november 2007 newsletter

As everyone knows we have been quite busy this fall, Operation LAMB, Pumpkin Sales, Spaghetti dinner, Church Bazaar, Blood Drive and many other activities.   

I want to thank all of you for all of the effort you put into supporting the Knights.  On a special note:  please join me on congratulating Bob Daigler as our Knight of the Month and the Grecos as Family of the Month. Bob is a real worker for our council.  He is always involved in some aspect of all of our events.  Vince and Frannie Greco are also involved in Knight activities and the Parish community. Vince has done an excellent job selling the entertainment books and I know he put in many hours to make that fund raiser a great success. Fran is on the Pastoral Council and both of them put in many hours collecting money for LAMB.

We are coming to that time of year when families get together to celebrate the Holidays.  As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, let’s all pray for our Brothers and their families.  This can be a difficult time for so many who have lost loved ones.  I will pray for all of you, please do the same for me. 

Several dates we want to remember. On December 2nd, the noon Mass will be a Memorial Mass, honoring all of our Council members and spouses who have died. Following the Mass will be a reception for all, especially honoring the surviving spouses of our Brother Knights.   The Fourth Degree will be in attendance in Regalia.  Please plan on attending. 

December 10th we were going to have a pot-luck dinner for all Knights and their Spouses / guests.  This is also the night of an Advent service at Church.  So we’re changing the plans slightly.  The Advent service is at 7:30 in the Church and it will run until 8:30.  We will plan to meet as Brother Knights at the Advent service for Scripture and singing and then have a reception in the PLC.  We will serve hors d’oeuvres, desserts coffee, tea, and other beverages.  Please plan on attending and bring your favorite dessert, or appetizer to share.

Brother in Christ,
Gary Tadvick

MEMORIAL MASS – NEW DATE

On December 2, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the noon liturgy. This Mass will honor our deceased Council members and the deceased spouses of our members. Our Chaplain, Father Joe, will celebrate the Mass and a reception in the PLC will be held immediately following.

Invitations will be sent to all Council widows and to brother Knights who have lost their spouses. The Mass will be attended by all 4th Degree Knights in full regalia. Make plans now to attend this Mass with your family as we honor those who have gone on to greater glory.

MEETING AND RECEPTION

As noted in the Grand Knight’s Corner, we will have a reception in the PLC on December 10. This was going to be a pot-luck dinner with our spouses, but due to a conflict with an Advent prayer service, we’ve decided to have just a reception with our wives and guests instead. All the details are in the Grand Knight’s letter. All those with last names from A-L, please bring an appetizer. Those from M through Z, please bring a dessert. The Council will supply the drinks.

WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM

Deputy Grand Knight Stewart McLamb and his wife, Carmen San Juan are heading up an effort for the St. Therese family to take part in "Walk Through Bethlehem". This will be an ecumenical program where an actual Bethlehem-like village will be constructed at the Brawley Mansion. The entire community will be invited to walk through the village to help remind all of us of the true meaning of Christmas. Dates for the walk-through are December 7-9.

Several Knights have volunteered to help in the village construction that began on November 3. Construction will continue on each November Saturday from 9-2. If you’d like to be part of this program, contact Stewart at stewartm@corencorp.com or call him at 704-902-9456.

LAMB

According to Brother Mark Daly, this year’s LAMB program collected a total of $8,687. Included in the amount are direct donations from SWAT,FYS Solutions and two brother Knights. This year’s collection to-date total is compared to $9,945 in 2006. We have yet to hear from the Wal-Mart Foundation and its annual contribution.

45 Knights took part in this year’s drive plus six squires, seven Faith Formation students, their parents and two parish families. In addition, 14 members from LifeSpan were among those who help collect money.

PUMPKIN SALE

The back parking lot at church looks empty these days following a successful pumpkin sale to raise money for our various works. Brother Chris Baker doesn’t have the final figures as yet, but we did make a profit after purchasing 4700 pumpkins and selling most of them. Thanks to all the Knights who spent time unloading, washing, standing guard, selling and loading pumpkins into the cars of our many purchasers.

HOCKEY FUND RAISER

On Saturday, November 10, veterans will be honored at the Checkers hockey game at the Bobcat Arena. Tickets have been discounted to the Knights for Blue Line and Attack Zone seats, with money rebated to the sellers of the tickets. We’re participating with other Councils, but any money we receive via rebates will be applied to our program of helping send wounded veterans home for Christmas. You can e-mail Jim Kiger at (papajimk@alltel.net) or call him at 704/340-0281 for more information or to buy tickets. Don’t like hockey or you can’t go to the game?? Just send a donation to Jim to help a wounded serviceman spend time with his family at Christmas.

DISCOUNT BOOKS

According to Vince Greco, 278 entertainment books have been sold. That means the Council has made $2,780 to be used for its various activities. If you haven’t bought one, and sold at least one, give Vince a call (704-662-3930) or e-mail him at VINFRAN@windstream.net.  He’s got plenty of books and he’ll be happy to set up a meeting place to hand books over to you. Cost per book is $20 and the discount coupons are good through 2008.

MEMBERSHIP

Our membership blitz continues. After the last October weekend Masses, we talked with a number of men who stopped at our membership table. They were given membership materials, form 100s and got answers to their questions from the Knights who "worked" the tables. A number of the men who asked for information were new to the parish and noted that they’ve never been asked to join the KofC. Have you asked someone to join?

According to Steve Weis, Financial Secretary, we currently have 173 members in 7406.

THIRD DEGREES PLANNED

To all those brothers who are interested in joining the 3rd Degree, here are some dates for planning. Third Degrees will be exemplified on November 10 at Greensboro’s Council 939; on March 1 at Charlotte’s 10852 and on April 19 at Clemmons’ 9499.

POTPOURRI

Deputy Grand Knight Stewart McLamb will be looking at a new freezer for our use. The current one is on its last legs. Through his "connections", Stewart feels he can buy a used $1,500 freezer for about $375

Vince Greco is looking into the possibility of having a Council golf tournament next year. The tournament will be a fund-raiser for the Council.

Knights are encouraged to wear their name tags to Mass. Identifying ourselves as Knights will show the community who we are and might entice a prospective member to ask for information.

The Grand Knight recently appeared before the Pastoral Council to talk about our activities. This information gathering meeting was held to hear of the activities of all the commissions and groups serving St. Therese. The meeting was held to begin a written plan to be given to the Bishop relative to the need for a larger worship area.

BIRTHDAYS

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER