Meet and Greet - Council 9467

Brother Knights and their families of St Henry Council #9467 in Buckeye host a "Meet & Greet Cookout" for their seminarian and his parents who are members of Most Holy Trinity  Parish.  They support Dan through the RSVP Program, Dan Connealy (center) is presently studing at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.  Dan has been supported by the council since he entered the seminary.  They are already planning a big party for his ordination in 2 years.  They ask all Brother Knights to pray for Dan and his continuing studies.

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40 Days for Life

Brother Knights,

The Knight Shift - 40 Days for Life sign up is now live!  Please click on this link and sign up to participate in this important opportunity.  Be sure to contact Charlie Matus at 602-418-9639 with any questions or concerns you may have.

SIGN UP LINK : www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0B4AA9AB229-knight 

ENDORSEMENTS : http://www.azknightsofcolumbus.org/2014/08/40-days-for-life.html

We look forward to praying with you on next month!

--

Peace,

Aaron & Christine Accurso

Culture of Life Chair Couple

Arizona Knights of Columbus State Council

Brothers,

The “40 Days for Life” campaign has received a letter of endorsement and support from the Most Reverend Thomas Olmstead, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix. The “40 days for Life” Opening Mass, will be held on September 23, 2014, at 7:00PM, at St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. 3rd Street, in Phoenix.

Our State Deputy Larry Becker also supports this program, as a part of our Culture of Life commitment the Knights of Columbus State Council has in Arizona.

During this fraternal year, I will be sending you periodic updates and invites to various “40 Days for Life” activities throughout Arizona. The Fall campaign will be starting soon, which includes “Knight Shift”. I look forward to your active participation in this great program.

“40 Days for Life” is the largest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in history, helping people in local communities end the injustice of abortion. “40 Days for Life” is a community-based campaign that takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families. It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion

Vision: “40 Days for Life” is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion.

Mission: The mission of the campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Vivat Jesus!

Charlie Matus, PGK

State 40 Days for Life Chairman

602-418-9639

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Silver Rose Handoff

On August 24, Arizona State Deputy Larry Becker handed the Silver Rose off to Utah State Deputy Jerry Hanten.

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Horseshoe Tournament for SJYC - Labor Day Weekend

http://www.sjycaz.com/

https://www.facebook.com/stjosephyouthcamp

Labor Day Weekend- Details

This is our annual Volunteer Work Weekend.

When: Arrive Friday Evening, August 29,

Saturday, August 30

Sunday, August 31,

Departing Monday, September 1^st

We use this weekend to help repair and prepare

the camp for the winter months. Cabins are available

on a first come basis. One cabin sleeps up to 10.

Food will be provided for all the workers.

Bring the whole family or any group, or just come yourself.

There are jobs for every age.

To participate in this event please SEND an EMAIL telling us

how many will be coming and when you will arrive.

This labor of love is a fun time for everyone and an event

you won’t want to miss !

Contact: Tyson Gentz, Board President

EMAIL: Tyson.M.Gentz@gmail.com or call: Tyson at: 602-390-7195

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Silver Rose Tour

Brothers,

Thank you very much for your participation in the very successful 2014 Silver Rose Tour across Arizona, from July 27 to August 22, 2014. The Silver Rose was viewed by 5,476 people, at 23 separate locations in the Yuma, Tucson, Sierra Vista, and Phoenix communities.  In particular, I would like to thank District Deputies John Gordon, Tom Bayham, Larry Powers, and Bob Julien for their leadership in organizing this program in their communities. I would also like to thank PGK Brother Gregg Neff for his help in Yuma. There are many more people to thank, so I thank all of you for supporting this important spiritual program in honoring our Lady of Guadalupe and our Order’s dedication to the sanctity of human life!

Vivat Jesus!

Larry Becker

State Deputy

The Silver Rose Program

Five Silver Roses have been making their way across North America, from Canada to the United States to Mexico. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose - One Life, One Rose Program concludes on Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterrey, Mexico.

