Volume 23 Issue 7 - January 2020

THE CROSS and COMPASS

"Faith in Action!!!"

Service Spotlight ---> For SignUp Genius : CLICK HERE

 Grand Knight's Report

Brothers,

Council 10852 had a busy and successful December and I thank all of you who pulled up your sleeves and got things done.

PGK Tom Larkin, and his team of Brother Knights, did a great job supporting the St. Matthew Santa’s Craft Shop on December 7, by cooking and serving food and soft drinks throughout the day. The Jimmy Dean sausage biscuits for breakfast (along with free coffee and donuts for volunteers) were well received and much appreciated as were the terrific hotdogs and chicken salad sandwiches that were served to the afternoon crowd. After a generous $500 donation to St. Matthew Church, the council still came away with $750 to support our many charitable programs.
 
The December Parish Pancake Breakfast was once again a success thanks to the many Brother Knights who volunteered to help in the kitchen or the banquet room ensuring that the day ran smooth. I especially want to recognize the Saturday morning Food Prep Crew of: Brothers Steve Marlier, Michael West, Tom Polzin, Hank Kempton, and Bob Mrkus; as well as the Sunday Kitchen Crew of: Brothers David Tibbitt, Bob Jensen, Tony Simone, Gil Borrero, and Joe Zullo – all who worked under the watchful eye of Crew Leader Norm Smith. Their dedication and hard work often goes unrecognized due to the early hours and their working in the kitchen out of the lime light; “Great job, Guys!”

Last, but not least, we need to recognize what a busy weekend poor old Saint Nicholas had. After handing out presents the day before, Saint Nicholas (DGK Rory Wall) made an appearance at the Parish Pancake Breakfast to the delight of children and parents alike allowing many pictures to be taken.

Vivat Jesus!
Bill McKenna

St. Nick with PGK Ron Schumacher
and his favorite Elf, Elle






Christmas Party
On Saturday, December 14, PGK Ron Schumacher and Brother Mike Hankins made Christmas come true for almost 200 refugee children in support of the Sisters of Charity Wrap-a-Gift and Children’s Christmas Party at St. Matthew Elementary School. 

There were games and activities for all, along with pizza and snacks. The highlight of the day, of course, was when Saint Nicholas (Mike Hankins) arrived and gave each little boy and girl multiple presents—you should have seen the smiles!

Once again Brother Knights answered the call for help in setting-up and taking down the Nativity Crèches at the main church as well as at St. Matthew South. The careful construction on December 9 paid dividends on January 6 as many of the same men who put them up helped take them down in record time. It was especially helpful that the two crews had utilized SignUp Genius to volunteer so everyone knew where they were needed and the job went smoothly. Special thanks goes to Brother Jim Gilsdorf for his taking the initiative to donate one of his tool boxes to organize and securely store needed supplies and equipment for next year’s effort when putting up the Crèches
December Parish Pancake Breakfast
The December Parish Pancake Breakfast was once again a success thanks to the many Brother Knights who volunteered to help in the kitchen or the banquet room ensuring that the day ran smooth. These pancake breakfasts are a true service to the parish that encourage Catholic fellowship and good food at a great price. Please look for the SignUp Genius concerning our next Parish Pancake Breakfast which will be on January 19th!,. If your schedule does not allow you to work it, please join us after Mass. Remember to show your membership card and receive a Two Dollar Knight’s Discount!

KofC Parish Pancake Breakfast looking for new leadership!

Brothers Chuck Curtis and Jack Hickey have run our Sunday Pancake Breakfast Program for a number of years and need help from younger Knights – one Sunday per month! They especially would like to train and turnover the program to 2 or 4 Knights who would be willing to learn the process. Both Jack and Chuck will stay on to advise and assist as needed.

Please Step-up and Help!
Least Among My Brethren
Thank you to all our Brother Knights who have helped this year with the LAMB charitable endeavor. Many of you have worked several shifts and for you we are most grateful.
 
If for whatever reasons you did not or could not participate with LAMB this year, please consider making a personal donation to LAMB. Checks should be made payable to LAMB Foundation of NC, Inc. and mailed to 6420 Rea Rd-A1, suite 312, Charlotte, NC 28277. Or, if you prefer “e-giving” go to the LAMB website – www.lambnc.org – and click on the “Donate” icon.
 Thank you for all that you do to help those whom Jesus calls the L east A mong M y B rothers.
Council Donation Committee
The Donation Committee, chaired by the Grand Knight, will meet during the month of December to consider end-of-the-year donations by both the Council and the Columbus Club.

