands on the heads of the children who daily attended the Canossian schools and caress them. Her amicable voice, which had the infection and rhythm of music of her country, was pleasing to the little ones, comforting to the poor and suffering and encouraging to those who knocked at the institute's door. Her humility, simplicity and constant smile won the hearts of all the citizens. Her sisters in the community esteemed her for her constant sweet nature, exquisite goodness and deep desire to make the Lord known. "Be good, love the Lord, and pray for those who do not know him. What a great grace it is to know God!" she said. As she grew older she experienced long, painful years of sickness. Mother Bakhita continued to witness to faith, goodness and Christian hope. To those who visited her and asked how she was, she would respond with a smile: "As the Master desires." During her agony, she relived the terrible days of her slavery and more than once begged the nurse who assisted her: "Please, loosen the chains...they are heavy!" It was Blessed Mary who freed her from pain. Her last words were: “Our lady! Our Lady!" and her final smile testified to her encounter with the Lord's Mother. Mother Bakhita breathed her last on 8 February 1947 at the Canossian convent in Schio, surrounded by the sisters. A crowd quickly gathered at the convent to have a last look at their "Mother Moretta" and ask for her protection from heaven. The fame of her sanctity has spread to all the continents and many receive graces through her intercession. Josephine Bakhita was beatified on 17 May 1992, and Canonized on 1 October 2000. catholic.org
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Membership
4 MORES: MORE Knights bring MORE hands & hearts, to raise MORE funds and to evangelize, doing GOD’S good works helping MORE people in need!
Nick Gresko, State Membership Director
After finishing January #1 in Division 1 again Ohio has finished #1 four out of the first seven months. Many councils have accepted the mission, went out and showed the Order that Ohio IS The Membership State! What are your councils going to do down the home stretch (February, March, April, May and June) - keep the same from the first seven months or go out pound the pavement helping Team Ohio be #1 again? Will your diocese make a leap towards being #1? That is all up to each individual council! Again, thank you to all the members and councils that have recruited members so far! Please go out there and do it again so we can all help grow Our State and Our Order! "Through Him, With Him, In Him" and everything is possible! With things going as well as they have been just imagine what the numbers would be like if the below 100 Councils would recruit one or more new members.
Cincinnati (11) Cleveland (17) Columbus (15)
Steubenville (12)
Toledo (22)
Youngstown (20)
1782
947
400
1246
591
341
2927
2643
994
1421
1039
360
3376
2786
1065
1716
1117
507
3730
2816
1341
2187
1197
509
3861
3087
2898
2262
1494
554
5239
3126
3864
4361
1718
620
5621
3222
4324
4590
1750
627
6144
3541
5834
5174
1915
2530
10149
3822
10284
5250
2238
3350
14545
4168
11193
5583
2642
3766
15424
4498
12641
11380
2850
3813
5106
13379
15401
3883
4433
5506
13801
4790
4571
8369
14282
5139
4658
10936
14671
5226
5173
11464
8829
5589
14714
10749
13586
11287
14186
11450
14491
13636
15573
15036 16264
Form 100’s Within 3-10 days of a degree any Form 100’s should be emailed to the Supreme Council at membership@kofc.org or to membershiprecords@kofc.org Supreme is able to process the Form 100 much quicker this way and you have a receipt that they were sent in your sent mail. Plus this saves your council the cost of a stamp every time new members are brought in.
Form 450 and Form 450C is like GOLD!!! District Deputies please make sure within 3-7 days of holding a degree in your District the Form 450 is turned in. Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries the Form 450C should be sent in within 3-7 days of doing a degree. This is extremely important because this allows us to track if Supreme actually processed your Form 100’s! If you took the time to bring in a new member the State Membership Team wants to make sure you get credit for your hard work and effort.
