January 2017 Voice of the Spirit

IN SERVICE TO ONE. IN SERVICE TO ALL MONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR THE OHIO STATE COUNCIL

YEAR 2 MONTH 7 JANUARY 2017

“THROUGH HIM, WITH HIM, IN HIM” 2015-2017 1

STATE DEPUTY

Back on Track

Strong Finish to December Robert F. Collins, Jr. Brother Knights, A little about membership…

Brother Knights I believe we are back on track in our recruitment efforts in Ohio We have continued to rebound from several previous months of slow recruiting. It seemed like we put it all together in December and rose to the occasion and had a great month of new member intake.

Because of your efforts Ohio finished third in the December Supreme Membership Contest just behind New Jersey and Florida. We finished with 7.78% intake and nearly three percent behind New Jersey. On an even better note Ohio finished in second place for the 90 Day World Membership Challenge. We posted a three month intake of 24.67% and was just edged out by New Jersey by 0.66% or about 15 members. Our cash award will fund some additional incentives in Ohio in the coming months. See State Membership Director Nick Gresko’s article for details.

Gross Intake (New Member Recruitment) We are currently 35th of 74 Jurisdictions in the Order with a 38.04% of intake goal. To date we have recruited but 856 new members in the first six months of the Fraternal Year. This places us 4th among the Division 1 Jurisdictions, but only about 6% behind them. To put this into perspective we should be at 50% of gross intake or 1125 new members. We will have to continue to step up our recruiting pace to get back on track in January. In real numbers we will need in Ohio 232 new members per month over the next 6 months to retain our Circle of Honor status. With just a little

extra effort I know that together we can do this.

Net Intake (New Member Recruitment less Suspensions and Withdrawals) We are currently 27th of 74 Jurisdictions in the Order with a 40.70% of intake goal. To date we have retained but 641 of those new members in the first six months of the Fraternal Year. This places us 3rd among the Division 1 Jurisdictions but again just six percentage points behind. Again to put this into perspective we should be at 50% of our net goal or 788 members retained.

Net/Net Intake (New Member Recruitment less Suspensions, Withdrawals and Out of State Transfers) We are currently 51st of 74 Jurisdictions in the Order with a -15% of intake goal.

To date we haven’t retained any of the new members in the first five months of the Fraternal Year and lost and have lost an additional 15 members. This again places us 4th among the Division 1 Jurisdictions. Again to put this into perspective we should be at 50% of our net/net goal or +50 members retained.

Again on the positive side we still have

another 6 months to recover our losses.

With a good membership plan and an aggressive approach to church drives and new council development we can get back on track. It does however raise the bar each month now to try to rundown and catch up with our goals.

Keep scheduling those 1st Degrees.

Every District Deputy is required to schedule and conduct a 1st Degree in his district every month. Our Degree Page on the State Website should be “Busting’ Out” and overflowing with degree information. Right now I see 34 Admission Degrees scheduled in the month of January; I should see 83.

This tells me still need a little work setting up Admissions Degrees in the majority of our districts. Successful Councils, Districts, and Diocese have a good practice of frequent degree work, and I have the records to prove it. This is not the practice as laid out and requested of me rather by the Supreme Knight. We also will need each of those degrees to be productive so everyone may help us reach our goal of 2,250 new members.

A thought on Degree Work: I have attended some degree work throughout Ohio and need to address one observation. An Admission, Formation, or Knighthood Degree is no place for a Stranger, Candidate or Brother Knight in t-shirts and shorts.

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Please have the respect to the Order and the Ceremonials to dress appropriately.

Golf or polo shirts with Dockers type slacks are a minimum dress that should be worn to any one attending these degrees. Please inform all attending degrees to dress the same.

New State Website feature: I have instructed State Web Master Robert Gilliland to release the needed software to allow Councils to file the Fraternal Survey Form 1728 on the State Web site. The feature will allow a fillable form with routing to the Supreme Council and State Deputy.

Please take advantage of this new feature on our web site. As always the best policy please print a copy to retain for your Council Records.

Super Cash Bonanza Road Shows: State Secretary Farmer Bob Byers is gearing up for his second planting of crops in the Super Cash Bonanza Road Shows. Look for more about the Super Cash in this and upcoming issues of the “Voice of the Spirit”. See the State Website Fraternal Calendar for Ticket Road Show dates in your diocese.

Lingering Paperwork: Supreme Council records indicate that 36 councils have not completed and submitted their Form 185. It also has indicated that 72 councils have not completed and submitted their Form 365. Look for a call in the near future from someone at the State Council to assist in completing these two forms.

Council contributions to the “Voice of the Spirit”: One feature of this monthly publication needs are events, programs, and human interest events from the local Councils throughout Ohio. Any Council wanting to submit an article of interest to the “Voice of the Spirit” for publication each month should send a finished article and photo if applicable to PSD David Helmstetter. Brother Dave will then edit and decide which articles are to be include in each month’s issue.

Brother Dave’s email address is: dhelmstetter@bright.net More names and emails needed:

We have the ability to reach every Brother Knight in the state with this monthly electronic newsletter, the “Voice of the Spirit”. If you are a Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, or District Deputy receiving this publication you may obtain a list of email from your council or councils and forward them to State Media Chairman Brother James Maslach at his email address; kofcdd19@gmail.com.

