Knights of Columbus 4^th Degree

Monsignor Phillip Dreis Assembly 1204

Minutes for November 20,  2013

     The November 20,  2013 meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Sheboygan was called to order by Sir Knight James Tenpas, at 7:47 p.m.  After roll call of officers, faithful comptroller, Sir Knight Chris Audino reported that the net balance on had at the last meeting was $3,275.91.  Thereafter, in the Faithful Friar=s report, Fr. Dick Fleischman spoke in regard to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Invoking John 3:15, he encouraged us to live in the spirit of Thanksgiving by finding something that makes us thankful for the gift of life every day, and not just in extraordinary circumstances.

Other special reports were as follows:

Charity Report

In the charity report, Sir Knight Mike Bubb moved to donate $500.00 to a local food pantry.  The motion was amended to $500.00 to the Sheboygan Press Share the Spirit Program, for the benefit of those in need during the Christmas season.  The motion passed as amended.

Honor Guard

Sir Knight Gary Hughes reported that the honor guard is doing well and is prepared for next year.  He also indicated there were no requests lately, and that anyone interested in joining may do so.

Thereafter, Sir Knight Gary Hughes gave an update regarding the New Hope Pregnancy Center, indicating that a board and financial support are in place to establish a crisis pregnancy center in Sheboygan.  He proposed that the 4^th Degree should host a charity event to raise money to pay the rent once a building is found to house the Center.  He also indicated that proceeds from an upcoming craft=s show at St. Dominic=s will go to the new center in Sheboygan.

Purser

The purser=s report indicated a total of 28 members and guests, and one priest, were present at the November meeting. 

Area Coordinator

The area coordinator reminded us about the upcoming 4^th Degree Exemplification in

Waukesha on April 12, 2014, and encouraged members to sell raffle tickets to reach our goal of raising $1,000.00 or more.

District Deputy

District Deputy Mike Johnson reported on continuing to work with Fr. Carlos in Sheboygan to establish a Spanish Council and get certification by the state.  He said progress is going well and asked us to pray for Fr. Carlos, who is on leave to care for is ailing father.

Old Business

In old business, Sir Knight James Tenpas asked our respective councils to forward

information on council activities to him via e-mail.  He said he would then put the information in the Sheboygan Knight Letter for distribution to all councils every month. 

New Business

The new business category included a question and suggestion from Sir Knight James Faller about whether the 4^th degree should do something to help pregnant mothers who decide to keep their children.  Sir Knight Gary Hughes indicated that in Manitowoc, a program is in place to help the mothers, and that this same issue will  be addressed here after the New Hope Crisis Pregnancy Center is established.

Council Report highlights at the last meeting were as follows:

Council 5539:  Kiel reported that two new members were admitted to the 1^st degree in October.  Other activities included an essay contest in which $25.00 awards were given to the winners. Charitable donations for the month included $100.00 to the St. Vincent De Paul Store and $500.00 to  the local food pantry.  They also reported that a council Christmas party was set for December 15, 2013.

Council 11129: Sheboygan Falls reported donating $50.00 toward a youth mission trip, in memory of Bruce Berlowski, a member who recently passed away of an apparent heart attack.  The report also covered plans for distributing Keep Christ in Christmas yard signs after masses on December 13-14, 2013, hosting a council Christmas party on January 11, 2014, hosting a 1^st  degree ceremony for two new members at the January 2014 meeting, and participating in the state bowling tournament in March 2014.

Council 1789: Plymouth reported on plans to hold a memorial mass, followed by a landing day banquet and council Christmas party on December 1, 2013, at Brown Baer in Elkhart Lake.  They also reported that they would be placing a Keep Christ in Christmas billboard near the Dairy Queen in Plymouth.  Other activities included a Breakfast with Santa at St. John=s on December 15, 2013 from 8:00am to 12:00pm, and a Brat Fry on January 26, 2014.  Finally, the report included comments on a successful chicken dinner fund raiser, a successful speaking event featuring Rich Kern, and plans to host an additional speaking event featuring Matthew Kelly. 

Council 722: The Sheboygan report included a continuing invitation to attend their $2.00 Burger Knight social events, to be held on the third Thursdays of the month.  Other activities included a ladies auxiliary craft fair at St. Dominic=s on November 23, 2013, a Northern Lights Party and raffle drawing on December 13, 2013, Holy Hours at St. Clement=s on December 18, 2013, and a children=s Christmas poster contest and party during the week of December 8-13, 2013.