Newsletter of The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Knights of Columbus – March 2022
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 - KetteringHamilton - 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
The Devil’s in the Details
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the E6 Catholic Mens Conference in Saint Leon, Indiana. I have to admit it is my favorite conference. Father Vince Lambert of the Indianapolis Archdiocese spoke at length about the devil. As I listened I zeroed in on three things the devil uses against us: Deception, Diversion, and Discouragement
The devil uses deception to convince us that we cannot or should not do something. Maybe cancel a council event because no one is “likely” to attend, or it will be too expensive. He utilizes the diversion of the pandemic to keep our eye off the ball and away from our goals of helping our community. And it all culminates in discouragement that we can no longer do anything and that maybe we should give up on our councils and community.
This is the evil path to acedia. Acedia comes from a combination of the negative prefix a- and the Greek noun kēdos, meaning "care, concern, or grief." (The Greek word akēdeia became acedia in Late Latin, and that spelling was retained in English)
The term primarily refers to spiritual sloth — a state whose symptoms include moroseness, weariness, fatigue, melancholy, gloominess, feeling overworked, discouragement, dejection, instability, disenchantment, depression, languor, mediocrity, laziness, loss of interest, lack of fervor, a repulsion to the things of God, a deprivation of the meaning of life.
This is the very last thing Blessed Michael McGivney would want from us, but currently a very easy trap to fall into. We cannot stop doing the important work we do as Knights. Maybe we won’t have as many kids attend our free throw. Maybe we won’t have as much money to support our charities as we have in the past. Or maybe we are only able to recruit one or two new members this fraternal year versus 11 last year. The important thing is NOT TO GIVE UP!
Father McGivney struck out to create our fraternal Order to counteract the negative influences of his time and he did it during a pandemic. Was it difficult, was he discouraged? Maybe, but it didn’t stop him because he had his faith and a group of fellow men who believed in the ideals of this infant organization. They persevered!
As they remind us each year at the E6 Conference: Steel Hardens Steel. Together we can lift each other up, be strong, accomplish great things, and not become mired in the devil’s deception, diversion, or discouragement which can only lead to the detriment of ourselves and our communities
As you may have heard, the date of the State Convention is one week earlier than what was advertised. This was due to an unforeseen scheduling issue with the resort. HOWEVER, the Super Cash Bonanza Ticket Drawing will still be held on MAY 21, 2022. And FIRST TURN-IN is still due April 1 with Second TURN-IN on Friday May 13
Upcoming Activities
OSC State Free Throw Championship
When: Saturday, Mar 19, 2022
Where: Bishop Ready High School 707 Salisbury Rd Columbus, OH 43204
Ohio State Council Annual Convention
When: Friday, May 13-15, 2022
Where: Kalahari Resort 7000 Kalahari Drive Sandusky, OH 44870
Super Cash Bonanza Ticket Drawing
When: Saturday, May 21, 2022 9:30 AM
Where: Streamed LIVE
Please pray for our brother Knights, their families, and all the people of Ukraine that we may have a swift and peaceful end to the war.
Vivat Jesus! Michael J. Felerski State Treasurer
Arch Regional Free Throw
By District Deputy Coordinator Tim Mangan
Congratulations to the twelve winners of the 2022 Regional Free Throw Competition held on Sunday, February 20 at Fenwick High School in Franklin/Middletown. The event saw 57 participants
State Membership Director
Michael Freil
Worthy Brothers of the great Archdiocese of Cincinnati. As you read this, we are now starting our Lenten Season. One of the Holiest times of the Year. This is a Great time to recruit a new member from your Parishes into your Councils. It has never been easier to join the Knights of Columbus as it is not.
As of March 1, 2022 our State Membership is as follows: 54,701 members, our Intake since July 1 is +852 New Members. Our goal by June 30th is now 1806 new Members. We are at 47.18% of our Goal. The Archdiocese is at 42.35% of our goal of 479 new members.
