Our Little Flower

Grand Knights Message.........……..……..….................

Dear Brother Knights,

One of our many goals this coming year is fundraising. Our organization cannot survive without a steady income of funds. There are a couple of opportunities that are really simple. One is the State raffle. Our worthy Deputy Grand Knight will be giving you details, but I would like to emphasize a couple of highlights from the raffle. For every book that is sold by a member from our council, the council will get $5.00 back. That is not a bad deal. For instance if we all sold our 4 book allotment each, the State would give us 5.00 for each book.  That is $20.00 a member and times that by 100 members, is $2000.00 for our council. All it will take is our asking someone to buy a ticket or two for some fantastic prizes. The top prize is an all-expense paid trip for 4 to Italy or $30,000.00. Second prize is a 2-carat diamond ring and third place is a 70-inch TV. I know in the previous years, the prizes didn’t seem attractive for many, but this year the top prizes are outstanding. Again, the Deputy Grand Knight will have more on this.

Other fundraising activities require us to spend a little money to get some back.  It will also require manpower. We are in the process of making plans for September with a Bottle Drive, October for a Taco Dinner, November for a Yard Clean-up Raffle, December for a Parish Turkey Dinner, January a Vocations Dinner, February for a Valentine’s Breakfast, March the soup supper, April a chili dinner, May a movie night, June a burger dinner. We will also have our Fish Fry’s that we participate in with Council 4188. These are just some plans for fundraising. If you have any other ideas, please let Mark Palmer or me know.  We cannot do it alone.  We need your help.

There is one final topic I would like to mention. At every meeting, we vote on paying bills. Some of these are mandatory from the State or Supreme, others are reimbursement costs to members for various things and some are costs in advance for fundraisers. Nothing is more frustrating than when we hear complaints AFTER THE FACT for paying bills. This does not happen very often. The financial secretary and trustees scrutinize all these bills. Every voice is important.  Every bill (except mandatory ones) is discussed and voted on.  If you do object, or want better clarification on a bill SPEAK UP. Asking questions or voicing your concern about a bill will not be looked down upon. We want these meetings to be open to all brothers, and their opinions. If you do not attend meetings, maybe you should, so your voice will be heard.

As a reminder, we meet every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month in the Parish Conference Center. Our meetings begin at 7:30p and we try to adjourn within an hour.

Visit our website at www.kofc12408.org for a list of upcoming activities and contact information. If you can help with anything, please let us know.

Vivat Jesus!

Giovanni Iannotti

Grand Knight

Michigan Catholic Radio……….….…………..………

If you cannot make Mass on weekdays, try listening to it on 1090 AM at 8:30 a.m.  It’s a wonderful way to start your day.

Katrina Hurricane Relief…..…………………….…….

Supreme KC has provided $40,000 initial relief funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.  Each state council received $10,000.  There are nearly 95,000 Knights in the four state area devastated by Katrina.  President Bush has declared all four states federal disaster areas.

Brother Knights everywhere are being asked to donate to a special fund for the relief efforts.  One hundred percent of contributions will go directly to hurricane relief, and all donations to K of C USA are tax-deductible.  Donors in the U.S. should make checks payable to:

Knights of Columbus Charities USA, Inc.

Donations should be sent to:

Knights of Columbus Charities USA, Inc.

Attn: Hurricane KATRINA Relief

Gift Processing Center

P.O. Box 9028

Pittsfield, MA 01202-9028

Backpack Project…………………………Ends Sept 11

Our backpack project is in full swing and barrels have been placed around the entranceways to the church.  There has been an indication that local street persons have liberated some of the donations.  In an effort to insure the donations go to the school children in need, we ask all Knights/Spouses to check the barrels and remove any donations and hold them.  Contact John Iannotti to arrange transfer of the backpacks.

Corporate Communion……………..…………..Sept 11

Our monthly Corporate Communion will be on Sunday, September 11 at the 10:45a Mass.  We will be remembering the victims of 9-11-2001.  A reception with refreshments will follow in the Parish Conference Center.

Soccer Challenge…………………………….…Sept 17

Our 1^st Annual Soccer Challenge will be held on Saturday, September 17 beginning at 9:00a at the Shrine High School soccer field.  It is open to boys and girls ages 10 – 14 to demonstrate their shooting skills.  You do not have to play in a league to compete.  There will be different levels of competition based on age.  Winners of each age will advance to the regional level.  Contact Norm Brault (248) 414-7254 for complete details.

Membership Drive…………….……………..Sept 17-18

There will be a membership drive following all Masses.  Help is needed to staff this drive to continue to have our council grow and flourish.  Consider the benefits you have derived as a member and volunteer to spread the word.  Contact Frank Roche, John Snyder or John Iannotti to assist.

