2024-10-22 Business Meeting Minutes

Call to Order: Grand Knight Greg Peters: October 22, 2024, 7:15pm

·         Total in attendance:   41 Brothers

·         Officers Attendance Report: End of this report

Burning candle memorial:

·         For the Canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney

·         For Christian Decker

Opening Prayer: Hail Mary by Father Cesar

Pledge of Allegiance: All

Special Guest(s):   

·         Traveling Gavel: Was passed to the GK.

·         Guest- District Deputy Gene Ziemba applauded our Council for following the KoC directions in running our meetings and the support of Father Cesar who attends almost all our meetings.  He does not see that in many Councils.  Also, our deep relationship with Catholic Charities was very powerful in the Helene Disaster.  That relationship allowed resources to get moved to Western NC fast.  A third box truck is being loaded and will be driven to west tomorrow.  They still need supplies dropped off at Catholic Charities.  We will be moving from sending resources to needed manual labor to help rebuild Western NC.  This will take over a decade and will be a marathon.  He also congratulated us for our Double Star award which will be presented at a later date. 

Visitors: No additional visitors.

Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting: Minutes of the September meeting were approved unanimously.

Financial Reports:

·         Treasurer Report: Treasurer Bud Tascone
Financial statement is available upon request. Our financial status is very strong and there are no issues.

Chaplain Report:  Supreme Chaplain’s Monthly Challenge for September

·         Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” (Gospel for Oct. 27, Mk 10:51) The blind man asked for healing, but this story is about something greater than physical sight. Once he receives his sight from Jesus, the man “followed him on his way.” When someone encounters Christ and sees the truth of who he is, the only proper response is to follow that truth — to follow Christ on his way.

·         Challenge by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori: This month, I challenge you to find one way that you can help a family member, friend or coworker to more clearly see the truth of Christ and to follow him

·         Questions for Reflection: Do you watch for opportunities to lead confused individuals to Christ? Do you have the courage to share the truth of Christ with others? Do you speak the truth gently and clearly, so that others are better able to see and understand your point?

·         Challenge by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori: This month, I challenge you to make Peter’s profession of faith — “You are the Messiah” — a frequent aspiration, or short prayer, you recite throughout each day, perhaps writing it down some place you will see it regularly to remind yourself.

Membership Report: Membership Director Michael Brouillette

·         As of September, our Council has 209 members making us one of the largest Councils in eastern North Carolina. Our formal Fall membership drive was the weekend of October 5 & 6. We attracted 14 Anglo candidates with two completing the online form. We also received 3 transfers into our Council (two 3 degrees and one 4^th degree). We also attracted 6 Latino candidates. We still have one Latino candidate to exemplify.

Programs Reports: Program Director Larry Greer

·         Faith Director Report: Faith Director John Clyatt (given by Larry Greer)

·         COR (Heart) Program – COR continues to meet the first three Thursdays of the month at 7pm to 8:30pm in the John Henry Newman room.  The group is experiencing really profound sharing and discovery in the scriptures.  If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of let me know.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 719-393-2870..

·         Quarterly Knight’s Mass - Brothers we need at least 4 preferably 6 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) for each Mass.  Whichever Mass you regularly attend, please consider becoming an EMHC.  We also need more brothers for reader and usher.  If enough Knights don’t step up to the plate, we will be forced to give up our quarterly Masses.  As Knights we are called to be leaders of the faithful.  With over 200 Knights in the council this should not be an issue. The remaining scheduled Masses are November 24 at the 7:30am Mass, February 2 at the 9:30am Mass and June 15 at the 11:30am Mass.  If you are willing to step up, let me know. If we do not get the volunteers this may need to stop.  Please consider helping with this Knight event. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 719-393-2870.

