1

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FEBRUARY 2016

www.kofcohio.org Monthly Publication of the Ohio State Council

Brother Knights, I need to take moment here to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes during my bout with pneumonia in early January. I spent eight days in the hospital and a good two weeks recovering at home. I am finally beginning to feel my old self again and am gaining strength daily. Prayers work. Thank you to all who took the time to remember me in your prayers. Becoming ill never happens at a good time and my time in the hospital could not have come but the worst of times. It did though, three days before the start of the Ohio Charity Foundation Meeting and the District Deputy Midyear Meeting. Everyone rose to the occasion and took to the task in my absence. Thank you to State Secretary Kevin Miller, the State Officers, Directors and Staff for pitching in and making it a successful weekend. A little about membership… The December membership enthusiasm

just seemed to carry over into January. Although we were off to a slow start we rallied quickly in the last 10 days and continue to do a fantastic job with membership intake. We finished January with an intake of 169 members for a 7.51% intake. We placed 1st for the month in Division 1 edging out Texas by 0.32% on the last day of the month. This finish should earn us roughly $800.00 in bonus money in the Winter Sports Supreme Council Membership Contest. To date we stand at 57.69% of our Supreme Council membership requirements. We rank 16th of the 74 K of C Jurisdictions worldwide and we rank 1st among the Division 1 State Councils slightly ahead of Texas by 0.13% The great news is that we are growing. I don’t like to get too far ahead of myself but we are at +204 Net/Net (intake less suspensions, withdraws, deaths, and out of state transfers) and we are beginning to show new growth in Ohio. This places us 3

rd in the Order slightly behind

Louisiana and Mexico Northwest. With

another couple of good recruiting months Ohio could be over the 58,000 member mark. Thank you to everyone who is working to make this happen. Grand Knights and Membership Directors please keep membership the foremost priority in every one of your councils throughout this great state of Ohio. We have begun to show an increase in the number of councils recruiting and bringing in new members. To date about 66% of the Council's around the state are carrying the load in new membership. If the State of Ohio is to improve our membership status and grow as a jurisdiction we need the other 34% or roughly 132 councils to step up and begin recruiting. A new member from each of those councils would make a significant impact on our bottom line today. We are all on the same team and all in the game together. I need a firm commitment from all involved to make this happen. We are again looking for some opportunities again in February. There

CHARITY - UNITY - FRATERNITY PATRIOTISM

2

are still a lot of prospective members just waiting to be asked or need to be contacted. Inspector Membership has some incentives in February for Councils and Brother Knights that bring in new members. Rumor has it that Inspector Membership has issued an additional Special Winter Membership Program Contest for February. Watch us on Facebook or get signed up for our social media blitz for an unpublished membership incentive. Supreme Council has announced the requirements for earning VIP Bonus Points for the second half of the Fraternal Year. See your Grand Knight, District Deputy, or State Membership Director Nick Gresko for details. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson by a unanimous vote of approval from the State Deputies gathered in San Antonio approved the Supreme Per Capita Star Council Incentive Plan for another year. Achieve Star Council status at your council and be exempt from Supreme Per Capita payments for one year. Growth in new membership brings new Brother Knights, new ideas, and new energy into your councils. Please get on track with your councils membership program and sign up a new member today. If you haven’t brought in a new member this year please take a moment and ask yourself why. Congratulations to the December Membership Contest winners and all who brought in a new member that month. Contest winners should be listed in State Membership Director Nick Gresko’s column. Some thoughts on degree work…and its working! Please continue to schedule frequent degrees. Our requirement is one Admission (1

st) Degree per District per

month, statewide. I see the results of these frequent degrees already paying off in our membership numbers. Every District Deputy is required to schedule and conduct an Admissions (1

st) Degree

in his district every month. Please post all (1

st, 2

nd, 3

rd, 4

th) degrees

on the State Website. The degree posting page should be overflowing with scheduled degrees. There should be a minimum of 80 1

st Degrees per month

posted on the State Website. If you

schedule them they will come. If you post them others can see them and they will come too. Please continue to remind your candidates about the proper attire when they come to take any of the degrees. A candidate in t-shirts and shorts is just not an acceptable dress for a candidate making a degree. They should be dressed at the very minimum some type of Dockers or dress pants and a polo shirt or dress shirt. Again more Squires Congratulations... Congratulations to our State Squire Circle. They stand second in the Order with a percentage net gain of 14.25%. They are 5th stateside with a 61 member intake and a net intake of 55 new members. Culture of Life… I would like to send out a special “Thank You” to all the Brother Knights, Councils, and Parishes that braved the elements to attend the March for Life in Washington D.C. Our Fall Fundraiser the Football Frenzy Sweepstakes… Brothers the final report is in on the Football Frenzy Sweepstakes. We sold a total of 14,124 tickets statewide. This was an increase of 25% in ticket sales over the previous year. Each diocese was reported to have an increase in sales. Cleveland led the way with a 46% increase in sales and was rewarded with an extra $1.00 rebate per ticket sold. Toledo was second with a 32% increase in sales and was rewarded with an extra $0.50 per ticket sold. Columbus was third with a 20% increase in sales and was also rewarded with an extra $0.25 per ticket sold. Councils throughout Ohio earned just over $41,000.00 in rebates. The State Council also realized just over $48,000.00 in profit after operating expenses, weekly prizes and rebates. A big “Thank You” to everyone who participated in this year’s program. The Top Ten Councils around Ohio in rebates are; 1. Fr. Regan #3269; 2. Mary Queen of Peace #16279; 3. St. Peter #13984; 4. Bellevue #752; 5. St. Charles #16137; 6. St. Joan #15905; 7. Gilmore #310; 8. New Albany #10941; 9. St. Cosmos and Damian #11831; 10. Fr. Maruskin 10936.

