january 2008 newsletter

Brothers, Happy New Year!

Time moves by so quickly – here we are in the middle of Winter and Spring will be soon upon us.  During our last meeting, our Worthy State Secretary Dave Jones presented the Star Council award to our Council for the 2006-2007 fraternal year.  Dave will be back for our February 25th business meeting when we’ll have a group photo taken with Dave formally presenting the Star Council Award.  Please make every effort to attend since the picture will be sent to the Mooresville Tribune, the Charlotte Observer and the Catholic Herald.

We have a lot going on in February. First, we’ll be hosting the Lenten fish frys, to be headed up by Vince Greco. Give Vince a call (704/662-3930) or e-mail him (vinfrannie@windstream.net) to let him know you can help. Vince is also putting together our first annual Council Golf Tournament.  Details are noted later on in this Knightline.

Special thanks to Dave Koenders for his recent lector presentation on "why we are Knights", I believe we all need to reflect on why we became Knights and then invite other men to join us.  We had eight men take their first degree in January and we have three more who are interested in becoming Knights.  Remember to wear your name badges to Church; this is a good way to let our community know who we are.  May God bless you and your families and remember to pray for each other as we work on becoming better men for Christ.

Vivat Jesus,

Gary Tadvick, GK

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

During our January business meeting, it was reported that we have six brothers currently in the hospital. They include Past Grand Knights Ken Fusaro and Ed Kane. Also in the hospital are John Trontell, Bill Campagna, Tony Del Rae and Bill Muccio. Please remember them in your prayers.

MASS OF REMEMBRANCE

Our Chaplain, Father Joe Kappes, was formally thanked, and compli-mented, for the celebration of the Mass of Remembrance that was held in December. The liturgy honored and remembered all of the fallen Knights and their spouses from our Council.

LAMB

In a final 2007 report, LAMB Director Mark Daly reported that our Council collected a total of $8,722 for LAMB during its October drive. Expenses for Tootsie Rolls amounted to $655, for net income of $8067. Under the LAMB program, wherein 15% of collections are donated to the State Program, the Council contributed $1,210 to State for use in state-wide demands for the mentally challenged.

The remaining $6,856 has been requested from LAMB State Headquarters for seven different recipients in the Mooresville and Southern Iredell County. This year’s recipients are: LifeSpan of Troutman, Lake Norman Elementary School, Mooresville Intermediate School, Parkview Elementary, Mooresville High School and Special Olympics of Iredell County.

Brother Daly noted that checks for the above recipients should be received within the next two weeks and would be personally delivered to the designated recipients.

In other LAMB developments, Grand Knight Gary Tadvick has announced that Pat D’Andrea will be the new LAMB Director, beginning in 2008. Brother Daly has resigned the position after serving in the capacity for three years.

COUNCIL OUTREACH

During the January business meeting, Sir Dave Koenders talked about the Mooresville Pregnancy Center. The Center’s mission is to help pregnant women who are unmarried, poor or are in need of a home. Following his talk, Dave suggested that the Council make a cash contribution to the Center. A $50 contribution was suggested and passed.

March 8 has been designated for the next Blood Drive. Clayton Brown is heading up the program and can be contacted at dabohart@aol.com .

The Mooresville soup kitchen is moving to their new location Sat March 1st.  They are looking for people to help.  If you can given them a hand, it would certainly be appreciated. Wear your KofC hats, jackets and nametags to identify yourselves as Knights. They have the trucks, vans, etc but they need the muscle power as they have to move refrigerators and other such big stuff.  They will start at 3pm on Sat March 1st and go until they are done.  Might carry over to Sun March 2nd.  Contact Stewart McLamb if you can help.

GOLF

April 23 has been designated as the date for the first annual Council golf tournament. Headed up by Brother Vince Greco, the tournament will be held at Birkdale in Huntersville, a premier 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed championship golf course and practice facility. Greco anticipates approximately 72 golfers for the tournament that will feature two hole-in-one contests, a continental breakfast and full buffet lunch.

The hole-in-one contests will have as prizes a new car from Randy Marion and a one year membership in Carolina Trails that will allow the winner to play as a member in several of the top golf courses in the Charlotte area.

The entry fee has been set at $85 which will include all greens fees, cart, driving range, meals, beverages and prizes.

Sign-ups are being accepted now by the golf committee, presently headed by Greco ((704) 662-3930) with assistance from Jack Madey ((704) 662-0220) and Mark Daly ((704-987-4316)

FIRST DEGREE

One of the largest First Degree Exemplifications ever held at St. Therese took place on Monday, January 14 when 24 new members were received into the Order. Seven men were from our Council. In addition, men from St. Mark’s, St. Matthew’s, St. Dorothy’s and St. Joseph’s in Kannapolis were also initiated.

Our Council’s First Degree Initiation Team performed the ceremony with Team Leader Sir Dave Koenders acting as official host and coordinator for the event. Amadee Norvez headed up the kitchen crew that prepared a meal for the new members, sponsors and fellow Knights.

New 7406 members include: Jerry Babich, John Beck, Phillip Bischoff, James Evans, Joe Gutekanst, Michael Praseck and Anthony Sergi. The addition of these men brought our total Council membership to 172.

MONTHLY HONORS

Grand Knight Gary Tadvick announced that Clayton Brown was honored as the Knight of the Month in December and Russ Crimi was given the honor for January. Named Family of the Month was the family of Phil Bischoff. Phil’s family and the Knights of the Month were named for the many to help.

SQUIRES

The Squires continue to be active under the leadership of Deputy Grand Knight Sir Stewart McLamb. They will be hosting a Basketball Free Throw Contest and a two on two tournament on February 23, starting at 10 a.m.. Details from Stewart at (704/662-0140) or stewartm@corencorp.com.

THIRD DEGREES

All those wishing to make their Third Degree should contact the Grand Knight or Deputy Grand Knight. Dates currently set for the exemplification are February 9 in Raleigh; February 16 in Kannapolis; March 1 in Charlotte; March 8 in Fayetteville; March 26 in South Port; April 19 in Clemmons; May (a date to be determined) in Kill Devil Hills and June 7 in Garner. An effort will be made to get a number of Knights together so we can carpool to one of the host Councils.

BIRTHDAYS

FEBRUARY