September - Rock Creek Council, No. 2797

ROC K CR EEK C OUNCIL, NO. 2797
THE KNIGHT CHATTER
September 2015
Published Monthly, at no charge, by Rock Creek Council, 5417 W. Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
Year 78, No. 2
In This Issue
Chaplain’s Message
1
Grand Knight’s Report
1
District Deputy’s Report
4
Church Activities
3, 5
Community Activities
1, 2, 3
Council Activities
11
Culture of Life Activities
4
Family Activities
8
Youth Activities
8
Membership
2, 7
Chatterbox
6
Supreme — Convention
8
State — Ushers Ministry
3
Chapter
7
Fourth Degree
10
Fraternal Benefits
10
Rock Creek Council has been helping Fisher House, our neighbor at the Walter Reed National Medical Center, for quite some time. For more information, see page 7.
CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE
GRAND KNIGHT’S REPORT
FR. MARK HUGHES
GARY BIGGS
Brothers,
Worthy
WorthyBrothers
brothersAll,
of Rock Creek,
In 1996 Rocky Coppinger was a 22year-old rookie pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. He had a “live arm”
as the say and was doing well in the
early part of the season. He also
had a big personality and was not as
attentive to pitching as he could
have been. People were exited that
the O’s has a new “ace.”
I hope you and yours have had a
fun, safe
and healthy summer.
Vivat
Jesus!
Its back-to-school for the kids
and theMyers,
first day of
autumn is
Joseph
GK
September 23rd.
Fr. Mark Hughes
Jim Palmer, winner of 268 games and a member of the
Baseball Hall of Fame, had another point of view. On TV,
Palmer said of Rocky; he can only pitch to one side of the
plate; he is out of shape; he can’t field his position; and he
won’t take coaching. So he may not last long in the big
leagues.
Jim Palmer knows pitching and he was right. Rocky was
back in the minors by the end of the season and had little
success before being out of baseball by 27 years old.
Rocky Coppinger was a talented athlete who did not have
the discipline necessary to be successful in the majors. His
(Continued on page 3)
Another important day in September is the 11th. It has been 14
years since the horrific terrorist
Grand Knight Biggs
attacks on the United States. As
Ryan
with past years, the Knights of ColumbusGrand
haveKnight
designated
September 11th the World Day of Prayer for Peace. Please
mark your calendar and at an appropriate time, take a moment to remember all the people affected on this day in
2001 and reflect on the words of Pope Benedict XVI at the
Prayer Service at Ground Zero on April 20, 2008:
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent
world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
(Continued on page 2)
The Knight Chatter
Page 2
September 2015
GRAND KNIGHT’S REPORT
(Continued from page 1)
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost …
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
Pope Benedict XVI
Think back to the day when you first joined the Knights of
Columbus, when you were interviewed by a fellow Knight
and you were asked what activities you would be interested in supporting at the council…church, community,
youth, etc...At the time, each of us made a conscious decision and picked one or more categories that were important to us and that we would be willing to volunteer to
support.
To that end, I ask you to renew your initial pledge and
find opportunities to support council activities, attend
council meetings and if you are not already an insurance
member, to schedule a meeting with Mike Patten and
learn about the fraternal benefits available to you and
your family.
September events include:
Thursday, 10 September, 8:00pm – Council Business
Meeting
Friday, 18 September, Family Movie Night on the
Lawn (Volunteers are needed for set-up and
clean-up, e-mail me at [email protected] if you
can help)
Thursday, 24 September, 8:00pm – Council Social
Meeting
Sunday, 27 September, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Council
Car Wash to support People with Intellectual Difficulties (Volunteers are needed for set-up, wash-
Second Annual Paul E. Horan Memorial
Golf Tournament
Proceeds to benefit the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Friday, October 2 at the Falls Road Golf Course
ing cars and clean-up, e-mail me at
[email protected] if you can help)
Other news:
Did you know that once a month your Council provides food service to residents at Fisher House at
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in
Rockville? If you would like to help with this important program, e-mail me at
[email protected] and I will share your information with the program coordinator).
The annual Car Raffle is underway. Proceeds from
the raffle go to support charities. You will soon
receive a communication with instructions on
how to purchase your tickets. Tickets are also
available for sale in the Lounge.
The annual Tootsie Roll drive/sale to support People
with Intellectual Difficulties is underway. In addition to standard donations, the Council is running a 50/50 to support the program. Chances
are available in the lounge for one dollar and you
can enter as often as you like. The drawing will
occur on November 27th and the pot will be split
between the winner and the charity.
September and October are when the annual Youth
Soccer Shot Out program occurs. Look for more
information in an upcoming Council e-mail.
We are due to complete our periodic road clean-up at
our designated area near the Council. If you
would like to coordinate this activity (it takes
about two hours) please e-mail me at
[email protected].
Please tell your friends and colleagues who are not
Knights about the great work the Order does, the enjoyment of fraternal comradery at our Council, and how they
can join and spiritually and personally benefit from supporting and attending Council activities. Look on the
Council website for dates of upcoming degree ceremonies.
Vivat Jesus!
Gary Biggs
Grand Knight
Upcoming Degrees
Degrees will be held in this fraternal year at Rock Creek
Council on the following dates:
1st Degrees: September 10, November 12, February 25,
May 12
Awards ceremony and banquet to follow at Rock Creek
Council. Special recognition of Joe Horan.
