Grand Knight’s Blog – September, 2022
Grand Knight’s Blog
June, 2022
Next Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . doors open at 7:00
Place: St. Matthias Parish Hall
Activities and News Since Last Meeting
· State Officers Sworn In
Mike Gibson was officially sworn in on Sunday, September 11th at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Springfield. Here are your 2023 State Officers
(L-R) Immediate Past State Deputy Mike Lesperance; State Treasurer Nick Melanchook, State Secretary Bob Schwartz, Pastor Rev. John Sheaffer, State Chaplain Rev. Matt Westcott, Deputy Supreme Knight Paul O’Sullivan, State Deputy Tom Butler, State Advocate Eric Oulette, State Warden Mike Gibson
· Labor Day Parade
Seven Knights braved the weather and slogged the 1.7 mile parade route in the rain on Labor Day.
Thanks to Mike Bleecker, Dale Dolesh, Rich Kearns, Mike Wells. Also, not shown because they were warm and dry in a car: Mike Gibson and John Dedecko and thus only get partial credit. As of last night, my sneakers are dry again.
Thanks to Mike Gibson for organizing and registering us and getting all the paperwork submitted.
· Deacon Elcio
Deacon Elcio got T-boned on Sep. 1st, and despite a fairly serious accident, suffered only a mild concussion. Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to pry open his door and get him out and he got an ambulance ride to the hospital, but has reported in that he’s okay. Keep Deacon Elcio in your prayers that nothing serious develops.
What some people won’t do to get out of marching in the parade.
· Deacon Rich?
Rich Kearns starts his Deaconate Formation this week with his first class in Braintree at the Chancery. Keep Rich in your prayers. It’s a long and arduous road.
· Ultrasound Machine
Megan Paradis reports that the Ultrasound Machine has been delivered and installed at First Concern Pregnancy Resource Center in Marlboro. Their staff is presently undergoing training and certification. Renovations and site licensing should be accomplished within the month. We are looking forward to a blessing and dedication ceremony with our Pastors soon.
Programs and Upcoming Events
· Tootsie Roll Drive
It’s that time of year again. We’ve ordered three cases of Tootsie Rolls for Columbus Day Weekend. Stay tuned for a sign-up sheet on our website for volunteers to stand outside our three churches after Masses and hand out Tootsie Rolls. Remember the important purpose of this program which raises funds for Intellectually Disabled People. All funds are distributed by the State Council to approximately 25 agencies throughout the state who provide services to Intellectually Disabled individuals and families, including Marlboro’s own Special Olympics. When these young people age out of special education, the public resources available to them and their families dry up. These agencies provide day care, transportation, and respite care to these families who struggle every day to provide care for their loved ones and are shining examples of what it means to be Pro-Life. We are proud to get out there and peddle some Tootsie Rolls for such a cause.
· 2022 State Charity Ball
This is the “finish line” for the Tootsie Roll Campaign. Each year our Grand Knight delivers a check to the State Officers at the State Charity Ball. This year, it’s on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the DoubleTree in Milford. This year, good friends Mike Kerrigan and his wife Debbie from Holliston are chairing the organizing committee, and your worthy Grand Knight and Mrs. Grand Knight (Kathy) have been conscripted as day-laborers to help set up and run it. It’s a wonderful event, and I’d like to fill a table of Council #81 members. Let me know if you are interested. Good food, drink, dancing, camaraderie. Meet the State Officers. I know a couple of you who owe the wife a night out.
· Coats for Kids
Coats for Kids orders are due Oct. 1st. Last year we handed out five cases of coats in Marlboro and Hudson. I think we can easily match this again this year. With the incredible buying power of our Supreme international organization, we get these top quality new winter coats for $16-$20 each in sizes for small children and youths. Mike Wells is heading this program up. If any of you know of families in need, please let Mike know so we can place these coats specifically where they are most needed. In addition to Mike, we could use a coordinator at St. Matthias and Immaculate Conception. Let me know if you can help out.
