SPOTLIGHT ON A VOCATION

The spotlight vocation for February 2005 is Father Chuck Tuttle, our current chaplain. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 23, 1948, and was ordained a priest in the Belleville Diocese on June 8, 1974. Prior to his ordination, he served as a Deacon to St Joseph’s Parish, Olney. From 1974 until 1982, Father had his first assignment in Clinton County at St Mary’s Parish, Carlyle. During his first stay in Carlyle he taught at Mater Dei, was involved with both the local and deanery level CYO, and, of course, participated in the Knights of Columbus, joining in 1973. 

In 1982, Father was assigned as pastor of St Patrick’s Parish in Tipton, and Immaculate Conception Parish in Maddonaville. He was also a full time teacher at Gibault High School, but still found time to stay involved with CYO and the Knights. He was elected to the post of Grand Knight of Waterloo Council in 1983, and served as a District Deputy during 1984 and 1985.

Reverend Tuttle was reassigned to Mater Dei in 1985, with residence at the Carlyle Healthcare Center in Carlyle as well as weekend assistance to St Mary’s, Centralia. He then moved east from Carlyle to Sandoval in to serve as Administrator of St Lawrence Church, where he was named pastor in 1991.

Father was assigned to St Augustine Parish, Breese, and became the Chaplain of our Council in 2001.

Father’s work with the Knights of Columbus has been, and continues to be, so much more than just a council chaplain. He continues to serve as the State Father Prior of the Illinois State Squire’s Circle, often times serving as main celebrant at State Knights of Columbus Masses. He works closely with the State K of C Chaplain and Assistant Chaplain. He has received the Illinois State Squire’s Medallion in 1987, and the Illinois State K of C Medallion in 1995. He also helped to organize the Carlyle Squire’s Circle. Father Chuck is the former Father Friar of the Southern District of the Marquette Province of the 4^th Degree and continues to serve as the Father Friar of the Bishop Althoff Assembly of the 4^th Degree.

Even prior to becoming the Chaplain of Breese Council, Father Tuttle was an honorary member of Breese Council, which was evident in his proudly wearing an official Breese Council vest at State K of C Conventions for so many years. To see how 31 years as a priest can change your looks, go to:  www.chucktuttle.com

Reverend, Brother, Sir Knight Chuck, thank you for living your vocation through your commitment to your parishioners, and the Knights of Columbus.

The annual membership party on January 15^th was well attended. Special thanks go out to the Aviston Knights of Columbus for again preparing the dinner. The Breese Squires did a very good job of serving the dinner. Many people stayed after dinner and enjoyed their favorite games and good company.

The turn-out was great at the Blood Drive on January 19! If we did not achieve our goal, is was not for the lack of donors! Thanks to all that came to donate, helped to set up, and, of course, the Squires who helped reload the truck after the drive.

So far, we have two teams registered to bowl at the Knights of Williamson County Bowl for Charity at Marion and Carterville, scheduled for February 26 & 27. Men’s and Women’s teams are welcome. Call Andy Cassibry @ 526-8126 or Gary Jansen @ 526-4031 for more info or to sign up!

Thanks to all who supported the K of C Pro-Life Weekend on January 22 and 23! Distribution of the Lapel Roses for Life was well received. Donations received were above expectations!

The Breese Squire’s benefit Pork Sausage Breakfast that was held on Sunday, January 23, was a great success. Thanks to all that helped or attended. Do you know of a Catholic Boy between 12 and 17 who would like to join the Squires? Have them give Chief Counselor Brad Halstead a call at 526-4201.

The weather wasn’t great, but the participation was, at the Annual Free Throw Contest held the morning of January 29. 49 participants, age 10 to 14, shot hoops at Mater Dei with the following results: 10 year old winners: Cody Grapperhaus and Ellen Toennies; 11 year old winners: Sarah Pollmann and Kevin Garber; 12 year old winners: Morgan Pollmann and John Dulle; 13 year old winners Kristen Peters and Brennan Richter; and 14 year old winner Jeremy Kueper. A big thank you goes out to chairman Dennis Trame and his crew of score keepers.

