I Am With
You Always
Empire State Bulletin Official Publication
of the New York State Council
Knights of Columbus
Organized February 3, 1896
Vol. 54 Issue 1 July 2015
A Message From Your State Deputy, Robert D. Weitzman
To My Brother Knights,
I would like to thank each of you for selecting me as your New York State Deputy. I will do my best to serve you, your families,
your community and our Church during my tenure as State Deputy.
I realize for the New York State Knights of Columbus to be successful it will take a commitment of all our Knights throughout our
great state. You may ask how would I define successful. To me, our pursuit of excellence goes back to the year 1882 when Venerable
Father Michael J. McGivney had a vision to care for the widows and orphans of Catholic men who died early in life. Thus, the Knights of
Columbus was formed. The principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity were set and the most important and first principle of our order is
Charity. These words, CHARITY, UNITY, and FRATERNITY are not shallow words. They have to mean something to us as individuals.
We are the most important lay Catholic organization in the world and we must be committed to our faith and our order. We have to
continue to exceed our charitable works and unite to care for our Church, our community, and for those most in need. We will join
together as a true fraternity of brother Knights with our families to have a positive impact on our community. We will demonstrate by our
good deeds and our selfless acts of kindness that we are living our faith. You, the members of our order and your families, are our
strongest asset. You are our best commodity. Your commitment to our Catholic faith is what will inspire others to join the Knights of
Columbus. You have the ability to build on the foundation of those who came before you. It is essential that you ask your Catholic
brothers to join our order and when they do they will be grateful you invited them to join you in a
fulfilling brotherhood.
Selfless acts of charity, supported by the teaching of our faith sets the Knights of
Columbus apart from all other organizations. Our acts of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism
will insure our future. It is now up to each of us to step up and become an active member in our
order. Give what you can, when you can. When you participate at a charitable event you are highly
likely to feel like you made a difference for those in need and you will feel fulfilled in spirit.
Remember, we will succeed because we are bound by our faith to love our neighbor as
ourselves and remember the Risen Christ is with us always.
God Bless you and your families.
Vivat Jesus
Sincerely,
Bob Weitzman, State Deputy
Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney
God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest,
Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the
generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son,
Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the
Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may
continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Father Michael
J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now
present (make your request here). Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Visit the New York State Council
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http://newyorkknights.com/
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Highlighted In This Issue
Message from your State Deputy
1
Table of Index
2
Message from Senior Associate Chaplain
3
Membership News
4-7
Yankee Game - Play Ball
8
Great Work Around the State
9-16
God Bless America
17
Staff of the New York State Council
Contact the Editor
18
Congratulations to our
Worthy State Deputy Robert D. Weitzman
and our First Lady Connie! God bless!
Find us on Facebook
Knights of Columbus
New York
Page 2
A Message from our Senior Associate State Chaplain,
Fr. Brian McWeeney...
My Brothers,
I can truly say my Columbian Year as the Senior Associate
Chaplain has had an auspicious beginning. I am writing to you
from Rome. I am just a few hundred feet from the walls of the
Vatican. Because I have not been in our great country it took a
little time before the tragic news of the Supreme Court decisions
reached me. To say the least I was a little discouraged. There is
present in modern man a certain hubris which states that he and
he alone can identify truth. There are no absolutes except what
we "identify". How sad for us and our children that there is nothing
in the minds of some people that is truly stable.
But my concerns were alleviated by a wonderful medicine:
history. I walked throughout this ancient city, entered many
churches, and became reacquainted with the stories of many of
the saints. These men and women with their prayers, actions, and
sometimes martyrdoms preserved the faith for us that we might
never forget Jesus is the way, the Truth and the Life. I saw buildings
once occupied by those who followed their household gods become
magnificent reminders of the power of Catholic life and worship.
Let us recall Christ's words so beautifully utilized by Saint John
Paul II: Be Not Afraid.
My Brother Knights,
care not what others do.
Do the work of our
Church and Order. Follow
Francis, our Pope as he
reaches out with the only
message that truly gives
hope.
Vivat Jesus,
Father Brian
Page 3
MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT
INCENTIVE PROGRAM
FOR JULY, AUGUST AND
SEPTEMBER 2015
The Council that brings in 5 members by
October 1, 2015 will receive a 10% discount
on their State Per-Capita.
