St. Mark Council News

Official Publication Knights of Columbus Council 12654

St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, NC

July 2005

http:/www.kofcncstmark.org

Grand Knight’s Beacon Light
The new fraternal year commenced on July 1 and has started off very well. Despite the fact that many of our brothers were traveling on business or away on a well needed vacation, we had a very well-attended monthly meeting on July 11. Monsignor Richard addressed the assembly as our Chaplain and asked us to focus on his number one priority, the Foundation for the Future Campaign. It was hard not to want to dig down and do our best when hearing the emotion in Monsignor at the thought of a beautiful new church where he can gather his flock. His appeal to us was not only one of money, but one to us as St. Mark Knights. It is clear Monsignor views St. Mark Council as a respected and valued resource that he hopes to tap into as he rolls out the next steps of the campaign. He wants us to help him in whatever way we can. We had a beautiful induction ceremony on Saturday evening July 16 for the incoming officers of our council. District Deputy Bob Ladousier held his last official induction before moving up the ladder to a Regional District Deputy post. Thank you Bob, you have been a great asset to St. Mark as we have grown under your guidance. St. Mark Warden Kevin Csehoski prepared a delicious buffet for our family and fellow knights, and I know I speak for all when I say thank you to him. Hopefully we will have our budget available for review at our next meeting on August 1. With the short time between meetings, and key members still away, we will be hard pressed to get it done. You can be assured that the message has been heard loud and clear. We need a budget, and soon! We also received quite a few responses on which events we want to add to our schedule for the coming year. We should be able to narrow the choices down and get the consensus we need to move forward. If you have not sent your choices in yet, it is not too late. Barry McCaa’s address was included in the letter. More discussion to follow at the August 1 meeting on these issues. Also, the meeting time of 7:30 p.m. has been voted on and approved. Unless otherwise announced, all council meetings will begin at that time. Finally, the next First Degree ceremony has been scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Saturday August 6. We want a strong turnout to welcome the new members; please adjust your schedules accordingly. Make that effort to invite a friend to become a member. We specifically scheduled the meeting on a Saturday to enable those who usually travel to be in attendance. Ed Keller
Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events
August 1, 7:30 p.m.	St. Mark Council monthly business meeting
August 6, 9:15 a.m.	First Degree Ceremony to induct new Knights
August 27, time tbd	St. Mark Council Family Picnic @ Patterson Farms in Mooresville

July 11 Meeting Notes

Father Richard Addresses Council

Monsignor Bellow addressed St. Mark Council about priorities for the new Fraternal Year. He also gave the Council an update on the Foundation for the Future campaign. Monsignor said the Council’s priorities should be Foundation for the Future, Respect Life (i.e. Operation LAMB), and Vocations, especially to the Priesthood. He also desires that all St. Mark Church operating programs be budgeted so they are not coming to the Knights on a regular basis to ask for operating expenses. The Campaign update included these points:

• Foundation for the Future campaign is at a summer standstill relative to active fundraising.
• The Building Committee is going back and forth with the architect to get a Church that we want at a price that we can afford.
• In September, there will be a full-fledged kick-off of the Foundation for the Future campaign.
• Approximately half of the Parish has not pledged.
• We are in the process of redoing literature, signs, banners, etc. so everything will feature an image of the church to be built.
• Patty and George Fulford will be the new Foundation for the Future Campaign Co-chairs.

Grand Knight report: Grand Knight Ed Keller had a brief report. He asked that all Knights wear their badges at all times when they are at St. Mark Church. Also, he wants to encourage open and honest dialogue.

Treasurer’s Report: Chip Marshall reported that as of the end of June, St. Mark Council had $7,930 in the bank. Income for June was $1,036. Expenses were $3,645.

Saturday set for First Degree: Membership Director Mark Conter led a discussion about whether to have the next First Degree on a Saturday morning to help attract members who could not attend during the week because of business travel. By voice and hand vote, the Council decided to hold the next First Degree on Saturday. The date and time chosen were Saturday, August 6 at 9:15 a.m. Candidates need to be at St. Mark Church by 8:30 a.m., members by 8:45

Family Picnic Set: Family Director Andy Kopchinsky obtained the Council’s approval to move forward with planning a picnic for St. Mark Knights and their families at Patterson Farms in Mooresville on Saturday, August 27. The cost is relatively low, and a shelter is available in the event of rain. Food arrangements will be discussed further at the August 1 business meeting.

