Volume 23 Issue 4 - October 2019

   THE CROSS AND COMPASS
     
              " Faith in Action!!!!"




Gr and Knight's Report

Brothers, 
 
Brothers,
Thanks to you September was a very good month for Council 10852.  Over 40 Knights volunteered, along with some students and others who support our council, to help ensure our first Parish Pancake Breakfast was a great success.  I saw a lot of well-fed and smiling faces among the parish community and received many favorable comments throughout the day.   Chuck Curtis and Jack Hickey and their team appreciated all the support and I thank you as well.  Most of the food prep and cooking was done by Brothers: Steve Eggles, Michael West, Hank Kempton, Norm Smith, Tom Polzin, Jim Weilan; Johnny Rubinich, John Rojas, Bob Jensen, Tony Simone, and Jerry Blunk.  A special thanks to Brother Jerry Carpenter who always sets-up the tables in the banquet room on Saturday night - a big help!  

If you want to get to know your brother knights, make friends, and have some fun, look for the next SignUp Genius concerning breakfast. Our next Parish Pancake Breakfast will be on Sunday, October 20.  If your schedule does not allow you to work it, please join us for a great meal.  Remember to show your membership card and receive a Two Dollar Knight's Discount!

This past weekend's Operation Lamb was also a great success with all the volunteer slots having been filled.  That's the first time in quite a while that I've seen that happen.  I know that Brother Bob Desch was happy to see that!  It will be interesting to hear from Bob concerning how the Sunday donations fared compared to Saturday's.  The next weekend collection dates for Lamb will be October 26 - 27; let's hope we get some fall type weather by then.

As you know our biggest challenge is this year's Annual Car Raffle. With only one weekend left  (October 5-6) to sell tickets in the Narthex and outside of church, we need as many Knights as possible to be visible and help speed the sales process along.  Please use SignUp Genius to notify the Knights manning the tables in the Narthex (or in Waxhaw) to let them know that you will be available to help after communion for 10-15 minutes. Remember to use a "soft-sell" approach when selling raffle tickets.  Your help is greatly appreciated! 

If you haven't received any car raffle tickets in the mail you can purchase them online by going to:  www.kofc-stmatthew.org/car-raffle.
 
Thank you to the many Knights who have sent in $ 35 in order to help purchase complete turkey dinners for some 200 families in support of Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity.  This is a wonderful opportunity for those Knights who, because of age or illness, can't fully participate in council activities yet wish to contribute in a meaningful way-this is the program for you!  Please bring your donation to the October business meeting or mail a check made out to KofC Council 10852  to: Knights of Columbus, 9009 Bryant Farm Road, Charlotte, NC 28277.  In the memo line please write: Turkey Drive.


Please pray for your Brother Knights and their families, especially those who are sick or in distress.  

Together we can do great things!

VIVAT JESUS!
 
Bill McKenna


Virtus!
I once again ask  every Brother in Our Council, to take the Safe Environment Program training provided by Supreme.  Below is the link and registration code :  

The Registration Code is:   kofcsafe

If you have any contact with minors in the Parish or Community, you should also take the Parish and Diocese  Protecting God's Children  workshop. This 2½ hour program is intended to educate volunteers to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. Preregistration is required. Sign up online at  www.virtus.org.

Please advise Bob Desch when you have completed either training.  He is maintaining a database for the Council.

Support Our Chaplain Father Peter

" The most valuable thing we bring with us to the abortion center is the presence of God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is in our souls. That's what you brought today, and for that reason it was not all darkness out there. "

Father Peter
If you are not aware, Father Peter heads over to the Hebron Abortion Clinic every Friday morning (@10:00 AM until 11:30 AM) and tries to counsel woman to keep their babies. It is important that Father Peter has someone with him at the center. 

There are Pro-Abortion activists who are there confronting the Pro-Life Activists. The Pro-Abortion Activists are very aggressive and have put their hands on Fr. Peter when he approaches a car to counsel an expectant mother. This is Assault and Fr. Peter asks those supporting him to watch and take Videos when necessary.

The challenge is to support Father Peter every Friday. Hopefully our Council will step up to support Father Peter each week. We should have more than one Knight each Friday supporting our Chaplain!

