The Buckeye Blast
A Quarterly Publication of the Ohio State Council Knights of Columbus Volume 1 Issue 3
KOFCOHIO.ORG
February 2021
By Your Visible Works – Robert Byers, State Deputy Happy new year to all my brother Knights in the State of Ohio. I know 2020 was quite challenging for all of us with the pandemic and not being able to meet and socialize as we normally do. With the new year here 2021, I feel within the next two or three months will be able to start getting back to some chance of being normal. I really hope that I love you enjoy reading the Buckeye blast I personally want to thank Mike Felerski for organizing this and the rest of the team for putting articles and keeping you informed on what is going on. Now let us get down to what is going to happen this first quarter of 2021.
bank, coats for kids, and even taking time to help the pastor to sanitize the church. That is what the Knights of Columbus stand for and that is what we need to show the public that we are. Let us talk a little bit about membership now. As I stated above, programming gives the visible appearance of what Knights do which will also help membership inside your parish. By your visible works it shows that the Knights are out there to help when needed. I will keep my article short because there is a lot of good information in there from the other team members and I need you to take time to read it period.
We need the council leaders to start really playing up the good programs that you have been doing during this pandemic. We know you have done food
Support Our Seminarians Program – Kevin Miller, Immediate Past State Deputy Among the many challenges that have become even more apparent during the COVID pandemic is the importance of our priests! As Pope Saint John Paul II famously wrote, “There can be no Eucharist without the priesthood, just as there can be no priesthood without the Eucharist.” Even in these difficult times, it is essential for us as Knights to stand in solidarity with our priests and do our utmost to continue our participation in the Support our Seminarians (SOS) Program! Our contributions are essential to our Diocesan Vocations offices to give our current seminarians crucial financial support and assist offices in recruiting and discernment efforts! We know that these are challenging times to raise funds and that we need to comply with the many restrictions we currently face in our parishes, but please be persistent! Be creative! Come up with inventive ways to support
and create awareness for this program! For ideas and input, make sure to reach out to your District Deputy or me for how you can participate. Your collections can be sent to me anytime during the year. The form and instruction’s can be found our State website: kofcohio.org Click on Forms & Emails then scroll down to “Support Our Seminarians” and click on TurnIn Form link for a PDF will all the information. You can even order “Jug Labels” by emailing me at: km8007@att.net with your name, address, council number and how may labels you need. Remember, the total collected in your diocese is presented to your diocesan vocation office in July at the State Tour meeting (Covid not Withstanding).
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February 2021
New Day, New Hope, New Reality – Father Wayne Morris, State Chaplain Oh, the blessing of morning! It brings wonder and joy to the heart to see the rising of a new day; or maybe, we wake up, and then reality kicks us in the gut, reminding us that we are still behind, out of time, and hundreds short of making ends meet. With the hope of COVID’s complete demise still maybe five months off, the frustration, psychological instability, and the constant fear that all are coping with has grated us to our core. We long for a return to the old way, one of being able to do as we wish, with whomever we wish, whenever we wish it. As a bearer of bad news, I must say, “we can’t go back.” I also wonder, with so many no longer being able to personally go to church, attend gatherings, or even being able to simply socialize, as is our nature, will we ever get back? The short answer is YES. When I went to seminary, Sister Thomas More told us that “the answer to every question is Jesus Christ, and if you put that on the test, I will fail you.” God Bless Sister’s soul, she was and is still right. Jesus Christ is the answer to our problems. Yes, we have our backs against the wall, but that does not mean that we need to “throw in the towel;” instead we need to put on the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-13 tells us: Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers,
with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. Today is our new day, which brings new hope, and a new reality for every one of us living. We have an opportunity to correct the doubts, mistakes, and sins of the past and reshape our future, to bring together a closer family in, through, and with God. We simply need to stand firm on the faith of God and live out the grace that He is constantly pouring out into this world. We can, even in our smallest councils, look for new and better ways to build up God’s kingdom, his people and especially our Knights here on this earth; and it begins by being strong in faith, steadfast in love, and courageous in mind and heart. Will it take work, sacrifice, dedication, perseverance, time and effort? Yes. It is doable only if we are willing to forsake the fears of the past and work together as Knights of our God and Lord. The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Numbers 6:24-26) Viva Jesu God Bless, Fr. Wayne Morris State Chaplain
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February 2021
