KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS

SACRED HEART COUNCIL 2577

St.JOHN N. NEUMANN ASSEMBLY 1763

Neumann News May

       Faithful Navigator

         Donald Tallmadge PGK, FDD, PCP

         (301) 218-4623

         dtallmadge@verizon.net

Only a few months remain in our fraternal year, but some important activities remain.  Elections for next year’s slate of officers will take place on May 21^st.  It’s not too late if you are interested in any of the positions.  Please plan to attend the meeting as there will be competition for some of the key positions.

Our 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.

               Congratulations to Faithful Pilot Bill Macri, who was recently selected as Prince George’s County’s “Unsung Hero” for his contributions as a volunteer driver in support of our veterans.

               I also want to remind everyone who still has Spring raffle tickets to please get them sold and returned, so we can finish our year on a high note for future charitable contributions.

               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.

Jesica Nahmias’ Winning Essay is on page 2 of this Newsletter

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                            Faithful Associate Friar’s Report

                            SK Deacon Andrew J. Nosacek

May the God of peace make you perfect in Holiness.  May He preserve you whole and entire, spirit, soul, and body,  irreproachable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  St. Paul, 1 Thess. 5:23

Our sole purpose in life is Holiness; that is, union with God; wholeness.  Let our daily prayer be to the Father with the Holy Spirit, who calls us to Holiness in Christ, through Mary His mother.  Through the Redemption of Jesus Christ, and through our washing in the waters of Baptism, we are restored to life, and our very selves recreated by the gift of sanctifying grace.

     Modern man looks inside himself and there finds his own worth; he says “that is your opinion” “I did it my way”.  But one is adrift if he worships himself and calls that religion.  Of  such a one, says the Lord (in the words of Jeremiah):   

 Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth.  Jer.17:5

No.  Holiness begins with belief in the Word of God: this is my commandment!  We are made whole in the action based on that Word.

     Here is a reading that came my way recently, that aptly sums today’s dilemma, and a good response.  It seems to me that what is lacking in our modern world is a sense of “holiness”.  We create holiness when we perform any act with the Almighty’s direction and intention in mind.  It is often difficult to act in a way that conforms to the Divine’s will because many times it requires self-sacrifice and commitment.  We have desires that need to be satiated and goals that we wish to attain.  Often they differ from God’s goals.  This is the “Service of Self” rather than the “Service of the Almighty”.  We can only create holiness when we forgo what we have in mind for that which the Divine desires.  This is how we bring meaning and purpose into our communities, our families and our lives.

     We, as Catholic Knights, are well equipped to fulfill our destiny of Holiness. We have the Church, we have Scripture, we have the Sacraments. we have devotions and sacramentals, and we have the very body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.  We must stop catering to the cries of the world, and listen to the soft wind which is the desire of God.

     Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. who ... delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on His law day and night.  He is like a tree planted near running water that stretches out its roots to the stream; it fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; its flowers never fade.  It yields its fruit in due season, and  in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. Blessed the man that, whatever he does, prospers.   – Psalm 1, Jer. 17:4. 

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     Color Corps Commander’s Report

     SK John F. Curreri 

     (301) 464-2678)

         Thanks to all the Sir Knights that attended Mass at St Matthews Cathedral on Palm Sunday especially:

SK Earle Schweizer           SK Tom Terrell

SK Pat Springmann            SK Paul Velky

SK John Curreru 

Also, welcome aboard to the new Sir Knights.

Winning Patriotic Essay

The Responsibility of a Catholic Citizen in a Free Society       

A Catholic citizen in a free society has many responsibilities. As one grows in faith, new challenges and responsibilities are accepted. Responsibilities include using the rights as a citizen, which are clearly guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, to fulfill Catholic obligations. A responsible Catholic citizen must also be a role model, stand up for rights, and continue to grow in the Catholic faith.

     To be a responsible role model means to set good examples to others. A Catholic role model should practice good personal and moral values. Responsible role models also care for others. They         take notice of those in need and take action to help. Another responsibility of a Catholic citizen role model is to make the right choices that positively impact those surrounding him or her.

     Catholic citizens in a free society have the responsibility of standing up for rights. The first and guaranteed right is the right to life.  Responsible Catholics must protect this right in all ways possible, such as participating in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. and keeping the unborn in prayers. Other basic human rights include "the right to health, to home, to work, to family, and to culture" (Pope John Paul II). All citizens have these rights, and they must take advantage of them. Using these rights as a citizen is a responsibility to fulfill obligations as a Catholic and accomplish good deeds with those rights in the world.

     Another responsibility of a Catholic citizen in a free society is to continue to grow in the Catholic faith. A Catholic's duty is to try to live more like Jesus Christ, altogether spiritually, physically, mentally, and even academically by using their gifts and talents. A responsible Catholic should choose to participate in Church community projects and continue to receive the sacraments. In addition, another duty is to always encourage others to do their best, and help, even if in a small way.

