Santa Maria Express!
Santa Maria Council #4654
July, 2015
**ROLL CALL**
Grand Knight’s Corner
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Carrying the Baton…
I will start the Fraternal Year by
parishes and in the community
recognizing and congratulating
with initial plans to partner with
PGK Sandy Struckmeyer and his
our parish Culture of Life
entire team for their outstanding
organizations and participate in
leadership and many
the next ViVa Vienna and
accomplishments. The bar has
Fortnight of Freedom events.
been raised high leaving our
Lastly, to ensure our Council’s
new team no other choice but to
success, we will make a renewed
meet and exceed it. We are
commitment to Unity of the
currently laying the foundation
Order by reaching out to you,
to expand our Service Program,
my Brother Knights, on a
with initial plans to triple our
personal level to discuss our
“From endings spring new beginnings.”
-- Pliny the Elder
contribution to Coats for Kids,
plans in more detail, find out
supporting the Virginia State
how we can better support you
Soccer Challenge, and expanding
and your family, and solicit your
Essay Contest participation to
ideas and support. You all may
State and Supreme. Following
expect a telephone call in the
our State Deputy’s guidance we
next several weeks from me or
have initiated a Catholic
one of my senior officers to that
education program with plans
effect. My contact information is
for a group outing to the St. John
available in the “Roll Call”
Paul II Shrine and sponsoring
section to the right of this
“Knight Out” events at the
column, I look forward to
Institute of Catholic Culture
hearing from you.
(ICC). We will continue working
closely with our priests to
increase our presence at our
Vivat Jesus
Grand Knight:
Jon Engelbrektson
(703) 319-4285
[email protected]
Deputy Grand Knight:
Roberto Bacalski
(323) 841-3482
[email protected]
Chancellor:
Thomas Reed
(703) 356-0940
[email protected]
Financial Secretary:
Randy Bordelon
(703) 938-1487
[email protected]
Recorder:
David Pfirrmann
(703) 906-7433
[email protected]
Warden:
James Milosavich
(703) 573-0052
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Sam Althoff
(703) 255-9273
[email protected]
Advocate:
Karl Lesher
(703) 847-9516
[email protected]
Inside Guard:
Joe Cacciapaglia
(703) 242-2373
[email protected]
Outside Guard:
Christopher Fortier
(757) 880-1019
[email protected]
1st Year Trustee:
Sandy Struckmeyer
(703) 281-4915
[email protected]
2nd Year Trustee:
Andy Stumpf
(703) 255-2355
[email protected]
3rd Year Trustee:
Mark Vitalie
(703) 758-8521
[email protected]
Committee Reports
Here’s what’s been going on in our Council…
With the help and support of
all members, the new officers
took the reins in July with big
shoes to fill and the new
committee chairs look forward
to realizing their own
ambitions. The membership
committee headed by Tom
Reed has worked with GK Jon
Engelbrektson and Brother
Chris Fortier to recreate a
Facebook page for the council.
All are encouraged to ‘friend’
the council to get up to date
information on activities and
notices. The Culture of Life
committee headed by David
Pfirrmann will be exploring
ways to help single mothers
within our community and
working closely with our two
parishes on other initiatives.
Rev. Paul Grankauskas
provided words of wisdom at
the July council meeting
God’s plan for
marriage, natural
law, and courage in
these times. He asks
that we remind
others that our
Seminar at the State Organizational Meeting
objections do not
mean that we hate
among members. And our own
other people. Rev. Paul ended
newsletter will have a
on a lighter note by
‘Theological Corner’ section in
encouraging us to take spiritual
each edition where any Brother
reading with us on our summer
may contribute to share their
vacations and dedicate some
Catholic wisdom.
time to listen to what the Lord
Our Social Meeting this month
is saying to us.
on July 23rd will be at Vienna’s
Our council’s summer activities
new Caboose Brewing
and yearly goals exactly tie into
Company! It is located in the
the spiritual growth Rev. Paul
heart of Vienna next to the red
is talking about. We will be
caboose on Mill Street. The
having a “Knight Out “at the
restaurant serves farm-to-table
Institute for Catholic Culture
American fare and looks to
which has programs dedicated
become one of Vienna’s more
to increasing understanding
popular venues.
within our Church. This event
Volunteers are needed to help
will be on August 9th. The
with Christ House and the
presentation is
Food drive to West Virginia.
titled “Lies and
Deceptions:
Debunking the
Jesus Seminar &
Prosperity
Gospel” and will
start at 6:00 pm.