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Retention Now, Retention Always Bill Wirtz (West) / Mike Jordon (East) Brothers, from the day we sign-up a candidate and the candidate makes his First Degree, we do Retention. That should be intuitive to all of us. The Retention Activities Program, which we developed for the Through Him, With Him, and In Him program, allow us to
be creative with our efforts to reach out to all our current members. From the time of our new knight’s initial welcoming, through his involvement in council activities, to his accepting of positions of leadership within the council we are practicing Retention. So, now that we have successfully passed the midway point of the fraternal year and headed for the home stretch, please ensure you have completed at least 3 of the 6 available Retention activities. We particularly encourage completing Activity #84, Establish a
Mentoring Program, which includes developing a Mentoring Handbook. The handbook and the Mentoring Program are investments in the future of your council. As always please allow the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and our actions. For questions and assistance please don’t hesitate to contact the Ohio State Council Retention Directors. God Bless, Bill Wirtz and Mike Jordon
Membership Mission #8 February 2016 We are now on the downward slope of the 2015-2016 Fraternal Year and what a year it has been!!!! You all have completed a lot of missions over the past 7-months. Your efforts show as Ohio continues to turn the heads at Supreme. Now, our mission has become even more challenging and we must stand together to reach out and contact all members. Yes, we are in the season where we discussions of suspensions creeps into council meetings. Are we going to let Dr. Arceo and his minions stop the Great Ohio Membership Train? Your mission this month is to look to get out of the same, old rut that councils go. We are not to repeat the actions of the past and hope for changes. We are going to be the ones making that change. Yes, Brothers, Groundhog Day is upon us. And whether you what Punxsutawney Phil or Buckeye Chuck to see or not see their shadows is not the problem. We do not want to end up like Bill Murray's character "Phil" and have our council continue to repeat the loss of members over and over and over and over. Be the change and work my mission. Watch the video and then see the Sweetheart of a deal that I have for you this month. Pass this on to your members - get everyone involved.
Click to View the February Membership Incentive Video!
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General Programs Bob Walsh, General Program Director Congratulation to the November Family of The Month Winner, Bradley & Carrie Blumberg Family, in December Ohio had no winners. There has been only one council that has participated in this program on a regular basis. I am sure that more councils could be recognizing families in their council. This program could help in you picking out your nomination for the State Family of The Year. There are many programs that can be used to help you prepare for Lent, from having Religious services with your parish, helping in a Youth Service
Family
Project and Religious activity with them. A Family Service Project and Prayer Service will help you start Building the Domestic Church. With three reporting periods over, I am a little surprised with the number of Councils that have not reported any programs at all. 178 have reported and most are half way to maxing out the State General Program. If there is some way that I can be of any assistance or any of the Directors, please get in touch with us to help you in any way. February 29 ends the fourth reporting period, with April 15 ending the current program year.
1085 points are needed to max out all programming. Forms #1728 Fraternal Survey and #1295 Council Audit are part of the Administration Program please make sure that you turn in these important forms to receive credit. Have you started to fill out your SP 7 form? Four programs are needed in the six reporting areas. With Councils having a great year in Membership this is the start to receiving Star Council Status. Check with your Insurance Agent to help achieve this Award.
soul is in purgatory or in the presence of the All Mighty he will feel the love of our memories and prayers.
