Knights of Columbus Council 8521 St Joseph Catholic Church - Honey Creek 25781 Hwy 46 West Spring Branch TX 78070-3613

May 2018 NewsletterKC Officers for 2017-2018

Grand Knight Rudy Gonzales 210-488-5431Deputy Grand Knight Hal B. Lane III830-980-6848 Financial Secretary Joe Vocks 830-885-4340 Chancellor James Sulak210-649-7904 Treasurer Terry Temple 830-438-8058 Recorder Donald Zaiontz830-980-2505

Advocate Greg Canfield830-438-8266Warden Matt Wohlfeil830-388-0469Inside Guard Carl Newton210-488-7181Outside Guard Henry Delgado830-885-4425Chaplain Rev. Francis McHugh210-824-0139 Trustee 1st YearMichael MertaTrustee 2nd YearGilbert Alvarado 830-980-5918 Trustee 3rd Year Max Engel830-229-5657LecturerSam Haines 830-438-4049

Pope Francis has called

on Catholics worldwide

to join him in praying the

rosary during the month

of May for peace in the

world. He said he was

praying especially for

peace in Syria, Nigeria

and the Koreas.

He issued his call on

Sunday, April 29, after

reciting the Regina Coeli

prayer with some 30,000

pilgrims from many

countries, including Italy,

India, Pakistan and

Portugal.

He told them that on

the afternoon of May

1 he will go to the

Shrine of the

Madonna del Divino

Amore, on the

outskirts of Rome,

where he will “recite

the Rosary, praying

especially for peace

in Syria and in the

entire world.” He

invited the faithful

“to join him

spiritually [on that

occasion] and to

prolong for the month

of May the prayer of

the rosary for peace.”

Pope Francis wants you to join him in praying the rosary for peace

By Gerard O’Connell

The pope has expressed his concern about the situation in Syria, a country

of 18 million people, where the seven-year war has left an estimated

500,000 dead, while more than five million Syrians have fled the country

and over six million are internally displaced. He is “deeply disturbed,” as

he said recently, at the failure of the political leaders of the international

community to end that war and bring peace to this martyred country.

But there are other conflict situations, too, for which Pope Francis wants

Catholics to join with him in prayer during the month of May.

He mentioned North and South Korea and told the pilgrims in St. Peter’s

Square that he was “accompanying with prayer the positive outcome of

the inter-Korean summit last Friday and the courageous commitment

taken by the leaders of the two sides to realize a path of sincere dialog for

a Korean Peninsula that is free of nuclear arms.”

Pope Francis wants you to join him in praying the rosary for peace

Pope Francis wants you to join him in praying the rosary for peace

Then, referring to the hopes for peace between the peoples of North and South Korea, whose countries have been divided since 1945, Francis said, “I pray to the Lord that the hope of a future of peace and more fraternal friendship will not be disappointed, and that the collaboration may continue [by] bringing the fruits of good for the beloved Korean people and for the whole world.”

Last Wednesday, April 25, he publicly assured the Korean people of his “personal prayer” and “the closeness of the whole church” for the success of the summit at Panmunjom between the leaders of the two Koreas,

Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un, and said that he hoped the summit would be “a propitious occasion to start a transparent dialogue and [open] a concrete path of reconciliation and re-found fraternity between the two sides, so as to guarantee peace in the Korean Peninsula and in the whole world.” He then urged the political leaders, to have “the courage” to become peacemakers.

Pope Francis wants you to join him in praying the rosary for peace

In his remarks today, he praised “the courageous commitment” of the leaders of the two Koreas and assured them of his continued prayer for peace in the country. At the end of his visit to South Korea in August 2014, he presided over a Mass in the cathedral of Seoul for peace and reconciliation between the two peoples of this divided country.

Today, the pope also called for peace in Nigeria. “In the past week, the Christian community of Nigeria was again hit by the killing of a group of faithful, among them two priests,” Francis said. “We entrust these our brothers and sisters to the God of Mercy so that he may help these suffering communities to find again harmony and peace.”

