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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL NEWS

Monsignor Thomas M. Wells Council www.kofc13008.org Volume 17, Issue 1 #13008 Silver Spring, MD July 2018

Grand Knight's Message

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proud of what we have accomplished during 2017-2018 and excited for the year to come. Our goals have been and will always be based on principles of our Order; Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Through these principles, we create our parish activities thus promoting the four cornerstones of the Knights of Columbus. Our mandate for 2018-2019 is to build a domestic church through closer coordination and support to the existing parish projects/activities/events, specifically the Youth and Family activities. I expect all Knights of our council to support these faith-based parish activities and to be an example at all levels. Please invite Catholic gentleman to our order and share our principles. Membership is open to men, 18 years and over who are practicing Catholics defined by the Church and are willing to make a life-time commitment.

Vivat Jesus!*

June Parish Breakfast Wraps up the Year Bill Bolin Worthy PGK Bill Bolin chairs the parish breakfast. He said, June 10 “…was our last breakfast for the Fraternal Year. We will not have breakfasts in July and August, and should resume in September. I want to say a very big THANK YOU to all the many Knights who graciously gave of their time in cooking, serving, and cleaning. It's been a great team effort.

The parishioners who attend really appreciate your efforts. Enjoy the summer and see you in September! *

Knights Host Pool Party for Altar

Servers and Youth Lectors Bill Bolin The Council held its annual Pool Party at the Kemp Mill Swim Club for the Altar Servers and Youth Lectors at St. Andrew Apostle Church on Friday, June 15th. It was a beautiful sunny evening and participants were treated to a delicious cookout and a fun evening of swimming. The event was well attended with 21 swimmers plus parents and Knights. The Council would like to thank the Kemp Mill Swim Club for hosting us, and Lise Baur and Kathy Perencevich for communicating the event to the Altar Servers and Lectors. Thanks to all the Knights who set up, cooked, served and helped out at the event! *

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Grand Knight Rolando DeAlvarez

Greetings!! Worthies!:

My name is Rolando DeAlvarez, I am honored to be the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Monsignor Thomas M. Wells Council #13008 for the 2018-2019 Columbian Year. I am

Newsletter bulletin Beginning July 2018 Worthy Pedro David Matias will publish the newsletters for the fraternal year. Witness the Word in Faith, Community, Family, & Life!

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Chaplain's Message Rev Daniel P Leary

ContemplativeAction

“Take nothing with you for the journey” is how Jesus sends out his disciples. Being sent by Christ demands a detachment from self in order to serve those that He calls us to love.*

District Deputy Message William Newbrough, DD District 18

It is my great honor and privilege to serve as District Deputy #18 in the upcoming fraternal year. Many who know me are aware that I am an avid student of history. I often encourage our Knights (both new and longtime members) to expand their

knowledge of the origins and history of the Knights of Columbus. That history will amaze and embolden you to participate in what St. John Paul II called the “Charity that evangelizes.”

Our history includes Maryland’s important role in the life and priestly ministry of our founder Fr. Michael J. McGivney. Here in Maryland, Fr. McGivney studied for the priesthood at St. Mary’s seminary and was ordained at the old Basilica of the Assumption in downtown Baltimore. From its founding, Maryland has been a standard bearer of religious freedom as documented in the Maryland Religious Toleration Act of 1649. This year we are honored to host the 136th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Baltimore. Please consider volunteering and participating in this great fraternal event.

During the first memorial service held for Fr. Michael McGivney in 1890, the following description was given “He was a man of the people. He was zealous of the people’s welfare and all the kindliness of his priestly soul asserted itself more strongly in his unceasing efforts for the betterment of their condition.” At the time of his passing, Fr. McGivney was 38 years old. Today, our Order – 2 million men strong is indeed a force dedicated to “the betterment” of those who experience the devastating effects of hunger, physical and

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mental handicaps and natural disasters. We stand in support of our priests and bishops and offer public witness against the injustice of religious persecution. We work to promote a culture of life and foster the values that recognize the family as the bulwark and foundation of the Church.

