Knights of Columbus

Greetings Knights and ladies. I hope everyone had an enjoyable, healthy, and blessed Christmas. It is hard to believe it is already a new year. What better way to start the new calendar year than by recruiting a new Knight into our Council. New members will bring fresh ideas and hopefully recruit their friends and family.

One subject I have not mentioned recently is the 125th Anniversary year of the Knights of Columbus. Some Councils are planning events to commemorate this. As a Council I felt we had enough activities going on. Supreme had interesting articles in Knight Line, and Columbia magazine throughout the Anniversary year.

Past events in December were the Senior Citizens Christmas party and the second Sunday breakfast the same weekend. Many thanks to Ken and Sandy Resler for chairing the Christmas party. Thanks to Ray Peter who worked many hours during the week baking the turkeys, and the many Knights and ladies who helped make the night a success. I understand 257 Seniors attended the event.

The December 9th Sunday Breakfast had good numbers due to St. Nicholas visiting after the 9:00 A.M. and the 11:00 A.M. Masses and Wee Care Wee Share having their winter coat drive. Thanks to everyone who worked that day. We had an excellent early and late crew that day. Proceeds will go to Wee Care, Wee Share Ministry.

In closing three big events are coming up in January. See enclosed articles. Please call one of the chairman to offer your help.

The annual concertina party will be held on January 26^th at Brooke Hall. It will run from noon to midnight. Our auxiliary will run the coat check with the money collected going to CEAP. Help is needed for all shifts. Please call Jan Dols to sign up.

A casino trip is being planned for Sunday April 13^th. Make sure you mark your calendars. More information later. If you want to make reservations now please call either Jan Dols or Delores Yenor.

Our auxiliary held its Christmas party at the home of Patty Korkowski. Gifts were wrapped for a needy family in our area (2 adults & 3 children). Thanks Margo and Delores for buying the gifts. A gift exchange was held for the members present. A pot luck was another high-light of the evening.

Some upcoming events for us will be a Birthright shower on February 7^th at 6:30 pm in rooms 128-130. Bring unwrapped gifts and something to share at our potluck dinner. Another event is the Ronald McDonald house on March 29^th. The time for this event is from 3:30 to 8:00 pm. Please call Mary to sign up.

The January breakfast will on the 13th at St. Tim's Hospitality Center. Shifts are 7 to 10:30am and 10:30 to 1:30pm. Please call Al Loerzel to sign up for a preferred shift. Proceeds last month were $702.06, which will be earmarked towards Wee Care We Share. January proceeds will go towards the council's seminary program.

The first major council fundraiser for the Year 2008 will be the 30th Annual Concertina Bowl on January 26th. The enclosed flyer can be posted at your work place or please give it to someone you think would be interested in coming. Volunteers workers will be needed in the kitchen and as door guards. No dance floor will be needed this year.

The January 2nd Officers meeting will be held in the Hospitality Center starting at 7:30. This is a very important meeting for planning for the Wild Game Feed, 2nd Sunday Breakfast, Concertina Bowl and upcoming Fish Fries.

The January 16 Membership meeting will be held in the Hospitality Center starting at 7:45.

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares .

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together .

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

QUESTION: I have a 16 year old whole life policy that I have been considering cashing in since I can get cheaper insurance at work. My KC agent said it would be a mistake to do this. Why? And isn’t it better to buy term and invest the difference anyway?

ANSWER: Your KC policy continues to increase in death benefit and cash value each year, and it’s permanent. I challenge you to compare the true cost of buying term insurance verses your KC whole life policy. Term insurance is cheap because statistically, death claims are rarely made while a term policy is in force. When you compare the performance of your KC whole life policy in which your cash value is growing tax deferred, you may find that other investments that you make will have to perform exceedingly well to equal the cash value in your KC policy. Remember, the cash value in your policy can be accessed income tax free via policy loan! And, you get permanent insurance in the deal! Term cannot perform this function.

Please be sure to allow your KC agent to perform a full insurance needs analysis to determine your insurance needs. If you need term to supplement your whole life policy, he’ll be sure to tell you.

We are currently seeking motivated and enthusiastic people to join our professional field force of Knights of Columbus agents. Call or email us if you, or somebody you know, may be interested.

Send your questions to kcquestions@catholic.org or call us at 651-757-4400. If you would prefer a personal reply, please be sure to provide your contact information.

Wild Game Feed Night

The 2008 version of the wild game feed will be held on January 12^th. It will run from 5:30 - 7:30. It will be held at St. Timothy’s in the hospitality center. The game feed is all you can eat, with roast turkey for non game eaters. The cost is $9.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids ages 4-12. Children under 4 will enjoy the meal for free. The proceeds for this event will be for St. Timothy’s Outreach. Any questions, please contact Dan Otte.

BROTHERS DEDICATED TO THE VIRTUES OF

CHARITY-UNITY-FRATERNITY-PATRIOTISM

Blaine / Coon Rapids

Council #5141

January, 2008