November 2021 SFX Knights Newsletter St. Francis Xavier the Missionary

Council # 10957 “In Service to One, In Service to All”

Council Meetings held at St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall 2nd and 4th Tuesday’s @ 7:00 P.M.

21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Compton, MD 20659 ____________________________________________________________

Grand Knight’s Report Brother Knights, October was another busy month for the Council as we continue to do great things. We conducted a Charity, Unity,

and Fraternity Degree Exemplification, participated in a virtual Fraternal Benefits Seminar, distributed shoeboxes for the Box of Joy Program, donated $1500 each to Special Olympics and Care Net Pregnancy Centers from the golf tournament proceeds, installed the Memorial to the Unborn and held an Oktoberfest dinner in the Church Hall. Fortunately, cases of the delta variant of the COVID-19 virus seem to be in decline. The Pfizer Covid-19 booster vaccine has now been approved by the FDA for people 65 and older and for those over 18 who have underlying medical conditions or are at greater risk of getting COVID-19 because of their jobs. If it’s been six months since your second Covid vaccination, you are eligible to receive the booster. The Church remains open for both daily and Sunday worship. The Council will continue to hold our General Membership (second Tuesdays of the month) and Officer’s Planning Meetings (fourth Tuesdays of the month) in the Church Hall.

This Month

Charity, Unity, and Fraternity Degree Exemplification. District 2 is conducting Exemplifications on a monthly basis throughout the fraternal year. Anyone who has not completed the Charity, Unity and Fraternity Degree and would like to participate in an Exemplification, please notify me or Jim Berned and we can get you scheduled for one at your convenience.

Our Council conducted our first Exemplification ceremony on October 10th after the 11:00 AM Mass. Mark Walker was the only candidate and became the newest member of our Council. Barn Repair. Local Amish/Mennonite residents removed/replaced the barn siding. It needs time to weather and will need to be stained/painted come spring. Assistance is still needed to organize equipment stored there and remove any unwanted material. Please let us know if you can help. Fraternal Benefits Seminar. Several members of our Council met at Mike Holton’s home to participate in the Fall Virtual Fraternal Benefits Webinar featuring Van Mueller. Van presented many useful tips and insights on how to build a legacy for our families while minimizing our income tax liabilities. Box of Joy Program. The Knights are sponsoring the Cross Catholic Outreach Box of Joy program for the Parish. Boxes were distributed during all Masses on 23/24 and 30/31 October. Boxes will be collected by the Knights in early November and transported to the local collection site at St. Michael’s Church. Golf Tournament. As a result of our golf tournament in August, the Council was able to raise over $4900 for local charities. At our meeting on 26 October, the Council presented checks in the amount of $1500 to both the Special Olympics of St Mary’s County and to Care Net of Southern Maryland. The Knights would like to thank all the members of the community who supported our tournament and made it such a success. Memorial to the Unborn. Our Council has combined the proceeds from the Mother's Day and the Father's Day drive-thru breakfast to purchase and install a Memorial to the Unborn. The monument was delivered on 28 October and the pad installed directly in front of the flagpole adjacent to the hall. Due to inclement weather, installation was postponed until 2 November. Archbishop Gregory will dedicate the memorial and the outdoor Stations of the Cross on 5 December. Oktoberfest. The Knights sponsored an Octoberfest dinner in the church hall on 30 October. The menu consisted of bratwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut, applesauce and vanilla pudding. Family of the Month. The Jerry and AnnMarie Abell family has been selected as the Family of the Month for October. Jerry is a volunteer fireman in the community and assists in cutting the grass on the church grounds. AnnMarie is a lecturer at Mass and assists Father Ryan with RCIA classes. AnnMarie is also a major contributor to the church bazaar. When you see them, please congratulate Jerry and AnnMarie on receiving this award.

Upcoming Events

Leave No Neighbor Behind Program. The Council is still participating in the Leave No Neighbor Behind Program by helping our neighbors (e.g., picking up and delivering medications, groceries, and other needs) during the

COVID-19 pandemic. Our Council actively put our faith into action by helping people who are less fortunate in our community. In our founder's spirit, we lead efforts to assist those most in need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim Howe has formed partnerships with local aid organizations, including Mary Lou Gough Food Pantry, Immaculate Heart of Mary Food Pantry, All Saints Soup Kitchen, and our local Care Net Pregnancy Center. In support of these partnerships, he delivered over 2,500 pounds of food. Additionally, our Knights assisted individual families with home chores, providing food, and running missions of mercy like picking up their prescriptions. Outreach. It is vitally important to stay in touch with our fellow Knights. If you haven't seen or talked to someone in a while, please call him to find out if he may need some assistance. Perhaps he is sick, lost a job, has family issues, or other problems. Knights of Columbus Membership Church Drive. The Membership Church Drive and reading of necrology will be conducted at all Masses during the weekend of 13 and 14 November. Parish Bazaar. The Parish is planning for our annual parish bazaar on 20 November. The Council has been asked to assist in parking and supporting the set up and tear down of the event. Thanksgiving Food Baskets. Again, this year, the Council will distribute Thanksgiving food baskets to less fortunate members of the Parish. I ask that we continue to pray for our community and nation, and assist those who may be struggling during these trying times. Together, we can and do make a difference as we continue to lead, serve others, and defend our faith. Additionally, please pray for the victims of Covid-19 and their families, those that are currently suffering from the disease and for the people of Afghanistan who are suffering at the hands of the Taliban. Fraternally,

