KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS

SACRED HEART COUNCIL 2577

St.JOHN N. NEUMANN ASSEMBLY 1763

Accolade Dec. 08

Chaplain’s Report

Rev. Msgr. Charles Parry

     The season of Advent is upon us. Although we will see and hear much on television and in the newspapers regarding Christmas, we will hear nothing of Advent except in the Church.

     The time of Advent represents the time of joyful expectation of the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ into the world as savior and redeemer. This first coming resulted in the salvific suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord. We contemplate the mystery that unfolded in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she prepared to give birth to the only Son of God. Advent at the very same time focuses on the hope-filled anticipation of the future second coming of the Lord Jesus not as suffering servant, but this time as victorious king Who will come to judge both the living and the dead. As this second coming approaches, Our Blessed Lady intercedes for us and for all of her children that we might be well prepared to welcome and to receive her beloved Son.   

     As the Advent candles are lighted each week, we recall the passage of time as the world awaited the first coming of the Savior, and we recall in the passage of time that we are that much closer each year to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and our own participation in His beatific vision - our being with Him face to face!

     Have a blessed Advent - and a Holy Christmas!

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Grand Knight’s Report

Kevin Kylus  (410) 451-8855

kkylus@comcast.net

     The Christmas Season is in full swing and everyone is busy but I hope you can take some time and join your fellow Knights for some fun times at the Hall. On Friday the 19^th we will have a special meal and a showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and everyone is invited to the Council’s Christmas Party on Sunday the 21^st  from 5 till 10pm. There is no charge for this event but we do ask that you let us know you are coming and bring a canned good or have given a gift for the ARC.

     Thanks to all who helped make our 1^st K5K Drawing a success. If you missed it you will want to get a ticket early for our 2^nd drawing in April. You will also not want to miss ringing in the New Year with your fellow Knights; tickets for our New Years Eve Gala are on sale now. See back page for details.

     This is just a small sample of what we have going on in December. In order to be successful we need all members to support our programs by volunteering to help run or attending the events.

     Amy, Christopher, Kaitlyn and I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and may God bless you in the New Year!

     Knight of the Month for November - PGK Ed Walsh. Ed is our raffle ticket chairman, works bingo in many capacities and recently coordinated the District Challenge. Ed can also be found setting up for meetings or doing whatever needs done. When you see Ed congratulate him and offer thanks for all he does.

     Family of the Month – PGK Don Crosby, was chairman of our very successful 1^st K5K Drawing. To help make it a success his wife, daughter and grandson were all hard at work that night. Congratulations to our November Family of the Month: The Crosby’s.

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District Deputy’s Report

Vernon Hawkins, PGK, FN, FDW

(301) 336-0284 vhawkinsjr@aol.com

    The Christmas season is upon us. Where has the time gone? We are now at the mid-year of our Fraternal Year. All District SIX Councils have had a very busy first half of the Fraternal Year. We have conducted Council Installations, membership drives, held breakfasts, Oktoberfest, held special Adoration Masses, prepared/delivered Thanksgiving baskets, worked the Redskins concession stand, collected monies for the Intellectual Disability, and more.

     The beginning of December always begins a special season for us as Catholics. We celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It also provides us a special time to reflect on the SURGE activities we conduct as Knights. For the Church, we look forward to Advent and the birth of Christ. In Community, we have an opportunity to help those in our community who are less fortunate than we are. For Family, we take the extra time to celebrate with our Family and make this season very special for all. For Youth, of course, Christmas is a special time for our Youth, the trees, lights, presents. (Yes, we are all Youths in this enjoyment.) And finally, Council, this is a time that we can spend time with our extended family—The Knights of Columbus, especially at events such as the Christmas Party. Let’s use the opportunity to invite others to join us in our celebrations and our enjoyments.

     Grand Knights and Deputy Grand Knights—mark your calendar for January 3^rd, 2009. This is the date of the Maryland State Council’s Mid-Term meeting to be held at Cardinal Gibbons Council, with Mass at 5:00 P.M. at St. Joseph’s—Fullerton. More importantly, make sure your wives know that they are also invited and the Ladies will go on a trip while we meet. There will be a special program for the Deputy Grand Knights put on by the State Program Directors to provide an insight into our State Programs, which is why our Deputy Grand Knights need to make a special effort to attend.