This year, the Knights of Columbus will implement a new service program titled “Faith in Action” which replaces the “Surge with Service” program introduced nearly 50 years ago. In a letter to state deputies written on April 6th, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson wrote “This model is an evolution of the “Building the Domestic Church” initiative that was introduced in November 2015.” He goes on to explain that “Faith in Action embodies a simplified overall program structure. Through Faith in Action we carry the order’s unchanged mission to a changing world.” The approach includes a strong call to action which focuses on four categories: Faith, Family, Community and Life. Be assured that I am personally committed to supporting our members, councils and parishes in responding to the Supreme Knight’s call to action to promote Faith, Family, Community and a Culture of Life.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our worthy outgoing District Deputy Joe Stewart for his hard work and dedication over the past two years. Joe’s unflagging support and selfless commitment to the growth and success of each council in District 18 is greatly appreciated! Joe will continue to support our efforts to stand in solidarity with our persecuted brothers and sisters in the Middle East by serving as Program Chair of Christian Refugee Relief for the MD State Council. Thank you Joe for all your hard work and support! All the best and Vivat Jesus!*

Message From PGK Wilfrid Amisial The Council accomplishments for the past Fraternal Year, can be summed up by simply stating that we met and exceeded through perseverance, patience and tolerance, goals for charitable contributions, growth in membership and appreciation for our Council, our Church and our Parish School. For this our Council is recognized by the Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. Our Monsignor Thomas Wells Council is one of many to receive the STAR Council award. In achieving this milestone, I am thankful for my friends who set the bar high. I pray that the vision to keep the progressive momentum continues into the new fraternal year.*

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Remember In Your Prayers PGK Wilfrid Amisial as he was just recently released from the hospital as well as other Brothers who are ill or in need.*

Certificate’s of Recognition PGK Wilfrid Amisial and Mathias Otradovec receive their Silver Knight Certificate’s of Recognition in June!*

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HTTP://KOFC13008.ORG

OFFICERS: Chaplain Reverend Daniel P. Leary Associate Chaplain Deacon Michael S. Bond Grand Knight GK/SK Rolando DeAlvarez Deputy Grand Knight SK Evaristus Ojiaku Chancellor Mathias Otradovec Warden William E Taylor Jr Recorder William Bolin, PGK Financial Secretary Paul A. Sanneman Treasurer David Luksic Advocate Dr. Bennett Solberg Lecturer Manoj Thomas Panikkaveetil Inside Guard SK Eric McDonald Outside Guard Pedro David Matias Trustee Three Year SK Wilfrid Amisial, PGK Trustee Two Year SK Dennis Gorres, PGK Trustee One Year SK Dave Czarnecki, PGK ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN: Program Director SK Evaristus Ojiaku Faith Activities Dir. SK Dennis Gorres, PGK Community Activity Dir Marvin Schuttloffel Family Activities Dir SK Eric McDonald Life Activities Dir William Bolin, PGK Membership Chairman Werner Moeller, PGK Christ In Christmas Cards David Luksic Retention Chairman SK Wilfrid Amisial, PGK Tootsie Roll Chairman SK Eric McDonald Pancake Breakfast Chair William Bolin, PGK Pro-Life Couple TBA Car Raffle Chairman SK Evaristus Ojiaku Newsletter Editor Pedro David Matias Webmaster GK Rolando DeAlvarez

M E M B E R S H I P M E E T I N G S All council meetings are generally held in the KoC Meeting Room in the basement of the old convent at 7:45PM. Officer’s meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month. Business meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month and the Social meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

August Meetings

Aug 01 Officer’s meeting 7:45 PM Aug 08 Business meeting - 1st Degree 7:45 PM Aug 22 Social meeting 7:45 PM