Will YOU support Father Peter on Fridays?
ROSARY MYSTERIES TAILORED FOR ABORTION PRAYERS:

Attached is a PDF version of Rosary Mysteries tailored for prayers regarding Abortion. The Word document is formatted to print on LEGAL paper (8 ½ x 14), print on both sides of the paper and then folded in half. Pray the Rosary using these prayers when at the Abortion Center.



 




LAMB
 
LAMB Article October 2019


We are now three quarters through 2019 and year to date our Council has collected $41,850.  As this article is being written, we are in the middle of the September Operation LAMB at six Harris Teeter grocery stores.  This is our first effort to split the stores, thee on Saturday and three on Sunday.  The choice of two days hopefully makes it easier for you to participate.  We will have the numbers to share with you at the October Business meeting on Wednesday, 10/2.
 
If you were not able to help this weekend, we have another Saturday / Sunday opportunity scheduled for the end of October, 10/26 and 10/27.  Please consider signing up to help one (or both) of those two days.  Why did I say both? This weekend three of our Brother Knights committed to work a shift on both days.  Further, this was the first time in quite awhile that the schedule was completely filled.  Our thanks to all who worked the September Operation LAMB.
 

Are you showing your
SPIRIT in our Council's LAMB activities?  Vivat Jesus. 
 
May God Bless all Knights,
Bob Desch, PGK

10th Annual Divine Mercy Day of Healing - The Joy of Mercy


Please join St. Matthew Catholic Church for their annual Divine Mercy Day of Healing, Saturday, October 19, 2019. Our theme this year is "The Joy of Mercy."  The Divine Mercy Day of Healing begins with Mass at 9AM, and includes singing the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Anointing of the Sick, and the Blessing with St. Faustina's Relic, followed by a Continental Breakfast provided in the banquet room in the New Life Center.  This symposium is from 9AM to 3PM. You can register by credit card at www.stmathewcatholicchurch.org/divinemercy or by check at the church office. Registration is $35.00 per person; seniors and students, $25.00.
 
Knights Build Bridge for Brother Knight Al Witbrodt

On September 27th, Operation Exodus built a new Bridge over a Ravine at Brother Knight Al Witbrodt and Sarah Klohr's home.  A fallen tree took out the old bridge across the ravine some time ago.  Pictured below is Ravine where the new bridge was installed.


Pictured below is the new Bridge.

Pictured below is the team of Brother Knights and Catholic Gentlemen who helped build the new bridge.

Pictured are (Left to right) Front Row: Leo Tosto, Jim Gilsdorf & Chuck Elgin; Back Row: Joe Corso, Alphonso Gonzaga, Al Witbrodt and John Trojan.  Not pictured is Bob Desch who is taking the picture and Ray Misunias who helped build the Bridge End Ramp Frames on Thursday, September 26th.

Operation Exodus is always looking for helpers.  We could really use some younger Brother Knights and/or Father and Son teams to help out.  You do not need construction experience, just a willingness to help.  Operation Exodus provides all the tools and expertise needed to complete the Design and Construction of the Handicap Access ramps. 
If interested in joining the Operation Exodus team, please contact Past Grand Knight Chuck Elgin at 
704 614-0504 or celgin01@earthlink.net.

Operation Exodus is a 501©3 Charity and accepts Tax Deductible, Charitable Contributions. Make Check can payable to "Operation Exodus" and mail to: Charles Elgin, President, Operation Exodus, Inc., 1204 Churchill Downs Drive, Waxhaw. NC 28173.  Your support would be greatly appreciated!
VIVAT JESUS! Chuck Elgin, Past Grand Knight & President of Operation Exodus

Donated Goods
 
A big thank you to all volunteers that help the St. Matthew Donated Goods Ministry!
 
Next monthly collection of donated goods is Saturday October 12th from 8am until noon.


Volunteers needed for all activities including sorting and packing but especially those that can help load and unload furniture and those that have trucks that can pick up from households that are donating furniture.
 
Many thanks to all of our volunteers.


Pancake Breakfast
Sun, Oct 20th

 
 
This is our second Pancake Breakfast of our 2019/2020 fiscal year. The focus this year is  "Great food at a good price while getting to know your fellow parishioners".