Every March is our traditional Membership Drives throughout the Order. Our State Deputy would like us to BLITZ this March Membership Drives with Delta Church Drives throughout the State. We need to have a good March month, and hopefully we can recruit 280-300 in the State. That would give us a good, needed boost.
Councils should have already ordered their March Membership Church Drive kits and be prepared to conduct Church Drives throughout the Month of March.
When possible, Councils should hold an Exemplification for the new Members recruited as soon as possible. If you are unable to hold an Exemplification, there is a Virtual one conducted every Wednesday evening at 7pm by the State Council. Here is the link to register your candidate for the exemplification: https://kofcohio.org/exemplification-registration/
When Councils are filling out their Monthly State Program reports for Membership, please make sure you include the New Members Name, and date he took his exemplification in order to have your Program Membership Report Approved.
The Supreme Council has authorized Free Membership for New Members through June 30 2022 via the McGivney2020 Take advantage of that opportunity to sign New Members up for your Council
Continue to ask men of your Parishes to join the Knights of Columbus with us and join in with the Good Works that we do for our Parishes, Priests, and Communities.
IF YOU DO NOT ASK THEM TO JOIN….THEY WILL NOT.
Michael Freil Vivat Jesus!
State Membership Director Ohio State Council
Free Membership Offer will be valid until the end of the 2021-22 Fraternal Year!
Vocations Support
The Cincinnati Chapter Presents: Salute to Religious and Vocations
St. Matthias Church
1050 W Kemper Rd, 45240
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The Greater Cincinnati Chapter Knights of Columbus will present its biannual "Salute to Religious and Vocations" on Thursday March 10, 2022, at St Matthias Church. (1050 W Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45240). The principal speaker will be Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, with Father Dan Schmitmeyer, Director of the Office of Vocations, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and Julie VanHoose, President of the Cincinnati Serra Club.
The Program for the evening is as follows:
6:30 p.m. - Cocktails
7:20 p.m. - Invocation & Dinner
8:10 p.m. - Speakers Program
9:00 p.m. - Closing Prayer & Adjournment
We look forward to your participation in honoring the clergy, deacons, religious and seminarians of the Greater Cincinnati area, along with honoring our Religious of the Year recipient (you may email completed nomination forms to Jonathon Pearson at catholicandlive@yahoo.com) Please invite all those in your Council's clergy and religious, including your RSVP seminarians, to this important event. You may use the sample invitation letter included with this letter or you may use it as a guide in formulating your own invitation format.
Reservations must be received no later than March 1, 2022; as in the past table location and seating will be assigned on a first-come, first served basis. There will be NO dinner seating sold at the door. Cost will be $35.00 per person, with each council paying the dinner costs of all those religious invited by that council. Seating can be issued in groups of six (6) per table Please respond no later than March 1, 2022.
Payment must accompany reservation form before seat assignment is made. There will be no refunds. Net proceeds will be given to the Vocation Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
By Jason Staas General Agent
Fraternal Benefits
March arrives and Lent begins on the very next day, March 2. We all know that Lent is the time of preparation for Easter. In order to prepare to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection we are to exercise self-control and self-denial by fasting. We are encouraged to encounter Christ in the reading of Scripture and we are to serve others by the giving of alms.
When I was a kid, the “go to” self-denial was giving up chocolate…made those chocolate Easter bunnies most tasty! I think a lot of us are creatures of habit when it comes to self-denial. We continue on the same path, “giving up” the same things each year. Although self-denial is important as a practice, I’ve gotten a little older and a bit more introspective. I try to think of positive things to do rather than what I want to give up. Here are some of the things on a personal level that I’m going to try: Devote some time each day to reading Scripture. I’m not going to read whole books or commit to something I can’t achieve, but for 10 minutes each day I’m going to read the Good Book. I think reading scripture every day is good habit to nurture.