GK Herb Male, Grand Knight Council #10957 _______________________________________________________

Chaplain’s Report Dear Brother Knights,

In a speech given in 2013 by Pope Francis, he says “if we can realize that everything is God’s gift, how happy will our hearts be! Everything is his gift. He is our strength!” As

we look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving Day, let us pause and reflect on our attitude. Do we have the attitude of gratitude? Are we grateful for what happened to us, whether they are little acts of kindness or moments of grace?

It cannot be denied that we are still not over the pandemic. Indeed, even though restrictions have been loosened, there are still people getting sick and even dying of Covid. There are also problems that continue to divide our Church and our country. Even within our families, I am assuming that you have encountered some difficulties and conflicts.

Furthermore, we cannot deny that it is difficult to be grateful if you just experienced a tragic act. Losing someone really close to you is painful. Those affected by the recent hurricanes, flooding and wildfires are still grappling with the loss of properties and even lives. What about those who are undergoing hospital treatment, surgery, or procedure? Will there be reasons to give thanks? Definitely. Trials are part of our lives, and the nature of suffering is a mystery that will be difficult to fathom but there are still reasons to be thankful.

Our tragedies should not prevent us from acknowledging our gifts and graces. The attitude of gratitude is something that we really need to have. As we look forward celebrating Thanksgiving Day, let it not just be a day to watch a lot of football games and stuff ourselves with turkey, potatoes, and pies. This Thanksgiving, let us really give thanks for all our blessings and graces.

Personally, I am thankful for the many graces that God continues to shower me. It’s almost a year since I came to St. Francis Xavier parish and as I get closer to celebrating my first-year anniversary as your administrator, and as your chaplain, I am humbled by the generosity of the people, especially my brother Knights. Indeed, our Town Hall Meeting convinced me that our community really cares for our parish and for each other.

Yes, there are difficult moments. Yes, there are problems, sufferings, trials, and difficulties. However, one must never forget to be grateful. All we need is to remember the moments of happiness and the moments of

serenity. Why don’t we get our pen and a notepad and write down at least 10 things in the past year that we are thankful for. Furthermore, we just have to realize that every time we go to Mass, when we celebrate the Eucharist, which comes from the Greek word eucharisteo meaning thanksgiving, we thank our Lord Jesus Christ for what he did for us. Hence, let’s thank God for all our blessings and graces. Aside from God, let’s also remember to give thanks to our loved ones. Pope Francis further says that “Saying ‘thank you’ is such an easy thing, and yet so hard! How often do we say ‘thank you’ to one another in our families? These are essential words for our life in common.” So, as we celebrate our Thanksgiving holiday, let us be thankful to God for our many blessings. Let’s also thank our family and friends who have been patient with us in spite of our shortcomings. As a final note, I want to say thank you (again and again) to our Knights who generously offer their time for our council, for our community and for our country. Vivat Jesus!

Father Ryan

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St. Francis Xavier Church News

Looking ahead: The Olde Fashioned Christmas Bazaar, this year, is back on November 20. TMIY- Saturday mornings 6-7:30am Join us in person in the Hall contact: Matt Cosgrove, matthewcosgrove@verizon.net, Mark Coontz, mark_coontz@live.com.

Happy Birthday!! We would like to extend our Best Wishes to the following people who are celebrating their birthday this Month. Craig M. Dorrans November 06 Robert E. Bowles, Sr. November 10 Paul A. O’Brien November 12 Joseph M. Stanalonis November 14 Paul H. Roman November 18 George K. Abell November 25 _______________________________________________________

November is Remembrance Month

Please remember our deceased members and wives who have gone to the Lord!

Frank T Abell & Wife Teresa, J. Perry Abell & Wife Shirley, Joseph W. [Joe Dick] Abell & Wife Rosemary, Shirley A. Bowles, John H. Bond, Jr., Sanford Brooks, John W [Bill] Bussler & Wife Cecilia, Father Tom Crowley, Charles A. Daniels, Raymond Dean & Wife Agatha, Kenneth N. Delhagen & Wife Mary, Dr. David M. Federle, MD, Salvatore [Sal] J. Franco, James [Jim] T. Marsh & Wife Joan, Father John Mattingly, Francis [Dish] Morgan & Wife Virginia, Shirley Nickerson, John J. Polko & Wife Joan, George E Raley & Wife Eleanor, Robert B. Rezza, Arthur L. Robitaille, Richard I Russell Sr & Wife Agnes, Carrol Stickell, Raymond [Ray] P. Weigand, Joseph A Wilkerson & Wife Annie. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Mary Queen of the Knights, Pray for us. Amen