Below is a link to the Donations Policy and Score Card adopted in 2017. Please note the 2019/2020 budget identifies organizations the our Council voted on to support. If you have other organizations in mind to donate to, please fill out the Score Card and send it to one of the committee members below:

  • Bob Desch, deschr@bellsouth.net, 704-543-8212
  • Ron Schumacher, reschu8@gmail.com, 704-618-2442
  • Earl Hartenstine, elmstone999@yahoo.com, 704-962-0898
  • John Coudriet, ccoudriet@carolina.rr.com, 704-543-9621
  • Rory Wall, rwall@tivasoftware.com, 704-281-6737
  • Bart Carmichael. bartcarmichael@gmail.com, 954-873-4559
2020 Dues Due!

It's that time of year again, when the weather turns colder, there's excitement in the air and Financial Secretary John Coudriet is looking for YOUR Dues! To avoid the expense of mailing a reminder to you, why don't you pay ahead? Cash, Check or Charge!

To make it easy, below is a link to our PayPal site where you can pay withr a Credit Card or PayPal. So Do it NOW - so John can sleep at night...
Mass Greeters at Saint Matthew Catholic Church
The Council has been asked by the Saint Matthew Hospitality Ministry to provide Mass Greeters at church at all weekend Masses. It only requires 15-20 minutes of your time before Mass and is a great opportunity for Knights to be more visible to parishioners while welcoming them to church. Wear your KofC shirts or name badges to demonstrate your pride in being members of the Knights of Columbus. This is a great way to support and serve St. Matthew Catholic Church. If interested, please contact DGK Rory Wall at: (704)281-6737 or rwall@tivasoftware.com
Please pray for your Brother Knights and their families, especially those who are sick or in distress. Especially remember Brother Michael Krysak’s brother, William R. Krysak, and Ruth Maria Carmichael’s brother, Fernando Carlos Avendano Puche; both entered into eternal life during the month of December. May God forgive them their sins and welcome them into His arms. Amen!
Vivat Jesus!
Bill McKenna
Grand Knight
St. Matthew Council 10852
DONATED GOODS:

St. Matthew Donated Goods Ministry -
Saturday November 14th, 2019

Mission : To help others that are in need through monthly collections of gently used clothing and household items which are distributed to parishioners and agencies in Charlotte, Union County and western NC.

Description of agencies served:  Your donations are distributed to a number of agencies that serve the homeless, the working poor, and families affected by violence and abuse. Through the parish we support parishioners, and local ministries including Catholic Charities, Crisis Assistance and Refugee Ministries.  Click here  for more information on the Western North Carolina agencies we serve.
St. Matthew K of C Council 10852 - Culture of Life Corner

We can be silent no more!

We all know how important this 2020 election year is for our efforts to end abortion. Abortion advocates are going all out with huge sums of cash and political tactics to defeat Pro-Life candidates at the federal and local levels. Because of the power gained by the Abortion advocates, we have seen many pro-abortion laws passed by states and cities all over the country. If we fail to turn back this trend, I fear to see what the results will be. We must talk to everyone we can to convince them that LIFE is the most important issue in this election cycle. Many cannot see the wisdom of this ONE ISSUE vision. But if a candidate doesn’t decide for the sanctity of every human life, how can you trust that candidate to correctly decide to help you and especially the most vulnerable in our country.
 
Sidewalk Advocates for Life Sidewalk Counseling Training
The new “sidewalk counseling” program uses a very compassionate woman-oriented method to save lives and help women in unplanned pregnancies by offering them life affirming options. The next training session will be held on January 18th from 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM at St. Matthew in the Banquet Room. There is a need for prayer partners to team with sidewalk counselors whenever a sidewalk counselor is present at the Hebron abortion facility. The objective is to have at least two teams cover the hours from 9 AM to 12 PM on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the times that the Hebron abortion facility is performing abortions. Go to https://signup.com/go/HHrenDB to sign up as a prayer partner at Hebron. The defenseless unborn babies need us there every week. Email me at ngemignani@gmail.com if you need directions or have questions. We are praying for an abundance of saves this new year at the abortion centers. There are now four facilities in Charlotte that are performing abortions.

Pro-Life Fundraiser
Because we no longer have a Baby Bottle Campaign at St. Matthew Church, our Council is looking for suggestions for a Pro-Life Fundraiser and someone to lead it.

Pro Life Calendar of Events:
Charlotte March for Life – Friday, January 10, 2020 12 PM from the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center.
March for Life, Washington D.C. – January 24, 2020. Still seats available on the St. Matthew buses.
Start of “Spiritual Adoption of the Unborn” campaign – Weekend of January 11 and 12.
Sidewalk Advocates for Life Training at St. Matthew in the Banquet Room – Saturday, January 18 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM.
Help Pregnancy Center Golf Tournament, May 4 at the Firethorne Country Club.
Help Pregnancy Center Banquet for Life, October 1 at the Agricultural Center in Monroe.
Mira Via Golf Tournament for Life, May 13 at Old Sycamore Golf Plantation.
Mira Via Annual Banquet, October 22 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

FIELD AGENT

I have some news to share. I am leaving the Knights of Columbus Chris Mahoney agency effective December 31st. Over the past few months I've found I've not been able to dedicate the time to minister to my brother knights as desired. I've enjoyed my time with you and your council. There are many good works going on with the KofCs in North Carolina!!
 