Brother Jim will place you on the email list and then be able to receive this publication along with other important and informative memos from the State Council.

State Council Finances: All council grant checks for late receipts of the 2016 Measure Up Campaign and all convention mileage and per diem checks for late State Per Capita have been written and mailed to the financial Secretary of record.

118th State Convention: I know it may sound a bit early to some but the 1st Call to Convention by the State Secretary is just about 8 weeks out. Make sure your Council is prepared to register for the State Convention when your information packet arrives. One other note on the convention, we will be electing a new State Warden that weekend.

The Fraternal Planner: Please get in the habit of using your Fraternal Leader Success Planner.

Every District Deputy has received 5 planners for every one of his councils.

Each month in a calendar format important dates and deadlines are listed. The opposing page has a list of reminder notes and expected accomplishments for the current month and the month to come. It is a great tool for success. Take every advantage of this Fraternal Planning guide. If you have not received your fraternal Planner please contact your District Deputy immediately.

District Deputy On-line Training I would ask that the 61 District Deputies that have not completed the Orientation Seminar please do so prior to the January Midyear Meeting. This

training is available on demand at the following web address. Simply copy this text below, paste it in your browser, and complete the required curriculum. http://goo.gl/AYjbgf Town Hall Meetings: “Town Hall” meetings have been conducted throughout Ohio over the past five months. I believe they have a huge success and a big help to me as State Deputy. At this time I do not have any future dates scheduled but am willing to return if requested in the months ahead.

Football Frenzy Fund Raiser: Just in case you have not heard Chairman and Past State Deputy Gary Eckstein did report to me that statewide we sold a couple of tickets short of 16,000 tickets. This number shows a very significant increase in ticket sales over last year’s campaign even with the additional cost of a ticket. We sincerely “Thank You” for your efforts.

All State Per Capita credits will be based on 15,874 tickets sold as a percentage of the 35,960 maximum sales.

With respect to many Councils efforts around Ohio and a willingness to participate in this program I as State Deputy will increase the rebate per ticket from $5.50 to $6.00. Look for your Council to receive their rebate check sometime this January. Thank you again for your participation in this statewide fundraiser.

In closing…

May God continue to Bless you as you continue to the work you do in Jesus name. Dedicate everything you do for Him to the honor and glory of God and see what changes it will make in your life. God Bless Brothers, have a good month and a better month than the one before. Let’s all work to “Make Ohio Great Again”.

Bob Collins State Deputy

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STATE CHAPLAIN

Reflections from Our Worthy State Chaplain Father Edward J. Janoch

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life.

1 John 1:1 As I write this reflection, I just finished the 7:00 p.m. Mass on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. The above scripture quote was from the Sacred Scripture chosen for the First Reading. We hear a parallel about the Word of God that St. John mentions in all his writings. In St. John’s Gospel the Word is described as the preexisting God while the First Letter of St. John tells us of the existing God of time, Jesus Christ, whom St. John had heard, seen and touched. I was struck by the wording at the end of this verse: the Word of life.

As we sadly know, this month is the forty-fourth anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision in the legal case of Roe v. Wade. We again are asked to defend the Sanctity of Life by being reminded of the Word of Life: Jesus the Christ. It is through the Word of Life that all of Life has its Sanctity.

God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the author of Life. As the Father spoke the Word (who is the Son), the Word moved over the earth through the breath of God (the Holy Spirit). The Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity are involved in creating all Life.

Again, the United States Bishops are presenting their 9 Days for Life which is an opportunity for all the faithful to participate in prayer and action for Life.

The following is a brief description of the 9 Days for Life.

2017 Novena While the overarching intention of the novena is the end to abortion, it also

addresses topics spanning across the range of life issues. Each day's onepage prayer guide focuses on a different intention and is comprised of five short sections:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Intercession Prayers Reflection Acts of Reparation One Step Further The 9 Days for Life novena can be found on the United Stated Council of Catholic Bishops’ website at 9daysforlife.com.

Please take the opportunity to not just pray but also act in defending life. Attend your local Right to Life March or the National Right to Life March in Washington, D.C. on January 27, 2017.

The date is changed due to the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2017. The theme for this year’s march is “The Power of One.” The Power of One “Even the smallest person can change the course of history.” – J.R.R. Tolkien One person can make a difference in the world, whether in the life of one person or many. Sadly, in the U.S. alone, 1 million babies are not even given the opportunity to live and change the world each year. Building a culture of life and ending abortion takes each and every person. Starting with your family or neighborhood, our collective efforts will change hearts and minds, save lives, and build a culture of life.

Also, 40 Days for Life will begin on March 1, 2017 and end on April 9, 2017. There website mentions that 12,668 lives have been saved by the efforts of this group since 2007. There is so many activities that we can be a part of to help protect and defend Life.

Find what you are comfortable to do and DO IT!

Let us not forget that through Him, with Him, in Him we can receive the power to defend Life.

Have a Blessed and Holy New Year.

Vivat Jesus!