Welcome New Members! July Knight of the Month PGK Wilfrid Amisial*

July Family of the Month The family of Coach William E Taylor Jr *

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Message from Outgoing District Deputy Joe Stewart As my two-year term as District Deputy winds down and I look back on my successes and failures, I wish I had been more consistent in providing a monthly article for the District’s Council Newsletters. Again, this month, at the last minute, I think there is nothing important I need to convey to my Councils, so I asked myself, “What is important to me?” Being the Advocate (as the KofC calls it) type, or the Association Parliamentarian (as I was in my previous life in the Parent Teacher Associations of my two boys’ schools), I decided I would write about important Laws and Rules of our Order as defined by Supreme and the local Council Bylaws. This topic may be a sleeper for most, but is something I care deeply about and don’t believe is well understood by the membership. In my IT world, I would say “if standards aren’t enforced, chaos will ensue.”

There are two main documents that define how Knights of Columbus Councils are to operate, the first being the Charter Constitution and Laws of the Knights of Columbus (governing the Supreme, State, and Subordinate Councils), last updated in 2017. The second document is the local Council Bylaws where a predefined template is made available to Councils by Supreme with eight optional elements the Council is allowed to define themselves. Those are: 1) Annual Dues, 2) Initiation Fee (if one exists), 3) Quorum, 4) Maximum Amount Paid per Transaction at a Regular Business Meeting, 5) Relief Fund Amount (if one exists), 6) Number of Masses (if any) Held for a Lost Brother, 7) Financial Secretary Compensation, and 8) If

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Son of Mary is proclaimed at the end of time. One of the great horrors of sin is death and bodily corruption. Mary's Assumption reminds us of the beauty of her sinless motherhood, but it also reminds us of what we are apt to forget: that apart from her Son, we would be subject to eternal death and corruption. Mary is the first fruit of Jesus’ victory; but, surely, those who hope in Him will be with Him and His Blessed Mother.*

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Monsignor Wells Message [From the Pastor’s Desk, Spiritual Reflections by Msgr, Thomas M. Wells]

Lessons of Mary's A ssumption August 11, 1996

I confess that I do not think about death as much as, probably, I should. It has occurred to me that, apart from the wonderful asthma medications today, a couple of the very severe attacks I have had could have been even more dangerous and that my lifestyle could be less active than it is. Also, as a priest who celebrates three or four funerals most months, I obviously am acquainted with death and dying. On the other hand, compared to the Spanish monks of the sixteenth century who used to keep a skull available to remind them of the "certain, sad, sentence of death," I find my meditations much more concerned with the here and now. All things considered, I sup¬pose the primary focus on living as a Christian today is better than living in fear of the judgment to come.

However, it is easy today to forget that, ultimately, our goal is union with God and heaven. That is one reason why this week's feast of Our Lady's Assumption is such a blessing. The Church reminds us that just as Mary, a creature like us, is body and soul in heaven, so also are we destined to the "resurrection of the body and life everlasting." No, there is no reason for my being preoccupied with death, but I should be concerned with living the life of Jesus that only becomes more glorious with physical death.

The doctrine of the Assumption, of course, teaches that Mary's body was not corrupted by death. (Whether or not she actually died or, rather, was raised to heaven without experiencing death, has never been defined. Most theologians speculate that she did die but that her incorrupt body was assumed into heaven). Her bodily assumption separates her from us in that our body and soul will not be reunited until the Last Judgment at the end of time. This difference may seem not too important (after all, if I get to heav¬en, I do not think I will mind waiting a couple of thousand years to be reunited with this body!), but as always, doctrine has practical lessons.

First of all, the doctrine of Mary's and our bodily resurrection reminds us of the sacredness of the body. It is not just the soul that is redeemed by Jesus: our whole being is redeemed and, in fact, the way we show our faith is most often through the actions of our bodies. Secondly, we remember that Mary's bodily Assumption is a privilege of her sinlessness. We are made for eternal life; but the effects of original sin will be with us until the final victory of the

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the Lecturer is Included as an Appointed Officer. Unless you use the template defining the eight variables, it is very hard (if not impossible) to get (customized) Bylaws approved by the Supreme Council.