All in all we improved in sales. That’s a good thing. We are headed in the right direction. Even so we still continue to leave a lot of money on the table in the Football Frenzy Program. There were still 21, 800 tickets left unsold. That equates to nearly a quarter million in potential bottom line revenue for everyone to share. I would like to recognize State Fund Raising Chairman PSD Gary Eckstein for running another successful Football Frenzy Campaign. Few of us know what goes on behind the scenes and what it takes to chair a program of this importance. I cannot thank him enough for what he does for everyone at the State Council. Look for some interesting proposals from State Fund Raising Chairman Gary Eckstein and myself for future Football Frenzy Sweepstakes programs. I may be Ohio’s sleeping giant of a fund raiser. Supreme Council Icon Program…

The Holy Family Icon Program Books are printed and we have begun the Icon Tour through Ohio. Hopefully the four icons will circulate through the State of Ohio as planned. Look further to the State Website for the schedule and when the icon will come to your district. Please take full advantage of this prayerful opportunity within your council and parishes. State Council Financials… State Secretary Brother Kevin Miller has just issued all of the Football Frenzy Sweepstakes weekly winner’s checks. He has also issued all of the Council rebate

(Continued from page 1)

(Continued on page 3)

3

checks. Those rebate checks were sent to the Councils Financial Secretary of record as of January 1

st.

State Advocate Brother Mark Siracusa has finalized the 2015 Measure Up Campaign and the 2015 Matching Funds Campaign. Booklets containing the results of these two campaigns will be made available to your council through your District Deputy. On behalf of all the State Officers I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in the Measure Up Campaign and Matching Funds Campaigns. Due to your efforts I believe we showed an increase in donations this year. A little about the Statewide Retreat… Please keep the 14 Brother Knights in your prayers who will make the Ohio State Council Statewide Retreat the weekend of February 5th and 6

th. The

retreat weekend will be under the direction of Former State Chaplain Rev.

Fr. Ron Williams. Council Audits and Fraternal Survey… Form 1295, Councils Audits, for the 1

st

half of the Fraternal Year and Form 1728, Fraternal Survey are now overdue to Supreme Council. Please make every effort to complete this task. “Town Hall” Meetings… The “Town Hall” meetings are over for this fraternal year. The meetings throughout the state have been very well attended. There has been excellent dialogue and debate among myself, other State Officers, State Directors and the Brother Knights in attendance. These meeting are a great place to learn about the working of your State Council, the State Website, State General Program, Church Drives, and membership recruiting. Look for another round of “Town Hall” meetings to begin this August sometime after we return from the Supreme Convention.

Council, District, Regional, and State Free Throw Contests… Please make yourself aware of the dates for these events in your area. All contest winners advance to the next level of competition. State Free Throw Final will be Saturday, March 19, in Columbus at Bishop Ready High School. Special Lapel Pin… I have been working with Vice Supreme Master Donald Hall to produce a special lapel pin for any 4

th Degree member who

brings in a new member and get him through his first 3 degrees. Our 4

th

Degree Sir Knights are always looking for ways to increase not only their membership but the State Councils as well. The final details of the pin have been finalized and are in production. It is an attractive pin that I believe any Brother Knight would be proud to wear. Look for a form here in the “Voice of the Spirit” that will enable to you obtain this pin provided the requirements have been met. WWW.KOFCOHIO.ORG The State Website is up and running for the first three General Program grading periods. Yes we have had some web issues but to my knowledge they are minimal. All problems to my knowledge have been worked out with Webmaster Brother Gilliland on a person to person basis. Remember our website is only 210 days old or so and it’s just getting up on its feet. With this said and confident in the working of the Website thus far Brother Gilliland has given District Deputies the ability to view all of their respective councils programming. Brother Gilliland is also working on the State Chaplain’s Page, the State Deputy’s Page, links to video productions on the Supreme Website, State Council Website tutorials, and better information to our Membership Inquiry Page. We have added the ability of the District Deputies and Grand Knights to use a fillable 450 and 450C Degree Report Form on the Website. Filing of this form on the State Website will generate a copy to the Supreme Council, State Membership Director Nick Gresko, and to me. Look for this form under the “Forms Tab” at the top of the Website page. If this proves successful and reliable it is just a precursor to a fillable From 185 and Form 365 this June.

Please be patient with us. If you have any issues please address them to me and I'll get with you and Brother Bob to get them resolved. Super Cash Bonanza… The 2016 Super Cash Bonanza Campaign will kick off as usual during two weekends in February. Along with the presentation of the Super Cash Bonanza I will be introducing a Special 90 Day Membership Contest to carry Ohio over the top in membership recruitment. It just may be a good idea to have your Council Membership Director with you that day. Road Show locations are as follows.

