Knight Line

Knights of Columbus, Breese Council 2869, Breese, IL

July 2004

FATHER CHUCK’S CHATTER

First of all, congratulations to Leo Lammers for all that he did to make the Breese Council one of ten Councils in the State designated as “Illinois’ Finest” and a Star Council.  He is truly a “Rising Star,” an award which he received (only eight are given  in the entire State).

Secondly, we extend to Joe Langhauser, and his team of Officers congratulations on being elected Grand Knight and the various leadership positions, and know that they will keep the momentum going!  We look forward to the Installation of Officers, which will take place on Saturday, July 17, 2004, at the 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Anthony’s in Beckemeyer.

The “Chatter” this year will take a new direction.  Each month we will spotlight and profile a Priest, Deacon or Religious that minister within our Council’s territory.

I would like to first introduce all the clergy and religious who serve within the Breese Council area:

BEAVER PRAIRIE:

St. Felicitas:  Sr. Diane Turner, SSND, Parish Life Coordinator and Fr. Lawrence Nickels, OFM, Sacramental Minister

BECKEMEYER:

St. Anthony:  Deacon Robert Lippert, Pastoral Minister

BREESE:

St. Augustine:  Fr. Chuck Tuttle, Pastor

St. Dominic:  Fr. Pat Peter, Pastor

St. Joseph Hospital:  Sr. Dorothy Niemann, SCSC and Sr. Loretta Schreiber, SCSC

Mater Dei High School:  Sr. Barbara Bruns, PHJC and Sr. Virginia Kampwerth, PHJC

GERMANTOWN:

St. Boniface:  Fr. Steve Humphrey, Pastor

 ST. ROSE:

St. Rose:  Fr. Edward Schaefer, Pastor and Sr. Justina Schaefer, ASC, DRE

Next month we will begin the profiling of our religious leaders, and, as we do so, we encourage you to continue to pray for Vocations to the Life of the Church.

Viva Jesu!

 BREESE COUNCIL HONORED AT STATE CONVENTION

2003-2004 Grand Knight Leo Lammers, and other representatives from Breese Council #2869, attended the 106^th Annual Convention of the Illinois Knights of Columbus on May 28-30, 2004 in Rosement, Illinois. While there, Grand Knight Lammers accepted numerous awards on behalf of Breese Council, and one for his outstanding leadership.

The Breese Council was awarded a trophy for being named “Illinois’ Best, Columbian Spirit Award” . Of all the councils in the state, only 10 Councils were awarded this distinction. Breese Council completed all the requirements for the award, and sponsored at least 36 Programs during the last 11 months.

Breese Council was also awarded the highest honor in their division, which is a statue of Fr McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, for their activities promoting and supporting vocations to the religious life.

Council 2869 was awarded a plaque for their donations to the General Assistance Fund. This fund is used for grants and loans in building and rebuilding churches and public service buildings.

Grand Knight Lammers was one of only 8 Grand Knights from through out the state to be awarded the Rising Star Award. The Rising Star Award is giving to only those Grand Knights who worked above and beyond the required level of leadership, and increased member involvement. One aspect of his leadership that resulted in this award is that Breese Council surpassed their membership quota this year, which was the first time in 22 years!

Congratulations to GK Leo and First Lady Barb on assembling a great scrapbook of the activities of the 03-04 Fraternal Year. It was judged as being tied for First Place of all the books submitted.

 THE FIRST INITIATION OF THE FRATERNAL YEAR TO BE HELD ON JULY 8

This would be an excellent time for you to sign up a new member, especially one that might be going on to college soon! The Initiation will begin promptly at 7:15 PM at the council hall. Please bring the candidates that you signed up through the front door,  and into the downstairs dining room. Once you have signed a new member, please call the Grand Knight so that we can be prepared. We need completed Form 100's by July 5. Why not share the privilege and benefits with another Catholic Gentleman by asking him to join? Need assistance with a applicant? Call the Grand Knight!

 GOLF TOURNAMENT

            Breese Council will host our annual Golf Tournament at Bent Oak in Breese on July 10 and 11. Chairman Curt Zurliene and committee have done a great job in planning, - now all they need are more golfers. Saturday is open to all. Call a perspective member to join your team. Sunday is limited to members. Even if you don’t have a team, let the committee know  so that they can fill out some other teams. Please don’t forget to show up to work if you have been asked, or stop by to help or visit. Let’s show all of our visiting golfers the usual Breese KofC hospitality! If you have a question, call Curt @ 526-2018 or e-mail him @ dgk@breeseknights.com

 BLOOD DRIVE

We, along with the Daughters of Isabella, will be hosting a Blood Drive on July 17, from 2 till 7 PM. More donor stations have been promised than last time, so stop by and give the Gift of Life!

 NEW OFFICERS TO BE INSTALLED

 The following Knights have been elected and will be installed as the 2004-2005 officers of our council after the 5:30 PM Mass at St Anthony Church in Beckemeyer on Saturday July 17:

 Chaplain - Fr Chuck Tuttle (appointed)

Grand Knight - Joe Langhauser

Deputy Grand Knight - Curt Zurliene

Chancellor - Bob Foote

Recorder - Ahren Langhauser

Financial Sec. - Cyril Athmer (appointed by Supreme)

Treasurer - Mike Niemeyer

Lector - Kevin Korte (appointed) Advocate - Ron Kleiboeker

Warden - Ray Brosch

Guards - Steve Hagen, Steve Timmermann, Ken Jansen

3 Year Trustee - Leo Lammers

2 year Trustee - Craig Athmer

1 Year Trustee - Doug Kuhl

A light dinner will follow at the hall.