The event is held
at St. Mary of
Sorrows Church
DD Bill Cinnamond with his wife Roseanne at this year’s
District Deputy Installation
Hall. Contact
DGK Roberto
concerning marriage and the
Bacalski for more information.
recent state supreme court
Our new state deputy, Stephen
ruling. It was an outstanding
Raschke, is focusing on
presentation which focused on
furthering Catholic education
A State Organizational Meeting
was held in Newport News at
the Peninsula Catholic High
School. Participants were
treated to a video presentation
from Bishop Loverde, as well as
seminars and presentations in
membership and retention
planning. The day was capped
off by the installation of State
Officers and District Deputies
at St. Jerome’s Church and a
gala reception, a great time was
had by all.
A Study in Contrasts
Inspired by faith and charity, our parishes and families are called to be open to neighbors in
need
by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori
In recent months we have been
years and know each other
Some say it’s like trying to break
reflecting on the family as a
rather well. It is a large, self-
into a club. What they notice is
domestic church. Just as a parish
sustaining parish with a school
that the parish is concerned
proclaims and teaches God’s
and catechetical program, and a
mainly with its own operations,
Word, so too do parents have
full range of groups and
activities and the bottom line.
the beautiful and awesome
There are few, if any,
responsibility of sharing the
opportunities to reach out
Church’s faith with their
beyond the church walls, such
children. Both the parish and
as to the homeless in the
the home should be places of
downtrodden part of town.
prayer.
Parish No. 1 pretty much lives in
its own self-contained world.
Yet, there is still another
aspect of parish life that
Parish No. 2 is much like the
flows from faith and worship
first, with stable demographics.
and that should be reflected
Parishioners are friendly and it
in the family: reaching out to
is very family-oriented. Married
those who are poor,
couples feel they can turn to
vulnerable, lonely,
their parish for support in living
abandoned or otherwise in
their vocation to marriage and
need.
family. The support comes not
only from the pastor and the
A TALE OF TWO
PARISHES
We might understand the
importance of serving our
neighbors better if we draw a
contrast between two imaginary
parishes — let’s call them Parish
No. 1 and Parish No. 2 — and
then decide which we’d rather
belong to.
Parish No. 1 is located in a zip
code with largely stable
neighborhoods. Most
parishioners have been there for
Archbishop William E. Lori
committees, from parish and
finance councils to men’s,
parish staff, but also from other
families who are trying to do the
same thing.
women’s and youth groups. The
Parish No. 2 also has the same
priest and parish staff are
kind of groups, but these
diligent, even dogged, in
consistently reach out to attract
sustaining the parish.
and welcome new members. The
Attendance at Mass has
preaching and teaching are not
gradually declined but seems to
simply faithful to the Church’s
have leveled off.
teaching, but also link people’s
Nevertheless, newcomers to this
parish hesitate because they do
not receive a warm welcome.
daily lives to the love of God in
a way that gives them the
strength to live as joyful
disciples of Christ.
As a result, the faith and
Virtually every waking moment
First, they take their faith
worship of this parish is
is scheduled. Dad is on his way
seriously and let it guide their
expressed in acts of love and
to work by 6 a.m. After getting
married lives and how they raise
service to those in need.
the kids ready for school, Mom
their children. Second, they
is on her way by 7:30 a.m. At
provide well for their family but
school, the children are involved
also teach them that having the
in just about everything: soccer,
latest and greatest doesn’t bring
basketball, swimming, drama,
happiness. Third, they pick and
music lessons and more.
choose activities carefully so that
The parish runs a food pantry,
conducts a ministry to the
homebound, supports a local
pro-life clinic, and works to
repair run-down homes
they can still spend time with
throughout town. Young people
But it’s almost never the case
feel involved, often through
that the whole family spends an
service projects to the poor and
evening at home together. If
vulnerable.
they do, mobile devices absorb
Finally, they make a point of
their attention. Mom and Dad
welcoming and reaching out to
still consider themselves
others. At Thanksgiving, a
In a similar way, we can
Catholics, but between sports,
person with nowhere to go is at
compare two imaginary
the need to catch up with friends
their table. At Christmas, they
families: Family No. 1 and
and everything else, there is
join a group of parishioners to
Family No. 2. After reading the
little or no time left on Sunday
prepare meals for the homeless.
comparison, ask yourself which
for Mass, let alone for service
They bring their power tools
family you’d rather belong to or
projects.
down to the nearby Habitat for
FAMILY PRIORITIES
like to see your children grow
up in.