You will find price reductions for all, especially for families! We have also adjusted the menu to focus on pancakes and eggs.

So come out after Mass and enjoy breakfast with your family and friends!

Knights presenting a current membership card receive a $2.00 discount!

YOU  are needed to help make this and all our breakfasts a Success! 
Please  consider helping on Saturday and/or Sunday! 
If you can't help, please come and enjoy a great meal!!  
 

Council's Thanksgiving Turkey Drive!

Our Council's annual Turkey Drive is scheduled for the third week of November.   Our Council will purchase 150 to 200 Thanksgiving Turkey dinners for families in East Charlotte. The Council provides frozen turkeys and other food items to the Sisters of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity who will distribute the food.



Your donation of $35.00 will help cover the cost of one Thanksgiving meal for a family. Checks should be made payable to KofC Council 10852 and mailed to: Knights of Columbus, 9009 Bryant Farms Road, Charlotte, NC, 28277. You can also give cash or checks to either Ron Schumacher or Earl Hartenstine.  Please put "Turkey Drive" on the memo line of your check. We can take Credit Cards (see Ron for gifts by credit card).
  
Field Agent Report
 
The theme for October is "Real Life Stories."

A field agent who is lucky enough to be doing this great work undoubtedly has a personal story of the chaos and disorder that a devastated family stares at when there is a sudden loss.  If our goal is to protect Catholic families from the near devastation that our Venerable founder faced, then I must tell the story of how I can help my brother knights.  The process of making sure one has adequate protection for the family is not painful; in fact since we are brother knights serving brother knights, it is often a time of not only helping to protect all that is important to a family, but also a shared experience that leads to an abiding friendship.
There are two stories I'd like to relate.

The first is about a young boy named Julius. When Julius was 7 years old his mother, Irene, who was 37, died of cancer.  His father, Norman, had two teenage girls along with 7-year-old Julius to support and raise.  The family was forced to rely on the help and generosity of friends and relatives because Irene died without life insurance. Norman had a three-hour commute to his job, but always supported his children's activities. Julius excelled at sports, especially football and his dad spent what little free time he had fostering Julius and his talent. Julius later admitted that he "was handed a life lesson early, growing up with one parent.  It wasn't the easiest life-my dad sacrificed a lot."

Fast forward to Julius some 30 years later and he is married, has a wife and two children.  He's done quite well for himself both professionally and financially.  He has had a distinguished career and he has a considerable amount of life insurance to protect his family. Julius understands protection quite well after the early life he experienced. He understands the hardships of a family that loses a parent and what the children must go through. In his professional life he enjoyed considerable success because of those that protected him. For 13 years he was protected in his career. You see that protection for Julius came in the form of 300-pound offensive linemen...nobody called him Julius.  His nickname was "Boomer"...Boomer Esiason-a  four time Pro Bowler, an NFL Most Valuable Player and a Walter Peyton NFL Man of the Year.  Most importantly, a husband to Cheryl and a father to Sydney and Gunnar. 
"Life happens at the most unexpected of times, and life insurance is about protecting the future and the people you love," Boomer says. "Remember, if something happens and you haven't done the planning, the people you leave behind will feel the brunt of your mistakes." That story comes from LifeHappens.org.

The other story is not similar at all.  It's about a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He passed away recently and like Boomer's family, left behind a spouse and several young children.  There were no whispered worries at the funeral home.  There was no GoFundMe page to raise money. There is no concern that the children will not go to college or that the wedding he promised his daughter will not take place.  No, their home and future are secure.    Who was that knight?  I don't know; you don't hear about those men.  Because the council didn't have to have a spaghetti dinner or pass the hat.  But I assure you he was out there.  But you'll never know it...because he planned.

Let's sit down and do some planning and put your mind at ease.

Vivat Jesus!

Larry Lantz
KC Field Agent #18547 
(704) 305-0699
larry.lantz@kofc.org
 
 
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.

Sir Knight Chuck Elgin, Faithful Navigator of Assembly 780, 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 Faithful Navigator Chuck Elgin 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.

Who:              Open to the general public.

Games:          We play a total of 17 games.  The "Early Bird" game starts at 6:45 pm with 100% of the
 money collected going to the winner(s).  16 more games follow starting at 7:00 pm.

