November  & December Events 

 11/19 Council Business Meeting 7:30 PM at Monocacy Manor  

11/21 Ecumenical Soup Kitchen

11/20, 11/21, 11/22, 11/27, 11/28, 11/29, 12/5, 12/6         

Special Olympics Funds Drive

12/3 Officer’s/Directors’ Meeting7:00PM at Monocacy Manor

12/4 Christmas Party at Monocacy Manor- 5PM

12/6  CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY-NOTRE DAME             CHURCH HALL    2-4 PM

12/17 Council Business Meeting 7:30 PM at Monocacy Manor

Party for Special Olympians; First Degree

Grand Knight’s Message:

                Our council can be very proud that one of our own, Bro. Len Verrastro, was honored by receiving the prestigious Knights of Columbus Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fourth Degree exemplification in October at Mount Laurel.  There is no one who deserves it more, and that is obvious to all of us who have witnessed first-hand the energy, effort, and hours he has devoted to our organization and its mission, but it is nice to know through this award that his work has been recognized at the state, regional, and national levels as well.  Leonard’s wife, Betty, richly deserves a piece of the award for sharing Len with us for all these years.  Congratulations!!!

                Our Year of Priests/Columbus Day Dinner on October 9^th at Monocacy Manor co-sponsored with the Serra Club was a huge success.  Msgr Gobitas celebrated mass in the beautiful Retreat House Chapel, and following a delicious dinner, Fr. Cliff Bishop presented thoughtful and entertaining remarks about his own journey to the priesthood.  A total of 15 priests attended and it was a pleasure to mingle with them in an informal setting while letting them know how much we honor them and all their work for us.  Let’s hope this will become an annual event.

                Our Christmas Party will be held December 4^th at Monocacy Manor starting with Mass at 5 PM (Chicken Marengo with shrimp / Prime rib). Dinner will follow.  Call Mark Sewell for details and registration. (Cell) 610-442-8593

                Finally, and sadly, we shared with our immediate past Grand Knight Phil Comito the sorrow of the untimely passing of his son, Jeffrey.  We pray for the happy repose of his soul, and that Phil, Kathleen and their family may be comforted in their loss.

FOOTBALL EXTRAVANZA

                Our biggest fundraiser to support our charitable efforts has once again been a success as we sold over 1200 tickets, virtually equaling last year’s record total.  Many thanks to first-year chairman, Kevin Collins, and to all who sold and/or purchased tickets.  There are many ways to help our Council and our Order in its charitable mission, and this is an important one of them.  Without your support for the extravaganza we would be restricted in the work we can do.  It is a wonderful opportunity for many of those whose schedules or circumstances do not permit them to attend our meetings or events to actively participate in the Council, and your Council thanks you for your help and support.

RECRUITMENT

                We have a first degree every other month, with the next one scheduled for December 17th.  We welcomed new members into our Council in August and again in October.  We all know friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, etc., who are Catholic gentlemen that would be a perfect fit in our Order.  They just do not know enough about us, or who we are, or what we do, or maybe they do know, but have never been asked.  If you reflect a moment you can think of a handful of such men.  Take the time to invite them to join us. 

FIVE DEACONS

                The Allentown Diocese recently welcomed a new class of men into the five-year journey to become permanent deacons in the church.  No less than five of those accepted into the diaconate program are brothers in our Council.  Congratulations to Brothers Steve Gorbos, Rick Scrak, John Tobin, Mike Toolan, and Jim Transue.  They are already hard at work in their studies, and our prayers are with them as they travel the road towards ordination as permanent deacons.

FR. JIM KAHAKULYA

                Fr. Jim is a member of our Council from Africa who comes to our area every summer to help out in parishes in the Lehigh Valley.  Given the shortage of seminarians and priests in our country today, it is indeed ironic that we now look to African priests to help us here.  Fr. Jim joined his fellow brother Knights at one of our recent council meetings.  He told us of his work teaching at a seminary in Africa and how his seminary is one of many in that region of the world that are thriving and filled with seminarians.  Fr. Jim drives hundreds of miles per week over bad roads to keep up with his duties and is in need of a used vehicle to replace his current worn-out one.  He asked us for help to see if we can raise some money to help him with his purchase.  If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please contact Bro. James Hogg, 1604 Jill St.  Bethlehem, PA .18017 (610-866-7244).

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

                Our annual collection for the Special Olympics will be held the last two weekends in November at Schantz Greenhouse and Walmart and the first weekend in December at our parishes.  As always we will collect at the stores accompanied by the Special Olympians.  And also as always, they will join us for our party for them at our December 17^th meeting.  Anyone wishing to spare an hour or two and help collect, please call Bro. Ed Ortelli at 610-317-6349.

HOME ASSOCIATION

                Association president Jim Hogg reports that association files have become scattered and stored at various locations over the years, and he requests that any member in possession of any files call him at 610-866-7244 so he can gather the files at a central location again.    

Ecumenical Soup Kitchen The next stint for the Knights to serve will be Saturday, November 21st.  Volunteers are always needed.

Attendance Award  The name of Bro. Steve Gorbos (Sept.)   and Raymond Murphy, Jr (Oct) were drawn but.Bros. Steve and Ray were not present. The award advances to $60 next month. The 50/50 was won by Robert Robine (Sept.), and Bro. Jim Hogg (Oct.)

Fraternal: keep in your prayers – Bro. Len Verrastro, Bro. 

Leo Derany,  Mrs.Thomas Michaels, Bro. Phil and Kathleen Comito in their grief and the blessed repose of their son, Jeffery. Bro. Tom Michaels, Bro.Tom’sYencho’s father-in-law and uncle and his wife’s aunt.