While (as a Parliamentarian) I would suggest that every law and rule outlined in those two important documents should be enforced in every Council, there are some I consider to be absolutely essential and that need to be enforced at all times. The most important rule on that list is that all Council expenditures need to be properly approved by the Membership and/or as outlined in the documents referenced. This is usually made much simpler by approving (and revising) a yearly budget. When the membership needs to approve any amount greater than $500, the proposed spending needs to be presented at one Business Meeting, and then approved at the next Business Meeting by a two-thirds vote. One-off spending (i.e. under $500) needs to be approved by the Council at a Business Meeting. I have often seen a discretionary amount included in the Budget for the Grand Knight to pay small incidental bills as needed. Most non-profit organizations require this type of membership approval. Once approved by the Council, the proposed spending is then forwarded to the Trustees, who also need to approve all spending or send it back for reconsideration by the Council. There are no optional provisions in the Laws and Rules of the Order in this regard!

The other check-and-balance required by the Laws and Rules of our Order that I believe to be most important is how money is to flow into and out of the Council. All bills and income are required to come through the Financial Secretary, be checked as authorized by the Council, then passed to the Treasurer for action (with the proper vouchers attached). A report is required for both receivables and expenses at each Business Meeting. The Treasurer is tasked with making all deposits and writing checks to pay authorized expenses. Only the Treasurer and the Grand Knight are allowed (and required) to sign all checks, although the Deputy Grand

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Although certain rights are unalienable, they are not unrestricted. Rather, they are subject to a higher natural law that was instilled by the Creator in the nature of man and are to be regulated through his conscience. This was done so that people would utilize their freedom in a morally and socially acceptable manner. Indeed, America as a nation of liberty under law could not be sustained if the people as a whole were not inwardly governed by a higher imperative.

The great danger to the nation today is a loss of religious faith. As the substance of being an American is rooted in the transcendental, then a loss of belief in God leads to a loss of belief that the rights bestowed by Him are intrinsic and unalienable. If these rights are to be retained, then a belief in God must be maintained.

The early Americans were very aware of the importance of faith among the people. They were convinced that without a societal belief in God the nation’s founding principles would be at risk. From the time of the Pilgrims onward, colonial governors, legislatures, Revolutionary leaders, presidents and the Congress have issued hundreds of proclamations acknowledging the existence of God and calling for public fasting and prayer to seek His grace and thank Him for His beneficence. In time of war, in the Christmas season, and in their traditional Thanksgiving Day proclamations, most presidents have made reference to the Almighty. Congress, even today, opens its daily sessions with a prayer. But much of the present public acknowledgement of God seems to be more traditional or symbolic, rather than sincere.

Presently, too many national leaders profess a faith, but do not publicly practice it. There is a disconnection between what they say they believe and their actions which demonstrate what they believe. This partition between a private conscience and a public position has allowed many individuals to advance their political aims. Rather than using their religious convictions to shape societal practices, they have diluted their beliefs in pursuit of worldly prosperity, acclaim, or social acceptability.

For decades, vocal minorities operating through the courts have been driving God from virtually all public recognition. As a result, God has become less relevant in many lives. According to a recent Gallup poll, persons who self-identified as Christians declined from 92% in 1960 to 68% in 2017, while persons with no religious affiliation increased from 3% to 20%. Currently, only 46% of the people attend a church or synagogue even once a month. Not surprisingly,

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Reflections Lawrence P. Grayson

Restoring A merica’s Proposition

The President has vowed to make America great again by improving the economy, protecting the nation’s sovereignty, and enhancing its prestige among the world’s nations. As laudable as these aims are, they are incomplete.

