The Knight Watch Our Lady of Fatima Council 9597 ­ Chartered June 24, 1987

Newsletter Edition: September 2016 Regular meetings, 7­8:30pm: Business ­ 2nd Tuesday, Social ­ 4th Tuesday

1985 Miller Street, Lakewood, CO 80215 ­ Parish Hall, Knights Room

Grand Knight Ken Klispie 720.341.2543 Deputy GK Tom Martinez 720.341.2543 Financial Sec. Marcus Ritosa 330.212.8853 Program Dir. Dave Schneider 303.988.2510 Membership Dir. Dale Culuris 303.619.0110 Newsletter Editor Karl Thomas 303.564.1151

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for September That each may contribute to the common good and to the building of a society that places the human person at the center.

That by participating in the Sacraments and meditating on Scripture, Christians may become more aware of their mission to evangelize.

Happy Birthday Brothers! God has blessed the following brothers with another year of service to our Lord in September: David Miller 9/4, Dave Gaouette 9/10, Rick Gold 9/11, Ryan Slinger 9/13, John Luft 9/14, Ted Oldenburg 9/16, Phillip Gallet 9/19, Bob Burns 9/21, Dick Abel 9/23, John Collier 9/26

Years of Service Anniversaries

These brothers have completed years of service to the Order this month: Tom Elliott (32), Art Irlando (18), Evan Jansen (20), Mike Narey

(18), Tony Traverson (18), Jim Hagood (17), Jason Schweikert (2), Chris Klispie (2), Rich Phillips (2), Pete Zuniga

Grand Knight’s Knotes Brothers in Jesus Christ, I am more than humbled to be named Grand Knight of Council 9597. Becoming Grand Knight is very challenging to me given those that have held the office. I joined the Knights to serve, to grow in charity. I hope to serve you well in these upcoming two years, but I need your help. Please help me to correct my mistakes, I am sure I will make them. I need to know what I have done wrong and what I have failed to do. I may not always like hearing it, but I very much appreciate fraternal correction. So, tell me!

Please help me reach out to our Brothers who I have not met, so I may know them, and may greet my fellow brothers wherever I see them. To further promote fellowship in our Council, we are now meeting in the Parish Hall for our Social Meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Our social meetings will be open to spouses, family members and prospective new members. We will start with a Rosary followed by a simple meal and a presentation related to one or more Council projects. I hope to enjoy the fellowship of more of our Brothers.

And please, do not remain silent, when the Holy Spirit lays a desire upon your heart, one that the Knights can assist with, bring it to the Council. The good works of Council 9597 happen by the many hands of the men called Knights, and other men see those works and are moved in their heart to join us.

I look forward to serving you these next two years! Praise and Glory to Jesus Christ for creating us and calling us to himself, draw our hearts close to you Jesus.

Outgoing Grand Knight’s Knotes Happy New Year! By the time you see this, I will have been succeeded as Grand Knight by Brother Ken Klispie. It was a great honor and privilege to lead this council and the great men that are members of this Council. Thank you for your support. I know that I have often asked a lot of this council, but you all always came through in a big way. I know that you, like me, will support Brother Klispie in his efforts to take our council to the next level!

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Installation of Officers by Grand Knight Ken Klispie

We had a great turnout for the 2016­2017 fraternal year installation of officers. A simple meal of brats, salads and drinks were enjoyed by

all prior to the ceremony. Our worthy District Deputy Michael Majeres officiated over the installation. The new set of officers were excited to continue the great work of the prior fraternal years, and recognize how high the bar has been set. The evening finished with cake, fellowship, congratulatory handshakes and many lingering conversations. A special thanks to Br. Rich Phillips for his work in setting up, cooking and cleaning up for the event, as well as Br. Martinez, Br. Ritchey and the many other hands that jumped in to make the evening special. Council 9597 is an amazing group of Catholic men.

State Convention by PGK Michael Majeres

The State Convention was held at the DIA Crown Plaza in April. There were too many activities at the convention to list here, but I want to focus briefly on the awards our council received. Our Council was first recognized as having the second greatest number of “Shining Knights” in the state. Our amazing “Cheers to Life!” ultrasound fundraising event was the recipient of the State Culture of Life Service Program Award. Finally, our Council was recognized as 2nd best in the green division and 14th best in the state overall. Let me encourage all knights to look for future opportunities to participate in state council activities!

Newsletter Contributions If you would like to submit something for printing in next month’s newsletter, please send a draft, no later than September 27th, to Karl_Thomas@comcast.net .

