Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 6904 
Knights of Columbus 
Whippany, NJ

December 2008

My Brother Knights:

As Grand Knight of Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 6904, I am privileged to witness the charity and brotherhood that is constantly spread by our caring Brothers. For example, the Council supported three Priests at the Pride-in-Priests Dinner with 9 Brothers and wives attending. When the Council was asked to support one of our units in Iraq with cards and supplies last month, the Council responded vigorously. And, when Warden Mark Kearney needed help with rides to and from treatments, over 20 Brothers signed to participate to transport him. I thank all of you who have represented yourselves as true Knights of Columbus through your charity, unity and brotherhood. Please continue to pray for Brother Kearney.

As we approach the Birth of Our Lord, let us again be cognizant of those who are in need. Please open your hearts to those less fortunate who may not have the means to enjoy the holidays.

Our Knight of the Month is a new member who has shined since he joined our Council last May. He proceeded to receive his second and third degree and is poised to become a Fourth Degree Knight in the near future. He was involved in soliciting new brothers in the membership drive. This brother is seen helping after the meetings are over and many times staying until the end asking, “what has to be done.” More recently, he attended the Pride-in-Priests Dinner and, at last count, had sold over 150 raffle tickets for our Christmas Party. For December, please congratulate Brother Joe Hagen as Knight of the Month.

Finally, I would like to wish all of you and your families a blessed Christmas season and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Vivat Jesus,

Dennis

Recently a friend of mine - who is also a priest - remarked that he was always saddened to hear people say, on December 25th, that it just doesn't feel like Christmas. That kicked off what I hope is some productive thought on my part, leading to a few simple points. When we were children, what made it feel like your birthday? Some special things happened - family and friends probably came to a party, gave gifts, and maybe even wore funny little hats. There was most likely a cake that everyone shared, and "Happy Birthday" was probably sung in as many different keys as there were people. For one day, you were the center of attention! But what if people gave you gifts every day? Baked a cake, sang songs, and wore the funny little hats? Wouldn't it get old quickly? Wouldn't it cease being special and become ordinary - maybe even tiresome? When we begin celebrating Christmas with parties, music, trees, special events and many other things, somewhere just before or after Thanksgiving, it's no wonder that Christmas Day isn't special anymore, or doesn't feel like Christmas. It's just another day in a month-long party, and after a few weeks of mindless celebration, the magic has pretty much disappeared by December 25th. And it certainly isn't a day when Jesus is the center of attention. Advent is a season of preparation. We have roughly a month to prepare for the celebration of the Messiah's birth, and plenty of time after the 25th to have parties. We need to tend to the needs of the soul first. Finally, what makes Christmas feel like Christmas? Is it the music, gifts, lights, trees, etc.? If you took all those things away, would it still be Christmas? Of course it would - if what you really celebrate at Christmas is the birth of Christ! The fact that we have a Savior is the best cause for celebration and rejoicing. Everything else is just extra icing on the cake. Keep Christ in Christmas!

 POSTING

As you know, our Council sponsors two seminarians, Phillip Michael Tangorra and Manuel Guevara. A motion was made and seconded to donate $600 to each of them.

INSURANCE NEWS

Retirement Annuities: The inherent volatility of the investment market calls for a balanced portfolio. A key component is a stable and dependable means of providing financial security and retirement savings for Knights and their families. Knights of Columbus Annuity products offer some of the best retirement savings vehicles available today, allowing you to realize tax deferrals as your money grows. INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES: Whether you select Traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Annuities, IRAs continue to be one of the best retirement savings options available. You and your spouse can each invest the amount you want, when you want. And IRAs may offer special tax advantages and long-term growth. TAX DEFERRED ANNUITIES: Tax-Deferred Annuities are another excellent means of providing income for your retirement. Plus, the interest you earn can be tax-deferred until you begin to receive payments. Annuities also offer significant advantages, as well as additional financial security.

John Stabile – Your K of C Insurance agent. Call him at 973-539-2761.

COOKS NEEDED

 A Cook is needed for the May social meeting. Please help.
Contact Dennis Fashano or Joe Ward.

ROSES FOR LIFE

Remember that our annual Roses for Life drive will be held on the weekend of January 17-18 at both parishes. Volunteers will be needed after each mass. Proceeds to benefit local unwed pregnant women.
Contact Mike Ricciardi for info, 973-539-4322

F - F Y I

Flieger’s For Your Information…

» Nice turkey dinner at the November Social meeting, thanks to the “Three Joes”.

