Meeting Minutes for March 15, 2023

Opening Ceremony

• Faithful Navigator Caleb Strittmatter opened the meeting at 7 pm in the Saint Mark Parish Hall, 1011 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC. There were 19 Sir Knights with ID cards and rosaries in attendance.

Roll Call of Officers

Opening Prayer

• Meeting’s opening prayer was led by the Faithful Admiral.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Opening Ode

• The opening Ode, America the Beautiful, was sung.

Call for the approval of the Minutes of the Prior Meeting

• A call was made for changes or amendments to the February 2023 meeting minutes. No changes or amendments were offered and a motion was made to accept the minutes as recorded on the assembly website; the motion was seconded and passed by unanimous vote.

Report of the Faithful Friar (Fr. Spencer)

• No report.

Report of Faithful Comptroller (SK Decker)

• No report.

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)

• No report.

RSVP Report (SK Decker)

• A thank you note from Deacon Nicholas Rapkoch for our $500 gift was read by Faithful Navigator.

Color Guard Report (SK Hargett)

• No report.

Patriotic Reports

Veterans Support - (SK Ludgate)

• The report was provided by the Faithful Navigator in SK Ludgate's absence.
• On February 21 there was a tour of Ashley House at 10:30 AM. Ashley House is a transition residence for homeless veterans, located at 2002 Colwell Ave, Wilmington 28403. The tour was to help the assembly gain a better understanding of the things they may need. The Faithful Navigator provided his impressions of the tour, given SK Ludgate’s absence.
  • He was impressed with the operations and for service opportunities at Ashley House. The Assembly visitors asked the Director for suggestions on how the KofC could support them in ways that would be most helpful:
  • Within three months of residency, veterans transition to independent living and need help with moving. Typically this requires relocating donated furniture from storage. What they often need is housecleaning supplies and kitchen items (e.g. cookware, dishes, ...). Sir Knights could help with these transitions when situation develops. Tim Ludgate will maintain contact with Operational Director of Ashley House and request Sir Knights to form a team as needed. Funding for supplies and kitchen setup will come from the Assembly budget.
  • Ministry of a caring presence was an additional specific need for resident veterans. The Assembly committed to cook periodic/quarterly Sunday meals at the Ashley House for residents and, most importantly, spend time providing a listening ear for residents. A show of hands validated the proposal would be supported by Sir Knights. Veterans Support Chairman SK Ludgate will coordinate the scheduling with the Director of the Ashley House and will coordinate those willing to serve periodic meals.
  • All Sir Knights are asked to serve at least once in this very important opportunity supporting our Veterans in difficult circumstances. Those interested should contact SK Ludgate.
  • Four SKs agreed to prepare the first meal (date to be determined by SK Ludgate). They are Michael Reyes, John Bolger, Dennis Kelleher and Frank Bio.

In God We Trust - Deanery Support - (SK Strittmatter)

• Regarding the Scholarship for Future Saints,
  • The Faithful Navigator stated his goal to increase the Scholarship program to $10,000 by marketing it as Cape Fear Deanery Program versus KofC with parish support. Dean Father John McGee will be engaged by the Assembly Navigator and Captain before our next meeting to explore his support. SK’s present voice voted to support this potential transition of the Scholarship Program to become a Deanery program supported by the Assembly rather than an Assembly program.
  • The intent is to more broadly seek financial support for the Scholarship Program from additional parishes with the main local contributors being St. Mark, Immaculate Conception, St. Therese and St. Mary.
  • Working with St. Mark Adult Formation Leader, Scholarship applications and notice of the opportunity will be selectively email marketed to families with seniors in High School. This is expected to be much more effective than Bulletin notices with low readership.
  • If successful in raising contributions to $10,000, awards will be Gold $5,000, Silver $3,000 and Bronze $2,000. This plan was approved by a majority voice vote.
  • Two $50 raffle drawings coming next month.

Fraternal Social Report (SK Weisgerber)

• SK Weisberger reported that St. Therese would welcome the opportunity to host the June Assembly meeting with a picnic. The June meeting will be held on June 21 at 6 pm.

Trustees Report (SKs Backes, Kelleher, Plarre)

• No report.

Unfinished Business

• None to report.

New Business

• We need to identify candidates for open positions by the Assembly’s April meeting, and voted on in the May meeting. Anyone interested, contact Dennis Kelleher.
• A call was made for a Webmaster to help Greg Decker with the Assembly's web site. If anyone is interested, please contact Greg Decker.
• The Faithful Navigator presented Past Faithful Navigator Weisgerber with the PFN mini-jewel as recognition for service as Faithful Navigator and achievement of STAR Assembly. Congratulations Frank, job well done.

  

• A drawing for the regalia subsidy was held with the awardees being:

  • Michael Maccalupo (12281)
  • Dennis Kelleher (11817)
  • Colin SImpson (1074)
  • Greg Decker (12017)
  • Michael Breit (12017 – alternate)

  

Report of Third Degree Councils

1074 Wilmington (ICC/BSSM)

• No report.

11817 St. Stanislaus

• The council held an Exemplification to the Third Degree of four brothers on March 4.
• On 6 May they plan to hold an Exemplification to the Third Degree of another five brothers after the 5pm Mass.
• Five candidates will be exemplified to the Fourth Degree at the Exemplification on April 15.
• April 16 will be Divine Mercy Sunday with the usual call for SKs to provide an honor guard for the devotion.

12017 St. Mark

• The council held a St Patrick's Day Dinner/Dance on March 11 in the Our Lady of Victory Center (aka: the school gym). The turnout was good with 120 people attending. Lots of dancing followed a great meal of corned-beef and cabbage.
• On March 25, the council is hosting a Day of Reflection, with spiritual leader Terrie Baldwin.
• The council will hold a golf tournament on April15 at Olde Point Golf & Country Club. For more information click here.

12281 All Saints

• On March 11 they held another successful Yard Sale. If you have any items you wish to discard please contact Russ Cappello and he will pick up your items for their next sale.
• The council is doing a joint Stations of the Cross with the Catholic Daughters.
• There will be a Fish Fry on March 31 for $12.
• The council delivered chocolate covered strawberries (from Edibles) to widows of Knights and to Catholic Daughters.

12885 St. Therese

• Father Bill Upah will be celebrating 25 years of service.
• "Eat the Basket" tickets are on sale for $5.

12921 Transfiguration

• No report.

Brothers in Need

• Prayers as asked for the wife of SK Macaluso who is ill, and for Larry Wright ill with brain cancer.

Good of the Order

• Faithful Captain Frank Bio presented a verse to meditate and reflect upon.

Closing Prayer

• Led by the Faithful Navigator.

Adjourn

• Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm.