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| Project Coordinator John Bodensteiner is pictured with Principal Angela Issacs at St. John's School. |
For the 2011/12 winter season to date, 698 Knights of Columbus councils purchased and distributed 26,028 coats. In addition the Supreme Council also purchased 5,500 coats that were sent to several state councils for distribution, for a total of 31,528 coats given out.
Since 2009, the Knights of Columbus has distributed more than 70,000 coats to kids throughout the United States and Canada.
This project is funded primarily by the Wisconsin Cheese sales, which is coordinated again this year by Ed Miller, and by $500 obtained from a Walmart grant written and submitted by Milt Spaniel.
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| Vase of 122 flowers, one for each deceased knight. |
Seven knights died since the 2011memorial mass: Sir Knights Donald Christensen, John Matteson, Russell Rodden, Charles Sabathne, and Brother Knights Earnest Cooper, Daniel Rogers, and Edward Yomantas. A vase with 115 flowers was placed at the base of the steps to the altar, and a flower for each of the seven knights was added to the bouquet by an Honor Guard member as the names were announced by Father Elser.
The following widows were in attendance, and the names of their husbands were read by Grand Knight Bill Roe and Faithful Navigator Ed Miller: Joan (Hinken) Ashley, Ellie Barker, Elizabeth Barry, Christine Berich, Jeanne Christensen, Connie Cody, Tina Cooper, Pat Denomie, Jean Dobes, Jackie Fayman, Arlene Giedt, Theresa Mahowald, Marcie Margel, Marion McConnell, Rosemary Miller, Judie Pearson, Joanne Podraza, Ida (Pearman) Porterfield, Lucy Rodden, Carolyn Squire, Millie Steveken, Pat Stoiber, and Donna Uhen.
Grand Knight Bill Roe was the Master of Ceremonies of a program following the banquet. In addition to thanking everyone in attendance and recognizing those responsible for the evening's success, he presented the October Knight of the Month Award to Milt Spaniel and Family of the Month to Deacon Larry and Jan Lipsmeyer. A collection for Hurrricane Sandy netted $1,206 which was sent to Supreme for distribution to councils in New Jersey and New York.
The delicious P
etit Jean hams and meats will again be available this holiday season. Whether given as a gift that can be conveniently shipped to a friend or a family member, or as part of your own perfect holiday meal, Petit Jean products will be sure to please. The beneficiaries of this fundraiser will be the Alternative Learning Education program and the Mountain Pine schools.
Orders can be placed before and after weekend masses November 3 – December 16, with the exception of Thanksgiving weekend. Orders can either be picked up or delivered. The order deadline for pick up on November 20 is November 18, and for December 19 it is December 16. The shipping option deadline for Thanksgiving is November 12 and for Christmas it is December 16.
The following knights will not only answer your questions but also take orders: Mike Welsh, 915-8344; Jim Passe, 226-5252; Bill Welch, 922-6345; and Larry Stein, 226-5105.
The knights will again be selling the Keep Christ in Christmas Nativity Scene decal magnets for $5.00 each. Contact Bill Hartnett for information (922-6922).
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| 2011 Petit Jean Logo |
Orders can be placed before and after weekend masses November 3 – December 16, with the exception of Thanksgiving weekend. Orders can either be picked up or delivered. The order deadline for pick up on November 20 is November 18, and for December 19 it is December 16. The shipping option deadline for Thanksgiving is November 12 and for Christmas it is December 16.
The following knights will not only answer your questions but also take orders: Mike Welsh, 915-8344; Jim Passe, 226-5252; Bill Welch, 922-6345; and Larry Stein, 226-5105.
The knights will again be selling the Keep Christ in Christmas Nativity Scene decal magnets for $5.00 each. Contact Bill Hartnett for information (922-6922).
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| Co-chairs Milt Spaniel (l) and John Bodensteiner |
The knights wish to thank Village residents for their support of the campaign which raised a record $14,038 with a net of $13,307. Over 6,000 tootsie rolls were handed out as a “thank you” to donors. The sources of contributions included: $4,320 - knights; $465 - widows; $1,000 – anonymous; $1,700 – HSV businesses; and, $6,553 – community members at gates and stores and Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioners at weekend services.
The following 17 Village businesses supported the campaign with donations: Balboa Storage, Century 21 HSV Realty, Diamante Pro Shop, Dogwood Tree Hallmark, Edward Jones, Eyecare Specialties, First Arkansas Insurance, Good Spirits, Home Plate Café, Hot Springs Village Real Estate, Jensen’s Tire & Service, Lefler Dental, McCann’s Auto Mart, RE/Max Realty, State Farm Insurance, Village HealthMart, and Village Movers.
Just as with last year’s funds, the five beneficiaries of this campaign include First Step ($2,650.00) and Abilities Unlimited ($3,330.00) in Hot Springs, The Arc ($1,996.05) in Little Rock, as well as the Camp for the Blind ($1,300.00) and Special Olympics ($4,000.00), both of which are conducted for Arkansas residents.
Campaign co-chairs Milt Spaniel (l) and John Bodensteiner wish to thank not only the 118 knights and 22 spouses who volunteered for this campaign and the 113 knights who donated $4,320, but also the business and many community donors who supported this worthy cause.
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| Rick Hiemenz (l), Chuck Ralph, and Dave Witchger finalizing the dinner arrangements. |
The meal featured a thick slice of Petit Jean ham with a special sauce, sweet potatoes, and salad. There were also delicious desserts prepared by the Sacred Heart Ladies Guilds. The dinner was followed by a Village Big Band concert.