2014 marks the 54rd year of the program which began in 1960 as a project of the Columbian Squires of North America to honor the Blessed Virgin under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The program has continued since then as a project of Squires Circles, councils and Fourth Degree assemblies in several jurisdictions.

In 2001 Supreme Knight Carl Anderson expanded the program by beginning the “Running of the Rose” from the 119th Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council in Toronto. This is “a perfect program for the Knights of Columbus,” said Supreme Knight Anderson. “Through it we honor not only Our Lady of Guadalupe and express the unity of the Order, but we also reaffirm the Order’s dedication to the sanctity of human life. It is to the Blessed Mother that we turn in prayer as we work to end the Culture of Death that grips our society. As we think in terms of ‘One Life, One Rose,’ it is most appropriate that we turn to Our Lady of Guadalupe who made known her will through Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses.”

Today five Silver Roses travel through North America exemplifying Knights of Columbus devotion to Our Lady and commitment to the Culture of Life.

One Rose begins its journey in Ontario moving through the central United States. A second Rose starts its route in Manitoba, moving westward to British Columbia and then down the Pacific coast through California before turning eastward to Arizona and Utah. The third Rose moves from Connecticut, through the eastern United States and the fourth Rose begins in Virginia moving south through Florida and then turning westward along the Gulf Coast. The fifth route covers the New England states, beginning in Maine and moving through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and ending in Connecticut. Unlike the other Roses, the New England Rose will not travel to Texas. It will end its journey on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, birth place of the Knights of Columbus.

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HELP NEEDED!! Diocesan Eucharistic Congress

Brothers,

During the week of September 15-19, 2014 there will be a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress held at SS Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85017.  This is a very special week which will include Daily Mass with Keynote Speakers to follow, Special Exhibits, 40 Hours Devotion, 24 Hour Reconciliation and much more.

The Cathedral has requested the assistances of the Knights. There is a need to assist with some security for the 40 Hours Devotion and 24 Hour Reconciliation.

Specifically what is need is a few Knights for security Tuesday, Sept 16th and Wednesday Sept 17th, from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am.  Will you please pass this request along to the members of your Council and see if any Brothers would be willing to help.  If so we are thinking of have at least 2 or 3 knights each take two hours shifts.  If they could respond to me with their NAME, COUNCIL Number and possible time they can help.  The shifts would be:

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

10:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.

4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

and

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

10:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight

Thursday, September 18, 2014

12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.

4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

For more information on the Eucharistic Congress go to the website at:

http://simonjude.org/events/eucharistic-congress/

Please distribute this request widely, and thank you in advance for doing so.

Vivat Jesus!

Rick Garrison

Knights of Columbus

State Executive Secretary

KofCRick@Q.com

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State Soccer Challenge

Brother Knights,

A date and place have been set for the State Soccer Challenge.  Council/District winners will gather at 9:00 AM on November 8, 2014 at:

Bourgade Catholic High School

4602 N. 31st Avenue

Phoenix, AZ  85017

Please be sure to schedule your Council Level competitions soon to ensure your winners can move onto the State Challenge.  If you have not yet ordered your Soccer Challenge Kit you can secure the form to do so at: http://www.kofc.org/un/en/forms/council/soccer_kit_p.pdf

Vivat Jesus,

Howard Birnbaum

2014 Soccer Challenge Chairman

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DIOCESE OF PHOENIX AND KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SPONSOR CATHOLICS IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE EVENT

This Phoenix Diocesan Council for Women Organized Event is Designed to Inform and Educate Attendees on Bishop Olmsted's Latest Edition of his guide, "Catholics in the Public Square."

Please join the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted on Saturday September 6, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. until Noon at the Diocesan Patrol Center, 400 W. Monroe, Phoenix, AZ. Begin the day with Mass at St. Mary's Basilica, presided by Bishop Olmsted. Admission is free and includes breakfast after Mass. Inspirational speakers include: Bishop Olmsted; Maggie Gallagher, a Senior Fellow from the American Principles Project; Alan Sears, President - CEO and General Counsel of the Alliance Defending Freedom; and Ron Johnson, Executive Director of the Arizona Catholic Conference.