My new address as of 1 January 2017 is: Fr. Edward J. Janoch, Parochial Vicar St. Mary Church 401 North Street Chardon, OH 44024 (440) 285-7051 ejj5200@yahoo.com

If you are not able to attend the March for Life, attend a Mass at your parish or Cathedral that is designated for Life.

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This year I will be taking Matters of Faith and Catholic Knowledge from the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is formatted into a question and answer format. I will give a question or two and its answer to matters of faith that are relevant for this month. Here are your questions for this month.

Question 358. What is the root of human dignity?

The dignity of the human person is rooted in his or her creation in the image and likeness of God. Endowed with a spiritual and immortal soul, intelligence and free will, the human person is ordered to God and called in soul and in body to eternal beatitude. [See CCC #1699-1715]

Question 466. Why must human life be respected?

Human life must be respected because it is sacred.

From its beginning, human life involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. It is not lawful for anyone directly to destroy an innocent human being. This is gravely contrary to the dignity of the person and the holiness of the Creator. “Do not slay the innocent or the righteous” (Exodus 23:7). [See CCC #2258-2262, 2318-2320]

Question 467. Why is the legitimate defense of persons and of society not opposed to this norm?

Because in choosing to legitimately defend oneself one is respecting the right to life (either one’s own right to life or that of another) and not choosing to kill. Indeed, for someone responsible for the life of another, legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty, provided only that disproportionate force is not used. [See CCC #2263-2265]

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS Offered in Solidarity with Pope Francis January 2017 Starting in 2017 the Pope will present only one prepared prayer intention per month, rather than the two presented before this year. He plans, however, to add a second prayer intention each month related to current events or urgent needs, like disaster relief.

Christian Unity: That all Christians may be faithful to the Lord’s teaching by striving with prayer and fraternal charity to restore ecclesial communion and by collaborating to meet the challenges facing humanity.

Mother of Good Counsel Prayer

By Venerable Pope Pius XII

O Holy Virgin, to whose feet we are led by our anxious uncertainty in our search for and attainment of what is true and good, invoking you by the sweet title of Mother of Good Counsel, we beseech you to come to our assistance, when, along the road of this life, the darkness of error and of evil conspires towards our ruin by leading our minds and our hearts astray. O Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea, enlighten the doubtful and the erring, that they be not seduced by the false appearances of good; render them steadfast in the face of the hostile and corrupting influences of passion and of sin. O Mother of Good Counsel, obtain for us from your Divine Son a great love of virtue, and, in the hour of uncertainty and trial, the strength to embrace the way that leads to our salvation. If your hand sustains us, we shall walk unmolested along the path indicated to us by the life and words of Jesus, our Redeemer; and having followed freely and securely, even in the midst of this world's strife, the Sun of Truth and Justice under your maternal Star, we shall come to the enjoyment of full and eternal peace with you in the haven of salvation.

Amen.

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STATE MEMBERSHIP

Commit to Membership Nick Gresko

Some people and some councils are interested in reaching their membership goals and others are committed to reaching their membership goals. The key to membership success is going from being interested to being committed. Once you are committed your council and its members will produce results. At the point of commitment, you mentally burn all bridges and you do whatever it takes to make membership happen. THAT’S when your members and your council become unstoppable with membership! I hope all of our members and all of our councils are just as committed to membership in 2017 as you were to the first half of this fraternal year. As your State Membership Director I’m COMMITTED! Are you and your councils COMMITTED? If so Circle of Honor here we come!!!

New Council Development John Brown

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas filled with Faith and family.

As we continue down the path of winter, we also head into the second half of the fraternal year. I know the winter looks bleak at times, but we can brighten things up a bit. I’m talking about starting a new council in your district or revitalizing a sick one.

Now is the perfect time to talk with Father about what we can do to give him a hand in ministering to his parish.

If he doesn’t have a council, start one now. You’ve heard me say it again and again. If you don’t ask, he can’t say yes. Please, please, please be prepared when you talk with him. Stumbling through a conversation will turn him off quickly, so please be prepared. If Father is interested and you don’t feel comfortable, contact me as soon as you can and we’ll work this through together.

Explain what other councils do for their parish. If you need examples, just look at the back of the Columbia magazine – or contact me or your Diocesan Membership Director. We’re more than happy to assist you. Talk with the Chaplains of your councils and ask them for testimonials. A good recommendation from a fellow pastor can go a long way to getting you in the door.

It’s never too late to revitalize a council. You know the one I’m talking about – they haven’t recruited a new member since who knows when. The Grand Knight has been in office since Fr. McGivney was around. Talk first with the Chaplain. See if he wants a vibrant council, not the one just going through the motions – one that can be a force for good in his parish. We can help him. It’s our duty (yours and mine) to help him revitalize that council.

As I write this, there are 189 days left in this fraternal year, so please do not delay – let’s finish this fraternal year with our heads held high!

Vivat Jesus!

John

When Father says “Yes! I want some help”, contact me. We’ll work this out together so it’s not all on your shoulders. Many hands make the work lighter.