2nd Degree: January 14
For more information, contact PJ Horan: 301.332.7714
(cell) [email protected]
Now, let’s give every Catholic man a chance to join us.
3rd Degree: January 15
Visit the Council Website at www.kofc2797.org
The Knight Chatter
September 2015
CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE
Page 3
Council Helps Fisher House
(Continued from page 1
tale is a good lesson for all of us. We have to be complete in our discipleship to Jesus Christ.
We cannot be one dimensional in that we are morally
good, obey the 10 commandments and are loyal to the
Church, but do little more as a Catholic. We have to be
able “to pitch to both sides of the plate.” We must live a
moral life and be active in living our faith. Avoiding evil is
only part of the job God gives us a believers. We must
serve God in an active way as well. Being an example
and vocal advocate of the Church, serving people in
need, and being involved in parish and organizations like
the Knights of Columbus are necessary to be complete in
our faith.
We have to be in spiritual shape as well. Going to Mass
and confession, praying and learning about our faith are
necessary if we want to stay close to God.
We also have to “take coaching” from the Holy Spirit.
Being open to God’s evolving call and challenges complete our responsibilities as a disciple of Jesus.
Rocky Coppinger had a chance to make a lot of money
and put in successful years as a baseball player, but
missed out because of lack of focus and effort. We don’t
want the equivalent said about us as a Catholic.
Sincerely,
Fr. Hughes
Welcome to the Council
On August 13, Dante Figueroa, a parishioner of Our Lady
of Lourdes, transferred into our council. Glad to have you
on board, and we look forward to seeing at a meeting or
event.
Not many people know that on the 3rd
Tuesday of every month Rock Creek
Council sends dinner over to the Fisher
House at Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center. We serve anywhere
from 30 to 50 injured service personnel
and their families.
The service men and women could be active duty or retired. The Fisher House, houses the personnel that are
able to receive treatment without having to be in the hospital and their families as well as the families with loved
ones in the hospital. With the help of some great volunteers especially Vincent George, Matt Touey and our
Warden Charles Gormley , we prepare, transport and
serve dinner.
If anyone is interested in helping out you can contact Mike
Horan at 240-793-1169 or [email protected].
In addition, the Fisher House is always looking for more
dinner sponsors, so if you are part another group that
may be interested, let Mike or Vince know and he can put
you in contact with the right people.
Usher Ministry
Do you have a desire to be an usher at the at the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington?
The Knights of Columbus serve at all Sunday, Holy Day,
and pilgrimage Masses, as well as at concerts and other
special events. The commitment is three hours of service
on one day a month. Supreme will provide you with a
blazer and tie.
For more information, speak to PGK Roberto Ibanez or
PGK Peter Ferrigno, both of whom have served for many
years. To volunteer, contact Usher Ministry chairman,
Pat McAleer, at [email protected] or 301-2533856.
Annual Car Raffle
It’s time for the Annual Car Raffle ticket sales. This is a statewide event in which someone will win a brand new
Ford Mustang! Tickets will be sold until October 4, with the winner to be selected at the State’s Columbus Day Ball
on October 10.
All of the money raised will be used for charity. The Council retains $0.60 of every $1.00 raised, while the remaining funds go to the State Council Charity Fund. We have a goal this year to sell 7,000 tickets.
We need members to sell tickets at the churches we serve after Masses. If you are willing to help or want more
information, please contact me at [email protected]
Richard Heim
Deputy Grand Knight
Visit the State Website at www.kofc-md.org
The Knight Chatter
Page 4
September 2015
CULTURE OF LIFE ACTIVITIES REPORT
Peter and Mary Ann Ferrigno, Culture of Life Chaircouple
Starting in 2013, the ACLU filed a
lawsuit to force Catholic Hospitals
to perform abortions. As of now,
this law suit has been thrown out
by a federal judge in Michigan.
Judge Robert Holmes Bess stated
that the courts should not and cannot intrude upon ecclesiastical
matters. He further stated that the court would be on
dangerous grounds to interfere with the policies of Catholic institutions. This is an example where “separation of
church and state” is necessary to protect the church.
It is a shame, however, that the Obama administration
sees fit to give Planned Parenthood another 500 million
dollars. Planned Parenthood is given credit for performing one third of all abortions in the USA. Although they
claim to provide “health care for women”, abortions make
up 94% of their services. Their claimed objective is a
farce. However, during 2013-2014, Planned Parenthood
has received more than $528 million in taxpayer funds.
placed in prison for speaking against abortion. You cannot be a Catholic only on Sunday. Even in our country we
are finding a decrease in the attendance of our churchgoers. Some say that about 80% of people claiming o be
Catholic go to church every Sunday. If one does not have
a spiritual spine, you cannot stand.
In his encyclical Laudato Si, on the environment, Pope
Francis stated that “Humans can’t truly be concerned
about planet Earth if they first do not show a respect and
concern for the right to life of the people who live on it”.
He went on to say: “Many of us will spend hours each day
reading the papers or listening to news on television but
never once include spiritual reading”. Father Roger
Landry supported the Pope’s view stating, “Only one percent of Catholics participate in spiritual reading”.
I do not know how he came up with this figure, but if it is
true, very few of us will be aware of what Pope Francis
said in his encyclical. What our Holy Father stated about
climate change, initially was brought about during his
earlier training by one of his teachers, Romano Guardini,
Catholic teaching makes it clear that you cannot be Catho- who had stated: “God always forgives; human beings
lic and support abortion. Then, why do the bishops and sometimes forgive; but when natures is mistreated, she
cardinals not do something about this? Some say that the never forgives”.