· Culture of Life Mass
Culture of Life Masses are taking place in several locations this fall:
Springfield, September 24, Cathedral of St. Michael, 10:00 a.m.
Worcester, October 2, St. pal Cathedral, 10:00 am.
Fall River, October 23, Sathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 10:30 a.m.
Boston, December 11, Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 11:30 a.m.
See the state website http://masskofc.org/ for more information.
· One-Day Men’s Retreat
Our DD Rich Pulice is organizing a one-day men’s retreat for our District on Saturday, November 5, 2022. GK John Ciesla of Valencia Council in Milford is helping out with the logistics. We have a tentative location of Sacred Heart Parish in Milford. The time is from 8:30 – 3:30 with Mass at 4pm. There will be a nominal charge for morning coffee and donuts and lunch. The retreat leader will be Fr. Chris DeGiovinne, retired from the Albany, NY diocese, and a retreat leader at the Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, MA. Please let me know asap if you can join us so we can get your place reserved.
· St. Michael Parish Picnic
October 16th at the Hudson Elks Outdoor Pavilion. Outdoor Mass at 10:30 a.m. followed by a cookout. This is a wonderful event shared by our St. Michael Parishioners every year. Council #81 staffs a table with KofC information. Last year the Grand Knight’s wife Kathy won the Pie Contest with a marvelous Pecan Pie and your humble Grand Knight was honored to be the taste-tester for all the prototype pies in the week leading up to the event. The bar is high for her to repeat this year. Look for a sign-up sheet on the website to staff the table with us. Comes with a free hamburger.
· Mike and Robin Gibson’s 25th Anniversary
Tuesday, Sept.13th is Mike and Robin Gibson’s 25th Anniversary. Deacon Elcio has procured a spectacular framed Papal Blessing for the occasion which we will present at a short reception with refreshments before our regular meeting, starting at 7:00 p.m. All the wives have been invited and are encouraged to share this moment with us, and since we no longer meet in secrecy behind locked doors, they are welcome to stick around for the business meeting. It will reassure them that there are no cards, poker chips or cigars at our meetings.
Other Meeting Agenda Items
· Upcoming 2023 Programs
The principal agenda item of our next meeting will be our Program planning for 2023. Last year we accomplished a lot. In fact, coming out of the Covid-19 quarantine, what we accomplished was magnificent. This past year we helped out or successfully ran the following programs:
- Free Throw Championship
- Keeping Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
- Young Catholic Citizens’ Essay Contest
- Coats for Kids
- Labor Day Parade
- Tootsie Roll Drive
- Ultrasound Fund Raiser
- Michael Parish Outdoor Memorial Day Mass
- Michael Parish Picnic
- Superbowl Pool
- Ukraine Solidarity Fundraiser
- Vocation Support (supporting our adopted Seminarian)
- Miscellaneous Odd Jobs (hauling junk for Fr. Steven, serving coffee, setting up tables and chairs for our Pastors, etc.)
We are looking for some guys to take the lead on organizing one of these events again this year. Please let me the Grand Knight know if you can help out.
In addition, we are always looking for new programs which fulfill our mission. If you have any ideas, please let the Grand Knight know. Here are a few ideas that have been suggested:
- New Member “Meet and Greet”
- Bring a Friend to Meeting Night
- Deceased Knights Mass and Dinner
- Social Night – dinner at a restaurant or such
· Prayers / Intentions:
Mike Gibson’s Dad is hanging on in hospice in California.
Please keep Craig Fallon, Mike Fallon’s son, in your prayers.
Andy Tivnan made it out to Mike Wells’ pool party last month, and to Mass at St. Matthias with his new heart.
· 12 months of free membership
Tell any of your friends or neighbors interested in joining, use the QR code below to join online and use the promo code “BlessedMcGivney” for 12 months of free membership.
· Other business?
If you have an item to add to the next meeting agenda, please let me know.
· News?
If you have any news to report, email GrandKnight@kofcmarlboro.org.
See you all Tuesday night.
Vivat Jesus.
Mike Tremblay
Grand Knight