The Blue & The Gray
Mason-Dixon Council #10100
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Vol. 27 No. 5St. Mary’s Church March/April 2016
1021 St. Mary’s Road, Pylesville, MD 21132
Grand Knight: Walt Novicki Editor: Joe Healy
Phone: 410-692-6363 Phone: 410-692-5359
Fin. Sec.: Bob Hoopert Meetings: 7:30 PM
Phone: 410-692-4157 2nd & 4th Mondays
State Deputy Stephen Cohen
District Deputy Lee Eder
District Warden Mike Georgulas
COUNCIL OFFICERS
Chaplain Fr. Henry Kunkel
Assoc. Chaplain Fr. Paul Henry
Assist. Chaplain Deacon Phil Sensechal
Dep. Grand Knight Scott Friedman
Chancellor Neil Bittner
Warden Joe Kreutzer
Recorder Chris Raab
Treasurer John Puskar
Lecturer Eric Rhodes
Advocate Norm Yost, PGK
Trustees Tom Ryan, PGK
Jack Smith, PGK
John Panzer, PGK
Guards Larry Dietrich
Darrell Trujello
Godofredo Goicochea
Joe Cavallio
DIRECTORS & CHAIRMEN
Program Director Scott Friedman Membership Director PGK Norm Yost
Council Activities Dir. Scott Friedman
Family Activities Dir. Howard Eakes
Church Activities Dir. John McCarty
Community Activities PGK Jack Smith
Youth Activities Dir. Neil Bittner
BELLES OF ST. MARY’S OFFICERS
President Lou Hall
Vice-President Joyce Gosnell
Treasurer Lois Fritz
Secretary Sue Pardo
State Chaplain’s Message - Reverend Milton E. Jordan
Brother Knights,
During the next few weeks most of us will be more active with more than a few religion functions. It’s that time of the year! As faithful followers of the Venerable Michael J. McGivney, each of us is called along with our baptismal and confirmation experiences to be models of a strong spirituality to our families, our parishes and our Councils. I guess that question that I have been asking myself each morning and evening for the last two weeks is simple but like a hairshirt: what is it that the season of Lent is speaking to me this particular year? As we grow older, it seems, making a sacrifice during Lent is not necessarily difficult because my heart and mind tell me that I have been there before. Perhaps I also hear it saying to me that I should ease up because I really did not put too much into Lent last year. Maybe I tried too hard and thereby lost interest and determination.
In the weeks ahead we have so many opportunities to take time to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. Especially during the Holy Year of Mercy, we have been offered so many practices and insights as to our relationships with Jesus as well as our sisters and brothers we encounter each day.
As we have noted in Council meetings, I hope, our Church is challenging us because we need to be challenged. Look at our American culture and its impact upon each one of us as well as all those we work with, live with and share time with.
One of the Lenten activities we might direct our attention to is this: have I been living the life of a Knight of Columbus? Am I faithful to my Council and my brother Knights of the Council? Have I made any efforts to assist the Pastor of the parish where I attend Mass and, hopefully, support the financial needs of that parish? Am I helping my Council in accepting the change of direction suggested to us by the Supreme Knight in his recent presentation to us about a definite change in direction? Have I encouraged others to discuss this new perspective with the local pastor? Have I volunteered some of my time or am I leaving all that “stuff” up to other brother Knights and other people in the parish?
I suspect that offering up an hour of time to the parish activities each week during the remainder of Lent is more testing of my life than giving up a “daily drink”, a pack of cigarettes, etc.? You know what I mean: the usual things that really don’t make an impact upon my, your life.
Now is the time to examine especially how you and your Council can help the parish Youth Ministry program. Often
times I hear adults with critical observations about how our teens, especially, are acting. Our teens are so much in need of fraternity from men like the Knights of Columbus.
Examine honestly where God is calling you during this Lent.
