April 2007

Grand Knights Message:

Brothers,

As we enter another month, our journey continues toward the end of another Fraternal Year. Our council continues to lead the way in activities in our District. I was recently asked how do we keep going? I say the same thing over and over, “there is no I in TEAMWORK.” And I firmly believe that is our “secret.” We work as a team, and not one individual try’s to “run the show.” We each have our special talents that we excel at. We put it together and there we go, we usually have successful outcomes. Let’s keep that “TEAM” attitude as we wind down this fraternal year and begin a new one.

Thanks to our Membership Director, Frank Roche and his team, we are over 400% membership quota for the year. We are still a little short for new Insurance members for DOUBLE STAR COUNCIL. This would be a major achievement for our council if we can reach Double Star Status. If you have been thinking about Insurance, please contact our Insurance representative, Joe Jackman at 248-514-6264 ASAP and help us reach that status.

In March, our First Degree team performed at Holy Redeemer in Detroit. Our team, with the assistance of an interpreter, conducted an excellent degree. This degree was for one of our newer Councils that is predominately Spanish speaking. Thank you to the entire team.

In May The Silver Rose of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be in Michigan from May 6^th through May 27^th. The Silver Rose shows our support for the Church, its Bishops, and Priests as we Pray for the continued strength of the Church and vocations. It also symbolizes our commitment to Respect for Life from conception until natural death. The Silver Rose will begin it United States tour at Holy Redeemer in Detroit from Canada. The Silver Rose will be visiting National Shrine of the Little Flower Church during its travel. Look in the Shrine Herald as well as attend our meetings to get that date and times.

Don’t forget council officer nominations will be occurring in May with the election in June.

At our annual MI drive, numerous Brother Knights came out and gave a hand. More on the MI drive later in this newsletter.

Vivat Jesus!

John Iannotti, Grand Knight

“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” -  Vincent Lombardi

The “Great Grape”

Our council will once again donate a basket for auction at the State Convention in Mackinac May 24-26. This year the theme for the basket is “Grapes”. We are looking for donations of grape items: wine, jelly, kool aid, raisins, juice, etc…anything made with grapes. Contact John Iannotti at 586-731-1779 if you would like to donate anything or bring it to an upcoming meeting. The basket must be complete and turned in to the District Deputy by April 15^th.

Feeding the Poor for Easter

On Monday April 9th - the day after Easter - the Knights and the Squires are teaming up to provide a hot lunch meal to the homeless & poor of Southwest Detroit. Volunteers are needed from 10:30am - 1:00pm at All Saints Church (I-75 at Springwell). We are looking for designated drivers, cooks, and servers. All Saints Church has an efficient system already established and the Knights are stepping in to fill the volunteer positions on this particular day. This charity effort promises to be a moving and meaningful experience for all volunteers. Knights of Columbus members and their families are encouraged to help with this special project.

Please Contact Joe Chase
248 589 2448 or  josephrchase@sbcglobal.

Fraternal Benefits Night

On Tuesday evening April 24^th our council will be holding an Informational and Fraternal Benefits night This event is open to family members and anyone interested in the Knights of Columbus. If you have anyone in mind, please let our Warden Larry Kehoe (248-547-1404) know so invitations may be sent out. Benefits of the being a Knight change all the time, so this is a great chance for you and your family to understand what is available through the Knights of Columbus. The program will begin at 7:30pm in the Conference Center.

Fund Raising:

Many thanks to Grand Knight Joe Golden, and Ray Debold from Fr Lynch council #4188 in Clawson for allowing us to team up with them for weekly Fish Frys. This year we averaged 275 dinners a week. Our share of the profits exceeded $1500.00. We are discussing the possibility of a fish fry in May which would be the last until October. A date has not been set yet. As soon as a date is set, we will announce it. Serving will be from 4:30 to 7:00. If you can not volunteer to help, then bring your family out for a fish dinner and help our council.

Annual MI Drive Surpasses Last Years Totals…..

The weather cooperated somewhat and it was enough to raise $6675.61 in funds for this annual event. With the expenses taken out, and the donation to State Charities, we should be able to donate approximately $4800.00 to our local Charities. I wish to thank the following Brother Knights and their families who helped with this years event: Terry Kilbride, John Toth, Jerry Bosley, Eugene Bienkowski, Sam Romano, Gerard Baltrusaitis, Frank Roche, Debbie Roche, Randy Husanyu, Brian Malover, Justin Malover, Joe Guarino, Pat Guarino, Sam Mannino, Paul Collum, Matthew Smith, Mark Palmer, Norm Brault, Ed Vidosh, Joseph Chase, Charles Charanauskas, Gary Cady, Janie Lynch, Mikayla Lynch, Joseph DeFauw, John Snyder, Chuck Hochberg, Chris Aichler, Chris Buono, Mary Ann Buono, Tadd Klimmek, Carlo Ginnotti, Bernard Issa, Susan Issa, David Dean, Edward Ching, Paul Cheff, Stephen Connolly, Aaron Dean, Raymond Carroll, Frank Wigman, Chet Ostrowski, Bill Brabant, Larry Kehoe, Ellen Kehoe, Jeff Campbell, Ramiz Romaya, James Duffy, William Edgar, Graham Walker, Fred Ashbaugh, Andrew Schroeder, Ron Francek, Felipe Ching, Mia Ching, Tuyen Vu, Don Erwin, John Iannotti, Pat Iannotti, Dawn Kennedy, Matthew Kennedy, Jacob Kennedy,  & Thomas Kennedy. If I missed anyone, I apologize, it was a long weekend. This is another indication of how our council works as a Team, as stated in the Grand Knights message. THANK YOU TO ALL!

Our Troops…

Our local Squires Circle #1426 led by Sir Knight Joe Chase, helped wrap hundreds of packages for Troops overseas for Easter on March 25^th. Pictured are Squires Ted Chase, Greg Gmeiner & Jacob Halkey. Keep up the good work!

Congratulations to:

MARCH Knight of the Month: ED CHING

MARCH Family of the Month: CHET & CINDY OSTROWSKI

WELCOME to our Newest member PETER NOONAN

This beautiful car can by YOURS!!!

The Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a raffle to benefit Sacred Heart Major Seminary. For only $10.00 a ticket you could own this awesome car. The drawing will be held on June 13^th at 8:00pm at the Cardinal’s Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn. Contact John Iannotti at 586-731-1779 for ticket ordering information.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations April 29, 2007…

Heavenly Father, bless your Church with the abundance of holy and zealous priests, deacons, brothers and sisters. Give those you have called to the married state and those you have chosen to live as single persons in the world, the special graces that their lives require. Form us all in the likeness of your Son so that in him, with him and through him we may love you more deeply and serve you more faithfully, always and everywhere. With Mary we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

News submissions are invited from all our Brothers, Officers, Directors and

Committee Chairs to be included in our newsletter.

Address all information to:    

Giovanni Iannotti, 43962 Leonardo Dr., Sterling Heights, MI 48313

(586) 731-1779     (586) 731-1792 FAX    Email: gmiannotti@comcast.net

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.