Pro Life Mass
There will be a vigil Mass at St. John the Beloved Church on Milltown Road, Monday January 21 at 6:30 p.m., anticipating the March For Life the next day in Washington, D.C. Bishop Saltarelli will preside. Color Corps will be there.  Please join us.

We are all aware that Pro-choice is a play on words that is causing the loss of 1.6 million lives a year through abortion. Pro-choice is no choice. It is always death to the baby.

29^th March For Life in Washington, D.C.
To take part in the March For Life from northern New Castle County, bus reservations can be arranged through parishes or through Delaware Right to Life Inc. described here.

Gregg Bus reservations can be made by calling Moira Sheridan (302)478-5469 by January 15. Cost is $15 per person in advance and $20 the day of the march. Family rate is $40. The buses depart from behind Strawbridge’s at the Christiana Mall at 8 a.m.  Tuesday January 22^nd and return at approximately 6 p.m.

Marchers are speaking out for those who cannot speak. They are a voice for the over 40 million unborn babies aborted since the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973.

Chaplain’s Appreciation Night
An evening of fraternal hospitality with our council chaplains, 7 p.m. January 31^st at St. Pius X Council, Scott and Lancaster Streets in Wilmington. Cost is $27 per person. Contact PGK Richard Pedicone for further information at (302)368-4806.

Winter Getaway
PSD Bob Willey reports that 42 rooms have been reserved for the February Winter Getaway weekend February 1-3 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth. Besides the usual convivial weekend activities the Knights and ladies will be able to watch the Polar Bear Plunge close up. To that end a 4 p.m. Sunday checkout has been arranged.

Star of the Sea Council Luncheon
On Sunday February 3^rd Star of the Sea Council will host a luncheon for the Polar Bear swimmers, their families and cheering friends. It will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Edmond’s Church hall, in Rehoboth at King Charles and Laurel Streets (three blocks from Rehoboth Avenue; turn right on First Street). Knights and spouses attending the Winter Weekend Get-Away are cordially invited. Enjoy lunch and fellowship.

A donation of $5 for adults and $2.50 for children is suggested but not required. All drinks will be complimentary. For further directions, questions or comments contact GK. Jim Ryan at (302)541-0928.

Past State Deputies Scholarship Raffle
PSD Donald Wonchoba has been visiting the councils in northern Delaware distributing raffle tickets. Ticket cost is $10. There will 10 weeks of winners with drawings starting March 23 and ending June 1.

Last year $500 awards were given to 42 of the neediest parochial school families. School principals selected the recipients.  If every Knight in Delaware bought or sold one ticket, the raffle proceeds would exceed the number of awards given in 2000.

Free Throw Contest
During January and February council and district level competitions for 5^th through 8^th grade basketball players should occur. The best free throw shooters will face off at the finals on March 24^th at St. Peter’s School in New Castle. Players should arrive by 12:30 p.m. Competition will commence at 1 p.m.

Ronald McDonald House 
As you know, children from around the country (and beyond), regularly come to A.I. Dupont Hospital for their exceptional expertise. What you may not realize is the stress to which family members are subject in traveling and staying in the Wilmington area while their child or sibling undergoes special care. Under these circumstances, seeing someone sick is very troubling. Seeing their child suffer is heartbreaking.

The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) is a home away from home for many of these families who need a comforting place in their time of need. RMH is just what is needed, a home in which to relax after spending a long day at the hospital.

This is where the good Knights of Delaware come in. Northern councils volunteer to bring or cook a meal for these families staying at RMH (usually about 40 persons in total). A good dinner and caring people are not a cure for their child, but a source of needed comfort and care for families under great stress.

Personally, I like to bring the meal’s ingredients and cook there. The aroma of the meal being prepared adds to the exceptional environment the staff cultivates, making RMH a soothing place to be – almost like home.

