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From The Grand Knight June 2007 Brothers, As I reflect on my past year being privileged to lead the council as Grand Knight, I am struck with a sense of awe, as to how much each of you gives of yourselves to make a difference in the lives of others. With charity as our organization’s cornerstone you have answered our Father’s call to love one another as He loves us. You brought food to families in crisis and delivered wood to warm the homes of the less fortunate on a cold winter’s night. You have reached out to the elderly, providing a sense of comfort knowing someone still cares about them enought to spend some time with them. You have tended to the sick and disabled, building wheelchair ramps. You have donated your time around the holidays to reach out to our disabled veterans, serving meals but more importantly letting them know that their countrymen have not forgotten their sacrifice. In the recent months, you have spent countless hours raising funds to dramatically improve the quality of life for mentally retarded citizens and their families. This outreach is a great example of the gospel alive in our hearts, heeding Christ’s request: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” We have also supported our church over the past year, by serving dinner for our CARITAS families, and meals for the GIFT program. Our Spaghetti with Santa and Easter Egg Hunt programs touch the lives of the children of our parish, and the “E. Larry Thomas Outstanding Young Man / Woman” scholarships recognize the good works of our parish youth. We have also supported our youth by sponsoring their Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Recently we brought a sense of pride and joy to each of the moms in our parish by handing out roses after mass on Mother’s Day. Your efforts have made our council an integral part of our parish at Redeemer. To all of you considering a position as an officer or committee chairman, I would say that in the past few years, I have received much more from my experiences than I have given. To that end, I’d like to thank all of you for your support, tireless efforts, and dedication. You are the reason I am so proud to be a Catholic, a member of the Redeemer parish, and a member of the Knights of Columbus - Council 11042. Vivat Jesus!
Joe McFadden,
Program Director Report - Knights in Action Our KOVAR Fund Drive effectively wraps up and came to an end with the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament held on the 24th of May. Under the leadership of Rick Gillespie and Kevin Kowar over sixty volunteers were able to raise over $18,000 to be donated to KOVAR. Thanks to everyone who either helped out or attended in the Tournament and the fund drives at the Food Stores over the last 6 weeks. Without the participation of our members we could not have been this successful alone. Great Job Everyone!!! As we head into June and the summer months our agenda gets a little easier and we start to focus on the next order of business. June starts off with the Special Olympics to be held in Richmond on June 8th and 9th. Joe McFadden will be heading this volunteer event and will have sign up sheet for anyone that can share a few hours on one of these days making the difference in a few lives. We will basically be running some soft games for the Olympians to play, in between their tournaments. Please mark the following dates for upcoming events:
Looking forward to seeing as many members as possible at the June meeting to vote on your new slate of officers and to congratulate our current Grand Knight Joe McFadden on a wonderful past year and great leadership to our organization.
Fraternally Yours,
Now that our KOVAR collection efforts for 2007 are nearly complete I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who gave their time, talents (on the golf course?), and money to help with our “biggest and best thing we do all year.” Although KOVAR takes hours of time for planning, spends vacation days, makes for out of pocket expenses, deperate telephone calls, driving across most of Mechanicsville several times, makes Mr. Wallo’s arthritis worse from counting money, and requires us to ask strangers for change, you all still volunteered and made the effort a huge success for those with a medical diagnosis of mental retardation. This KOVAR season saw the victims of the tragedy at Tech, and those who lost their lives or sacrificed their bodies in Afghanistan and Iraq described many times as our “brightest and best.” I would agree. All of us mourn the loss of these future leaders with so much potential, the pain of the survivors, and the families. Many of us had thoughts of or said prayers for these innocent victims and for those who volunteer to serve in our military as we collector for KOVAR. Maybe thinking of their sacrifice made our efforts (those 2,4,6, or 8+ hour shifts) seem easier; made us stand a little straighter. Those who will benefit from our KOVAR collection are usually not described by our world as the “brightest and best” but they lead us to be off our schedule and uncomfortably asking for change for a few days each year becase they inspire us to take the opportunity to help them. Keep them and their families in your prayers also. Thank you for saying yes to KOVAR this year. Your gifts will not be wasted.
Vivat Jesus,
JOVIC Embroidery
SK Joe Aprile and his wife Vickie of JOVIC Embroidery have Knights of Columbus supplies and wears available. They have a large selection of shirts, hats, and coats for purchase. Special orders can also be placed for personal logos, business wear or sports teams that you might want.
Phone: 804-746-2598
This year our Council had two teams participating in the K of C State Bowling Tournament in Sterling VA April 28-29. Everyone had a great weekend of fellowship and competition. One of our group, Mike Bonelli, came home with the State Singles Bowling title and the $100 first prize award. Contratulations to Mike and thanks to Joanne for her coaching. © Copyright 1999 - 2007 by Knights of Columbus. All Rights Reserved. Send comments or questions to the web page editor, webmaster@kofc11042.org. |
