August, 2004 will certainly be remembered as both a
memorable and significant one in the history of our council. It will
be memorable because of the passing of Marian Reilly. We will never
forget the good times, and probably few of us will be able to forget
the pain and suffering she went through. We went to the wake and
Funeral Mass to celebrate her life. As Fr. Bill so eloquently put it
at the Mass, Marian is now in Heaven with Our Lord. All her pain and
suffering is over, and she is there waiting for us to join her. She
is up there preparing a great and wonderful Irish party for us.
The outpouring of love was visible throughout the week, but it was
most evident during the Mass. So many friends and acquaintances were
there. The presence of our State Deputy and his wife, along with the
State Warden, his wife and State Advocate was very much appreciated.
The attendance of fifteen members of the Fourth Degree in full
regalia lent itself to the solemnity of the Mass. Four Priests and a
Deacon concelebrating the Mass was certainly a tribute for Marian
and her love of the Blessed Mother.
There were so many people who participated time and talents prior
to, during, and after the Mass. The music ministry and the piper did
a wonderful job. The members of SWAT performed their magic once
again. The preparation of the food and presentation was without
equal.
I would like to express our deepest condolences to Matt, his
children and family on the loss of Marian. You will all remain in
our prayers.
BINGO
As with anything else, life must go on, and so it
will. August was a significant month in several ways. Bingo became a
reality. August 5 was the first evening we started Bingo for real.
It was a tremendous success. The ensuing Thursday evenings have
brought members of the council and our volunteer parishioners
together in a joint effort to make the games both enjoyable and
successful. As we evaluate each evening’s activity, the committee is
making adjustments to the program so that the attendees and workers
are comfortable and enjoy themselves. If you have not volunteered to
help, please try to spend some time in this activity.
It has been a lot of work to get this program off the ground. The
names of the committee members and workers are impressive. Your
efforts are starting to reap rewards. Thank you for your
involvement.
FIRST DEGREE
At our business meeting which was held on August 23,
our council hosted a First Degree Exemplification. Five new members
were inducted into the Order. In addition to two members being
inducted into our council, there were two from Statesville and one
from Mocksville. Gentlemen, welcome to the Knights of Columbus.
FESTIVAL OF THE AMERICAS
On Saturday, August 21 the First Festival of the
Americas was held in the Parish Life Center. This event was the
brainchild of a few Knights and with the assistance of several
members of the Spanish community the event grew from a few ideas to
one of great proportions. People dressed in local costumes, food was
prepared and traditional music abounded. More than two hundred and
eighty people from both the Spanish and Anglo communities came
together in fellowship. This was a tremendous effort to bring two
communities within the parish together as one.
DONATIONS
At the social meeting that was held on Monday,
August 9 the council gave Fr. Jerry a check for one thousand dollars
for the PLC building fund. In addition, two five hundred dollar
scholarships were awarded. At the business meeting of August 23, a
donation of two hundred and fifty dollars was given to Charlotte
Hospice in memory of Marian Reilly, and a donation of two hundred
and fifty dollars was authorized to pay for the bag piper at the
Mass for Marian. In addition, the membership authorized a one
hundred and fifty dollar donation to the Mooresville Graded School
District to be utilized for the hearing impaired program.
SPAGHETTI DINNER
Can you believe it is that time of the year again?
Time is approaching when we will be selling tickets for the dinner.
If last years event is any indication of what will occur this year,
we better double the recipe and bread order. Chefs Bill Muccio and
Ted Benell are already discussing the menu, and Tom Joy will be in
charge of ticket sales. As an added attraction, we have hired a DJ
as entertainment. Great food, music, and dancing will be provided to
make this a successful evening. Don’t forget Saturday, October 2,
after the 5:30 p.m. Mass in PLC.
ALTAR SERVERS
Brother Gary Tadvick is serving on a parish
committee that works with our altar servers. The thought of
recognizing the servers for their efforts has been discussed on
several occasions. The committee would like the Knights to assist
them with this recognition by hosting a spaghetti dinner on Saturday
evening October 6. This should not be a big expense for us, because
we could make enough sauce at our dinner and serve it to them on the
sixth. In addition, the committee would like us to purchase crosses
for the servers in acknowledgment of their service. We have money in
our current budget to cover any expenses for this event.
RACE
Brother Tom Joy has had preliminary discussion with
Lowe’s Motor Speedway concerning the October race. Everything
appears to be in order. Tom will be reducing his involvement so we
will all have to step it up. Several of our older, or should I say
more experienced Knights, are going to take less active rolls. We
really need younger members to get involved. This race will only be
a four-day event, so it will be a great time to learn. Sign up, get
to know your brother Knights, and enjoy the experience.
DEGREES
he Financial Secretary will be contacting all First
and Second Degree members regarding the exemplifications that will
be held at St. Therese on Saturday November 6. If you are not a
member of the Third degree, mark your calendar and plan on
attending. We will be needing help by assisting the degree teams as
needed and also in the preparation of a lunch following the third
degree exemplification.
For those members of the Third Degree who may be considering
advancement to the Fourth Degree, time is getting short. Contact FS
Steve Wise or GK Ed Kane for details. The exemplification will be
held on Saturday, October 9 in Durham. Remember the degree is only
held once a year.
LADIES AUXILIARY
Several wives of Knights have expressed interest in
starting an auxiliary. I think that an exploratory meeting should be
held at our regularly scheduled social meeting in September. As we
conduct our social meeting, the wives can meet and discuss their
options. At the conclusion of the meetings we will gather for
fellowship with each other.
STEWARDSHIP “BLITZ” WEEKEND
The weekend of September 25, 26 has been designated
as Stewardship weekend. We need Knights at all the Masses to hand
out literature and answer questions. The Fourth Degree will be at
all Masses in Regalia.
IN OUR PRAYERS
As I close this newsletter, let us remember Marian
Reilly, Matt and his children, George Bailey, Bill Pfeufer, Sherry
Hill, Ken Fusaro, Catherine Vogel and anyone else who might be in
need of our prayers.