7/23/2019 Empire State Buelltin January 2016 http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/empire-state-buelltin-january-2016 1/26 Vol. 54 Issue 7 January 2016 I m With You lways Empire State Bulletin Official Publication of the New York State Council Knights of Columbus Organized February 3 1896 A Message From Your State Deputy, Robert D. Weitzman To My Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Happy New Year! We, the Knights of New York State, have had a wonderful year in 2015. We continued to fulfill Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney’s vision of Charity (caring for those in need). We provided food for families, coats for kids, supported Seminarians Pro-life activities, purchased ultra sound machines, supported Saint Mary’s Hospital for Children, Sisters of Life, Catholic Sch ools and g scholarships to students. We supported inner city kids, Special Olympics, participated in the global wheelchair program, supported our Church, Community and each other. Yes, our mission has grown over the years and we have taken on more responsibility to ensure fu generations a better life than we have; a life filled with faith, freedom, hope, forgiveness, and love. Our Supreme Knight Carl Anderson has asked us to build the Domestic Church and Strengthen Parish Life by developing new parish- based councils and new programs to strengthen family life with the intent of this all leading to a deeper understanding of the family as th domestic church; and our increasing commitment to serve the Church’s mission of a new evangelization through the parish. We will continue to keep our faith in the forefront of all we do. We continue to work tirelessly to care for those most in need. We will invit Catholic men to join in our order so we will have a larger positive impact on our Church and community. Christmas 2015 has just passed and I hope you all had a Blessed Christmas. The celebration of the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ during Christmas is wonderful. We must continue to celebrate His birth and life throughout the year. The act of giving to those les fortunate of targetable necessities is great but we must go further. We must provide them with the respect, and love that our faith is bui on. We must extend a welcoming and helping hand to our fellow man. We must set an example for future generations that doing selfle acts of charity is more rewarding than doing it for compensation or one’s ego. We must demonstrate by our actions that being active in Church and community will lead to a better future for mankind. The month of January is the beginning of a new year. It is also a time that we emphasize the sanctity of LIFE. We will come together at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Pro-Life Mass in Manhattan and the March for Life in Washington DC to peacefully demonstrate and pray for the protection of the baby in the womb, the elderly, the infirm and the people on death row (whose lives are sacred, a gift from God). We are the apostles of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we should realize that His spirit is in all of us. We have a choice: to ignore His presence, keep Him to ourselves or share His presence to all you come in contact with. To me the choice is clear. We must share His presence and teaching to all we come in contact with. (Continued on page 3)
A Message From Your State Deputy, Robert D. WeitzmanTo My Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Happy New Year! We, the Knights of New York State, have had a wonderful year in 2015. We continued to fulfill Venerable FatherMichael J. McGivney’s vision of Charity (caring for those in need). We provided food for families, coats for kids, supported SeminariansPro-life activities, purchased ultra sound machines, supported Saint Mary’s Hospital for Children, Sisters of Life, Catholic Schools and gscholarships to students. We supported inner city kids, Special Olympics, participated in the global wheelchair program, supported ourChurch, Community and each other. Yes, our mission has grown over the years and we have taken on more responsibility to ensure fugenerations a better life than we have; a life filled with faith, freedom, hope, forgiveness, and love.
Our Supreme Knight Carl Anderson has asked us to build the Domestic Church and Strengthen Parish Life by developing new parish-
based councils and new programs to strengthen family life with the intent of this all leading to a deeper understanding of the family as th
domestic church; and our increasing commitment to serve the Church’s mission of a new evangelization through the parish.We will continue to keep our faith in the forefront of all we do. We continue to work tirelessly to care for those most in need. We will invit
Catholic men to join in our order so we will have a larger positive impact on our Church and community.
Christmas 2015 has just passed and I hope you all had a Blessed Christmas. The celebration of the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus
Christ during Christmas is wonderful. We must continue to celebrate His birth and life throughout the year. The act of giving to those les
fortunate of targetable necessities is great but we must go further. We must provide them with the respect, and love that our faith is bui
on. We must extend a welcoming and helping hand to our fellow man. We must set an example for future generations that doing selfle
acts of charity is more rewarding than doing it for compensation or one’s ego. We must demonstrate by our actions that being active in
Church and community will lead to a better future for mankind.
The month of January is the beginning of a new year. It is also a time that we emphasize the sanctity ofLIFE. We will come together at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Pro-Life Mass in Manhattan and the March for Life
in Washington DC to peacefully demonstrate and pray for the protection of the baby in the womb, the
elderly, the infirm and the people on death row (whose lives are sacred, a gift from God).
We are the apostles of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we should realize that His spirit is in all of us.
