Knights of Columbus

President’s Message for August

jackhaneyKnights of Columbus
Orange County Chapter Happenings
August 2014

My Brothers,

As summer draws to a close, the busy season for the Knights begins.  By now our new Officers and activity Chairmen have assumed their roles and are carrying on the work each Council takes part in.  The same holds true at your Chapter as well.  One of the Chapter’s primary functions is to share information that is relevant to our Order and our Diocese.  In addition to our monthly meetings, we maintain a website and an information blog which our Past Chapter President, Ronn Knowles, does an outstanding job of keeping current and accurate.  If you haven’t taken a look at the site, go to www.KofCOC.org.  Our news blog is https://ockc.net.

These sites have taken the place of Chapter Bulletin in Orange County.  As your Chapter President, I will begin sending out a monthly update on events and issues that you should find of interest.  As always, I welcome any feedback on the usefulness of this article or suggestions on how it can be improved.

A couple of major events are still upcoming on the calendar for August:

  • The Knights of Orange County are going to compete in a contest to see what team of 25 men can pull an Airbus 310 twelve feet the fastest.  This event is a fundraiser for Southern California Special Olympics.  It takes place at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, August 23 at 10:00 am.  Our team is full, and we have surpassed the minimum donation of $2500.  All are invited to come out and cheer our team on to beat the CHP, the LA County Sheriffs, KofC teams from Southern California and San Gabriel Valley Chapters., and many others.  Thanks to Brother Steve Bolton for getting us started in this very worthy event.  If you would like to contribute to this fund raiser, see our blog for the link and more information.
  • The first 3rd Degree Exemplification in Orange County for this Columbian year will be held on Saturday, August 23rd, at St. John the Baptist Parish in Costa Mesa.  Candidate sign in begins at 9:30 am and the Exemplification will take place at 10:30 AM.  All candidates are asked to register by August 19th with District Deputy Jim Brucken.  You can register on the Chapter website where a flyer with a map is available.
  • Our regular Chapter meeting is on Thursday, August 28, at St. Joachim’s in Costa Mesa.   Doors open at 6:30 for a light dinner and fellowship before the meeting starts at 7:30.  

September is shaping up as a very active month for Orange County Knights:

  • Bishop Vann will be the keynote guest at the 7th Annual Interfaith Blessing of the Waves in Huntington Beach, on Sunday, September 7th.  The Knights of Orange County are encouraged to participate.   Wear your Council shirts and or name badges in support of our Bishop.  Detailed information is on our blog.
  • All Council Financial Secretaries are encouraged to take part in FS Training that will be put on by our State Council on Thursday, September 18th, at the Brothers of St. Patrick in Midway City.  The class will demonstrate using the Supreme Council’s Member Management program.  Use of this standardized program not only makes the FS’s duties easier, it also helps the Supreme Council keep up to date information on our Councils.
  • On September 20th, our Worthy State Deputy Abe Doliente and his staff join us at Blessed Sacrament Parish for his annual information session.  Council Officers, Membership, and Retention Directors, are asked to attend this Saturday morning meeting.
  • Thursday, September 25th has been set as the date for the Orange County Catholic Prayer Breakfast at Christ Cathedral.  Cost is $40.00 per person.  Bishop Vann will be showcasing the final design plans for the interior renovation of the Cathedral’s main church at this breakfast.  If you would like to attend, please send me an email or give me a call so that we can make a reservation as a united group.
  • Another 3rd Degree exemplification will take place in Orange County on September 28 at St. Joseph’s Parish hall in Placentia.  The host District Deputy for this exemplification is Brother Bill Schafer.  Fr. Kass Council in Buena Park will conduct their regular 2nd degree a week early on Sunday, September 21 to enable as many as possible to make this 3rd degree exemplification.

Is your Council planning a Membership Drive or participation in a Parish Ministry event where you would like some added visibility for the Knights?  The State Council has given each Chapter a KofC canopy that Councils may reserve and use for such events.  More information on the mechanics of using this resource will be discussed at the August Chapter Meeting.  Its debut will be at the Airplane Pull in Long Beach (see above!)

Finally my Brothers, I would ask you to please keep the family of Sheri Ann McGuinn in your prayers.  Sheri Ann is the daughter of our PCP and President of Chapter Charities, Joe Krochmalny.  Sheri lost her battle with infection and went to Our Lord this week.  Her husband Pat and daughter Payton need the comfort of the Holy Spirit as they move forward in their lives without their beloved wife and mother.

I look forward to seeing each of you at our next meeting and hearing about the great things that are going on in your Councils.

Vivat Jesus!

Yours in service,

Jack Haney
President, Orange County Chapter
Knights of Columbus
714-746-0445

 

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