SPOTLIGHT ON A VOCATION

Fr Jack Frerker is in the spotlight this month.

Fr Jack currently resides in Olympia, Washington, after entering into retirement in 2000 from active parish assignments in the Belleville Diocese.

Fr Frerker grew up in Carlyle, and attended St Mary’s Church and Grade school. He attended St Henry Prep in Belleville, where the now Cardinal George of Chicago was a classmate. His education and vocation continued at seminary at St Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois.

Fr Jack was assigned to various parishes in the Diocese, including: St Teresa, Belleville; St Philip, East St Louis; St Lawrence, Lawrenceville; and St Catherine Laboure, Cahokia.

In his early priesthood, Fr Jack was involved with teaching and youth ministry through his assignment to Assumption High School for one year, and to Mater Dei High School for four years in the late 60's, where he was known as the “Bug Driving Priest”. Yes, he was the proud owner of that German automotive masterpiece. After leaving Mater Dei, Fr Jack was assigned to the Newman Center at SIUC for 15 years.

Fr Jack felt a nudge to become a priest prior to attending grade school. He couldn’t wait to become an altar boy, and, upon graduating from St Mary’s, he decided to give St Henry’s a try. The rest is history.

Part of his ministry was the development of weekend retreats for high school students at Assumption and Mater Dei. These retreats were the precursor to the TEC and QUEST programs that are now offered.

Fr Jack credits Vatican II as having the most beneficial change in the practice of our faith. He stated that, through these changes, our religion has developed from just formalities to making our religion a more personal challenge. Being a Catholic is more than attending Mass on weekends; it is a commitment to live our religion on a daily basis through thought and deed.

When retirement had finally arrived, Fr Jack decided to dedicate more of his time to a life long interest in writing. Since his retirement, he has written and published 3 novels: Heat, Solstice, and, most recently, Connections. A fourth novel, Conspiracy, is already in the works, and will be published in 2006.

If you’ve not had a chance to read any of Fr Jack’s works yet, get a copy of Heat. You might find some striking parallels with life in Clinton County. Visit www.paxpublications.com for more information on these novels, as well as a recent photo of Fr Jack.  Fr. Frerker will be visiting Southern Illinois until mid-June and will call St Boniface Rectory his home until then. Father does have some copies of his books with him, so give him a call there (523-4271) for an autographed copy.

Father has made a difference in so many peoples lives through his lifelong commitment to his vocation. Thanks Fr Jack for your humor, honesty, and tutelage.

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

LOCAL SPELLER TAKES 3^RD IN STATE

Lizzy Sphihlman, who was the winner of the local and regional K of C Spelling Bees, went on to the State Competition on April 9^th at Champaign, and won 3^rd place in the state. Word has it that this Trenton native is the first downstate participant in several years to earn such a high rank at the state competition. Thanks again to Lizzy and her family for representing Breese Council at the state bee.

FREE THROW ACE CAPTURES 4^TH PLACE IN STATE

Brennan Richter, 8th grade student at All Saints Academy, placed 4th in his age group at the Knights of Columbus State Free Throw Competition on April 9. Richter, who shot 13 of 15 free throws at the local competition, went on to sink 20 of 25 shots at the district tournament, and then 5 of 5 to break a tie that allowed his attendance at the regional. Brennan sank 25 of 25 from the charity strip at the regional, which wrote his ticket to Champaign and the State event. Brennan didn't have one of his best days there, but succeeded in sinking 19 of 25 attempts to bring home 4^th Place in State! Thanks to Brennan and his family for representing Breese Council at the State Competition.

SQUIRES BRING HOME HONORS

The Breese Squires, along with 5 Breese Knights, attended the State Squires Convention in Bloomington on April 1-3. They returned with 1^st place trophies for basketball in both the senior and junior divisions.

Our local Squires will again be represented on the State level. Jacob Deiters, son and Larry and Darla Deiters, was elected to State Bursar Squire. Casey Petermeyer, son of Greg and Kim Petermeyer, will serve as State Pole Captain Squire for the coming year. These young men will be installed at the State Knight’s Convention in Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend.

Congratulations to the Breese Squires on a successful year, and special thanks to Brother Knights Father Prior Reverend Pat Peter, and Chief Counselor Brad Halstead, for all the time and effort that you give.

The Squires will be traveling to Camp Ondessonk for a work weekend on May 13-15. Any Knights interested in joining them can contact Chief Counselor Brad Halstead at 526-4201.