We have a choice: to ignore His presence, keep Him to ourselves or share His presence to all you come
in contact with. To me the choice is clear. We must share His presence and teaching to all we come in
list. Help us share our news withall of New York State.
Find us on Facebook
New York StateKnights of Columbus
Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivneyGod, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest,Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to thegenerous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son,Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is theChurch. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we maycontinue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Father MichaelJ. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (make your request here). Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
A Message from our Senior Associate State Chaplain,
Fr. Brian McWeeney... My Brother Knights,
As the month of January begins we are asked to celebrate with Holy Mother Church thefeast days of Saint Elizabeth Bayley Seton and Saint John Neumann. These two particular figuresshould give us in our day great inspiration. As a young woman she was the belle of the ball incolonial New York. Her marriage which led to parenthood was an inspiration. She and her husband
were practicing Episcopalians and attended Trinity Church as did her famous contemporaries. Adevoted wife and mother she faced many crises but the most heartbreaking was the death of herhusband. Having been blessed by her relationship with a Catholic family in Italy when she returnedto New York with the children she explored the possibility of becoming Catholic. When she did shewas shunned by former friends but it mattered not to her. She raised her family and eventually sawthe need of educating the poor youngsters of the young nation.
Saint John Neumann came here as a young seminarian and was ordained here in New York.His travels took him throughout the state ministering to many people and establishing parishes as faraway as Buffalo. He stressed the importance for Catholics of the Eucharist and developed the FortyHours devotion. As a young bishop, he too was aware of the needs of the young and developed the parochial school system.
As Knight we can easily see how attuned wemust be to these saints.. In this new year let usstrengthen our families, educate our young, and most ofall, remain close to Christ in the Eucharist. Pray that ouryoung people will follow Elizabeth and John to the priesthood and religious life.
Vivat Jesus,Father Brian
Senior Associate State Chaplain
Page 3
A Message From Your State Deputy, Robert D. Weitzman (continued from page 1)
Years ago you would see our youth and adults wear some type of bracelet or pin that had the letters “WWJD” whichstood for “What Would Jesus Do”. I think this is something that we should take into consideration when we have choicesto make throughout the day, WWJD?
Let us make a resolution to live a life that will bring the peace, love and joy of God to all we come in contact with.Remember all things are possible because the Risen Christ is with us always.
Connie and I wish you and your family a Healthy and Happy New Year and may the grace of God be with you always.
God Bless you and your families,Bob WeitzmanState Deputy
“It’s all about the members!” by Sal Restivo, PSD, Membership Director
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I am proud to announce that New York State Council is progressing well
in our efforts to recruit new members and bring back members who have fallenaway! We are pacing better than we have in the last 5 years. Your efforts inrecruitment have benefitted the state council with financial rewards from theSupreme council. These monies are being used for your charities and per
capita discounts! Thank you!
The Councils that have achieved the membership recruitment incentivesare listed in a subsequent report in this ESB. Congratulations to those councilsthat have achieved the 10% or 20% Per Capita Discount. ALSO, congratulations
to those councils that won the $500 for their favorite charity. The State ExecutiveOffice staff will be in touch with your GK or FS to ascertain which charity youwant to receive the $500!
The incentive for the remainder of the fraternal year is as follows:Councils reaching STAR for this fraternal year will receive $4.50 per billablemember! Let’s get serious about achieving star council! Recruit members!
Contact your field and general agent and tell them you are serious aboutachieving STAR. Work on your programs and activities (SP-7). Insure thatthe necessary forms are filed with the Supreme council. Good luck starts withworking towards the goal!
MID YEAR GRAND KNIGHT MEETINGS! For the first time ever inthe history of the New York State Council we will be conducting Regional GrandKnight and Deputy Grand Knight Mid Year meetings! Our worthy State DeputyBob Weitzman is committed to assisting councils by keeping them informed and
providing a forum for meaningful discussion. Please see the announcement inthis ESB. Announcements were originally distributed at the DDs midyear in earlyDecember. GKs and DGKs please make every effort to attend! Again see the
updated announcement in this ESB.
Hoping you and your family had a Blessed Christmas and wishing you have ahealthy and happy 2016!
The Bethany House, a Catholic Worker House of Hospitality, serves the needs of
homeless women and their children. The staff recently contacted the St. Joseph'sCouncil of the Knights of Columbus informing us that their clothes dryer is no longerusable. They asked our Council if we could supply them with a used dryer. Theirdryer continuously is in operation and at the time was servicing 15 women and7 children. Our Brothers decided to purchase a new dryer instead and within48 hours raised enough funds to purchase a new commercial dryer and have it
installed.
