Newsletter of The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Knights of Columbus – December 2020
Celina - Coldwater - St. Henry - Fort Recovery - Sidney - Versailles - Greenville - Russia Covington - Wapakoneta - St. Marys - Minster -Russells Point - McCartyville - Springfield Urbana - Bellefontaine Fairborn - Eaton - Huber Heights - Vandalia - Englewood - Piqua Troy - Tipp City - New Carlisle - Dayton - Xenia - Beavercreek -Centerville - Kettering Hamilton - Fairfield - Harrison - North Bend - Monroe - West Chester - Carthage - Sharonville New Burlington - Norwood - Shandon - Wilmington - Morrow - Mason- Lebanon - Milford - Loveland - Springfield Middletown - Miamisburg - Franklin - Trenton - Cincinnati - Ripley - Fayetteville - Hillsboro - Greenfield - West Union - Waynesville
…and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. We have again quickly found ourselves in the Advent season. When this issue of The Arch arrives we will only be a few weeks away from Christmas. This time of year we often turn to Luke 2:13-14… And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
For me as I have grown older I think of the Serenity Prayer: "God grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
I am certainly getting better at the last part but sometimes the “acceptance” part is a little more difficult. Although we cannot change the fact that this virus is around us, we can do the best we can to “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace stay safe and help keep others safe. We as Knights to those on whom his favor rests.” also have the courage to adapt what we do as an order to work within the If you look the passage up online restrictions set on us by our you will find several translations, parishes, local community and "God grant me serenity to even from “Catholic sources”. state rules. And we are certainly accept the things I cannot But more often than not you will coming up with new ideas to change, courage to change the see the phrase “Peace on earth, serve our parishes and the needy good will toward men” used to in our communities. things I can, and wisdom to cover most all Christian know the difference.” denominations. Thus, we cannot give up hope! We must innovate, remembering, If you’re like me growing up at the end of the our organization was built on innovation. Although Vietnam war and during the cold war you thought of there were other fraternal societies in the late praying for peace. As I got older I learned that we 1800’s, there was nothing like the Knights of should pray for the inner peace which comes from Columbus for Catholic men. trusting Jesus with our lives. Like us, Blessed Michael McGivney saw a need and However, this year has really put this to the test. came up with a way to fill that need by establishing First there was the arrival of the Corona virus, then the our Order during a pandemic. Maybe his vision the fear of it’s spread and the subsequent didn’t exactly include offering small bottles of Holy lockdowns, closures, and job losses. When the water to parishioners after Mass, live streaming the Bishops of Ohio agreed to close the churches and rosary by Knights for those quarantined, or hosting a dispense with the obligation of weekly Mass and “socially distanced” free throw if able to for the need. thus the loss for many of our councils to host the activities we normally run, that initial underlying Yes, things are going to be different for a bit, but we stress and anxiety became more prominent within. can still be the strong right arm of the church, and by continuing to “do things” I hope that you, like me find Couple all that with an election year and being some peace in the ability to help where needed. bombarded with political commercial after political commercial (no less that from three separate states May God bless you and your families and all our down here in the Cincinnati area) we really needed brother Knights this Christmas. Vivat Jesus! Jesus’ guidance and peace more than ever. Michael Felerski - State Advocate
By Tom Wuebker
Growth
Promoting Joy for our Sons, Brothers, During this Advent Season We are now in Advent – a joyous season of preparation for the coming of the Lord. There are many events in December which bring us joy such as family parties, baking cookies, shopping (that is a big maybe), the Feast of St. Nicholas, and watching the joy on children’s and grandchildren’s faces as they participate in these events. However, the climax of the Advent season is the coming of the Lord. We as Knights have an obligation to ensure that our families, friends, and neighbors can truly participate in the joys of Advent. As Catholics and Knights of Columbus we need to “Keep Christ In Christmas” for our children and grandchildren. So many people go around saying “Happy Holidays” when we should be wishing our loved ones, acquaintances, and even strangers “Merry Christmas!”. Saying Merry Christmas reminds us of the joy that Christ will bring to each one of us and to the world. One way we can promote joy for our sons, brothers, etc. during this Advent season is to recruit them to join the Knights of Columbus organization. There are many opportunities to recruit such as those times you are spending time with family, friends or neighbors, or long-distance visits. There are several incentives available for both the new recruit as well as the councils. Supreme is offering free e-membership through December 31st. Our own “Stewie Claus” is giving $250.00 to councils who recruit three e-members. Members are the lifeblood of the Knights of Columbus! Now is a good time S.C. to see how close we are to attaining our goals and to reset new goals so that Ohio can end the year strong! December is also a very busy month with all the preparations for Christmas. We should all take some time from the rat race to say extra prayers for our priests, emergency personnel, healthcare workers, and our families. This would be a good time to pray the rosary with your family and receive the joy that praying gives us. Wishing all a Joyous Advent Season and a very Merry Christmas! Tom Wuebker Archdiocesan Membership Director - North
The Arch - December 2020
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Training & Faith in Action Safe Environment Program Changes and Updates - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Below is a summary of the upcoming critical changes and updates to the Knights of Columbus Safe Environment Program that we shared during Office of Youth Protection office hours, which we want to share with everyone.