DVD Admissions Degree Worthy Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries it is extremely important that you are talking to your District Deputy and that he knows when you are planning these because he needs to submit a Form 450 and this is not happening all the time right now. Please get this information to your District Deputy so that he can do what he needs to do and to insure you get credit for the work that you are doing when it comes to degrees.

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Retention

Michael Jordon / Bill Wirtz A New Hope in the New Year Brothers, we are about to start the second half of our “Retention season” having paused to celebrate the arrival of the Christ child at the beginning of a new liturgical year.

Let’s channel that refreshed hope and spirit, inspired by the coming of the Lord, by ensuring our Brothers know they are important, celebrated and loved.

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.

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.

Michael Jordon State Retention Director East 2325 Inwood Drive Austintown, OH 44515-7317 330-540-7317 mtjordon@yahoo.com@yahoo.com William Wirtz, Jr. State Retention Director West 8150 Havitshire Way #206 Dayton, OH 45458 937-470-7795 billjoyce1@sbcglobal.net

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

Form 100’s Within 3-5 days of a degree any Form 100’s should be emailed to the Supreme Council at membershiprecords@kofc.org and to the State Membership Director at greskon@sbcglobal.net and also include your diocesan membership director on those emails. 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. Also, please make sure that every part of this Form 100 is filled out or the Form 100 will not be processed

Form 450 is like GOLD!!!

Council’s no longer fill out the Form 450C. There is only a Form 450 now and it is the responsibility of the District Deputy to fill this out. District Deputies please make sure within 35 days of holding a degree in your District the Form 450 is turned in. This is extremely important because this allows us to track if Supreme actually processed your Form 100’s! If your councils took the time to bring in a new member the State Membership Team wants to make sure these councils get credit for this hard work and effort. These should be filled in on line now at the State Website and then it is automatically sent to who it needs to go to.

Take advantage of this!!!

Membership Mission #19 New Year, Same Mission

WOW! The way you all responded to the missions has been outstanding. Ohio continues to go in the right direction and it is all because of you.

A New Year allows us to clean the slate and start fresh. There are still plenty of Catholic men and families that we can recruit for our Order. Where else can you combine fellowship, faith growing, family togetherness - the Knights truly are the "Experience of a Lifetime."

Challenges are out there and the Inspector arch enemy - Dr. Arceo appearing again! His sole mission is to stop good Catholic men from joining our Order. He has vowed to stop at nothing and is pulling out tricks from every corner to stop us. Are we going to allow this??? Is he going to shrink our Order down to nothing??

Here is your mission for January- if you so choose to accept. Inspector Membership will be watching and making sure that we all do the best to ring in the New Year and defeat Dr. Arceo before he has a chance to begin his reign of misdirection and confusion!

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STATE GENERAL PROGRAMS

General Service Program Robert Walsh

As we start the New Year, now would be the time to review the program that you did, and to start implementing the ones planned for the rest of the year. It is also time to review and make sure that all your programming has been submitted, all points credited. We just finished the third reporting period, which means that there is only three and a half months left in the programming year. There is still time to partake in the State Program.

Program, so let’s get them in on time.

This also means you should be reviewing to see who your council will honor for their participation in your programming. Check under the five reporting areas for more information.

These are due by April 1, 2017.

Looking ahead for January, the Fraternal Survey is due by the 31st. For February, the Semi Annual Audit is due by the 15th. These are part of the Administration part of the State

Church

Jeff Kiliany From the recent reports that I have been seeing, I am sure that everyone had a very Blessed Christmas. 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 activities during the past 2 months, especially Rosaries, Corporate Communions, and, of course, Keeping Christ in Christmas. Remember that the 5th Sunday Rosary, Keep Christ in Christmas, and Holy Family Prayer program qualify as Domestic Church activities that will qualify your council to earn the Supreme Columbian Award and the Star Council Award.

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 the Catholic Men’s Fellowship day will be held in the Youngstown Diocese at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Louisville in North Canton on March 4th. Dr. Phillip Mango and Jon Lionetti, are the featured speakers. The Catholic Men’s Fellowship of North East Ohio will hold their conference March 25th at the Rockside Holiday Inn in Independence. Tim Staples, another interesting and well know speaker is featured. You can register at www.cmfneo.com If you have any concerns about receiving credit for all of your Church Activity reports, please call or email me ASAP. Please call or e-mail with any questions. I will be happy to assist you and your council.

Remember to keep the people that are going to the March for Life in your prayers for a safe journey there and back.

Round Tables & Vocations Joe Mackos

Activity #8 Support our Sisters and Nuns Don’t just send them a check, do something for them. Take them to dinner, or special event. Honor them for what they do either for the church, schools, or the missions.

Activity #9 RSVP Financial Assistance to Seminarians and Religious Helping a seminarian or Novice with some financial support.

For every $500.00 you donated, you can receive $100.00 from supreme after you submit form #2863.

Activity #10 Parish Round Table Where do you find a candidate to join your council? If you are a parish base council do you only ask members from your church? Or do you ask others? Go to a church in your area that doesn’t have a Knights of Columbus council ask the pastor if there’s something the Knights can do for his church. This then is a round table in the making. Plan on going to an Eastern Rite Church, there are not that many council in the Eastern Churches.

