KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS

SACRED HEART COUNCIL 2577

St.JOHN N. NEUMANN ASSEMBLY 1763

Accolade May

Chaplain’s Report

Rev. Msgr. Charles Parry

     The month of May is traditionally a time to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. One of the hallmarks of the Knights of Columbus has always been a sincere love and devotion of Our Lady. This is most pleasing to Our Lord Jesus Christ that we would honor His mother. Some of those who are not of our Catholic Faith find this to be a stumbling block - that we demonstrate a love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, as if this somehow diminishes the love and devotion we render to Christ Jesus, Our Lord.

     I was blessed that while my own mother was still living I had the privilege of being assigned to a parish where my own mother and father worshipped. I had the distinct joy of seeing my mother at daily Mass, and both of my parents at Sunday Mass, and that I was able to offer Holy Communion to both of my parents quite often. I know this much - that when parishioners gave honor to my mother as the 'mother of a priest,' it pleased me to no end! When they were good to her, or spoke kindly to her, or honored her because she was my mother, I felt that it was a very real way of honoring me, too!

     Our Lord Jesus I imagine is just the same way!  When we honor His mother, He is both pleased and honored Himself! So, let us not hesitate to take time during the month of May to give special tribute to the Mother of God in our daily prayers. Take some time to engage in special devotion to her. Ask her intercession for your parish community, for your family and for your own particular needs. She is a great intercessor for sure. Place flowers at her feet if you have a garden statue of Our Lady or a place of honor for her in your own home. She is moved by our devotion to her and so is her Beloved Son!

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Grand Knight’s Report

Kevin Kylus  (410) 451-8855

kkylus@comcast.net

     The 111^th Annual State Convention is on May 15^th, 16^th, and 17^th in Ocean City. Sacred Heart always has a good turn out, so I hope you and your family are able to come down and join in the fun. The Council is having nominations and elections this month, so come to the meetings and support your fellow Brother Knights running for office.

     It has been nice to see many of our newer members attending meetings and being active in many of our programs this year. Our continued success here at Sacred Heart Council depends on the involvement and support of each and every member. I hope that all members become active in the Council, we certainly need the help and I am sure we can find an area that interests you. Total Effort All Members.

     In the month of May as we honor our Blessed Mother and Patroness, I want to wish my Mother Louise and my wife Amy, as well as all the moms of the Council family a very Happy Mother’ Day. The Council will be having our monthly family breakfast on Sunday, May 10^th, Mother’s Day and all Mothers are invited to join us for a complimentary breakfast.

     Knight of the Month for April – Ward Hostetler. Ward was Co-Chairman of both of our successful K5K events this year and has contributed hours of labor to various renovation projects at the Hall. Thank you Ward for all that you do!

     Family of the Month for April – The Marquez Family. Mike is a newer member of Sacred Heart and he has quickly become active. Mike volunteers as a bartender in the Knights Room on Tuesday nights and he and his daughters have been helping with our Family breakfast and Friday Night dinners. Thank you all!

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District Deputy’s Report

Vernon Hawkins, PGK, FN, FDW

(301) 336-0284 vhawkinsjr@aol.com

      The cold winter is coming to an end and as I write this article, I can’t help but think about spring and warm weather. The Fraternal Year is 10 months over, with two months remaining. Several Councils have already obtained their quotas in membership and insurance for the Star Council Award, and others are very close. Now is the time for those Councils to renew their efforts in order to obtain this very prestigious award. All of us should be filled with new energy and enthusiasm as spring arrives. It is a time to offer every Catholic man the “Experience of a Lifetime.” If you have not submitted the Columbian Award Application (SP-7), please don’t forget to do so, it is required for the Star Council Award and must be filed by June 30^th.

     May is the month we celebrate Mother’s Day. Let’s keep all of our Mothers in our prayers. For those of us whose Mother’s have passed away, lets ask that our Father in heaven welcome them with open arms. For those Mothers that are still with us, be sure to thank them for all they do for us and keep them in our prayers asking that they have long, healthy and happy lives.

     Don’t forget the Mother of us all, Mary. Be sure to pray the Rosary as often as you can, especially during this month. Ask her to keep all of our intentions in her heart and present them to her son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

     Let’s all remember to look out for ways that we can help and aid the elderly whenever we can. Remember, “We are called to serve”.