Knights Stand Up for the Disabled by Program Director Dave Schneider

On Saturday, Aug 28, we started our annual Tootsie Roll program (better known as the Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) by giving away Tootsie Rolls and at the same time soliciting donations for the Intellectually Disabled. We will skip the Labor Day weekend and pick up the solicitations on Saturday, Sept 10 and continue each Saturday thereafter through Oct 1. The following is our schedule:

Sept 10 (S Golden Rd, Colfax/Quail) Sept 17 (34 th & Youngfield, S Golden Rd) Sept 24 (Colfax/Quail, 34 th & Youngfield) Oct 1 (S Golden Rd, Colfax/Quail)

Brother Phillip Gallet will be heading up the program this year. He has set up the worker schedule within the SignUpGenius website. Last month, Brother Gallet sent out instructions on how to sign up to work a 2­hour shift. If you have not yet signed up to work a shift, please follow the instructions. We now have a large number of able­bodied brothers and thus we are asking each of you to work just one 2­hour shift. If you don’t have email and want to work, please give Phillip a call (713) 591­5396 or (303) 469­1136.

A New Chapter by Financial Secretary Marcus Ritosa

In the late summer months of 2014, I transferred into Council 9597. This is my third council since receiving my 1 st Degree, and each council is different. One big difference I found here is that we aren’t afraid to acknowledge a need even though there is no apparent solution. This council seems always ready to help, asking then, “How can we make this happen?” This is something I hope to support (and not impede) as the new Financial Secretary.

Back in August 2014, when I heard that the GK wanted to put together a regular newsletter, I spoke up. I had some experience in editing and an eye for detail, but I knew nothing more about editing a council newsletter. What I did know, is that this council would support me in this charge.

And so I invite you to do the same, for the same reason. Speak up when you see a God­given opportunity to use your God­given gifts, because He will support you in this God­given council!

Next month’s newsletter will be the first of many edited by our new editor, Karl Thomas. Please give him the same support you gave me over these last 20 months. And thank you for allowing me to serve the council in this way. Vivat Jesus!

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August Knight of the Month by Grand Knight Ken Klispie

I am pleased to name Sir Knight Dale Culuris the August Knight of the Month for a variety of efforts to move our council forward. Brother Dale has been very active in our Council activities throughout the year, including Pancake Breakfast, the Membership drive, contributing articles to the newsletter and attending business and social meetings. Br. Dale has also made the transition of duties to both Br Marcus as Financial Secretary and Sir Knight Michael as District Deputy very smooth. He then returned to the succession of Officers by taking on the role of Chancellor. For these reasons, and the many ways Dale lives out our order’s principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity, I am convinced that Brother Dale is a worthy recipient of the honor.

Sept. Pancake Breakfast by Grand Knight Ken Klispie

It is that time of year again when we will be starting back up our monthly pancake breakfasts. Starting in September and running through June of 2016, we will put on 10 monthly pancake breakfasts. We are looking for volunteers to help them work out the details for each breakfast. Would this be something that interests you?

For September, the pancake breakfast in the parish hall on Sunday, Sept 18. If you will be in town that weekend, please mark your calendar. We will get started at around 6:30am (early shift) and finish up around 12:30pm. We will serve breakfast after the 7am, 8:30am and 10am Masses. If you can help, all that I ask is for you to show up at the parish hall, ready to work. The more people we have working, the easier it is for everyone!!!

Peaches for Seminarians Wrap‐Up by Program Director Dave Schneider

In August we completed a very successful Peaches For Seminarians program. We sold a total of 525 boxes of peaches, a new council record! Here is a breakdown of the program numbers:

Net from peach sales: $5,676 Monetary donations: $872 Total program proceeds: $6,548

More than 150 hours was donated by brother Knights manning the sales table and selling peaches to family, friends and co­workers. In addition, over 125 hours was donated on “Peach Pickup” day (Saturday, August 20th) for receiving the peaches from C&R Farms and loading them into each buyer’s automobile. If you helped out in any way with the program, please accept a big “Thank You” from both the council and myself!

The money we made will go to seminarians and postulants studying for the religious life within the Archdiocese of Denver under the Knights of Columbus program known as R.S.V.P. (Refund Support Vocations Program). Each individual we “adopt” will be provided with $500 in financial assistance and moral support. The money is used for tuition, books, car insurance and maintenance, travel during vacations, emergency expenditures and other living expenses.

Last year we “adopted” 14 seminarians and one postulant. Along with last year’s $1500 refund from Supreme, we now have $8,048 to give to seminarians and postulants under the 2016 program. Divide the $8,048 figure by $500 and the math tells us that we have enough money to support 16 people!!! This is an increase of one person over last year’s total. We will make the final decision on the spending of the money at our September business meeting. If you would like to have input, please make sure you make it to the meeting on Sept 13.

July Knight of the Month by Grand Knight Ken Klispie

I am pleased to name Brother Knight Karl Thomas the May Knight of the Month for a variety of efforts to move our council forward. Brother Thomas has been very active in our Council activities throughout the year, including Pancake Breakfast, the Membership drive, Peach Pickup, Tootsie Rolls, contributing articles to the newsletter and attending business and social meetings. Br. Thomas is also a recent recipient of the Shining Knight award. For these reasons, and the many ways Karl lives out our order’s principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity, I am convinced that Brother Thomas is a worthy recipient of the honor.