America is more than a wealth-generating entity with borders. It was founded as the embodiment of a vision, an idea, a set of idealistic principles. Perhaps no one summarized more cogently and effectively what America stands for than Abraham Lincoln in his Address at Gettysburg:

“[O]ur fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal…We here highly resolve that…this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

The concept of a nation dedicated to liberty, equality and democracy, and subject to an Almighty Being, set forth the fundamental principles upon which America is based. A nation under God was not deemed an objective, but a founding proposition. It was enunciated in the Declaration of Independence and is reaffirmed each time anyone stands before the nation’s flag and recites the Pledge of Allegiance.

While the elements of liberty and equality are in common with the political tenets of Western Europe, the belief in a sovereign God who reigns over nations as well as men sets America apart. In the European tradition of laicism, as shaped by Enlightenment thinkers, religion is a private concern and irrelevant to public affairs. Political development is centered on the rationality of man to the exclusion of the transcendent. Hence, ultimate sovereignty resides in the state which is bound by nothing higher than the will of the people. Since it is the state that defines the rights of the individual, those privileges are provisional for the state can rescind what it grants.

America’s premise of freedom under God is alien to the concept of laicism. The idea that there is a supernatural authority to which the state is subject is intrinsic to this nation’s governance. Americans recognize certain rights of the individual as unalienable because they were bestowed on man by the Creator God. These innate, pre-existing grants may be ignored or violated, but cannot be revoked by the state.

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Insurance Agent's Message Andrew Einsmann

Long Term Care

This will be a three part series to educate about the importance of Long Term Care. Here at the Knights of Columbus we have never raised our premiums mid contract. We are conservative and got into the business late. We over both facility care for if you go to a nursing home and comprehensive care if you would like to have someone come to you. We, also, offer shared care where a married couple can actually use their spouse’s care if the other one does not need it.

The phrase "long-term care" refers to the help that people with chronic illnesses, disabilities or other conditions need on a daily basis over an extended period of time. The type of help needed can range from assistance with simple activities (such as bathing, dressing and eating) to skilled care that's provided by nurses, therapists or other professionals.

Employer-based health coverage will not pay for daily, extended care services. Medicare will cover a short stay in a nursing home, or a limited amount of at-home care, but only under very strict conditions. To help cover potential long-term care expenses, some people choose to buy long-term care insurance.

Factors to consider Your age and health: Policies cost less if purchased when you're younger and in good health. If you're older or have a serious health condition, you may not be able to get coverage — and if you do, you may have to spend considerably more.

The premiums: Will you be able to pay the policy's premiums — now and in the future — without breaking your budget? Premiums often increase over time, and your income may go down. If you find yourself unable to afford the premiums, you could lose all the money you've invested in a policy.

Your income: If you have difficulty paying your bills now or are concerned about paying them in the years ahead, when you may have fewer assets, spending thousands of dollars a year for a long-term care policy might not make sense. If your income is low and you have few assets when you need care, you might quickly qualify for Medicaid. (Medicaid pays for nursing home care; in most states it will also cover a limited amount of at-home care.) Unfortunately, in order to

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20% of people in America are convinced, or are fairly certain, that God does not exists. The nation’s society today is more anti-religious in its policies and regulations, its views and attitudes, its behavior and temperament than it has ever been.

The agnostic secularization of this nation must be rejected and its founding values restored and preserved. America was established on the basis of liberty and justice, as a country where people could enjoy freedom in their homes, churches, businesses, schools, private organizations and public associations, where political liberty would allow faith to flourish, where religious liberty would be protected by just laws. This is a patrimony that has been handed down from generations past and requires a commitment to maintain it for generations to come. As President Ronald Reagan reminded us, “Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction… It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them [our children] to do the same,”

As Americans, let us commit ourselves to support the Constitution, enact laws that protect the rights of every person from conception to natural death, mold public opinion on issues that affect our religious precepts, and promote virtue and morality that must underlie a nation of, for and by the people. As Catholics, let us practice patriotism and citizenship consistent with Church teachings. It is when we live our religious beliefs conscientiously and faithfully and advance them in the public square that we make our most beneficial contributions to the nation.

