The Journal of the Knights of Columbus in Texas

Vol. 3, 2013-2014Since 1902Texas KnighT In This Issue

State Deputy We Are Called

Page 1

The Choir of Life Page 1

Knights Ride Page 2

Sharing Page 3

Pursue Our Founder’s Dream

Page 4

Communications Page 7

Be A Fan Page 9

Charity Page 10

McGivney Guild Page 15

Convention Schedule Page 19

Get Your KC License Plate! tkofc.org for

info

Annual Convention

Issue!

By The Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, Archbishop of San Antonio, State Chaplain

The Choir of Life

We Are Called!

The State Deputy Charity Appeal

By Jim Collins, State Deputy

At the beginning of this fraternal year we re-introduced the “Power of One”; “One Member – Per Council – Per Month”; “One New Council Per Diocese” to promote the

growth of our jurisdiction and the Order. Working together as a team at all levels across this great state will lead Texas to achieving the presti-gious Supreme “Circle of Honor” recognition.

Texas continues to grow with new and reactivated councils and with new member recruitment passing the 100,000th member threshold in September of 2013. Texas is now the largest jurisdiction in the Americas. Looking ahead to the remaining months of this fraternal year we do not have to reinvent the wheel, just stay focused on new council develop-ment, council reactivation and asking that man in your parish to join the ranks of an organization with 1.85 million members worldwide.

Brother Knights you are the leaders of our great Catholic organization and without each diocese, district, council and individual dedication to achieve success our progress to date would not have been possible. My thanks to all and I ask for your continued support in raising the bar to heights we have not achieved before. We are in the final months of the 2013-2014 fraternal year and experiencing a recruitment and council growth turn around and we must continue to stay on track to achieve a successful fraternal year.

Quoting our Supreme Knight Carl Anderson – “As Knights, we have something great to give and the first thing we have to give is ourselves”. Every community has its unique needs and a successful Knights of Co-lumbus council is there to fulfill those needs through the first principle of our Order, Charity! Working together as a council with our pastors to find ways to help those in need is a mission we as Knights of Columbus and our families embrace.

With the achievements accomplished through the first six months of this fraternal year, we must continue to do more in the remaining months to meet our goals. Council officers, Program and Membership Chairmen should evaluate the needs in their parish and community and implement programming and new member growth to meet those needs. To sustain the continued growth of our Order depends on our statewide leadership to implement the programs and activities at the grass roots level that are designed to attract new members and engage the council leadership.

At the beginning of this fraternal year we set a goal for 100 star councils. Texas has had 150-160 Star Council fraternal years in the past, so this is achievable. Our performance in this area has subsided in the past few years to less than sixty. Therefore, I ask you to revitalize this prestigious council award and reset the standard for 2013-2014 and future fraternal years.

The Knights of Columbus is not just a fraternity in name. It is a brotherhood of Catholic men and their families who make contribu-

tions every day improving the world around them, one council and one community at a time. We stand together in our faith, dedicated to uphold the principles of our Order while lending support and strength to our parishes and priests.

This will be my last Texas Knight article as state deputy and I send a special thanks to all my Brother Knights and your wives who have promoted the theme, “We Are Called”. The testimony of a successful jurisdiction is its active membership and Texas has the “Best of the Best”. At the time of this article Duchess and I have traveled some fifty thousand plus miles and we will cherish the memories and will always remember your kindness and appreciate your support as we traveled the Great State of Texas.

On one of San Antonio’s recent cold winter days, I found myself at a traffic light beside a playground. It was empty, the swings only being pushed slightly by an uncomfortable

wind. I realized in the solitude of that moment how much the world needs the life and laughter that only children can give.

Truly our lives are warmed by the love and wisdom of the grandmas and grandpas of the world, but the sun also shines brightly in the smile of a child that floods the shadows of our days with a light that invigorates the spirit. On the feast of St. John the Baptist, Pope Francis celebrated the music of life, he said; “Today the choir is singing, but the most beautiful choir is the one of the children…”

As I gazed at the emptiness of that playground I felt the sad sym-bolism these signs of youthful energy reflected in a society that has forgotten the need for the dignity of life to be preserved and valued. I recently read a prayer that asked the Lord to, “Open our hearts to see and desire the beauty of your plan for life and love.” We are called to be instruments of God’s abundant love. However, today we find many whose hearts are hardened by the seduction of materialism and personal passion, devaluing the gift of life at every stage.

We must not lose hope. The tragic silence of the choir of innocent children through abortion has drained the color and the joy from our communities and our families. We must strive to shape a culture that celebrates the joy of the Gospel of life, and not allow our deepest held beliefs be distorted by a culture of death.

To be “Pro-Life” is to understand that our concern begins with con-ception and continues through every stage of life. To be “Pro-Life” is to fight for the dignity of every human person, acknowledging that God is the source of that dignity. Let us once again welcome new life into our families. Let us welcome the joyful noise and the abundant blessing each person brings. We must all be part of the choir of life that helps the world to rediscover the wonder of life from conception to natural death.

Page 2 VOL 3, 2013-2014

Texas KNIGHT

The Texas Knight is a publication of the Texas State Council Knights of Columbus. Copyright 2010 by Texas State Council. All rights reserved. Reproduction of material appearing in The Texas Knight is forbidden without written permission.

Publisher Jim Collins

State Deputy Editor

Mark Johnson Contributors Terry Fruge’ Alfredo Vela Joe Torres

Mark Evans Douglas Oldmixon

Michael McLaughlinTexas Knight Reporters

Fred Afflerbach Pat Aguillen Robert Allen

Terry Barnhard Bob De Chene Robert Esparza Luz Gallegos

Joseph H. Raymond, Sr. Larry Treibel Stan Urban

Burnie Vaughn James Wick

Photography Mark Johnson

Design Creative Development Services

Texas State Council 6633 Hwy 290 East Ste 204

Austin, TX 78723

The Texas Knight, as the official newspaper of the Knights of Columbus, Texas State Coun-cil shares in the mission of the Church, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout our fraternity by providing infor-mation, education and inspira-tion to its membership and fami-lies. The Texas Knight provides objective and accurate information about the Knights of Columbus both locally, state and internation-ally and mirrors the living experi-ences and activities of its’ member-ship. The Texas Knight strives to educate and enrich the lives of its readers by challenging them to a deeper understanding of the Knights of Columbus and with a greater commitment to the practical application of the precepts of the Catholic Church. The Texas Knight, dedicated to its readers and to the Catholic Church, has a special responsibility to foster a spirit of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism within the Order and within the Church.

The Texas KnighT wants to Hear

from YOU!The Texas Knight wants to

know about our brother knights throughout the state so send us the news and photos. The Next issue is being prepared at this moment. Share the good news with your brothers! Send all

articles and photos to

Mark Johnson, Editor Texas Knight,

707 Harbor Drive Georgetown, TX 78628

E-Mail mjohnson@creatdev.com. Typed articles are appreciated.

Thank you.

All Address Changes need be to sent to Supreme Council addressed to:

Columbia Membership Services PO Box 1670

New Haven CT 06507-0901

Be a Reporter for

the Texas Knight!

The Texas Knight is looking for re-porters in your neck of the woods. All we would ask is that you attend local coun-cil, district or diocese Knights events, take a couple of digital photos and write a short story that we could put in the publications which would include the Texas Knight and also on the website. We cannot reimburse for any expenses and don’t want you to incur them. The pay is your name and title (Texas Knight Reporter) and the gratitude of your brother knights in Texas for spreading the good news about our Order. If you’re interested drop me an email mjohnson@creatdev.com or use the email address above and I’ll give you more details. Thanks, Mark Johnson, Editor.

Don’t see Your Article? Our space is limited but look

for it in the next edition of the Texas Knight or check

out www.tkofc.org.

Council 10861

Council 10861 of St. Ignatius Loyola in Spring has recognized in January by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo for its seminarian support.

Council 10861 has made donations of more than $485,000 to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s Office of Vocations and area seminarians during the past 10 years because of a successful annual Vocations Dinner at St. Ignatius Loyola.

The annual event raises money through dinner and silent auction items and features a keynote speaker. DiNardo has been the speaker at five of the dinners and Bishop George Sheltz spoke in 2013.

The Council has made annual donations to the Office of Vocations since 2006, includ-ing a check for $40,000 presented to DiNardo during the Clergy Appreciation dinner in Stafford on Jan. 31.

The Council has also made donations to seminarians and religious of the Archdiocese over the past 10 years, including supporting nine seminarians and two religious in 2013.

DiNardo gave the Council a plaque during the Clergy Appreciation dinner which read: A decade of seminarian support: $423,000 in Seminarian Support Donations. In recog-

nition of Knights of Columbus Council 10861 for significantly furthering the recruitment and support of our seminarians over the past ten years. I commend you on your commit-ment, dedication and faithfulness. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo.

VOL 3, 2013-2014 Page 3

Texas KNIGHT

By Terry Fruge’, Membership Director

Sharing with Our Catholic Brothers

Brothers, we have just four months left in this Fraternal Year and we are still on pace to have a great recruitment year and get the Texas State Council back in the Supreme Circle of Honor where we, and our Worthy State Deputy Jim Collins,

belong. We cannot let up and must continue to assist all councils to strive for Star Council, and everything else will take care of itself. As long as we focus on talking to our Catholic Brothers and share with them what we do and what we stand for, we should continue to grow the Texas State Council.

As of this writing, we have a Net/Net Membership of over 100,750 members. A Net/Net number is your states’ gains, minus the drops, minus any deaths, and transfers in or out of state. We can control our gains and losses, but the death of our Brother Knights is out of our control. With the average age of our brotherhood just short of 60 years old, it is imperative that we approach our younger Catholic Brothers and explain that time is not an issue in joining the Order, as this is usually the primary excuse you get when speaking to a young dad with a growing family. We must explain the various programs that include the entire family, so the wives do not feel her husband is just attending another meeting a couple nights a month that may keep him away from home. We must explain the numer-ous charity events that the Knights sponsor. The things we do to assist out Parish and our community that are so important to the recipients. Invite a prospective member to a Special Olympics event where you are making a difference to several hundred Special Needs athletes that just want an opportunity to compete, and not concerned with winning or losing. Let them be a “hugger” at the finish line and see how quickly their heart melts.

