Knights of Columbus Newsletter - Saint Matthias the Apostle - Home

14 Pages·2014·1.4 MB·English

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Offi cial Publication of Mother Seton Council #5381, Knights of Columbus OCTOBER 2014
Volume 52, Number 4

Chaplain’s Corner
Reverend Milton E. Jordan

We are into the suggested program focusing on the family. It has been given the title Building the
Domestic Church: The Family Fully Alive. This doesn’t mean you should be looking for some
stained glass windows or no longer needed pews! Should anyone ask you to describe what this
means, for the easiest understanding of the concept, let me suggest using the following short
description offered by Pope Paul VI in an encyclical he presented to the world: Evangelii
Nuntiandi. Domestic Church is a phrase that used in the documents of Vatican II. Didn’t study Latin? Well, here is a
loose translation of those two words: Announcing of the Gospel. Pope Paul VI and his successors, all of them, have
used the phrase, sometimes with elaboration. In essence the phrase has two meanings: (1) within each Catholic
family there should be found the various aspects of the entire Church; (2) each Catholic family should provide an
atmosphere where each family member has the opportunity to grow in holiness. What this means for each Knight of
Columbus is that in his family he should give every possible serious effort to accept and work with this challenge
which is no easy task.

Older members of our Order may recall some activities Mom and Pop expected within the family. However, today
the family structure has been severely damaged in our society. “How did this come to be?” you might ask. At first
we might easily turn to condemning our society. It is my opinion that we have a situation which, at first thought,
might be like asking “Which came first: the chicken or the egg?” Was it our society or was it something in our family
life? I suspect our brothers could sit around a table with a few brewskies and develop more than a few possible
answers to this question as it applies to the family.

I am tempted to believe that something happened in our families that led to its weakening. How so?” you might
rightfully ask. In the Domestic Family we should find three underpinnings what some might refer to as “old time
religion:” daily prayer, catechism learning, and reading of writings found in the Bible! These are what used to be the
stalwarts of almost every Catholic family. Yes, “used to be.” The new program was presented by the Supreme
Knight, Carl Anderson, to the State Chaplains in their meeting at the 2014 Supreme Convention. In the program
there is an unwritten purpose: strengthen ourselves as Knights and our spirituality that is so necessary for our
contemporary families.

As noted in the September 2014 issue of COLUMBIA, a recently deceased English Catholic writer, Stratford
Caldecott, stated in his understanding of “spiritual chivalry” that “the spiritual ideal of chivalry is far from being a
relic of the past.” Caldecott also quoted a German poet who wrote “the mission” of the knight still remains”: there
must always be men who serve that which is holy in this world without reservation” The two writers: they speak to
us today. Brothers, what is the mission of a knight be it several centuries ago or next week? Ours is a
contemporary mission to strengthen our Church, our parishes, our Councils and especially our families. Words of
Fr. Michael McGivney's mission are no different today than it was when our founder was going about his work in
establishing the Order we treasure. From his time in prayer and in helping the needy, the young priest came to
realize that knighthood is “the only effective equipment with which the Christian can meet the present day.” The
men around Fr. Michael came to understand that our “knighthood” demands of us our giving witness to Christian
principles in our homes and communities.

As Knights of Columbus, we are a marvelous band of men gathered to reach out to the needy in so many different
acts of charity. But as Knights have we taken up the challenge of continuing or rebuilding the possibilities of
holiness within our families? As Alton J. Pelowski wrote to you: “Knights demonstrate that spiritual chivalry is hardly
a thing of the past, but rather remains an essential and dynamic part of the Church’s life.” (COLUMBIA, 2014) And
might I not add the word “Domestic” before “Church’s life” in the last sentence?

Reprinted from www.kofc-md.org 9/1/2014

Go to: http://prayeronthehill.blogspot.com to read Father Jordan’s daily blog

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Grand Knight Report

Don Aitcheson
240-481-0622 or [email protected]

Happy Fall! September proved to be a very busy month and October is not far behind. Our
inaugural monthly Knights’ Mass will be on Saturday, October 25th at 5:00 pm followed by
recitation of the Rosary in recognition of October as the month of the Holy Rosary. The Mass
time will be rotated initially until a regular slot is identified. Please mark your calendar and join us for this month’s
event.

In keeping with our long time tradition, the Council will be ushering at the Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg on Sunday,
October 5th for the Seas Services (Navy) Mass. The service begins at 3:00 pm.