Twenty four of our members contributed to this project. Not only did we raiseenough funds for the dryer, but had enough monies left over to purchase food, clothes
and formula for the children present in the shelter. Praise the Lord.
Our St. Joseph's Council members are generous and supportive in all ourministries. We thank the Holy Spirit for His guidance. Pictured below isBrother Knight, Jim Reid, who represented our Council, and the Bethany House staff.
Photo and article submitted byVito Vitelli, Grand Knight
St. Joseph’s Council #15471
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Form 1728, Survey of Fraternal Activity is due byJanuary 31, 2016.
This form is based on the time period ofJanuary 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.
Please note that it is not based on the Columbian year.We encourage you to complete this form and submit it in a timely fashion.
Thank you for all you do for this great Order of ours.
Peru – During a period in history when many people are absorbed in the secular aspects of ChristmasSeason, Joseph Purtell has been exposing young people in his community to the religious nature
of the season. For the past 25 years Purtell has served as Chairman of St. Augustine’s Knights
of Columbus Council 7273’s Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest. He would have served aschairman for 27 consecutive years except as a member of the U.S. Air Force Purtell was calledaway to serve in Korea and in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
The Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest is a Knights of Columbus international program that began in the 1960’s. Several thousand K of C councils conduct the program annually for children ages
5 to 14. This year the Peru youth judged to have the best poster will receive a special honor; their
poster will be featured on St. Augustine’s Pastor Rev. Alan Shnob’s 2016 Christmas card.
Before the children arrive at St. Augustine’s Parish Center to draw their posters, Purtell and his helpers
place Christmas cards portraying the Christ Child on each worktable. He explained, “Sometimes theystart off drawing Santa. We explain Christ to them and they quickly understand.” After having
conducted the contest for so many years Purtell has many memories. He remarked, “I get to see the
children grow and now I see their children. It’s wonderful!”
Purtell said 2015 would be his last year leading the contest. He explained, “My wife Judy and I have
16 grandchildren living as far away as Florida and the Carolinas. We want to visit them more often.
If I can’t commit, I’d rather not chair the program. If I’m here, I’ll be happy to help.”
Coincidently the Peru Knights are in the process of reviving their Columbian SquiresCircle, a youth group open to boys and youngmen ages 10 to 18. Purtell said, “I hope the
contest can be passed on to the Squires. Theyconducted our contest in the 1980’s. It would
Suffolk Knights Bring Christmas to Woodward Children’s Center
For the 2nd year, the Councils and Knights in Suffolk County have helped to makeChristmas for the 80 students a Woodward Children’s Center in Freeport, a special
one. The Woodward Center offers a quality education in an environment that isattentive to their social and emotional needs. A number of the students attendingWoodward come from the 5 boroughs of NYC. After their Winter Concert, Santaand a few elves visited each of the classrooms, where each child received a specialgift, along with a goodie bag. Your generosity will allow the school administratorsto take the 80 students on a field trip in January. For many of the students, it will
be the 1st time they experience ice skating at a local ice rink.
To recognize our support the Suffolk County Chapter Knights of Columbus, have been given a place of honor on the Woodward Children’s Center Donor wall.
On behalf of Mr. Ingino, Executive Director; Mrs. Colucci, Principal; my daughterJoanna, Music Teacher and Therapist; the Board of Directors, and everyone atWoodward Children’s Center - Thank you all for helping make their Christmas sospecial.
Linda Lassiter, Social Worker; Joanna Hearney, Music Therapistand Teacher; ; Santa Claus aka Mike Hearney, PGK, FDD, NYSDirector of Youth; Terri Hearney; Mrs. Colucci, Principal;
Mr. Ingino, Executive Director
Woodward Donor Wall, recognizing Suffolk County Chapter
Knights of Columbus for support at Christmas
Close-up of rock, recognizing Suffolk County Chapter
Knights of Columbus for support at Christmas
Article and photos submitted by Michael Hearney, PGK, FDD, NYS Director of Youth
LOCAL VOLUNTEERS SET NEW RECORD IN FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION.
On November 21st, a group of local volunteers under the direction of the Knights of ColumbusCouncil 14666 of American Martyrs Parish in Bayside topped their previous record for a single
food collection event.
The small band of volunteers, gathered at Fairway Food in the Douglaston shopping center,collected a record total of 112 bags of food, with 106 of them going to Our Lady of LourdesOutreach program in Queens Village, the NYC Food Bank location for Northeast Queens. Theremainder went to The Saint Vincent DePaul Society Food Pantry of American Martyrs Church
located at Union Tpke. and Bell Blvd. They also collected over $485.00 in cash contributions.
