April 2016 Voice of the Spirit by Ohio State Council

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

www.kofcohio.org

Brother Knights,

APRIL 2016

Monthly Publication of the Ohio State Council

team. Brother Felerski will assume the role of Diocesan Membership Chairman for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Brother Freil will A little about membership… We are back! We are off and running again in take on a newly created position as an new members. We finished March with an Assistant State Membership Director. Brother intake of 282 members for a 12.53% intake. Freil will comb through the vast number We ended up in second place for the month in knights living in Ohio and holding Division 1. To date we stand at 74.00% of our membership in another state. It will be his job Supreme Council membership requirements. to convince that Knight to transfer We rank 22nd of the 74 K of C Jurisdictions membership to a local council near his home. worldwide and we rank 3rd among the Division 1 State Councils still slightly behind Grand Knights and Membership Directors Florida and Texas. please keep membership the foremost priority in every one of your councils throughout this The best news is that we are continuing to great state of Ohio. We have begun to show grow. I don’t like to get too far ahead of an increase in the number of councils myself but we are at +261 Net/Net (intake recruiting and bringing in new members. To less suspensions, withdraws, deaths, and out date about 85% of the Council's around the of state transfers) and we are beginning to state have recruited a new membership and show new growth in Ohio. This places us 2nd are working to place Ohio in the Circle of in the Order slightly behind Louisiana. With Honor. If the State of Ohio is to improve our another couple of good recruiting months membership status and grow as a jurisdiction Ohio could be over the 58,000 member mark. we need the other 15% or roughly 70 councils Today we stand at 57,999 members strong. to step up and begin recruiting. A new Thank you to everyone who is working to member from each of those councils would make this happen. make a significant impact on our bottom line today. We are all on the same team and all in We would like to welcome Brothers Michael the game together. I need a firm commitment Felerski and Michael Freil to the membership from all involved to make this happen.

We are again looking for some opportunities again in April. There are still a lot of prospective members just waiting to be asked or need to be contacted. Inspector Membership has some incentives in April for Councils that bring back into the Order three reactivated members. There is no rumor anymore. The State Deputy and Inspector Membership have issued an additional three month Membership Program Contest for March, April, and May. Many of you have seen it on the Super Cash Bonanza Road Show Meetings. It’s called “The Land of 1,000 Members”. Watch us on Facebook or get signed up for our social media blitz for this new membership incentive. Supreme Council has announced the requirements for earning VIP Bonus Points for the second half of the Fraternal Year. See your Grand Knight, District Deputy, or State Membership Director Nick Gresko for details. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson by a unanimous vote of approval from the State Deputies gathered in San Antonio approved the Supreme Per Capita Star Council (Continued on page 2)

CHARITY - UNITY - FRATERNITY - PATRIOTISM 1

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Incentive Plan for another year. Achieve Star Council status at your council and be exempt from Supreme Per Capita payments for one year. Growth in new membership brings new Brother Knights, new ideas, and new energy into your councils. Please get on track with your councils membership program and sign up a new member today. If you haven’t brought in a new member this year please take a moment and ask yourself why.

and credited for your council at Supreme Council. Please continue to remind your candidates about the proper attire when they come to take any of the degrees. A candidate in tshirts and shorts is just not an acceptable dress for a candidate making a degree. They should be dressed at the very minimum some type of Dockers or dress pants and a polo shirt or dress shirt.

Again more Squires Congratulations... Congratulations to our State Squire Circle. We would like to welcome Circle #5823 in Congratulations to the February Membership Canton under the sponsorship of Council Contest winners and all who brought in a new #4733 and Grand Knight Donald J. Boron. member that month. Contest winners should be listed in State Membership Director Nick The Squires continue to gain in membership Gresko’s column. throughout Ohio and are ranked second in the Order. They are 3rd stateside with a 72 member intake and a net intake of 62 new New Council Development… Brother Knights please welcome Wright State members. University Council #16425. We cannot thank District Deputy #4 Brother Frank Carchedi Circle of Mary… enough for the work on instituting this new Marysville Council #5534 will invest a council. With the addition of Wright State we “Circle of Mary” for young women at their now have satisfied the number of new council this coming May 15th. councils required by the Supreme Council. Congratulations to those Brother Knights and District Deputy #49 Duane Lord in making Just in case you’re wondering…we’re not this possible for the young women of Our done yet. Lady of Lourdes Parish. Some thoughts on degree work…and its Supreme Council Icon Program… 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. Today Ohio scheduled for April. I don’t believe there are enough posted to handle the expected new membership load across the state. Plan out your degree schedule, the candidates will come. 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 1 st Degrees per month posted on the State Website. District Deputies you need to post degree work in your district. If you schedule them they will come. If you post them others can see them and they will come too. District Deputies and Grand Knights please continue to file the Degree Exemplification Report Form 450 and Form 450C. This form enables the State Council to track a new members progress throughout Ohio and insure that new member has been recorded