March / April 2016
My Brother Knights,
I would like to congratulate our 4 new members who just took their 1st degree,
Chris Sealy, Joe Paul, Goeffrey Graff, and Mike Schmidt.
We are having our annual St. Patrick`s Day Dinner on March 17, at 6:00 PM
All our brother Knights and their family, and the Belles and their family
are invited.
I hope everyone has their dues paid up by now, if not give me a call.
May peace be with you all.
Happy Easter to everyone!
Walt Novicki GK
PRAY FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Brothers,
As we start this Lenten season , when for the next 6 weeks , we give up some of our pleasures, candy, alcohol ,watching t v , let’s make this a very special year .Set aside time to reflect on what Jesus Christ has giving us. Try to vision the pain and suffering Jesus endure on that cross. Pick up that Bible and spent time reading with the family. Take part in the stations of the cross. Being more positive , make a bigger effort to be kinder to everyone, be more generous to the poor and homeless. Try to put a smile on the face of everyone you come in contact with.
Lent can also be a season of Love
God Bless and Happy Easter
Lee Eder, PGK, PFN
District Deputy # 27
410-591-1948
Don’t Be Afraid
Our Courage is Our Faith
COUNCIL CALENDAR
March
14Council Meeting – 7:30 PM
17St. Pat. Day – Corned Beef dinner 6 PM
19Feast of St. Joseph
24Holy Thursday
25Good Friday
26Easter Vigil
27Easter Sunday
28Council Meeting – 7:30 PM (May be cancelled)
April
11Council Meeting 7:30 PM
19Belles' Luncheon Bingo – 10 AM
25Council Meeting – 7:30 PM
30Spring Chicken Dinner ?
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Happy Birthdayto:
Jack SmithMar. 8
Andy Hevesy IIIMar. 11
Joan CoffmanMar. 16
Joe WeissMar. 17
John McCartyMar. 19
Norman YostMar. 31
Sue OurslerApr. 4
Nora FarrellApr. 14
Fr. Paul HenryApr. 17
Scott KiddApr. 19
Rachel BittnerApr. 23
Lee SurkinApr. 30
Happy Anniversaryto:
Fred & Cecilia KiefApr. 15, 1964
KNIGHTS OUT –Joe Healy
The Knights Out is strictly a social activity and not a council fund-raiser. Anyone who would like to join their brother Knights and families at a local restaurant for dinner together are invited. Each family pays their own check, so there is no problem with math afterwards. I have heard from only 1 member who is interested. If anyone else would like to join us after Easter, let me know.
410-692-5359 /
CHURCH ACTIVITIES
MEDJUGORJE MESSAGE
February 25, 2016
"Dear children!
In this time of grace, I am calling all of you to conversion. Little children, you love little and pray even less. You are lost and do not know what your goal is. Take the cross, look at Jesus and follow Him. He gives Himself to you to the death on the cross, because He loves you. Little children, I am calling you: return to prayer with the heart so as to find hope and the meaning of your existence, in prayer. I am with you and am praying for you. Thank you for having responded to my call." 02/25/2016
FIFTH SUNDAY ROSARY – John McCarty
The Rosary scheduled for Feb\ 29th was cancelled due to parish scheduling conflicts. The next 5th Sunday will be in May.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship a Success
Thirty-five shooters turned out for the annual K of C Free Throw Championship held at the Rec. Center in Delta Friday, January 29. This event was sponsoredby the Mason-Dixon Council of the Knights of Columbus from St. Mary Church in Pylesville, Maryland. There were eleven champions at this council competition. They will advance to the Maryland State competition in Gambrills, MD on March 19.
Council Champions are pictured from left to right:
Standing in Back Lyla Ambrose (age 11), Caroline Henning (age 12), Haley Polk (age 13), Evan Allred (age 13), Spencer Harrington (age 14) Standing in Front Lauren Polk (age 9), Julia Eakes (age 10), Noah Sutton (age 9), Philip Bittner (age 10), Connor Ballard (age 11), Donavin Davis (age 12).
