CHARITY                      UNITY                              FRATERNITY                                     PATRIOTISM

 Knight Line

Knights of Columbus

 Breese Council 2869

                              Breese, IL

                               March, 2005

SPOTLIGHT ON A VOCATION

This month’s spotlight is on the vocation of Sister Justina Schaefer of St Rose Convent in St Rose.

Sr Justina early years were spent on a farm near Hecker IL with 3 sisters and a brother. She attended school at St Augustine School and was taught by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. She realized that she may have a religious vocation sometime during 4^th grade. After completing here studies at St Augustine and a novena to St Ann, she entered High School at the Adorer’s of the Blood of Christ in Ruma. She continued her studies and graduated from St Louis University with a Bachelors Degree in Religious education, and later was awarded her Master’s Degree in Elementary education.

Sister Justina has spent 39 years leaching in public and privates schools. She has taught all primary grades and served as principal. The last 26 years was spent as the 1st grade teacher at St Rose elementary. Along with her daily teaching of normal public school courses, she has been the Director of Religious Education at St Rose for a good number of years. Not only does she direct the program for Catholic education of school age children 5 days a week, she also assists with the Catholic education of the 3, 4 and 5 year olds every Sunday morning. Sister also serves as a resource for Masses planned for special occasions. Sister continues to offer tutoring evenings and summers.

Sister Justina appreciates her time for daily prayer. She also credits Vatican II with giving her the ability to serve not only the children during their primary education but also serve the community is various ways, such as serving as the Chaplain of the Breese Daughters of Isabella.

When time permits, Sister enjoys embroidery, crocheting, bingo and cards. Sister also enjoys visits to her 3 surviving sisters and their families.

Sister Justina offered appreciation to the Knights of Columbus for their continued support of Catholic Education and remembers us in her daily prayers. She prays for more youth to consider a religious vocation. Sister’s pride and joy are the students that she taught during her tenure. She proudly displays various keepsakes she received from students over the years.

If you have an occasion to see sister or speak with her for a moment or two, please thank her for following her calling to serve so many young people in such a positive fashion. Thank her as well for having a positive impact of everyone she meets. Her love of God and to serve others is contagious.

SPELLERS ADVANCE

Breese Council Spelling Bee, under the supervision of DGK Curt Zurliene  was well attended. The 1st, 2nd and 3^rd place winners were: Lizzy Spihlman from Wesclin Jr High, Matt Mullins, Germantown Elem. And Mallory Mensing from All Saints Academy. These students will test their spelling skills at the Regional Spelling Bee to be held at Breese Council on March 13.

Now is the time to sign a new member for this year!

FISH, FRIENDS AND MORE

The Lenten fish fries continue to draw crowds. Service has been great with very little waiting time. Hats off to all the Knights and Squires that have been working hard to serve all our customers! The menu of fish, shrimp and whole catfish, with all the trimmings will be offered from 4:00  till 7:00 Fridays. Stop by and try it — You’ll like it!

BOWLING FOR CHARITY

Breese Council sent two teams to the Williamson County KofC Bowling Tournament for Charity held on February 26 and 27. Neither team had a great day other than joining with other knights from throughout the diocese to have a fun filled day of bowling and camaraderie. Thanks team members, for representing Council #2869!

Spread the news: “Being a Knight is fun”. Ask your neighbor to join us!

SUCCESSFUL BENEFIT DINNER

The annual Knights of Columbus Chicken Dinner to benefit All Saints Academy held on February 27 was well attended and supported by the entire community. Thanks to Chairmen Doug Kuhl and Rich Eilermann along with all who worked their shift or brought desserts. Thanks to everyone who supported this program

AUCTION

A members-only auction will be held at the hall on Saturday, March 5, beginning at 10:00 AM (doors open @ 9:00 AM). Over 50 different Items will be auctioned which include: 5 Slot Machines, beer signs and clocks, smoke eater, tables, 15 fluorescent light fixtures and 190 fluorescent light bulbs. See the bulletin board at the hall for a partial list of items being offered. Remember, only current members of the Breese Council will be allowed to enter the auction, so bring your membership cards.

TEST YOUR SMARTS!

