December 2018 Voice of the Spirit

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE OHIO STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

CHARITY | UNITY | FRATERNITY | PATRIOTISM

DECEMBER 2018

1

State Deputy News and Notes

involvement in the Knights of Columbus.

In a more practical sense, both sides of this figurative coin have special meaning to our councils and our work. It is our work of Charity, On behalf of the officers, directors and all of those who serve in the Ohio guided by faith, that attract so many State Council, I wish each of you and men to our ranks – and so, while we fill this important role in our parishes your families a happy Advent and and communities during this season, Christmas season. While this is a it is very important to demonstrate time, beginning with Thanksgiving, first-hand to those considering to gather and enjoy the company of family and friends, it is also a time of membership in the Knights who we are and what we do – invite them to beginning – with the start of a new join us, as prospective members, in liturgical year in the life of our our work and perhaps they will Church. decide to join us in our efforts. councils – providing important For us as Knights, this time of year charity to those who need it, creating also has a very special significance – The other side of the coin also has awareness of the it is, for many of our purposes and goals of councils, a time to the Knights, and demonstrate the best of what increasing engagement we are – a Catholic fraternal and strengthening the organization dedicated to fraternal bonds among charity – though the many our Brothers. charitable efforts we put forth during the Advent As always, I thank you season. There is no better for your dedication and time than the days leading up service to Father to the birth of our Lord to McGivney’s vision of show our support and lend charity and service, and, assistance to those less again, my very best fortunate than ourselves; and wishes for a happy that service, those acts of Advent season, a charity, are at the very wonderful Christmas, essence of what it means to and a Happy New be a Knight and what drives Year! our dedication to service.

I remain, in His Honor, This time of year is an Vivat Jesus! excellent time to consider what really does make a great Knight and how our activities both shape and direct the spirt and enthusiasm displayed in our Not Receiving the value during this season. It our Unity councils. You can look at it almost as and Fraternity that allow us to keep, Voice of the Spirit!!! two sides of a coin – on one side is or should I say retain, member within Charity, the first principle of our our ranks. This is an excellent time Order, driven by our faith and our GK and FS receive a copy to re-acquaint ourselves with many of obligation as Catholics to offer help and can forward or you can our members who have not been to those in need; on the other side is active for a while, as they re-acquaint get your own. Send your Unity and Fraternity, those principles themselves with both our charitable name and email to Jim that call us to join together as works and their brother Knights.

Maslach at brothers to complete these important osckofc@gmail.com. tasks. This truly shows our “Faith in As you can see, this time of year can Action” and defines why all of us serve many purposes in assisting our derive benefit through our

Kevin Miller

Membership

asking brother in Christ to join us.

During the month of November over Frank Iannaggi 161 new members were admitted into our ranks, after asked. To aid you, Advent is waiting in we are extending our state summer anticipation award to December and January.

Cash payments to individual My dear brothers in Christ it is time Councils recruiting 4 new members to prepare the way for growth in our for the period of December 1 – walk with Christ. As we prepare for January 31, if councils repeats this beautiful Advent season and the summer intake, receive $100 bonus. ultimate birth of our Savior, I would Recruit 8 new members for the same like to take a moment to thank each period, Receive $250. If council repeats summer intake receive $250 of you on your outstanding work in growing the Order of the Knights of bonus. Recruit 12 new members for Columbus. It is customary during the the same period, Receive $400. advent season to look at the people (numbers verified March 1 Supreme report). Supreme Council has also that surround us and appreciated implemented awards in their Winter them with a token of our Blast drive for December and appreciation, usually with a gift January for individual recruiters, especially chosen by us that will check it out under kofc.org. touch their hearts and sometimes their souls. This is exactly what God With nearly 50% active council did, by sending us is only son, not only to teach us to love one another participation our intake of new but to ultimately die for our sins and members as been slowly climbing through the efforts of many knights gain us our eternal salvation. As knights we must continue to promote sharing their love of our Order.

God’s love for us and share that good During this Advent season let us all share the gift that is our Order by news with one another. asking our brothers in the faith to join and share in the many great works We as Knight share this new by

that are the highlight of this season of waiting for our Savior’s birth. Please take advantage of the incentives outlined above and both State and Supreme and in the achievement of 100% active council statewide participation.

Please review the statistics below and note that we are nearly 400 members short of our midyear goal of 1125.

We can and will achieve our goals if we all share in the labor of the harvest IN HIS HONOR. A very blessed Christmas to all our Brother Knights and your Families.

3

General Programs

Rod Anderson, State General Program Director I truly wish all Ohio Knights a Blessed Advent, a very Merry Christmas, and most especially a joyously Happy New Year!

wonderful works you are accomplishing. Keep it up! There are only 3 and a half more months after this one till the State General Program wraps up, and only 6 until the Supreme fraternal year is in the books.