The revenue from the sale of 166 tickets was $2,324. As has been its custom for a number of years, Petit Jean Meat Products from Morrilton donated 70 lbs of ham, and an additional 40 lbs were purchased by the Council. Including the funds from the refreshment center, 50/50, and post dinner food sales, the net profit was$1,905.
The extra desserts were given to Teen Challenge and the other surplus food was given to Samaritan Ministries, an agency that is a beneficiary of both the Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Council Director Dave Witchger chaired the planning committee with Bob Bowman in charge of tickets, Ann Bowman and Kathleen Witchger were instrumental for the set-up and the take-down, including washing the 23 tablecloths. Also helping with the set-up and take-down were Jim & Ellen Elder, Mike Welsh and Janice Spaniel. Kathy Geske was the coordinator for the LOSH desserts. Jack Griffin sold the 50 / 50 tickets and Bob Rodgers manned the refreshment center. Rick Hiemenz had his kitchen staff including Dave Salmen, Tony Raymond, Ray Ambrozich, Greg Rogers, Bill Gerstner, Bill George, Dave Struthers, Ron Wilging, and Chuck Ralph.
Check out the pictures in the PHOTO Gallery.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Church donated the proceeds from its very successful biennial fall Treasure Sale to provide tuition assistance to students attending two area Catholic elementary schools.
At a luncheon meeting on October 31, Father William Elser presented a $8,298 check to representatives of each school. Accepting the check for St. John’s School in Hot Springs were Father James West and Principal Angela Issacs and for Our Lady of Fatima School in Benton were Father Joseph Ejimofor and Principal Jan Cash.
The September 28 & 29 sale was co-chaired by Knights John Bodensteiner and Chris Gleason. There were many knights and their spouses involved in all phases of the sale, including membership on the Steering Committee.
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| Pictured (l-r) Father James West, Angela Issacs, Father William Elser, Jan Cash, Father Joseph Ejimofor, and John Bodensteiner |
At a luncheon meeting on October 31, Father William Elser presented a $8,298 check to representatives of each school. Accepting the check for St. John’s School in Hot Springs were Father James West and Principal Angela Issacs and for Our Lady of Fatima School in Benton were Father Joseph Ejimofor and Principal Jan Cash.
The September 28 & 29 sale was co-chaired by Knights John Bodensteiner and Chris Gleason. There were many knights and their spouses involved in all phases of the sale, including membership on the Steering Committee.
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| 2012 Sept Exemplification resized |
There were four candidates from Hot Springs Council 6419 along with the two local candidates.
In the photo, Membership Director Bill Hartnett is flanked by new members Lanny Mabus on the left and Richard Woodfin on the right. Welcome Lanny and Richard!
Once again, the Council is charged with increasing its membership by 7% this fraternal year.
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| Our Lady of Guadalupe Image at Sacred Heart of Jesus, September 15-16, 2012. It was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI on July 10, 2011. |
The following is its formal introduction, as presented on Supreme's web site:
Msgr. Eduardo Chávez Sánchez Postulator of the Cause of the Canonization of Saint Juan Diego in Denver, Colorado, August 3, 2011
"It is a great joy for me to be with you today, representing the Canons of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. I bring greetings from our Rector, Msgr. Erique Glennie Grau.
Today, at the initiative of our Worthy Supreme Knight, we inaugurate the 15th prayer program of the Knights of Columbus conducted using a sacred image as its focal point. In 1979, the first such program was begun, which also focused on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Over the years, the Blessed Mother has been honored by her Knights through these Prayer Programs, under her titles of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Czestochowa, Our Lady of Pochaiv, Our Lady of the Assumption, Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Charity. These Orderwide programs of Marian Prayer have gathered together more than 14 million people at some 132 thousand prayer services conducted at local councils and parishes.
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| Jim Goodson speaking to the knights about Pro-Life activities |
A total of 309 bottles was returned within two weeks following the campaign's formal conclusion. Although parishioners were encouraged to return the bottles on Father's Day, many were returned each weekend to a basinet in the narthex.
The final tally of the campaign was $6,237.87, with $2,432.97 in coins, a significant amount which required special procedures to tabulate.
With the flowers distributed on Mother's Day costing $378, the net profit was $5,859.87 distributed as follows:
$2,125.00 - Sacred Heart of Jesus Respect Life Commission
$3,000.00 - Arkansas Knights of Columbus State Council for ultrasound equipment to be used at critical sites in Arkansas
$734.87 - Reserve
There were 27 knights Involved in conducting this campaign, and they, along with some of their spouses, donated 206 hours to its success.
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| Seated in front of 14 seminarians are (l-r) Monsignor Bernard Malone, Bishop Anthony Taylor, Monsignor Scott Friend, and Father Bill Elser. |
Knight Bob Honzik organized the event with brother knight and former restaurateur Diego Miceli cooking his tasty lasagna. Other knights served as ticket sellers, kitchen crew, and waiters for the sit-down meal, which included Pastor Father Bill Elser’s now regionally famous homemade ice cream for dessert. Larry Linteau, a new knight from Malvern, provided great background music with his expertise on the keyboard.
After introducing each of the 14 seminarians in attendance, Monsignor Friend indicated that the 6,000-square-foot facility being constructed on the campus of Our Lady of Good Counsel in little Rock will have a chapel, kitchen, dining room, meeting room/library, and a common area. The House will also include an apartment for the vocations director, one for the assistant director, and ten two-person student rooms, which are already scheduled to be full when the building opens this fall.