september 2006 newsletter

My personal thanks to all those who made the Officer Initiation such a success. As usual, we couldn’t have done it without the hard work of a number of Knights and their wives who set-up, cooked the meal and did the clean-up. As I looked around the Parish Life Center, it really came to me that 7406 is truly a "family" oriented Council, thanks to the wives who gave so generously of their time and talents. Thank you ladies for this effort and all you do for us.

September is one busy month for the Knights. The last two weekends of September have been set aside for our annual LAMB collection. LAMB is an excellent time for each Council member to do a charitable act. All that is asked of you is three hours of time, collection donations for those who are mentally challenged. Sign ups are going on right now and there will be a parish-wide sign-up after Masses on the 9th and 10th. Additional sign-ups will take place at the September 11 meeting. You’ll find more LAMB details elsewhere in this month’s newsletter. The Tootsie Rolls are ordered – we need you to help hand them out as a symbolic "thank you" to those who support LAMB with their financial contributions.

In addition to LAMB, our Council will be hosting Second and Third degree initiations on Saturday, the 23rd. We need help in organizing, set-up and meal preparation on that day. The date does conflict with LAMB, but it just shows how busy we have become in our activities here at St. Therese. In addition, we will have a First Degree on Monday, September 11.

Need something else to make September just a bit busier. How about the Parish Picnic on the 30th? We will donate money to help cover the food costs as well as have Knights working to help make the picnic a big success.

I encourage each of you to look at your schedules, and, if necessary, make some changes so you can participate in LAMB in addition to the exemplifications and the Parish Picnic.

We’re still looking at various programs to raise money for the Council. As reported in earlier Knightlines, we have to find new income sources to replace the loss of Lowes’ Speedway. Some of our younger, newer members have come up with some great ideas. More information on this elsewhere in this newsletter.

Lots going on – you can’t complain that there’s nothing for you to do to live up to the first principle of the order – Charity. The question is "Will you do it?"

Vivat Jesus

OFFICER INSTALLATION

On August 14, the officers for the new Council Year were formally installed. The ceremony took place in the church, followed by a buffet dinner in the Parish Life Center. Continuing as Grand Knight is Ken Fusaro, Deputy Grand Knight is Gary Tadvick. The full list of officers and trustees is listed elsewhere in this issue of KNIGHTLINE.

EXEMPLIFICATIONS

During our second Monday of the month meeting, we will conduct a First Degree initiation. According to Degree officers, there will be strangers from our own Council, plus those from other Councils.

In addition, we will be Host Council for Second and Third Degree Exemplifications on Friday, September 11. Call Ed Kane (704/799-9575 or e-mail at eakane@adelphia.net) if you’re a First Degree and want to continue on your path to full Knighthood. All Third Degrees are invited to help in working the Degrees.

LAMB

LAMB Director Mark Daly has designated the last two weekends of September as the dates for our annual collection to assist the "Least of My Brethren". Retailers taking part this year will be Wal-Mart, Lowes Food Store and Harris-Teeter. A new "wrinkle" this year will have us soliciting funds on the Sunday of each weekend. This, according to Brother Daly, at the request of Knights last year who said their work schedules were such that Fridays and Saturdays made it impossible to be LAMB volunteers.

The teen Confirmandis have been invited to participate in helping solicit funds. The hours they spend working for LAMB will count toward their required social community hours needed to meet their Confirmation criteria.

In addition, we expect to have volunteers from the recipients of last year’s LAMB awards. We already have a commitment from Mooresville High School and are assured that Life Span and the Adult Learning Center in Barium Springs will be taking part as well.

The officer installation kicked off this year’s volunteer sign-ups followed by more at the Council meetings. In addition, a parish-wide sign-up will take place after Masses on September 9 and 10. All parish members are being invited to join in helping make this year’s program a success.

BROTHERHOOD GAVEL

Grand Knight Ken Fusaro was presented with a Brotherhood Gavel by District Deputy Ed Kane. The gavel will be used in our Council’s meeting for one month, and then GK Fusaro will present it to the Grand Knight of a neighboring Council as a symbol of brotherhood between and among Councils. That GK will then pass it onto another Council GK.

Several new programs have been suggested as Council fund-raisers. Remember, we have to have income in order that we can continue being of service and financial support to the parish. Being considered right now, are the following programs:

At the next meeting (September 11) we’ll be voting on resolutions to pursue the first three programs since each of them will involve a financial investment from the Council to start. The Bobcats’ Arena is of high interest since we’ll be joining other Councils at the arena selling food and drinks. Our time there will be paid by the hour, depending how much business is actually done.

The sale of the coupon books is underway. Each book sold nets the Council $10. Call Vince Greco or Ed Kane for your $20 book that contains over $2,000 in local retail bargains. Brother Greco sold over 200 books after Mass on the weekend of August 27. So, they’re popular and easy to sell. Buy one for your family and take a half-dozen or so to sell to neighbors and fellow employees.

If these efforts are successful, we’ll more than replace the lost income from Lowes’ Speedway.

BIRTHDAYS