many times we complain about the shortage of field agents but too many times we fail to support those field Stewart Vetter agents we do have. These men, our What about those left behind after you brother knights, work only for us, their We are all going to die. It is inevitable. pass? Will your wife be able to pay off brother Knights. We need to give them a the house? Will your kids have enough to chance to talk to our members. We hope to be delivered directly to the get by? Have you planned for their gates of Heaven and to join the joyous financial well being? Many of our Fraternal benefit nights (activity 41) are songs of the angels and saints. As sinners, we realize we may not be worthy brothers have not. They are not aware of all about supporting our field agents and the many options available to them informing our members. During a and we will need the purification of fraternal benefits night, a purgatory before we can join field agent speaks about the song. As Catholics, we some of the many offerings rejoice in the thought that God's he has available. You could grace has offered us a way of also invite a local funeral interceding for those poor souls director to speak about prestuck in purgatory. We can pray planning services. Many of for them. As Knights of our brothers have questions Columbus, it is our fraternal but are afraid to take that duty to remember the souls of first step and ask. This offers departed brothers and to ask them a chance to get God to relieve them from the informed without feeling like purification of purgatory and they are committing to raise them to his merciful anything. This is a great embrace. A memorial mass presentation for during The joins our prayers to the Good of The Order. through the Knight of Columbus collective prayers of the whole church. insurance program and are sure they As men, we are protective our wives and can't afford it. I know I sound like a Every council in Ohio should be families. Let's make sure we are commercial but hear me out. Our conducting a Memorial Mass (activity protecting them after we are gone too. insurance program is exceptional and 38). Memorial mass is a comfort to the Let's also remember, during this year of family of the deceased member because our insurance agents are eager to help. Two years ago when my Dad passed, it mercy, to comfort the widow and orphan they know that their husband/father/ was a comfort to me that Mom was able by remembering and honoring their brother/uncle/grandfather is Knight. remembered. It is a comfort to us as his to work with a brother Knight to get brothers because we can remember the everything worked out. I felt comfortable good times with him and take comfort in knowing someone else was looking out the thought that when we go we will be for her best interests and was explaining everything in plain English until she was prayed for too. It is a comfort to the comfortable with all her options. Too departed member because whether his
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Culture of Life
For more information, see page 67 of the General Program Book.
Gary Anderson Please act now to encourage Congress to protect the rights of conscientious objectors to abortion, sterilization, and contraception. These rights are under attack. In California, for example, the state government has issued a directive requiring all health plans to cover abortions. Religious ministries in the state, including Catholic schools, are right now being forced to add abortion to their health plans.
K of C Day of the Unborn Child
World Marriage Day 2016
Now is the time to begin planning for World Marriage Day, to be observed on February 14. What a wonderful coincidence that it falls on Valentine's Day this year, and the First Sunday of Lent. Since 1981, World Marriage Day has been celebrated on the second This sort of coercion violates federal law, Sunday in February across the U.S. and but these federal conscience protections around the globe. World Marriage Day have not been enforced. More protection honors husband and wife as the is needed as similar violations occur foundation of the family, the basic unit of throughout the country. Health care society. workers and organizations need the ability to act on their own to defend their It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, rights in court. The Abortion Nonsacrifice and joy in daily married life. The Discrimination Act (ANDA) grants this by critical nature of World Marriage Day providing victims a means for protecting becomes more and more important with their conscience rights through legal the increasing onslaught of attacks on action. Contact your members of marriage and the family. K of C councils Congress to support ANDA. are strongly encouraged to proclaim to the nation and the world their undying support for the institution of marriage.
Community Tom Forsthoefel Brother Knights, as we enter into another winter month we’re reminded that the Lenten Season will begin on the 10th of February. As we prepare ourselves spiritually for this important part of our lives let us all make a special effort to continue to work on our charitable deeds. As you learned in the 1st degree of our order, charity towards our fellow man is the greatest of all virtues. So let’s continue in our efforts to work hard to help those in need within our communities to help the downtrodden, our veterans, those that are going hungry at night and those that are less fortunate. We should all be praying for those within our community on a daily basis, but let us take that extra step and go out and help the oppressed not with just our prayers and financial support but with our physical efforts as well. The community activities for the fraternal year should be never ending within your council or individual reach. Help to make your council one of the best of the best by completing your council’s community activities and reporting them on the state web site.
One of the Order's most popular Culture of Life events is the Day of the Unborn Child, which in most years coincides with the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25. However, with Easter falling in 2016 on March 27, the observance of the Annunciation has been moved to Monday, April 4. The Day of the Unborn Child is a magnificent opportunity to promote and pray for the return of respect and protection of the unborn child. Some worthwhile ideas: Plan and sponsor a Mass for the Unborn (may include your Fourth Degree Color Guard). Consider a pro-life talk with light refreshments after, or even a dinner. Pray the Rosary as an assembled council and family for unborn children. Hold a prayer vigil in front of a statue of our Blessed Mother Mary or a monument to aborted children while praying a Rosary for the Unborn. Use your imagination!
