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December 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL FROM THE

DISTRICT MASTER DAVID ONOFRIO AND HIS STAFF OF SIR KNIGHTS!

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District Master’s Message

Worthy Sir Knights and Brothers All, I would like to congratulate the 125 Brothers who became Sir Knights on November 21st in Ra-leigh. They belong to 29 Assemblies across the District/State. If you do the math that means 66% of our Assemblies have new Sir Knights to assist with the various Patriotic programs each Assembly is involved in. I challenge the new Sir Knights to get involved. Don’t just sit on the sidelines and wait to be asked. Find a program that interests you and become a part of the team. Don’t be afraid to bring up new ideas or suggest new programs. Why not take on a leadership role, whether it be a chairman or run for an office in the spring.

We have scheduled a Regional Fourth Degree Exemplification at St. Paul’s, in New Bern on Febru-ary 27, 2016. All the details are attached to this Golden Plume. Please do not wait until the last minute. The cutoff for submissions will be February 13, 2016.

1Q16 Dates to start planning for now: March for Life in Charlotte – January 15, 1016 March for Life in Raleigh – January 16, 2016 March for Life in Washington DC – January 22, 2016 March for Life in Jacksonville – January 23, 2016 Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity – January 31, 2016 – EVERY ASSEMBLY Regional Fourth Degree Exemplification – February 27, 2016 in New Bern See attachments to this newsletter for the details Regional Fourth Degree Exemplification – We are planning to have one in the Western part of the

State and should be able to announce the date and location after the 1st of the year.

“Do not wait. Recruit candidates now.” The Regionals are a less expensive way for a Third Degree brother to become a member of the Patriotic Arm of the Order and do it in just one day.

April 2, 2016 will be the biennial meeting for our District and held in Greensboro. Every Faithful Navigator of record will receive an official letter from me with the details. Each Assembly is expected to make every effort to attend.

Thank you for all you are doing in support of our Military, the Community, our Church, and the Order. Don’t forget to send a small note and pictures to District Bill Barry (bbarry54@gmail.com) so he can have them put on the photo section of the website.

Anne and I would like to wish all of you and your families a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. If you will be traveling over the holidays, it is our prayer that it be safe and uneventful.

Fraternally, SK Dave Onofrio, PSD District Master

God Bless You, God Bless Our Church, and God Bless America

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Worthy Master and All Sir Knights: At this time of the year and throughout. We take different kinds of pleasure in giving. Perhaps the purest is the gift to a child so young it doesn't really know who the gift came from; the pure joy that the teddy bear or pull toy produces is our re-ward, unmixed by any expectation of return. When children get older, we want something back from them: gratitude, re-spect. The gift is less pure. When lovers exchange gifts, their pleasure is often tinged with anxiety: Did I give more than I got? Did I get more than I gave? Or with power: He'll always remember where he got that shirt; she owes me for the fur jacket. To friends and relations our gifts reflect many things: our appreciation of their lives, our shared memories, our prosperity. We tend to give in a spirit of self expres-sion. Perhaps the closest we can come to a pure gift is an anonymous one: a gift that you members of the Knights of Columbus give in your volunteer work, and a contri-bution to our charities. Such a gift, which can never be acknowledged or returned by those it help and comforts, can heal the spirits when they are wearied by to much ego. Remember the gift of yourself can be a gift to yourself! Keep up the work of our Order and receive the greatest gift.

Thank you and God bless you. Fraternally yours, SK Robert J. Anderson, PSD, FDM Vice Supreme Master

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Congratulations! At the 4th Degree Exemplification luncheon, Vice Supreme Master Robert Anderson presented District Master Dave Onofrio with the “New Assembly Development Award”. Under District Master Onofrio’s leader-ship, the Fr. John G. Parish Assembly 3510 (Wake Forest) and the St. Fran-cis of Assisi Assembly 3552 (Raleigh) have been chartered.

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December 13 2015

We Remember… and We Celebrate…..