The Texas College Councils held their Annual State Meeting in Waco the fourth weekend in February. These are young men that are not afraid to show their love for their Catholic Faith and attempt to do the positive things that not every 18-22 year old does while they are off to college. When these young men graduate and enter the workforce, usually in some other city than where they attended college, we need to welcome them to our local councils and provide them an opportunity to share new ideas that may help a stagnant council. I have heard several reports of situations where a Past Grand Knight of a college council transferred to a new city and upon joining a council at a nearby Parish, got the impression from the “old guard” that his new ideas would not work, and were not welcome at their council, because they tried that many years ago, and it failed. Hopefully, we are not a member of a council with that philosophy because those are usually the ones that eventually become suspended or dormant.

Since Lent begins March 5th this year, we had suggested that Councils may choose to do their Spring Membership Drives in February rather than waiting until March, as usual. This was because some Pastors prefer not to have various ministries making presentations during Mass in the Lenten season. Please work with your Pastors to insure this is handled smoothly, and report your recruitment numbers to your District Deputies so they can report to Tom Watters with the State Membership Team. If it works out better for your council to do their “blitz drives” in March, this is fine. Please report the number of contacts and new members and number of first degrees to your DD.

Hopefully, your council is sending two delegates to the State Convention in Dallas on May 2-4, which is being presented by the Fort Worth Diocese as the Sheraton-Downtown Dallas is connected to the Convention Center that makes the weekend more convenient for all attendees. Be sure to appoint or elect two delegates and two alternates, and these brothers will get a much bigger picture of what the Texas State Council represents. This is also an election year and new officers will be elected by the 600 + delegates as well as various Diocese electing delegates for the Supreme Convention in Orlando in August. You will make life-long friends from brothers throughout our Great State. See you in Dallas.

Knights in Action

Brother Knights from Denton Knights of Columbus Council #4771 recently re-sponded to help a brother knight and his family in need. Joe Pelzel has been a knight for over 55 years, a charter member of Council #4771 as well as Assembly

2043, both located in Denton, Texas. Joe also served as Grand Knight of his council for two different terms. Joe served in the US Navy during both WWII and the Korean War. Joe was aboard the USS Morrison (DD-560) on May 4, 1945, when four kamikaze planes crashed into the destroyer just north of Okinawa. The ship sank so quickly that most men below deck lost their lives. A total of 155 men lost their lives and 187 men including Petty Officer 2nd Class Pelzel were rescued about 3 hours after the Morrison went down.

Brother Knight Pelzel is now confined to bed and receives loving care from his wife of 64 years, Margie. His council recently found out that the security fence surrounding their property was in need of repair. They immediately jumped into action and Council Advocate John Lopez (blue cap) and Council Chancellor Jose Alquicira (orange shirt) secured the materials and quickly completed the repairs.

Council 638 Got roundtable St. Joseph and had a meeting in February. Had sev-eral fun raisers also have one February 23th. Showed the movie Blood Money, had lots of young people, very good. Council 6711 had there Christmas Basket

of 300. Have fun raiser breakfast every 3rd Sunday. Start the yearly fish fry during lent. Council 12160 Gave out wheelchairs, Coates for kids, start fish fry for lent, and bake sale for fun raiser. Council 10788 Had a carrier for a wheel chair mounted on her car ,had a breakfast fun raiser. Council 14413 had a breakfast, also had a golf tournament. Council 15727 New collage council hade e couple 1st. Degree, just had Major Degree, have 50 members going into the 2nd, and 3rd. Degree. Will have a fish fry during lent.

All the councils are doing very good. Had council 12160 make Star Council.

District 1 is ActiveBy Enoch E. Rodgers, DD 1

Council 12955 Supports the Military

The Fisher Foundation provides free housing for families of patients receiving medical care at VA hospitals and major military medical centers. Since 1990, more than 180,000 active duty and veteran military families have stayed at

Fisher Houses. Often, these families stay for weeks or months while their loved ones are receiving care and recovering from surgery.

Every month, Knights from St. Edith Stein Council 12955, together with members of the Military Care Ministry, take dinner to the families staying at the Fisher Houses at the Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. After dinner, we play bingo with the residents, and provide prizes for the bingo games. Our aim is to provide some good food, diversion and a little bit of fun to these military families who are going through tough times.

Twice each year, around Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, the Knights also help the Military Care Ministry at St. Edith Stein with Care Package drives, handing out empty boxes to parishioners, collecting full boxes and packaging them up to send to deployed military around the world. A typical drive yields more than 200 boxes of food and personal care items to let our military know we appreciate them and are praying for them.

Every couple of months, Knights go to the Houston VA hospital to visit Catholic pa-tients and help them attend Mass, and every December a group of Knights participates in the Wreaths Across America event at the Houston VA cemetery, putting wreaths on the graves in memory of military service.

We all know that Patriotism is the fourth principle of the Knights. In Council 12955, one of the ways we live that principle is through support for the military!

Page 4 VOL 3, 2013-2014

Texas KNIGHT

By Alfredo Vela, Council Growth Director

Pursue Our Founder’s Dream

With a little over three months left in the fraternal year and we must continue to pursue our founder’s dream, to have a Knights of Columbus presence in every Parish or mission. This dream can be accomplished either by having a

Council or if the Parish or mission is not “strong enough” to support a council, establishing a Round Table. Either one assures us of a Knights of Columbus presence.

Round Tables—the easiest way to establish a KC presence at a parish or mission is through a Round Table. It only takes one member to establish a Round Table. Living in service to all is one of the most dynamic qualities of being a Knight. A unique way for Knights to serve is by helping out in local parishes, especially in those churches that do not have a Knights of Columbus presence. We must continue to establish Round Tables so that we can have a presence everywhere we can.

As of February 2014, we have close to 200 Round Tables established. That is a Knights of Columbus presence in 200 parishes or missions that do not have a council. There are 11 Dioceses across the State of Texas that met their Round Table goal. These Dioceses are Amarillo, Beaumont, Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Lubbock, San Angelo, Tyler and Victoria. Kudos to all of these Dioceses. Great job.

It is also time to start submitting your Form 2630. This form summarizes your activity in each of these Round Tables. Please submit them by June 30th.

Council Retention and Reactivations-- We cannot over-emphasize the importance of keeping your State and Supreme per-capita current. You should review your per capita statements from Supreme and State and pay them as soon as possible. Your presence in your parish is very important to the Order because your Diocese needs you, your parish needs you and your membership needs you. We need you there and do not want you to fall behind.

Along with council retention, reactivation of suspended councils is also very important. Currently, we have 92 councils on the suspended list. That is 92 councils too many. That number represents 92 parishes and possibly more missions without a Knights of Columbus presence. We must continue to strive to lower this number considerably.

This year we have 2 reactivations in the books, the first in the Diocese of Lubbock and the second in the Diocese of El Paso. There are at least two more that are complete and have to be approve by Supreme.

New Council Development — We got off to a great start in New Council Development this fraternal year and the news continues to get better. As of January 31st, we have had 11 new councils formed in the State of Texas. These councils have been formed in Fort Worth (2), Corpus Christi (2), Amarillo, Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, Galveston-Houston, Laredo, and Lubbock. Congratulations to these Dioceses.

We must always continue to grow the order; therefore, we must always be looking for potential new councils.

Hispanic Council Development—The Order is making every effort to bring the ben-efits of membership to every eligible Spanish-speaking Catholic gentleman through our Operation Hispanic Outreach and New Council Development programs. Our Hispanic Council Development Chairman, Armando Villanueva, is ready to assist in forming either;

New Council, Reactivation, Round Table, Retention of Spanish speaking councils. College Councils—The mission of the Knights of Columbus College Council Program

is to promote the moral, intellectual and spiritual development of the future leaders of civil society, the Order, and the Church through witness to the Gospel and dedication to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Our College Council Chairman, Tony Gutierrez, is ready to assist in forming either; New Council, Reactivation, Round Table, Retention of delinquent college councils

My Brother Knights, we have 3 months left in this fraternal year. 3 months to work on meeting our goals. 3 months to get it done. Let’s get it done. Good Luck the rest of the way.

State 2014 Free Throw Winners

First Place Council DioceseGIRLS SHANNON BREUER 7613 SAN ANTONIOKARYL ZAPATA 3244 VICTORIACASSI CRUZ 10393 GAL/HOUSTKIERA ROBINSON 6782 SAN ANTONIOLEXI VALLES 4316 SAN ANGELOALEXIS BUSBY 7438 DALLASBOYS CHRIS ORTIZ 4298 SAN ANTONIOLITKE HAYDEN 9868 FT WORTHTHOMAS MARTINEZ 10240 SAN ANTONIOSTIHL H0FFMAN 6811 SAN ANGELOMATHEW OZUNA 4554 BROWNSVILLESecond PlaceGIRLS REAGAN GOUDEAU 2500 VICTORIAAUDRY HERNANDEZ 4550 GALV/HOUSTJESSICA MIKELL 10131 AUSTINKAYLA McCARTHY 3168 AUSTINKAITLYN NIETO 2433 VICTORIABAILEY KLEMENT 1459 FT WORTHBOYS AURELIO GALLEGOS 9220 CORPUS CHRISTICAYDAN MALDONADO 9220 CORPUS CHRISTIHUNTER HERRIGAN 1459 FT WORTHNOAH EHLER 2574 AUSTINDAVID PORTER 12005 AUSTINJOSIAH ZAPATA 4968 BROWNSVILLEThird PlaceGIRLS CIERRA ADKINS 4868 AUSTINKAYLA OZUNA 4554 BROWNSVILEANGELINA ATTAWAY 12021 DALLASKATHERINE GRAVES 9310 GAL/HOUSTDALLIE FERRELL 4868 AUSTINJENNIFER MOLIS 13927 AUSTINBOYS JAMES MARTINEZ 14512 CORPUS CHRISTIDAREY MILLARG 14700 GALV/HOUSTJORDAN BLUDEW 2853 VICTORIATYLER STUEMPFIG 9884 FT WORTHTAYLOR ALLMAN 4183 SAN ANTONIODYLAN HASS 10574 GAL/HOUST

Past Diocesan Deputy & Pro-Life Chairman for the Knights in the El Paso Diocese was presented an

award and recognition for his dedication to the Pro-Life cause in the El Paso Diocese. Nat has helped Pro-Life and the Knights in El Paso greatly during his years of service. His dedication to Pro-Life has no equal in the El Paso Diocese.

