Brother Knights,

On the 16^th of September the parish invited a guest to our church to speak about stewardship. He spoke at 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 pm and there were a total of 33 parishioners to listen to a very informative discussion as to how we should attempt to involve the parishioners in the numerous responsibilities and needs of our church. Unfortunately we fell short of the numbers we hoped would attend.  Hopefully we will have a better turnout for our Membership Drive in October.

On the 19^th of September we had our Lorne Dowling Bursaries and 4 deserving students each received $1000.00.

A huge thank you to Dr Gerry Turcotte, the President of St. Mary’s University for his wonderful talk designed to encourage these students to reach for the top. It is always a great evening when we have someone of Dr. Turcotte’s calibur to speak to these young kids. Thank you also to everyone who helped to make this evening a success.

We had another couple of football games and I am grateful to all those who volunteer, however we could certainly use a few more volunteers so some of us could get a break. Please think about what you might be able to do to help us all out.

We have an open House in October at which time I hope to have a number of knights to help with some ideas that I have. I will keep you informed.  Thank you Brothers.

Dave Allen

Grand Knight

Brother Knights,

Well, it’s time for another Columbian year to begin. Just to bring you up to date on how the summer went, June 9th, DGK Bro. Andrew Haynes and I went to St. Mary’s High School for the presentation of awards for a number of students and we were invited to meet the young lady chosen for the Lorne Dowling Bursary. It was a very nice evening.

June 11, was the 2nd and 3rd Degrees for Isaac Bernard and Eduardo Bataan. They are now full fledged Knights in our Council so congratulations to Brothers Isaac and Eduardo.

June 11 was also the start of the football season and since that date we have had Brothers volunteering for these games with great enthusiasm and I am very proud and thankful for the all the support that Council 4878 has had from all those who have stepped up. You all know who you are and I thank you. We are now half way through the season.

June 18th was the Grand Knights Ball and again I say thank you to all who helped and to all those who were able to make it. It was a very wonderful evening and very well attended.

This year the Stampede Breakfast was on July 10th and many Knights jumped in to help and it turned out to be a very successful breakfast with musical entertainment by our very own Barb Kouwenberg. Again, thank you to all the help outside and inside.

GOOD NEWS……….. Father Paul Raj has consented to be our Chaplain for the coming year. Thank you Father Paul. You are an inspiration to all of us.

As you are aware, the Knights, with the help of the ladies from the CWL, were instrumental in raising approximately $4000 from our garage sale, to go toward the screens for the Church. On the 20th and 21st. the screens were seen in use for the very first time and my own personal impression is that these screens are exceptional. I can hardly begin to say what a tremendous job Brother Kevin Lopresti and his crew have done to bring this episode in our church to fruition. Thank you to all and I am sure Brother Kevin will have more to say on the screens and how they are working.

Brothers Mike Driscoll, Henry Feddema and Leo Bunz were back on the roof on the 23rd of July and I do expect we will hear a report on how that weekend went as well as the following weekends. Thank you to all. I am also thankful to Brothers Leo Bunz, Frank Gerritsen and also Alec Stang for their efforts in building the “observing box “at St. Matthew School.

It is possible that a number of us Knights thought we might enjoy the summer off, after all we deserve that much. It seems that while it would be nice to have the summer off, it is apparent that the work of a Church is never ending and the work of the Knights of Columbus is never ending. Thank you to every Knight who has put in even the smallest effort to help with St. Cecilia’s Church, to help whenever Father Paul needed it and to whatever comes up where the Knights of Columbus can be of even the slightest help. See you all on the 7th of September for our first Council meeting, and may God bless you all.

Dave Allen

Grand Knight

“Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord”

Brother Knights

Our last meeting suggested we would have a very busy month of May and so we did.

The results of the voting will be announced at the meeting.

On the 16th. of May for our Lectures night we had the Rachel Rosary in the Church because of the wind. The Rosary turned out to be very moving and all who were present were involved including some of our most recent Knights. We had some fraternity after the Rosary and the evening was very nice.

On the 28th of May we had the Special Olympics and I and Leo Bunz were there to keep score or timekeeper. Brother Mike Isakeit is responsible for the success of the Special Olympics and should feel very proud of his accomplishments. The Fourth Degree was also represented and did not look out of place. Even our State Deputy Charles Russel was there to keep an eye on things.