 PLANNING MEETING

            The planning meeting for the first half of the Fraternal Year will take place at the Breese North Park Main Pavilion (near the ball diamond parking lot) on July 22. The evening will begin with a meal @ 7:00 and the meeting @ 8:00. All members, especially officers and program chairman are welcome anytime after 6:00 PM.

 BREESE COUNCIL ENTERS THE ELECTRONIC AGE.

 Breese Council now has a web page to keep you and the community up-to-date on our activities and programs. Web Master Shane Bowen has done a great job getting this project off the ground. He and his committee, consisting of Mike Niemeyer and Andy Cassibry, are continuing to improve the site. Please log on @ www.breeseknights.com and give them your comments and suggestions.

We are also going to offfer this news letter via e-mail. If you have Internet access and would like to get your news “hot off the press” please send an e-mail to grandknight@breeseknights.com.  You’ll be added to the address list and start getting not only your news letters but also notifications of recently departed Brother Knights. Please consider using the Internet if at all possible. This will save time as well as saving the council money on postage.

 FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

 Watch for the Knights of Columbus insignia on death notification cards. We are working with the local funeral homes to have the insignia added to the notification cards when the family permits it. This will alert you that a rosary may be said, with the permission of the family, if the departed is a member of Breese Council. If you have any questions, consult the web page, the bulletin board at the hall, or contact the funeral home.

 A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING

 Thanks to all the Past Grand Knights and Officers who were willing and able to assist in the “Spring Cleaning” of the Council Office on Saturday June 12. Many hands made a big job seem small.

 SQUIRES

The Squires continue to make us proud of our sponsorship. They did a great job of cleaning up and assisting after the Breese Streetfest. Many great compliments were given on your work and attitude!

If you know of a Catholic young man, between the ages of 12 and 18, that would like to join the #1 ranked Circle in the State, give Chief Counselor Brad Halstead a call @ 526-4201!

 FAMILY OF THE MONTH

Mr and Mrs (Immediate Past Grand Knight and First Lady) Leo Lammers. I cannot in this small space begin to adequately recite all the accomplishments and list all the hours that Leo and Barb has given to this Council. The above list of awards that were received at the annual convention is only a sampling of Leo’s accomplishments. PGK Lammers’  commitment and energy regarding the Breese  Knights of Columbus will always be appreciated.

Barb keeps busy with her job at the U of I Extension Office. She is very involved with 4-H along with Youth leadership training and education. Barb was a great First Lady of the Council. She and Leo attended almost all the council functions open to spouses, and she attended many events with Leo representing our council throughout the State. Hopefully, she will now have more free time to devote to her love of quilting.

Barb and Leo have been blessed with 4 Children, Nathan, Glennon, Emily and Zach.

The eldest, Nathan, keeps busy as communications trouble shooter with Savis Communications. Nathan played football for Mater Dei and remains a devoted fan.

Glennon is a Brother Knight, and is currently serving our country in the Air Force as a Load Master on a C-17 based in Charleston, SC. He keeps busy after-hours with on-line courses to complete his degree in Criminal Justice.

 Emily is a graduate of Illinois College, where she excelled in basketball and earned a degree in Early Childhood Education. Emily enjoys golf and other sports in her fee time.

Leo and Barb’s youngest son, Zach, recently graduated from Mater Dei and became a 3^rd Degree Knight. He has been very active in both the Breese and State Columbian Squires for many years. Zach served as the Chief Squire of Breese Circle this past year. They received the Circle of Year Award as well as numerous other awards for their continued commitment and efforts. Zach also served as the State Bursar Squire the past two years. I had the privilege of working with Zach at both the local and state level. I could tell from the start that Zach was destined for leadership, and what a great and responsible job he did! Good luck as you continue your education at SIUE.

 KNIGHT OF THE MONTH   

He quietly serves as an example to all of what a Knight should be.

 HAPPY 4^TH OF JULY WEEKEND!

Please have a great and safe weekend with your families. Pray for all that made and keep our country strong and independent.

 COUNCIL CALENDAR

 July 8 - Initiation 7:15 PM

- Meeting 8:00 PM

July 10 & 11 - Golf Tournament, Bent Oak, Breese

July 12 - 4^th Degree Meeting @ Bartelso

July 14 - 8:00 PM - Squire’s Meeting

July 17 - St Anthony, Beckemeyer:

5:10 PM -  Pro-Life Rosary 5:30 PM Mass for living and deceased members of the Breese KofC Family.

Followed by - Installation of

Officers. Followed by - Light Dinner @ Hall

July 19 - Clinton County Fair Parade

July 22 - Planning meeting @ Breese North Park, Main Pavilion by Ball Diamonds. 7:00 PM Meal, 8:00 PM Meeting

 ADDRESS CHANGES

Please send all postal address changes to the Financial Secretary, even if you receive your newsletter by e-mail. If your e-mail address changes, e-mail the Grand Knight.

 CONTACT 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

fs@breeseknights.com

Ph 526-0221

 THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.

Matthew 10:42