·         Family Director Report: Family Director John Danchisko

·         Faith on Film Series (Movie Night)- 2024 - The next films will be: “It’s a Wonderful Life” on December 7.  Pamphlets were handed out. We are planning to screen one film per month in 2025. Currently, we have selected the following Saturdays: January 11, February 8, March 8, April 5, May 10 and June 7. The running times of films is around two hours. We welcome any suggestions of films to screen. Running times of films should be around two hours. For any questions/comments , or to volunteer to help, reach out to: Joseph C. D’Alessandro, 910-352-7607, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

·         Coats for Kids - The POC is Richard Caparelli; 941-223-6518; rcaparelli@comcast.net  Richard Caparelli requested assistance to distribute our Coats for Kids this year (254 coats).  All slots are filled. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4FABA82DA3FE3-51871920-coats
Richard is going to be at each distribution and only requested one additional knight.
October 28 Safe Haven Domestic Violence Outreach Center 1411 US 117 St. Helena, NC  Richard will deliver the coats.
October 25 Fair Bluff Building Bridges & Mobile Pantry 135 Rogers St. Fair Bluff, NC- Catholic Charities will deliver the coats
October 25 Bolton Community Center 15354 Sam Potts Hwy Bolton, NC.  Catholic Charities will deliver the coats.

·         Youth Friendsgiving- December 4.  Need to cook and help with games.  Info pending

·         Community Director Report: Community Director Ray Repage (given by Larry Greer)

·         Knight’s Breakfast is co-chaired  Joe D’Alessandro, Ray Repage and Bob Stevens , and mentored by Warden George Schadt. Contact Joe D’Alessandro at Cell:  910-352-7607. Our next breakfast is November 10. Let Joe know if you can volunteer to help and/or are supporting so we know how many will be there to set up another successful breakfast.  Sig Up Genius is forthcoming. Help is needed for Grill, Hot Table serving, beverage table serving, set up and clean up. Dates- November 10, December 1, January 5th, February 2 and March 9.

·         Blankets for the Homeless Donation: Congratulations to Brother Tim Kroll. Tim and his wife Celeste single handedly solicited the largest donation yet received for our greater Wilmington blankets program in the amount of $1,623.  Blankets, socks, hand warmers, and foot warmers were ordered for (200) homeless individuals totaling $1864.40. The blankets have been received. We will hand out (100) blankets, socks, and gloves to the homeless at Good Shepherd on November 6 around 930 am. GK is looking for 3-4 volunteers that are willing to participate. Remaining blankets will be distributed December 24 downtown. Let GK know if you want to support. It is rewarding to interface with the homeless and hand out the much-needed supplies as cold weather approaches.

·         The Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest is designed to encourage the youth in our community to become active citizens grounded in their faith.  It is currently underway with three St. Mark 8th grade English classes participating. Students are writing an essay of 500-750 words on the theme "What are the Two Most Important Virtues for an Elected Leader to Possess, and Why?  How can you determine if the leader has these virtues?“  Their English teacher will give us the top 15 essays out of approximately 75 of her students (final day to turn them in was September 30 and hope to have the 15 finalists on November 1).  The final judging will be by Larry Greer, Joe Hellmann and Bud Tascone.  First place winners will receive $200 each, second place winners $100 each and an overall top winner will receive an additional $100.  Bud Tascone 570 351-8076, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

·         NC Disaster Response- Council 12017 is engaged with both The Knights of Columbus state officers and Catholic Charities to support disaster relief efforts working with the Cape Fear regional office of Catholic Charities on HWY 421 in Wilmington. As of October 10th we have had (15) volunteers working a total of (60) hours helping load and distribute supplies to those most in need. Because of the scope of damage relief efforts are expected to last for months. If you are interested in volunteering to work at the local Catholic Charities office and/or are willing to drive relief supplies to the designated drop zones please reach out to Grand Knight Greg Peters at 910-899-8273. We will continue to transmit the latest efforts and needs via daily emails from the Grand Knight as received from the offices coordinating efforts. Over 160 hours have been donated by our area Councils.

·         Life Director Report: Life Director Michael Breit

·         Baby Bottle Collection: Annual drive was held on the weekend of October 5 and 6. Baby bottles were distributed at all the masses and families are asked to collect money or checks or make a donation during the month of October to support life activities. St Mary’s parish has doubled what we raised and our Parish is double their size.  We can do better.