Euclid – Immaculata Council Merger… Congratulations to the Brother Knights of Euclid Council #3164 and Immaculata Council #3767 upon the approval of a merged council by the Supreme Council Board of Directors. Immaculata council was a spinoff of the Euclid Council in the early ‘50s. Economic times and the closure of parishes in the city of Euclid have made it difficult to stay solvent. The new merged council will be known as Euclid Council #3164. Congratulations and best wishes for the future of the Knights of Columbus in the city of Euclid. State Council Financials… State Secretary Brother Kevin Miller, State Treasurer Robert Byers, and myself are working on preparing the State Council Financials for audit by Blue & Company, LLC to be ready for the State Convention. The State Council fiscal year ends April 30, 2016 and will have limited time for auditing due to the date of the convention. Paperwork and more paperwork… We are just a little behind in filing some of the Supreme Council paperwork. To date 39 Councils have yet to file Report of Officers Form 185. This was due last summer right after your council elections. The Report of Service Personnel Form 365 was also due at this time. To date there are 53 Council who have yet to file that report. The Fraternal Survey Form 1728 was due the end of January and 45 Councils are now late in filing this report. The Council Audit Form 1295 for the 2nd half of the Fraternal Year is now overdue to Supreme Council. The six Diocesan Coordinators along with the District Deputies have been instructed to clean up this backlog of paperwork by months end. Please make every effort to work with these Brother Knights and assist them in completing this task. “Town Hall” Meetings…

The Holy Family Icons are now circulating 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.

The State Deputy “Town Hall” meetings are over for this fraternal year. These meeting have proven to be a great place to learn about the working of our Order, Church Drives, (Continued on page 3)

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programming and membership recruiting. Look for another round of “Town Hall” meetings statewide to begin this August sometime after we return from the Supreme Convention. Special Lapel Pin… I have been working with Vice Supreme Master Donald Hall to produce a special lapel pin for any 4th Degree member who brings in a new member and get him through his first 3 degrees. Our 4th Degree Sir Knights are always looking for ways to increase not only their membership but the State Councils as well. The final details of the pin have been finalized and are in production. It is an attractive pin that I believe any Brother Knight would be proud to wear. Look for a form here in the “Voice of the Spirit” that will enable to you obtain this pin provided the requirements have been met.

complete and informed website this month. I will be personally meeting with Webmaster Gilliland to go over every aspect of the site to see where we can make an improvement. If you have any issues please address them to me and I'll get with you and Brother Bob to get them resolved. Super Cash Bonanza… The 2016 Super Cash Bonanza Campaign is underway. State Treasurer “Farmer Bob” Bob Byers and his “Road Show” Team did a great job of presenting the campaign to the membership. Nearly 600,000 tickets were distributed at nine “Road Show” stops in Ohio. Look for more in the State Treasurer’s article.

State Convention 2016… Grand Knights and State personnel please be on the lookout for the 2nd call to convention. It will be taken to the post office for delivery on Thursday, April 7th. The 117th State Convention will take place the weekend of May 20, 21 and 22 WWW.KOFCOHIO.ORG The State Website is up and running for a week prior to Memorial Day weekend the first four General Program grading at the Kalahari Resort and Convention periods. Yes we have had some web Center in Sandusky, Ohio. Please take issues but to my knowledge they are the time to read and look through the minimal. All problems to my knowledge information provided. Many of the have been worked out with Webmaster enclosures are date sensitive. Brother Gilliland on a person to person basis. Remember our website is still a bit There is an invitation and some new and not everything it is capable of instruction from the State Secretary. The doing is in place. Cleveland Convention Committee has some instructions regarding the With this said and confident in the convention weekend. Look for working of the Website thus far Brother information on Registration, In Gilliland has given District Deputies the Memoriam, Program Book Ads, ability to view all of their respective Babysitting, Msgr. Krispinski Golf councils programming. Brother Gilliland Outing, Lake Erie Fishing Charter, and is also working on the State Chaplain’s the Friday Night Party and Night at the Page, the State Deputy’s Page, links to Races. video productions on the Supreme Website, State Council Website tutorials, We are fortunate and pleased to learn the and better information to our Brother Lou Barbour, Supreme Council Membership Inquiry Page. Vice President of Membership Growth has been assigned to attend our state We have added the ability of the District convention. We look forward to meeting Deputies and Grand Knights to use a with Brother Lou and wife Celia next fillable 450 and 450C Degree Report month. Form on the Website. Filing of this form on the State Website will generate a In closing… copy to the Supreme Council, State May God continue to Bless you as you Membership Director Nick Gresko, and continue to the work you do in Jesus to me. Look for this form under the name. Dedicate everything you do for “Forms Tab” at the top of the Website Him to the honor and glory of God and page. If this proves successful and see what changes it will make in your reliable it is just a precursor to a fillable life. From 185 and Form 365 this June. Bob Collins Please be patient. Look for a more State Deputy

April DD Requirements George Metz, State District Deputy Director Worthy District Deputies, The requirements for April 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 using the link to the monthly report form. If you are having trouble contact your diocesan coordinator for assistance. The numbers for this report should be for March ONLY. April Requirements  Pennies for Heaven is due by April 15.  Register for State Convention.  Follow up with Councils on membership. April 15 is the last day to qualify for awards at the State Convention.  Submit the Supreme Form 450 for all Degrees in your district to Supreme and the State Membership Director . Urge all you councils to continue to work towards Star Council