“Do or do not. There is no try!” – Stew Vetter, Membership Director I didn’t know what to write about for this article. I know I’m supposed to write something profound and motivational to encourage you to go recruit new members and get some money out of the incentives. I truly believe many of our council are doing a great job of recruiting. I also truly believe that some of our councils have decided there is NOTHING they can do and they are living out that belief (if this is your council, keep reading despite being mad at me right now). The former group will not be further motivated by anything I have to write because they have embraced and adapted. The latter group won’t be motivated by words on a page because they have put themselves in a corner and have stopped looking for a way out (again, keep reading though you are now more frustrated with me). Thus, I was stuck about a subject and this morning I asked the Holy Spirit for some help and inspiration. He must have laughed and said, “STRAP IN FAT BOY and get ready for the ride.” First reading at Mass today was Samuel saying, “Here I am, Lord. How can I serve you?” While cooking and listening to the podcast What God Is Not, the topic was time. One of the hosts talked about how each and every one of us is put here, in this time, born at a specific time in history, according to God’s will and plan to complete some task that we may or may not know. Even though God could just make it happen he chooses to let us be his hands. They also discussed recognizing time frustrations as an opportunity to glorify God’s plan. Then, my 10-year-old’s Chromebook repeats Yoda’s wisdom, “Do or do not. There is no try!”. Not seeing the connection to membership yet? Strap in. We are all put here in this place and this time to do something. What the heck is it? Did I already do it? How do I know what it is? I was put here to be membership director right now. You were put here to be Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, District Deputy, State Officer, etc. RIGHT NOW. In this pandemic. During this strife. We are right where we belong. We are called to say, “Here I am, Lord. How
can I serve?” Maybe, we are supposed to use our position as leaders to get our councils active RIGHT NOW in our parishes and communities. The service God is calling us to is our leadership in the Knights of Columbus as a mechanism for deeper faith and recruitment. MOST of our potential members are at the Catholic church every weekend at Mass. If we sponsor rosaries, novenas, bible studies, etc., we can utilize those events to attract members. We can’t do our conventional recruitments right now but we can still attract men to join through our good works; through our commitment to our shared Catholic faith. The Knights of Columbus need to be active where our potential members are and; they are at church. Our doubts about people showing up and our excuse that we don’t have time is the devil working against us bringing people to prayer and eventually the service of their neighbor as a member. Bringing people the prayer is never wrong. Expanding our order to serve more of God’s people is never wrong. Schedule the devotionals and then trust in God’s plan. He put you here to do something ONLY YOU can do. Maybe this is it. Maybe your rosary changes the heart of a Saint and is part of her conversion story. Maybe the first American Pope starts his vocation at a K of C bible study. The only thing left is to listen to Yoda, Do or do not. There is no try. MARDI GRAS 400 – Beads & Bucks: January 1 – February 17 (Ash Wednesday) councils get $50 per new member when Ohio reaches 400 new members. The opportunity for your council to get a piece of $20,000 in cash. Under 400 members councils get $20 per new member. See Facebook for weekly updates MARCH’S STUPENDOUSLY VERSATILE JUBILENT RECRUITMENT: $35 per new member in March to councils in the diocese with the highest percentage of recruitment. All other councils get $20 per new member in March. Be creative with recruitment. Try something new. The crazy idea might be successful.
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February 2021
"A Million Dollars for Charity" – Jeff Kiliany, State Treasurer Are you ready for this year’s 2021 Super Cash Bonanza? The time for councils to start selling tickets and bringing in some serious funding for your council’s Charitable programs will soon be here. Does your council have its Super Cash chairman and committee in place? If not, this is the time to get everyone on committed and make plans for your councils 2021 ticket sales campaign. Partnering is still very much a major part of most council’s successful campaigns. Since the Covid-19 pandemic is still a major factor in prohibiting council activities and functions, your council should definitely consider mailing tickets to your entire membership. Mailing tickets reaches out to all members and gets everyone involved. Your Financial Secretary can easily print mailing labels for all members of your council through member management. All councils throughout the State of Ohio will be able to pick up their Super Cash Bonanza tickets the weekend of February 21, 22, & 23. Due to the current pandemic restrictions, there will be NO roadshow presentation like we have done in past years. Tickets will still be passed out to councils at various TICKET DISTRIBUTION locations throughout each of the 6 dioceses. At least One (1) representative will still be required from the council to pick-up tickets in order to receive the additional rebates instead of the traditional two (2) members. The member who picks up your council’s tickets will still be required to sign the TICKET DISTRIBUTION attendance sheet in order for your council to qualify for the additional Super Cash rebates. Remember, as in past years, a Council Attendee may not be a State Director, State Staff, or District Deputy unless they are a campaign chairman.
