Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2023

Opening Ceremony

  • Faithful Navigator Frank Bio opened the meeting at 7:00pm in the Saint Stanislaus Parish/Knights Hall, 4849 Castle Hayne Rd, Castle Hayne, NC. There were 24 Sir Knights with ID cards and rosaries in attendance.

Call of Officers

Office Holder P/E/A
Faithful Navigator SK Frank Bio Present
Faithful Friar Rev SK Greg Spencer Excused
Captain SK Larry Greer Present
Pilot SK Greg Peters Present
Comptroller SK Greg Decker Present
Admiral SK Frank Weisgerber Present
Purser SK Bobby Phillips Present
Scribe SK Tom Sullivan Present
Corps Commander SK Bob Gorman Present
Inner Sentinel SK Joe Damitz Present
Outer Sentinel SK George Schadt Present
1st Year Trustee SK Dennis Kelleher Present
2nd Year Trustee SK George Plarre Excused
3rd Year Trustee SK Caleb Strittmatter Present

Opening Prayer

  • Meeting’s opening prayer was led by the acting Faithful Friar, 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

  • A call was made for changes or amendments to the September 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

  • No report.

Report of the Faithful Comptroller - SK Greg Decker

  • The Faithful Comptroller provided the following report:
    1. The Assembly has 158 members. Working with Supreme to solve an issue with them cashing our previously sent Assembly checks since they sent us another bill for $552.61 owed.
    2. Turned in funds to the Purser for Veterans Support and Scholarship donations.
  • The financials reported can be requested by contacting the Faithful Comptroller.

Report of the Faithful Purser - SK Bob Philips

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

Report of Committees

Membership Report/ Reading of Applications/ Balloting

  • One request to transfer from Sir Knight Jack Murphy awaits further action.
  • The next 4th Degree Exemplification is scheduled for January 20 at St. Paul's in New Bern, NC. See New Business below for more information.

RSVP Report - SK Greg Decker

  • No report.

Patriotic Reports

Veterans Support - SK Tim Ludgate

  • The Veterans Day Parade starts at 1100 on Saturday, November 11 in downtown Wilmington. Once our staging area is identified, word will be sent out via email. Our Columbianettes are allowed to join us as we march. Please wear Regalia or tuxedos but if you do not have them, wear the blue Assembly shirt with khaki trousers. If you cannot attend the parade, consider attending the Memorial Service at Long Leaf Park at the same time on November 11.
  • Please continue to support the Wreaths Across America, Ashley House, Cape Fear Veterans Raffle (drawing is on November 21), and Shoebox for Soldiers (toiletries, gloves, hats, etc.) efforts undertaken by our Assembly.

Scholarship for Future Saints - SK Caleb Strittmatter

  • SK Strittmatter introduced the committee that will be replacing him in this effort. SK Michael Breit (Chairman) along with SKs Stephen Fabian, Joe Damitz, Michael Apicella, Will Vertolli, and Dennis Kelleher will ensure another successful scholarship campaign.

Honor Guard - SK Bob Gorman

  • There will be training for sword use according to the Honor Guard Manual for all interested. Date to be determined.
  • Announced the winners of the 50% reimbursement for Regalia purchase - SKs Tom Sullivan, Larry Greer, Michael Breit, and Bob Gorman. Congratulations!

Fraternal Social Report - SK Weisgerber

  • The tour of Thalian Hall is scheduled for October 20 beginning at noon. He needs 10 guests and suggested lunch in the area afterwards.

Trustees Report

  • No report.

Unfinished/Old Business

  • The Faithful Navigator asked for any suggestions or additions to the Planning Document as well as nominations for guest speakers at future Assembly meetings.

New Business

  • Reminder of the 4th Degree Exemplification on January 20 with Mass at 9am and the ceremony beginning at 11:30am at St. Paul Catholic Church, 33005 Country Club Rd, New Bern, NC. Anyone knowing of a 3rd degree knight wishing to become a Sir Knight should contact SK Decker (mailto:comptroller@kofc2017.org) immediately to begin the process.

Report of Third Degree Councils

  • 1074 Wilmington

    • Over 50 people attended their recent council picnic.
    • Continuing to develop their COR program.

  • 11817 St. Stanislaus

    • The annual Polish Festival is Saturday, November 4 from 11am-5pm. They could use help setting up on Friday, November 3 from 9am-1pm. Lunch will be provided to volunteers.
    • They are also active in their COR Program and are planning a Reflection on January 27-28.

  • 12017 St. Mark

    • Delivered blankets to the homeless and will deliver 252 donated Coats For Kids to seven agencies soon.
    • Planning to provide Thanksgiving Dinner to the county jail staff in November.
    • Will conduct a Spanish exemplification on November 12 and in English on November 14.

  • 12281 All Saints

  • No report. Now affiliated with the new assembly Fr. Thomas F. Price Assembly 3952 in Hampstead. Will be removed from the meeting minutes begining with November's report.

  • 12885 St. Therese

    • Conducting a fund raiser for Catholic Charities at Cousins Italian Restaurant on October 25.

  • 12921 Transfiguration

    • No report. Now affiliated with the new assembly Fr. Thomas F. Price Assembly 3952 in Hampstead. Will be removed from the meeting minutes begining with November's report.

Brothers in Need

  • Prayers requested for SKs Mark Fischer and Tom Rice as well as the wife of SK Lou Mattes.

Good of the Order

  • The Worthy Faithful Captain provided the Wisdom of Fulton Sheen from 1938: "Our solemn duty as American Catholics is to preserve our freedom by preserving our faith in God."

Closing Prayer

  • Conducted by Deacon George Keenan

Adjourn

  • Next meeting will be at 7pm on Tuesday, November 21 at St. Mark Catholic Church Parish Hall.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:56pm.

Minutes submitted by SK Tom Sullivan, Faithful Scribe.