The Arch
Newsletter of The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Knights of Columbus – June 2021
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
this’is the final lap of 2020- 2021
B
rother Knights, we are in the final lap of this great race we call the fraternal year. First of all, now is the time to submit your Form SP-7 for the Columbian, McGivney and Star Council Awards. The form can be found on the State and Supreme websites. We are also in the final lap to reach the Circle of Honor for the Jurisdiction of Ohio…
T
his Memorial Day weekend I was very lucky to have the opportunity to attend the Indianapolis 500. It was my first time and it was one of the best run races I’ve seen (the race set a record for fewest yellows and caution laps). During the final dozen or so laps Hélio Castroneves and Alex Palou were fighting it out for first place.
Unity and Fraternity either hosted live or online. There are seven councils within the Arch who are within 1 or 2 new members of earning the Father McGivney Award and attaining star council status! In the end, Hélio Castroneves out drove his competition – our competition is coming out of the pandemic. If any group of Knights can do this, it’s the Knights in the Cincinnati Archdiocese, let alone here the State of Ohio!
W
e have a new State Warden: Chris Sarka from the Columbus Diocese. Chris was elected during the State Convention on Saturday, May 22nd. Chris will be the chairman of the 2022 Measure-Up Campaign and you can meet him on tour in July.
Speaking of the State Tour, it will be held in person on Saturday, July 17, I watched intently rooting for Can we learn from 2021 hosted by Father Aufderheid Castroneves on every turn. Each time the Indy 500? Council #12912 in the Saint he made a move and passed Palou, Christopher school cafeteria in Palou came right back with a little boost of power to Vandalia. More details to follow within this issue of reclaim the lead. I thought maybe my guy just didn’t The Arch. have enough oomph to maintain the lead each time he got it. He would really have to pull something out inally I would like to thank Team Arch of his hat to win this one. members Tom Wuebker, Michael Thomas, Dan But skill and perseverance were his attributes; Warnock, Tim Mangan, and Andy Nuckols for Castroneves climbed the fence after passing Alex all their hard work, dedication, and support over the Palou to lead the final two laps and tie the record for past two fraternal years. A new administration most Indy 500 victories that is shared by A.J. Foyt, begins July 1 and you should expect to see some Rick Mears and Al Unser. new and familiar faces in different positions. We can employ those same attributes when it comes one of the most challenging recruitment And of course, a big THANK YOU brother Knights of years in our lifetimes. Now is not the time to give the Archdiocese for all of your Charity, Unity, and up and settle fo second place. Reach out to those Fraternity during these crazy times. You are the newly graduated high school seniors and invite them reason the Knights make a difference in so many to join for free this month. Host a Delta Church lives here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati! Drive now that parishes are opening back up. Place See you on Tour! those ads in your parish bulletins and invite prospects to help with any council projects. And Vivat Jesus! finally invite prospects turned candidates or Michael Felerski eMembers to attend the Exemplification of Charity, State Treasurer Elect
F
Tom Wuebker
Archdiocese Membership Director (North)
Growth
– Like No Other – The 2020-2021 fraternal year has been a year like no other! Now that we are in the homestretch let’s have a finish like no other!!
As people relocate or even return home after periods of being away for various reasons, sometimes they feel alone and isolated as they have lost touch with past friends or not acquainted with people in their new community or church. Now is the time to reach out and ask them to join the Knights of Columbus. You can explain the fellowship and the camaraderie that the Knights enjoy. What better way for them to establish new friendships and learn to know their new community and church.
Summer festival season will soon be starting. Explain to your new recruits what a great time the Knights have when working these festivals. The teamwork is like no other and the laughs are a dime a dozen. This also gives those that are feeling alone a chance to interact with the community and create more friendships. It is up to you as a Knights of Columbus to make the new members of your community and church to feel welcome!
Graduations and Father’s Day are perfect opportunities to reach out to sons, nephews, cousins, uncles, neighbors, friends, and even strangers to explain what the Knights are about. Many of these men are looking for ways to give back or give back to their community. Tell them about ultrasound initiative, the scholarships that are given, and all the other ways that the Knights of Columbus support and give to their communities. Explain to them what it means to belong to an organization like no other!
You may feel that time is short to recruit and get the degrees accomplished. However, with the new online degrees it can be done. If we want Ohio to reach the Circle of Honor we have to recruit like no other! Each council just needs to add several new members for Ohio to achieve this honor.