On the 29th of May was the Corpus Christi Mass and as usual the Knights were there in almost all areas of the Mass. After the walk around the four alters, hot dogs and ice cream were served and everyone had a great time. Thank you to all who helped with Corpus Christi and with the food after the Mass.

There are some things coming up in the summer months that require reminding, including, the 2nd and 3rd Degrees on Saturday the 11th of June to which a number of our new Knights may be attending, the start of the football season with our first football game Saturday evening also on the 11th of June. We have our Stampede Breakfast on the 10th of July at which time we will expect lots of help. We also note “One Rock ” in August from the 12th to the 14th at Redwood Meadows, Bragg Creek.

I now have tickets for the Grand Knights Ball on the 18th of June starting at 6:00 P.M. with cocktails and ending with a dance featuring a 15 piece Orchestra. I hope everyone will see me about tickets as we honor PGK John Bothwell. Tickets are subsidized to the Knights and their wives for $15 each. Guests can come for dance $10. I know our District Deputy, Mike Subasic had their garage sale at St. Bonaventure and he hurt his little finger. I hope he has recovered sufficiently to attend our next meeting.

I can’t say thank you enough for all the Knights who have helped me through this first year as Grand Knight. I am very grateful to you all and I hope each and every one of you will enjoy a safe and wonderful summer, and may God bless you all.

Dave Allen
Grand Knight

Brother Knights

Sunday morning Father Paul received news of his younger brother’s death and left for India Sunday afternoon. Please remember Father Paul, his deceased brother and his family in your prayers. Father Hubka has graciously taken on Father Paul’s masses for this week.

On the evening of April 11th in the auditorium we held an Open House dedicated to inviting gentlemen of our church to join the Knights of Columbus. I was very impressed with what Father Paul had to say. It was very inspiring. The response was successful to the point that we had 5 candidates enter into the First Degree at St. Patrick’s Church on the 22nd of April. Thank you to Brother Gerry Cartmell and Brother Andy Haynes for their help and thank you to all the Knights and wives who showed such great support all evening and the support of seven more Knights who attended the First Degree. I believe because of all the support of you men they call Knights, 2 more gentlemen, and possibly 4 will be entering into the First Degree at St. Joseph’s Church on the 30th of April at 9:30 in the morning. It would be great if we have that same support on Saturday the 30th. Thank you all once again. I would like to say congratulations to our newest First Degree Knights.

This weekend April 23rd and 24th was the weekend for our K of C Garage Sale. I cannot say enough “ thank you’s” to everyone involved in the setup, the sale and the take down of this very successful event. The committee included Bro. Kevin Lopresti, Bro. Leo Bunz, Bro. Frank Gerritsen, Vicki Baran and last but certainly not least, Jenny O’Dell. Congratulations on a job very well done.

We were also very grateful to the youth and altar servers for taking over the food sales for this event. They performed their task with earnest and smiling faces. Thank you all.

A reminder that the Hike for Life is on the 7th of May and we have pledge forms in the Council Chambers for anyone who would like to walk the 10K’s. On the 29th of May Father Paul has asked the Knights to set up an altar for Corpus Christie and also to help with the Canopy and anything else which might require our help. There will be four altars in all. K of C, CWL, Couples for Christ and Bible Study. Corpus Christie will follow the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Brothers, let’s put our efforts into helping Father make this Corpus Christie a very memorable day.

Please remember the Blue Mass at the Cathedral on the 15th of May, Sunday at 2:00 P.M. This is a Mass held in honor of the First Responders in our city.

Lectures Night will be on the 16th of May and we will be saying the Rosary at the Statue of Rachel on the south side of the Church. Due to an overabundance of goodies from the Open House, no one will be required to bring desserts. I think we have all that we need.

May 31st. is the 5th Sunday Rosary and will be said right after the 9:00 Mass around 10:15 a.m. please plan to attend our last Fifth Sunday rosary for this Columbian year.

Thank you for a very busy and successful April. Because of your tremendous support we come into the Month of May invigorated and ready for a great month

Dave Allen, GK

Brother Knights

The 12th of March Father Paul arranged for a Lenten retreat with the focus on the first 5 books of the Old Testament. There were 40 participants in this retreat and it went very well. I am sure next year will have an even stronger attendance from the Knights than this year had. Thank you to all those who attended.

