I am making some changes to the newsletter so that, hopefully, we will be able to ensure more timely distribution as well as make some things easier. This link will be the new subscription link as well as enable the editor to only make one post for the newsletter (on the BLOG only).
A couple of weekends ago, I had the honor and blessing to spend an extended weekend with my dear friend, Fr. Boniface T. Copelin, O.S.B. This was a weekend of remembering and sharing. I had the opportunity to go to St. Gregory's Abbey, which is the heart of St. Gregory's University. St. Gregory's is where I spent my first two years of 'adulthood'. I graduated from there with my Associates degree and headed forth into the world. I also joined the Knights of Columbus there when I joined the college council there.
St. Gregory's Abbey is the Monastery, the Benedictine monks that run St. Gregory's and have for over 100 years. One of the newer addition to the Fathers of St. Gregory's was my roommate when I attended St. Greg's, Fr. Boniface Copelin, O.S.B.. At that time, he was "Tim" and we both had aspirations to the priesthood. Quite a bit of time has passed but Boniface is a Priest and is continuing his studies in Rome.
For me, St. Gregory's is the home of my Faith. My first real Confession was walking up and down the entrance drive with Fr. Ian Riding, OSB, when Fr. Ian was not there, Fr. Louis would take the reins and walk with me. Priests of St. Gregory's showed me the incredible wisdom, love and peace of the Church. Fr. Joe, whom I adored, imparted a love of History. I eventually received a degree in History and never have stopped loving it since. Fr. Denis showed me the authority of the Church, the logic and wisdom wrapped up in his gruff demeanor. Fr. Theodore, even with his goofy 60's Theology, was the example of a pastoral Priest to his last days.
Br. Maurus, now Fr. Maurus, put Boniface and I together because we were both pipe smokers. We still enjoy a good pipe to this day and we enjoyed several bowls together during the course of the weekend. Accident or Insight, I am not sure but Fr. Maurus gave me something which I will treasure to my last breath. Being a part of that place is something I treasure and brings me back to sanity when everything seems off and lost. It is never lost when I can return there.
The rythym of St. Gregory's, Vigils at 6:00, breakfast at 6:30, Lauds at 7:15, work, MidDay Prayers at 12:15, Mass at 5, Vespers, and Compline at 7:15 is a rythym which is orderly and prayerful. It is easy to see God at St. Gregory's and a part of the Heaven which the Monks 'advertise'.
I was blessed to be the server for Boniface's Masses for three days. Receiving Eucharist, the Body of Christ, from my friend is a very special experience. Those Three Days were very special and I look forward to doing them again soon. I have to also encourage anyone, Knights or friends, to go to St. Gregory's. If you are a young man wondering if you have a Call to the Priesthood, I encourage you to visit. You will find a peace there that will surely guide you to listen to the voice of God.
The healthcare reform legislation currently before Congress contains an abortion mandate that is a grave threat to human life. The bill's language will result in federally mandated abortion coverage by nearly all health plans, recruitment of abortion doctors into local health networks, and the nullification of many state laws that place reasonable limits on abortion.
The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) has called this legislation the "largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade."
We urge you to write to your senators and congressman today. Click
here
where you can learn more about the health legislation and send a message to your two senators and congressman.
To read a letter from 19 House Democrats who insist they will not support a health bill unless it explicitly excludes abortion, click
here
.
Time is of the essence as congressional leaders want to pass the bill in the Senate and House by the end of July.
A coalition of prominent pro-life leaders have arranged a Stop The Abortion Mandate live webcast for the public this Thursday, July 23rd, 2009, at 9 PM Eastern (8PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific).
District Deputy’s Report – Phil has been around the different councils. He is looking forward to being at the Officers’ Installation festivities on August 16th at 5:00 PM. He will install the Ladies Auxiliary at the same time. Looking forward to having a First Degree. Looks like we have plenty of candidates, just need the team.
September 19th at 8 to 4 – East District Officers’ Workshop at Pius X.
We will have the 1st Degree Team practice after the next Officer’s Meeting.
Bowling League starts about Labor Day (Wednesday before) - 7:30 on Wednesday nights at Sheridan Lanes.
4th Degree – We will have an Exemplification of the 4th Degree on November 7th in Moore, OK – Initiation fee is $90. New District Master may change the cost of Exemplification. News will be forthcoming. Starts at Noon.
Our blood drive on July 19 at St Pius X was a great success! We set a new standard of donors (24) which was 33% more than our previous high.
Eleven Knights (J. Arroyo, Mike Canfield, Bob Caruso, Scott Collier, Bill Hull, Pat McAuliff, Tom Metzler, Jim Miller, Matt Soerries, Mike Soerries and Jim Williamson) donated as well as three Knight family members (Cheryl and Mike Hull and Susan Stackler).