What else would you expect as the fraternal year comes to a close, but some thank you’s. I will not disappoint. So, first I would like to thank Bob Byers for his exemplary leadership during these trying times and the opportunity he gave me as membership director. Mike Felerski was always available with an open ear and great advice when needed. Thank you, Mike! Thanks also goes out to Stew Vetter for his creativity and the motivation he gave to recruit new members. Great job, Stew! I also want to thank my brother membership directors, Dan Warnock and Michael Thomas. It was great working with you.
Let’s ask that first question – Would you like to be a part of an organization that gives to the community and provides you with friendships that last a lifetime? Let’s move Ohio into the Circle of Honor!
Remember, we are the ARCH and the ARCH is like no other!!
Vivat Jesus!
Tom Wuebker
Membership Director North
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By Jason Staas
General Agent
Fraternal Benefits
It feels sort of cliche to get up here and say that this past year was unprecedented for our insurance program. It was unprecedented for everyone and everything.
It has been, without question, a difficult year.
No doubt you have all suffered in your own ways, both big and small. You’ve lost loved ones. You’ve had lives upended. You’ve lost jobs. You’ve missed family. Or maybe you’ve just spent more time in your house than you ever thought possible.
Whatever it was, it wasn’t what you had planned. It wasn’t what any of us had planned.
And though there was, of course, tremendous suffering, I believe that God glorifies all things. And I believe that this past year taught us a lot, and gave us a lot of gifts that we’ll take with us going forward.
It reminded us to slow down.
It reminded us to focus on what matters most.
It reminded us that life is precious.
It reminded us to hold dear to those closest to us.
It reminded us that our faith and our sacraments are precious and not to be taken for granted.
It reminded us of the importance of community and of brotherhood.
In a way, actually, I think it reminded us of why our fraternity is so important.
Think of that list: slow down, focus on what matters most, life is precious, community is important, the bonds of brotherhood are critical, our faith is precious.
Is there anything on this list that we as Knights don’t believe? Is there anything on this list that we as Knights don’t represent?
And so this year more than ever, I and my fellow general agents and field agents are deeply proud to be members of this great organization, and deeply motivated to do as much as we can to help move our mission forward.
And so I’d like to update you today on how we’re doing in that regard.
Being in the life insurance business during a global pandemic is a humbling experience. We have filed so many claims. We have comforted so many loved ones. We have seen such heartache. And yet we’ve also seen renewed focus from you, our brother Knights, to make sure that your financial situation is secure.
But we have also seen more of you than ever before. Technology has allowed us to connect easily and more quickly. Fraternal Benefit Nights have, for the most part, gone virtual and drawn crowds that would’ve been hard to match in person. More phones have been answered and emails returned, even if just because more people were home.
The Order now has more than $121 billion of life insurance in force, manages over $28 billion in assets, and just last year alone - paid out nearly $750 million in benefits to members and policyholders in dividends and death claims.
Continued on page 4 The Arch - June 2021
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By Jason Staas
General Agent
Fraternal Benefits
Continued from page 3 This year, despite the pandemic, despite the lockdowns, and despite the panic that led to a near-total shutdown in the spring, the Knights of Columbus set sales records too. I’ll say that again: the Knights of Columbus set sales records.
Why?
I think there are three simple reasons. First: our brothers want to secure their families. Second: our brothers trust us. And third: Our brothers know what we stand for.
They know they need to plan for their retirement, and safeguard their families’ future.
They know we’re one of the most financially secure life insurers in North America.
And they know that by doing business with the Knights, they can get the same great and competitively-priced products that they can get anywhere, but that the special satisfaction of knowing where that money goes is something they can only get with us.
Speaking of products, we continue to expand our portfolio to ensure that the Knights can provide financial solutions that meet our members’ needs. Earlier this year, we began the process of rolling out a full suite of mutual funds, which will be available in Ohio in July of 2021. Members will soon be able to take advantage of the same Catholic investment strategy that the Supreme Council uses, and have the comfort of knowing that their money is being managed in a way that is consistent with their values. Our funds will be offered both to Knights of Columbus members and families, as well as the broader Catholic community.
We are unique organization. All of the good work you have done this past year, all of the dollars you have donated and the hours you have given to make sure that you leave no neighbor behind are a testament to that.
And we are a unique company too. A company who established a multi-million dollar loan fund for suffering dioceses amid the pandemic. A company whose founder - just this year - was beatified and is just one final step away from canonization.
In the midst of all the rest, that is something to celebrate.
And so as we look back on the fraternal year that was, and look forward to the fraternal year ahead, I want to thank all of you, on behalf of all the agents here in Ohio for your leadership and our partnership. If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that your parishes and your communities need you. They need you now more than ever.
