GUIDEPOST
Grand Knights Message
Greetings Knights and ladies. Spring is finally here. Let’s be thankful for the nice weather we are having. The latter part of April was busy with the last breakfast and the Tootsie Roll Drive . The breakfast went well with a good turnout due to the Ministry Fair that Sunday. I would like to thank Don Hosford for chairing the breakfast. The Tootsie Roll Drive had nice weather which meant there were a lot of shoppers. One long time worker Jack Lightner is moving to Rosemount. He has graciously worked every year and really enjoyed doing a shift. Thanks Jack and to everyone who worked the Tootsie Roll Drive . The last social event of the year is the year end dinner. Let’s support this activity. The food is great, jokes sometimes good, (usually bad) but it is a fun night where we honor deserving Knights and families. Please sign up.
Have a good June.
Yours in Christ
Dick Dols
Grand Knight
Prayer Concerns
For Bill Murray, who is progressing from his stroke by doing therapy twice a week.
For Berindine Rude, sister of LeRoy Kulla, who passed away April 7th.
For Chris Ackermann, nephew of Jim Ackermann, who passed away at age 24 on May 13th.
We pray for these and all our members families and friends.
Installations of Officers
Date: June 26th
Place: St. Stephens Church in Anoka
FCC Room 1 to 4
Time: 7 pm Mass
8 pm Installation
Coffee and cake afterwards
Directions: Main Street to 3rd Ave
Tootsie Roll Campaign
Thanks again to the twenty-five knights and five ladies who helped in the Tootsie Roll Drive . The first weekend had three sites, Star Liquor, Wal-Mart and St. Tim’s church. The second weekend at Wal-Mart Riverdale did the best, due to the immense amount of people who came to shop. Monies collected were $3,386.06. The state deducts $20 per case of Tootsie Rolls so the council will donate $2,986.06 to Arc Greater Twin Cities. They are a nonprofit agency serving the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Carnival Needs
St. Tim’s Carnival is a week later this year the weekend of September 14, 15, & 16. The Silent Auction Committee is asking parish organizations from St. Tim’s to donate items. Gift baskets are a great item. Theme ideas: Golf, Wine and Dine, Service Baskets, Home Improvement, Baby, Sports, Entertainment, Outdoor Activity, Pets. Please bring items to a KC meeting this summer. If you have questions please call Gerald or Carol.
Notes of Interest
Just a reminder: the council has a wheel chair that members can use at no charge. Contact the Grand Knight.
The council web site is up and running. The e-mail address is www.kc5141.org.
The State Thirteenth Annual Family Camporee, will be held August 24 to 26 at Cannon Falls Campground. More information needed please call Duane Arett . More details in the July Guidepost.
Plans are underway to charter a bus to the Twins/Kansas City baseball game Monday night July 30th. Mark your calendars. Bus will leave St. Timothy parking lot at 6:15 with game at 7:10 More details in the July Guidepost.
Blaine’s Blazing 4th Parade
On Saturday June 23rd, we will be involved in the Blaine Blazing 4th parade The council is sponsoring a 4th degree float. We are looking for royalty to ride the float for this parade and possible other parades the 4th degree is involved in. We are looking for queens, princesses or any daughters or granddaughters of Knights. If you know of someone who fits this description, contact me. Ages of these ladies should be between fifteen and twenty-two. In addition, Knights and ladies from our council are needed to ride the float. Lunch, will be served at the staging area before the parade starts. We will meet at St. Tim’s parking lot at 10:30 am. Garry Hallman PGK/PFN.
A Note from
Stephen Villa
(Seminarian)
Dear Knights of Columbus of the Blaine/Coon Rapids Council,
As the school year winds rapidly to a close, I am grateful to all those who have
helped me in so many different ways. I am especially grateful to the Knights of
the Blaine/Coon Rapids Council not only for the financial support, but also for
the prayer support given to me. I am honored to be included among those who the
Knights help towards priestly ministry. As I am learning in my classes, the
priesthood is one of those many gifts that God gave for His People. It is a
gift of endless self-gift, in imitation of Jesus the High Priest. And in my
work at the parish, I am always impressed at the many different reasons why
parishioners love their priest, even his weaknesses as well as his strengths.