Mason-Dixon Council Volunteers from l to r.
Norman Yost, Scott Friedman, Tim Mackey, Neil Bittner, Howard Eakes, Tom Ryan, Walter Novicki, John McCarty, GG, and Bob Hoopert
MEMBERSHIP
On February 29th, the Mason-Dixon Council was proud to welcome four new members. Please congratulate Geoffrey Graff, Joe Paul, Mike Schmidt, and Chris Sealy.
FRATERNAL INSURANCE
The Catholic Difference
Many companies claim that their founder was a saint.
As brother Knights, our claim is not simply hyperbole: We know that our beloved founder lived a virtuous and holy life. We hope and pray that he will be raised to the dignity of the altar. In fact, by proclaiming Father McGivney “venerable” in 2008, the Catholic Church has declared that Father McGivney exercised Christian virtue above and beyond the call of duty.
As members of his brotherhood, it is incumbent upon all brother Knights to act in a way that pays homage to Father McGivney, carries on his mission and works with the same virtuous spirit that animated his life. That duty applies to all aspects of “Columbianism”, whether it be our charitable work, our fraternal work or our business endeavors.
Those two concepts — Catholic virtue and profitable business —may seem incompatible, but the Knights of Columbus has long been a shining example of how businesses can succeed by placing faith and values before financial gain. Our Catholic heritage permeates our business. It’s part of what makes us so unique. We call it our Catholic difference.
Asked recently about the Knights of Columbus and its Catholicism, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson replied: “It means that we are different. We talk a lot about the “Catholic difference” of doing business with the Knights of Columbus. We present our members with a clear choice between doing business with us and doing business with a secular insurer. We are proud of our identity as a Catholic company. Our ethical practices, in fact, received international recognition in 2014 and 2015, when the
Ethisphere Institute designated the Knights of Columbus as a World’s Most Ethical Company®. We stayed true to our principles and knew that if we did the right thing for the right reasons, we would get the results that we wanted — and we have. Last year marked our 15th consecutive year
of insurance sales growth.”
The signature way in which our Catholic identity impacts our business is in our investment strategy. We put our money where our faith is. We have established a strict screening process that prevents us from investing in companies that participate in any of the following lines of business:
abortions and abortifacients; contraception
human cloning; embryonic stem cell research; for-profit health care that pays for any of the aforementioned
pornography
We also do not invest in junk bonds or in risky investment instruments. We do not believe that the potential for profit is worth jeopardizing our Catholic faith or our solemn promise to our members and their families.
“It is a principled approach to investing,” the supreme knight said, “that highlights the depth of our commitment to our faith. And while following these principles, our investment team has consistently achieved positive and competitive financial returns.”
That’s integrity. Not all insurance companies are fraternal benefit societies. Not all fraternal benefit societies are Catholic. Not all Catholic insurers are like the Knights of Columbus —we are different. We are different because of who we are. We are different because of what we believe. And we are different because of the way we act on those beliefs. It’s a difference that traces its way back to Father McGivney, and that ought to be a point of pride for all brother Knights and their families.
Contact me today to find out more about how you and your family can benefit from our Catholic difference.
Edward A. O’Keefe, CLU, ChFC, CASL
410-569-6141
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Brother Knights,
Please keep in your prayers:
Michael Allen, Barbara Rudell, Jennifer Rudell Shape, Dane & Sarah Friedman, Bernadette Trujillo, John Puskar, Scott Friedman, Fr. Henry Kunkel, Fr. Paul Henry, Venis Knight's wife, and Jeremy Hellman.
THE BELLES OF ST. MARY'S
The Belles will be holding a Luncheon Bingo on April 19 at St Mary's the doors will open at 10 am bingo starts at 11 am and will be run the same as the church's monthly bingo.
Pro-Life Report
From: Deborah Brocato
Respect Life Ministry
THE GOOD NEWS IS. . .
