Vol.  59 - No. 6                                                                                                                                                       March / April

Delaware Knight
News for the Delaware Knights of Columbus
Also on the internet - http://kofc-de.org

Next Edition – May / June                                     Editors:  Henry Steenkamer & Andrew Woitko  

State Chaplain’s Message

During the holy season of Lent, we journey to Easter.  In life we journey to our Easter, our eternity.  This season of grace is a time for us to follow Christ daily, deny ourselves, and to take up our cross.  Luke 9:23 Jesus said “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Only in the gospel of St. Luke do we find the word “daily” in Christ’s invitation to discipleship.  When Luke wrote his gospel the focus was on the daily demands of Christian living rather than on imminent martyrdom.

The journey we are invited to take may include failure to live up to the ideals of discipleship or the reluctance to carry the cross when we feel tired, discouraged or hurt.  Like St. Peter, we may deny Jesus when faced with danger or ridicule, or even betray him as Judas did, for money.

The trouble with life is that it is so daily.  The grind, the boredom, the fatigue, the clash of personalities in the working place, the struggle with traffic, the noise all these make up part of the terrible daily routine.

The journey doesn’t get easier when we face old age.  Only when we’ve experienced arthritis, cataracts, faltering steps, sleeplessness, or hearing loss do we realize that the cross remains a challenging part of our journey until our last breath.

No one has to walk this path alone.  Jesus promised to walk with us and our brother Knights  when we need His help.

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

A fruitful Lent and a joyful Easter,

                        Vivat Jesus
                        Father Philip L. Siry
                        State Chaplain

State Deputy’s Message
It’s great being a Knight of Columbus”

As of the end of January, Delaware continues to lead its’ Division in net growth with 111 new members.  Congratulations to all the new Third Degree members who were knighted in New Castle on February 24^th.  Thanks to the ceremonial team for a great degree and to Bishop Becker Council for serving as host.

Thanks to all who attended the Chaplains’ Night last month.  Over twenty priests and deacons attended … what a wonderful evening of “Solidarity with our Priests.”  Supreme Knight Carl Anderson states that just as vital as charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism to the life of our Order is our “fifth” principle of “respect for the priesthood.”

The winter weekend getaway in Rehoboth was an enjoyable time, particularly for those of us who elected not to take the plunge with the polar bears.  Star of the Sea Council hosted a great warm-up for the bears and us observers.

Dover Council’s Home in Camden is host for our State  Officers’ Meetings for both February and March.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help cooked dinner for 70 attendees in February and Dover Council will be in the kitchen for the March meeting on March 14^th.  The tootsie rolls should be picked up at the March meeting for the statewide Mental Retardation Drive scheduled for the weekend of April 6-7.

“It’s great being a Knight of Columbus”.

                                    Fraternally Yours,
                                    Herbert T. Casalena
                                    State Deputy

Supreme Director’s Message
In Service to One… In Service to All

In a few weeks on March 29 the Knights of Columbus will mark the 120th anniversary of our founding in 1882.  Throughout these 120 years the Order has served our Church, family, communities and our country. Everywhere I travel with the Knights of Columbus I see local knights in service, but nowhere am I prouder to see knights and their families giving of their time and resources than here in Delaware. The Delaware knights are active as councils, families and individuals in many charitable and noble causes accomplished effectively, yet quietly and without fanfare.

Examples include promoting religious vocations through an annual student essay contest; participating in RSVP and raising funds to support our Seminarians; marching shoulder to shoulder at the March for Life in Washington; serving in the Fourth Degree Color Corps for a deceased brother knight; selling raffle tickets for Catholic education scholarships; supporting local and foreign missions at our Mission Breakfast; coordinating the statewide “souper-bowl” and other local food drives for our parish and community outreach programs; running soccer, declamation, free-throw and track competitions for our youth; leading the polar bear plungers into freezing Atlantic waters to raise money for Special Olympics; sponsoring an art auction that benefits the Bayard House and a bowling tournament that benefits Mom’s House; cooking a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for families staying at Ronald McDonald House; diligently helping our disabled veterans attend Sunday Mass at the VA Hospital; collecting funds outside a local supermarket for our statewide Mental Retardation drive; delivering dozens of donated pies to the Emmanuel Dining Room in time for Christmas dinner.

