Knightly News: January 2005

Friday, January 14, 2005

Grand Knight's Column for Jan. 2005

Brothers,

I would like to welcome you to a new era in communication with the Harvester Knights of Columbus. The first e-newsletter is here and besides the financial benefits of about $ 150.00 per month in savings that we will accrue; there is so much more. For example will now be able to insure quick and speedy delivery of the newsletter while allowing our directors and others who contribute to the newsletter on a regular basis more time to get there articles to our communications director. The time that it takes to put the newsletter together will be cut by a couple of hours. We will be able to use color and maybe even streaming video. Please give us your feedback on how you like the new format and any ideas you have to make it better. Don’t forget to take a look at the slide shows that Kevin has posted from many of the events that the council has been involved in during 2004.

In other news we have a 1st degree planned to take place at the February meeting so if you know someone that you think would make a great Knight please let Jim Radi know and he will make contact with them to let them know that they have been recommended for Knighthood. You can reach Jim at this email address: radweazy55@yahoo.com .
I would to thank all of the Knights who have been assisting John Breneman with the parking lot duty over at Sts. J & A, I know it has been crazy since construction began and I’m especially proud of how patient you have been with the sometimes grouchy parishioners who do not like the wait after mass. I also want to thank Denny Corr who organized the Roses for life distribution on Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th. That same day Gene Heist was running a blood drive in the Cafeteria at J & A with Community Blood Services of St. Louis. Initial reports from those who gave blood and the organizers are very positive. Thanks Gene for all the hard work.

Finally I want thank Kevin Smith for the job he has been doing on the newsletter for the past few years and the two guys who did it before him Tom Shadrach and Bob Gragnani. This job takes an incredible amount of time and it has been taken for granted for years. I’ve had several occasions to help in the assembly of the new letter and just the folding and labeling of it takes several hours if you have to do it yourself. I guess that’s why I’ve been so driven lately to get this new format going. You guys are just some of the unsung heroes of the council who keep everything going so smoothly!

Thanks for your help,

Dave Meglio
314-610-7139
dmeglio@Meglio.com

P.S. While this site will contain most of our newsletter info, don't forget to check out www.harvesterkofc.com for other. We will use that site to post our monthly minues (none for December just yet though) and other items that need to be password protected, you can e-mail me to get a user name and password.

Thursday, January 13, 2005

2005 MR Tootsie Roll Funds Distributed

Brother Knights,

Thank you again for all you have done to make The MR Program a success again this past October.

For those of you who are not sure what the program really is or what it is about, maybe the following will help explain it a little bit.

MR Program stands for "Mental Retardation" which I would like changed to "God's Special Children's Fund". That's just my feeling.

Every year in October we brother Knights stand at different stores and collect money for our special children. All the money we collect goes to the State Director of the MR Program. He then donates half of the money to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital (which the State of Missouri Knights of Columbus helped to build). The other half of the money is sent back to our Council in what is called "The Turnaround Fund". No money goes to anyone other than the Hospital and the children.

This year our Turnaround Fund helped four deserving groups. They are: Booneslick State School ($908.37), Central Elementary School PTO ($500.00), Willow's Way ($500.00) and also The Special Olympics ($500.00). Our Turnaround Fund was $2,408.00 and it was all dispersed.

Thanks again for all your support.

Bob Sage
MR Chairman

To view photos of Bob's recent check presentation and some of the items our charities were able to purchase with funding given to them by the council over the last few years, click below. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/harvesterknights/album?.dir=/b5b7&.src=ph

The KofC Development Center at Cardinal Glennon

In April, 1982, The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center was opened at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, the only freestanding Catholic children's hospital in North America. It was begun as a joint collaboration between the Knights of Columbus Organizations of Illinois and Missouri, with the goal of providing comprehensive diagnostic and follow-up services, support and advocacy to infants, children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Center is staffed by two fellowship trained Developmental Pediatricians, a Developmental Therapist, and a Clinic Coordinator. We see approximately 850 patients/year, half from Missouri and half from Illinois. For the last five years we have served as the Developmental Pediatric Consultants to the early intervention program for the southern region of Illinois, Child and Family Connections, providing direct medical diagnostic consultation, advocacy, case management, and provider teaching opportunities. Approximately 60% of our patients receive Medicaid as their health insurance.

Over the last two decades, our increased understanding of the complex function of the brain and recognition of specific diagnosis, have allowed for the early identification of such disorders and the timely implementation of appropriate educational and rehabilitation programs. For the majority of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities, the rapid institution of appropriate measures such as the Tootsie Roll Drive helps us to accomplish this goal.

"1 kNight 1 Call" Campaign Continues for 2005

one kNight,one call..., our membership campaign this year is continuing to yield results, but we could still use more help.
Remember, if each member would ask one person each week to join, our council would not only grow in members, but would grow in what services we could provide our Church and community.
We have a GREAT council. Why not share it with your fellow Catholic gentlemen? Please contact Jim Radi at (636)447-2827 or email me at radweazy55@yahoo.com if you need any assistance or would like for the membership committee to contact a potential brother Knight.
Also, we have a lot of 1st degree members who have not taken their 2nd and 3rd degree yet. There is a degree coming up soon. Please take advantage of this opportunity to continue to grow in your Knighthood. Once you take this step, you will be asking yourself why you waited so long. It is definitely worth your time.
Myself or someone from the membership committee will be contacting you shortly with more details.