Squires Marty Schumacher In January, we had a very successful Dodge Ball Tournament sponsored by Mother Seton Hall Circle #4891 in Columbus. Chief Counselor Tim Bowie and his crew put on a great Tournament. The next couple of months will be a very busy time for the Squires. Starting March 5th and 6th, the State Squires Officers will sponsor a Lenten Retreat. We will have a State Squires Cornhole Tournament on March 19-20 in Toledo. Also, in March we will be sending out notices for the State Squires Convention to be held in Columbus on June 24th-26th at Sts Peter and Paul Retreat Center in Newark. On April 23rd and 24th, we will hold our State Squires Volleyball Tournament at Danville Circle #3676. Then the final notice to the State Squires Convention will go out. We are still looking for new circles from all over the great state of Ohio. We have a great bunch of young men putting their talents together to make this youth organization of the Knights of Columbus an energizing and committed group to benefit to our church, community, and world. Don’t let your council miss out on a good thing! Don’t forget to send in your Squire’s program reports to State Youth Director Michael Nau by April 15th.
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Insurance Corner James Valent Members should know that if one is ill or injured, our Income Armor provides taxIs your income protected if you become sick or injured and cannot work? Your ability to work and earn an income is your free monthly benefits to help meet living expenses and most valuable asset. Yet a disability could prevent you from earning that income. Not many people know that just one year maintain one's standard of living. The monthly benefits of a disability could eliminate your savings. we provide will help pay The Income Armor we offer, is an individual disability income mortgage and other monthly bills, while savings and retirement assets remain intact. insurance product from the Knights of Columbus and should be a key part of your overall financial plan and family's In short, many people have an income but have no way to protection. protect their paycheck. Let your members know that the
Have You Insured Your. Most Valuable Asset?
State District Deputy Director George Metz Worthy District Deputies, Thanks to all of you who attended the mid- year DD Meeting. cese who got an award at the January meeting.
Congratulations to the Following DD’s from the following dio-
Cincinnati- DD 15 Richard Bischoff Cleveland- DD 18 James Maslach Columbus -DD 50 Rodney Anderson Toledo- DD 59 Jason Tabb Steubenville- DD 55 Ronald Ginnetti Youngstown- DD 71 Steven Hill
The requirements for February are summarized below and listed in the District Deputy Manual. Remember the monthly reports are due by 11:59PM on the 5th of every month. We need a 100% on-time turn in. These reports are to be done on line. If you are having trouble contact your diocesan coordinator for assistance. The numbers for this report should be for January ONLY.
February Requirements
Remind your councils to send in the Knight of the Year, Family of the Year, Lady of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Youth of the Year, Blue Coat of the Year, Chaplain of the Year, and Religious of the Year nominations to the individual program directors BEFORE April 1st Make sure all your councils have filled out and sent in the Semiannual Council Audit report (Form 1295) to Supreme by February 15. Run the District Free Throw and turn in the Winners list to your Diocesan Coordinator. Assist your Coordinator in the Regional Free Throw competition. Attend the Super Cash Bonanza charity tickets distribution.
Thank you for all the great work you do. George Metz District Deputy Director
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You’re A Click Away—State Website
Silver Rose 2016 Schedule
Bob Gilliland
Date
[Arch] Diocese
Tou r Day
Monday, July 4
Cincinnati
1
Tuesday, July 5
Cincinnati
2
Wednesday, July 6 Thursday, July 7
Cincinnati
3
Cincinnati
4
Saturday, July 9
Columbus
5
Sunday, July 10
Columbus
6
Monday, July 11
Columbus
7
Tuesday, July 12
Columbus
8
Wednesday, July 13 Thursday, July 14 Friday, July 15
Toledo
9
Toledo
10
Toledo
11
Toledo
12
Tuesday, July 19
Cleveland
13
Wednesday, July 20 Thursday, July 21 Friday, July 22
Cleveland
14
Cleveland
15
Cleveland
16
Saturday, July 23 Sunday, July 24
Youngstown
17
Monday, July 25
Youngstown
18
Tuesday, July 26
Youngstown
19
Wednesday, July 27 Thursday, July 28 Friday, July 29
Steubenville
20
Steubenville
21
Steubenville
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Signing Up A New Member!