     Finally, the District SIX Staff and their wives; Wardens Bob Worthington (Peg), Pat Springmann (Candace); Etoile and I wish all of you and your families the special blessings that this Holy Christmas season represents and we pray that the New Year of 2009 will bring you much prosperity and joy.

     God Bless!

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Deputy Grand Knight’s Report

Andrew Jacobson  (240) 476-5268

andrew.jacobson@cfsan.fda.gov

     I hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday and are ready to celebrate the Christmas season that is upon us.  Christmas parties that are scheduled at the Hall are the State Christmas Party on the 13^th, the Children’s on the 20^th from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and the Council’s on the 21^st from 5:00 – 10:00 PM.   Family Events include the Sunday Family Breakfast on the 14^th starting at 9:00 AM.  There will also be a Blood Drive at the Hall on Monday the 1^st of December.  Look for details on these events in this issue of The Accolade.

Fraternal Activities

Rick Marek  (410) 721-0004

rickmarek1@comcast.net 

     We have booked a Christmas trip to the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA on Friday, December 19^th. The cost per person is $80.00.  Contact PGK John Kylus at (301) 464-1509 for details and reservations.

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Family Activities

Joe Bobby  (301) 464-2862

     Well I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are ready or at least getting ready for Christmas.  This is the most wonderful time of the year for children and we will be showing our family oriented Christmas classic movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” at the Third Friday Family Dinner.  Please see the Accolade calendar for the details.  And a huge thank you to PGK Mike Garner for continuing support of this event.  We are serving our Friday evening meals and the Sunday Family Breakfast in December.  As was the case in November, we will not be serving a meal the evening after a holiday--Christmas.  No one is hungry.  I am very pleased with the turnout for our breakfasts and Uniting Families in Faith is very much in evidence with those attending it.   We are, however, still in need of Brother Knights to volunteer to assist in these events.  It seems that the same people do most of the work at the Hall and we would like to add to that list.  So if you can spare some time on a Friday evening primarily, please let me know when you are available to assist and I will include you in my schedule.  It would only be around two hours.

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Membership Report

Joe Massimini  (240) 997-0402

     While you are not forgetting things, please remember to help out with membership. If you know a Catholic gentleman over the age of 18, now might be a good time to ask him if he is interested in joining the Knights of Columbus.

     We have no Degrees at Sacred Heart this month, but if you have a candidate for the First Degree, contact me and I will be happy to sign them up for the First Degree at Mother Seton Council in Lanham on December 2^nd, at Patuxent Council in Laurel on December 16^th or Mother Seton Council on January 20^th. Our next First Degree is scheduled for January 22^nd. I hope everyone can bring a candidate to the meeting.

     This is also the time of year when you get out those new calendars. We have a couple of dates for you to add to those new calendars. If you are a First Degree member, you should mark your calendar to take the Second Degree here at Sacred Heart on Tuesday, February 17^th. If you cannot make the Second Degree that evening, contact me and I will do what I can to get you to another Second Degree in the area. For you Second Degree members, you can mark your calendar for Friday, March 27^th to take your Third Degree. If you know you cannot make it, please contact me for other dates for Third Degree.

     If you have any questions, please contact me either via e-mail at joemassi@comcast.net, or by the phone at (240) 997-0402.

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In Memoriam

Fr. Patrick W. Kemp, HLM

Sick and Memorial

Bob Long,  (301) 464-1319

James Boruke

Micky Bush, HM

Robert Costenbader

Jack Finzel

Frank Fitzmaurice, HLM

Thomas A. Gannon, Jr.

Tom Hardy, HLM

Charles Kinzie

John Kylus, PGK, HLM

Ron McEelligott, PGK

Sebastian Mignosa, HLM

Tom O’Connor, Jr.

Bill Razzano

Fr. Andrew Royals

Ed Schirmer, HLM

Frank Schrom, Sr.