Thank you for all the great work you do. George Metz District Deputy Director

Reflections from State Chaplain Father Edward Janoch, State Chaplain One thousand nine hundred eighty-three years ago, the God-Man, Jesus the Christ, rose from the dead. From that moment on, the world has never been the same. Throughout the centuries the Saints of God have tried to express this wonderful mystery in words to help us to share in this mystery. I have found that one of the most descriptive expressions to express the joy of God’s marvelous love and mercy for the human race, especially of the Resurrection of Christ, is in the Easter Proclamation: The Exsultet. Instead of me trying to express this joy in my own feeble words, I have chosen to print The Exsultet for our own personal reflection, meditation, and prayer. A Blessed Easter to All! Vivat Jesus! Fr. Edward J. Janoch, Worthy State Chaplain

Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven, exult, let Angel ministers of God exult, let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King’s triumph! Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King, let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to gloom and darkness. Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice, arrayed with the lightning of his glory, let this holy building shake with joy, filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.

These, then, are the feasts of Passover, in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb, whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers.

(Therefore, dearest friends, standing in the awesome glory of this holy light, invoke with me, I ask you, the mercy of God almighty, that he, who has been pleased to number me, though unworthy, among the Levites, may pour into me his light unshadowed, that I may sing this candle’s perfect praises).

This is the night that with a pillar of fire banished the darkness of sin.

On this, your night of grace, O holy Father, accept this candle, a solemn offering, the work of bees and of your servants’ hands, an evening sacrifice of praise, this gift from your most holy Church.

This is the night that even now, throughout the world, sets Christian believers apart from worldly vices and from the gloom of sin, leading them to grace and joining them to his holy ones.

But now we know the praises of this pillar, which glowing fire ignites for God’s honor, a fire into many flames divided, yet never dimmed by sharing of its light, for it is fed by melting wax, drawn out by mother bees to build a torch so precious.

This is the night, when Christ broke the prison-bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld.

O truly blessed night, when things of heaven are wed to those of earth, and divine to the human.

(V. The Lord be with you. R. And with your spirit.) V. Lift up your hearts. R. We lift them up to the Lord. V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. R. It is right and just. It is truly right and just, with ardent love of mind and heart and with devoted service of our voice, to acclaim our God invisible, the almighty Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord, his Son, his Only Begotten. Who for our sake paid Adam’s debt to the eternal Father, and, pouring out his own dear Blood, wiped clean the record of our ancient sinfulness.

This is the night, when once you led our forebears, Israel’s children, from slavery in Egypt and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.

Our birth would have been no gain, had we not been redeemed. O wonder of your humble care for us! O love, O charity beyond all telling, to ransom a slave you gave away your Son! O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the Death of Christ! O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer! O truly blessed night, worthy alone to know the time and hour when Christ rose from the underworld!

The night shall be as bright as day, dazzling is the night for me, and full of gladness. The sanctifying power of this night dispels wickedness, washes faults away, restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners, drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.

Therefore, O Lord, we pray you that this candle, hallowed to the honor of your name, may persevere undimmed, to overcome the darkness of this night. Receive it as a pleasing fragrance, and let it mingle with the lights of heaven. May this flame be found still burning by the Morning Star: the one Morning Star who never sets, Christ your Son, who, coming back from death’s domain, has shed his peaceful light on humanity, and lives and reigns for ever and ever. R. Amen.

This is the night of which it is written:

The Saint of the Month St. Bernadette Soubirous April 16th St. Bernadette was born in Lourdes, France on January 7, 1844. Her parents were very poor and she was the first of nine children. She was baptized at St. Pierre's, the local parish church, on January 9. As a toddler, Bernadette contracted cholera and suffered extreme asthma. Unfortunately, she lived the rest of her life in poor health. On Thursday, February 11, 1858, fourteen-year-old Bernadette was sent with her younger sister and a friend to gather firewood, when a very beautiful lady appeared to her above a rose bush in a grotto called Massabielle. The woman wore blue and white and smiled at Bernadette before making the sign of the cross with a rosary of ivory and gold. Bernadette fell to her knees, took out her own rosary and began to pray. Bernadette later described the woman as "uo petito damizelo," meaning "a small young lady. Though her sister and friend claimed they were unable to see her, Bernadette knew what she saw was real. Three days later, Bernadette, her sister Marie, and other girls returned to the grotto, where Bernadette immediately knelt, saying she could see "aquero" again. She fell into a trance and one girl threw holy water at the niche and another threw a rock that shattered on the ground. It was then that the apparition disappeared.

The vision had told her "to drink of the water of the spring, to wash in it and to eat the herb that grew there" as an act of penance. The next day, the grotto's muddy waters had been cleared and fresh clear water flowed.

illness and demanded she be put in a mental asylum. Some believed Bernadette's visions meant she needed to pray for penance.