Church would then lose its tax exemption. There are arGod Bless.
eas outside of the United States where priests have been
Rental Corner
This summer the Rock Creek Mansion has been hopping
with festivities of all sorts. The ballroom is an ideal size
for a dance party, casino event, beach- or sports-themed
party, bar and bat mitzvahs, and all types of family, and
organizational celebrations. The patio is ideal this time
of year. Recommend us to family and friends who are
entertaining. And remember members get a discount.
Julie Buckingham Carter
Event Coordinator
cell phone: 240-426-1220,
email: [email protected]
website: www.rockcreekmansion.com
DISTRICT DEPUTY’S REPORT
Worthy Brothers All,
It has been a busy summer. I hope you have had a time
to relax and recharge yourself. The coming year promises to be challenging and full.
Each council in our district has a wide variety of events
scheduled in Church, Council, Community, Family, Youth,
and Culture of Life programs. Check out your council’s
website, your council newsletters, attend a business
meeting and a social meeting or two. In addition, the
State Council and Supreme have planned many activities
that the council can participate in. Check out the state
website at www.koc-md.org and Supreme’s website at
www.kofc.org. You will be surprised by the rich and varied information you will find about our Order and its activities.
There is something for everyone, but you need to take the
first step. Become involved. You will have a great experience.
Vivat Jesus!
Kevin Kittka
District Deputy No. 18
Visit the Council Website at www.kofc2797.org
September 2015
The Knight Chatter
Page 5
CHURCH ACTIVITIES REPORT
Peter D. Ferrigno, PGK
Someone has called the recent decision by the Supreme
Court, the “Roe v. Wade of Marriage”. The worse part of
all this is that this is not end of what the LGBT movement
wants. It is only the beginning. Their goal is to destroy
traditional marriage. Remember, there is only a total of
1.6 % of our population that makes up this group.
Justices Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas criticized their colleagues stating that “the majority of the justices could not
provide a single sentence of explanation of how the 14th
Amendment applied to their redefining marriage.” The
three have stated that the LGBT movement now has
opened a Pandora’s Box. Regardless of this ruling, it
does not in any way change the Church’s teaching of
marriage and probably never will.
the past two thousand year has such a movement been
attempted. Needless to say, I believe that some prayers
are in order that these changes do not come about.
John-Henry Weston, co-founder and editor-in-chief of
LifeSiteNews.com had this to say about the favorable decision of same-sex marriage recently passed by the Supreme Court: “The evidence from other nations that have
approved same-sex marriage shows that freedom of religion, speech, and parental rights are up next, on the chopping board.” A country to keep an eye on is Canada,
aswe are on the same track as they are, only several
years behind. Watch what happens in Canada for the
same may happen in this country. Soon, we too may
have little or no say.
We know that in the past, decisions handed down by
members of the Supreme Court can and have been reversed. In 1857, the Court ruled that African Americans
could not become citizens of the United States and that
the government was powerless to reject slavery. By the
same-sex marriage decision of the Supreme Court,
George Weigel feels that they have put the Court at odds
with the Constitution, with reason and with biblical religion. The Constitution does not change because a majority of the Court decides what now law is. The marriage
We see today that there are those who wish to destroy
battle was lost in culture long before it was lost in the
those principles. Sadly, we are also seeing that there are
courts. The change by the court started years ago by
those whose aim is to also destroy those truths we hold in
people who felt that it was no longer necessary to marry
our Catholic Church. We saw some of this with Vatican
prior to living together with one another.
II, and we are seeing it with the Synod of last October.
None of this is by chance. It has been all by design from Cardinal Kasper feels that it is an offence to man to say
that “God is a changeless being”. The cardinal feels that
many at the top. It is the obligation of parents to teach
what God claims for himself, dignity and honor, really betheir children what may happen, if allowed, with our
longs to man. He has stated, “We must resist this God
Country and our Church.
because he is a wretched idol.”
One may wonder, why in Germany we find the controI cannot imagine why Pope Francis has not sent Cardinal
versy that “divorced and remarried couples should receive Communion”. In that country, they have a “church- Kasper and others like him to the far outreaches of civilization. Her further holds that God is mutable (that is,
tax” which German Catholics are obliged to pay to support the church. Those who do not pay this tax are auto- changeable), so moral law can be changed.
matically excluded from receiving the Sacraments. So, if
If this was not bad enough, our Holy Father has only
you cannot receive Communion, then why go to church
praises for this individual. Needless to say, when one
and pay this tax. Faced with this dilemma, Cardinal
attempts to change the revealed truth of God — in this
Kasper and those like him wish to allow remarried coucase, the Sixth Commandment on human sexuality — our
ples to receive Communion. Money, as so often, does
Faith is on shaky grounds. If one were to ignore one of
talk.
God’s laws, then why not any other? Let’s hope that the
bishops attending the synod in October reinforce the
Our Holy Father has stated how greatly impressed he
moral teachings that have been in place througjout
was with this Cardinal’s writings. When the bishops get
church history.
together again this October, they could be making some
new decisions on:
When the cardinals elected Cardinal Bergoglio as our
Pope, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, a reputed friend of the
1.) Reception of Holy Communion by the divorced and
Pope, stated, “They do not know what a Pandora’s Box
remarried;
they were opening. They do not know that he is a Jesuit
2.) The calling for the Church to “value” homosexual oriin a very deep way.” Pray for the Pope, and pray for the
entation; and
3. Calling the Church to focus on the supposedly positive bishops.
elements of sinful unions such as cohabitation. Never in God Bless.