John Solari

Carol Cartney, Widow of Bill Cartney, HLM

Dorothy DeVous, Mother of Ray DeVous

James Vorce, Brother of John Vorce

Albert Urasek, Father of Ken Urasek

Audrey Fohner, Daughter of Bill Razzano

Vera Golato, Wife of Al Golato, HLM

Sally Lisenby, Sister of Jerry Hicks

Patricia Snyder, Wife of Bob Snyder and Daughter of Ed Walsh, PGK

Sharon Craig, Wife of Jack Craig, HLM

Pat Fitzmaurice, Wife of Frank Fitzmaurice, HLM

Donna Mihaly, Wife of Steve Mihaly

Kathy Salvemini, Wife of Tony Salvemini

Evelyn Nalesnik, Wife of Richard Nalesnik

Bridget Bronder, Sister of Matt Bronder

Louise Calmon, Wife of Gene Calmon, HLM

     If you know of a Brother Knight or his family who is sick or recently deceased, please contact me so that we may include them in our prayers.  Also we need your help managing the sick and recovering list. So when someone has recovered or you wish to remove his or her name, please give Bob Long a call at (301) 464-1319

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Youth Activities

Tom O’Connor  (301) 464-1729  tao.cpa@verizon.net

     The annual Children's Christmas Party will be held December 20^th, 2008 from 11am to 2pm.  There will be crafts, games and a special visitor!!!  Lunch will be served.  So please make plans on attending this fun party for children of all ages.

     Have a very, Merry Christmas!

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Fraternal Benefits

     There are many fine life insurance companies in the marketplace today. So why should you entrust your life insurance needs, and those of your family to the Knights of Columbus?

     In their rating report on the Knights of Columbus, Standard & Poor’s states that it’s ‘AAA’ rating is based upon the following strengths: extremely strong capital, very strong competitive position, extremely strong liquidity and historically strong profitability.

     I would suggest that a principal reason that we were able to achieve those accolades, along with what S&P described as ‘a distinct competitive advantage, a loyal customer base and a unique rapport with clients’ is because we remain steadfastly committed to the vision of Father Michael J. McGivney, ‘Protecting Families for Generations’ by means of ‘life insurance by Brother Knights for Brother Knights.’

     That commitment is an essential core value of the Knights of Columbus, and our core values permeate all levels of our marketing program. Our ‘Marketing Code of Ethics’ is modeled after the Ten Commandments and includes statements such as ‘Thou shall present honestly and accurately, all facts necessary to enable a member to make an informed decision.’

     Our ethical principles for marketing are summed up by our Golden Rule: ‘In all my professional relationships, I pledge myself to the following rule of conduct: I shall, in light of all conditions surrounding those I serve, render that service which, under the same circumstances, I would apply to myself.’

     That’s what you can expect from me, your professional Knights of Columbus field agent. I welcome the opportunity to present to you and your wife, honestly and accurately, all facts necessary for you to make a sound life insurance decision. I will render that service which, under the same circumstances, I would apply to myself.

     If you have been declined LIFE INSURANCE for medical reason, the Knights of Columbus is now offering GAURENTEED ISSUSED WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE TO AGE 65. No medical required.

     Call John Canter at (301) 261-3231 or Al Rocca, FICF, at (301) 464-5885 to set up an appointment today.  We want to hear from you!

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Council and Assembly Shirts For Sale

Sacred Heart Council and the St. John N. Neumann Assembly are selling personalized polo shirts with the pertinent insignia. This is a service to members and not a fundraiser. If you cannot make it to the Hall to get an order form it can be downloaded from the Sacred Heart Council web site:  www.kofc2577.com.   If you have any question please call Bill Macri at (301) 249-5580 or email him at bmacri@jamacco.com

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Pro-Life News

Steven Dobrosielski  (301) 262-6860

     This Christmas season all donations made to the Gabriel Network between November 15^th and December 31^st that have “please match” on the memo line; will be matched by a private donor. This means that your donation could be worth double the amount of your gift. So please consider sending a donation to the Gabriel Network to help them support their work. Donations should be made payable to the Gabriel Network and sent to: The Gabriel Network, P.O. Box 2116, Bowie, MD  20718.

     As we remember the birth of the Prince of Peace, please pray for peace throughout the world and the hundreds of thousands of children who are affected by war and the additional millions of children who are in need of food, shelter, and love.

