SIENA POST DISPATCH

 

A Monthly Publication of Siena Council  #8596

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

March  2005                                                                                       www.kofcsiena.org

 

Brother Knights,

 

It seems like Lent only began a week or so ago and yet Easter is at the end of this month…….hard to believe!  How is your Lent going?  If you are off to a slow start or are still at the starting gate, it is not too late……….this season of preparation, of fasting and good works is to prepare us for the greatest feast of the Church….the Resurrection of Our Lord.  If you have never attended the Triduum, (the three days leading up to Easter Sunday comprised of the Mass of Our Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening) I would highly recommend it to you.  It is a beautiful conclusion to Lent and preparation for Easter Sunday commemorating all that Jesus did for us.  If you attend you will notice that none of the services “end”…….. all three days are one service.  And don’t forget about Mass on Thursday evenings during Lent at 6:30pm or Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 7:00pm.

 

I am very pleased to announce that Brother Kevin Montavon who recently transferred to our Council from St. Louis has volunteered to serve as our Financial Secretary.  It will take some time for the transition and so I would beg your patience over the next month or so as we transition between Ron and Kevin.  I appreciate those Brothers that contacted me and gave serious thought to serving in this important Council role.

 

Those Brother Knights that attended our retreat in February at Bellarmine Hall can attest to yet another wonderful weekend experience.  The peace and solitude afforded us on this weekend is truly a wonderful way to “recharge” our spiritual batteries………..the accommodations are great, the food is great and the weekend is something to look forward to…………..next year our dates are  February 17-18-19 so mark it on your calendars and plan to attend.

 

It won’t be long before we will be putting together our slate of Officers for the next Columbian Year.  Becoming an officer is a great way to become more involved with Council life and activities and is open to any third degree Brother………..contact me or any of the other Officers if you are interested in being considered……..we would be happy to talk to you about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Degree Participants

 

We had three brothers join our ranks on Sunday February 27 at our co-hosted Major Degree at St. Margaret Mary in Algonquin.  Frank Rocha, Paul Dunn and Larry Wika joined Siena Council by taking all three of their degrees.  We also had three brothers advance to third degree; Ray Gerdes, Ion Nicolaescu, and Ron Benchwall.  I would like to thank brothers S.K. Fred McCarthy, S.K. Rich Hoster and Don Miller for giving of their day to help out with the Major Degree.  There are still other opportunities for any First Degree brother who wishes to advance to full Knighthood.  Don’t hesitate to contact Fred McCarthy for additional information.

 

 

 

L to R back row: Frank Rocha (1-2-3rd degrees), Larry Wika (1-2-3rd degrees), Paul Dunn (1-2-3rd degrees),

 Ray Gerdes (2-3rd degrees)  Kneeling L to R: Ion Nicolaescu (2-3rd degrees), Ron Benchwall (2-3rd degrees)

 

 

Successful Annual Silent Retreat

 

Siena Council hosted another successful silent retreat at Bellarmine Hall this past month.  Those brothers that chose to participate came away refreshed and renewed.   We were joined by several other men from St. Catherine’s for our weekend.  Please mark your calendars for next year’s retreat February 17, 18 and 19th again at Bellarmine Hall.  Contact S.K. Hank Schmalen for additional information.

 

BLOOD DRIVE

Our next sponsored Blood Drive will be on Sunday, March 20th from 8:00am until 1:00pm.   March 20th is also Palm Sunday, marking this as a very special day for a blood drive.  As always, we need volunteers at 7:30 to help set-up the community room for the drive, and at 1:00 for clean-up.  Most important, though, we need donors.  Palm Sunday is a day of celebration … celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the triumph of His teaching and His message, and the anticipation of His ultimate triumph over death just one week later.   What better time to reflect upon His message, and upon his love and – most important - to put them into practice through the simple and painless act of donating blood.  Donated blood truly is the gift of life, and what better time could there possible be to share that gift with a neighbor in our community?  Please consider making a donation.

 

Parish Family Breakfast

Please mark your calendars to help out at the Parish Family Breakfast Sunday April 10th………. as many of you know, this is quite an undertaking but the more help we have the easier it is for all of us and the sooner we get done.  WE  REALLY  NEED  YOUR  HELP !!!  So mark it on your calendars………more info will be coming.

 

Upcoming Events

 

Officers Meeting:  Thursday March 10th

Regular Meeting and First Degree:  Monday March 14

Blood Drive: Sunday March 20

Breakfast: Sunday April 10th

Irishfest:  September 9-10-11

MH (Tootsie Roll) Drive:  September 17-18

 

 

 

 

 

I want to wish you and yours a very Blessed Easter………….God’s peace and blessings to you my Brothers 

Vivat Jesu   

 

Hank Schmalen  GK