SIENA POST DISPATCH

 

A Monthly Publication of Siena Council  #8596

Knights of Columbus,  P.O. Box 271, Dundee,  IL  60118

January  2005                                                                         www.kofcsiena.org

 

Brother Knights,

 

I don’t know about you, but I gave up “New Year’s Resolutions” quite some time ago. 

After all, they are all about self-improvement; doing something that we haven’t been doing that we “should” be doing………and that as a “NYR” you only do for a couple of weeks anyway.  So I’m not going to ask you to make any “NYR’s”………….but I am going to ask you to think about whether or not you have been the kind of Knight that you set out to be when you took your First Degree.  This is a question only you can answer.  But if you haven’t participated in a while, in any function other than to send your dues check at the beginning of the year then I would challenge you to change that and come and join your Brother Knights at some activity this year……..there are MANY to chose from  (there are six possible activities listed right below).

 

I was remiss in not extending our “thanks” to Brothers Dan Biggens and Jim Winstead for organizing and carrying out our fall bonfire back in October.  Although there could have been a few more folks there to enjoy it, those that attended had a great time on a lovely night……..THANKS  GUYS !!!

 

Thanks also go out this month again to Brother Jim Winstead for a VERY successful blood-drive.  Although the “official” count is not in, we estimate over 50 (that’s right FIVE OH) pints were donated that Sunday………nice job Jim !!!  Also “thanks” go out to the Kruger Families……especially Jim Sr. and Virginia and to Paul for once again being our chefs for our Christmas Dinner party…….also thanks to Rich and Cathy Hoster for donating the turkeys and to Mike and Mary Graziano for the hams.  And thanks to Hank Schmalen V and his girlfriend Lindsay for decorating……What a great party it was even though “Santa” had to send his helper this year  (the beard to the Santa costume is “somewhere” but not with the costume…….if you know where it is, please let me know).  If you missed it, you should make it a point to attend next year.

 

Finally, thanks to Brother Fred McCarthy for pulling together the “Sign Up to be a Knight Before Christmas” recruiting drive………..we got about 10 new names to contact as a result………..and once again, Brother Jim Winstead was out there heading up our Vocation raffle that same Sunday………thanks to Jim and all of the Brothers that stopped by to help out……and a HUGE “Thanks” to Brother Bob Waclawik for the St. Catherine School dance………we had NO OTHER BROTHERS show up to chaperone the dance until Brother Don Skellie came to drop off his daughter and stayed to help……let’s make sure that does NOT happen next year !!

 

At the last meeting the question was raised whether or not a vote was needed to spend Council funds on items that were approved in our line-item budget.  I wrote to State Treasurer Phil Barrone and he replied that once the budget was passed, and the line-item amount was not exceeded, then a vote was not needed.  The check and balance is the submission and approval of bills by the Trustees.  Thanks Brother Joe Borowski for raising the issue and keeping us on track.

 

 

 

 

 

Some upcoming opportunities for your consideration and participation…remember guys, WE  NEED  YOUR  HELP !!!   The more hands we have the faster it goes and the less work for those that are there…………..

                                    Saturday  Jan 15         Freethrow Contest

                                    Sunday  Feb 13            Parish Breakfast

                                    Friday Feb 18-20         K of C Retreat at Bellarmine

The Breakfast is scheduled right now for Sunday Feb 5th but that is the day after the Adult Prom  (which you should consider attending…….great fun !!) which will not work………I will contact Mrs. Sanders and try to reschedule for the 13th…………

 

Brother Dan Biggens has stepped forward to become “THE  CORN  KING”…..Dan will coordinate and organize opportunities for our Council to participate in selling hot roasted corn out of our new corn roaster……..we even have the stand to sell from……all we need are festivals, carnivals, etc…………so if you hear of an opportunity please contact Brother Dan.

 

Finally my Brothers, I wish you a very Happy and Peace filled New Year !!!  May 2005, the Year of the Eucharist, be a year of growth in faith, love of neighbor and strength in Knighthood…………

 

God’s peace and blessings to you my Brothers,,  Vivat Jesu    Hank Schmalen  GK

 

 

 

ANNUAL SIENA COUNCIL RETREAT

If you have never attended a retreat, or thought to yourself there is no way that I could be quiet for a whole weekend, think again…this is an awesome experience, a time to get in touch with yourself and with God.  And the Bellarmine Retreat House in Barrington is so relaxing and peaceful you won’t want to leave!!  This coming year it will be the weekend of February 18 – 19 – 20th….it begins with dinner on Friday night and runs through lunch on Sunday…. There are a limited number of spots available so let me know as soon as you can……..we intend to let non-Brother Knights join us if all of our spots are not used…….Hank Schmalen  (847) 426-7326 or hschmal@sbcglobal.net

 

FREE THROW CONTEST

Every year the Knights of Columbus Siena Council sponsors a Free Throw Contest for children between the ages of 10 to 14.  Last year we had 41 participants.

 

Winners of our council competition  move up to the district then Regional and hopefully State finals.

 

This years event will take place on Saturday, January 15th in St. Catherine’s gym.   Doors will open at 8:30 AM for registration and practice.  The actual competition will start at 9:30 AM.  Depending on the number of participants we should be done by 12:30 pm.

 

If you have some free time,  we could use all the help we can get.  Hope to see as many of my Brother Knights as possible.

 

                                                Thank you,   Bob Waclawik