Councils will also be receiving their 2021 Super Cash Bonanza campaign posters and packets with informational materials at these TICKET DISTRIBUTION sites. Since there is NO Roadshow presentation, there will be no need for your council representative to stay. He can just pick up your council tickets and materials and leave. The complete list of TICKET DISTRIBUTION dates, times, and locations is shown below. If your diocese has more than one TICKET DISTRIBUTION location, the state officer for your diocese may request that your council attend a specific location. If your council representative is not able to attend that particular location on that day and time, please inform your officer and give him the location that he will be attending so that arrangements can be made to have your council’s tickets and materials at that new location. Extra materials and tickets can be obtained from your District Deputy or Diocesan Officer. Any questions concerning the 2021 Super Cash Bonanza Campaign should be directed to me, Jeff Kiliany; S t a t e Tr e a s u r e r a n d C h a i r, b y e m a i l a t jtktg@yahoo.com or by calling me at 330-853-6099 cell. Plan early, promote, and partner! We are here to help you work toward the success of the 2021 Super Cash Bonanza charity campaign at your local council. Thank you to all my brother knights for helping us in our quest to sell $1,000,000 worth of tickets, so that together we can raise money for all of our charitable causes.
Jeffrey Kiliany
State Treasurer
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Saturday, February 20, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Marian Council 3754 Marian Manor Hall 6050 Dog Leg Rd. Dayton, OH 45415
Saturday, February 20, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Saint Michael the Archangel Church St. Michael’s Council # 3382 11144 Spinner Ave. Sharonville, OH 45241
Saturday, February 20, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Msgr. Dooley Council # 4361 117 Legion Drive Mingo Junction, OH 43938
Friday, February 19, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tiffin Council # 608 49 E. Perry St. Tiffin, OH 44883
Saturday, February 20, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Msgr. Lang Council # 1039 111 Elliott Road Defiance, OH 43512
Saturday, February 20, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Districts: 72, 79, 80, 81, 82, & 83 St. Anne’s Parish Hall4 310 Kirk Rd. Austintown, OH 44511
Saturday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Districts: 73, 74, 75, 76, & 84 North Canton Council #3777 IBEW Hall (St. Paul's) 111 S Main St. North Canton, OH 44720
Friday, February 19, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. St. Clarence Parish – Parking Lot Behind Church 30106 Lorain Rd North Olmsted, OH 44070
Friday, February 19, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Garfield Council #4130, 10806 Granger Rd, Garfield Heights, OH 44125
Friday, February 20, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. St. Hilary Parish 2750 West Market Street, Fairlawn, OH 44333 Parking Lot
Saturday, February 20, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Holy Family Catholic Church – Parking Lot 3163 Kent Road Stow, OH 44224
Saturday, February 20, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Gilmour Council #310, 5947 Mayfield Rd, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
Saturday, February 20, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon South Akron Council 3410 – Parking Lot 2055 Glenmount Ave Akron, OH 44319
Saturday, February 20, 12:00 Noon - 1:00 p.m. La Sagranda Familia Parish 7719 Detroit Ave Cleveland, OH 44102 Parking Lot Behind Church
Saturday, February 20, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. St. Mary Parish – Parking Lot 527 Beall Ave Wooster, OH 44691
Saturday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. St. Anthony’s of Padua 6750 State Rd, Parma, OH 44134 Parking Lot by Church Entrance
Saturday, February 20, 12:00 Noon - 1:00 p.m. St. Ambrose 929 Pearl Rd Brunswick, OH 44212 South Parking Lot
Cleveland
Friday, February 19, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Marietta Council # 478 312 Franklin St. Marietta, OH 45750
Toledo
Sunday, February 21, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Columbus Marriott Airport Hotel 1375 N. Cassady Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43219
Youngstown
Steubenville Columbus Cincinnati
2021 Super Cash Bonanza Ticket Distributions
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February 2021
State Per Capita Report – Mark Siracusa, Immediate Past State Secretary Brother Knights, I hope all are well. Below I have broken out the different Diocese and how many councils still owe State Per Capita. Remember, Supreme is not collecting Supreme Per Capita, BUT the Sate Council still is. Please send your payment to my address listed below. (8) (2)