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CRITERIA FOR ATTAINING THE STAR ASSEMBLY AWARD

Publish and distribute to the assembly membership a minimum of six Assembly Newsletters

during the 2015-2016 fraternal year. A copy of each newsletter must also be sent (either in print or electronically) to the Vice Supreme Master.

Meet the assembly’s membership goal, with a net gain of 10% additions over deletions. Earn the Civic Award by conducting a minimum of four patriotic programs during the 2015-

2016 fraternal year, and reporting those programs to the Supreme Master by June 30, 2016 on the Civic Award Application.

Complete and submit to your District Master by April 30 the To Be A Patriot Award applica-

tion. Complete and submit the Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (#186) and the Annual Sur-

vey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) by their respective due dates. The Fraternal Survey form is due January 31, 2016. The office report form was due July 1 but, for Star Assembly qualifica-tion purposes FOR THIS YEAR ONLY, forms received on or before December 1, 2015 will be considered “on time”.

NOTE: All required forms for the Star Assembly Award can be found on the Assembly Forms page of kofc.org/forms.

KofC Supreme Council KofC Supreme Assembly

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Congratulations to all of our new Navigators and Assembly Officers. I wish you all much success in the new fraternal year. To assist me in ensuring you receive important information and commu-nications about events in the District, your Diocese and your local area, I would like to introduce to you my District Marshal and Assistant District Marshal Staff, and the assemblies they cover. Please feel free to reach out to them if you have questions or events in your area, and need assis-tance. SK Dave Onofrio, PSD District Master

Marshal Rick Lewis ADM Al Grupy ADM Matt Dimock

Raleigh – 778 Cary – 2446 Garner/Fuquay – 2983 Chapel Hill – 3005 Durham – 3365 Henderson – 3440 Wake Forest – 3510 Raleigh -- 3552

Fayetteville – 783 Southern Pines – 2069 Hope Mills – 2238 Newton Grove – 2490 Shallotte – 3115 Ft. Bragg -- 3459

Charlotte – 780 Mint Hill – 2208 Denver – 2417 Gastonia – 2531 Concord -- 3158

ADM Dave McGuire ADM Dick Hamel ADM Greg Ciesielski

Wilson – 1899 Elizabeth City – 2379 Roanoke Rapids – 2538 Outer Banks -- 2989

Asheville – 781 Hickory – 1713 Hendersonville – 2130 Arden – 2274 Shelby 2725 Maggie Valley -- 3001

Jacksonville – 1541 New Bern – 1820 Wilmington – 2017 Morehead City – 2220 Swansboro – 2713 Southport – 2826 Havelock -- 2894

Admin. Asst. Boyce Williams

Greensboro – 779 Winston-Salem – 782 High Point – 1828 Burlington – 2254 Triad – 2282 Kernersville – 3017 King – 3076 Greensboro -- 3253

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1. My Own Tuxedo – You can order a complete tuxedo (jacket, pant, cummerbund and shirt) for about $125

including shipping. The web site is http://www.myowntuxedo.com/

2. Some J.C. Penny stores still offer a discounted price for the proper tuxedo attire. This is not a corporate

program and is entirely up to the store manger

Where to Purchase your Tuxedo

Black Tuxedo – “After 6” version. No tails, just a straight bottom cut with normal lapels Plain white, pleated tuxedo shirt with a straight collar – NO WING TIP COLLARS Black bow tie Black cummerbund Round black tuxedo studs and cuff links Black shoes and socks NO VESTS

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2016 North Carolina Fourth Degree Regional Exemplification February 27, 2016