Nat De Rosso

VOL 3, 2013-2014 Page 5

Texas KNIGHT

The Father Hal Zink Colombian Squires Circle #5595, established on May 29, 2012, got together to clean up the Fr. John Payne House yard and surroundings in preparation for the Christmas Celebrations. As a new Circle, the group has

been very active in the St. Ignatius Parish, located in South Austin. They have attracted younger boys who like to help with the activities, and will most likely become Squires when they are of age. In the picture are: Kneeling: Jordan Johnson –helper, Luca Leone – helper, Zack Sessa. Row 2: Lorenzo Salinas, Branden Harrington - helper, Ben Sessa. Back Row: Justin Harrington, Matthew Flickinger, Robert Bigger, James Mahoney - Chief Squire, and Giacomo Leone -Counselor.

The parish priest, Fr. Bill Wack, CSC is the Circle's Father Prior (Chaplain). Larry Prather, the Texas Squires Chairman, was instrumental in helping Eric Staveley (Council Grand Knight at the time) work with our local Knights of Columbus Council and parish school, St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School, in establishing the Circle. We are thankful for those who helped us get the Circle started and are thankful for those who continue to support our efforts as the Circle grows. Our Counselors are Knights John Flickinger (Lead Counselor), Eric Staveley, Giacomo Leone, (District Deputy), Lee Garcia, Todd Blahnik (St. Ignatius School Principal) and John McDonnell.

Father Hal Zink Colombian Squires Circle 5595

By Giacomo Leone

A BlessingBy Robert Armstrong, DD 106

Council 1003 in Texarkana bless the dinner prior to serving it to the residents of Randy Sams Homeless Shelter. The residents were served a delicious chicken/sausage gumbo followed by ice cream dessert. Council 1003 provides dinner

to Randy Sams Homeless shelter 5 times a year.

Catholic Schools WeekBy Manny Cruz, GK 12385

In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Council #12385 presented two scholar-ships to two students.

Each scholarship is in the amount of $500. One goes to a seventh grader that will continue on to the eight grade. The other goes to an eight grader that will be moving on to a high school of their choice.

Letters of recommendation are submitted for the students. Through a committee, led by our Pastor, Father Tom, and members of the council, recipients are selected.

Council #12385 is proud to present this year's recipients of the Coach Matt Cusimano Light of the World Scholarships. They are Anthony Ziegler (7th grade), and Samantha Bernardy (8th grade). They both excel at Corpus Christi Catholic School by living their Catholic faith, and their examples of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity with the church and community. Congratulations!

Picture 1 is of Samantha Bernardy with her parents, Principal Claire Mueller, Grand Knight Manny Cruz, Deputy Grand Knight Merick Nepomuceno, and several council members.

Chili Cook Off

Weimar Council 2153 held its first ever Chili Cook-off. Over 40 CASI and local cooking teams participated. Proceeds from the event will benefit local KC charities. The event was a success due to the leadership of Knight Ken German and his wife Monica.

Page 6 VOL 3, 2013-2014

Texas KNIGHT

The Advocate’s Docket Call

By Diego Pena, State Advocate

For those of us who joined the Order prior to the gadget era (e.g. smart phones, tablets), the “Bibles of the Order” were always (a) the Laws of the Order and (b) Roberts

Rules of Order. These bibles were contained in small booklets. Any person without any experience with legalese or formal documents would likely be asleep within 90 seconds of opening either of these booklets.

Over the years, the Supreme Advocate’s Office compiled the advice it routinely gave to State Deputies and State Advocates in a single reference source Supreme called the Of-ficers’ Desk Reference. Supreme regularly referred to the Officers’ Desk Reference when answering questions regarding membership, tax issues, home corporations, suspensions, and even how to handle difficult brothers. When Doug Oldmixon served as Texas State Advocate, upon learning about the Officers’ Desk Reference, asked for a copy so that he could share this resource with the Texas State Council. Not long after sharing the Officers’ Desk Reference with the Texas State Council, Supreme placed the reference on its website so that all registered members throughout the Order could have access.

In my humble opinion, the Supreme Advocate’s Officers’ Desk Reference is the best resource for council officers, District Deputies, and other Knights of Columbus leaders. It is universally accessible, and it is easy to read. You don’t need specialized training or advanced education to understand the Officers’ Desk Reference (“ODR”). And—more importantly—it covers the majority of issues most Council officers and District Deputies regularly confront.

Because Supreme has now digitized the ODR, it is very easy for the Supreme Advocate to update the ODR as issues and situations arise. In the future, it should be the responsibil-ity of the State Advocate to notify the membership of all updates to the ODR and explain the reasons for those updates. The purpose of this article is to provide a quick “how to” on how to access the ODR, and to identify what I consider to be the four most significant articles/updates added in 2013.

Accessing the Officers’ Desk ReferenceThe only way to access the ODR on Supreme’s website is to be a registered KofC officer.

To be registered, your name had to be submitted to Supreme as a council or assembly officer. Assuming you are a registered officer, and you have access to the Supreme website,

you must register on the Supreme website. After logging into the Supreme website, you will be taken to the page which your KofC position authorizes you to view. At the top of this page, you will see three prominent tabs: the tab for the Officers’ Desk Reference is one of the three. Upon selecting the Officers’ Desk Reference tab, you will find fifteen information tabs:

Who we arePrinciples of FraternalismFraternal ProgramsMembership IssuesCouncil and Assembly IssuesFourth Degree IssuesName and EmblemSocial CommunicationsPolitical IssuesTax IssuesFinancial IssuesProtection of Membership and Financial InformationState Council Charitable CorporationsCouncils Using Facilities Owned by Home CorporationsEach tab contains several numbered links with specific names. These links contain short,

easy to read articles that provide simple and direct information. At the end of each article, you will find the date the article was last revised. Each of these articles can be printed. Printing the articles allows council officers to bring the copies to council, assembly or officer meetings for reference.

For Council officers who have not accessed this resource, I highly recommend that you send some time surfing the ODR. You will be surprised at what you can learn by spending a few minutes glancing through the various articles.

Among other things, the Officers’ Desk Reference willExplain why contributions to council fundraisers are not tax deductible. Explain why contributions to the Texas State Charities are tax deductible.Provide guidelines for charitable fundraisers.

Explain how long a Council’s records need to be retained.Explain how to address contentious brothers or issues in a fraternal.Explain how to request permission to use the name and emblem of the Order.Lay out guidelines for council/home corporation interactions and relations. Important Updates to the Officers’ Desk ReferenceAt this year’s Mid-Year Meeting in Katy, I talked about what I consider to be the top

four updates to the ODR in 2013. 2012 Tax ReturnsThe ODR contains a great summary of important tax information every District Deputy,

Council officer and Assembly officer needs to know. The tab “Tax Issues” contains eight links that provide simple and easy to understand information regarding the Council’s tax status, the forms that need to be filed and when, and links to memos, forms and other important information.

In April 2013, Supreme added the link “Annual Tax Returns 2012.” This may argu-ably be the longest link on the ODR. It provides an excellent summary of a council’s tax responsibilities. The link provides copies of the necessary tax forms that need to be filed, and provides the dates the forms need to be filed. The link also provides a summary for home corporations to use with their financial advisors regarding their tax obligations.

I highly recommend that all council and assembly officers—particularly Financial Secretaries, Comptrollers, and Trustees—review this newly updated link. All District Deputies, District Masters, Grand Knights and Faithful Navigators should provide copies of this link to their financial officers.

Protection of Membership and Financial InformationIn September 2013, the Supreme Advocate added a new tab dedicated exclusively to

providing councils and assemblies with important information on how to protect member-ship and financial information.

All council and assembly officers should go over the five links in this tab and dedicate a discussion at an officers’ meeting regarding the steps their council or assembly need to take to protect their members’ identities and the council’s financial information. The council’s communication directors and webmasters should also be included in these discussions.

The links contain various suggestions from Supreme on what precautions councils and assemblies should take in protecting membership and financial information. For years, councils and assemblies have compiled membership directories containing members’ names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other identifying information. Most directories are compiled on paper, but many councils and assemblies are now making these directories accessible electronically. Supreme now recommends that councils and assemblies give members opportunities to opt-out of directories before compilation and publication. Also, directories should only be distributed to council or assembly members. Also, Council Recorders and Assembly Scribes are asked to exercise caution when preparing meeting minutes not to record members’ personal information. For example, minutes can state that contributions for x project should be coordinated with Brother Charlie Brown; the minutes should not state that contributions can be left at Brother Charlie Brown’s house at 3515 Maple Avenue, Dallas TX 75202 between the hours of 7 – 9 p.m. when Brother Brown is usually home. Also, recorders and scribes need to be careful not to identify ac-count numbers in meeting minutes.

Ladies’ AuxiliariesThis section was recently added to the ODR. While the information it contains it is not

necessarily new, I’m not sure that many of our council or assembly leadership fully know or understand the proper relationship between councils and auxiliaries. I highly recommend that the officers and district deputies of councils with ladies auxiliaries review this new link.

