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

Grand Knight’s Beacon Light

We are well into Lent now and Spring will officially arrive in just a few days. Soon, we will be rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord. We heard a homily from Father Reid at Vespers following Stations of the Cross that again made me very proud to be a Knight. The homily stressed the Lord's message that those that "do for the least of my brothers" shall join Him in Heaven. This makes the Knight’s charitable work much more meaningful (think about Operation LAMB – Least Among My Brethren -- helping retarded children.) We had a fun St. Patrick's Dance and I know everyone agrees with me that Brother Ed Kenney did a terrific job. I thought the DJ was excellent. The same weekend we made more than $1,300 for Foundation for our Future and Operation LAMB by selling donated candy bars. There are still 200 more candy bars to sell! Thank you Kevin Csehoski for finding the wonderful donor. Thank you to all who attended the March Council meeting. Little did we suspect that State Deputy Bob Grabasky and State Treasurer Dave Jones would be there to present us with the Star Council and Membership Awards for the 2004-2005 Fraternal Year. The smile on Past Grand Knight Tom McGahey's face lit up the place. Congratulations Tom for your outstanding leadership of Council 12654.

GK Ed Keller.

Calendar
March 27, 7:30 p.m.	Council Leadership Team Meeting
April 3, 7:30 p.m.	Monthly Council Business Meeting
April 8	Second/Third Degree at Holy Family Catholic Church 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

March 6 Business Meeting

STAR Council Awarded: State Deputy Bob Grabasky and State Treasurer Dave Jones announced that Council 12654 was awarded the coveted designation of STAR Council for the 2004-2005 Fraternal Year. Past Grand Knight Tom McGahey accepted the award. Grabasky also announced that the St. Mark Council won the State Membership Growth award for a net gain of 28 Knights for 2004-2005 Fraternal Year. Last year’s membership director, Grand Knight Ed Keller, accepted the membership award. Past Grand Knight Tom McGahey thanked many Brother Knights for their leadership.

Officer Nomination Period Begins: At the suggestion of Financial Secretary Jim Bossert, the Council Trustees will be collecting nominations for the elected officer positions that will begin at the start of the 2006-2007 Fraternal Year on July 1. Trustees are Tom McGahey, Barry McCaa and Jack Clements. The following positions are elected: Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Treasurer, Recorder, Chancellor, Warden and Advocate.

Grand Knight Report: Ed Keller’s only item for the GK report was to tell the Council about exploring different options for enhancing the social/family aspects of KofC membership. Ed Kenney, a member of the American Legion, reported that a local Legion meeting hall is available to be rented. The facility has a bar and pool table. The suggestion is that Council 12654 can schedule one social event per quarter to allow members and their spouses to socialize with one another. Ed Keller asked that members provide feedback on this idea directly to him.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Chip Marshall reported $10,897 in the Council’s bank accounts as of February 28. Total income for the month was $3,891, including $1,290 from dues and $2,494 from Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Total expenses for the month were $751.

Letters and Communications: GK Ed Keller reported that the Council received three thank-you letters during the month, from:

• “Women of Joy,” the Women’s Bible Study group who asked that Knights patrol the parking lot during a recent retreat and overnight Eucharistic Adoration
• Pastoral Council, who thanked the Council for contributions to the Church and Foundation for the Future
• Patty Stoy and Maureen Cadmus, sisters of the late Brother Dave Clark, who thanked the Council for the outpouring of love upon the death of their brother, and the Fourth Degree Honor Guard at Dave’s memorial service.

Financial Secretary’s Report: Jim Bossert reported that 75% of the membership has paid their 2005-2006 dues. Bossert plans on personally contact the remaining 25%. (Incidentally, State Deputy Bob Grabasky complemented Bossert on this personalized approach.)

Note on Seminarian Support: Chancellor Jim Lotito will report back at a future meeting about Seminarian support.

Recognized

• Sean McSweeney is Knight of the Month for his work organizing the Free Throw Championships and the Poster and Essay contests.
• Ed Kenney and family are Family of the Month for leadership of many Council and Church activities, especially the St. Patrick’s Day dinner-dance.

Membership: Three Knights joined the Council as First Degrees on February 11: Jeffrey Newton, Dennis O’Rourke and Arthur Packard. There will be a Membership Blitz in late April. Stay tuned for details.

Church: Sergio Miranda reported that the approximately $300 collected from Knights at St. Mark Council paid for a “care package” for Brother Trevor Hehn in Iraq. Many of the items were specifically requested by Hehn, such as a chess set, a dart board and various DVDs.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner-Dance: Ed Kenny updated on the council on ticket sales and reported on volunteers needed for the event.

Fish Fry: Program Director Ray Marr reported that the Fish Fry is a “go” for Friday, April 21, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church. Information will be sent to the homes of St. Mark Elementary School students on April 6. Marr said he needed volunteers to copy the flyer and distribute it in local neighborhoods. Trinity United Methodist will provide all the cooking and serving equipment, and charge St. Mark Council $6 per plate. The plates will be sold for $9, and will include iced tea provided by the Knights. Kid’s meals will also be available. Ticket sale cut-off will be around April 14.

Good of the Order: Brother Dick Mahoney reported on a recent North Mecklenburg Habitat for Humanity trip to build homes in Guatemala.

Miscellaneous

• Andy Kopchinski sent three NC KofC Vacation Raffle Tickets to each member of the St. Mark Council. Deadline for sales is May 8.
• St. Mark Council has one team registered for the NC KofC Bowling Tournament on March 18 near Winston-Salem.
• Candy bar sale will be after all masses the weekend of March 11-12. Kevin Csehoski arranged the donation of the candy bars to the Council in return for a tax deduction for the donater. All proceeds are to benefit Foundation for the Future.
• Spring Charity Golf Tournament is at Verdict Ridge on Monday, April 24.
• The Parish Council, Religious Education and St. Mark Knights will collaborate on a Church Bazaar at St. Mark on Saturday June 10. Contact is Dick Christian.
• The Special Olympics Chairman for the N.C. Knights has announced “Recycle for Special Olympics.” Anyone with an old, unused cell phone, please give it to Ed Keller. Proceeds will benefit NC Special Olympics.
• NC Special Olympics had requested a donation. The Council approved a donation of $200.
• GK Ed Keller and DGK Dick Christian will be delegates for the May 19-21 NC KofC Convention. Ray Marr and Jim Lotito are alternates.

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 Larry Seese’s mother, who passed away recently
• Joan McDavid, wife of Jim McDavid, mother of Patrick McDavid, both former St. Mark Knights. Joan has been preliminarily diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Ken Nazametz, recovery from an auto accident
• Terri Bossert, diagnosed with diabetes
• Brother Scott Shapiro
• Jackie Keller, wife of GK Ed Keller, recuperating from a recent illness.
• Margaret Chambers (Jimmy Carter’s mother)
• Mrs. Butler, St. Mark Elementary School principal, for breast cancer.
• Amy Pace, relative of Brother Bill Pugh, for Lymes disease
• Father in Law of Thomas Fiumara
• Brother John O’Neill’s cousin
• 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