The membership drive was the 12th and 13th of March and we collected 30 names and we have had a number of gentlemen voice an interest in the Knights of Columbus since the drive. I am very thankful to Father Paul for his support and very kind remarks during Easter about the Knights support of St. Cecilia’s Church. We are all working together and I must thank all the Knights who helped out during Easter and did what needed to be done.

The open house scheduled for the 21st of March was postponed due to the Chrism Mass on the 21st at the Cathedral. Our priests made it very clear that the Knights should be at the Mass.

It was a very special Mass with over 100 Priests including our own Father Paul, Father Henry and Father Frank.

Our Open House will be on the 11th of April at 7:00 p.m. and as I am expecting approximately 25 guests, I hope and pray that most of our Knights of Council 4878 will be there to encourage all of these young men to become Knights and members of our Council to further the work initiated by our past Priests and especially the work being done by Father Paul Raj.

My thanks to all the Knights who helped with the Way of the Cross on Friday the 25th. I am especially grateful to Brothers Dan Barth and Kevin Lopresti who have been helping at our Church throughout the Easter Triduum.

Congratulations to Brother Ronnie Timonera on his becoming a Knight in the 3rd Degree on the 20th of March, 2016. Welcome Brother Ronnie to Council 4878

Thank you Brothers all. Christ is Risen. Alleluia Alleluia.

Dave Allen, GK

Dear Brother Knights;

This was a very busy February starting with Padre night on the 4th of February. There were approximately 80 to 90 Priests and Deacons attending and they all went home with new sweaters from Moores. Thank you to all the brothers who attended from 4878 including Kevin Lopresti, Dan Barth, Leo Bunz, Mike Driscoll, Henry Feddema, Mike Bakk, Mike Abday, Frank Gerritsen, Joe Novakowski, Jeremy Novakowski and myself. We were happy to have Father Henry and Father Frank attend with us. The meal was worth the price of admission.

There was a first degree at St. Patrick’s on the 5th. Including our candidate Ronnie Timonera who was 1 of 11. The degree team was exceptional in their talks and I came away feeling like I was a part of something very special. State Deputy Charles Russell has every reason to be very proud of this particular 1st Degree team. Gerry Cartmell and I both attended. Congratulations to Bro. Ronnie Timonera.

February 7th was World Day of the Sick and Brother Dan Barth took charge of the breakfast. It was not attended as well as it usually is for world day of the sick however things were done a little differently. Thank you to everyone who helped out with the breakfast. I believe Bro. Dan will have a more complete report for the bulletin.

February 9th and 24th were Basketball Free Throw nights and Brother Henry will have a complete report on how things went. Thank you to all Brothers who helped Bro. Henry out.

Our Cribbage Tournament was held on the 15th. And again thank you to all knights and ladies who helped make this work. Again Bro. Dan Barth will give us a complete report on how it all went.

Thank you to Brother Leo Bunz for attending and helping out with Shrove Tuesday at Ecole St. Cecilia School. Apparently they had plenty of volunteers but it is always nice when they can see a blue jacket representing the knights. Thank you Bro. Leo.

Hike for Life is coming up on the 7th of May and unfortunately our State Convention is also on the 7th. Hopefully someone will jump in and do the hike. Thank you brothers.

There is a Lenten retreat at st. Cecilia’s on Saturday the 12th of March from 9:30 to noon and all parishioners are invited. That means us as well. Please consider attending this retreat.

Thank you also to the 5 brother knights who attended the Calgary Flames hockey game and worked the stands. Brothers Henry Feddema, Kevin Lopresti, Mike Abday, Lloyd Rose and Mike Driscoll. It appears everything went very well.

Thank you and may God bless you.

GK Dave Allen

Greetings Brother Knights,

This report is all about food and fraternity. This month we were invited to the CWL Christmas Dinner and the dinner was exceptional. There were not a large number of Knights attending, however, the Knights who did attend enjoyed a very pleasant evening and I thank the ladies of the CWL for inviting us and in particular I thank the President of the CWL Gabriele Kalincak for providing such a pleasant evening.