Youth activities: Youth Director Dick Christian reported that six St. Mark LifeTeen youth attended a Notre Dame Leadership Retreat. St. Mark Council voted last meeting to provide $500 towards transportation expenses. (Discussion about upcoming Steubenville Atlanta Retreat is noted later in the newsletter.)

Home Assist Project: Dick Mahoney reported that the Home Assist group is exploring building a wheelchair ramp for a 67-year-old female parishioner. Mahoney is consulting with charity groups that have experience building wheelchair ramps, and he will report back again at next month’s meeting. Grand Knight Ed Keller suggested that “low cost” is the way to proceed on these projects.

Activities and budgets: Grand Knight Ed Keller led a discussion about plans for the current 2005-2006 Fraternal Year.

• A proposed budget will be handed out and voted upon at the August 1 Council meeting.
• Treasurer Chip Marshall said the Council’s income is growing at 15-20 percent annually.
• One suggestion was that St. Mark Council explore “Late Night Catechism,” a play that could bring in between $3,000 and $6,000 profit.
• Action: Keller asked that all Knights be sure and vote on the fundraising activities they would most like to see take place this year. A listing of possible activities is available from Barry McCaa, or see the June newsletter.

Council votes money for Steubenville: St. Mark Council voted to provide $2,000 to St. Mark LifeTeen for transportation to the Steubenville Atlanta retreat July 22-24.

Council thanked: Jack Clement thanked the Council for their contributions to the Church in memory of Nan Clements.

Officer Installation set: St. Mark officer installation was set for Saturday, July 16, following 5:30 p.m. Mass.

The Power of Prayer

Mk 11: 24 - "I give you my word, if you are ready to believe that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you."

Please keep the following individuals and families in your prayers:

• Will Pekrul, Father-in-law of Brother Mike Mullen (chest aneurism)
• George Murphy (cancer)
• Nancy McGahey (gall bladder surgery)
• Helen Boyle, requested by Brother Carl Whitesel (old illness affect on pregnancy)
• All relatives of St. Mark Knights serving in the Armed Forces
• All U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines serving in Iraq

Council Contact Information
Grand Knight	Ed Keller	655-8190	edwardkeller@bellsouth.net
Past Grand Knight	Tom McGahey	947-9334	tommcgahey@bellsouth.net
Deputy Grand Knight	Dick Christian	875-1258	dchristian@insouthinsurance.com
Chaplain	Msgr R. Bellow		richard_bellow@yahoo.com
Chancellor	Jim Lotito	948-9015	jllotito@bellsouth.net
Recorder	Mike Mullen	948-7484	michaelamullen@bellsouth.net
Treasurer	Chip Marshall	875-8811	chip.marshall@adelphia.net
Financial Secretary	Jim Bossert	655-8852	sixsigmaguy@aol.com
Warden	Kevin Csehoski	947-2856	kcsehoski@bellsouth.net
Advocate	Marty Brennan	896-6441	Marty.brennan@mmbrennanlaw.com
Inside Guard	Bruce Milstead	892-4578
Outside Guard	James Carter	948-8506	jcarterjr@adelphia.net
First Year Trustee	Tom McGahey	947-9334	tommcgahey@bellsouth.net
Second Year Trustee	Barry McCaa	895-2424	bemccaa@yahoo.com
Third Year Trustee	Jack Clements	992-0789	jacknnan@adelphia.net
Membership Director	Mark Conter	947-8604	markAconter@aol.com
Community/Health Dir	Dr. Mark Vincent	655-9044	floatingremedy@bellsouth.net
Operation LAMB Dir	Richard Clancey	609-4400
Council Director	Barry McCaa	895-2424	bemccaa@yahoo.com
Family Director	Andy Kopchinsky	655-0949	76triumph@adelphia.net
Youth Director	Sean McSweeney	948-5543	sean.mcsweeney@fedex.com
Church Director	Sergio Miranda	395-9802	smiranda@carolina.rr.com
Pro-life Director	Tony Gagliardo	439-0533	ajgags@aol.com
Insurance Field Agent	Ken Hillberry	938-6795	keinsart@yahoo.com
Coord, Parish Rndtble	Bob Murphy	947-7870	ram316@bellsouth.net
KofC Building Director	Jim Lotito	948-9015	jllotito@bellsouth.net
Web Master	Oscar Bernardo	894-9290	ocbernardo@earthlink.net
Web Master	Chris O’Keefe	988-1655	sandcritta@adelphia.net
Newsletter Editor	Mike Mullen	948-7484	michaelamullen@bellsouth.net
Lecturer	Open
Public Relations Dir	Open