These are just some of the many charitable actions and good works done by Delaware knights. May we always in Delaware and throughout our honored Order proudly remain “in service to one… in service to all.”

                        Vivat Jesus!
                        Vincent L. DiLeonardo, PSD
                        Supreme Director
                        State Ceremonials Chairman

The Master’s Corner
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.

Interested candidates can get applications or more information  from  the Faithful Navigators of the five Assemblies in Delaware or any Sir Knight will be glad to help.

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?”

                        Michael F. Panfile, PSD
                        Faithful Master
                        District of Delaware

Important 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.

Congratulations to Second Degree Knights
There were back-to-back Second Degrees on January 28th at Holy Family Church and on the 29th at Dover Council. A total of 52 men received the honors of the Second Degree. The degree honorees were on the 28^th Manuel A. Velez, on the 29^th Rev. Christopher W. LaBarge.

Breakfast of Champions
On Sunday March 3rd the 45^th Annual Breakfast of Champions for the Missions will be held at Christ Our King Church, 28^th and Madison streets in Wilmington. Bishop Michael Saltarelli will celebrate  the 10:00 A.M. Mass. Breakfast will follow in the newly renovated hall below the church. Bishop Saltarelli will present the awards to the young champions representing the schools or religious education programs with the highest contributions to the missionary cause.. .

Breakfast tickets will be mailed in advance to families and children representing schools, all others will pay at the door.  The cost of the breakfast is only  $5.00 per person.

State Deputy Dr. Herbert T. Casalena announced that in keeping with discussion at our last Convention this program will be renamed “The William J. McClafferty, III, Breakfast of Champions for the Missions.”  PSD McClafferty was very instrumental in starting this program and will be honored by having his name permanently associated with the Missions Breakfast.

PSD Pietro A. Giorgi and Mark A. Fontana, GK of Bishop Monahan Council are General Chairmen for the 2002 event. They succeed PSD William F. Galloway Jr. who chaired this event for many years.

Mental Retardation Drive
State Mental Retardation Drive Chairman, Henry Cowell has ordered the tootsie rolls for the entire State of Delaware. They will be distributed at the State Officers meeting at Dover Council on March 14^th.  Each council needs to have a member on hand  to pick up their share. The scheduled days for the statewide Mental Retardation Drive are April 6 and 7.

Chaplain’s Night
Chairman Richard Pedicone reported this year’s Chaplain’s Night had the largest turnout ever. Over twenty priests and deacons attended the affair at St. Pius X Council along with 80 Knights. A Surf and Turf dinner was prepared by Master Chef Sergio Pellegrino,  and  all clergy received a leather carrying  case.  An evening to remember!

Governor’s Reply Regarding  Pornography
State of Delaware
Office of the Governor

October 22,2001

Dear Mr. Casalena:

Thank you for your letter asking for a proclamation of Pornography Awareness Week.  I appreciate hearing from you.

I regret that I am hesitant to issue the proclamation you have requested. While I personally find pornography distasteful, I recognize that there are many adults who disagree and use pornographic material legally and without harming others.  I believe that it is important to protect the rights of those individuals, even though I do not share their tastes.  I understand your views that pornography may undermine some of the family and community values that we hold dear.  I believe that the best way to fight for those values, though, is to continue to advocate policies that reinforce families and pull communities together.  To that end I remain firmly committed.

Thank you again for contacting me.  I hope that you understand my position in this matter and will continue to contact me on issues of concern.

                                    Sincerely,
                                    Ruth Ann Minner
                                    Governor

No comment needed.

Resolutions
Councils must submit resolutions to State Advocate, Jim Gardner by February 25^th for the State Convention in May. Councils must approval each resolution by vote prior to submission.  The Resolutions/Good of the Order meeting will be held at St. Pius X Council home at Scott Street and Lancaster Avenue in Wilmington on Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 PM.

Service Program Awards
Each council can (and should) submit a service project for consideration as the best in Delaware in the each of the five categories: Church, Community, Council Family and Youth. The submission form is in the Forms Booklet. There is only one form so make enough copies for all five categories. The forms must be presented at the State Officers meeting on March 14th. Winning projects will be announced at the Annual Convention and in the Delaware Knight. All winning entries will be sent to Supreme Council for national consideration.