Church authorities and the French government rigorously interviewed the girl, and by 1862 they confirmed she spoke truth. On March 2, at the thirteenth of the Since Bernadette first caused the spring to apparitions, Bernadette told her family the produce clean water, 69 cures have been lady said "a chapel should be built and a verified by the Lourdes Medical Bureau, and procession formed." after what the Church claimed were "extremely rigorous scientific and medical During her sixteenth vision, which Bernadette examinations," no one was able to explain claims to have experienced for over an hour, what caused the cures. The Lourdes Commission that initially examined Bernadette, ran an analysis on the water but were only able to determine it contained a high mineral content. Bernadette believed it was faith and prayer that was responsible for curing the sick. Bernadette asked the local priest to build a chapel at the site of her visions and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is now one of the major Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Many other chapels and churches has been built around it, including the Basilica of St. Pius X, which can accommodate 25,000 people and was dedicated by the future Pope St. John XXIII when he was the Papal Nuncio to France. Following the miracles and constructions, Bernadette decided she did not like the attention she was getting and went to the hospice school run by the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, where she was taught to read and write. Though she considered joining the Carmelites, her health was too fragile.

On July 29, 1866, Bernadette took the religious habit of a postulant and joined the Sisters of Charity at their motherhouse at Nevers. Her Mistress of Novices was Sister Marie Therese Vauzou and the Mother On February 18, Bernadette said "the vision" was on March 25. Bernadette claimed she had Superior at the time named her Marieasked her to return to the grotto each day for a asked the woman her name, but her question Bernarde, in honor of her grandmother. fortnight. With each visit, Bernadette saw the was only met with a smile. Bernadette asked Virgin Mary and the period of daily visions again, three more times, and finally the Bernadette spent the rest of her life there became known as "la Quinzaine sacrĂŠe," woman said, "I am the Immaculate working as an infirmary assistant, and later a meaning "holy fortnight." Conception." sacristan. People admired her humility and spirit of sacrifice. Once a nun asked her if she When Bernadette began to visit the grotto, her Though many townspeople believed she had had temptations of pride because she was parents were embarrassed and attempted to indeed been seeing the Holy Virgin, favored by the Blessed Mother. "How can I?" stop her, but were unable to do so. On Bernadette's story created a division in her she answered quickly. "The Blessed Virgin February 25, Bernadette claimed to have had town. Many believed she was telling the (Continued on page 6) a life-changing vision. truth, while others believed she had a mental

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chose me only because I was the most ignorant."

St. John’s Villa and Local Knights Kick-off Charity Campaign Our Lady of Carroll County Council #15401

Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the bone in her right knee and was unable to take part in convent life. She died in the Sainte Croix (Holy Cross) Infirmary of the Convent of Saint-Gildard at the age of 35 on April 16, 1879, while praying the holy rosary. Even on her deathbed Bernadette suffered severe pain and, keeping with the Virgin Mary's admonition of "Penance, Penance, Penance," she proclaimed "all this is good for Heaven!" Bernadette's last words were, "Blessed Mary, Mother of God, pray for me. A poor sinner, a poor sinner." The nuns of Saint-Gildard, with the support of the bishop of Nevers, applied to the civil authorities for permission to bury Bernadette's body in a small chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph, which was within the confines of the convent. Permission was granted on April 25, 1879, and on April 30, the local Prefect pronounced his approval of the choice of the site for burial. On May 30, 1879, Bernadette's coffin was transferred to the crypt of the chapel of Saint Joseph, where a very simple ceremony was held to commemorate the event. Thirty years later, on September 22, two doctors and a sister of the community exhumed her body. They claimed the crucifix and rosary she carried had been oxidized but her body remained incorrupt. The incorruption was cited as one of the miracles supporting her canonization. In 1925, Bernadette's body was exhumed yet again. This time relics were sent to Rome and an imprint of her face was molded, which was used to create a wax mask to be placed on her body. There were also imprints of her hands to be used for the presentation of her body, which was placed in a gold and crystal reliquary in the Chapel of Saint Bernadette at the mother house in Nevers. Saint Bernadette is often depicted in prayer with a rosary or appealing to the Holy Virgin. She was beatified in 1925 and canonized by Pope Pius XI in December 1933. Saint Bernadette is the patroness of illness, people ridiculed for their piety, poverty, shepherds, shepherdesses, and Lourdes, France.