·         Monday Night Football pool/raffle – This fundraiser generates all of its funds through sale of the Monday Night Football Pool booklets. The proceeds are slated to go to a number of Life program initiatives. The largest share goes to LifeLine Pregnancy Center, and Room At The Inn through the KoC ASAP program. (ASAP stands for Aid and Support After Pregnancy, and helps mothers and babies by supporting pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes.) Also planned for support is a jail ministry which ministers to both inmates and staff; covering the costs of the Wilmington March For Life, and various other Life activities throughout the year.  As you can see, this is a big undertaking and it won’t happen without the fundraising. $6300 has been raised combined with $1500 carryover leaves us with $7800 to support these efforts. Thanks to all who participated.  Contact our Life Director Michael Breit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Greg decker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

·         Life March- Will occur the first or second Saturday in February in Long Leaf Park.  Stay tuned for more info.

·         LAMB Report:  LAMB Director Tim Niggel This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. cell 910-470-5490 (cell preferred)  

·         No report

Fourth Degree Report:  SK Larry Greer

·         Faithful Navigator, Frank Bio This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. cell 910-899-8946.

·         Monthly meetings on the third Tuesday at 7pm.  Location is being rotated among parishes.  Go to the site for details  https://kofc2017.org/  Next meeting is November 19 at 700pm at St. Mark Church Parish Center. Two members (John Danchisko and Mike Fitzpatrick) of Council 12017 will were exemplified into the 4^th Degree on October 12.

·         Wreaths Across America program is now in full swing. Wreaths can be purchased for veterans’ graves at any National  Cemetery .Wreaths will be placed on graves at Wilmington National Cemetery on Saturday, December 14 at 12 Noon.  Cost of a wreath is $17. Assembly uses this as a fundraiser and gets $5 back for each wreath ordered. To order wreaths, or to sign up with helping to place wreaths on graves go to: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org

·         Veterans Support Raffle is a program to support local veterans’ programs in the Cape Fear Area. The fundraiser helps to do more at Ashley House, Save-A-Vet Now, Step=Up-For-Soldiers and others. Raffle tickets are sold in blocks of three for $10. The drawing will be held on November 19^th. First Prize- $500, Second Prize - $250 and Third Prize $125. Contact Greg Decker for tickets: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.         

Financial Secretary Report: SK Cary Newman

·         Financial Secretary Newman reported that there are no outstanding bills to be paid and we donated $2237 to Helene relief fund. 

Latino Roundtable:  GK Peters Reported. The Roundtable meets every 4^th Thursday of the month in the Juan Diego Room at 7:15pm immediately after Mass.

·         The Latino roundtable hosted a car wash at St Mark the weekend of September 22nd. A crew of 10 washed cars after the 9:30, 11:30, and 1:30pm Masses. Donation requested was $10 per vehicle. $1144 was made in this event.  Proceeds will go to support charitable and community programs within the Hispanic community.

·         Taco Dinner fund raiser- Tentatively scheduled for November 3.  More info to come. 

Miscellaneous:

·         Habitat for Humanity home build is coming to our council. Our first event will be November 2.  Details at this link on our web site https://kofc12017.org/index.php/programs/community/374-habitat-for-humanity Looking for new member participation in this team building effort to help those in our community. We need 10 people for each event (can also be family members or friends).  All safety gear provided. If you want to bring your favorite tool belt, feel free, but tools will be provided by the site foreman. We will schedule multiple days, so if you can’t make one, please volunteer for another. We need 200 volunteer hours on a build. Home will be built at 708 Swann Street, Wilmington. Sign Up Genius is in the emails that have been sent- Worthy Chancellor Ron White 910-395-5990

·         The 200 Club- Council 12017 is initiating a new and very philanthropic fund raiser called The 200 Club. This club will consist of 200 members of the Knights, their spouses and loved ones and members of the parish.  The first 200 to sign up will receive a randomly selected number from 1-200 for the drawing of prizes. Once the sign-up period is complete, two $100.00 winners will be drawn each month for 10 months at the monthly council meeting.  Your number can be pulled multiple times in a 10-month period and you do not have to be present at the meeting to win.  Following the 10-month period, a dinner for all members will be held and a Grand Prize winner of $1000 will be drawn.  You receive all of this for a membership fee of $50/year while also supporting the good works of the council. This year will be our start-up year so the number of months for drawings will be one or two less than the 10 we will have on a full fraternal year.  All cash prizes will be paid by check and either given to winners at the event or mailed to their home addresses. The Grand Prize Dinner will be free to all 200 Club members and donations for drinks will be appreciated It is our expectation, that after all expenses, the 200 Club will generate $4000/year for our charities with much, if not all, of this going to LAMB.  As you all know, LAMB collections have been severely burdened by the decline of Harris Teeter to participate in our LAMB campaigns. We look forward to a total of 200 members to sign up for this very good cause and a great chance to win prize money for yourself.  The officers of Council 12017 thank you for your support and look forward to having you as a charter member of the 200 Club! Please make checks payable to: “Knights of Columbus Council 12017” and include “200 Club” in the memo line.  Mail your checks to: Cary Newman, 1119 Ullswater Lane, Wilmington, 28405 or submit your check at the council meeting.