We held a very successful membership drive and 1st and 2nd Degrees during the past month. Congratulations to our
new brother knights. I look forward to continued membership momentum. We encourage all members to ask all
eligible Catholic men, 18 and over, to join our ranks.” The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Thank you to the kids that participated in the Council Soccer Shoot out and to The Academy of Saint Matthias 2nd
Grade teacher, Kristin Scanlan, who was present with a lot of the students from her class.

Our fraternal year budget was approved as published at our September 2nd business meeting.

Last but not least, October 15th is volunteer day for Community Cafe. For details on this activity at First United
Methodist Church in Hyattsville, see the Community Activities section of this newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

May God continue to bless you and your family! Vivat Jesus

District Deputy Report
Romeo Paternoster, PGK
301-509-0236 or [email protected]

Brothers all! As Mother Seton Council moves on with the recruitment and installation of new
members in the past few months, the work and efforts put forth has grown with five new
brothers. With Father Jordan leading the way, there should be no reason that we cannot reach
our council and district goals. Keep up the great work that GK Don and Father Jordan have begun.
There are a lot of other events going on in our area and here at Saint Matthias. One such event was the recently
held council soccer shootout. The kids in attendance had a great time. On Sunday, October 5th, there is a combined
district 3 and 32 soccer shootout at Saint Edwards the Confessor in Bowie. Joe Massimini, FDD, PGK is heading
up the event and can use help to make it a great event. Remember, we do these things for the children. With the
young ones seeing what the Knights do as a group, this should keep them interested in asking questions in the
future.
The Silver Rose in on its way to our area very soon. It will be at Father Kidd Council and at other councils and
churches in our area for all to visit. Vivat Jesus!

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2014-2015 Officers Family Activities

Sylvester Ikpi, PGK
Chap lain
Reve rend Milton E. Jordan 301-552-5601 or [email protected]
milt.jo [email protected]
Family of the Month

District Deputy

Romeo Paternoster, PGK
The Family of the Month for August 2014 is the family of Michael and
[email protected]
Karen Marshall. The family attends church every Sunday. Their three
Grand Knight children are students of the parish school, The Academy of Saint
Don A itcheson Matthias the Apostle. Michael is a very active Council member. He
[email protected] participates in many activities and is one of the volunteers at the FedEx
240-4 81-0622 Field games, which is a major fundraiser. Their boys are altar servers.

Thank you for all you do. Congratulations!
Deputy Grand Knight

Emmanuel Ajayi

[email protected]

301-613-8762 Church Activities

Chan cellor James Agboli, PGK
Dominic Forka
240-602-1612 or
domin [email protected]
[email protected]
Warden

Aneurin M’Carthy
Common saints and feast days we
[email protected]
commemorate in the month of October are: Saint Theresa of the Child
Recorder Jesus (1) , Feast of the Guardian Angels (2), St. Francis of Assisi (4),
Jame s Kalshoven, PGK Our Lady of the Rosary (7), St. John XXIII (11), St. Teresa of Avilla
[email protected] (15), St. Luke (18), St. John Paul II (22), Sts. Simon & Jude (28).
301-5 77-6537

Treasurer
Josep h Corson, FDD, PGK
Ladies Auxiliary Corner
[email protected]
301-2 62-3002 Pat Makowski, President

Advocate 301-937-1443 or [email protected]

Robe rt Worthington, FDD, PFN, PGK
[email protected]

Guards Inside
Charl es Briscoe
[email protected]
202-2 36-1278
Al Craig, PGK
301-794-6843
George Edet
301-806-6899

[email protected]

Guards Outside
Ephraim Eke
President: Pat Makowski
Paul Kamara
Vice President: Melba Adams

Trustees Secretary: Stephanie Corson
Christopher Agboli, PGK Treasurer: Ann Florimbio
Emmanuel Madagu, DW , PGK Historian: Ann Degraff
Ferdinand Ibebuchi

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Council Activities Knight of the Month
Dominic Forka
[email protected]

Once again we will be travelling to the Seton Shrine in
Emmitsburg for the Seas Services “Navy” Mass on
Sunday, October 5th at 3:00 pm. The Council continues
a proud tradition of providing ushers for this special
Mass honoring our Patron Saint.

Community Activities
Joe Corson FDD , PGK
George Edet

301-806-6899 or [email protected] This award is for the month of September 2014.