Some of the more important points to remember: Ladies auxiliaries are legally separate and distinct entities from the councils. Ladies

auxiliaries are not officially or legally affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. Care needs to be taken with regards to the use of the Order’s name and emblem by the

auxiliaries. Auxiliaries should have separate EIN and bank accounts separate and apart from the councils.

PayPal Not RecommendedSupreme’s most recent ODR update concerns the use of PayPal. Supreme is recom-

mending that councils and assemblies not use PayPal or any other third party vendor not affiliated with a regulated banking entity for purposes of collecting payments for dues, contributions, or sales. Unlike regulated banking entities (e.g., banks, savings associations, credit unions), PayPal and other third party vendors are not subject to privacy protection regulations. Councils or assemblies that use these services from non-regulated banking entities run the risk of unnecessarily exposing their members’, contributors’, and buyers’ financial information.

Officers of councils and assemblies that are using electronic methods to collect dues and accept payments should review the entity and the processes being used in their coun-cil. If the method is provided by the banking entity where the council or assembly has its

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By: Joe Torres, Communications Director

Achieve Star Council Status

It’s time that you make certain that your council has begun to follow-up with the requirements to qualify for the Father McGivney, Founders’, Columbian and Star Council Awards.

Star Council AwardThe Star Council Award recognizes a council’s outstanding achievement in member-

ship, insurance and service program activities. To be eligible to earn the Star Council Award, a council must qualify for the Father McGivney, Founder's, and Columbian awards.

There are no application forms for the Father McGivney and Founder’s awards. How-ever, to qualify for these awards, a council must have submitted its Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) and its Service Program Personnel Report (#365). It’s never too late to submit the forms even if you have not done so by now!

Father McGivney Award concentrates on achieving council membership quota. The quota for councils is 7 percent increase of the council's membership as of July 1. The minimum quota is 3 and the maximum is 35. Councils that accomplish Star Council status and achieve 200 percent of their net gain goal will receive the Double Star Council Award.

Founders’ Award concentrates on insurance membership quota. The quota for councils is a 2.5 percent net increase in insurance membership as of July 1 for the fraternal year.

Columbian AwardThe Columbian Award Application (SP7) can be found in the Council Report Forms

Booklet (#1436) or at www.kofc.org/forms. Councils must conduct and report at least four major programs in each of the Service Program categories: Church, community, council, family, culture of life, and youth.

In addition to meeting the usual Columbian Award requirements - conducting at least four programs in each category - each of the six Columbian Award categories also has at least one featured program. By meeting all requirements for a featured program activity in a particular category, a council fulfills all requirements for that category. The six categories and the featured programs for each follow:

• Church - Featured program is the Refund Supports Vocation Program (RSVP).• Community - Featured programs are; Habitat for Humanity and the Global

Wheelchair Mission.• Council - Featured program is Special Olympics.• Family - Featured program is Food for Families program.• Culture of Life – Featured programs are participation in the Ultrasound Initiative or

a local, regional or national March for Life.• Youth – The featured program is Coats for Kids program.Finally, councils must be in good standing and current with all Supreme Council as-

sessments as of June 30 the fraternal year to achieve Star Council Status. For additional questions or requirements for this prestigious award do not hesitate to call Joe Torres, State Communications Director at (361) 549-5803.

accounts, then it is more likely that the process is secure. If a third party vendor is being used, ask the vendor the following questions:

What precautions are you taking to protect the sensitive financial information of our members, buyers and contributors (e.g., is the website secure; is the vendor regulated by any state or federal agencies; has the vendor been the subject of any investigations by local, state or federal authorities for improper security or identity fraud breaches).

Are you or your parent company subject to federal regulations regarding the protection of sensitive personal and financial information?

What indemnity if any will you provide to the council or members in the event of a security breach?

These are important questions that all council or assembly financial officers should review with their vendor.

Hauling Wheelchairs for Veterans

Every second Saturday of the month members of Military Council 14584, Fort Bliss, support an outing for residence of Ambrosio Guillen State Veterans’ Home by hauling wheelchairs and walkers. The Veterans ride on a bus to Freedom

Crossing, the PX and food court at Fort Bliss, and their wheelchairs and walkers are transported by council members on a pick-up truck. At Freedom Crossing the knights and other volunteers help the veterans get around and keep them company.

Senior Citizens DinnerBy Pete Rangel, Council 9038

Council 9038 sponsored their 25th Annual Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner. The dinner is for all Senior Citizens from the Buda, Kyle, and Manchaca Texas area. Each one of the Knights donates and cooks an item for the dinner. We have

Knights who serve the dinner to the Senior Citizens and the KC wives donate the desserts and door prizes. This year we served over 250 Senior Citizens from our area as part of our service to our community. We have been doing this for the last 25th years.

Council Come Together!By Larry Treibel, Texas Knight Reporter

Knights of Columbus Councils 2461 in Port Neches, TX, 3491 in Groves, TX (Red Shirts) and 5145 in Nederland, TX (Gold Shirts), come together to donate and cook a meal for the 100 Years Celebration of Catholic Education in the Port

Arthur Area. The event was held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School in Port Arthur.The Original Artwork Fr. Michael J. McGivney Icon is Available @

www.tkofc.org!

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Council 10463 Supported Five seminarians

By Ron Smith, FS Council 10463

Council 10463 is the lead organization for seminarian support from St. Mary Our Lady of the Lake Parish. St. Mary Our Lady of the Lake currently supports five seminarians from the Diocese of Austin. Council 10463 is a

small council of 68 members.Our council provides funds used by seminarians and those in religious formation

for tuition and books, car insurance and maintenance, travel during vacations, emer-gency expenditures and other living expenses. Knights provide more than financial support, though. Members write letters to students, sponsor dinners for them, invite them to join the Order and, most importantly, pray for vocations.

One of our seminarians that we supported for many years, Augustine Ariwaodo, was ordained a priest on June 8, 2013 at Saint Vincent de Paul Church by Bishop Joseph Vasquez, Diocese of Austin.

College Knights Growing the OrderBy Christian Garza

John Henry Newman Council 15105 at the University of Houston inducted six new members into the Order after Mass on Sunday, February 2, 2014 in Huntsville, TX. All six members were students of Sam Houston State University. One additional

student, who is a knight from Arlington, TX, transferred in to the UH Council. Together, the seven young knights will form a Round Table at SHSU. It will be the first time since the late 1980s that there will be a college KC presence at that university. The first degree team was staffed exclusively by students of Stephen F. Austin State University Council 10790.

The photo is of the members of the new Round Table and our Grand Knight, Steven Henderson (second from right).

Circle 5279 Repeats Prestigious Supreme Awards

By SK Patrick Fletcher, PFN

On behalf of Supreme, Dallas Diocesan Deputy Roger Scott (left) and Gunnery Sgt. Raymond Zavala (center) recently presented to the Deacon Pete Martinez Columbian Squires Circle 5279 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Wylie the

Corps d’Elite and Brother Barnabas Awards for the 2012-2013 fraternal year. Texas State Squire Marshal Sean Fletcher (right), the 2011-2013 Chief Squire of Circle 5279 under whose leadership the Circle earned the awards for two consecutive years, accepted the awards on behalf of the Circle. The Corps d’Elite Award recognizes that Circle 5279 was an active Circle during the 2012-2013 fraternal year based on the Circle’s activities, timely payment of its per capita taxes, timely filing of its reports, and meeting its membership goal. The prestigious Brother Barnabas Award recognizes the 25 best activities conducted during the 2012-2013 fraternal year by local circles throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Circle 5279 received its second consecutive Brother Barnabas Award for sponsoring a Soldier Quilt and coloring the individual patriotic quilt squares during its Christmas party. At the conclusion of a Saturday evening vigil Mass last June, the Circle presented the Soldier Quilt to Gunnery Sgt. Raymond Zavala, a St. Anthony parishioner, who received a standing ovation from the entire congregation. Gunnery Sgt. Zavala is a 21 year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is also a member of St. Anthony Council 12300 and Mother Teresa Assembly 2506.

3371 Donates Funds to Garwood Volunteer Fire Department

Barnabas Heldt Council 3371 donated $7000.00 to fund the Garwood Volunteer Fire Department’s upgrade to their paging system. This upgrade will make the system more compatible with the Colorado County Dispatch system allowing the local firemen to have County-wide contact and a more efficient and reliable paging system for the fire and ambulance service they provide.Council #3371 offers its gratitude to the local volunteers who sacrifice personal safety, time, family and funds to help protect our property, but most of all our lives.

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Be A Fan!By Jack Harvey, Special Olympics Chairman

Special Olympics PROGRAMS increase inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities into the community and enrich lives. Special Olympics are more than athletics:

The Athlete Leadership Program (ALP) allows athletes to explore opportunities for participation in roles considered ‘non-

traditional’ Through APL’s, athletes serve on the Board of Directors or local organizing committees. Athletes excel as spoke persons, team captains, volunteers, coaches and officials.

The Athletes in Training Program (AIT ) is for athletes with intellectual disabilities who train in a Special Olympics sport but have not competed during the calendar year. These athletes train under the umbrella of a school district or other agency and typically do not travel to train or compete outside their school or agency. Many existing physical education programs already qualify to participate in the program and students can receive recognition as Athletes in Training if teachers complete and submit a roster to their local Special Olympics Texas office. Recognition for students participating in the AIT program can include medals, ribbons and certificates.

Motors Activities Training is a program designed specifically for athletes who are unable to participate in traditional Special Olympics sports. It was created to enhance individu-als’ motor skills, sport skills and physical fitness .After the eight-week training program is completed, a Challenge Day is offered that meets the needs of every participant and lets the athlete share his/her developed skills with family and friends.

Project Unify-Meet in the Middle is unique program that promotes acceptance between students with and without intellectual disabilities in schools. Participants team up to promote advocacy, acceptance, friendship, fitness and sports opportunities. In an effort to support current school initiatives, fun activities are designed to align with state school standards, focusing FitnessGram, school morale and attendance, and TKS/TKS Alt. Benefits of participation include: character development, moral intelligence, leadership, fitness and positive impact on school culture, including bullying prevention.