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Council

Tom Buehner I’m compiling a list of the council website addresses for councils across the state. If you haven’t already submitted your council’s website under Council Activity #27 (Council Newsletter/Website), please submit your activity so that you can get credit for it, and so that I can add you to my list! If you’ve already submitted Council Activity #27, please email me

the URL for your website (tom.buehner@gmail.com).

Progress Report: At this halfway point of the fraternal year, it's important to check in on where things stand in regard to reported Council activities.

As of January 3, 2017, there are 140 councils that have reported at least one program – only 33% of all councils in Ohio. Also, 86 councils have reported at least two programs – only 20% of all

councils in Ohio.

Please, take the time to submit your activities on the State website! I know you're all doing great things across this state! Let us know what you're doing!

Please reach out to me with any questions! Happy New Year!

Vivat Jesus!

Culture of Life

Community

I hear it too often that Pro-Life people are only concerned about life up to the moment the child is born and that we do not about children after they are born. I know that is not true, especially with the Knights Of Columbus. We do many charitable activities for those in need and many of our members are involved with other organizations that specifically help the needy.

January1st brings a lot of things for all of us for the beginning of the year 2017. New Year’s resolutions, football bowl games, the start of college basketball conference play, and bragging rights for which team is # 1. Who is # 1 in the State of Ohio?

Brett Gissel

Regardless of how you feel about the decision Governor Kasich made in signing the 20-week abortion ban over the Heartbeat Bill, there will be less abortions. This also means that more women and families need our help. Reach out to pregnancy centers that do not perform abortions. Find out what they need and help out these families through these pregnancy centers (report under activities 53 & 54).

Now, when abortions should be decreasing, is the time to step up and show that we care about all human life. Your efforts will do more than just help those in need. The act of charity will help those considering an abortion due to hardships choose life as they will know the resources are available to help them.

The March For Life (marchforlife.org) will be held on January 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. If your council participates in this or a local rally for life at this time, make sure to report it under activity 48.

Now is a good time to start planning for the 2018 march.

Please note that the Culture Of Life program involves volunteering, educating, advocating, donating, and praying. This should be your guide on what constitutes a Culture Of Life program. If you have any questions about Culture Of Life programs, please contact me at BrettGissel@gmail.com.

Tom Forstoefel

To be # 1 there is a lot of planning and hard work to get into that position. To begin with you have to work as a team and complete the team goals. For your individual council to be # 1 you will have to have a good game plan and goals in all the areas of community, council, church, youth, family, culture of life, retention and last but not least membership. Every council should be able to compete in each and every one of these areas.

We have completed the 1st half of the fraternal year. Your council still has time to look at your game plan to decide whether or not it’s on the schedule you set at the beginning of the fraternal year.

If you are not on schedule it isn’t too late to turn things around and finish the 2nd half of the fraternal year with a big bang. If the game plan you set is not working to your satisfaction you can change things up and finish out the individual programs. It is not

too late to get your programs a kick start for a banner year.

Now that you have reviewed the status of your programs, your council needs to complete the individual activities and report them on the state website.

Completing an activity and not reporting them on the state web site will not get your council any individual recognition you deserve. If you have photos of the activity you completed, they can be uploaded along with the program to the state web site.

The program does not have to be uploaded to the web site by the member that was in charge of the activity completed. The activity can be recorded on the state web site by any member of your council. If your council is having any problem at all with the web site, contact the State Web Site Director, Robert Gilliland @ 216-533-1134.

If your council has any question regarding the activity you want to report, please feel free to contact me via email or by phone. As your council starts the year 2017, I wish the members and their families a safe and prosperous New Year.

Vivat Jesus!

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Family

Stewart Vetter Thank you to all that have submitted a family report thus far this fraternal year.

It is great to see so many councils offering family parties, family rosaries, collecting food and money for the needy, serving their communities as families, helping with Catholic education for all ages (pre-school through adult education), and remembering our brothers that have passed.

Most councils host their memorial mass during November since it is the month when we remember all our saints and everyone's souls. Just because November is preferred, doesn't mean it's too late for your memorial mass. Our brothers and other Catholics are being purified daily in purgatory and still need our prayers. Every council should hold a memorial mass every year no matter the month. Fr. McGivney wanted us to comfort and care for the orphan and widow. Memorial masses are one way to comfort those families and every council should offer that comfort.

Many councils collected food for Youth Mike Nau Hope all had a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year. This fraternal year is half over. Let’s finish the year out in strong fashion.

Last year 119000 young people participated in Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championships. The Council level needs to be done by the end of January. District needs to be done the mid-February and the Regional will be done the end of February. State Free Thrown will be held in March 18 2017.

Remember that the age levels are 9-14 years old. Let’s get out and promote the Free Throw. Let’s stop the trend, and get more participation. I will pass out information concerning time, directions and what each contestant will need to bring with them to the DD coordinator at the DDs meeting on Jan. 7 and 8.

Please make sure that each Regional winner gets a copy.

The Keep Christ in Christmas Poster

families or served at soup kitchens and food distribution locations during Thanksgiving and Christmas but need knows no season. The needy in your community still need help. Many councils have worked with St. Vincent DePaul societies, missions, Boy and Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other local outreach groups to help the needy. The most important thing is to get out with our Knights of Columbus families and aid those in need.

