MSGR. JAMES J. HICKIE COUNCIL 6695 October 2012 2

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Knights of Columbus

Newsletter

A message From Grand Knight Ron Davis

Brother Knights: In the September 2012 issue of Columbia Magazine, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson published

an extraordinary message from the Holy Father during the Supreme Convention. Our Holy Father has concerns regarding "unprecedented" and "new threats" to free exercise of religion in America by the current adminis tration's

mandates requiring health insurance to cover contraceptives, sterilization and abortion inducing drugs. The Knights of Columbus have opposed this administration's mandate because it forces Catholics and all Americans to participate in

actions that violate our conscience. In light of the upcoming elections, I encourage all Knights and their families to defend our fundamental human rights to life and religious liberty at your local voting precinct on November 6th, 2012.

May God Bless you and your family. Vivat Jesus !

Grand Knight Ron Davis

Newly Elected Board Members to the Bristol Columbian Center

On September 5, 2012, during the Knights of Columbus monthly meeting, elections were held to choose three new Board Members for the Bristol Columbian Center. Those elected to serve a three year term from 2012-15 include PGK Matthew Powell, David Mehl, and PGK Bill Davidson. We congratulate those newly elected members. Those departing

the Board include PGK Chuck Weisenburger, Jim Fiala, and Grand Knight Ron Davis. We sincerely appreciate their years of outstanding and dedicated service to the Bristol Columbian Center Board of Directors

and wish them all the best in the future.

Agent Kevin Van Dusen, FIC, FICF contact number 423.505.2827

Knights in Action...

On August 14, 2012 Bristol-Faith-In-Action had some of its usual, steady and dedicated volunteers working to help others in need. Pictured above (l) to (r) Toni Nohre who serves as Program Director for Bristol-Faith-In-Action and long time volunteers John Flanagan and Pat Flanagan. Many Knights and their wives, along with numerous parishioners from Saint Anne Catholic Church donate hundreds of hours to this great organization.

Congratulations to August 2012 "Knight of the Month" - Charlie Duff and also to August 2012 "Family of the Month" - Skeeter and Marylin Ritter

The Tricities Diaper Ministry is a central clearing house for diapers and incontinence supplies which centralizes the fundraising and distribution of free diapers to needy families. A diaper bank provides diapers to those families in need where no public assistance exists. Through a network of social service providers, the Diaper Bank prevents duplication of services, limits administrative spending, and prioritizes clients. In 2011 Tricities Diaper Ministry in

Bristol Virginia Tennessee was involved in giving away more than 32,500 individual diapers. If you or someone you know is in need of this service, you can go to Bristol-Faith-In-Action, Abortion Alternatives, or the Haven of Rest.

You can also visit the web page at www.tricitiesdiaperministry.org

Recently, Brother Samuel "Eddie" Jones, requested funds from the Knights of Columbus to purchase the above pictured trophy to begin a diaper war between Tennessee High School and Virginia High School.

We'll see who wins this new V-T rivalry!

Be sure to visit us at... www.facebook.com/kofc6695 or www.kofc-tn.org

Important Dates to Remember - Save the Dates

Monday. October 1 - K of C Officer's Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, October 1 - K of C Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 6 - Men's Communion Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.

Thursday, October 11 - Bristol Columbian Center Meeting at 7:00 p.m. (election of Officers)

Saturday, October 13 - Catholic Daughters Yard Sale at Bristol Columbian Center (all day)

Monday, October 15 - K of C Social Meeting 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 19 - Card Night at 7:00 p.m.

November Date Saturday, November 10 - 3rd Degree Exemplification at 10:00 a.m.

to be held at Bristol Columbian Center (coat and tie is appropriate dress for everyone present)

On August 20, 2012, the Knights of Columbus # 6695 and The Court of Our Lady of the Rosary # 2624, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, hosted a special social meeting. Guest speakers included retired (FBI) Special Agent

Derek Johnson, Digital Forensics, LLC and Sullivan County Tennessee Detective Matthew Price. The social meeting was a very informative presentation and discussion about Internet Crimes Against Children. Pictured above (l) to (r) are Gina Rossetti, Regent, Carol Reynolds, Legislative Chairlady, Derek Johnson, Matthew Price, and Ron Davis,

Grand Knight of Council 6695.

The above picture represents some of Tuesday night volunteers and workers for Saint Anne Charity Bingo. From (l) to (r) are Lee Kyle, Ron Davis, Greg Chudzik, Jim Kosinski, Art Morton, Don Keene, Clint Smith, and John Meyer

Thank you Brother Knights for your dedication, sacrifice, and hard work !