·         Christmas Tree truck offload- November 29 at 8:30am. Just takes about an hour. 

·         Assemble Christmas Manger- December 3.

·         Council Christmas Dinner- 3pm on December 15 at The Bone Fish Grill on Market Street. The GK has attached a signup genius below that you can confirm that you would like to attend or decline. Remember for brothers that are married to Columbiettes, they are receiving the same request thus please do not duplicate the same RSVP. We need these responses back by October 27 to work with the restaurant for seating arrangements. Signup genius listed below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4FABA82DA3FE3-52099557-knights

Grand Knight’s Report: GK Greg Peters emphasized the following:

·         Membership: Emphasized how well we are doing and that we have a goal of 22 new members.

·         Blankets for the homeless: Emphasized the 6 Nov date for the first distro and needs 4-5 Knights in support (see earlier section on subject).

·         St Mark School “Trunk or Treat” event: October 27 from 4:30-6pm. Knights to cook hotdogs, team lead is Joe D’Alessandro.

·         Habitat for Humanity: November 2 from 7:45am-2pm, need 5 more volunteers for the council 12017 team for this initial quarterly event.

·         200 Club: I need your support or we will not be able to have this great fundraiser that could raise $4k. To date we have had only 30 members sign up for this important fundraiser. Our goal is 200 tickets at $50/ticket with multiple opportunities to win $100 monthly raffle and a year-end chance to win $1000 with a year-end dinner for participants. Our goal for initiating this fundraise is to replace LAMB proceeds that will not repeat because of Harris Teeter and Food Lion canceling store collection drives. If we cannot reach at least (100) tickets by January I will instruct the WFS to cancel this program and return ticket purchases to the Knights that have participated in the initial launch of the program.

·         Latino Roundtable:  Have a tentative Taco fundraiser scheduled for November 3 however this will probably push into early December. Should resolve at November 24 meeting.

·         (New) St Mark Eucharistic Revival: St Mark will hold a Eucharistic Revival on January 5. The Knights have been asked to cook 200 hotdogs for this Saturday event.  More to come.

·         Youth Friendsgiving: December 4 from 6-7:45pm, Knights to arrive early to cook for youth. Contact Sean Strasma, new youth minister if interested.

·         Christmas Tree Unloading: November 29. Rich Carbone will move the manger assembly from December 7 so that it does not conflict with the Knights Christmas Caroling event.

·         Knights Christmas Party: Tentative for December 15, waiting on response to signup genius sent by Knights & Columbiettes due October 31.

Old & New Business:

·         St Mark School “Trunk of Treat”- October 27 Joseph C. D’Alessandro, 910-352-7607, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

·         St Mark Eucharistic Revival- January 4.  We will be cooking 200 hot dogs.  More to come. 

·         Miguel Saldana discussed and explained Our Lady of Guadalupe

·         Brother Talin Germain (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 919-521-1876) asks to let everyone know that he is helping the Heide Trask HS raise money for their band by selling turkeys.  He can deliver to the church for anyone.  They have frozen turkeys ($25) and smoked ones ($30).  Contact him if interested in helping.

Good of the Order:

·         Knight of the Month for June – Keith Lorenzetti

·         Family of the Month –

Prayers for Brothers in Need:

·         Names in the Prayers Book

·         For the Canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney

Next Meeting: November 26 at 7:15pm

Closing Prayer: Special prayer and the Our Father was led by Father Cesar

Meeting Adjourned: 8:00pm

Minutes completed by Recorder: SK Sean Murphy