GRAND KNIGHT'S REPORT

This is a special time of year to celebrate with family and friends. We closed November with the feast of Thanksgiving and then the start of Advent in preparation of the Christmas season. With our hectic schedules involving family, work, travel, etc., it is easy to lose sight of the meaning of the Christmas holiday for the birth of Jesus. Take time in the coming weeks to reflect and truly enjoy the meaning of the Christmas season by keeping Christ as the center of the holiday, doing for others and spending time with family and friends.

Thanks to Kevin Baker, Ed Burgess, Albert Daniels, Dale Fick, Tony Tomasich and David Tracewell for their efforts associated with serving breakfast on November 21st to approximately 185 teens and chaperones staying at St. Pius for the National Catholic Youth Conference. Our efforts were greatly appreciated that early Saturday morning as we served up scrambled eggs, sausage as well as biscuits and gravy. This event was not only a great conference for Kansas City, but for the youth of our nation as they traveled from across the country to learn, pray and celebrate with their Catholic peers.

Reminder regarding upcoming events:
12/4 – First Friday Dance (7 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
12/5 – Highway clean-up (8 a.m. - meet for breakfast at Hy-Vee on Barry Rd.)
12/14 – General Meeting
12/20 – Serve donuts after 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. masses

As you attend various social and religious functions in the coming weeks, plant the seed with other Catholic men in that they can begin 2010 with the New Year’s resolution of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Our council will be holding a First Degree at our January 11th meeting.

Merry Christmas!
Vivat Jesus,
Sean Joyce
Grand Knight
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cell # 816.695.3421

DUES INVOICES for 2010 invoices will be sent out in December. Financial Secretary Doug Hayworth would very much prefer to deliver your invoice by email, since that method is quick and, of course, free of paper and mailing expenses.
If you are unsure if the council has your proper email address, send it to Doug at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
And there is this reminder: Annual dues increase to $40 in 2010.

Four NEW MEMBERS took their First Degrees at the November meeting. A big welcome to Tim Meyer, Chris Sorentino and Mark Vasto and Pat O'Reilly.

TRESURER Rick Brenneman reported the General Fund had $22,515.15, the Sentinel Fund $38,570.61 and the Teen Fund $1,650. Interest from Sentinel Fund since July 1 stands at $567.10. He said the amount in the General Fund is higher than usual because it includes about $9,900 in contributions collected during the Tootsie Roll Drive for the mentally handicapped. Those funds will soon be distributed to state and local agencies.

The council VOTED TO DONATE a total of $1,475. The recipients were the National Catholic Youth Conference, $25 for the bishops' hospitality room; St. Pius, $250 for the renovation of the chapel; Catholic Charities; Turnaround Program for former offenders and families, $200; and the RSVP seminarian support program, $500 for each of Adam Johnson and Isaac Nagata.

Thanks to all members who contributed to fund-raising projects that helped fund these donations.

The November FIRST FRIDAY DANCE attracted a large crowd of 140 kids, according to youth director Doug Hayworth. It was the best November dance in recent memory and came against competing teen dances. The December dance is on Dec. 4, and there will be no January dance.

The council will get its last HIGHWAY CLEANUP done on Dec. 5. Eight to 12 people are needed to clean the half mile stretch on both sides of I-29 just north of Highway 152. The cleanup crew will assemble at 8 a.m. At the HyVee on Barry Road, grab a bite to eat, then head out. Pete Lobdell is the chairman.

Various DEGREE CEREMONIES are scheduled in the next few months. They include a First Degree at our next meeting on Jan. 11; and second/third degrees Jan. 31 at Conception Abbey and March 28 at Smithville.

The angel said unto them.... For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Next race is in May 2010.

Steve accepted the Knight of the Month award from Grand Knight Sean Joyce for his work on the Speedway project.

Nearly-final figures are in for the TOOTSIE ROLL DRIVE, which raises money for the mentally handicapped. As of the November meeting the total was $9,982.07. Half the funds will go to Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, and the other half will be donated to several local organizations. Those organizations are:
Contest of Concern for Special Olympics
The Community of the Good Shepherd
Special Religious Education With Symbolic Catechism (SPRED)
Sunshine Center
Immocolata Manor
Truman Neurological Center
FIRE (Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education)
Platte County Board of Services for Developmentally Disabled.

Mark these dates: our APPRECIATION DINNER is scheduled for Jan. 23, and the VALENTINE DANCE is Feb. 27.

John Lusero reported work and prayer on behalf of VOCATIONS seems to be paying off. He said Conception Abbey is almost full with seminarians, and vocations are up for the Benedictions of Mary, where there are now 26 members. The Benedictines will have solemn vows May 15, 2010, at Old St. Patrick's, and reception following at St. Therese, an event that will bring visitors from all over the country. John said he will asked the council for $300 and volunteer help for that event next year.

We have reason to be proud of our council and the good work that we do. Unfortunately, we often fail to recognize the Knights who are members of our council that go above and beyond the call of duty in helping other charities and ministries outside the Knights of Columbus.

It is not possible to name all of those Knights here, but many of you know of the work they do. There are many of our members of our council that give countless hours helping at Harvesters, St. Vincent De Paul, the Scouts, the Sierra Club, Special Olympics, Religious Education, and many other organizations. Like all of us, these guys are all busy, but seem to find the time to give of their time, talents, and treasure more than most. To them, I say thank you. God knows and understands their commitment to service to others.

These men are fathers, grandfathers, single guys, and family men just like you who realize that “family comes first”, but still adjust their lives and schedules to help on God’s work with the Knights. These men ask for nothing in return, but their rewards somewhere down the line have got to be great.

So gentlemen, ask yourself: “Have I really done my turn in doing all I can to help?” Keeping your family first, can you adjust your schedule to attend our monthly meetings, or help out on a couple of events each year? Maybe you have a talent that can allow you to chair an event once a year. Believe me, I am not one of the gentlemen I mention above, but I feel good about what I do for the Knights and those people I’ve helped.

I now invite those of you who haven’t been active to “step up to the plate” and see for yourself how just a little effort on your part can make a huge contribution in our council, and in your own faith journey. It’s your turn at bat, help us make difference.
God Bless,
Ed Burgess

Ed Columbus, Missouri State M.R. Director, visited the council in November and discussed the work of the Knights of Columbus for the benefit of HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, particularly the support of Cardinal Glennon hospital in St. Louis. The hospital provides free care for mentally handicapped children. Ed said the hospital sees 40,000 children a year. Money from the Knights of Columbus has gone into the hospital's developmental wing, and so far 78 councils have reported rising $151,000. He said the total is expected to reach $600,000.

Besides the hospital, the Knights support Special Olympics with proceeds from raffles, the Polar Bear Plunge and, of course, volunteer services. Last year's raffle raised $8,000, and the Polar Bear Plunge $125,000.

 SUPREME KNIGHTS OF THE PAST

Martin H. Carmody
The Seventh Supreme Knight 1927 - 1939

Martin H. Carmody spent much of his term as Supreme Knight waging a campaign in response to the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico, where at least six priests who were Knights had been martyred. Meanwhile, the Great Depression and declining revenues provided a stark reminder of the important anchor that insurance membership represented to the Order's programs. Carmody's concern with unemployment relief s resulted in local councils placing thousands into jobs. He also initiated campaigns to bolster membership - including the Five Point Program, which bore its greatest fruit after his administration.