Thursday, February 18, 7:00pm, Marietta Council #478

Friday, February 19, 7:00pm, Msgr. Dooley Council #4361

Saturday, February 20, 10:00am, St. Joseph Randolph Council #2039

Saturday, February 20, 1:00pm, Garfield Council #4130

Friday, February 26, 7:00pm, Tiffin Council #608

Saturday, February 27, 9:30am, Msgr. Lang Council #1039

Saturday, February 27, 3:00pm, Fr. Aufderheide Council #12912

Saturday, February 27, 7:00pm, St. Michael’s Council #3382

Sunday, February 28, 2:00pm, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Council #11187

State Convention 2016… Grand Knights and State personnel be on the lookout for the 1

st call to convention. I

will try my best to get it out a little early and by March 15

th at the latest. The 117

th

State Convention will take place the weekend of May 20, 21 and 22 a week prior to Memorial Day weekend at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio. In closing… May God continue to Bless you as you continue to the work you do in Jesus name. Dedicate everything you do for Him to the honor and glory of God and see what changes it will make in your life. Bob Collins State Deputy

(Continued from page 2)

4

Reflections from State Chaplain Father Edward Janoch, State Chaplain

As I write this reflection there are plenty of stories on the Internet and Facebook about the issues of LIFE. What I find interesting in the Internet stories is the callous attitudes a number of people have towards LIFE. Here a just a few of the headlines of articles on the Internet: “Abortion Activists Upset Democrat Debate Didn’t Promote Aborting More Babies,” “Doctors Said Our Son’s Life Wasn’t Worth Saving Because He Has Trisomy 18,” “Though African-Americans are 12.6% of the Population, 30% of Aborted Babies are Black,” “Her Parents Abandoned Her After Birth Just Because She Has Very Wrinkly Skin,” and “Planned Parenthood Abortionist: ‘I Follow My God-Given Calling’ to Kill Babies in Abortions.” There are; however, some promising stories out there that give hope that the tide is turning. Here are a few of these headlines: “KENTUCKY: Panel Passes Pro-Life Bill to Help Women Find Better Alternatives to Abortion,” “Catholic University Students Will Lead March for Life Showing How Millennials Oppose Abortion,” “American Families are Adopting ‘Unadoptable’ Children With Down Syndrome From China,” “OKLAHOMA: Judge Upholds Oklahoma Pro-Life Law Requiring Abortion Clinics to Help Stop Child Rape,” and “Mother Rejects Abortion After Seeing Baby’s Smile in Ultrasound.” It just does not comprehend in my mind how there are people who reject LIFE. Some will even say that they are “good” Catholics or that they are “Christians,” yet they see no problem with taking the life of a human being. Some believe that there can be some exceptions for an abortion to be done. In the case of Rape, Incest, or to save the life of the mother, an abortion can be done. However, an innocent life is still lost. The children conceived in rape or incest did not make the choice on how they were to be conceived; given life, but yet they were given life. Many will say that the woman should not have to carry an unwanted pregnancy or that she should not have to be reminded by the child of the rape or incest that took place. Yet we say that

the ultimate act of love is dying to self and giving our self to another; in this case the child in the womb. Why should the woman who was an innocent person who had an evil act done to her now be the one to perform an evil act unto another innocent person; the baby. This does not make sense. Besides, the woman is going to remember the rape or incest no matter if there is a child or not. Unless she has lost her memory of the event; she will remember it for the rest of her life. In the case of the life of the mother, all possible means should be taken to save both lives. Yet there are cases where both die, one lives and one dies, and where both live. We do not use abortion as the means to end the innocent life of the child. Modern medicine and science has advance to the point where very premature babies have

a better chance of living then they did just five years ago. A child could be delivered early and have a chance to live. The child may die, but the procedure was being done to give both the mother and the child a chance to live. As members of the Knights of Columbus, we have been strong supporters for LIFE. When I go to the March for Life in Washington, D. C., I will see a great number of K of C DEFEND LIFE posters. They will be carried by brother Knights or given out to the marchers. We need to find ways to support LIFE. In the next few months, there will be some opportunities to promote LIFE. The “40 Days for Life” will take place during the Season of Lent, 10 February 2016 through 20 March 2016. Councils throughout the State could gather for one day to pray for LIFE and for an end to abortion. The Program Manual also

offers other events that could be done by a council. I know that councils have come together to have campaigns to raise funds for an ultrasound machine to be placed in a prenatal facility. Over

thirty have been placed in Ohio. More are still needed. One of the encouraging stories listed above mentioned that a woman did not abort her child for she saw the child smile on the ultrasound. If councils are not able to attend the March for Life in Washington D.C. or in a major city in Ohio, why not form a March for Life in your local area. Join councils in your area to have a March. Towns and cities like Mentor, Piqua, Geneva, Bowling Green, Kent, and

Athens, just to name a few, could hold a March if they cannot go to ones in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Steubenville or Youngstown. Maybe the large cities dates for their Marches do not fit well with events that may already be planned by councils in these areas. It does not have to be long. One mile or even a-half-a-mile walk can still show people that we are for LIFE. There are many things that we can do. We just have to have the FAITH that we say that we have, and to put that FAITH into action. Where would the Knights of Columbus be if the Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney did not have the faith with the first group of men to found our Order? Keep being men of FAITH and continue to be “merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful.” Vivat Jesus!

