December & January 2010 Events 

 12/17 Council Business Meeting at Monocacy Manor

           FIRST DEGREE at 7:00

          Special Olympics Christmas Party follows thereafter  

1 /7 Officers/Directors Meeting7:00PM at Monocacy Manor

1/9 Free Throw Basketball Contest at St. Anne’s Gym

      Registration-1:30, start- 2:00PM

1/16  Ecumenical Soup Kitchen

1/21 Council  Business Meeting 7:30 PM at Monocacy Manor

MARK YOUR CALENDAR- 6/4/10-IRON PIGS game - 

300  Tickets have been secured.

GRAND KNIGHT’S MESSAGE

Your council had another busy month.  We set up the manger scene at St. Anne’s, and illuminated it with prayer and song on “Light-up for Christ Night”.  Drive by some night and have a look.  Then go straight down Washington, right on Stefko, past Pembroke, and check out our “Keep Christ in Christmas” billboard.  At our November meeting guest speaker Robert Novotnack, Bethlehem Deputy Fire Commissioner gave a fascinating talk and video presentation on fire safety.  I wonder how many in attendance still bought a real Christmas tree this year?  The Sisters of St Francis were our honored guests at our adult Christmas party, and all were put in the holiday spirit by our entertainment, singer Laura Murphy from OLPH.  Fr. Mongiello, with a huge assist from Deacons Rich Gergar and Joe Buragino celebrated mass in the chapel before dinner.  A few days later Santa himself welcomed our little ones to our children’s Christmas party at Notre Dame.  Thanks to Bro. Ed Ortelli and all his helpers who collected  for the Special Olympics.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

DEACONS

Congratulations and best wishes to our own Brother Richard Sewald PGK on his acceptance into the diaconate program as he begins his five-year journey to become a permanent deacon in the church.

A Christmas Story       

by Anonymous

Like all of you Brother Knights, over the years I’ve participated in Council activities as best as I could, but never until last month did my family schedule allow me to stand at the stores for the Special Olympics collection.  What an experience!  I did the 7-9 PM shift at Walmart on Black Friday.  My collection “partner” was Mike, Special Olympian and power lifter, proudly wearing his gold medal over his Eagles jacket.  As best as I could understand, he said he was 39.  Often he said “Oh yeah!” and “Okay” for no particular reason.  Occasionally he said “Go Phillies” and “Go Eagles”.  Mostly he smiled enthusiastically, his eyes radiating joy and happiness.  The only time that changed was once when in response to a “Go Phillies” I jokingly said “Go Yankees” His face darkened, so I quickly changed to “Go Phillies”.  His normal expression returned.  I stayed a Phillies/Eagles fan after that.  Once he asked where his Dad was.  Another time I think he said he loved me.  The shoppers couldn’t resist him.

                Late in the day it was cold with gusty winds and an occasional snow shower.  The Walmart customers did not look like a scene from some happy 1940’s Christmas movie.  In fact some of the shoppers looked kind of rough.  But not after they saw Mike.  Even guys who looked like gang wannabes reached into

their pockets and smiled.  One bunch of scruffy teenagers walked into the store, and the biggest one said over his shoulder he’d stop on the way out.  But 15 minutes later when they left, the big guy paused for a moment while his buddies kept going, walked over to Mike and looked him in the eye with a guilty expression on his face.  “I’m sorry” he said, “I bought with my credit card and have no change to give you.  But God bless you, man.”  Just about the time I wiped the tear from my eye (must’ve been the wind chill) a beat-up van pulled up, and the big rough kid climbed over his buddies and out of the back, his face beaming.  He marched proudly but silently over to Mike, dropped a handful of change into his canister, climbed back in the van and drove away.  Mike of course just went right on smiling.

                We raised over $3,000 for the Special Olympics.  I made out better than they did.  I got to spend an hour with Mike.

December 17^th meeting 

We will have a first degree beginning at 7:00PM at Monocacy Manor, 395 Bridle Path Rd, Bethlehem.  Candidates must arrive by 6:30.  Call Financial Secretary Al Fiore with any questions.  We will then have a very abbreviated regular meeting, and then be joined by the Special Olympians for our annual Christmas Party for them. 

FOOTBALL EXTRAVAGANZA

The Football Extravaganza was a great success. We sold 1,226 tickets.  I want to thank all those Knights who sold and/or bought tickets.  Our top seller this year was Lenny Verrastro (260 tickets!)  The winner of the mail in your ticket incentive was drawn at the November  meeting, Eric Burghoffer.   Eric will receive a check for $50.          

- Chairman, Bro. Kevin Collins

MESSAGE FROM NAIROBI

I do send you warm greetings from Nairobi. Hope you are doing fine.  

Secondly, through you I wish to register to James H. Hogg,III and to the entire council of 313 my most sincere thanks and gratitude for the contribution to enable me to buy a car. I am so grateful and all I can say is that I pray that the Good Lord may reward you all for your generosity and concern. I will write a formal letter later, but as soon as I got notification from Marge the Secretary at the Our Lady of Mercy parish I decided to communicate to you by email.

 May you be blessed in every way.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Jim Kanakuyla

Ecumenical Soup Kitchen The next stint for the Knights to serve will be Saturday, January 16th.  Volunteers are always needed.

Attendance Award The name of Bro. Mike Ippoliti was drawn but Bro. Mike was not present. The award advances to $65 next month. The 50/50 was won by Bro Al Fiore.

 Fraternal: keep in your prayers – Bro. Charles Hrichak, Bro. Tom Yencho’s father, and our departed Bro. Bob LaFrankie