Praesidium is moving to a new training platform on April 1, 2021
• Email addresses will be mandatory for every member to retain access, and to be counted towards a • council’s compliance for Fraternal Year End 2020-21
Please have your District Deputies check the Safe Environment Member Status Report in Officers • Online and reach out to any members who don’t have an email listed and assist them in adding a valid email address, unique, personal to him, to his membership profile with the Knights of Columbus.
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Guidance on how to use the Safe Environment Member Status Report and the Safe Environment Participation Report, which are both updated each week in Officers Online:
The Safe Environment Member Status Report shows the compliance of each member appointed into the roles that require training and background checks.
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PLEASE NOTE: generic emails will no longer work, e.g., gkcouncil1@gmail.com will no longer work
DDs may view each member’s due date and then follow up if a member doesn’t complete all assigned requirements by their due date; if a member does not complete their training by their due date, they will switch to a status of Non-Compliant.
Directors and counsellors are automatically removed from their roles once they become noncompliant; this means that the council has to submit an updated form 365 (for program, family, and community directors) or 468 (for counsellors) to restart the process. This is a lot of work all around so it’s best for members to complete their assigned training and background checks when they’re first assigned.
Also, please remind everyone that, once the training or background check is completed, compliance is valid for 3 years; so if a council appoints members into the same roles the following year, it is likely that those members will still be fully compliant.
The Safe Environment Participation Report ONLY details whether or not the required roles are filled and does NOT address members’ compliance status. When you view that report you’ll see a member number listed if a role is filled, and a zero if it is not filled.
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This report helps everyone to focus in on those councils that need to fill or refill roles.
You may see councils listed that have all zeros which means that not even a grand knight is appointed.
Additionally, councils in which a grand knight holds all 4 council level required roles even if he has completed the training and the background check will NOT be considered complaint with the Knights of Columbus Safe Environment Program. This practice, which only a tiny minority of councils have employed, has never met the standard of having at least 2 fully compliant members at all events where youth or other vulnerable persons may be present. This standard is in effect for the current 2020-21 Fraternal Year. Grand Knights of councils who fall into this category are strongly advised to recruit members willing and able to step up and into each of these key leadership roles as soon as possible.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your DD, State Advocate, or the Supreme Office of Youth Protection with any additional questions.
The Arch - December 2020
On Facebook: ArchCincyKofC
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Fraternal Benefits
I
n previous years, this is the time we may have been shopping for that special present, getting a tree and preparing to cook the traditional Christmas meal. This year will be different. Many will be reluctant to travel, so many may be celebrating with just the household instead of a house-full! Instead of crushes of people at the mall, our Christmas presents will be dropped at the front door by UPS, USPS or Amazon Prime. No 22 lb. turkey this year for the family members visiting from far and wide; just a small one for the few of us. While this year may be different, it may get us to slow down a bit and perhaps savor the special time of year and what we really celebrate.