» Brother Bob Peters was presented with a special, well-deserved Knight of the Month. Congrats Bob.

» Nice program to send military people notes and gifts… thanks to Brother Vinny Viglione.

» Once again we served “coffee and” on Thanksgiving Day at both parishes… thanks to 'a lot' of Brothers!

» Did ya notice? Both Target and Walmart are using Christmas in their ads. A few years ago, this was not the case. Let's all KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS.

» Say one for Brothers Mark Kearney and Ralph Lefevere.

» SPECTACULAR! That's what it was when we asked for volunteers to drive Brother Mark Kearney to his medical appointments… Over 23 Brothers signed up! THAT‟S BROTHERHOOD!!!

» Be sure to celebrate Elizabeth Ann Seton's feast on January 3rd at the 11:00 Mass at St. E's College Chapel. Lunch after, no charge. Call if you need directions, 973-887-6752.

» The response to our Christmas gift request for Eva's Kitchen was FANTASTIC… the best yet. Thanks to the many, many Brothers who responded.

» And a special thanks to Jerry Martino who managed to acquire 25 sweat shirts for this Christmas drive.

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Attendance Raffle

At our December business meeting, Brother Fred Meola won $455 in the attendance raffle. Remember, you have to be present to win! The reason for this raffle is to help defray the costs of providing our monthly meals. See, it pays to show up to a meeting!

EVA’s KITCHEN

Once again, we will be going to serve lunch to the less fortunate at Eva’s Kitchen in Paterson on Saturday, January 10th. Cooks and servers are needed. Mark your calendars. Brother Bob Flieger could use your help, please contact him for info 973-887-6752.

Proposed Bylaws Change

The Scholarship Committee has recommended the following change to the Bylaws to clarify certain aspects of the fund’s functions and to structure the fund to eventually become self-endowed. These changes will be voted on at the December 18th meeting. The highlighted sections are those that have changes:

10. The Council Scholarship Fund shall be a fund maintained by the Council to support annual college scholarships presented to the family of member Knights of this Council.
    1. The Scholarship Committee shall consist of the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and three Brother Knights selected by the Grand Knight annually and approved by the Trustees by the last regular meeting in October. A Brother Knight whose family member is under consideration for the Scholarship may not serve as a Committee member. If a Committee member is unable to serve, the Grand Knight shall select a replacement Brother Knight who will then be approved by the Trustees.
    2. Any Brother Knight, child, stepchild, grandchild, great-grandchild, brother, sister or other dependent of a Brother Knight or deceased Brother Knight of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Council #6904 who is a high school senior at the time of the application shall be eligible for the Council Scholarship. Said Knight must remain in good standing (or must have been in good standing at the time of death) during the period of consideration and presentation of the scholarship.
    3. No student may apply for the scholarship more than once. Each scholarship is a one-time award.
    4. At least one award shall be presented annually to a qualified applicant of no less than $500. If no qualified applicant is identified, no award shall be given. The Committee may elect to award additional scholarships and/or higher values based on the availability of funds. No more than 75% of the total funds received into the Fund during the previous Columbian year may be awarded.
    5. The proposal on the number and value of the awards in addition to all application requirements shall be announced to the membership at a regular business meeting and published in the Council newsletter no later than the end of January. Applications cannot be accepted prior to this announcement.
    6. Candidates must complete and submit an application to the Scholarship Committee along with all relevant transcripts and records as well as any essays, references, interviews, or other projects that the Committee may require. All applications along with any other required documentation must be submitted to the Committee no later than April 15.
    7. The Committee shall base their decision on two equally weighted factors: Academic performance and community/school involvement.
    8. The Scholarship Committee shall review all submissions and make a selection(s) by the last regular meeting in May. The Scholarship award shall be presented no later than the last regular meeting in June.
    9. Award of the scholarship is dependent upon the student successfully graduating high school and being matriculated into an institution of higher learning. Said institution may include any accredited 2-year or 4-year, undergraduate college or university, technical school, trade school, or academy.
    10. The Scholarship Fund shall be maintained in an account separate from the Council’s general funds. The status of said account shall be reported to the general membership by the Treasurer at each business meeting at the time of the Treasurer’s report.
        1. The Fund shall receive $5 from all annual dues paid by members.
        2. The Fund shall receive 10% of the profits as reported by the Financial Secretary from all Council-sponsored events that are not otherwise previously earmarked for a specific purpose.
        3. Any investment interest earned by the Fund shall be reinvested into the Fund.