Until my replacement is announced, please direct questions to General Agent Chris Mahoney at (919) 719-2715 or Christopher.Mahoney@kofc.org .
Peace and continued blessings to you and your family in 2020.

Vivat Jesus!
AMERICAN FLAGS FOR SALE

The George L. Gettier Assembly 780 is selling 3 ft x 5 ft. American Flags for $25.  These flags are made in the good old United States of America. When flags are purchased by a St. Matthew Knights of Columbus Council 10852 member, $5 of the proceeds is returned to Council 10852.

Past Faithful Navigator Chuck Elgin, will have the flags available for sale at Council 10852 and Assembly 780 Business Meetings.  Cash, Checks and Credit Cards are accepted. If you cannot attend an Assembly 780 or Council 10852 Business meeting but are interested in a flag, please contact Chuck at Email:  celgin01@earthlink.net ; Call or Text: 704-614-0504.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO:

Where: South Charlotte Banquet Center, 9009 Bryant Farms Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
When:  Every Monday with doors opening at 5:30 pm to 9:45 pm
Who:    Open to the general public

Supports: The profits from Bingo go to the Charities of the Knights of Columbus.  We have donated primarily to St. Matthew Catholic Church in the past but have also made contributions to LAMB, UMAR and others.

CALLING KNIGHTS TO HELP:
We group our volunteers into 5 teams.  Each team is scheduled to work once every 5 weeks.  Holidays nights are covered by a volunteer team, so a team may work once every 6 weeks on occasion.  We can use more callers (we can train).  We record all items on a computer and if interested, we can train you for that process also.

There are a few husbands and wives working on a team.  In addition, we have wives that play while their husband works on a team.  If you have a high school or older child that would like to help, we can use them also. If you work, all items from the Bingo kitchen are free. This can be a great family team event.

If you have questions or want to help please contact:
Ron Schumacher 704-618-2442 or reschu8@gmail.com
Mark your calendars! 

KofC Council 10852 - Faith in Action!

January Calendar Events:

January 6– Take down a crèche or two at 9 am
January 7– Men’s Shelter Serving at 4 pm
January 7– BINGO at 6:30 pm
January 8 – Council Business Meeting at 7 pm
January 10 – Eucharistic Adoration at 11 pm
January 15 – Knight’s Mass at 7:30 pm
January 19 – Parish Pancake Breakfast
January 21 – Charity Day at Burger 21
January 22 – Council Officer’s Meeting at 6:30 pm
2. February Calendar Events:

February 3 – BINGO at 6:30 pm
February 4 – Men’s Shelter Serving at 4 pm
February 5 – Council Business Meeting at 7 pm
February 7 – Eucharistic Adoration at 11 pm
February 12 – SCBC Director’s Meeting at 7 pm
February 14 – Valentine’s Day Dinner/Dance at 6:30 pm
February 16 – Parish Pancake Breakfast
February 19 – Council Officer’s Meeting at 6:30 pm
February 19 – Knight’s Mass at 7:30 pm
February 26 – Ash Wednesday


 The Grand Knight and Council Officers wish all Brother Knights with January birthdays a Very Happy Birthday!
  May God bless you with good health and much happiness for many more years. 
We especially want to recognize a few of our Senior Knights: 

Brother Ralph Sullivan (1936)
Brother Stephen Nogy (1936)
Brother Patrick Walter (1939)
Brother Steve Norman (1941)
and the baby of the group…
Brother Tom Van Sistine (1945)

  Council Awards and Recognition:

The Grand Knight and Council Officers are pleased to announce that Brother Don Gacevich, PGK, FDD, was selected as December’s Knight of the Month. Don serves as the Council Membership Director as well as the Ceremonials and Degree Chairman. He is also active in many other programs and functions of the council and is a ready source of information for the GK. Don is an Honorary Life Member of the KofC and has been a Knight for over 46 years. Congratulations Brother Don!

Our Family of the Month for December was Jorge and Liliana Salas. They are a great example of a strong, faith-filled, Catholic family. They attend weekly Mass together as a family, both children attend Catholic school, and Liliana is an active member of St. Matthew Church, especially in supporting Pro-Life programs.

Mary, Queen of Knights – Pray for us!

Officers List
May the Joy of Christmas
Stay With You All Year Long!