     In closing, I hope that many of you are making plans to attend the 111^th State Convention in Ocean City on May 15^th-17^th. It is a fun time for the entire family and if you haven’t thought about attending please consider doing so.

     Vivat Jesus!

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Deputy Grand Knight’s Report

Andrew Jacobson  (240) 476-5268

andrew.jacobson@cfsan.fda.gov

     We will resume with the Friday night meals and Sunday Breakfasts.  May’s Sunday Breakfast will be on the 10^th  (Mother’s Day).  May 15-17^th will be the dates for this year’s State Convention at Ocean City.  Brother Ray DeVous takes on the responsibilities for our Council’s hospitality room whose theme will be Western.

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Fraternal Activities

Rick Marek  (410) 721-0004

rickmarek1@comcast.net 

     Make plans to attend the Maryland State Convention in Ocean City May 15^th – 17^th.

     Mark your calendars now for the Grand Knight’s Appreciation Night on Sunday, June 28th

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Family Activities

Joe Bobby  (301) 464-2862

     Don't forget our Friday Family meals will be served for at least the next two months.  We have decided we will be serving a meal on Friday, May 15^th even though a lot of us will be at the State Convention.

     Things are starting to wind down at the Hall as we move toward summer and the transition to vacations.  I will be involved with a family matter for the next couple of months so if you have ideas for different meals please pass them on to Paul Mullenhoff.

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Membership Report

Joe Massimini  (240) 997-0402

     As the Fraternal Year draws to a close we are looking at the last exemplification of the First Degree on Thursday, June 25^th at the Social Meeting.  If you have a candidate who wishes to receive the First Degree, please contact me so we can insure the candidate will be available to receive the First Degree.  Now is the time to ask your friends to join the Knights.  Let's see if we can fill the room with First Degree candidates and make them active members of the Sacred Heart Council #2577 of the Knights of Columbus.

     If you have any questions, please contact me either via e-mail at joemassi@comcast.net, or by the phone at (240) 997-0402.

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In Memoriam

Frank Germaine

Mary Ellen DeMaio, Widow of Michael A. DeMaio and Mother of Dr. John V. DeMaio

Gregory M. Thiel, Son of Joe Thiel, PGK and Peggy Thiel, Past President of Ladies Auxiliary

Sick and Memorial

Bob Long,  (301) 464-1319

Sick or Recovering Brothers

James Boruke

George Carrette

Robert Costenbader

Ed Dosek, HLM

Jack Finzel

Leo Green, Sr., HLM

Art Gross

Tom Hardy, HLM

Russ Ideo, HLM

Gerald Jenkins

Sebastian Mignosa, HLM

John Nardini

Tom O’Connor, Jr.

Don Perantoni

Ed Prokop, HLM

Bill Razzano

Fr. Andrew Royals

Ed Schirmer, HLM

John Solari

Sick or Recovering Relatives

Bridget Bronder, Sister of Matt Bronder

Louise Calmon, Wife of Gene Calmon, HLM

Sharon Craig, Wife of Jack Craig, HLM

Marge Hedley, Wife of Clif Hedley, HLM

Margaret Hicks, Mother of Jerry Hicks

Mary Nelson, Wife of Jim Nelson

Gina Perantoni,Wife of Don Perantoni

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     If you know of a Brother Knight or his family who is sick or recently deceased, please contact me so that we may include them in our prayers.  Also we need your help managing the sick and recovering list. So when someone has recovered or you wish to remove his or her name, please give Bob Long a call at (301) 464-1319.

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Youth Activities

Tom O’Connor  (301) 464-1729  tao.cpa@verizon.net

     My thanks to GK Kevin Kylus, DGK Andy Jacobson, PGK Dave Grabowshi, Brother Ray DeVous, PGK Ed Walsh, Brother Bill Macri, Brother Mark Davis, Beth Schultz, my wife Kathy and all who helped with the Children's Easter Party Saturday, April 11th.  We estimated 100 plus children and over 200 people at the event.  It was once again a big success.  Thank you all!

     We've had another great year doing Youth Activities.  We still want to do a Squires Circle.  Please contact me if you know of any young Catholic man between the ages of 10-18 who is interested.