Hosted By: The Father Kenneth I. Parker Assembly No. 1820, New Bern Where: Council / Assembly Home 1125 Pine Tree Dr. New Bern, NC 28562 Exemplification Time: 12 Noon sharp! Candidates should arrive no later than 10:00 AM and dressed as explained on the attached “Exemplification Dress Code Form” Observers: You should also be dressed in the official uniform of a Sir Knight, as explained on the Dress Code Form. You also must complete the Dress Code Form and submit with you luncheon fee. Mass: If you wish to attend, there will be a Mass at 9:30 AM prior to the exemplification. This is a wonderful way to begin the exemplification. This is an informal Mass with no Honor Guard. Luncheon: Immediately following the Exemplification at approximately 3:00 PM – Please advise if there are any Dietary Restrictions! FEES & PAYMENTS Candidates fee is $70.00. He will receive a social baldric, Fourth Degree lapel pin, one luncheon ticket, and a Fourth Degree certificate. This fee is governed by Supreme. Observer and Guest fee will be $20.00 and it will cover one luncheon ticket. The Master must have the name and Assembly number of all observers and the name of all guests. All checks must be from the Assembly and made payable to “Master's Fund”. There will be no personal checks accepted. DO NOT mail cash!! Candidate and Guest money, completed Form 4, and the completed Exemplification Dress Code Form must be sent in together no later than Saturday, February 13, 2016. No refund requests will be accepted after that date. No signature is required on the Dress Code Form. Observer and Guest money and completed Exemplification Dress Code Form must be sent in by the same date. No signature is required on the Dress Code Form. If the Form 4 is not complete, it will not be accepted. See attached example of a completed Form 4. Send to District Master SK David L. Onofrio, 601 Parker Street, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

“Do not wait. Recruit candidates now!!”

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February 27, 2016 New Bern Exemplification

The following “Exemplification Dress Code Form MUST BE COMPLETED, SIGNED, AND SUBMITTED WITH EACH CANDIDATE'S COMPLETED FORM 4

Appropriate Dress for Candidate and/or Observers is Black Tuxedo, Plain White Tuxedo Pleat-ed Shirt (with lay down collar - NO WING TIPS COLLARS ALLOWED), Black Bow Tie, Black Shoes, Black Socks, Black Cummerbund. No Vests allowed. Observers must also wear their social baldric and the PG-113 lapel pin, not the flag lapel pin. Candidate will receive his Social Baldric and Fourth Degree pin in the Ante-Chamber after regis-tering with the District Secretary.

Clergy to wear their “Blacks” or cassock.

Active Duty Military may wear their Class A or Dress Uniform instead of the Black Tuxedo. You also have an option of not wearing the baldric with your dress uniform.

No weapons, concealed or otherwise, are permitted!

OBSERVERS MUST COMPLETE THIS FORM ALSO, IF ATTENDING THE LUNCH-EON. I fully understand the above requirements and must be in the appropriate dress to be eligible to take my Fourth Degree. I am to report to the District Secretary’s Registration Desk no later than 1 hour prior to the published start time of the Exemplification (9:30AM to 10:00 AM is recommend-ed). Print Full Name of Candidate or Observer __________________________________________________ Please indicate whether you are staying for luncheon YES NO Will you be bringing a guest for the luncheon YES NO Print Full Name of Guest_____________________________________________ Please advise if there are any Dietary Restrictions!__________________________________________ No refund requests will be accepted after Saturday, February 13 2016 ASSEMBLY OFFICERS: THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT AND SIGNED BY THE CANDIDATE AND ATTACHED TO THE CANDIDATE'S FORM 4. BOTH MUST BE SUBMITTED, TOGETHER, TO THE DISTRICT MAS-TER ALONG WITH A CHECK FROM THE ASSEMBLY MADE OUT TO THE “MASTER'S FUND”.

Attach lower portion to candidate's completed Form 4 and send to the District Master

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Form 4 - Properly Filled Out

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Inexpensive Chapeaux Fix for Older Chapeaux's

For some of us who have been a Fourth Degree for a while, we have seen our share of changes that have come down over the years. One of those changes per-tains to the Chapeaux with the metal emblem on it. This Chapeaux is no longer to be used, and should be updated with the new Chapeaux with the embroidered patch on the side. However, this is somewhat of a costly update, with the cost of a re-placement Chapeaux around $104.00 + shipping. At a Regional District Meeting this past summer, we discussed the option of possibly “replacing” the metal emblem with the embroidered patch. One of our Color Corps Commanders, Jean Dion, said he would do some research on how we could best do this. Below is what he found, and did, and showed me at an Installa-tion of Officers. The Chapeaux looked fantastic. Here is what Jean did, and what your assembly can do to help your members change out the emblems. Purchase the 3” Fourth Degree embroidered emblem. They go for about $3.75

plus shipping, so it is recommended you buy a few and save on the shipping. Pull down the sweat band and lift up on the satin lining With a small screw driver lift up on the 3 metal tabs and remove emblem. Spread glue on the back of the emblem ( he used gorilla glue ). Make sure it is

not put on too thick, or goes out on the edges. Carefully place the emblem on the chapeaux and hold in place with a small clamp.

