St. Mark Council News

Official Publication Knights of Columbus Council 12654

St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, NC

November 2005

http:/www.kofcncstmark.org

Grand Knight’s Beacon Light

We are getting to that point in the year where I start to ask myself where has the rest of the year gone.  Next week is Thanksgiving, and we truly have a lot to be thankful for.  Thank you Lord for creating us and our loved ones; thank you for giving us a faith that embraces us in good times and bad times; thank you for the extended family we have found in the Knights of Columbus and at St.Mark Church.  Thank you, thank you. 

In October we danced the night away at our Festa Italia dinner dance; we gathered in downtown Charlotte for Room at the Inn; we drove buses and trams at Lowe’s Motor Speedway; we had our fall golf outing at Highland Creek; and we had a membership blitz.  Just another busy month for our Council.  Whew!  Now I know where the year went.  Thank you to all Knights and their families for being involved and trying to make our Council the best that it can be.

Have you noticed those "ladies of the Knights" parading around with their badges?  Well, for those who are not aware, the wives under the guidance of Terri Bossert are trying to complement our efforts and make our charitable endeavors even more successful.  Thank you ladies from all of us.

GK Ed Keller

Welcome new members and transferees

The November 12 First Degree was dedicated to Monsignor Richard Bellow for his leadership of the Parish and his support of Council 12654 (Bellow is the Council Chaplain.) Seven new Knights joined the St. Mark Council: John Bakita, Mike Ducey, Baron Fink, Michael Fink, Mark Krisa, Fernando Marin, and Alex Mones.  Recent Transferees to Council 12654 include Robert Malton, Arthur Salmen, John O'Neill, Ed Kenney, Jason Peplinsky, Andy Mayernik, Charles Donahue, Raymond Fitzgerald and Ron Haley.

Cookies, cakes, pies, breads needed for Dec 3 Bake Sale

A Bake Sale to benefit the St. Mark Foundation for the Future campaign is being held during Christmas Tree pickup at St. Mark Catholic Church on Saturday, December 3. Anyone who can contribute baked goods for the sale needs to contact Kris DiDonato by Monday, November 21 at kdidonato@adelphia.net. All baked goods must be delivered to the church on Saturday, December 3 between 12 and 2 p.m. for pricing and sale during the Christmas Tree pickup. (Please put a note on the baked item if it contains any nuts or peanut products.) All proceeds go to the St. Mark Foundation for the Future campaign to build a new church.

Date	Event	Volunteer Opportunity	Contact
Nov 23-26	Operation LAMB	Brothers needed for Operation LAMB Tootsie Roll campaign at area stores. Many shifts of varying duration available.	Richard Clancey at rclancey@tiaa-cref.org
Dec 3	Second & Third Degrees (Greensboro)		Ed Keller at edward.keller@bellsouth.net
Dec 1-3	St. Mark Knights Christmas Tree delivery and distribution	Knights are needed to unload trees that will be delivered delivered at night on either Dec 1 or 2 (Thurs/Fri). Tree pickup is Saturday, Dec 3.	Dan Cedrone at dcedrone@bellsouth.net
Dec 3 12-2 pm	St. Mark Foundation for the Future Bake Sale – delivery of baked good to the church	Provide baked goods for the sale, which will take place during Christmas Tree distribution at St. Mark Church All bake sale proceeds benefit the Foundation for the Future Campaign.	Kris DiDonato at kdidonato@adelphia.net (If you can provide baked goods for the sale, respond to Kris by 11/21
Dec 14 4-6 pm	Feeding the Homeless at Uptown Men’s Shelter	Serving food (no clearnup required)	Jay Bunton at jbunton@carolina.rr.com
Dec 15-16	St. Mark Angel Tree	Deliver gifts in Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson	Sergio Miranda at smiranda@carolina.rr.com
Nov-Dec 2006	Christmas Tree Sale	St. Mark Knights need a new leader for the Christmas Tree sale for 2006. (Dan Cedrone is passing the baton.)

