September 2007

ST. MARK COUNCIL NEWS

Official Publication, Knights of Columbus Council 12654, St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, NC

Bill Pugh, Grand Knight

September 2007

On the Web: http:/www.kofcncstmark.org

Grand Knights Message

Brother Knights,

I had the good fortune of listening to a presentation by a gentleman named Nando Parrado this week. Nando was one of 16 survivors of a rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes in 1972. Most of you are probably familiar with the story. In that crash not only did he lose many close friends, but his mother and sister as well. The survivors spent 72 days in unspeakable terror and pain before their rescue. I mention this because his message was not one of how he survived, but how the event shaped his life afterward. He encouraged us all to make the most of every day and to do our best to love those around us with great passion and care.

I mention this because it can apply to us as Knights as well. Every action we take has a consequence, whether with our family, our church, our workplace or our community. Take the time to make the most of each day and affect those around you in a positive way. Involving yourself with the Knights - whether in a big or small way means helping those around you. Drive a shuttle bus for a few hours at Lowes Motor Speedway, and you have raised money that the Knights distribute each and every month to worthy causes. You can take great pride in this contribution. This money goes to into our annual pledge to help construct a church building at St. Mark; it goes to support local seminarians, or Life Teen, or Habitat for Humanity, or many other charitable needs. Every dollar you raise by handing out Tootsie Rolls for Operation LAMB goes to help Special Olympics, or Special Education programs at local schools.

We had a great turnout at the last meeting. It was nice to see so many Knights. We have many important events in October. Please consider getting involved.

GK Bill Pugh

Calendar of Events

Date

Event

Contacts (info in newsletter)

Oct. 1, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Monthly Council business meeting

Bill Pugh

Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Father-Daughter Dance

Barry McCaa, Mike Ducey

Oct. 8-13

Lowes Races Shuttle drivers

(see detailed schedule below)

Tom Sawicki

Oct. 13, 8 a.m.

St. Mark 5K Race for the Faith

Bernardo Vasquez

Oct. 13-14

KofC Membership Blitz at St. Mark

Ray Fitzgerald

Oct. 20

Fourth Degree (Concord)

Jim Bossert

Oct. 29, 1 p.m.

Charity Golf Tournament

Art Packard

Nov 3, 8 a.m. 3 p.m.

St. Mark Christmas Bazaar

Mike Mullen

Nov 5, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Monthly Council business meeting

Bill Pugh



September 10 Council Meeting Notes

Grand Knight Report

St. Mark Knights have paid $23,000 toward the five-year, $50,000 pledge to Foundation for the Future.

Anna Zaros wrote a thank you note for the financial assistance from the Council to support a mission to Belize.

Treasurers Report (August): Income for the month was $554; expenses were $1,146. Bank balance as of August 31 was $13,731

Open positions: Deputy Grand Knight Sergio Miranda asked for Knights to fill two open leadership positions, Council Director and Community Director. See Miranda for more detail about the positions.

Membership: Membership Director Ray Fitzgerald said that volunteers will be needed at all Masses October 13-14 to assist with the Knights of Columbus Membership Blitz.

Father-Daughter Dance: Barry McCaa reported that planning is underway for the October 5 Father Daughter Dance. McCaa said many volunteers are needed. Admission will be free, but participants will be asked to bring food or refreshments. Fathers and mothers are invited. Daughters should be no older than grade school.

Golf Tournament: The Fall Charity KofC Golf Tournament will be Monday, Oct 29 at Birkdale, starting at 1 p.m. Cost is $90 per player, which includes a box lunch before the tournament and a post-tournament dinner. Sponsors ($100 a hole) and door prizes are needed.

5k Race for the Faith: Runners are needed! This event benefits Foundation for the Future. Contact Bernardo Vasquez at 704-780-1524 or racestmark@hotmail.com.

Patriots Festival cancelled: The November 10 Patriots Festival in Mooresville has been cancelled. No explanation was provided.

Operation LAMB (Least Among My Brethren): Joe Scallan reported that Harris Teeter is not allowing any fundraising in front of its stores in October, November or December, except for Salvation Army. Scallan is working with the Boy Scouts and Harris Teeter to arrange a weekend of fundraising at the end of September. He may come back to the Council and ask for assistance if arrangements do not work out with the Boy Scouts. In a related move, the Council voted to authorize funds for purchasing pumpkins for a pumpkin sale, but it was decided after the meeting to not go forward with a pumpkin sale in 2007.



St. Mark Christmas Bazaar: The St. Mark Christmas Bazaar is Saturday, November 3 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Assistance is needed in three areas:

Someone with a pickup truck is needed to pick up a hand cart at Lowes Home Improvement on the Friday afternoon before the Bazaar and deliver it to St. Mark Church, and then return the cart to Lowes on Saturday afternoon.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 2, at noon, help is needed setting up the Family Center.

At 3 p.m. Saturday, a large number of volunteers are needed to tear down the Bazaar and get the Family Center ready for 5:30 p.m. Mass.