5

Saint of the Month St. Josephine Bakhita

February 8th

St. Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan in 1869. This African flower, who knew the anguish of kidnapping and slavery, bloomed marvelously in Italy, in response to God's grace, with the Daughters of Charity, where everyone still calls her "Mother Moretta" (our Black Mother"). Bakhita was not the name she received from her parents at birth. The fright and the terrible experience she went through made her forget the name her parents gave her. Bakhita, which means "fortunate", was the name given to her by her kidnappers. Sold in the markets of El Obeid and Khartoum, she experienced the physical and moral humiliations and sufferings of slavery. In the Sudanese capital, Bakhita was bought by an Italian consul, Callisto Legnani. For the first time since the day she was kidnapped, she realized with pleasant surprise that no one used the lash when giving her orders; instead, she was treated with love and cordiality. In the consul's residence Bakhita experienced peace, warmth and moments of joy, even though veiled with nostalgia for her own family whom, perhaps, she had lost forever. The political situation forced the consul to leave for Italy. Bakhita asked and obtained permission to go with him and a friend of his, a certain Mr. Augusto Michieli. On their arrival in Genoa, Mr. Legnani, at the request of Mr. Michieli's wife, agreed to leave Bakhita with them. She followed the new "family", which settled in Zianigo, near Mirano Veneto. When their daughter Mimmina was born, Bakhita became her babysitter and friend. The acquisition and management of a large hotel in Suakin on the Red Sea forced Mrs. Michieli to move to Suakin to help her husband. Meanwhile, on the advice of their administrator, Mimmina and Bhakita were entrusted to the Canossian Sisters of the Institute of Catechumens in Venice. It was there that Bakhita came to know about God, whom "she had experienced in her heart without knowing who he was"

since she was a child. "Seeing the sun, the moon and the stars, I said to myself: who could be the Master of these beautiful things? And I felt a great desire to see him, to know him and to pay him homage...” After several months in the catechumenate, Bakhita received the sacraments of Christian initiation and was given a new name, Josephine. It was 9 January 1890. She did not know how to express her joy that day. Her big and expressive eyes sparkled, revealing deep emotions. From then on, she was often seen kissing the baptismal font and saying: "Here, I became a daughter of God!"

When Mrs. Michieli returned from Africa to take her daughter and Bakhita, the latter, with unusual firmness and courage, expressed her desire to remain with the Canosian Sisters and to serve that God who had shown her so many proofs of his love. The young African, who by then had come of age, enjoyed the freedom of choice which Italian law guaranteed. Bakhita remained in the catechumenate where she experienced the call to be a religious and to give herself to the Lord in the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa. On 8 December 1896 Josephine Bakhita was consecrated

forever to God, whom she called by the sweet name of "the Master!" For the next 50 years this humble Daughter of Charity, a true witness to the love of God, lived in the Schio community, involved in various services: cooking, sewing, embroidery and attending to the door. When she was on duty at the door, she would gently lay her hands on the heads of the children who daily attended the Canossian schools and caress them. Her amicable voice, which had the infection and rhythm of music of her country, was pleasing to the little ones, comforting to the poor and suffering and encouraging to those who knocked at the institute's door.

Her humility, simplicity and constant smile won the hearts of all the citizens. Her sisters in the community esteemed her for her constant sweet nature, exquisite goodness and deep desire to make the Lord known. "Be good, love the Lord, and pray for those who do not know him. What a great grace it is to know God!" she said. As she grew older she experienced long, painful years of sickness. Mother Bakhita continued to witness to faith, goodness and Christian hope. To those who visited her and asked how she was, she would respond with a smile: "As the Master desires." During her agony, she relived the terrible days of her slavery and more than once begged the nurse who assisted her: "Please, loosen the chains...they are heavy!" It was Blessed Mary who freed her from pain. Her last words were: “Our lady! Our Lady!" and her final smile testified to her encounter with the

Lord's Mother. Mother Bakhita breathed her last on 8 February 1947 at the Canossian convent in Schio, surrounded by the sisters. A crowd quickly gathered at the convent to have a last look at their "Mother Moretta" and ask for her protection from heaven. The fame of her sanctity has spread to all the continents and many receive graces through her intercession. Josephine Bakhita was beatified on 17 May 1992, and Canonized on 1 October 2000. catholic.org

6

Membership Nick Gresko, State Membership Director

After finishing January #1 in Division 1 again Ohio has finished #1 four out of the first seven months. Many councils have accepted the mission, went out and showed the Order that Ohio IS The Membership State! What are your councils going to do down the home stretch (February, March, April, May and June) - keep the same from the first seven months or go out pound the pavement helping Team Ohio be #1 again? Will your diocese make a leap towards being #1? That is all up to each individual council! Again, thank you to all the members and councils that have recruited members so far! Please go out there and do it again so we can all help grow Our State and Our Order! "Through Him, With Him, In Him" and everything is possible! With things going as well as they have been just imagine what the numbers would be like if the below 100 Councils would recruit one or more new members.

4 MORES: MORE

Knights bring MORE

hands & hearts, to

raise MORE funds and

to evangelize, doing

GOD’S good works

helping MORE people

in need!

Form 450 and Form 450C is like GOLD!!! District Deputies please make sure within 3-7 days of holding a degree in your District the Form 450 is turned in. Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries the Form 450C should be sent in within 3-7 days of doing a degree. This is extremely important because this allows us to track if Supreme actually processed your Form 100’s! If you took the time to bring in a new member the State Membership Team wants to make sure you get credit for your hard work and effort.