This new record collection brought the Fr. John J. Murray Knights of Columbus
Council's efforts to a total of over 5,000 pounds of food collected in a 2-year period.
The Father Murray Council has been sponsoring food drives since July 2013. Since that time,The council has held 5 events per year at the following stores: Key Food, Oakland Gardens;Fairway, Douglaston: Stop& Shop, New Hyde Park; Waldbaums, Floral Park; andWaldbaums, Flushing and has collected nearly 1,000 bags of groceries with total cash collected
at over $3,000.
Not only are parishioners from American Martyrs Church volunteering to help out, but membersof the Knights of Columbus participate along with their children, working with the pantries tohelp distribute food to those most in need. For information on how you can volunteer, become amember of the Knights of Columbus, or sign up for food assistance from the pantries, you can
Msgr. Sherman Council 5103 from Glendale, Queens NYheld the first of their semi annual food drives at the local Stop & Shop to benefit the food pantry at Sacred Heart Church. The men collected 45 boxes of food which will allow the 150 families who use the pantry to
have a Thanksgiving meal this year. Pictured are the men of the council.
L-R are Ken Engesser,Joseph Strohmeier, Matt Geisert,Donald Gander, Jim Sexton,Jim Funaro, Gerry O'Callaghan,
and all the way in the rear in thetan jacket is Bill Kuil, GK of the
council.
Congratulations to the recently installed Officers for 2015-16, of the Knights of
Columbus, Bishop Conroy General Assembly, 4th Degree in Watertown.
1st row, Brian Thompson, Trustee, Father Martin Cline, Faithful Friar, James Fraser,
Faithful Navigator, James Wessner, Faithful Captain, Vincent Paragon, FaithfulPurser.
2nd row, Michael Sligar, Faithful Pilot, Kenney Paragon, Trustee, Charles Childs,Faithful Admiral, John Delles, Faithful Scribe, Michael Deline, Outer Sentinel,
3rd row, Edward Brown, Trustee,David Clark, Master of the 5th
New York District 4th Degree
Knights of Columbus andInstalling Officer, and SamuelTufo, Marshall and Color CorpsCommander of the Color Corps.Missing from the photo is NoelVoos, Inner Sentinel and WilliamBoulio, Comptroller.
Article and photo submitted by Jim Fraser, Faithful Navigator
The NYS Squires have had a busy month. On Friday, December 4th ,St. Finbar’s Council hosted a Squires Investiture. The investiture team was
made up of Squire Officers from both the Verrazano #5794 and Stephen E.
Knapp Circle #1249. A total of 18 young men joined the ColumbianSquires. The proud parents were invited to pin the newly invested Squirewith the Squires emblem after the ceremony was completed. Thanks tothe Counselors at both of these Squires circles for working together, Esto Dignus. Also a specialthanks to Fr. Michael Gelfant and the Knights at St. Finbar’s Council for hosting and taking part in
the Investiture ceremony.
Squires from Don Bosco Circle #548 and Stephen e Knapp Circle #1249 held the inaugural Squiresday at St. Joseph’s Seminary at Dunwoodie on Sunday, December 13th. Our State Deputy,Bob Weitzman, and his wife Connie, made a surprise visit and spent part of the day with theSquires. The day started with the celebration of Mass with the Seminarians celebrated by our host
Rev. Nicholas Zientarski, Dean of Students. We then joined the seminarians for lunch, followed by a discussion and reflection period led by Fr. Zientarski. We closed out the day with a trip to thegymnasium, where we played basketball, some ping pong and bowled. After lunch the Squiresfrom don Bosco Circle #548 presented the Seminarians from the Diocese of Rockville Centre withRSVP funds to help in their studies. The Squires had run a raffle at their Parish to raise funds tosupport the Seminarians, Life Center of Long Island, and other charities. Thanks to the Counselorsand parents who drove the Squires to Dunwoodie for this fun-filled day. A special thanks toFrank DeLucia, Chief Counselor at Don Bosco Circle for coordinating our Squires Day atDunwoodie, and to Rev Nicholas Zientarski and the Seminarians for letting us join them for a
memorable day.
Left Photo: Verrazano Circle #5794 and Stephen E Knapp Circle #1249 newly invested Squires,
Investiture team, Counselors and NYS Director of Youth.
Right Photo: Squires and Counselors from Don Bosco Circle #548 and Stephen E. Knapp circle#1249, joined by several seminarians from St. Joseph’s Seminary, NYS Director of Youth Mike
Hearney, State Deputy Bob Weitzman and Dean of Students, Rev. Nicholas Zientarski.