Many younger people in this country, due to a lack of
proper education, do not know that our founding fathers
placed their lives on the line to create this country on the
fundamental principles of freedom, stating in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that
among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
Visit the State Website at www.kofc-md.org
The Knight Chatter
Page 6
The Chatterbox
September 2015
Club News
Susan Biggs, First Lady
Bring Back the Box
We’re excited to bring back an ol’ favorite column – The
Chatterbox – in The Knight Chatter! The monthly column
will include newsy-news related to family, council and
community. If you have any recent noteworthy items to
share with fellow knights (such as accomplishments of
your kids, interesting travels, special council activities, Bethesda happenings, etc.), please contact Susan Biggs at
[email protected].
Lightning Strikes at the Knights
One of the huge trees along the K of C circular driveway is
now marked by a very long rugged stripe. During a brief,
but intense afternoon thunderstorm on July 30… a bolt of
lightning struck the tree, traveled about 20 feet down the
trunk, continued into the ground and created a shallow
hole. Shards of bark flew off and were strewn around the
lawn and front steps of the
Rock Creek Mansion.
At the time, Billy Horan and
Tim Day were in the lounge.
The building shook, power
flashed, and Tim thought a
bomb went off. Meanwhile,
Mike Horan and his daughter
KC were working in the back
room. KC was frightened by
the sudden loud noise. Mike
inspected the exterior electric
box and high parts of the
building. Everything appeared intact until he saw the
tree debris. He said, “It
looked like someone took a grinder and went all the way
down the tree.”
This reminded me of a storm involving a tree that occurred
in NJ. A grandfather waiting for his grandson to finish
soccer practice had been standing under it for shade while
watching the game. A freak storm quickly blew in. Lightning hit the tree, exploded the bark off, and the electrical
current that ran down the tree then ran up him. The students saw him fall to the ground. The grandfather died
four hours later from this dangerous weather phenomenon. Following an investigation, the damaged tree was
taken down.
An arborist will examine our tree to determine if it sustained any permanent damage.
Hours: Monday Thru Thursday 2-10
Friday 2-Midnight, Saturday 2-11, Sunday 2-8,
Meeting Nights 1-8
Hail to the Redskins! We hope! Fall brings nice evenings on the patio, more activity
around the council and football.
Stop by the lounge for all the Skins
and Terps games, as well as all the
big ones.
New Menu
This fall the lounge will be rolling out a new menu on
Fridays and Sundays. In addition to ordering pizza or
hot jumbo pretzels any time, we will have a new pub
style menu featuring hamburgers, cheeseburgers,
grilled chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, hot dogs,
chili dogs, chicken tenders, fries and more. A couple of
times a month we will have dinner specials, such as
smoked pulled pork, ribs and crab cakes
The new menu will start on September 11th, and for
now will be available Fridays from 5 pm to 9 pm and
Sundays during games.
Redskins Bloody Brunch
For the opening game on September 13th, the lounge
will be hosting a brunch with a build your own Bloody
Marys, orange crushes and mimosas. The Buffet will
include eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, chipped beef,
biscuits and gravy, fruit, and more. The buffet will open
at 12 noon and will cost $11 for adults and $6 for those
12-and-under.
Live Music Returns
The Suitors return to Rock Creek
on Friday September 25th at 8:30
($5 donation). The Suitors play
everything from oldies and classic
rock to today's hits. If you haven't
heard them yet, you are missing a
great show. Keep an ear out for
more live music this fall.
The lounge is a great place to meet up with members,
bring in a potential new member, sit on the patio with
neighbors and grab a bite to eat and let the kids run
around the yard. So stop by and enjoy your lounge and
check out the great new landscaping in the back while
your here.
It’s your lounge. Have fun !
Wise Advice
Next time a thunderstorm rolls into your location, it’s a
wise idea to remember this slogan promoted by the National Lightning Safety Institute: “If you can see it—flee it;
if you can hear it—clear it.”
Lounge phone: 301-530-1628
Mike Horan: 240-793-1169
Don’t forget to sign THE BOOK!
Visit the Council Website at www.kofc2797.org
The Knight Chatter
September 2015
Page 7
Membership Corner
If you know a Catholic male over the age of 18 who is not
a member of the Knights of Columbus, I hope the 5 reasons below will encourage you in your efforts to recruit
new members to this great fraternal organization of the
Catholic Church that was founded on the principles of
Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.
Asking for the intercession of the Holy Family is at the
center of prayer for the Knights when it comes to family
life.
4. The Knights of Columbus are strongly and devoutly Pro-Life. Following the teachings of the Catholic
Church, they believe that Life begins at conception and
ends in natural death. While the Knights are in involved
1. The Heartbeat of the Knights of the Columbus
in a plethora of activities locally that foster the Pro-Life
is Service. The Knights are one the largest charitable
organizations in the world. Through a variety of fundrais- movement, they are also major supporters of the March
for Life in Washington, D.C., the National Prayer for Life
ers throughout the year, the Knights raise financial supCampaign, the Ultrasound Initiative, and the Culture of
port for many charities, including the Special Olympics
and the Global Wheelchair Mission. The service aspect of Life Fund.
the Knights encompasses the Church, Community, Coun5. The Knights of Columbus are Faithful to the
cil, Family, Pro-Life, and Youth.