Form 100’s Within 3-10 days of a degree any Form 100’s should be emailed to the Supreme Council at membership@kofc.org or to membershiprecords@kofc.org Supreme is able to process the Form 100 much quicker this way and you have a receipt that they were sent in your sent mail. Plus this saves your council the cost of a stamp every time new members are brought in.

Cincinnati (11) Cleveland (17) Columbus (15) Steubenville

(12) Toledo (22)

Youngstown

(20)

1782 947 400 1246 591 341

2927 2643 994 1421 1039 360

3376 2786 1065 1716 1117 507

3730 2816 1341 2187 1197 509

3861 3087 2898 2262 1494 554

5239 3126 3864 4361 1718 620

5621 3222 4324 4590 1750 627

6144 3541 5834 5174 1915 2530

10149 3822 10284 5250 2238 3350

14545 4168 11193 5583 2642 3766

15424 4498 12641 11380 2850 3813

5106 13379 15401 3883 4433

5506 13801 4790 4571

8369 14282 5139 4658

10936 14671 5226 5173

11464 8829 5589

14714 10749 13586

11287 14186

11450 14491

13636 15573

15036

16264

7

Retention Now, Retention Always Bill Wirtz (West) / Mike Jordon (East) Brothers, from the day we sign-up a candidate and the candidate makes his First Degree, we do Retention. That should be intuitive to all of us. The Retention Activities Program, which we developed for the Through Him, With Him, and In Him program, allow us to

be creative with our efforts to reach out to all our current members. From the time of our new knight’s initial welcoming, through his involvement in council activities, to his accepting of positions of leadership within the council we are practicing Retention. So, now that we have successfully passed the midway point of the fraternal year and headed for the home stretch, please ensure you have completed at least 3 of the 6 available Retention activities. We particularly encourage completing Activity #84, Establish a

Mentoring Program, which includes developing a Mentoring Handbook. The handbook and the Mentoring Program are investments in the future of your council. As always please allow the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and our actions. For questions and assistance please don’t hesitate to contact the Ohio State Council Retention Directors. God Bless, Bill Wirtz and Mike Jordon

Membership Mission #8 February 2016 We are now on the downward slope of the 2015-2016 Fraternal Year and what a year it has been!!!! You all have completed a lot of missions over the past 7-months. Your efforts show as Ohio continues to turn the heads at Supreme. Now, our mission has become even more challenging and we must stand together to reach out and contact all members. Yes, we are in the season where we discussions of suspensions creeps into council meetings. Are we going to let Dr. Arceo and his minions stop the Great Ohio Membership Train? Your mission this month is to look to get out of the same, old rut that councils go. We are not to repeat the actions of the past and hope for changes. We are going to be the ones making that change. Yes, Brothers, Groundhog Day is upon us. And whether you what Punxsutawney Phil or Buckeye Chuck to see or not see their shadows is not the problem. We do not want to end up like Bill Murray's character "Phil" and have our council continue to repeat the loss of members over and over and over and over. Be the change and work my mission. Watch the video and then see the Sweetheart of a deal that I have for you this month. Pass this on to your members - get everyone involved. Click to View the February Membership Incentive Video!

8

9

10

General Programs Bob Walsh, General Program Director

Congratulation to the November Family of The Month Winner, Bradley & Carrie Blumberg Family, in December Ohio had no winners. There has been only one council that has participated in this program on a regular basis. I am sure that more councils could be recognizing families in their council. This program could help in you picking out your nomination for the State Family of The Year. There are many programs that can be used to help you prepare for Lent, from having Religious services with your parish, helping in a Youth Service

Project and Religious activity with them. A Family Service Project and Prayer Service will help you start Building the Domestic Church. With three reporting periods over, I am a little surprised with the number of Councils that have not reported any programs at all. 178 have reported and most are half way to maxing out the State General Program. If there is some way that I can be of any assistance or any of the Directors, please get in touch with us to help you in any way. February 29 ends the fourth reporting period, with April 15 ending the current program year.

1085 points are needed to max out all programming. Forms #1728 Fraternal Survey and #1295 Council Audit are part of the Administration Program please make sure that you turn in these important forms to receive credit. Have you started to fill out your SP 7 form? Four programs are needed in the six reporting areas. With Councils having a great year in Membership this is the start to receiving Star Council Status. Check with your Insurance Agent to help achieve this Award.

Family Stewart Vetter We are all going to die. It is inevitable. We hope to be delivered directly to the gates of Heaven and to join the joyous songs of the angels and saints. As sinners, we realize we may not be worthy and we will need the purification of purgatory before we can join the song. As Catholics, we rejoice in the thought that God's grace has offered us a way of interceding for those poor souls stuck in purgatory. We can pray for them. As Knights of Columbus, it is our fraternal duty to remember the souls of departed brothers and to ask God to relieve them from the purification of purgatory and raise them to his merciful embrace. A memorial mass joins our prayers to the collective prayers of the whole church. Every council in Ohio should be conducting a Memorial Mass (activity 38). Memorial mass is a comfort to the family of the deceased member because they know that their husband/father/brother/uncle/grandfather is remembered. It is a comfort to us as his brothers because we can remember the good times with him and take comfort in the thought that when we go we will be prayed for too. It is a comfort to the departed member because whether his

soul is in purgatory or in the presence of the All Mighty he will feel the love of our memories and prayers. What about those left behind after you pass? Will your wife be able to pay off the house? Will your kids have enough to get by? Have you planned for their financial well being? Many of our brothers have not. They are not aware of the many options available to them