Rather than “giving up” I’m going to try to “give away.” It doesn’t help anyone…other than me…if I give up chocolate again this year. But if I give away to the poor, that can have a positive effect on me and on someone else. God has blessed me with so many material blessings I can afford to part with some. And that includes money. I’m determined to be more generous this Lent.
As men of faith let’s take advantage of some of the many program offerings during Lent. Some of these programs are done archdiocesan-wide, some at the local parish level, and many councils have special programs for prayer and reflection. If you are able perhaps you can lead or help lead a program at your council. I know for me, being involved with other men of faith strengthens me.
As we prepare spiritually for this new liturgical season of Lent, don’t forget the temporal. Tempus fugit, memento mori! We are honored to carry on our blessed founder’s vision of protecting Catholic families.
Vivat Jesus!
Ohio Virtual Fraternal Benefit Night: Purpose Driven Retirement Strategies March 10, 2022 – 7:30 PM
There is no cost to attend, and all Catholics are welcome!
Register by visiting:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_isS2QDTFSJKFhR3nHACpAg
2022 Cincinnati Men’s Conference Returns Live and In-Person!*
Date: Saturday, April 2nd, 2022
Mark your calendars now!
Where: Fifth Third Arena, University of Cincinnati Campus
2700 O'Varsity Way, Cincinnati, OH 45221
Theme: Evil Prevails When Good Men Do Nothing.
Schedule For The Day: Due to so many moving parts, the schedule will not be finalized and released until a later time. For planning purposes anticipate the event to start around 9 am ET and end about 2 pm ET.
Group Ticket Orders: Email us at info@CincinnatiMensConference.com
In-Person Event Only: It will not be recorded or virtually broadcasted.
This Conference is intended for ALL men, no matter what faith or where you are in your religious journey. Please join thousands of others, you will not regret it.
This event is NOT a political event by any means. The intent of this event is to inspire men to become the best versions of themselves as men of Jesus Christ.
https://catholicspeakers.com/cincinnati-mens-conference
*This event is not sponsored by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Archdiocese Quick Reference Guide 2021-2022
Web Sites…
State Council Website: www.kofcohio.org
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/OhioKnightsOfColumbus/
Dayton Chapter: www.daytonkofc.org Cincinnati Chapter: www.cincykofc.org
Facebook Page: Search for: ArchCincykofc
About The Arch…
A newsletter featuring relevant news and information for Knights in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati published twelve 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
State Deputy
Mark Siracusa 15398 Silver Pine Court Perrysburg, OH 43551-1261 cuzza52@gmail.com
2021 Matching Funds
State Advocate Jim Maslach 4927 Autumnwood Ln Brunswick, OH 44212 kofcjkm@gmail.com
2022 Measure Up
Coming in April
State Warden Chris Sarka 7239 Winterbek Ave New Albany, OH 43054-9097 c_sarka@hotmail.com
2022 Super Cash Bonanza
State Treasurer Michael Felerski 1580 Gelhot Dr. #234 Fairfield, OH 45014 mfelerski@icloud.com
2021-22 State Per Capita Payments
2021 Program Completed Now Past Due Date
State Secretary Jeffery Kiliany 559 Walnut Street Leetonia, OH 44431 jtktg@yahoo.com
2021-22 Support Our Seminarians
Immediate Past State Deputy Bob Byers 565 Indian Run Rd Marietta OH 45750-6693 robert_byers@hotmail.com
State Membership Director Michael Freil mcfreil2019@gmail.com
Archdiocese Membership Team
Dan Tebbe: I-70 North dtebbe1@outlook.com
Vic Lauterbach: Dayton [Chapter area] vslauterbach@gmail.com
Rich Bischof: Cincinnati [Chapter area] richbischof@outlook.com
District Deputy Coordinator Tim Mangan tjmangan@icloud.com
State Program Director
Andrew Nuckols anuckols@cinci.rr.com
Form #1295 Semiannual Past Due Due by 4/15
FYI: To Supreme Form #1728
Past Due