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Sunday
29
22
15
8
1
9
Bingo 6:15 PM
Council Hall
23
Bingo 6:15 PM
Council Hall
16
Bingo 6:15 PM
Council Hall
Bingo 6:15 PM
Council Hall
2
Monday 3
Bowling 6:30 PM
25
Bowling 6:30 PM
18
Bowling 6:30 PM
11
Bowling 6:30 PM
4
Wednesday
5
26
19
12
Thursday
WHITING, INDIANA
Columbian Club
7:00 PM
24
Social Meeting
7:30 PM
17
10
Business Meeting
7:30 PM
Tuesday
Friday
6
27
20
13
FEBRUARY, 2015
POPE JOHN XXIII COUNCIL #1696
7
Lounge Card Drawing
10:00 PM
28
Lounge Card Drawing
10:00 PM
Dick Biondi Night
21
Lounge Card Drawing
10:00 PM
14
Lounge Card Drawing
10:00 PM
Saturday
GRAND KNIGHT’S REPORT
FROM THE DESK OF THE GRAND KNIGHT
Brother Knights and friends,
Well, February is here and January is a done deal once again. Considering last year, we’ve been blessed with a decent
winter thus far in 2015. Although I’d rather be in someplace warm, it’s not all that bad. Hey, we’re Midwesterners so we
should be used of it by now right?
First off, I’d like to thank the council for the privilege of letting DD1 Tom Caco and myself attend and proudly represent
our Council at the Right to Life March in Washington D.C. January 20th- 23rd. I’m moved beyond words as we and half
a million other Pro Life advocates, took to the streets of Washington D.C. to solemnly mark 42 years of legalized abortion
since the infamous Rod V. Wade decision. We will get this law abolished! The Knights of Columbus passionately supports
and promotes several Culture of Life programs and initiatives. Please go to www.kofc.org/un/en/prolife/index.html for more
information. I’ll have some information at one of our February meetings on the “40 Days for Life “campaign that occurs
about mid-February to discuss an opportunity for our council to participate in a vigil at the Planned Parenthood facility in
Merrillville.
Other happenings in January, our Council hosted a First Degree. Seven new members were initiated into the largest
Catholic Family and Fraternal Service Organization for men, the Knights of Columbus. Welcome from the Unity Council 726,
Art Landeros, from the Santa Maria Council 14885 Raymond Santana Sr. From Saint Pope John XXIII Council 1696, Thomas
Dabertin, Adam Lewandowski, Jeremy Massoels, Joseph (Houtson) Shimala and Phil Wojtonik. Special thanks to the
degree team Past Grand Knights: Joe Shimala, Greg Susoreny, Ed Igras, Rick Massoels, Gary Peters Jim Hildebranski, John
Blasko and Adam Kazragys. Absolutely wonderful job. Also, thanks to Chaplain Fr. Jerry Stack who was in attendance. Our
annual Dick Biondi Knight was unfortunately cancelled due to health problems Mr. Biondi was experiencing. A reschedule
date is in the works and we’ll let you know when that is.
Thanks to DGK Andy Dybel for nicely filling in for me while I was in D.C. for the Right to Life March, I was told it was smooth
sailing! Congratulations to Brother Knight Bruce Stolman who is the development Director in charge of more things than I
could possibly list, that keep Whiting running smoothly. Way to go Bruce! Columbian Club elections were held and the 4
members whose terms were up, were unanimously elected for another term. Congratulations PGK Rick Massoels, PGK Jim
Hildebranski, PGK Ed Igras and Chris Kovacik. Thanks to PKG Rick Massoels, Brother Mark Kobli, Brother Tim Michniewicz
and Brother Sean Gibbons for hosting the annual Super Bowl Party. Your efforts were greatly appreciated.
The Knights will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Lunch /Dinner Sunday March 15th from roughly 11, 11:30 to 4:30 - 5:00.
Exact times and cost will be forth coming. I can tell you it will be a corned beef dinner with all the fixings. Mark your
calendars. Please keep in your prayers our oldest Honorary Life Member Frank Simaga (79) who is convalescing at home
from a recent fall back in November. Also Honorary Brother Knight Frank Savastano is recovering from surgery in Tulsa.
Let’s keep in mind to approach a fellow Catholic gentleman, perhaps in Church? And ask him if he is interested in joining
our order.
Please don’t forget that Lent begins February 18th which is Ash Wednesday. This is a time for us as Catholics to prepare
ourselves for the triduum and Easter Season.
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!!