One day, this family wakes up
one another and their children
in friendship and prayer.
Humanity project and pitch in.
to discover that love has faded
So which parish and which
In Family No. 1., Mom and Dad
in their home. They have
family would you like to be a
have been married for nearly 20
become like a collection of
part of? I leave it to you.
years. In fact, they were high
independent contractors living
school sweethearts. They both
under one roof.
have reasonably good jobs and
work hard and consider
themselves upwardly mobile.
While not wealthy, they provide
a nice home and a stable income
for themselves and for their
three children.
Knights of Columbus councils
are likewise challenged to reach
Family No. 2 also faces the same
beyond themselves. And in so
pressures as No. 1. Both parents
doing, they can play a
work and work hard. Their
significant role in forming
children are involved with lots
parishes and families that
of activities. The family has a
welcome and serve their
nice house but nothing grand. In
neighbors.
fact, this couple has made a few
This family is busier than Grand
important decisions about their
Central Station at rush hour.
priorities.
Theological Corner
“Deadly Sin of Sloth”
by Br. David Pfirrmann
We are all familiar with the 7
corporate ladder. Indeed we
cannot have the ‘check the box’
deadly sins: Lust, Greed,
must be balanced. Recognizing
mentality of going to mass. We
Gluttony, Envy, Anger, Pride, &
that Sloth is a deadly sin
must be introspective and ask
Sloth. These are counteracted
reminds us to constantly work
ourselves if we are truly living
by the 7 Capital Virtues:
with God in our spiritual
the Word of God and not just
Chastity, Generosity,
development. Spiritual growth
paying lip service to mass. This
Temperance, Brotherly Love,
can take many forms, one is to
ties into the deadly sin of Pride.
Meekness, Humility, &
continually seek truth and grow
Observing that the sin of Sloth is
The deadly sin of Sloth refers to the laziness of our
spiritual development not our physical work ethic
Diligence. But of the 7 deadly
our relationship with God
countered by the virtue of
sins, it seems that Sloth is the
through prayer and meditation.
Diligence leads one to the
one that is confusing to most. In
It means to never be afraid to
conclusion that we must never
my experience teaching catechist
ask questions concerning our
assume that we are ‘great’
classes, almost all students
faith and God so long as those
Catholics or that we know
associate the sin of Sloth to
questions are asked with a pure
enough. Knowledge alone does
physical work and it means that
heart and pure search for truth.
not lead to salvation (this is a
God wants us to be hard
The questions that we have in
heresy named Gnosticism).
workers. God wants us to get
our own minds are probably
Salvation is only through faith in
up and work throughout the
very similar to the questions in
Jesus and His resurrection and
day so that we can buy all kinds
other people’s minds. Wouldn’t
our works inspired by that faith.
of goods the materialistic culture
it be prudent to pray and
However our faith in Jesus and
tells us we should own, right?
research the answer so that it is
His resurrection should also
This seems to be the common
on the tip of our minds so that
inspire us to seek truth and
misconception. While the
we may help ourselves and be
knowledge for ourselves and so
deadly sin of Sloth does mean to
ready when the opportunity
that we may adequately teach
avoid laziness, it is referring to
presents itself to guide others in
others as well. Above all the sin
the laziness of our spiritual
their spiritual development? We
of Sloth reminds us to never be
development, not our physical
cannot be content with simply
lazy with our faith. Our growth
work ethic. It is not a
attending church, we must pay
in faith will energize us and
commandment for us all to be
attention to scripture and
motivate deeds done in
workaholics who expend all
explore and understand the
reflection of that faith.
energy trying to climb a
components of the mass. We
Upcoming Events
Here’s what’s coming up in the next few weeks… Council events are Blue, Degrees are Red
July 16 Thur – First Degree, Fr.
