SIENA POST DISPATCH
A Monthly Publication of Siena Council #8596
Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 271, Dundee, IL 60118
February 2005 www.kofcsiena.org
Brother Knights,
As we approach the Season of Lent (Ash Wednesday is February 9th), my immediate reaction is “what should I give up this year?” Being a product of the 50’s, that was what Lent was all about…….giving up something; desert, or gum, or teasing my brother or sister………sound familiar? But now being a Catholic man of the new millennium it is more a question of “what can I do for Lent?”………not so much giving something up but rather what extra can I do for someone else, or can I pray more or maybe do something daily for my wife………..that is the sacrifice that I can make this Lent in preparation for the great Season of Easter. So my brothers I would just throw that out to you. Maybe this year instead of giving something up, give of yourself to someone else and “do” rather than “not do”.
We had a great First Degree at our last meeting which included bringing a priest, Father Perfecto into the Knights. We also inducted three members into our own Council: Jay Bjork, Sean Brady and Ron Benzschawck……a very warm Siena welcome to them. Those of you who are still First Degree members can take your Second and Third degrees on Sunday February 27th at St. Margaret Mary in Algonquin. We are co-hosting this major degree with our Brothers up there and so will be taking several members of our Council to progress to the next degrees…………it is so close and only takes an afternoon……..if you are still a First Degree why not sign up to go with us !!!
Those Brothers that are already Third Degree we could use your help that day to setup and teardown……….won’t take a lot of effort if there are a number of us and it should be fun as well………………please let me know if you can make it hschmal@sbcglobal.net.
We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome a transfer Brother Rick Coates who is in the U.S. Marine Corps and has recently moved to the area……..welcome Brother Rick.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dan Schneider and Mark Heineman from St. Margaret Mary who have repeatedly filled in positions on our First Degree team for Chancellor and Deputy Grand Knight……….we would like to have a couple of Third Degree Brothers step forward to learn the parts so that we can get our Siena First Degree team back to 100% again………all it takes a little memorization and we’ll practice so that it will be easy for you………..how about it ? Contact Rich Hoster if you are interested…………..
As long as we are saying “Thanks”, a big one goes to Brother Bob Waclawik for organizing and carrying out the Annual Knights Free-throw contest…….and thanks to all of the Brothers that showed up to show off their legs and basketball skills !!!
And I would very much like to thank Brother S.K. Ron Colby who has served as our Financial Secretary for the past two and half years……..Ron has chosen to resign for personal reasons and he will be missed in that office. But this gives one of you the chance to step forward and serve your Council and Brother Knights in a VERY big way…….as the Financial Secretary for Siena. Applications are being accepted for consideration……..the Financial Secretary is the only appointed Officer post and is appointed and approved by Supreme for a three year term. The F.S. keeps all of the financial and membership records of the Council as well as maintaining our budget on a monthly basis. He works closely with the Grand Knight and the Treasurer to make sure that we are fiscally responsible. The Council has a computer to help you with all of that record-keeping and you can work at home at your own pace. Having served in that position for a little over four years myself, I can tell you that it is a very rewarding position because you really get to know the inner-workings of the Council and the Knights organization. Please prayerfully consider sending me your application to serve us in that capacity.
Our next Parish Family Breakfast has been moved to Sunday April 10th…………please mark it on your calendars so that we can count on your help……….Mrs. Sanders would like this donation to go toward a computer projector for the school and Church.
Finally, Santa’s Beard from the Santa Suit is still missing…….if anyone knows its whereabouts could you let me know before we need to purchase another for next year ?
God’s peace and blessings to you my Brothers and I hope you have a blessed and fruitful Lenten Season
Vivat Jesu Hank Schmalen GK
ANNUAL SIENA COUNCIL RETREAT
It’s not too late…………you can still signup………but be quick !!! 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……..Hank Schmalen (847) 426-7326 or hschmal@sbcglobal.net
Annual Free-throw Contest Results
Saturday, January 15th (the coldest day of the year) was the date for this years Council’s Free Throw Contest. We had 36 participants. Winners from the girls were Alexandra Klein, Katie Ayello, Margaret Haggenjos, Krista Robbins and Tomasina Domel.. Blasé Horn, Jared Prom, Gus Domel, Thomas Klein and Riley Coleman were the winners from the boys division. The winners will advance to the District competition sometime in February or March. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Brother Knights who helped with the event. It was a fun time and we had everything cleaned up and put away by 11:00 am.