ALSO, the council that recruits the most new
members, over the 5 members, in each major
conference will receive a $500 donation to the
Seminarian or Postulant of their choice. This
will assist the council not only to participate in
the RSVP (Refund Support Vocation Program)
but will also help the winning council reach their
Church activities goal for the STAR Council
award.
Don’t forget the R in RSVP stands for Refund!
Winning councils will get the refund of $100 to
continue their support of much needed vocations.
Page 4
It’s all about the members!
Sal Restivo, PSD, Membership Director
My brothers of the New York State Council welcome to a new
fraternal year! July comes but once a year and it is the time to
refresh, refocus and to rededicate ourselves. This year our major
focus is recruitment of new members and getting reacquainted
with inactive and members who may have fallen away from the
Order.
In our discussions, your state officers and directors agreed
that we need to be proactive in recruitment and retention. We
ask that councils have quarterly membership drives. While church
drives are a common staple in our recruitment efforts, it is not
the only way. The personal approach is still the most effective
recruitment method. So while we are calling for quarterly
membership drives, we are counting on your creativity. Please
feel free to share your successful methods with us by emailing
the membership team at [email protected]. Every council
function and activity should and could be used as a venue to
recruit members. We will discuss recruitment in more detail
as our training team visits your minor conference.
To assist you the Supreme council and the State council has
recruitment incentives for councils. There are also recruitment
incentives for conferences. Please look for these incentives in
this issue of the Empire State Bulletin.
“Active councils actively recruit and retain members!”
Best wishes for a successful fraternal year!
Page 5
Page 6
New York State Recruitment Award
Area
2014-15
CLs
3
2
1
Suffolk
52
416
364
312
Nassau
48
384
336
288
Queens
33
264
231
198
Kings
46
368
322
276
B/M/S
31
248
217
186
West/Put
30
240
210
180
Hudson Valley
53
424
371
318
Capital
52
416
364
312
Western
41
328
287
246
Syracuse
37
296
259
222
Rochester
40
320
280
240
Northern
47
376
329
282
510
4080
3570
3060
$2,000
$1,500
$1,000
24,000
18,000
12,000
TOTALS
Money to Charity
Visit these web sites for important information on membership.
http://www.kofc.org/en//index.html
http://kofc.org/un/en/membership/drive/index.html
Page 7
Page 8
As shared in the July Knightline…
http://www.kofc.org/en/resources/lc/knightline/knightline_20150701_en.pdf
Knights Help Save Historic Jesuit Martyrs Shrine
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson delivered a $500,000 check from the Supreme Council for the renovation
and upkeep of Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, N.Y., which honors three North American martyrs and
marks the birthplace of the first Native American saint.
Joined by Knights from throughout New York, the supreme knight presented the donation in honor of
Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, who will visit the United States for the first time in September. The New York
State Council, represented by State Deputy Carmine Musumeci and State Deputy-elect Robert Weitzman, made
an additional contribution of $100,000. K of C councils in the nearby Albany area also have pledged monetary
support to the Jesuit-run shrine.
Established in 1885, Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine was the site of missionary activity by 17th-century
French Jesuits. It was there, at the Mohawk settlement then known as Ossernenon, that three Jesuit missionaries
— Sts. Isaac Jogues, René Goupil and John Lalande — were martyred for their faith. Years later, St. Kateri
Tekakwitha, the first Native American to be canonized, would be born at the same site.
“The history of America is incomplete without the memory of such places, and especially of this place,”
Supreme Knight Anderson remarked following a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated in the shrine’s spacious
Coliseum Church. “Here, the New World was made truly ‘new’ because the Gospel message was proclaimed —
sometimes by preaching, other times by living, and in the end by dying.”
In recent years the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs launched a major renovation campaign to preserve its
holy sites, which include chapels dedicated to St. Kateri and the Jesuit martyrs; a densely forested ravine where
the martyrs walked and prayed; numerous statues and stone memorials; and the Coliseum Church, which can seat
10,000 people in a round, theater-like arrangement that features four centrally located altars.