On April 24, some 30 Fulani herdsmen attacked the faithful during morning Mass at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in the village of Mbalom, killing at least 19 faithful, including two priests. “The service had barely started, and worshippers were still coming for the Mass, after which a burial ceremony would take place, when sounds of rapid gunshots rent the air,” according to the Nigerian Vanguard newspaper. It reported that “after attacking the church, the invaders descended on the community and razed over 60 houses, farmland, food barns, after carting away what the people had in their barns.”

Pope Francis wants you to join him in praying the rosary for peace

The village is located in Benue state, in the tense “Middle Belt” between the nation’s predominantly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south. The Vanguard said that “in areas like Benue, most of the settled farmers living there are Christian” while “the Fulani herdsmen, mostly Muslim, are semi-nomadic and fighting for land and resources.” According to The Guardian, the clashes with the Fulani have become “more deadly than the Boko Haram jihadist insurgency that has ravaged Nigeria’s northeast and is becoming a key issue in the upcoming 2019 presidential elections.”

Pope Francis is deeply concerned at the ongoing attacks on the Christian communities in this nation of 193 million people, of whom at least 20 million are Catholics. He learned much more about their plight earlier this week when he met the Nigerian bishops during their ‘ad limina’ visit to Rome.

A Message from our Worthy Grand Knight

Brother Knights

I would like to start by introducing and welcoming our new Knights who were

inducted last week.

Jeff Tharp, Dan Delallo, Jacob Seago, Richard Dawdy, Gerald Cole, Len E.

Brammeier, and Ruben Hernandez. Congratulations and welcome aboard. We are

looking forward to working with you in our many upcoming events. We welcome any

questions, concerns, issues or comments you may have by contacting Sir Knight

James Sulak or myself. Again congratulations on your acceptance for your interest

and request in becoming a Knight of Columbus.

What a great recruiting month! Thanks to all our members who worked so hard in

encouraging those waiting in the wings. This marks a new high, and still many more

men are out there and all we need to do is ask. Let’s continue our effort and I

challenge each one of you to ask a man at our weekend masses to join our council. I

am confident so many would say yes if we only asked.

Election of Council Officers is around the corner. I encourage each member to

consider a position. By taking an active role, you will ensure a stronger future for our

council and the overall good of the Order.

See You Y’all Soon!

HE IS RISEN!

Viva Cristo Rey

Grand Knight,

Rudy Gonzales

By David La Mar“…Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22: 31-32).

Christians have an especially significant means of communication, a vehicle for societal change and a methodology for transformation so

extraordinary, yet the world dismisses it as something ineffective. That vehicle is prayer.In the light (rather, the darkness) of recent efforts to categorize prayer as empty, baseless, or ineffective,[1] we Catholic men must remind ourselves and others that without prayer, there is no speaking with God. We must, like Simon Peter, strengthen our brothers through prayer.

Thoughts and Prayers: Power Tools in the Hands of Skilled Craftsmen

By David La Mar

Many thoughts which are inspired by God become actions. Prayer is action. Therefore, without prayer, we effectively eliminate our dialogue with the Almighty, ignoring every covenant established with God over millennia.“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…” (Mt 5: 44).Make no mistake. Do not be deceived. Our thoughts and prayers are dearly precious to our heavenly Father. He hears our prayers, but only if we pray. Apart from God, we can do nothing.

In a hurting world rocked by sin and death, dominated by relativism, secular humanism and atheism, scores of people agonize over various tragedies in life as a result of what Pope St. John Paul II referred to as mysterium inequitatis, the mystery of evil. We should certainly have recourse to our elected representatives, encouraging them to work toward establishing laws ultimately leading to bettering the common good. But our obligation, my brothers, is to make people understand prayer is the first step in any process which seeks to impact necessary, positive change.In those days, he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God (Lk 6: 12).