through the Knight of Columbus insurance program and are sure they can't afford it. I know I sound like a commercial but hear me out. Our insurance program is exceptional and our insurance agents are eager to help. Two years ago when my Dad passed, it was a comfort to me that Mom was able to work with a brother Knight to get everything worked out. I felt comfortable knowing someone else was looking out for her best interests and was explaining everything in plain English until she was comfortable with all her options. Too

many times we complain about the shortage of field agents but too many times we fail to support those field agents we do have. These men, our brother knights, work only for us, their brother Knights. We need to give them a chance to talk to our members. Fraternal benefit nights (activity 41) are all about supporting our field agents and informing our members. During a

fraternal benefits night, a field agent speaks about some of the many offerings he has available. You could also invite a local funeral director to speak about pre-planning services. Many of our brothers have questions but are afraid to take that first step and ask. This offers them a chance to get informed without feeling like they are committing to anything. This is a great presentation for during The

Good of The Order. As men, we are protective our wives and families. Let's make sure we are protecting them after we are gone too. Let's also remember, during this year of mercy, to comfort the widow and orphan by remembering and honoring their Knight.

11

Culture of Life Gary Anderson Please act now to encourage Congress to protect the rights of conscientious objectors to abortion, sterilization, and contraception. These rights are under attack. In California, for example, the state government has issued a directive requiring all health plans to cover abortions. Religious ministries in the state, including Catholic schools, are right now being forced to add abortion to their health plans. This sort of coercion violates federal law, but these federal conscience protections have not been enforced. More protection is needed as similar violations occur throughout the country. Health care workers and organizations need the ability to act on their own to defend their rights in court. The Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA) grants this by providing victims a means for protecting their conscience rights through legal action. Contact your members of Congress to support ANDA.

World Marriage Day 2016 Now is the time to begin planning for World Marriage Day, to be observed on February 14. What a wonderful coincidence that it falls on Valentine's Day this year, and the First Sunday of Lent. Since 1981, World Marriage Day has been celebrated on the second Sunday in February across the U.S. and around the globe. World Marriage Day honors husband and wife as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life. The critical nature of World Marriage Day becomes more and more important with the increasing onslaught of attacks on marriage and the family. K of C councils are strongly encouraged to proclaim to the nation and the world their undying

support for the institution of marriage.

For more information, see page 67 of the General Program Book. K of C Day of the Unborn Child One of the Order's most popular Culture of Life events is the Day of the Unborn Child, which in most years coincides with the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25. However, with Easter falling in 2016 on March 27, the observance of the Annunciation has been moved to Monday, April 4. The Day of the Unborn Child is a magnificent opportunity to promote and pray for the return of respect and protection of the unborn child. Some worthwhile ideas: Plan and sponsor a Mass for the Unborn (may include your Fourth Degree Color Guard). Consider a pro-life talk with light refreshments after, or even a dinner. Pray the Rosary as an assembled council and family for unborn children. Hold a prayer vigil in front of a statue of our Blessed Mother Mary or a monument to aborted children while praying a Rosary for the Unborn. Use your imagination!

Community Tom Forsthoefel Brother Knights, as we enter into another winter month we’re reminded that the Lenten Season will begin on the 10

th of

February. As we prepare ourselves spiritually for this important part of our lives let us all make a special effort to continue to work on our charitable deeds. As you learned in the 1

st degree of our

order, charity towards our fellow man is the greatest of all virtues. So let’s continue in our efforts to work hard to help those in need within our communities to help the downtrodden, our veterans, those that are going hungry at night and those that are less fortunate. We should all be praying for those within our community on a daily basis, but let us take that extra step and go out and help the oppressed not with just our prayers and financial support but with our physical efforts as well. The community activities for the fraternal year should be never ending within your council or individual reach. Help to make your council one of the best of the best by completing your council’s community activities and reporting them on the state web site.

Squires Marty Schumacher In January, we had a very successful Dodge Ball Tournament sponsored by Mother Seton Hall Circle #4891 in Columbus. Chief Counselor Tim Bowie and his crew put on a great Tournament. The next couple of months will be a very busy time for the Squires. Starting March 5th and 6th, the State Squires Officers will sponsor a Lenten Retreat. We will have a State Squires Cornhole Tournament on March 19-20 in Toledo. Also, in March we will be sending out notices for the State Squires Convention to be held in Columbus on June 24

th-26

th

at Sts Peter and Paul Retreat Center in Newark. On April 23

rd and 24th, we will hold our State Squires Volleyball Tournament

at Danville Circle #3676. Then the final notice to the State Squires Convention will go out. We are still looking for new circles from all over the great state of Ohio. We have a great bunch of young men putting their talents together to make this youth organization of the Knights of Columbus an energizing and committed group to benefit to our church, community, and world. Don’t let your council miss out on a good thing! Don’t forget to send in your Squire’s program reports to State Youth Director Michael Nau by April 15

th.

12

Have You Insured Your. Most Valuable Asset? Is your income protected if you become sick or injured and cannot work? Your ability to work and earn an income is your most valuable asset. Yet a disability could prevent you from earning that income. Not many people know that just one year of a disability could eliminate your savings. The Income Armor we offer, is an individual disability income insurance product from the Knights of Columbus and should be a key part of your overall financial plan and family's protection.