Carrollton, Ohio – Apr. 4, 2016 – St. John’s Villa and Our Lady of Carroll County Knights of Columbus Council 15401 are joining hands in 2016 Super Cash Bonanza Charity Campaign, which they kicked off with the mailing of 15,940 $5.00 Charity Tickets. With the purchase of each ticket, the donor is entered into the drawing for a piece of the $108,000 in cash prizes, but most importantly, the Villa gets at least $2.00 from each ticket to use to further their mission helping the developmentally disabled in Carroll County. The bible Study group from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church provided the manpower. They worked for 3 days to collate the material and stuff the envelopes for the mailing. In addition to those pictured, the team included, Chris and Rose Rombough, Debbie Lumley, Cynthia Bailey, Linda DeSimone and Cliff Calvert. If you would like to purchase any tickets to help the St. John’s Villa family, please call Susan DeChiara at 330-627-9789. The annual drawing, sponsored by the Ohio State Council of the Knights of Columbus will be held on May 21 at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio. All proceeds go to charity. It featur es 25 pr izes r anging fr om $500 up to a gr and pr ize of $49,680, payable at $414 per month for 10 years. Last year’s winner was, Isaac Valle of Defiance, Ohio. There is still time for your charitable organization to participate and reap the benefits. For more information, call Fred Kungl at 330-495-3863 or Dan Hitchcock at 330-3247635. St. John's Villa is committed to living out the healing ministry of Jesus by providing exceptional and compassionate service that promotes dignity and well-being for the people they serve, particularly those who are developmentally disabled. With more than 1.8 million members, the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic lay organization. It provides members and families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community, families and young people. Last year, the knights of Columbus at all levels of the organization raised and distributed $174 million to charitable and benevolent causes and rendered 71.5 million hours of volunteer service. At the local level, Council 15401, currently with 45 members, raised and distributed $3758 to charitable causes and rendered 2,687 hours of volunteer service.

FIRST CROP OF SUPER CASH BONANZA RAFFLE TICKETS HARVESTING ON APRIL 15, 2016!!!

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out pound the pavement helping Team Ohio be #1 again? Will your diocese make a leap towards being #1? That is all up to you! Well there is still 76 councils that have done the same thing month after Nick Gresko, State Membership Director month since July 1st. Do you know what the same thing they have done? If you said they have not recruited a new member yet you Can You Smell Circle of Honor We are at the home stretch of this fraternal year. Once this article would be 100% correct. Our Worthy State Deputy and I need these comes out we will have a little under 3 months left in this fraternal councils to jump on board and bring in a new member. If they did year ending June 30, 2016 to achieve Circle of Honor as a State with just think what our numbers as a state would look like. A lot of times the 10% bonus, the highest honor a State Council can get from getting that first member in is all you need to get a few more Supreme Council. We need to bring in 810 members before June 30 th especially if you promote the Shining Armor Award. This to accomplish this. We are right where we need to be and it has been encourages the new members to bring in a new member and if you 7 years since we have achieved this award under past State Deputy make a big deal at your council about it trust me the new members Larry Moegling in the 2008-2009 Fraternal Year. Let’s break this 7 will come!!! March, April and May with the land of 1000 members year drought and make this happen this year!!! Below I’m going to incentive there is not a better time than to bring in a new members focus on non-recruiting councils, Land of 100 Members, Star Council because recruiters and councils all can bring in some serious cash. requirements, where each council is at and the Form 450C, Form 450 The state could give out $10,000 + in these 3 months. This could be and Form 100’s some great extra cash to spend on vacation or make a home improvement that you have been putting off. I’m hoping that we can have this list down to less than 35 by June 1 st. Below you will find all I need HELP From Non-Recruiting Councils Each month I put into my monthly update with all the winners, top of the Councils that have not recruited a new member as of 4/1/2016 diocese and top councils the following statement, “Remember the (Continued on page 8) goal is +359 for the month. Inspector Membership knows we can do it! What are you going to do for April - keep the same from last or go

Membership

Cincinnati (8 of 82)- 9.76% Mike Felerski - DMRD Larry Droesch – State Warden Mother Seton Fr. Wm. P. O'Connor Archbishop Moeller Msgr. Kuenle Lasalle A.J. Schulte St. Lawrence - Price Hill Msgr. Robert J. Von Kaenel

Columbus (9 of 71)- 12.68% George Jones- DMRD Kevin Miller- State Secretary 3376 3730 3861 5239 5621 6144 14545 15424

Steubenville (10 of 26)- 38.46% Tomm Offenberger- DMRD Bob Byers- State Treasurer Bellaire Mother of God Fr. Frank Patala Toronto Saint. Anthony Saint Catherine Saint Mary's Pieta Saint Gabriel Our Lady of Carroll County

1246 1421 1716 2187 2262 4590 5174 5583 11380 15401

Columbus Discovery Santa Maria Ascension Fr Holtzapfel Saint Elizabeth Saint Leonard Holy Trinity Our Lady of Peace

Cleveland (14 of 72)- 19.44% Jerry Nowesnick- DMRD Bob Collins- State Deputy 400 1341 2898 4324 10284 11193 12641 13081 14282

Painesville Lakewood Newburgh Heights Bishop Hagan Southeast Fr. Mahon Saint Pius X Medina Magnificat John F Kennedy Fr. Mitchell Cieslik Fr. Maruskin St. Cyprian

Toledo (21 of 69)- 30.43% Jim Collins-DMRD Mark Siracusa- State Advocate

Youngstown (16 of 58)- 27.59% Mike Jordan- DMRD Ken Girt-State Deputy

Fremont 591 Msgr. Lang 1039 Saint John Neuman 1117 Fostoria 1197 Edgerton 1494 New Washington 1718 Port Clinton 1750 Bryan 1915 Ottoville 2238 Msgr. Leo W Frye 2642 Sacred Heart 2850 Our Lady of Fatima 3564 Blakeslee Fr. Deveaux 3883 Holgate 4790 Montpelier Sacred Heart 5226 Saint Anthony 10299 Saints Francis/Gasper 10749 Saint Aloysius 11287 Saint Jerome’s 11450 Saint Clement 13636 Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cathedral 16264