     There are many responsibilities of a Catholic citizen in a free society. Striving each day to live more like Jesus Christ will accomplish the fulfillment of these responsibilities. Utilizing God-given, unique gifts in a productive and contributing way will positively impact the surrounding communities. Fulfilling the responsibilities of a Catholic citizen will help one become closer to God.

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PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OUR

 DEPARTED BROTHERS

And FOR THOSE WHO ARE  SICK AND RECOVERING, especially:

SK John Drake

SK John & Mary Giddo

SK Robert Costenbader

SK Tony Salvemini, PGK, PFN

SK Frank Schrom

SK Eugene Sides, PFN now living in South Carolina

SK Edward Weber, PFN                                        

SK Fred Ragazzone, GK

SK Tom O’Connor

Sir Knights’ Family Members

Chloe Nardini

  Granddaughter of SK Jake Nardini

Albert Urasek

  Father of SK Ken Urasek

Kathy Salvemini

     Wife of Tony Salvemini, PGK, PFN

Edith B. Herrelko

    Wife of SK Frank E. Herrelko

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If you know of a SK or a SK’s family member who is ill, has died, or has recovered, please contact our Faithful, Pilot, Bill Macri, (301) 249-5580 or e-mail at bmacri@jamacco.com

 Motion of Intent to Change

ARTICLE X—DEATH OF A MEMBER

Upon the death of any member of this assembly who is in good standing, he shall be enrolled as a member of a Missionary Society that offers perpetual Masses for the repose of his soul.  Notice of this membership shall be given to the family of the deceased.  All arrangements for such Masses shall be made by the Faithful Navigator or his designee.

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SK Charles Smallwood Master’s Log 

     A few weeks have passed since the conclusion of the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree.  Lady Nancy and I have to publicly here say thank you again to all 12assemblies for their great support in helping us bring to the Order new Sir Knights and their ladies.  I am so proud to report that the final count is in and we exemplified on March 7, 2009 six (6) candidates.  Of that number, four (4) were priest to include the honoree, Bishop Barry Knestout, one (1) Deacon and a lay person.  We are so thankful to the members of the Council 9302 St. Mary’s of the Assumption Council and Assembly # 3047,  Fr. John T. Dewan Assembly for their outstanding support in providing the meal for lunch for all those exemplified and those that assisted in making the day go so smoothly.  A second Exemplification Honoring Archbishop Martin D. Holley was scheduled on March 22, 2009 at the University of Maryland College Center where I am so pleased to report that we had a total of 149 candidates that were exemplified.  Of that number, three (3) were priests and the remainder comprising of qualified third degree Knights to include Deacons and Seminarians.   As of this date we can report that we have a total of 155 new Sir Knights exemplified in the Fourth Degree of our Order.  We are expecting to have more Knights to be exemplified in the Maryland District on April 26, 2009.  Thank you all again for all you do. 

We were involved during April to bring in spring – A new Beginning.  This included a time for prayer and reflection, a time for renewal and a second chance.  This brought us to Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter.  To top it off, winter ended and spring officially began.  In the Pope’s Easter message, he stated “The proclamation of the Lord’s Resurrection lightens up the dark regions of the world in which we live. I am referring particularly to materialism and nihilism, to a vision of the world that is unable to move beyond what is scientifically verifiable, and retreats cheerlessly into a sense of emptiness which is thought to be the definitive destiny of human life. It is a fact that if Christ had not risen; the “emptiness” would be set to prevail. If we take away Christ and his resurrection, there is no escape for man, and every one of his hopes remains an illusion.”  During the month of May I am asking that you continue to pray and realize the gift that Christ made for us so there isn’t emptiness in our lives.  I am also asking each of you to look at all of your programs and ensure that they are working to grow the Assembly and the Order.  

Please take a look at your inner self to see where I am in my life and how can I make a difference in my family, my Church, my community and in the Council and Assembly.  With April we began the fourth quarter of the Columbian Year. I am asking you to include in your time a plan to continue to implement programs.  Institute a plan that will answer the question “How can I, a Sir Knight of the Fourth Degree, do more for God, Country, and The Order?  How can I bring new Knights into our Councils?

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Master’s Calendar

April 18  Catholic Scout Retreat Flag Ceremony

April 19  Catholic Scout Retreat Mass

April 19  Divine Mercy Sunday

May   21  Election of Officers

May   15-17  MD State Convention (White Jackets)

May   16  Ocean City Parade (White Jacket)

 May   17  Our Lady of Lujan Mass Black)

May   17  Annual AMS Memorial Mass (Black)

May   25  Mass at Catholic Cemeteries

June    6  Navigator’s Training Seminar

June   14  Flag Day

June   14  Corpus Christi Sunday (Black)

June   27  National Filipino Pilgrimage (White)

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