Members should know that if one is ill or injured, our Income Armor provides tax-free monthly benefits to help meet living expenses and maintain one's standard of living. The monthly benefits we provide will help pay mortgage and other monthly bills, while savings and retirement assets remain intact. In short, many people have an income but have no way to protect their paycheck. Let your members know that the

State District Deputy Director George Metz Worthy District Deputies, Thanks to all of you who attended the mid- year DD Meeting. Congratulations to the Following DD’s from the following dio-cese who got an award at the January meeting.

Cincinnati- DD 15 Richard Bischoff

Cleveland- DD 18 James Maslach

Columbus -DD 50 Rodney Anderson

Toledo- DD 59 Jason Tabb

Steubenville- DD 55 Ronald Ginnetti

Youngstown- DD 71 Steven Hill The requirements for February are summarized below and listed in the District Deputy Manual. Remember the monthly reports are due by 11:59PM on the 5

th of every month. We need a 100% on-time turn in. These reports are to be done on line. If you

are having trouble contact your diocesan coordinator for assistance. The numbers for this report should be for January ONLY.

February Requirements

Remind your councils to send in the Knight of the Year, Family of the Year, Lady of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Youth of the Year, Blue Coat of the Year, Chaplain of the Year, and Religious of the Year nominations to the individual program directors BE-FORE April 1st

Make sure all your councils have filled out and sent in the Semiannual Council Audit report (Form 1295) to Supreme by February 15.

Run the District Free Throw and turn in the Winners list to your Diocesan Coordinator. Assist your Coordinator in the Re-gional Free Throw competition.

Attend the Super Cash Bonanza charity tickets distribution. Thank you for all the great work you do. George Metz District Deputy Director

Insurance Corner James Valent

13

Silver Rose 2016 Schedule

You’re A Click Away—State

Website Bob Gilliland

Signing Up A New Member!

There is a new Electronic Form 100 Generator on the State Website. This can be filled out by a member of a Council who is sponsoring or proposing a new member. This new online form can be accessed from the About-Us -> Join-Us page, or the Membership -> Join Now! menu link. When it is filled out as a new member, only the necessary information is displayed, making is simple and easy to fill out. This is an example of the New Member mode of the form All but the last two modes of the Form 100 are available on this page to generate a Form 100.

The new member information is stored securely in the State Website Database and a completed Form 100 can be printed (see below).

It is important to note that this new

form will require the signature of the Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Proposer, and the new Member, but this will help make the signing up of new members more efficient. Here is an example of the full Form 100 with a Reinstatement selected As your Council seeks new members, you can use this tool to print out a Form 100 and have it presented to the Council the new member wants to join.

This tool will help your Council achieve its membership goal and get new members into the Order! If you have any problems, or need any help, please feel free to email me at BobG@sceinet.com.

Date [Arch]Diocese

Tour

Day

Sunday, July 3

Monday, July 4 Cincinnati 1

Tuesday, July 5 Cincinnati 2

Wednesday, July 6

Cincinnati 3

Thursday, July 7 Cincinnati 4

Friday, July 8

Saturday, July 9 Columbus 5

Sunday, July 10 Columbus 6

Monday, July 11 Columbus 7

Tuesday, July 12 Columbus 8

Wednesday, July 13

Thursday, July 14

Toledo 9

Friday, July 15 Toledo 10

Saturday, July 16

Toledo 11

Sunday, July 17 Toledo 12

Monday July 18

Tuesday, July 19 Cleveland 13

Wednesday, July 20

Cleveland 14

Thursday, July 21

Cleveland 15

Friday, July 22 Cleveland 16

Saturday, July 23

Sunday, July 24 Youngstown 17

Monday, July 25 Youngstown 18

Tuesday, July 26 Youngstown 19

Wednesday, July 27

Thursday, July 28

Steubenville 20

Friday, July 29 Steubenville 21

Saturday, July 30

Steubenville 22

14

Knights of Columbus Scholarship Winners Announced The Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program winners were announced recently and are receiving their $1,000 scholarship awards for the 2015/2016 school year. The list of winners may be found in this issue. Applications from all the 73 Ohio Catholic High Schools were submitted by 418 outstanding students. Since its beginning in 1995, the Scholarship Program has now awarded $622,825 to deserving Catholic Students in an Ohio Catholic High School to provide high school tuition assistance. This year, 39 scholarships were presented to the winners. The Scholarship Program would like to be able to provide many more scholarships, but the current fund balance only provides proceeds to allow the 39 scholarships. If you, your relative, or your council would like to provide a scholarship to your favorite Catholic High School so they would be guaranteed a winner every year, there are a number of options available. Your estate planning could include a K of C Scholarship bequest. As a point of information, a contribution of $20,000 would guarantee an annual $1,000 scholarship in perpetuity. There are also a number of paid-up Knights of Columbus life insurance options available from your K of C Field Agent. Of course, a direct contribution of $20,000 will always work. If you have any questions or need any help establishing a scholarship, please contact Past State Deputy, Dennis Shonebarger, Scholarship Chairman. One more way to assist the Ohio Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program is provided in the "Through Him, With Him, In Him" General Program Book. Activity #58 of the Youth Activities Program on page 71 provides 20 points for a $250 contribution to the Scholarship Program. Every four councils who contribute will provide one $1,000 scholarship to a deserving Catholic High School Student. All the information about the Ohio Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program including the official Application Form may always be found on the Ohio KofC website at: https://www.kofcohio.org/scholarships The current Application Form for a new school year is always made available to the schools and the website every September 15.

