Knights of Columbus

Bishop Gallagher Assembly 0482

870 North Main Street

Clawson, Michigan  48017

The Experience of a Lifetime

September/October 2007

Vivat Jesus Worthy Brother Sir Knights!

As the cool winds of autumn begin to come upon our Michigan homes, some of you are beginning to close up the summer with cool thoughts (some warmer thoughts for those of you going South).  It has been a very busy summer for most of us, and I’m glad that it’s beginning to tone down. 

As the summer passes by, I have yet more sad news to share with you.  We have lost more brother sir knights these past months.  On June 7- SK Edgar Dupius, July 11 - SK Harry Jonas, and August 16 - SK John “Jack” Schrot, Sr. …  SK Edgar passed away, and we were not notified by the family, but found out from Supreme instead.  SK Harry was a strong supporter of the

Order.  He was with the Order for over 50 years in the 3rd degree and 43 years in the 4th.  He hails from Bishop Gallagher Council #2569 and was a very active member and was also involved with the Color Corps quite a few years back.  SK John, or otherwise known as Jack to many, comes from Holy Name council #14018.  A very active member and a go-to kind of guy, Jack makes sure that you’ve had your fill of the KofC, as well as a good dose of spirituality.  Each of these men will be missed and may God grant them their eternal reward… Amen.

In other news, the new assembly in Auburn Hills is official.  The Divine Mercy assembly have had their elections, and it is ready to roll.  On behalf of the Bishop Gallagher assembly, I wish them with much luck and prosperity for the years to come.  Hopefully, this will reduce the stress of Color Corps assignments and travel time for most of our brother sir knights.  Also, I hope that we will still be working together for many years to come.  They will be having their installation pending October 25th, and we will have ours on October 28th around 1:00pm after the mass at either Guardian Angels or at the Fr. Lynch Hall in Clawson.  All are welcome to attend, as we will have a Squires’ Installation, as well as an installation of officers for Fr. Lynch council.

Many times throughout the year, I sometimes ask myself the question… why?  Why did I choose to become a Knight of Columbus?  Like some guys, I thought that this organization was a bunch of overgrown frat guys who have one thing in common… drinking.  At Wayne State a few years ago, there was a “Join a Fraternity/Sorority Day.”  I decided to take a quick stroll across the mess of Greek acronyms and other college students hanging out, trying to recruit students with the promise of many parties to come.  Before I got to the student center, I came across a couple of young guys with a whole table of “free” stuff, besides the pamphlets.  There were beer mugs, baseball caps, shirts, and key chains… I thought to myself… “Cool, some free stuff.”  Oh boy was I a happy camper.  As I went about grabbing my free mug amongst other things, a guy asked me if I liked free beer and asked to check my ID.  I was ecstatic and said a cheerful “yeah.”  Then, he asked me some questions about the Catholic religion, and I answered them pretty well.  Before I knew it, the guy was filling out a green form and told me that if I wanted free drinks later, I had to sign up.  Thus, my humble beginnings of joining the Knights of Columbus.  I’m sure some of you have your own stories as well and feel free to pass it on to me if you wish… maybe I’ll put it in a newsletter for you.

From signing that form almost 3 years ago, I didn’t know what I was getting into.  From almost being stripped search by the Albanian Secret Service when the Albanian president came (since they thought I looked too young to be a Knight) and having my picture taken with the Detroit Pistons Cheerleaders at the Marines Welcome, it has been quite an eventful two and a half years of being in the 4th Degree.  I don’t regret any of it and I do encourage you to come out, have fun with us, and get others to join too.  Of course, your experiences will probably not be as eventful as mine, but I have that type of luck.  Of course, you guys who know me know that I have that type of luck and may laugh at will.

Anyways, I joined to make a difference in the community.  I know many of you have the same feeling, but we just need the opportunity to do so.  We have the potential to do so much, and we need to work on our Order’s principles.  In regards to exemplifying “patriotism,” we have a few patriotic duties coming up as scheduled in the “Events” section.  Please come out to the events if you can.  We are appreciative of what our veterans and active military did and still do for us.  We are supportive of our country, but it’s time to show it in our activities and prayers, especially when our country is conflicted with supporting those who fight to preserve our freedom.  What do you think?

Please stay tuned for things to come and may God Bless you this coming fall season.

Ed Ching

Faithful Navigator, Bishop Gallagher Assembly #0482

Outstanding Sir Knights

S.K. of the Month of July 2007

S.K. George Cooney

For continued support and dedication for Bingo

S.K. of the Quarter 2007

S.K. Commander L.T. Mathews

For his strength and dedication to the Color Corps

 In Remembrance 

S.K. Edgar Dupius, #6645

12/15/1928 - 06/07/2007

S.K. Harry Jonas, PGK #2569

02/15/1918 - 07/11/2007

 S.K. John “Jack” Schrot, Sr., #14018

12/29/1924 - 08/16/2007

Our Father… Hail Mary… Eternal rest grant unto them, 0 Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

If you know of any other brother sir knight who has passed away, please inform your Navigator.  We would like to honor him at his funeral wake, as he had once honored those before him.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE NEEDED!

Many of our Sir Knights have undergone significant health issues over the past several months.  If you know of a fellow Sir Knight who is in need of our prayers, let your Navigator know and they will be added to the list.

· Rev. Leon Olszamowski

· John Burg

· Joe Bono

· Jerry Bonzak

· George Cooney

· Joe D’Anna

· Ed Duda

· Joe Guarino

· Giovanni Iannotti

· Chuck LaPratt

· LT Mathews

· Chuck McArthur

· Ronald O’Connor

· Russ Palazzolo

· Dan Remeika

· Tony Recchia

· Herb Stacer

· Richard Tschirhart

· Gene Wilson

 Please remember these Sir Knights in your daily prayers.

Bingo Concessions Every Tuesday!
Location: Fr. Lynch Hall, Clawson, MI
Stop by and help out when you can
Help Needed: Anytime for set-up around 2:00pm or
come in for the action around 4:30pm or later
Profits go to compensate Chalice Fund,
Published Newsletters, Postage, and other functions

We will need some volunteers for Bingo.  This is a good chance to help raise funds for the Chalice Fund, amongst other needed expenses.  Please consider helping out.  Just give me or Captain Joe Golden a call to

schedule a day good for you.  Ladies are always welcome.  We just need some people to man the stands for a couple of hours here and there.   We will also be looking at raffles in the future.  Please stay tuned.

Happy Birthday!!

(Sorry if I missed anyone, please let me know if I did)

Color Corps  and Upcoming Events (as of 09/10/2007)

Other News

There are still some members who have not paid their dues, please contact our Faithful Comptroller and PFN, John Hundiak to find out if you are one of them.  Please do not let this     opportunity slip by, as your investment towards the Chalice Fund may be forfeited.  Also, if you know of any Sir Knight who has passed away, please inform your Navigator.

We will be having a Fall Exemplification on Saturday, September 15, 2007.  The location is DeCarlo’s Banquet and Convention Center at 6015 E. Ten Mile Road, Warren, MI 48091.  Call for more details.

Assembly Meets 1^st 3^rd Thursday of the month at 7:30

Fr. Lynch Council Hall

870 North Main Street

Clawson, MI 48017

Please come and Join us.

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