There is a new Electronic Form 100 Generator on the State Website. This can be filled out by a member of a Council who is sponsoring or proposing a new member. This new online form can be accessed from the About-Us -> Join-Us page, or the Membership -> Join Now! menu link. When it is filled out as a new member, only the necessary information is displayed, making is simple and easy to fill out. This is an example of the New Member mode of the form
form will require the signature of the Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Proposer, and the new Member, but this will help make the signing up of new members more efficient. Here is an example of the full Form 100 with a Reinstatement selected As your Council seeks new members, you can use this tool to print out a Form 100 and have it presented to the Council the new member wants to join.
All but the last two modes of the Form 100 are available on this page to generate a Form 100.
This tool will help your Council achieve its membership goal and get new members into the Order! If you have any problems, or need any help, please feel free to email me at BobG@sceinet.com.
The new member information is stored securely in the State Website Database and a completed Form 100 can be printed (see below).
It is important to note that this new
Sunday, July 3
Friday, July 8
Saturday, July 16 Sunday, July 17 Monday July 18
Saturday, July 30
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Knights of Columbus Scholarship Winners Announced
WINNER
HIGH SCHOOL YR DIOCESE Archbioshop McNicho12 Cincinnati las
AMT
Peter, Kelley **
Archbishop Moeller
12 Cincinnati
1000
Yowler, Hannah
Bishop Fenwick
11 Cincinnati
1000
The Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program winners were announced recently and are receiving their $1,000 scholarship awards for the 2015/2016 school year. The list of winners may be found in this issue. Applications from all the 73 Ohio Catholic High Schools were submitted by 418 outstanding students. Since its beginning in 1995, the Scholarship Program has now awarded $622,825 to deserving Catholic Students in an Ohio Catholic High School to provide high school tuition assistance. This year, 39 scholarships were presented to the winners.
Wade, Clare
Chaminade-Julienne
12 Cincinnati
1000
Perrmann, Jacob
Elder
12 Cincinnati
1000
Ogilvie, Evan **
LaSalle
10 Cincinnati
1000
Denning, Michael
Lehman Catholic
9
Cincinnati
1000
Troina, Angelina
Mt. Notre Dame
11 Cincinnati
1000
Juengling, Anthony Roger Bacon
11 Cincinnati
1000
Nie, Christina
Seton
10 Cincinnati
1000
Ruiz, Benjamin
St. Xavier
9
Cincinnati
1000
Ruiz, Elysia **
Ursuline Academy
12 Cincinnati
1000
Tassiello, Isabella
Archbishop Hoban
11 Cleveland
1000
The Scholarship Program would like to be able to provide many more scholarships, but the current fund balance only provides proceeds to allow the 39 scholarships. If you, your relative, or your council would like to provide a scholarship to your favorite Catholic High School so they would be guaranteed a winner every year, there are a number of options available. Your estate planning could include a K of C Scholarship bequest. As a point of information, a contribution of $20,000 would guarantee an annual $1,000 scholarship in perpetuity. There are also a number of paidup Knights of Columbus life insurance options available from your K of C Field Agent. Of course, a direct contribution of $20,000 will always work. If you have any questions or need any help establishing a scholarship, please contact Past State Deputy, Dennis Shonebarger, Scholarship Chairman.
Shell, Jonathan
Benedictine
9
Cleveland
1000
Bucci, Brittany
Elyria Catholic
11 Cleveland
1000
Baranuk, Megan
Holy Name
10 Cleveland
1000
Mancari, Anna
Lake Catholic
10 Cleveland
1000
Schaefer, Emily
Magnificat
11 Cleveland
1000
George, Rachel
Padua Franciscan
10 Cleveland
1000
Collins, Kevin
St. Edward
11 Cleveland
1000
Hupp, Matthew
St. Ignatius
11 Cleveland
1000
Adkins, Jonathan
Villa Angela - St. Joseph
10 Cleveland
1000
Colvin, Kathleen ** Bishop Ready
12 Columbus
1000
Kunkler, Travis **
Bishop Rosecrans
12 Columbus
1000
Ferguson, Adrienne Bishop Watterson
10 Columbus
1000
Voegele, Luke
St. Charles
10 Columbus
1000
Ziegler, Emily
St. Francis de Sales
11 Columbus
1000
Nguyen, Catherine **
Tuscarawas C.C.