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Parking Lot Duties to Continue Through August

Sts. Joachim and Ann Parishioners are now aware of the construction that has begun on the new Parish Center and have seen the impact on available parking. I want to thank each of you who assisted with parking since the Adopt-A-Family weekend. Your efforts Christmas weekend was very much noticed by other parish members and clergy.

This parking procedure and need for volunteers will continue through August, though it is anticipated that less bodies will be required with the increased familiarity by the parishioners. I am enlisting each Knight who is a member of Sts. Joachim and Ann to contact me and volunteer for a Mass parking team that will be scheduled just as an usher is scheduled to serve the Parish. It is not difficult and if enough teams are formed, the burden to serve will be minimized. Until we are able to reach all parish members, I am asking that you volunteer to work the equivalent of a Mass a week or every other week. The actual schedule will be perfected as we go, but your patience is also being requested.

Anticipated time slots will include: Saturday 4:30-6:15 (5 people for 5:00 Mass entry & dismissal); Sunday 6:45-8:45 (3 people for entry & dismissal of 7:15 Mass & 5 people for entry of 8:45 Mass); Sunday 9:45-10:30 (5 people for dismissal of 8:45 Mass & entry of 10:30 Mass); Sunday 11:30-12:15 (4 people for dismissal of 10:30 Mass & entry of 12:15 Mass); and Sunday 1:15 (3 people for dismissal of 12:15 Mass). Please contact me at (636)978-0234; (314)422-1691; or john@brenemangomez.com for your commitment.
Thanks for all who have already contributed to this “ministry”!!!

Council Photo Albums Updated

Tentative Dates Set for Family Camp Outing

Spring will soon be upon us!
The time will soon be right for our annual Family camp out. Plans are in progress for this year’s event. Tentatively, we are looking at the weekend of June 3rd, 4th, and 5th, but this could change due to more pressing needs by our council. However, plan on making time for this special event, whenever we have it scheduled. You won’t regret it!

Easter Egg Hunt Date Set

The dates for our annual Easter carnival/ egg hunt is March 26th.
Please mark you calendars as everyone's help will be needed.
Last years function was a tremendous success and I hope this years will be the same. With your help, we cannot fail! Keep the date open and even if you find you can not assist, try and bring your young ones to this wonderful event.
Sincerely,
Glenn Korando
Your Family Events Director

A Volunteer's Prayer

This prayer was said recently at a council meeting and is worth posting here, it is a good reminder of what it means to be a Knight and the work that we do.

"I thank Thee, Lord as a volunteer
For the chance to serve another year.
And to give of myself in some small way,
To those not blessed as I each day.
My thanks for health and mind and soul,
To aid me ever toward my goal.
For eyes to see the good in all,
A hand to extend before a fall.
For legs to go where the need is great,
Learning to love—forgetting to hate.
For ears to hear and heart to care,
When someone's cross is hard to bear.
A smile to show my affection true,
With energy aplenty—the task to do.

And all I ask, dear Lord, if I may,
Is to serve you better day by day."

2005 Membership Dues

Your 2005 Membership dues are now payable, dues must be paid by January 31, 2005 to remain a member in good standingof the Harvester Council of the Knights of Columbus.
Bring your dues payment of $30.00 to our meeting on the 17th or mail your payment to--
Gene Stark
14Shadowcreek Dr.
St. Peters, MO. 63376
Remember to include your completed survey form with your payment.Thanks, Gene

No Hunger Holiday Pictures

Check out the photo album from No Hunger Holiday.
Picutres from 2004 can be viewed here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/smittyk17/slideshow?.dir=/49d0&.src=ph

Pictures of the 2003 event can be found here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/smittyk17/slideshow?.dir=/691e&.src=ph

Insurance Agents Report -- Jan.

Helpful Hints to Save Money
Now that the holiday season is over, tax season is
around the corner. A couple of reminders before you
start working on your taxes. If you have not contributed
to your IRA or a Roth IRA for 2004, it is not to late. You
can contribute up to a maximum of $3000 for 2004,
$3500 if you are 50 or older, and have earned income.
You can contribute up to the maximum until April 15, 2005
and apply it to 2004. Be sure you contribute before
you complete your tax return.

If you already maximized your IRA contributions for
2004, after January 1, 2005 you can contribute to
your IRA for 2005 up to a maximum of $4000. or
$4500 if you are 50 or older. If you have money
sitting in the bank at low interest, consider putting
it into an IRA with the Knights Of Columbus. Not
only is the interest higher than bank accounts or
Certificates Of Deposit (CD's), but rather than paying
income tax on the little interest you earn, a Roth IRA
allows you to draw your money out for retirement and
you do NOT pay any taxes when you withdraw, EVER.

Looking for a safe way to save money for your children's
education? A Roth IRA allows you to draw out your funds
for education with no penalty and your interest is tax
deferred while you are building your nest egg.

Your future starts tomorrow. Contact me today.

Bob Klein F.I.C. / F.I.C.F.
(636) 928-0510 E-MAIL bobkleinkofc@msn.com

Harvester KofC Blog Launched

Welcome to the home of the Harvester Knights of Columbus online blog. . .This site will be the home for breaking news, announcements, date and time changes, thank yous, letters or any other "public" business for the council. This site will host a majority of the items covered in your montly Knightly News mailing but electronically, and having the site online will give us the luxury of being able to update around the clock all month long.
Due to the nature of our monthly minutes and budget thogh, those items will still be posted on the council Web site (www.harvesterkofc.com) in a password protected section. All other items will be posted here and if you have something to post feel free to e-mail Kevin Smith with the item and he will usually post it within 24-48 hours of getting it. You can e-mail Kevin at smittyk@charter.net with your info.