Grand Knight’s Blog – October, 2022
Next Meeting
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . doors open at 7:00
Place: St. Matthias Parish Hall
Activities and News Since Last Meeting
· Tootsie Roll Drive
The Tootsie Roll Drive was a huge success, raising $2,480 from our three churches as follows:
St. Matthias: $370
St. Michael $883
I.C. $1,227
Special thanks to all those who helped out:
St. Matthias: Dale Dolesh, Mike Fallon, John Goetz, Paul Tynan.
St. Mike’s: Mike Wells, Brendan Butler, Devlin Madden, Chris Lundberg,
John Hammond, Frank Ramsbottom, Tim Gruttner
I.C.: Scott Snyder, John Dedecko, Tom Hirsh (with spouse Kathleen and son Zef), Deacon Elcio Dos Santos, Mike and Robin Gibson, Mike Bleecker, Neil Cronin, Rafael Johnson, Armando Balthazar.
Thanks also to our three pastors for their help and strong support, and the parish staff for getting us some good ink in the bulletins, which helped a great deal.
Do not forget the critical importance of the money we raised: families with developmentally disabled children and adults will have counselling, recreation, athletic, day care, respite care and other support and services from 25 agencies throughout the state thanks to our support, and your hard work. This is the “other side” of promoting a culture of life.
· Ultrasound Machine
The renovations are complete and the Ultrasound Machine has been delivered and installed at First Concern Pregnancy Resource Center in Marlboro. Here’s some pictures of the staff getting hands-on training. They should be performing Ultrasound studies within a few days, and will have a dedication celebration in early November.
· Letter from Fr. Riley, St. Luke’s in Westboro
Fr. Riley wrote a great article in his parish bulletin at St. Luke the Evangelist in Westboro on the occasion of Columbus Day (who brought Christianity to North America), the work of the Knights, and Blessed Fr. McGivney, which is reprinted below.
Programs and Upcoming Events
· 2022 State Charity Ball
This is the “finish line” for the Tootsie Roll Campaign. This year our Grand Knight will deliver a check to the State Officers for $2,480.27, which could put us close to the top 10 councils.
The Charity Ball is 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 Mike and Robin Gibson were on the organizing committee and your worthy Grand Knight and Mrs. Grand Knight (Kathy) conscripted as day-laborers to help set up and run it. We already have one full table of Council #81 members attending. So far, DD Rich Pulice and DGK Brendan Butler and their wives will be there with the Gibsons and Tremblays. We can fill another table with you! The sign-up brochure is reprinted below. This is a wonderful event: good food, drink, dancing, silent auction, fun and games, camaraderie. Meet the State Officers. Meet the Knights from neighboring Cities and Towns. See how this organization operates at it higher levels. I know a couple of you who owe the wife a night out. P.S. there’s a reduced rate to book a hotel room, too. Then you can party like a Mason and not worry about driving home.
· Coats for Kids
Five cases of Coats for Kids have been ordered. FS Mike Wells is leading the effort. He has done a fabulous job of finding local people and groups with intel on needy families, so we are strategically placing these coats locally and in the proper places where they are truly needed. Dale Dolesh and the SVdP are helping out at St. Matthias, but Mike could use a coordinator at Immaculate Conception to help out with the distribution which will be in about four weeks. Let me know if you can help out.
· One-Day Men’s Retreat
We are getting good sign-ups for the One Day Men’s Retreat already, nine attendees from Council #81 already. Our DD Rich Pulice is organizing this event for our District on Saturday, November 5, 2022. GK John Ciesla of Valencia Council in Milford is helping out with the logistics and venue: 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. In answer to a question already posed: you don’t need to be a member, and you can bring a friend or neighbor. Just sign them up so we have an accurate head count.
More information here: https://kofcmarlboro.org/one-day-mens-retreat/
Sign up here: https://kofcmarlboro.org/events-calendar/sign-up-here/
· St. Michael Parish Picnic
Next Sunday October 16th at the Hudson Elks Outdoor Pavilion. Outdoor Mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by a cookout. This is a wonderful event shared by our St. Michael Parishioners every year.
This year, Fr. Ren is promoting a new format. In the past, the hamburger grilling started around the beginning of the Mass, and people were distracted by the aroma, and then a hoard of people stormed the food tables at once. This year, we will be moving the Mass. to an outdoor venue in the field, then starting the cooking after Mass. In the interim, some activities are planned to keep the people occupied: food judging contests, Saints trivia quizzes, socializing, etc. The Knights have been asked to help with parking, ushering people in the riht direction, escorting people up to the food tables in an orderly fashion, etc. We may be doing a bit of learning as we go along, but in general this seems like a more comfortable manner of running things.
