Our Lady of Joy Council 12219 Newsletter

November 2017 Council Officers 2017-18 Grand Knight

Duane Cardamone Deputy Grand Knight

Ken Wyland Chaplain

Fr. Al Zapf Chancellor

Rob Cecchetti Recorder

Carl Vitalbo Financial Secretary

Sal Altomare Treasurer

Rich Wegrzyn Advocate

Steve Winslow Lecturer

Wally Barton Warden

Bill Paiano Inside Guard

Jon Creighan Outside Guard

Ken Saybel Outside Guard

Adam McLaughlin Trustee 1 Year

Lou DeFabio Trustee 2 Year

Bob Carozza Trustee 3 Year Don Jackson

FROM THE GRAND KNIGHT I am thankful for so many blessings in my life, my family, friends, our health, my Catholic Faith. I am sure many of you are thankful for similar blessings as well. A new blessing came to me after last week’s Business Meeting- our Council. We have a great group of Catholic men who strive to makes other’s lives better. As I thought about what we accomplished in that meeting it made me proud to be a Knight and especially proud of Council #12219. As a summation for those in attendance and those who could not be at the meeting, here is what we have Paid Forward to those in our Community and in need of assistance: -Donation to the PA Special Olympics to help those challenged with a disability of one form or another to accept a life challenge and compete in a test of physical & mental strength. Win or Lose, our donation will fund a true Champion. We need to be thankful for their spirit to compete and to not let their disability defeat them. -Coats for Kids: We have purchased 24 coats for local children who are less fortunate or whose family has come upon hard times. We can be thankful and feel blessed that our contribution will keep these children warm this Winter. With the help of the Plum Police 24 needy children will be selected to receive these coats. Hopefully their parent(s) are relieved that their child will have a new jacket to shield them during the upcoming cold months. A small donation on our part- A big relief for a well deserving family. -One Bread, One Body: 50 Daily Prayer booklets for our Members and for the Church Community. This is such a simple gesture but it’s impact can be life changing to the recipient. Reading the daily Prayer can bring hope and happiness, the ultimate outcome is personal inspiration and a deeper, truer Faith. Each Prayer will mean something different to all who read it, but ultimately its effect will be positive reflection, greater self evaluation and a stronger belief in your Faith. Each person then has the opportunity to spread that lesson to everyone they meet. From a simple gesture we can spread God’s word to many. -Toys for Tot’s: Again this year we will bring happiness and a smile to many children’s faces on Christmas morning. Our Church Community is so loving and giving to those in need that they will fill the boxes full of wonderful memories for these children. We will work with the Marines to bring these blessings to so many families. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that we bring so much joy to many Communities. The good will we spread is our reward. -KoC Scholarship: The approval to fund two $1,000 Scholarships for any Son, Daughter, Grandson, Granddaughter of a Knight is a great step forward for our Council. We will afford the opportunity for two qualified candidates to earn this financial start to their future. We have added a non-collegiate category in order to give non-college bound candidates an equal opportunity to earn a scholarship . So if your child’s dream is to be a Cosmetologist, Pipe Fitter, Beautician or Mechanic they can qualify to receive this reward. We need to be excited for the opportunity we are affording all of these children. In all of these cases we are offering a hand up to children and adults, hopefully this becomes a step forward in their lives, one they will repay in the future. Gentlemen I am so proud of our Council for affording these opportunities to so many different groups, I am honored to be your Brother Knight. We are a Family of God and we provide for God’s children as best we can. God Bless you and your Family, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Duane Cardamone Grand Knight VIVAT JESUS

• Charity • Unity

• Fraternity • Patriotism

MISSSION STATEMENT Our Lady of Joy Parish, Knights of Columbus Council #12219, is a brotherhood of Catholic gentlemen. The Council provides an opportunity for fellowship with men who hold the same beliefs, values and priorities in life and in God. We are dedicated to the support of our brothers, their families, our parish, the community, our country and the Catholic Faith. Our charitable work, worship and devotion are unified as we focus on the four principles of our Order; Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