Prizes:           Prizes vary based on the number of people playing and the number of cards
 purchased.  The typical nightly game prizes have been around:  Early Bird game - over  $300 ... 8 Regular games - $75 per game ... 7 Special games - $130 per game ... Coverall  game - $500.

Cost:             The minimum cost is $10.  That lets you play 9 of the 17 games.  If a person wants to play
 all 17 games the minimum is $18.  The average player spends around $25.  Young children  can pay $2 to play the 9 games minimum or $10 to play all 17 games.

How Long:    Bingo is normally done by 9:45 pm.

Supports      The profits from Bingo goes 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.

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 p lease contact:
Ron Schumacher 704-618-2442 or reschu8@gmail.com

Lumberton Needs YOU - Now More Than Ever after Florence & Michael!


The Lumberton ministry name is changing to "Christian Responders".  While we are still doing work at the Lumberton, NC area, we are also gearing up to be able to respond to out disasters or needs.
 
We are a truly diversified group of people with several things in common:
* We enjoy helping people in need... in fact it nourishes our souls to get out and actually assist people in need.
* We like experiencing spiritual growth, attending church together, sharing our faith, learning from each other, learning from the people we serve, and being the hands and feet of Jesus.
* We enjoy socialization, making new relationships, and celebrating life together.Together we work, rest, pray, talk, laugh, eat meals, and help God's people who desperately need assistance.
* We enjoy having people of all ages and skills, especially families with teens, and we're committed to building a team of diversified people who enjoy traveling together for a weekend or other time frame to help disaster survivors in their time of need.

WE ARE NOW HELPING HURRICANE FLOOD VICTIMS in LUMBERTON, NC:
  •  Oct  11
  •  Nov 15
Activity: Helping restore houses so flood victims can return to their homes.
Lodging: We will be staying at the United Methodist Church in Lumberton.
Requirements: A desire to help God help those in need. No experience needed.
Please join "Christian Responders" in helping our neighbors by going to Lumberton, NC for a weekend and working with us and the United Methodist Church in restoring the homes of flood victims.

Contact: For information, please contact Joe George at jmecgeorge@aol.com or 704-906-0784, Ron Schumacher at reschu8@gmail.com or 704-618-2442, or Ray Misiunas at 980-226-4100/
 
Our team is busy recruiting volunteers for our upcoming weekends in March, April and May. We are also seeking trainers to assist with teaching our volunteers basic home repair skills.  

Please forward this link to all those who may be interested!

In Gratitude,

Joe George
704-906-0784

Stephanie Chadwick
704-650-1016

Christian Responders Ministry
St. Matthew Catholic Church
Charlotte, NC
Email:   christianresponders@gmail.com
Web:     https://stmatthewcatholic.org/responders 
  
CLICK TO VOLUNTEER   

SignUp 


  Mark your calendars! 
 
KofC Council 10852 - Faith in Action! 
 

⦁ October Calendar Events:

October 1 - Men's Shelter Serving
October 2 - Council Business Meeting at 7 pm
October 5 - 3rd Degree in Concord, NC
October 5&6 - Car Raffle ticket sales
October 13 - St. Matthew's Fall Festival, 12 to 4 pm
October 13 - Car Raffle Drawing at 4 pm!
October 16 - Knight's Mass at 7:30 pm
October 20 - Parish Pancake Breakfast
October 22 - Assembly 780 Meeting
October 23 - Council Officer's Meeting at 6:30 pm
October 26 & 27 - LAMB
October 29 - Assembly 780's 5th for the 4th Dinner

⦁  November Calendar Events:

November 1 - All Saints Day
November 5 - Men's Shelter Serving
November 6 - Council Business Meeting at 7 pm
November 13 - SCBC Board Meeting at 7 pm
November 17 - Parish Pancake Breakfast
November 20 - Council Officer's Meeting at 6:30 pm
November 20 - Knight's Mass at 7:30 pm
November 28 - Thanksgiving Day


Mark your calendars! There is a 3rd Degree scheduled for October 5th in Concord, NC.  Plan now to attend this degree and move up to full Knighthood.  Information about carpooling will be forthcoming! Direct questions to Brother Don Gacevich at: (626) 393-1876.
October 2019
 
 