Here’s what we need:
Advance, set up crew (set up chairs for Mass, help set up tables, etc.) Report at 8:30 a.m.
Ushers and Traffic Cops: When people start arriving, we will have a couple guys in the parking lot to get people parked to use the space efficiently; then after they register, we will direct them to their seats for Mass. After Mass, we will guide them to their tables under the Pavilion and escort them by tables when it’s their turn for the food line. Report at 9:30 a.m.
Table Staffers: We will have a table set up in the Ministry Exhibition area with membership literature. Just stand around, answer questions about the K of C, and make friends. This has been a very effective method of finding new members. Report at 10:00 a.m.
If you like to cook and have a prize-winning Salsa or Cupcake recipe, you can enter it in the contest.
We have six members signed up so far, but we could use at least two more to help out.
Sign up here: https://kofcmarlboro.org/events-calendar/sign-up-here/
· Trivia Night at I.C.
Saturday November 5, 2022 at 6:30 at Meehan Hall. We already have one full table signed up, and are working on the second. This is a fun night out. Bring your wives and kids. Especially the smart ones.
Sign up here: https://kofcmarlboro.org/events-calendar/sign-up-here/
· Stuff-a-truck
St. Michael’s St. Vincent DePaul Society will have a big truck in their lower parking lot for two days, Saturday October 22 and Sunday October 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bring all your used clothing, shoes, coats and linens and know it’s going to a good cause.
Other Meeting Agenda Items
· Upcoming 2023 Programs
So far this year, we have successfully completed the following programs:
- Labor Day Parade
- Ultrasound Fund Raiser
- Tootsie Roll Drive
- Michael’s Outdoor Memorial Day Mass
- 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 forward to completing the following programs this fraternal year:
- Coats for Kids
- Free Throw Championship
- Keeping Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
- Young Catholic Citizens’ Essay Contest
- Michael Parish Picnic
- Superbowl Pool
- Social Night – dinner at a restaurant or such
We are looking for some guys to volunteer 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. As soon as one lead guy steps up, several others will jump on board to help.
· 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 is doing well with his new heart. Technically its’ used, but it’s new to him.
· 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.
· News?
Vivat Jesus.
Mike Tremblay
Grand Knight
From the Pastor:
On this Columbus Day weekend, or better yet, Columbus Day on Monday, October 11, I dedicated this short column to an organization that represents the best of our Catholic faith, the Knights of Columbus. They are a Catholic fraternal group of men founded by Fr. Michael McGivney, now Blessed Michael McGivney. The title “Blessed” is used in our faith when referring to those who have been beatified, one step away in the process of being canonized into the Communion of Saints.
Fr. McGivney, an Irish American parish priest from the latter 19th century ministering in New Haven, Connecticut, where the Knights of Columbus headquarters and museum stand today, founded this religious organization as an Associate Pastor of St. Mary’s Church with a small number of his parishioners, dying at the young age of 38 (1852-1890). The original ministering intent of the Knights was to address the financial needs of immigrants and their families as they came to America. The Knights of Columbus has grown into the world’s largest fraternal organization with charitable giving each year that reaches into the many millions of dollars, assisting in the worst natural and unnatural disasters in our nation and throughout the world. And it all began with an idea, a hope, a vision that was small, yet has grown to heights likely unforeseen by Blessed Fr. McGivney himself.
When the good-hearted priest from New Haven set out with his few parishioners to address the local needs of immigrants before them, it’s hard to imagine they could have known the widespread loving effects their organization would go on to have here in America and throughout the world. They are an organization whose goodness in the name of Christ cannot be measured because of its depth and consistency. They never take a day off from their mission. When disasters occur, they respond. This Christian organization fully understands the meaning of Jesus’ words, “You will have the poor with you always.” They understand these words of our Lord in such ways that never cause them to turn their backs on the poor, the immigrant, the struggling and the despairing, but rather toward them. They are a group of Catholic men who walk forward, toward the difficult times and disasters in our midst, caring for all of humanity, from the unborn child to those affected by Mother Nature’s harshest events. When Mother Nature gets angry, the Knights of Columbus become even more compassionate and loving. They are Christ in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty. It is impossible, again, to measure the amount of good this Catholic group of dedicated men has accomplished in the name of Jesus, symbolically and, walking alongside Fr. Michael McGivney and the thousands of other priests and laypersons in their mission.
