St. Mark Council News Official Publication Knights of Columbus Council 12654 St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, NC July 2007 http:/www.kofcncstmark.org

Brother Knights:

My sincere thanks to Ed Keller, Past Grand Knight for two consecutive terms! Ed’s service to the Council was outstanding. I know you will join me in applauding his exemplary leadership in the Council and the Parish.

I recently attended the NC KofC annual convention. I learned a great deal about our organization and resources that are available to assist us.

As always, membership growth and retention were priority topics. Membership growth has not been a challenge for St. Mark Council. We are currently carrying more than 200 Knights on our rosters. Our annual retention is excellent. Our challenge as a Council is to increase the participation of our existing members. On average, we have a core group of 35-40 Knights who attend meetings and functions. Ask yourself: Why did I become a Knight? I hope that the answer will lead to members increasing, or maybe even re-igniting their call to service and fraternity. It may involve as little as attending a meeting every six months. Or, it may involve more, perhaps leadership of a Committee. Either way, we will know you are still with us and always welcome your participation.

I have heard concerns from Brother Knights that we need more fellowship among the Knights and their families. Over the next few months, we will be discussing the possibility of scaling back some service events and increasing fellowship and family events. As always, we will judge our success by the number of Knights who attend the events.

I can speak for the leaders of our Council when I say that your comments, ideas and actions are always welcome. We have a tremendous spirit in our Council, and let us strive to continue to be a pillar of our faith community.

Vivat Jesus.

Bill Pugh, Grand Knight.

Next Council Meeting – Monday, August 6, 7:30 p.m.

July 9, 2007 Council Meeting Notes

Grand Knight Report: In his report, Grand Knight Bill Pugh mentioned letters of appreciation and reports of volunteer initiatives:

• Habitat sent a plaque for participating on the Interfaith Build in February 2007
• Monsignor Joseph Kerin sent a thank-you letter for the $1,000 annual stipend.
• Brother Dick Mahoney said thanks to several Knights for their assistance with helping a Parish family move. Volunteers Knights were Willie Kraus (and friend Brian Giarratno), Ray Fitzgerald, and Tom Vaccaro. Dick also returned and performed needed repairs on the home on the next day. (Mahoney also mentioned that Todd Willamson is the new St. Mark Habitat Coordinator)
• Jay Bunton reported on the Uptown Homeless Shelter feeding on June 14. Volunteering Knights were Mark Conter, Kevin Urban and Dick Christian

Other GK topics

• August 6 gathering of seminarians for a dinner at Bishop Jugis’ residence. St. Mark Knights have handed the cooking chores for the past few years. Past GK Ed Keller said volunteers are already lined up, but there will still be a need to bring a gas grill.
• NC Knights State Golf Tournament is September 15-16 in Jacksonville, NC. Pugh has additional details about the tournament if anyone is interested.
• Area Knights are being asked to volunteer in the Patriot’s Festival in Mooresville on November 10, 2007. The festival will honor the military and will benefit Coalition to Salute American Heroes and Special Olympics. Fourth Degree Knights in Regalia are also needed. Organizers say the event is expected to attract 15-20,000 people. St. Mark Council is going to ask someone involved in planning the festival to come and discuss the event in more detail at the August 6 Council meeting.
• Pugh is going to sit down with Monsignor Bellow soon to get his perspective on how St. Mark Council should focus its volunteer capabilities, i.e. are we diluting our effectiveness by trying to do too many things?
• He has heard from Brother Knights that the St. Mark Council needs to plan more social activities, including participation of Knights’ spouses and families. Send Pugh an email with any suggestions you have (Contact information is at the end of the newsletter.)

Treasurer’s Report: Expenses for the month of June were $1,217, and income was $748. The Council had a $12,850 cash balance in the bank at the end of the month.