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Fraternal Benefits

     Buying life insurance is something that’s easy to put off until tomorrow.  And with the busy lives we all lead, tomorrow can easily become next week, next month, or even next year.  For the sake of those you love, don’t let that happen.  I consider it my fraternal obligation to make sure that every Knights of Columbus member has the opportunity to protect his family with the Order’s top-rated insurance products.  I’ll work with you to put a plan in place that will help your family when that help is most needed.

     We all know someone whose health, instantly and seemingly out-of-the-blue, changes.  You may think this can’t happen to you.  Think again.  And keep in mind that no one will ring a bell warning you that your health is about to change.  Medical technology has turned many diseases previously termed “death sentences” into very treatable conditions. What medical advances haven’t changed, however, is that being diagnosed with one of these diseases will dramatically affect your ability to purchase life insurance coverage.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.

     Your Knights of Columbus insurance program is second to none.  Knights of Columbus life insurance represents a safety net for Catholic families that’s unsurpassed, and I’m proud of that.  I’m also concerned.  Why?  Because so many of our brother Knights have no life insurance with the Order.  I suspect that, for many of them, tomorrow has become next week, next month or next year.  Don’t be one of them.  Don’t wait for the bell to ring.  It isn’t going to.

     Call John Canter at (301) 261-3231 or Al Rocca, FICF, at (301) 464-5885 to set up an appointment today.  We want to hear from you

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Sacred Heart Council High School Scholarship

Bob Mackey  (410) 798-4257  v606jm@verizon.net

     GK Kevin Kylus is establishing a new scholarship for students attending a Catholic High School. All children, grandchildren of a Council member in good standing, or deceased member of the Council are eligible for this scholarship. The amount will be $500 for the academic year beginning August/September 2009. Applications will be due June 1^st, 2009. If you are interested in applying, please contact Bob Mackey via email v606jm@verizon.net or phone (410) 798-4257 to obtain the Rules, Instructions, and Application.

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Columbian Way Corporation Annual Meeting

Frank Frisbie  (301) 261-6220

     The Columbian Way Corporation (CWC) Annual Meeting will be held immediately following the Council meeting on June 11^th, 2009. The agenda will include an update on the past year and a look forward as well as the election of Board Members to fill expiring terms. All members of the Council in good standing are members of the Columbian Way Corporation and are invited to attend.

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Pro-Life News

Steven Dobrosielski  (301) 262-6860

     The Tenth Annual Golf Tournament to Benefit the Gabriel Network will be held on Friday, June 19^th, 2009 at the Bowie Golf and Country Club. Please consider sponsoring a hole to advertise your place of business. All proceeds go to the Gabriel Network and are tax deductible. Be sure to make your checks payable to the Gabriel Network. Please contact PGK Dave Grabowski (301) 464-2059 for further information and to make reservations. 

  The Gabriel Network held their Gala Night fundraiser on Friday, April 24^th in The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill in Savage, Maryland. We thank Mary Ann and Mac McCaffrey for all their work supporting this event.

     The Maryland Catholic Conference worked on a number of bills, which were introduced in the Maryland General Assembly 2009 session that ended on April 13^th. Here is an update on some of the sanctity of life issues the Conference was following.

     The risk of executing an innocent person in Maryland is much less likely after lawmakers passed a bill (SB 279) that raises evidence standards for application of the death penalty. While the measure does not achieve full repeal, which our state's bishops called for, it is an important step forward. The law, which Gov. O’Malley has said he will sign, will permit capital punishment only in cases where there is biological or DNA evidence, a videotape of the crime in progress, or a voluntary, videotaped confession. While this falls short of a full repeal, which the MCC will continue to work toward, SB 279 is an important step forward and will help ensure that innocent individuals are not executed. 

     A legislative committee defeated SB 195, “Ultrasound Options,” (supported by the MCC). That bill would have required Anne Arundel County abortion clinics to offer women considering abortion the option of viewing a sonogram. 

     Bills that could potentially have referred ill or elderly patients to counseling from pro-euthanasia groups (HB 30) or encouraged some to refuse medical treatment (SB 221) were defeated.

     With regard to the budget item for the stem cell research fund, the MCC’s position was to direct all funding to ethical, adult research that works. That restriction was not successful and consequently taxpayer dollars can be used for research that destroys human embryos. The Legislature approved cutting $3 million to bring the FY 2010 allocation to $15.4 million.