Below is a message from PGK Greg Chudzik

Principles of Knighthood

Brothers, as you well know, the core principles of our order are Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. For Council 6695, there

is no better way to practice these principles than to be a volunteer worker at St. Anne’s BINGO. Let me explain:

One of the major means by which we, as a Council, practice Charity is through our contributions to our Church, by

donating funds to various organizations, and giving of our time and efforts. BINGO brings in funds that supply significant

amounts of money to St. Anne Catholic Church. These funds help pay the mortgage on church property and contribute a

major part to the general fund of our parish. These funds also help our church meet the needs of many people throughout

our community. BINGO allows us, as a Council, to help support many charitable organizations. About 98% of our funds

distributed to charity come from Bingo operations.

We practice Unity when we work together at BINGO helping generate the funds which mean so much to our parish and

other needy organizations, and most of all, to Council 6695. We cannot achieve success at BINGO without a unified

workforce. With your efforts, and gracious acts of volunteerism, the Knights can provide that unified workforce.

If you have worked BINGO, you cannot help but notice the Fraternity of the workers. Some of our volunteers are there

every week and I guarantee you they look forward to those evenings of Fraternity while enjoying the company of Brother

Knights. An evening working in the bingo tip room always results in great camaraderie, with joking, teasing and all around

fraternal joy. As an example, the Tuesday evening crew love the times when we are extremely busy and resort to what is

called RGAO (Running Greg’s Tail Off).

We need your help and we need your involvement. Please consider spending one or two nights a month working with

your Brothers and other volunteers to further the work of our parish, to practice Charity, Unity, and Fraternity as Knights

of Columbus. Call Greg Chudzik at 423-335-0822 or Steve Harris at 276-685-6004 to volunteer.

VIVAT JESUS !

People you should know... Meet Brother Bill Atkinson

photo of Master Builders Plaque inside foyer of Bristol Columbian Center (includes Bill's name) Bill Atkinson was born on March 28, 1932 in Mt. Holly, New Jersey and has been married to his wife Sue since 1954. Bill earned his Business Degree from Rider University in Trenton, New Jersey in 1954. Bill also served in the United States Army, stationed with the 264th Artillery Battalion in Bad Kreuznach, West Germany from 1954 to 1956. Upon returning home in 1956, Bill began his long career with A.H. Schreiber Company. He moved his family to Bristol, Tennessee in

1965 while continuing his employment with the A. H. Schreiber Company/Gordon Garment Division in Bristol, Virginia as Assistant Plant Manager. Later, Bill became General Manager over Gordon Garment until his retirement in 1995.

Bill is a proud Charter Member of Council 6695 which formed in 1975. He has served as Lecturer and currently is a 4th

Degree Knight. Bill helped form the Bristol Columbian Center and served as its very first President. The Bristol Columbian Center building was originally a three bay maintenance garage and office complex owned by Flav-O-Rich, a

local dairy operation. The building was purchased from Flav-O-Rich in 1978. Bill tells the great story of how several Knights sacrificed their own money during this purchase process to buy the property. Renovations were started on the

building in 1979 and were completed within six to eight months. These renovations were completed by several members of Council 6695 (some you will read about in future newsletters). Bill further adds this project would not have been

possible or completed without the tremendous and generous efforts of Bill Burriss and Burwil Construction Company.

As a means to raise funds, the Knights of Columbus originally got involved and joined in with bingo operations at the request of the Bristol Elks Lodge. Bingo operated out of the Elks building which was located on Shelby Street in Bristol,

Tennessee. The Knights of Columbus and Elks parted ways and eventually bingo operations were established inside the Bristol Columbian Center. Unfortunately, bingo was outlawed in Tennessee so operations moved and are currently

played under the license of Saint Anne Charity Bingo in the MSGR. Hickie Center on Oakview Avenue in Bristol, Virginia.

Bill is very proud Council member and has enjoyed the growth of the Knights of Columbus membership to its current 190 members. As far as he knows, Council 6695 is the only Council with their own building from Knoxville, TN to Roanoke, VA. If you see Bill Atkinson at one of our meetings on Mondays or at Mass, please tell him how grateful we are for his early leadership, guidance, and dedication in starting and developing our Knights of Columbus Council 6695 and the

Bristol Columbian Center.

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Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen