January 2007

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER!

Grand Knights Message:

What a month! December proved to be a most challenging month and active month for our Council.  In only about 3 weeks our council had 3 corporate communions, our annual Parish Turkey dinner, wrapping of sweatshirts for our Sweatshirts for Kids project, delivered over 300 sweatshirts which exceed our total from last year, we had our Council Christmas party, participated in a couple of First Degrees as well as reaching and exceeding our membership goals. This is an example of teamwork among our members.

As I read my emails recently, I kept getting messages saying….”forward this to be rich”. When you really think about it, we are rich. We have love, faith, family, and God, what more do we really need? As you may know, I am in military police work. Over the last few weeks there has been a high rate of people wanting to quit life because of various problems; money, jobs, etc… One person succeeded just a few days before Christmas. This person was found by neighbors who called police just as it became light and said this person was in their car, with it running and a tube going into the car from the exhaust. I thought to myself, My God why? What could be that bad to make this person do this, What about their children, family and friends? This event had a major impact on me, especially before Christmas. I also thought to myself these things like money, jobs, etc…come and go but what is lasting: God, love, faith, and there is always hope.  We have all gone through tough times and we still do. But it is not what monetary items we have, it is how use the “richness” we have.

May you and yours have a very Blessed, Happy and Rich New Year.

Vivat Jesus!

John Iannotti, Grand Knight

Happy is the man who finds wisdom and understanding for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and profit better than gold.
                                                                                     - Proverbs 3:13, 14

Greetings from Holy Cross Children Services

On Saturday December 16^th, members of Council #12408 and the Squires brought over 300 sweatshirts, surpassing last years total,

 to Holy Cross Children’s Services in Clinton, MI. This year after the gifts were brought in, groups came over, told us about their group, read a thank you card and received their present. The children were very appreciative of the gift they received and each came up to each one present from the council, shook our hands and said thank you. Brother Knights that made the trip this year: Giovanni Iannotti, Mark Palmer, Frank Roche, Dan Magoon, Joe Chase, Norm Brault and the Squires. A thank you goes out to the ladies and Knights who wrapped the gifts on Sunday December 10^th.

Members and their wives wrapping sweatshirts.

Busy…The Fourth Degree Color Corps Shines at Shrine

December was a busy month for the Color Corp

On December 10^th, our council celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at a special Spanish Mass at 4pm.

On Christmas Eve, our council held a Corporate Communion to welcome our new Bishop to National Shrine of the Little Flower. Bishop Daniel Flores comes to the Archdiocese from Texas. We look forward to more celebrations in the future with the Bishop.

On December 30^th, our council held a Corporate Communion in memory of our past Financial Secretary John Kelly who passed away in June. Monsignor Easton welcomed the Knights of Columbus to this mass and said John was one of the cornerstones of our Council at Shrine. How true it is. We also look forward to Monsignor making his Fourth Degree in March. John’s spirit is still shining upon us.

Join us saying “Thank you” to our Religious at our Third Annual Vocations Appreciation Dinner:

Make your plans now for the annual District Vocations Appreciation Dinner on Friday January 19^th, 2007 at Fr Lynch Council #4188 in Clawson. Doors will open at 6:00pm with dinner being served at 7:00pm. Cost is $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and children, Religious are free.

State Chaplains Tribute Dinner

On Sunday February 11^th, the Annual State Chaplains Tribute dinner will be held at Robert  Jones Council in Lincoln Park. If you would like to attend, contact Frank Roche for tickets so we can sit together. Cost is $25.00 per person.

Feeding of the Poor at Easter:

Our Council will be undertaking a new event that could become an annual event.  We will be making and serving hot meals to the poor and homeless for Easter. A committee has been formed to plan this event. The co-chairs of this committee are Joe Chase, Tadd Klimmek and Chet Ostrowski. If one of these brother knights contacts you, please help. More information will be forthcoming.

Basketball Free Throw Competition:

Once again the Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Basketball Free throw contest. Again participants will be divided by age and gender. The winners of each group will move up to the District and State Competitions. This year the council level contest is scheduled for Friday January 12^th 2007 at Shrine High School. Contact Norm Brault at 248-398-1737 to volunteer to help.

Family Fun at the University of Detroit

 On Saturday January 27^th, the University of Detroit Titans will take on the Butler Bulldogs in a 4:00pm game at Calihan Hall. The U of D has offered special discounted tickets for this event. For more information contact Jerry Hayden at 248-737-0012

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Assumption Grotto Council #13419 is conducted a Care Package Drive for Easter for our troops overseas. Items they are collecting range from non-perishable food and snacks, to powdered drink mixes to personal items to toiletries. If you would like to help or donate items or a monetary donation, contact District Deputy Jeff Stawasz at 248-561-3170. Also Brother Knight Paul LeVeck from Holy Rosary Council #3830 in Berkley has put together a Patriotic Music CD from area High School bands. The Cost is ONLY $5.00 a CD and the proceeds will be going to help with the Care Package Drive. If you would like a copy of the CD contact Grand Knight John Iannotti at 586-731-1779 or Frank Roche at 248-435-4717.

Major Degree Coming to District #62 in February 2007:

 Please mark your calendar NOW for a Major Degree coming to District #62. On Saturday February 3rd 2007 there will be a Major Degree at Fr. Lynch Council in Clawson. The First Degree begins at 9:00 am followed by the Second and Third Degrees.

Seminarians to Become Knights

On Sunday January 14^th, 2007 beginning at 1:00 pm, our First Degree Team will be holding a special First Degree for the Seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Please put this event on your calendar and help show our support for the Seminarians and attend this event. For more information contact Frank Roche at 248-435-4717. 

Welcome New Members to our Team

Ed Vidosch who made his First Degree on December 17^th and William Edgar who made his First Degree on December 28^th.

Fund Raising:

 Once again this year, our council and Fr Lynch council in Clawson are teaming up for all you can eat fish fry’s. The following are upcoming dates:

• January 12^th

• February  9^th & 23^rd

• March 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th

• April 6th

Serving is 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.

State Raffle Tickets:

Time is running out for the State Raffle. This is another opportunity to raise some money for our council. For every book sold, the council will receive 5.00 back. 

Congratulations to:

December Knight of the Month: Joe Chase

December Family of the Month: Matt and Dawn Kennedy

Fraternal Benefits Night

Our council will be holding a Fraternal Benefits night. Our Insurance representative Joe Jackman is working with our Warden Larry Kehoe to have an informational night for all members, their families and potential new Knights. The tentative plan is to hold this important night in March. More details will be forthcoming.

Annual Mentally Impaired (MI) Drive

Our annual MI drive is fast approaching. This year the drive will be held the weekend of March 30^th – April 1^st…no fooling. If you have a needy organization to split the proceeds with, contact Grand Knight John Iannotti at 586-731-1779. More information and sign up sheets will be coming out soon.

Dues:

You should have received your statement for dues for 2007 by now. It is imperative that you return your statements with your payment to the Financial Secretary Joe Guarino ASAP.

A special thank you to Matt and Dawn Kennedy for organizing another terrific Council Christmas Party on December 12^th. Everyone had a good time, even Santa.

Workshop at National Shrine of the Little Flower

The parish is offering a “Protecting God's Children Workshop” in the Conference Center. The date is Friday Feb 2, 2007 from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. There is no cost but you must pre register. Look in the Shrine Herald for more information or contact the Rectory Office at 248-541-4122.

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.