WINNER HIGH SCHOOL YR DIOCESE AMT IN HONOR/MEMORY OF

Smith, Emma Archbioshop McNicho-las

12 Cincinnati 1000

Peter, Kelley ** Archbishop Moeller 12 Cincinnati 1000

Yowler, Hannah Bishop Fenwick 11 Cincinnati 1000 The Center for Special Needs

Wade, Clare Chaminade-Julienne 12 Cincinnati 1000

Perrmann, Jacob Elder 12 Cincinnati 1000 Albert Schrand, PGK

Ogilvie, Evan ** LaSalle 10 Cincinnati 1000

Denning, Michael Lehman Catholic 9 Cincinnati 1000

Troina, Angelina Mt. Notre Dame 11 Cincinnati 1000 The Center for Special Needs

Juengling, Anthony Roger Bacon 11 Cincinnati 1000

Nie, Christina Seton 10 Cincinnati 1000 Ronald Edmonds, PGK

Ruiz, Benjamin St. Xavier 9 Cincinnati 1000

Ruiz, Elysia ** Ursuline Academy 12 Cincinnati 1000

Tassiello, Isabella Archbishop Hoban 11 Cleveland 1000

Shell, Jonathan Benedictine 9 Cleveland 1000 The Center for Special Needs

Bucci, Brittany Elyria Catholic 11 Cleveland 1000

Baranuk, Megan Holy Name 10 Cleveland 1000

Mancari, Anna Lake Catholic 10 Cleveland 1000 The Center for Special Needs

Schaefer, Emily Magnificat 11 Cleveland 1000

George, Rachel Padua Franciscan 10 Cleveland 1000

Collins, Kevin St. Edward 11 Cleveland 1000

Hupp, Matthew St. Ignatius 11 Cleveland 1000

Adkins, Jonathan Villa Angela - St. Jo-seph

10 Cleveland 1000

Colvin, Kathleen ** Bishop Ready 12 Columbus 1000

Kunkler, Travis ** Bishop Rosecrans 12 Columbus 1000 The Center for Special Needs

Ferguson, Adrienne Bishop Watterson 10 Columbus 1000

Voegele, Luke St. Charles 10 Columbus 1000 St. John Paul II

Ziegler, Emily St. Francis de Sales 11 Columbus 1000

Nguyen, Catherine **

Tuscarawas C.C. 11 Columbus 1000 The Center for Special Needs

Gonzalez, Daniela Steubenville C.C. 12 Steuben-ville

1000 The Center for Special Needs

Riley, Megan St. Joseph 11 Steuben-ville

1000

Beckley, Alexandra Calvert Catholic 11 Toledo 1000 The Center for Special Needs

Dorski, Rachel St. Mary C.C. 10 Toledo 1000

Rohan, Gregory Lima C.C. 11 Toledo 500

Rohan, Matthew Lima C.C. 10 Toledo 500

Patterson, Chloe Notre Dame Academy 9 Toledo 1000 The Center for Special Needs

Oberski, Jacob St. Francis de Sales 10 Toledo 1000

Gillen, Grace St. Paul 9 Toledo 1000

Hunter, Cameron ** St. Wendelin 12 Toledo 1000

Paul, Emily Canton C.C. 11 Youngs-town

1000

Brahler, Madison St. Thomas Aquinas 12 Youngs-town

1000 The Center for Special Needs

15

Holy Family Icon Larry Droesch, State Warden Brother Knights, I am excited to announce that the Holy Family Traveling Icon Prayer Program is officially starting December 12, 2015. It will run through May 19, 2017. The 2 year Prayer Program will start in Districts 57, 61, 39, and 71. It involves creating, planning, and holding a K of C sponsored Prayer Service honoring the Holy Family and using the Icon, Prayer Books, and Cards. All District Deputies will have the Icons for 20 up-to 30 days to move around within their Districts and then send or deliver the Icon, Prayer Books and cards to the next DD on the traveling schedule. Sorry to say we got the prayer books about 3 months late, so we had to readjust the schedule. I ask that every council and district please follow the enclosed/attached Traveling schedule to prepare for when your area will receive it. This also includes the guidelines that must be followed so every District in Ohio has the opportunity to have the Icon within the 2 year period. Thanks for your patience with getting this Prayer Program started and running. Feel free to call, text, or email me with questions"

ASSIGNED DATE ICON 1 ICON 2 ICON 3 ICON 4

ON OR BEFORE DD # DD # DD # DD #

1-Feb 65 60 46 27

1-Mar 64 67 37 26

1-Apr 3 62 72 75

1-May 1 66 73 29

1-Jun 2 68 32 74

Super Cash

Bonanza Road Show 2016 Bob Byers, State Treasurer The Super Cash Bonanza Road Show

Team is making plans now to meet with

each and every Council throughout the

State of Ohio to kick off the 2016 Super

Cash Bonanza Charity Raffle. We have

selected nine locations around the state to

make every effort possible for each and

every one of you to attend one of the

meetings. The team will share with you

some thoughts about what is expected to

conduct and accomplish a successful

charity raffle at your Council. We look

forward to meeting with you. The meeting

sites, dates, and times are listed below.

16