Thoughts and Prayers: Power Tools in the Hands of Skilled Craftsmen

Blessed (soon to be Saint) Pope Paul VI understood this when he wrote “Gaudium et Spes” (“Hope and Joy: The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World”) in 1965. He saw the advent of a fast-paced increase of industrialization, wealth and power changing the world’s economy while, simultaneously, poverty and suffering were increasing at an alarming rate. The need for the Church to pray for and work for the dignity of mankind through the profound revelation of sacred scripture was keenly felt in the 1960’s as much as it is today. The Holy Father’s prayerful message in this document states Christ is the answer to all the world’s problems.

We need to readily counter the message of those who would dismiss thoughts and prayers as fruitless actions. We are men of prayer collaborating to construct a world of justice and peace, thereby building up the Body of Christ. Human aspirations and plans are strengthened and vivified only after they are conceived as thoughts. When these thoughts are joined together with prayer, if they are God’s holy will, truly good and pleasing and perfect in the Lord’s sight, they become the seed that, “…indeed, bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold” (Mt 13: 23).

Thoughts and Prayers: Power Tools in the Hands of Skilled Craftsmen

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray” (Mt 26: 36).Spreading the gospel message of hope will not come about by dismissing the efficacious spiritual battle plan of prayer. Thoughts and prayers are an inestimable force, even more so when they are combined with solidarity and action. It is a “Both-And” relationship, not an “Either-Or” dichotomy. Venerable Fr. Patrick Peyton always said, “A world at prayer is a world at peace.” Those who would disdain our thoughts and prayers might very well be, in the spiritual order, those who need them the most.

Thoughts and Prayers: Power Tools in the Hands of Skilled Craftsmen

“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name…” (Lk 11: 1-2).

Asking why tragedy, suffering and death exist cannot result in a reasonable answer to satisfy the human heart. The only wordless answer providing the hope we so desperately need in life is found looking at a crucifix. For there, in the image of the Savior’s ultimate sacrifice, we find the answer. He is the role model we as men are supposed to become. He has been where we are, “…one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin” (Hb 4: 15).

Thoughts and Prayers: Power Tools in the Hands of Skilled Craftsmen

Developing a relationship with the Crucified One through our daily prayer lives is the way we will find the courage and strength to respond to Christ’s declarations, “You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5: 13), “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 14).Engaging in prayer is not doing nothing. It is the active engagement of St. Peter’s admonition: “So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Ptr5: 6). And silent prayer can occur any time, anywhere. God is found in silence, and silence offers us the perfect opportunity to pray (see The Power of Silence (2017) by Robert Cardinal Sarah).

So we should never despair, no matter how dark the day nor the hour. We disciples are no better than our master. Jesus taught and showed us how to pray, even to the last. The world may not recognize the importance of prayer, but Christ does. So must we. His words on the importance of prayer echo down through the ages.

Let us then pray, offering our thoughts and prayers for a suffering world because it does not know Christ. Like our master, may our lives be filled with guarded thoughts and fervent prayers right down to our last breath.Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit”; and when he had said these words, he breathed his last (Lk 23: 46).

About the authorDavid La Mar – hunter, homesteader, teacher, business owner, husband, and father of five – is in the Permanent Diaconate Program in the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa. La Mar has been married to his wife Mary for 10 years. He has a M.A. in English from The University of Iowa, and is a proud member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. He has aspirations of becoming a cowboy, but his wife has her doubts. If you haven’t visited Those Catholic Men take some time and explore, visit:https://thosecatholicmen.com/

Lee Brammeier Gerald CoaleJerry Collazo Richard DawdyDan Dellao Ruben HernandezMathew Schima Jacob SeagoJeff Tharp