Catholic Church by being obedient to the teachings of
2. The Knights of Columbus Supports the Catholic the Church, its Bishops and Priests, and showing fidelity
Church because the order is composed of a fraternity of to the See of Peter. As faithful Catholics, the Knights foster and develop Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious
1.8 million Catholic Men. From the founding of the
Knights of Columbus by Venerable Michael J. McGivney, Life, and Holy Matrimony. Standing with the Catholic
Church, the Knights of Columbus also fight for Religious
the Knights have been a foundation of support for the
Liberty, which is being threatened here in the United
Catholic Church. In recent years, the Knights of Columbus have performed a variety of projects for the Universal States, but across the globe still to this day.
Church as well as worked with Bishops of the particular
In honor of Pope Francis' visit to the United States in Sepchurches here in the United States and in countries where
tember, 2015, Supreme is offering a special incentive to
the Knights currently reside.
all recruiters. Between July 1 and Septem3. The Knights of Columbus are Pro-Family. Since ber 30, 2015, you will receive 2,000 VIP
the traditional family is composed of the husband, wife,
points for every new or former member
and children, the Knights see them as the core, foundarecruited in this time period in addition to
tion, and fabric for all of society. Although the council
a medallion similar to the one on the right
meetings are for the members, many councils sponsor
for the first new or former member reactivities with the family in mind. It’s a great time to
cruited.
gather together as Catholic Christians and members of the
Vivat Jesus!
Mystical Body of Christ. Realizing that the youth are an
integral part of society, the Knights seek to foster the de- Art Harris
velopment of the child from adolescence to adulthood.
Membership and Retention Chairman
Remember Our Sick and Deceased
ROSARY AT 7:30 P.M.
Sick and Distressed:
PGK Vince and Glenda Bunag, Carole
Hanley (wife of Art Hanley), and those
on the Seniors’ sick list (p. 11)
Deceased:
Regis Miller and Walter Fudala
(cousin and uncle of Ken Seethaler),
Greg Birringham (friend of PGK Caulfield), and Bill
Viner (relation-in-la of PGK Bob Waters).
Remember all who died in the terrorist attack of
September 11, and pray for the Christians in the
Middle East who are being persecuted and brutally
killed in a planned genocide movement.
Please keep all of our ailing and deceased members, families and friends in your prayers.
We pray the Rosary
before our meetings on
the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month
The Rosary is a
proven, effective
prayer in meeting individual and national
needs
Come and join us!
Visit the State Website at www.kofc-md.org
The Knight Chatter
Page 8
Soccer Shootout
The council will be holding its 2015 soccer
shoot out for boys and girls in September.
Winners of the council shoot out will move
on to the district shoot out in October, and
those winners move on to the state shoot out
on November 1.
September 2015
Resolutions of the Order
Delegates to the 133rd Supreme Convention, held in
Philadelphia, adopted the six major resolutions dealing
with: culture of marriage; culture of life; religious liberty;
honoring the armed forces; solidarity with persecuted
Christians; and welcoming Pope Francis. The full text of
each can be read at http://www.kofc.org/un/en/conv/2015/
resolutions/index.html.
Competition is open to boys and girls of elementary and
secondary school age. It will consist of penalty kicking on A summary of the resolution on the culture of life follows.
goal, kicking for distance, and throwing for distance.
Other resolutions will be highlighted in future issues of
the Chatter.
As of print time, details have not been finalized. A google
In Support of the Culture of Life, Be It Resolved:
e-mail blast will be sent out with all the details. For further information, call Mike Horan at 240-793-1169.
Enact legislation to protect human life in all its stages and
oppose abortion, embryonic stem cell research, human
McNamara Chapter of Grand Knights
cloning, euthanasia, assisted suicide, and other offenses
against human life;
The Chapter is a means for creating networks among
Grand Knights, District officers, State officers, and other
Support crisis pregnancies with alternatives to abortion,
local dignitaries in the Knights of Columbus. The once-a- including adoption, and that we promote projects which
month meetings provide information about what is happrovide spiritual support to those women and men sufferpening throughout the state, advice on how councils can ing from the traumatic psychological after-effects of aborimprove their activities, and an opportunity to meet other tion;
Grand Knights. Past Grand Knights and Deputy Grand
Knights are welcome. For more information, speak to Joe Call for the adoption of laws that recognize and protect in
law the right of conscience for doctors, nurses, pharmaMurphy.
cists and other medical personnel, guaranteeing that they
may not be forced to provide medical services that violate
their religious beliefs, and we insist on similar protection
for Catholic hospitals;
Enjoy an evening at Family Movie Knight
on the Lawn. Kick off is 6:00 PM, with
movie to start at sundown. Open to
members, friends and family.
Call on the United States Senate to act swiftly on the PainCapable Unborn Child Protection Act by approving this
life-affirming legislation and submitting it to the President of the United States, on whom we call to sign it into
law;
Will continue to uphold the traditional teaching of the
Church concerning the death penalty,
Reaffirm our long-standing policies of not inviting to any
Knights of Columbus event persons, especially public
officials or candidates for public office, who do not supAdmission: $5 per person or $15 per family.
port the legal protection of unborn children, or who advocate for the legalization of assisted suicide or euthanaThe Council will supply the burgers, dogs, buns, con- sia, and that we prohibit such persons from renting or
diments and juice boxes. You bring a side otherwise using facilities over which our members have
or a dessert to share:
control, or speaking at Knights of Columbus events, or
Sides — Last names beginning with A-M
bestowing on them honors or privileges of our Order of
Dessert — Last names beginning with N-Z any kind, or inviting them to serve as honorary chairpersons of events, celebrations or committees, or holding
The movie is a surprise but will be appropriate for all any office in the Knights of Columbus; and
ages.