November 7 meeting notes (46 Knights attending)
Grand Knight Report: GK Keller emphasized the importance of volunteering for two upcoming events: The Christmas Tree Sale and Operation LAMB (Least Among My Brethren). He also reported that Festa Italia (Italian Night) generated $818 profit. Keller also read a note from the St. Mark Director of Religious Education, Donna Smith, who thanks Council 12654 for donating $300 to cover most out-of-pocket expenses for the October 28 Parish Festival. (The Festival produced $3,500 profit.) Room at the Inn: Program Director Ray Marr read a thank-you note from Room at the Inn, the Catholic-supported home in Belmont that provides an abortion alternative for young women. St. Mark Council donated $500 for the annual fundraising dinner October 13. The letter noted that this year‘s turnout exceeded 167 tables, the largest ever. The event also exceeded its $200,000 fundraising goal. St. Mark Church parishioners reportedly sponsored 32 tables at the event. Church Committee Report: Sergio Miranda reported that participation has been good at the Rosaries that are being said before each mass. (Rosary Leaders are still needed). Volunteer opportunity: Help is needed with delivery of Angel Tree gifts on December 15 and 16. Christmas Tree sale: Dan Cedrone said he is hoping for $5,000 profit for this year’s Christmas Tree sale. The same number of wreaths, garlands and larger trees have been ordered, but Cedrone increased the order of the most popular trees by 10%. Brochures were passed out to parishioners, and orders are being processed. Volunteer opportunity: For delivery on December 3, a handful of Brothers with pickup trucks are needed to deliver trees to some parishioners. \ Pledge may be increased: The Council considered a motion to increase its Foundation for the Future pledge from $7,000 per year for 3 years (first year already paid) to $10,000 per year for five years. This motion will be discussed further and voted upon at the December meeting. Youth Committee Report: Knights-sponsored Poster and Essay Contests are ongoing through November. The St. Mark Elementary School gymnasium has been reserved for the Knights of Columbus Free Thrown Championship on Martin Luther King Day, January 16, 2006. Lowe’s Motor Speedway Report: Co-Leader Bill Pugh (other co-leader was Lou Agosto) reported that two dozen Knights from Council 12654 logged approximately 280 hours driving shuttle buses and trams October 13-15. Profit from the hourly wages paid drivers was about $2,300, and tips totaled another $300. Pugh asked that Knights begin planning now to participate in the Spring 2006. Operation LAMB (Least Among my Brethren) Director Richard Clancey reported that shifts are being organized at area stores for the Tootsie Roll campaign from Wednesday, November 23 through Saturday, November 26. Clancey urged Brother Knights to get their families involved, not only as a worthwhile family activity, but also because children tend to be more successful at soliciting donations than adults. Other points to remember about Operation LAMB: St. Mark Knights will partner again this year with the Boy Scouts Arrangements are being made for St. Mark Knights to conduct the Tootsie Roll campaign for two weekends at St. Mark Church. Operation LAMB is a 501 3c tax-exempt organization and is eligible for matching donations. Contact Clancey at rclancey@tiaa-cref.org. Golf Tournament Report: Grand Knight Ed Keller said the turnout for the October 23 Charity Golf Tournament at Highlight Creek brought a profit of $2,643. There were 49 golfers participating, fewer than normal, but 14 hole sponsors helped make up the difference. Recognition Past Grand Knight Tom McGahey, for his leadership and achievements, including strong membership growth, during the 2004-2005 Fraternal Year. McGahey led Council 12654 to its second consecutive Star Council, the Knight’s highest recognition for a Council. Bill Pugh and Lou Agosto, October Knights of the Month, for hard work involved in making this year’s fall race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway a big success. Barry and Trish McCaa and Family, October Family of the Month. The McCaa Family, including Heather, Mary, Kristen and Kathleen, were recognized for their work in making St. Mark Festa Italia a success. Bob Beck, September Knight of the Month. He was recognized for his work with the St. Mark Music Ministry. Rich and Fran Hehn and Family, September Family of the Month. The Hehn Family, including Trevor, Jenna and Elise, were recognized for their significant contributions to St. Mark Parish. Treasurer’s Report: Chip Marshall reported that revenue during the month of October was $11,065, including $6,000 in revenue from the golf tournament and $5,000 from Italian Night. Expenses were $11,987. Money in the bank October 31 was $6,477.
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: Barbara Fusco, sister of Brother Ed Kenney, who is recovering from an accident, and the soul of Kenney’s brother-in-law, Anthony Fusco. Parishioner Nick Chirico, cancer surgery Ann O’Shea, who is ill (Request of Brother Sean McSweeney) Tom Cahill and wife, who lost their premature baby (Request of Brother Richard Clancey) Ryan Bamblick, nephew of Brother Kevin Csehoski, who is recovering from injuries sustained during a mortar attach in Iraq. Will Perkul, Father in Law of St. Mark Knight Mike Mullen, who is recovering from surgery. Soul of William Bernard Mullen, father of Mike Mullen St Mark Knight Trevor Hehn, who will deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army in January 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	Open
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