This past month’s exemplification was tremendous. We had seven men from three different councils participating in the 1st thru 3rd degree program. Four of those exemplified joined our 11689 Council, giving us a total of 10 for the year. Two of those members are still in their 20’s and align with our focus to recruit younger members to our order. Our state goal for the year is 12 new members, so we are still short of the goal and need everyone’s help to meet and exceed that commitment. I would like to thank our Degree team headed by Mike Hartel, George Loewen, Ron Marresse, Art Krygowski, Frank Burda and Father Joe Hund. As usual you gentlemen did a great job and we received many compliments for the quality of the program. It’s great to see all these new men joining the ranks of the Knights of Columbus to continue our great works in the church and local community.
Corporate Communion was well attended with a good turnout by our Knights Color Guard. They always make the Mass special and we can’t thank them enough for their participation in our Corporate Communions. Thanks goes to Tom Pardo our Church Director and Gary Skarb DGK for organizing the event.
The Easter Egg hunt brought in kids throughout the Parish. It was another nice turnout as you can see from the pictures included here in this newsletter. Thanks again to Ray Coughlin, Mike Hartel and the team that set up, filled the eggs, hid the eggs and sent those kids off to find them. Plus, the clean up afterwards. The Ladies of the Knights put some serious effort in here too. Thank you Ladies !
The Fish Fry events in March have exceeded expectation. We continue to sell out (500 meals) week after week. The volunteer support has been excellent, the last fish fry I attended there were over 40 volunteers including the Ladies of the Knights. This Council has done a great job of contributing. In addition, students from the Key Club over at Chippewa Valley schools and other religious education students attended and helped serve dessert and bus tables. We are anticipating a banner year of contributions for the charities we support. Thank you all.
Easter ham and kielbasa sales continue to do its thing. Providing wonderful meals to those in the Parish taking advantage of the program. Jerry Hund, Ted Czarny and team do a terrific job taking the orders, packing the orders and handing them over to Parish customers. This program has steadily provided funds to assist our charities over numerous years and we appreciate the support !
Palm Sunday weekend saw the kickoff of the MI drive, otherwise known as the Tootsie Roll drive. Our K of C Council raises thousands in support of Mentally Challenged adults and children in our local communities. We support Special Olympics and give to 7 different organizations that provide direct support to local families. The work we do and long hours on the street or store front raise monies that make a difference right here and you likely know people and families that have benefited from this activity. Thanks go out to Chairman Jeff Gapczynski and his team for all their hard work.
Lastly, on behalf of our Council, I’d like to thank Father John Kiselica for his service to our Parish. He became a Knight and member of our Council just this past year. And even though it was only a short time here at St Paul’s this second time around, we wish him all the best moving forward with his retirement. We will always remember his fantastic homilies, his knowledge and education of religious history and of course his humor. God bless this humble servant and please know you will be greatly missed. God bless our Council and God Bless the Knights of Columbus.
Vivat Jesus !
Vincent Ursini
