January 2002

We give a big thanks to Jake the Fake for sharing his jolliness and treats with the kids at our parish. Thanks to everyone who helped with gifts for the needy. There were over 24 gifts given to eleven children in three different families. The Christmas Gathering was a successful social activity thanks to the Tulls. The food was tasty and plentiful. Brother Smith can tell you that pigs do fly. Don’t forget to ask Fr. Joe about his new shirt.

Everyone is invited to the Mid-Winter meeting we will host here on January 5^th. It will begin at 1:00 at the Parish Center. January’s regular business meeting will be on the 10^th. The Knights will lead a rosary for Brother Popernik at 7:30 pm on the 18^th at the church. His memorial service will be at 11 am on the 19^th in the School of Education Auditorium. The exemplifications at Clarksdale have been rescheduled to January 20th. We will conduct our council basketball freethrow championship on January 26^th. The February planning meeting will take place on the 29^th.

A few meetings ago, Brother Ron brought to our attention a correspondence course. It is offered by the K of C in the area of Catholic theology. It’s a good course, not too easy. And it’s free. To get started, send a note to:

Attn: Catholic Information Service

Knights of Columbus

PO Box 1971

New Haven, CT 06521-1971

Bigotry against Catholics once ran so deep that Catholic working men were denied insurance even when they were lucky enough to find work. Some left the Church so they could prosper, but many remained faithful in spite of the consequences of that fidelity. We pray for those who left the church, and hold in our hearts a special place for those who held on to the end.

Richard Popernik was born into a Polish Catholic family, in a Polish Catholic neighborhood in the Archdiocese of Chicago (the largest concentration of Catholics in the USA). He was faithful when he was in the majority--an altar boy who became the head altar boy in his parish, a seminarian. But what impresses us most is the strength of his Faith when he was in the minority. Like those who remained faithful in the time of persecution he would not be moved from his commitment to the Sacramental way of life. In fact he nourished that way of life by his active participation in the Men’s Club, The Knights of Columbus, The Pastoral Council, as a trainer of Altar Servers and Greeters, a spaghetti chef for the college students, an Acolyte, and at the time of his death he had begun practicing with the men’s choir which sang at Midnight Mass. I believe that all of his holy ancestors went to The Gates to greet him, and that he received a special greeting from those who had been faithful in difficult times. I believe also that each one of us has at least one Dick Popernik story and that most of those stories (maybe all?) are about something that was very funny. As we share those stories let us also pray that we will find the grace to be faithful each day of our lives.

For their help in planning the Christmas party, and delivering gifts to the needy

Joe and Mikki Tull, Family of the Month

For his exemplary life as a Knight

Dick Popernik, Knight of the Month

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As you know, just before Christmas on the 23^rd and only a few days after his 65^th birthday, December 19^th, our brother Knight, Richard "Dick" Popernick was called upon by his creator to join Him and St. Peter at a very special place — Heaven. Dick was a friend to all who knew him. He was a credit to his profession, a true Christian and a man who was truly loved by his family and friends. We will miss him, but we will not forget him — he was a loyal Knight of Columbus, a devoted Catholic. For all my brother Knights I say to him, "Vivat Jesus — Dick."

The first six months of our Fraternal Year are completed and our net new Knights is now zero. At our monthly meeting in December we welcomed two new Knights. As I noted last month our goal for this Fraternal Year, ending June 30^th, is eight new members. Make a New Year’s resolution to find a new Knight this coming year.

Congratulations are in order for two new brother Knights who joined our council on December 13^th. Ted Smith and Noel Wilkins were exemplified in the First Degree of our Order. Please extend your congratulations to these "new brothers" at your first opportunity.

A First Degree exemplification is scheduled for Thursday, January 10^th at our regular monthly meeting. Your help is needed — do your best to contact any potential new members as soon as possible. We must continue to add new Knights to our council.

Last month it was noted that a Second and Third Degree Exemplification was scheduled for January 12^th in Clarksdale. That date has been changed and is now Sunday, January 20^th. I have sent a letter to each First Degree Knight in our council with all the necessary information. Those First Degree Knights should contact me, as soon as possible, whether attending or not attending, because I need to know who will be in attendance. Remember, you are expected to become a Third Degree Knight. For other brother Knights who would like to attend, our council will depart for Clarksdale at 10:30 a.m. on the 20^th.

Remember, "Ask a man to become a Knight of Columbus." Vivat Jesus, Bob

I first heard the following poem at the funeral of a friend in Jacksonville, Florida, in the early 1970's. Its message became a favorite, and in the mid 80's when my father died, the priest who conducted his memorial service agreed to incorporate it into his service. I was not a close friend of our recently departed brother Dick, but somehow I think he would approve and appreciate the message it delivers....

ABOU BEN ADHEM (May his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the Presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?" --The Vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one"? Said Abou.

"Nay not so." Replied the Angel.

Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still; and said,

"I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men."

The Angel wrote and vanished.

The next night it came again with a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,