september 2008 newsletter

Brothers:

My personal congratulations to each and every one of you who helped us attain the honors of a Double Star Council last year. Very few councils achieve this honor and each of us should hold our heads a bit higher for being recognized as one of the best councils in the nation-wide Knights of Columbus.

Your new Officers are off to a great start and I am honored to have each of them serving the Council. Each of you, of course, can make their jobs easier by your willingness to volunteer and participate in the Council activities.

We have been blessed with six more Knights joining our Council, please come and welcome them on September 8th, which is also the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, the Knight's Queen. Their First Degree will take start at 7:30 and will be followed by a social meeting. As we've mentioned before, if you haven't attended a First Degree since your own, you'll find the degree's message to be a great inspiration to you.

This fall we have several events coming up. Diva and the Italian Guy dinner, pumpkin sales, the parish picnic and right around the corner, LAMB. Pat D'Andrea is heading up LAMB this year and he needs help. You'll find his name and e-mail address in this issue of Knightline. If you haven't been active, LAMB is a good way to get started. If you want to get involved in other activities, please give me a call. My cell phone is (704) 621-2390. I can answer any questions you have and introduce you to the committee chairs for the different events. We can always use more hands in our efforts to raise money for our charities and to show the parish and community what the Knights are all about.

I want to give special thanks to two Brother Knights who have recently represented us well. Roger Johnson remodeled the men's bathroom and it looks great. Next time you are in the main building, take a moment to check out Roger's work. Ralph Graham painted the PLC and class rooms. Great job Roger and Ralph, we appreciate all that you do for our Council and parish.

As we go into our new year remember to pray for your Brother Knights and our Parish family. Pray for your officers and ask God that he grant us discernment and guidance on the decisions we make. We are honored to serve our Brother Knights and consider it a privilege to serve with you.

I will leave you with a thought from Mahatma Gandhi "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."

Vivat Jesus
Brother in Christ, Gary Tadvick

DOUBLE-STAR COUNCIL

During the August business meeting, GK Gary Tadvick announced that our Council had been awarded Double-Star recognition for the council year that ended in July. Only 501 councils in the United States achieved this level. The award is based on 200 per cent of membership attainment and the number of new insurance members signed during the year.

LAMB

Brother Pat d'Andrea has the locations set for this year and he has the Tootsie Rolls to hand out. Now he needs the support of the Council in making this year's LAMB project another successful venture to assist the mentally and physically challenged of Mooresville and Iredell County. He is asking for volunteers to work three hour shifts at Wal-Mart, Harris Teeter and Lowes Food Stores on the weekend of September 12-14 and September 19-21. All of the money we collect at the stores goes to make life better for those who badly need the financial support that we can give them. Our order's first principle is charity. Here's your chance to practice that virtue. Call Pat at (704) 663-3075 or e-mail him at dandrea.patrick@gmail.com  and let him know you'll help. Or, you can sign up the September social meeting.

DISCOUNT COUPON BOOKS

In an effort to get a head start on other charitable organizations, Council 7406 has begun selling 2009 coupon books earlier than last year. Brother Jack Madey is heading the effort and if you need books for your family, for Christmas gifts, your neighbors or your office, contact Jack (madeyjack1@gmail.com)  and let him know your needs. At $10 per book, just using one restaurant coupon can more than pay for the book's cost. Last year, we sold 3,400 books - our goal this year is 4,000. Look for Brother Knights selling the books after Masses in coming weekends. Our Council receives $5 per book to help finance our various charity activities.

CABARET

Brother Bob Collins initiated this fund-raising activity, but due to illness, he's turned over the responsibility to Brother Larry Paffrath, a new member of the Council. At the August business meeting, Larry presented over $2,000 to the Council from initial sales to the evening featuring a full dinner and entertainment by the professional entertainment team of "The Diva and the Italian Guy". It promises to be a full evening and you're encouraged to get your tickets as soon as possible. Only 250 tickets at $30 each will be sold and 70 of those went the first weekend following Mass. You can form your own table of eight if you wish, but let Larry know your plans. He can be reached at (704) 892-6853. Members of his committee are: Bob Collins (rangerbobc1@webtv.net;  Vince Greco, (vinfrannie@windstream.net;  and Ed Kane (njsp2248@rr.com).  Any one of these Brothers would be happy to reserve your tickets.

1st, 2nd & 3rd DEGREES

A First Degree exemplification will be held on Monday, September 8 preceding that night's social meeting. If you have any completed form 100s for prospective members contact Sir Matt Reilly (skma39@windstream.net)  and let him know if those prospects wish to be part of the ceremony on the eighth.

A Second Degree will be held on Saturday, September 13 at Holy Family in Clemmons. Current plans are that on Second Degree candidates will car-pool to the Second Degree. If you're a First Degree and want to participate, contact Sir Ed Kane (njsp2248@rr.com)  and tell him of your interest. He is arranging the car pool.

On October 11, a Third Degree will be held at St. Therese. Our Council will host the event and we'll need all Second Degree members to attend as they continue their quest for full Knighthood. In addition, volunteers will be asked for their help in the preparations for the exemplification.

MEMBERSHIP

Financial Secretary Sir Steve Weis has announced that our current membership numbers 193. Sir Dave Koenders, head of our First Degree team, announced that with our membership numbers continue to grow, it is planned that we will have a First Degree initiation every other month. Therefore, after our September 8 ceremony, the next First Degree is planned for November.

SQUIRES

Sir Stewart McLamb, our Deputy Grand Knight and leader of the Squires, reported a successful and very pleasant day on the lake on August 16. Twelve young men took part in the event, enjoying "tooling around" the lake, swimming and demolishing a picnic lunch set up by Stewart and other members of the Council.

The Squires are sponsored by our Council and membership is open to any Catholic young man under the age of 18. If you know a teen-ager who'd be interested in joining the Squires, get in touch with Stewart. (stewartm@farnsworthlogistics.com)

COUNCIL 7406 SCHOLARSHIPS

This year's scholarships, awarded to graduating sons and daughters of Council members, were announced during the August business meeting. The recipients of this year's awards were: Stacey Bigliardi, daughter of Carolyn and John Bigliardi; Andrew Prascak, son of Mary Anne and Michael Prascak; and Anthony Muccio, son of Josie and Bill Muccio.

ROOM AT THE INN

A committee has been formed to determine if 7406 will participate in the program to build a new home for "Room at the Inn". As reported in last month's Knightline, "RATI" is a program that helps provide a home of safety and a source of hope for unmarried, pregnant girls. Our Council has been asked to join with other councils by contributing $1,000 in each of the next five years to help build the home on land donated by Belmont Abbey. Started in 1994, RATI has served more than 400 women and their children and is now in need of new quarters for these women and their children. The councils' contributions will be added to monies collected from other organizations to help build the proposed $3,000,000 facility.

KNIGHTS OF THE MONTH

Grand Knight Tadvick announced that the July Knight of the Month was Brother Clayton Brown for his volunteering and assistance within the Council and around St. Therese. The August Knight of the Month award went to Mark Daly for his efforts in writing and editing the monthly Knightline.