And maybe - just maybe - you and your brother Knights need our financial protection - the very same financial protection envisioned by our Blessed founder - now more than ever. Maybe now is the time for some peace of mind. Maybe now is the time to put your money where your faith is.
Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be here to take your call as we always are.
And we look forward to being with you
Jason C. Staas, MS, FICF
again next year to celebrate all of
General Agent
our Order’s successes.
KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS
YOUR SHIELD FOR LIFE
Vivat Jesus!
LIFE DISABILITY INCOME LONG-TERM CARE RETIREMENT
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Fraternity The State Tour returns “Live In-Person” Saturday, July 17, 2021 Hosted by Father Aufderheide Council 12912 Saint Christopher School Cafeteria Please park in the back lot due to a wedding that day
405 E. National Rd. Vandalia, Ohio 45377 Meeting starts at 1:00 PM and will last only 2 hours The State Tour will introduce you to the 2021-2023 State Team and State Program. Meet and Greet your new District Deputies. Meet our new State Warden! All are welcome but Grand Knights, Deputy Grand Knights and Council Program Chairman are highly encouraged to attend. A great opportunity to ask questions! See you there!
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Bicentennial Marian Pilgrimage Help us celebrate the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati with the longest Marian Procession in the United States. The Pilgrimage begins Sunday, May 16, 2021 with a Mass at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Russells Point in the Northern area of the Archdiocese. From there, a small group of pilgrims will begin this historic pilgrimage with a special statue of Our Lady of Fatima, blessed by Archbishop Schnurr for this occasion. The pilgrimage will last for 33 days, making stops at parishes in every deanery of the Archdiocese, and will be highlighted by four cornerstone family events. The pilgrimage will end at the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains on the day of the bicentennial, Saturday, June 19, 2021 where the Archbishop will re-consecrate the Archdiocese to Jesus through Mary.
Longest Marian Pilgrimage in the United States Parish stops in every Deanery • 33 days long • Over 300 miles
Cornerstone Events
• May 16, 2021: Opening Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Russells Point OH • May 21, 2021: Evening Procession, Holy Hour and Movie Night at the Maria Stein Shrine • May 29, 2021: Family Concert at the Dayton Dragons Stadium • June 19, 2021: Family Concert at Fountain Square, Cincinnati with procession to Cathedral Basilica.
Highlights
• 100,000 copies of 33 Days to Morning Glory distributed to every parish in the Archdiocese. • A dedicated webpage in which the Statue of Mary can be tracked in real time, and Marian prayer resources can be found. • Specially designed prayer cards for the Bicentennial distributed by Pilgrims and host parishes.
www.mary2021.org
Marian Pilgrimage Route 1 Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Russells Point 2 St. Mary of the Woods, Russells Point 3 Immaculate Conception,Botkins 4 St. Joseph, Wapakoneta 5 Holy Rosary, Saint Mary’s 6 Holy Redeemer, New Bremen 7 Maria Stein Shrine 8 Sacred Heart of Jesus, McCartyville 9 Holy Angels, Sidney 10 St. Mary, Piqua 11 St. Patrick, Troy 12 Sacred Heart, New Carlisle 13 Mary Help of Christians, Fairborn 14 Our Lady of the Rosary, North Dayton 15 Emmanuel, Dayton 16 St. Benedict the Moor, Dayton 17 Immaculate Conception, Belmont 18 Incarnation, Centerville 19 St. Mary of the Assumption, Springboro 20 St. Francis de Sales, Lebanon 21 Our Lady of Sorrows, Monroe 22 St. Julie Billiart, Hamilton 23 St. Maximillian Kolbe, Liberty Township 24 St. Margaret of York, Loveland 25 Jesuit Spiritual Center, Milford 26 Holy Trinity, Batavia 27 St. Bernadette, Amelia 28 Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology, Anderson Township 29 St. Gertrude, Madeira 30 St. Cecilia, Oakley 31 Resurrection, Bond Hill 32 St. Ignatius, Montfort Heights 33 St. William, Price Hill 34 Sacred Heart, Cincinnati 35 Holy Cross Immaculata, Mt. Adams 36 Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains
The Archdiocese has reached out to us for support of this huge event. I know there are councils who will be present and lending support through manpower. The Knights also have the opportunity to be a sponsor. However, the lowest level of sponsorship begins at $2,500. Raising that amount of money diocese-wide is a daunting task as we are still feeling the financial pinch from the pandemic. My hope is that councils located at and around the pilgrimage stops will be able to make their presence known supporting the event. —MJF The Arch - June 2021
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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
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