11 Columbus
1000
The Center for Special Needs
Gonzalez, Daniela
Steubenville C.C.
12
Steubenville
1000
The Center for Special Needs
Riley, Megan
St. Joseph
11
Steubenville
1000
One more way to assist the Ohio Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program is provided in the "Through Him, With Him, In Him" General Program Book. Activity #58 of the Youth Activities Program on page 71 provides 20 points for a $250 contribution to the Scholarship Program. Every four councils who contribute will provide one $1,000 scholarship to a deserving Catholic High School Student. All the information about the Ohio Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program including the official Application Form may always be found on the Ohio KofC website at: https:// www.kofcohio.org/scholarships The current Application Form for a new school year is always made available to the schools and the website every September 15.
Smith, Emma
IN HONOR/MEMORY OF
1000
Beckley, Alexandra Calvert Catholic
11 Toledo
1000
Dorski, Rachel
St. Mary C.C.
10 Toledo
1000
Rohan, Gregory
Lima C.C.
11 Toledo
500
Rohan, Matthew
Lima C.C.
10 Toledo
500
Patterson, Chloe
Notre Dame Academy
9
Toledo
1000
Oberski, Jacob
St. Francis de Sales
10 Toledo
1000
Gillen, Grace
St. Paul
9
Toledo
1000
Hunter, Cameron ** St. Wendelin
12 Toledo
1000
Paul, Emily
Canton C.C.
Youngs11 town
1000
Brahler, Madison
St. Thomas Aquinas
12
Youngstown
1000
The Center for Special Needs
Albert Schrand, PGK
The Center for Special Needs
Ronald Edmonds, PGK
The Center for Special Needs
The Center for Special Needs
The Center for Special Needs
St. John Paul II
The Center for Special Needs
The Center for Special Needs
The Center for Special Needs
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Holy Family Icon Larry Droesch, State Warden Brother Knights, I am excited to announce that the Holy Family Traveling Icon Prayer Program is officially starting December 12, 2015. It will run through May 19, 2017. The 2 year Prayer Program will start in Districts 57, 61, 39, and 71. It involves creating, planning, and holding a K of C sponsored Prayer Service honoring the Holy Family and using the Icon, Prayer Books, and Cards. All District Deputies will have the Icons for 20 up-to 30 days to move around within their Districts and then send or deliver the Icon, Prayer Books and cards to the next DD on the traveling schedule. Sorry to say we got the prayer books about 3 months late, so we had to readjust the schedule.
ICON 1
ICON 2
ICON 3
ICON 4
DD #
DD #
DD #
DD #
1-Feb
65
60
46
27
1-Mar
64
67
37
26
1-Apr
3
62
72
75
1-May
1
66
73
29
1-Jun
2
68
32
74
ASSIGNED DATE ON OR BEFORE
I ask that every council and district please follow the enclosed/attached Traveling schedule to prepare for when your area will receive it. This also includes the guidelines that must be followed so every District in Ohio has the opportunity to have the Icon within the 2 year period. Thanks for your patience with getting this Prayer Program started and running. Feel free to call, text, or email me with questions"
Super Cash Bonanza Road Show 2016 Bob Byers, State Treasurer The Super Cash Bonanza Road Show Team is making plans now to meet with each and every Council throughout the State of Ohio to kick off the 2016 Super Cash Bonanza Charity Raffle. We have selected nine locations around the state to make every effort possible for each and every one of you to attend one of the meetings. The team will share with you some thoughts about what is expected to conduct and accomplish a successful charity raffle at your Council. We look forward to meeting with you. The meeting sites, dates, and times are listed below.
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