“ Vivat Jesus “
Sincerely,
Norb Lee Lewandowski
Grand Knight
grandknight1696@att.net
Grand Knight: Norb “Lee” Lewandowski
Financial Secretary: Rick Massoels
2129 Wespark, Whiting, IN 46394
Council Office 659-1168
Hall Rental: Jonathan McNinch, 659-3600
Chaplain's Report
REPENT AND BELIEVE
Father Jerome Stack, CPPS
In just a few weeks we will begin Lent, a season when we are called to repentance. Just a
couple of weeks ago, we heard the Gospel passage in which Jesus begins his ministry with a
call to repentance: “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
We usually think of repentance as sorrow for past sins. Indeed, the theme of sin may be found
in the Scriptures we encounter during the Lenten season, and the celebration of the sacrament
of reconciliation is certainly encouraged.
Repentance is not just about sorrow for sin, important as that is. The Greek word that is often
translated repent has the basic meaning of a change of mind or heart. Thus repentance has a
broader and deeper meaning than simply being sorry for one’s past sins.
It is interesting that in the first chapter of Mark, Jesus announces that the Kingdom or Reign
of God is at hand, calls for repentance, and then he calls the first disciples. They respond to
the presence of the Kingdom, they repent, by leaving behind their nets and following Jesus.
Nothing is said about sin, but there is certainly repentance, a change of direction, a change of
heart in their lives.
That scene from the first chapter of Mark invites us to reflect on what it means to repent during
this coming Lent. Yes, we should honestly take stock of our lives and admit where we have
sinned. But something more is being asked of us.
The disciples changed the direction of their lives in order to follow Jesus. Their repentance
involved a radical change of heart, a radical change in their perspective on life. It meant letting
go, not of something sinful, but of their occupations and, for James and John, even their father.
Following Jesus meant letting go of what was familiar, even though it was not a question of sin.
What the disciples left behind was certainly good, but it was, for them, an obstacle to following
Jesus. They had to let go of what was keeping them from full commitment to the Lord. Letting
go enabled them to acquire a new perspective, a new way of thinking.
Perhaps this Lent we might take some time to reflect on what it is that we might need to
abandon in order to follow the Lord more closely. What are the nets that we are called to leave
behind on the shore?
It might be that we need to let go of a particular way of thinking about our faith, our Church, or
even about God, so that we can come to a deeper and better understanding of these realities.
Perhaps we need to let go of certain attitudes we hold about some people, so that we can see
them in a more accurate light. We may be called to let go of some strongly held opinions so
that we can hear the truth in others. Perhaps we might let go of an attachment to our time and
energy in order to offer those gifts to others.
“Repent, and believe the Gospel.” Jesus calls us to a change of heart, a change of direction
in our lives, so that we can better hear and believe in the Good News. May we not be afraid to
leave behind the nets along the shore in order to follow Jesus this Lent.
ARE YOUR DUES PAID?
I am now accepting 2014 dues. There are still Brothers out there who owe dues for
2013. Please Brothers, let’s pay our 2014 dues early and if you owe last years dues
pay them as soon as you can. Dues are $42 for 2014 with a minimum of $1 additional
requested for the SOS (Save Our Seminarians) Fund. Thank You.
February Birthdays
Gail Brown
Linda Lynch
Tony Siorek
Stephen Calfa
John Lovasko
Jane Shimala
Jeannine Dabertin
John Lynch
Nick Siorek
Bertha DeLuca
Alice Nemcek
Paulette Strabavy
Michael Dosen
Patricia Mazanek
Joseph Stanley
Florence Gresko
Margaret Mikola
Bruce Stolman
Thomas Allison, PGK, FDD Gregory Hlebasko
Gladys Potas
Marie Turchany
Peggy Archer
Kathy Horvatich
Nick Padilla
Michael Wagner
Natalie Bajda
Cathy Jamrock
Mary Ann Parish
Robert Bercik
Tim Kovacik, PGK
Cheryl Rosen
Mary Ann Bibat
Robert Klosek
Brian Reel
Richard A. Biel
Dora Kovach
Todd Rokita
Lucille Blasko
Doreen Lissy
Joseph Semancik
Gerald Bobos
Dave Knazur
Carol Scivinsky
Joan Bondi
Paul Kuss
Anne Scrbacic
February Anniversaries
Charles & Peggy Archer
Allan & Natalie Bajda
Americo & Lucille Borgetti
PGK Bernard & Berdie Chiluski
Joseph & Mary Jane Hooker
Mark & Sheila Kobli
Craig & Mary Ellen Kouris
PGK Richard & Karen Massoels
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POPE JOHN XXIII COUNCIL #1696
WHITING, INDIANA
February, 2015
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