Be sure to it goes on the correct side!!!! Every 5 or 10 minutes press on the edges of the emblem to make sure that edges

don’t lift. This is a very simple procedure and worked very well. My thanks to Jean for experi-menting with the process, and confirming it will work.

Fraternally, SK Rick Lewis District Marshall

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Form 1728C – Fraternal Survey DUE DATE JANUARY 31, 2016

Worthy Navigators All; It is that time of year where we start planning for the Holidays, spending time with family and friends, and we get ready to say good-bye to one year and hello to another. It is also that time of year for us as Knights to report on all the great charitable work and contributions that we have done in 2015 as Fourth Degree Knights. This is done via the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activi-ty, Form 1728C, and is the responsibility of the Faithful Navigator to ensure the report is submit-ted accurately to Supreme. However, one person alone cannot accomplish this task. In order to successfully complete this form, it will require the input of your Assembly Financial Officers and membership; it does take some time to gather all of the info asked for. Typically, the Faithful Comptroller completes this form utilizing the financial data from the Assembly audits. It also requires obtaining and esti-mate of hours of time and talent contributed by the membership during the year; hence, this is a “Team Effort”. To help aid your efforts in completing this form, as Navigators you should start now on letting your membership and officers know of the importance of this report in November. Let them know you will be gathering the information from them in December. Remember, you have members that do contribute time and talents that can’t always make meetings. Communications in either direct mail or via email to your members in November is important to ensure all members have the ability to report their contributions in December., asking for them to start notating their time and talents over the last year, will help ensure North Carolina will continue its tradition of having 100% of all Assemblies reporting, and reporting on time. This report is one of the most important form your Assembly is required to complete be-cause it is an essential item required by the IRS – Treasury Service for the Knights of Columbus in retaining Charitable Corporation Status each year. Beginning your preparations NOW ensures submittal your form in January, and will help ensure North Carolina will continue its tradition of having 100% of all Assemblies reporting, and reporting on time.

Respectfully, SK Rick Lewis District Marshal

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NC March For Life Events Worthy Sir Knights and Families All: As part of our continued support for NC Pro-Life, they have shared with us information about specific opportunities for us to come out participate in important events. We need to get the word out to as many people as we can that these events are taking place. Here are some simple ideas to help spread the word: All our Faithful Navigators should put this information into your regular Assembly communications

sent to membership. Equally important is to keep these items on your assembly meeting agendas each month at meetings.

SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR COUNCIL’S LEADERSHIP (the Order supports Pro-life, not just the Fourth Degree)

Spread the word to your Parish Priests, and ask for their support in putting information into the Church Bulletins.

Share with your families, neighbors and friends. Each year, the numbers of those supporting Pro-Life grows because of events like these, while the advocates against keep getting smaller; we obviously are making an impact!!!

A single page brochure will be included in this communication that you can use to advertise these events. Here is the agenda of information with contact information: Raleigh March for Life Breakfast and March: Duck Dynasty’s Alan and Lisa Robertson will be the key-note speakers for our 17th Annual Prayer Breakfast for Life on January 16, 2016. You do not want to miss it, so please save the date! The breakfast will begin at the North Raleigh Hilton located on 3415 Wake For-est Rd. a little after 9:00 am and the program will run from 10:00 am -12:00 noon. You may register online for the breakfast at www.ncrtl.org or call the NC Right to Life office at 336-274-5433. The 2016 Rally and March for Life will be on the same day at 1:00 pm, at Halifax Mall, behind the Legisla-tive Building in Raleigh, NC. Registration is not necessary for the Rally and March. More information will be coming in the next months of the Golden Plume regarding more specific times and locations regarding our participation in this event with our Color Corps. March for Life Jacksonville, NC -- January 23, 2016 The event will kick off at 1:00 pm at the Jacksonville City Hall, located on Bayshore Dr. and Johnson Blvd. After a short program, we will be marching to the Infant of Prague Catholic Church where 43 memorial crosses will be place on the Church Lawn – One for each year since Roe v Wade was put into law. This will be followed by an Ecumenical Prayer Service to remember all who have died due to abortion, and to ask for the restoration of a culture that respects the dignity of all human life, from natural conception to natural death. Refreshments will follow in the Church hall afterwards. Fraternally, SK Rick Lewis District Marshal

