Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 16, 2026

St. Mark’s Parish Hall (1011 Eastwood Rd), Wilmington, NC

Opening Ceremony

  • SK Larry Greer opened the meeting at 7:00 pm in the Saint Mark’s Parish Hall, 1011 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC. There were 22 Sir Knights with ID cards and rosaries in attendance.

  • The candle burns for Sir Knight Cusick has passed and awaiting his eternal reward. Vinnie was a charter member of Fr. James E. Waters Council 12017 founded in 1997. He was a knight for 60 years and a Sir Knight for 27 years.

Call of Officers

Office Holder P/E/A
Faithful Navigator SK Larry Greer Present
Faithful Friar Rev SK Greg Spencer Excused
Captain SK Colin Simpson Present
Pilot SK George Schadt Present
Comptroller SK Frank Bio Present
Admiral SK Greg Decker Present
Purser SK Tom Sullivan Present
Scribe SK Mike Apicella Present
Corps Commander SK Bob Gabel Absent
Inner Sentinel SK Joe Damitz Excused
Outer Sentinel SK John Danchisko Present
1st Year Trustee SK Caleb Strittmatter Absent
2nd Year Trustee SK Michael Breit Absent
3rd Year Trustee SK Frank Weisgerber Present

Opening Prayer

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

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

  • Minutes approved as posted on website.

Report of the Faithful Deacon Keenan

  • 74 Foot Rosary is available for use.
  • Deacon George would like to offer the Rosary for the 50th Anniversary of St. Mark's Parish.

Report of Faithful Comptroller - SK Frank Bio

  • Membership 152 members
  • 1 increase in Honorary Life
  • The financials reported can be requested by contacting the Faithful Comptroller.

Report of the Faithful Purser - SK Tom Sullivan

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

Report of Committees

Membership Report/ Reading of Applications/ Balloting

  • No applications for the 4th degree.
  • Exemplification on June 20, 2026 in Candler, NC. Contact Faithful Navigator if interested.

Veterans Support

  • 50/50 raffle tonight for the Ashley House Veteran support. This was the last 50/50; next year money will be in the budget for this support. Winner of tonight's drawing was SK Gerry Roggemann.
  • $50 gift cards for Ashley House Veterans being discharged.

Veterans Committee

  • Bi-monthly New Hanover Veterans Council Report – next meeting on September 17.
  • See website under Resources for further information; specifically, the NHCVC information, and the information from the new Brunswick County Veterans Coalition.
  • SK Greg Decker made a presentation on the Veterans information located on the assembly website.

Honor Guard Events

  • June 22 - Honor Guard Request for the 10 am Funeral Mass of SK Vinnie Cusack at St. Mark.
  • July 16 - 6:30 pm Mass, 50th Anniversary of St. Mark's Parish, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama.
  • September 26 - Installation of the pastor, Fr. Steve DiMassimo, at St. Stanislaus.

2026 Collegiate Scholarship -SK Jack Murphy & SK John Reynolds

  • Final Drawing for Scholarship Fund Winners
  • 76 - Dennis Yott
  • 42 - Joe Hellmann

Fraternal Socials

  • No report.
  • Send suggestions to FN Larry Greer.

Trustees Report

  • June 30 Audit is scheduled.

Unfinished/Old Business

  • June 2 - Passing of the Colors at Saint Mary Catholic School.

New Business

  • Installation of New Officers Office Holder
    Faithful Navigator SK Larry Greer
    Faithful Friar Rev SK Greg Spencer
    Captain SK Colin Simpson
    Pilot SK George Schadt
    Comptroller SK Frank Bio
    Admiral SK Greg Decker
    Purser SK Tom Sullivan
    Scribe SK Mike Apicella
    Inner Sentinel SK Joe Damitz
    Outer Sentinel SK John Danchisko
    1st Year Trustee SK Michael Breit
    2nd Year Trustee SK Frank Weisgerber
    3rd Year Trustee SK Dennis Kelleher
    Corps Commander SK Bob Gabel
  • Installation Date of August 20 or 27 at Hampstead
  • Budget for the next fraternal year is being compiled by the Faithfull Comptroller.
    • Proposed budget to be emailed to members in July.
    • Discussion at the August meeting and final vote in September.