Family Dinner at Immaculate Conception Church
On Saturday March 9^th there will be a Family Dinner from 3 – 7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Marydel, Maryland. The menu features fried oysters, oven fried chicken, dumplings, potatoes, vegetable, cole slaw, dinner roll, dessert and beverage. Take-outs will be available. Adults $12, children under twelve $5, children under six free. There will also be a bake sale table with homemade, cakes, pies, cookies, pastries plus chicken salad.

St. Patrick’s Dance at Holy Angels
Holy Angels Council #12104 is hosting a St. Patrick’s Dance in Fremont Hall on Saturday March 16 from 7:30 p.m. until midnight. The evening will feature a traditional Irish dinner including beer and soda, a performance by the McAleer School of Irish Dance and DJ entertainment. Tickets are $20 per person and proceeds will benefit the Holy Angels Capital Campaign.

For tickets contact: F.S. Joe Blaszkow (302-234-0188), DGK Martin Reynolds (302-369-9753), or GK Bob Kwoka (610-255-5653).

Coffee Run Council Art Auction
Coffee Run Council will sponsor an Art Auction through the services of Avatar Galleries at King of Prussia, PA. It will be held on Saturday night April 13^th in St. Mary of the Assumption Church Hall in Hockessin.  Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour and preview of art objects displayed throughout the hall while hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served (beer will also be available). Auction activity starts at 7 p.m. The excitement will continue for two hours, coffee and dessert will then be offered and door prizes awarded. Come to Hockessin, enjoy an evening of fun and good cheer with your lady.

Tickets cost $10 per person and can be obtained from Gene Sinko 239-4032, Frank DeGennaro 234-9428 or Hank Steenkamer 239-7388. Proceeds will be split among: Bayard House, Mom’s House in Wilmington, Seton Villa, Siena Hall and the Benedictine School in Ridgeley, MD.

Rosary Cassette Tapes and Compact Discs
State Deputy Casalena has requested that all councils that have Bishop Saltarelli rosary tapes and CD’s in their possession to return them at the March State Officers meeting. Checks for sold items should be made out to the Delaware State Council. The proceeds go towards building of a Charles Parks sculpture of Mary for the Diocese of Wilmington.

Winter Getaway was a Great Success
There were 42 rooms occupied by Knights and their ladies at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth on Super Bowl weekend. The Polar Bear Plunge was viewed by most from the warm confines of the hotel. About ten Knights dunked themselves and a few of these were way past the age of reason. The Star of the Sea Council served a wonderful luncheon following the “great dip”. The Atlantic Sands Hotel will be the site of the Delaware State Convention in May.

Membership
For the second straight month Delaware is leading Division VI for increase in membership. The increase stands at 137 new members. We are only nine members ahead of the Washington, D.C. Jurisdiction.  We need to keep recruiting new members.

Ordination of Deacons
His Excellency Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, Bishop of Wilmington, will ordain five seminarians to  Transitional Deaconate at Christ Our King Church on Saturday April 27 at 11 a.m. The men being ordained are: Stanislao Esposito, Steve P. Hurley, James S. Lentini, John A. Lunness and Jay R. McKee. Most of these men are Brother Knights of Columbus.  Congratulations to all!

Annual Reports
Grand Knights are required to send in a summary of their council’s accomplishments for the 2001-2002 Columbian Year to the State Deputy by April 22.  Reports should include the areas of membership and  all Surge Program activities.  In addition list the names of the two council delegates and alternates to the Annual Convention and provide necrology information. Council reports should not be held until the final day, early reports are especially appreciated.

Seminarian Chairman, PSD Ken Smith, requests that  all Grand Knights send him a report on assistance rendered to Seminarians. He will compile the information for the Annual Convention.

Message of Condolence from Supreme Knight
F.S., Mike Rogers, of Blessed Sacrament Council # 3751 asked the question: “Does Supreme still sends letters of condolence to families of deceased Knights?” Our State Deputy offered the following answer: “My understanding is when the Form #100 (for the deceased) is mailed by the F.S. of the Council to the Supreme Secretary it should include the name, address and relationship of the next-of-kin.  A personalized letter from the Supreme Knight is then forwarded to same.”

