Knights of Columbus
Newsletter for the Father Howard J. Lesch Council 7667
November 4, 2014
Grand Knight: Tom Elsesser
elsesser@cox.net
Recorder: Kevin Mahoney
Klmahoney26@yahoo.com
1st Year Trustee: Ken Elliott, PGK
kenOH58@aol.com
Deputy Grand Knight: Steve Zajac
sjzajac@embarqmail.com
Advocate: Ellis Boudreaux, PGK
ellisboudr@aol.com
2nd Year Trustee: John Foley, PGK
aufsu1@gmail.com
Chancellor: Karl Eschmann
phanfix@cox.net
Warden: Mark Williams
mjwilli@gmail.com
3rd Year Trustee: Moe Powers, PGK
moepow@aol.com
Financial Secretary: Ken Laird
Ken@valp.net
Inside Guard: Mike Flinn
maflinn@gmail.com
Chaplain: Fr. Toledo
Treasurer: Gary Hetzel
garyhetzel@eglin.af.mil
Outside Guard: Steve Sharpe
smasharpe@gmail.com
Lecturer: Deacon Lou Marini
cnlmarini@cox.net
Field Agent: Tim Pugh
timothy.pugh@kofc.org
GENERAL NOTES:
Please send announcements, upcoming events, pictures of KoC activities, and other pertinent info to
Mark Williams at mjwilli@gmail.com
To improve the accuracy of meeting minutes and newsletters, please provide meeting reports to
the Recorder in writing before, during, or after the general meeting.
General Business Meeting held at 7:00 PM every 1st Tuesday of each month in the HNJ parish hall.
Social Meetings/dinners generally occur the 3rd Tuesday – approximately every other month in the HNJ
parish hall.
Officers’ Meetings are held at 7:00 PM the last Tuesday of each month in the HNJ parish hall.
Newsletter and calendar inputs can be given to Kevin Mahoney (klmahoney26@yahoo.com)
I
Upcoming Dates: Access KoC calendar by clicking on the following link:
http://parishcalendar.com:8080/80/21973
Council 7667
General Membership Meeting Minutes – November 4, 2014
The Meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Deputy Grand Knight Steve Zajac. Roll call was taken.
Minutes from previous meeting were approved pending minor corrections.
Report of Admissions: (PGK Moe Powers)
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No report.
Grand Knight’s Report : (DGK Steve Zajac)
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Brother Tim and Anna Pugh received the honor of being selected by Supreme as Family of the
Month. This is the third time in the last few years; Moe Powers, Steve Sharpe and now Tim
Pugh. This tells me we are one of the faithful councils routinely writing and submitting of
FoM…Kudos to Brother Karl Eschmann.
Thank you to everybody that helped with the 2nd and 3rd degree exemplification ceremony.
There were 33 candidates for the 2nd degree and 55 for the 3rd degree. There were representatives
from 20 councils and five districts. We spent $367 on food and made $640. Great job to all who
helped out.
Brother Dutch Stenzel opened his house again for a social. Thank you Dutch and Dee for your
hospitality.
 PGK Moe Powers commented on the very low number of Knights who showed up
at this social and encouraged better support for future gatherings as the Stenzels so
graciously opened up their home to us.
Thanks to all who helped out with the International Fall Festival. We hosted the adult beverages,
but it appeared we had Knights in just about every “country”.
Chaplain’s Report: (Fr. Toledo)
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No report (Excused absence)
Treasurer’s Report: (Brother Gary Hetzel)
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As of October 31st the report is as follows:
o Scholarship Fund
Vocations Fund
General Fund
Total
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$ 2,656.00
$
734.00
$ 19,631.47
$ 23,021.47
Note: We do still have out-standing checks of nearly $3,800.
Financial Secretary’s Report : (Brother Ken Laird)
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We are pretty much caught up on our payments right now.
This month is the month I’ll be filing our federal/state tax. (Post meeting clarification: We are
not required to file until January 31st 2015 and we will submit our documents when
appropriate.)
Trustee’s Report: (PGK John Foley)
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No report.
Chancellor’s report: (Brother Karl Eschmann)
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No report.
Vocations Report: (Brother Karl Eschmann)
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No report.
Report on Service Program Committees
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Membership Director: (PGK Moe Powers)
o No report.