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New and Amazing Programs by Membership Coordinator Dale Culuris

Membership is NOT about the numbers but it IS about new men with ideas and the drive to bring those ideas into active projects! These projects bring life to our council and our basic principle of “charity” is expanded with the positive results of helping save lives (ultrasound initiative) and helping the seminarians/novices (RSVP). Our new members inspire all the council members with energy and zeal to continue and expand our council programs. Our council has seen SEVEN new members join the ranks of the Knights of Columbus since June 2016. Here are the new members:

Brian Flees David Gaouette Vince Cremona Ken Flees Chris Mancinelli Nick Smitley John Luft

Remember that EACH new member was approached by a Knight and asked if that man would consider joining the Knights of Columbus! You will note that a father and son team has joined our ranks and so it goes: Our programs inspire and our Knights execute those programs! Tell that prospective man (over 18 and Catholic) about YOUR favorite program and then TELL him how it inspires YOU to be a man of action and charity! Vivat Jesus!

Council Picnic This Month by Ken Klispie

Our Lady of Fatima’s Knights of Columbus Picnic is Friday, Sept 23, starting at 6pm. The picnic will be held at the Church. Please plan to bring the family for a night of fellowship, fun and good food. The Knights will provide the hamburgers, hot dogs and brats and their fixings. We will also be providing soft drinks, cake and ice cream, bring along your favorite side dish to share. There will be a limited amount of wine, so plan to bring your own adult beverages. Please come and enjoy this year’s Knight’s family picnic.

Passing the Financial Secretary Baton by Former Financial Secretary Dale Culuris

My term as the council Financial Secretary is coming to an end, and the next Knight will carry on what I’m calling the “FS Baton”. Since taking on the FS role six years ago, I have seen our council records evolve from the paper world to electronic spreadsheets (local advancement) to Supreme Membership Management. The passing of the paper world was a great moment and the adaption to the Supreme program effectively

handles all council financial and membership records. Membership management has taken time to evolve and Supreme is doing a great job of making improvements to the system.

The FS has two major duties: membership records (including the collection of dues) and the recording of financial transactions: collecting dues, recording the collection of funds from program events and donations and the writing of vouchers for the payment of council obligations that have been incurred by the council.

So, my biggest challenge, and most contrary to my nature, was the charge to collect dues. About 65% of our members pay their dues between Jan and Feb. The remaining 35% pay dues when they can. We know that there are real financial challenges being faced by some of our Brother Knights. It is the State and Council policy that “No Knight will be removed from our rolls due to financial difficulties”.

The council leadership has approved the waiving of all overdue past dues except for the per capita amounts the council has paid to both the State and Supreme Councils each year (paid twice a year). In the second “Dues Notification” for collection of dues this option was provided to each Knight that had not paid dues for prior years. It is an option still available and I urge those Knights to take advantage of this opportunity. Remember, we all promised to keep our dues current, as we became Knights. I will be issuing my last dues notification before the end of June and I hope we will close out the matter of dues before Brother Marcus Ritosa is appointed by Supreme to be our Financial Secretary. Brother Marcus brings great computer skills and is a perfect fit for advancing the use of the Supreme membership management program.

Thank you all for the cooperation and support you have given me as well as all the hard work of “charity” you have done for our six program areas. Special Thanks to our Treasurer Paul Egan for all his promptness and attention to details. It has been a real joy to work with our Grand Knight Michael Majeres!

Please give your full support to Brother Marcus and I’ll see you at the meetings and various programs! Vivat Jesus!

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Affix Stamp Here

Our Lady of Fatima Council 9597 Our Lady of Fatima Parish 1985 Miller Street Lakewood, CO 80215 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

From the 4th Degree by Former Faithful Navigator John Collier To All My Brothers in Christ. The 4th Degree, Mother Teresa Assembly 2551, Knights that include the Lady of Fatima Council, have voted to install new officers on July, 7th in the Parish Hall. Mike Majeres will be the new Faithful Navigator. The outgoing officers have served two terms and it is time for others to serve. I have really enjoyed being the Faithful Navigator for the past two years. We are going to continue to ask the 3rd Degree Knights to join us in doing our Patriotic duties in Knighthood. All Catholic gentlemen are welcome to belong to a wonderful group of men that are part of their church. God Bless and have a wonderful year. Vivat Jesus!

2016 Our Lady of Fatima Picnic by Recorder Don Frevert The June 11 parish picnic was very well attended with well over 100 parishioners and several of our clergy participating. Br. Tom Martinez cooked burgers, hot dogs, and brats for all and several other Knights served beer and wine. Many other parishioners brought potluck side dishes and desserts. All in attendance seemed to enjoy the good food and fellowship.

June Knight of the Month by Michael Majeres Ken Klispie was Knight of the Month for June 2016 for a variety of efforts to move our council forward. Brother Knight Ken Klispie has provided the council invaluable service by taking care of the responsibility of serving as Grand Knight. Not only is Brother Ken raising a great family, but he still manages to find time to assist with Council programs like the pancake breakfast and the annual beer pairing dinner. He also has led nominations for Knight of the Month! For these reasons, and the countless other ways that Ken lives out our order’s principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity; Ken is a worthy recipient of this honor.

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