FROM THE CHAPLAIN

The tornado that hit our parish grounds on November 19th in the wee hours of the morning went through some of the plugs and affected some devices in the rectory and office area, leaving us with no heat, power, internet, TV and lights for about a day, and yet it seemed like a longer time since I was used to all of these things. While I was in the midst of darkness, thinking ‘POOR DISPICABLE ME’, I spoke to someone I know from another parish and they said they had spoken to a former fellow worker in Puerto Rico, and the area he was from still had no power after 7 weeks since the hurricane season. Imagine, no heat or cooling, no refrigeration, no TV, no lights, no internet, etc. for all that time, and perhaps still some are without it.

We recently gave special THANKS for our many blessings, and I have so much to be thankful for, but at the same time I think and pray about those whose lives have been negatively affected for quite a while because of disasters and attacks. Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays, no matter how far away we roam…. Even home can be a place of sorrow and worry if there are difficulties. The Advent Season of the Church year is upon us, as we prepare the way of the Lord. Part of our preparing is to help reduce the suffering and sorrow of the world around us, even if the most we can do is pray for others, and perhaps donate to causes. Our parish is so special with the way we respond to the needy with a constant rhythm, seemingly never missing a beat: a hurricane here, another there, flooding, tragedies of great proportions, even a collection for the retired religious, coats for the needy, Angel Tree gifts, and now Toys-for-Tots call out to us and we respond. A Thanksgiving lunch, a Christmas brunch seeking volunteers of food, cooks, set up, break down, rides to and from, a companion to sit with, people to eat and enjoy themselves, are all part of the make-up of OUR LADY OF JOY, and many of those who plan and help are Brother Knights and their families. As we celebrate Advent, we pray, we sacrifice of ourselves, we give, and we do also receive, (often by just giving) but all in the name and memory of the greatest gift ever given, the SON OF GOD, JESUS, BORN INTO THE WORLD to save us from our sins. He is Emmanuel, God is with us. On that first night the shepherds had the good news announced to them by the angels, Mary and Joseph found no room in the Inn, and so they went to a nearby stable, where their baby was born and placed in the manger. They too were without warmth, lights, water or food. As time went on the Wise Men came and presented great gifts. Something, someone different had been born into the world. God became a human being, and LOVE DWELT AMONGST US. From that time onward, when people hear of a need, a cry, a suffering, a hunger, a child with fear, an elderly person unsure to take a step, people in our neighborhood or far away with problems, we know the Lord is near to help them and we too respond with LOVE. May CHRISTMAS bring Joy to the world, so COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU. God Bless You, FR. AL ZAPF+ Chaplain

COMBINED MASS Brother Knights joined the Holy Name Society and Ladies Guild for the Combined Mass on November 12. The Combined Mass takes place on the 2nd Sunday of every month at the 10:00am Mass. Please join our Council brothers and their families sitting in the left-front pews.

UPCOMING EVENTS 12.07: Officer/Agenda Meeting, 7:00p, Church Hall 12.08: Council Christmas Party, 6:00p, Church Hall 12.10: Combined Mass, 10:00a 12.21: Business Meeting, 7:00p, Church Hall 12.23: Decorate Church for Christmas, 9:00a 12.25: Christmas Day 12.31: New Year’s Eve 01.01: New Year’s Day 01.04: Officer/Agenda Meeting, 7:00p, Church Hall 01.14: Combined Mass, 10:00a 01.18: Business Meeting, 7:00p, Church Hall 01.21: Blood Drive, 8:00a-2:00p, Church Hall 01.26: Nite @ the Races, 6:00p, Church Hall

GOOD OF THE ORDER Please keep these Brothers in your prayers: • Lou & Rose Hribik • Joe Joyce • Lou MaFrice • Joe Mele • Jim Morris • Phil Morrison • Joe Olszewski • Ken Tronsberg

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Ken Gress 12.05 Frank Siatkosky 12.07 Tony Castellano 12.12 Fr. Dave Driesch 12.13 Bill Stoops 12.16 Dan O’Neill 12.18 John Fritz 12.20 Nick Acquaviva 12.22 Wally Barton 12.23 Chris Rodocker 12.24 Mike Siatkosky 12.28 Brian Novak 12.30