All Knights of Columbus and Catholics are invited. An RSVP is required so that the organizers can make sure sufficient seating, materials and food is available. Make reservations at 

www.eventbrite.com/e/catholics-in-the-public-square-tickets-12507477201 

or by calling 602-568-5286, or by e-mailing pdccwomen@gmail.com.

Arizona State Deputy Larry Becker is personally inviting every Knight in the Diocese of Phoenix to attend this important event, especially during a time when important civil elected representatives will be chosen. "It is our duty as Knights and Catholics to make informed decisions, in alignment with Catholic teachings, about who we choose to lead and represent us," said State Deputy Becker.

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Arizona Rosary Celebration Program Book

Brothers,

Please consider placing an ad for your council, assembly, business or family in the 39^th Annual Arizona Rosary Celebration Program Book. The August 23^rd deadline is fast approaching! The Knights of Columbus play a huge role in this event. This is perhaps the largest Rosary celebration of its kind in the United States of America. Over 6,000 people attend these events to pray the Rosary as a community, over the Oct 11 & 12, 2014 weekend. We need your support and we need it now!

To date we only have 23 councils and 9 assemblies who have placed ads in the program book.  To date, there is considerably lower participation than we have seen in past years. Please send your ad copy ASAP. See the attached form for information. Through these ads, your donations help to pay for this awesome event. We depend on your donations. If you council or assembly has approved an ad and donation, please send it as soon as possible.

I urge you to support this important program as we pray the Rosary, honoring our Mother Mary, under Her title as the Immaculate Conception.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

http://www.azrosary.com/

Vivat Jesus!

Larry Becker

State Deputy

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Holy Hour for Persecuted Christians in Iraq

Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix, site of prayer event on August 22, 2014

Dear Brother Knights:

By now, you've heard about the horrible persecution of the Christians of Iraq. These are desperate times for the Church in Iraq, where ISIS terrorists seized control of Mosul June 11. A week later, they demanded that all Christians either convert to Islam, pay the "infidel" tax or die. Many Christians were killed outright.

Christians have lived on the Nineveh plain (Mosul) for 1,600 years, but now, thousands have had to flee to surrounding villages or Kurdistan. Many were stripped of money, passports, jewelry, vehicles and even their shoes at ISIS checkpoints.

On August 1, 2014 the Mar Abraham Church in Scottsdale held a candlelight vigil to focus attention on the plight of Christians who were driven from their home by the Islamic State. This event was well attended by our Brother Knights. Still, the Christians of Iraq need our continued prayer support.

Brothers, I am asking you to attend a Holy Hour on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. This will take place at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017. Fr. Felix Shabi, pastor of the Chaldean Catholic Church of Arizona, will offer the scriptural reflection at the holy hour.

There will be a collection taken with proceeds sent to the Catholic Church in Iraq to help the persecuted Christians there. Let's pack the cathedral on August 22nd and show our brothers and sisters in Iraq that their suffering is not going unnoticed.

Fraternally yours,

Larry Becker

State Deputy

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2014 Soccer Challenge

Brother Knight’s,

Hard to believe we are ready to start our New Year and programs for 2014.  I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself.  My name is Howard Birnbaum and I am the new Soccer Challenge Chairman for Arizona.  I’d like to begin by thanking past Chairman Shane Everitt for his leadership over the past three years.  I will do my best to follow in his footsteps and grow the number of youth who participate in this program.

The Soccer Challenge is a Supreme sponsored activity and has grown each and every year thanks to your active and early involvement in getting the word out.  Now is the time to get started and plan this year’s challenge at the Council, District and State level.  Below are some key dates and general information for you to review at your upcoming Officer’s and Council Meeting’s.

·         Council Level Challenges to be completed by the end of September

·         District Level Challenges to be completed by the end of October

·         State Soccer Challenge will be held in November 2014 (site and date TBD)

Please select your Soccer Chair now, order the Soccer Challenge kit from Supreme and start planning today!  Working with other Council’s in your District may also be helpful.  Some areas do not have access to Soccer Goals and pooling resources to complete this great program would be beneficial.  If you need any assistance getting the word out or working with another Council let me know and I’ll be happy to help.