This is a shine only event. A rain date will be issued
if necessary.
Please RSVP (including guests) to Felice D’Avella by
September 16, at [email protected]
Once again commit ourselves to praying the Rosary frequently, to fasting and to doing penance in reparation for
the evils perpetrated against the gift of life, and that we
seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who
herself said “yes” to life, for the establishment in our society of a “culture of life.”
Visit the Council Website at www.kofc2797.org
September 2015
The Knight Chatter
Page 9
REFLECTIONS
Lawrence P. Grayson
Truth versus Myth
Videos, recently released by the Center for Medical Progress, show officials of Planned Parenthood discussing the
harvesting and sale of organs from aborted children. With
their ghoulish business exposed, spinmeisters quickly
went to work. The president of Planned
Parenthood stated that what the organization
is doing
is legal, humane, and scientifically useful, although their representative did not display the
organization’s deep compassion for
women.
Unfortunately, many people act like Pilate, who when Our
Lord said to him, “I have come to give testimony to the
truth,” responded, “What is truth?”, and would not recognize it. The truth that life begins at conception is an unwelcome fact to a large segment of society. So a myth is
created that the development in the womb is not a child,
but only uterine material growing like a tumor which can
be excised for the health or convenience of the mother. As
a result, million upon millions of unborn children have
been killed in the most brutal ways. The continuation of
this atrocity is due to ignoring truth as an objective reality.
The myth is accepted because it is convenient and soothes
a person’s conscience. It is easier to go along with the
crowd than challenge the lie.
Most of the broadcast TV networks and cable news programs, sympathetic to abortion, initially ignored this exposé. It would have been their lead story, no doubt, if the
harvesting were done on baby seals rather than unborn
children. Generalized language such as fetal tissue is used
Reality is external and definitive. People, however, do not
to describe what is being sold, rather than specific terms
act on reality, but on the perception
such as liver, heart, and lungs. The
of reality. Since perception exists in
Associated Press characterized a
the human mind, people can transtaped conversation in which a docform their image of reality into
tor in the organization describes
something that fits their interests
how the desired organs can be preand desires. This allows them to
served during an abortion as a disignore unpleasant truths and to racussion about “the disposition of
tionalize their actions so that they
parts from aborted fetuses,” while
are not troubled by what they do. In
the anchors at ABC, CBS and NBC
like fashion, well-funded groups,
used only the term fetus to describe
such as Planned Parenthood, are
the aborted children. But with the
trying to reshape the public’s perrelease of additional videos, coverception of humanity, and thus overage by more conservative media,
and calls for investigations by Congress and state govern- ride the truth of when life begins.
ments, public awareness and outrage are growing.
The reality of abortion is hidden when a child in the womb
is referred to as “a product of conception,” the tearing
In order to minimize the damage to its reputation,
apart of an unborn baby as a “dilation and evacuation”
Planned Parenthood has been attacking the Center for
procedure, and the skull-crushing in a partial-birth aborMedical Progress, characterizing it as an anti-abortion
group engaged in unethical and deceptive activities. If you tion as “intrauterine cranial decompression.” People discan’t refute the message, denigrate the messenger. Those regard the most obvious facts in their desire not to know,
supportive of the abortion giant are using euphemisms to exercising a willful ignorance that certain actions deniblur its activities and minimize the evil that is being done, grate humanity. That same willful blindness is what alwhile choosing words with negative connotations to depict lowed the holocaust to occur, gulags to exist, and mass
the organization that brought their practices to light. The genocide to take place in China, Cambodia, Rwanda, East
Timor, and Bosnia.
abortion-friendly media are trying to frame the videos as
an unscrupulous effort by a fanatical opponent, rather
In order to sustain the myth, people must not be allowed
than as exposing a morbid, morally-deprived approach to
to see reality. The abortion industry and its sympathizers
generating profits.
must continue to create false impressions and block out
No matter how Planned Parenthood and its functionaries the real world because if a woman recognizes that the
“blob of flesh” developing within her is actually her child,
try to spin the news, they cannot change reality. In one
the myth will be destroyed.
video, as a laboratory assistant sorts through bits of an
aborted child, another cries out, “It’s a boy!” In another, a
That is why the exposé videos are so important. That is
person identifies various limbs and organs awash in a petri
why ultrasound images are so important. That is why
dish as coming from a twin. Even these workers realize
graphic images displayed outside of abortion clinics are so
that the lumps of tissue are elements of a disassembled
important. One of these presents the beauty of the first
infant. No amount of dicing or chopping or abstruse lanstages of life, with a child in the womb alive and stirring.
guage can change the truth,
(Continued on page 10)
Visit the State Website at www.kofc-md.org
Page 10
The Knight Chatter
September 2015
Life Insurance Awareness Month
September is Life Insurance
Awareness Month. To help
educate consumers about the
need for and value of adequate life insurance protection, the Life Insurance Market
Research Association
(LIMRA) has published the
following five facts. These statistics are certainly worth
considering.
Fact 1: Nearly three-fourths of North Americans agree
that life insurance is the best way to protect against premature death of the primary wage earner.