1
4pm -
Shelter Serving

 

2
 7 pm - Knight's Business Meeting
 
3
 
 
4
Eucharistic 
Adoration


5
Car Raffle 
6

Car Raffle
7
BINGO
 
8
   
9
7 pm - SCBC Board mtg
10
11
Eucharistic 
Adoration
12
Donated       
Goods
13
 Fall Festival - Car Raffle Drawing!
14
BINGO
15

16
 
7:30 PM:
Knights Mass
 

17

18
Eucharistic
Adoration
19
 
20
Parish
Pancake
Breakfast
21
BINGO
22
Assembly 780   Meeting

23
 6:30 PM Officers Meeting
24
25
Eucharistic
Adoration
 
26
Operation Lamb
27
Operation Lamb

28
BINGO

29
 5th for the 4th dinner 
30
  

31
 
  

 
November 2019
 





1
Eucharistic Adoration

All Saints Day
2
 3
4
Men's Shelter Cooking
5
Men's Shelter serving
 6
 Council Business Meeting
7PM
7
 
 
8
Eucharistic Adoration

 9
10
11
12
   
13
SCBC Board Meeting 7PM
14
15
Eucharistic Adoration
16
17
 Pancake
Breakfast
18
19
20
Council Officer Meeting @6:30 PM
Knight Mass@7PM
21

22
Eucharistic Adoration
23
 
24
25
26
27
  

28
Thanksgiving
 29
Eucharistic Adoration
  
30





 
2019/2020 Council Officers
 
CHAPLAIN  Rev. Peter J. Ascik  pascik@stmatthewcatholic.org 
704-543-7677 x1185 
GRAND KNIGHT 
Bill McKenna 
billmaurmck@gmail.com   704-560-6997 
DEPUTY GRAND KNIGHT   Rory Wall rwall@tivasoftware.com  704-281-6737
CHANCELLOR     Jack Hickey   jjhickey@att.net    908-472-9019 
RECORDER  Norm Smith    jsmith650@carolina.rr.com    704-542-3107
FINANCIAL SECRETARY    John Coudriet  ccoudriet@carolina.rr.com    704-543-9621 
TREASURER  Earl Hartenstine    elmstone999@yahoo.com   704-962-0898
ADVOCATE  Chuck Elgin, PGK celgin01@earthlink.net  704-614-0504 
WARDEN  Hank Kempton     henrykempton@bellsouth.net   770-508-8208
LECTOR  Tony D'Angelo ajdangelo1903@hotmail.com 704-256-1354 
INSIDE GUARD  Dave Donovan  dono67960@aol.com  704-904-7492 
OUTSIDE GUARD   Gil Borrero gmborrero@yahoo.com   828-417-5968 
3 YR TRUSTEE Tom Larkin, PGK twlarkin39@gmail.com 803-762-8989
2 YR TRUSTEE  Bob Desch, PGK  deschr@bellsouth.net  704-543-8212 
1 YR TRUSTEE  Ron Schumacher, PGK   reschu8@gmail.com   704-618-2442 


 
 
The Grand Knight and Council Officers wish all Brother Knights with October 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 Bob Geyer (1927)
Brother Joe Caspary (1929)
Brother John Stevenson (1932)
Brother Ed Dyman (1936)
and the babies of the group...
Brother Richard Hill (1939)
Brother John Heagney (1939)

 


Council Awards and Recognition:

The Grand Knight and Council Officers are pleased to announce that
Brother Philip Chukwueke
has been selected as September's Knight of the Month.  Philip is an active member of the council supporting a number of our programs especially Monday night BINGO.

Our Family of the Month for September is
Christine and Pat O'Connor
Chris is a member of St. Matthew's Columbiettes and volunteered to help us with our Installation of Officers dinner.  Not only did they help serve the meal, Chris and Pat stayed late into the night to help clean up in the kitchen.  They are a vey kind and generous couple and much appreciated by Kof c St. Matthew Council 10852!

For The Good of the Order: 

Please keep Brother Nick Bonamo and his wife, Rita, and their family in your prayers. Nick passed away on September 22.  There will be a Memorial Service and his final internment on Tuesday October 8th, 2019 at St. Matthews.

 Mary, Queen of Knights - Pray for us!