The 2nd Annual Trivia Night for Newman has been scheduled for March 5! Co-chairs Mike Niemeyer and Ahren Langhauser report that there are still some tables open and sponsors needed. 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

BROTHER ERIC DETMER ARRIVES HOME!

Welcome Home Eric Detmer! Stop by the hall anytime after 2:00 PM on Sunday March 6 to welcome our brother Knight Eric home from Iraq. Sandwiches will be served.

Did you ask that relative who is not a Knight to join us?

SQUIRES

The Downstate Squire’s Basketball tournament will be played at Mater Dei Gym on March 6. Why not stop by and show our support!

NAME CHANGE????

The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for March 10 at 8:00 PM. Among other important issues to be discussed is the possibility of changing our official council name to Fr Aydt Council, in honor of the first chaplain of this council. A discussion and vote on this issue is part of the agenda. Several opinions have been voiced on this question. Reasons to change the name include: Council 2869 has members and serves a larger area than just Breese; to honor the first chaplain; and to increase membership in the Knights of Columbus in all of the six parishes that the council serves. Reasons against include: why “fix something that isn’t broke”; why name the council after only one of the potential list of possible honorees; and “it won’t make any difference anyway. There are also others that are non committed at this time. Please try to attend this meeting to voice your opinion and vote. Remember, there 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”

Now is the time to sign up that new member for the March 20^th, Palm Sunday Major Degree to be conducted at Breese Council. If you need help with contacting a candidate, or if you need any information or an application, do not hesitate to contact the Grand Knight. Do someone a favor by asking them to share the honor of being a Knight!

EASTER

Yes, Easter is here already! Best wishes to

you and your family on this very special day!

PRO LIFE ACTIVITY

April 4 has been designated as the KofC National Day of the Unborn, instead of March 25 because it falls on Good Friday. Watch your parish bulletins for more details on our invitation to the community to join in prayer for the unborn.

READY, SET, DEAL

The Council voted to purchase chips for all of our future Texas Hold’em Tournaments  for Charity. More tournaments can now be scheduled, which will be announced soon! Do you want help? Call Shane @ 765-2917.

CONVENTION ANYONE?

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. Any Knight and spouse is welcome to attend. Please sign up at the hall ASAP. If we don’t fill our bus, the extra seats will be offered to offer councils’ members.

FUN AND GAMES?

Softball season in around the corner. Any Knights interested in playing softball on either the 34 or younger, or the 35 or older teams, please call PGK and Sports chairman Gary Jansen @ 526-4031. Anyone interested in participating in the O’Fallon KofC Golf Classic on Friday April 29^th, please call Cyril @ 526-0221. Spring is just around the corner!

KNIGHT OF THE MONTH

This month, PGK, Past DD, current Financial Secretary Cyril Athmer will be honored as Knight of the Month. Cyril has been and continues to keep active in many programs with the Knights of Columbus. His attention to detail is evident in his monthly, semi-annual and annual reports. He serves on a chicken crew, works every Lenten Fish fry, serves on the Golf Tournament Committee, helps to arrange the annual membership dinner, remains active with the 4^th degree assembly, and picks up the Council mail on a daily basis. Cyril has been a member of the degree staff for many years and is a former member of the Columbian Association. He also finds time to enjoy golf and his membership in the Lions. Cyril, for all you do, this honor is for you!

FAMILY OF THE MONTH

Eric, Christy, Alex and Logan Detmer. Brother Eric has just returned back from Iraq. He was welcomed home by his wife Christy who works for St Dominics Parish, and sons Alex and Logan. Eric will be returning to his job with the Belleville Post Office. Thanks to the entire Detmer Family for their sacrifices while Eric served our country.  

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:

An open mind collects more riches than an open purse.

FROM THE BUILDING MANAGER:

Drink specials: Sundays: $1.50 longnecks, Mondays: $0.75 draft mugs, Tuesdays: $0.70 draft glass, Wednesdays: $0.50 sodas, Thursdays: $1.50 can beer.

Part-time bartending applications are being accepted. Call manager Duane Wempe after 4:30 @ 526-7898 for more details.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Web Site: www.breeseknights.com

Visit our website for even more news and information.

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