St. Mark Council News Official Publication Knights of Columbus Council 12654 St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, NC February 2006 http:/www.kofcncstmark.org

Grand Knight’s Beacon Light

We had a First Degree ceremony in the St. Mark School on Saturday February 11 and welcomed three new Knights into our council.  Join me in welcoming Jeff Newton, Dennis O'Rourke and Arthur Packard.  The first degree team wants to thank Mark Schmidt and Mark Hoidas for filling in as the Warden and Inside Guard.  We were also blessed with two more transfers into our council this month, let's welcome Noel Nadol and Fredrick Knack.

I know it is really hard to find the time to do everything on our schedules; I just ask that you leave a little time to attend our meetings and participate in the many important events we have coming up.  You have probably seen the council calendar for this last half of our fiscal year. Next up is our St. Patrick's Dance on March 11th.  Brother Ed Kenney heads up this important event, and we need to rally to the cause by purchasing tickets and being available to help set up after mass that night. That same weekend we will be selling See's candy bars after all masses for the benefit of Operation Lamb and Foundation for our Future.  Brother Kevin Csehoski procured the candy through a very generous donor and deserves a big thanks for this.  

The Knights Choir sang at mass on February 11 and earned praise from Father Reid, the congregants and Fran Hehn.  A big thanks to the Brothers who sang that evening and of course to Fran and Laura. GK Ed Keller

Calendar
Feb 27, 7:30 p.m.	Council Leadership Team Meeting
March 6, 7:30 p.m.	Monthly Council Business Meeting
March 1	Ash Wednesday
March 11, 8-11:30 p.m.	St. Patrick’s Day Dance at St. Mark
April 8	Second/Third Degree in Winston Salem
April 16	Easter Sunday
April 21, 5-8 p.m.	Council 12654 Fish Fry at St. Mark Church
April 22-23	St. Mark Knights Membership Blitz Weekend
April 24	Spring Charity Golf Tournament @ Verdict Ridge

February 6 Meeting Notes

Chaplain’s Report

Foundation for the Future: Council Chaplain Monsignor Richard Bellow thanked the Council for its commitment to Foundation for the Future and noted the recent announcement that the plans for the church have been reduced to a “more realistic” $10 million. Approximately $4.7 million has been pledged, and 30% more needs to be in the bank before building can commence.

Church needs help: St. Mark Church needs more Eucharistic ministers, Lecters and Ushers. Monsignor said all that is required to become qualified is to attend one training session.

Financial Report

Budget: Marty Brennan gave a positive report on the July through December budget. He said a year-end surplus should still be anticipated considering the fund-raising events scheduled before the end of the Fraternal Year in June. Three-quarters of this year’s Foundation for the Future pledge of $10,000 has been made.

Monthly: Treasurer Chip Marshall reported that income for January was $2,340; expenses were $412. Balance in the Council’s bank account as of January 31 was $7,757.

Committee Reports

Membership: Mark Conter reported that the next First Degree would be 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 11

Church: Sergio Miranda reported that a “care package” is being assembled for Brother Trevor Hehn, who has been deployed with the U.S. Army to Iraq. A hat was passed at the meeting for contributions to the care package. Sergio asked that contributors provide cash, rather than packaged goods. Sergio is putting the care package together and will mail it in March. Send cash contributions for Trevor’s care package to Sergio Miranda, 12206 Backwater Drive, Charlotte, 28212.

Seminarian Support: In a related comment, Grand Knight Ed Keller mentioned that the Council will continue its support of Seminarians by giving financial donations and by assembling care packages. Stay tuned for more details.

Youth: Sean McSweeney thanks all of the participants and volunteers for the January 16 Free Throw Championship. Participating were 25 middle school-age boys and girls. No other parish in our NC KofC District held a Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, so the St. Mark winners are already District Champions. The date of the Regional Championships will be reported in the next newsletter. Additionally, McSweeney reported that he has plaques for the winners of the Essay and Poster contests and is considering distributing them at a St. Mark Elementary School assembly.

State Raffle: Andy Kopchinsky will again be in charge of distributing tickets and collecting money for this year’s NC State KofC Raffle. He reported that all St. Mark Knights will receive an envelope with five tickets later in February. Kopchinsky emphasized that tickets need to be sold or returned because any discrepancies between the Council’s allocation of tickets and the proceeds will need to be explained. All proceeds or returned tickets must be turned in by May 8. The tickets are $5 each, and the Council receives a profit of $2.50 for every ticket sold. First prize winner gets an Alaskan cruise; second place is a vacation to Hawaii.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner-Dance: Ed Kenney reported on preparations for the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner-Dance on Saturday, March 11 from 8-11:30 p.m. at the Father Kerin Family Center. The price is $25 per person, which includes food catered by Waiter’s Choice, beer and wine, music (D.J. Audio to Go) and dancing. Tickets can be purchased at the Parish office or look for Knights selling tickets after Masses. Kenney asked that members scout around for restaurant owners they know who would be willing to offer dinner for two as a door prize in exchange for good publicity at the event. Volunteers will be needed, of course, for set up, clean-up and break down. For additional information, contact Ed Kenney at 704-992-2920.

Spring Golf Tournament: Members gave the green light for the Council to give a $500 deposit to Verdict Ridge for the Spring Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, April 24. Look for more details soon.

New/Unfinished Business

Banner approved: Members approved the purchase of a Council banner and stand for $515.00 plus shipping.

Money returned: Life Teen returned the $500 allocated by the Council last month to help teens attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C. on February 23. The money was designated for teens who otherwise would not be able to attend. There were no requests for financial assistance.

Wheelchair ramp donation approved: Members approved providing $200 to Operation Exodus, a Charlotte group that builds wheelchair ramps for the elderly.

Fish Fry set for April 21: The Council gave Ray Marr the go ahead to contract with members of Trinity United Methodist Church to provide cooking equipment and cooks for the St. Mark Fish Fry on Friday, April 21 (5-8 p.m.) Trinity holds many Fish Fry events at their own church, and the church owns a trailer with all the necessary cooking equipment installed. Trinity will come to St. Mark and cook the food for $6 a plate. Profit for St. Mark will be the difference between the $6 charged by Trinity and the retail price to the public (probably $8). Stay tuned for additional details.

Security for Retreat: Past Grand Knight Tom McGahey presented a request from the St. Mark Church Women’s Bible Study. The group is having a retreat on February 18 and asked for Knights to provide security for women who are walking to their cars from Eucharistic Adoration from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

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:

• Brother Jim Lotito (recovering from pneumonia
• Marty Brennan, Sr. (heart surgery)
• Family of Dave Crespi, St. Matthews Church
• Will and Muriel Pekrul, In-laws of Mike Mullen (recovery and rehabilitation)

• Trevor Hehn, who was deployed to Iraq in early January
• All relatives of St. Mark Knights serving in the Armed Forces
• All U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan

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	Rick Keyser
Coord, Parish Rndtble	Bob Murphy	947-7870	ram316@bellsouth.net
KofC Building Director	Jim Lotito	948-9015	jllotito@bellsouth.net