UNIFIED SPORTS teams allow athletes to participate in sports activities with peers without disabilities. Unified Sports teams are comprised of equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes, friends, family members, staff, or other partners. These teams practice and compete together against other teams of the same composition, or can compete on city or intramural leagues. It is truly an opportunity for everyone to get involved. There is a CALL waiting. ANSWER THE CALL … Be A FAN

Special OlympicsBy Stan Urban, Texas Knight Reporter

Council 9997 participated in the Special Olympics Bowling Competition Mon. October 11th The Competition was held at Showplace Lanes 9405 N IH 35 Austin 7.

Representing the Council was Worthy Brother Bill Cox and wife Doris along with myself. The kids were amazing, full of energy and so very happy to participate in the Competition.

El Paso Council 638 has held 2 showings of the movie, “Blood Money, The Busi-ness of Abortion”, a documentary film at its hall. The first showing was held on September 29, 2013 for the St. Joseph Parish community. Following Corporate

Communion Mass for Council 638 held at St. Joseph, Fr. Ed Carpenter (Council 638 Chap-lain) announced the showing to the parishioners. Approximately 50 parishioners attended, including many Catechism students, as well as representatives from The House of Hope, a local pregnancy resource center. A lunch was served by the Council following the movie.

El Paso Council 638 held its second showing of the movie, “Blood Money, The Busi-ness of Abortion”, a documentary film at its hall on a Saturday evening, January 11, 2014. This showing was a joint effort with the El Paso 40 Days for Life community. The show-ing was also opened up to the El Paso Chapter Knights of Columbus. Approximately 35 people attend the showing on Saturday evening, many of them Knights and their families. Photo shows the Director of El Paso 40 Days for Life, Gabriela Federico, speaking at the end of the movie.

Blood MoneyBy Jeffrey Curl

Father Lopez, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Marble Falls, Texas, blessing the grounds at the ground breaking ceremony for the new Church being built for the parish. The 4th Degree Color Guard from Assembly 2976 , Horseshoe Bay, Texas were in attendance and participated in the ceremony.

Ground breakingBy Pat Quinlan, DD 129

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Texas State CharitiesIndividual donations of $20 or higher will be recognized with

a State Charities Lapel Pin. Thank you for your generosity assisting the Texas State Charities

Program as well as supporting our Bishop selected Diocesan charities. Please include your pledge or

contribution.

Name: Council # Address City, State Zip Telephone ( )

Contribution $20 $50 $100 OtherAmount Enclosed: $Thank you for your generosity - State Officers and State Charities

Team

Make Check Payable to Texas State Council Charities Mail To: Knights of Columbus

6633 Highway 290 East Suite 204 Austin, TX 78723-1157

Charity, The First Principle

By Mark Evans, Charity Director

The Charity PinYour Council is given an opportunity to win awards by reach-

ing your State Charity goal. The goal is $10.00 per member and the total is established by the number of members in your council as of July 1, 2012. Whenever a member donates $20.00 or more, he will receive this beautiful lapel pin. By completing the Charity Contribution form, your council will be given credit towards its goal.

Texas State Council Charity Standings 3/1/14

El Paso $23,590.00 $10,955.00 46.44%Fort Worth $84,740.00 $70,947.84 83.72%San Antonio $121,630.00 $86,364.61 71.01%Galveston/Houston $201,110.00 $139,582.93 69.41%Dallas $95,530.00 $76,681.73 80.27%Beaumont $31,110.00 $16,250.00 52.23%Tyler $24,400.00 $24,784.00 101.57%Austin $116,600.00 $62,943.34 53.98%Corpus Christi $45,870.00 $16,898.40 36.84%Victoria $66,490.00 $46,847.00 70.46%Amarillo $18,840.00 $12,610.00 66.93%Brownsville $38,370.00 $15,875.00 41.37%San Angelo $27,570.00 $15,190.00 55.10%Laredo $15,100.00 $2,385.00 15.79%Lubbock $15,630.00 $11,541.00 73.84%Total $926,580.00 $609,855.85 65.82%

Diocese Goal YTD Percent

When we hear the word "charity" we think of love towards our neighbor, love made visible as in service. We hear the word every day; we use it and we may also practice it in different forms. But what does charity really mean?

According to the definition of charity…..it is love towards our neighbor. It is giving of oneself, of loving your neighbor, of not thinking about yourself. Remember what Mother Teresa said: "To truly give charity, you must be free of selfishness!"

It is pure joy of giving, which includes much more than material things. This giving can have many faces, like in a warm smile to strangers, a personal thank-you-letter, an encouraging hug, an unexpected phone call, a thoughtful word of appreciation, a bonding with a person in grief, a prayer for the healing of others, a heartfelt forgiving when you are wronged. All this is done not out of duty or responsibility but out of the abundance of warmth and love you feel welling up inside you. And the more you give out, the more flows back in; that is the joy of love in action, the manifestation of charity. As long as you feel compelled to do something because it is your duty or because you want something in return, there is no love.

When one truly loves there must be freedom, not only from the other person but from oneself. Charity can come into being only when there is total self-abandonment. It does not come as the result of any effort. Like a flower that spreads its perfume, it blooms for everybody. Whether one is near or far away, it is all the same to the flower because it is full of that fragrance and shares it with everybody.

There is no greater mystery than the mystery of love itself. Mother Teresa said: "I do not think I have any special qualities. I don't claim anything for the work. It is His work. I am like a little pencil in His hand, that is all. He does the thinking. He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do with it. The pencil has only to allow itself to be used."

Texas State Charities is over half way to our goal of $926,580.00. The “pure joy of giving” as previously mentioned is a great thing. But there always remains the practical need for dollars. Dollars to help our Bishops and our fellow man. We are making progress but still have a long way to go.

With that in mind, we hope that your Council and you personally will make an effort to contribute to our State Charities and allow your dollars to be used just like the pencil. As an instrument to do his will.

The challenge remains for all of us: May our life become a spark in the flame of charity, so that the warmth and light of this loving fire may shine ever more brightly and sustain hope in the hearts of mankind. Council 3169 Has Been

BusyIn the past year St. Joseph Council 3169 has

Provided $2,100. In scholarships for Alice High School graduates attending college in the fall.

Provided 8-10x10 and 2-10x20 tents for the annual Saint Joseph Church Jamicafest, plus cooked and sold Pork steaks and donated $2,100to St. Joseph Church.

Provided the firewood for cooking 2500 lbs. of brisket, cooked the same for the SJS PTA

Provided 7 new 39” TV’s for SJS, with an additional 4 TV’s to come.

Provide a monthly meal/outing for our Priest and the Saint Joseph Church alter boys (10).

A Seminarian Scholarship for Marc Joseph Zamora in the amount of $500.00. See picture attached.

Annual Ladies Night Banquet with games enjoyed by all.

Provided 10 needy families with a Christmas turkey and all the trimmings.

Hosted a Posada in Dec. for St. Joseph pa-rishioners with more than 70 attendees.

Council 3169 provided ushers for every Sun-day 11 am Mass for St. Joseph Church.

Council 3169 provided the ushers for the Christmas Midnight at the request of our Priest Fr. Pete Elizardo, a duty that we considered an honor.

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Diocesan charity

Designations

AmarilloContinuing Spirituality Training for the Priests and Seminarians

AustinVocation Fund/Emergency Funds

for the Priests

BeaumontInfirm Priests Fund

BrownsvilleDeaf Ministry/Disabled Program

Corpus ChristiThe ARK Assessment Center and

Emergency Shelter for Youth

DallasPersons with Disabilities & Deaf

Ministry

El PasoVocations

Fort WorthDeaf Ministry & Seminarian

Support

Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston

Archdiocesan Catholic Schools

LaredoEvangelization/Outreach Charity

& Seminarian Support

LubbockVocations/Seminarian Support

San AngeloPro-Life, Seminarian Education

and Training; Lay Leaders Support and Development

Archdiocese of San AntonioDeaf Ministry

TylerSeminarian Education & Training

VictoriaContinuing Education for

Priests/Extension of Lay Ministry & Evangelization

Support Our

Bishops Charity

Wine Tasting Fund RaiserBy Pathrick Zastoupil

St Martha’s Council 12320 in King-wood, Texas held its first Wine Tasting Fund Raiser. The event

was highly successful nearly doubling the original goal. The council was able to donate a check for $6,500 to the Capital Campaign for St. Martha’s Catholic Church and another check for $6,500 to the Sha-lom Clergy Renewal Center in Splendora Texas. The first Picture is Grand Knight Patrick Zastoupil (on the left) presenting to Monsignor Chester Borski (on the right), Pastor of St. Martha’s Catholic Church. The second picture is Grand Knight Patrick Zastoupil (on the left) presenting to Daniel Kidd Executive Director/CEO and Sister Barbara Woody both of the Shalom Center. The Shalom Center was founded to offer a holistic approach to mental health, spirituality and life for clergy, men and women religious, and persons in ministry.

Fifteen brother Knights from San Antonio’s Resurrection of the Lord KC Council 8158 once again walked for scholarships on March 13th through 15th, 2014. This year they walked to the Basilica of San Juan del Valle, in San Juan, Texas.

A distance of 244 miles from their Parish grounds where they start their walk. This was the eleventh (11th) year council members walked to the Basilica. The first walk to the Shrine of Our Lady was in 2002. The walks have been to and from different cities in Texas; the first walk in 1984 was to the KC Convention in Waco, TX.

The walkers take monetary pledges for the walk in two-man teams, and pray the Rosary throughout each day. It has all been made possible by a diverse group of walkers who have walked over 4269 miles since their first walk. Since 1984, the council has awarded over $116,000.00 in Scholarships to deserving students in their Parish. All of the scholarships, since 1996, have been raised by these yearly walks. Prior to that money was raised by dances and barbecues; walking for scholarships has been more productive and inspiring to those members who walk.

