From
the Grand Knight
New Year, New
Goals, New Effort
Six months ago, I
wrote my first column for the newsletter. At that time, I asked that each
member commit themselves to attend at least three meetings and to support three
council events during the year. I thought those were viable goals. I thought
those were reachable goals for the majority. There are some of you who have
already reached them. But for many of you, it's time to evaluate your effort at
the halfway mark. Why haven't you shown more interest in participating in
council events? Why are you a Knight in name only? We have six months remaining
in this fiscal year. It isn't too late
in this new year to renew your effort and show more interest in the Knights and
your council. These are still reachable goals. A month later, it was my hope
that all members of the 3rd Degree or less would attain at least one degree
higher than what they have. Again, some of you are doing that, and as of this
writing, twelve
3rd Degree members have filled out applications to go for the Fourth Degree
exemplification. My congratulations to all of you who have reached that extra
degree. If you wish to go for the Patriotic Fourth Degree, it isn't too late to
fill out an application. There will be an exemplification
Saturday, February 24th at the Wyndham Hotel in Andover. Another
will be held Saturday, June 9th at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough. There
are exemplification dates available every month for the 1st and 2nd Degrees.
Let your Grand Knight or Membership Director know of your interests, and plans
can be made. One or two officers will always accompany you to your exemplifications.
We would eventually like to see a whole council reach the Patriotic Degree.
This is a new year, a time to make new goals, and a time to renew your efforts.
Only you can make that decision, but a whole council can benefit from it.
Fraternally,
Richard Lozeau
Grand
Knight
FYI
Degree Night Successful
On Tuesday night, 5 December,
two new candidates received their 1st and 2nd Degrees in our own KofC hall.
Congratulations are in order for Ed Duclos and Dean Patterson for becoming the
newest members of our council. And let us also give thanks to our District
Deputy, Paul O'Sullivan, for making that possible. Paul brought in his Second
DegreeTeam to assist our First Degree Team in administering the
ceremonials. Our First Degree Team was led by ceremonial Grand Knight, SK
Richard Butler, along with SK Paul O'Sullivan, SK Bob Schwab, PGK Brian Bowler,
PGK Ray Lumbra, PGK Matt Sweeney and Brother James O'Connor. The ceremonials
went flawlessly and were inspirational to all who attended. Afterwards, all
enjoyed the collation prepared by Paul LaPlante. Thanks, Paul, the hotdogs were
just what we needed to complete the evening. DD Paul says that if we have
enough 1st Degree members interested in attaining the 2nd Degree, he will again
bring his team in before the
scheduled 3rd Degree on Sunday, 21 January, 2007. This the perfect time for 1st
Degree members to receive both their 2nd & 3rd Degrees on the same day. Let
your Membership Director, Matt Sweeney, or myself, know if you are interested.
We would love to see a lot of you improve a degree or two. Chef Paul promised
to have a more substantial collation at the end of the exemplification.
Call Matt 508-399-7138
Dick 508-399-8071
Chairlifts
Finally Installed
On Tuesday, after Thanksgiving, the two
chairlifts were finally installed for the Ayoub family of Attleboro. Your Grand
Knight was present for awhile during installation and spoke at length with a
very grateful mother and grandmother. What was unknown to me at the time was
that her oldest child, a son, has Down Syndrome, which occupies a lot of her
time, so the chairlifts are really a Godsend for her. She wanted me to make
sure that I convey her sincerest gratitude and thanks to all the Knights of
Columbus responsible for this early Christmas present. So thank you members of
the committee Steve Duchesne and his wife Ann, Tom Sweeney, Bob Schwab, and
also the State Charity Committee for all your hard work in getting this request
fulfilled. This is a good example of what is done with the money collected
during the Tootsie Roll Drive. Spending your free time on a holiday weekend
begging for money from strangers isn't always very pleasant, but, when you see
the good and happiness that the KofC charity brings, it makes it all
worthwhile. Think twice before refusing to help out. Someone's child may
be depending on you.