PRO LIFE ACTIVITY

Attendance at the Living Rosary, Pro-Life Baby Shower, and Pro-Life presentation, which was held on April 4, continues to grow from year to year. Our Squires, Knights, many Sir Knights in Regalia, and members of the community attended the program. Proceeds from the baby shower were sent to the Belleville office of Catholic Charities for distribution.

Thanks to the Squires for spearheading this program, along with Pro Life Chairman Rich Koerkenmeier, for his assistance.

Visit www.breeseknights.com often. You just might be surprised with what you find

RELIGIOUS VOCATION BENEFIT BREAKFAST

We, along with the help of The Serra Club, hosted a successful sausage, egg, hash brown, pancake, biscuit and gravy, etc. benefit breakfast on April 10.

Chairman PGK Ralph Langhauser rallied the members to cook and serve this delicious feast. The proceeds, along with a donation from the Council, netted a direct donation to the Serra Club of $1000.

The local Serra Club is a member of Serra International, whose mission is to "foster and affirm vocations to the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life in the United States, and, through this ministry, our members' common Catholic faith."

DIVINE MERCY HOUR OF PRAYER

Despite the short notice, attendance at the Divine Mercy Hour of Prayer was great. We, along with the Aviston Knights, hosted the holy hour at St Francis Church on April 27^th. Thanks to those who attended and took an active part in the program!

BREESE KNIGHTS GOLF @ O’FALLON

Three teams sponsored by the Breese Council participated in the O’Fallon Knights Golf Tournament on April 29. Despite the rainy weather, everyone had a great day. The O’Fallon Knights thanked all who attended, and told them that they would be seeing each other again in July at the Breese KofC Golf Tournament!

UPCOMING EVENTS

CONVENTION ANYONE?

May 6^th is the deadline to sign up to attend the 107^th Annual Knights of Columbus Convention, to be held at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in downtown Chicago during the weekend of May 27,28 & 29. Any Knight and his spouse are welcome to attend. Information packets, and a sign up sheet, are available at the hall. May 6^th is also the deadline to make your hotel reservations! Call the GK if you have any questions!

All convention attendees are asked to help prepare and serve the MD Band Banquet on May 16 @ 6:00 PM. @ the hall!

READY, SET, DEAL!

Our next Texas Hold’em Tournament will be held at the hall on Saturday May 7, beginning at 7 PM. Entry fee is $30.00. Prizes are: First Place – Minimum $500 in Cash & Prizes; Second Place – $100 Cash; Third Place ‑ $50 Cash; Fourth Place ‑ $45 Cash; Fifth Place ‑ $35 Cash; Sixth Place ‑ $30 Cash.

Spread the word, and invite some friends! We are only one of very, very few, licensed public games in the area. (Our April game was postponed because our chips did not arrive in time!)

MOTHER’S DAY - MAY 8

Knights, don’t forget all the mothers in your life on May 8!

INITIATION AND REGULAR MEETING - MAY 12

We will be conducting a 1^st degree initiation @ 7:15 PM, prior to the May 12^th meeting. Do you have a candidate ready? Please give the GK a call so that we can properly plan the program. The regular meeting will begin at 8 PM.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

Chairman DGK Curt Zurliene will be holding a planning meeting for the July tournament immediately after the regular meeting on May 12. Anyone interested in helping with the tournament is encouraged to attend. Everyone is welcome, and your help will be appreciated

ORDER A COOK BOOK?

A copy of the Illinois K of C Cook Book, which was printed for the Supreme Convention in Chicago during August, is available for your review at the hall. Many recipes from Breese Council members have been included. Sign up prior to June 9 to buy a copy for a reduced price of $10.00. Thanks again to all to submitted recipes!

KNIGHT OF THE MONTH

Ahren Langhauser, current Recording Secretary for the Council

Ahren was selected for his recent co-chairmanship and Master of Ceremonies role at the Trivia for Newman fund-raiser. In addition to being an officer, Ahren is active on a Friday chicken crew, a Lighting Round crew, and fills in on a Bingo crew when needed. He has been very involved with the recent and continuing remodel of the hall by donating his time and electrical skills. A past Chief Squire of the Breese Squires Circle, as well as the Illinois State Circle, Ahren also joined the Fourth Degree earlier this year. Thanks, Ahren!

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

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:

“Do to others what you would have them do to you” Matthew 7:12

IN MEMORIAM

Remember our recently departed Brother Knights, Clete Toennies and Dr James Kirby, in your prayers.

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

Hall Manager

            Duane Wempe

            Ph 526-7898

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