Dear Worthy Brothers, Joe is the recipient of the September 2014 Knight of the
Month Award. He is an Honorary Life (HL) member and
I would like to seize this opportunity to thank the
is currently our Treasurer, a past grand knight (PGK),
following for assisting with the Adopt-a-Highway
and a former district deputy (FDD).
Program that was performed on Saturday, September

6th: Grand Knight Don Aitcheson and Past Grand Knight Joe is active in all Council activities and leads by
example. He volunteers at FedEx and we can always
Sylvester Ikpi. Thanks again and God Bless!
depend on him. Recently when he was sidelined, he was

concerned about and getting the council’s business
Youth Activities
done.
James Kalshoven, PGK
Joe, thank you for all your efforts in support of the
301-577-6537 or [email protected] Council and congratulations on a job well done. You

are an exemplary Mother Seton Knight. You are a

The Annual Council Soccer Shootout contest was held knight’s knight who. May God continue to bless you and
on Saturday, September 13th on the Saint Matthias field. your family in all you do!
We were delighted with the turnout, especially with the Grand Knight
2nd Grade representation of The Academy of Saint Don Aitcheson
Matthias. Thanks to the parents, the brother knights who
helped, and all the participants for a successful event. Fraternal Benefits Corner

The winners will represent the council in the District Stephen Clites
competition to be held at Saint Edwards Parish in Bowie [email protected]
on Sunday, October 5th. The State competition is
scheduled for Sunday, November 2nd. Winners from the
various Council levels will advance to the District and
State competitions.

The list of category winners are as follows:

11 - 12 Girls Cyrilyn Morfaw
11 - 12 Boys Jason Kalshoven
9 - 10 Girl Abby Taylor
9 - 10 Boy Dave Morfaw
7 - 8 Boy Diego Joy
6 and under Franklin Morfaw

Please contact the benefits agent to discuss your needs.
The consultation is free.

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Council Soccer Shootout

September 13, 2014

Goaaal !!!!!!!!

Soccer Shoot-out participants

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Prolife Activities
Emmanuel Amanyeiwe
301-499-4211 or [email protected]

40 Days for Life
September 24th to November 2nd
www.40daysforlife.com

Community Place Café
Volunteers Needed
Next Event October 15th at noon

Saint Matthias Church members participate in an activity called Community Place Café. This is a ministry
to provide a luncheon meal to those in need, sponsored by First United Methodist Church in Hyattsville
(near PG Plaza/Metro).

The Mother Seton Knights used to be involved in this activity many years ago. If anyone would like to
participate, please contact the Grand Knight. The volunteer dates are the 3rd Wednesday in October,
December, February, April and June. Availability for any of the dates is welcomed.

Call Peg Chappell for more information at 301-873-0362

MEMBERSHIP CORNER

One Member per Council per Month

The council welcomes some recently joined members:

August: Vibert DeFrietas

September: Michael Achankeng
Hector Perez
Jean-Marie Tcheffo
Nana Banyin Thomford

We also recognize the following member who has taken the 2nd Degree:

Philip Anyacho

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Sick and Recovering

Brothers Relatives/Friends

Kevin Butler, PGK Virginia Aquillino
Joe Corson, PGK, FDD Euphenia Blidi, mother of Francis Blidi
Nicholas Kniska (HLM) Jack Jordan, brother of Father Milt Jordan
Joe Makowski Kay Kaderabek
Francisca Onyemenem, wife of Anselm Onyemenem
Pablo Rocha
Cecelia Sanders, mother of Harold Sanders
Harold Roger

If you know a Brother Knight or a family member who is sick, recovering or recently deceased, please contact us
so that we may pray for them. Your help is needed to manage this list. (Editor: [email protected].)

October is the Month of the
Holy Rosary

Pray the Rosary!!

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Supreme Council News

Building the Domestic Church
by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

Every Christian family is called to be a privileged place of evangelization,
where love is revealed and communicated