The heart and start of every Catholic family is a loving, respectful, committed marriage. With all the activities around careers, drop this kid off here, do the dishes, pick that kid up there, shovel the snow, volunteering, doing homework, "Did we forget to pick up a kid?", caring for elderly family, etc., the marriage and sustaining that relationship can get shuffled to the back burner. How can we, as Knights, help? Work with your pastor to schedule a marriage vows renewal on or near St. Valentine's Day. This would be a great way to close mass on February 12 but it needs to be approved and planned soon. My advise is to have tissues available because, wives, kids and husbands will be moved by those loving couples holding hands and Contest is open to 3 age groups. Kits, rules and regulations can be found on the Supreme website. The age groups are as follow: ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-14.

Local level judging should be done by 12/31/2016. Regional (Diocesan) by 1/15/2017. I need all Diocesan winners by 1/31/2017 so I can get the State winners to Supreme by 2/15/2017. Check with the DD coordinators in our Diocese to see if they are having a Diocesan level contest. If they are not then just send the local winners to me.

Don’t forget Activity #60 Drug and Alcohol Abuse Poster Contest. This is a Supreme Program to help bring the abuse of drugs and alcohol to the attention of the children in our communities.

It gives them the chance to discuss these problems with each other and support each other not to use drugs and overuse alcohol. You need to order your Drug and Alcohol Abuse Poster Contest kit from Supreme Council in November to have everything in place for the council level completion in January. The age groups are 8-11 and 12-14. This contest

renewing the vows that started their family.

Now that you've helped them renew their vows, it's time to recognize them for the great things they do. Start looking for your council's family of the year. Find the outstanding family in your parish that serves the Knights, the parish, and the community and recognize them as Family of the Year for Ohio. The form in the program book should be an outline for your submission. Feel free to type it up your submission in Word or some other word processing program and email it to me.

Include pictures, support letters from your parish priest and other supporters, and any other documentation that would make your submission Ohio Family of the Year.

consists of two different contests. One is for Drug Awareness and Abuse and one for Alcohol Awareness and Abuse.

Local level should take place in Feb. Check with our DD Coordinator to see if there is a Diocesan level contest. If so that needs to take place by late march. I need all local/Diocesan winners to me by early April as to pick the State winners and submit to Supreme by 4/30/2017.

Activity # 58 Ohio Foundation Scholarship Fund. Don’t forget this important Activity. To date very few Councils have claimed this under the Youth Program. Please encourage your council to make a donation to the Ohio Charity Foundation Scholarship Fund to help students continue with their Catholic Education.

I know that everyone thinks that youth are important and that each Council does activities to help the youth. Please take the time to submit the reports. The (Continued on page 15)

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STATE WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA

You’re One Click Away Robert Gilliland

Submitting the Fraternal Survey (Form 1728 due January 31) to the State Council.

Worthy Grand Knights and Worthy Financial Secretaries, this article will go into more detail about how your Council can submit the Fraternal Survey (Form 1728) online through the State website and it will be electronically submitted to Supreme Council, the State Deputy, your District Deputy, along with a copy emailed back to yourself for Council records.

Note that you must be a Council Grand Knight or Council Financial Secretary to have access to these forms.

From the Main Menu, Select Forms, then at the bottom of the Forms page, under “Council Forms”, click on “Council Administrative Forms”.

Fraternal Survey (Form #1728) due

by January 31, 2017 to Supreme Council.

Once the Council Administrative Forms page comes up, select the tab that says “Form 1728 Fraternal Survey”.

When you completed the Fraternal Survey form (#1728), you will have

three options. First, you can simply save the data and come back to complete the form in the event you do not have all of the information by clicking on the “Save Form” button at the bottom of the page.

Secondly, you can print the Fraternal Survey form on your printer after saving any changes you have made on the form by clicking on the “Print Form” button on the bottom of the page. When you print out the form, a PDF document of the Fraternal Survey form with all of the fields filled in will be downloaded to your computer. You can then print out the PDF document on your printer (see form image below).

Here is page 1 of the form with the instruction on how to complete the form. This is on the Form 1728 tab.

Each field that you fill out has a help message that appears when you mouse over the field.

Lastly, you can submit the completed Fraternal Survey form by clicking on the “Submit Form By Email” button at the bottom of the page. When you click Submit, a PDF document of the competed form is sent to Supreme Council, The State Deputy, your District Deputy, and a copy mailed back to yourself.

You can save the Fraternal Survey form at any time and come back to it to continue filling out the remaining information, again saving the information until you are ready to submit the form.

Here is page two of the Form 1728.

As you fill in the fields on the web page the total numbers change accordingly.If you have any problems, or need any help, please feel free to email me at bobgkofc@gmail.com.

If your Council did not participate in any field described in the form, leave it as a zero (the default value) or place a zero in that field if you have erased the zero.

As of January 10, 2017, you can practice filling out the form and submitting it on the DEMO site (demo.kofcohio.org) and it will ONLY email the form back to you. None of the information submitted on the DEMO site is sent to Supreme Council, the State Council, or your District Deputy. Remember that the DEMO site is for practice purposes only.