Leadership Needs: GK Pugh said the Council is seeking a Membership Director and a Program Director. The Program Director would assist in filling the remaining committee leadership positions, which are Community, Family and Council. Pugh said he wants to work with membership director to plan a concerted effort to contact all Knights on the membership rolls to encourage them to participate in volunteer activities periodically.

Membership News

• Knights Art Packard and Tom Rider have been elected to the Parish Council.
• Jim Bossert is the newly named Faithful Navigator for the Michael J. Sabello memorial Fourth Degree Assembly.

New business

• Mike Ducey is asking the Council to consider organizing a father/daughter dance. The event could be sponsored by the Council or the Parish. Barry McCaa suggested opening it up to the entire Parish. His experience in previous Councils has been that father/daughter dances are very successful. Dan Cedrone volunteered to help Ducey. A more formal proposal will be introduced at an upcoming St. Mark Council meeting.
• Past GK Ed Keller will be “casting a net” for prospective Fourth Degree Knights to attend the exemplification October 20 in Concord. Without the need to stay overnight, the cost for a prospective Fourth Degree Knight and spouse will be approximately $100, including meals.

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 pray for all those who are sick and in distress, or in danger, especially
Jackie Keller, wife of GK Ed Keller, who had a bad fall at home. She is recovering. Bruce Milstead is doing very well after his prostate cancer surgery and wants to thank everyone for the prayers. Jimmy Carter, who has a son, Josh, serving in the U.S. Army is Iraq, also wants to thank everyone for the prayers. Father Mike Garro, who has inoperable cancer. Kitty Zollo has hepatitis. She is the of past Fourth Degree Assembly Faithful Navigator Bobby Zollo. Brother Craig Lewis’ wife Kathleen, who had an emergency C-Section delivery, but who is now doing fine along with her baby. Father Christopher Roux contracted Dengue fever while on a recent mission. He is recovering. (Dengue fever an infectious tropical disease carried by mosquitos. It is also called breakbone fever because of the severe joint and muscle pain associated with it.) 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	Bill Pugh	896-8250	bpugh@gerdauameristeel.com
Past Grand Knight	Ed Keller	655-8190	edwardkeller@bellsouth.net
Deputy Grand Knight	Sergio Miranda	395-9802	smiranda@carolina.rr.com
Chaplain	Msgr R. Bellow	948-0321	Richard.bellow@yahoo.com
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	Carl Rizzo	896-9799	crizzo0503@aol.com
Inside Guard	Bruce Milstead	892-4578	No email
Outside Guard	Rick Knack	947-2443	Rick.knack@earthlink.com
First Year Trustee	Ed Keller	655-8190	edwardkeller@bellsouth.net
Second Year Trustee	Tom McGahey	947-9334	tommcgahey@bellsouth.net
Third Year Trustee	Ray Fitzgerald	992-1702	rfitzg@aol.com
Membership Director	Chris O’Keefe	875-2524	sandcritta@adelphia.net
Operation LAMB Dir	Joe Scallan	947-8175	jfscallan@adelphia.net
Council Director	Barry McCaa	895-2424	bemccaa@yahoo.com
Family Director	Andy Kopchinsky	655-0949	76triumph@adelphia.net
Youth Director	Mike Ducey	947-6615	mike_ducey@irco.com
Church Director	Jimmy Carter	236-2266	jhcarterjr@hotmail.com
Pro-life Director	Tony Gagliardo	439-0533	ajgags@aol.com
Insurance Field Agent	Richard Keyser	740-0713	Richard.keyser@kofc.org
Chancellor	Deason Robert Murphy	947-7870	ram316@bellsouth.net
Habitat Coordinator	Todd Williamson	875-9370	todd.williamson@medcath.com
KofC Building Director	Jim Lotito	948-9015	jllotito@bellsouth.net
Web Master	Oscar Bernardo	894-9290	ocbernardo@earthlink.net
Web Master	Chris O’Keefe	875-2524	sandcritta@adelphia.net
Newsletter Editor	Mike Mullen	948-7484	michaelamullen@bellsouth.net