Fact 4: One-fourth of primary wage earners feel they do
not have a plan in place to provide a decent standard of
living for their family if they died tomorrow. Twelve percent of families would immediately have trouble meeting
everyday living expenses and another 15 percent would
have difficulty keeping up after several months.
Fact 5: People would like to discuss life insurance with a
qualified professional agent. They believe that buying
life insurance is an important and complex financial decision. Half find it difficult to decide how much to buy, and
43 percent worry about making the wrong decision.
I’d like to meet with you in your home, at your convenience. I’ll work with you to make sure your family is proFact 2: Twenty-four million households have no life intected. As a brother Knight you can trust, I’ll take the
surance protection at all. Almost one third of adults have stress and worry out of the buying decision.
no life insurance protection.
Let’s talk. You can reach me at 240-305-6996 or at miFact 3: Forty-four percent of all households either don’t [email protected]. I am at your disposal.
own life insurance and believe they should, or own life
Fraternally,
insurance and believe they need more. Among those
that already own some life insurance, 40 percent believe
M IC HA E L P A T T E N
they don’t have enough.
Fraternal Benefits Advisor
REFLECTIONS
(Continued from page 9)
The others show pre-born children after an abortion,
now disassembled like butchered sheep. These images
are emotionally upsetting. They are troubling because
they jar the conscience and make it difficult to deny reality.
Reverence for human life and its protection at all stages
is the key societal issue of the day. The Knights of Columbus can be a potent force in the public arena to help
raise the public conscience, reverse the trends in society,
and once again establish a reverence for life. Councils
working with their priests and pastors, can serve an important role through education and action to prepare
their members and others in their parishes and communities, and provide leadership to deal with these issues
locally. Participation in a march for life, being a prayerful witness at an abortion clinic, helping to erect a cemetery of the innocents, supporting prolife legislation, and
sponsoring prolife talks are a few of the ways that councils and its members can become involved.
To be successful, however, prayer is needed to bolster the
efforts. The struggle to establish a culture of life is a
spiritual battle being waged in a secular world. It cannot
be won on a solely material level. That is why programs
like the Silver Rose, pro-life Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and the frequent and widespread recitation of the
rosary are integral to any effort to improve the moral
culture of our state and nation. Will your council be
among the leaders for pro-life? Will you?
Cardinal Patrick A. O’Boyle Assembly,
No. 386
Cardinal O'Boyle red jerseys are available for
sale at cost of $35 each. Jersey includes 4th
Degree Assembly logo, and your Sir Knight
name will be imprinted on the front.
Several SK's volunteered to serve in the
Montgomery Country Right to Life booth at
the recent county fair.
A total of $1,900 was collected from the recently held
50/50 drawing, and given to the Military Chaplains Scholarship Fund for the education of future chaplains.
Future Patriot Newsletters will be sent to Sir Knights via
E-mail versus first class mail. The new Newsletter editor
is SK Stephen Holowenzak.
The annual memorial Mass is scheduled for Thursday,
November 19, in Old St. Johns Church. Mass begins at 7
pm, with a reception to follow. A chalice engraved with
the names of deceased Sir Knights will be presented to a
seminarian who is about to be ordained into the priesthood.
If you would like to learn more about the Fourth Degree
and the Cardinal O’Boyle Assembly, contact SK Neil
Dorian at 301-237-0552, or SK Gregory Curtin at 301654-5543.
Neil Dorian, SK
Visit the Council Website at www.kofc2797.org
The Knight Chatter
September 2015
SENIORS’ CLUB REPORT
Page 11
Council Leaders
By PGK Bob Waters, President
We held our annual August
luncheon meetingat Alfio’s.
We were honored to have
Fr. Bill Byne (pastor of Our
Lady of Mercy,), Fr. John
McKay and Deacon Bob
Hubbard as our guests.
gina Walter, Barbara Waters,
Louise Young, and Fran and
Frank Zello.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
THE COUNCIL
As Commander of American
Legion Post 105, I thank Rock
In our opening, we prayer
Creek Council for allowing the
for Vince and Glenda BuPost to hold its monthly meetnag, Marge Swanke, Edwina
ing at Rock Creek Mansion.
Wittrock, Jean Horan,
PGK Bob Waters
The Post sponsored a young
Susan Tice, and my sons,
man, G. Emerson Cox IV, for a
Steve and Mike, who are having medical
unique summer experience as one of its
problems.
many community projects. He sent the
There were 33 members and guests in
following letter of appreciation:
attendance. We give a Big thanks to
Thank you for the opportunity to attend
Helen Brennan, Darlene Coleman, and
Maryland Boys State this past June. I had
Clare Ward for all their help!
an amazing experience, from waking up at
No one volunteered to host a function in
0500 and doing PT to listening to leaders
September, so there will be none. We
of local and state governments share with
plan to hold a Halloween Party in Octous the challenges they face and the realities
ber and a Christmas Party in December.