District level Challenges are not required to compete in State.  If you don’t have enough competitors within your District, winners from each age group and gender group will be advanced to State from each Council.

I am looking for a location to host this year’s State Soccer Challenge in November.  If your Council/District is interested please contact me directly and/or our State Program Director Kevin McCarthy ASAP so we can communicate the location and dates to the State.

My contact information is:

email: buckbirn@aol.com  cell: 602-809-5442

This is also a great way to build our membership by showcasing this great program to your Parish and Community.

Let’s make this the best and most attended year yet!  Please contact me with any questions, and or if you wish to host this year’s State Challenge.

Vivat Jesus,

Howard Birnbaum

GK, Council 7465

St. Jerome Parish

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Graduation of Sir Knight Max Gordon from West Point!

Attached is included a graduation picture of 2nd Lt Max Gordon, Worthy District Deputy J. L. Gordon's son & one of your 4th Degree Knight's.  

He is currently at Fort Benning, Ga. and will be entering Ranger School in a few weeks.

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Transfer of Sliver Rose

Worthy State Deputy,

The Silver Rose has been successfully & joyfully received by your Yuma Arizona Knights of Columbus. 

The Ceremony took place at St Francis of Assisi Church this morning at 1015 in front of the Statue of Our Blessed Virgin Mother. I have attached pictures & will follow up with more due to many MB's/GB's

Many thanks to California Silver Rose Chairman & PDD Jerry Fong, DD Art Barros, Brother Paul Gomez, & Brother Andrew Koon for bringing the Rose from California to Yuma Arizona. Of course all was made possible by our Yuma Silver Rose Chairman Sir Knight Gregg Neff who has consistently volunteered & organized this joyful &  meaningful project to perfection annually for the past few years. The itinerary for the Silver Rose is forthcoming as soon as Brother Gregg finalizes the details through Thursday 01 August. Interestingly, & totally by the Grace of God, was the appearance of our Worthy Chaplain Fr. Ramonito Celestial. Father Ramonito had just finished celebrating Mass on Base/MCAS with me at St Michaels & was called to fill in at St Francis for the 1100 Mass. We got lucky & were blessed to have one of Yuma's best show up for this memorable occasion. 

J. L. Gordon

DD#18

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State Deputy Message - 2014 August

August 1, 2014

Brothers,

Being members of the Knights of Columbus, we have an obligation to provide faith filled service to our Church, family, and community. To provide this service, we need to be strong in our ranks. Our councils need to have strong leadership with abundant membership. With strong councils, we can do the work we are called to do. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson says, “We seek to make God known to others both in the work we do and in the educational and evangelizing initiatives we support, bringing the Good News of the Gospel to as many people as possible.”

On August 12, the Order celebrates our founder Fr. Michael McGivney’s Birthday. On August 14, the Order memorializes our founder Fr. Michael McGivney’s death. The Order has asked all councils to celebrate our founder with Family Week Celebrations, to include an Order wide First Degree Week from August 11 to 17, 2014. During this week, all councils are asked to conduct a 1^st Degree for new members and a Family program for your council. Invite the new member and his family to your council’s Family Program. This could be a picnic, a bowling tournament, pool party, Council night at the movies, corporate communion, etc. Remember that new members join our Order with a purpose in mind. If you engage them and their family early in their Knight’s career, they will stay active in your council. Make the new member and his family feel very welcome and ask them to join in your programs. By doing so, you should not see a retention issue.

Bringing new members into your council is a great way to bring the Good News of the Gospel to as many people as possible. By living our State theme, “I will choose Christ, I will choose love, I choose to serve”, you and your council will exemplify our four principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. With this, your current members and your new members will be living the Gospel in your council, Church, family, and community.

Vivat Jesus!

Larry Becker                                                                                                                                      

State Deputy

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