Report of Third Degree Councils

These reports are to be forward-looking so that our membership knows what our affiliated councils will be doing over the upcoming month.

  • 1074 Wilmington at BSSM and ICC

    • Officers for the next fraternal year approved.
    • June 20 - BSSM picnic area cleanup (10 am start time)
    • June 20/21 - Baby bottle pickup on Father's Day Weekend
    • June 26 - Blood Drive, Immaculate Conception Church, 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
    • June 27 & 28 - Membership Drive at BSSM and ICC at all Masses
    • July 4 - Fund raiser at BSSM to support Religious Icons for the Church starting at 4 pm for the 5:30 and 7:00 pm Masses
    • August 22 - Food Drive at Carolina Beach
    • August 30 - Corporate Communion at BSSM at 8 am before the 8:30 Mass
    • September 13 - Soccer Challenge
    • October 5 -The Lou Mattes Memorial Charity Golf Tournament - Beau Rivage
  • 12017 Fr. James E. Waters at St. Mark

    • June 21 - Father's Day Parish Breakfast after the 9:30 am Mass
    • New COR Series - Into the Breach runs for the next two weeks
    • June 22-26 - Vacation Bible Study runs next week
    • July 1 - Blood Drive
    • July 11 - Build a Bed Program - No Child Sleeps Alone: Sleep in Heavenly Peace
    • July 25 - World-renowned Bryan Saint Magic Show to support LAMB - Go to council website to get tickets.
    • The Latino Roundtable collected and delivered over 10,000 pounds of food and water - Food for Farm Workers
    • If any parishes have any Hispanic Knights, contact Greg Peters for the St. Mark's Roundtable for further information
  • 12885 St. Therese at St. Therese

    • May 16 – Blessing of the Beach
    • Saturday Men's Group Meeting, discuss that Bible Passage for Sunday at 8 am - All are invited, followed by breakfast
    • June 18 - That Man is You Series - Run by SK Bob Smith
    • June 27/28 - Father's Bill's 28th Anniversary of Ordination
    • July 14 - Installation of Officers (other councils are invited to participate)
    • 3rd Tuesday of every month unload food at St. Joe's Pantry in Burgaw
  • 11817 Fr. Roland Gross at St. Stanislaus

    • June 13 - Exemplification - Six members exemplified into the Council
    • June 18 - Blueberry Festival 8 am to 4 pm
    • August 1 - Blood Drive with the Blood Connection in St. Stan's parking lot
    • September 26 - Bishop Luis Zarama will be elevating Fr. Steven from Admin to Pastor. There will be a 10:30 am Mass followed by a light luncheon. Honor Guard Requested.

Brothers in Need

  • Fr. Greg Spencer
  • Teri Decker
  • Barbara Schadt
  • Corrine Damiz
  • John Bolger
  • George Keenan
  • Grant Carner
  • For the repose of the souls of Vincent Cusick and Fr. Frank Moselein

Good of the Order – June Reflections

As we enter the month of June, we are reminded of the call to deeper love, service, and devotion. This month is dedicated in a special way to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – a symbol of Christ’s boundless love and mercy for all. Let us strive to reflect that same love in our actions, showing compassion and charity to everyone we encounter.
June also brings opportunities for fellowship and service as we gather for parish events, community activities, and patriotic observances. As members of the Fourth Degree, we are called to be visible witnesses to our faith and our love of country. Our commitment to patriotism should always reflect respect, unity, and a desire to serve the common good.
Let us continue to support one another as brother Knights, strengthening the bonds of fraternity that make our Order strong. Reach out to those who may be in need, offer your time and talents, and remain active in both your assembly and your parish.
Please keep in your prayers all Sir Knights and their families, especially those who are ill, in distress, or who have passed on. May we be a source of strength and comfort to one another.
As we move through this month, may we be guided by faith, inspired by charity, and committed to living out the principles of our Order each and every day.

Vivat Jesus!

Closing Prayer

  • Conducted SK Faithful Deacon Keenan - Hail Mary and Glory Be.

Closing Ode

  • Sung the Star-Spangled Banner.

Adjourn

  • Next regular meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at St. Mark's Parish Hall.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.

Minutes submitted by SK Mike Apicella, Faithful Scribe.