It is humbling to think that one day, I just might share in Christ's priesthood,
but I am encouraged at the faith of the people who want their parish priests to
be happy, holy and healthy. I pray daily that God would answer not only my
prayers to give me a true priestly heart, but also that He would answer the many
prayers given on our behalf.
This summer, I will spend time learning Spanish. There is also a two week
mission trip to our Archdiocesan sister parish in Venezuela . While there, we
will be in the company of Fr. Greg Schaefer, one of our own archdiocesan
priests, who is the pastor there. Not only will there be an opportunity to
immerse ourselves in the Spanish culture, we will also have the chance to learn
about priestly life and ministry in a third-world context. There will be
opportunities to learn about the unique challenges facing the Catholic faith for
the people in the diocese of Ciudad Guyana . I am looking forward to the trip
... to the time spent with the Venezuelan people learning about the intersection
between faith and culture and politics.
As for me, I am delighted to have attended the Ordination to the Transitional
Diaconate yesterday at the Basillica. I am very proud of the seven who were
ordained in that beautiful mass; I know that they will have a very exciting
summer serving as a deacon at the parish. I am also inspired by the witness of
friendship that they have given to me, knowing that next year, I will be in
their plan at the ordination. It's twelve months away, but it's only
twelve months away!!! I continue to pray in gratitude that, along with the
prayers of the Knights, the good work the Lord has begun in me will be brought
to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.
Insurance Corner
QUESTION: My wife and I recently had a KC agent explain long term care insurance to us. I'm afraid my wife might not qualify for it because of a recent stroke. However, the agent informed us about a program that will still give her discounted services. Can you please explain this further?
ANSWER: You must be referring to our affiliation with Life Plans Provider Pathway service. This allows immediate family members of Knights of Columbus Long Term Care insurance holders to obtain deep discounts on products and services that may be needed, even though they have no insurance with the Order. For example, even though your wife may be uninsurable she may still qualify for reduced rates on home care or nursing home services, wheelchairs, walkers, etc., simply because you own a Knights of Columbus Long Term Care policy. In fact, even your parents may receive discounts! Provider Pathways provides a full range of options for long term care at discounted rates to all Knights of Columbus Care policy holders, their spouses, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law. So, even if your loved ones are uninsurable it may still be a wise decision for you to purchase a Knights of Columbus Long Term Care program for yourself just so your loved ones can qualify for these incredible discounts. Call your agent for more details.
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 david.stanton@kofc.org or call at 651-633-6516. If you would prefer a personal reply, please be sure to provide your contact information.
Seminarian
Notes
By Frank Lona
My name is Frank Lona and I am 23 years old. I will be entering my second year of theology at the Saint Paul Seminary for the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis .
I was born and raised in Baldwin Park , CA a suburb of Los Angeles . I am the oldest in my family, with three younger sisters back in California . I grew up in a loving Hispanic, Catholic household, where my parents, Mom from El Salvador , Dad from Mexico , taught us the fundamentals of faith and took us to Mass every Sunday. I became an acolyte at a young age where serving instilled within me a profound curiosity in the activities of the priest. As I got older, I became involved with my parish youth group, Life Teen, an experience that changed my life and deepened my faith. My continued involvement with Life Teen and the parish community made me aware that God may be calling me to discern a deeper role in the Church. My pastor asked if I had ever considered priesthood and I began to think about it seriously. I thought about entering college seminary after graduating from high school, but decided to spend some time in college, independent of the seminary. After visiting the University of St. Thomas and discovering the Catholic Studies program, I became convinced Minnesota was where I need to be. I knew God’s providence was at work when I moved to the Cities and discovered St. Thomas was home to St. John Vianney College Seminary and the opportunity presented itself for me to enter. I spent two blessed years at Vianney, where the intense formation and active, enriching prayer life taught me what it means to be a Holy, Christian Man and deepened the idea of priesthood. I finished my time at Vianney having graduated in May ‘06 with a degree in Catholic Studies and minors in Philosophy and History.
The Church of St. Timothy has been assigned as my teaching parish for the next
four years and I am eager to get involved in the life of the parish, meet you
and learn from you all. Please keep me and my fellow seminarians in your
prayers.