Austin L. Ryder Council,
Alexandria
July 18 Sat – Officer
Installation, Santa Maria Club,
1:00 pm
July 22 Wed – Feed the
Homeless, Christ House,
Alexandria
July 23 Thur – Social Meeting
Knight Out at the Caboose 520
Mill Street NE, Vienna
August 1 Sat – Potomac
Nationals Game 6:35 pm
August 9 Sun – Educational
Event at ICC (Institute of
Catholic Culture) St. Mary’s of
Sorrows, Fairfax
August 12 Wed – First Degree,
Fitzgerald Council, Alexandria
August 13 Thur – Rosary
7:30pm Business Meeting to
Follow
August 13 Thur – First Degree,
Ft. Belvoir Council, Fort Belvoir
August 27 Thur – Social
Meeting
September 3 Thur – First
Degree, Mount Vernon
‘Council, Alexandria
September 7 Mon – First
Degree, Fr. Edwin F. Kelley
Council, Woodbridge
September 8 Tues – Second
Degree, Mount Vernon
Council, Alexandria
September 10 Thurs – Rosary
7:30pm Business Meeting to
Follow
September 23 Thurs – Feed the
Homeless, Christ House,
Alexandria
September 24 Fri – Social
Meeting
September 26 Sat – Third
Degree, Mount Vernon
Council, Alexandria
Check out our Calendar online at http://www.knightsvienna.org/council-calendar
Announcements
More happenings and events…
 Happy Birthday! 
Hats off and three cheers to our
Brothers born this month:
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Scott E Jacobs
Mark G Goedde
Karl D Weisenberger
Fred V Scimeca
Santiago R Almeida
Richard P O’Connor
Theodore A Wyka
William W Eager
Huong T Le
Nicholas T Luketic
James D Milosavich
Thomas B Bonner
PGK Donald J Foltz
William J Lupinacci
Daniel J Hitzemann
All Aboard! The Social meeting this month on July 23rd at
7:00 pm will be at the Caboose Brewery in Vienna. It is a
brand new up and coming micro-brewery and restaurant in
Vienna down the road from C&C Auto Repair. Come taste
Vienna’s home brew with your Brother Knights!
Announcing our new Committee Chairmen
for the 2015-2016 Fraternal Year!
PGK Ted Borduas/PGK Sandy Struckmeyer – Church Committee Co-Chairman: In response to
the changing world around us, Christians are searching for ways to further develop the
reach of the Catholic Church. The Church Committee looks for ways to further develop the
ministry of our Church. If these good intentions are going to bear fruit, if the Church is
going to not only exist, but thrive in today’s society, men and women throughout our
communities must come forward and take an active part.
DGK Roberto Bacalski – Council Committee Chairman: Many of the activities of the Knights of
Columbus sound demanding, and certainly many are, but that does not mean that others
can’t be just for fun. Members of our council are our neighbors, friends and acquaintances,
who are just as interested in athletic, cultural and social events as we are.
Br. Joe Cacciapaglia – Community Committee Chairman: Every individual has a voice in
shaping the world around him, and every individual can make that voice heard. Do more
than throw up your hands in despair over what’s wrong with the world by making your
voice heard in our community. The Community Activities Program can offer limitless
opportunity for action that can be seen, felt and judged for its true worth.
Br. David Pfirrmann – Culture of Life Committee Chairman: As Catholics, Knights of
Columbus have the responsibility to work for the common good of society. Catholics--and
especially Knights--must, in the words of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
"embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and a privilege, but as an opportunity to
participate in building the culture of life. Every voice matters in the public forum. Every
voice counts. Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of significant individual
power." While our civic involvement reaches all spectrums of the community; the children,
the aged, the sick and infirmed, and all who are otherwise challenged, we take nothing
more seriously than the fight for those who cannot defend themselves, the unborn.
Br. Tom Reed – Membership Committee Chairman: Being a Knight is more than camaraderie;
it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church,
while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. Our
local Council is very involved with church, youth, family and community and we actively
pursue Catholic Gentlemen to consider joining our Council. Recruiting new members is
essential to the continued growth and well-being of the Council and the Order. Offering a
man membership in the Knights of Columbus gives him the opportunity to improve his
own life and his community. Membership allows him to experience the fraternal bond that
Knights share while growing closer to his family and faith.
Help fill the empty spaces in the Santa
Maria Yellow Pages section of this
newsletter. FREE ADVERTISING for any
Council members’ business, see GK Jon
Engelbrektson for details.
The Santa Maria Express!
Monthly Newsletter of the Knights of Columbus,
Santa Maria Council #4654, Vienna VA
Serving St. Mark’s and Our Lady of Good Council Parish Communities
David Pfirrmann, Recorder
Santa Maria Council #4654
214 Lawyers Road
Vienna, VA 22180
Website: http://www.knightsvienna.org/
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (703) 938-8670