So, as you enjoy the holiday season with friends, family and Brother Knights, take a few moments here and At the same time, I also truly hope there to consider the wonderful things that ALL the Ohio Councils, their that have been accomplished so far Officers and members had a great this year, and look ahead to what you first half of this fraternal year. I am also confident that the Ohio Councils will be working to accomplish in the Knights in both the State and the are well on their way to an exceptional second half to finish out a Supreme programs starting in remarkable year of service in charity, January. unity and fraternity!

Rest assured that I and the Program Directors are very proud of the work Councils and their Knights in Ohio are amazing when working to rise to you have accomplished and reported so far, and are looking forward to the challenges facing them, their parishes and their communities. The reading about the wonderful activities you will report January through April Council Reports bear witness to the 15 next year!

Council Tim Mangan

Brother Knights, it’s hard to believe it’s December already! Christmas is just around the corner. Next year, 2019, is almost here! With the holidays coming up, no doubt everybody is getting ready for Advent and Christmas. The first six months of the fraternal year are almost gone and it’s time to review what the council has done and what the council needs to do to both max out the In His Honor State Program and get the Star Council Award.

It’s time to start thinking about the second half of the fraternal year. How your council can finish off the fraternal

year strong! If your council has met 50% or more of its membership quota and 50% or more of its insurance quota and half of your service programs are completed, then you’re in good shape! If not, you have your work cut out for you!

You have more to do and less time to do it! You have some making up to do.

Speaking of thinking about the second half of the fraternal year, is your council thinking about the Knight of the Year.

Have you started gathering up information and supporting documentation about your Knight of the Year? Knight of the Year is due to me by April 1st! So, you still have time to work on your Knight of the Year but at the same time you are running out of time!

Remember, Knight of the Year is

And always remember that regarding Council programs and activities, “If you build it, they will come!”

So, give thanks this November for the blessings of Knighthood in the Order by rededicating yourself to work with your Council to plan, organize and complete the programs and activities of the State and Supreme Councils.

This is the best way to put into practice the motto “If you build it, they will come!” mandatory to max out the Council Program Activities and the State Program!

Also, the same goes for Lady of the Year! Again, Lady of the Year is due to me by April 1st as well. Lady of the Year is not mandatory. However, Lady of the Year counts as a council program choice activity. If your looking for a third council program choice activity, Lady of the Year does count! So, start working on your Lady of the Year if you have not already done so.

Again, enjoy the upcoming holiday season. If you are traveling, travel safe and sound. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! God Bless!

4

Family

Tom Buehner The mandatory Family Activity State Matching Funds participation with ontime turn-in was due November 15. If you sent your Matching Funds in to our State Advocate, Jeff Kiliany, please don’t forget to also submit your activity report to me on the State Website to get credit for it toward the State Program.

I hope councils are having successful Keep Christ in Christmas programs.

This really helps to promote the true spirit of Christmas by evangelizing through our actions, celebration, and other activities. Checkout the following

web site for more information: https:// kofc.org/christmas.

Please continue to be mindful of the required Supreme Family program, Consecration to the Holy Family. This calls for parish families to consecrate themselves to the Holy Family and devote themselves to the ideal model of familial love set by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. A prayer, written by our Supreme Chaplain, Archbishop William E. Lori, can help families live out the joy of Christ and consecrate themselves under the protection of the Holy Family.

This consecration is a great way to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family on Sunday, December 30th. Take a look at the following web site for more information on how you can properly prepare as a council for this Family

Culture of Life

program or hold the Novena For Life concurrently with the digital pilgrimage.

As a reminder, the Novena For Life is a required activity for the Supreme Council Faith In Action program.

The USCCB is holding a 9 Days For Life “digital pilgrimage” from January 14-22, 2019. This is not the Supreme Council’s Novena For Life, but your council could this activity for credit in the state

For a variety of reasons, some women choose to put their child up for adoption over abortion. Last month I was asked about what any of our councils do to support adoption. I could not think of

Youth

with your conduct (fun and professional).

Every district deputy should be contacting his councils with the date, time, and location of the district competition so it can be communicated to the victors at the council competition.

program: https://kofc.org/consecration.

Please start thinking about your Family of the Year and send the nominations in to me by April 1, 2019. This is a mandatory activity for the State Program, and I want you to be able to max out the State Program!

Finally, please remember to take the time to submit your activities on the State website and reach out to me with any questions! Have a Merry Christmas!