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Church Director: (PGK Ellis Boudreaux)
o We started our Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) Christmas card sales last month…sold
about $100 worth so far. We also have new magnetic decals on sale for $3.
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Program Director: (DGK Steve Zajac)
o Reports from directors as follows:
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Community Director: (PGK Ellis Boudreaux)
o The K of C Annual Spelling Bee was held last night; 61 students participated
o The Lady’s rummage sale is coming up next Saturday and they could always use
help…show up at any time, there is always something to do.
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Council Director: (PGK Pat Ritchie)
o No report (Excused absence)
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Family Director: (Brother Karl Eschmann)
o Family of the Month for October is Kenneth and Donna Elliott
o Knight of the Month for October is Roger (Dutch) Stenzel
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Pro-Life Director: (Brother Chuck Frey)
o No report (Excused absence)
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Youth Director: (Brother Ed Coleman)
o No report. (Excused absence)
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Round Table Chairman:
o No report.
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Recruiting: (PGK George Lambert)
o No report.
Bingo: (PGK John Foley)
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We are still having a great time…there is room to share. If anyone is interested and would like
to share come out, contact me and I will find a niche for you.
Unfinished Business:
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We have a very low turnout at the Fourth Degree meetings. Brother Franklin Bevel is the
Faithful Navigator and there are other members of our council who hold positions on the
executive council. Please come out to support your Assembly.
Christmas cards are on sale; so please support by purchasing a box or two or grabbing a
magnetic decal for your car.
(From Brother Mac Blythe) I came to the council meeting in September to bring to attention to
my Brother Knights the Rosary path and its poor condition. It was my desire to get some work
done on it in October. As it turned out, I was not able to do that. So, it is my desire to do some
hard work on it this month. Any volunteers who would like to help out, I will start the Rosary
path cleanup work on Saturday, November 15th…I will send an e-mail.
Reminder! Coming up on Tuesday, November 13th is the Necrology Mass. Fr. Toledo will
celebrate the Mass, at 6 PM. Following the Mass we will spend time with the widows while
enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
New Business:
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(From Brother Ken Laird) Every year we have a Christmas party at HNJ for our guests from the
Sunland facility in Marianna. This year it will be Saturday, December 13th. Sunland is a state
run facility that takes care of mentally handicapped adults. This is a joint activity with our
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council and Council 13527 (COR). We have a gift list for 10 guests that we are sponsoring. If
anyone would like to sponsor someone, please see me after the meeting. I will also send out an
e-mail with the list to let you know what gifts are required. Each guest has a list of gifts (three
items) usually something like belts, hats, shirts, etc. We ask that you wrap the gift and bring it
to the General Membership meeting on Tuesday, December 2nd. Additional instructions will be
in the e-mail. (Post meeting note: Many Brother Knights quickly volunteered and all guests are
covered)
Pasta Night, for the months of January and July needed to be rescheduled.
o January was changed to January 11th because it coincides with the parish celebration of
the Feast of the most Holy Name of Jesus, our parish name sake.
o July was moved to July 11th because we have the honor of hosting the State Officers
Installation Mass and social Saturday, July 4th. We have been asked to donate beer and
wine for celebration.
(From Brother Steve Sharpe) St. Vincent de Paul is hurting …pantry shelves are empty and
they have no money for supplies. “Personal Challenge,” if you feel it in your heart, please give
to this charitable organization.
Brother Aaron Slayback (Youth Minister, HNJ) made a motion for a donation (up to $100) to
purchase, for the Youth Ministry/Faith Formation program, four turkeys to be served at the
Faith Formation Family Thanksgiving/Advent Night on Wednesday, November 19th. The
motion was made because the original CYM night was changed to include all families apart
from Faith Formation program and because of the change, more turkeys were needed.
o The motion was passed.
(From PGK Moe Powers) Polo shirts have arrived…anyone who ordered a council polo shirt,
please see me after the meeting. I will also send out an email notifying those who are not in
attendance
Larry Riccio (parishioner) needs help with yard cleanup after a fire damaged his yard. If there
are any Knights with spare time that would like to lend a hand, it would be appreciated.
Report of the Fourth Degree: (Brother Franklin Bevel)
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There will be a Veteran’s Day ceremony Nov 11th, at Doolittle Park in Valparaiso, show time is
10:45 AM with the ceremony starting at 11:00 AM. We will have Knights in Regalia.