CINCINNATI CLEVELAND
(1) (3)
COLUMBUS STEUBENVILLE
TOLEDO YOUNGSTOWN
O
Thank you Brother Knights for that you do for our Order. Your Brother in Christ, Mark Siracusa State Secretary
(4) (3)
V
15398 Silver Pine Court Perrysburg OH 43551-1261
ER
DU
E
Life Initiatives for our Communities – Tom Buehner, State Life Director Novena for Life The Novena for Life is a great activity that can lead your community in the spiritual fight to establish a culture of life. The Novena for Life can be centered around the 40 Days for Life (February 17th through March 25th), any pro-life event, or a feast day. The resources for the Novena for Life, found on the Supreme website, can be used at home, council meetings, or parish events. They can also be used virtually! Please pray so that we can build up a culture of life in our parishes, homes, and greater communities! Ultrasound Initiative Update I am pleased to report that the state of Ohio is #5 across all jurisdictions with a total of 62 ultrasounds placed to date, at a list value of $3.2M! We are just behind that state up north (Michigan). With your help, I know we can push our way to 4th place! In 2020, 8 ultrasounds were placed at a list value of $497K! Let’s see what we can do in 2021. How does this work? First, councils identify a Pregnancy Center that meets the requirements listed on the Diocesan Evaluation Form (#10715). After approval from Supreme, the council then raises 50% of the cost of the ultrasound machine. After fundraising and following the published guidelines, the council can submit the Ultrasound Application
(#10716) to Supreme to obtain the remaining 50% from Supreme. Detailed information can be found at https://www.kofc.org/ultrasound. The Supreme Program Manager for Life, Drew Dillingham, said, “Ohio is clearly top tier,” regarding our efforts in this initiative. Keep up the great work, Ohio! Knight of the Year Nominations The deadline for Knight of the Year nominations will be here before you know it! Please start planning to submit formal nominations for Knight of the Year to me by April 1, 2021. This is a chance to recognize, at the State level, a Knight that goes above and beyond and truly shines within your council. Please provide enough information in your nomination to ensure it stands out from other nominations. Do your nominee a favor and make the nomination special. Consider submitting more information than just the one-page nomination form. Help me understand why he deserves the State recognition. This is a mandatory activity for the State Program, and I want you to be able to max out the State Program!Please remember to take the time to submit your activities on the State website and reach out to me with any questions! Vivat Jesus!
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February 2021
Measure Up: Ohio Knights Respond – State Warden & Measure Up Campaign Chairman Despite all what 2020 was, the Knights of Columbus in Ohio responded in a big way to help our brothers and sisters with developmental disabilities. A BIG thank you to all the Knights of Columbus Councils and Assemblies who made the Measure Up Campaign such an incredible success! Over $162,250 was raised to support the agencies, programs, and schools throughout Ohio. We demonstrated our unending love and support of our own Knights of Columbus “flagship” charity. With this you exemplify the true spirit of “Columbianism”! The final report for the 2020 Campaign is available on the state website. Here are a couple of highlights: • Highest Total Collected By Council: 11550 St. Joseph’s of the Three Rivers - $7,635.00 • Highest Total Collected by Council Per Member: 5589 St. Mary’s - $45.22 Highest collected overall and per member for each division is in the report. Nearly $130,000 was sent back to the councils to help over 165-organizations in Ohio. GREAT JOB!
But we need to know look to the future and 2021 Measure Up Campaign. Now that we are familiar with COVID and what we need and can do, we are going to put the program back to its original time. The dates for 2021 Campaign are April 22-24, 29, 30 and May 1 with the final turn-in being August 1, 2021. The booklet and forms are all available on the state website. If your council needs Gimmie-5 stickers or rulers, please contact me via Phone/Text at 440-785-9838 or email at kofcjkm@gmail.com. A template for the stickers is available on the state website with the appropriate stock. I would like to congratulate those councils who “Thought Differently” to participate during the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Your dedication, effort, enthusiasm, and creativity have been an example for all. On behalf of all the citizens in Ohio with developmental disabilities. I thank you for your generosity and dedication to this program. God Bless. Vivat Jesus!