May America remain one nation under God with liberty, equality and justice for all. *

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Insurance Agent's Message continued to page 7

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qualify for Medicaid you must first exhaust almost all your resources and meet Medicaid's other eligibility requirements.

Your support system: You may have family and friends who can provide some of your long-term care should you need it. Think about whether or not you would want their help and how much you can reasonably expect from them.

Your taxes: The benefits paid out through a long-term care policy are generally not taxed as income. Also, most policies sold today are "tax-qualified" by federal standards. This means if you itemize deductions and have medical costs in excess of 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income you can deduct the value of the premiums from your federal income taxes. The amount of the federal deduction depends on your age. Many states also offer limited tax deductions or credits.

Covered services Policies may cover the following care arrangements: Comprehensive care covers all of the things below, Facilities only the first 3.

Nursing home: A facility that provides a full range of skilled health care, rehabilitation care, personal care and daily activities in a 24/7 setting. Find out whether the policy covers more than room-and-board.

Assisted living: A residence with apartment-style units that makes personal care and other individualized services (such as meal delivery) available when needed.

Adult day care services: A program outside the home that provides health, social and other support services in a supervised setting for adults who need some degree of help during the day.

Home care: An agency or individual who performs services, such as bathing, grooming and help with chores and housework.

Home modification: Adaptations, such as installing ramps or grab bars to make your home safer and more accessible.

Care coordination: Services provided by a trained or licensed professional who assists with determining needs, locating services and arranging for care. The policy may also cover the monitoring of care providers.

Future service options: If a new type of long-term care service is developed after you purchase the insurance, some policies have the flexibility to cover the new services. The "future service" option may be available if the policy contains

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specific language about alternative options.

For any questions please contact Andrew.*

Fraternally, Andrew Einsmann, Field Agent (O) 301 351 1717 Andrew.Einsmann@kofc.org*

Insurance Agent's Message continued from page 6

Admission Degree On Wednesday, June 27, 2018 the Council welcomed the District's Formation Degree Team (formerly the Second Degree Team) who conducted the Formation Degree for 4 First Degree Knights. Congratulations to Pedro David Matias, Chris McKneely, and Stanislaus Bayala from Council 13008 and Michael Ford from Council 5567 of St. Michael the Archangel! After the degree, all the attendees and the Degree Team enjoyed the Social Meeting.*

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Knight can sign for the GK in his absence. No one can sign for the Treasurer, and there is no option for anyone else than those three Officers to sign checks for the Council. Anyone who signs checks, even the GK, that does not properly comply with the Laws and Rules of the Order can be held personally liable for those expenditures. This well-established process is the most important check-and-balance required to ensure that Council funds are handled appropriately.

There are many Laws and Rules of our Order, and I wish I could be more concise so that I could cover more of them in this article, but those two items are, in my opinion, the two most critical laws that cannot be ignored. If anyone is interested in the Laws and Rules of the Order (or in my beloved Roberts Rules of Order), I would be happy to discuss these topics over a Budweiser (or two) at your convenience. I don’t expect any takers!*

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August 2018 Monsignor Thomas M. Wells Council #13008

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Officer Mtg

7:45 PM

2 3 4 Installation

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6 7

8 Business Mtg 7:45PM

9 10 11 Raffle Tickets

12 Raffle Tickets; Small Item Exchange; State Programs Seminar

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16 17 18

19 Raffle Tickets

20 21

22 Social Mtg 7:45PM ; First Degree

23 24 25 Raffle Tickets

26 Raffle Tickets

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Calendar updates are available on the Council websites www.kofc13008.org or Parish website http://standrewapostle.org/ministry/knights-of-columbus/

If you have an E-Mail address change, please send it to the editor at: pd.matias@live.com

Council Newsletter Msgr. Thomas M. Wells Council #13008 11110 Rock Road Rockville, MD., 20852

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