Whenever we go to RMH and see the challenges these families face, we realize, and thank God for, our own good fortune. It is time to share that good fortune and remember our Order’s dedication to Charity. Take part in this worthy activity and comfort these people in need. For your council’s reserved date, contact:

                        John Panfile GK.
                        Christopher Council #3182
                        Ronald McDonald House Chairman
                        tel. (610)497-3716

Dates Available: Mar 9, Apr 7, May 11, Jun 23, Jul 13, Aug 25, Sep 14, Oct 27, Nov 16, Dec 22

Tootsie Roll Drive
State Chairman Henry Cowell requests that each Grand Knight appoint a Tootsie Roll chairman and report his name via e mail: hfcowell@aol.com by January 31st: Or,

                                    Henry F. Cowell II
                                    16 Holly Tree Circle
                                    Newark, DE 19702
                                    tel. (302)738-3287

At the same time provide Henry with the number of cases of tootsie rolls needed. There are 300 tootsie rolls in a case. Tootsie Rolls will be distributed to all councils at the March State officer’s meeting in Dover. GK’s should bring their chairman to the March meeting.

The scheduled days for the statewide Tootsie Roll Drive are the weekend of April 6,7.

Rosaries
Knights from Our Lady of Fatima Council assist at the Veterans Hospital in Elsmere, DE  report that Rev. Sean Connery, who is chaplain there, has been giving out rosaries at the rate of 20 per month to patients. Councils wishing to supply rosaries or contribute cash should contact GK. Ralph Rossi (302)325-3002

Rosaries are needed for the Dover Air Force Base too. Contact GK. Chuck Beck (302) 492-3321 or DD Frank Rolla (302)697-7523 if you can help.

K of C Heroes Fund
Our Order has given $3,000 to over 400 families of police officers, firefighters or emergency medical technicians who lost their life in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The checks went to the families of these deceased heroes whether or not they were Catholic or members of the Knights.

Using its network of insurance agents in the New York metropolitan area, Heroes checks began to be distributed September 14.

“We did what we set out to do on September 12”, said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. “Guided by out tenets of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, we saw a need and responded quickly, efficiently and compassionately. Our immediate assistance helped more than 400 families, and our prayers for them and their lost heroes continue to this day.”

More than 40 victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington were members of the Knights of Columbus, including more than a dozen New York firefighters and police officers.

Councils wishing to donate to the Heroes Fund should send checks payable to the Knights of Columbus Heroes Fund. Send donations to:

                Knights of Columbus Heroes Fund
                c/o Supreme Master’s Office
                1 Columbus Plaza
                New Haven, CT 06510-3326

From the Membership Director
Congratulations, we are at a level of new members that has never been achieved in Delaware’s history.  We are anxiously awaiting the January numbers from Supreme but our calculations put us at about 120 new members for the first half of the fraternal year. 

This is 20% greater than it has ever been before at this time of the year.  This is really great, not because of the record but because we need a constant flow of the fresh ideas and excitement that new members bring with them.

K of C families are evangelists.  They follow Christ's commandments by serving their fellowmen, especially those less fortunate.  In the year 2000 Knights combined to give $116.1 million and 56.7 million hours of volunteer service to a wide range of Church, community and youth programs.  Right here in Delaware, Knights gave $168,000 and 117,000 hours of volunteer service.

All of this points to the commitment and effort that comes naturally to Knights and their families in Delaware.  In itself that is a celebration of "Faith, Family, Fraternity."  To make that record even better in the years ahead we must grow.  We want every eligible Catholic man and his family to celebrate with us by sharing in the commitment, the joys of the rewards of Columbianism.

Yes! "Faith, Family, Fraternity" -- that's what the Knights of Columbus is all about. Can you see a friend or relative in that picture?  I invite you to share in this vision and the many benefits membership in the Order offers.  How about it?  Right here and right now make the commitment to "Celebrate -- Faith, Family, Fraternity" ask every eligible man you know to join!  Bring that name to your Grand Knight and Membership Director, they will help you with the details.

K of C Bowling
There is a 12 team K of C bowling league that meets on Friday nights at the Bowlerama Lanes in New Castle. Councils wishing to add a team for next year should call Brother Bill Baker (302)998-6526. Bowlers willing to participate as a substitute can also call Bill for information.

St. Patrick’s Dance
Holy Angels Council #12104 will be holding a St. Patrick’s Dance on Saturday March 16 from 7:30 to midnight. A traditional Irish dinner, beer soda and DJ dancing are included in the $20 per person admission. Proceeds will benefit the Capital Campaign for the new Holy Angels Church.