NOVEMBER 16 BUSINESS MEETING HIGHLIGHTS GK Report: • The GK welcomed new Brother Bob Theiss attending his first meeting. Chaplain’s Report • . Membership: • The Council has 143 members; 96 Associate, 43 Insurance and 4 Inactive. Goals: 10 Members/2 Actual; 3 Insurance/0 Actual. Chancellor Report: • 50 One Bread/One Body pamphlets were received. Some were distributed to those in attendance and the rest will be placed in the

Church Vestibule for parishioner use. Church: • The Church will be decorated for Christmas on December 23 at 9:15a. • The new Parish website is operational. The website address is OurLadyofJoy.org. Visit our Council’s section on the website. Community: • The Adopt-A-Highway litter collection on October 24 collected 6 bags of litter. • The next Blood Drive is tentatively scheduled for January 21, 2018. • The next Nite at the Races is scheduled for January 26, 2018. Ticket sales and sponsor solicitation will begin in December. • Two cartons of winter coats, 12 boy and 12 girl sizes, were purchased for the Coats for Kids Program. The coats will be distributed by

the Plum Police Department to needy children in the area. Council: • The PGK Dinner occurred on November 10 at Bella Luna Restaurant. Nine Brothers gathered to thank and honor PGK Don Jackson for

his service to the Council. • The Combined Mass is scheduled for December 10 at 10:00am. All brothers in attendance are requested to sit in the left front pews. Family: • The Council Christmas Party is scheduled for December 8 in the Church Hall. The event will be catered by Jaden’s. We will be having

the Gift Exchange and Toys-for-Tots collection at the party. Youth: • The Council discussed increasing the Scholarship Program to include another $1,000 to be awarded to high school graduates pursuing

technical or trade professions. Respect for Life: • The Penny Collection on November 11-12 took in $1,235 for St. Anthony’s and McGuire Home. • The final Tootsie Roll Drive for 2017 is scheduled for November 18 at Shop-N-Save on Rt. 286. New Business: • The Council approved a motion to add another $1,000 Scholarship for high school graduates pursuing technical or trade professions. At

the discretion of the Scholarship Committee, the scholarships can be awarded to each discipline, college or technical/trade, or both scholarships can be awarded to qualified applicants in one discipline.

• The Council approved a $200 donation to the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics receive 100% of the monies received. District Deputy: • Pete Moughan Jr. is the District Deputy for our area.

PAST GRAND KNIGHT DINNER On November 10th Brother Knights gathered to show our thanks and appreciation to our latest Past Grand Knight Don Jackson. The celebration took place at Bella Luna Restaurant in Murrysville. In attendance were Brothers Jim Kelly, Duane Cardamone (current GK), Steve Winslow (PGK), Mark Tierno (PGK), Don Jackson (PGK), Lou DeFabio (PGK), Rich Wegrzyn (PGK), John Amato, Ken Wyland (DGK) and Lou Strazzer. Several spouses were also in attendance.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS Once again our Council will be helping to decorate the church for Christmas on Saturday, December 23 starting at 9:00a. All members are invited to come out to help. Family members are welcome too, especially older children who can crawl and climb where us older guys can no longer go. Hope to see you there! Contact Brother Len DiGirolamo at 412.795.1182 or 412.334.1998 or email pghracer@gmail.com for more information.

PENNY COLLECTION Chairman Ken Wyland conducted a Penny Collection after all masses the weekend of November 11-12. This was the 2nd collection this year for St. Anthony's School for Exceptional Children and the McGuire Home. Thanks to the following Brother Knights for collecting donations after the masses; Adam McLaughlin (with daughter Brenna and son Brady), Matt Diss, Dave Graboski, Bill Paiano, Ron Fisher, Don Smith, Jim Fisher, John Amato, Rich Wegrzyn, Don Stanczak and Bob Marks. Thanks also to all the Brother Knights who contributed to the collection. We had a GOOD weekend by collecting $1,235 for St Anthony's School and McGuire Home.