Father McGivney Guild
Father Gabriel B. O. O’Donnell, Postulator for the Cause of Father McGivney, reported that the posito for the cause of canonization of the founder of the Knights of Columbus was about to be sent to Rome and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Membership in the Father Michel J. McGivney Guild costs nothing but the price of a stamp.  Supreme Director Vincent L. DiLeonardo serves as State Chairman for the cause of sainthood for Father McGivney.  He asks that all Knights and family members register by sending their names and addresses (block letters please) to Father McGivney Guild, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326.

Delaware Knight Articles
Send information to:

Hank Steenkamer e mail: hsteenkamer01@cs.com
Andy Woitko e mail: woitko1@comcast.net

Knights of Columbus Insurance
Bob McGeehan, General Agent  (732) 237-0903

Field Agents:     Paul Brandt              (302) 324-9300
                        Richard Gill               (610) 485-8550
                        James Mullen, Jr.      (302) 373-0372

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 accounts.

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 boards 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

Knights of Columbus First Eucharistic Congress                                 
The first ever Knights of Columbus Eucharistic Congress will be held June 22-23, 2002, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. More information on this event will be forthcoming in Columbia and other Supreme Council publications and mailings. To help prepare for the success of this historic event, councils are encouraged to add regular corporate Communions to their activities, and Knights and families are urged to add eucharistic adoration to their devotions.

Human Cloning: Talking Points
Human cloning is an effort to create humans as "copies" of other humans. It is done by taking genetic material from a person's body cell and injecting it into an egg, which is then stimulated to begin embryonic development. The cloned embryo is almost identical genetically to the person whose body cell was used.

Schedule of Events

February
Mon. 25       Deadline for Resolutions to State Advocate Jim Gardner

March
Sun     3       45^th Mission Breakfast, Christ Our King Church, Madison St. Wilmington
                    10:00 AM Mass Celebrated by Bishop Saltarelli, 
                    Breakfast in Church Hall … cost is $5.00 per person .   tickets at the door.

Sun     3       First Degree, St. Pius X Council, Scott & Lancaster St. Wilmington, candidates 7 p.m.

Sat      9       Cardinal Gibbons Assembly, Ladies Night, Christiana Hilton, 6 p.m.

Sat      9       Family Oyster / Chicken & Dumplings Dinner, Immaculate Conception Church,
                    Marydel, MD, 3 – 7 p.m.

Thu   14       State Officers Meeting, Dover Council, Camden, 7 p.m. dinner, Tootsie Roll pickup

Sat .  16       Holy Angels Council, St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance, Fremont Hall, 7:30 - midnight

Thu   21       Resolutions/Good of the Order Meeting, St. Pius X Council, 7:30 p.m.

Sat.   23       PSD Scholarship Raffle … first drawing

Sun   24       Palm Sunday – Beginning of Holy Week

Sun   24       State Free Throw Contest, St. Peter’s Gym 5^th & Harmony New Castle, contestants 12:30 p.m.

Mon 25        Day of the Unborn Child, Pro Life Mini-March, Legislative Hall, Dover

Sun   31       Easter Sunday

April               

S/S  6/7        Statewide Mental Retardation Drive Weekend

Sun    7        First Degree, St. Pius X Council, candidates 7 p.m.

Thu  11        State Officers Meeting, St. Pius X Council, 7 p.m. dinner

Sat   13        Art Auction, St. Mary of the Assumption Church Hall, 6 p.m.

Sun  14        Third Degree Exemplification TBA

Thu  18        Presentation of PSD Scholarships TBA

Sun  21        State Track Meet, Baynard Stadium, Wilmington - workers 11 a.m.

Mon 22        Deadline for Reports, Necrology & Credentials for Annual State Council Meeting.

F/S 26-28     Men of Malvern Retreat, Malvern, PA

Sat  27         Annual State Council Meeting, Opening Business Session, St. Pius X

Sat  27         Ordination of Deacons at Christ Our King Church

Sun  28        World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Sun  28        Biennial Meeting of Fourth Degree Officers

May

Fri      3       Golf Tourney, Rookery, Lewes

F/S   3/5       Reconvene Annual Meeting Atlantic Sands Hotel, Rehoboth

Thu    9        Ascension Thursday

Sat    25       Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood, St. Peter’s Cathedral, Wilmington, 11 a.m.

June

Sat   15        Fourth Degree Exemplification