Newsletter of The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Knights of Columbus – October 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
FRATELLI TUTTI All Brothers – Brothers All An excerpt from the Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti of the Holy Father Francis on Fraternity and Social Friendship: 1. “FRATELLI TUTTI”.[1] With these words, Saint Francis of Assisi addressed his brothers and sisters and proposed to them a way of life marked by the flavour of the Gospel. Of the counsels Francis offered, I would like to select the one in which he calls for a love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance, and declares blessed all those who love their brother “as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him”.[2] In his simple and direct way, Saint Francis expressed the essence of a fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives. 2. This saint of fraternal love, simplicity and joy, who inspired me to write the Encyclical Laudato Si’, prompts me once more to devote this new Encyclical to fraternity and social friendship. Francis felt himself a brother to the sun, the sea and the wind, yet he knew that he was even closer to those of his own flesh. Wherever he went, he sowed seeds of peace and walked alongside the poor, the abandoned, the infirm and the outcast, the least of his brothers and sisters. How incredible is it that Pope Francis’ latest Encyclical Letter espouses Fraternity and Social Friendship during the same month that our founder the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney is to be beatified as Blessed!
The third pillar of our Order is Fraternity and the Holy Father expounds on Saint Francis’ calls for …a love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance, and declares blessed all those who love their brother “as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him”. Sadly this year we have personally experienced this with the restrictions the pandemic has placed on us. Never before have we desired to be together with our brother Knights, working programs, praying outside of Mass, or even in meetings. I’m sure in the past everyone has experienced a day where we just didn’t have the energy to attend a council or chapter meeting – yet we do. We make the effort and never regret it. It is in our nature as Knights to be together and work together in support of our families, our communities, our parishes and really, the world. Personally I never realized how deeply I would miss getting together with my brother Knights because I never thought something like this could happen. So now every and any opportunity to get together, albeit physically distanced, is a blessing. There are many councils throughout the Archdiocese coming up with creative ways to do what we do as Knights, and we applaud them. Remember that our Founder Father McGivney began our Order during a pandemic and in the face of rampant anti-Catholic discrimination. He never gave up until his last day on earth, and he continues to be with us, fraternally, as we find new ways to help the widow, the orphan, and the outcast in our communities. Michael Felerski - State Advocate
[1] Admonitions, 6, 1. English translation in Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, vol 1., New York, London, Manila (1999), 131. [2] Ibid., 25: op. cit., 136.
Growth
By Michael Thomas
IT’S TIME TO “FALL IN” TO MEMBERSHIP!
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t’s hard to believe that it’s Fall again. We and our Order have weathered over half a year of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption to our lives and our livelihoods. As my colleague and brother Tom Wuebker spoke of last month – “What a summer!! What an understatement…” It’s be difficult but we’re surviving both as Church and as an Order. Our faith is brining us through and allowing us to adapt and even thrive is what is often called “our new normal”. This early part of the fraternal year is the time for your councils to set goal – for programs, activities, and of course, membership. I know I don’t need to tell any of you that membership is the lifeblood of our Order. And I know I can be frustrating trying to recruit members with restrictions in place. As I’ve said before – this is the time to be innovative – while there isn’t always opportunity to speak directly with new prospects, there are several ways to put out into the deep and recruit good Catholic men. I’ll get into that in a minute – but first – BE PREPARED to discuss the Order and your Council. Be ready to be able to answer that question that you might get from a prospect which is often a variation of “What’s in it for ME?” or “Why should I be a Knight?” HAVE A SIXTY SECOND ELEVATOR SPEECH READY – SPEAK WITH PASSION ABOUT THE ORDER •
Point out the activities that YOUR Council is doing – we all do things to help our parish, our Catholic schools, our Archdiocese. o
Activities such as holding a fish fry or Donut Sunday or Movie Knights or Scripture Studies, as well as the good done by Matching Funds.
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Service to the parish: one of the things I’ve noticed is how many Knights and wives of Knights are active in keeping the parish humming – by being servers, sacristans, usher, Eucharistic Ministers, Deacons, choir members, teaching our children the faith, family activities that help bring the parish together.
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Service to the community: activities such as food banks, helping veterans, etc.
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Talk about the Programs that your council has
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Discuss the Knights activities that Councils band together to do including kids and family activities such as the Soccer Challenge, the Free Throw Competition, and our charitable efforts with Measure Up.
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And talk about the power of an organization of two million Catholic men and the good we do
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Ultrasound machines
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Efforts by Knights in the California wildfires
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Relief efforts after Hurricane Laura in Louisiana – a great video showing fellow Knights in action of serving those in need.
And don’t forget prayer o
Novena for the Cause of Life October 4 to 12 – Talk about Respect Life Month and how Knights are “praying with great vigor” as Supreme Knight Carl Anderson put it. NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT TO SAY – GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT! Continued on Page 3
The Arch - October 2020
On Facebook: ArchCincyKofC
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By Michael Thomas
Continued from Page 2
Growth
This is the month of Father McGivney’s beatification. He recruited men without most of the tools that you have at your disposal. Father McGivney appealed to Catholic men simply with the promise of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. You too have those tools – and numerous ways to spread the word! •
ASK A GENTLEMAN TO JOIN: Never pass up the opportunity to ask a man in person.
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Create a list of prospects that can be contacted by email, US Mail, text, or telephone
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Have membership materials available in the Church
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Create a Council brochure
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Keep an ad in the bulletin, on the council and parish website, and speak at Mass when allowed.
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Have Father stress the importance of membership
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Publicize online membership!