TOOTSIE ROLL DRIVE ACHIEVES GOAL Our 4th and final Tootsie Roll Drive of the 2017 campaign occurred on a rainy Saturday, November 18 in front of Shop-N-Save on Rt. 286. We collected $550, bringing our total for 2017 to $2,503. We achieved our goal of $2,500. All proceeds benefit St. Anthony School for Exceptional Children and the McGuire Home. This achievement is due to the dedication and cooperative spirit of Brothers Tim Samaroo, Duane Cardamone, Rob Cecchetti, Dave Graboski, Pat Shields, Jim Kelly and Jim Cummings who volunteered their time and energy for a worthy cause. Chairman Carl Vitalbo extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to ALL the Brothers who volunteered throughout this year’s campaign to make it a success. Well done!!!

ACTIVITY PLANNING SCHEDULE We have a very active Council. When too many activities and events occur in the same month, it strains our manpower and resources. To better coordinate our events and minimize the impact of too many activities, we follow an Activity Planning Schedule. The chart below lists the events, the Chairman and target week of occurrence. An exact date is not required for planning purposes. The planning schedule is updated yearly at the Officer/Director meeting. Please provide any corrections, recommendations, comments, suggestions or concerns to the Deputy Grand Knight Ken Wyland.

Please forward any articles, corrections, comments or suggestions to Carl Vitalbo at 70flyer@gmail.com

Would you like to find out more about becoming a Knight? Contact our Council’s Membership Director, Don Stanczak @ (724) 327-0067

2017-18 ACTIVITY PLANNING SCHEDULE

CODE EVENT Chairman JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

COM Adopt A Highway B. Marks WK1 WK1 WK1 WK1

CH Angel Tree Grand Knight WK1

COU Biscotti Sales* M. Tierno WK2 WK2

COU Bishops Project Dinner Grand Knight WK2

COM Blood Drive B. Marks

COU Chapter Meeting Grand Knight

CH Christmas Church Decoration Len DiGirolamo WK3

FAM Christmas Party J. DelloStritto WK2

COU COAL Tickets* M.Tierno

COM Coat Drive Grand Knight

COU Combined Communion Mass Grand Knight WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2 WK2

YOU Easter Bunny Lunch B. Carozza WK1

CH Easter Church Decoration Len DiGirolamo WK1

COU Fish Bake* Winslow/DelloStritto WK3-4 WK1-4 WK1-2

COU Football Sweeps* M. Tierno

COM Golf Outing* B. Pembrooke WK2 WK2

CH Ground Maintenance OLOJ M. Tierno WK3

COU Installation of Officers/PGK Dinner Grand Knight WK2

YOU Lunch with Santa B. Carozza WK2

COU Membership/Mens Nite Out D. Stanczak WK2

COM Night at the Races* M. Tierno WK1

CH Parish Festival DiGirolamo/Allman WK2

RFL Penny Collection K. Wyland WK1 WK1

COU Pirate Game/Tailgate Grand Knight WK4

COM Plum Community Days* Winslow/Allman WK4

YOU Scholarship Award B. Carozza WK1 WK1

YOU Seminarian Dinner B. Carozza WK3

FAM Soup Night J. DelloStritto WK2

RFL Tootsie Roll Drive C. Vitalbo WK4 WK1 WK1 WK3

FAM Wives Appreciation Dinner J. DelloStritto WK1

* Indicates Fund Raisers Day/Week Code 1-7 WK1 8-14 WK2 15-21 WK3 22-31 WK4

ONE BREAD/ONE BODY As mentioned during the Business Meeting, our Council obtained 50 copies of the One Bread/One Body pamphlets for use by Council members and Parishioners. In addition, there is an electronic format that you may sign-up to receive a daily email version of the One Bread/One Body subscription. The online link to sign up for the daily email is:

http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp Copy and paste the address in your browser. On the site, you will see an ‘Email List Sign Up’ window to enter your email address and select the One Bread/One Body option.