Messages from the Grand Knight

February 2019

All,

We have a lot going on the next couple of months. I would love to see us pack our meetings in March and April so our members can hear of all the great things the Knights are doing in our church, school and community. Please come out to our business meeting on March 11^thand April 8^th. We also have a couple of fun activities coming up in March. On March 10^th we will be having a social event at CP Pinball (115 Sinclair Ave, South Roxana) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event is open to all Knights and their families and to the Squires. Also our social meeting for March will be our Chili Cook-off on March 25^th. This is open to all parishioners. Come out and participate in the competition! We will also be judging deserts so bring your desert as well.

Don’t forget the OLQP School’s fish fry starting this Friday March 8th – we need Knights help to setup trailer and food, cook, run food and clean-up – come out and enjoy some brotherhood while helping our school.

We will also be doing a breakfast fundraiser for the Thrive Ultrasound program on April 14^th Palm Sunday. We are hoping to raise a significant amount of money to help out this great program. Please come out dine, donate and help.

Don’t forget our Chicken Dinner on March 17^th. We need help setting up, working the event and cleaning up.

In closing, I thought I would include part of an article I read that covers preparing for lent.

How to Prepare for Lent

Many Christians see Lent as a time to recall and renew their commitment to Christ.

With this in mind, let’s all dig deep into our souls and think about the last time we really contemplated being fully committed and fully alive in Christ Jesus. When was the last time we really acknowledged Him for giving His life for us? And, if it has been a while, what is distracting us? Can we pinpoint it?

As sinners, we know that even with the best of intentions we often turn from God. Our thoughts become consumed with our next meal, an upcoming assignment, plans for the weekend, and so on and so on. Many times, we simply go about our routines without really putting much thought into it.

What if we were able to rid ourselves of those distractions by making a few changes to our routine when considering what to give up for Lent? Maybe we give up our afternoon snack break or turn off our cell phones for an hour each evening. Maybe we forego the cup of drive-through coffee each morning. And maybe we instead spend this time focusing our thoughts and hearts on Christ. Do you see how observing Lent can renew our connection with Him?

You never know—perhaps as we acknowledge the little things that sometimes distract us from God, we become more aware of the weight of his sacrifice for us. And in turn, we might just be one step closer to fully embracing His grace and unfailing love for us this Easter.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:8-10 NRSV

Source: (https://www.dayspring.com/articles/preparing-for-lent)

Yours Truly,

Troy Lively, G.K.

December 2018

Brother Knights,

As we welcome the time when we celebrate the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ, let us reflect upon the activities that we have done throughout the year to help our community and our church.

We have had a great fall and it is looking like we are going to have a great winter. I first want to thank Matt Meyer for stepping up and accepting the nomination for Recorder. I know he will do a great job as our new Recorder. I also want to thank Gerry Mattix-Wand and Brian Werts for setting up the “Coats for Kids” program for our council. We were able to donate 4 cases of coats to Riverbend Area Ministries on Black Friday (November 23^rd). This program will help children in need to stay warm this winter. I also wanted to thank the members who volunteered for the Boy Scout Food Pantry drive that took place on November 10^th and 17^th. This was a great opportunity to help OLQP’s food pantry as well as the local Boy Scout Chapter.

Some of the events we have coming up the next couple of months include our meetings on December 10^th, January 14^th and January 28^th. We are aslo currently running the “Keep Christ In Christmas” Poster contest at the OLQP school (thank you to Leo Mushill for leading this project). We have a spaghetti dinner on January 6^th and a chicken dinner on January 20^th. Keep in mind that all profits from the spaghetti dinner go to Belize Mission trip scheduled for June of 2019. We are also going to be hosting a Member and Family Fun night coming up in January with more details coming soon. Please come out and join us for these events – we need you to continue to make a difference.

I’m so proud that our council continues to be an active example of leadership and service. As we look ahead to the next year, let us remember that we as Catholic gentleman should always be thinking about new ways we can best serve our Savior, our church, our family, our school and our community.

Yours Truly,

Troy Lively, G.K.

The Importance of Choosing Life

Respect for life and patriotism are two values embraced by the Knights of Columbus. The video A Navy SEAL's Sacrifice | The Karen Vaughn Story highlights the extraordinary sacrifices that a young man and his family have made to be true to both of these values.

October 2018

Council Members,

We need your help. Members we have several events coming up in the next couple of months that need volunteers to be a successful activity for our Council. Please review the following list of activities and contact the chairperson responsible for the event if you are able to help. These are our fundraisers that allow us to continue to support our church, priest, school and missions.

• October 12 – 13 35th Annual Bishop’s Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction. Contact Gerry Mattix-Wand at (618) 791-6111. Our council will be preparing the meal for this event. We will need assistance from 4 to 5 people in setting up the K of C Hall (McNicholas Club Hall 1713 Stamper Lane) in Godfrey on Friday night (Oct 12th) – Plan to meet at OLQP at 6:00 p.m. to take stuff to Godfrey and setup. We will also need 5 to 7 people to help work the event and tear down at the Godfrey Hall from 3:30 till 7:30 p.m.

• October 16th OLQP cooking chicken strips and Corn Dogs for OLPQ students. Contact Louis Mushill at (618) 806-7465. Need 2 to 3 people to help starting around 8:30 to cook and serve the students for lunch.

• October 21st K of C Chicken Dinner. Contact Mike Poulson at (618) 616-5580. Need 5-6 people to assist in running the chicken dinner from 9:30 till 2:00. Also need 3-4 people to assist in cleanup starting at 1:45 p.m.

• October 27th Edwardsville (St. Boniface) Pasta Dinner Catering. Contact Jim Albarado at (618) 623-9325. Need 5-6 people at noon to assist in cooking at OLQP basement and transporting to St. Boniface. Also need 4-5 people for running buffet line at St. Boniface from 4:00 till 6:30 p.m. We will also need about 3 to 5 people at OLQP around 7:00 p.m. to help clean-up from the event (wash dishes and put away items).

We also have a couple other events that I am excited about coming up this month and next:

• On October 22nd Our Social Meeting Night - we will be hosting the meeting at the Olin Trap and Skeet Field. We will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Olin Trap and Skeet Field for some rounds of shooting. Bring your own shotgun or borrow one of Olin’s for the event. Rounds of shooting will cost $12. K of C council will be providing pizza at the event. Please contact Troy Lively at (618) 304-0672 to reserve your spot and enjoy an evening of brotherhood.

• November 11th Memorial Mass at Holy Angels Parish at 10:30 a.m. mass honoring all deceased members of the Knights of Columbus from Alton, Bethalto and Wood River. All Knight of Columbus and widows are invited to attend. A 4th Degree Color Guard will be Present at this mass. This is sponsored by Pere Marquette Assembly (4th Degree). Contact Randy P. Bauser for further details (618) 920-6762.

Please consider donating some of your time to some of these events that allow us to help support our church and community. Also consider coming out to the great opportunity to socialize with members and potential members of our council at the social meeting night on October 22nd. Also check out our Council website and calendar at www.bethaltoknights.org

Yours Truly,

Troy Lively, Grand Knight