Canton Wellsville Carroll Warren Conneaut Louisville Newton Falls Mantua Fr. Lambert J Andrews Msgr. Lavelle Fr. Coan Saint Peter's Saint Mary's Saint Dominic Fenwick OLPH Aurora St. James

947 2643 2816 3087 3126 3222 3541 3822 4168 4498 5506 8369 10936 14714

341 507 509 620 627 2530 3350 3766 4433 4571 4658 5173 5589 13586 14186 14491

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and how your diocese and Council are doing with one month down in the Land of 1000 Members contest. Star Council Requirements and How is Your Council Doing The Star Council Award is Comprised of the following 6 items:

Father McGivney Award for membership growth by June 30th Founders’ Award for insurance growth by June 30th Columbian Award Report Form #SP7 for well-rounded council service programs and activities by June 30th Your council must submit the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) by January 31 st If not done still turn in and it will count.

The Service Program Personnel Report (#365) by August 1st If not done still turn in and it will count. Remain in good standing with Supreme Council assessments paid by June 30th Only requirements numbers 4 and 5 can be turned in late to Achieve Star Council. The other ones must be done on the date given or earlier. How is Your Council Doing?:

COUNCILS NOT SUBMITTING ANNUAL SURVEY COUNCILS NOT SUBMITTING SERVICE OF FRATERNAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM PERSONNEL REPORT Form 1728: Form 365: 00360 00400 00554 00620 00360 00400 00620 00627 00627 01272 01411 01716 01716 02050 01747 02661 03126 03350 02072 02935 03350 03564 03891 04498 04533 04590 03737 03891 04049 04169 04658 04790 05621 05834 04180 04224 04433 04437 07491 09804 10765 11354 04558 04590 04658 04790 11828 12756 13081 13379 05371 05483 05621 05674 13586 13636 14342 14491 05764 05834 06426 08064 14545 15036 09804 10149 10299 11150 11369 11551 11626 11649 11650 12310 12539 13081 13289 13614 14342 14545 14603 15573 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. These can be filled on line now at the State Website and then it automatically sends it to who it needs to go to.

STATEWIDE TOTALS 78 OF 378 COUNCILS NOT RECRUITING

20.63%

Form 100’s Within 3-7 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.

Take advantage of this!!!

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! 8

New Council ALERT! Congratulations to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for the latest new council. The latest council in Ohio is the Wright State University Knights of Columbus. Thank you to Brothers Frank Carchedi, Mike Felerski and State Warden Larry Droesch for their hard work and a job well done! This has been a productive fraternal year thus far. This brings us to six new councils for the year. We have achieved the Supreme goal, but we’re only half way to our state goal. Let’s end this fraternal year on an upswing. A new council begins in much the same way a new Brother Knight does. Someone asks. If you’re a member of a parish without a council, take a few minutes to ask your pastor if he is aware of the good that Knights are doing in other parishes. Take a few minutes to tell him what your council is doing in other parishes. Don’t chew his ear too long – he’s a busy man. Just ask. Not every pastor is interested. Some have men’s groups that are very involved. Just ask if that group is doing everything he wants and needs done. If the answer is yes, thank him for his time and move on. If he doesn’t answer yes, there’s an opportunity there. Contact either your diocesan membership director or me. We have done great things thus far this year – don’t stop now.

Ceremonials Ray Darr, State Ceremonial Director Ceremonials are a very important part of our traditions as Knights of Columbus. They are the core of our Order. Father McGivney established the first three degrees as a way of instructing our members in the lessons of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. McGivney’s goal was to help members live by the rules of the Catholic Faith. Scheduling and Publicizing upcoming degrees is important particularly the Knighthood (1 st) Degree. Use of the State website is one of the best ways to do this. Any member can access information on degrees as well as other state programs on the state website (kofcohio.org) with a simple registration process. The tools are there for your benefit. Take advantage of this information for you and your council!

Mission #10: Calling the IRS! TO: Great State of Ohio FROM: Inspector Membership Worthy Brothers Across the State of Ohio: Do you have members that are inactive? Can these members be reactivated, reinstated or reapply? Who Are You Going to Call?

THE INTERNAL RETENTION SERVICE !!! This is a special division of Inspector Membership's department that handle the tough cases. They are out there looking for those members that want to come back and add to the service and fellowship that our Order has to offer. And...Inspector Membership is making it worth your wild to help the IRS out. Checkout the flyer and linked video below for your Mission with the IRS and continue to help to grow our Order. To claim to your share of the mission rewards, the three Form 100s that complete the mission MUST be, either, emailed or US mail to the Inspector by April 30, 2016.