Life Chain……………………….……………October 2

This year’s Life Chain is scheduled for Sunday, October 2, at 2:00p. We gather in the parking lot on the Woodward side of Shrine.  More details will be coming.  Please make plans and join us to help support “Life”.  It is hard to measure how much of an impact we can have, but the impact will be greater with YOU and YOUR FAMILY taking part.  Sam Mannino and Jerry Bosley are the committee chairmen.  Contact them to assist in the placement of the crosses on the church lawn  the preceding Saturday.

Friday Fish Fry’s 2005……….Oct 14 – Nov 18 – Dec 9

Our council and Clawson #4188 are again partnering in sponsoring our All You Can Eat Friday Dinners.  They are held at the Clawson council hall:

Knights of Columbus Council #4188 Hall

870 N. Main Street   -   Clawson, MI 48017

(248) 588-3547

Dinner is served from 4:30p to 7:30p.  Baked Cod, Fried Cod, Crab Cakes, Baked Potatoes, French Fries, Coleslaw, Vegetables, Roll, Coffee, Tea, Pop and Dessert are the fare.  Adults $8.00, Seniors $7.00 and Children $4.50

Help is needed for setup, cooking, serving, and cleanup after.  If you cannot help, bring your family and friends for an All-You-Can-Eat fish dinner.  Carryout containers are available if you cannot stay.  Contact Mark Palmer for more information.

Festival of Ministries…………..………..October 29-30

The Festival of Ministries is an extravaganza in which all ministries, programs, services and activities are showcased at one time, each having their own table, booth or space.

This is an educational event in which parishioners are able to meet people and gather information about the various ministries within the parish, enabling them to make a better decision as they choose where to serve.  No solicitations are allowed.  This event allows parishioners to ask questions, and also brings them to a greater awareness of all the opportunities the parish has to offer.

This year’s event will be held in the Parish Conference Center following the Masses on Saturday & Sunday, October 29-30.  The Color Corp will be at the 10:45a Sunday Mass to help stir interest in joining our council.  Contact Dick Tschirhart 248.544.1805 to help staff our presentation. 

Calling All Bowlers……..………………………...……..

The council is looking for some bowlers.  In January 2006 the K of C Bowling Tournament moves to Thunderbird Lanes in Allen Park. We are looking to field a team.  Anyone interested in bowling this winter is asked to contact Frank Roche/DD. 

Blood Donations  –  Reminder  !!!…..…………………

If you donate blood, one time or on a regular basis, please contact Mark Palmer so he can track our council participation for the State.

Sacred Heart Seminary Buttons…..……………………

In an effort to support the Fr. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Seminary, Larry Kubiak (State Membership Director), is running a pilot program that councils can use to raise funds for this project.  It involves selling buttons with the seminary logo.  The buttons are about two inches in diameter.  Larry’s idea is that it will give the councils an opportunity to raise funds for the seminary and show parishioners how the Knights support vocations.  The cost of the buttons is covered already.  There is no cost to any participating council.  Frank Roche, our District Deputy, has agreed to pilot the program in his district.  Our council is selling the buttons for $5 each and they are available to all, not just members.  We will donate $3.00 for every button sold directly to the seminary.  The remaining $2.00 will go toward our RSVP fund that supports a seminarian of our choice.  Contact Mark Palmer for your buttons.

Degree Schedule.....…………………..………................

September 18 -   Major Degree   9:00a   Allen Park

                  29 -   1^st Degree         7:00p   Berkley

October       9 -   Major Degree   9:30a   Trenton

                  16 -   Major Degree   9:30a   Centerline

                  27 -   1^st Degree         7:00p   Berkley

News submissions are invited from all our Brothers, Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs to be included in our newsletter.

Address all information to:     Brian Malover, Editor   330 E. Maple Road, Suite I, Troy, MI 48083-2706

(248) 616-0990 Work    (248) 828-9982 Res    (248) 616-0303 FAX    Email: maloverink@aol.com

Editor / Advertising / Circulation

Brian H. Malover

Malover Ink, Inc.

330 E. Maple Rd., Suite I

Troy, MI 48083-2706

(248) 616-0990   Fax (248) 616-0303

Email:  maloverink@aol.com

Council  Meetings

(Be Aware of the New Location of our Meetings)

With the demolition of Seton Hall and the construction of our new parish center,

our meetings are now held in the new Church Conference Center.

North of the church in the commercial strip center, across Northwood Blvd. Near Ya-Ya’s Chicken.

Park in the Northwood parking lot and enter thru the rear of the building.

Meetings are the 2^nd & 4^th Tuesday of the month

At 7:30p

 U

Our Little Flower

Published by

 Knights of Columbus

National Shrine of the Little Flower

Council No. 12408

A Parish based Council

2123 Roseland

Royal Oak, MI 48073

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When you visit www.kofc.org, our official website, spend some time on the insurance portion of the site.  This will help keep you well versed on this fraternal benefit offered to all members.

 Vivat Jesus

Send comments or questions to the web page editor, admin@kofc12408.com.