of government that natonal nightly news
never covers. Boys State provided me with
GOD BLESS AMERICA , OUR MILI- a sense of pride in my state as I met
TARY AND OUR VETERANS
young, inspiring men from the rural west
and islands of the Bay and saw the diverPRAYER CORNER
sity of Maryland’s citizens. As a citizen of
Fort City, I proudly took to the field of War
In your prayers remember: Eureka and
Ball with my fellow citizens in defense of
Elizabeth Arcand, Dorothy Bush, Lily
our home. I also enjoyed the challenge of
Callowhill, Maureen Collins, Kevin Dyer,
speaking in front of my peers and those of
Helen Fincutter, Susan Gordon Garcia,
other cities when I ran for city senator and
Lois Gargano, Katharine Giodati, Bill
junior national senator. I enjoyed speech
Gordon, Joselyn Walter Graham , Carole
writing, campaigning at meals, and
Hanley, PGK, Frank Hayden, Marie
marching everywhere. As I continue to
Horan, Saunders Jacobsen, Alex Lee,
enjoy my summer and prepare to apply to
Julia Marcus, James Marketos, Joe Murcollege this year, I am greateful to you and
phy, Rich Mylnarczyk, Eugene O’Neill,
the members of Post 105 for sponsoring me
Ralph Oviedo, Sr. Maureen Patrice, Fr.
and the opportunity to witness the world
David Pollak, Mary Rainey, Joan Reed,
of democratic government which I live in
Anne Ryan, Bridget Shanahan, Midge
and will soon actively participate in as a
Shanahan, Gloria Skapik, Pilar Stark,
voter.
Estelle Stoltz, Stephanie Suff, Alex
Swanke, Marge Swanke, Susan Tise, Re-
Council Car Wash
The council will be holding a car wash in the front circle of our council home on September 27 to help raise money for the Tootsie Roll campaign. All Tootsie Roll
money goes to those in Montgomery County with Intellectual
Disabilities. We are looking for a few members and their kids to
give us a hand washing cars for a great cause. We start at 10
am and will be done around 1 pm
Let Gary Biggs, Rich Heim or Mike Horan know if you can do a
shift. Kids working this event may be eligible for school service
hours. If you can't wash come by for a wash and donate .
Visit the State Website at www.kofc-md.org
CHAPLAINS
Rev. Mark Hughes—301-942-2333, x-109
Deacon Robert Hubbard—301-942-1522
Deacon John Shewmaker—301-986-8658
GRAND KNIGHT
Gary Biggs—301-466-9727
DEPUTY GRAND KNIGHT
Richard Heim—240-888-1240
CHANCELLOR
James Schneider—
WARDEN
Charles F. Gormly FINANCIAL SECRETARY
F. Douglas Yeatman—301-785-3747
RECORDER
Peter D. Ferrigno, PGK—301-469-6099
TREASURER
Terence P. Ryan, PGK—301-215-9197
ADVOCATE
Joseph Murphy, PGK—301-728-1316
INSIDE GUARD
Gregory P. Curtin—301-654-5543
OUTSIDE GUARD
William R. Ruane—301-530-6755
TRUSTEES
1-Year—Thomas W. Tappan—301-365-3128
2-Year—Christopher T. Ryan—301-335-6082
3-Year—James A. Caulfield—301-365-2580
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
Michael Horan, PGK—240-793-1169
CHURCH & PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES
Peter Ferrigno, PGK—301-469 - 6099
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
—
COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
Michael Horan, PGK—240-793-1169
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
—
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
—
MEMBERSHIP AND RETENTION
Arthur Harris—301-530-4868
LECTURER
Van Williams—
PRESIDENT, SENIORS CLUB
Robert C. Waters, PGK—301-493-8883
FIRST DEGREE TEAM CAPTAIN
Joseph Doniger, PGK—240-566-2150
4th DEGREE – O’BOYLE ASSEMBLY
Gregory Curtin—301-654-5543
PRESIDENT, KAY-CEE CLUB
Matt Dugan— 202-412-9982
PRESIDENT, LADIES AUXILIARY
Antoinette Davidov—
WEBMASTER
Matthew Flynn—301-942-8491
CHATTER EDITOR
Lawrence P. Grayson, PGK – 301-933-8731
e-mail – [email protected]
COUNCIL OFFICES
LOUNGE—301-530-1628
KAY-CEE CLUB—301-530-0258
RENTAL COORDINATOR—301-530-0258
The Knight Chatter
Page 12
September 2015
THE KNIGHT CHATTER
CHATTE R
Anniversary
& Birthday
Receptions,
Weddings,
Meetings
Non Profit
Organization
PUBLISHED MONTHLY (EXCEPT AUGUST), AT NO CHARGE, BY
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
ROC K CREEK COU N CIL, NO. 2797
5417 W ES T C E DAR L ANE
B ETH ESDA , M A RY LAND 20814-1517
htt p:/ / www. Kof C2 7 97 .o rg
U. S.
Postage Paid
Bethesda, MD
Permit No. 7023
Rock Creek Council’s
Address Service Requested
ROCK CREEK
MANSION
A Private Party Site in the
Heart of Bethesda
Excellent location near the
Capital Beltway, just north
of NIH.
For more information,
check the website
www.rockcreekmansion.com
Schedule a tour by calling
Julie Carter
240-426-1220
October CHATTER Deadline:
September 18, 2015
R OCK C REEK C O UNCIL C A LEN D AR H IGHLI GHTS
SUNDAY
6
MONDAY
7
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5
8
9
10
11
12
17
O’Boyle Assem.
Rosensteel Cncl
Rosary 7:30 PM
Meeting 8:00 PM
18
19
24
25
Rosary 7:30 PM
First Degree Mtg
8:00 PM
13
14
15
16
K-C Club
7:00 PM
20
21
22
23
Family Movie
Night
6:00PM
26
Rosary 7:30 PM
Social Meeting
8:00 PM
27
Council Car
Wash
10 AM—2 PM
28
29
30
September
Visit the Council Website at www.kofc2797.org