Matching Funds 2020 a Success – Mike Felerski, State Advocate & Matching Funds Chairman Thank you brother Knights for a successful Matching Funds 2020 Campaign. Even though we didn’t hit our goal or quite beat last year’s campaign, 2020 you came through once again in support of religious education in your diocese. Here are some highlights: Highest Council Donation: Msgr. Gerdes 3123 Cincinnati $ 800.00 Diocese Check Amount Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Steubenville Toledo Youngstown
$12,025.16 $10,719.14 $12,351.97 $1,574.52 $13,491.36 $13,961.48 $1,500.00
Eparchy of Parma Total
$65,623.64
Highest Per Member Per Diocese: Msgr. Gerdes 3123 Cincinnati St Ladislas 16373 Cleveland Pope John Paul II 14346 Columbus Marietta 478 Steubenville St Clement’s 13636 Toledo St. Edward 15959 Youngstown
$ 5.76 $ 6.94 $ 10.20 $ 2.67 $ 4.55 $ 15.88
Highest Donation by a Chapter/Assembly/Circle: Toledo Chapter $ 500.00
A full report of the program is available on the State website: KOFCOHIO.ORG
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Leave No Neighbor Behind, Free Throw & More - Tim Mangan, State Community Director Brothers, one the programs Supreme is really pushing this year is the Leave No Neighbor Behind Program. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, what is your council doing to help out your fellow Brother Knights, your community and your parish? Are you feeding the hungry or supporting local food drives? Are you participating in blood drives? Are you calling members of your council to see how they are doing and if there is anything your council can do to help them out? Supreme is really pushing this program because it works! Plus, it can help your council recruit new members! Bottom line, if you want to grow, you have to be visible. These men NEED to see the good things your council IS doing! The Free Throw Championship is going to be a real challenge this year. With dealing with this pandemic, securing a gym is a challenge in its self. I know Regional Free Throw Championships are being cancelled this year for that reason. Any
council that held a Free Throw Championship in January, may have to have their council winners shoot the ball 25 times and have that count as their Regional score in the event there is no district or regional level event competition. Remember, this years State Free Throw Championship that was going to take place in Columbus in March, has been cancelled! However, we will still move forward with the Free Throw Program. Just like the Soccer Challenge, I will select the state winners and send those on to Supreme. I will need the score sheets by March 10, 2021. Tim Mangan State Community Director 937-604-4355 tim@tdltool.com
Silver Wing Award Winners - Tom Offenberger, State District Deputy Director Congratulations to the DDs that meet or surpassed the requirements for the Silver Wing Award. Cincinnati Archdiocese DD#1 Vernon Bergman DD#8 Ken Haache DD#10 Mark Kosobud DD#11 Dave Senger DD#14 Dale Bottoms
Cleveland Diocese DD#23 Jim Maslach DD#25 Ron Reichert DD#28 Mike Incorvati DD#32 Brett Hazen
Columbus Diocese DD#37 Eric Yang DD#39 Howard Robinson DD#40 Rob DeSantos DD#47 Carl Haaser DD#48 Tom Prem
Steubenville Diocese DD#50 Erol Hosdil DD#53 Tony Offenberger
Diocese Of Toledo DD#60 Arron Mier DD#64 Matt Stapleton DD#66 Tom Ward
Diocese of Youngstown DD#72 Mark Kahanca DD#73 Jeffrey Weber DD#74 Gary Lamielle DD#75 Matthew Poletti DD#76 Joseph Yash
DD First Half of the Year DD#10 Mark Kosobud DD#59 Dave Lewis DD#25 Ron Reichert DD#72 Mark Kahanca DD#47 Carl Haaser DD#50 Erol Hosdil
Important Reminder
Congratulations on a Job well done. Thank you for going above and beyond to keep your councils active and on the road to success. Gas cards and plagues were mailed out to all winners on Jan 15. Let me know if you don’t receive in 2 weeks. God Bless and be safe. Resolutions for the 2021 State Convention MUST be submitted 30 days prior to the State Convention. This means that it must be received by the State Secretary by April 21, 2021 in order to be considered. Resolutions for Bylaw Amendments must be submitted 60 days in advance of the State Convention. This means that they MUST be received by the State Secretary by March 22, 2021 in order to be considered. More information will be forthcoming on the State website.