The euthanasia legislation in the Maryland General Assembly was withdrawn from the Senate by its main sponsor, Senator Ron Young from Frederick. Realizing the bill would be defeated, he withdrew it. While it is unlikely a vote will occur by the end of the legislative session on April 11, a euthanasia bill remains in the House. Prayers and action succeeded this year; however, the legislature will reintroduce the bill in 2017. Continue to pray for our representatives and for a culture of life, and, when called, take action. Please visit to increase your knowledge on this topic. Visit the archdiocesan website for a healthy conversation about life and death.
The Center for Disease Control reports show that the number of abortions is declining. Their studies indicate the rate of abortion has decreased from its high in the 1980’s of about 33% to a new low of about 20% of all babies being aborted in the United States. This, as well as legislation requiring better standards at facilities, has led to a decline in the number of abortion clinics. According to LifeNews.com, abortion clinics closed at a rate of about 1 per week in 2015, with 53 closing in total. Pro-life efforts are working and will continue to work. Perseverance is key.
The bad news is President Obama vetoed the bill passed by Congress to defund Planned Parenthood, and there are many elected officials who support policies that show little regard for human life. In case you didn’t hear, this is an election year. Once again, we have the opportunity to select people who best represent pro-life values. Often, it seems there are no good choices but do not let this keep you from your duty to vote. Not participating is not an option. Remember that all candidates come from the flawed human population so the perfect candidate does not exist.
The primary elections for Maryland and Pennsylvania are April 26 and the general election is Tuesday, November 8. Please consider this when contemplating your vote. First, is there a clear pro-life candidate? If the answer is yes and other positions also support, as Pope John Paul II said, “the improvement of the living conditions of all,” then the lever pull is easy. If the answer is no, look at the policy positions of the candidate and his/her past record if available. Do the positions or past actions have an affect that decreases the number of abortions? Do the positions of the candidate help to create an economic and social environment that would encourage a culture of life? Compare the candidates, PRAY for wisdom and choose.
Reflections
Lawrence P. Grayson
To Be or Not To Be a Person
“The Doctor Will Kill You Now.” This chapter heading in Ramesh Ponnuru’s book, The Party of Death, reflects the chilling view of a detached, business-like, dystopian society. It also is a prescient and ominous description of an expanding culture of death.
Procured human extermination, whether at the beginning of life or at its end, is becoming socially acceptable and more commonplace. A clinic in Maryland is attempting to make abortion chic. Its facility resembles a high-end salon with wood floors, plush upholstery
and attractive pictures on the walls; its clients are offered hot tea and soft robes as they wait to have their children killed. The now-defunct Dalton Books chain once categorized a book on how to commit suicide under the heading: “Self-Improvement.” In the Netherlands, there now are traveling teams of euthanizers to dispatch the elderly, the feeble, the lonely and the terminally ill.
Proponents of a culture of death try to blur the knowledge of when life begins and when it ends so that they can more readily justify abortion and euthanasia. Through philosophic arguments and euphemistic terms, they salve their consciences as they legally rid themselves of the disruption of an unwanted pregnancy or the hardship of caring for the terminally ill, the severely disabled, the permanently comatose, and those with extreme cognitive impairment.
A convenient approach to confound the issue is to separate the notion of person from that of human life by conferring personhood only if an individual possesses certain functional capabilities. If those capabilities are missing or do not meet a given norm, the individual is considered a non-person and not entitled to rights granted to others. Specifically, the right to life, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, does not apply to them.
This attempt to depersonalize classes of individuals runs counter to the religious beliefs that humans have spiritual souls, as well as physical bodies, and that their souls are created in the image and likeness of God. All human life, from conception until natural death, has a worth and dignity simply by being human. As God-given, the right to life is intrinsic and inalienable, and does not depend on the quality of that life being up to a certain functional norm. No one has the authority to take the life of another or to discard his own.