The K of C Christmas Dinner was on the 14th. of December and was well attended. The dinner was as usual very delicious and I would like to thank all the Ladies and Knights who helped to make this evening such a success. We enjoyed a very fraternal evening, raised some money for Carol Gerritsen’s St Vincent de Paul and I was pleased to see so many of our Widows come out for the evening.

Father Paul leaves for India on the 1st. of January and I’m sure you all join me in wishing him a very well deserved and wonderful holiday with his family. Father Paul will return on the 8th of February and in his absence Father Henry will take over until then. Of course we wish all of our Priests a very faith filled and enriching 2016 and I have assured Father Paul that as usual, he can count on our total support.

Alida and I wish all Knights of our council a very blessed and “fun filled ” 2016 and I look forward to seeing you all on the 4th. of January for our monthly council meeting at 7:30 P.M.

God Bless you all,
GK Dave Allen

Greetings Brother Knights

This has been a very busy month and I would like to thank everyone involved in the many happenings in and around our church this November. It started with the Memorial Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Nov. 5th, which was very well represented by Council 4878 and also by parishioners from St. Cecilia’s. I would also like to thank the St. Cecilia’s Adult Choir for helping to make this Mass so beautiful. Thank you Brother Ross.

Next we had the Mass on Remembrance Day at 9:00 in the morning and it was a very beautiful Mass. A huge thank you goes out to Brother Dan Barth who, with the help of his wife Elaine, organized everything from flags to wreaths and with the help of the Honor Guard and the Boy Scouts of America turned this Mass into something very memorable.

We finished off the Stampeder Football Season with our last game on the 15th. of November. I was very grateful to any and all volunteers that helped out, especially when I was sick and unable to acquit myself of such fun and jocularity. Some of the volunteers tried to assist me by giving me some new pick-up lines and while their jokes failed miserably, their intent was worthy of special mention. Thank you again to Caroline and Brother Randy for once again ” making it work ” through all kinds of adversity. We are very blessed to have you two organizing this fundraiser. Next year I intend to be armed with all new lines and let the fun begin.

Our next endeavor was to raise funds for the Syrian Refugees with a Pasta Dinner to “out do” all Pasta dinners. Brother Kevin and Brother Andre said let the event begin and I am sure that Brother Kevin will have plenty to say on that with his report. There were a good number of Knights and Ladies helping to make this work and I thank you all very, very much. God bless you all.

This Sunday is the 5th. Sunday Rosary and as I am at a retreat this weekend, Deputy Grand Knight Andy Haynes will take charge of that, and I thank you in advance Brother Andy. I am sure all will go well. The Rosary will be said at 10:15 a.m. just after the 9:00 Mass on Sunday the 29th. I am sure Brother Andy can count on your support Brother Knights.

Just a reminder that our next executive meeting is after the 11:00 Mass on December 6th. and our next regular meeting is at 7:30 p.m. on December the 7th.
Our Christmas Dinner will be on the 14th. of December and I look forward to that dinner very much. More to follow.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all you Brother Knights for supporting me so much through this first half of this fraternal year and at this time my wife Alida and I would like to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and New Year and all the hopes of a great 2016 fraternal year with the Knights.

Vivat Jesus
GK Dave Allen

Greetings Brother Knights;

The Month of October is the month of the Holy Rosary and on October 19th, we said the Rosary. My thanks to all those who attended and brought goodies for everyone. I would also like to thank those who helped with the saying of the Rosary. Thanks to Leo Bunz, Kevin Lopresti, Jenny O’Dell and Vicki Baran. There were some scheduling overlaps and some had to decide which event to attend but all went well.

The Second Degree was held upstairs and 9 soon to be Third Degree Knights were in attendance. Brother Dan Barth tells me that everything went according to plan.

The Bishops Dinner was sold out and was represented well by St. Cecilia’s Church. In attendance were Father Paul. Dave and Alida Allen, Leo Bunz, Gabrielle and Kark Kalincak, and Cliff and Helina White. The musical entertainment was provided by Nicholas Allen. The Bishop was his usual terrific self and a good time was had by all.

The Chapter meeting was held on Monday October 26th. and it was very well represented by Council 4878. By my side were Brothers Andy Haynes, Leo Bunz, Frank Gerritsen and Dan Barth. Brother John Bothwell was also there in his position as Treasurer.