Council 8158 Continues Their Yearly WalksBy Frank Alvarado, Jr., Council 8158, Scholarship Walk Chairman

During the walks to the Basilica, the walkers are welcomed by the Catholic Daughters of America and their brother Knights of Council 11121 in Three Rivers, and brothers from Council 2701 in Falfur-rias. The brothers and sisters in these two cities have helped with dinners on the first and second days of the walk. Father Ryszard Zielinski of Sacred Heart Parish in Three Rivers, and Father Matthew Stephan of Sacred Heart Parish in Falfurrias also wel-comed the brothers and offered their Parish Centers for lodging.

What was truly beautiful this year was that Father Binesh Mathew, their parish’s Parochial Vicar, joined them on the three day walk.

More Wheel Chairs Going to Needy PeopleBy Sam Szalwinski, Chairman

Since July 1, 2013, seventy coun-cils, nine Individuals and ONE Assembly in the Great State of

Texas have raised $47,965.70 for wheel chairs. This means that somewhere in the world 320 more IMMOBILE people will become MOBILE. Chris Lewis, CEO of the American Wheel Chair Mission, says that for every wheel chair given to a family member, ten others are positively affected.

This year we are somewhat behind last year’s record when a total of $142,000 was raised enabling the purchase of 946 wheel chairs. With only five months remaining in this fraternal year we are asking our Knights of Columbus leadership to raise the prior-ity of this ministry in your jurisdiction and encourage more Councils and Assemblies throughout our State to join in this effort.

Our Worthy State Deputy has set a goal for every Council and Assembly to contrib-

ute at least $150 toward the purchase of one wheel chair. Only seventy councils and ONE Assembly have done so to date. WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER.

For just a moment, place yourself in the position of a person in need, with no means or resources to obtain a wheel chair. Think about your lack of mobility and how difficult life would be. Then think about the day that someone presents you with a brand new wheel chair. Those of us who have joined Chris Lewis on a wheel chair distribution trip have experienced the reaction of people who have been IMMOBILE and how they express happiness through tears of joy when they get into a wheel chair for the first time.

Several Councils have been very suc-cessful with the Sunday weekend fund raisers. Last year four such Councils raised a combined total of $71,000!! Grand Knights will tell you that all it takes is the Pastor’s permission and good advertisement of the

event. Doing a weekend fund raiser also gives parishioners the opportunity to par-ticipate.

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51st Annual PartyBy J. Ray Reynolds

Knights of Columbus Council 5243 in Irving celebrated our 51st annual event combining Christmas Party and basket assembly for Irving needy families with the delivery of 60 baskets on Saturday following the party . Shown Here in the

foreground Linda Chouffet holding a nutcracker character that she got in the gift exchange, Looking on Is Dale Lawrence and various members of the Ladies Aux and members of Council 5243 Knights. The event was headed up by Curtiss Hantelmann and his committee.

Squires of the King of Glory Circle 4603 (Council 8954) in Richardson hosted a free parish-wide pancake breakfast, serving over 400 parishioners. The concept was inspired by the historic "Everyone welcome, Everything free" slogan begun

by the Knights at the time of World War I. Donations were accepted and after expenses more than $500 was realized.

The concept was very well received by attendees and the Squires received great public relations within the parish. Simultaneously a membership table was put together and as a result nine new Squires have joined the Circle.

Picture attached: Squires of King of Glory Circle 4603 in Richardson prepare a plate to be served at their free parish breakfast.

Free Pancake BreakfastBy Kevin Quinn, Chief Counselor Circle 4603

"When God Calls, How Do You Respond"

By Steve Carden, GK Council 11093

This is a story not so much about the Knights of Columbus but what each man could be if he answers the call of God. Five years ago 3 men, Dr. John D'Antoni, John Busker and Dr. Joseph Bianca, from the St. Mary Knights of Columbus

Council 11093 answered such a call. They chose to take the vocation path that leads to becoming a deacon in the Catholic Church.

After 5 long years and many hardships, these Brother Knights were ordained as deacons in the Diocese of Tyler. They came together every two weeks for classes taught by professors from the University of Dallas, studying many long hours. They and their wives went on retreats, usually at the Jesuit Montserrat Retreat House on Lake Lewisville in Dallas. They spent much time praying and discerning this vocation. It culminated, this last December 14, 2013, when our three Brother Knights joined 6 other men to be ordained by Bishop Joseph Strickland of the Diocese of Tyler.

We are now proud to call these Brother Knights Deacon; on the far left, Deacon John Busker and Deacon John D'Antoni; and, on the far right, Deacon Joe Bianca.

Getting ReadyBy Santiago Penada

Knights of Council 3169 at St. Joseph in Alice prepare for the first fund raiser to help the church and school.

Essay ContestBy Paul Gurley, FS Council 13572

Knights of Columbus Essay Contest, Council 13572 – St. Peter Prince of the Apostle

St. Peter’s Catholic School in Alamo Heights, TX recently held their Honor Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, in the gymnasium. Peter Severyn

from the Knights of Columbus, Council 13572 came to recognize three outstanding 8th grade students. Hannah Rossi took 1st place in the Knights of Columbus essay writing contest, awarded a certificate and a

$600 check. Jacob Guajardo received 2nd place and was awarded a certificate and a $300 check. Gabi Antuna received 3rd place, a certificate, and a check for $100.

All students who participated received certificates for a Knights of Columbus essay writing contest. Congratulations to all our 8th graders!

Pictured from left to right: Gabi Antuna, Principal Gilbert Olivarri, Hannah Rossi, Sir Knight Peter Severyn, and Jacob Guajardo

Council 10816 recently raised $1800.00 in special collections at St. Mary's and St. Brendan's parishes during January in support of the Knights of Columbus American Wheelchair Mission. One wheelchair from this program was presented

to Brother Fidel Perez at the Council's February meeting. The wheelchair will be taken to his mother, who resides in Mexico, and who is in need of a new wheelchair.

Donation

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Support Our Bishops Charities

Ordination of The Most Reverend Michael J Sis , STL, D.D. for Service in the Church as Sixth

Bishop Of San Angelo, Monday January 27,2014 At 2 pm At the Junell Center San Angelo Texas. In attendance Were Arch-bishop Carlo Maria Vinson (Apostolic Nuncio to the United States).The Most Reverend Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio Texas. The Most Reverend Joe S. Vasquez Bishop of Austin Texas. The Most Reverend Michael D. Pfeiffer, OMI Bishop Emeritus Diocese of San Angelo. Over 30 Bishops were in attendance. 100+ Priest. 70+ Deacons. And 61 Knights in Full Regalia. Hosting assembly. Fr. Serena Braun Assembly 1098. Faithful Navigator S.K Pete Martinez.

Ordination of The Most Reverend Michael J. Sis ,

STL, D.D.By Pete Martinez

Congratulations To these Brother Knights who have earned the St. Christopher Award for this fraternal year.

• Rev. Fr. Brendon Cahill – Council 9759 of the Archdio-cese of Galveston/Houston

• Brother Thomas Krueger – Council 4298 of the Archdio-cese of San Antonio

• Brother Nigel James – Council 6812 of the Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston

• Brother Ken Yung – Council 6812 of the Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston

• Brother Richard Nash – Council 6557 of the Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston

• Brother David Duff – Council 7850 of the Dallas Diocese• Brother Christopher Ort – Council 7983 of the Archdio-

cese of Galveston/Houston• Brother Michael Robinson – Council 8293 of the Arch-

diocese of Galveston/Houston• Brother Louis R. Meneghetti – Council 9759 of the Arch-

diocese of Galveston/Houston• Brother Patrick Weisbrod – Council 14512 of the Arch-

diocese of Galveston/Houston

St. Christopher AwardsBy David Zeigler, Council Family & Youth Director

These men’s dedication to the Boy Scouts of America shows they truly care about the young men in Texas. Helping to teach the boy scouts the religious emblems may one day help a young man consider the priesthood for a vocation.

Applaud these men for keeping the 12th Scout Law – A Scout is Reverent.

OrdinationBy Roger Strong

Ordinations to the priesthood are always special but the one conducted in De-cember 2013 was even more so for Council 4497 in El Paso. Nearly 5 years ago, the council began sponsoring Seminarian Allan Alaka under RSVP. Allan

is from Kenya originally and has been preparing for the priesthood nearly all his life. On December 14th, Bishop Mark Seitz brought Allan's years of study and dedication to frui-tion with his ordination. Father Allan began his priestly service as Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Cathedral on December 16th and as Council Chaplain soon thereafter. What a joy to have such a loving and caring priest in our midst!!

District 21 Free Throw ContestBy Bruce Mallory, DD 21

Thanks to Council 9868 for hosting the District 21 Free Throw contest those winners from Council 8512 and Council 9868. The winner are Boys 9 Jake Gernhauser, 10 Hayden Litke, 11 Blake Lamsens, 12 Vincent Alves, 13 Nicholas

Guhl, and 14 Harrison Pels; Girls 9 Evelyn Bermudez, 10 Skye Bourg, 11 Gabby Rimer, and 13 Lily Bermudez.

Raffle at St. Thomas MoreBy Stan Urban, Texas Knight Reporter

Council 9997 held a huge Father's Day Raffle on June 16. Our pastor, Fr. Isidore picked the winning tickets.

Knights pictured are (seated) left to right are Bob Walcott, Fred Negrete, and Jack Josey. Standing left to right DGK David Sanchez, GK Stan Urban, Rick Pekkala, and DD Kevin Brinkman. Fr. Isidore is picking the winners!!

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State Deputy Jim Collins presented to the members of Council 9902 a Double Star Council and the Lone Star Award for Excellence with Distinction. Receiving the award Council 9902 for Grand Knight Robert McMichael, Bro. Richard Martinez

and Mike Urrutia former DD # 16 and former Fr McGivney State Chairman.

Double Star Presented

A “new initiative” for all the members and their families of the Knights of Colum-bus in the Diocese of Laredo, was implemented to renew their commitment to the Vision of Fr. Michael J. McGivney.