We turn our thoughts to themes of “Peace on Earth” and “Goodwill to Men!” We think of our Lord’s birth in Bethlehem and the beginning of this chapter of salvation history. We think of family, both the ones we celebrate with this year in person and those who might only be present on Zoom. But we’ll make it through the season; we’ll have even more to celebrate next year.
Each year I remind my readers of some important financial issues as we move through December and hit year end. As you slow down here are some financial issues to consider at the end of the calendar year.
1. Because we’re so late in the year, you may have met your individual or family deductible on your health insurance plan. Financially this may be the opportune time for some minor procedure to be scheduled; or that visit to a specialist you may have put off. The same is true about dental insurance and sometimes even for vision coverage.
2. Speaking of health insurance, do you have a Health Savings Account? Do you have to spend the money that’s in there by year end? Some plans have a “use it or lose it” feature. Do you have to make a decision about how much to contribute next year? These are a couple of time-sensitive issues.
3. If you have earned income for the year, what amount will you want to contribute to your traditional IRA, Roth IRA or 401k? Are you eligible to contribute much more based on the “catch up” provision? You won’t have to make that contribution until you pay your taxes and that could be four months away; however now is the time to start making plans.
4. SECURE act and CARES act both passed legislation in 2020 that may have significant ramifications on your retirement income strategy.
All of these issues come with lots of rules and regulations, so don’t go it alone. Give us a call and we will be happy to discuss any of these issues…and you can do it safely, virtually with us on the computer from the comfort of your home.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us be thankful for all the graces God has showered on us, especially the gift of his Son, our Savior! “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:5
Vivat Jesus!
Jason C. Staas, MS, FICF
General Agent
KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS
YOUR SHIELD FOR LIFE
LIFE DISABILITY INCOME LONG-TERM CARE RETIREMENT
The Arch - December 2020
On Facebook: ArchCincyKofC
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Cincinnati Archdiocese Quick Reference Guide 2020-2021 State Sites… State Council Website: Facebook Page:
www.kofcohio.org
www.facebook.com/OhioKnightsOfColumbus/
Arch Sites… Dayton Chapter: Cincinnati Chapter: Facebook Page:
www.daytonkofc.org
www.cincykofc.org
www.facebook.com/ArchCincykofc/
The Arch…
A newsletter featuring relevant news and information for Knights in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati published eleven times a year. It can be viewed and downloaded at:
http://www.daytonkofc.org/DayCh_Arch_Newsletter.html
Or at kofcohio.org > For Members > Diocesan Pages > Cincinnati
To subscribe for delivery directly to your email inbox, please contact Michael Thomas at:
michaeldthomas@aol.com
2020 Matching Funds
2020-21 Support Our Seminarians
State Advocate Michael Felerski
1580 Gelhot Drive, #234
Fairfield, OH 45014
Immediate Past State Deputy Kevin Miller
1101 Arbor Oaks Lane
Galloway OH 43119
mfelerski@icloud.com
km8007@att.net
2020-21 Measure Up
Archdiocese Membership Team
State Warden Jim Maslach
4927 Autumnwood Lane
Brunswick, OH 44212
kofcjkm@gmail.com
Tom Wuebker I-70 North wuebker@hometowncable.net
Michael Thomas Dayton [Chapter area] michaeldthomas@aol.com
Dan Warnock Cincinnati [Chapter area] danjowarnock@yahoo.com
2021 Super Cash Bonanza State Treasurer Jeffery Kiliany
559 Walnut Street
Leetonia, OH 44431 jtktg@yahoo.com
Retention
Michael Freil [Ohio West]
mcfreil2019@gmail.com
State Community Director
2020-21 State Per Capita Payments
Tim Mangan
tjmangan@icloud.com
State Secretary Mark Sirausa
15398 Silver Pine Court
Perrysburg OH 43551-1261
District Deputy Coordinator
cuzza52@gmail.com
Andrew Nuckols anuckols@cinci.rr.com
The Arch - December 2020
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