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Gifts for the Bridges of Largo
David Grabowski, PGK  (301) 464-2059

     Sacred Heart Council #2577 will be taking Christmas gifts to adults with intellectual disabilities at the Bridges of Largo. The Bridges of Largo provides day care for these adults while their family or guardians go to work. We are asking Brother Knights and their wives to purchase gifts for these adults with intellectual disabilities. The gift list will be available at the Sacred Heart Council 2577 starting at the First Friday Mass in December, Council and 4^th Degree meeting nights, YORK Club meetings and bingo nights (Tuesdays). The gifts should be dropped off at the Hall by Tuesday, December 16^th. The gifts will be taken to the adults on the morning of Thursday, December 18^th. All Brother Knights and wives interested in taking the gifts to these adults should meet at the Hall before 9:30 AM. If you have any question, please call me at (301) 464-2059.

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Church Activities

George Vincent  (301) 249-6399  k3gv@verizon.net

     First Friday Mass and Mini-Supper – Our First Friday Mass is on December 5^th.  Please come and join us in this celebration of joy in the Eucharist. Mass starts at 7:00 pm in the Columbian Room at Boswell Hall. Everyone is welcome.

     St. Pius X Sodality and Youth Group is sponsoring a Christmas concert on Sunday, December 28^th, 2008 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at ST. Pius X Church on Rt. 450. Featuring International Irish Tenor,  Mark Forrest and also featuring Emily Casey. For tickets (Adults $20 and children 12 and under $5) and more information call Pat (301) 262-2038.

     St. Edward the Confessor music ministry is performing a Christmas program “Festival of Lessons and Carols” on Sunday, December 14^th at 7 pm. All are welcome.

     A Marian Year – This year, we will begin a new year of Marian devotion through our Pilgrim Virgin program. This year of prayer will emphasize the first principle of the Order and is dedicated to Our Lady of Charity, patroness of Cuba. As the image of Our Lady of Charity is venerated at thousands of our Councils, we will ask our Brother Knights and their families to recite the rosary for the intentions of our Holy Father during the coming Fraternal Year. The new Knights of Columbus Marian Hour of Prayer program, dedicated to Our Lady of Charity, was inaugurated during morning Mass on Wednesday, August 8^th. The inauguration ceremony was led by Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino of Havana, who blessed framed images of Our Lady of Charity being held by all the State Deputies attending the convention. Our Lady of Charity is the patroness of Cuba. Cardinal Ortega y Alamino prayed that “as these images of Our Lady of Charity go forth, may the Knights of Columbus and their families … be filled with faith and love.” Over the course of the next year, the framed images will be brought from Council to Council within each jurisdiction throughout the Order for a one-hour prayer service and rosary recitation. A prayer booklet accompanying each image includes hymns, a litany and a prayer that Pope John Paul II used when he visited Cuba in 1998. The theme of the prayer service relates Our Lady of Charity to the Knights of Columbus’ first principle of charity. It draws upon Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love) and includes special prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father.

     As always, if there are any other Church activities that you would like to see happen in Sacred Heart Council, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Sacred Heart Council Scholarship

Bob Mackey  (410) 798-4257  v606jm@verizon.net

     This scholarship, in honor of all deceased Council members, is for $1000 per year for four years ($4000 total) beginning in the academic year 2009-2010. All members of Scared Heart Council and members of their immediate family are eligible.

     Applications for this scholarship are now available. A complete application packet, that contains the instructions, rules and regulations, and forms can be obtained from http://mysite.verizon.net/v606jm/SHC/. If you do not have web access, the application packet can be obtained from the Scholarship Committee Chairman (Bob Mackey, 410-798-4257, v606jm@verizon.net), or one of the Council Officers.

     Completed applications must be received by May 1^st, 2009. Applicant interviews will be scheduled during the month of May 2009. The scholarship recipient will be announced in June 2009.

     Applications in Word format can be emailed to me, hardcopy can be delivered to the Hall (in a sealed envelop) or mailed to:

 Scholarship Committee Chairman

 Sacred Heart Council

 6111 Columbian Way

 Bowie, MD 20715-4302

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Sacred Heart Ladies Social 

Carol Cartney, Contact Person  (301) 262-9736

     I have heard that there are some ladies who are interested in starting the Ladies Auxiliary up. They can contact me at (301) 262 9736 and I will be glad to help them any way that I can. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year’s Eve.

