July 2008

Grand Knights Message:

Brothers,

July begins a new fraternal year. Each year gives us the opportunity to serve our parish and community. Charity is one of the principle charges of our order. The impact your actions make on those around us, who are less fortunate, are very visible. Let us continue to make a positive impact on our community, and build upon the success of the 2007-2008 fraternal year.

We wish to congratulate newly elected Council Officers for the 2008-2009 Fraternal Year:

Grand Knight	S. K. Mark Palmer
Deputy Grand Knight	S. K. Bill Edgar
Chancellor	S. K. Tony Recchia
Recorder	S. K. Chet Ostrowski
Treasurer	S. K. Matt Kennedy
Advocate	S. K. Tadd Klimmek
Warden	S. K. Larry Kehoe
Trustee 3rd Year	S. K. Otto Soeding
Trustee 2nd Year	Brian Malover
Trustee 1st Year	S. K. Terry Kilbride
Inside Guard	Gene Bienkowski
Outside Guard	Manuel Antonino

We also wish to recognize S. K. Joe Guarino, our Financial Secretary. While the Financial Secretary position is appointed by the Supreme Council, it is one that is vital to the operation of each council.

Also, congratulations and support to our new District Deputy, S. K. Richard Tschirhardt, Sr.. Our thanks go to our retiring District Deputy S. K. Francis Roche, Jr. for all his hard work in making District 65 a success.

Have a safe and happy July 4^th, and summer vacation.

Vivat Jesus,

Mark L. Palmer

Grand Knight

I think patriotism is like charity - it begins at home.

Henry James - Author

Council Recognitions:

 June

Knight of the Month: Msgr. William Easton

Family of the Month: Ed Ross

Happy Birthday!!

July Birthdays:

Meeting Reminder

If you have not been to a meeting in a while, here’s an opportunity to have a say so in the operations of the council. Our meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. A listing of meetings for the following months follows:

Meetings are held in the Conference Center located in the Plaza with YaYa’s Chicken, on Woodward Ave. Just North of the Church. Park in the Northwood Church Parking lot and enter through the rear of the building. It is mandatory that you present a current membership card to enter the meetings.

Kids on the Go Kick Off

Your Council has been invited to the Kids on the Go Summer Camp Kick off party, July 11^th, 9:30 AM at the Assumption Cultural Center 21800 Marter Rd., St. Claire Shores. Please attend if you can.

2008-2009 Fraternal Year Goals:

With the new Fraternal Year comes a new set of goals. The most important goal for this fraternal year is to address membership. Changes are being made at the State level on the way we recruit new members, as well as retain existing members. As a council we will be actively creating Membership Committees, Recruitment Committees, and Retention Committees. We will have a new membership quota, as directed by Supreme. While recruiting new members is an important part of growing our order, retention of existing members is just as important. Getting new members active, as well as providing opportunities for existing members to become active are our goals. Having longtime members mentor our new brothers is another of our goals. Of equal importance, is addressing those members who have not paid their dues. If you have not paid your dues, expect to be contacted by the Retention Committee. If you have a special circumstance whereby you are unable to pay your dues, let us know, we can help you. Charity is our first principle, but we cannot continue to carry those members who have chosen not to pay their dues for multiple years. As a reminder, each council must pay per capita charges, for each member, to both the State Council and the Supreme Council. When a member does not pay their dues, the burden of paying those per capita charges comes at the expense of the other paying members of our council, as well as the church an community we support. Simply not paying your dues is not an automatic way of leaving the order, there is a formal process that needs to be followed if you wish to withdraw your membership. Annual dues are $30.00, plus an additional $20.00 of optional individual charitable donations.

One Nation, Under God

Did you know? In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer.

12^th Annual Statewide Campout

Our statewide campout will be held in Frankenmuth on July 18^th 19^th & 20^th at the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park.  Please join us for faternalism, breakfast, mass and potluck dinner.   To view the campground go to :

www.frankenmuthjellystone.com

Where: Frankenmuth Jellystone Park

             1339 Weiss St.      Frankenmuth, MI

When:   July 18^th, 19^th & 20th

Rates:  All sites full hook up ~ $47.00

Mail Reservation Form To:

Micheal D. Metiva ~ State Family Life Director

860 N. Gleaner Rd.

Saginaw, MI  48609

Please send first nights lot fee with reservation

*made out to Michael Metiva, State Family Life Dir.*

*Memo line:  KofC Campout

July Meeting reminder

As a reminder, we will not hold the first scheduled meeting in July, the 8^th, to allow our members time to enjoy the July 4^th Holiday and spend time with their families. We will begin our regular meeting schedule, every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month, beginning July 22, 2008.

Pray for our Troops

Especially during this 4^th of July Holiday,  please say a prayer for the safety of those men and women who protect our freedom with their lives.

Visit our Web Site

Make sure to visit the council’s web site to keep track of our busy schedule.

http://www.kofc12408.com

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

Committee Chairs to be included in our newsletter.

Address all information to:    

Mark L. Palmer, 1774 Keats Avenue, Madison Heights, MI 48071

(248) 588-3469    (248) 282-5179 FAX    Email: mark_l_palmer@hotmail.com

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

Our meetings are held in the 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

2100 West Twelve Mile Rd.

Royal Oak, MI 48073

_________________________________________

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.