Grand Knight Rudy Gonzalez and Chancellor James Sulak present a check

to the Bulverde Spring Branch Pregnancy Center on behalf of the

council

Our Council in action

Henry S AlonzoEloy C Alvarado

Raul AriasMichael R Colby

Daniel N CummingsJaime GonzalezAdam J Hudec

Justin G HutzlerRonald J Janak

Timothy J Kupper

Michael S LackeyJuan G Martinez

Ryan M NewRamon E Ortiz

Sergio PalosFernando X PalosMark E Riebesehl

Max RossSteven D Strickland

Terry M Temple

May Birthdays

FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT FOR

May 1, 2018Total Membership : 199

which includes 73 Insurance, 11 Honorary and 28 Honorary LifeNumbers do not reflect the new Knights who completed their 1st Degrees on 23

April, 2018. Awards Program

11

Payments were due by December 31, 2017. There are 5 Knights who have not paid their dues for 2018 for a total of $150.00. Second Notices were mailed

on March 1, 2018. Please make checks payable to Knights of Columbus Council 8521 and mail to

Joe Vocks, Financial Secretary, 923 River Way Spring Branch, TX 78070.

FAITHFUL COMPTROLLER REPORTFOR

May 1, 201886 Members which include 1 Honorary and 5 Honorary Life

Payments were due by December 31, 2017. There are 4 Sir Knights who have not paid their dues for 2018 for a total of $112.00. Second Notices were mailed on March 1, 2018. Please make checks payable to Father Virgilius DraesselAssembly 3439 and mail to Sir Knight Joe Vocks, Faithful

Comptroller, 923 River Way Spring Branch, TX 78070.

May 9th – Council Meeting, St. Johns Hall 7p.m

May 13th – Mothers Day

May 14th - Admissions degree, hosted by, Prince of Peace Council 7983

May 16th - Officers Meeting St. Johns Hall 7p.m

May 21st - 1st degree Exemplification, Rehearsal, St Johns Hall

May 24th – Admissions degree, hosted by St. Marks Council 7613

May 28th – Memorial Day

June 13th - Council Meeting, St. Johns Hall 7p.m

June 14th – Flag day

June 17th – Fathers day

June 18th - 1st degree Exemplification, St Johns Hall

June 20th - Officers Meeting St. Johns Hall 7p.m

June 28th – Admissions Degree, hosted by St. Marks Council 7613

In 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness Best-selling author Joe Paprocki provides a prescription for spiritual health based on the rich wisdom of Catholic Tradition. Through his nondogmatic, downright inviting style of writing, Paprocki makes this book eminently accessible to non-Catholics and "seekers" as well.

Man to Man, Dad to Dad: Catholic Faith and FatherhoodThis collection of faith-filled reflections explores various topics related to being a Catholic man and father in today's age. Integrating faith with marriage, parenting, and work, this resource offers a comprehensive understanding of a Catholic father's identity and purpose through personal anecdotes, models of fatherhood in Jesus' parables, Scriptural passages, and references to Church authority.

Recommended Books for Men

Insurance Q & A

Do I need life insurance?Yes, the chances are you do need life insurance, whether it’s for paying funeral expenses, replacing income, providing money for your child’s education, protecting your home or many other reasons. Unfortunately, too many people don’t know the value of a life insurance policy and go without any or adequate coverage.

Is the Knights of Columbus financially strong?Yes. The Order is one of the strongest organizations from which you can purchase insurance, as assessments by independent evaluators consistently show. Our margin of safety is among the best in the industry. The Knights of Columbus annually receives the highest ratings given by the A.M. Best Company and Standard & Poor’s.

What exactly are dividends?Dividends are the divisible surplus the Order has left over after paying expenses and setting aside the necessary amounts to assure that future benefits are fully funded. Dividends develop from favorable experience, such as people living longer than expected or from interest earnings higher than those guaranteed in their policy. Remember, the payment of dividends cannot be guaranteed.

If I have questions about my insurance policy, or have an interest in learning more about the products the Order offers, whom should I ask?Your professional Knights of Columbus agent can answer any questions you may have. Even if you are not currently a policyholder, a field agent, who is also a brother Knight is available to meet with you at your convenience the needs of you and your family. To identify your agent, call 1-800-345-KOFC (1-800-345-5632).