We plan to build on this success and have an even better turnout at our next drive on September 27th.
Thank you all for your gift of life.
Veterans' Mass
Each month, a handful of 4721 Knights (Lon Unsell, Leroy Weismann, Paul Dudley and Bob Caruso) travel to Claremore to join several other council Knights and ladies to accompany VA Hospital Catholic veterans to mass.
Fr. Eichhoff of St. Cecilia is the celebrant and holds the service in the hospital’s chapel. The service is held at 9:30 on the second Thursday of each month. Some of these veterans have few outside visitors and are very appreciative of our visits. Contact any of the above members to join our carpool to Claremore.
July 11th is the Installation of Officers for Council 6606, BTT (Be There Time) is 4:30 at St Anne's Catholic Church in Broken Arrow.
July 18th is S.K. Ed Gilpin's wedding, St. Anne's, w/ BTT at 11:30.
Thanks for the Corpus Christi Procession Honor Guard
On June 14th at 5 PM, the Fourth Degree provided an Honor Guard for the Corpus Christi Procession.egan and ended at the Holy Family Cathedral in downtown Tulsa.
H G's in attendance;
Leroy Wiesman, PSD
Lon Unsell, FN
Jon Kidd, FN as of 6/1/09
Howard Coughlin
Gene Gerlach
Jeff Kessler
Jerry Struble
Chris Victor
Mike Schorer
J A Arroyo
Dave Lozano - ADM
July 1, 2009
Gentlemen,
As previously noted, today is my last day on the job as Assistant District Marshall for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. It has been my pleasure to have served in this capacity for the Order.
The Honor Guard at each Assembly, should be functional by following existing rules and regulations. The FN for each Assembly, is responsible for the Honor Guard. All requests concerning the Honor Guard, are his responsibility. The Dress Code, is his responsibility.
I have one suggestion for FN's, and that is to only consider HG requests when at least 4 HG's are committed. If a HG request is taken with 3 or 2 HG's, and one has to back out, that leaves an HG detail that will just not look good for the Order.
Dave Lozano
ADM
4th Degree Assembly Installation of Officers
July 26th at 7:00 pm at the Mohawk Council Hall, the 4th Degree Assembly Installation of Officers for Tulsa, Bristow/St. Catherine’s, and Broken Arrow Assemblies will be held. We need 3rd Degree members to help with food and help the Ladies Auxiliary.
Following a tradition that has gone on over half a century, the Knights of Columbus and St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, OK, Oklahoma's Catholic University, have officially partnered together to encourage students to enroll in our university. This partnership also allows dependents and family of Knights to be eligible for a $2500 scholarship. This is in addition to any other scholarships they may already receive.
Coming to a Council near you...
The staff of St. Gregory's University and monks of St. Gregory's Abbey are on the road now, spreading the word about the Oklahoma Knights' and St. Gregory's new partnership. Don't miss your chance to speak to a university representative and/or member of the monastic community about Partners in Catholic Education. Click on the calendar link below to see these presentation dates and times.
Are you social media savvy???
Follow Partners in Catholic Education on Twitter! Receive updates on the new partnership's progress, information on presentations near you and links to photos from those events. Just click on the link below to sign up for free and follow PCE on Twitter:
Please remember the following Brother Knights, Ladies, and family members of our Knights in your prayers throughout this month:
Mike Mendenhall – recovering from Colon surgery, ruptured.
Sal Bertolino, Past Grand Knight of 6606, just out of surgery – removed a large mass at the base of the neck. Should be in intensive care for three or four days.
Jim Miller’s wife, Dorothy, in prayers, cancer has returned. Beginning 3 months of Chemo therapy.
Fr. Jim Caldwell in his new priestly assignment.
All Priests and Religious in their Vocations
Knights of the Month – June, 2009
Mike Soerries, Jim Williamson and Norbert Soerries
Mark your calendars for the following activities through the end of June and July:
K of C at Drillers Stadium
When: Sat, June 27, 7pm – 10pm
Where: Drillers Stadium, 15th and Yale, Tulsa, OK (map)
Saturday, JUNE 27TH, 2009 at 7:05 PM, Gates open at 6:00 PM. It’s Drillers Replica Scoreboard Night! The first 1,500 fans will receive a FREE replica giveaway of the Drillers Stadium Scoreboard, as part of their Farewell Season.
If you have any questions, contact Jason George at: 1-918-877-3717 or Dan Holmes at the K of C At 918-606-1367 or d.holmes125@sbcglobal.net
Veterans’ 9:00AM Mass at the VA Hospital in Claremore the 2nd Thursday of every month.
