Meeting Minutes for January 18, 2023

Opening Ceremony

• Faithful Navigator Caleb Strittmatter opened the meeting at 7:05 PM, Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the Basilica of Saint Mary, 412 Ann Street Wilmington, NC, in the K of C Room. There were 23 Brother Knights with ID cards and rosaries in attendance.
• FN Strittmatter stated he appreciated the attendence and reinforced some of the reasons to attend the meeting:
  • To Pray
  • To Sing
  • Hangout with Catholic gentlemen
  • Be motivated by the time and talent offered by others
  • Because we believe in KofC organization
• FN Strittmatter read various "Thank You" cards and notes of appreciation for our Assembly work.

Roll Call of Officers

Opening Prayer

• Meeting’s opening prayer was led by Deacon George Keenan.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Opening Ode

• The opening Ode, America the Beautiful, was sung and led by SK Backes.

Call for approval of last month's minutes

• Minutes of the November meeting are posted to the website. A motion was made to accept the minutes as posted; the motion was seconded and passed by unanimous vote.

Report of the Faithful Friar (Fr. Spencer)

• No report

Report of Faithful Comptroller (SK Decker)

• A report of income and expense items of the past month was provided.

Report of the Faithful Purser (SK Philips)

• The financials reported can be requested by contacting the Faithful Purser.

Report of Committees

Membership Report / Reading of Applications / Balloting (SK Decker)

• There are four applications and two requests for applications.
• The next Exemplification of the Fourth Degree will be at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Raleigh on April 15. For additional information contact Greg Decker.

RSVP (SK Decker)

• Our supported seminarian, transitional deacon Nicholas Rapkoch, hadn't cashed the check yet.

Patriotic Reports

Veterans Support (SK Ludgate)

• Wreaths Across America (see web photos) - SK Murphy reported there were 8 SKs assisting and awarded the patriotic hats supplied by the Assembly. SK Ludgate also reported there were many other people (SK family and other organizations) helping.
• Veteran’s support alternatives (Ashley House) - SK Ludgate reported that the Ashley House mission has changed from Drug Rehab to Transitional Living Center where veterans are provided a room for up to 90 days, until they can find a job and place to stay. There are 16 beds and the veterans that stay change often over time. Most “direct to individuals” charitable support is provided near the Christmas season. Because of the mission and time in residency changed, SK Ludgate was requested to investigate and come back with suggestions on how the Assembly activities and funding can be applied more broadly across changing residents throughout the year.

In God We Trust – Scholarship for Future Saints Program and Chalice Program - (SK Strittmatter / SK Tim Hardgrove)

• The FN received letter from Fr. John McGee staff with continuing interest in the scholarship evangelization program. It was noted that broad funding must be address again at a deanery meeting before parish budgets are finalized in May/June 2023 . Pastor email to market scholarship program was requested by FN in December addressed to St Therese, St Mary, Immaculate Conception, and St Mark.
  FN requested that 17- and 18-year-old parish members be sent emails from pastors informing of the scholarship opportunity as an alternative to bulletin which have proven limited reach. FN will follow-up before next meeting and discern if we need to launch a bulletin marketing effort at all parishes affiliated with our Assembly.
• Chalice Program - There is one chalice remaining. The program is in need of funding. Two suggestions were presented from the floor: keep it like it is today, or change to a Mass or remembrance card approach. No Conclusion.
• SK Murphy won ($50) as the first of six drawings in appreciation of Scholarship for Future Saints donors.

Honor / Color Guard and Flag ceremony Reports (SK Hargett)

• Our brother Sir Knight Louis Stanley's funeral Mass was January 7 at Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church. Forty knights honored Louis by being part of the honor guard for the Mass, by standing guard through Visitation, as Ushers, Readers, and more. Of the Forty knights, more than half were Sir Knights and, of those, eight were in the new regalia.
• SK Hargett has suggested additional training would be a benefit in increasing the Color Guard sharpness and crispness and will coordinate a training schedule.
• This past Saturday, at the Right to Life Event in Raleigh, it was reported there were more SKs from our Assembly than from all the Raleigh Assemblies. Two of our SKs, Philips and Gabel, were in the Color Guard.
• At the recent Confirmation ceremony held at Camp LeJeune, Bishop Spenser of the Archdiocese for Military Services was seen thanking each pair of SKs as he passed them. The SKs also received a card from Bishop.

Fraternal Social Report (FN Stritmatter)

• • SK Weisberger reported on the success of the Christmas party held at South Beach Grill, and was looking forward to the Annie show at the Wilson Center on 28 January.

Trustees Report (SKs Backes, Macaluso, Plarre)

• No report.

Unfinished Business

• No report.

New Business

• Future meetings, starting February 15, will be conducted at St. Mark's Church, 1011 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC., same starting time 7:00 PM, Officer's meeting starting at 6:30 when scheduled.
• Our Assembly has achieved the Star Assembly Award status for accomplishments under the guidance of PFN Frank Weisgerber. Congratulations to all those who contributed by meeting attendance and participation in our various events throughout the year.
• A motion was made by FN and seconded to purchase a $50 Veterans Memorial paver block located on Cape Fear River in the Veterans Memorial Park down town Wilmington honor all branches of service.
• Needed by February 1, SK Plarre requests the names of widows to be provided to a local Wilmington Christian radio station (can you find out the name and address) to distribute gifts (symbolic bouquets). He is also requesting volunteers to help distribute them when received.
• A second lottery for 50% reimbursement covering 4 new Regalia procurements will be launched via Faithful Navigator email in January 2023 with required entry process and ordering before March 15th meeting.

Report of Third Degree Councils

1074 Wilmington

• St. Valentine's Day Dinner Dance, 6-10PM, February 17, Tileston Center's The Upper Room, $50/person, BYOB/W, For more information contact SK Backes at 910-791-0844.

11817 St. Stanislaus

• The Council showed their appreciation and wanted to officially thank the Assembly for the Color Guard's support for SK Louis Stanley's funeral.
• The Council has four members that have submitted applications for the Fourth Degree.
• There will be a Chili Cookoff the Saturday, January 21. Bring your appetite, criticism and Pepto-Bismol in tablet or liquid form.

12017 St. Mark

• On Sunday, January 15 a KofC Free Throw Championship was held with 20 participants in cooperation with the school. Nine participants will move on to the district level when we find out when and where that is being held.
• On Saturday, February 25, members will be participating in the Wilmington March for Life to be held at Long Leaf Park, 314 Pine Grove Dr, Wilmington starting at 10AM. All able knights and SKs are asked to support this activity.
• On Saturday, February 25, members will be supporting the Wilmington Marathon at an aid station near St. Mark's Church.
• On Saturday, March 11, the council will hold a St. Patrick's Day Dinner Dance, Wine and Beer included for just $40/person.

12281 All Saints

• This council has received the Star Council status.
• On February 18, the council will assist in parking for the Polar Plunge.
• Fish Frys on March 3rd and 31st are planned.

12885 St. Therese

• No report.

12921 Transfiguration

• No report.

Brothers in Need

• SK Jim Bilisoly received a Pacemaker and can use some support. You may telephone him at 910-686-0151.
• SK Lou Matters of 1074 is ill. We look for a speedy recovery.

Good of the Order

• SK Bio read from the book, In God We Still Trust by Dr Richard G. Lee, page 19 about MLK.
• SK Renoldo Benzor, regalia sweepstakes winner, stood to thank the Assembly for the financial support provided for regalia.

Closing Ceremony - Faithful Navigator Strittmatter

Closing Prayer - Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

• Led by Deacon Keenan.

Adjourn

• Meeting adjourned at 8:21pm.