Retention Now, Retention for Life Mike Jordon and Bill Wirtz, Retention Directors Life of the individual council, as well as the much wider Order, is dependent on retention of our members; therefore, it is never too late to start those Retention Program activities. Start with one and ease into the rest. Three of six is all that is required, but please try them all…it will change life. All our retention related activities involve personal contact and the impact of that contact will be felt for years to come. Retention is Fraternity and Fraternity is one of our four basic principles. Subsequently, retention will certainly extend the life of the council and may even extend the active “membership” life of the individuals within the council. As always we recommend the councils get way out in front of retention by contacting every member of your council on a regular basis. Retention is separate from the billing process, so if we wait too long our members may become hard to reach and even harder to recover. Call them several times a year and let them know they are needed and important to the mission of the Knights of Columbus. They joined the Knights to make a difference, so let them. For questions and assistance contact your Ohio State Council Retention Directors.

General Programs Bob Walsh, Director Worthy Brother Knights from Ohio the 2015/2016 State program is almost over, your Council has until April 15 th to turn in your program for this reporting period and for the program year. If your Council has not reported any programs this year please consider doing so. Although the program year is almost over please continue on with doing programs to benefit your council, church and community. Just a reminder of what you need to max out the State program. The eleven (11) Administration requirements found on page 20 of the program book. 100 points in the six program areas, 200 points in Membership, and 120 points in retention. Please review your programing, membership, and retention programs. If you have any questions I can be reached at rewalsh731@aol.com. Your Council has worked hard on its programing during the year, why not let Supreme see the results. All that is needed is the SP7 form filled out and sent to Supreme by June 30th, and you will receive the Columbian Award. You will need to have four (4) programs in each of six reporting areas. If you did a Supreme featured program to their requirements that would fulfil that requirement. Check on page 25 of the program book to see the requirement for the “Through Him, With Him, In Him” programing awards. I would like to see as many of these awards given out as possible. There are some dates to remember. All programing report due April 20 th. Measure Up Checks due June 1st. Due at Supreme by June 30th Form SP7, RSVP Refund and Plaque Application Form #2683, and Form #2630 Annual Round Table report.

Culture of Life

Church

Gary Anderson

Jeff Kiliany

It has been most gratifying to see how many councils held World Marriage Day events in February (Culture of Life Activity #51). With the ongoing assault on the true essence of marriage as the union of a man and a woman, the need to stand up in defense of marriage increases evermore. Thanks to all who held council/parish events centering around the World Marriage Day celebration on February 14.

From the recent reports that I have been seeing, I am sure that everyone had a very meaningful Lenten experience and a most Blessed Easter. I really appreciate all of the reporting from councils across the State of Ohio. Lately I have been seeing a lot of reports on Religious Devotions during Lent, especially Rosaries, Corporate Communions, and Stations of the Cross services.

As we draw closer to the end of the program year, keep in mind that the reporting deadline is April 15, not April 30. Many councils are now in the process of "maxing" the state Culture of Life program, along with the other programs, and are well on their way to attaining the Columbian Award (Form SP7 due to Supreme by June 30) and the prized Star Council Award. Congratulations to those councils for their hard work and dedication.

As men of Faith and part of a CATHOLIC men’s organization, we should plan activities that stress and nurture our Faith as Catholic gentlemen. I would like to remind members in the Cleveland and Youngstown areas that Catholic Man night will be held in the Youngstown Diocese at Little Flower Parish in North Canton on April 29th. Dr. Ray Guarendi, who always has an enjoyable lecture, is the featured speaker. The Catholic Men’s Fellowship of North East Ohio will hold their conference April 9th at the Rockside Holiday Inn in Independence. Father Larry Richards, another interesting and well know speaker is featured. You can still register at www.cmfneo.com or call 877208-5585

One way to "max" a program is to complete a Supreme Council Featured Program. By completing them exactly as specified by Supreme, a council can "max" the respective program area for the Columbian Award. In other words, councils that complete either the March for Life or Ultrasound Initiative activities exactly as outlined by Supreme, will thereby "max" the Culture of Life component of the Columbian Award. Not only that, but they will also "max" the state Culture of Life program. It is extremely important that the activities adhere to Supreme's requirements exactly as specified in order to qualify for the Featured Program status. We have recently learned that the form Supreme has required to be completed for the Featured Programs-the Featured Program Worksheet-is no longer being used. In order to submit for a Featured Program, that particular activity should be noted on the Columbian Award application, specifying that the council has met the criteria for Featured Program status and that it requests that Supreme consider the council having fulfilled all four of the required activities for that particular program area (Church, Community, Council, Culture of Life, Family, Youth).

The deadline for submitting Chaplain and Religious of the year nominations has passed. I am still taking In Memoriam submissions from councils who had deceased members in the period from April 1, 2015 to April 1, 2016. I must receive your form by May 6th In order to list your members in the Convention listing. If you have any concerns about receiving credit for all of your Church Activity reports, please call or email me ASAP. We want to be sure that all councils who have done the required 5 activities and maxed the Church Program receive the proper credit. More importantly, we want to be sure that your council has 4 qualifying Church activities to list on your Supreme Columbian Award Form #SP7 which will go towards achieving Star Council.