Brothers, please remember the Memorial Mass for the Knights of Columbus is November 5th. 7:00 P.M. at St. Marys Cathedral and we should be there in support of our deceased Brother Knights.

Our Lectures night on the 16th. of November will be in the Church and will be a talk on Stewardship presented by Brother Eden D’Souza. This will be coordinated by Father Paul and will include the CWL and anyone from our church congregation.

On November 11th. at 9:00 a.m. there will be a Remembrance Mass at St. Cecilia’s. All Brothers and wives are invited to attend.

Thank you Brothers. I look forward to seeing you all at our Council meeting on the 2nd. of November.

Vivat Jesus
GK Dave Allen

Fraternity for the year

Brother Knights

As I was preparing this message to start off the new Columbian year I began to realize what an honour it is to be in this position. As Grand Knight I have an enormous responsibility and I am  a bit overwhelmed  because I do not know if you have or have not misplaced your confidence in me. Am I the right person to lead such an illustrious council as 4878?

When I think of all the Grand Knights who have taken on this position ahead of me, all I have to do is look at the photographs on the wall behind me and I am humbled at what I see.

I WILL be devoted to honouring these Past Grand Knights, a number of whom now sit before me. If for some reason I should start to falter, I know that anyone of you would step up and assist me rather than see our council struggle under my leadership.

Thank you all for the faith you have placed in me and in our council.

On June 6^th Father Paul Raj was exemplified in the 4^th Degree and this was witnessed by a number of knights from our council. Thank you all who attended the exemplification and dinner. A good time was had by all.

Congratulations Father Paul and welcome back to another Columbian year as Chaplain of Council 4878.

We had our stampede breakfast in the beginning of July and while I do not have the final figures I believe it was a tremendous success. Thank you to all who helped with the set up outside under dubious skys. To all the knights and wives who helped serve and cleanup and all knights and wives, daughters and sons who helped make this breakfast so much fun. I am very grateful to Brother Dan Barth and Elaine Barth for taking on the responsibility to order all the necessities and being there while I was still trying to find someone to replace them. Dan Barth has been Breakfast Chairman for a number of years and he and Elaine have never let us down. Thank you Brother Dan for continuing to be available while we try to find 4 or 5 knights to replace you.

Past District Deputy Ray Khuller  has chosen to step away from the rigors of District 32. Brother Mike Subasic will try to fill Brother Ray’s shoes and it will take all the Councils  best efforts for Brother Mike to do so. I would ask that we continue to support our new District Deputy with the same efforts and pinache we put into helping Brother Ray become one of the finest District Deputys this Council and District have had in many years.

Brother Ray Khuller and I have a little bit of history and I look forward to working with him at the Council level. Thank you Ray for all you have done for this Council and our District.

It is September and the Stampeder Booths are at their busiest times about halfway through the season. Randy and Carolyn Lopez continue to do everything they can to make this year successful. They will succeed as long as they have our support. As a council working together we must continue to find time to help with this fundraiser and while I have been “under the weather ” for some time now, I finally feel as good as I look. I will be at the game on Monday Sept. 7^th and I look forward to having a great time. For any Brothers who have not tested their abilities at this fundraiser I encourage you to try it. The “ fraternity “ you experience at these games is beyond compare. Come out, get fed and have a ball. Everyone benefits.

Don’t forget that “ FRATERNITY “ is this years theme.

On August 29^th we started the first of four “5th Sunday Rosaries.” There were 12 Knights and 20 parishoners  in attendance. Thank you to all the Brother Knights   who helped out, especially Brother Kevin Lopresti who helped lead the Rosarie. Our next month to have 5 Sundays is November 29^th. More to follow.

I also have to thank Brother Kevin for being there for me every time I had a question I had no answer to. Thank you Kevin for taking my call every time your phone rang and getting me through this summer.

I am very pleased and excited to announce that at our executive meeting on Sunday Sept. 6^th  Brother Kevin Lopresti  stepped forward to offer his expertise as our new Bulletin Editor.

Therefore my stress level has dropped considerably. Thank you Kevin for taking on this huge responsibility.

Our first meeting is Wednesday the 9^th of September at 7:30. I look forward to working with you all. May God bless us all through this Columbian year.

Vivat Jesu

Dave Allen

Grand Knight