Next Fourth Degree meeting is Thursday, Nov 20th at 7 PM at HNJ.
Field Agents Report: (Tim Pugh)
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No Report (excused absence)
I’m at 850-941-1046 or timothy.pugh@kofc.org. Call me – let’s talk.
District Deputy Report: (DD Joe Purka)
1. RECRUITING and MEMBERSHIP:
Your Council goal is 13 new members and 5 new insurance members. To date, you have
added three new members and five new insurance members.
2.
DEGREE SCHEDULE
a. First Degree: November 19th Crestview (Council 7968).
b. Third Degree: November 15th noon, at St. Louis, Tallahassee.
c. Fourth Degree: November 29th in Orlando – Rosen Plaza Hotel.
 Arrive November 28th, depart 30th.
 K of C rate $104 Hotel deadline is November 6th.
 Application deadline is November 14th.
3.
Youth Programs:
a. Spelling Bee:
 District competition in January 10th.
 Regional: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, January 17th at Little Flower Parish, Pensacola.
 State competition is February 1st in Kissimmee.
b. Basketball Free Throw:
 District competition mid-February.
 Regional in late February or early March.
 State competition is March 14th in Haines City.
4. Food for Families:
a. Supreme will rebate $100 for every $500 or 1,000 lbs. of food donated to St. Vincent de
Paul, Sharing and Caring, or another food bank.
5. Coats for Kids: $195 buys a case of 8 coats for needy children.
6. March for Life, January 22nd: Opportunity for councils to support area or college Catholic
groups going to Washington, D.C. to participate.
7. Christmas Events:
a. Keep Christ In Christmas (KCIC), cards, magnets, posters, billboards, etc.
b. KCIC Poster Contest: Show the real meaning of Christmas to the youth of your parish.
Contest kit is available at kofc.org/. Three age groups: 5-7, 8-10 and 11-14.
c. Light Up for Christmas: Council-sponsored lighting of Christmas tree or Nativity at 8
PM on Tuesday, December 2nd.
Prayer Requests:
 Deacon Lou Marini
Fr. Sebastian Naslund
 Deacon Jim Cox
Frank Cole
 Dick and Judy Ikena
Moe Powers
 Les Honstetter
Tish Gauthier
[Post meeting Note: Les Honstetter (November 13th) and Tish Gauthier (November 25th) passed
away. May their faithfully departed souls rest in peace.]
Good of the Order (Deacon Lou Marini)
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Deacon Lou shared the following Poem, as it seems to fit in, with all the needs we have:
“Standing Room Only”
Standing room only, not even room to kneel and pray
Standing room only on Judgment Day
Last night I have an awful dream that the end of time had come
The trumpet had been sounded and life on earth was done
An angel stood one foot on land, the other foot on sea
And as I tried to kneel and pray a voice said unto me
There’s standing room only, it’s too late now to pray
There’s standing room only, this is the Judgment Day
People filled each church and churchyard just as far as I could see
I heard the pitiful cry of mercy and then I realized it was me
I saw the Savior did appear as He split the eastern sky
I saw tears of joy on a Christian’s face and I heard the sinners cry
And as I tried to touch His hand with one last people plea
I cried again have mercy, have mercy, Lord, on me
I saw a tear come to His eye as He turned my soul away
I didn’t know Him yesterday and He knew me not today
The earth was burning all around, the world wound up in smoke
And as the flames came off me, thank God I awoke
Then I got out of bed and got down on my knees
And you should have heard me pray
For in my dream I witnessed God’s great Judgment Day
Standing room only on God’s great Judgment Day
We need to pray!
Meeting Closure
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DGK closed with a prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.
Next general membership meeting is December 2nd at 7 PM.
After-meeting Social
Attendees remained for a social at the end of the meeting. DGK Steve Zajac provided the snacks
and beverages.
Family of the Month
October 2014
Kenneth and Donna Elliott
Brother Ken actively participates in numerous council activities, including Bingo support, the Sunland
Christmas events, youth outreach programs such as the K of C Spelling Bee, annual celebrations
including the Parish International Food Festival, Second and Third Degree Ceremonies, and he can
usually be seen in the background of many council functions doing behind the scenes clean-up duties.