Habitat support: The Council voted to give $500 for the North Mecklenburg Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build. Habitat Coordinator Todd Williamson said about 20 area churches will participate when construction begins on the Interfaith house later in September.

Officer Installation: St. Mark officers was scheduled for Saturday, September 15 following 5:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Denver.

Lowes Motor Speedway

Tom Sawicki volunteered to lead the upcoming effort to organize shuttle bus drivers for the races at Lowes Motor Speedway October 8-13. Below is a September 22 communication from Sawicki that includes a detailed driving schedule.

Brother St. Mark Knights:

Remember you do not have to volunteer for an entire shift . It has been past practice to volunteer for whatever hours you can make and every little bit helps!

Sign-up for driving as soon as possible. Please forward your information to me and I will send it on. Indicate if this is your first time driving. The coordinator would like to have a firm count by October 1 to give the Speedway. In the past the Knights have provided all the labor, and Lowes has really enjoyed working with us. If there arent enough volunteers signed up, the Speedway may have to look elsewhere to complete the staffing.

Tom Sawicki

Dates and driver needs

Times

Oct 8-13 (shower buses)

8 a.m. 12 p.m.

Oct 10 Dirt Track

7 drivers 5 p.m. 1 a.m.,

Oct 11 Pole Night

6 drivers 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

20 drivers 5 p.m.-1 a.m.

Oct 12 Dollar General 300

12 drivers 1 p.m.-8 p.m.

24 drivers 5 p.m.2 a.m.

Oct 13

4 drivers 8 a.m.-10 a.m.

25 drivers 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

25 drivers 4 p.m.-2 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 pray for all those who are sick and in distress, or in danger, especially

Jackie Keller, wife of GK Ed Keller, who has continuing medical complications.

Howard Anthony Conter, Mark Conters father, who is having surgery

Mary Davis, neighbor of Joe Scallan

Paul Beninati, Andy Kopchinskis father-in-law.

St. Mark parishioner Cynthia Panza

Tom Fox, Jr., son of St. Mark Knight Tom Fox, who was leaving for service in Iraq with the U.S. Air Force

Josh Carter, who is serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq. He is the son of St. Mark Knight Jimmy Carter.

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

mike.mullen@bankofamerica.com

Treasurer

Chip Marshall

875-8811

chip.marshall@roadrunner.com

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

Ray Fitzgerald

992-1702

rfitzg@aol.com

Operation LAMB Dir

Joe Scallan

947-8175

jfscallan@adelphia.net

Community Director

Open

Council Director

Open

Family Director

Mark Yelanich

875-3469

myelanich@adelphia.net

Youth Director

Mike Ducey

947-6615

mike_ducey@irco.com

Church Director

Jimmy Carter

236-2266

jhcarterjr@hotmail.com

Pro-life Director

Open

Insurance Field Agent

Ed Kane

799-0957

Edward.kane@kofc.lorg

Chancellor

Deacon Robert Murphy

947-7870

ram316@bellsouth.net

Lowes Shuttle Bus

Tom Sawicki

948-0426

tesawicki@aol.com

Golf Tournaments

Art Packard

895-3812

arthurp@us.ibm.com

Habitat Coordinator

Todd Williamson

875-9370

todd.williamson@medcath.com

Misc

Barry McCaa

948-7686

bemccaa@yahoo.com

Web Master

Oscar Bernardo

894-9290

ocbernardo@earthlink.net

Web Master

Chris OKeefe

875-2524

sandcritta@adelphia.net

Newsletter Editor

Mike Mullen

948-7484

michaelamullen@bellsouth.net

Calendar of Events
Date	Event	Contacts (info in newsletter)
Oct. 1, 7:30-8:30 p.m.	Monthly Council business meeting	Bill Pugh
Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.	Father-Daughter Dance	Barry McCaa, Mike Ducey
Oct. 8-13	Lowes Races Shuttle drivers (see detailed schedule below)	Tom Sawicki
Oct. 13, 8 a.m.	St. Mark 5K Race for the Faith	Bernardo Vasquez
Oct. 13-14	KofC Membership Blitz at St. Mark	Ray Fitzgerald
Oct. 20	Fourth Degree (Concord)	Jim Bossert
Oct. 29, 1 p.m.	Charity Golf Tournament	Art Packard
Nov 3, 8 a.m. 3 p.m.	St. Mark Christmas Bazaar	Mike Mullen
Nov 5, 7:30-8:30 p.m.	Monthly Council business meeting	Bill Pugh