"Keep Christ In
Christmas"
On Sunday, 10 December, about 40 people showed up for
the 2nd Annual "Keep Christ In Christmas" event. Needless to say, it
was just as successful as the first. The rosary was recited in the hall as
various people alternated in leading the decades, culminating with the eighth grade
Confirmation class reciting in unison the fifth and last decade. The weather
cooperated with a nice dry comfortable evening, which made it easier for
everyone to go out for the lighting of the banner. The star on the building and
the surrounding fence and shrubs and trees were all brightly lit with
white lights. Nice going Tom, for another job well done. And thank you
Claudette for leading us in a very inspirational sing-a-long of Christmas
Carols. Chef Paul came through once again, with a nice snack of a variety of
cookies and pastry and with hot chocolate and a nice hot spiced cider made with
a recipe provided by Sally Sweeney. Thanks to Fr. Jim for announcing the event from
the pulpit and church bulletin. Several parishioners showed up for the good
time, as well as several newcomers who were very impressed at the success of
this very entertaining family event. This is another example of a lot of people
contributing a little bit to achieve a big result. With more members
participating and giving new ideas, this event cannot help but get better each
and every year.
Council Christmas Party with
Successful Yankee Swap
.........For Most
The
Christmas dinner for members and their wives was well attended with over 40
people showing up on the regular meeting night, with a most delicious tasting
ham with mashed potatoes and green beans. Chefs Paul LaPlante and
Armand Real did not disappoint as their five star repast was enjoyed by all.
From the Buffalo and honey chicken wings, to the pineapple sauce for the ham,
and the variety of sweets for desert, the food was plentiful and all had their
fill. Linda Lumbra contributed with her, now famous, sugar free desert, Marge
Caouette with a very tasty punch, and again, a lot of people contributed to the
success of the event. And then, the fun was raised to a higher level, as
perennial favorite, Ray Lumbra, began to emcee the long awaited Yankee Swap.
Grown ups suddenly turned into little children as they just couldn't wait for
their names to be called so they could choose and open the brightly wrapped
gifts. Who would have thought that a simple box of packaged peanuts would be
wanted by so many people? Or a singing green frog? The Velvet Fog
Whisky bottle was expected to change hands a few times, and it was. As was
a decorative Christmas mixing bowl. Fr.Jim almost shed a few tears at losing
his battery free flashlight to the Grand Knight, and vowed revenge. The laughs
and jokes were plentiful, and for many people this was their first Yankee Swap.
They now can't wait for next years. This is truly one of the most fun events
of the year, and it should be attended by more members. Thanks to Bill and Tom
for setting up the hall and decorating it to give it a nice Christmas spirit. I
also am looking forward to next year. Start shopping for your gifts, now.
Dues Are Due
The Financial
Secretary, Bob Schwab, tells me that everyone should have received their dues
notice by this time. If you have not received the notice by now, you should
contact Bob and let him know. An envelope is included to facilitate the return
of your dues payment. If you prefer, you may pay him in person at the monthly
meetings or whenever you see him. Bob's job as Financial Secretary is difficult
and time consuming, so, please be prompt with your dues payment. It makes his
job a lot easier. The dues this year is $25.
For those members
who are in arrears on your dues, letters have been sent to Supreme for your
suspension as members. You can stop this by coming up to date with your back
dues. If you have any difficulties with this, contact me, your Grand Knight, to
see if we can find a solution. The council will not continue to pay per capita
dues on delinquent members.
New Committees Formed
Admissions
Committee.
An admission committee was
formed to help screen the applicants for membership. Members of the committee
are, PGK Matt Sweeney, PGK Bob Schwab, Donald Dupuis, Art Caouette, Jim
O'Connor, Rick St Pierre, and GK Dick Lozeau. Any prospect card or Form 100 may
be turned in to any member of this committee.
Charity Committee.
In October, over $900 was
given to charity. This is a good thing because all the monies from the
fundraisers go to charity, but, we cannot afford to give out this much money
every month. Our treasury would have a deficit in no time. In order to help
limit and control the amounts donated to a reasonable number, a Charity
Committee is being formed to screen the members and mail requests. They will
meet before each meeting and decide what charities they will recommend to the
membership to vote upon. The Charity Committee consists of these members: PGK Matt
Sweeney, PGK Dick Enright, Paul LaPlante, Tom Sweeney, Art Caouette, and Donald
Dupuis. Give your requests to these members in advance of the meeting, or it
may have to wait until the following month.