The checks, totaling $600,000, were received by Jesuit Father George Belgarde, director of the shrine,
who called the Knights’ donation a “gift of love” that has brought hope to the shrine. “The Knights are helping to
build the kingdom of God with their material gift that will reap countless spiritual blessings for all who come
here,” he said.
In his remarks, Supreme Knight Anderson noted that the site is a source of inspiration. “The example of
America’s heroic missionaries calls out to us to live lives of Christian witness,” he said. “These champions of
the first evangelization reach across time to inspire us to take up a new evangelization. We are pleased to join
with our brother Knights of Columbus throughout New York to help renovate the shrine of these great martyrs.
Soon, a spiritual son of St. Ignatius will visit our country. Pope Francis reminds us that ‘every Christian is a
missionary’ and that all of us are called to be ‘missionary disciples.’”
The supreme knight added, “If we answer this call, then the most enduring shrine to the martyrs of this
place will not be made of bricks and timber. It will be those pilgrims who leave this place renewed with a spirit
of missionary discipleship.”
Page 9
St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911
held our Annual Communion Breakfast on Sunday, April 12th
in Douglaston. This was held at the St. Anastasia Parish Annex.
We honored our Past Grand Knight Leonardo Sabatino, for his
dedication to the church, the Knights of Columbus, the community
and the great many charity activities he has led the council in.
The funds raised from the breakfast will go to our various chartable activities.
Some of the great men in attendance are pictured above.
Front row from left to right:
Martin Aversa, Grand Knight Frederick Bedell Jr., Rev. Msgr. Anthony Sherman,
Leonardo Sabatino, Neal Fenton.
Back row from left to right:
District Deputy Robert Graziano, Kevin Samet, August Randazzo, Luther McNeal,
Giuseppe Petruso and Michael DiOrio.
Article and photo submitted by:
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
76-19 Commonwealth Blvd.
Glen Oaks Village, N.Y.
718-347-0874
Page 10
Our Future is in the Hands of Our Youth
Look what’s happening at
St. Joseph's Council #15471, Penfield, N.Y.
Just recently, several members of this Council
attended their Parish Youth Group meeting. The
parish priest spent 10-15 minutes discussing the
history of the rosary, its importance, and the
significance of each bead. Then together they
spent 30 minutes assembling rosaries.
They are thrilled to share the success of this
evening! The members of the Youth Group
truly enjoyed it. All who participated could keep a
rosary if they wished with the remaining rosaries
being donated to various groups in Rochester.
Article and photos submitted by Christ Giunta,
Council #15471
Page 11
Members of Donald J Burns Council 13588 Celebrate
ending the Columbian year with a 483% Increase in
Membership - the Largest in Suffolk County!
Front Row L to R:
Louis Prats, Edward Trainor, Eugene Finnegan, Joseph Civarelli,
Richard Polly, Leroy Fonfara PGK, Joseph Jackson
Back Row L to R:
Grand Knight Michael Geronimo
Financial Secretary Vincent Conetta PGK, FDD
NYS Chairman Veteran’s Facilities John Leonardo PGK, FDD, FCOB
Donald J. Burns Council #13588 is the First Council in the Order
to be located in a State Veteran’s Facility
Submitted by
NYS Chairman Veteran’s Facilities John Leonardo PGK, FDD, FCOB
Page 12
Suffolk Chapter
Knights and Columbiettes
celebrate their 2015 Charity Drive with a
donation of $18,000 to the Sunrise Fund.
This is the 7th consecutive year supporting
the Sunrise Fund with donations
totaling over $145,000!
Page 13
Photos by Michael Boehm, PGK, DD, Mike Tully, Chairman of the Board of DDs, Suffolk
Page 14
Patchogue Council #725
Spreads the Good Word of our Lord
Annie Mandart, daughter of Brother Keith Mandart, has been
working at The Assumption School for the past year. This school
is located in the Marshall Islands, in the middle of the Pacific
Ocean. The school is a Catholic institution that did not have
Bibles available for their students. Through the generosity of
the Patchogue Knights of Columbus Council #725, a donation
was made to the school providing them with 225 bibles!
Each classroom now has approximately 30 bibles to be used for
group praying, individual reading or class projects. The staff of the
school was overwhelmed with the gift provided to the students.