Robert Gilliland State Website Director

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SUPER CASH BONANZA

Plant the Seed to Grow CASH for Charity The 2017 Super Cash Bonanza Charity Campaign

Super Cash Bonanza Charity Raffle Tickets and posters will be distributed during the Ticket Distribution Meetings throughout Ohio the weekends of February 17,18,18 or 24,25 (2017). Please check for the exact date, time, and location in your council area.

Please make sure that all who are in charge of the 2017 Super Cash Bonanza Charity Campaign have read the materials provided to the council, especially, the information booklet.

Significant income for charity can be earned by your council (far surpassing the basic rebate of $2.40 per ticket), but you must adhere to the “rules” as presented in the information booklet. Some rebates require meeting attendance, while others require meeting First Phase and Final Phase quotas. Here are some of the key points: A minimum of two members from your council must attend the Diocesan Ticket Distribution Meeting. The twomember requirement does not include the District Deputy, State Directors and Chairs, or a State Officer to qualify for these rebates.

The sold tickets and one check from your council must be sent to the State Treasurer by the published deadlines. The two turn-in dates are Saturday, April 15 (2017) and Friday, May 13 (2017). Your council must meet these deadlines with the required number of sold tickets per member in order to qualify for the different rebates.

Most methods of shipping are acceptable. UPS, FedEx or the US Postal System all have good record of timely delivery of small packages. Please do not send your package by a method requiring my signature. These often go back to the delivery agent’s warehouse and await pickup. Please use durable-strength envelopes or cartons to avoid damage during shipment.

Please make every effort to have all of your council’s tickets submitted by the second turn-in deadline. Tickets brought to and delivered at the convention might create a processing problem. With the drawing taking place that weekend, there is very little time for late arrivals. We cannot guarantee your rebates on tickets received more than a few days after the final turn-in date of May 13, 2017.

Extra materials and tickets can be obtained from your District Deputy or Diocesan Officer. Any questions concerning the 2017 Super Cash Bonanza Campaign should be directed to me, Robert Byers, State Treasurer and Chair, by email at robert_byers@hotmail.com or by calling me at 740-706-0044 cell or 740-373-7154 home.

Plan early, promote, and partner! We are here to help you work toward the success of the 2017 Super Cash Bonanza charity campaign at your local council.

Thank you to all my brother knights for helping me “Plant the Seed and Grow CASH for Charity.”

Additional information is also available on the Ohio State Council state website at www.kofcohio.org.

Fraternally,

Farmer Bob Bob Byers

State Treasurer

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SUPER CASH BONANZA ROADSHOW

Super Cash Bonanza Road Show 2017 Ticket Distribution Meetings 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 2017 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.

“Grow Cash for Charity” Weekend 1

Weekend 2

Friday, February 17, 2017 7:00 p.m.

Tiffin Council #608 49 E. Perry St. Tiffin, Ohio 44883

Thursday, February 23, 2017 7:00 p.m.

Marietta Council #478 312 Franklin St. Marietta, Ohio 45750

Saturday, February 18, 2017 9:30 a.m.

Msgr. Lang Council #1039 111 Elliott Road Defiance, Ohio 43512

Friday, February 24, 2017 7: 00 p.m.

Msgr. Dooley Council #4361 Legion Drive Mingo junction, Ohio 45750

3:00 p.m.

Fr. Aufderheide Council #12912 (St. Christopher Church) 435 E. National Road Vandalia, Ohio 45377

Saturday, February 25, 2017 10:00 a.m.

Immaculate Conception Church (Parish Hall on W. Spruce Street) 409 W. Main Street Ravenna, Ohio 44266

7:00 PM St. Michael’s Council #3382 (St. Michael’s Church) 11144 Spinner Ave. Sharonville, Ohio 45241

Saturday, February 25, 2017 1:00 p.m.

Garfield Council #4130 10806 Granger Road Garfield, Ohio 44125

Sunday, February 19, 2017 2:00 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Council #11187 600 Hill Road Pickerington, Ohio 43147 14