In my column last month, I discussed Pope Paul VI’s great encyclical on evangelization, Evangelii Nuntiandi, in which he cites the
Second Vatican Council’s description of the Christian family as the domestic church. For Paul VI, the title “domestic church” means
that “there should be found in every Christian family the various aspects of the entire Church.”
A central teaching of the Second Vatican Council is that every Christian is called to holiness. And since the family is the primary
community in which a person matures, it is clear that the Christian family should be a place in which we are helped to grow in holiness.
As the saints have shown throughout history, holiness leads inevitably to witness in our daily lives. In our time especially, the work of
evangelization is not reserved only for an elite few, but is the responsibility of all baptized Christians.
In a very real sense, we are all called to be missionaries. We are all called to “proclaim” the Gospel to those around us through our lives
each day, and the privileged place for most of us to do this is within our own families.
Because of this reality, the Christian family is essentially missionary in character. In the words of St. John Paul II, “The family has the
mission to guard, reveal and communicate love” (Familiaris Consortio, 17). In living out this mission, the Christian family is itself
called to be an image of the loving communion that exists among the three persons of the Trinity.
Indeed, the Christian family is able to reveal and communicate this love in a special way because it is founded upon sacramental
marriage. Christian spouses first receive this love as a divine gift — but they also receive this love as a task. The task of Christian
spouses to live and communicate this love, first to each other and to their children and then to others around them, is at the center of the
family’s mission in the world.
For this reason, when the Christian family takes up the task “to become what it is” — a living icon in our world of God’s own
communion — the family stands at the heart of the Church’s mission of evangelization (cf. FC, 17). And when the family responds in
this way to the design of the Creator, it truly becomes a “domestic church.”
Recently, Pope Francis reminded us that Christian families “are the domestic church where Jesus grows in the love of a married couple,
in the lives of their children.”
In the months ahead, the Knights of Columbus will launch a new initiative in which I invite every Knights of Columbus family and
council to participate. Titled “Building the Domestic Church: The Family Fully Alive,” this initiative will help our families better
become what they are called to be.
Through this program, our families can embrace more fully their mission to be authentic domestic churches through daily prayer,
catechesis and Scripture reading, as well as through monthly charitable and volunteer projects that they can do as a family. More
information will soon be forthcoming in Columbia, on kofc.org and in materials sent directly to local councils.
In this way, the Order will undertake a yearlong preparation for the 8th World Meeting of Families to be held Sept. 22-27, 2015, in
Philadelphia.
With this initiative, the Knights of Columbus turns in a special way to the Holy Family. We make our own the prayer of St. John Paul II
that “every family may generously make its own contribution to the coming of his kingdom in the world” and “through the intercession
of the Holy Family of Nazareth, the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family.”
Vivat Jesus!
Reprinted from www.kofc.org 7/1/14

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Building The Domestic Church
Getting Started

For Families
Since this program is rooted in prayer, the first step is to set aside a space in your home as a prayer corner.
This area should be the focus of the home prayer portion of the program. The icon for this initiative is “Holy
Family,” a drawing by Giovanni Balestra, based on a painting by Sassoferrato. Copies of this image (8x10 and
5x7) suitable for framing are included in this booklet. Also, two prayer cards featuring this image (“A Family
Prayer” card, #10086) are included in this booklet. Additional copies of the icon and the prayer card may be
ordered from the Supply Department.
The prayer associated with the program is “A Family Prayer,” composed by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop
William Lori. Your family should include this prayer in your daily prayers.
Along with this prayer, you will find in the pages of this booklet monthly themes, projects, songs and psalms
for your family to undertake together as a way to strengthen the faith of your family and each member’s
individual faith.

The photo shows how simple yet sacred this prayer corner can be.

October Meditations
- Because the Lord is the God of our ancestors, we want to strengthen the relationships
between our family’s generations.
For the Christian community the family is far more than a “theme”: it is life, it is the daily fabric of life, and it
is the journey of generations who pass on the faith together with love and with the basic moral values. It is
concrete solidarity, effort, patience, and also a project, hope, a future. All this which the Christian community
lives out in the light of faith, hope and charity, should never be kept to oneself but must become, every day,
the leaven in the dough of the whole of society for its greater common good.
Hope and a future presuppose memory. The memory of our elderly people sustains us as we journey on. The
future of society … is rooted in the elderly and in the young: the latter, because they have the strength and
are of the age to carry history ahead; the former, because they are a living memory. Person that does not
take care of its elderly, its children and its youth has no future, because it abuses both memory and promise.
Pope Francis
Message to Participants in the 47th Social Week of Italian Catholics

1. Who is the one person in my family whose faith shaped my own faith?
2. What are some ways our family tries to live out the belief in God and his Church?
3. Which virtue seems to be particularly strong in our family — faith, hope or charity?
4. Why is memory important to the future?
5. What strengths do the children in our family have?

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Maryland State Council News

State Deputy

Stephen K. Adamczyk

th
45 Annual Car Raffle drawing will take place at the
th
Columbus Day Ball on Saturday, October 11 . The
names of the lucky winners will be posted here next
month. Grand Prize is a 2014 Ford Mustang or a $15,000
Cash Option. Sales benefit the State Council
Scholarship Fund

 Columbus Day Ball will be held on Saturday, 
th
October 11 at BWI Airport Marriott

Go to www.kofc-md.org for more information on State Council activities and events.

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