The annual Past Grand Knight’s Party was held on January 29, following a Mass @ St Augustine Parish. PGK Craig and Missy Athmer coordinated a great evening filled with good food, drink, entertainment and social time. Immediate Past Grand Knight Leo and Barb Lammers were honored for their most successful year. Thanks again Craig, Missy, Leo, and Barb!

A big thank you goes out to all the Breese Knights that were able to prepare and serve the breakfast following the Aviston K of C Memorial Mass on January 30.

Under the direction of DGK and Spelling Bee chair Curt Zurliene, Breese Council will be hosting our annual Spelling Bee on Feb. 6. Breese Council will also host the regional bee on March 13!

ASH WEDNESDAY is FEBRUARY 9, which means it’s time for our annual Lenten fish fries. Beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing every Friday during Lent, our usual menu of fish, shrimp, and whole catfish with all the trimmings will be offered from 4:00 till 7:00. Stop by and try it — You’ll like it!

The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for February 10 at 8:00 PM. If you haven’t been to a meeting in a while, please try to attend and hear firsthand what YOUR COUNCIL is doing and planning! If you haven’t paid your dues yet, this would be the perfect time. Remember, there is always a $25.00 attendance prize and free food after the meeting, along with socializing and maybe a card game or two as well. Don’t forget, “It’s fun to be a Breese K of C!”

Please change your calendars if you marked it for the next Texas Hold’em Tournament for Charity that WAS scheduled for Feb. 19. There was a conflict with the hall scheduling! Another tournament is being scheduled, and the date will be announced soon!

The annual Knights of Columbus Chicken Dinner to benefit All Saints Academy is scheduled for Feb. 27. Work and dessert request cards will be mailed soon. Mark this date on your calendar for great meal out! Don’t forget to invite your family and friends too!

An auction of excess items from the Columbian Association and Knights of Columbus will be held at the hall on March 5 @ 10 AM, Doors open @ 9:00. Only members of Breese Council with a current membership card will be permitted into the auction. A complete list of auction items will be available at the hall at least 2 Weeks prior.

The 2nd Annual Trivia Night for Newman has been scheduled for March 5! Co-chairs Mike Niemeyer and Ahren Langhauser have an even better evening of thought and fun scheduled than last year. Get your team of up to 10 people together and call Mike at 526-4609, Ahren at 792-3660, or e-mail your registrations or questions to:

trivia@ breeseknights.com

Now is the time to begin the planning for our council members to attend the 107^th Annual Knights of Columbus Convention, to be held in downtown Chicago during the weekend of May 27,28 & 29. More details will be released, as they become available.

KNIGHT OF THE MONTH

February’s Knight of the Month is our Chaplain, Reverend Chuck Tuttle. As seen in the above Spotlight on a Vocation, Father Chuck is possibly the most active Knights of Columbus Chaplain in Belleville Diocese. Your GK has been honored to serve with Father, not only at the council level, but at the State level as well, through the Squire’s program. His determination and guidance has helped many people to live their vocation with the willingness and thoughtfulness that God intended.

FAMILY OF THE MONTH

This month’s family is PGK Craig and Missy Athmer for all their hard work with the planning and hosting this year’s Past Grand Knight Party. Craig and Missy have not dropped out of site since Leo Lammers became Grand Knight. Both Craig and Missy are always willing to help in any way they can. Craig continues to serve on our First Degree Team and as a current council trustee. Thanks again to the Athmers for all you have done for the council and its members!

In Memoriam:

Please remember the victims of the Asian tsunami and their families in your prayers.

Hall Manager and Hall Rentals:

            Duane Wempe

            526-7898

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:

You can make more friends in a month by being interested in them than in ten years by trying to get them interested in you.

CALENDAR

Grand Knight:

Joe Langhauser

            P.O. Box 5, Breese, IL 62230

grandknight@breeseknights.com

Daytime: 526-4277

            Evenings: 523-8189

Financial Secretary:

Cyril Athmer

P.O. Box 124

            Breese, IL 62230

Ph 526-0221