I believe Fr. McGivney is probably shaking his head in heaven, looking down at the widespread love and goodness that continues to flow from his idea of financial assistance to immigrants, saying, “I never thought it would grow into something this great and good, from our little spot in New Haven. But, as we all know up here, God will take a small idea of love that He sends to us through his grace and turn it into a worldwide cause.” And this is the present-day Knights of Columbus. They are a force of goodness ready to step in first when trouble is at hand. They do not shy away and say, “That situation is too difficult for us to approach or handle. We best stay in the background.” Rather, they are up front and center when natural and unnatural events call for them to take charge and do God’s work under difficult circumstances. These group of Catholic men are much more than a pancake breakfast with sausage and bacon. Although I do like that part myself. They are in persona Christi, they are in the Person of Christ throughout the world, not asking for Catholic identification from those they serve, but rather, they serve anyone without hesitation where help is needed.
Here in our Parish of St. Luke, the Knights of Columbus a couple weeks back held their annual Tootsie Roll Drive to collect finances for children with physical handicaps and others with intellectual disabilities. What began as an organization established for the basic financial needs for immigrants has taken root and, again, expanded into many different ministries both in the Church and in our wider community. Just this example alone of how the Knights of Columbus have spread their wings to bring their compassionate touch to various ministries that help the needy, it makes the heart of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney burst with joy in the Upper Chamber. Could Fr. McGivney have imagined that one day his organization would be making life a bit easier for these children and others who suffer from their physical and intellectual incapacities? Probably not. But this is what happens when a house is built on rock. The house of the Knights of Columbus is built on the rock of Christ, which is why it will always stand and flourish until the Christ himself returns. Their faith works cannot be stopped. Which is why the Knights of Columbus is such a potent, loving force in the world. One of my better teachers in seminary at St. Mary’s in Baltimore was Fr. Bob Leavitt, who was President-Rector of the seminary during my years there. He became, after his ordination in Hartford, Ct. a priest of the Order of St. Sulpice. As president-Rector, Fr. Leavitt found time to teach a couple classes, for which I am grateful. Learning from incredibly gifted scholars like Fr. Leavitt was an intellectual and spiritual treasure. I mention him here because one of the thoughts he gave our class of seminarians was that of implementing, and allowing to grow, one good idea. Once established, allow the Spirit of God to lead and work through many others over the months and years with that one specific possibility. A holy example of this would be Mother Teresa, St. Teresa of Calcutta, implementing the idea of working alongside the poorest of the poor in the streets of Calcutta. Over the years, whereas Calcutta remained home base, many other cities throughout the world where the poor were present in droves, including Baltimore where her good Sisters ministered to men with AIDS, these cities became extensions of Calcutta and the work of the Missionaries of Charity. All from one idea and one little Nun less than 5-feet tall. They produce each day a measure of love that only God can measure with accuracy.
This is also the idea of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney and the immigrants he saw firsthand in need of basic services through financial assistance. Fr. McGivney was not looking to make anyone rich in his ministry of service. What he saw in front of him was the face of Christ in need. If any immigrants were to become monetarily rich one day, it would result through their own hard work and ingenuity. Fr. McGivney sought to ease the common burden of everyday immigrants who flooded this country in search for a better life, possibly placing them on the road to the world’s riches, hopefully never forgetting where they came from and who helped them in their early stages of adjustment. His one idea, like that of Mother Teresa, was built, not on just any rock, but on that of the rock of Christ. This explains the Knights of Columbus’ worldwide arm of charity. Yes, charity begins at home. But when charity begins at home and desires to help those outside the house, then what you have are religious groups like the Missionaries of Charity and the Knights of Columbus. Women and men committed to Christ Jesus and the demands and commands he places on us when he says in Matthew 25, “What you did for the least of my people, you did for me.” May God continue to bless the Knights of Columbus, their efforts and energy here in our Parish and throughout the world, as we note their work, their talents, and their Christ-centered hearts going out to the needs of all. No Catholic identification required for any of God’s people in need. And may the Lord bring Fr. Michael McGivney to his place in the Communion of Saints where another St. Michael will be added to the ranks of the heavenly inhabitants.
Fr. Riley