Our fraternal theme, “WE ARE CALLED”, offered a weekly course to learn more about our blessed Order. This new initiative has been presented in three different levels.

WE ARE CALLED … TO LEARN, … TO LEAD, … and TO LIVE! At the end of the course, those who completed the four week sessions with perfect attendance received a Certificate of Completion.

WE ARE CALLED … to learnIn this “new initiative”, we have helped our members and his family; LEARN more

about our blessed Order. In the month of January 2014, as a weekly class of an hour and a half (1.5 hour), we had the opportunity to explore and develop the insides of our four principles; Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. It was on a hands-on learning experi-ence to grow stronger to the Vision of Fr. McGivney.

The three 90 minute classes gave us a spiritual, educational and practical elements to apply them into our own lives. Our participants were able to implement this learning experience into their family life, Council activities and parish community. We enjoyed the fun, excitement and fulfilling to be a proud Catholic family of the Knights of Columbus.

WE ARE CALLED … to leadIn this other “new initiative” we helped the member as an officer of the Council, Direc-

tor or Chairmen in the Service Program to develop and strengthen their leadership skills. In enhances, it was a “Leadership School”! These leaders had the opportunity to learn, be trained into their responsibilities as they have been called to serve.

Weekly classes of an hour and a half (1.5 hr), offered opportunities to discuss issues, concerns and conclude to a common solution in accordance to the Constitution and By-Laws of our blessed Order. It also gave us a four 90 minute classes on Thursdays with hands-on learning experience to develop their leadership skills and obtain a better performance to their responsibilities, while enjoying it with fun, pride and dignity.

New Initiative in Diocese of Laredo

By Carlos Rene Ramirez

Council 6878 Receives Certificate from Archdiocese

By Jim OBrien

Chip Hradecky of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Humble Texas, Knights of Columbus, Council 6878 received a Certificate of Appreciation from Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Fr. Dat in acknowledgement of the support of the Council

for seminarians in the Archdiocese.

2013 Shepherd’s Cup Charity Golf ClassicBy Al Ewer

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo shown accepting a check in the amount of $171,242.96, representing the proceeds from the 6th Annual Shepherd’s Cup Charity Golf Classic held at Kingwood Country Club on the 6th of October, 2013. The

Shepherd’s Cup Charity Golf Classic is presented by the Galveston-Houston Knights of Columbus Charities (GHKCC). Funds from the Shepherd’s Cup Golf Classic are used to promote faith formation, Catholic education and St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston. Pre-senting the check are (l-r) Ronnie Gonzales, GHKCC President, Kari and Sean Tracey, Title Sponsors), Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, and Al Ewer, Chairman of KC Promotions. The 7th Annual tournament will be held at Kingwood Country Club, October 6, 2014.

The University of Texas at El Paso College Council, Sun Bowl Council 15727, participated in the Special Olympics Fire Truck pull. The team consisted of 10 knights, 2 alternates, and 1 member from the UTEP Catholic Daughters Court.

This event is held annually at the El Paso Firefighters Academy. Participants ranged from local first responders to other organizations, with the top time being 15.75 seconds. We are extremely thankful for St. Thomas Aquinas Council 11926 for sponsoring our team at this event. We look forward to participating at more Special Olympic Events and with further partnerships with area councils and the UTEP Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

Special Olympics

VOL 3, 2013-2014 Page 15

Texas KNIGHT

Father Michael J. McGivney Guild

Let’s Recognize the Knight of

the Month

Council 6878 held their 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

St. Mary Magdalene Church in Humble Texas, Knights of Columbus, Council 6878 held their 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament in October. This is one of the major fundraisers for the Council and allows them to continue to display the

principle of Charity in the local community

By Jim OBrien

2014 Pro-Life MarchBy Joe Jimenez, GK Council 14166

The Fourth degree of the Knights of Columbus led the march, along with Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin. The march started at 15th and Congress Avenue and the faithful from around the great state of Texas rallied together.

A few weeks ago we spoke about an upcoming pro-life project for Council 13044. I am proud to share that the ‘Crosses of the Innocent’ have been erected and prominently displayed at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Allen. I worked with our State Pro-Life Chairman, Tom Clark, to establish that approximately 200 abortions occur every week in the Diocese of Dallas. As a council we wanted to visually demonstrate this abomination. On Saturday November 30 , members of Council 13044 and Squires Circle 4748 assembled and erected 200 crosses as well as signage explaining the purpose of the crosses for all to see on Ridgeway Road in Allen, TX. We also installed lights on the signage that illumi-nates the signs every night. Our goal was to call attention that ‘Pro-Choice is Pro-Death’. If we changed one mind and saved one baby than we will have been successful. We will be taking down the crosses on January 18, the closest Saturday to the unfortunate Roe vs. Wade decision. We will continue to erect crosses annually until abortion is no longer legal in the United States.

Reed A Fontenot III, GK Council 13044Crosses of the Innocent

New Bibles for CCE

In response to a request from their CCE Department, members of Saint Jude Thad-deus Council 9629 in Highlands, TX do-nated $1083.00 which was used to purchase 60 new Children’s Bibles.

Council #13902 held their semi-annual pancake breakfast and Scott and White Hospital blood drive January 12, 2014. The event was a tremendous success with a very large turn out, There were many blood donors.

Council 13902

Page 16 VOL 3, 2013-2014

Texas KNIGHT

Knights on Bikes Presentation

By Luis J. Ortiz, Jr, Chairman Knights on Bikes, El Paso

Knights on Bikes present Bishop Seitz a “colors” vest during a Pro-Life march in El Paso.

Fr. Samuel F. Hom-sey, Council 14050, present their Chaplain

Fr. Bhaskar Morugudi with a Knights of Columbus Chasuble and Stole. Fr. will use his cha-suble at Corporate Masses and other Special occasions as ap-propriate. Pictured with Fr. L-R Tony Hernandez, DD 182, Juan Vasquez, Trustee, Fr. Bhaskar, Chaplain, Salvador M. Murillo, FS, back row Joe Rodriguez, Recorder, Ismael Fernandez, GK and Antonio Herrera, Advocate.

KC Chasuble and Stole Presented

By Tony Hernández, DD 182

FOOD PANTRY CHECK PRESENTATION

El Paso Council 4497 Grand Knight Carlos Samaniego (far right) presented a check to Socorro Ortiz, Most Holy Trinity Office Manager in the amount of $1500.00. Also pictured from left to right; Program Director Ben Barraza, Socorro, Chancellor Jerry Burr and Carlos' wife Virginia.

By Roger Strong, Council 4497

When reading the Knightline news letter, and came to the section that contained the Active Counsels are Successful Councils. I began to reflect back to where we were as a council. Over the past two years our counsel have made great strides in recruiting by advertising, flyers, letters and personally talking to perspective candidates at each mass held to let them know what we were all about. From 2013 to present we have recruited 17 new members and intend to keep our numbers growing. Even those who were members but were inactive came back into the fold and began participating. We went from 7 attendees to 25 that now attend our meetings on a regular basis. The Knights began to look at what was needed in our parish and decided to renovate our conference room, then moved on to the main hall. It was noted by one of the Knights that we did not have an adoration cha-pel for our parishioners. With that being said, the Knight who brought it to our attention is now in charge of the project and the Knights are currently in the process of building a brand new Adoration Chapel which is 50% completed and hope to have it finished by Easter Sunday. It has been through devotion to our lord Jesus Christ, our church, and our chaplain (Father Thomas Wellar) who is our number one (most enthusiastic) supporter who has instilled in us the drive and earnest to achieve the accomplishments we have had the privilege of performing. It is the Knights that have come together who gave time, sweat, and dedication to making these endeavors come true. They are the greatest group of Knights and should be commended. Each and everyone one of them are truly worthy of the recognition they have most deservingly earned.

Our Lady of the Assumption Council 11570

By Philip Salcido, GK

Council 9997

Council 9997 participated in fundraiser Life Savers for the Annunciation Maternity Home and the Parish donated over $1000 in baby products and in addition presented a check for $3,100. Pictured are Alyssia Woods AMH, Brother Rick Pekkala, AMH staff, DGK David Sanchez ad GK Stan Urban.

By Stan Urban, GK, Texas Knight Reporter

St. Elizabeth Council 10373 hosted its annual Keep Christ in Christmas parade through downtown Pflugerville. The parade is used as a food drive for our local St. Vincent de Paul food pantry; this year we raised over 450 pounds of food.

Keep Christ in Christmas

VOL 3, 2013-2014 Page 17

Texas KNIGHT

BENEFIT FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

By Jack Gibbs

Kline-Vincent council 12672 held its fourth annual Benefit for Local Charities Quilt Show and chicken fried steak dinner on Saturday, November 9, at the KC Hall in Hempstead, Texas.

Since its beginning in 2010, the event has profited $33,927. All profits go to local families with special cases, favoring youths with major afflictions.

The feature presentation of the quilt show was, “the Last Supper “quilt by Dr. Don Locke of Waxahachie, Texas. The work of art contains 51,816 individual half-inch squares of cotton fabric, and measures 5.6 feet high and 15.3 feet wide. Three local quilt guilds hosted the show, displaying 64 dazzling quilts from the surrounding area.

The gala one-day event with vendors, music, raffles, auctions and prizes, also included a salute to veterans, where all veterans received a free meal, and a lap quilt compliments of the Scrappers Quilt Guild. Together with Boy Scout Troop 195, the VFW and American Legion conducted a flag retirement ceremony for 34 worn and tattered American flags.

For the afternoon entertainment, The Fishers of Men choral group performed a series of gospel, folk and patriotic songs. The serenade was followed by a chicken fried steak dinner prepared on site by Becky Pratt and crew.

The Altar Society from St. Katharine Drexel church with their president Sandy Brown handled the silent auction that featured over 50 handmade items. The Piecemakers Quilt Guild ran the sales table that offered smaller items such as book marks and lapel pins.