Vivat Jesus!

any from the reports I have reviewed in the last 2 years. I know someone that is Brett Gissel going through the process of adopting a child out of state and could use some Many councils do a Cemetery of the help out of state. I contacted the State Innocents in January at the anniversary Life Director in that state to see if they of the Roe V. Wade decision. This is a We know that women that have an had anyone to help. They did find great reminder of the loss of life to ultrasound of their baby are more likely someone willing to help and the families abortion. Something else to consider is to keep the baby. Throughout the Order are discussing their needs and what they celebrating the joy of life. We do things we are approaching 1, 000 ultrasound can do. I would like to be able to do the like providing diapers and other needed machines placed through the Supreme same should I ever be contacted. If you items to help women choose life. Why Council Ultrasound Machine Initiative. I or anyone in your council is willing to not show people why life is worth living? understand that there is one being placed help a family traveling to Ohio for an Be creative and submit whatever you did in Ohio soon. This one will be our 48th adoption, please email me at as a Culture Of Life activity in the state since Supreme started this initiative and BrettGissel@gmail.com so I can put program. possibly number 995 overall. together a list for future use.

Stewart Vetter Happy advent. As we patiently await the birth of the savior, we still have work to do. Every council should be in the final stages of planning for the Free Throw Challenge. If you aren’t, there’s still time to host a successful event. I strongly recommend you have 3-4 people at each basket; 1 keeping score, 1 watching the line, and 1-2 rebounders. The Free Throw Challenge is a great time to impress perspective members and members of your community with your appearance (wear council shirts) and

Unfortunately, I was not able to make it to the Squires State Airsoft Tournament but I hear it was a great event. Please remind your chief squires: November reports are due December 10. Circle fraternal surveys are due January 31.

Finally, Circle semiannual audit forms are due March 1. It’s a good time to start planning to attend the State Dodgeball Tournament February 2 in Pickerington.

Our State Convention in June will be here before we know it. Please get this on your squires’ calendars now so we can have a great turn out.

I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy, blessed New Year.

5

State 2019

Convention

corn hole tournament on Friday afternoon.

Brother Knights

Bob Collins, PSD General Chairman There are several issues at hand. First, 2019 State Convention having an adequate number of boards and second a chairman for the event.

In an effort to make the state convention a bit more engaging and activity filled I would like to add a

Any potential Brother Knight interested in chairing this even please contact me for an interview ASAP.

Robert Collins, IPSD

2018-2019 Marian Prayer Program A Higher Purpose Spread devotion to Our Lady and pray for our brothers and sisters of faith who are at risk around the world through the Marian Prayer Program. As the new Marian image is brought on pilgrimage through the jurisdiction, councils will host the Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians icon for a prayer service at their parish.

Overview The 2018-2019 Marian Prayer Program presents the 18th Marian image sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, this time of Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians. Each Knights of Columbus jurisdiction receives several Marian images, which serve as the centerpieces for prayer services conducted in churches and council meeting places throughout the Order for the duration of the initiative. Since its inception in 1979, the Knights of Columbus’ Marian Prayer Program has held more than 166,900 local council and parish prayer services with some 20 million participants. This year, the prayer service is intended to raise awareness of the plight of Christians persecuted for their faith and to stand in prayerful solidarity with them.

Visit: https://www.kofc.org/en/programs/faith/marian-icon-prayer.html#/ for more information.

District Deputies; Your should be receiving the icons in September for distribution per the table.

6

You’re Only A Click Away Bob Gilliland

Viewing the Weekly Football Sweepstakes on the State.

Brother Knights, all you need to do is go to the State website at http:// www.kofcohio.org, and you can view the weekly Football Sweepstakes help with the State website. winners by clicking on the Football Sweepstakes link on the left side of the Thank you for all you In His Honor! screen, under State Council Programs. The page is updated Vivat Jesus! weekly, and you can see winners from Weeks 1 through 6 on the page.

Please let me know if you need any

OHIO STATE COUNCIL EMAIL ADDRESSES

Council Level email addresses (Forwards to both State and Supreme): form100@kofcohio.org (New Member Form 100) form185@kofcohio.org (Report of Council Officers) form365@kofcohio.org (Report of Program Directors) form1295@kofcohio.org (Council Audit) form1728@kofcohio.org (Fraternal Survey) formsp7@kofcohio.org (Columbian Award Application) form2629@kofcohio.org (Report of Round Table Coordinator) form2630@kofcohio.org (Round Table Report) District Deputy Level email addresses: form133@kofcohio.org (Notice of intent to start a New Council) form136@kofcohio.org (Notice of institution of a new Council) form133@kofcohio.org (Notice of intent to start a New Council) form450@kofcohio.org (Degree Exemplification Report)

New State Level email addresses: StateDeputy@kofcohio.org - identical to CouncilForms@kofcohio.org StateMembership@kofcohio.org - to be used to

7

OHIO KNIGHTS IN ACTION

8

COUNCIL 1016 Knights of Columbus Council 1016 in Lancaster, has collected turkeys and over 1,000 pounds of food to feed over 75 families in McArthur this year. The Council presented a check for $500.00 to member Mike Wohrer for supplies to go along with the turkeys. Council members donated these 75 turkeys for McArthur.

This is a charity in action.

9