     There is an easy way to keep up-to-date on these issues and the position of the Maryland Catholic Conference.  If you join their alert network they will send you an e-mail with a link to a pre-prepared letter you can edit and e-mail to your legislators advising them of your position. Just go to http://capwiz.com/mdcath/home/ and sign up to let your voice be heard.

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Church Activities

George Vincent  (301) 249-6399  k3gv@verizon.net

     First Friday Mass and Mini-Supper – Our First Friday Mass is on May 1^st. Please come and join us in this celebration of joy in the Eucharist. Mass starts at 7:00 pm in the Columbian Room. Mass will be followed by a mini-supper which will be held in the Knight’s Room. Everyone is welcome.

     Catholic News – About 150,000 persons were received into the Church at Easter Vigils this year in parishes across the nation. Some will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation and so enter fully into the Church. Some will receive Confirmation and/or Holy Eucharist for the first time as Christians.

     Did You Know? – The three old gnarled trees at the entrance of the Chapel at Sacred Heart are Osage orange trees, linked to the Lewis and Clark expedition. It is 200 years since Meriwether Lewis brought cuttings of the Osage Orange trees to Philadelphia, our nation's capital at the time, for Thomas Jefferson. They were the first Osage orange trees east of the Mississippi River. The stately Osage orange trees, whose deeply scored bark has an orange hue, seem to glow when the sun strikes them. They stretch their limbs high above the graves of Monsignor Hogan and Monsignor Wells. The Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) 'might have been the most significant horticultural 'discovery' of the expedition,' according to Peter J. Hatch, director of Monticello's gardens and grounds. The Osage Indians prized the wood for tomahawks and bows because of its exceptional strength and elasticity. The trees at Sacred Heart are male. Females would drop lumpy green grapefruit-sized fruit in the fall.  The Osage orange cuttings were brought to Philadelphia in 1804, fifteen years after John Carroll was elected at Sacred Heart to become the first Catholic bishop of the American colonies. Bishop Carroll's brother Daniel Carroll was a signer of the United States Constitution and may have been instrumental in obtaining the Osage orange cuttings at Sacred Heart Chapel that became our trees that are almost two hundred years old.

     As always, if there are any other Church activities that you would like to see happen in Sacred Heart Council, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Supreme Council Report

Supreme Directors Tour McGivney Hall at CUA

    In conjunction with their quarterly meeting in Washington, D.C., on Palm Sunday weekend, members of the Board of Directors got an up-close look at McGivney Hall on the campus of The Catholic University of America.

     The Order funded the renovation of the building, and it now houses the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, which moved into the facility in time for the fall semester in 2008.

     The Board received a detailed report on the Institute’s operations from Dr. David Schindler, dean of the Institute.

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Council Activities

Paul Mullenhoff   301-262-3963 pmullenhoff@verizon.net

     Well our Council’s activities are starting to wind down as we prepare for a new Grand Knight and another big Fraternal Year.  But don't forget we still have our Friday evening meals during May and June and our First Friday Masses in May and June.  The big activity this month, other than Mother's Day is the State Convention in Ocean City from May 15^th to 17^th.  Those that can should plan on attending if only for a day. 

     Depending on when you receive this Accolade you should seriously consider attending our Mother's Day Family Breakfast on May 10^th.  We are making special plans to honor those Mothers in attendance.  I look forward to seeing you there.

     My intent is to recommend to the next Grand Knight that we continue with our Friday evening meals, as this was an excellent suggestion of Kevin's in an effort to revitalize the Council and draw us closer together.  The preparation of a meal can be time consuming and labor intensive but we seem to have developed a cliental and are drawing around 20 – 30 people on average for each meal excluding First Friday's.  But it certainly would be nice to have a larger group eating after all our efforts.  So if you have suggestions for summer meals--an outdoor barbecue would be nice--or for fall meals please pass them on to either Joe Bobby or myself.  We may be around next year.  Thanks for all your support and until next month............

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Members Help Alert

Frank Frisbie, CWC President

     There are over thirty chairs missing from the Cardinal Room inventory.  They are “new” chairs, purchased about 3 years ago to upgrade the appearance of the room for rentals and Council affairs.  Since then they have disappeared and we think they were borrowed for one or another reason – either one time or in several different “borrowings.”  In any event, we want them back so we are declaring a 30 day amnesty – return one or all by June 1^st with no question asked.  If you don’t have possession of the chair(s) but have knowledge of where they are, let Buck Garner know so we can take steps to retrieve them ourselves.  We need to replace the chairs we don’t recover to be able to arrange the room for maximum attendance.  Because the chairs cost $50.00 each getting them back is the much attractive alternative!