Contact Lon Unsell, Leroy Weismann or Bob Caruso for carpooling. We leave Tulsa at 8:00AM and return around 11:00AM.
K of C 4721 Business Meeting
When: Thu, July 2, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Bishop McGuinness Building - 5226 E 41st St, Tulsa, OK 74115 (map)
K of C business meeting - This will also include the installation of officers for the 2009-2010 Fraternal Year.
Independence Day - July 4th, 2009
Ladies Auxilliary Business Meeting
When: Mon, July 13, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Where: Bishop McGuinness Building - 5226 E 41st St, Tulsa, OK 74115 (map)
The Ladies Auxiliary is open to all female relatives of our council Knights (wives, mothers, sisters, daughters) age 18 and older.
Officers Planning Meeting
When: Thu, July 16, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: St Pius X Catholic Church, 1727 S 75th E Ave in Tulsa, OK (map)
Planning meeting will be held in the Youth Room.Though all officers are required to attend, this meeting is also open to all the membership as well.
K of C Blood Drive
When: Sun, July 19, 8:30am – 11:30am
Where: 1727 S 75th E Ave, Tulsa, OK. St. Pius X Church. Dorney Hall (map)
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Please contact Bob Caruso to schedule your time. bobnantul@cox.net 252-2216
4th Degree Meeting
When: Mon, July 27, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Where: Bishop McGuinness Building - 5226 E 41st St, Tulsa, OK 74115 (map)
Chief Justice White Assembly, No. 0849. Business Meeting
4th Degree Installation of Officers
July 26th at 7:00 pm at the Mohawk Council Hall, the 4th Degree Assembly Installation of Officers for Tulsa, Bristow/St. Catherine’s, and Broken Arrow Assemblies will be held. We need 3rd Degree members to help with food and help the Ladies Auxiliary.
Many of you already know that our previous Bishop, Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, had a minor stroke this past weekend. He is doing very well and is expected to make a full recovery. He is not allowed any visitors at this time and is to have complete rest. Bishop Beltran left the Diocese in 1994 to take the Cathedra of Oklahoma City.
The Knights are requested to pray for the Archbishop's full and speedy recovery.
Council 4721 is located next to the Mohawk Park Golf Course in Tulsa, Oklahoma. See Map!.
The Grand Knight for 2008-2009 is Lon Unsell.
You can contact the Knights by phone at 918-496-9116, or by email at lon@elkadvisory.com
1st Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm at the council hall.
Bishop Eugene J. McGuinness Council was founded in 1959.
Council 4721 serves multiple parishes, St. Pius X, Sts. Peter and Paul, and Resuriction Parishes.
Providing funds for various projects, members being active participants in their parish. etc.
At the Officer's Meeting, we identified members for our new 4721 First Degree Team. In the past, we have had an active 1st Degree team (our incoming DGK, SK Arroyo was a member with Rob Rauner in years past!). The new team will be manned by:
Lon Unsell, Bill Hull, J.A. Arroyo, Michael Arroyo, Leroy Weisman, Bob Caruso and Arthur Barber.
There are still members with books and still have an interest in participating in the degree team. Those members are invited to attend the next officers' meeting for a run through practice.
Also agreed upon were some of our new chairmen for the fraternal year ending in 2010.
Bob Caruso will be the Program Director for the Council. Under him will be:
Bill Hull, Community Director,
Scott Collier, Church Director,
J.A. Arroyo, Council Activities,
and Michael Arroyo, Membership.
Thomas Perry, Youth and Family Activities Director.
Thanks to our Brother Knights for stepping up to the plate and taking charge of these worthwhile activities. There are still Chairman positions open as well as committee positions for our Brother Knights to fill. Please talk to Bob Caruso, Lon Unsell, or J.A. Arroyo about filling some of these worthwhile Council Activities!
We encourage you to email our seminarians as often as you can. I am including email addresses and pictures of our seminarians for you to keep these men in your prayers and thoughts. During the summer, many are back in the Diocese for various assignments. Click on the picture or the email address to email the Seminarian
Kerry Wakulich
3rd Theology
St. John Vianney Theological Seminary
1300 S. Steele St.
Denver, CO 80210
Fr. Jim Calwell offered thanks for all those Knights that came to help him pack up and move to Krebs this past week. He is officially the pastor of Krebs and Eufaula. His Mass schedule is 5:30 Mass on Saturday proceeded by Confession at 4:30 pm. Sunday has 7:30 am Confession followed by Mass at 8:30 at Eufaula and 10:30 Mass back in Krebs.
Remember to pray for Priests and Vocations this year of the Priest!