September 10 Council Meeting Notes

Grand Knight Report St. Mark Knights have paid $23,000 toward the five-year, $50,000 pledge to Foundation for the Future. Anna Zaros wrote a thank you note for the financial assistance from the Council to support a mission to Belize. Treasurers Report (August): Income for the month was $554; expenses were $1,146. Bank balance as of August 31 was $13,731 Open positions: Deputy Grand Knight Sergio Miranda asked for Knights to fill two open leadership positions, Council Director and Community Director. See Miranda for more detail about the positions. Membership: Membership Director Ray Fitzgerald said that volunteers will be needed at all Masses October 13-14 to assist with the Knights of Columbus Membership Blitz. Father-Daughter Dance: Barry McCaa reported that planning is underway for the October 5 Father Daughter Dance. McCaa said many volunteers are needed. Admission will be free, but participants will be asked to bring food or refreshments. Fathers and mothers are invited. Daughters should be no older than grade school. Golf Tournament: The Fall Charity KofC Golf Tournament will be Monday, Oct 29 at Birkdale, starting at 1 p.m. Cost is $90 per player, which includes a box lunch before the tournament and a post-tournament dinner. Sponsors ($100 a hole) and door prizes are needed. 5k Race for the Faith: Runners are needed! This event benefits Foundation for the Future. Contact Bernardo Vasquez at 704-780-1524 or racestmark@hotmail.com. Patriots Festival cancelled: The November 10 Patriots Festival in Mooresville has been cancelled. No explanation was provided. Operation LAMB (Least Among My Brethren): Joe Scallan reported that Harris Teeter is not allowing any fundraising in front of its stores in October, November or December, except for Salvation Army. Scallan is working with the Boy Scouts and Harris Teeter to arrange a weekend of fundraising at the end of September. He may come back to the Council and ask for assistance if arrangements do not work out with the Boy Scouts. In a related move, the Council voted to authorize funds for purchasing pumpkins for a pumpkin sale, but it was decided after the meeting to not go forward with a pumpkin sale in 2007. St. Mark Christmas Bazaar: The St. Mark Christmas Bazaar is Saturday, November 3 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Assistance is needed in three areas: Someone with a pickup truck is needed to pick up a hand cart at Lowes Home Improvement on the Friday afternoon before the Bazaar and deliver it to St. Mark Church, and then return the cart to Lowes on Saturday afternoon. Beginning Friday, Nov. 2, at noon, help is needed setting up the Family Center. At 3 p.m. Saturday, a large number of volunteers are needed to tear down the Bazaar and get the Family Center ready for 5:30 p.m. Mass. Habitat support: The Council voted to give $500 for the North Mecklenburg Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build. Habitat Coordinator Todd Williamson said about 20 area churches will participate when construction begins on the Interfaith house later in September. Officer Installation: St. Mark officers was scheduled for Saturday, September 15 following 5:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Denver.
Lowes Motor Speedway

Tom Sawicki volunteered to lead the upcoming effort to organize shuttle bus drivers for the races at Lowes Motor Speedway October 8-13. Below is a September 22 communication from Sawicki that includes a detailed driving schedule. Brother St. Mark Knights: Remember you do not have to volunteer for an *entire* shift . It has been past practice to volunteer for whatever hours you can make and every little bit helps! Sign-up for driving as soon as possible. Please forward your information to me and I will send it on. Indicate if this is your first time driving. The coordinator would like to have a firm count by October 1 to give the Speedway. In the past the Knights have provided all the labor, and Lowes has really enjoyed working with us. If there arent enough volunteers signed up, the Speedway may have to look elsewhere to complete the staffing. Tom Sawicki
Dates and driver needs	Times
Oct 8-13 (shower buses)	8 a.m. 12 p.m.
Oct 10 Dirt Track	7 drivers 5 p.m. 1 a.m.,
Oct 11 Pole Night	6 drivers 3 p.m.-7 p.m. 20 drivers 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
Oct 12 Dollar General 300	12 drivers 1 p.m.-8 p.m. 24 drivers 5 p.m.2 a.m.
Oct 13	4 drivers 8 a.m.-10 a.m. 25 drivers 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 25 drivers 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

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	mike.mullen@bankofamerica.com
Treasurer	Chip Marshall	875-8811	chip.marshall@roadrunner.com
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	Ray Fitzgerald	992-1702	rfitzg@aol.com
Operation LAMB Dir	Joe Scallan	947-8175	jfscallan@adelphia.net
Community Director	Open
Council Director	Open
Family Director	Mark Yelanich	875-3469	myelanich@adelphia.net
Youth Director	Mike Ducey	947-6615	mike_ducey@irco.com
Church Director	Jimmy Carter	236-2266	jhcarterjr@hotmail.com
Pro-life Director	Open
Insurance Field Agent	Ed Kane	799-0957	Edward.kane@kofc.lorg
Chancellor	Deacon Robert Murphy	947-7870	ram316@bellsouth.net
Lowes Shuttle Bus	Tom Sawicki	948-0426	tesawicki@aol.com
Golf Tournaments	Art Packard	895-3812	arthurp@us.ibm.com
Habitat Coordinator	Todd Williamson	875-9370	todd.williamson@medcath.com
Misc	Barry McCaa	948-7686	bemccaa@yahoo.com
Web Master	Oscar Bernardo	894-9290	ocbernardo@earthlink.net
Web Master	Chris OKeefe	875-2524	sandcritta@adelphia.net
Newsletter Editor	Mike Mullen	948-7484	michaelamullen@bellsouth.net