January 2008 News Letter

 

 

My Brother Knights:

Happy New Year. I hope that everyone enjoyed the Christmas season with family and friends. I am wishing the best to all Brother Knights and their families in the year ahead.

It is hard to believe that we are halfway through this Columbian year. As usual, Council 6904 continues to remain active and our calendar of events for this month certainly reflects that activity.

We are scheduled for a First Degree on Thursday, January 17^th. Currently, there are at least half-a-dozen potential Brothers waiting to make their degree and join our great Council. One of my goals as your Grand Knight is to motivate all new members to become active. I would like to see the sponsors of the new members follow them through their degrees and encourage them to attend our meetings and events. This way, the new Brothers will really become true “Knights” of Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 6904.

I want to thank our Membership Director, John O’Brien, for all his work in keeping prospective members cognizant of the Knights’ presence. Sending Christmas cards to prospective members is one example of how John has kept our Council visible to them.

The Free Throw contest and Blood Drive are two events that have been successful in the past, chaired by Ralph Cetrulo and his father Nick Cetrulo, respectively. For any Brothers who wish to help and experience the Charity and Brotherhood that is our foundation, please call Ralph at 973-455-0333 or Nick at 973-267-3352.

Finally, I would like to recognize the Knight-of-the-Month for January. This individual continues to chair our Christmas party for at least the past 15 years. And, each year he puts in a great deal of hard work to make it a success. Appropriately, he is our Council’s Advocate (practicing law is his livelihood), and is also a member of our Council’s Scholarship Committee. I wish to congratulate PGK Arnold George as our January Knight-of-the-Month in recognition of his dedication to our Council.

Vivat Jesus,

Dennis

REMEMBER GUYS… January’s Social Meeting is JAN 17^TH

Father Dan will be our special chef for the evening !!!

 

 

