St. Mark Council News Official Publication Knights of Columbus Council 12654 St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, NC December 2005 http:/www.kofcncstmark.org

Grand Knight’s Beacon Light

The air has chilled dramatically and the night is upon us before we get home from work. The leaves are pretty much all down now and winter is soon to arrive. But, you know what? There is excitement in the air. Christmas is almost here! The houses are lit up with decorative lights, fragrant Christmas trees and wreaths are glowing brightly; and coming home to them is always a thrill to me. Jackie worries that I am going to fall on my head some day doing the decorations, but other than the usual grumbling about the light sets that won't work properly, the results are always worth the effort. 

There is something else about this season that makes all of us better people. To me, Christmas has always been about giving. Seeing my loved ones happy was all I ever needed. That brings to minds my mind to my extended family, the Knights of Columbus. Giving is what we are all about. I cannot tell you how gratifying it is to see all the good we bring to our community and our Church. Thanks to you all for making us who we are.

As we celebrate the birthday of our Lord, who gave everything so that we could share in His supper, let us rejoice in being practicing Catholics. The season has so much more meaning to it when your faith shows in all you do. God bless all of us and may each of you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas.

GK Ed Keller

January Meeting Dates
Thursday, January 5: 7:30 p.m.	St. Mark Council Leadership Meeting (Officers and Committee Directors)
Monday, January 9, 7:30 p.m.	St. Mark Council Monthly Business Meeting

December 5 meeting notes (36 Knights attending)

Grand Knight’s Report:

• The Lady Knights Bake Sale made $738 for the Foundation for the Future Campaign. Everyone should make sure they say ‘thank you’ for this terrific effort. A special thanks goes to Kris DiDonato, wife of Brother Ray DiDonato, for her leadership of the Bake Sale.
• Next year’s Knights of Columbus Christmas Tree Sale needs a new leader. Much of the legwork is already done: A complete sales database has been compiled of all who purchased a tree in the last two years.
• Several brothers have suggested that St. Mark implement a mentor program to help new Knights hit the ground running. This should help increase participation in volunteer efforts. Be on the lookout soon for a proposal for a mentoring program.

Membership: Director Mark Conter thanked all who participated in the November 12 First Degree, which brought seven new Knights into the Council. Conter also congratulated Mark Hoidas and Larry Seese, who became Second Degree Knights on November 19.

November Treasurer’s Report: As of November 30, St. Mark Council had $13,029 in the bank. Expenses for November were $120. Total income in November was $6,757.

Programs: Director Ray Marr encouraged all Knights to report volunteer hours, even if the activity is not explicitly sponsored by the Council. Examples are youth activities such as coaching, and church activities such as being Eucharistic Ministers, or visiting the sick or disabled. Document your hours and email them to raymarr@bellsouth.net

Church: Director Sergio Miranda thanked all Knights who helped deliver Christmas Trees purchased from the Council, and reminded the Council that volunteers were still needed to make Angel Tree present deliveries on December 15 and 16. Everyone please note the “Keep Christ in Christmas” posters at St. Mark Church.

Youth: Director Sean McSweeney said there were approximately 15 submissions in the Poster and Essay Contests. McSweeney also noted that the 2006 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship will be on Monday, January 16, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The location is the St. Mark Elementary School gymnasium. Volunteers will be needed.

Christmas Tree Sale: Leader Dan Cedrone said thanks to everyone who helped with the Knights of Columbus Christmas Tree Sale this year, which involved unloading trees on Friday, December 2, and running the sale on Saturday, December 3 (including helping with tree deliveries). This year, the Council sold approximately 150 trees and 100 wreaths. Sales were about $12,000, and the Council will clear just under $5,000 in profit. Cedrone noted that the profit is up 15% over the 2004 Christmas Tree Sale.

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Brother Bob Murphy reported on the upcoming December 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He noted that a full house is expected, and volunteers were needed to help set up beforehand and break tables down afterward. Anyone who volunteers should stay for an elaborate home-cooked Mexican meal. Also, Fourth Degree Knights will be performing in Full Regalia for the Mass.

Feeding the Homeless: The Council’s next assigned night to serve food at the Men’s Uptown Homeless Shelter in Charlotte was scheduled for December 14. St. Mark Council is assigned one shift every three months. Anyone who is interested in helping should contact Jay Bunton at jbunton@carolina.rr.com.

Recognition: November Knight of the Month is Ed Kenney, shown below with Grand Knight Ed Keller. Kenney was recognized for his continual involvement in the Council’s volunteer activities. November Family of the Month was Craig and Kathleen Lewis and children. The Lewis Family is highly visible at St. Mark through involvement in numerous programs.

Building pledge increased: Brother Knights present voted unanimously to increase Council 12654’s pledge to the St. Mark Foundation for the Future building campaign. Previously, the Council made a three-year, $20,000 pledge. The vote was to increase the pledge to $50,000 over five years. In effect, the Council is increasing the pledge from $7,000 a year to $10,000 a year, and adding two years to the duration.

Operation LAMB report: Operation LAMB (Least Among My Brethren) director Richard Clancey reported on an upcoming opportunity on Saturday, December 10, to collect for Operation LAMB at three Food Lion grocery stores in North Mecklenburg. Knights were also to be collecting after the December 10-11 Masses at St. Mark. Knights attending the December Council meeting donated $138 to Operation LAMB. Clancey also reminded Brothers that they can make matching donations with their employers through December 31.

Operation LAMB motion passed: The Council passed a motion to donate $500 to Operation LAMB. Operation LAMB helps mentally handicapped children through charities such as NC Special Olympics.

Blood Drive: The American Red Cross received approximately 45 pints of blood at the November 18 Knights of Columbus blood drive.

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:

• Jim Lotito’s family, for the loss of Jim’s Father James Lotito.
• Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother Margaret Chambers, who is battling cancer in the hospital.
• Tom McGahey’s brother Tim, who is at risk of losing a foot.
• Family of Ed Keller
• Father of Robert and Teresa Vranik
• Ryan Bamblick, nephew of Brother Kevin Csehoski, who is recovering from injuries sustained during a mortar attach in Iraq. (Csehoski reported that recovery is going well.)
• 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	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