Likewise it is a time to assess what our council has done for the past 9 months. Has your council met all of its goals for the fraternal Tom Forsthoefel year? Has your council completed all the As we head into the month of April spring projects you set out to do at your planning has finally come and is all around us. The meeting in early to mid-July of 2015? Some time has come for us to clean up what the of the councils have had a bang-up year of winter months have left behind after a long helping the less fortunate within the commugrueling 3 months. There is the checking on nity, helping our veterans both near and far, our spring flowers, putting away our winter helping to support the local food pantries tools of snow shovels and snow blowers. whether with financial help or manpower to We will need to check out our deck furniture feed those in need. Have you completed all and our spring and summer tools as well. It the projects totally by reporting them to the is a time to assess what our yard and garden state web site as well? It is not too late to will need for the coming seasons. report all the good works and hard work individuals and groups of council members have completed. If your council has projects

Community

Family Stewart Vetter Last month I asked you guys to recognize those outstanding Catholic families by nominating them for Family of the Year and WOW did you guys deliver. I have been inundated with amazing families. Thank you brothers for recognizing all these fantastic Catholic families and acknowledging their hard work and commitment to our Holy Church, our brotherhood, and all the great communities around the state. We are closing in on the end of the program year but there is still time to finish strong. So...report early and report often!! All reports for the state program MUST be in by 11:59 pm April 15. So what I'm saying is, it's not too late to max. If you forgot to report your summer family picnic, report it. Nobody reported the Christmas party, report it. You are planning an annual Father's day breakfast, report it. Just make sure you get all those incredible family activities reported by April 15.

cator of the health of your council. Everybody wants to be associated with a winner and by reaching Star Council your council joins the ranks of exceptional councils who are winning in every way. Finally, have you made your reservations for conventions yet? I'm looking forward to it and I'm pretty sure my kids have had their swimsuits packed for a couple weeks now. Convention is always a great time for families especially at Kalahari. Help out the Cleveland convention committee and got those registrations in early. We always need volunteers to service the vital role of committee members for the convention too. It doesn't take much time and you meet other great Brother Knights from around the state. In short, convention is an experience that is well worth the expense and it's our only opportunity to complete some of the vital work of the State Council. Why not reward an outstanding brother Knight by sending him as a delegate to this year's state convention?

that will be completed after the final reporting period of April 15th, but prior to the close of the fraternal year of June 30, 2016 you can still report them. Case in point is your annual Measure Up Program to help those that are developmentally handicapped. Even though your council will not complete the project until the 1st weekend in May 2016 you can report them now. This as well as any other council activity can be reported prior to the actual activity. Go through a final check list to see if your council is ready to complete the fraternal year. Your council needs to spring into action to complete their final push as we enter into the month of April.

From the Ohio Former Masters Association Ray Darr Have you submitted a Council Level Patriotic Activity under the State Community Program Activity #16? We live in the greatest Country in the World. Patriotism is not just something for the Fourth Degree, the Patriotic Degree. As Knights of Columbus we all need to show our community what the Order is about. For many years the Ohio Former Masters Association has presented an award to the best Council Level Patriotic Activity in each Diocese with an overall top winner in the State. Submit your detailed report to the State Community Director prior to April 15 for consideration. The entries will be submitted to the Ohio Former Masters for judging.

Just a reminder, your council needs 4 activities in the family program to qualify for the Columbian Award and Star Council. Every council should be striving for Star Council not because it makes the state look good but because it is an indi-

Fishy, Fishy In The Lake Do We Fry or Do We Bake? Ah, spring, when a young man’s fancy turns to WALLEYE – or something like that. This will be your last notice about the upcoming Ohio State Walleye Extravaganza. If you’re coming to the State Convention any way, why not go home with a cooler of fish? Pass this message to your friends and family, to your fishing buddies, to your kids, to prospective Knights and their families. May 20 is the day. Sandusky, Ohio is the target. Walleye is the goal. We’ll be fishing aboard the Cleveland II, captained by one of the most experienced captains on Lake Erie. The day promises to be a great opportunity to share some fraternal good times while pursuing the wily and elusive Walleye in its native habitat. We will leave the dock at 9:00 sharp and return by 3:00. That gives you plenty of time to get checked in and registered for the convention and even time for a short nap before Friday night’s festivities. The cost is $45 per angler. Here is what that gets you: A day aboard the Cleveland II Rod and reel (if necessary) Bait Box lunch Soft drinks Fish cleaning Fish storage (‘til Sunday) Here’s what to bring with you Valid 2016 Ohio Fishing License Sun screen Hat Boat shoes (tennis shoes) Cooler to take your fish home Weather appropriate clothing So, don’t delay. April 15 is coming quickly and this is too good of an opportunity to miss. Send your registration form along with a check made payable to Cleveland Convention Committee to: John Brown 212 Boston Lake Drive Valley City, OH 44280 If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call or email me at: 330-610-0308 or trouter0523@gmail.com. Good fishin’!

You’re Only A Click Away Robert Gilliland WWW.KOFCOHIO.ORG Is Going Mobile!!! This month, users with mobile devices will see a mobile friendly version of the State website. I will need your help and feedback to make sure that everyone’s mobile device is able to display the website properly. Please click on this link to provide feedback on your mobile device. Please feel free to email me at BobG@sceinet.com if you have any questions or trouble with the feedback form. Thank you. Robert Gilliland State Webmaster