 

~~~ POSTING ~~~

A motion was made and seconded to donate $500 to each of three needy families in Hanover Twp (a total of $1,500) which were identified by Fr. Sean.

 

MEMBERSHIP CARDS

NOTICE: Our Worthy Warden and Guards will be checking all Brothers for membership cards as they enter our meeting room. Membership cards should be carried by all Knights to show they are active members. If you do not have or cannot find your card, please contact Chuck Forsythe, our Worthy Financial Secretary.

Please have your cards ready. Thank you. Dennis, GK

 

Membership News

JANUARY 17- FIRST DEGREE AT MONROE HALL

Anyone interested in taking a higher degree should contact John O’Brien PGK at 973-539-8227

 

INSURANCE NEWS

New Haven, CT - January 2, 2008 - Knights of Columbus life insurance in force reached $66.1 billion at the end of 2007, setting a new all-time record, Supreme Knight and Chief Executive Officer Carl A. Anderson announced today. It was the Seventh consecutive year of insurance sales growth for the Order.

"The year 2007 was a very strong year for us," Anderson said. "Not only did we set a new record for insurance in force, but it was a record year for Life insurance sales, which totaled $6.564 billion. And December 2007 was our best month ever, adding $864.1 million of new life insurance coverage for our members and their families. Our insurance sales for December 2007 exceeded the amount sold during the entire year in 1978."

"I am very proud of our 1,300 field agents and 130 general agents, who worked so hard and so effectively to help Knights protect their families and build financial security," Anderson continued. "Our founder, Fr. Michael J. McGivney, believed strongly that we should provide every Catholic man with the means to protect his family from financial ruin by offering a sound, professionally-run life insurance program. The size and strength of our insurance program is a worthy testament to his far-sighted vision.”

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest lay Catholic organization, with more than 1.7 million members around the world. Last year, Knights donated more than 68 million hours of volunteer time and $143 million to charity. It is currently celebrating the 125th anniversary of its founding in 1882.

For more information, contact our insurance agent, John Stabile 973-539-2761

EVA'S KITCHEN

We're going to Eva’s in Paterson on Saturday, January 12, 2008. I'll need cooks and servers. To volunteer, call Bob 973-887-6752.

 

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES

Our condolences to the MAFFEI family on the passing of Rose, wife of our deceased brother, August Maffei.

 

Blood Drive

Our semi-annual blood drive will take place on Saturday, February 2^nd at Notre Dame from 9 to 3.

Save the Date!

 

ROSES FOR LIFE

Our annual Roses for Life drive will be on the weekend of January 12-13 at both Churches after all masses. Please volunteer.

 

CONGRATULATIONS

I would like to congratulate Janice Matlon, the daughter of Jim and Claire Matlon for her honor of November’s Whippany Park High School Student-of-the-Month. Jim is a Brother of our Council.

BEREAVEMENT LIST

One of the most important things that our Council does is to honor those Brothers who have died by attending the wake and performing a prayer service. Having the support of so many Brothers at the wake for the deceased Brother is well received by the family.

Currently, there is an existing list that could use some tweaking, as there are many Brothers that may want to be added, or in some cases, removed from the list. I would like a Brother to be in charge of this job. It is a good opportunity to be involved with such an important part of our Council.

Please call me or see me at our meeting if you would like to chair the Bereavement List.

Your Grand Knight at 973-292-9560.

 

Tricky Tray Reminder – Friday, June 6, 2008 !!!!

And Speaking of the Tricky Tray…

Did you get any Christmas gifts that didn’t quite fit your style… don’t forget that our Tricky Tray will accept any and all donations. Regift today !!!

Can you identify any businesses that might donate??? Contact Joe Milano 973-463-0797

 

THANK YOU !

On Saturday, November 20^th, a group of Knights cleaned-up Saddle Road for the Township. The following Brothers volunteered to help: Dennis Fashano, GK, Joe Milano, Frank Mares, Robert Hinck, and Joe Bono along with his son, Anthony. Thanks to all,

Nick Cetrulo, Chairman

 

 

OLM GALA

Saturday February 23

Birchwood Manor, Whippany

         With the Famous…

…INFERNO’S DANCE BAND

Cocktails/Cash Bar 6:00pm – Dinner 7:00pm

Beer, wine, soda included.

The Church of Our Lady of Mercy is hosting a Dinner/Dance Gala. This will be the event of the season and the place to be !

Your support and presence will be greatly appreciated.

Additional information – Tammy 973-503-1125

Limited seating…respond early…RSVP by January 30^th

$100 Per Person

This year the beginning of what wil become a tradition in our Council.  We will award our first scholarships to graduating high school seniors. We will be awarding two$1,000 scholarships.

 

Application must be high school seniors who are preparing to matriculate into an institute of higher learning. He/she must be a relative or dependent of a Brother of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Council #6904 in good standing. Scholarships will be awarded based on academic performance and community service.

 

Applications will be available by February 1st. Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2008 and awards will be presented at the June 5^th meeting. For details and applications, contact Joe Milano at 973-463-0797.

 

 

 

Ski Trip

Ski Whiteface Mountain/Explore Lake Placid NY --- Friday, March 7 Thru Sunday March 9. Bus departs from Whippany at 5:00 pm or preferably at 2:30 pm (if everyone can make it). Please check the time listed below that you are able to leave:

I am able to leave at 2:30 PM ________ I am able to leave at 5:30 PM ________

Return to Whippany at about 7:30 pm on Sunday. The purchase of discounted ski tickets may be possible depending on the total number of skiers/riders. Please check the appropriate line below so that I can have an idea of who will be skiing/riding each day:

I need ski lift tickets for Saturday _________ Sunday_________

The total cost for bus and lodging is as follows: $275 per person double occupancy. Add an additional $125 per person for a third or fourth person in your room. The price also includes a full breakfast on Sat & Sun.

The Marriott Courtyard has an indoor pool and fitness room.

Other areas of interest in Lake Placid are: ice skating at the Olympic rink, tours of the Olympic ski jump at Whiteface Mountain, riding on the Olympic bobsled, dogsled rides and you can take a ride to the top of Whiteface Mountain (in a heated gondola) to get a view of the downhill ski course.

Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A deposit of $100 is required no later than February 1, 2008. We must have a total of 35 people signed up no later than February 6, 2008 or the trip will have to be cancelled. Please complete the information below and return to Fred Meola. If you have any questions please contact Fred at 973-538-8863 (office); 973-539-6051 (home) or 973-538-5715 (fax).

Name _____________________________________ Number of Skiers in party _____________

Deposit - $___________ Contact Number ____________________________

Accompanied by (if under 18) ______________________

 

2007 ANNUAL FRATERNAL SURVEY

Brothers, if you have volunteered your hours in the categories listed below, they should be reported to me regardless if it’s a Knight’s event or not. Anything where you volunteer your time should be included. Please fill in the worksheet below and return it to me by the January 17^th meeting. You can also mail it to Chuck Forsythe, c/o KofC 6904, PO Box 161, Whippany, NJ.