Father Andrew White Assembly #377

Message My Brothers, November is Remembrance Month and the month for Council Memorial Masses, All Souls Day and Veterans Day. This year, the parade in Leonardtown on Nov 11th is on and the Veterans Memorial at Helen is also on. Please show you support for our military veterans from all services, when you can. Wear your red, white and

blue, be patriotic and show your children your pride and respect for our military of yesterday and today. Congratulations to our New Sir Knight, Carl Wolf, who took the Exemplification of the 4th Degree on October 16. Our next meeting is on November 18, 2021, at St John Francis Regis Council 7914. God Bless America, SK Bob Bowles Color Corps Commander Father Andrew White Assembly #377

District Report My Brothers – This November, be thankful for what you have, then brighten someone’s day. Charity is the principle of the First Degree. Thanks for your support of our charitable programs. All of the money collected stayed right here in our county to help our neighbors. Without your help we could not accomplish our mission to help those less

fortunate than ourselves. The Maryland State Council charity fund provides financial assistance to individuals in temporary urgent need. It is recognized by the IRS as a section 501 c (3) entity so ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Ask your Grand Knight or Financial Secretary for an envelope to make you own personal donation. If every Knight of Columbus in Maryland gave $5.00, the fund would have over $100K. This fund has made a difference to individuals in our county. Again, I thank you for your support and request that you finish strong in the Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities and the New Incentive Raffle. You are making a difference by helping those among us most in need. Remember, November is Remembrance Month, make sure you have scheduled your Memorial masses and read the Necrology for your council. As a district we really need to step up our efforts in membership. Ask a fellow Catholic male and his family to join. Use your programs, show that eligible man what we’re all about. Don’t be afraid to ask someone who is not a knight to assist with an activity. Tell them what your council is all about. Tell them your personal story, why you joined the knights, then ask if they would like to become part of an organization that will strengthen their Faith, while becoming a better Catholic, husband and father, who gives support back to the Parish, Church and the community in many ways. And always Remember, as Knights, “We are Servant Leaders”. Vivat Jesus,

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Thanks to all who came out to help with all the things we did in October! Thanks to each and every one of you.

THE MARYLAND STATE BULLETIN The State Newsletter is available on line using this link:

http://www.kofc-md.org/docs1213/MD_Newsletter.pdf

Please read and enjoy and forward on to other family members.

NOVEMBER 7, 2021

Veteran’s Day is November 11 ______________________________________________________

Gavin Arvizo Fraternal Benefits Advisor Knights of Columbus Insurance Bus: 240-298-3873

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Dear Brother Knights

Effective November 3, I will be resigning as a field agent with the Knights of Columbus. I am grateful for having served the Knights of Columbus, our brother knights, and their families for the last 4 years. I am especially thankful for your support as my general agent. I look forward to continuing to serve the order as a fraternal member through council involvement, fraternal activities, and support of our insurance program.

May God bless you and keep you always. Vivat Jesus. Fraternally,

Gavin Arvizo

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Blessed Father McGivney ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember

“We are Servant Leaders”

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IT OUT Degree of Charity, Unity & Fraternaty to welcome our Newest

Member Mark Walker Sunday October 10, 2021

Peter LaPorte (Presiding Officer) Jim Berned With Mark, Don McLeod (Unity)

Bob Bowles (Fraternity) George Morgan (Warden)

Grand Knight Herb Male (Pinning Mark) District Warden, Mickey Dillow

(Acting District Deputy)

Jim Howe (Charity & Rosary) Mark & Family, with the Degree Team

(Honoree, for the Degree, presented by Mickey)

Front Row, (L-R): Degree Captain, Jim B, Chaplain, Fr Ryan, New Knight, Mark,

DW, Mickey Dillow. Back Row(L-R), Degree Team: Bob, Jim H. George, Don

Herb, & Peter

Oktoberfest, October 30 and 31,2021

Chef James grilling Fr. Ryan checking on our progress

Setting up and serving Tommy Howe, John B our bartenders

Fr, Ryan meeting with our dine-in Parishioners

Coming Events November 2021 11/1 - All Saints Day 11/2 - All Souls Day 11/7 - Daylight Savings Time Begins (FALL BACK) 11/6 & 11/7- First Sunday’s Rosary’s 11/6 & 11/7- Pass out Keep Christ in Christmas info after the Masses 11/7-11/14 - Box of Joy Collection week 11/9 - K of C Meeting 7:00 p.m. 11/11 - Veterans Day 11/13 & 11/14- Recruitment Church Drive at all the Masses 11/13 & 11/14- Memorial Masses for our Deceased Members 11/15 - Family of the Month (October) Due 11/17 - Chapter of Grand Knights, 11/18 - Assembly Meeting, St. John’s 7914 11/20 - Church Bazaar 11/21 - Bull Roast to Support Chris Powers with his campaign for State Deputy, please help support him. 11/22 - Pick up Turkeys, Prepare and Deliver Food Baskets 11/23 - K of C Meeting 7:00 p.m. 11/25 - Thanksgiving Day 11/27& 28- Christmas Card Sales