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Council Activities

Paul Mullenhoff   301-262-3963 pmullenhoff@verizon.net

     It's hard to believe that the Christmas Holiday Season is almost upon us. So before I forget, your Council Officers and Activity Directors would like to wish you all a Very Blessed and Holy Christmas and may it extend into and through the New Year. As I did last month, I thought I would review the month's activities with you, as there are always some that change and minor alterations that have to be made, and this is a very busy and hectic time for us all. So here is a review of some of the things going on. First, the Council meetings will be on the first and third Thursdays for this month because of the conflict with Christmas. Next, our intent is to have a meal each Friday evening except the one after Christmas when the Hall will be closed. The food will be mainly hamburgers and hot dogs for these evenings other than First Friday Mini-supper. We will have the Christmas classic movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” during the evening of the third Friday, the 19^th, when a special movie oriented menu will be available.  We will continue with our Council Sunday Family Breakfast on the second Sunday starting at 9:00 AM. The Children’s Christmas Party is Saturday, December 20^th. The Council Christmas Party is on Sunday evening, December 21^st from 5:00 – 10:00 PM. By far our biggest activity will be the New Year’s Eve Celebration and this is a major Council event.  We would appreciate your support of this event even if it is just talking it up and spreading the word. It is a lot of work by a lot of the Brother Knights.  And then there is always the set-up and clean up associated with it.  We have a great time at these work events and build a lot of camaraderie.

     We will be holding our Un-Deck the Hall on Sunday, January 4^th.

     In October I offered to give up my reserved parking spot for the month to anyone that volunteers to run a Sunday Family Breakfast.  Romeo Paternoster was the winner for the month of November and PGK Dave Grabowski is now replacing him for December.  So Romeo, Dave had the spot in October and he liked it so much he came back for December.  Can I interest you in the spot for January when it is cold and windy outside and you won't get chilled walking in-but I will?

     A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family and I will be seeing many of you around the Hall hopefully assisting in all the various activities that are going on.  Until next month...

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Community Activities

Mike Schultz  (410) 721-8715

mbpschultzies@verizon.net

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Supreme Council Report

Leadership is "A Very Precious Opportunity"
     State Deputies attended their semi-annual meeting in Dallas during the weekend before Thanksgiving, and heard Supreme Knight Carl Anderson call leadership in the Knights of Columbus "a very precious opportunity to make a once in a lifetime contribution."

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State Council Report

     Brothers, remember that the growth of the Knights of Columbus depends not only on recruiting new members, but also on retaining current ones. These retention efforts for new members begin once an individual joins the Order. In addition efforts must be made to retain long-standing members and to keep them enthusiastic about the Order. Retention efforts must start immediately after the First Degree has been conferred on a new member

     Encourage the new member to take the Second and Third Degrees as soon as possible. Establish a “welcoming committee” of several Council members to provide the member and his family with information on the Council, show them around the Council’s facilities and answer questions they may have.

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Paid Handyman Needed

Bob Mackey  (410) 798-4257

     We are looking for a Brother Knight willing to do paid handyman work at Boswell Hall.  The work could entail carpentry, painting and minor repairs. The hours would be about eight per week. The hours would be very flexible and could include evening hours. There would also be periodic larger jobs that could allow for more hours. If you have handyman skills and are interested contact Bob Mackey at 410-798-4257 or v606jm@verizon.net.

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Fourth Degree News                             St. John N. Neumann Assembly

Don Tallmadge, FN, PGK, PCP, FDD  (301) 218-4623  dtallmadge@verizon.net

     This year’s Patriotic Breakfast was again a great success.  Thanks to all who attended or helped out.  The winner of our $1,000 raffle was Nick Blank of Lothian.  This is the second year in a row that the raffle was won by one of Sacred Heart Council’s Bingo patrons.  Ed Walsh sold the winning ticket.

     Our raffle for the Wagon of Cheer is coming down to its final days.  We will draw the winning ticket at our next meeting on December 11^th.  If you haven’t sent your check and ticket stubs back yet, please don’t delay.  If you can’t find your tickets, see Luther Holley or Ed Walsh – I’m sure they will find some to sell to you.

     Our first trip since 2005 back to Philadelphia to visit the Shrine of our Patron, St. John N. Neumann, is scheduled for January 4^th.  See the Neumann News for details.

     Karen and I wish all Sir Knights and their families a very Blessed and Joyous Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year.

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McNamara Chapter News

     The McNamara Chapter of Grand Knights Christmas Party will be Sunday, December 7^th at St. Mary of the Assumption Council #9302 in Upper Marlboro, MD.  All Grand Knights, Past Grand Knights, and Council Officers are urged to attend.

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