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One Nation Under God Designated Flag Flying Days from the U.S. Flag Code

New Year’s Day, January 1 Inauguration Day, January 20

Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, (third Monday in January) Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12

Washington’s Birthday, (third Monday in February) Easter Sunday (variable)

Mother’s Day, (second Sunday in May) Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15 (half-staff all day)

Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May

Flag Day, June 14 Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, first Monday in September Patriot Day, September 11 (half-staff all day)

Constitution Day, September 17 Columbus Day, (second Monday in October)

Navy Day, October 13 Veterans Day, November 11

Thanksgiving Day, (fourth Thursday in November) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7 (half-staff all day)

Christmas Day, December 25

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Knights of Columbus District of North Carolina Programs

The following programs are considered as District wide.

Military Chaplain Scholarship Fund – To support priestly vocations for the mili-tary. This is reserved exclusively for seminarians who will, once ordained, serve both their home diocese and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, as a uniformed chaplain. The goal to have each State, combined with the Fourth De-gree District, raise a minimum of $4000 per year over a five year period has been met. However, the Supreme Knight has asked us to continue and has raised the goal to $1.2 million. The Archdiocese’s 5 year plan shows a need for $2.7 million and they do not get any assistance from the government. We must continue to col-lect as much money as we can in support of trying to reduce the shortage of Cath-olic Chaplains in the Military. Checks are to be made payable to “Knights of Co-lumbus Charities” with the notation “Military Scholarship” in the memo area and mailed to: Gary L. McLain, PSD, FM, FVSM 36 Currant Avenue; Middleburg, FL 32068 Wounded Warrior Fund – Run through the Military Order of the Purple Heart, we raise money to send all of the Wounded Warriors, in the Military Hospital at Camp Lejeune Marine Base, home for the Holidays. This is a 501c3 non-profit or-ganization and your contributions are tax deductible. 100% of the money is used to send them home. This program has been approved by Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard. Checks are to be made payable to “M.O.P.H.” with the notation “Wounded Warrior Fund” in the memo area and mailed to: Robert J. Singer, PSD, FDM, FVSM 2506 Canal Drive; Wilson, NC 27896-1326 VAVS (Veterans Assistance Volunteer Service) – This encompasses so many ac-tivities in support of our Veterans and it is only limited by your imagination. SK Tom DuPree is our representative for this extremely valuable program and has im-plemented several ways we can help and work with our Veterans. One such activity was the collection, at the Fourth Degree Exemplification, of specific items that are needed at the VA Medical Centers in NC. Please contact Tom, find out what he has already set up and volunteer. Tom is always looking for more ideas. Tom DuPree, North Carolina District VAVS Representative VA twdupree@aol.com H- 919-577-6901 or C- 919-302-5550

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Knights of Columbus

District of North Carolina Programs

“One Nation Under God” Pledge Program – It calls for all assemblies in each

U. S. state to gather at the state's capital city on Flag Day, June 14th, to conduct

a flag ceremony and recite the Pledge of Allegiance each year. Every Assembly

should plan an event in their community for Flag Day. Marshal Rick Lewis is

heading this up for the District. Contact Rick at rlewis17@nc.rr.com.

Patriotic Coupon Program – All we are asking you to do is to save all the na-

tional product unexpired or expired coupons and give them to your Field

Agent. He will in turn give them to Chairman Joe Bailer. Joe is working with

his contacts at Fort Bragg to distribute these coupons to military families in the

U.S. and overseas. This doesn't involve any manual labor (except using a pair of

scissors) and would mean so much too many military families. There is no rea-

son you can't get your Assemblies and Councils involved immediately, at little

or no cost.