Grand Knight Robert Borski and Benefit Chairman Tom Brown thank all who attended and supported this worthy cause.

Holy Family Council 7728By Joe L. Longoria, GK

Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 7728 in Missouri City/Stafford Receives State and

Supreme Awards for 2012-2013. Pictured are:·Joe L. Longoria , GK (middle), John Pyle, FS (left) Gustavo Darino, Treasurer (right). Supreme Star Council Award – Recognized outstanding achievement in Membership, Insurance and Service Program Activities. State Council Lone Star Award for Excellence with Distinc-tion – Recognizes a council that has met all State Council Criteria and exceeds all State Council Charities Goals.

“We are Called….To Full Knighthood”

In honor of our State Deputy Jim Collins theme for this year; the first ever inter-national 4th Degree Exemplification between the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas and the Northern Region of Mexico was held on January 18, 2014 at St. Joseph

Church in Brownsville, Texas. A total of 54 candidates were exemplified to full Knight-hood, including two priest.

In addition, a new bilingual Assembly, St. Fr. Jose Maria Robles Hurtado, Assembly 3458 was formed. St. Fr. Jose Maria was a Mexican priest that was martyred during the Cristero movement in Mexico.

Knights of Columbus Officials in attendance included Vice Supreme Master Dan Hogan, Texas District 4 Master Edward Cantu, and Northern Mexico District Master Filadelfo Medellin.

Knights Council 10646 in Rowlett conducted it's annual Thanksgiving Fried Tur-key fund raiser. Despite the cold rainy weather fifty nine turkeys were cooked with net proceeds of over $1,300.00 used to benefit it's annual Christmas Gift

Shopping spree for needy children in the area. Several turkeys were donated to the local St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Shown are Brothers Greg Schulte and Ray Dunaway preparing cooked turkeys for delivery.

Turkey Fry!By Malcolm DuCote, FS 10646

New Council @ Immaculate Conception Church

Living Fr. McGivney's dream. "Viviendo el sueno de Padre McGivney."

By Ernest Garcia, DD#54

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Texas KNIGHT

Council 7175, BurlesonBy Joe F. Garcia, PGK

Since it’s re-activation in 2009, Council 7175 at St. Ann in Burleson have made a positive impact on the Parish and the community of Burleson. The membership, although low in numbers, has accom-

plished several goals in fulfilment of the work of the Order. The council has hosted a pancake breakfast on a monthly basis at the

parish after Sunday Masses. This has become a favorite event of the parish-ioners as well as of the Knights.

Another favorite event has been a BBQ chicken dinner, which was re-ceived very well by parishioners as well as the community. The council also donated several of these dinners to the on-duty personnel of the Burleson Police Department as a sign of appreciation for their service.

The council has held two successful can food drives where each yielded a couple of hundred pounds of food for the area food pantry. This event will be held on a quarterly basis with the next scheduled drive to be held in March, 2014.

A Christmas talent show was hosted by the council in coordination with the St. Ann Choir with proceeds generated from the snack bar will facilitate the purchase of three wheel chairs.

Two of the chairs will be donated to the Parish and one to a person in need.The efforts and hard work of the Knights of Council 7175 has produced

several positive results this past year and the membership is looking ahead to a more fulfilling future for the Council.

The Knights of Columbus Sta. Julia Council 10426 held a Shoes4Kidz at Academy Superstore in Austin. Our council provided shoes to 20 children of the community which the kids were very excited to received. One of the family recipients were

victims of the Onion Creek flooding.Knights in the photographs are GK Louie Gonzales, DGK Leroy Garza, Trustee Albert

Jurado and Advocate Daniel Baladez. Photographs taken by Ignacio Acosta

Shoes4KidzBy Ignacio Acosta, FS Council 10426

Easing the plight of those less fortunate through; Charity - our first most powerful principle as Pope Francis advocates. On Tuesday December 10 for the 8th year Council 7641 in Bedford Texas through solicitations and donations delivered a

second Golf cart fitted with a back seat for medical staff and residents of the “Denton State Supported Living Center” (a North Texas 189-acre home to about 487 disabled/intellectu-ally challenged residents). This vehicle ($2,800.00) affords the medical staff the ability to move immediately with emergency healing service to needy patients thereby reducing major health complications.

The council also delivered 80 gifts at a cost of over $2,000.00 for residents (2 new wheel chairs, bed cover sets, electronic devices, backpack full of supplies and many other type items) to relieve some of their most immediate caring needs as Christmas gifts. Another member’s company donated items valued at $5,000 consisting of flashlights, copy paper, cleaning supplies, and other miscellaneous supplies for the facility. Let’s respond to Pope’s challenge by assist others less fortunate!

Dale Berndt/GK – Council 7641 Bedford, Texas 76021.

Council 7641

Council 7850 Annual Tootsie Roll Sale

By Greg Shields

Paul Krebs and his grandson Andrew Briseno participated in the Knights of Co-lumbus Council #7850 annual Tootsie Roll sale to benefit the council’s Charities.

Some 50 Knights stood in the rain and cold at Plano area McDonalds’ to raise almost $5,000. In the past, this money has been distributed to Plano Special Olympics, Collin County Court Appointed Advocate Program, Diocesan Deaf Charities, American Wheel Chair Mission and other worthy organizations.

Council 2771, Longview Texas was once again successful in achieving its State Charity Goal. In addition, last year the council contributed over $17,000 to various catholic charities, primarily Christmas food baskets and Special Olym-

pics. Council 2771 represents the Parish’s of St. Anthony’s (Longview), St. Matthew’s (Longview), St. Theresa’s (Gladewater), and St. Francis (Gilmer).

Council 2771

VOL 3, 2013-2014 Page 19

Texas KNIGHT

Convention ScheduleFriday, May 2, 2014 7:30 a.m. Convention Golf Tournament 9:00 a.m. Credentials Committee10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Convention Registration 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. Clergy Seminar 12:00 p.m. Clergy Luncheon

All Committee Meeting Rooms are on the 3rd Floor

1:30 p.m. Resolutions Committee Assistant Wardens Committee

Tellers Committee 2:00 p.m. Good of the Order Committee Special Greetings/Appreciation Committee Condolences and Sympathy Committee 3:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony 7:00 p.m. Casino Night

Saturday, May 3, 2014 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Convention Registration 8:00 a.m. Opening Convention Mass 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. State Deputy Report10:00 a.m.– 12:00 a.m. Convention Business Session11:30 a.m. Ladies Luncheon 12:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break 1:30 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Convention Business Session 3:00 p.m. Caucus Breakout Sessions 7:00 p.m. Convention Banquet

Sunday, May 4, 2014 8:00 a.m. Memorial Mass 9:30 a.m. Ladies Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Convention Business Session 12:00 p.m. Convention Adjourns

La Virgen de Guadalupe Icon Visit

By Pedro Mendez

Our Lady of Guadalupe Icon came to St. Francis of Assisi in San Antonio. Mrs. Sally Ruiz, a professor at the Oblate Seminary reads to the children of the par-ish. Knights from the council 15240 escorted the Icon.

Msgr. L.L. Meyer Council 1422, Marshall, Texas receives

Supreme & State Council AwardsBy Bill Elliot, Diocesan Deputy

The Msgr. L. L. Meyer Knights of Columbus Council 1422 was presented with Awards at the 10:30 AM Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on 12-22-13. Council 1422 received the Supreme Council’s Star Council Award. Out of 15,000

Councils in the Order only 1,014 received the Star council for the 2012-2013 Fraternal year. Of the 750 Councils in the Texas State Council only 54 councils received the Star Council Award. The Star Council is award to a Council that files all of its required reports by the assigned due dates, meets or exceeds its assigned membership and insurance intake goals and conducts and reports 25 programs or at least 4 each in the council’s programming areas of Council, Community, Family, Youth and Pro-Life activities. Council 1422’s intake goal was 15 new members and the Council brought in 28 new members for the 2012-2013 Fraternal Year. This award has the Grand Knight of record for the fraternal year engraved on the award.

The Texas State Council’s Lone Star Award for Excellence, with Distinction: (LSAFE) The highest award a Texas Council can receive from the Texas State Council is the LSAFE with Distinction. Out of 750 Texas Council, only 23 won the LSAFE award with Distinc-tion. The Msgr. L. L. Meyer Council 1422 was the only Council in the Tyler Diocese to receive this State Council Award. A Council must receive the Star Council Award and also pay their State Per Capita and State Charity goal before 12-31, file all required reports by the assigned deadlines, seat 2 delegates at the State council’s Convention, sponsor an active 1st Degree team, and conduct at least 2 Degrees during the Fraternal Year.. This award has the Grand Knight of record and the Financial Secretary’s name engraved on the award.

Texas State Charities, Quick Start Charities Award. The Msgr. L. L. Meyer Council 1422 also received the Quick Start Award for meeting their assigned Charity goal before 12-31-13. The council Charity goal assigned was $2,390.00 and the Council paid $2,470.00 in July of 2013. This is the 26th consecutive year Council 1422 has met or exceeded its assigned goal. The Tyler Diocese will in return receive 70% of this amount to be used for Seminarian Education.

Marshal Council 1422 is the largest council in the Tyler Diocese with 240 members. The council is 104 years old and is made up of members from St. Joseph’s Marshall, Im-maculate Conception, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Waskom, Our Lady of Grace, Hallsville, and St. Pedro, in Tatum. The Grand Knight and Fin. Sec. for 2012-2013 were: Charles Reeves, GK. & Bill Elliott, FS.

St Jude Thaddeus Council 9629By David Oehler, FS 9629

St. Jude Thaddeus Council 9629 in Highlands, TX teamed up with the U.S. Marine Corp. Reserve to host

their First annual Toys for Tots Drive. The drive kicked off on November 17th, and ran though December 15th. Donations of new unwrapped toys were collected and turned over to the Bay Area Resource Center for distribution to needy area families. Pictured are Chairman Greg Evans and Grand Knight Felix Munos.

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