He is also a reliable permanent cook supporting Bingo Team 4 on Friday nights. He and the other
members of the four Bingo teams have been instrumental in the success of the activity in producing over
70% of the income used in charitable, community, and council support. In the past several years, he has
volunteered to support the annual Council Spelling Bee competition. This project involves 5th to 10th
graders in all Niceville-Valparaiso schools and a Destin Middle-school. This year we had 61 students
participating in our contest. Brother Ken served as a judge along with the other 12 knights who
volunteered to support the event from both the HNJ and COR councils, making this a real significant
community event. The winners in each of the three grade categories (5/6, 7/8, and 9/10 grade breakouts)
won savings bond certificates and plaques. Brother Ken and Donna were both actively involved with
helping with the annual Sunland Christmas Party. Ken assists in the efforts involved in hosting a
Christmas Party for handicapped members of the State run Sunland facility for the handicapped located
in Marianna, Florida, He helped orchestrate the Gift exchange in the HNJ Parish Hall. Our council has
sponsored these events annually for the past 31 years. Ken and Donna also support the semi-annual HNJ
Rummage Sales which provides for additional funding to sustain the Father Butler Family Life Center
activities. Donna is the “Plant Lady”, responsible for the preparation and sale of all of the donated plants
and flowers. Ken enjoys the camaraderie, fellowship, community outreach, and challenges associated
with actively supporting our council. Donna is a Religious Education Instructor for Parish children in
elementary school ages. Donna is a mainstay volunteer for short-notice set-ups and clean-ups at council
functions, where her quick smile and community spirit motivates others to pitch in. When not tied up
providing volunteer services in our community and parish, Ken and Donna spend time visiting their
children. They are always involved in the sponsorship and mentoring of their two grandchildren, who
live in the local area. They take them to Mass weekly and have them involved in the Parish Children’s
Choir and Adult Choir. The youngest is an Altar server and Usher. The oldest was active in Youth
Group and Choir and has moved into the next phase of her life. They also are involved with the
children’s school activities such as Advanced Junior Leadership activities and various youth
conferences. They are both members of the Genealogy Society of Okaloosa County. Donna is President
and Ken is Vice President. Ken is an active member of The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, The
Sons of Confederate Veteran’s Society, Special Operations Association, and the Purple Heart
Association. Brother Ken and Donna demonstrate, through hard work, their Christian values and the
KOC principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
Knight of the Month
October 2014
Roger (Dutch) Stenzel
The Stenzel family worked hard this year in many parish and knight activities. Brother Dutch has been
a member of the Knights since 1956 when he joined as an 18 year old. As a substitute cook team
member, he and the other members of the four Bingo teams have been instrumental in the success of the
activity that produces over 70% of the income used in charitable, community, and council support. This
equates to nearly $40,000 per year and it provides the bulk of the funding needed to support the budget.
This contribution of time and talent for just the bingo activity alone exceeds 60 man-hours per year.
Dee is very active in various church and community activities. She is a well-known and dearly loved
active participant in the parish Ladies Sodality Group. This distinguished women’s group work
unselfishly with the set up and execution of social functions such as Cakewalks, picnics, and the Parish
Oktoberfest. The group also hosts receptions at funerals and memorial services while aiding the grieving
friends and relatives of those whom have passed on. Dutch recently hosted a Knight’s family dinner and
social at his house in support of the fraternity aspects of Council 7667. Annually he hosts a shrimp boil
for brother knights and had been doing so several years now. Dee is a volunteer in the daily operation of
the Group’s thrift shop called Angel Attic. Every day the Ladies open up and sell numerous items,
mostly donated by Parish members. The funding provides charity to Catholic and non-catholic
organizations alike. They are both active participants in the local Meals on Wheels program which
delivers free meals to homebound widows and widowers. They also participate twice monthly as
volunteers for a shelter for the needy called the Community Place. People in need are allowed to stay as
a resident until they are able to move on. Volunteers ensure that proper meals are prepared for the
residents. They are active sponsors in attending the monthly First Friday Masses and the after Mass,
social events. But most of all, the both of them spend quality time with their 15 grandchildren and two
great grandchildren, the loves of their lives. Brother Dutch and Dee demonstrate through hard work
their Christian values and the K of C principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.