Article and photo submitted by Michael Boehm, PGK, DD
Page 15
Our Lady of Batavia Council of the Knights of Columbus
recently presented two wheelchairs to Independent Living of Genesee Region using funds from the
members of the Council and parishioners of Resurrection Parish in Batavia. The program is an ongoing
project “Wheelchairs for Americans” sponsored by the International Knights of Columbus, a Catholic
Men’s Fraternal Order headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut.
Independent Living of Genesee Region is part of a Western New York organization dedicated to
helping those with disabilities to exercise more freedom and control over their own lives. The five core
services offered include referral to needed services, living skills, community advocacy, peer counseling
and transition of individuals with disabilities from nursing homes or institutions to home or other
community based residences. The “Loan Closet” makes available to residents such items as walkers,
wheelchairs, crutches, canes, commodes and raised toilet seats. Residents in need of any of these items
or other information can call (585) 815-8501 ext. 411 for availability.
Our Lady of Batavia Council chartered in 1996 is dedicated to service to church and community
by its various service projects. The Council has sponsored essay and poster contests for area students;
scholarships to Catholic high schools, and
other support for youths in the region.
“Trustees Mike Jackson, left, and
Bernard Hoerbelt of Our Lady of Batavia
Council Knights of Columbus present
wheelchairs to Donna Becker,
Administrative Assistant at
Independent Living of Genesee
Region.”
CONTACT:
Bernard Hoerbelt
Public Relations Director
Our Lady of Batavia Council
Knights of Columbus
585 343-9122
Page 16
Page 17
EMPIRE STATE BULLETIN
Knights of Columbus
New York State Council
359 Route 111, Bldg. 1, Suite 2
Smithtown, N.Y. 11787
Delivered
via e-mail
Register Now!
STAFF OF THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL
Honorary State Chaplain…........His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan
State Chaplain………………………......Most Rev. Robert Cunningham
Senior Associate State Chaplain………..Rev. Father Brian McWeeney
Associate State Chaplain………..………...........Rev. Msgr. James Cox
Associate State Chaplain…………….…...…Rev. Fr. Donald Bourgeois
Associate State Chaplain………………………...Rev. Fr. Robert Dwyer
Associate State Chaplain…………..……….Rev. Fr. Darr Schoenhofen
State Father Prior of Youth………………….Rev. Father Dennis Nikolic
State Deputy…………………..…………...….……..Robert D. Weitzman
State Secretary………………………...…………….Kenneth Latham, Jr.
State Treasurer………………………………….….……Edward Kennedy
State Advocate………………..………………….…...……Gary Leonardo
State Warden…………………………...…..………..……...Edward Ciulla
Chief of Staff……………….……………..……………....Edward O’Toole
Secretary to State Deputy………………………………..John G. Joseph
Warden to State Deputy………………………..…………Thomas Boslet
Admin. Assistant to State Deputy..….....…………..……....Frank Bagley
Admin. Assistant to State Deputy..….....…………...…....Jerry Connelly
Events Coordinator…………...……………...Anthony “Sonny” Mangone
Counsel to the State Deputy……..……..Carmine Musumeci, Esq. PSD
Counsel to the State Deputy…………………...…….Joseph Lupia, Esq.
A message from
the Editor:
We want to share the good
work of our Order with
everyone! Kindly submit
your article to me by the
15th of each month
and it will be in the next
Empire State Bulletin.
Please send articles to
[email protected].
State Membership Director……….…….Salvatore A. Restivo, PSD, XS
Assistant Membership Director……………………..………….Rich Elias
State Program Director……………...……..……..……Michael Flanagan
State Youth Director………………………………........ Michael Hearney
State C&B Director……………………...…..………...…Anthony Ippolitto
Assistant State C&B Director…………………...………….Hank Theiling
I look forward to
hearing from you.
State Ceremonials Chairman……………………....James. A. Foy, PSD
Admin. State Coord. Ext. Fund Raising……….……....Rocco D’Erasmo
ESB Editor………………………………………………....John G. Joseph
Web Master…………………………...…………...…………...Brian Ennis
State Logistics Chairman……………………..Deacon Charles Esposito
Insurance Liaison………………………...……………...James Grabinski
John G. Joseph,
PGK, FDD, FST
Secretary to the State Deputy
Page 18