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State Council Report

     Please plan to attend the 111^th Annual State Council Convention on May 15^th – 17^th in Ocean City, Maryland at the Princess Royale Hotel.  The hotel is located at 91^st Street and oceanfront.

     Achieving your membership goals is very possible – RISE and TAKE AIM:  Recruiting Individuals Serves Everyone and Turns All Knights Everywhere into Actively Involved Members.

Community Activities

Mike Schultz  (410) 721-8715

mbpschultzies@verizon.net

     Thanks to all who braved the rain and gave blood at our Blood Drive last month.  It was a good turnout considering the weather.  Thanks to Miss Dottie, PGK Dave Grabowski, and Brothers Ray DeVous and Bill Macri for your help.  Mark your calendars for the next one, which is scheduled for Monday, June 15^th.

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11^th Annual Gabriel Network Golf Tournament

David Grabowski, PGK  (301) 464-2059

     The 11^th Annual Gabriel Golf Tournament will be held at 8:30 AM on Friday, June 19^th, 2009 at the Bowie Country Club Golf Course. The event will be a semi-shotgun limited to the first 64 players to sign-up. The cost for Brother Knights is $75 per player and Brother Knights 65 and older pay $65. Prizes will be awarded and dinner follows at the Hall. The cost to sponsor a hole is $125.  Business card size adds in the tournament brochure cost $60 and individual patron ads are $20. Funds donated to the Gabriel Network are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to the Gabriel Network. Funds raised from the tournament will be used to pay the costs of housing mothers and their new born babies and providing job skill training and scholarships. If you have not helped this cause in the past, please consider helping out with a donation. The Gabriel Network operates 4 homes and their utility costs alone have increased tremendously this year. To obtain a sign-up form, sponsorship form, or volunteer to help with player registration or preparing food, call David Grabowski at (301) 464-2059.

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Sacred Heart Ladies Social 

Carol Cartney, Contact Person  (301) 262-9736

     I want to wish Sacred Heart Council #2577 Knights and their ladies the best of luck at the State Convention in Ocean City on May 15^th – 17^th.

     Please drive carefully and have a safe round trip.

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Fourth Degree News                                             St. John N. Neumann Assembly

Don Tallmadge, FN, PGK, PCP, FDD  (301) 218-4623  dtallmadge@verizon.net

     The Assembly’s Essay contest has recently concluded.  Competition was keen and the essays submitted were all outstanding.  Our winners are:  First Place - Jessica S. Nahmias ($100); Second Place - Russell W. Wissman ($75); and Third Place - Luke F. Smith ($50).   Thanks to all who submitted essays and especially to Chairman Richard Nalesnik for his leadership and Billy Painter for his support and to our judges:  PFN Frank Evans, PFN Frank Rose, Bill Macri, Jim Ferrando and George Vincent.  The date for the presentation of awards has yet to be determined.

     The Assembly will be electing new officers for next year at May 21^st meeting.  Members are encouraged to attend and vote.

     Please pray the Rosary often during May, the month dedicated to our Blessed Mother and Our Lady, Queen of the Knights.  Also, on Memorial Day, please take a moment to remember all who have served and sacrificed to keep our country the land of the free.

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McNamara Chapter News

     The McNamara Chapter of Grand Knights meeting will be Wednesday, May 27^th at Prince Georges Council #2809 in College Park, MD.  This is the Chapter Election night.  All current Deputy Grand Knights and Council Officers are urged to attend.

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TEAM  YEAR  2009

#1   2-3-09   3-10  4-14    5-19   6-23  7-28   9-1    10-6    11-10   12-15   1-17-10

#2   1-6-09   2-10  3-17    4-21   5-26  6-30   8-4     9-8     10-13    11-17   12-22-09

#3   1-13-09  2-17  3-24   4-28   6-2    7-7     8-11   9-15    10-20    11-24  12-29-09

#4   1-20-09  2-24  3-31    5-5     6-9    7-14   8-18   9-22     10-27    12-1  1-5-10

#5   1-27-09  3-3               4-7     5-12  6-16   7-21    8-25     9-29     11-3   12-8      

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