Please join the Holy Angel Knights for an evening of good food, fun and fellowship. Contact Martin Reynolds (302)368-9753, Joe Blaszkow (32)234-0188 or Bob Kwoka (610)255-5653 for tickets.

Blue Mass
Councils are urged to have a Mass said in honor of the Police and Firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty especially in the attack on the World Trade Center buildings. Grand Knights should notify State Deputy Herb Casalena of the time and place.

Resolutions
Councils must submit resolutions for 2002 State Convention to State Advocate Jim Gardner by February 25. Resolutions must be approved by councils prior to their submission to the State.

Seminarian Fund
State Seminarian Chairman Ken Smith requests that councils sponsoring RSVP checks for a seminarian and/or making a donation to the Seminarian fund, send him a report stating what was done during this Columbian year.

Service Program Awards
Grand Knights should look ahead and prepare now for the submission of the Service Projects forms at the March State officers meeting. The form is in the Forms Booklet and needs to be reproduced so a service project can be submitted for each of the 5 categories: Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth.

Parish Round Table
Councils serving more than one parish should be involved in a round table with the pastors of their churches. Grand Knights should check with their District Deputy about reporting on this matter. Coordinating projects between parishes is the objective.

Fourth Degree Exemplification
On Saturday, June 15, 2002, third degree Brother Knights have the opportunity to dedicate themselves to our fourth principle, Patriotism. They will thereby formally take on the additional responsibility of dedication to our great country and its principles of freedom and equality, and our inalienable rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The Exemplification of the Fourth Degree, will take place at a location still to be finalized, but will follow the traditional schedule beginning with registration at 10 a.m. followed by Mass, Lunch, Ladies Luncheon, Exemplification and banquet.

The Exemplification will be held in honor of Former Master and Past State Deputy, Jack Raughley, and will be attended by Bishop Saltarelli.

Any Brother Knight who has taken the first three degrees by June 15, 2002 and who has taken his First Degree at least six months before (prior to December 15, 2001), is eligible.

Applications and more information are available from Faithful Navigators (4^th Degree Grand Knight equivalents) and most 4^th degree members.

Please consider becoming a Sir Knight, and receive the challenges, but more importantly, the rewards of membership in the Fourth Degree. Let this be your answer to the question so many of us asked on September 11, “What can I do to help?”.

                        Mike Panfile
                        Faithful Master
                        District of Delaware 

Note: Candidates applying for the Fourth Degree must use Form 4 dated 10/99. Assemblies should discard all application forms with an earlier date to avoid having to resubmit.

Delaware State Knights of Columbus License Plates
Although KC license plates have been available for several years, it shocked me to find out that only 200 plates have been issued.  That's not quite 6% participation in a very low cost program to promote the order and show your personal dedication to the Knights of Columbus.

So what does 6% participation mean?  Well for starters there are 9 council numbers available and 42 numbers under 100!  Not to mention 9,649 other possibilities... So get yours today!  KC plates can be displayed on any vehicle up to 10,000 pounds and you may have one for each car that you own or lease. Unlike other vanity tags which have annual fees of up to $50.00, a KC plate is available for a one-time fee of only $10.00!  Where else can you get so much for so little?  For more information or to place an order, please contact Ken Kirk at 302.834.1288 or

Delaware Knight Articles
Send information to:
Hank Steenkamer via e mail: hsteenkamer@cs.com or to Andy Woitko: woitko1@home.com

Knights of Columbus Insurance
The knights of Columbus is offering a terrific interest rate on it’s tax-deferred annuity.  We are currently paying 5.40% on any deposit of $10,000 or more and 5.15% on any amounts between $300 and $10,000.  Our annuity can also accept rollovers, transfers, etc. from bank  CDs or any 401K or IRA account.

The order’s insurance program is rated ‘AAA’ by Standard and Poors and ‘A++  by A.M. Best Ratings.  These are the two top ratings in the industry.

Please contact your Field Agent assigned to your council to receive more information on this great opportunity.  If you are not sure which agent represents your council, please call me at (732) 237-0903 and I will be able to help you.

                        Fraternally,
                        Bob McGeehan
                        General Agent Delaware

Field Agents

Paul Brandt                   302-324-9300
James Mullen, Jr.          302- 373-0372
Richard Gill                   610-485-8550