FOOTBALL FRENZY

10th WEEK WINNERS—HIGH SCORES Rank

Name

Location

Council

Ticket #

Points

Prize

1

Paul Uhlir

West Lake - Cleveland

3269

68729

154

$400.00

2

Greg Straka

Longwood, FL. - Cleveland

2643

1958

151

$237.50

2

Ron House

Clyde - Toledo

1175

59582

151

$237.50

4

James Tavolario

Youngstown - Youngstown

13586

40612

150

$200.00

5

Tim Woodruff

Clyde - Toledo

1175

46142

149

$160.00

5

David Bator

Brunswick - Cleveland

4847

66982

149

$160.00

5

David Jolhims

Hopedale - Steubenville

4590

70893

149

$160.00

8

Rick Mitchell

Oregon - Toledo

14344

47266

148

$100.00

9

Thomas Vollmer

Reynoldsburg - Columbus

5253

5356

147

$80.00

9

Matt Riley

Cincinnati - Cincinnati

2423

22655

147

$80.00

9

Tim Lannen

Oregon - Toledo

7978

58614

147

$80.00

12

David Burd

Newark - Columbus

11665

27725

146

$48.57

12

Lou Kunk

Coldwater - Cincinnati

1991

32032

146

$48.57

12

Edel Todd

Bellevue - Toledo

752

27784

146

$48.57

12

Mike Manahan

Bowling Green - Toledo

6373

48624

146

$48.57

12

Tom Nemeth

South Euclid - Cleveland

310

63684

146

$48.57

12

Linda Bruce

Wolton Hills - Cleveland

5559

63778

146

$48.57

12

Kathy Clark

Columbus - Columbus

13705

71200

146

$48.57

19

Rob Hodgman

Akron - Cleveland

3213

3482

145

$30.00

10th WEEK WINNERS—LOW SCORES 1

Steve Hames

Uniontown - Youngstown

14959

42128

32

$87.50

1

Matt Frisbee

Sandusky - Toledo

546

48316

32

$87.50

3

Dennis Dickess

Ironton - Stuebenville

1405

9081

35

$45.00

3

Bob Meyer

Hicksville - Toledo

8829

45040

35

$45.00

Circles are vital to the growth of our Squires Program and in turn benefit numbers of Activities reported are down. greatly the Knights through the longHowever, there are several very good time proven fact that Active Squires ones. This time of the year there’s almake Active Knights, who often take on ways some kids that need coats. What a leadership roles in councils once they great way to show you care by giving become 18 years old. coats to needed children. That would be Activity #56. Thanks for all your work. Hope all have a blessed Holiday Season.

Activity #65, start or reactivate a new or Keep up the good work and take time to existing Squires Circle. Council 10215 report those great activities under the did this and were credited with 100 Youth Program. points for doing this Activity. Squire (Continued from page 11)

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KNIGHTS IN ACTION COUNCIL 5286 SPECIAL SALUTE RECOGNIZES VETERANS INVOLVES YOUTH The Knights of Geneva/Madison Council 5286 provided a special salute to veterans with a recognition dinner and program that crossed the generations, according to council organizers. Veterans received a complimentary blue t-shirt that displayed an American flag and Veterans lettering along with an Italian-themed dinner prepared by the Knights.

The council also invited the Young Marines Club, who helped park cars and serve the food. The Young Marines also met, conversed and listed to stories and experiences from former active members of the Armed Services. Organizers learned from attendees the Knights’ effort to blend these patriotic groups was a big success.

“The crossing of the generation gap arrived with the handmade cards from area elementary schools which were dispersed to the veterans. These cards conveyed expressions of honor and respect with words and drawings. Each veteran carefully and slowly read his/her card. Many teary eyes and trembling hands were observed along with choked-mumbled words of appreciation,” wrote one observer.

He also added, “The event was touching to the non-veteran. The hearts of the Veterans were certainly warmed and aglow during this transitory act of love which will be treasured in both mind and heart.”

Each Veteran received a T-shirt.

(1)

Elementary school students provided handmade cards. (3) Elementary school students provided handmade cards. (2)

The local localYoung YoungMarines Marines served min-with served andand mingled gled with the(4) Veterans. (4) the Veterans.

The local Young Marines served and mingled with the Veterans. (5)

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COUNCIL 4243 2016 SPECIAL YEAR FOR TWO KNIGHTS FROM ST. CLAIRSVILLE This was a special year for Our Lady of Peace Council 4243 in St. Clairsville when it comes to vocations. Two council members were ordained as a priest and a permanent deacon respectively making 2016 a year of vocations.

“We’re proud and truly grateful of the dedication of these two Knights to our Church,” said District Deputy Jeff Turner.

Father ‘Ryan’ Joseph-Anthony Kress was one of 11 men ordained by Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia, a Dominican, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., in May 2016. A St. Clairsville native, Father Joseph-Anthony graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville and entered the Dominican Order at St. Gertrude Priory Cincinnati in 2010. He remains in the nation’s capital while he continues his studies. Engaged in athletics chaplaincy, campus ministry and caring for the poor with terminal cancer, Father Joseph-Anthony celebrated his first mass June 12 at St. Mary’s Church in St. Clairsville.

A second Knight from Council 4243, Charles J. “Chuck” Schneider became one of five men ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Steubenville in early December 2016. Ordained by Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton, Chuck applied for the diaconate program in 2012 and began his years of discernment, study and formation at the Pontifical College Josephium, Columbus.

A member since 2003, Chuck serves as lecturer of Council 4243 and as Faithful Captain of the Commodore Jack Barry Assembly 802. Bishop Monforton assigned him to serve as deacon in St. Mary’s, his home parish. Chuck and his wife, Marlene, have two children and welcomed their first grandchild in September.

The council actively supports these two men as well as other seminarians through the Ohio State Council’s Pennies for Heaven program, routinely exceeding a $1,000 donation annually. Father Joseph Anthony annually visits the council and the council held dinners for several years to support his vocation’s effort. Deacon Schneider remains active in the council and assembly. Upon his ordination, the council provided a meal for his family at the council hall and the assembly donated a communion pyx for his ministry and the home bound.

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