Gene Joubert Honored At ARC Christmas
Party
The 27th Annual ARC Christmas Party was
held on 3 December, on the traditional first Sunday of the month. We had a
record breaking crowd this year as all the tables were filled to capacity. And,
as usual, the guests were entertained by the Clef-Tones, a duo led by PGK Bob
Dubuc, whose swinging style had everyone on the dance floor giving their best
impressions of Fred Astaire and his sister and dancing partner, Adele. We owe a
lot of gratitude to those who prepared and donated the food. Thanks to Brother
Glen Bourque of Chimawa Golf Course, and to Brother Bob Emery, of Emery's
Caterers. Every year their generosity is appreciated and much needed. Without
them, the dinner would be in jeopardy, so, you can thank them by using their
facilities whenever possible. Thanks are also in order to our Chefs, Paul and
Armand, and other helpers in the kitchen, Lucien, Steve, and Leo. Thanks to the
Brother Knights and ARC caretakers who came to volunteer to help make this a
huge success. Thanks the "Columbian Chorale" for providing the usual
eclectic versions of Christmas holiday songs. Santa Claus, again, made a
surprise visit to the great delight of all, as he passed out clock radios to
everyone. "Wait," you say, "you forgot to mention Gene
Joubert." No, I didn't, I was just saving the best for last.
Gene emceed the
party as he does every year. To say that he was brilliant at it would be an
understatement. This is where Gene shines. This is where he excels. This is
where we see Gene at his very best. His love, caring, kindness, compassion, and
sincerity come through. And it's because of these virtues that the guests feel
as loved and as welcomed as anyone could make them feel. All day Gene is at the
mike, talking, singing, laughing and joking making everyone feel comfortable.
This is their day, and Gene lets them know that they are the stars. That they
are the VIP's. That this party is for them and no one else. This is why the
council chose this day to honor Gene. We wanted to give him this KofC Award of
Appreciation for Meritorious Service in front of all of his friends from ARC.
Words to thank Gene for all of his contributions to the council have not yet
been coined. But, be assured, Gene, that the council is aware and gratified
to have you among its members. You are a Past Grand Knight, and have served in
other positions of authority and responsibility for many years, and have served
them well. You are well liked and respected by all. You are a leader who leads
by example. You are what a Knight should be. You are what we all should be, a
Knight at his very best.
Up Coming Events
3rd Degree
A 3rd Degree Exemplification will be held on
Sunday, 21 January, 2007 at 2PM at the So. Attleboro Council Hall. Interested
2nd Degree members contact Matt Sweeney or Dick Lozeau.
Basketball Free Throw Contest
The annual Free throw Contest will be held at Coelho Middle School at
some point in January. Exact date is not yet known, but will probably be
towards the end of the month. PGK Dick Enright will chair the event and will
need volunteers. Ask Dick Enright for more information.
Texas Hold-Em
A poker night will be held
on Friday, 2 February. The cost is $30 to get in and you could leave with over
$700 worth of fun. Call Matt for more info
Donations
Fourth of six $100 donations was made to Peter
Fournier, one of two seminarians we are sponsoring.
Fourth of six $100 donations was made
to Steven Dandeneau, one of two seminarians we are sponsoring.
Under the Good of the Order
Prayers are recommended
for the following people.
Brother Mike Smiths wife
Wendy.
Brother Bill Synoschs wife June
Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI
Fraternally,
Dick Lozeau GK
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Meeting
Schedule
Council Business Meeting: 7:30 P.M.
Second Thursday of month
Lecturers
Night: Fourth Thursday of month (time posted in newsletter)
Corporation
Business Meeting: 7:30 P.M. on First & Third Thursday of each
month
Hall/Rental
Phone (508) 399-7705
Council Officer Directory
Chaplain
Father James Fahey
Grand
Knight Dick Lozeau (508) 399-8071 richardlozeau@mailstation.com
Deputy
Grand Knight PGK Matt Sweeney (508)399-7138 Mswn7@yahoo.com
Financial
Secretary PGK Bob Schwab
508-761-8932
Chancellor James
OConnor (508) 761-7870
Warden
Donald Dupius1
Advocate PGK Dick
Enright (508) 761-7441
Treasurer Paul
LaPlante (401) 723-3596
Recorder
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