Contact info:

Joe Bailer

3717 Colorado Drive

Hope Mills, NC 28348-2106

910-424-4880, No email

Sir Knights,

Two reminders to pass along to all who wear the official uniform or that of the Color Corps (in regalia):

1. Always have your tuxedo jacket buttoned when in public and/ or posing for pictures.

2. Stand Tall, Stand Proud - remember, "Sir Knight is more than a title, it is an Honor"

SK Dave Onofrio

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WOUNDED WARIOR PROGRAM

My Brother Knights, With the 42 Wounded Warriors still in the Hospital it will take some $35,000 to purchase Airline Tickets for all of these Wounded Warriors. We need your help as soon as possible. If your location has a fall Festival, check and see if you could set up a booth and collect donations for the Wounded Warriors. Many people participates in this kind of program and it raises several thousand dollars for this Great Cause. If I can be of any help to you and your Council please contact me: Robert Singer, 2506 Canal Drive Wilson, NC 27896 (252) 237-8007 rjskofc@nc.rr.com. I have been notified that several Councils are working on their program. I very much appreciate this. Fraternally, SK Robert J. Singer, PSD, FDM, FVSM 2506 Canal Drive Wilson, NC 27896 (252) 237-8007

rjskofc@nc.rr.com

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Greetings Sir Knights and Faithful Navigators, Vivat Jesus! I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was a pleasant. As we enter into the Advent Season, Elaine and I wish to extend to you and your families a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with much happiness. If you are traveling, our prayers will be with you for a safe and pleasant trip. During the holiday season, many of our Veterans will be alone and lonely. Please consider taking a few minutes of your valuable time to visit one of our Medical Centers, USO or nursing home and bring a little sunshine into their lives. Any of these facili-ties would gladly accept your visit, treats etc…during this season. PLEASE CONTACT CHIEF, VOLUNTARY SERVICE, AT THE FACILITY TO MAKE ARRANGE-MENTS. Your REWARD will be priceless. Monday, December 7th is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Many of our Veterans in the Community Living Center (CLC) served during this era. A simple recognition of their service would be truly appreciated. As you make your Christmas purchases for family and friends, please consider purchasing a gift card in the following category: Walmart, Target, grocery chains, restaurants, theaters, local museums, sporting events. These cards allow the VA Medical staff the opportunity to take the Veterans for socialization. There is an increasing number of women Veterans needing our support. Personal care items are al-ways welcomed. Please consider sharing this need with your wives. Coats for our Veterans: See attached flier: Reminder: only new coats are accepted by the VA Medical Centers. VRQ (Veterans Restoration Quarters, Asheville) home to 350 homeless Veterans will accept CLEANED GENTLY USED COATS FOR MEN OR WOMEN. Leadership: I would like to welcome SK David A. Hetrick as our new VAVS Deputy Representative for the Asheville Medical Center. (Dave1149@bellsouth.net ) SK Harry Fear will be serving as Deputy Rep for the Salisbury Medical Center. ( fearharry@yahoo.com ) SK Rodney Komlofske is Deputy Rep for the Fayetteville Medical Center. (rod.komlofske@gmail.com ) Reports: Reporting of Activities in Support of our Veterans: As you prepare for your FORM 1728, I need reports of activities your Assembly has participated in for the year 2015 (January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015). This form will be available by December 1st on the State website. Report is due by all Assemblies, FN responsibility by Jan. 31, 2016. This report is given to the NC District Master, VSM and Su-preme. Any questions on this report contact me. Thank you for your cooperation. .

Fraternally, SK Thomas W. (Tom) DuPree Jr. PGK, PFN, VAVS Representative Durham VA North Carolina District VAVS Representative VA, North Carolina State Council Veterans Affairs and VAVS Chairman St. Francis of Assisi Assembly # 3552 Faithful Navigator

(Veterans Affairs

Voluntary Service)

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