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Utilize your District Deputy and your Membership Directors
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And finally – to wrap all this together – as a good friend of mine likes to say: “BE VISIBLE! BE VISIBLE! – wear Knights Gear, be seen!
INCENTIVES •
During October, anyone recruiting gets $20 per member recruiting and a limited-edition Father McGivney pin
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If your council makes quota before the ball drops – there is a $400 incentive to cover expenses at the State Convention being held in Cincinnati this year!
Please reach out if we can help! Continue to pray for our church, our Order, our families, our communities and our country. Remember to keep individuals who have suffering from COVID-19 in your prayers! Vivat Jesus! Mike Thomas Archdiocesan Membership Director (Central)
The Arch - October 2020
On Facebook: ArchCincyKofC
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Faith in Action The Matching Funds Program Michael Felerski – Chairman
The first month of the Matching Funds Program has officially wrapped up and I have already received numerous checks from councils throughout the Archdiocese - Thank you! With over a month to go I encourage all councils, assemblies, and chapters to donate to this incredible program which I am proud to chair. Every dollar donated along with any money matched by the Ohio Charity Foundation stays right here and goes to the Archdiocese Office of Evangelization and Discipleship who’s director is Sean Ater. I had the opportunity to speak with Sean at the January 2020 District Deputy’s Meeting in Columbus. He is very grateful for all that the Knights throughout the Archdiocese are able to donate. And if God sees fit I look forward to presenting this year’s check to him in January. Remember, there is plenty of time to submit your donation. The program concludes in November and letters need to be postmarked up through November 15th (checks are written shortly thereafter by the Charity Foundation). As of this writing we have 40 councils, assemblies, and chapters who have sent in donations. For councils we have 45% participation. It would be awesome if we could get to 90-100%. I have seen checks range from $25 all the way up to $800. I can personally tell you that the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship appreciates every one of them regardless of the amount! Remember to keep an eye out for updates on our Facebook pages.
Press Release: Knights Founder to be Beatified on Oct. 31, 2020 With the joyous news that, on May 26, 2020, Pope Francis approved a miracle through Father McGivney’s intercession, the next step in the process will be a beatification Mass, to be held at 11:00 onOctober 31,2020, in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Conn. At that time, the founder of the Knights of Columbus will be declared “Blessed” and his feast day will be set. Father McGivney will be the first U.S.born priest to be beatified who spent his entire priestly ministry in a parish. This is a great boost to the priesthood and to the Catholic Church in America.
The approved miracle involved the healing of a child in the womb from a fatal condition. While expecting their 13th child, Daniel and Michelle Schachle of Tennessee were told that the boy had Trisomy-21 (Down syndrome). A few weeks later, an ultrasound diagnosed fetal hydrops, in which multiple organs were filled with fluid. Doctors said that there was no hope of survival and abortion was the best option. As faithful Catholics, the Schachles refused abortion and began praying to Father McGivney for a miracle. An insurance agent with the Knights of Columbus, Daniel earned a trip to the Marian Shrine in Fatima, Portugal, and brought his wife for a prayerful pilgrimage.
At Mass in Fatima, Michelle felt something change within her when she heard the words of Gospel about the Roman official whose son was healed by Jesus: “Go; your son lives.” A few days after returning to Tennessee, an ultrasound indicated that the unborn child was healed of fetal hydrops. Studied for years at the Vatican, the healing was declared miraculous by medical and theological experts. Today, Michael McGivney Schachle is an active 5-year-old, with Down syndrome, who is surrounded by a loving family.
If you have not already please consider joining the Father McGivney Guild any visiting fathermcgivney.org. The cost is free and your will receive quarterly updates on Father McGivney’s cause for Canonization. The Mass is planned to be aired live on EWTN.
Look for the YouTube/Facebook screening of the new Father McGivney video on Oct. 25, at 8:00 PM EDT. The Arch - October 2020
On Facebook: ArchCincyKofC
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Fraternal Benefits
S
oon you'll be receiving your 2020 Fraternal Survey. Separate and distinct from the council fraternal survey, this survey is designed to help members update the Supreme Council on their information and circumstances, so that the Supreme Council can - in turn - advise them of the member benefits available to them that they may not be taking advantage of.
And just what are those benefits? Of course, you, your spouses and your dependent children have the exclusive opportunity to protect your financial future through the Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus can insure your life, protect your family, safeguard your paycheck, help provide for your long-term care, and help you retire happily and comfortably. You know that part well.
But that's not all.
The Knights of Columbus also provides a complimentary financial benefits to members, like our accidental death coverage.
One of the benefits of membership that I think is most important and most underrated is the simple benefit of having a relationship with a brother Knight field agent. Unlike our commercial counterparts, we share a common bond with you. We're brothers! And, as such, our primary focus is not to make a sale or close a deal, it's to help you determine what protection you and your family may need. Our job is to help you identify solutions that work best for you, period.
So as a Knight, you can meet with us as often as you'd like. We can use some of our cutting edge software and tools as well as our collective professional experience, to start exploring your financial situation, or your retirement, and present potential solutions for you and your family to consider. We can help you customize a plan for protection that is specific to your circumstances and your budget.
But we can't help you with what we don't know.
So as things get somewhat back to normal, and we all start to ramp up again in the fall, I encourage you to keep an eye on your mailbox for the Fraternal Survey, fill it out, let us know what's new, and I'll be in touch to schedule a follow up conversation - virtual or otherwise - so we can talk about potential next steps.
We look forward to connecting soon.
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 - October 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 - October 2020
On Facebook: ArchCincyKofC
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