Article and photos submitted by Michael Hearney, PGK, FDD, NYS Director of Youth
That’s right it’s not all about the money but the money is very important and it should be
the door way that opens up the council to better relationships. What am I talking about?The Refund Support Vocations Program for Priests and Postulates or more commonlyknown as the RSVP program. It should be all about the relationship that you make withyour seminarian or postulate. The RSVP program is designed to be away for you to supporta future priest or religious sister and it should also be a way for you to establish a lifelongrelationship with that future priest or sister that will make them a friend of the Knights ofColumbus for the rest of their lives. By doing this you could be responsible for bring manymore men into either your council or other councils into our state or into the order.
Here is what you need to do. First contact your Diocesan Vocations Director for the nameof a seminarian or postulate that your council can support. It is suggested that your Chapterhave a vocations director who can be a liaison to the office of Vocations in your diocese.This way he can insure that donations are spread out among the seminarians and postulatesso that everyone receives a donation before someone receives two. After the council hasidentified a seminarian or postulate write a letter of introduction and tell them that you wantto adopt them and provide moral and monetary support for them. Next make a plan to raisethe money you would like to give to them. Keep in mind that for every $500.00 donationyou make Supreme will reimburse the council $100.00. Next have the members pray foryour seminarian or postulate. Include them in either your opening or closing prayers atyour council meetings. Invite your seminarian or postulate to come to one of your councilfunctions and meet with the members and their families, invite them to give a short talk on
their calling. Include your seminarian or postulate in many of the councils activities if theyare available. Send your seminarian or postulate cards on important dates in their lives like birthdays or Christmas and Easter. Offer congratulations and support as the progress in theirvocational training and discernment. Have members be present for their ordinations or finalvows if possible. Remember that the relationship that you can establish with your seminarianor postulate now will make them see what a vital organization the Knights of Columbus areto the church and community.
Finally after you have established a good relationship and donated to their schooling, if theyare a seminarian, ask them to join your council. Hopefully they will and if they tell you that
they just don’t have the time right now let them know that there is no time commitment forthem to be a member and that your council will absorb the cost of dues and initiation fees.After their ordination there are no cost for priest they are honorary members for life.Remember the seminarian or postulate or priest that you establish a good relationship withcan recruit a lot of members for you in the future. Go out now and support your seminariansor postulates financially, morally and spiritually because it’s not just all about the money!
15th of each monthand it will be in the nextEmpire State Bulletin.Please send articles [email protected].
I look forward tohearing from you.
John G. Joseph,PGK, FDD, FST
Secretary to the State Deputy
STAFF OF THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL
Honorary State Chaplain…........His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan State Chaplain………………………......Most Rev. Robert Cunningham Senior Associate State Chaplain………..Rev. Father Brian McWeeney
Associate State Chaplain………..………...........Rev. Msgr. James Cox Associate State Chaplain…………….…...…Rev. Fr. Donald Bourgeois Associate State Chaplain………………………...Rev. Fr. Robert Dwyer Associate State Chaplain…………..……….Rev. Fr. Darr SchoenhofenState Father Prior of Youth………………….Rev. Father Dennis Nikolic
State Deputy…………………..…………...….……..Robert D. Weitzman
State Secretary………………………...…………….Kenneth Latham, Jr.State Treasurer………………………………….….……Edward Kennedy State Advocate………………..………………….…...……Gary LeonardoState Warden…………………………...…..………..……...Edward Ciulla
Chief of Staff……………….……………..……………....Edward O’Toole Secretary to State Deputy………………………………..John G. Joseph Warden to State Deputy………………………..…………Thomas Boslet
Admin. Assistant to State Deputy..….....…………..……....Frank Bagley Admin. Assistant to State Deputy..….....…………...…....Jerry ConnellyEvents Coordinator…………...……………...Anthony “Sonny” Mangone Counsel to the State Deputy……..……..Carmine Musumeci, Esq. PSD Counsel to the State Deputy…………………...…….Joseph Lupia, Esq.
State Membership Director……….…….Salvatore A. Restivo, PSD, XS Assistant Membership Director……………………..………….Rich Elias State Program Director……………...……..……..……Michael FlanaganState Youth Director………………………………........ Michael Hearney State C&B Director……………………...…..………...…Anthony Ippolitto
Assistant State C&B Director…………………...………….Hank Theiling
State Ceremonials Chairman……………………....James. A. Foy, PSD Admin. State Coord. Ext. Fund Raising……….……....Rocco D’Erasmo ESB Editor………………………………………………....John G. Joseph Web Master…………………………...…………...…………...Brian Ennis State Logistics Chairman……………………..Deacon Charles Esposito Insurance Liaison JamesGrabinski
